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“There might have been a notion for them to journey to Itchenor but Jane’s pregnancy means it will be later in the year before they visit. This next aspect is difficult, Mary and I talked last night and we feel that we should be honest. Kitty, who has decided to revert to her birth name of Catherine, is very taken with the idea of being a distant relative, even if only through marriage, to a Duke. I am by no means certain that she will welcome Mr. Bingley’s suit.”
“She thinks that she can do better?”
“I do not know that better is the right word, but maybe the most appropriate way to express it is that she has set her sights higher.”
“Your own thoughts?”
Elizabeth snorted and was admonished immediately by her sister.
“Lizzie!”
“Sorry Mary. The fact that first Sir David, and then you, chose to accept the links to trade as represented by our uncle does not mean that it is not an impediment. The Duke is the relative of Sir David, we are not descended from a ducal family. But I do not think I will be able to convince her through letters. The matter will have to wait until her return to Longbourn. It may take weeks, even months, for her to let go of her delusions.”
She looked at Darcy.
“What news from the gentleman?”
“Mixed. Happy to be in London, yet he is the son of a tradesman and his head keeps getting turned at the opportunities that London presents. But his father had a dream of owning an estate, the reason he leased Netherfield Park in the first place. There are two different strands of thought, but his biggest issue right now is ensuring that marriage between his sister and her fiancé actually happens. I know this will sound terrible but he confessed in a letter to wanting to drug Miss Bingley until the day before the wedding, so that she does not wreck everything at the last minute. If indeed the wedding does occur then I suspect he will return here immediately and then do nothing for two weeks. You said Sir David recovered here, I think Bingley will need to do the same.”
They laughed, as much at the evident truth on Darcy’s face. Miss Bingley had only been in the area for ten days but had made a memorable impression.
--
The wedding of Elizabeth and Darcy was a wonderful occasion but it felt like a footnote to all the drama that surrounded the occasion.
Bingley had returned, mentally beaten down from ensuring his sister actually married. He was silent on the matter but it had been noted his sister had been unwell several times in the run up to the wedding. It no longer mattered as Miss Bingley was now Mrs. Walker and was on her wedding trip to the south coast of the country. He stood up with Darcy as his best man but did not remain in the neighbourhood for long.
Owning an estate was the dream of his father, not Bingley himself. He found dealing with all the aspects of estate life not to his liking. By the end of February he was gone, leaving the steward of Netherfield Park to run the estate until the lease expired. Whether the rejection of Catherine Bennet had anything to do with the decision was uncertain but speculated upon in Meryton and beyond. Bingley remained a friend to Darcy for the rest of his life but was rarely in his company. He wed later in life to a woman from the industrial town of Leeds, and was happy returning to his roots. He also became extremely wealthy and his industry set the family up for generations.
Catherine, Kitty as was, appeared to be confused as to what she wanted from life. She had rejected Bingley with no regrets, yet she was happy to live with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London. All the while being conscious of a thin connection to a Duke. Eventually immediate family won out over the more tenuous connection. She married the son of a Director of the East India Company and lived in India for more than 10 years before finally returning to Britain.
But these were all minor compared to what Darcy and Elizabeth experienced on the fourth day of their marriage. There had been no notice of the engagement, but there had been a note in The Times announcing their wedding. Despite being already married, and the marriage being thoroughly consummated, Lady Catherine was not going to stay silent on the matter. She barged into Darcy House and it was fortunate for all concerned that the Darcys were dressed and in the study when she thrust the door open.
“This will not stand Darcy. You will have this ridiculous marriage annulled immediately. I do not know what arts and allurements trapped you into this fiasco but it will not stand. Do you hear me!”
Elizabeth placed a hand on her new husband’s arm, appearing much calmer than him. Darcy sharp retort died on his lips.
“Would you favour me with an introduction to this, this, well let us go with woman. There is nothing ladylike about her.”
Darcy did not know whether to wince or smile. But he did not get a chance to say anything yet.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner. Do you know who I am?!”
Elizabeth laughed in her face, producing an alarming shade.
“Stop shouting. We are in Mayfair not the East End. I am endeavouring to discover who you are. Yet you keep interrupting.”
“How dare you!”
“Yes, apparently I dare. Oh, and you are still shouting. I am sure the scullery maid is being entertained by the behaviour of her betters.”
There was no more shouting as Lady Catherine appeared to be close to apoplexy. She was spluttering with a purple face.
“My dear, allow me to present the sister of the Earl of Matlock. This is the person of whom you have heard much, and not just this morning, my aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Aunt, this is my wife Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”
“Not for long Darcy, you will get an annulment immediately.”
Again, it was Elizabeth who calmed Darcy.
