Chapter 18: Meeting his relatives
The next day, Elizabeth and Darcy left to meet his aunt and uncle. Elizabeth was very apprehensive about the meeting. What if they are as arrogant as him? I would not be able to battle all my life with people who despise me.
Darcy was in the same state of mind. She argues with me for everything. What if she behaves rudely to them?
He looked at his wife seated opposite to him. She was dressed in a beautiful peach gown. Her chocolate curls glimmered in the sunlight as the carriage sped away. Her expression was solemn. He could not deny the fact that she was beautiful and elegant. He remembered the moment he had admired her on Oakham mount.
Elizabeth tried to compose herself as the carriage reached Matlock house.
She was pleasantly surprised to find his aunt and uncle amiable and polite.
Darcy made the introductions.
"This is my wife, "Elizabeth Darcy". This is my uncle, Lord Robert Fitzwilliam, and aunt, Lady Margaret Fitzwilliam."
Elizabeth curtsied.
"It is nice to meet you."
"It is wonderful to meet you, dear. You can call me aunt Margaret."
"You can call me Elizabeth."
Her aunt immediately liked Elizabeth's unaffected manner.
Richard joined them. Darcy introduced his cousin to his wife.
"It is good to meet you, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"It is nice to meet you too, Mrs Darcy. I hope you like the town. I heard Hertfordshire is a beautiful country."
"Yes, it is. But I do not have anything to complain about town."
Darcy watched keenly as his wife conversed with his relations in an amicable way. She did not show her sarcasm in her tone. I have not seen her being impolite to anybody except me. Even the staff in the Darcy house are delighted with her. Maybe I was worried for nothing.
"You say your aunt is a native of Lambton? We must have common acquaintances. I would be happy to invite them to dine with us. Are they in town yet?"
"No, they are still in Hertfordshire. They should be here soon."
Elizabeth noticed her husband's eyes on her often. I guess he is gathering pointers to critique me later.
But she was wrong in her judgement. Darcy was admiring her ease to converse with people who were strangers to her. Her conversation showed sense and good humor.
I wish I could do that. His socially awkward nature was often misconstrued as pride.
Elizabeth found herself enjoying the company of her new relatives. She liked Darcy's aunt a lot.
She found it amusing that his relatives were a stark contrast to his silent and proud nature.
Dinner passed swiftly, with conversation flowing steadily between the ladies. Richard whispered in Darcy's ear. "You could not have found a better bride even if you had hunted around the world. Be happy, Darcy." Darcy did not respond to him.
"Do you play Elizabeth?" His aunt asked.
"I do. But very ill indeed."
"Oh! Why do you say that? I am sure you are being very modest. We would love to listen to you."
"Maybe some other day."
"How does Georgiana fair, Darcy?"
"She does very well. She practices sincerely."
Elizabeth noticed how his face lit up at the mention of his sister. He must love her a lot. He must be an ideal elder brother.
"I hope you extend your stay here, Fitzwilliam. Why do want to leave so early? I would love to spend more time with Elizabeth."
"I have been away from Pemberley longer than I should like. We plan to leave in ten days."
Elizabeth was surprised when Darcy's aunt gave her a tight hug when they left.
"You will be very good for him. He hardly expresses his feelings to any of us."
Elizabeth did not know how to react. I am the last person on earth he will ever divulge his true feelings to.
When Elizabeth was out of hearing distance, his aunt spoke to Darcy.
"To be honest, I was worried about your sudden marriage. Richard assured me that everything was fine. Now I see why you married her. She is beautiful and intelligent. I know she will be a wonderful addition to our family. Georgiana and Emma will love her."
Darcy merely nodded his head. I only wish the marriage was based on solid love and not a disgraceful compromise.
When the carriage started, they automatically became the couple who ignored each other. Elizabeth felt as if her body was tuned to the act. She had conversed politely with him, in front of his relatives. But now, as if by magic, they had nothing to say to each other.
When they reached home, Elizabeth immediately headed to the gardens for a walk. She found it beautiful and well cared for. She saw that he cared well for his staff as well. He treated them with respect.
I wish he could show the same respect for my words. She knew that the only way to prove her innocence was the maid who orchestrated the compromise.
She reached the edge of the gardens and saw the door which led outside. She knew Hyde park was walking distance from the house. She was tempted to go for a walk in the park.
She saw one of the maids nearby. She called her.
"I am going for a walk. Please let Mr Darcy know that I will be back in sometime."
"But, don't you need the footman to accompany you, madam."
"I do not think that is needed." What is there to fear in broad daylight?
Elizabeth left for her walk, excited to be on her own after a week. She had walked in Hyde Park a few times when she had stayed in her uncle's house.
Within five minutes, she was in the vicinity of the park. She found very few people on her way, and she reached a lake.
She sat down by the bench near the lake. It was a beautiful day for a walk. There was nobody nearby, and she enjoyed the solitude. She suddenly saw an old woman walking towards her. She looked weak and tired. The basket she carried looked heavy.
To her shock, the woman suddenly fainted and fell. Elizabeth got up and ran to assist her.
"Can you hear me? Madam, please open your eyes." There was no reply.
Elizabeth could not find anyone to help her. She used all her energy to pull the old lady to a sitting position by the bench. She ran to the lake and dipped her kerchief into the water. She used it to dab her face. The woman stirred. Elizabeth was relieved.
"Madam, can you hear me. Are you all right?"
"Oh! I must have fainted. Thank you…. Thank you for helping me."
"Are you here alone? Is there anyone I can call?"
"No. My daughter said she would be here. I came to see her. She works somewhere nearby. I do not know why she is not here."
Elizabeth did not know what to do. She looked around and saw no passersby. I cannot go back to the house and bring help. I cannot leave her alone.
Just then she heard a voice. "Elizabeth, what happened?"
She turned around in surprise as she heard her husband's voice.
"Mr Darcy?"
"What happened to her? Why did you walk here all alone?"
Elizabeth noticed that he struggled to keep his voice neutral. His face showed that he was angry.
"She fainted around five minutes ago. I dabbed her face with water and she looks better now. We need to help her."
"Is she alone?"
"She says that she was waiting for her daughter. But I do not see anyone here. She is very weak; can we take her home?"
Elizabeth thought that her husband would refuse her request. She was prepared to argue and convince him. But to her surprise, he asked his footman to bring the carriage to them. They took the woman to their house.
Elizabeth asked the housekeeper to give her a good meal.
"Do not worry Mrs Darcy. We will take care of her."
She noticed that her husband was waiting for her. He motioned her into his study and closed the door.
"Why did you leave without a footman?" His voice was filled with displeasure.
"I did not think it was required."
"Do you think this is Hertfordshire? You cannot roam around town like that. If you want to go on a walk you have to take a footman."
"Nothing happened. Why do you have to be upset for a small thing as this?"
"What if something had happened? You are my responsibility. You are my wif…" Darcy could not finish the sentence. Elizabeth raised her eyebrow.
"All I am asking you is to be careful. Whenever you go on a walk you need to take a footman. Do you understand?"
"Can't I have some time on my own?"
"Why do you have to be so difficult? You are sensible enough to understand my request, but you want to decline it just to displease me."
"I do not have the intention to please or displease you. From experience, I have learned that you have the habit of forming opinions about me, which I have no power of altering."
"You may be willing to risk your safety. I do not wish to allow you. If I have not been clear before, I am telling you now, you may not leave the house without a footman."
They heard a knock, and the housekeeper entered.
"Mrs Darcy, the old woman is Mrs Rawlings. She seems to live on the other side of town. She says her daughter wanted to meet her at the park to give her money. She has eaten and feels better now."
"Thank you very much Mrs Hudson. I will see her in some time."
The housekeeper left. Darcy was still agitated. Why should she be this unreasonable?
"Thank you." Elizabeth said to her husband.
"Why should you thank me?" Darcy asked in surprise.
"You could have refused to help her. But you allowed me to. Thank you."
"It is your right as the mistress of the house to make these decisions. I will not interfere in them."
Elizabeth was grateful for his words. "Thank you. I will go and see her now."
She curtsied and left him. Darcy was still worried by the actions of his wife. When the housekeeper had informed him that Elizabeth had left to Hyde park, he was extremely worried.
He took the carriage and had rushed to her. He could not question his feelings for her safety. After all, she is my responsibility, it is logical I feel this way. He thought.
He was shocked to see her sitting on the floor. Good God! What is wrong?
When his wife had explained the situation, there was genuine admiration in his heart for her kindness.
He had accepted her request to bring the woman home, without question.
Elizabeth met Mrs Rawlings.
"Mrs Darcy, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness."
"Please do not mention it. I hope you are feeling better."
"I am. I had not eaten since morning. I am too old to work anywhere. My house is on the other side of town. My daughter asked me to come to the park to give me money. I do not know why she did not come. I do not know where she works."
Elizabeth felt sorry for the woman. She asked the housekeeper to give her some money.
"You can rest here for the night if you want to."
"No. I have trespassed on your hospitality long enough. I shall go home."
Elizabeth arranged the carriage for her.
"You truly have a kind heart, Mrs Darcy. I am indebted to you. God bless you." Mrs Rawlings said.
The carriage dropped her off at her house.
Mrs Rawlings was surprised to find her daughter waiting for her.
"What are you doing here? Why weren't you at the park?"
"I could not make it. So, I came here."
"Oh! Do you know what happened? I fainted in Hyde Park. A kind lady took me to her house, "Mrs Darcy" is her name. She even gave me some money. I was so overwhelmed by the way they took care of me."
Her daughter was silent.
"I have some money for you. I shall come to see you next week. Please take care."
"Dorothy, I wish you could come here and stay with me."
" I cannot, Mamma. Please understand."
Her daughter left the house. Guilt tore her apart. She had come to Hyde Park a few minutes before her mother fainted. She was shocked to see Elizabeth assisting her.
"Oh no! It is Miss Bennet." She immediately hid behind a tree. She was even more shocked when she saw Darcy approach.
Oh! No! He is here too. Are they married? Maybe the compromise forced them to marry. Miss Bingley must be so mad.
She could not go to her mother. She knew she would be caught. She saw her mother leave with them.
Now was overwhelmed to know how Elizabeth had treated her mother. She felt guilty for hiding from them at the park.
I cannot face them. Even if I tell the truth, it is too late now. If Miss Bingley knows my whereabouts, she will kill me.
She did not know what to do. She had fled from Hertfordshire and found employment in a house. It was in a locality far away from Mr Bingley's house. She did not want to visit her mother often in case Miss Bingley was watching for her.
She lived every moment of her life in fear. All I wanted was money. Now I am living in fear every day. When will I be free of this guilt? I hope they are at least happy in their marriage.
Dorothy never realized that she had altered the lives of two people forever and happiness was a very distant word in their marriage.