Chapter 25

Pemberley

December 21st 1811

"Darcy!" Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted his younger cousin, pulling him into a hug.

"Fitzwilliam, I thought you would be arriving on Monday with your parents."

"I would have, but your sister wrote me a note and I had to confirm the veracity of her claims," Fitzwilliam replied.

"What claims?" Darcy asked worriedly.

"She says you are participating in the full season and looking for a wife. Darcy, please tell me she is wrong," Fitzwilliam exclaimed dramatically. "I am NEVER giving up my bachelorhood."

"You do not have to, I need an heir and It is time for me to start looking for a wife." Darcy replied

"Why now?" Fitzwilliam asked

"Why not?" Darcy replied

Fitzwilliam stared at Darcy, giving his appearance a once-over. There were bags under his eyes, he had lost weight since he had seen him last, and his hair was longer than he normally kept it. Georgiana was right -- something was wrong with Darcy, and the Colonel knew exactly what. Darcy showed all the signs of being lovesick.

"Aha! You were in love with someone, and, for whatever reason, it did not work out, and now you are trying to forget her by finding a wife," Fitzwilliam exclaimed.

"How in the bloody hell did you guess?!" Darcy fumed. He demanded, "Did your mother tell you?"

"My mother knows?" Fitzwilliam asked. "I just put together your depressed state and the fact that Georgiana said that you refuse to talk about Hertfordshire and suddenly looking for a wife now, and I took a shot in the dark."

Darcy grunted "I shall tell you everything that happened; no one knows and I want to keep it that way. Your mother knows only that I liked a gentlewoman but found out she was after my money." Darcy began to explain to his cousin all that transpired between he and Elizabeth.

"So you did not pursue her, initially, because of her family?"

"Yes, her aunt is a loud, silly woman."

"Is she Aunt Catherine?" Fitzwilliam asked.

"No, Richard," Darcy hissed.

"Is that all that is wrong with her?"

"Her cousins. They made a spectacle of themselves at Bingley's ball by flirting."

"Like my sister?" Richard asked, mocking Darcy's disdain for the unseemly behavior of his mystery woman's family.

"Her Aunt declared to everyone that Bingley was going to marry her daughter!" Darcy exclaimed at Fitzwilliam's belittling of the situation

"Our Aunt declared to everyone that you are going to marry Anne!" Richard countered.

Darcy sighed. Richard had a point -- her family was not that different from his. The real reason they could never be together hurt much more: "I was going to offer for her hand, but there was a woman in my bed trying to compromise me after the ball. I am certain it was her; she left a locket behind, which I found the next morning."

"Why would she do that if she already had you smitten with her?" Richard asked skeptically.

"I am certain he did not know how enamored I was with her," Darcy replied.

"He?" Richard asked.

"Wickham! He put her up to this!" Darcy bellowed slamming his fist into the table

"Have you sent him to Australia?" Richard questioned

"Not yet." Darcy replied

"Why not?

"She did not admit they were working together and he will deny it, knowing I cannot send him off in good conscience, without proof." Darcy stated bitterly

"Well, she shall regret losing the most eligible bachelor in England! " Richard said trying to lighten his cousins mood with a joke.

Darcy grunted and poured himself a glass of brandy.

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Longbourn

December 21st, 1811

The Harrington carriage arrived with the Gardiner children: Adam, Lucinda, and Julia, stepped out of the carriage and eagerly greeted their uncle and cousins.

Adam quickly bowed to his cousins of the fairer sex and the adults.

Mary eagerly greeted Lucinda and Julia, followed by Jane and Lizzy.

Alex and Adam greeted each other excitedly, as if they had not just seen each other two weeks prior at school. They were best friends and confidants, since they had been shipped off to Harrow school at age 8. Adam was more reserved and tended to keep Alex out of trouble. Whereas Alex was more rowdy and tended to make sure he had a good time.

The Dovers greeted their extended family members. Kitty stood to the side, waiting for her turn to greet them. Lydia and Mrs. Bennett stayed inside, not bothering to come out for receiving guests.

Kitty was greeted by the Gardiner children and they welcomed her with open arms.

Wanting to burn off some energy from being in a carriage traveling for days, the group collectively decided to go to Meryton immediately after their arrival. Alex begged Mr. Bennet to give him this afternoon off from shadowing their steward, so he could spend time with his cousin. Mr. Bennet agreed. Mr. Dover decided to come along to send off his own post and find a few new editions.

Alex and Adam departed from the group to head to the river bank near Oakham Mount. The girls, along with Mr. Dover, continued to Meryton. Once they reached Meryton, the girls split up from the older gentleman and agreed to wait for him to come get them from the confectioner's. The girls went to the left; Mr. Dover went to the right.

"My, my, my, who do we have here?" a voice said to the girls just before they could enter the confectioners.

They turned around to face Mr. Wickham. He looked at the Gardiner girls curiously.

"Mr. Wickham, we must be going. We are in a rush, I am afraid," Lizzy said, trying to dismiss the rogue. She knew far too much about him and she did not want to let her feelings show that she was on to him. She was not sure of how to expose him quite yet and she did not want him to request an introduction to her younger cousins. Lizzy turned and walked into the shop, and the girls quickly followed, leaving Wickham on the street.

Wickham walked on, but decided to circle back and watch them from afar. The younger girls were dressed quite nicely, and he thought he might be able to get some nice things from them. They were far too young to think about marrying. Or maybe they had a lonely widow for a mother... He would have to watch and see.

Once the girls were safely into the shop, they placed orders for their treats and sat down. The younger cousins wasted no time, and peppered them with questions about what had happened in their absence.

"When does Mr. Bingley plan to return? I would like to meet Dear Jane's suitor," Lucinda asked.

The Bennet siblings looked at each other and grimaced. They sat and explained what had transpired between Jane and Mr. Bingley and his sisters.

Elizabeth thought of mentioning Darcy, but decided to leave it out. She did not want to recount their interaction on Oakham Mount.

Wickham had been watching them for an hour. He was bored. Nothing interesting had happened. Might as well cut my losses, he thought out loud. Just when he was about to leave, he saw a familiar face approach the girls.

He recognized the gentleman from his frequent visits to Pemberley, even though he was dressed less finely, than usual. What was he doing here? And why was he with the Bennets? Wickham watched as he escorted the girls out of the shop and toward Longbourn.

Wickham decided to inquire about the gentleman with the confectioner, Mrs. Baker.

"Hello, Mrs. Baker, how are you doing on this fine day?"

"Quite well, Lieutenant Wickham. What can I do for you?"

"I shall have a lemon tart." Wickham smiled while she prepared his order. "I noticed a gentleman who looked familiar, in here earlier with the Bennets."

"Oh, that's Mr. Dover, their grandfather. He hails from Derbyshire also," Mrs. Baker said, handing him his pastry.

"Ahh yes, I remember now! He used to be a frequent visitor to Pemberley. I have to make sure I say hello during my call," Wickham replied, paying for his pastry and walking out of the door, devising a plan.

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Longbourn

December 21st 1811

The party arrived back at Longbourn to find a grotesquely decorated carriage, adorned with many unnecessary furnishings, in Longbourn's driveway.

"Who does that carriage belong to?" Jane asked.

"I have no idea," Lizzy replied.

"Grandfather, do you know?" Mary questioned.

"It looks strangely familiar," Oliver answered.

"Well I think it's hideous," Lucinda added.

"It must be owned by an churlish lady," Julia remarked.

Everyone turned and looked at her in surprise at her assessment.

"What? No man would bother to decorate their carriage, and no amiable woman would be so gaudy," Julia replied and shrugged.

The group entered the house to hear raised voices.

"Tell me once and for all -- where is your daughter Miss Elizabeth?" a unknown woman said.

"Ma'am you have insulted me, and my family, to the highest extent. You can have nothing further to say to me or my relations; now leave or I will have you removed," Mr. Bennet commanded.

The doors of the drawing room swung open. Mr. Collins was standing with two women who the Bennet and Gardiner children had never seen before. One was and older woman who was ostentatiously dressed. The second could be no more than thirty and was dressed modestly.

"WHICH ONE OF YOU IS ELIZABETH BENNET?" The ostentatious woman demanded. She eyed each of the girls, and finally settled on one. She walked up to Jane and hissed, "It must be you. You are a classic beauty, but I have seen prettier."

Mr. Collins interrupted. "No, your ladyship, that is Miss Jane Bennet. That is Elizabeth Bennet," Mr. Collins explained, pointing to Elizabeth.

Lady Catherine turned and looked at Elizabeth and sneered. "You? You are the one Mr. Collins said is trying to seduce Darcy and make him forget his duty?" She laughed. "There is nothing special about you; you are far too tan, have dark features, and do not possess a delicate frame. He will marry my daughter. What say you?"

Elizabeth was fuming at the insult from the Lady. She was determined to respond in a way to enrage the woman. "Since Mr. Darcy is supposedly marrying you daughter, you can have no reason for suspecting he would make me an offer! If I am as unpleasing as you say, what can make a man want to marry me? Or did Mr. Collins not tell you Mr. Darcy declared he has not, nor ever will be, engaged to your daughter? What say you?" Elizabeth snapped.

Lady Catherine was affronted. "How dare you? I have never been treated as such! I will be satisfied! Has my nephew made an offer to you?" Lady Catherine demanded.

"Your ladyship has declared it impossible." Elizabeth replied smugly.

The second woman smiled slightly at Elizabeth's response.

"Insolent child! You will break whatever agreement you have with my nephew and promise you never again enter into an agreement with him. You will be compensated quite nicely. I will give you £5000," Lady Catherine responded, expecting to be satisfied.

"I will do no such thing. I will take no such offer or make any such promise to someone wholly unconnected to me!" Elizabeth fumed.

Footmen arrived and began to remove Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins from the Bennet household.

"Unhand me! I take no leave of you or your family. I shall ruin you all!" Lady Catherine shouted as she was carried out.

The second woman asked for a moment to speak with the residents of the house.

"Please forgive my mother's rudeness, I am afraid her delusions have gotten quite out of hand." Anne spoke softly, not making any eye contact.

Mr. Bennet replied, "We cannot be held responsible for the actions of others."

Anne nodded and opened her mouth to speak again, but turned at the sound of scuffling at the front door.

"Anne! Where is my daughter? You ruffians better not have caused her any harm." Lady Catherine shouted from outside obviously struggling with the footmen to regain access to the household.

"Good day to you and your family." Anne said quickly leaving the room to go to her mother.

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Longbourn

December 21st, 1811

"What was that about?" Mary asked her father.

"My idiot cousin told his patroness that we were trying to steal Longbourn from him, and she believed him," Mr. Bennet replied, recalling the last hour.

Longbourn

An Hour Ago

"Sir, there is a woman here, with Mr. Collins, demanding entry. I know Mr. Collins is no longer allowed on the premises-"

"Where is Mrs. Dover?" asked Mr. Bennet.

"She is upstairs resting," replied Mr. Hill.

"It's fine, Mr. Hill, let them in. I will receive them in the drawing room," Mr. Bennet responded, rolling his eyes at his cousin's reappearance.

"Mr. Bennet! Why is that odious man here?" asked his youngest sister.

"I do not know, and I shall see, but you and Lydia need to stay out of it. If you interfere with anything, I will ship you off to the Americas."

"How-"

"Not one word," Mr. Bennet commanded.

Mrs. Bennett was visibly frustrated, but did not dare test him.

Mr. Bennet walked into the drawing room to see a woman about his age, dressed in an ornate outfit, with Mr. Collins.

"Cousin, this is my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine De Bourgh-" Mr. Collins was speaking when he was interrupted by Lady Catherine.

"Your drawing room is small."

"I shall knock down the house and build a bigger one," Mr. Bennet replied dryly.

Lady Catherine sneered.

"Mr. Collins has informed me that you are trying to withhold his inheritance from him. What do you have to say for yourself?" Lady Catherine accused.

"I will tell you. as I have already told him -- he is not my heir." Mr. Bennet said.

"Yes, you allegedly have a son, who is your heir. Do you have any proof that he is your child from you and your late wife?"

"About a dozen witnesses. We had a party," Mr. Bennet replied, amused by this interaction.

"Anyone who was not in your immediate family?" Lady Catherine questioned.

"The Doctor, the midwife, and all of the servants."

"Who was the doctor?"

Mr. Bennet replied dryly, "Dr. Hughes -- or now, I believe, he is Sir Hughes."

Lady Catherine was fuming. Sir Hughes was a favorite of the Prince Regent, to look after his father. If that was true, Mr. Collins had no chance at disproving Mr. Bennet's heir, but the Bennets in their small estate could never have the connections to have such a prestigious Doctor.

"Really? Sir Hughes? That is quite a connection for a small landowner," Lady Catherine questioned.

"Yes, we were fortunate enough to make his acquaintance early on, before his station was exalted," Mr. Bennet replied, bored of their conversation.

"You, sir, are a liar, and I will help Mr. Collins gain his rightful place as your heir. The magistrate is a good friend of my brother's. What say you?" Lady Catherine crowed.

Mr. Bennet laughed, as he knew the magistrate too. "I believe that it is time for you to go."

"Not quite. I have a bit of business with one of your daughters, Miss Elizabeth," Lady Catherine announced.

"My daughter is not at home, and even if she was, she would not be speaking with you, ma'am!" Mr. Bennet bellowed, now annoyed with the so-called Lady.

"Where is she? It is of the utmost importance that I speak with her," Lady Catherine demanded.

"It is time for you departure madam," Mr. Bennet answered.

"Tell me once and for all -- where is your daughter Miss Elizabeth?" Lady Catherine demanded.

Mr. Bennet finished recounting the events of the unexpected visitors to his family.

Jane, Mary, and Kitty looked at Elizabeth curiously, with the same question on their minds: why did Lady Catherine assume Lizzy and Mr. Darcy had an understanding?

Elizabeth sighed. She saw the look they gave her and refused to meet their eye. Her obtuse cousin had picked up on Mr. Darcy's affection towards her, when she was clueless all that time. She looked at her father. He seemed to be oblivious of any truth in Lady Catherine's accusations. Her grandparents however were far too perceptive for her liking. They both collectively were observing Elizabeth. Her grandmother whispered to her grandfather. He loudly announced they should move from the foyer to the drawing room.

As they were shuffling to the drawing room, Elizabeth's grandmother walked over to her and pulled her into her father's study before she could be peppered with questions by her sisters.

"What happened between you and Mr. Darcy, Lizzy?"

Lizzy looked at her grandmother and sighed. She could not hide anymore.

She started explaining everything from their exchange of insults at the assembly, to their last exchange at Oakham Mount. When she was done, she hung her head down, waiting for her grandmother's disappointed reply.

Marianne Dover had lived through her daughter's and son-in-law's courtship, and proposal, and thought nothing could surprise her. Boy, was she wrong. She knew Darcy was socially inept, but she could wring his neck for calling Elizabeth a wench and jumping to all sorts of conclusions, all because of his prejudice against Wickham, and Elizabeth for being so prideful and irresponsible; the girl could have asked for help getting back her locket instead of being so headstrong, risking her reputation, and lying. She could lecture Lizzy and Darcy on their respective issues, but then they would never learn. The two of them had to figure this out for themselves. She would not interfere, as much as she wanted to.

Jane and Bingley had an entirely different problem. Marianne hoped dear Jane was not too attached to fickle Bingley. She would end up even more heartbroken once she discovered his true character. She mused that Darcy had told his friend to leave to prevent heartache for the lady; Darcy knew his friend's tendencies. Why they were still friends was beyond her. Lizzy did not know how capricious Bingley's character was. I wonder if he found out about Jane's connections and dowry would be try to get back in her good graces. Ha! Of course he would, just like the social climber he was, she mused. Jane would have to make her own choice on the matter.

Elizabeth sat in front of her grandmother, who was in deep thought. Waiting for her to talk, wondering what she would say.

"Elizabeth, your grandfather was good friends with the late Mr. Darcy, and has a strong affection for the current Mr. Darcy. He invited him to dinner. You will have to tolerate his company for one evening, most likely more, because we do run in the same circles."

Running into Mr. Darcy again in town was something she had expected. She knew her grandparents had friends in high places and suspected that she would run into him. She did not expect her grandparents to be friends with, and approve of, such an arrogant, demanding arse. How could they? She was sure her grandparents were excellent judges of character. Maybe he was only pleasant to people who were of his station? That would explain why her assessment of his character and her grandparents' varied so much. "It is all right. Once we are properly introduced, I am sure, the next time we meet, we can meet as indifferent acquaintances," Elizabeth said unconvincingly to her grandmother.

"Certainly," Marianne replied to her granddaughter, not believing one word of it.

Elizabeth excused herself for the night to go lie down. All the revelations of today had given her an headache. Elizabeth was surprised at her grandmother's response. She was expecting a lecture; She deserved a lecture.

For the first time since she found out about Mr. Wickham's true character, Lizzy thought back to the argument she and Mr. Darcy had on top of Oakham Mount. She realized she made her own mistakes that led to the situation between her and Mr. Darcy.

After speaking with her grandmother and the revelation of who Mr. Wickham really was, she let go of her anger towards Mr. Darcy and tried to see things from his point of view.

She was angry at him attacking her character and reputation, but Darcy had attacked her character because she had lied to him about why she was in the family wing of the house. No wonder he thought she was a fortune hunter; She had the misfortune of getting caught trying to enter his Darcy's room, without cause, she risked her own reputation. If she had not been so eager to get her locket back, she could have thought of a better plan. Or came clean to her father about her and her sisters outing to Netherfield and He could have worked out a better plan.Then, she in response to Darcy attacking her character had taken Wickham's side. There was a complicated history between, them. One he did not share, but Wickham shared all to easily. That should have deterred her from taking Wickham's side so easily. Real gentleman did not air their grievances with each other in a drawing room.Darcy jumped to the wrong conclusions, but with his limited information, it was the only thing that made sense. She could not fault him for that. On the other hand his interference with Jane and Mr. Bingley was unforgivable. Maybe he was right? He was correct in his assessment of Mr. Wickham. But it was not his place to interfere! Mr. Darcy thinks he knows what is best for everyone around him and makes decisions for them, she said thinking back to their argument walking back to Longbourn. When she encounters him in town, she can humble his high handedness and get Jane and Mr. Bingley back together. They need to decide their fates, not their family or friends.

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Pemberley

December 23rd 1811

"Darcy! Richard! I'm glad you both are here," Lord Matlock said, walking into the study, just after his arrival.

"Uncle, welcome," Darcy greeted.

"Father!" Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted as he hugged his father.

"I have news for both of you," Matlock stated "Now, you know how I have been trying to get enough votes to get Catholic reform finished. I have finally been able to make a deal and get it done."

"That's great, father," Colonel Fitzwilliam said.

Darcy nodded in agreement. "That is a huge accomplishment. How did you get the votes?"

"Well, you see, that is where you both come in." Matlock stated.

Darcy and Fitzwilliam looked at Lord Matlock, puzzled.

"I do not follow how we fit into your plan," Darcy stated.

"Oh! In order to get said plan in place, I offered Fitzwilliam as a husband to one of Lord Tillington's nieces."

"What?" Colonel Fitzwilliam shouted.

"Oh, chin up boy, they are pretty girls, and you may decide which one suits you. If you cannot choose, you will marry the eldest."

"Father, I wanted to be a terminal bachelor! I do not have the funds to support a wife," Colonel Fitzwilliam stated.

"Their dowry is substantial," Matlock replied

Colonel Fitzwilliam grimaced at his father.

Darcy roared with laughter at his cousin's situation.

"Darcy did I not mention that you will also marry one of his nieces if you do not find a wife by the end of the season?" Matlock asked with a hint of mirth.

"I am head of my household; I will not be made to marry just any woman," Darcy shouted.

Lord Matlock responded sternly, "This summer, George Wickham was two days away from being your heir. You need to get married and beget an heir." Lord Matlock sighed and continued, "You cannot delay any longer. The longer you wait, the more fortune hunters Georgiana will have to deal with after her debut, because you have yet to secure Pemberley with your line."

Darcy grimaced at his uncle's point. Besides if he didn't find anyone he could love, an alliance match would do. "Fine," Darcy grumbled.

AN: Darcy is the master of Pemberley and without children, Georgiana is his heir to inherit Pemberley (when Georgiana gets married, her husband would have control of the estate, if she inherited. [Yes I'm aware that limited provisions can be placed on an estate, to keep the wife in charge but the law favored men over women at the time, overwhelmingly so that if she fought him in anything he would use the children as leverage or anything that he could as his wife was his property.] Since she almost eloped with Wickham at Ramsgate, and that would have made him Darcy's heir.) Until Darcy gets married and has a child, there is a risk of someone marrying Georgiana and trying to inherit Pemberley by hoping for or planning Darcy's demise.