Elizabeth looked up from the letter in disbelief. She held it out immediately for her husband and he took it.
"How can she say such things?" Elizabeth asked in fury as she stood up and paced around the room.
"I think you know Lizzy that in her character it is rather simple for her to insult with flattery." Elizabeth looked back to Darcy quickly.
"And what could she possibly mean when she stated that my upbringing would affect Georgiana, I would never allow that to happen unless it was first recommended by you or Georgiana herself."
"Lizzy please, calm yourself. I assure you that in my own opinion you shall have no unfortunate influences on Georgiana, the only influences I can presume you can bestow on her are that of the good nature which becomes you. Unless of course we and conversating on the matter of Lady Catherine and her daughter. I feel that then is when I see your countenance change considerably." Elizabeth laughed and Darcy laughed too. "Come sit next to me Lizzy." Elizabeth smiled quickly and walked over to him, she sat quickly.
"How can you remain so content on the subject of the letter, Fitzwilliam. Does it not make you enraged?"
"You know it does Lizzy, if you saw me earlier this morning you would have seen my attitude toward it. I showed disgust at first, coming here and sheltering myself in the contents of my books and accounts. But now my feelings have changed."
"How can your feelings change on such a matter Fitzwilliam? She insulted you and Georgiana as well as myself. I can feel nothing but hatred and anger toward the woman whom seemed so pleasant on my arrival at Rosings."
"You must forget such feelings my love, they will only overpower you more with their contempt. I feel nothing but amusement now I have thought about the letter and replied."
"You have replied?" Elizabeth said in shock.
"Of course I did, did you expect me to justify her claims and assumptions? I could not Lizzy, I confess myself much more at ease now that I have written my reply in the same manner as she did to us." Elizabeth looked at him in confusion and then worry.
"Fitzwilliam what did you say? You did not say anything that you later may regret?" Darcy laughed.
"I mentioned a few things which may not be to Lady Catherine's satisfaction but I will regret nothing unless she shows the kindness to you which you deserve."
"Which I deserve Fitzwilliam. I deserve nothing from Lady Catherine, I spoke to her with contempt and reticule."
"But do you regret it?" Elizabeth replayed Darcy's question in her mind until she finally found the truth inside of her heart.
"I do not regret anything I said to Lady Catherine," She said finally. "I regarded her as she did me, with reticule and hatred. I do not see why I should blame myself for her loss of connection."
"An unwanted connection." Darcy said. Elizabeth smiled at her husband but felt that he should not be saying things about an esteemed member of the family.
"You should not say such things, she is your Aunt. I have heard that she has always regarded you highly even due to her being a "respectable member of society"." Darcy laughed.
"Then neither of us "regard her gratification of power"." Elizabeth and Darcy laughed. "See Lizzy you can find amusement in it."
"I do feel much better. I understand my feelings, Lady Catherine is a very amusing member of the family and I am pleased that she writes to give us amusement. She is almost as good as Mr Collins." They laughed together.
Outside of the room, a quiet young lady walked away from her brothers study, she had heard a part of the conversation between Lizzy and Darcy and took pleasure in the fact that they were happy and content in each others company despite the letter from the infamous Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth and Darcy sat in silence for a moment before Darcy spoke again.
"Why did you not wish to go away after our wedding Lizzy, we could have gone to Paris or London?" Darcy asked as he looked into her eyes, those amazing eyes which caused him so many sleepless nights in Hertfordshire.
"I did not wish to leave Georgiana, when we married I wanted to come here and have as much time with her as possible, I enjoyed her company so much on my visit into Derbyshire with my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. I did not wish for her to feel that she was being left behind by her brother so he could spend time with his new wife."
"Oh, Lizzy Georgiana was so happy on my engagement to you, Mrs Reynolds said that she never left the piano for the whole day once she received the letter." Elizabeth laughed. "But Georgiana said she was to content at being alone at Pemberley while we were away. I suppose that she is accustomed to the concept of having the house to herself, she was so often left when I went away with Charles or Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"What is the conclusion to this conversation Fitzwilliam?" Elizabeth asked her husband in suspicion. Darcy sighed.
"I have not told you something." He said. Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. "After Charles and Jane were married and we were awaiting marriage Charles wrote to me." Elizabeth stiffened.
"Is there something wrong with Jane?"
"No!" Darcy said quickly. "Nothing so severe."
"But what is it?" Elizabeth asked impatiently.
"Let me finish then madam." Darcy said in a mocking tone. "I was quite surprised at receiving the letter to be honest. They are to arrive at Netherfield today into the company of your mother, father and sisters," He paused.
"And?" She lent forward slightly to show Darcy her impatience.
"They have invited us to stay for a while." Darcy stopped and watched Elizabeth. Her face looked at him in curiosity, he tried to hold a straight face while his wife looked at him in this manner. He thought that as soon as he had mentioned the words that she would be in his arms before running from the room to order the servants about the house in packing belongings. But instead she sat there, looking at him with her pale complexion.
"Are you being serious Fitzwilliam, you are not mocking me?" Darcy could not longer hold his complexion and had to laugh.
"No my dearest Lizzy, I am not mocking you." The smiled started to appear on her face. "Would you like to read the letter?"
"No of course I do not!" She said as the smile widened. She got up immediately and placed herself in her husbands arms thanking him more times than one.
"When do we leave?" Lizzy asked.
"Tomorrow morning." She looked at him quickly, the smile disappearing from her face.
"Oh, no."
"What is it Lizzy?" Darcy asked quickly.
"What of Georgiana?" Darcy smiled at his loving wife.
"She is to accompany us." The smile appeared again. "Does that please you?" She kissed him.
"Very much." She jumped up quickly and headed toward the door forgetting all forms of a lady-like composure.
"Georgiana." Elizabeth said as she walked into the sitting room.
"What is it Lizzy, you look flushed?"
"We are to be leaving Pemberley and you are to accompany us." Georgiana smiled.
"Where are we to be going Lizzy?"
"Netherfield."
"So I am to meet your sister?"
"You certainly are."
The next morning the Darcy's settled in the carriage. Mr Darcy sat watching his wife as they pulled away from the Pemberley estate. She had kept him awake for most of the night with her excitement of seeing not only Jane but Mr Bingley too.
"Is Miss Bingley to be at Netherfield Fitzwilliam?" Georgiana asked.
"No, Miss Bingley is to be in town with Mr and Mrs Hurst, they are not expected for a few months." Elizabeth let out a silent cry of relief. She was pleased Miss Bingley was not to be there, she was unaware if she was to cope with her stimulating company so soon after her marriage.
As the carriage drew closer and closer to Netherfield Darcy could see that his wife's composure was faltering and she was becoming more impatient by the moment.
"Perhaps Georgiana and I should provide some amusement for you Lizzy to prevent you from becoming anymore impatient." Darcy and Georgiana laughed but Lizzy was too concerned with the scenery of Meryton outside of the window.
When the carriage stopped outside of the familiar house Elizabeth could not longer wait to see her sister but she had to retain her composure and appear as a the wife of a wealthy man should. Darcy immediately stepped out of the carriage and held his hand to help Georgiana and then Elizabeth down to the ground.
As they walked up the stone steps Elizabeth noticed that the doors were already open and as they walked in they noticed that Mr and Mrs Bingley were stood waiting to greet them.
Elizabeth watched her sister quickly and realised that she was trying to retain the same amount of composure as herself. Deep down Elizabeth knew that Jane wished to run from the clutches of her husbands arm and rush to her embrace.
When they stopped in front of Jane and Charles there were gleaming smiles upon every face. Charles immediately shook Darcy's hand and Jane threw her arms around Elizabeth. Georgiana stood and watched in interest.
"My dear Lizzy, how are you?" Jane asked.
"I am very well Jane, and yourself?" A smile grew on her face.
"I am very well Lizzy, as I am sure you are aware." Elizabeth stood back from Jane as Mr Bingley acknowledged her and greeted her like a sister.
"Mrs Bingley," Darcy said. "May I introduce my sister, Miss Georgiana." Jane stood forward immediately without curtsying and placed her hands on each of Georgiana's shoulders.
"Georgiana it is a pleasure to meet you, I have hear very much about you. You are but much taller than I had expected." Jane said in a loving nature. She removed her hands quickly leaving Georgiana in a state of shock due to the affectionate nature which, she had just witnessed.
"I hope your journey was not too tiring." Mr Bingley said.
"Not at all, Georgiana and I were amused by the increased amount of pleasure Elizabeth showed on her journey to see her sister." Darcy said before they all laughed, including Elizabeth.
Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana retired to their rooms after early morning to freshen up before returning downstairs to join Charles and Jane in the drawing room.
They had sat for a while before Elizabeth realised that she had never once inquired about her family who were no further than a few miles away.
"Does mother and father know of our arrival Jane?" Lizzy asked.
"No Lizzy, I thought it would be a surprise for them to see that you have travelled so far." Elizabeth smiled.
"And how is father?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not well Lizzy." Jane replied. "Not well at all." Elizabeth saw Darcy stop his conversation with Charles to determine what was wrong with Mr Bennet. Elizabeth looked at her husband and he immediately saw the apprehension in her eyes, he noted that they had clouded over and as she looked away he swore to himself that he had seen tears develop in those eyes.
A/N I love this chapter for myself but what do you think? Please review, as I said before criticisms are also welcome. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, you have made me feel inspired. Thank you again.
I would also like to dedicate this chapter to vintagemisfit (Ruth) a good friend and the first person to read this story and to Nacilme23 (Victoria) a wonderful cousin who will always be there to ensure that i am on the correct lines. Thank you for your kind remarks and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have enjoyed the rest. My love always xx