Page 87 of I Thee Wed
“William and I go back many years, and I assure you, our acquaintance shall extend long after he grows weary of you. You must not imagine, my dear, that marriage will prevent his return to me. Darcy is mine. He has always been mine, and be certain, I do not relinquish that which belongs to me.”
Elizabeth continued to stare in silence, not knowing how to reply.
The woman’s lip curled. “Well? What is the matter, little girl? Has the cat stolen your tongue? What is your age? Seventeen? Eighteen? You cannot possibly keep a man like Darcy satisfied. You have neither the experience nor the knowledge to hold him. He will return to me in time.”
At last, Elizabeth lifted her chin.
“I know not who you are, ma’am, but I do know Mr. Darcy, and he is an honorable man. I do not understand why you make these sordid claims against him, but be assured, your fantasies are wasted on me. You appear to be a woman of questionable virtue who seeks to disgrace an innocent man.”
Elizabeth heard a cough behind her and turned to see Georgiana, who was frowning at the stranger. Elizabeth took her hand and said, “Do not concern yourself, my dear. This woman is a liar and a strumpet, and we should not be seen in her company lest others think we are her sort.”
Elizabeth slipped her arm through Georgiana’s, and they left the room. The woman followed but made no further attempt to engage Elizabeth.
After a few minutes, Georgiana whispered, “Lizzy, who was that woman?” Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not know, but we must not let her upset us. Fitzwilliam would never defile himself withone such as her. I do not understand why she is so angry with him that she sought out his bride to denigrate him.”
Georgiana giggled. “Lizzy, you called her a strumpet. Gentlewomen ought not to use such words, nor know what they mean.”
Elizabeth laughed. “The neighbor’s sons said it once when we were fishing. I asked my father what it meant, and he scolded me. After that, I was no longer allowed to play with my friends. Papa said I was too old and it was improper for me to play with boys. Years later, I learned its meaning, and then I understood why my father was embarrassed. But Georgie, where did you learn that word?”
Georgiana laughed. “From Richard. He had no notion I was in the room.”
Elizabeth pressed her hand. “Well, you know what they say of women like that scarlet viper who attacked us. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Georgiana covered her mouth to suppress her laughter. “A scarlet viper? Lizzy, you can be so droll.” The young girl stopped to look into her sister’s face. “But surely, that must be exactly what happened. Fitzwilliam must have refused her some time in the past, and she has hated him ever since. She tried to get even, but her plan failed. I feel so much better knowing that.”
Elizabeth agreed. “I do too.” She made me feel dirty, Georgie. We both learned something about human nature today. She drew her sister into her arms, and they comforted each other.
Lady Katerina Selkirk watched the two from where she stood in the hallway. Her attempt to sow ruin and distress had failed. The two young women were laughing.
On the carriage ride home, Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand between his own. “I owe you an apology, Mrs. Darcy. I mistakenly believed we would be ostracized by the ton if I married you, but I was wrong, and we both suffered for months on account of my mistaken beliefs.”
She sighed. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam. But it could have gone the other way just as easily. Men have been disinherited for marrying beneath their station. I think what helped us is that many who welcomed me today were charmed by the notion that ours is a love match, especially in the face of your customary coldness.” She laughed. It was a joyful little laugh, and then she kissed his cheek.
Chapter 65: Secrets
“Fitzwilliam, how was the conversation resolved between your aunt and the three ladies who intended to spread damaging rumors about us?”
The three Darcys were sitting in the carriage, traveling back to Darcy House in the early hours of the morning.
Before he had drawn a breath, Georgiana interrupted him. “Brother, those women descended on us like street ruffians. I was never more astonished in my life.”
Darcy looked first at Elizabeth and then at his young sister. “Some of this information will be embarrassing. If it becomes too graphic for your sensibilities, please let me know, and I will stop.”
The two women looked at each other nervously, and then Elizabeth answered for both of them. “Very well, Fitzwilliam. Please tell us.”
He began the tale. “Since these ‘street ruffians’ chose to insult Elizabeth in your presence, Georgiana, I feel completely justified in sharing these secrets with both of you. The information is very damaging and must be kept private unless any of those women attempt to drag our names into scandal.”
He took a breath and continued. “Lady Harrington’s mother had an affair with a footman when she was newly married to the Earl, who, by the way, is thirty years her senior. It was hushed up at the time, and because the child she bore was accepted by her husband, the imbroglio was hushed. Young Lady Harrington, who accosted you this evening, has known the truth of herparentage since she was a young girl. One would expect that knowledge of her own skeletons would promote discretion and compassion, but in this case, it has done no such thing.”
Georgiana gasped. “She is a natural child? How dreadful for her. No wonder she is so fierce.”
Elizabeth huffed. “She is a tyrant. I can’t believe that she will mind her tongue.”
Darcy continued. “Lady Stanhope’s brother was caught stealing a priceless Colombian emerald necklace during a house party in Surrey. His hosts never prosecuted him, nor is it known by many, because Lady Carlyle, the hostess, agreed to the cover-up. Now that old Lord Carlyle has passed, only she and my aunt knew the full story. When they started digging discreetly, it was believed that he had stolen jewelry that had gone missing from other estates over the previous nine months.”
Elizabeth looked at him, brows raised. “And the family still receives invitations?”
“Lady Carlyle stipulated that Stanhope had to leave the country for five years. The hope was that maturity would provide the cure.”
