Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (86 page)

“No, I refused. I feared Lord Wolfbridge would divorce me if Richard and I indulged. Edmund would have had grounds, and he could have thrown me out. By law my fifty thousand pounds was his and he would be free to charm a new wife.” She gazed intently at Elizabeth. “Perhaps one very young and childlike that he could intimidate. I doubt my father would have taken me back. A daughter who had been divorced by a viscount and who had lost the opportunity to become a countess was not part of his dream.”

Her face became harsh. “I just read a novel…
Sense and Sensibility,
by a lady. A story is told that is very reminiscent of mine. A wealthy young woman is in love with her guardian’s younger son. Her guardian forces her to marry his older son who only appreciates her money and is very cruel. I was not forced, but….” Eleanor paused as if she was attempting to make sense of her situation. “The wife is so unhappy, that she gives in to temptation and has an affair. Her husband divorces her, keeps her wealth and throws her out. I have a copy in my room. You should read it as well, because there is also another story of a young woman who is seduced and abandoned and bears an illegitimate child. We are not told any of the particulars of her liaison. Maybe she was not really seduced, but violated as you were. How many young women are raped, but society blames them for the children they bear out of wedlock.”

Elizabeth wanted to change the subject. “So how was little Ricky conceived?”

Eleanor’s smile was back in place with thoughts of the baby’s father. “Last October, Richard returned to Elderton with an injury that would not heal. He had told none of us he was back in England. His mother and I were the only ones in residence at Elderton when he arrived. Edmund and the Earl were in London. Richard returned to a very desperate and demoralized woman who had recently lost a third baby.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I nursed him and he comforted me. We were in the middle of our affair before we thought of the consequences. The plan we put in place was simple. If I had symptoms… and believe me I know the symptoms of being with child; I would travel to London and persuade Edmund to plant some seed. In the end, it was unnecessary to leave Elderton, because Edmund came home for Christmas, just as I noticed the first symptoms.”

The recently widowed Lady Wolfbridge seemed not a bit remorseful for her infidelity. Once again, she lovingly touched her son’s head. “Those six weeks with Richard were the happiest of my life. We were very discreet. The Countess became aware of our ruse but did not disapprove. I don’t think she cared which of her sons fathered her grandchild.”

“What does Lord Elderton think about Eric?”

“The Earl is very happy Edmund was finally successful and left a little viscount as his legacy. Luckily, because of his arrogance and delusions about his son, he has no suspicions.”

“Does Mr Darcy know the truth?”

Eleanor captured Elizabeth’s eyes and smiled. “Yes, Richard told Darcy when they were in Brighton together after Edmund was killed. I thought it important you know as well.”

Eleanor’s face became defiant. “Richard and I are relying on fate to solve our dilemma. Our hope is that he will return from war healthy and honoured. Any promotions he receives, and the friendship and camaraderie he is developing with Wellington and other generals will make the possibility of our ignoring church law and marrying more acceptable.” Quiet laughter was heard as she said her next words. “Luckily for us, ‘Edmund’s’ baby was a boy, and he has become the next Viscount Wolfbridge. Now, we do not have to worry about Richard having a title to complicate our plan. Lady Elderton is finding it much easier to manage Lord Elderton, and my father has gone from being able to brag about me becoming a countess, to saying his grandson will soon be an earl. We do not expect problems with either of them.”

Her good humour dissolved into a moment of reflection by both women. Eleanor leaned over and kissed her son’s brow. Next she looked at the woman whose wedding she would attend in two days time and said, “In the novel I mentioned, men callously ruined the lives of both those women I told you about. I rejoice, because unlike them, you and I will be triumphant. We are loved by honourable men.”

Her spoken sentiment caused Elizabeth to embrace Eleanor and whisper, “You are right, they are the best of men, and we are the luckiest of women.”

The wedding was simple, elegant and joyful. Elizabeth felt just the slightest twinge of doubt at his words to worship her with his body. Her concentration was on his face and the pleasure that registered in his eyes once the declaration of their married state was made. Those who witnessed the event, and who knew the particulars, were filled with the wonder of this most difficult of courtships finally achieving its happy ending.

Bethany and Lewis expressed the desire for siblings to Elizabeth shortly after the ceremony concluded. Sir Walter commented on the beauty of Lizzy’s gown; and she was able to share with him that Lydia had given her the design “just in case” she needed a wedding dress in the near future. Georgiana and Jamie, unbeknownst to each other, had dreams that maybe soon they would wed. Eleanor listened to the vows with thoughts of her soldier returning from this endless war, and taking his place as her husband, and father to Eric.

Darcy knew he had to be patient if she was to heal. Almost every day, he assured her he loved her; and she would never be required to fulfil any marital obligations. On an equally regular schedule, he let her know how much he hoped they would at some point have a complete marriage. His frustration was felt every night when he was alone in his room aware of her presence only a room away. With each day, she seemed to grow more used to him. She readily took his arm when they walked. Embraces were becoming quite common, and he believed they were a source of enjoyment.

Both teased and flirted with the other. Will remembered what she had revealed in her letter about his form. He found many an occasion when he would stand with his back to her so she could observe his broad shoulders, narrow waist and slim hips. His hope was that her admitted flushed feeling would make her want to observe this part of his physique more closely.

Lizzy used her knowledge of those things about her body he admired to win at chess. She inevitably wore the gown with the most revealing neckline when she challenged him to a game. As she slowly deliberated her move, she would bend over so the sight of her bosom was displayed most invitingly. She would then stick her tongue out ever so slightly and lick the corners of her mouth.

He wondered that she did not come barefoot to their contests. If she did, he would have not the slightest chance at being able to defeat her.

Every evening they sat in their shared sitting room and read together. Over the last three weeks since they wed, they had become comfortable sitting together in their nightclothes. Darcy was pleased that she seemed quite interested in his appearance the first time he joined her in his nightshirt and robe. Though she had looked a little startled, his plan was to ignore her apprehension and quickly become engrossed in his book.

Elizabeth had decided to follow his example the following night. She was a little annoyed that she had seemed more curious at his appearance than he displayed toward her. Once he caught her looking at his legs. He had seemed to find her blush and averted gaze humorous. She noticed he quickly hid his amusement but smiled broadly the next time she looked at him.

Will remembered how much she loved to see him smile, and in this current phase of hopeful anticipation, he used his dimples relentlessly. He practiced in the mirror, making sure he did not show his teeth. They were not as perfect as his cousin’s had been, but it was important his smile not remind her of him. Darcy had also become very careful about his scent. Elizabeth had told him more than a year before that Edmund smelled of Port and tobacco, and that had made it difficult to kiss her father because he smelled the same. Darcy had never used tobacco, and he gave up Port completely after she told him of her sensory revulsion. He had been slightly shocked, but ultimately pleased, when she revealed she enjoyed the way he smelled when he came in from riding. The idea of her liking the combination of horse, sweat and leather was somehow titillating and made him very hopeful.

This evening, Elizabeth was reading Mary Wollstonecraft’s
Original Stories from Real Life,
illustrated by William Blake. He had bought a first edition for her as a Christmas present, and she had bought
Thoughts on the Education of Daughters
as a companion to Wollstonecraft’s other work. William knew she was thinking of children as she read these books. He was not sure he agreed with the author, but was pleased with the direction of his wife’s thoughts. It was possible she was only concerned about her current children, but he hoped she was thinking about those of the future.

She had told him Bethany wanted a sister, and Lewis wanted one of each. He asked, “Why did they know to ask you for a brother or sister after we were married?”

“They believe that getting married is what causes children. It certainly is better than thinking they are brought by storks. Georgiana told them that babies come when people get married.” She laughed a little as she continued; “I was devastated when Lord Wolfbridge compromised me. I knew I was no longer chaste, and my humiliation was overwhelming; but I did not apprehend I could be with child. I was barely fifteen, and I too thought you had to be married. I was shocked when my aunt confronted me about having a baby.”

Darcy did not know what to make of her ability to talk about Edmund so casually. He assumed it was a good sign, but was not certain. He wanted her turmoil to be over, and then they could agree never to talk about him ever again. He realized that was probably unrealistic, but he so wanted to spend his life with that joyful creature he had met that evening at the theatre.

This night, as she retired, she told him she wanted to leave the connecting door ajar. She had just finished reading
Sense and Sensibility
by a Lady and there were some things that were troubling. She told him of the young woman named Eliza Williams, who was the ward of a Colonel Brandon, and she was seduced by a rake named Willoughby and abandoned to have her child alone. Elizabeth told him that just when she thought she had successfully weathered the novel’s reminder of her own misfortune, she was confronted by a reference to a young woman who was tragically forced to marry a rake in
Original Stories from Real Life.
She seemed so childlike when she told him she would feel safer with the door open tonight. He thought of his children insisting on candles being left burning at bedtime because there might be monsters under the bed.

Will continued to read after Elizabeth retired. He was actually only going through the motions, because he was unable to concentrate. Their closeness encouraged his desires, and his struggle to remain patient was what occupied his mind. He sat staring into the fire, contemplating his dilemma, when he heard noise from Elizabeth’s bedchamber. It was very faint; but he thought he could perceive soft cries. He moved quickly through the door. Elizabeth was asleep but thrashing about. She was mumbling and occasionally moaning. He drew closer to hear what she was saying.

Her voice was pleading and desperate, but oddly polite, and with all the deference conferred on someone much above one’s station. “Please do not do this. Please, I am afraid. Please, please, please I want to go home. Please stop, you are hurting me. Please do not do this.” She said the same words over and over and she would pause occasionally and moan or cry quietly. Months ago, in the grove at Rosings, she had told him how ashamed she was that she did not fight. She had felt overwhelmed both in body and soul, and described her desperation to keep anyone else from knowing of her humiliation. However, she had never described her actual words or actions. These nightmare phrases painted a heart-rending portrait of an inexperienced girl caught in a trap. He had to do something. He could not bear to see her suffer.

Darcy got down on his knees next to the bed. He whispered soothingly, but felt it ill advised to touch her. “Lizzy, wake up. Dearest Lizzy, you are having a nightmare. Please wake up.” He increased the volume, but with the same calming tone and repeated his refrain. She stopped mumbling and opened her eyes. She stared at him with a startled look on her face; and then averted her gaze, and buried her face in her pillow. He touched her back and stroked it lightly for several seconds. “Elizabeth may I comfort you. I know the Bennet sister method.”