Disclaimer: I own nothing, it's all Jane Austin. Except the children and bits that don't come form the novel, they're mine. I hope someone else can see that Mr Wickem only married Lydia for revenge… J
There was silence for a moment as he learned of the forthcoming event.
"You are sure of this Lydia?" He took a sip from the glass of wine, which had become his constant companion.
"Of course I am. What a fine joke, my sister marrying him, of all people." She laughed and continued much as her mother would have on the subject but her audience had stopped listening and was quietly growing angrier. If revenge was sweet then what was the bitter taste that lodged itself in him that the wine could not remove?
The months quickly passed and as the happiness of one couple increased the earlier wed grew more sour and sullen, especially the man. Elizabeth looked out the window across the lake to watch her husband greeting her aunt and uncle. A smile touched her lips and reflected in her eyes as she remembered how he had first spoken of them before the day they had met. A small hand tugged at her skirt and she looked down at her daughter who had started crawling just the day before. Scooping up the child into her arms she walked back to the chair her husband had set near the window so she had not far to go to see her favourite view. Humming quietly she settled into the comfortable chair to wait for her cherished relations to join her. The child started gurgling, trying to imitate her mother whose dark eyes held more love than even she had thought possible. Darcy had been astonished when his dear wife had refused to have a nurse tend her child for her. She had told him of the outcome of such treatment in her own family. It had fallen on her noble, and still witty, father to raise the children even as it had been her mother's responsibility. The mention of the three younger Bennet girls was enough to convince the proud man that again his wife knew best.
"I see that you make an excellent mother Mrs Darcy." Her aunt said as she pulled a chair over to sit with her favourite niece.
"Please Aunt, I am still Elizabeth." She was smiling and so was the older woman and the laughter in their eyes was enough to cause the older gentleman to raise the corners of his lips in reply. Her husband however did not return the light mood in his expression. Although she had gently teased him to acquaint him with the habit he was still not as comfortable with the way in which his wife spoke when there was company. She smiled as she continued to clear the air.
"After all, I do not wish to have those I care deeply for be so formal with me. It puts me in mind of my dear parents and I am determined never to be such as my mother." Her eyes found his and the smile reflected slightly as he recognised her teasing. He longed to say something but he could only allow the slight smile to touch his proud lips before joining the other members of the party. They spent the afternoon comfortably laughing and gradually the smile, which had started as a whisper across his lips became a full, broad grin. Elizabeth was never more proud of her husband than when he smiled easily with people who cared for both of them.
The letter arrived the week after the birth of her son. It was a hand with which she was not familiar and her daughter, who had taken her father to the town the day before to see a friend, was almost in tears before it could be opened. Darcy had gently removed the distressed girl from the scene and had arranged for his wife to be left in peace to read her letter. It was not as she had hoped, a letter from one of the many new acquaintances she had made whilst being the wife of the owner of Pemberly, but a post sent to her by the husband of her youngest sister, whose flirtatious manner had not ceased even with her marriage. The writing was not neat and took her some time to make out what had been meant but when it became clear she almost dropped the letter and ran from the room to find her husband and beg they visit Mr and Mrs Bingley as soon as possible. Taking a steadying breath she continued to read the transcript of events which caused her much worry and left her in a state of absentmindedness for days.
The flicker of candlelight drew him like a moth as he returned from his trip to town. She did not see him straight away but sat staring out the window into the blackness, another letter open in her hands, which rested limply in her lap. Concerned he softly called her name, causing her to jump and look at him with startled eyes. In them he could see the rapid workings of her mind as a solution to some problem was being sought. It was an expression he had seen only once before and never wished to again.
"What is the matter, dearest Elizabeth?" He sat on the edge of her bed and wanted desperately to reach for her in comfort but his fingers merely played worriedly with the ring on his little finger. Glancing at her left hand he saw the three rings which bound her to him firmly in place, although not all facing the right way.
"Nothing, I am well." She replied and the weak smile immediately fell from her lips as she continued. "I have just received a letter from an old acquaintance, that is all." She had folded the letter and put it in her draw. Her smile was now returning to normal as she inquired after his health and success on his trip to London. He answered her briefly before going to his room, changing and coming back to hers to slip into the bed which they had been sharing almost constantly. Now he felt he could comfort the one whose tears could turn him into an angry and violent man. He could not bear to think that she was alive in the world and in sadness. The candle was extinguished but his desire to discover the reason for the tears shimmering in her eyes was not. Decided on a course of action, he gently enfolded his treasured partner in his arms and touched his lips to her hair as he did so often with his daughter. He could not understand then why the tears he had seen began to wet her face as he attempted to comfort her. Feeling the pain at hers his determination was set and heavens help any who caused his love more misery.