"So, Mrs Darcy, how have you been enjoying your time in London this past month?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked as they danced together.
"It certainly has been very different from my time at Pemberley," Elizabeth smiled. "I enjoy the social engagements much more than my husband does."
She glanced across the room where, as expected, he was watching the two of them rather than conversing or dancing himself.
"I believe he had hoped to attend fewer parties after marrying, not more," he chuckled.
"It is only for this first year; people must have their curiosity assuaged, you know."
"And do they seem satisfied by what they see?"
"Oh, almost everyone I have met has been extraordinarily kind, at least to my face. I confess I find it rather disappointing after being led to believe my marriage would be the scandal of the century."
"It is only because you fit in so perfectly. Nobody would ever suspect from your elegance and manners that you did not grow up within the first circles."
"In other words, everyone had expected I would look the bumpkin, and since I do not they have decided to treat me as one of their own."
"Precisely," he laughed.
They went down the dance before Elizabeth could resume their conversation. "Even my naysayers have had their accusations refuted, now that I have been married for four months with no sign of that sort of scandal," she said gesturing subtly to her stomach.
"How disappointing for them."
"And are you satisfied with my introduction? I believe you were one of my earliest detractors," she teased lightly.
The Colonel had the good sense to look sheepish. "You have proven me wrong as much as everyone else. But you must believe me that it was never personal. I did not know at the time whether you were a fortune hunter. And my cousin was correct when he accused me of overestimating the harm to the family, especially when my father took care to instruct us all to accept you."
"He may have even begun taking his own advice; if I am not mistaken your parents seem to like me now - certainly they accept me. If they are not careful they might accidentally find themselves approving."
"I daresay they already approve, after seeing how happy you have made their nephew and Georgiana. At least I do."
She smiled. "Both Darcys are the dearest people in the world to me; I cannot help loving them."
The dance finished, and they walked together towards her husband. The Colonel noticed how the couple gazed at each other while she approached.
"You really do love him," he said almost to himself. "He is a lucky man."
#
Caroline Bingley watched as Elizabeth Bennet - Mrs Darcy, she corrected herself bitterly - waltzed with her husband at that same ball. With the man who should have been her husband, if he had only opened his eyes to what was before him all those years. She had never even seen Mr Darcy dance the waltz before, so careful was he to avoid giving any lady the wrong impression of his interest, but he had taken to the floor with gusto this time.
She watched them move about the floor rather too close together, even for this dance, and smile into each other's eyes. People had been talking for a month about how charming Mrs Darcy was and how sweet it was to see them so in love, but Caroline disagreed on both counts. To her they looked foolish. Marrying for love was so plebeian. Still, it must be nice to be gazed at so adoringly by the most handsome man of her acquaintance…
She looked away.
There was a gentleman at the refreshment table nearby to whom she had been introduced once before. If she recalled correctly, his family estate was fairly prosperous, though all the way in Scotland. She moved casually to the table as if to get some punch, taking care to angle herself towards him to show her elegant hairstyle to its best advantage.
"Miss Bingley," the man nodded civilly.
"Oh, Mr McIntyre, how good it is to see you," she feigned surprise at being addressed. "How do you do?"
"Very well, thank you, and yourself?"
"I am well, thank you. I have danced so much tonight I am simply gasping for a drink!" She batted her eyelashes.
Gallantly, he offered to pour her a cup and she planned her next conversational gambit while he busied himself with the task. But before she could speak again he nodded and moved away, leaving her gaping at his back.
She sighed and took a sip. The dance finished while she stood in solitude.
#
Dear Lizzy,
This letter is difficult to write, but I feel it is necessary. I have been avoiding talking about it in the hopes that matters would improve, but it is now well into October: five months have passed with no sign of change.
When I saw you at Pemberley I disclosed that Lady Catherine is displeased with my husband and me due to your engagement (now marriage) to Mr Darcy. I was optimistic then that she would grow accustomed to the changes and things would return to normal, but it appears I was wrong.
She never invites us for a social visit, so I only see her at church, where she pointedly snubs me. Miss de Bourgh attempts to be civil sometimes but is pulled away by her mother before she can converse with me beyond "how do you do". Lady Catherine also appears displeased by the cousin who recently moved into Rosings as well; his family must sit in her pew with her but they all appear uncomfortable.
She will request my husband to attend her at Rosings to show her his sermon he prepared for the upcoming Sunday, then make him change it entirely. Sometimes this occurs twice in one week. She undermines him in front of parishioners, offering contradicting advice in spiritual matters unasked.
She has convinced Mr Collins to not "waste" money by hiring a nursemaid for the child we are expecting next month. I believe he has acquiesced hoping that his adherence to her advice in this and other matters would bring him back in favour, but it has not and now I fear how I will manage the babe without assistance. Thankfully, Mama is coming in a fortnight in case the child arrives a week or two early, and will stay for at least a month after it is born. Papa must remain at home to watch over our sisters, but I wish he could have come as well.
The strain is impacting my husband's health. He is not sleeping well. Even before the weather turned colder, he was still unable to tend to his garden as he used to without quickly becoming exhausted. He hardly has an appetite and is growing alarmingly thin. Due to his weakness he is constantly taking ill with colds.
I pray nightly for the restoration of his health and our reconciliation with Lady Catherine, but Lizzy, I must confess I am also praying that our child will be a son, in case he does not recover. Please pray for us, as I know there is nothing else you can do, nor would I ask more from you.
I hesitated to tell you all of this while I know you are very busy in London but I could not manage any longer without unburdening myself. I feel somewhat relieved just having my dearest sister know. I hope I have not distressed you. Please continue to write to me of the balls and parties you are attending, for your letters always lift my spirits.
As usual, give my regards to Mr and Miss Darcy.
Always your loving sister,
Jane
#
Elizabeth entered her husband's study in tears. The moment he saw her he put away his work and rushed over to her.
"Sweetheart, what is the matter?" he asked and steered her to a nearby couch where he pulled her into his lap.
She said nothing, but handed him Jane's letter, which he read with an increasingly grim expression.
"We can help them, at least a little," he said after he finished a second perusal. "First, I will inform my uncle that Lady Catherine is abusing your sister and brother, and hope he can induce her to stop. Second, I will begin looking for another living for him; I have none expected to become available soon but I will ask others if they know of a possibility. Third, we will pay for their nursemaid. Mr Collins cannot object if it costs him nothing."
Elizabeth nodded. She briefly considered objecting to imposing on the Earl, whose friendship with her was still tentative, but she decided she would do anything to help Jane.
Darcy watched with concern as his precious wife cried in his arms. "Is there anything I can do for you, my love? A glass of wine, perhaps?"
She shook her head. "I knew - I knew all was not well in June, but Jane said no more on the subject since then, so I did not think it was continuing. I should have known Lady Catherine would hold onto her resentment."
"No, no. Of course you could not have known. I know my aunt best; truly I am the one who should have taken action sooner to look for a new living for them. I thought when we first became engaged that it might be necessary. I am so very sorry for neglecting it until now, Elizabeth."
She again shook her head. "I do not blame you. Thank you for whatever you can do now."
He continued thinking as she dried her tears. He asked her, "Shall we invite the Collinses to Pemberley for her confinement? Or if Mr Collins cannot get away, perhaps just your sister and mother will come? I do not object to leaving London early for them."
"I am certain that Mr Collins will not be allowed and that Jane will refuse to go without him, but I will ask." She snuggled even closer and kissed his hand. "You are so generous. I will never have the means to do even a fraction as much for you as you do for my family."
"Elizabeth, you are my life and your family is my family. I will always care for them as I am able."
She sighed and closed her eyes. She was still distressed for Jane, but her husband's comfort was impossible to resist.
"Would it be very bad if we missed the dinner party tonight?" she asked. "All I want is your company, and Georgiana's."
"We will stay home. It is not an important event, and neither of us seems equal to attending." He kissed her temple. "Tomorrow I will call on my uncle and explain the situation, and then go to my club to begin making inquiries for an available living, if you do not mind me being out for a few hours."
"Of course I do not mind, especially when those are your errands. I shall practise the pianoforte, for once, and write to Mary."
They sat there for a long time. Elizabeth was wracked with guilt. She knew Jane had made sacrifices for her and their other sisters, but this was more than anyone had expected. Marrying a silly man should not cause her to suffer.
She wondered what Jane would do if the worst happened. She wanted more than anything for her dearest sister to know the happiness she herself felt one day, but at the moment Jane's happiness seemed all too far away.