Author's Note:

Hi, guys! Thank you for your comments for the last chapter, both the positive ones and the not so positive ones! I always appreciate the feedback.

Chapter 18 was a bit controversial. I see your point when you say that it's Fitzwilliam's duty to protect his wife, and I mostly agree with you, but I would like to point out a few things to explain my train of thought when I wrote it.

First, I think that if Fitzwilliam confronted Lod Brooke a day after the ball, he wouldn't have been able to keep his promise to not be violent and consider that he could do more damage than good, not only because he might put his own life in danger in a duel, but he could ruin Elizabeth's (and Georgiana's!) reputation. No one knows what happened between the Earl and Elizabeth, but a duel or even a violent confrontation would make it public. Had there been witnesses, he would have no other choice than to defend Elizabeth's honour or he would be called a coward, and his respectability as a husband would be ruined, but as far as they know, no one knows. And as much as we don't like Mary's sermons, she is right when she says that "a woman's reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful". It will always be Elizabeth's fault in the eyes of the ton, especially because they have reasons enough not to like her already (coming from a poor family and all that). Second, you might think Mr. Darcy high-handed, and he is a little, but consider that the lines of duty are kind of blurred in this story. I mean, Fitzwilliam took Pemberley's management (his father's duty) in his hands and that would also make Fitzwilliam high-handed. I intended to write them as kind of flexible with each other. After all, he is only the heir, not the master. So, unlike the original P&P, Fitzwilliam might be Lizzy's husband, but he is not the head of the Darcy family. That's Mr. Darcy. That doesn't mean that Elizabeth's protection falls to him (as Fitzwilliam points out), but it does mean that an insult to a Darcy is an insult to Mr. Darcy, too, even if she wasn't born a Darcy.

And my last argument: you don't always have to believe what a character says. Even someone as good as Fitzwilliam lies or bends the truth and although I said last chapter that I wouldn't write a long and complex act of revenge like the one some of you would have liked to read, I did say that this story arc would end in this chapter, not in chapter 18.

So, try not to judge until you're finished reading this chapter. I know it might still not satisfy your sense of justice because honestly, it doesn't satisfy mine either. It's not fair that men could mostly get away with anything but that was a reality of regency times. Still, I hope you like it and that you forgive Fitzwilliam for… bending the truth. You'll start seeing a more flawed couple from now on because no one is perfect. Both Fitzwilliam and Lizzy will be irrational at times and make mistakes, so be ready for that!

In this chapter, there is also a more positive side of Lizzy's experience with the ton that I hope you'll like. Sorry for my long explanation.

Stay safe!

Jen

"It is the same thing, my darling," he argued. She chuckled as she moved her face from his neck and then kissed him slowly, tenderly. "I will let my father confront him, but I will send a note with him from me. If I do not see him, I believe I can maintain my composure."

"A fair compromise," she agreed and sealed it with another kiss.

19.

Elizabeth knew very little of what happened to Lord Brooke. She knew her father had certainly gone to see him, and Fitzwilliam had told her that he had sent a note through his father—unsigned and with all names omitted—warning his lordship that his dear wife had stopped him from challenging to a duel this time, but if he dared to even look at his wife's way, he would not be so fortunate next time. He used a few lines to explain how good his aim with a gun was and how many years he had trained with a sword. He also warned his lordship that the reason he had allowed his father to go instead of going himself was that he believed it would be in the Earl's best interest not to be in his presence again. Both Darcy men knew that Lord Brooke was as cowardly with men as he was forward with women. She also knew that Mr. Darcy and Lord Matlock had taken care to ruin Lord Brooke's reputation and credibility as much as it was possible while omitting names. However, being disdained by the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams did carry some weight in the ton and although many might suspect the reason, rumours were kept at a minimum and everyone kept their daughters and wives far from his lordship.

Fitzwilliam himself did not know what his father had told his lordship, but when Mr. Darcy came back, he kissed Elizabeth's forehead and said:

"You shall never have to see him again, my child. He will stay at least a mile from you."

"Thank you... Papa," Lizzy replied, to the old man's delight.

What no one else knew was that Fitzwilliam had met Lord Brooke after his father had seen him. He had promised Elizabeth he would not go with his father and confront his lordship, and he had not done so. He had no real need to confront him. No one knew that Lord Brooke had insulted Elizabeth's honour and so no one would know if he did not defend it. But he knew. And Lord Brooke knew. He tried to forget about it and even waited a few days so the worst of his rage passed and he could face him with as much composure as it was possible for he did wish to keep his promise to Elizabeth and not hurt him.

However, three days after the ball had calmed down his ire, but not his sense of honour. The constant reminder of the attack—so clear and obvious in his wife's wrists—was of no help at all and so on the fourth day, he visited White's. He knew Lord Brooke spent most of his free time there and he supposed that in a few visits to his club he would eventually find him. He was wrong, for he found his lordship there on the first visit, gambling and drinking, which were activities the Earl was very known for overindulging in. Fortunately, there were not as many people as during the most popular hours and so he was able to sit alone and follow him discreetly, for it would not do to have this conversation in public. When the Earl finally stood and walked out of the room, he followed him into the hall, and after making sure no one was around, he cleared his throat.

Lord Brooke turned around and turned pale at the sight of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Unfortunately for him, the only thing that Fitzwilliam could see then was his wife's black and blue wrists and so he walked to his lordship, grabbed him by the collar of his tailcoat, and pushed him against the wall.

"Do you believe you have the right to gamble, drink, and have a merry time after what you have done?"

He almost said 'to my wife', but he stopped himself just in time when he realised someone might be listening.

"Come, Darcy," Lord Brooke said, "you know nothing really happened. Your father and I have already had a most unpleasant discussion about the subject and he made his and your sentiments very clear."

"Is it a habit of yours, Brooke? Do you walk the ballrooms," Fitzwilliam growled and then lowered his voice so it was barely a whisper: "in search for young women to attack?"

"I did not attack her!" Lord Brooke said, his voice too loud considering the compromising words he was saying.

Fitzwilliam brought him closer and then pushed him harder against the wall.

"I saw her wrists!" he spit out. "And lower your voice!"

"I did not mean to hurt her," the Earl argued and on seeing only rage in the young man's eyes, he trembled: "Come, Darcy, you have already warned me and your father and uncle have done much to ruin what was left of my reputation."

"I could do much more."

The Earl paled even more, for even though both men were of a similar built and age, Darcy had an advantage—the fury and venom of a protective and loving husband.

"But... but... you shall not, for you promised your wife!"

"Do not even speak of her," Fitzwilliam threatened and tightened his grip on the man's collar.

"I shall not! I shall not! And I shall stay away as I promised your father and uncle."

Fitzwilliam was disappointed to find that this promise did nothing to cool his wrath. He wished to punch him; to mark him in the same way he had marked Elizabeth. But then her wrists were replaced in his mind by her eyes, pleadingly asking him not to use violence.

"The promise I made my wife is the only thing that keeps me from killing you, but it will only save you this time," he finally warned him. "If you ever come near her, if you even look at her or speak a word to her or about her, I will not make any other promises and not ever Mrs. Darcy will be able to stop me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Darcy, I shall stay silent and away from your family."

"I do not care how many mistresses you keep, but if I find that you force yourself on women against their will, I shall ruin you."

"I understand," his lordship whispered, terrified.

Fitzwilliam finally let go of his collar and walked away as calmly as he could. The trip to Darcy House was too short for him to calm his fury completely, though he tried to ease his own mind by repeating to himself that Elizabeth's reputation was safe, that no one but him, Lord Brooke, Elizabeth, his parents, and Lord Matlock knew, and she was now safe and sound with his family. However, the only thing that managed to calm him down was the way Elizabeth smiled and kissed him the second she saw he was back.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"At White's," he replied, for he did not wish to lie, only to omit those details that would upset her.

"You took a long time for a place you do not truly enjoy," she teased.

"I met an acquaintance of mine and we spoke for some time," he said truthfully and before she could ask whom he had met, he added: "How did you spend your afternoon, my dear?"

Elizabeth decided that she had many reasons to be perfectly blissful and so, she decided she would not be unhappy about one—no matter how horrible—experience. She would not run away from London to the comforts of Pemberley. Fitzwilliam thought it best, but she had done nothing wrong and had no reason to escape. She would accomplish her goal which had always been to present a favourable image of Mrs. Darcy and pave the way for Georgiana.

Fitzwilliam simply smiled at such a declaration and whispered against her neck:

"You are so good, my love. So brave."

She went to every ball she was invited, received, and returned many calls, and she even thought she had made a few friends. She had very much liked Lady Agatha Wentworth, who, although she was the daughter of an Earl, seemed to be very practical and sensible, with a dry wit much like Elizabeth's and a lot of cynicism for one in her late twenties. Elizabeth was amused that one as cynical as Lady Agatha would not immediately believe her to be a fortune hunter, but after half an hour in each other's company, the older woman had dropped all pretense and began to treat Elizabeth as a friend. Miss Amelia Cooper was another woman who Elizabeth had liked instantly. Miss Cooper, however, was as different from Lady Agatha as she could possibly be. She was the only daughter of Mr. Cooper, who was the first generation of landed gentry in his family. They were granted enough respect, for they were wealthy and gentry—as Mr. Bingley was now, or would be when he finally bought Netherfield—but the stain of trade still tarnished the family; and so its shadow was still looming over Miss Cooper. The young lady was barely eighteen years old and facing her first season. Unlike Miss Bingley, who tried to wash away the stain of trade with her contempt and disdain for the lower classes, Miss Cooper was shy, timid, and insecure, but kind and amiable. Elizabeth was naturally drawn to a girl who reminded her of her dear sisters—both Jane and Georgie—and saw in her a kindred spirit—someone who was also barely accepted in society and only because of her current wealth and connections.

Altogether, Elizabeth found she was mostly tolerated in the ton. Some people genuinely liked her, others were full of pretensions, fawning, and flattery, and tried to court favour with the new member of the Darcy family. And then there were the ones who believed her to be a country chit who had surely compromised and seduced young Mr. Darcy with her art and allurements. Oh, poor young Mr. Darcy who had the misfortune to even fall in love—for they could not deny that—with a fortune hunter! And his parents so deceived in her! So preposterous! Elizabeth—being her father's daughter—delighted in such ridiculous claims which only made her poor husband more annoyed.

"I do not care what they think of me," Elizabeth kept repeating to him. "There are only a few of them who are so bad as to say all those things. As long as you and our family know I am not a fortune hunter, what do I care about Lord Whats-his-name's opinion?"

This only calmed Fitzwilliam until the next time he heard such a comment.

"Stop worrying, my love," Lady Anne added to Elizabeth's argument one day. "She was well received. She charmed everyone worth knowing and bewitched everyone who possessed any sense. The rest, we do not care about," she said, and then turned to Elizabeth. "You have done quite well, my dear. I am proud to call you a Darcy."

She was indeed satisfied by the way Elizabeth had handled the impertinent questions and suspicious glares, and she knew that with time, she would be fully accepted. By the time Georgiana came out, Elizabeth would even be popular, she was sure of it. She was also satisfied by the way that both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth kept a respectable distance when in company. Fitzwilliam had put his hand on her back a few times to let Elizabeth walk before him and he had offered his arm, but there had been no other public displays of affection. They had both behaved within the bounds of propriety at all times when in company, and she believed they could be as affectionate as they wished when they were just them. Still, one would have to be blind to miss the love in their eyes.

"Thank you, Mother," Elizabeth beamed and brought Lady Anne out of her reverie. "I tried to keep my impertinence and teasing ways to a minimum."

"Did you?" Lady Anne said, faking astonishment. "I hardly noticed."

Elizabeth laughed before Mr. Darcy added.

"As long as no one is disrespectful, they can think whatever they like. Georgie shall be well-received next year, I am sure."

And so, a month after they had arrived to London, the Darcys decided they had had enough of the ton for the time being, and retreated back to the comforts and tranquillity of Pemberley.

I do not own any Pride and Prejudice properties, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Characters and situations, created by Jane Austen, are taken from Pride and Prejudice and from the Pride and Prejudice (1995) adaptation created by Simon Langton and distributed by BBC.

This story is released under the GPL/CC BY: verbatim copying and distribution of this entire work are permitted worldwide, without royalty, in any medium, provided attribution is preserved.