Netherfield Park Quarantined (8 page)

Mr Hale was pleased the epidemic was over. His own granddaughter
had taken sick, and perished. Mrs Hale had become despondent at the loss, as
their daughter had died in childbirth, leaving the little girl behind. The Hale’s
son in law had been killed in war.

The entire community would require time to recover from the epidemic,
and it would be difficult for life to return to where it was. Slowly, the ballroom
of Netherfield Park was emptied and then, finally, the last patient left for
home.

The Bennets returned to Longbourn, though Mr Collins made his way to
Hunsford, to his cottage. Mr Bennet knew it would not be the last they heard
from the man, as Mr Collins made his intention of making facts known to his
patroness, Lady Catherine. The clergyman was certain Lady Catherine would
wish to speak with her nephew immediately after she learned of his alleged
marriage to Elizabeth. And Mr Collins was prepared to assist the grand lady in
any way possible.

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

 

Chapter 7

The most difficult change for Elizabeth was the fact that she was now
married. She would no longer live at her father’s house, but would stay at
Netherfield. Bingley had rooms prepared for the newlywed couple, and had a
maid assigned to tend to Elizabeth’s needs while at Netherfield.

The first night the couple had to themselves, began quite uncomfortable.
Darcy and Elizabeth were both nervous, not certain how to behave with the
other. After dining early, the couple excused themselves. Darcy went to his
dressing room, where his valet, Foster, waited to assist him.

Elizabeth was met in her dressing room by the maid who had been
assigned to her. Sally was a kind young lady, who had not been a lady’s maid
before, but was very willing to be of assistance. Sally assisted Mrs Darcy from
her gown and into a beautiful cream colored silk nightgown with matching
robe. The nightgown was like nothing Elizabeth had ever worn before, and
she was feeling uncomfortable as she sat before the peer glass at the vanity
while Sally took down her hair. As Sally brushed out the dark brown locks of
Elizabeth’s hair, Elizabeth closed her eyes and relaxed.

The sound of someone knocking on the door brought Elizabeth back to
the reality before her. “Enter.” She called out. The door opened and Darcy
peeked around the edge of the door.

“I was wondering if you wished to join me in our private sitting room. I
had the fire built up and we have some books and a chess board to keep us
from boredom.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I would enjoy meeting you in the sitting room. I
believe Sally has finished with me for the time being.”

Rising from her seat, Elizabeth bit her lower lip between her teeth when
she heard her husband’s sudden intake of breath. Looking into his eyes, she
could see the approval Darcy held for her appearance. He held out his arm,
and she placed her hand gently on it, allowing him to lead her into the sitting
room.

Darcy motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa, and once she was
seated, Darcy sat down beside her. “I know you are nervous, my dearest Lizzy.
I am nervous too. We have not had much time to speak of our future and our
relationship. If you wish, I would like to talk now.”

Elizabeth nodded her head. “I agree, we should be able to speak
openly.”

“My love, I know our marriage was rushed, and we have not had time
since then to be together. I wish for you to know that if you need more time to
become comfortable with the idea of intimacy, I am willing to wait.”

“I am grateful, William. I have not had time to speak with my aunt in
Town. She promised to speak openly with me as to what to expect in
marriage. As you said, we were rushed, and then had so much to deal with
during the crisis. I prayed you would be understanding.”

Darcy placed a hand to gently caress his wife’s delicate cheek. “You are
not the only one who is new to this experience.”

 

Looking at her husband, Elizabeth noticed a slight blush rise on his
cheeks. “Are you telling me…are you saying that you have…not…”

“My father sat me down before I left for the university. He told me that
my grandfather and great grandfather were firm believers in love matches in
marriage. And, as they strove to have such marriages, they did not believe in
relationships with other women. If I am not mistaken, it stems back to my
great great grandparents and the relationship they had in their marriage.
That was Alfred and Genevieve Darcy. Alfred was striving for all the riches he
could bring to his family, thus he married a lady with a large dowry. He did
not honor his wife, and had a mistress in Town. Alfred also had many affairs
in his lifetime. My great grandfather, Harlan, watched the bitterness in his
parents and saw how sad their marriage was. He vowed to never be like them,
wishing for a love match. It came to a point when, having learned that he had
a bastard brother, a brother he could never publically acknowledge or even
speak of in front of his mother, Harlan decided he would never put his family
through such a situation.”

“This was a wise decision on your great grandfather’s part.” Elizabeth
said softly.

“He was very happy with his decision, and felt that it made his wedding
night, as well as every day of his life with my great grandmother, more
wonderful than anyone else’s relationship.” Darcy smiled. “I have never
wished to be like the young men with whom I went to school, sowing their
wild oats and concurring every female they could find. I wished to wait for the
lady to whom I gave my heart. And it is you, the one who holds my heart, who
also wins every part of me. If I wish to have a virtuous wife, how can I not be
the same in return? So, I sit here beside you, telling you that our married life
will be new in all aspects, for us to learn together.”

“Are you as nervous as I am?” Elizabeth asked, unable to lift her eyes to
meet his.

Lifting her chin with his finger, and waited until she looked into his eyes.
“I am nervous, but I know that I have a beloved wife at my side and neither of
us have preconceived notions of what to expect. Our relations will be unique
to us, and us alone.” Darcy leaned forward, taking possession of Elizabeth’s
lips.

The kiss deepened, with Elizabeth matching his ardor. His tongue
prodded her lips to open, and once they did, he explored her mouth as her
tongue did the same in his. Their passion grew with each moment, and it was
not long before Darcy’s hands began to wander about her body. Elizabeth’s
hands soon began to unbutton her husband’s nightshirt, before they slipped
inside the fabric and caressed his chiseled chest.

The night was long and filled with pleasure, as the couple consummated
their marriage several times. The following morning, no one was surprised to
find the couple missing from breakfast, and Bingley and Hurst shared more
than a few chuckles at the newlyweds’ expense.

~~ ** ~~

Later that day, a commotion was heard at the entrance of Longbourn.
Mr Hill sent his wife to notify Mr Bennet, who was in his study, of an
unexpected visitors. Mr Hill attempted to keep the visitors contained, but they
were attempting to push past him when Mr Bennet came towards them.

“What is the meaning of this? Mr Collins, what has happened to bring
you here in this manner?” Mr Bennet asked in a heated voice.

 

“Mr Bennet, I felt it necessary to come with my patroness, for I could not
leave her to the mercy of my relations on her own.”

 

“What are you expecting me to do to this lady? Do you think I will forget
to act as a gentleman?”

 

“Mr Collins, I insist you forget this nonsense and locate the country chit
immediately. I demand to speak with her at once.” Lady Catherine declared.

“Of course, Lady Catherine, I will find Miss Elizabeth right away.” Mr
Collins was groveling. Turning towards his cousin, he inquired. “Is Miss
Elizabeth in the house or is she out for one of her walks?”

Mr Bennet was furious with the behavior of the visitors. “How dare you
enter my home in such a manner, and then demand the location of one of my
daughters? You have no authority in this house, and I do not have to give you
the information you wish.”

“How dare you? Do you know who I am? I am Lady Catherine de
Bourgh, and I will not tolerate the likes of you treating me in such a manner. I
demand to see this chit, I assume she is your daughter. You must know that
she will never succeed in capturing my nephew, as he is already engaged to
my daughter. Any marriage ceremony that was performed cannot be legal,
and I will see that an annulment is issued immediately. My nephew must be
made to marry my daughter as soon as the annulment is acquired.”

“Your nephew was quite aware of what he was doing, and he made the
decision to marry my daughter. It is legal and binding. What grounds can you
have to annul the marriage?”

“On the grounds that they have not yet consummated the marriage. Mr
Collins stated that they did not take time away from their duties in helping
those who were ill, therefore, they could not have made their marriage true.”

“If there were any questions of the marriage being consummated before,
there is none now.” Charles Bingley stated as he was shown into the entryway.
“They have been locked away in their suite since last night, and have had their
meals brought to them. From the sounds I heard as I walked past, there is no
doubt in my mind they have consummated, and multiple times.” Turning to Mr
Bennet, Bingley gave a slight bow. “Forgive me, Sir, I did not mean to be crass
with regards to your daughter. I only meant to give witness to the fact that
Lady Catherine is incorrect in her belief.”

Mr Bennet tried desperately to hide his grin. “No offense was meant, so
none is taken, Mr Bingley. I believe you have come to see my eldest daughter.
She is in the room off the kitchen where my daughters dry flowers and herbs.
Mrs Hill, would you show Mr Bingley there?”

“Of course, Mr Bennet.”

“Oh, Lady Catherine, I would like to take the opportunity to inform you
that you will not be granted access to my home, even though I am not there. I
left strict orders that my guests were not to be disturbed, and my butler is not
one to be intimidated.” Bingley turned and followed Mrs Hill, both of whom
were smiling.

Mr Bennet returned his attention to the uninvited guests. “I have a pile
of work on my desk to which I must see, so I believe it is time for you to depart
from my home. I should also add my knowledge of Mr Bingley’s staff. Mr
Jeffers is not at all intimidated by the likes of you, so attempting to force your
way into Netherfield to make demands of my son in law will not succeed.”

“Come, Mr Collins. I know how to proceed now. I will take matters into
my own hands now.”

 

~~ ** ~~

Lord and Lady Matlock were preparing to enter the dining room of their
townhouse to enjoy their dinner when the butler announced his sister had
arrived. “There goes any plans for a pleasant meal together. I wonder what
Catherine has to speak with us about that brings her to Town.”

“Henry, we must take action immediately.” Lady Catherine nearly
shouted as she entered the room. “Our nephew has foolishly taken up with a
country nobody, and we must break the marriage, so he and my Anne may
marry as soon as possible.”

“What are you talking of, Catherine?” Lady Matlock asked, surprised at
her sister in law’s words.

 

“Are you telling us that Darcy has married?” Lord Matlock asked. “Why
would he not inform us of his wedding?”

“He married some country chit who used her arts and allurement to
trap him into a marriage. She was promised to my clergyman, Mr Collins. But
she had aspirations for better things, so she forced herself upon our nephew.
We must move to protect him, before it is too late.”

Lady Matlock was shocked. “We had heard William was at his friend’s
estate in Hertfordshire. From what Richard told us, there was an outbreak of
scarlet fever.”

“Yes, yes, and it was during this outbreak that the chit wormed her way
to become close with our nephew.” Lady Catherine said. “What can be done to
end this sham of a marriage, and Darcy can do what he was born to do?”

“We can speak with the solicitor tomorrow, Catherine.” Lord Matlock
stated. “It is too late to achieve any answers tonight.”

“This cannot wait, Henry. Send someone to Mr Laub’s home, ask him to
come immediately. We must put a stop to this before word reaches the
ton
. It
is not only Darcy’s reputation we must protect, but my Anne’s reputation as
well.”

Lord Matlock knew there would be no appeasing his sister unless he
gave in to her request. “Very well. Give me a moment to write a message to
Laub.”

“I believe we should speak to Richard, see what he knows of the
situation, before we rush forward into speaking with the solicitor.” Lady
Matlock stated. “For all we know, William married the young lady due to
affection he has for her. Richard and William are close, and they have been
corresponding during the crisis in Hertfordshire.”

Lady Catherine turned towards her sister in law with fury. “What
difference does it make? Darcy was to marry Anne, therefore he cannot be
married to anyone else. This has been planned, since their births. My dear
sister, Lady Anne, wished for the union of our children. We spoke of their life
together for years.”

“You forget, Catherine, I was Anne’s dearest friend.” Lady Matlock
declared. “Anne never spoke of William marrying your daughter. The only
time she ever spoke of William’s decision to marry was her hope he would
find someone who would love him and cherish her beloved son.”

“You were never as close to Anne as I was.” Lady Catherine spat out her
words. “A bond between sisters is much closer than simple friends. Anne was
very devoted to her son’s marrying her namesake. Anne was fond of my
dearest daughter, and often spoke of my Anne becoming the next Mistress of
Pemberley.”