Chapter 9
The foursome made their way back to the house and the ladies dressed for their call on Lady Matlock. Half an hour later, they were in the carriage for the short trip to Matlock House.
Matlock House was somewhat more regal than Darcy House, but unlike Rosing, the room they were shown to was comfortable rather than ostentatious.
Elizabeth was introduced to Lady Matlock and the lady looked her over before speaking. "It is lovely to meet you, Miss Bennet. If my nephew thinks you worthy, and since my son also speaks highly of you, I am inclined to welcome you to the family without reservation. When Richard brought back the news of William's engagement, I was surprised, as I did not know he was even courting anyone, but then he told me a bit about your relationship, which explained a lot."
"And do I pass inspection, Lady Matlock?" Elizabeth said, looking the lady directly in the eye.
She laughed. "Absolutely, my dear." She patted the seat next to her. "Come, sit and we will talk about William and then make plans. Gentlemen, the earl asked me to send you to him when you arrived. Georgiana, I am pleased to see you as well, but forgive me for dedicating most of my attention to Miss Bennet on this visit. If you would like, you are welcome to use the piano in the music room."
Bemused, Richard and Georgiana left the room. William remained. "Aunt, I need to speak to you for a few minutes."
"Later, William," she dismissed him. "I wish to get to know your Miss Bennet for a time."
William left reluctantly, only after Elizabeth smiled at him reassuringly and patted his arm. "I will be fine, William."
Lady Matlock looked on, pleased with how well William obviously responded to Elizabeth already. They had a good relationship already and she could see that this woman would be good for nephew.
"You managed him well," Lady Matlock said. "Now, you must call me Aunt Rebecca and may I call you Elizabeth?"
"I would like that, Aunt Rebecca. I am looking forward to getting to know you," Elizabeth laughed.
"Now, tell me about yourself. Richard mentioned you are from Hertfordshire?" Lady Matlock asked.
Elizabeth expression grew shuttered. "That is what William wanted to speak to you about. In the last fortnight, my family situation has changed somewhat."
"Is everything all right, dear?" Lady Matlock asked.
"My father has cut me off for becoming engaged to William. It is … inexplicable and he refuses to explain his reasoning. I am at a loss to understand it and William is equally baffled. So, instead of marrying from Longbourn, we plan to marry in London, although we have not worked out the details yet of where or when," Elizabeth explained. "I know William planned to discuss this with you and with the change in my circumstances, we considered marrying sooner so I could be introduced as Mrs. Darcy since I can no longer claim to be from Longbourn."
"Oh, my dear, I am so sorry to hear this," Lady Matlock said and then sat considering for a moment. "I think you may be right, my dear. If we can get the two of you married in the next week or so, we can wait to introduce you in society after. You have known William, what almost ten months, so it is not sudden and since most of my friends know that William is not particularly social, it will come as no surprise to most that he has chosen a country lass rather than a society miss. William has always detested the grasping and insipid women one most often encounters. I am going to like you."
"Thank you, Aunt Rebecca," Elizabeth said. "I have come to learn that William is truly an exceptional man and I am grateful he has allowed me to see the version of himself he hides from the world."
Rebecca nodded, pleased with her new niece. There would be many women jealous of Elizabeth, but she would do everything she could to support her in society. William would have to tolerate participating in the season more than he typically did in the upcoming year, but the woman he had chosen would be an excellent partner for him.
Reassured, she shifted the conversation to other things, and they discussed Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, and the planned shopping outings. Similar to her son, the countess invited herself along on the shipping trip for Elizabeth's wedding gown and trousseau.
An hour later, the gentlemen returned, and Elizabeth was introduced to the earl. "Welcome to the family, Miss Bennet. We consider William to be almost a third son, so I know my wife is pleased to have finally managed to get one to the altar. And the youngest at that." He nudged Richard while William grinned at Elizabeth.
That lady laughed. "Aunt Rebecca and I will be on the lookout for a suitable lady this season," she teased, which made William and the earl laugh at Richard's discomfort.
"I am afraid I need to leave, immediately," Richard attempted.
"You have teased me for years, Richard. You cannot go yet," William cried.
"Stay, Richard," Lady Rebecca commanded. "We need to discuss William's wedding."
"Why do I need to be here for this?" he asked.
"Elizabeth told me of her difficulties with her family. I imagine you are already aware. I want the family prepared to support this union without any dissidents – other than Catherine, of course," Rebecca said.
The earl nodded. "She would create problems regardless of who William married. She has perpetuated the fiction of the cradle betrothal so long I think she actually believes it herself now."
"We had thought obtaining a common license the simplest idea," William said. "We did not want to risk calling the banns because of Aunt Catherine, and now, it seems the best solution."
"Your connection to the archbishop would make it relatively easy for you to obtain a special license," the earl reminded him. "You might have trouble obtaining a common license since neither of you legally reside in London. It is also too late today to get the license. If you want to marry next week, you will have to meet with your great uncle and obtain the special license."
"Elizabeth, what do you think?" Rebecca asked.
She looked at William. "May we discuss it and tell you tomorrow? Nothing can be done until then anyway, correct?"
The earl and countess smiled. "Yes, dear, I think that is a good idea," Rebecca said. "I understand from William you are spending tonight at Darcy House since your aunt and uncle went to Hertfordshire to pick up their children. I would like to invite all of you, especially your aunt and uncle, to dine with us Saturday night, Anthony will be here and will be thrilled to meet you, Elizabeth."
"I will need to check with them, but I believe it should not be a problem. Thank you, Aunt Rebecca. I will send a note when I have had a chance to discuss it with them," Elizabeth said.
"That is settled then," Lady Rebecca said. "You must also send me a note about the time and date of your appointment with the modiste. We are dining out tonight, or I would invite you to dine here. Send a note if you come to any decisions tonight or we will speak tomorrow, William."
He nodded and they prepared to leave. Georgiana joined them and they got in the carriage for for short trip back to his house. Georgians retired to her room for a rest before dinner, but Elizabeth and William headed into the library to speak.
"I like your aunt and uncle, William," Elizabeth said as soon as they sat down. "They are nothing like I expected, especially having met Lady Catherine."
"I could say the same about your uncle and your mother," William laughed. "Although, I have come to realize, I would prefer your mother to my Aunt Catherine. At least your mother seems to mean well most of the time."
Elizabeth laughed. "What do you think about the wedding, William? If you obtain a common license tomorrow, we could marry next Friday. With a special license, we could marry whenever and wherever we like. My aunt and uncle attend a church near their home and I do not know enough about the licensing requirements to know what is necessary to be considered a resident of a parish."
"I had not considered that aspect until Uncle Henry brought it up. He may be right, neither of us meet the requirements to be considered a resident of a parish here in London. The Archduke is my great uncle and with Uncle Henry's assistance, obtaining a special license may be easier than I thought. And it may be the only way to marry unless we wish to wait several more weeks."
"It sounds like the most expedient solution is a special license. Once you have it, we can decide when and where," Elizabeth said. "I do not want to wait weeks, not now."
"I know, Elizabeth," William said, drawing him to his chest.
"Would you like to marry here? In Darcy House? Maybe even in the library?" She grinned.
William laughed. "I think my family would appreciate the irony of me marrying in a library and find even more humor in the fact that it was my bride's suggestion." He paused and looked at her. "You would not mind not being married in a church?" he asked her.
"I like the idea of being married, there where seems far less significant. We would need to check with my uncle, to see when he would be free to give me away, but with a special license, we can marry at any time," Elizabeth said.
"I wonder if my great uncle could be persuaded to perform the ceremony," William said absently.
Elizabeth squeaked. "Your great uncle, the Archbishop?"
He laughed. "He still performs the occasional wedding. Typically only for family, though."
"My mother would faint," was the reply.
"Tomorrow, I will go meet with my great uncle and take care of the license. We can discuss dates and times with your aunt and uncle and with mine and we can marry one day next week here in the library with my great uncle officiating," William summarized.
"This seems unreal, all of a sudden," Elizabeth said somewhat shakily.
He squeezed her tighter. "How about now," he said, as he bent his head to kiss her lightly.
"You are very real, my love. It is all the rest that has me unsettled," Elizabeth said. "I was not certain I would ever marry, and now we are discussing being married by special license with the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating the ceremony. Forgive me if it takes a moment to come to terms with it."
He kissed her again and then released her smiling broadly. "Just think, Elizabeth, next week at this time, we could be husband and wife."
She sank back into his chest. "That sounds lovely."
They sat that way for several more minutes, not speaking. Before too long, though, the dinner bell rang and they separated to head upstairs to dress for dinner. William escorted her to her door and she kissed his check before entering her room and shutting the door.
Richard arrived for dinner just as William came back downstairs. He was still grinning and his cousin slapped his back. "You are grinning like a fool, cousin. I never thought I would see you this besotted."
"I am to be married next week, Richard. I have wanted to be married to Elizabeth for months, so forgive me if I am relishing the idea of finally making it come to fruition," William said.
"So, the two of you obviously made a decision about the wedding," Richard prompted.
William laughed. "She suggested we obtain a special license and marry in the library here at Darcy House. I plan to ask my great uncle if he would be willing to officiate. We still need to speak to her aunt and uncle, though about the date and time."
"I will tell my father you would like him to accompany you to the Archbishop in the morning, then," Richard offered.
"If you would," William replied. "I will need to visit my solicitor after to finalize the marriage settlements."
Elizabeth and Georgiana joined them in the drawing room just then. The four sat and talked for several minutes before dinner was announced. William escorted Elizabeth into the dining room and Richard followed behind with Georgiana. They four enjoyed dinner and the conversation was lively. After dessert was served, they moved into the music room where Elizabeth and Georgiana played several songs. In the middle of this, the butler delivered a message to William.
"Your uncle writes they arrived home safely. He spoke to Mr. Phillips for some time apparently and he wants to speak to us about what he learned tomorrow; he asks that we come early to dinner and to bring the Colonel. Richard, are you free tomorrow night?" William related to the group.
Richard agreed and then excused himself. Georgiana followed and William asked Elizabeth to play one more song for him. He sat next to her at the piano and turned the pages for her, lightly brushing her arm as he did so, which caused her to stumble more than once.
"William!" she admonished. "You are distracting me."
He grinned. "It is retribution. You distract me on a regular basis."
She laughed. "Whatever can you mean, William? How do I distract you?"
"You are beautiful, Elizabeth, and you draw my eye every time you enter a room. Your voice has a musical quality that captures my ear whenever I hear it. You haunt my dreams, my love. And knowing that we are so close to being wed makes me quite distracted." He leaned over to kiss her ear and then her neck.
She moaned his name. When he pressed a kiss to her lips, she gasped, and he deepened the kiss. When he broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. "I think it is best you head to bed, my dear," he said when he could speak.
She stared at him. "You are right, William, but I do not want to."
"I do not want you to either, Elizabeth, but I think it is best you do," William said huskily.
They stood. "I will not escort you, Elizabeth. I think it is best I stay here."
She quietly wished him a good night and headed upstairs to the room assigned to her. As she readied for bed, she thought about the kiss and dreamed of the day when William would not have to stop, and they could continue that kiss to its natural conclusion. It took her a long time to fall asleep that night.
William proceeded to his study after Elizabeth went upstairs. He took care of several manners of business before seeking out his own rooms. It took him a long time to fall asleep, and his dreams were full of Elizabeth.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke later than usual. When she entered the breakfast room, William was just finishing his breakfast. She lightly kissed his cheek.
"Good morning, William," she said.
He smiled. "Good morning, love. You caught me as I was about to leave. It will be close to lunchtime before I return. I have several matters of business to attend to this morning. Richard intimated last night that his mother may call on you and Georgiana this morning as well."
Elizabeth smiled. "Aunt Rebecca is lovely. I look forward to knowing her better. I have a feeling she is rather formidable in her own way."
William laughed. "She most definitely is. Georgiana will likely sleep late this morning and have breakfast in her room. Aunt Rebecca will probably call around 11. Let the housekeeper know if you need anything – she offered to show you the mistress's suite this morning if you like. Otherwise, you have the run of the house as its future mistress."
"Thank you, William. I hope you are successful this morning," Elizabeth called as he rose. He walked over to her and kissed her lightly.
"Until lunchtime, my dear," he replied, stealing one more kiss before he went. "Less than a week to go."
She laughed and began to eat her breakfast. The housekeeper came in about fifteen minutes later and offered to give her a tour when she was finished. Elizabeth sat down her fork and rose from the table. She followed the housekeeper to the second floor where she viewed the rooms that would be hers and William's. The rooms needed refreshing, and the housekeeper told her the tasks that had already been undertaken. Elizabeth discussed colors and made suggestions for the bed coverings and curtains. For her room, she asked for a writing desk to be added and a bookshelf or two.
The sitting room that connected the two bedrooms needed the most work. For that room, Elizabeth asked for some comfortable chairs to be found to sit in front of the window and a settee for in front of the fireplace. She also asked for some bookshelves be brought in there and a table to go with each seating arrangement. She made a mental note to look for a chess set for this room. Later, before they returned to Pemberley, she would order more substantial work to the room, including updating the paint and wallpaper to lighten the room. It was too heavy and too dark, but she wanted to consider William's tastes before making any decisions.
The housekeeper followed along, also making notes about Elizabeth's wishes and requirements for the rooms. She was pleased with the new mistress so far and appreciated the master's choice of spouse. She looked forward to working with her in the future and hoped the master would spend more time in London in the future. However, knowing that both the master and mistress preferred the country, she doubted they would spend too many months in London each year.
Lady Matlock did call just before eleven. Elizabeth had worried since Georgiana had not made an appearance when she finished the tour, but had been told she was taking a breakfast tray in her room. She was worn out from the traveling and would likely stay there all day.
"Aunt Rebecca, it is good to see you again this morning," Elizabeth greeted her. "I have been touring the house this morning and the mistress's suites will need to be updated. I have some vague notions of what I would like to do in there, particularly in the sitting room, but I think I will need some help."
"Absolutely, dear, I can assist however you need me," she agreed. "Do you want to show me now?"
Elizabeth thought for a second before agreeing. The called for the housekeeper who showed them upstairs again to the suite of rooms. "William retained his bedroom but intends to move into the master's rooms as well when we wed. So nothing has been done in any of these rooms in a number of years. The rooms are being cleaned and a few basic housekeeping tasks attended to, but I would like to brighten these rooms and make them more comfortable. The mistress's suite at Pemberley is much lighter. Even the other bedroom is dark and foreboding. Different window coverings will make a lot of difference and I realize William will have ideas about how to decorate as well…"
Elizabeth trailed off, slightly overwhelmed for a moment. Aunt Rebecca led Elizabeth into the sitting room and asked the housekeeper for privacy.
"What do you know of marriage, Elizabeth?" she asked gently.
"My parents live entirely separate lives. I do not even remember any closeness. My aunt and uncle are partners, sharing everything and working together. They each have their own role, but they work together.
"At Pemberley, it felt like William, and I were building a partnership. That is the kind of marriage I want, the kind where each spouse is an equal partner. Almost more important than love, I think, is a mutual respect for the other, a recognition of the other's strengths as well as their weaknesses. Again, I feel this is true of William and myself."
Rebecca nodded. "And what about the physical aspects of marriage?"
Elizabeth blushed profusely. "I have seen animal mating. I know there are similarities."
Rebecca laughed lightly. "Very few. The physical aspect of marriage is a part of that partnership. It can be very pleasant for both parties. Has William kissed you?" Elizabeth nodded and blushed brighter. "Do you enjoy his kisses?"
Another nod and renewed blushing.
"To what do these questions tend, Aunt?" Elizabeth found her voice briefly.
"I want you to consider the possibility that you and William will likely only have need of one bedchamber," Rebecca said softly.
Elizabeth just looked at her for several moments. She knew her parents always had separate bedrooms but when they traveled, the Gardiners always shared a single room. She wondered what William would expect. She wondered what she would want, especially as she remembered sleeping in William's arms in the carriage. Her face turned red again.
"Is that common?" She asked.
"It is when couples marry for love. Not so much when they marry as a part of a business transaction." Rebeca explained and Elizabeth nodded again.
"I should probably talk to him about it, should not I?" Elizabeth asked and this time it was Rebecca's turn to nod.
"One last thing, and I would imagine your aunt may have a similar conversation with you before the wedding, but trust is incredibly important in a marriage. When it comes to marital relations, trust is just as important. William is an honorable man and I know that he has refrained from the activities many young gentlemen in the ton see as a part of their birthright. Trust him and trust his love for you to guide you."
Elizabeth nodded, but nothing else regarding decorating was discussed that day.