Page 25 of The Mistress of All & Torn

On her way back home, Elizabeth felt increasingly distressed. She was puzzled as to why Lady Sedgewick would worry about matters that had already been cleared up. When she entered, she enquired after her mother-in-law and her husband. The lady was in her apartment, the gentleman was out.

For the rest of the afternoon, she read in the library. Around dinnertime, when she was ready to retire to her chamber, her husband appeared unexpectedly.

She curtsied and greeted him with a smile that tried to be warm. His countenance was severe.

“Madam, may I ask where you have been? And who was the strange man that you met at your aunt’s house? I trusted you, but I fear I might have been wrong to do so.”

Elizabeth’s surprise at such an enquiry quickly turned into offence and then anger.

“May I ask why you, sir, find it appropriate to question me in such a disrespectful manner?”

“No, you may not! And this is not the proper way of answering your husband!”

“Nor a husband’s proper way of addressing his wife, I dare say! The strange man you refer to must be Mr. Bingley. He is no stranger at all, but a gentleman who owned a property near my parents’ estate. He was a family friend and he heard my father was in town, so he called on my uncle.”

“I see. And did this gentleman happen to have a certain preference for you?”

Elizabeth’s eyebrow arched. Surely he could not be jealous.

“Not at all, sir! And even if he did, you must keep in mind that, once I agreed to enter into this marriage, I would never do anything to disgrace it. I do not take my oaths lightly, Lord Barrington!”

Her determination and harsh tone surprised him. Until that moment, Elizabeth had never had the chance to express her true self and she remembered how little he really knew of her.

“If that is the case, you should not walk by yourself in the streets and certainly not expose yourself in the company of a black servant!”

His tone was not just cold, but spiteful and incriminatory. Elizabeth’s anger grew.

“Are you by any chance referring to your aunt’s companion, Cece? I met her at the corner of the street and I do not believe I should have to justify myself in such a way! I do enjoy Cece’s company just as much as your aunt does.”

“You do have to justify yourself, madam! You are now the wife of an earl and you must behave accordingly. And it is your duty to obey your husband—as you should already know!”

“Is it customary for an earl to spy on his wife and to accuse her most undeservingly? I have done nothing but visit my family and your aunt! I have employed my time learning about my future responsibilities. I have never questioned your engagements, but I shall not accept being assaulted by ridiculous suspicions. I have no secrets, sir, and wherever I go, you are more than welcome to join me!”

The argument had already turned into a harsh fight. She expected him to continue, but he suddenly changed his manners.

“You are right, madam. Perhaps we have different expectations regarding this marriage. We will speak more about this soon. Now please excuse me, I must change for another engagement. I wish you a pleasant evening.”

And with that, he left.

Elizabeth was deeply disturbed after the exchange. The notion that one of his men was watching her and reporting her every step to him was probably not unusual in their circle, but surely bothersome for her. And his voice when he mentioned Cece was worrisome—just as Lady Sedgewick had said.

She found little sleep that night and all her previous fears returned, stronger than ever before, as she realised she was indeed forced to obey her husband.

∞∞∞

During the following three days, Elizabeth spent most of her time with Lady Sedgewick, whose state had worsened. Worried about her father too, Elizabeth sent a man to enquire after him every day and the news was encouraging. Furthermore, Jane sent her back daily notes about their father’s improvement and Mr. Bingley’s calls, giving Elizabeth hope of a happy outcome. Her family’s happiness was what mattered the most and compensated for any distress in her own life.

As for Lady Sedgewick, Elizabeth’s heartfelt prayers did not help. The lady barely ate at all, despite the doctor’s advice. Elizabeth stood by her side, together with Cece. At times, she asked Cece to play the pianoforte, or Elizabeth to read. She appeared to be at peace, waiting for God’s plan for her.

Lord Barrington and his mother came to see Lady Sedgewick once, but they did not try to prevent Elizabeth from staying with her.

The Bennets never came to the Barrington residence again; Lord Barrington never mentioned them and Elizabeth felt uncomfortable inviting them.

On the third week of her marriage, Elizabeth cried with joy when she saw her father sitting up in the chair and whispering “Lizzy.” Also, Mr. Bingley’s visits and his admiration for Jane were now common knowledge. He even mentioned returning to Netherfield, much to Jane’s apparent bliss.

“Darcy has returned to town,” Mr. Bingley said. “I must say, he was shocked to hear of Miss Elizabeth’s marriage, but he asked me to convey his congratulations and best wishes.”

Elizabeth thanked him with discomfort and a slight blush that fortunately, nobody noticed.