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Love and Prejudice Chapter 18
Mary rose early with the sun. She found sleep difficult given the events of the previous day. Although she knew she should emulate the members of the household and sleep late in preparation for the evening’s masquerade ball, she could not remain in bed a moment longer. She dressed herself in a simple morning gown and tied her hair into a messy bun that rested at the nape of her neck. She quietly made her way to the breakfast room, greeting maids and footmen that she passed along the way who had long since risen from their beds to prepare for the ball. A few footmen stopped to tell her of their relief that she was well which earned them her earnest thanks and a gentle smile.
Mary was relieved to find the breakfast room empty. She did not yet feel up to facing certain members of the household and she looked forward to the chance to enjoy a light breakfast in solitude. There were no tea things or breakfast foods arranged on the sideboard as Mrs. Reynolds rightly did not expect any of the family or their guests to stir before noon. Mary thought to make her way towards the kitchens in the hopes of finding a sweet roll and a bit of cheese, not wanting to add to the workload of the staff. However, she had not gotten far from the breakfast rooms when a harried April appeared before her.
“Miss Mary,” she curtsied, her voice a bit breathless, “Lucy told me that you were up. I’m sorry that I was not in your rooms to attend to you this morning. I thought that you’d be wanting to rest more.”
“Please, don’t be anxious on my account, April,” Mary replied with a smile. “I was quite capable of dressing myself. At least I think so. I don’t look a fright, do I?”
“Oh no, miss. You look lovely as usual. I didn’t mean to imply…”
“It is alright, April. I was just teasing you. I was just on my way to the kitchens for a bit of breakfast. Don’t let me keep you from whatever you were doing.”
“Oh, it is no bother, miss. Why don’t you have a seat in the breakfast room? I’ll see that some food is brought up for you.”
Mary made to protest as she was shepherded back into the breakfast room, but April would hear none of it. Mary walked towards the window to look over the eastern woods that stood bare of vegetation and covered in snow. She recalled the fear and panic that she felt as she tried to make her way through the woods back to the warmth and safety of Pemberely. Her feet had been numb from trudging through the snow-covered ground in naught but her slippers and she shivered due to her lack of wool wrap, forgotten in her haste to escape the sleigh. While her physical discomfort and anxiety had been great, it had not compared to the ache in her heart. Even the morning after, her mind reeled with shame and disgust over the Viscount’s attack and presumption. His words had been as hurtful as his actions. While Georgiana helped Mary to dismiss the Viscount’s aspersions to her character, she could not so easily disregard the implications he made regarding Richard’s attitude towards her. Georgiana had told her of Fitzwilliam’s response to the news of his brother’s actions. He was as enraged as she expected him to be and his ire served as a rebuttal to the Viscount’s claims that she was nothing more than a flirtation. The last several days had been fraught with doubt and sorrow and Mary felt herself to be nearing her limit.
Mary turned at the sound of the doors being drawn aside, expecting to find servants laden with trays of tea things and pastries. She was surprised to find Richard entering the room instead, his dark blue eyes immediately coming to rest on her figure. Mary noticed the dark circles under his eyes, bearing witness to his own inability to find rest the evening before. His lips broke out in a smile at the sight of her and in two long strides he was before her wrapping her in a tight embrace.
“Mary, it has been far too long since I’ve held you,” he murmured into her hair as he tightened his hold upon her.
“Richard,” Mary sighed as she relaxed into his arms. She thought to say more, but found that her words caught in her throat. She pressed herself tighter against him, taking comfort in his familiar scent and strength.
“Are you well, Princess?” Richard asked after a time. “You cannot begin to know how I’ve worried after you.”
“I am uninjured, Richard.”
Richard released her and brought both of his hands up to cup her face. “He did not hurt you?” he asked as he searched her face.
“No, Richard. As I said, I am well.”
Richard looked at her closely for a moment more, nodding once he was sure of her health, his eyes suspiciously wet.
“I have scarcely known such fear as when you were lost, Princess. Nor have I known such fury as when I heard how my brother imposed himself upon you. I beg your forgiveness for exposing you to such treatment.”
Mary sighed and stepped away from him. “You are not responsible for your brother’s actions.”
“Perhaps not, but I am responsible for my own. I fear that my brother assumed that you…that you were without protection,” Fitzwilliam explained. “I have played the role of fiancé without the title and as a result made you vulnerable to the cruel imaginations of wicked people. I allowed my desires to get ahead of the demands of duty and honor. For that I beg your forgiveness.”
Mary sharply inhaled and struggled to blink back tears at the words “duty” and “honor,” her doubts suddenly confirmed. She felt as if a hot poker had been thrust into her side.
“Oh God, ” she whispered, stepping back and turning from him as she shut her eyes tightly. “Its true.”
“What is true, Mary?”
“You are secretly engaged to Lady Letitia. You have been long before I met you. I didn’t want to believe it, but you have admitted it to be true,” Mary choked out as she worked to keep her tears at bay.
“Mary,” Fitzwilliam exclaimed as he approached her, catching her about the shoulders. “Who has told you these things?”
“I heard it from your fiancé’s own lips,” Mary cried as she shrugged out of his grasp and turned to face him, her eyes accusing. “Do you now presume to deny it?”
“Yes, I do deny it,” Fitzwilliam replied fiercely as he grasped her arms once more. “I have never been engaged to Letitia and I never shall be. It is you whom I love.”
Mary shook her head in denial. “No. You claim to love me, yet you have not spoken to Mr. Darcy to ask for me. Your family thinks that I am your whore. Even Georgiana doubted my honor.” Mary swallowed thickly at the memory of her confrontation with Georgiana and her staunch defense of Fitzwilliam. “Elizabeth warned me to guard my heart, but I did not listen. What a fool I’ve been.”
Mary tried once more to free herself from his hold, but Fitzwiliam only wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to his chest once more.
“Please, let me go,” she begged as she pushed against his chest, her tears now falling steadily. “You don’t have leave to hold me so intimately.”
“Mary! Please hear me,” Richard pleaded, his voice desperate. “Letitia has told you a lie. The only woman whom I would ever wish to marry is you. Indeed, I’ve fought for weeks to gain Darcy’s blessing. If not for that, I would have long ago claimed you as my wife.”
Mary stopped her struggles and fisted her hands into the fabric of his waistcoat as she processed his words. Fitzwilliam held her close, his hold now gentle as he murmured his love and devotion into her hair as she continued to weep. April chose that moment to enter the room with a tray of foodstuffs but soon reconsidered when she realized the intimate moment on which she had intruded. She silently backed from the room at Fitzwilliam’s look of dismissal. Soon Mary’s tears quieted and she lifted her head from his shoulder.
“Then you are not engaged.”
“No, and I have never been.”
“And you wish to marry me.”
“Nothing would please me more,” Richard replied with a gentle smile.
Mary began to cry again causing the smile to drop swiftly from Richard’s lips. His brow wrinkled in concern as he looked down at her.
“Princess, what is wrong?”
“Oh, I have completely ruined it,” Mary cried.
“Ruined what, my love?”
“This moment! I shouldn’t be standing here crying like a blithering idiot. I must look a mess.”
Richard tried and failed to suppress the merry laugh that bubbled up from his chest.
“You have never looked more beautiful, Mary,” Richard replied honestly before kissing her briefly on the lips and laughing once more. “You have yet to answer my question, Princess.”
“I don’t believe you asked me properly,” Mary smiled as she wiped at her cheeks.
“Then let me try one more time.”
Richard dropped to one knee then thought better of it and kneeled on both causing Mary to giggle. He took her right hand in both of his and kissed her knuckles before clearing his throat.
“Miss Mary Caroline Farthington, I have loved you almost from the moment I nearly trampled you with my horse.”
Mary laughed again through her tears earning herself a pleased grin from Fitzwilliam.
“We have not been long acquainted, but it only took me a moment to realize that the beauty of your face and form could only be outshone by the beauty of your spirit. Your bravery, kindness and grace have made you the mistress of my heart. I once pledged my fealty to you as a knight of your realm and offered you my heart, now I offer you my hand and all that I am. I know I have wronged you and been a fool. Indeed, the knowledge that I ever gave you cause to doubt my devotion pains me like a mortal wound. I know that I do not deserve your regard, but I beg your grace all the same. Will you make me the happiest of men and consent to be my wife?”
Mary gazed at Richard’s earnest face, taking in the sight of his moist eyes and furrowed brow. She wiped her eyes with her free hand and tried and failed to stop her tears of relief and joy.
“Yes. Yes, I will marry you Richard Fitzwilliam,” Mary replied with a huge smile before falling to her knees to pepper his face with kisses.
Their combined laughter soon gave way to silence as they employed their lips to better pursuits.
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Mary could barely make it through tea with her composure intact. Richard was speaking with Darcy about their engagement at that very moment. She was finally engaged to Richard and she would soon be Mrs. Mary Fitzwilliam. Mary thought that the name had many fine qualities, not the least of which was the happy coincidence that she would not have to re-embroider the initials on her handkerchiefs. It would be a very convenient union. So great was her joy that not even the disdainful stares of the Viscountess and the thinly veiled insults of Lady Letitia could dampen her mood.
“My dear, I am so happy to see you so well recovered,” Mr. Brambles whispered to her as he sat down on the chaise beside her, a plate of finger sandwiches balanced in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.
“You are too good,” Mary replied with a wide smile as she gently relieved him of his teacup to place on the small table beside her. “There have been enough pleasures today to ensure my good mood for a decade.”
“Yes, the ball should be a most singular event,” Mr. Brambles replied before he bit into a cucumber sandwich. “I’m going as a Moorish sheik! What will your costume be?”
“You shall just have to wait and see,” Mary declared before taking a sip of her tea.
The opening of the drawing room door drew Mary’s attention. She set down her cup, expecting to find Mr. Darcy and Richard returned from their conference to announce the happy news. Mary had to swallow her disappointment when a servant entered the room instead. The footman made his way over to where Mary and Mr. Brambles were seated.
“Miss. Farthington. Mr. Brambles. Mr. Darcy requests your presence in his study.”
“Thank you, Walter.”
Mary rose from her seat and quickly but calmly left the drawing room, Mr. Brambles trailing in her wake.
“I wonder why Mr. Darcy asks to speak with us,” Mr. Brambles stated once he had caught up with Mary on the stairs.
Mary remained silent, suppressing a wide smile as they made their way to Mr. Darcy’s study.
“Mr. Brambles. Mary,” Darcy greeted as they entered his study. He was leaning against his desk, his ankles crossed and his arms resting on his chest. “Please, have a seat.”
Fitzwilliam rose from his seat and was at Mary’s side in three long strides. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles before turning to face a surprised Mr. Brambles.
“Well, I suppose I should just come right out with it,” Darcy replied, somewhat amused by Mr. Bramble’s open-mouthed stare. “My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has proposed to Miss Farthington. She has accepted him and I have given them my consent.”
Mr. Brambles sat speechless for a moment, before bounding up from his chair, his face split in a smile.
“Congratulations, Colonel,” Mr. Brambles said as he vigorously shook the young man’s hand. “Oh, what a wonderful turn of events.”
Mr. Brambles then shook Mary’s hand before grasping her in a warm hug. “Congratulations, Mary. Your father would be pleased with your choice, I daresay. You have chosen yourself a fine young man.”
Mary squeezed Mr. Brambles’ hand before releasing him, conveying her appreciation. “I only wish that father could have met him. I am sure he would have liked him very much.”
Fitzwilliam smiled down at Mary warmly, before grasping her hand tightly in his.
“Well, I expect you’ll be announcing the engagement at the ball tonight? Capital!”
“No,” Darcy replied as he went to take his seat behind his desk. “Which is why I wanted to speak with both of you in private.”
Mary looked questioningly at Fitzwilliam who smiled at her sadly before leading her to a chair. He stood behind her, one hand clasped reassuringly on her shoulder.
“We…Richard and I have spoken at length and we both agree that it would be best to keep your engagement secret for a time. After we have removed to London for the season and you’ve been introduced to the ton, then we will announce your engagement to his parents prior to a general announcement,” Darcy explained.
“I do not understand why we must delay,” Mary replied. She turned to look up at Fitzwilliam, confusion writ over her features. “Is not the ball meant to be my first introduction into society?”
Richard gave her a searching look before turning angrily towards Darcy. “Blast! This was your condition, you explain it to her!”
He quit his place behind Mary’s chair to stand by the fire, a pose Mary had come to equate with his being anxious or upset.
Darcy glared at his cousin’s retreating form before sighing and turning to Mary once more. “I simply think that it would be better to delay the announcement until you have had the opportunity to mingle with more of the ton. Then, once you’ve made a reputation for yourself amongst the ton, we would introduce you to Lord and Lady Matlock. This would give them the opportunity to come to know and admire you on your own merits. Then, after a reasonable passage of time, we would announce the engagement to the family and in the papers. Once they see how society has welcomed you, they can have no objections to the match.”
Mary looked from Richard to Darcy to Mr. Brambles, a frown marring her features as she began to understand their meaning. This was an obstruction that she had managed to allow herself to forget. Had she not told Georgiana that this very impediment made her an unlikely candidate for Fitzwilliam’s affections? However, she allowed herself to be so swept up in the thrill of new romance that she had dismissed the objections of the rest of the world, that is until the Viscount and his family darkened Pemberley’s doors. They daily ensured that she would not forget how proper English society viewed her prospects.
“Ah, I see,” Mary sighed as she rose from her seat to come to stand behind Richard. “It is my person that your parents would find unsuitable.”
Richard turned to face her, grasping her gently by the shoulders. “I don’t care one jot about what my parents may or may not think. It is I who do not deserve you. If I had my druthers, I’d tell all of England of my intentions to make you my wife.”
“Lord Matlock is quite steeped in his notions of family rank and status,” Darcy explained. “They had strong objections to Mrs. Darcy when our engagement was first announced. They felt her family lacked the status and wealth common to our circle. But they soon overcome those objections when they came to know her. It is my hope that with a bit of judicious delay, they will come to welcome you into the family as well.”
“Lord Farthington did not lack for status or wealth,” Mary replied as she eyed Fitzwilliam sadly. “But, unlike Elizabeth, I am not the daughter of a gentleman and I am not white. Status may be overcome with a few well-planned soirees and appearances at St. James. The hue of my skin and the accident of my birth cannot.”
The men all looked very grave, causing Mary to smile mirthlessly.
“Come, now. I may be naïve about many things, but I am not a simpleton. My father sought to keep me ignorant of many of the less pleasant things of this world, but these past few months in England have been quite an education.”
Mr. Brambles stepped towards Mary and patted her hand gently. “Your father was a good man, Miss Mary. He loved you a great deal, but I fear your assessment is correct. Perhaps, in seeking to protect you so completely he did you a disservice.”
“No, I would rather have disappointed hopes than none at all,” Mary replied kindly.
“Mary,” Mr. Darcy began, his voice grave. “You must understand what you may be exposing yourself to by aligning yourself with Fitzwilliam. The ton can be cruel and society may not welcome the news of your upcoming union.”
“I have done well enough without such society so far,” Mary replied. “I shan’t regret the loss of their favor.”
Fitzwilliam took her hand from Mr. Brambles and kissed her fervently on the knuckles. “Nor shall I with such a wife by my side.”
Darcy regarded them somberly. “I know that this is an imposition, but I believe it is for the best. You shall have to wait a few months at the very most. You could marry in the spring.”
Mary squeezed Richard’s hand. A few months seemed like quite a long while, indeed. However, they were finally engaged. For now, that was all that mattered.
“I can accept your conditions, Mr. Darcy, if Fitzwilliam can.”
Fitzwilliam smiled at Mary sadly, before turning to face Darcy. “I must insist that we announce our engagement to our immediate family before the ball. There must be someone to share our joy.”
“Yes,” Mary agreed. “Beatrice and Elizabeth must know and it would not be fair to keep Georgiana in the dark.”
“I see no problem with that scheme. The Petersons, Georgiana and my wife will be told. However, I think it best not to inform the Viscountess or Lady Letitia.”
Richard squeezed Mary’s hand at her sigh of disappointment.
“There is another matter you should be made privy to, Darcy,” Richard began. “The Viscountess and Lady Letitia have been spreading false rumors as to my engagement to Lady Letitia. It is my belief that they may have even had some hand in the debacle with my brother last night.”
Darcy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Spreading rumors? To whom?”
Mary stood numbly, barely hearing Richard’s explanation of the Viscountess and Lady Letitia’s deception and his suspicions regarding how his brother came to share her sleigh in his place. All Mary could think about was their scheme to delay the announcement of their engagement. Mary feared what might occur if Lord Matlock did not approve of her and refused to recognize their engagement. While legally his parent’s objections would have little meaning, would Darcy rescind his blessing? Suddenly she longed for nothing more than to remain at Pemberley with Richard, far from prying eyes, scornful words or judgmental parents. If only they could marry now and avoid the coming trials of the season.
Mary’s levity was soon restored when they returned to the drawing room. Thankfully, Lady Letitia and the Viscountess had already retired to attend to their preparations for the ball. Georgiana was just about to make her way from the room to do the same, when they entered. Darcy stayed her exit with a gentle touch to her back.
“If I could, I would like to make an announcement of some import,” Darcy began once Georgiana retook her seat. “This morning my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam proposed marriage to Miss Farthington. She happily accepted and I have given them my consent.”
Richard took Mary by the hand as they awaited the reaction of their friends and family. The company was stunned into silence for a short moment before Beatrice’s cry of delight and Elizabeth’s enthusiastic clapping provoked the room into action. Mary and Richard soon found themselves swarmed by their friends. There was much laughter, slaps to the back, vigorous handshakes, warm embraces and kisses to the cheeks and hands. Mary found her disappointment quite overwhelmed by the joyful response of her family. Georgiana’s affectionate embrace and heartfelt smile further warmed Mary’s heart. She glanced over Georgiana’s shoulder to see Derek watching them, his green eyes warm. Mary hoped that she would be in the position to offer her friend similar congratulations in the near future.
“Before we all retire to our preparations,” Darcy continued once the expressions of felicity died down, “I would like to make one request. Please keep your knowledge of the engagement private. We will make a formal announcement to the family and in the papers sometime before the spring.”
Elizabeth regarded her husband with a look that expressed her intention to have more words on the subject at a later time. Beatrice looked confused for a moment before she stepped forward and patted Mary’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Well, you can be assured that I’ll keep my own counsel, Mr. Darcy,” she replied as she looked from Darcy to Mary. “I am just so happy for you, dear. Have you both thought of when you’d like to marry?”
“As soon as humanly possible,” Fitzwilliam replied, earning himself a delighted laugh from Beatrice and a grin from Mary. “By the end of the spring, at the very latest.”
“Oh, then that would mean you could not summer with us in Brighton,” Beatrice replied, genuine disappointment turning down the corners of her lips.
“I must admit that I have not even thought that far ahead,” Mary confessed. “I still cannot believe that we are actually engaged! I fear it is all a dream and I shall wake on the morrow a disappointed woman.”
“Forgive me, Mary. I fear I am just a selfish old woman,” Beatrice smiled. “Of course you have not yet considered such things. Oh, you shall be Mrs. Mary Fitzwilliam. How well that sounds!”
“You and Mr. Peterson are more than welcome at Darcy House this season,” Elizabeth offered. “I am sure that Mary would appreciate your presence and advice when it comes to all of the wedding planning.”
“Oh, yes, Beatrice,” Mary enthused. “I would so love the chance to know more of you and Derek even if we are to be parted this summer. Consider it, please.”
After several assurances from Beatrice and Derek that they would do just that, the party dispersed to their respective chambers to begin their personal preparations for the ball. Mary lingered behind with Fitzwilliam, inordinately pleased that they could now conspire to have a moment alone without fear of censure. As soon as Elizabeth exited the room, a pleased smirk playing about her mouth, Mary grasped Fitzwilliam by the lapels to bring him close for a proper kiss.
“I hope you believe me when I say that this is not what I would have wished,” Fitzwilliam began once they parted. “I would rather we both be away to Gretna Green than abide by these conditions. I have been a very patient man as it is.”
Mary ran her fingers through the black curls at the nape of his neck. “And I would gladly go with you to Scotland. But, it will all be worthwhile when we are finally wed with our friends and families in attendance.”
Richard closed his eyes and sighed at Mary’s gentle attentions, before dropping his chin to rest his forehead against hers.
“I suppose that you are correct, my lady,” he murmured, causing Mary to chuckle. “But once we are wed, I reserve the right to abscond with you to whatever foreign land I please.”
“I’ve always been curious to visit India,” Mary mused.
“Perhaps, but I fear I am less curious about the heat and mosquitoes,” he quipped. “I was thinking more about a lovely villa on the Greek isles far from the rush and noise of London and the ton. We’d go swimming everyday and I’d have my wicked way with you every night.”
Mary gasped and hit him playfully on the chest. “We could go to New Sussex,” Mary replied after a time. “The sands are just as white and the waters just as clear. We could walk the shore every day and sleep in the open air.”
Richard cupped her face as he gazed at her, his blue eyes bright with affection.
“I would find such a scheme more than agreeable. Perhaps we could go there and leave England far behind.”
****************
“Are you sure this plan will work, Daniela,” Lady Letitia whined as her cousin worked to gently loosen the stitching along the bodice of her gown.
“For the hundredth time, yes,” the Viscountess replied, her tone thick with irritation. “If you follow my instructions to the letter the plan cannot help but be successful.”
The Viscountess stepped back and observed her handiwork with her hands resting on her hips. “Now, that should do nicely. With one good tug the fabric should rip cleanly and leave you sufficiently exposed.”
“Really, Daniela, is this necessary?”
“You are the one who insists on having the Colonel, not I,” the Viscountess replied as she donned her brightly feathered mask. “Since you could not hold your tongue long enough to seduce him properly, we are forced to act as pirates. Now, tell me what you are to do.”
Letitia sighed dramatically before rolling her kohl-lined eyes. “Just prior to the supper set, I am to make my way to the library which should be quite deserted. You will have a servant call Colonel Fitzwilliam to the library. When he arrives, I fall into his arms and rip my dress.”
“And then I arrive with Darcy to discover my brother-in-law’s scandalous behavior. Darcy is outraged and forces him to offer for you.”
“And we live happily ever after,” Letitia finished with a flourish.
“Hmmm,” the Viscountess replied as she moved to examine her costume in the mirror. “Something like that. Just be sure that you are not seen when you make your way from the library.”
“How I am supposed to manage such a thing as that?” Letitia complained.
“Goodness! I can’t do everything for you. You’ll just have to manage. Do your part, dear cousin, and you’ll get what you deserve.”