He studied her before he spoke, his voice tinged with barely concealed bitterness and a hauteur she had not heard from him for some time. “You cannot tell me you wish to bear witness to your intimate friend pledging her obedience to that ridiculous excuse for a man, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Fitzwilliam, Charlotte and I have been the closest of friends since we were young girls. I do confess I am extremely loath to see her consign herself to such a fate—to enter into a marriage where there is little chance of any real affection or respect—especially with such a man, but however I happen to disagree with her choice, Charlotte has asked this of me, and out of respect for our friendship, I feel obligated to accept her invitation. Indeed, I realize it makes very little sense, especially since our paths are not likely to cross again for some time—if ever—but I know what it would mean to Charlotte. She mentions she has written to Jane, as well. Perhaps she and I could travel together with Mr. Bingley in his carriage. That way you would not have to attend an event I know would bring you nothing but vexation and grief.”
He stared at her with incredulity. “How, in all that is holy, can you honestly believe I would allow you to travel all the way to Hertfordshire without me, Elizabeth, so soon after our own marriage, especially now that you believe you are with child?”
“All the way to Hertfordshire?” She laughed. “It is but half a day’s journey. And Jane and Charles would be with me, so I would hardly be alone or unprotected.” Her eyes developed an impish gleam. “Of course, I would greatly prefer your company to that of Mr. Bingley, Fitzwilliam. Excellent man though he is, I cannot but find your society far superior to that of any other man of my acquaintance, my future brother included.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and pretended to consider her request, all the while knowing he could not bear to part with her or deny her anything he knew would bring her pleasure. Sighing, he nodded his acquiescence and grumbled, “Of course I will accompany you, Elizabeth. Though it will give me absolutely no pleasure to be once again in company with Mr. Collins, I would not wish to deprive you of sharing in your friend’s joy on her wedding day. When would you care to leave? Are you certain you are feeling well enough to make such a journey?”
“I assure you, my love, I am quite well. As for our departure, it shall, of course, depend upon any obligations you may have, but I was hoping to be able to spend at least a few days with Charlotte and our families before the wedding. I cannot think of when she and I may be able to meet again.”
Darcy pursed his lips. “I would have suggested you meet in Hunsford during my yearly pilgrimage to Rosings; however, I highly doubt that to be a possibility in our immediate future, if ever.”
She rose then and, situating herself upon Darcy’s lap, kissed his frowning mouth. She meant it as a passing gesture, one with which to reassure him before broaching the uncomfortable subject of his aunt Catherine, but her husband seemed to have other ideas; he captured her mouth in what quickly became an ardent kiss before she could even begin her speech. When their lips finally separated, Darcy buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing deeply while his arms held her close. “My love,” Elizabeth began but was soon silenced by his muffled words.
“Pray, do not mention that woman, Elizabeth. I care not to discuss her abhorrent behavior at this time. Only know that I cannot so easily forgive her for her disrespect of you.”
Elizabeth acknowledged his words by gently running her fingers through his hair and holding him a little tighter against her breast. “As you wish,” was all she replied.
The trip to Hertfordshire was uneventful. Bingley, Jane, Darcy, and Elizabeth all left London in Darcy’s carriage late Tuesday morning, stopping only for a light luncheon at an inn along the way, so they, as well as the servants and horses, might rest themselves. They arrived at Longbourn at teatime, much to Darcy’s consternation, as he had been most persistent in his insistence that they first stop at Netherfield so their party might refresh themselves somewhat after a rather tiresome journey.
He was especially concerned with Elizabeth’s comfort, worrying himself over her current state and trying to gauge whether or not she was fatigued by their journey, but Elizabeth was not of a mind to acquiesce to any particular demands to rest herself, stating she had managed to fall asleep for a while in the carriage and felt perfectly well enough to dine with her parents and sisters. Though Darcy remained skeptical, he reluctantly let it go, as she had agreed to his proposal that they stay with Bingley at Netherfield, rather than at Longbourn with her family.
Elizabeth had given in to this arrangement mostly for the sake of her husband, whom she knew would be far more inclined to be open in his cordiality to the neighborhood should he not have to share the same roof with her mother so soon after they had just parted company in Town.
Though she very much wished to accompany her brother and sister to Hertfordshire, it was decided between them that Georgiana would remain in London under the protection of Lord and Lady Matlock until their return. Neither Darcy or Elizabeth wished to risk having her meet accidentally with Wickham, should he still be in the vicinity. They soon saw their judgment proven quite sound, for, when they dined several evenings later at Lucas Lodge, many of the officers, Wickham included, happened to be among those in attendance.
For Darcy, it was a doubly trying evening as he found himself thrown into the rather unsavory company of his father’s former favorite as well as his aunt’s officious clergyman. As could be expected, he bore the insincere flattery of the latter with less than civil forbearance; the former, who leered at him with a smirk throughout the course of the entire evening, he found far more difficult to treat with indifference. Darcy found himself glaring at the man for the duration of the night, particularly when he noticed Wickham’s gaze sweeping over Elizabeth’s elegantly dressed figure. As a precaution, Darcy strayed little from her side.
The party, for the most part, was a merry one, especially with the two youngest Miss Bennets in attendance. They flirted with all the officers and called upon Mary to play lively airs so they might dance with them, as well. Both girls, but Lydia in particular, had become intimate with Colonel Forster’s young wife, Harriet, who just happened to be close, both in age and temperament, to Lydia. At one point, their laughter was so effusive it actually drew Mr. Bennet’s notice from his conversation with Colonel Forster, who, rather than sharing Mr. Bennet’s sentiments on the silliness of the young ladies, commented, instead, on his pleasure in seeing such liveliness in females, as he found it to be a welcome diversion from the oftentimes grave responsibilities he carried as a soldier in a time of war.
Toward the end of the evening, in an effort to get some much-needed fresh air and a few moments to herself, Elizabeth slipped away while Darcy was engaged in conversation with Colonel Forster and her father. She had not enjoyed above two minutes of solitude on the terrace located just outside the drawing room, when she overheard a disturbing conversation being conducted in hushed voices by Lydia and a gentleman whose voice she could not quite identify. Appalled by her sister’s total want of propriety and decorum, Elizabeth advanced several feet toward a manicured hedge and discovered her youngest sister in a most disgraceful and compromising situation with none other than Mr. Wickham.
“Lydia!” she cried, “you will return to the house immediately!”
The lovers jerked back in obvious surprise. Lydia hastily covered her exposed bosom, which Wickham had been fondling just moments before, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “La, Lizzy! Just because you are now shackled to such a dour man, it does not give you the right to spoil all the fun for the rest of us. You are hardly in charge of me just because you are now a married woman. I shall continue to do what I please with my dear Wickham, never mind what you say.”