Greetings and Happy New Year! Sorry to have gotten so far behind with my posting. Real life has been keeping me much busier at the moment. Some in my family have been hit really hard with illness this season and I just have not been able to get as much time as I would like to write and post. Here is the next chapter for those still reading this one. Thanks and best regards Janie(mj)
Chapter 50: Meeting with Uncle John
Sir John Fitzwilliam sat at his desk waiting for his nephew to arrive. Earlier that morning his sister, Lady Catherine called to inform him that Darcy was getting married in October. She pointed out that his desire to rush into marriage with Miss Bennet so soon after announcing his engagement was proof that the entire affair was a terrible mistake. The drama continued to unfold when his son Richard informed him that Lady Catherine was going to speak with the press. Richard explained that her plan was to release a statement that would cast doubts on Miss Bennet's character and question her motives for marrying Darcy. John listened as his son told him that Darcy was so upset by the news he went to see Lady Catherine to dissuade her from speaking with the press. He wasn't sure that was the best way to handle the situation. His doubts were confirmed later that morning when Richard called back requesting that he clear his morning schedule to speak with Darcy.
"John, Catherine is calling for you again," his wife said as she came into his study.
"I know she has been calling my cell phone as well, but I don't want to speak with her again until after I have a chance to talk with Darcy," he told her as he glanced down at his watch. "He should be here soon."
Mrs. Fitzwilliam smiled understandingly. "I will tell her you are in a meeting and will call her as soon as you have finished," she told him.
"Thank you, dear," he said as she left the room. John went back to reading over some business reports until his nephew arrived. It wasn't long before Jones showed Darcy in, "Mr. Darcy is here to see you, sir," the older man said.
"Thank you, Jones," John replied. "Please inform my wife that Darcy is here and we are not to be disturbed," he told him.
"Yes sir," Jones said as he left the room closing the door behind him.
Darcy walked over to his uncle. "I wanted to thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Uncle John," he told him.
John got up and moved from behind his desk over to the sofa. He sat down on one of the oversized, large, leather, sofas and motioned for Darcy to do the same. "It's quite all right Darcy," he told him. "I have been wondering why I haven't seen you before today."
Darcy walked over and sat down in one of the large leather chairs. "I know, and I'm sorry," he told him. "I realize I should have come and spoken to you myself about my engagement to Elizabeth, but things happened rather fast."
"Yes, that's what I'm hearing from your Aunt Catherine," he told him. "She called me only this morning to tell me you are getting married in October."
"Yes, that's our plan," he told him. "But we only just decided on the date yesterday. We were planning to announce it to you and Aunt Abigail at our dinner party this Saturday evening, but unfortunately, we will be denied the joy of doing that now."
John leaned forward in his chair, "Your Aunt Catherine has a lot to say about your upcoming marriage, Darcy," he told him. "She's very concerned about you rushing into this marriage."
"Uncle John you know how Aunt Catherine can be, she's completely unreasonable," he told him. "No it's worse than that, she's cruel and controlling."
"That's a rather harsh accusation to make against your aunt," his uncle told him.
Darcy got up and walked over to the window, just thinking about the things his aunt said about Elizabeth made him angry all over again. "It may seem harsh, but it is completely accurate," he told him. "I went to see Aunt Catherine just this morning to try to talk some reason into her. Did you know she plans to speak to the press and spread false lies about Elizabeth being pregnant when she's not?" he told him.
John took in a deep breath, "I was made aware of her plans by Richard, but she made no mention of it to me herself," he admitted to him. He watched Darcy very closely. "Darcy let me be frank with you. Lady Catherine told me what happened while you were at Rosings. She said Elizabeth purposely went off on her own into a storm so she could manipulate spending time alone with you," he told him.
Darcy almost laughed, "Seriously Uncle John, Elizabeth would have to be capable of some pretty amazing things to arrange that. I mean does she control the weather? Did she keep Aunt Catherine from fixing the runoff so that the stream would flood? How did she foresee both Richard and I going out and looking for her that night?" he said sarcastically, "And if that isn't already enough of a challenge to explain; ask Aunt Catherine how Elizabeth made sure I was the one who found her that night instead of Richard."
John could see the absurdity of it all now that it was explained to him, but he still felt the need to ask. "Fine I will admit Lady Catherine's telling of the situation is completely far-fetched but Darcy," he looked at him intently. "I have to ask you, that night the two of you were alone together…" he said.
"Nothing happened," he told him honestly. "Uncle John I love Elizabeth. I want to marry her not have a one night stand."
John could see he was telling the truth. "All right I believe you, but I had to ask," he told him.
Darcy paced back and forth behind the chairs. "Uncle John I told Aunt Catherine very honestly if she does anything to hurt Elizabeth then I won't see her again and I meant it," he told him.
John was becoming distracted watching Darcy pace back and forth. "Darcy, come over here and sit back down," he told him. "You are making me nervous watching you pace back and forth like that."
Darcy let out a deep sigh, "Uncle John she's threatening to hire a team of lawyers and try to take guardianship over Georgiana unless I break off my engagement to Elizabeth" he told him.
"She said that?" John asked. He was shocked that she would really make such threats to Darcy himself.
"Yes, she said she would hire as many lawyers as it took to get guardianship over Georgiana unless I change my mind," he repeated his aunt's words. "I know she has no legal leg to stand on. I also know that Georgiana is old enough to tell any judge where she wants to live, but I also know how painful it would be for her to have to do so," he told him. "The press would have a field day with a story like this and Aunt Catherine doesn't care about the pain it would cause Georgiana. She's only concerned with getting her way and controlling everyone around her."
John looked at his nephew, "I didn't know she was considering doing something like that," he told him. "She made a veiled threat before but nothing that I took seriously. I just assumed she was speaking out of frustration, not that she would ever act upon it," he told him.
"She's beyond being reasonable at this point," Darcy explained. "She thinks that what she's doing is right and that one day I will realize how wrong I was and thank her for what she's doing. It's the same situation with Anne all over again. Do you know she still refuses to speak to Anne even though she's about to have a grandchild?"
John nodded his head, "Yes I'm aware of her relationship with Anne," he told him. "I speak with Anne at least twice a month, but my sister is stubborn," he told him. He grew quiet for a moment then asked, "Darcy tell me about Elizabeth," he asked him. "What's she like?"
Darcy leaned back against the sofa. "You know me, Uncle John. I have never been an overly emotional person. I always think things through. I tend to handle every situation like a business deal."
John smiled, "Yes Richard has shared some of the more colorful stories with your aunt and me," he told him.
Darcy grew serious as he thought about his fiancée, "Since my mother passed away I have become very guarded with my feelings. You know I can be difficult and at times very businesslike in my ways, but when I'm with Elizabeth," he paused for a moment before continuing. "When I'm with her, I find a part of myself that I pushed away after my mother died," he admitted. "She makes me smile; she makes me laugh at myself and reminds me that life is not always all business and seriousness. She's intelligent, kind, charming, compassionate, beautiful, and determined," he told him. "When we first met," he paused for a moment and smiled thinking about it. "When Elizabeth and I first met, I unintentionally insulted her beauty."
John smiled, "That's an interesting way to get a young lady to pay attention to you," he teased his nephew.
"Believe me it was the beginning of a long and difficult road to change her opinion of me after I embarrassed her as I did," he told him, then continued telling him of his and Elizabeth's time together. "When we first met, I was in one of my moods. I was at a party that I didn't really want to attend with my friend Charles Bingley. He was there trying to get me to dance with his fiancée's younger sister Elizabeth," he explained. "At the time, I didn't know who Elizabeth was. The two of us still were not introduced at that point, and honestly, I just wanted Charles to leave me be. After Charles continued badgering me, I said in my most obnoxious and proud voice that I had no interest in dancing with Elizabeth Bennet and that she was not pretty enough to tempt me to do so."
John was shocked, "You didn't really do that, did you?"
"I'm sorry to say that I did, and I said it loud enough for just about everyone standing within five feet of me to hear," he told him as he continued telling him of their growing friendship and how they fell in love with each other. "Uncle John, the truth is Aunt Catherine has it all wrong. Elizabeth didn't pursue me in any way. I was the one who sought after her. I am and always will be completely in love with her," he told him. "She has helped me find that part of myself that I thought was lost forever."
John hesitated for a moment,"May I ask why is there such a rush to marry, don't most couples have longer engagements these days?"
Darcy tried not to sound too defensive, "Does it really matter why we want to marry now instead of later?" he asked him. "My feelings for her are not going to change. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her."
John grew quiet for a moment. He leaned back in his chair and thought about what Darcy told him. "Darcy let me deal with your Aunt Catherine for right now."
"Then you will support me in my marriage to Elizabeth where she's concerned?" he asked him.
John looked at his nephew, "Darcy it's crystal clear to me that you are in love with this girl," he told him. "I don't even have to meet her to know that you love her..." he said then paused for a moment, "But I can't give you my blessing on the marriage until I do meet her," he finally finished saying. "I'm not saying that Elizabeth is the kind of woman who is marrying you for your money, but I'm sorry to tell you, that you wouldn't be the first young man to have this happen to him. There are women who don't care about those they hurt they only want what they can get for themselves."
"Uncle John, all I can do is assure Elizabeth is not like that," Darcy told him.
"That may well be," he said, then asked, "Have the two of you spoken to your attorney about a prenuptial agreement?" his uncle asked.
Darcy shook his head, "Elizabeth and I love each other, and I see no need for there to be one between us," he told him.
"Darcy, you know better than that," John told him honestly. "You know, or at least you should know that it is your duty to Georgiana to protect your family's estate. Even if you do love Elizabeth and she loves you, there must be a prenuptial agreement in place before any marriage can happen. There must be provision protecting Georgiana as well as yourself. Your parents had one, even your aunt and I have one in place."
Darcy knew his uncle would feel this way about a prenuptial agreement. He knew he risked losing his support by not going ahead with one. Deep down in his heart, he knew Elizabeth would never use him for money or to gain for herself. He knew she would never do anything to cause Georgiana harm. He looked up at his uncle, "I will consider what you have said, but Uncle John I know Elizabeth, she loves me and she loves Georgiana. I have no fear of our future life together. Having your blessing is very important to me. You know how much I respect both you and Aunt Abigail," he told him honestly. "But I want to be honest with you, if you choose not to give me your support, it will not stop me from marrying the woman I love."
John stood up and walked over to pour himself a drink, "I didn't presume to think that it would," he told his nephew. "But before we court any further troubles let us meet with Elizabeth and see for ourselves the kind of person she is."
Darcy realized that was the best he was going to get from his uncle. "I will leave Aunt Catherine to you as you have asked," he told him. "If you will promise that you will not allow anything that she has said to you about Elizabeth to sway your opinion of her."
John smiled. "Darcy, I give you my word to meet Elizabeth and be open-minded," he told him as he extended his hand to his nephew. "Now I suspect you have a good deal of work at the office to get done, as well as some things to consider that we have discussed here today, so I will let you get to it."
Darcy shook his hand and then headed for the door. He stopped for a moment and turned back toward his uncle, "You know how I knew with certainty that Elizabeth is the one for me?" he asked him.
John shook his head, "How?"
"Because I know my mother would have liked her. Elizabeth has the same spark about her that my mother had. She would have liked her very much," he told him before he left.
Elizabeth couldn't believe how much shopping they did in such a short amount of time. She sat down next to Jane and Kitty, "Mary shouldn't be too much longer," she told them as she glanced down at her watch.
Kitty shrugged her shoulders, "I just hope she's happy with what they are doing," she told her. "She doesn't really do well with change."
Jane smiled, "She seemed very open to trying something new," she commented.
Elizabeth laughed, "I think Mary will be fine," she told them both. "Besides you know she has no problem telling people what she does and doesn't like."
Jane laughed, "That's true," she agreed just as Mary came out of the dressing room.
Elizabeth looked over at her younger sister and smiled. "Oh Mary, you look so beautiful," she told her. The stylists gave Mary a medium, length bob haircut that framed her face perfectly. She was wearing a nice pair of dark denim wash jeans, a soft pale pink top and she had on a pair of up to date glasses.
Jane and Kitty both got up and walked over toward Mary. "You look wonderful," they both told her.
"Do you really like it?" she asked a little unsure of her choices.
Jane smiled, "Mary this new hairstyle and these glasses make all the difference."
Mary turned and looked at herself in the mirror, she smiled, "This is good, it still feels like me," she told them. "I wasn't really sure about the pink at first, but it's good."
"It's a very lovely color for you Mary, it really is," she assured her.
"I love the new glasses," Kitty told her. "They are so much nicer than the old chunky thick-framed black ones you had before.
Mary reached up and adjusted her glasses. "These will take getting used to," she told them. "They are so much lighter than my old ones. I feel like they are barely there."
"Well, they look amazing Mary," Jane told her. "The highlights in your hair are so pretty." She turned to Elizabeth. "I think the next time I have my hair done I want your friend to do my hair for me."
Elizabeth laughed, "I told you, he's amazing."
Mary held up a small bag. "I do have the contacts to try as well," she told them. "But I'm not sure I want to wear them all the time. Still not use to the idea of putting something directly on my eye."
Elizabeth walked over and wrapped her arm around her sister. "Give yourself time to get used to this updated look. Trust me these new glasses make you look beautiful. They don't hide your eyes at all. When you are ready to try the contacts, they will be there," she told her.
Mary breathed a sigh of relief as she leaned over and whispered so Elizabeth could hear. "I will come to your dinner party on Saturday, Lizzy."
Elizabeth smiled, "Mary, Mum is going to be speechless when she sees you," she assured her.
Mary laughed, "Really do you think so? Because having Mum be completely quiet for even a brief time would make everything I just went through totally worth it," she teased.
Jane glanced down at her watch. "I think we should go get lunch before heading back to Meryton," she commented. "I'm starving."
"I'm not meeting with Charlotte until later this afternoon, so I'm free," Elizabeth told them.
"I cleared my day because I didn't know how long this would all take, so I have time to get some lunch," Mary told them.
Kitty laughed, "Oh Mary, you make it sound like you have just come from a torturous ordeal instead of having your hair and makeup done."
Mary smiled, "Well it was a bit painful, sitting there while they plucked my eyebrows," she told her. "And those chemicals they use to color your hair are the worst."
Elizabeth laughed and teased her sister as they headed for the door. She considered the morning well spent. Mary was happy, and she was getting to create bonds with both her younger sisters.
It was just after lunch when Darcy made it back to his office. He sat down at his desk and began thumbing through the files in front of him. His mind was elsewhere, and he was finding it difficult to focus. The sound of his office door opening got his attention, "Richard come in," he told his cousin.
"Do I need to even ask how things went with my father?" he asked seeing the expression on Darcy's face.
"It wasn't bad; he promised to keep an open mind when it comes to meeting Elizabeth. Which is more than Aunt Catherine would do," Darcy told him.
Richard felt there was more to it than that. "Why do I feel there is more to it than that?"
"Uncle John is wondering why Elizabeth and I are in such a hurry to get married," he told him.
"What did you tell him when he asked?" Richard asked him.
Darcy leaned back in his chair. "Honestly Richard there are so many reasons, several of which I'm not about to discuss with him."
Richard hated to bring it up, but he had to ask, "Is one of those reasons Wickham?"
Darcy got up and walked over to the window. "Yes, he is. I guess we both knew he would be an issue at some point. He's already trying to cause trouble for me."
"How so?" Richard asked.
"I received a letter this morning by certified mail," he told him. "In the letter, George made it very clear that he was the one who got Aunt Catherine upset. He's the one who suggested this interview with the press I'm sure of it. He also mentioned Georgiana and made indirect threats about me having to expose her past to clear things with Aunt Catherine."
"Do you think he would tell Aunt Catherine about what happened himself?" Richard asked him.
Darcy shook his head. "No, he knows better than that. He wants Aunt Catherine to be on his side. If he told her what transpired it would cast him in a bad light and he won't intentionally do that," he told him. "No, he just wants to use the past to cause me to suffer."
"Have you said anything to Elizabeth about this?" Richard asked him.
"No, I haven't said too much to her, but she knows I would never allow Wickham to attend the wedding. I don't believe she wants him there either," he told him. "Elizabeth knows what he is; she doesn't want him in our lives."
Richard guessed where Darcy thoughts were going next. "But if you invite Lydia to the wedding without her husband it brings up all kinds of questions," he commented. "Questions you probably would rather not have Elizabeth's mother asking?"
"Mrs. Bennet does have a tough time keeping things to herself," he said as diplomatically as he could. "If she found out the truth about Wickham, and his connection to Georgiana, I don't think it would be long before the press got wind of it."
"Darcy, we did the right thing in keeping everything that happened between us and not involving my parents or Aunt Catherine," Richard told him. "Georgiana was humiliated enough by Wickham; she didn't need the entire family coming down on her as well."
Darcy turned back to face his cousin, "I know, and I still don't think we should say anything to them especially now while Aunt Catherine is making these threats," he told him.
"Then what are we going to do if my father sides with Aunt Catherine and doesn't support your marriage to Elizabeth?" Richard asked him.
Darcy shook his head, "Do you honestly believe he would?" he asked him.
Richard wasn't sure what to say. "Darcy, my father can be every bit as much a snob as Aunt Catherine at times," he told him. "I don't think he will have any issues with Elizabeth, but from what you have said about her two younger sisters and her parents, I'm not so sure."
Darcy walked back over and sat down. "Elizabeth shared with me that both Kitty and Mary have improved since Lydia has left the house. In fact, she's out right now with her sister shopping for the dinner party," he told him. "I have gotten to know her father better, and he's an intelligent man. I see no reason that Uncle John would have any issue with him..." he paused before continuing and thought about Mrs. Bennet. "Then there is Elizabeth's mother..."
Richard smiled as an idea came to him. "Darcy let me deal with my father where Mrs. Bennet is concerned," he told him. "I think I have a way of steering things in that area that just might make my father much more sympathetic to you."
Darcy was curious, "Really? How exactly could you make that happen?"
Richard leaned back in his chair. "Well, you may not be aware of this, but my father was not my grandmother's first choice for a husband for her daughter."
Darcy was astonished, "Are you serious?" he asked him. "What reason could she have had to objecting to Uncle John?"
Richard smiled, "Well my father was a bit of a lady's man in his day," he admitted. "Apparently, he was seeing another girl when he began dating my mother."
Darcy shook his head, "I had no idea."
Richard laughed, "According to my mother, my grandmother was always a source of aggravation and frustration for my father," he told him. "Even after they were married my grandmother gave him grief about his wandering eye, and constantly reminded him what it meant to be a good husband." Richard leaned forward in his chair. "All I have to do is let him know ahead of time about some of Mrs. Bennet's charming ways and then compare them to what he went through with Gram. My father always said that it didn't matter how annoying my grandmother was to him, he loved my mother, and their life together made it all worth it."
Darcy smiled, "All right then Richard you go ahead with this plan of yours," he told him.
"Are you going to tell Elizabeth about any of this?" Richard asked him.
"It would only make her feel more pressure than she already does about this dinner party," he told him.
Richard frowned and thought about how his cousin might react to this news. "I don't think we should mention any of this to Georgiana either," he told him.
Darcy nodded his head. "I agree, she doesn't need to worry about it, and I don't want her feeling guilty all over again about Wickham. That business wasn't her fault; it was my failing."
"No, it was both our failing," he reminded him.
Darcy grew quiet for a moment then said, "I know Uncle John said he would deal with Aunt Catherine, but just in case, can you speak quietly with our lawyers about Georgiana and the threats Aunt Catherine made?"
Richard nodded his head, "Consider it already done," he told him as he got up to leave. "Darcy don't worry about this, it's all going to work out," he assured him. "Come October, you are going to marry Elizabeth and Georgiana, and I will be there to share in your joy."
Darcy nodded his head, "Thank you, Richard," he told him. "Having your support means the world to me."
"You know you always have it, Darcy," Richard told him before closing the door.
Darcy tried to go back to work, but his mind kept replaying the events of that morning. He was just about to give up on it all when his phone went off, it was a text from Elizabeth, "I read it will be a full moon this evening. Perfect for young couples to spend time alone, gazing at the stars."
He smiled, she was his one bright spot in this otherwise drama-filled day, "Then I will be there to watch the stars come out one by one with you in my arms."
"Promise?" she wrote back.
"Nothing could keep me away," he typed in.
Elizabeth finished reading Will's text then slipped her phone back into her pocket. She smiled to herself, she thought about how perfectly happy she felt at that moment. She looked over at Mary as Jane pulled the car up the driveway, "You ready for your big reveal?"
Mary shook her head; she was suddenly feeling very nervous. "Maybe this was a mistake," she mumbled out loud.
Elizabeth took her hand, "Mary no matter what our mum says to you, just remember you look amazing," she assured her.
Kitty could see how nervous Mary was, "Mary let me go in and take your new things up to your room," she offered. "Then Jane and Lizzy can go in with you to see Mum."
Mary smiled, "All right," she agreed. "Thank you," she whispered softly as they all got out of the car and headed inside.
Mrs. Bennet was sitting in the living room when Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary came into the room. She was sitting near the window going over a guest list when they came in, "Oh girls, I'm so glad you are back," she told them without looking up. "I think I have the guest list for the engagement party settled and I have chosen these lovely invitations," she said pointing to a bridal magazine she had with her.
Elizabeth cleared her throat, "Mum isn't there anything you want to say to Mary?" she asked trying to get her attention.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head, "No, it's you and Jane I need to speak with," she told them.
Mary was about to turn and go when their father came into the room, he took one look at her and smiled, "Mary you look beautiful," he told her.
She brightened up and smiled, "Really Dad, do you think so?"
"I do, I especially like these new glasses," he told her. After several moments, he smiled, "Why Mary I think you have my eyes."
She blushed, "I have always thought so."
Mrs. Bennet finally looked up at Mary. "Oh Mary, you do look pretty," she said as she walked over to her daughter to examine her more closely. "Of course, this color isn't exactly the best choice for your complexion, but it isn't terrible, maybe if there were a bit more lace. I do like what you have done with your hair, and these glasses are very complimentary to you."
Mary smiled, "Thank you, Mum."
Mrs. Bennet smiled, "Now you see don't you, it's just as I always said, if you would just take a little time and work with what you have then you can be pretty too," she told Mary. Mrs. Bennet thought for a moment then said, "Of course, Jane is still the prettiest of all you girls, but then she does look the most like me. I just knew she would attract the right man in her life and that would help each one of you, other girls, to find husbands as well," she told her looking very pleased. "My dear Mary, there is hope for you after all."
Mary glanced over at Lizzy and rolled her eyes; she decided to just ignore her mother. It was as Lizzy said, this was just who their mother was. "Since you wanted to speak with Jane and Elizabeth I'm going to go upstairs and finish up some work on my computer. I will see you later for dinner," she told them as she headed toward the stairs.
Elizabeth watched as her sister climbed the stairs. She was proud of Mary; she had shown great courage today in trusting her and Jane to help her. She turned back to her mother. "I have Charlotte coming by for a visit," she told her. "So maybe we can do this later?"
Jane smiled, "If it's all right with you Lizzy, I can go over the party details with the mother. I think we both agreed on what we want."
Elizabeth nodded her head, "That's a wonderful idea," she told her as she heard the doorbell ring, "That will be Charlotte now," she said as she left the two of them and went to the door.
Charlotte stood there looking lost as Elizabeth opened the door and greeted her friend. "Charlotte, it is good to see you again," she told her as she hugged her close. "Come inside."
Charlotte could hear Mrs. Bennet talking with Jane, "Lizzy if it's all right with you can we go for a walk in the gardens and talk instead."
Elizabeth smiled, "Of course," she told her as they walked over toward her mother's rose garden. "So, tell me what happened at Rosings that has made you come back to Meryton alone?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "I do hope Lady Catherine hasn't been unkind to you, because of me."
"It's not Lady Catherine that has chased me away from Rosings," Charlotte told her. "She has been difficult, but I can ignore her," she commented. "What has truly been upsetting to me is that Collins is forever going on about you as well. He does and says everything Lady Catherine wants him to because he's too afraid to stand up to her." Charlotte took out some tissue as tears formed in her eyes, "Lizzy I can't deal with his constant cowering to her, not now. I needed some time away so I told him I was coming home until things smooth over or at least until he can leave his work at the front door when he comes home to me."
Elizabeth smiled, "Oh Charlotte I'm proud of you," she told her. "Standing up for yourself like this, it's something I was not sure you would ever do."
Charlotte sniffed in, "Oh Lizzy I hope I'm doing the right thing in all of this," She told her as she blew her nose.
Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Charlotte, "If it helps I think you are doing the right thing," she told her. "Although I'm sorry that my engagement to Will has caused you strife in your personal life."
"Lizzy it's not your fault. Lady Catherine is a bully and snob, but that wouldn't matter to me if Collins were supportive of me," she said as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry for being so emotional," she told her. "I'm afraid it can't be helped."
Elizabeth didn't understand her friends meaning. "Oh Charlotte..." she felt so bad for her. "You aren't being overly emotional at all. You have a right to expect your husband to support you."
Charlotte tried to smile, "Lizzy the reason I said my being overly emotional can't be helped is because I'm pregnant," she told her. "I'm seven weeks along."
Elizabeth was surprised, "Oh Charlotte that's wonderful news," she said as she looked into her friend's eyes. She could see how upset Charlotte was. "Is it wonderful news? What I mean to say is, are you happy about this baby?"
Charlotte nodded her head yes. "Despite everything happening now Lizzy I'm very happy about this baby," she told her as more tears rolled down her cheeks. "I have wanted a family of my own, and now it's happening for me. I know it sounds crazy. Me sitting here crying my eyes out to you, but I'm very happy," she said as she sniffled in and wiped her eyes.
Tears formed in Elizabeth's eyes, "It doesn't sound crazy Charlotte, not in the least," she assured her. "Does Collins know he's going to be a father?" she asked her.
"No, I have not told him yet," she admitted. "You are the first person I have told. I just found out from the doctor two days ago. I did a home test and when it came back positive I went in to see the doctor."
Elizabeth wiped her eyes, "Well now I truly do understand why you needed some time away," she told her. "This is wonderful news, and I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Lizzy," Charlotte told her. "I know Collins, and I married rather quickly. I know he's not the most sensible man, but he does have his moments, and I truly believe if he could just set up boundaries with Lady Catherine we could be happy at Rosings."
Elizabeth smiled, "I think with you away he will realize how much he needs and wants you around. He will miss you being there, and that will make him see his need to change things," she assured her. "He may not be sensible all the time, but you have had a positive effect on him Charlotte. He will come around."
"I hope so Lizzy because one thing I'm sure of," Charlotte told her. "I don't want to live the rest of my life dictated to me by my mother, or by Lady Catherine. If I want to drive my car a mile down the road, then I will do so, without fear or worry about what someone else thinks."
Elizabeth laughed, "Oh Charlotte, you really have found your voice and all it took was some raging hormones to do it," she teased her friend as she hugged her close.
Charlotte laughed, "Lizzy I'm very happy for you and Darcy. I do think you will be so happy together," she told her.
Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you, Charlotte," she told her as she let her go. "I do love him so much, and he makes me happy," she told her then said. "Will and Charles are coming, and you must stay and have dinner with us too," she told her.
"All right Lizzy, but please don't tell anyone about the baby for now," she asked her.
Elizabeth smiled, "It's our secret," she promised. The two of them spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and catching up.
Jane went upstairs to see Mary after she finished discussing wedding details with her mother. "May I come in," she asked as she knocked on the door.
"Yes, Jane," Mary called out to her.
"I wanted to speak to you about something," she told her as she came in and sat down on the bed. She handed Mary a folder, "This has my financial information inside. Charles would like me to have my things handled by Mr. Brandon Wilson. It's the firm he works with for his business affairs," she explained. "I meant to meet with him and get things started, I forgot and have been busy."
"Did you want me to meet with him and handle things on your behalf?" Mary asked her. She wasn't sure what her sister wanted.
"Yes, would you mind?" Jane asked.
Mary was a bit surprised. "You would trust me to handle your financial affairs?" she asked her.
Jane nodded her head yes, "Of course I would. You have always been so good with numbers," she assured her. "I trust you know better than I do about all this and it would be such a relief for me not to have to deal with it directly."
Mary smiled, "I will be happy to help you out," she told her.
"I will pay you for your time of course," Jane told her.
Mary shook her head no, "You don't have to Jane. I don't mind helping you."
"Mary, I want to pay you. This takes a lot off my plate. I still have several modeling jobs that I'm obligated contractually to get done, and I just don't have the time to deal with this too," she explained. "Your time is valuable so let me pay you for it."
"Thank you, Jane," Mary told her. It felt good to be recognized and appreciated for a change.
"Now Mr. Wilson's number is in the folder with all my other papers. Just give him a call and let him know you are my sister, Charles has mentioned to him that one of us would be contacting him," Jane told her.
Mary took the folder and smiled. "I'll get it done," she said as Jane got up and walked over to the door. Mary sat down at her desk. She scanned the file then called Mr. Wilson to set up an appointment.
It was after six when Will and Charles arrived. Elizabeth noticed that Will seemed distracted during dinner. He wasn't very talkative when she tried to ask him about his day. It wasn't until later when they were alone in the gardens she asked him, "Is everything ok with you?"
Darcy wrapped Elizabeth in his arms and held her close. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "I love you so much," he told her.
She detected something off in his voice, "Will, what is it? What is bothering you?" she asked him. "You were preoccupied all evening?"
Darcy let her go. He reached out and took her hand in his and walked over to the bench. He thought about how much he should tell her about the events that transpired earlier in the day. "Lizzy, it has been a long day, and I'm rather tired. I'm sorry if I seemed distant," he told her.
"Are you sure that's all it is?" she asked him again.
"I'm sure," he told her as he pulled her close.
She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "You would tell me, though," she began to say. "If there were something more bothering you, wouldn't you?"
He gazed into her eyes and smiled. "Lizzy Bennet, have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen?" he said wanting to change the subject. "I could spend hours holding you in my arms admiring them."
"Oh now that's a clever way to try to distract my attention from the topic we were discussing," she teased him. "Compliment my beauty, speak of my charms, and tell me how much you love me."
He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, "As I recall I was promised a moonlight walk and a stolen kiss or two if I made sure to come to dinner this evening," he reminded her.
"Well then Mr. Darcy, you shouldn't be disappointed," she leaned closer toward him. "After all you did come all this way," she whispered softly before she captured his lips and pulled him close into a deep passionate kiss.