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I am so happy this is being enjoyed as I had such fun writing this and again rediscovering it to post on here for you.
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Chapter 8.
The next afternoon after many hours of her mother fussing over the correct dress, bonnet and pelisse for Elizabeth's first outing withMr Darcy, an urgent note arrived for Mr Bennet. The note was fromMr Darcy, offering his sincerest apologies, but that urgent business had called him from London. He mentioned that he would be back in time for the ball and looked forward to seeing everyone then.
"What does he mean by leaving London?" asked a panicked Mrs Bennet looking to her husband.
"I think his note is pretty self-explanatory, my dear." Mr Bennet drawled, holding the note level with his half-moon spectacles.
"Oh, Mr Bennet, you do take delight in vexing me! He should be here and getting know Lizzy! What if he decides to cry off? Oh, we shall all be ruined..." she wailed. "Lizzy, what did you say toMr Darcy?!She can be too headstrong at times, and I blame you husband for indulging her!" Mrs Bennet snapped, grasping a stunned Elizabeth's hands in hers. "Give me the note!" demanded Mrs Bennet suddenly standing and turning back to her husband.
"No." said Mr Bennet.
"No? Does he say anything more? If you would allow me to read it for myself -" she tried.
"Mrs Bennet, I said No."
Mrs Gardiner stood and went to Mrs Bennet's side, whose hands were clenched into fists at her sides. The lace adorning her muslin cap, trembling. "Franny dear, why don't we sit down?" she coerced gently.
"He simply does not understand me! I told you how it amuses him to distress me thus. I believe he quite enjoys it!" she said as if Mr Bennet were not in the room.
"Shhh, it will be ok Franny, let me pour you some tea or perhaps a small glass of wine?" Aunt Gardiner suggested helpfully ignoring what she had last said.
"That is all everyone ever tells me to do; is to be quiet! I swear I shall never speak to you, Mr Bennet ever again!" she hissed, petulantly crossing her arms over her bosom.
"I should be so lucky," muttered Mr Bennet, under his breath.
Turning back to where Elizabeth sat opposite her mother, Mr Bennet watched her asshe began to methodically remove her gloves, followed by her bonnet and her pelisse, "Lizzy, my child. Do not be so hasty. I said that Mr Darcy would not be able to accompany you today, but Miss Eloise and Miss Georgianawill be coming to collect you as planned, but instead you and Jane will be going for afternoon tea with Lord and Lady Matlock."
"Lord and Lady Matlock?" Elizabeth said puzzled.
"Yes, Mr Darcy's Aunt and Uncle, Lord and Lady Matlock are most eager to meet you, my dear." he said, he knew it was cruel to withhold that key bit of information until now, but his wife was correct; he could never resist teasing others, sometimes too much at their expense.
"Goodness, I thought I had mentioned to you thatMr Darcyuncle was the Earl of Matlock!" Exclaimed her Aunt, with small wince at her stupidity knowing her niece was already feeling extremely overwhelmed.
Uncle Gardiner moved to stand beside his wife and placed a comforting hand on her right shoulder, "Do not worry my dear, it is easily done, you had mentioned it to me the other evening and must have thought Lizzy had been present."
"I am so sorry Liz -"
"An EARL! Ooohhhhhh!" screeched Mrs Bennet, cutting Aunt Gardiner's apology short, clapping animatedly and dancing about the room.
Standing abruptly, Elizabeth turned to Jane in her distress, holding on to her left arm, "Jane, I do not think I can do this!" she said wide eyed.
"Jane! We must make sure you are looking your best too! They may have an eligible son!" Mrs Bennet said, tugging on Jane's right arm and pulling her from the room, blabbering incessantly. Jane threw Elizabeth and apologetic look before she disappeared out of the door.
A couple of hours later...Elizabethsat as stiff as board opposite Lady Violet Matlock, in an adjoining room to the oneJane,Eloise, and Georgia were currently being entertained by the Earl ofMatlock,Lord HoratioFitzwilliam and theirthird son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.
They had made the introductions and just as she had begun to relax, LadyMatlockrequested to speak with her privately in the next working hard not to fidget and wanted to prove she was a strong and confident person, but also knew this engagement was very sudden and could easily be seen in a more sinister light. Only a fool would not consider that they would be suspicious of her and her sudden attachment to their nephew, whom according to Ella and Georgiana, they considered more of a son.
From a first glance in comparison toDarcyHouse, it was a little smaller, although the interior was very expensively done in a contemporary style. One could see from a glance, that the main influence of this property was a woman's and in Elizabeth's opinion it may be a touch too overdone for her tastes, but she could appreciate the elegant decadence of the rooms she had seen. Yes, Lady Matlock was a lady of excellent taste.
"I am not sure what I expected to you look like, Miss Bennet." said Lady Matlock, finally. "Would you do me the courtesy of telling me of how you came to be engaged to my nephew?" she asked bluntly.
Elizabeth took a moment to regard the elegant Lady, before her. She looked no more than thirty years of age, but Elizabeth knew she must be older. Her gown was a silk teal coloured gown, which suited her pale skin and strawberry blonde hair perfectly. She was very elegant, intimidatingly so, simply put she was everything a Lady should be; natural beauty, elegance and grace. In her eyes Elizabeth could tell for all the youthful innocence in her looks, she would not easily be duped and so she took a deep steadying breath, before she told Lady Matlock the truth of her andMr Darcy'smeetings with one another, of course she did not involve the kiss in her confession, after all a lady was allowed some secrets.
Her eyes were sharp as she studied Elizabeth intently, "I appreciate your honesty Miss Bennet, it gives me a good indication of your character. Tell me, what is your impression of my nephewFitzwilliam?"
"I believe him to be good man to his family and I- um, well, Mr Darcyis a little hard for me to read.I have tried to sketch his character, but my findings leave me feeling conflicted." Elizabeth answered awkwardly.
Lady Matlock dismissed her words with a delicate flick of her wrist, "I am proud of my nephew, Miss Bennet. I know he has a rather harsh exterior and he exudes an unwelcoming energy, but underneath it all lies a man that has much to offer, if the right woman can be patient with him. It will not be easy, and I am no fool to be so blinded by my affection for him that I do not see his bad qualities, but you will never find anyone more loyal and giving as he is."
Elizabeth sat awkwardly not knowing what to say, her throat suddenly dry under Lady Matlock's scrutiny. She took great care in choosing her next words, before she spoke, "Lady Matlock, I know these are not the best circumstances forMr Darcyand I, to have formed an attachment, but I believe with time and guidance we can come to trust one another. I want reassure you that I am not a woman who has want of material possessions, as long as I have a library and somewhere I can walk and enjoy nature I shall be content."
"But then what of your uncertainty of his character you had expressed a moment ago?" Lady Matlock challenged.
"With all due respect if I did not have such worries given the circumstances that would create suspicion, would it not?" she countered. "I have made it no secret ] that I have reservations, but I know what kind of marriage I expect, and as much as I have to earn his trust, he too, will have to earn mine. I deserve to be treated with respect by my husband."
Lady Matlock looked at Elizabeth, for the first time with a warmth permeating the depths of her eyes she moved forward to perch upon the edge of her seat.
"I believe I have a good feeling about you Miss Elizabeth." she said, her eyes twinkling.
"Thank you, Lady Matlock," Elizabeth replied with a gentle smile.
"Please, call me Lady Violet."she said warmly.
"Then I insist that you must call me, Lizzy."
"Welcome to the family, Lizzy. It can be a bit of a madhouse at times, but I will be here to help if and when you should need it." she offered, with a small chuckle.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to respond just as the door opened and ColonelFitzwilliam entered withJane, EllaandGeorgie.
"Mother, I believe that is enough interrogation for one day! Shall we take our afternoon tea on the patio, in the garden?" he suggested jovially walking over to Elizabeth and offering his arm. She decided in that moment that she and the Colonel would be good friends! He was a pleasant fellow, not quite as tall as Mr Darcy,and of a stockier in build, with hair a chestnut brown and worn a little longer than was fashionable. Just then, Lord Matlock entered the room and walked over to his wife, wearing his adoration of her openly for all to see, as bent to offer her his arm.
Jane looked to Elizabeth, to check that she was all right. Elizabeth gave her a smile with a small nod of assurance that put her at ease, they would wait until they were home before they would discuss her conversation with Lady Matlock.
Lord Matlock looked to be an older version of his son, the only difference was that the Colonel had his mother's brown eyes and not his father's warm grey eyes. It was odd that such an eye colour could appear so warm, but on Lord Matlock, it did.
"That sounds like a splendid idea son, after all your mother convinced me to have the patio laid in the garden, assuring me that she would use it whenever the weather was good." he said mischievously winking at his wife, who playfully swatted him.
"That sounds lovely, Aunt Violet, I have not seen the patio since it has been completed." said Georgiana excitedly, looping one arm into Jane and the other into her uncle's, while Ella stood levelling the Colonel with a withering stare, her foot tapping displaying her annoyance. "It is rude not to offer your arm, when there is a lady in want of an escort." she said angrily, but Elizabeth could see the smile threatening to break through her attempt to tease her cousin.
"You don't count brat!" he goaded, chuckling at her gasp of outrage.
"Shall I play the gentleman?" said Elizabeth, not wanting to be left out of the fun, "Miss Ella, please allow me the honour of escorting you to the patio for afternoon tea." she said, deepening her voice and offering her arm. Both the Colonel and Ella burst out laughing until finally the Colonel offered his arm to Elizabeth and his cousin, turning to Elizabeth as they walked from the room and towards the back of the house.
"I believeDarcymay have met his match!" declared the Colonel.
Which Ella assured Elizabeth was praise indeed!
Once everyone was happily seated in the garden after having closer look at rose arbours that had been erected around the patio, of pink and yellow roses, the conversation flowed easily. Elizabeth drew comfort in having her sister sitting next to her but grew sad at the realisation that they would not be able to lean on each other as they had done all their lives for much she became the Mrs Darcy, Longbourn would no longer be her home and she would no longer share her days with her sister…
"I hope my mother was not too hard on you earlier, Miss Elizabeth?" asked the Colonel, who was seated across the garden table from her.
"Not at all, I was merely thinking of the matter that would have calledMr Darcy from London so urgently.I hope it is nothing serious." She said with a small frown creasing her forehead.
"I do not believe it is anything terribly serious, but it was an urgent matter that he had to see to in person, I am afraid I do not know the particulars…" he said, his words trailing off as he reached for a scone, breaking a piece off and popping it into his mouth, seeming a little unsure of what to say next.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to pry. I merely wanted to be sure there was not a tragedy, forgive me, Colonel." Elizabeth rushed to say.
"Please do not apologise, I should apologise for making you feel uncomfortable." he said, the tension lifting. "In any case, I believe my cousins will be back by mid-week." he informed her.
Elizabeth frowned in confusion, "In the note my father received this morning,Mr Darcyhad said he would not be back until the day of the ball?"
The Colonel chuckled lightly at this, "Yes,Darcy is always one to plan for delays and make surehe hasthought of all possible variablesand errors, etcetera."
"Goodness me, he sounds like he does not know how to relax! Does he plan in when he is allowed to have fun?" she teased, trying to learn as much as possible about her future husband.
"Not necessarily... One day I shall tell you about the tricks he used to play on his poor governess!"
"Now, those are the sorts of tales I should like to hear!" she said eagerly.
Shaking his head, he said quickly "I should not have said anything! I am going to get into trouble!" he laughed.
"Well, now, I absolutely must know!" she declared leaning forward a little,why could it not be this easy conversing with the subject of their conversation?
"What must you know, Lizzy?" said Georgie, coming over to sit beside her.
"Your cousin, was just about to tell me of the tortures your older brother inflicted on his poor governess."
"You are not talking of the eels again, are you?" asked Ella, deciding their conversation was far more interesting than Lord and Lady Matlock's and coming over to join them too. "I think the one with demonic rabbit is better!"
"The demonic rabbit sounds fascinating," gasped Jane, with genuine curiosity.
"Even better was the time we all ambushed him after one of his lessons and tied him to the tree!" said Georgie.
"Yes, but he had just allowed us think we had bested him. He had no difficulty breaking free when we had voiced our plan to put AuntCatherine'srouge on him!" said Ella giggling slightly.
"And tackled me to the ground!" growled the Colonel.
"Well, he could hardly tackle his little sisters!" giggled Georgie.
"But, how can you tell if a rabbit is a demonic rabbit?" asked Jane, and it all became too much as everyone erupted into peals of laughter. Jane was trying her hardest not to laugh, still desperate to hear the story of the rabbit. When a movement over Elizabeth's shoulder caught Jane's attention. Elizabeth turned to see what had caused her distraction.
Her breath caught in her throat when she turned and sawMr Darcy standing in the doorway. Elizabeth's heart raced as the air crackled with the intensity of his stare and a delicious shock ran through her. He was here!