Sorry for the long delay. Thank you to everyone who has been reading, following, and favoriting this story. I appreciate you sticking with me through all the ups and downs. I hope you enjoy.
Elizabeth and Mrs. Collins were soon joined by the other ladies. A few more callers arrived and the afternoon passed pleasantly. The gentlemen returned shortly before dinner. They dressed and joined the others at the table. Conversation flowed easily.
"We called at Longbourn while we were out." Mr. Bingley remarked. "They asked us to pass along their condolences to you, Mrs. Collins."
Mrs. Collins thanked him.
"I invited them to dine with us tomorrow evening. I thought we could invite the Lucases as well, if you wish, Mrs. Collins."
"That is very kind of you, Mr. Bingley." Mrs. Collins replied. "I am sure they would be happy to join us. I do believe my brother will be at Lucas Lodge by then."
"I shall make the arrangements if you wish to send the invitation after dinner." Elizabeth remarked. "I am sure John will be interested to meet the gentlemen. He was away when you were here in the autumn."
"I remember Sir William mentioning him." Mr. Bingley said. "I believe he said he was attending Oxford."
This brought a huff of displeasure from the other two gentlemen and Mr. Bingley laughed.
"I expect you both to behave yourselves."
"Why would they not?" Anne asked.
"We attended Cambridge." Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. "Bingley did as well but he is more well mannered than we are."
"I do not understand."
"There is a great rivalry between Cambridge and Oxford." Elizabeth remarked. "Even for those who have long left their hallowed halls behind them."
"That is silly." Georgiana commented. "You would not be unkind to someone simply because they attended a different school, would you William?"
"Of course not." Mr. Darcy replied. "I look forward to meeting Mr. Lucas. I have heard much about him."
Elizabeth cast her husband a knowing look. He gave her a smile and changed the topic.
After dinner, Mr. Bingley sent an invitation to Lucas Lodge for dinner the following evening. Sir William accepted stating he, his wife, and eldest son would be happy to join them. Elizabeth spoke to the cook and settled on a menu quickly. Mrs. Nichols entered as they were finishing.
"Mr. Bingley had a request he would like to add for tomorrow evening's tea." the housekeeper stated.
"Of course, what would he like to add?" Mrs. Peters, the cook, asked.
"Ginger cake."
Elizabeth chuckled to herself, "I expect that came from my husband. I hope it is no imposition."
"None at all, Mrs. Darcy."
Elizabeth thanked them both then returned to the rest of the party. Upon her return, Elizabeth was persuaded to sing while Charlotte played then Georgiana played while the other ladies worked on their sewing and the gentlemen played cards.
Sunday dawned a bit gray but the clouds soon cleared. The Netherfield party readied to depart for church. As the distance was not far and the weather fair, the top of the Darcy carriage was lowered. The ladies enjoyed the pleasant view from the carriage during the journey while the gentlemen followed on horseback. Their arrival gained a great deal of attention. The gentlemen dismounted and assisted the ladies down. Greetings were exchanged with those they passed as they entered the church. They took their place on Netherfield's pew. Many eyes were on the group, especially the newlyweds. Few had seen them together and many were eager to see if the wealthy, reserved, gentleman was truly as devoted to his wife as it had been said. Mr. Darcy took his place beside his wife. Once settled, he tucked her arm into his and placed his free hand over hers. A sweet smile passed between them before they focused on the parson at the front.
The sermon was well paced and the parson, Mr. Tines, spoke clearly and eloquently.
"I ask that you keep the Bennet and Lucas families in your prayers. They lost a family member this week. Mr. Bennet's cousin, Mr. Collins, who married Sir William's eldest daughter, Charlotte, this past January died in a fall a few days past." he said after the sermon concluded. "They do have some happy news to share as well. Mr. Bennet's second eldest, Elizabeth, was lately married in London to Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire."
He dismissed them a moment later. Once he stepped down the parishioners began to rise and the sound level rose as conversations began. Mr. Tines crossed to the Netherfield party. He offered Mrs. Collins his condolences.
"Thank you, Mr. Tines."
"Will you be staying in the neighborhood?" he asked.
"I am uncertain at present." she replied.
This caused a few curious looks among the rest of the party. Mr. Darcy gave his wife an asking look. She gave him a slight nod.
"Understandable." he remarked. "Are you at currently at Lucas Lodge?"
"I am staying at Netherfield with the Darcys."
"It is good to have such kind friends."
Mrs. Collins nodded and the parson turned to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth greeted him politely and introduced her husband and his family. They spoke for a few minutes before bidding the parson goodbye.
As their party moved outside, they were stopped a few times by well wishers and friends from the neighborhood. Elizabeth made introductions as needed. They spoke briefly with the Bennets then moved to the carriage. Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam went to collect their horses as Mr. Darcy stepped up to assist the ladies in. As her husband was assisting Anne, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley in Elizabeth linked her arm with her friend.
"Are you well?" she asked quietly.
Before Mrs. Collins could answer her name was called. A dark haired man strode up to them stopping their progress toward the carriage.
"Good morning John."
"There is room for you in the carriage with Mother and Maria." Mr. Lucas stated.
"I am not in need of a ride. The Darcys' carriage has plenty of room." Mrs. Collins remarked. "There is no need for them to go out of their way to return me to Netherfield."
He took a step closer and lowered his voice, "There is a matter we need to discuss. I believe it is better done at Lucas Lodge."
"I am sure it can wait until after dinner this evening. Lizzie, do you think Mr. Bingley would mind if we use the back parlor after dinner?"
"Of course not. He is a very accommodating host." Elizabeth replied. "We look forward to seeing you at dinner, John."
He glared at Elizabeth and she smiled.
"I know what you are doing, Miss Lizzie." he hissed quietly, leaning toward her. "I will not stand for it. Do not think you will succeed this time."
Behind him a throat cleared causing Mr. Lucas to start. He straightened quickly and turned. Mr. Darcy stood behind him looking every inch the stern gentleman the ladies recalled from the assembly.
"William, dearest, this is Charlotte's brother, John." Elizabeth said. "John, my husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire."
Mr. Lucas took a step back and gave a quick bow, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I have heard a great deal about you."
Mr. Darcy gave a nod of acknowledgment, "And I you. If you will excuse us, we need to be returning to Netherfield. My wife is not completely recovered from her injury."
"We will see you at dinner, John." Mrs. Collins said. "Goodbye."
She and Elizabeth stepped passed him to carriage. Mr. Darcy turned and followed the ladies. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley returned with the horses. Mr. Darcy assisted Mrs. Collins into the carriage. He took Elizabeth's hand and placed a kiss on it before allowing her up the steps. Once the ladies were seated, he mounted his horse with practiced ease along with his cousin and friend. He signaled the driver to depart. As carriage headed toward Netherfield, the gentlemen followed behind.
Once the party was once again settled in the Netherfield drawing room with a light repast, the questions began.
"I thought you planned to live at Pemberley, did you change your mind?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
"I do plan to live at Pemberley. I have not changed my mind even a little." Mrs. Collins replied.
"But you told the parson you were uncertain."
"My parents wish me to speak to my brother before making any decisions. I told them I would speak to him but I have made my decision."
"She merely wishes to give the impression that his opinion matters." Elizabeth remarked. "And what scheme does he believe I am hatching?"
"It is John, Lizzie. Lord knows what his mind has conjured this time. Perhaps the dog bit him again."
Elizabeth chuckled.
"He believes you are scheming?" Anne asked.
"Apparently he knows what I am doing and will not stand for it."
"And you should not expect to succeed this time." Mrs. Collins added with a grin.
"That as well. I hope the dog did bite him again."
"Yes, a repeat of that scene is the perfect evening entertainment."
"What scene?" the colonel asked.
"A few years ago, there was a small dinner party at Lucas Lodge while my brother was home for the summer. At one point one of my father's dogs entered the parlor and bit him. It was not strong bite, he did not even bleed at all. He believed Lizzie had made the dog bite him."
"He stepped on its tail." Elizabeth added.
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"How did he think you made the dog bite him?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"He believed I trained it in secret while he was away." his wife responded.
"He made quite a commotion over it, accusing Lizzie in front of everyone." Mrs. Collins stated. "My father had to remove him from the room. He was made to apologize the next day though I do not believe he meant it at all."
"Nor do I." Elizabeth said. "But I was made to accept it all the same. It kept the peace."
"Why would he think you would do such a thing?" Anne asked.
"Things have never been easy between them since they were children." Mrs. Collins explained. "He pulled her braids and tried to frighten her whenever he could. She simply ignored him and it infuriated him. When he was thirteen my father asked Mr. Bennet to test him a bit to prepare him for school. Evidently he gave the same tests to Lizzie."
"Jane took the tests as well." Elizabeth remarked. "Well most of them. She has no interest in Latin."
"But you scored higher than John."
"He would have never known that if he had not been looking among my father's papers without cause."
"You do not have to convince me of such things. John has always been interested in things that are none of his concern."
"Do you think he would want you to return to your parents' home?" Anne asked.
"No, I am sure he does not."
"So he will not object to you taking the cottage at Pemberley?"
"It is likely he will object simply because it was Lizzie and her husband who made the offer."
"You would think he would be over such silliness by now." Elizabeth stated.
"I would hope so, but we shall see tonight."
The conversation turned to other topics. Elizabeth remarked on her desire for a stroll and the others decided to join her. They meandered through the gardens for a time. Eventually most of the group returned to the house. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy continued to a more secluded part of the garden.
"Do you think Mr. Lucas will cause trouble for Mrs. Collins?" he asked.
"He may put up a fuss, but it is Charlotte's decision and she has made it."
"Will her parents not try to persuade her to follow his dictates?"
"They may try, well Lady Lucas may try, but I do not think it will change her mind."
"You do not think Sir William will try to convince her?"
"He may but he will respect her decision. I think he may wish her to speak to her brother to be sure she is considering all the available options."
"You do not believe Lady Lucas will respect her decision?"
"Lady Lucas wishes her children, especially John, to be above all others."
"Even her own daughter?"
"Charlotte is not Lady Lucas's child."
Mr. Darcy looked at his wife surprised. She suppressed a laugh and moved to a nearby bench to sit. Her husband quickly joined her.
"Charlotte does not remember her mother so Lady Lucas is really the only mother she has known. Her mother was Sir William's first wife when he was simply Mr. Lucas, owner of the Meryton inn." she explained. "The late Mrs. Lucas passed when Charlotte was three. He remarried when she was nearly six. Sir William was knighted when Charlotte was fourteen and moved his family to Lucas Lodge shortly after. John was seven then. Lady Lucas wished to instill in John the importance of being the heir of the estate. I believe all she instilled in him was a sense of self-importance."
"To the detriment of his elder sister."
"Indeed, but Charlotte bore it well and with little complaint. She does not plan to endure it again though."
"I am glad."
"As am I."
Upon their return to the house, they found everyone in the drawing room. A card table had been set up. Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley were playing whist. Mrs. Collins and Anne were working on embroidery. They were invited to join the card players.
"We'll happily switch to Loo." the colonel remarked. "The ladies are far too good at whist."
"Yes come join us, we need better competition." Georgiana agreed.
"As you wish." Mr. Darcy replied. "Elizabeth?"
She nodded and they joined the card table. They played until it was time to dress from dinner. When Mr. Darcy arrived to collect his wife he stopped at the door.
"That is the dress you wore for the wedding." he remarked stepping closer.
"It is." she replied with a smile. "I thought Mama would like to see it since she was not at the wedding."
"She has not seen it before?"
"My aunt had my measurements taken before I went to Kent. She had the dress made for me while I was gone. We were supposed to have an evening out once I returned to London. Since we could not, Aunt Marian brought it for me to wear for the wedding. I had Hannah remove the extra stitches."
"Extra stitches?"
"I lost a bit of weigh during my recovery so a few extra stitches were needed for it to fit right on our wedding day. I seemed to have gained it back so the stitches were removed."
He studied her for a moment then swept her up in his arms.
"You do not feel any heavier." he stated.
He gave her a slight toss. She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Do not worry. I would never drop you, dearest."
He kissed her then placed her back on her feet. She straighten her dress a bit and checked her hair in the mirror to be sure it was still in place. Once she was assured her appearance had not been upset by her husband's playfulness, she turned back. Mr. Darcy offered his arm and she took it with a smile.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Collins were in the drawing room when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth entered. The rest of their party entered a few minutes later. Their guests arrived shortly after. The Bennets arrived first though the carriage from Lucas Lodge came to a stop before the last of the Bennet ladies exited the carriage. The group was led into the drawing room. Greetings and introductions were made. Lady Lucas moved to speak with Mrs. Collins while Sir William and his son joined the gentlemen.
"I must say, Mr. Darcy, you have captured one of the jewels of the county." Sir William stated. "I congratulate you, sir."
"Thank you, Sir William."
"I thought there may have been some interest when I saw you dancing last November. Did I not say Elizabeth was a fine partner when we spoke at Lucas Lodge."
"You did indeed."
"I heard you proposed in Kent." Mr. Lucas remarked.
"I did."
"My sister, Maria, had no notion of it. She was under the impression Elizabeth disliked you."
"John, mind your manners." Sir William said lowly. "I am sure he means no offense, sir."
"Indeed, no offense meant."
"I take no offense, I assure you." Mr. Darcy replied. "It is true we did not begin so well but with time and further acquaintance I was able to prove myself worthy of Elizabeth's favor."
"I imagine your family was surprised by your choice."
"I was not surprised as I saw them together in Kent as did Anne." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked. "My parents were a bit surprised that he had decided to take a wife. They are quite delighted with Elizabeth."
A footman entered to announce dinner and the group moved to the dining room.
Elizabeth took her seat at the foot of the table. Mr. Lucas took up a seat on one side of Elizabeth while Charlotte sat on her other side. Lady Lucas sat beside her son while Mrs. Bennet took a seat across from her.
"I believe this is the first time you have seen Lizzie since her marriage save for church, is it not Lady Lucas?" Mrs. Bennet asked.
"It is, yes." Lady Lucas replied. "You have my congratulations, Elizabeth. I never would have suspected Mr. Darcy to select a bride from Meryton."
"Thank you, Lady Lucas."
"Mr. Darcy is such a dear." Mrs. Bennet remarked. "As are his relations. You should have seen his sister and cousin working side by side with my girls on Friday."
"I had heard Mr. Darcy's uncle and aunt had visited as well." Mr. Lucas remarked. "Someone mentioned it last evening at tea."
"Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh did visit on Friday. They had to depart early on Saturday morning though." Elizabeth explained.
"Such a short visit."
"Lady Catherine kindly brought the Collins and Colonel Fitzwilliam here for a visit. Lord Matlock collected her to join him in a visit to their cousin."
"Maria told me Lady Catherine was not happy with the marriage, that you were sent away from Hunsford. It is odd that she would visit you just over a fortnight later."
"As I told Maria before she left Hunsford, she should not speak of matters that are none of her concern." Mrs. Collins stated.
"She simply spoke of what she witnessed, is there harm in that, Charlotte?" her brother replied coolly.
"In what she witnessed, not at all. In speculating over the actions or reasons of others, certainly."
"That is the reason I spoke of it. I had hoped Elizabeth might explain it so there would be no speculation, only fact."
"We were all quite surprised to hear of Elizabeth being sent away just a day before she was due to depart." Lady Lucas commented. "Many wondered what she could have done to warrant such a removal."
"What she did..." Mrs. Bennet began but stopped when Elizabeth replied.
"Lady Catherine was not pleased to hear of my engagement to Mr. Darcy. She had hoped he would marry Anne, but neither wished for the marriage."
"She sent you away just for that?" Mr. Lucas asked unbelieving.
"Lady Catherine is not the type of woman who liked to be disappointed." Elizabeth explained. "I am sure Mr. Collins told you about her when you spoke during your visit at Christmas. I have never met someone more set on having their way. I am sure Charlotte agrees."
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"If she was displeased by the engagement then she would have certainly been displeased about the marriage."
"Indeed, she was."
"But she came to visit you?"
"Actually she came to see Anne."
"It is odd that your husband would chose to bring along his cousin."
"He brought along his sister too. Do you find that strange as well, John?" Mrs. Collins remarked.
"Mr. Collins told everyone Mr. Darcy was engaged to Miss de Bourgh. In fact, he wrote Mother that he believed their marriage imminent when Miss de Bourgh traveled to London."
"He believed Lady Catherine, who firmly believed that no one would oppose her."
"But to bring her along on a visit to his wife's family is a bit strange." Lady Lucas stated.
"Anne is a dear friend of mine." Elizabeth replied. "Did Maria not tell of all the time Anne and I spent together before I left Kent?"
"She mentioned you visiting Rosings to read to her."
"We did read a bit but most of the time was spent talking."
"Really? About what?" Mr. Lucas asked.
"The things that all ladies talk about."
"Such as?"
"Music, dancing, books, balls, the theater, dresses." Elizabeth remarked. "Perhaps since you are not returning to Oxford you should join your mother and Maria on morning calls. Then you could hear about all the subjects ladies speak of yourself."
"Anne and I had a very engaging conversation about embroidery stitches before we went to dress for dinner." Mrs. Collins recounted. "Her sampler is coming along very well. She mentioned wanting to show it Jane and Mary this evening."
"It is lovely." Elizabeth affirmed. "Has Maria finished the piece she was working on when I saw her last, Lady Lucas?"
This effectively changed the subject as Lady Lucas was quite pleased to speak about her children and their accomplishments. The other ladies were happy to discuss more pleasing subjects while Mr. Lucas spent most of the rest of the meal in silence.
When the ladies rose to leave the room Mr. Lucas excused himself as well to speak to his sister. The ladies, save for Mrs. Collins, moved to the drawing room. Mrs. Collins led the way to a back parlor. Once inside she took a seat and looked at her brother.
"Well John, say your piece."
"Mother said you are not with child."
"That is correct."
"You cannot be sure though." he said. "Mother said it can take months to be sure."
"That may be true but it is highly unlikely."
"Why would you think so?"
Mrs. Collins looked at her brother a bit surprised then sighed.
"If you must know, Mr. Collins and I had not been intimate in more than a month before he died."
"How could you be so foolish to have your husband die before you had secured his inheritance?"
"What are you insinuating?"
"You should have taken better care of him."
"Taken better care of him? Was I to walk him like a tot in leading strings?" Mrs. Collins replied incredulously. "He fell rushing down the stairs."
"He just fell? Are you calling him clumsy or incompetent?"
"Yes, John, he fell. As for is clumsiness, anyone who has seen the man dance could testify to his lack of grace and surefootedness."
Mr. Lucas scowled.
"I will write to a friend of mine. He has an elderly relation your can stay with."
"I do not need you to secure me a place. I already have a place to go."
"With Elizabeth?"
"Yes. She offered me a cottage at Pemberley."
"No."
"What do you mean 'no'? I have already accepted."
"You cannot stay near Elizabeth or anyone we know. At least not until Longbourn has been secured."
"What are you talking about? Longbourn belongs to the Bennets. With no heir, Mr. Bennet shall decide who will inherit it."
"I cannot believe you are so simpleminded. You will have a son. If Bennet dies before the boy reaches his majority, I will manage the estate until he is old enough."
"I am not pregnant. Even if I were there is no way to assure I would have a son."
Mr. Lucas gave a frustrated growl, "You are not listening."
"You are not making sense."
"You will go to live with my friend's aunt. In a month you will write to Mother and tell her you are with child." Mr. Lucas explained. "When the child is due, we will go to the orphanage in London and select a baby boy. After that you may live in one of the tenant cottages at Lucas Lodge. I will not charge you much for rent. When father passes Mother can live you, either in the cottage or, if the boy has inherited, at Longbourn."
"You cannot be serious."
"Of course I am serious. If Bennet was as smart as he seems to think he is he would have done the same thing. He should have traded Elizabeth for a son the day she was born. If he had, he would not have had to worry about Mr. Collins at all. His shortsightedness shall be our gain though."
"Mr. Bennet did not do such a thing because he is a good honest man." she stated firmly. "I knew you were foolish but I had hoped you were at least honest. I now see that you cannot even claim that virtue. I am not going to scheme to steal Longbourn."
"You are foolish, Charlotte. You think Elizabeth cares about you? She does not." Mr. Lucas replied. "She wants everyone to think that she is so kind to her poor widowed friend, just as she wanted everyone to think she was kind to befriend the innkeeper's plain daughter. How often were you invited to Longbourn before our father was knighted and purchased Lucas Lodge?"
"Elizabeth was seven and Jane barely ten when Father was knighted. They were not exactly old enough to take callers."
"She treated us with disdain even then. She was too high to pay us any notice."
Mrs. Collins studied her brother for a moment. Realization dawn on her.
"They paid me a great deal of notice." she said simply. "It was you that Lizzie ignored."
Mr. Lucas scowled, "She thought she was above us."
"No, she thought you were arrogant, spoiled child who thought it amusing to be cruel to her."
"I may have teased her but I was not cruel."
"You pulled her hair and pushed her into a puddle, John. You were a mean little boy."
"I grew up but she still held me in contempt."
"You stopped pulling her hair but you still treated her poorly." Mrs. Collins remarked.
"A woman should know her place. She was just a poor gentleman's daughter. Our father is knighted."
"And his income is less than the Bennet's. Is that what all this is about?"
"What do you mean?"
"This scheming to gain Longbourn and your grudge against Elizabeth. Is it all because you thought you deserved her attention and she did not give it?"
Mr. Lucas gave a bitter laugh, "You know nothing."
"I saw the way you behaved when you returned from your first year at Oxford. I said nothing about it because I knew Elizabeth had no interest in you as a suitor. I had thought you meant to put your childhood differences aside but then a week later you became more arrogant and condescending to her. Did you expect her to fall at your feet, to beg for your notice?"
"She should have been grateful for any man's notice."
"You mean she should have been grateful for yours."
"She humiliated me in front of the entire village."
"When did Elizabeth do such a thing?"
"The first assembly I attended when I returned that summer. I invited her to dance and she said she was already engaged for the set."
"If she had a partner waiting for her you cannot blame her."
"She danced with her sister. She turned me down to dance with Mary."
"Did you not think she had already arranged to dance with her sister? It was Mary's first year out and Elizabeth was trying to ease her way. The only one who believed it to be an insult was you."
"She meant it as a snub to me!"
"Did you ask for a different set?"
"And allow her to humiliate me again, certainly not." he replied clenching his fists.
"Then you are the cause of your own disquiet. If you truly had an interest in her, you would have tried harder to gain her favor."
Mr. Lucas gave a scornful laugh, "Even if I wanted her favor, she would never have considered me. It is obvious she is a fortune hunter. She claimed to be your friend and visiting simply to see you but returns married to a man worth more than five times her father, a man Mother tells me she detested."
"She is allowed to change her mind and had no control over when Mr. Darcy proposed."
"She schemed to gain a rich husband and she used you to do it. It is likely the only reason she offered to let you stay on her husband's estate is so that she could be sure you were not pregnant and could not claim Longbourn." her brother said. "If you were, it would be easier for her to take the child as you would have no one to protect you. Mr. Darcy was caught by her and likely is allowing it so she will not ruin his family name."
"The nature of Elizabeth's marriage is none of your concern or mine. " Mrs. Collins said rising. "I am going to return to my friends now."
"Once she is sure you are not pregnant, she will cast you out. I will not take you in, without a child to inherit Longbourn, I will give you nothing. You deserve nothing."
Mrs. Collins crossed the room and left without a reply.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always I encourage reviews as they help become a better writer. I am not sure if John Lucas is redeemable or if he will just live miserably in the future. Thanks for reading.