Page 24 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy
“Pray, what does the letter say?”
“It…” Darcy said and ran a hand along the outer edge. “Let me read it to you.”
William,
Your recent announcement has left me both surprised and somewhat dismayed. During your last visit to Town, you gave no indication of so serious a courtship, let alone one leading so swiftly to marriage. Such a significant event ought not to have been kept from the family.
Lady Catherine has, as you might imagine, already made her position abundantly clear during her recent visit to Matlock. Her outrage was as passionate as it was unrelenting. While I have often regarded her protests as little more than idle bluster, her vehemence this time leads me to approach the matter with caution. I must admit to some reluctance in attending the wedding, as I fear it may further provoke division within the family. Indeed, I think it best that neither I nor your aunt or cousins attend. Gregory and Richard may well come if they wish, but I believe they too are aware of the implications.
Despite this, know that you have my sincere wishes for your happiness. My concern lies only in avoiding unnecessary discord among those most affected by your choice.
Yours faithfully,
Matlock
Darcy placed the letter back in his pocket with deliberate care. “It is of no consequence. I had not truly wanted them there. Gregory and I have never been close, and I understand Richard must remain in my aunt’s good graces for when he makes his announcement regarding his situation.”
A comfortable silence settled between the two men for a moment. Then, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Bingley said, “So, you are marrying Elizabeth Bennet. I know you said itis not a marriage of love, at least for her, but I recall you speaking quite warmly about her once…”
Darcy allowed himself a rare smile. “It is true. And though I thought my affections might diminish after her refusal, they have persisted. I do hope that over the next weeks and months I might convince her I am not the dreadful man she thought I was. Although, I cannot be certain she will come to see it.”
“I am certain you can convince her, your charms are well hidden but I am sure she can find them,” he said. “But if not, are you prepared for an unhappy union?”
“I have offered her the chance of an annulment,” he said. Bingley’s eyes grew wide.
“It is a gamble.”
Darcy nodded solemnly. “It is. We are both aware of it. If Elizabeth decides the marriage does not suit her, she will still be cared for, as will her family. I have ensured it through my solicitor, and Mr Philips will oversee it as well.”
Bingley frowned slightly. “Darcy, that could create scandal for you.”
“It is of little concern,” Darcy said. “By then, I hope to have convinced her otherwise. If not, I will bear the consequences. She and her family will be financially secure either way.”
There was a brief pause before Bingley spoke again. “And you believe you can win her over?”
Darcy’s expression grew contemplative. “I must try. Whether or not I succeed, I will ensure her family is secure.”
Bingley placed a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Then we shall both hope for happy outcomes. For you, and perhaps for me as well.”
Darcy smiled faintly. “Indeed, let us hope.”
Their conversation came to a natural end as the afternoon light began to dim. Together, they made their way to the billiard room, the unspoken weight of the futures they hoped to secure lingering between them as they prepared to take the next step forward.
Chapter 14
Elizabeth
4th July 1812
Pemberley, Derbyshire
The road to Pemberley had been long and, for Elizabeth, unexpectedly fraught. Mr Darcy had taken great care to arrange the journey, breaking it into manageable stages with accommodations prepared at every stop, but they had travelled separately for most of it. Elizabeth remained with Mary and Kitty, while Georgiana and Mr Darcy rode in another carriage.
If Mr Darcy’s intention had been to offer Elizabeth and her sisters the greatest possible comfort, the result felt oddly alienating. She rarely saw him, and when she did, it was at a polite distance, his attention focused on ensuring everything went smoothly rather than on any personal interaction. Elizabeth had found herself struggling to discern his mood.
The journey felt suspended between past grievances and the uncertain hope of a future—awkward, polite, and restrained. It was exhausting.
By the time the rolling hills of Derbyshire came into view, Elizabeth was relieved to near their destination. As the sisters rode in the hired carriage, her thoughts wavered between apprehension and awe. Pemberley had been described to her as a grand estate, but she could scarcely imagine what awaited them.
