Chapter 13:
"Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?!" wailed Lady Catherine, catching her breath. She looked like had come in a frenzy.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Mr. Darcy, looking incredulously at his aunt.
"I came here in the hopes of finding her alone, mind you, I traveled straight from Kent! I had every intention of having her see reason and unleashing you from this farce of an engagement! Is it true?"
"I will not allow you to insult my betrothed. As much as I love you, dearest Aunt, I care for Elizabeth with all my heart and I have every intention of making her my wife" said Mr. Darcy with fire, sending chills down Lizzie's spine.
"What of your intentions towards Anne? What of the promise you made? The dearest wish of your mother and myself?" bellowed Lady Catherine, enticed by Lizzie's clear discomfort.
"I made no such promise" said Mr. Darcy sternly, "And if my mother had a wish, it was simply that, a wish. And though I honor her greatly, she would have wanted me to be happy and my happiness lies with Elizabeth."
If Lizzie had any doubt of the depth of his emotion, these words reassured her beyond measure. Her heart leaped and all she wished was for Lady Catherine to leave so she could hold his hand and feel his lips on hers.
"I will not recognize her as your wife" spat Lady Catherine, "And I shall make my displeasure known."
"That would sadden me immensely, as I am sure it would sadden my mother's memory" said Mr. Darcy, staring into her eyes, "But that would not deter me. Not even for a second."
"So her hold over you is that strong? Eh?" asked Lady Catherine, looking at both of them in disbelief, "Did she compromise you? Did she seduce you?"
"Enough!" bellowed Mr. Darcy, "You will not offend Elizabeth nor myself any further. If you wish to be welcomed into our home and our future family, I suggest you watch your words, dearest Aunt."
"Indeed" spat Lady Catherine and turned around, the skirts of her dress thrashing against the floor. With one menacing look she turned around and looked straight into Elizabeth's eyes, "I pay no respects to your mother, nor father. Do not think I am not aware of your background—your uncle in trade and one an attorney, your lack of dowry, and the eager impropriety your mother has been selling her own daughters. You will never be welcomed at Rosings!"
With that, she left. Mr. Darcy reached for Lizzie's hands.
"I am sorry" he said, looking so apologetically. He had never felt so embarrassed in his life. And he searched Lizzie's face for any discomfort in hers. But all he found was her beautiful, big, brown eyes, glistening with sparkle.
"You have nothing to apologize for" said Lizzie lovingly, "If anything, you have proven to me that you do love me."
"Then I must forever be in gratitude towards my Aunt" teased Mr. Darcy. He leaned in and kissed her, very softly.
"I think we should join the others" said Lizzie, feeling herself breathless of all the sudden.
Mr. Darcy smirked and took a step back, putting a decent distance between them, before offering her his arm.
"Shall we?" he asked. Lizzie smiled, took his professed arm, and together they joined her family for an evening of celebration for both the groom and bride could not stop staring at each other and blushing. It seemed most prudent that wedding would take place in two day's time, for anyone in their vicinity could see their love for each other.
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Lydia could not sleep. She hated the noise in London—such a noisy city. She tossed and turned in bed, careful with her curls, which were tightly bound in her nightcap.
She closed her eyes thinking of the most handsome redcoat she had ever seen. Thinking of his smile was enough to have her melt into her pillow.
"Oh Lord" she murmured. Lydia had made plans to meet with her handsome redcoat the next morning for a walk around the park. She would have to take a pesky maid, for her mother now feared Mr. Darcy's wrath. Not that he had proven to have any wrath. Lydia thought very quiet—most certainly not Lydia's type, and he only seemed to talk or smile when Lizzie was around. It was pretty nauseating, seeing such a strong and fierce gentleman melt at the sight of her sister.
La! How she wished she had been the first one to be married. For someone so pretty, Lydia could not understand why she did not have suitor. Even Mary had gotten a suit. A Mr. Nigel Berbrooke, granted, he was rather dull and seemed to make a weird sound with his nose when he spoke, but he was still a suitor.
Lydia tosses and turned again, sticking her hands under her pillow and plopping her head on top. She needed to stop thinking and simply go to bed. In the morning, she would get to walk around Hyde Park in the arms of the most handsome redcoat and with that thought in mind and a smile on her lips, she fell asleep.
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Later that night, Darcy was at the club with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, when Lord Harris came over and wished him congratulations.
"You beat me to it, Darcy" said Lord Harris, raising his cup of brandy in salute to Darcy, who laughed and smiled.
"Please, sit" said Mr. Darcy, motioning at the seat in front of him.
"I thank you" he said, smiling, and sat down. Mr. Darcy looked at him and noticed that he smiled a bit too much—he seemed to match Miss Bennet quite well, for he also thought she smiled too much.
"When am I going to welcome you into the family?" teased Mr. Darcy, surprising both Lord Harris and Richard.
"I did not know I needed to ask you for Miss Bennet's hand" said Lord Harris with a friendly smile.
"You do not" said Mr. Darcy, "But I should like to welcome you all the same."
Lord Harris smiled, looked as if he wanted to say something but then closed his mouth again.
"Do not fret, Lord Harris" said Mr. Darcy, "I know you and Lord Sandhurst are friends and I am sorry by the turn of events. I am very pleased to be engaged, however, I understand it may be difficult for you to feel at ease with me, until his Lordships comes to terms with the situation."
"I've always admired you, Darcy, and I actually called on Mr. Bennet earlier today to ask him for permission to ask Miss Bennet's hand in marriage. I would like to ask you, if I could attend your wedding. I know it is to be a small wedding and we are not betrothed yet, but I know how much Jane, Miss Bennet, cares for Miss Elizabeth and I shall like to be there to share the joy with her" he said, looking uncomfortable at making the request and yet relieved for getting it all out.
"It would be my pleasure" said Mr. Darcy, "Though I think it would make Miss Bennet even happier if you were to attend as her betrothed."
"My, Darce, you have become a romantic" teased Richard, taking a drink from his cup.
"Indeed" said Mr. Darcy, smiling, "Indeed."
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The next morning, Lizzie and Jane went for a walk, their arms linked as the two eldest Miss Bennets looked as if they were flying on clouds. The weather in the month of April was lovely, the Season in full swing. They had declined tonight's invitation to a ball, as Lizzie was to get married the following day. She had to go to the modiste one last time, and Mrs. Bennet wanted Lizzie to go with her to Darcy House, where the wedding breakfast would take place. Mr. Darcy had instructed his housekeeper, Mrs. Kipper, to attend to all of Mrs. Bennet's instructions for the wedding breakfast. This gave Mrs. Bennet great delight and yet another reason to adore her future son in law.
"I could not believe I could ever feel such happiness" said Lizzie, in a confession that was not usually her own. Lizzie had managed to convince her mother to allow her a quick walk around the park with Jane, for she needed to breath if she were to enjoy her wedding tomorrow.
"Oh Lizzie, I am so very happy for you" said Jane, in the sweetest voice.
"I hope one day you shall have such happiness, too" said Lizzie, squeezing her sister's hand.
"Yes" said Jane, "I know I shall."
"How is your Lord Harris?" teased Lizzie.
"Good" said Jane, blushing becomingly, "I wish he were coming to the wedding tomorrow. It would mean a lot to me to have him there."
"Why did not you say—I could ask Mr. Darcy to invite him, even if it is to be a small wedding" said Lizzie.
"No, I do not want to impose on him" said Jane demurely.
"Jane, I shall ask him today when I go to Darcy House, I am sure he would be pleased. He claims he likes to make me happy and seeing you happy, brings me great happiness" said Lizzie, looking positively shining. They continued walking, making small conversation, when Lizzie noticed a familiar face across the way.
"Is that Lydia?" asked Lizzie incredulously. Lydia was talking to a handsome redcoat, standing a bit too close to what Lizzie and Jane would consider proper. "Where is the maid?!" she muttered, making haste to get to Lydia as quickly as possible.
Lydia's face turned rather unpleasant, though she masked it well, when she saw her sisters coming upon her.
"Oh, good morning, Lizzie, Jane" she said nonchalantly, as if she had been expecting them.
"Good morning" said Jane politely, for Lizzie seemed to have lost her ability to speak. Jane looked at Lydia significantly, so she would make the introductions.
"La! I had forgotten!" she said, laughing loudly. "These are my sisters, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and this is Mr. George Wickham."
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