Page 37 of Compromise & Consequence
“Yes, Aunt Lucinda. I would like that very much.”
“Consider it done.” Lady Matlock assessed Elizabeth carefully and her gaze kept straying to her cheek. “Before we depart, may I ask how you came about with a contusion on your face?”
Involuntarily, Elizabeth’s hand flew to cover the bruise which had faded to a soft yellow. Miss Darcy, who had not noticed the discoloration until it was pointed out by her aunt, gasped.
“As Mr. Darcy and I departed Longbourn after our wedding, I fell forward when the carriage started and hit my cheek.”
“How was it possible for you to fall forward when the carriage started?”
Elizabeth found herself looking to Aunt Madeline for direction, who gave a slight nod, knowing the truth of the matter as it had been the first thing she’d asked when they’d initially met.
“I was seated backward, my lady.”
“Backward! Your husband made you sit backward like a servant?” She could only nod. Lady Matlock stood, clearly indicating their time together had come to an end. “My nephew has much to explain. I will send a note with a date and time for a day next week. The bruise should have fully abated by then – in case we are joined by others,” she explained when Elizabeth’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “No need to heap more nonsense on the garbage pile of gossip.”
Lady Matlock moved around the table, drawing on her gloves with Miss Darcy close to her side.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Gardiner. I look forward to your continued company and will tell my friends about your husband’s warehouse. Elizabeth” – she took one of Elizabeth’s hands in hers – “I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have finally met you.”
She released Elizabeth’s hand and both ladies exited the shop with Miss Darcy casting a longing glance at them. Elizabeth looked at Aunt Madeline, who was smiling widely now.
“I can scarcely believe that happened.”
“Believe it, Lizzy. I must be getting home or the children’s nanny will think I have abandoned them.”
“Shall we meet at the seamstress after my tea with Lady Matlock?”
“You forget dear, we are off to Longbourn for Christmas.”
“I had forgotten.” Elizabeth blinked back tears and forced a large smile to grace her face. “Give everyone my love and Jane an extra big hug from me.”
“I will.”
Aunt Maddie kissed her on the cheek before saying her farewells.
Elizabeth soon found herself back at Darcy House and hurried to her rooms. Once safely within the privacy of her bed chamber, she brought out the letter from Jane that her aunt had given her earlier in the day.
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Dearest Lizzy,
I was so happy to have received your letter. As I had not thought to hear from you so soon, my heart and mind were eased with the news that you made it safely to London and are not so far away. I worried about you going to Derbyshire alone.
Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas have set the date of January 10th for their wedding. She says to thank you for all the effort you expended in helping her find her happiness and I know she would be most gratified if your husband allowed you to attend the ceremony. Mamma remains perturbed that the heir to Longbourn did not find a bride from within the walls of Longbourn, but finds solace in the fact she has one ‘daughter’ well married.
Lydia and Kitty remain enamored with the officers of the ____shire Militia. If you remember Mr. Wickham, he has become a regular visitor to Longbourn, along with Captain Carter and Mr. Pratt. I cannot tell at this time whom the girls favor more, Mr. Wickham or Captain Carter. Poor Mr. Pratt is, at times, grievously ignored. Mr. Wickham tends to ask after you a fair bit. I believe though he is more interested in your husband than in yourself and is quite frustrated with the lack of news in that area. Papa has promised dire consequences if we dare gossip about your misfortune.
Aunt and Uncle are scheduled to arrive on the 23rd for Christmas and once again, Longbourn will ring with the excited chatter of children. As expected, I shall return with them after the holidays. I truly hope we can find a way to meet. I need to see your smiling face not only in my dreams.
Mary bids me to give you a warm greeting. She has been very prodigious in her practice of Christmas hymns and is looking forward to when we all gather around on the eve of Christ’s birth and sing songs of joy. How I wish you could be here. Longbourn is not the same without you.
I shall sign off, sister of my heart. Lydia has stolen another of Kitty’s ribbons and I must go be the peacemaker. Of this behavior, I am sure you do not miss it.
Always with love,
Jane
Elizabethdidmiss their behaviors. All of them, good or bad. She folded up the letter, placed it in the top drawer of the desk and breathed deeply, trying valiantly to not cry openly at the thought of her family all gathered for Christmas, failing miserably. Tears flowed unrestrained down her cheeks. All too soon, the agitation and tears brought on a headache, which grewsteadily worse. So much so, she asked Betty to bring her a tray for dinner, not willing to take the chance her husband might have returned to dine at home, rather than his club – if that was where he fed his physical needs, let alone his carnal ones. She needed her emotional armor to be in pristine condition when she faced him again.
