July 1812

After he met with Elizabeth, Darcy spent the days before his wedding depressed and did not leave his house. He was ashamed of himself; he wrote Elizabeth a heartfelt letter to apologize for importuning her, but ultimately, he burned it. She clearly stated she didn't want or need his help. She was right, he shouldn't have approached her in the first place.

If he was honest with himself, he longed for a chance to go back in time and alter his decisions. He was the main responsible for his current situation, and he shouldn't cry over the spilt milk.

PPP

Darcy's wedding was one of the most important social events of the year. The ceremony was attended by more than two hundred people, including several members of the aristocracy who were acquaintances of Lord Matlock and Lord Jersey. The bride was beautiful in a light blue dress that highlighted her eyes, and a pearl headband adorned her blond hair. Darcy was impeccably dressed in a black and expensive suit, but he was not happy. The couple said their vows without emotion, and in half an hour, it was all over.

After the religious ceremony, they went to the bride's house to celebrate. During the succulent wedding breakfast, Darcy made an effort to appear happy and conversed with some acquaintances.

That same afternoon, the couple left for Pemberley. During the trip, they tried to engage in conversation several times but had little success, and spent long hours in silence. The sad truth was that they were two people who had very few common interests; it would be very difficult to find another couple as ill-matched as they were. Darcy took the opportunity to read a book on new farming techniques he wanted to implement at Pemberley, while a bored Lady Victoria looked at the scenery through the window of the carriage or read a novel.

When they would stop for the night at one of the inns, Darcy would rent separate rooms; he did not want to consummate their marriage in an inn. He was going to wait until they arrived at Pemberley, and his wife didn't comment about it.

When they finally arrived at Pemberley, a procession of servants, headed by Mrs. Reynolds, were waiting for them at the main entrance to welcome their new mistress.

Georgiana was thrilled; she had not seen her brother for several months, and she had missed him dearly. Besides, she was eager to get to know her new sister better. After the usual greetings, Darcy escorted Lady Victoria to her bedchamber, and an hour later, he escorted her to the dining room to have dinner with Georgiana.

Over dinner, Darcy asked Georgiana a few questions about her lessons, and the siblings tried to include Lady Victoria in their conversation about Pemberley, music, literature and also some trivial matters. Lady Victoria was friendly enough with Georgiana and listened to her with a polite smile on her face, but sadly, she was not interested in any of the topics her new sister was talking about with Darcy.

After dinner, Darcy escorted his wife to her bedchamber, and they agreed that he would visit her an hour later.

Lady Victoria dismissed her maid and dressed carefully. She was well aware of the importance of their first night together as a married couple for their future. She looked at herself in the mirror and was very satisfied with her reflection. She knew she was a very beautiful woman, and the nightgown she had chosen highlighted the curves of her body very well. Everything needed to go smoothly and according to her plan.

Darcy arrived at the appointed time, dressed in a comfortable shirt and pants. Lady Victoria had a bottle of champagne and two glasses on her nightstand. She handed a glass to Darcy and with a smile she said, "My father gave me this exquisite champagne to share with you on this special occasion."

Darcy shook his head and put the glass on a small table. He had drunk two glasses of expensive wine during dinner and did not want to drink any more that night. He did not want to hurt her or make her first time more painful than was necessary. With a slight smile, he said "Thank you, but tonight I prefer not to drink any more."

Lady Victoria took the glass and insisted, "But, it's just a toast..."

He shook his head again, "We will toast later."

Darcy took her hands and began to kiss her and slowly took off her clothes. Several minutes later, Lady Victoria was naked lying on top of the sheets. Darcy positioned himself and in one swift movement entered her. To his surprise and horror, he did not detect any barriers and quickly withdrew himself from her. Although he had never made love to a maiden before, he knew that most virgin women had a natural barrier that would break and bleed when they made love for the first time; and his wife did not have it. There was also no sign of blood on the bed.

Several doubts come to his mind, he stared at her for a long time trying to think of an explanation. Lady Victoria first blushed profoundly, then blanched, and finally averted her eyes.

He tried to look into her eyes again, but Lady Victoria turned her head. She was visibly nervous. So, he asked her without a preamble, "Why didn't you tell me you were not a maiden?"

Lady Victoria shook her head, and without meeting his eyes, she replied, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Perhaps if Lady Victoria had not lied to him in the past, Darcy would have been more likely to believe her, but the lack of 'barrier' added to her reaction convinced him that she was lying. He squeezed her arms tightly and said, "I don't believe you. I know you are a liar and manipulator. So, if you don't tell the truth me right now, there will be dire consequences for you. And I will know the truth regardless of what you say or do."

After an awkward silence, Lady Victoria understood that she had to tell him the whole truth, and tearfully she replied, "You are right, I was not a maiden."

Disgusted, he asked, "Are you pregnant?"

"No!" She took a deep breath and pleaded, "Please, let me explain to you!"

Darcy took a deep breath and nodded. After a heavy silence she said, "As you know, my parents and the Matlocks are very good friends. When I turned 18, my parents organized a grand party for my coming out, and your cousin Edward danced the supper set with me. He had recently returned from his graduation trip. He had always been kind to me, and I felt flattered by his attention. During the season, we met at several social events, and your cousin used to dance with me and make me laugh."

Annoyed, Darcy shook his head, and before he could say a word, Lady Victoria continued, "The following season, Edward met Lady Maria, and he started to pay attention to her, but he still danced with me at every ball and even flirted with me. A year and a half ago, there was a house party at Lord Matlock's estate. I don't remember why you didn't attend it. I heard a rumour that Edward would propose to Lady Maria. I was jealous, and during dinner, I drank much more champagne than I should have, and that same night when everyone had gone to sleep, I went into your cousin's bedchamber."

Darcy's eyes widened, and he asked with annoyance, "Did he invite you to his bedchamber?"

She sighed, and shook her head, "No, he did not invite me. But that night we made love twice, or so I thought. The next morning, Edward was upset because I was in his bed and sneaked me out of his room. He got rid of the stained sheets and pretended that nothing had happened between us. I sought him out to talk about what had happened between us, but he told me that it had all been a mistake, due to his drunken state. He also said that it was my fault since a lady should never enter a gentleman's bedchamber."

"The problem is that you are not a lady." He said scornfully.

"Please try to understand me..."

He interrupted her, "And what happened next? Are you still lovers?"

She continued in a broken voice, "I talked to my father so that he would force Edward to marry me. My father was furious with me, and he spoke with your uncle. They agreed that, if there was a child from that night, Edward would marry me. During the next few months, I met Edward at several parties, and to my shame, I looked for occasions to be alone with him and lay with him. Honestly, I wanted to get pregnant or convince him to marry me. However, during the times we were together, he used protection, and he continued his courtship with Lady Maria. As you know he married her a few months ago, about the time you had started courting me. I swear, the last time that I was intimate with him was before you and I became engaged."

Darcy grew more and more furious as he listened to Lady Victoria's story. His uncle had known Lady Victoria was a woman of low morals and yet, had still encouraged him to marry her at all costs. Richard had tried to warn him, and yet, he had still felt duty-bound to marry her. The incident at Lady Matlock's ball comes to his mind; was it an accident, or she had planned it? He realized it was probably the latter, that she had planned it.

"Unfortunately, I am bound to you. You disgust me. Besides being a liar, you are a woman of very low morals and virtue. I am not going to lay with you until I am sure you are not carrying someone else's child in your womb."

"I swear to you. The last time was more than three months ago. I promise I won't continue the affair." Lady Victoria reached for his arm, but Darcy brusquely pushed her away.

"I will believe you only after you get your menses." He went to his bedroom and locked the connecting door.