Chapter 16 - Changes
"I offer you my congratulations, Colonel," Lizzy smiled happily at the elated looking gentleman. "I must confess, you have quite astonished me. I did not know your intentions strayed in this direction."
"And what direction," Richard teased, his eyes drifting to his new bride across the room, "is that, Miss Bennet?"
"Marriage, Sir," Lizzy stated enjoying the banter. "The institution seems to agree with both you and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I have not seen your wife this animated since coming into Kent, nor your aunt so silent. It is an improvement I am sure, many will be vastly happy to encounter."
"Indeed," Mr. Darcy muttered under his breath so only Elizabeth and Richard could possibly hear.
"Then let us pray," Richard returned, a frown suddenly furrowing his brow, "both remain as they are currently!"
"I fear," Darcy spoke with a severe tone and a watchful eye on his aunt, "that is not possible, cousin. I am sure volcano de Bourgh will erupt before long. I can only hope we are ready for the resulting fallout and have made the appropriate arrangements to safeguard any in the immediate area."
Elizabeth tried to stop her smile. The analogy seemed more than apt. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam took the words to heart, being more familiar with their aunt. All three looked to the woman perched on a wingback chair in the middle of the Collins's best parlour. Lady Catherine claimed the seat as the entire party adjured to the parsonage for the wedding breakfast. So far, she had refused any morsel offered by the maids.
Astonished that Mrs. Collins had been so thoughtful, the new Mrs. Fitzwilliam praised the pastor's wife and allowed herself to be separated from her new husband. Beaten to detaching her new son-in-law from her daughter, Lady Catherine fumed at her thwarted plans. Both bride and groom quite obviously intended to avoid the great lady at the cost of their continued separation. Lady Catherine, on the other hand, watched and awaited her opportunity, confident it would eventuate.
The happy couple had little time for a private word on the walk from the Church. Richard chaffed at the enforced separation. There were several subjects he needed to discuss with his new wife. Not the least, what to do with the lady whose countenance currently displayed a good dose of displeasure at the events spiralling out of her control. Ignoring everyone within the small parlour, Lady Catherine occasionally looked around with hatred in her eye. Only Darcy realised it seemed directed at Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine had chosen her object, upon whom she heaped the blame for this debacle. For his part, Darcy intended to stay close to the woman who stole his heart and protect her from his Aunt's wrath.
"Are you to stay in Kent, Mr. Darcy," Lizzy brought the man from his reflections. A slight frown covered her lips as she noted the direction of his gaze. He seemed intent on becoming her shadow since his Aunt entered Hunsford church.
Brow furrowed in concentration, it took time for Darcy's mind to shift from Lady Catherine to Miss Bennet. "I am at my cousin's disposal. I hope an invitation to stay will not inopportune my newly married cousin's."
"Now that would be a first, Darcy" Richard smirked, "you being at my disposal. I see my bride calling for my attention. I am sure your company would be welcome to both my wife and I. I see trying times ahead and any aid will be well received."
"And I will be happy to support you in every way possible. Have you decided if you will take the de Bough name," Darcy asked before the Colonel could move away. "I understood Anne wanted to keep her heritage."
"It seems my new wife," Richard, good natured as he was, allowed a note of sarcasm to enter his jovial tone, "is attempting to emulate her mother. I will not have a controlling spouse. We will discuss it."
"You must see the reason," Darcy added fuel to the fire. In such cases, while not the established mode, some men took their relations family name to continue at noble lineage.
"I do," Richard stated with distaste, "however it does not signify that it must come to pass or that it may be decided by only one party in the marriage state. If Anne believes she will get her own way in everything because she managed this, my wife is very much mistaken."
With that, Richard pivoted on the spot. Finding his wife in discussion with Lady Susan and Charlotte, he marched over to the party. Darcy stood with Elizabeth and observed him politely draw the woman from the crowd. Together they departed for a quiet corner and an intense discussion. Lady Catherine, waiting for such an opportunity, moved from her chair.
"Please excuse me," Elizabeth felt the danger and knew she must stop the woman interrupting the first moments Richard and Anne managed together.
Darcy did not trust his relation. Inserting himself beside Elizabeth, his caution was rewarded when Lady Catherine demanded in an insolent tone, "how long have you known about this depravity, Miss Bennet? In deed are you not the author of this horrendous story so you might capture my nephew's attention?"
"I beg your pardon," Lizzy stepped away, taken back by the utter fury emanating off the woman.
"I believe, Aunt," Darcy offered over her shoulder, "Miss Bennet assumed Anne's intended to be another gentleman entirely. Perhaps even the one you had hoped for. However, it seems your daughter had other ideas."
"Did she just," Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed on the pair accusingly as her tone and volume increased, capturing the notice of others in the room. "We shall see if this debauchery is allowed to continue. It is not to be born, my daughter marrying only the second son of an Earl. I intended her for you, Darcy, I intended her for Pemberley."
"Be careful of your words, Lady Catherine," Darcy warned. His voice dropped an octave, becoming deathly quiet, while the tone turned icy, accompanied by a flint-like expression in his eyes. "It is not only me you insult but your brother's also. You forget one is the father to your son-in-law and the other signed the special licence allowing the marriage to take place. It seems the Archbishop and Earl approve of this union. You have no cause to doubt this marriage's legality. Anne is of an age that she does not need your permission to choose her path in life."
"What of my wishes?" demanded the woman in a voice loud enough to now stop all conversation in the room. "What of my hopes for my heir? What of the honour and credit of my family name? What of the duty my daughter owes me, to marry for the improvement of her family? I am not in the habit of brooking disappointment nor will I be on this occasion. This is not to be born and this sham has been allowed to go on too long!"
"Do you have no consideration for the sanctity of marriage, Madam," Elizabeth questioned in a soft tone filled with supressed resentment on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. The Earl, about come to the young woman's aid and to confront his sister, felt his wife's hand at his elbow. Lady Susan indicated they should allow Darcy and Miss Bennet the opportunity, while watching the interaction between the couple.
"What god has joined today cannot be undone by any man or woman," Lizzy added before the matriarch could continue her rant. "Even the Dowager of Rosings Park has not the divine intervention to separate a husband from his wife."
"How dare you," Catherine moved as if to physically assault the impertinent girl before her. Thinking better of it at the scowl on Darcy's face, and the way he positioned himself to take any blow, the lady didn't back away from the confrontation. Her face red, eyelids narrowed, lips pursed, Lady Catherine de Bourgh wanted her displeasure known. "This travesty is entirely your fault, Miss Bennet. You have used your arts and allurements to distract my nephew from his duty. What are fine eyes and a tempting face but fodder to the…"
"You have said enough, Madam," Darcy's anger suddenly bubbled over. He knew where his aunt's thoughts tended. He would not have Miss Bennet degraded so before all his nearest relations. Just because herhusband kept a string of mistresses did not mean Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley would sink to the same level.
Only Elizabeth's fingers curling on his elbow stopped him dead. The slight tingling from the mere touch obliterated his rising ire. Turning his head, he noticed the worry on her face. She did not want him to make a scene at his cousin's wedding. Embarrassed when she understood the gesture further infuriated Lady Catherine but achieved its purpose with Mr. Darcy, Lizzy removed her fingers.
"Would you join me, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth requested softly in an attempt to defuse the atmosphere, "in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam well. I believe they are ready to return to Rosings and commence their married life."
"We will finish this at a more appropriate time, Aunt," Darcy bowed stiffly.
Not one of his relations interfered in the argument, for which Darcy was thankful. What more could be said. Offering his arm to Miss Bennet and holding his head high, he would take any opportunity to feel the woman's touch and the resulting pleasure it generated within him. Darcy took this as another sign Miss Bennet's feelings towards him were thawing. He hoped to soon have the happiness of his cousin when he could call Miss Bennet his wife.
Their good byes said under the enraged eyes of Lady Catherine, whom the entire party now shunned, Richard handed Anne into the same carriage which delivered her to Hunsford Church. Tapping on the roof, the driver moved off, leaving the small party of well wishes. Departing from London at first light, the Fitzwilliam clan faced the return journey without an invitation to stay.
"Well, nephew," Lady Susan came to stand beside Darcy and glared at her sister, "I hope this will end well."
"I believe so," Darcy answered, his stoic mask once again firmly in place. "I will see you in London in a fortnight. I am sure we will have much to speak of then."
"I look forward to it," smiled his uncle. "Come, dearest, we must away. Catherine," the Earl, as head of his family demanded, "you are to come and stay with us for the remainder of this month and the next. I believe Richard and Anne must have some time to adjust to their new situation as they are not to have a wedding tour."
"Richard and Anne are to come to Pemberley for the summer," Darcy announced. "Georgiana wishes to host her cousin's."
"Perhaps we will also find hospitality for a sev'night or two?" Lady Susan threw in with a straight face.
"I should hope so," Darcy bowed. "As always, you are welcome to my home. My sister and I look forward to your arrival. Please discuss the particulars with Georgiana when you return to London."
"Very good," James Fitzwilliam waved to his coach driver. "Have the ladies write to each other of the particulars and we men will follow. I understand your very thoughtful staff have packed a trunk, Catherine, and added it to the carriage while we witnessed the wedding. Let us depart so we may spend this night in our own beds."
Darcy found himself in a most unusual position. Standing on the forecourt of Hunsford parsonage with Mr. Collins, his wife and two young ladies as he watched his relations depart Kent. Unable to return to the main house, he felt at a sudden lost. Darcy did not want to interrupt Richard and Anne's first day together as man and wife.
"Would you mind," Lizzy, noting the expression crossing Mr. Darcy's face, requested of Charlotte, "if I took a walk?" When Charlotte agreed but shook her head, indicating she would rather remain at the parsonage, Elizabeth motioned to Maria who glanced at Mr. Darcy and declined. "I guess I shall have only your company, Mr. Darcy, if you are not engaged elsewhere."
"Thank you, Miss Bennet," Darcy stated, his glance slicing her in half. It made Elizabeth shiver as she wondered what it meant. "Shall we take the path to the east grove? I believe it to be one that holds your interest and favours a prospect from Mrs. Collins's parlour window."
"Yes," Lizzy looked at the reserved man and had to wonder exactly what went on in that mind.And that is half my problem, she found the thought enlightening; I cannot read him at all. How am I to come to know him if he will not show himself in more than fits and starts? I misunderstood his character in Hertfordshire because he refused to engage anyone outside his party. That is why Mr. Wickham's lies were so easily believed. Perhaps it is as Charlotte says, I should consider how Mr. Darcy behaves. Even now, when we are to walk, he considers my reputation by ensuring Charlotte may witness our ramble.
Richard did not give a though to his cousin's welfare or how Darcy might spend his day. Indeed, he captured his wife's gaze across the carriage as it trundled towards the manor house and lost all consideration for the world outside the coach. The last two days under the watchful eye of her mother tired Anne. Now, Richard realised how this event exhausted her limited reserves. His wife had never been of a stout constitution and he would have to monitor her heath very carefully.
"You are for bed," Richard spoke with the authority of a commanding officer, "when we arrive back at Rosing's."
"Am I?" questioned Anne, an irritated expression lighting her eyes. "All my life I have been told what to do and when. Do not think you can control me cousin."
"Husband," Richard stated in a slightly peeved tone. "I am now your husband, Anne and we must talk. The journey to Rosing's is short but we have to appear united in removing your mother."
"You may thank Darcy, for he has arranged for my mother's immediate removal," Anne smiled suddenly, lifting the sickly pallor from her features ever so slightly.
His mind filled with questions, Richard liked the way colour finally infused his wife's cheeks. "Miss Bennet is correct," he stated with a burgeoning smile on his lips, "married life seems to agree with you. Although I believe it may have nothing to do with the acquiring a husband and more to do with riding yourself of an overbearing mother."
Embarrassed, Anne looked to her degloved hand and the gold band gracing her finger. "This ring," she twisted the jewel encrusted metal, "is it not a Fitzwilliam family heirloom?"
"My mother gave it to me," Richard replied, "and made me promise I would always consider your delicate constitution. You are precious to me and I wish to work with you, Anne, to bring Rosings back to its former glory. We must leave something for the next generation."
"On this," she blushed harder, "we are of a like mind."
"Perhaps,' Richard said with a savvy expression, "we are of a like mind on a great many things. Anne, look at me," he pleaded and was rewarded with his wife's gaze. "I only want what is best for you and your health without compromising the person you will be as mistress of your own house. I cannot say I love you but I respect the difficulties you have been forced to endure. I admire and respect you and hope this will form the base for a happy life."
"Thank you," Anne managed before looking out the carriage window. "I must tell you of Darcy's plans over these last two days. Both Mrs. Winters, the housekeeper and Mr. Zachariah, the butler, have been taken into our confidence. The moment I called for the carriage, they told the staff of the change in management. Immediately they set to work removing my mother to the Dower house. It has been cleaned and made ready for her occupation starting this afternoon. Ten of the staff volunteered to make the move, understanding the difficulty they would be labouring under. I have increased their annual income by half to cope with Mother's temper tantrums."
"I see my cousin's reasoning," Richard couldn't help appreciate Darcy's interference.
"When my father passed," Anne paused and swallowed hard, "Mother moved into his suite of rooms stating she did not need a man to be master of Rosing's and into the mistress's chambers I was installed. She had the servants keep the door in between open these five and ten years. Tonight, my husband, you shall take your rightful place and I will not close the door."
"Anne," seeing the steps to Rosing's fast approaching, Richard beseeched, "we will consummate this marriage and beget an heir, if that is what God dictates. However, I wish to give you time to recover from your life long ordeal. I will not share your bed until you are fit and well enough to enjoy all the pleasures of married life. No, do not argue with me on this. The improvement in your countenance these last two days, the freedoms you will experience should be liberating. I have been to war and seen people recuperate when forces dominating them are removed. I can only wish this will happen for you in time."
At that moment, a footman opened the carriage door. "Master," he bowed deeply to Colonel Fitzwilliam letting him know all the servants knew of the change, "Mistress. All has been made ready."
"Thank you, Madison," Richard alighted and then helped Anne down. However, before her feet could hit the ground, he scooped her up into his arms.
"Put me down," she hissed into his ear.
"I wish to carry my bride over the threshold," Richard teased, "to celebrate our new life together. It is a tradition I wish to follow, even it is came from a distant shore."
Fatigued, Anne Fitzwilliam did not fight her husband. In fact, she allowed him to carry her up the stairs and into her bedchamber. Her maid went to work before Richard could leave the room.
"All will be well, Sir," the maid stated softly. She had Mrs. Fitzwilliam's night wear laid out in expectation of her mistress's fatigue.
"I know," Richard grinned feeling elated. Now he had only to wait for Darcy to return and together they would face Lady Catherine before her daughter woke. Above all else, he wanted to spare his new wife the confrontation with his monster…mother-in-law.
AN: back to regular posting schedule, Sunday and Wednesday GMT +8. Once again, a huge thank you to everyone supporting this work. I am so grateful.