Page 196 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“Unfortunately, you are correct, my dear. And if you have another option, I will happily support you,” her ladyship assured her.

“I can see the wisdom in Lady Kendal’s proposal,” Mr Gardiner said. “I shall write to my brother Bennet too, but I am quite confident in his response.”

“Excellent, so we shall proceed further as soon as Colonel Fitzwilliam informs us who we may apply to for the commission.”

“Lady Kendal, I would suggest having a clear settlement written and signed by Wickham, to help you control him and his future demands,” Darcy added.

“You read my mind, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth interjected, her cheeks slightly crimson. “I was about to ask our solicitor to prepare such a settlement immediately.”

“A wise decision, Lady Alveston. I expected no less from you,” Darcy replied.

“I have learned from my mistakes and from my friends’ advice, Mr Darcy,” she responded, their little exchange as intimate as it could be in the library full of people.

“Well, I am happy to call this a successful meeting, gentlemen, and I thank you for it,” Lady Kendal concluded. “Let us hope the outcome will be agreeable for everyone.”

Once the plan was established, the change in Wickham’s career moved in the desired direction with even fewer obstacles than they had anticipated. At the beginning, Elizabeth felt guilty for their attempt to manipulate Lydia, but then, with equal sadness, she observed that Lydia’s claimed affection for her husband was quickly surpassed by her interest in London’s glamour. The young Mrs Wickham was happy to hear her husband would be an officer again, but she readily accepted staying in town while she awaited the birth of her child, and her only concern was whether the babe would arrive before the next Season. Wickham did not oppose the plan either. He declared his wife and future child’s wellbeing was his main concern, and they would be better attended to in London.

The letter sent to Mr Bennet was answered with his approval for any decision they made and with Mrs Bennet’s appreciation of how handsome Mr Wickham would look in the uniform. Therefore, a commission was purchased in the North, in a regiment led by a colonel closely acquainted with Colonel Fitzwilliam. In the settlement that was drawn up, Wickham admitted the debts he owed to Elizabeth and assumed the obligation to return the sum, which nobody acquainted with the situation imagined would ever happen. However, the contract—also signed by Mr Gardiner and Darcy as witnesses—was meant to hold Wickham accountable. It was a tool to control him if needed, a means to throw him into debtors’ prison should Elizabeth choose.

“I would never do such thing, but it is amusing and gratifying to know I have such power over him,” Elizabeth confessed to Lady Kendal once the deal was sealed.

“It is ironic that, after all Mr Wickham’s dealings with so many gentlemen, it was you who succeeded in keeping him under control,” she said sadly.

“If it has been successful, it is certainly due to Mr Darcy’s advice. Lydia should not have married him in the first place, but she was stubborn and reckless and still has not improved in wisdom. I am not comfortable with how we have manipulated them, but I know there was no other way than to fight Mr Wickham with his own weapons.”

“Well, you could have hired some men to beat him as our dear colonel suggested.” Lady Kendal laughed at Elizabeth’s shocked and appalled stare.

“Let us hope such measures will not be necessary. I am glad that Lydia will be safe and comfortable, even if she cannot be happy in her marriage.”

“True, my dear. We shall properly attend to her and her child. You have no reason to feel any guilt—you have done the best you could. Even Mr Darcy said so,” Lady Kendal concluded, and Elizabeth nodded, her cheeks colouring slightly.

∞∞∞

During the following week, the main subject of interest was the upcoming evening at the theatre. Lady Kendal’s first concern was to order a proper gown for Elizabeth—one that respected the mourning period but also underlined her position and personality. She ordered a dress in two colours—black and dark red—accompanied by a black velvet shawl for the shoulders and a scarlet mantle. As for jewels, it was established she would wear nothing but a pair of small ruby and gold earrings.

When she was presented with the complete outfit, Elizabeth gasped in surprise and delight; almost five months had passed since Philip’s death, and it was the first time that she would wear anything other than black outside the house. But she had no reason and no desire to reject the suggestion of Lady Kendal—the only person who loved and cherished Philip more than she did.

Things slowly calmed around her, some of her grief soothed, worries and doubts dissipated, and her old spirit revived. And she had one person to thank the most for her recovery.

Just like the addition of the scarlet to her mourning gowns, Darcy’s presence in their house slowly brought colour back to her life and gradually released her deeply buried feelings, one by one. She felt a tightness in her stomach and thrills in her heart every time he appeared, every time he addressed her, every time a timid shadow of a smile appeared on his lips, for her only. And when, by chance, they were close enough to touch each other, her entire body shivered and her senses were aroused. She could not be absolutely certain but hoped that his feelings were no different.

On the day of the performance, Elizabeth woke up with more excitement than usual. She had not seen Darcy in the last three days, but Georgiana had called on her the previous afternoon. It was decided that Miss Darcy would join Kitty, Mary, and Lydia in the Kendal box, as well as Mr and Mrs Gardiner. In addition to the entire Fitzwilliam family, Jane and Bingley would sit in their box, together with Caroline, Louisa, and their husbands. Darcy’s choice of seat remained unknown, and Elizabeth felt as excited as a child hoping she would be in his company. She laughed at her own anxiety and admitted to herself she was being unreasonable. Darcy was no stranger to them, he visited them regularly, and she had seen him on multiple occasions. Then why such eagerness and exaltation at sitting in the same box at the theatre?

“My dear Elizabeth, you look stunning! Even though it is a colour of mourning, red suits you so well. You should absolutely order more jewels of ruby and gold!”

“Thank you, Grandmamma. This gown is stunning and I thank you for it! I confess I am pleased with my appearance, but ordering new jewels is not something I plan to do at present.”

“Well, it will be at some point. For now, I am pleased to see you in such good spirits. Come, your sisters are ready. They all look lovely too.”

“I also have you to thank for their appearance, Lady Kendal. In truth, I am very uncomfortable that, despite having all this money of my own, you still insist on purchasing gifts for all of us.”

“It is my pleasure, my dear girl. Do not worry about that. Let us go. We should be there and seated in our box before the halls become too crowded,” the lady said, taking Elizabeth’s arm for support. They walked together, Elizabeth carrying some emotions she could not understand.

When they arrived at Covent Garden, it was already full of carriages and people—from the highest ranks to those who had spent their meagre savings for the love of a good performance.

The uproar of voices distressed Elizabeth for a moment, especially when many pairs of eyes turned to her with apparent curiosity. She had been introduced to some of them, but for everyone acquainted with Lady Kendal, Elizabeth’s identity was obvious.

The five ladies exited the carriage, glancing around for a familiar face. Elizabeth immediately noticed the Darcys among the crowd and waved to Georgiana. The two siblings approached and Elizabeth’s heart began to race.