This one is my longest one yet because it has taken me so long to post! Im sorry for that! I literally watched the game of thrones marathon ondemand this whole week. I'm obsessed, and I'm pathetic. But seriously, who doesn't watch Game of Thrones?...Back on topic though, thanks for all the reviews! I hope you enjoy this one! Aunt Catherine is coming up in the next few chapters, as will the lovely Collins family. Review, and enjoy!
The Darcy townhouse had a surprise visitor the morning of the ball. Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, and Lady Isabel Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock, arrived promptly after the breakfast hour. Lizzy hastily pinched her cheeks and smoothed her skirts before William led her into the parlor where his aunt and uncle awaited them.
The Countess was a small woman, with dark hair and pale sharp eyes. She was slightly tanner then what was considered fashionable, and her face bore many laugh lines. She smiled widely as William and she walked into the room.
The Earl was quite older then the Countess. He had gray hair, and a straight back. He held his wife's hand in his lap, stroking the palm. He seemed strict, but had softness to his face as his wife smiled. He too bore deep laugh lines. The two stood from the sofa they perched on as the couple entered.
"Uncle Henry, Aunt Isabel" William hugged the older woman gently, and shook hands with his uncle. "May I present my darling wife, Elizabeth?"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord, my lady" Elizabeth curtsied.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Mrs. Darcy" Lady Fitzwilliam had a soft soprano voice.
"I assure you, the pleasure is all mine Lady Fitzwilliam." Lizzy replied, smiling back. "I am so eager to get to know the rest of William's family."
"Well, we were quite eager to meet you my dear. William was so secretive, stealing you away to Pemberely in the middle of the winter. I was so disappointed to miss the wedding. Do tell me, how long have you been wed now?" His aunt questioned. Lizzy started counting back weeks, but William beat her to it.
"Seven and a half months Aunt"
"That was quite prompt nephew" The Earl spoke. He had a deep baritone; Lizzy thought she could detect a slight sarcastic tinge to it. William smirked, confirming her thought. The Colonel, a prankster if she had ever met one, had inherited his humor from his silent father.
"Henry, do not tease the lad. Why thank you William, although I believe I asked Elizabeth" His Aunt laughed. "Come, let me speak more with Mrs. Darcy while you two discuss shooting or something else boring"
"Do not be silly Isa, we will be describing, in great detail I might add, our attire for the ball tonight. I am quite eager to know what our nephew shall wear, navy or black breeches?" Lizzy covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. William openly laughed, clapping his uncle on the back.
"Come, uncle, we are clearly not wanted" He kissed Lizzy's hand, and left her with his aunt.
"Shall we?" Lady Fitzwilliam sat back down on the couch.
"Shall I call for tea?" Lizzy asked. She nodded her head. They sat in silence until the teacart was delivered, and Lizzy poured the hot liquid with caution.
"I wish to learn more about you, the mysterious woman my dearest nephew has married" Lady Fitzwilliam announced after taking a sip.
"There is not much to tell ma'am" Lizzy replied, sinking back against the sofa.
"Your marriage was quite hasty, and quite understated," Lady Fitzwilliam told her. "There was a lot of talk, scandalous talk"
"Are you suggesting there was a scandal?" Lizzy arched a brow.
"There was talk of a compromise"
"Are you suggesting William compromised me?" Lizzy all but gasped.
"Not at all, I have more faith in my nephew then that" She replied. "I am not accusing you of anything, I have the utmost respect in William, I do not believe he would have married you for anything less then love"
"Are you questioning my love for him?" Lizzy was confused as to where this conversation was going. "Because I can assure you that I love William with every single fiber of my being,"
" I have seen the way you look at each other, that is quite obvious dear. I am merely trying to inform you of what to expect, of the types of accusations you shall face tonight. The Ton does not take likely their most eligible bachelor being snatched up by a society unknown"
"You think they will not except me as William's wife" Lizzy sagged against the couch. The woman was not being malicious, just protective of her nephew, trying to prepare her for the accusations of tonight.
"I believe that some shall, the married ones of course. The single, jealous women will do everything in their power to weaken you, to insult you, to make you feel as awful as possible"
"I am not a easy women to break down" Lizzy replied. "I care not for what society think of me. As William's family, I endeavor to secure your good opinion, for the sake of Williams' love for you"
"The Fitzwilliam's are a small family. Noble, yes, and wealthy, but small. My sons are the only two heirs to the remaining fortunes. The Darcy's are, while not noble, far wealthier then the Fitzwilliam's, yet smaller still. We have to stick together as a family; we do not keep secrets. We help each other out"
The conversation then switched to lighter subjects, the ball that coming evening, and then to dresses, and then to Georgiana's eventual coming out. The two agreed, since Georgiana had no mother, that they would plan it together. William and the Earl chose that moment to re-enter the room.
"Ah, William! Perfect, we were just discussing Georgiana's coming out next you" His aunt smiled. "We have agreed to split the task amongst the two of us. Surely you agree that this is a valid idea?"
"I quite agree that the two of you should split the task, but Georgiana is not coming out next year, she is not yet ready"
"I agree. She shall come out at the age of nine and twenty, when she is utterly unsuited for marriage, so that she may remain with William and his wife for the rest of their lives" The Earl joked. Lizzy and his wife laughed, while William scowled.
"Do not fret love, we shall sort it out later, yes?" Lizzy asked, seeking to ease the tension.
"Well, I shall trust you then Elizabeth, twas a pleasure to meet you dear" Lady Fitzwilliam hugged her softly, and stood. "I believe we best head home dear, we must prepare for tonight"
The carriage was called, the farewells were given, and the two were left alone in their parlor.
"Your aunt is quite the woman," Lizzy told him after a second of silence.
"I assume she implied that no secrets were kept in the family?" Lizzy nodded.
"She is quite intimidating" Lizzy said with a smile. "But I believe I shall like her very much"
"Well, I happen to know she already likes you very much" William replied. "There is one secret we have kept from her however,"
"Only for a few more hours" She grinned, laying her hand against her small baby bump. He placed his own hand over hers. "She shall know later tonight"
"She shall indeed," He agreed.
After having tea with Georgiana, who arrived a quarter of an hour after her family's departure, Lizzy was forced into a scalding bath filled with scented oils and flower petals. Her skin was scrubbed clean, her hair was washed with expensive French soap, and to top it off, Mira then rubbed another scented oil over her entire person.
Oily, cold, and skin raw from the scrubbing, Lizzy sat naked upon her bed, waiting for the oils to absorb into her skin. Her hair was down to dry, sticking to her back in an infuriating manner.
"Lizzy?" William called, knocking on the door before entering. She didn't bother moving from her spot on the bed.
"Yes?" She called, staring at the silken canopy top.
"Why are you dripping wet and naked upon the bed?" He questioned, his handsome face appearing above her. He was leaning over her to see her face better.
"I must be totally dry before I am forced into a heavy pile of lace, tulle, satin, and whatever other materials Georgiana has designed this gown with" Lizzy replied, pouting. Her husband ran his hand up her thigh, over her stomach. Goosebumps appeared on her skin.
"You smell delicious," He murmured, kissing the side of her neck.
"I smell like a million flowers vomited upon me," Lizzy replied. He merely hummed against her neck, knotting his hands in her hair.
..,.,.,.,…...
Lizzy appraised her image in the looking glass. She wore a thin dressing gown, her feet bare. Her naturally curly hair was braided across the crown of her head, and then secured on the side with a pearl and feathered hair comb. The rest of it flowed unrestricted to just under her bust.
"Oh, you are not dressed yet!" Georgiana exclaimed as she walked into the room, without knocking.
"Mira just finished my hair" Lizzy replied, turning to face her sister. "You look beautiful Georgiana" She complimented.
"I look like a child" Georgiana retorted, picking at her lace pink and tulle dress. "William insisted on the color. I cannot wait until next season when I come out"
"Well, until then, help me into this dress" Lizzy avoided the subject of her coming out, and pointed to the gown hanging on her dresser. "Mira is trying to find my new slippers. I misplaced them somewhere"
Lizzy's gown was beautiful, although quite over the top for her tastes. Georgiana insisted that she had to make a grand impression on everyone. To hide the bump, she had opted for a short-sleeved empire waisted dress. It was a pale grey color with an over coat of a darker grey. Lizzy quite admired the way the lighter gray stood out through the darker greys slit in the middle, just under her bust. The seamstress had begged her leave to embellish it, as if the fine grey satin wasn't enough. The woman had sewn an intricate design along the sleeves, the hem, and the bust line, with little sparkling jewels.
"Oh, I knew it would look amazing!" Georgiana exclaimed. "Let me get the necklace and gloves!"
Georgie returned with the matching pearl and silver necklace, along with simple white gloves. Mira had since return, and her feet were now slipper clad. All and all, she was ready to go.
William was waiting downstairs with Colonel Fitzwilliam, who would stay with Georgiana at his parents home. Both men smiled as they descended the stairs.
"Wow" The Colonel wolf whistled, causing Georgiana to blush, and Lizzy to gape.
"You must excuse Richard, time spent in the military has withered away at his manners. You look lovely Georgiana," He told the blushing blonde. He turned to his wife, smiling easily. "Lizzy, love, you look simply ravishing" She blushed under his gaze but smiled back.
"You look rather dashing yourself Mr. Darcy" She replied. "And you smell quite fresh"
"He smells like a garden vomited upon him. What were you doing before this?" The tip of William's ears turned red. The Colonel understood, and laughed.
"I see" He replied. "Well, Miss Darcy, may I escort you to the carriage?"
"Why thank you Colonel Fitzwilliam" She responded.
As soon as she stepped from the carriage, she swayed on her feet. William hastily wrapped an arm around her to secure her. She brushed him off.
"I must have over judged the step" She laughed. "It's these silly slippers"
William simply laughed as she waggled her toes for him.
The Earl and Countess met them in the foyer with kind words and happy smiles. Lizzy was immediately introduced to Henry II, the heir to Matlock. He was unmarried, yet older then William.
"Cousin, I see you have married completely above your station in regards to appearance" He announced, smiling happily as Elizabeth blushed at the compliment, and his cousin in anger.
"And I see you still have not married" William retorted.
"None of this nonsense, not tonight boys" The Earl warned.
"William?" His aunt asked. "Why don't you take Elizabeth into the ballroom? Several people are very excited to meet her. The first is starting in mere seconds, hurry. I shall take Georgiana and show her off to my friends, the old bats of society. They shall be enthralled with her likeness to your mother"
"She is not out yet Aunt, remember" William warned. The woman nodded with a soft smile, before grasping her young nieces arm. Georgiana looked nervous. Elizabeth shot her a brief smile, despite her own nerves.
"Come now dearest, we cannot keep society waiting" Lizzy murmured, threading her arm through hers husbands. He laughed softly, patting her hand. She felt faint with nerves.
"We cannot indeed"
The first set was about to start as they walked in. Lizzy dragged her husband into the crowd, determined to dance and have a good time.
"I do love this dance" Lizzy commented as they began. Her husband smiled, she had said that the first time they had danced together, back in Meryton.
"Quite invigorating" He replied. Lizzy laughed loudly, earning a few stares.
"I admit, I do not know what to talk about" She stated as they passed by each other. "The weather quite nice, I suppose"
"Do you talk as a rule while dancing?" He questioned. She smiled as she clasped hands with a woman she did not know. The woman smiled gently back. She was elder the Lizzy by some years.
"Yes" She replied, coming back into contact with her husband.
As he led her in a small circle, the faint feeling returned, and her vision swam. In the quick blinking of her eyes, it was gone. She was being passed to the elder woman's dancing partner. William cocked a brow at her expression.
"Are you alright?" He asked as they passed each other again. Lizzy was grateful that the music was slowly tapering out. The dance was ending. Just a few more steps.
"Fine" She whispered.
He was not fooled by her answer. Her face had paled in the last few minutes, a light sheen of sweat upon her brow. She looked dazed, blinking away as if her vision was troubling her.
She passed him in the dance, disappearing behind him. A second later he heard a gasp, and turned just as his wife swayed on her feet.
A searing hot pain flashed across her stomach, stopping her dead in her tracks as she gasp at the pain. Her vision swam, and her head pounded, as if the bolt of pain has spread all the way to her head.
"William" She whispered as her world went black.
"Lizzy!" He shouted quite loudly, racing towards his falling wife.
He caught her just as she fell, shocking the entire ballroom into silence.