Cautiously, tenderly, Bingley took her away from Mr. Collins body and soul. By morning they were married before God and the angels, and as blissful as the martyred saints.
Chapter 65
The rest of the household slept badly that night and, consequently, nobody came down for breakfast. Mrs. Reynolds gave orders to clear the tables when it became clear that nobody would appear. The servants obeyed enthusiastically; the leftover bacon, kippers, sausages, toast and all manner of tantalising foods would not be wasted once they made their way back into the servants’ quarters.
By the time the bells started to ring, the cook had prepared a tray for each of the ‘fine, lazy things’ and the maids began to take them up. The post arrived just as the Darcys rang their bell, so the letter was tucked beside the teapot and sent on its way.
Elizabeth was awoken by the smell of fresh tea and a badly suppressed chuckle. Surfacing from her soft blankets, she rubbed her eyes.
“What is it?” she asked blearily, “What happened?”
“I did not mean to wake you.” Darcy said, looking guilty, “I am sorry, Elizabeth.”
He sat beside her on the bed and handed her a cup of tea and the letter which he had just been reading. It was written on suchthick, expensive paper that it seemed to weigh more than the cup! It was addressed to Darcy in an ornate, old-fashioned hand.
“Unless you have a second rich, ostentatious female relation that I do not know about, may I assume that this is from your aunt?”
Darcy smiled crookedly. “It is. You can read it.”
After a sleepy mouthful of tea, Lizzie carefully unfolded the pages.
My dear nephew,
While it would be correct for me to express gratitude for your invitation, I cannot in good conscience do so. Nor can I accept any offer to attend a gathering where I might be exposed to the kind of wicked debauchery that has been your constant companion these eighteen months at least.
However, I do appreciate your efforts towards reconciliation. Your apology, while long overdue, was both heartfelt and sincere. I acknowledge that this is proof of some maturity - and a marked intention to improve yourself. I congratulate you on the attempt. I shall therefore make a similar effort and will arrive at Pemberley the day after your hedonism concludes to discuss this further.
There is another matter, nephew, which has made this visit far more important than our petty disagreements. I have heard rumours that Georgiana is very unwell. I know that the gruesome details my maid has relayed cannot possibly be correct. You would have informed me at once! Yet the accounts trouble me, and I must have answers. In particular, I have today received communication that I know to be false, but I cannot possibly deny it without knowing the truth for myself.
You will oblige me in this. Pray tell my niece that she must remain at Pemberley until I arrive. I know that she often absents herself from the estate when threatened with a large gathering. This time, I must insist that she suffers your excesses for my peace of mind.
I will stay in the Amber Room.
C
A swirling, unreadable squiggle signed off this arrogant letter. Elizabeth folded the wad of paper up again, with far less care than before. She disliked Lady Catherine’s supercilious tone immensely.
“Lydia is in the Amber Room. Lady Catherine cannot have it.” she said flatly, “I did not read much worth laughing at, Darcy.”
“Not even my hedonism? My debauchery?” Darcy raised an eyebrow as he took the letter back, “Does my aunt know something of your arrangements for the ball that I am not privy to?”
“Oh.” Lizzie shook her head with a small, awkward laugh, “No, it is ridiculous. I did not know if you were offended by it, so I did not find it amusing.”
“I was certainly supposed to be offended!” he replied easily, “My aunt supposes that I spent all of my time in Meryton in dark, dingy public houses, surrounded by gamblers and prosti… with ladies of ill repute. She has no notion of reality, only the world that comes from too many novels and a lurid imagination. The lady is also utterly incapable of self-awareness. I have seen her drink herself into a stupor, but she would be offended to be described asdrunk.She onlyimbibes,for she is far above us all. I drink, because I am a drunkard.”
“Then, in this strange story she imagines about you, where do I fit in? I am one of the ladies of ill repute, I suppose, for who else would spend time around such a wretched man?”
“I highly doubt that my aunt is picturing you as a…” Darcy said drily, then choked back a laugh as a new thought occurred to him, “This will come as a blow to your cousin. He had his own story, didn’t he, of my aunt descending upon Pemberley like the wrath of God.”
“She still might, albeit a day later than he hoped. She does not sound very compassionate.”
“Oh, that is just her way.” the man said dismissively, “She conceals her true thoughts, but she doesfeelthings deeply.”
“That sounds familiar.”
“Do not pull that face at me, Mrs. Darcy! I amnotlike that!”
Elizabeth smiled and finished off her tea, letting her raised eyebrows give him all the answer he deserved. Darcy rolled his eyes.
