Page 27 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
May I offer my sincerest regrets that by my machinations, Lady Jane will be deprived of one suitor. She is an exceptional lady, and it is my fervent hope that she will make a better match sometime in the future.
Lastly, I would suggest the wedding be held at Darcy House. Mr Darcy’s fastidious character should ensure the guests’ attire will be returned to its rightful owners.
The time and place to collect Lady Catherine will be revealed as soon as the wedding vows have been uttered.
Georgiana will be the next lady to be released.
GW
“George Wickham cannot be the author of this drivel. He was not present at any of the events referred to in this letter. The remark made at the Stanford ball he may have read in the gossip section of The Times, but there are too many details here for it to have been written by someone not present at the other events. Besides, this person knows Lady Elizabeth in person. May I remind you that George Wickham has never met your daughter.”
“You are correct, he has not,” Longbourn agreed.
“I doubt it is someone close to us, though, because the number of misunderstandings and misinterpretations are staggering. He knows my character, but he does not know that Lady Kitty is never referred to as Lady Catherine by her family. He also seems to have conjectured an animosity between me and Lady Elizabeth that is at best grossly exaggerated. Though I only speak for myself—I do not pretend to know how the lady feels…” Mr Darcy admitted, glancing at Elizabeth.
“My thoughts exactly, both in yours and my daughter’s cases, to be honest, and I think it is time to be unerringly so,” he entreated.
“What do you mean?” Mr Darcy enquired.
“You and my Lizzy must marry,” he stated, brooking no opposition. Another bout of silence stretched out that grated on Lord Longbourn’s barely contained equanimity. “Are you two willing to sacrifice the lives of your sisters by procrastinating before making the inevitable decision?”
“It is not how I had imagined getting married,” Mr Darcy muttered.
“No, life rarely turns out how you imagine it. It has this annoying tendency to disregard all your preliminary plans andreplace them with something entirely different. That is not to say it is a dreadful thing to occasionally change one’s opinion. I myself had not intended to marry at all until my uncle and cousin died and this vivacious creature, full of life and spirit, chased away my resolve. Not a tall, blonde heiress but, well, she was blonde but otherwise she met none of my expectations in a wife. Yet, she managed to steal my heart so profoundly I was barely able to keep it in my chest. Despite all our differences, of which there were many, I loved her. I still do to the point where I could not imagine marrying another, even after she no longer graces this earth with her silly nothings and fluttering nerves. You may call me mad, but it does not affect my belief that you cannot plan everything and that blessings that come into your life, unsought, are the greatest gifts of all.”
Elizabeth was staring at him with watery eyes. It was to be hoped that her tears were due to his heartfelt proclamations about his love for her mother. The relationship between him and his wife had been of a peculiar kind and might on occasion have seemed fraught with adversity. But he had doted upon Mrs Bennet, even when they were arguing, which was not a rare occurrence.
“Do you know the Archbishop of Canterbury?” Mr Darcy enquired, ending the earl’s pleasant ruminations.
“Yes, I do. When I was a mere lad, I helped him elope with his cousin Mary Thoroton. His family fervently opposed the marriage. If any man should understand the urgency of young love, it is he. I shall send him a note promptly. Be prepared to go to Addington Palace and present your case, Mr Darcy. You had better display more affection than you feel rather than expressing those sentiments you just served your new father. I do not think,I need to marry to save my sister,will sufficein this situation. Did you know that the archbishop has been blessed with ten daughters? Makes my little brood appear like nothing, but of course he also fathered two sons.”
Mr Darcy glanced at his betrothed. A small sigh escaped him, which made Elizabeth frown. Lord Longbourn wanted to sigh himself. The two youngsters in front of him would make a wretched beginning if they did not soon become honest with themselves and admit to their feelings.
“Your honesty seems unfailing at the moment, Father. I am prepared to do my duty to my family.” Elizabeth cast Mr Darcy a furtive look. “But Mr Darcy may not relish the thought of fathering only female progeny to continue his ancient Darcy line…”
“I expected nothing less, Elizabeth, although honesty seems to be failing you lately.”
Her head snapped in his direction, and her mother’s lovely green eyes shot daggers at him.
“Whatever do you mean, Father?” she enquired sharply.
“That, you will have to discover for yourself. I shall give you the credit that I do not think you are aware of it. Now, leave me in peace so that I can compose a letter to the archbishop.”
Elizabeth rose promptly, and Mr Darcy followed her example.
#
Darcy and Lady Elizabeth regarded each other in silence outside Lord Longbourn’s study. The awkwardness was palpable, yet neither knew of what to speak.
“It feels like I am forever offering you apologies, but for what it is worth, I am sorry it has come to this.”
Elizabeth would not look at him; her eyes darted everywhere but at his face.
“It is as unpalatable to you as it is to me, Mr Darcy.Youhave no reason to apologise for something that is forced upon you by others. The kidnappers and this George Wickham must take the blame.”
“Thank you,” he whispered softly.
“I have matters to arrange if there is to be a wedding here in the near future. Goodbye, Mr Darcy.”
