“What?” Fitzwilliam barked. “Why have I not been told of this before?”
“Because we just learned of it after dinner,” Richard replied calmly.
“Learned what exactly?” Fitzwilliam demanded.
“Wickham’s plan,” Richard said.
“How do you know his plan already?” Fitzwilliam asked again.
“He and Miss Bennet were discussing it right before Mrs. Hill. They either did not realize she was present or assumed she could not hear them,” Richard chuckled. “Wickham has never been particularly observant.” Quietly, Richard proceeded to brief both Darcys about what was overheard, and they deliberated strategies for apprehending the duo in the act.
Two nights later,there was an assembly in Meryton. The Darcy party originally planned not to go, but Richard convinced them this was the best way to encounter Miss Bennet and Wickham, allowing both groups to implement their plans.
Unsurprisingly, it was Elizabeth and Lady Anne who finally convinced Fitzwilliam to allow them to put this plan into motion. When Fitzwilliam apprised his wife of Richard’s intentions, he was adamantly against allowing Elizabeth to put herself in harm’s way. However, she had dismissed all his objections, promising to be careful and reminding him that he, George, Richard, and the guards would all be there to ensure Elizabeth was not hurt. She would not eat or drink apart from the food they brought to the event themselves, and several people would be watching Jane and Wickham both before and during the event.
Fitzwilliam was unhappy, and his face had transformed into a stone mask as they travelled to the assembly hall. It was one Elizabeth had seen on occasion before they wed, though rarely since, and she recognized it as a reflection of his discomfort in this situation. He was concerned for his wife, and Elizabeth wasdetermined to force him out of his doldrums before they left their carriage.
“If I had to judge based on the face you are presently making, I would guess you had been forced to marry me and were most displeased by it,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the other occupants of the vehicle.
Her words had the desired effect as he looked down at her, startled. “Never displeased, dearest,” he whispered back. “I love you so very much.”
“Then you must demonstrate it, darling. That scowl you wear gives the impression you are not madly in love. Smile at me; stare at me if you must—but smile!” she commanded.
He emitted a soft chuckle, audible only to her. “I worry for your well-being. My cousin and brother have assured me everything will be well, and they are closely monitoring the situation,” he sighed deeply. “They have made it clear my sole duty tonight is to ensure you have an enjoyable evening. I must admit, I find it challenging to assume the role of jester rather than being granted the opportunity to safeguard you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “You are hardly a jester, dearest Fitzwilliam,” she cajoled. “And you are safeguarding me. You will be by my side all evening; our role is as important as the rest. We must lull them into feeling safe so they will act, and Richard and his men will ensure Wickham will never harm another.”
“But you run the risk of being harmed,” he insisted.
“I do not,” Elizabeth replied. “We have been over this.”
“I do not like it,” he stated.
“I know, but all will be well,” she told him. “Now, let us go into the assembly hall. I want to dance.”
Fitzwilliam struggled to adjust his visage to contentment, and Elizabeth laughed at his effort. Hearing her, he smiled softly as the carriage halted. “I must remember that sound any time I am tempted to frown. You will have to repeat it often to bolster my spirits this evening,” he remarked as he disembarked from the carriage after his mother and brother and turned to assist her. As she placed her hand in his, he promptly kissed it, and his countenance underwent another transformation, now radiating his profound love for his wife.
“That is the expression I hope to witness for the remainder of our lives, Fitzwilliam. When you look at me that way, it will make convincing everyone of our happiness quite effortless,” Elizabeth replied in a soft tone. “Now, ‘once more into the breach’,” she declared with a carefree air.
Entering the assembly hall, Elizabeth was quickly inundated with old friends. She spoke to them all, introducing them to her husband and his family. George and Lady Anne were personable and friendly, while her husband greeted everyone seriously, allowing his wife to speak and charm them. After some time, both Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam observed the arrival of the Bennets, and a palpable tension filled the air between the two groups.
“Will they approach, do you think?” Elizabeth whispered to her husband. “I cannot see them for the crowd.”
“They seem to be discussing it,” Fitzwilliam replied, equally as quiet as his wife. “They are looking this way and gesticulating.” Elizabeth spoke to another former neighbour, and after amoment, Fitzwilliam spoke again: “Ahh, they are beginning to move this way. Your mother is leading the charge.”
“Smile, Fitzwilliam,” she hissed. “We are happy, and they can do nothing about it.”
“Lizzy!” her mother exclaimed as she drew near, her initial warm tone swiftly transitioning into a reproachful one. “I must say, I was utterly astonished to see you here tonight. I am astounded you arrived in Meryton without notifying your family of your presence. Why on earth have you not come to visit us?”
“Mama, you insulted me and my husband when we visited Longbourn after our marriage. You sent me away, asking the Gardiners to be responsible for me since you did not want the bother, and now that I am married, you still think you can order me to come and go asyoudesire. If you did not want to bother with me when I was living in your home, now that I am living with my husband, why would I want to bother with you?” Elizabeth replied in a voice so low that her mother had to lean in to hear it.
Mrs. Bennet was not as circumspect. “You always were an ungrateful girl,” she said shrilly. “How can you treat your mother in this infamous way? You were an unnatural child, and I am certain your husband will quickly see you are not worth his time. He will set you aside, and then he will be sorry he did not choose my most beautiful daughter. He will be sorry he did not choose Jane.”
“Madam, you are grievously mistaken if you still hold that belief to be true. I shall never forsake my wife; I did, in fact, wed your most beautiful daughter. Regrettably, she happened to be the one you never wanted and could never see past your animosity to appreciate her. You have imbued your eldestdaughter with the notion that she is entitled to the finest, but that is a fallacy,” Fitzwilliam hissed, lowering his voice so others could not overhear. “As I understand it, she has been repeatedly reminded that such an attitude can render even the most beautiful woman unattractive. She is entitled to nothing; without accomplishments, she has nothing to offer any man beyond her looks. Few men would settle for a woman devoid of wit, accomplishments, or dowry.”
Mrs. Bennet scoffed. “You are a fool,” she hissed, lowering her voice to match his. “You will regret not marrying my Jane. Lizzy is worthless, always doing the wrong thing, and you will regret it when she cannot give you the son you desire. She is good for nothing, and with her luck, she will only produce girls.”
“My estate is not entailed and may be inherited by any child. Whether we are blessed with sons or daughters, we shall cherish them all. If my wife does not bear me a child, I shall find contentment in spending my life with her. You, madam, are the one in error. It is high time we conclude this conversation,” Fitzwilliam declared, much to his mother-in-law’s chagrin. Nevertheless, she had no further remarks to offer, and upon noticing her neighbours casting disdainful glances her way, she chose to withdraw.
