False Pretense

Entirely the original work of

Alleu

The following story is almost entirely the work of Jane Austen, I make no profit from this story and don't claim any copyright.

The wedding had been barely adorned with flowers. The breakfast was small, the food was sumptuous, but there was nothing particularly fancy. The absence of her father made the day even more unbearable for Elizabeth. Her mother may have regretted the lack of ornamentation, but she would forever regret walking down the aisle without him by her side. Nobody could ever accuse either the Bennets or Mr. Darcy from skimping out on the arrangements, but the wedding was plain according to Elizabeth's wishes as she was still in the peak of her mourning period. Right after the breakfast had ended, the new Mrs. Darcy had been swept into the carriage of her husband and they left for Pemberely. Feeling the stress of the last 3 weeks washing over her, Elizabeth soon fell asleep.

She was jostled awake by the carriage driving over a rather large pothole, it had gotten darker and she became disoriented.

"We're almost at Pemberely," said Mr. Darcy quietly. "I thought you must have been tired and let you sleep."

"I thank you, sir. I was... I am tired." Mr. Darcy surveyed her intently as she forced out the response.

Elizabeth was struggling with her thoughts. All of her dreams had been centred on what would take place tonight, their first night as man and wife. Her mother's description of the events that would undoubtedly happen had been terrifying, though she gave it little merit after having chatted to her Aunt Gardiner. She would liked to have had her mind completely put to rest over her fear, but even her aunt had told her that it could quite possibly hurt. Even then it wasn't the possible pain that scared Elizabeth; it was the intimacy with Darcy.

The man on whom her thoughts now centred was watching her closely. Their thoughts were on the same event, although Darcy's were far more pleasurably inclined. He knew she wasn't ready and he had already surmised that she was fearful he would take what was not yet properly his. Darcy opened his mouth to allay his wife's fears when the footman announced they were entering the driveway to Pemberely. Almost immediately Mrs. Darcy's eyes cast out to the grounds of her new home. She looked at them, not with a proprietary air, but with the air of one looking at one's new home. Darcy hoped that she would come to accept Pemberely not merely as a house, but as a home. Her presence, that of a woman and his wife, would certainly change the air of Pemberely, so too, he hoped, would the addition of children in the future.

As they pulled up to the great house, Elizabeth looked on in awe. Mrs. Reynolds had assembled the entire body of staff to greet the new mistress. Feeling more than slightly overwhelmed, Elizabeth stepped out of the carriage with her new husband's help and smiled softly at the staff. She knew they were assessing her every move. Should she be too forward, too unfriendly, too unforgiving or even too pleasant she felt that she may lose their respect at once.

After the introductions were made, Elizabeth was swept in and shown all the rooms. It was so much to process; she believed it would take her years to get used to the house and all of its occupants and facets.

After her dinner with Mr. Darcy, they retired to the salon. It was here that Mr. Darcy addressed what he believed was her major concern. "You needn't fear Elizabeth that I will come to you tonight and expect my marital rights." It was said so quietly that Elizabeth barely heard. Although she could not pretend to not hear what it was that he said next, she stayed quiet. "Jane told me she found an unopened letter in your bureau. She said the hand was that of a man, she supposed it to be me. Imagine my surprise when she was right. I am returning this letter to you for you to read, please read it this time. You owe it most certainly to your sister, Mrs. Wickham." Elizabeth raised her head so quickly and with such force that she almost cricked her neck.

"I have no such sister, unless you mean Lydia... but we were certain that he did not mean to marry her. Even Uncle Gardiner said that they had been traced no further than London, but he didn't have time to search her out." Elizabeth was at an entire loss for more words. Darcy noticing her pale face sought to reassure her.

"I am responsible for the actions of Wickham, if I had but told the neighbourhood what I knew of him he would never have been able to wreak as much chaos as has been done. I had not yet heard of what had befallen your family, but I was alerted to Mr. Wickham's presence in London almost the second he arrived. I had assumed his debts in Meryton as I assume all of his debts, but when I went to his lodgings I found your sister. Both related to me your family's tragedy and had their own story of woe, in your sister's case of blind loyalty and love of Wickham. Though he professed the same love, he had not yet married her. I was quite aware that he had no intentions of such, he told me as much himself." Here, Darcy paused and looked into Elizabeth's eyes.

"I have no idea why it is that you did not read this letter, Elizabeth. If not at first, then I would have expected it at least when your sister had run away from you all. Even now, her disgrace affects your sisters remaining at home." Elizabeth looked away. The intensity in his eyes told her that which she already knew; she had been wrong. She had been too stubborn and proud to read the letter, believing that there was no way in which he could possibly redeem himself in her eyes. Even when she found out she had been wrong about Wickham, even then she had not been able to bring herself to read his words. She felt a fool.

"I took Wickham aside," Continued Mr. Darcy. "I showed him the debts that I have assumed for him over the years; I offered to get him a placement somewhere in the north in the militia. With debtor's prison being the only other option available to him, he became eager to become a married man after all. She is safe Elizabeth."

Elizabeth released a breath she did not realize she had been holding. "I cannot thank you enough sir, my family, will they ever find out?"

Darcy sighed. "I believe the Wickhams should be visiting any day now, Elizabeth. So too should the leaser of Netherfield. Mr. Bingley felt that perhaps there was something he left back in Meryton; he did so enjoy his time there last year." AS Elizabeth looked up to gauge the veracity of this comment, she saw her husband retreating out of the door. Apparently there would be no further discussion of the topic tonight.