Page 11 of Compromise & Consequence
Uncle reached over and squeezed her hand. He alone knew how long she’d been planning on visiting her mother’s family once she reached her age of majority.
“He has asked me to arrange a common license so that you may wed at Longbourn Chapel and will bring with him the final marriage settlements for signing.”
“That is unexpected. I had thought he would prefer a Special License to keep our secret within the walls of Longbourn.”
“I was under the impression he did not want to air his dirtylaundry in front of the archbishop. A common license will do just as well. Also, he insisted you wear the gown you had on at the ball last night.”
“It is torn!” she gasped out.
“He is aware and cares not. Have Kitty start mending it for you, she is very talented with a needle.” Uncle pushed his chair away from his desk and looked out the window, a sure sign he did not want to tell her the rest but must. “You are allowed to bring one trunk. He is taking you straight to Pemberley and has forbidden you from staying in contact with your family.”
“Am I not even allowed to write or receive letters?”
“He saidyoumay not have direct contact with your family,” Uncle said with a heavy sigh.
“I see, but nothing about receiving letters?” Her uncle shook his head. “That is good. It could have been worse.”
“It does get worse.”
“I do not see how. As it is, I must leave almost everything behind as I cannot fit all my belongings in one trunk and am losing my family in less than a week. How could this possibly get worse?”
“He is settling on you fifty pounds.”
“Per month or quarter?”
“No, child. Per annum.”
Stunned, she fell back into her chair, finally understanding how deep his anger was.
“He is a bitter man, Lizzy. He kept saying you and Wickham would not succeed in your plans.”
“He also mentioned Mr. Wickham. I have no idea what he is talking about. He once said his good opinion, once lost was lost forever.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth. “I will notmarry him. I would rather be thought immoral than put up with his anger and hatred.”
“Elizabeth.” She was startled at her uncle calling her by her full name. “Think of your cousins. You were openly compromised in front of nearly every citizen of Meryton. They will bear the brunt of your shame. Your aunt and I will also be shunned. This is more than just you. I am sorry, my dear, you must marry him and make the best of it. With luck, he will leave you in Derbyshire, then head for London, and you will never have to speak with him for months on end. Fortunately, all of your assets and money remain in your control.”
“That is one good thing, I suppose. We have worked too hard to lose everything to a man who cares nothing for our family.”
She felt the gaze of her adopted father and knew his heart had to be breaking as well. Even though she was not his true daughter, she was his avowed favorite, and to know she would be at the mercy of a man who actively hated her would tear him up inside.
“It will be difficult to write letters of business, let alone private letters with the strictures he has placed on you. You cannot contact family.”
“When I last heard from Aunt Madeline, she wrote that she knew the area of Mr. Darcy’s home intimately. She grew up not five miles from his estate, and her brother is the rector in…, I cannot recall at this exact moment what she called the village – I shall re-read her letter – but there might be a way for us to communicate without his knowledge.”
“How so?”
“I am sure Mr. Darcy will not ban me from Sunday Service, and if Aunt’s relatives are willing, when I am in the village, I can pass correspondence through them. Technically, they are not myfamily, so I will not violate his edicts.”
“That might work, but if they describe you…”
“As I said, Aunt Madeline’s brother is the rector in that little village. I can safely have a conversation with him as Mrs. Darcy and no one will think it odd.”
“True enough.” Uncle began to smile, catching where her thoughts were traveling. “This could work.”
“Say nothing of this to Aunt Frances or the girls. All it takes is one loose tongue, and my tentative plan will fail before I can enact it.”
“I may not be able to stop this marriage, but I will not leave you immediately destitute. I have a little over five hundred pounds in my strongbox and will send that with you.”
“Uncle Thomas, you need that money for Longbourn!”
