Mr. Darcy's Bite (19 page)

In the midst of all the hubbub caused by the wedding preparations, Lizzy could almost forget that the man who would shortly be her husband was also a werewolf, but when the snow started to fall on the morning of December 22nd, Lizzy was jolted back into the reality of a life lived by the lunar calendar and the necessity of reaching Pemberley by the afternoon of the twenty-eighth.

“Elizabeth, I know what you are going to say,” Darcy said as soon as they were behind the closed doors of the sitting room. “You are concerned about the weather, and because I know that you worry about such things, I am going to tell you exactly what will happen in the next few days.” They walked hand-in-hand to the sofa.

“Because of the snow, we will leave early on the morning of the twenty-fifth. This is now a hard and fast date, and all entreaties for us to remain must be firmly rejected. We will leave Netherfield at dawn, but we will not have far to go—only about twelve miles—where we will change from my carriage to a coach. Mercer has already left to see to these arrangements.

“The ride will be less comfortable than in my carriage, but the coach can go faster and will have horses better suited to our purpose. Our first night will be spent with Mr. and Mrs. Gowland. Although they are paid by the Council, you are not to engage them in conversation. You will call me sir, and you will be addressed as madam. Georgiana is miss, Mercer is my manservant, and Metcalf is the coachman. No names are to be used. I have stayed with the Gowlands before. The rooms are small, but clean, and their home is amply provisioned.

“I am afraid that you and Georgie will be very tired from traveling, but we will leave first thing in the morning and press on to my aunt Marguerite's house. Weather permitting, we will stay there just the one night before leaving for Pemberley. If all goes well, we will arrive home with plenty of time to spare. If necessary, I can transform at Ashton Hall. I have done so on three occasions, so a plan is already in place. Since Jeanne and George Wimbley are in town, there is only Aunt Marguerite in residence, and she knows what to do.”

All the while Darcy was talking, Lizzy was holding his hand, and she felt as if she had not taken a breath since he began speaking. He was making it sound as if every contingency had been considered, but what if the snow prevented them from reaching the Gowlands' refuge?

“There is another Council house along the route, but I would more likely take you, Georgie, Metcalf, and Mercer to an inn, and I would stay outside.”

Lizzy shook her head, and tears began to pool.

“Darling, please remember that I spent two years near Hudson Bay. By the end of my first winter, I lost a quarter of my weight, but I survived. If I can survive in one of the most hostile environments in the world, I can spend two nights in the woods in the English countryside, but I do not think any of those things will happen. We had a light dusting of snow this morning and nothing since. I am taking all of these precautions because of you.”

But when her expression remained unaltered, he continued. “Elizabeth, I would never have asked you to marry me if I did not think you were strong enough to deal with my altered state and all that goes with it. You are afraid for me because everything is new to you, but after a few nightfalls, you will not give it a second thought. My sister is an example of this. While you are sitting here worried, Georgiana is at Netherfield playing cards with Jane and Bingley.

“However, there are things you can do to help. When we are this close to nightfall, I will ask that you do everything I ask as soon as I ask it. If I say we must leave now, please stand up and leave with me. If I say that you must remain and I must go, you must not argue. Do you understand?”

Lizzy nodded because she could not speak.

“Elizabeth, the day after tomorrow, we will marry unless…”

And Lizzy put her fingers to his lips, “Entreat me not to leave thee or return from following after thee; for wither thou goest…” But that was all she could manage to get out before he pulled her into his embrace.

***

The following morning, while Jane and Lizzy were discussing the next day's nuptials in their once-shared bedroom at Longbourn, Bingley and Darcy were visiting with Mr. Bennet, who was trying to stay clear of his wife. Mrs. Bennet was running hither and yon but in her husband's opinion, to little effect, and so he had lured the two young men into his study for a discussion of Napoleon's expansion of his empire on the Continent.

While the men plotted strategy for military campaigns, the sisters discussed a much more important subject and one that was foremost on the minds of all brides. What would her wedding night be like? Jane confessed that first night she had found the whole ritual to be embarrassing and that she had insisted Mr. Bingley extinguish the one candle that had been left burning so that she would not bang into something if she needed to use the chamber pot during the night.

“I would rather have had a bruise the size of a goose egg than for Mr. Bingley to see me without any clothes on.” With that statement, the giggling began. Jane assured Lizzy that although there was some discomfort, the deed was done in just a few minutes. “But I should warn you that the scene was repeated during the night and again in the morning. You could say that the sun and Mr. Bingley rose at the same time.” The sisters collapsed onto the bed laughing. “By the time I got out of bed to see to my toilette, I was an old hand at it.”

But Jane's laughter ceased when Lizzy informed her that Mr. Darcy and she would leave Netherfield Park immediately after breakfast on the twenty-fifth, and her response was exactly as anticipated.

“But why must you depart on Christmas morning? Is it absolutely necessary for you to leave for Pemberley the day after you are married? I do not understand the need for such haste.”

“Mr. Darcy promised his aunt Marguerite, who lives near Leicester, that we would visit. Lady Ashton is the elder Mr. Darcy's sister and the only one left from that generation of Darcys.”

“That is all well and good, but why must you see her at this time?”

“Because Mr. Darcy wishes it, and I am agreeable to it, and that is all there is to be said.” Lizzy said this in a harsh tone, but it was necessary for her sister to know that this was not a subject open to discussion. “Jane, if Mr. Bingley had asked you to do this on the day after your wedding, you would not have said no. I do not wish to begin our marriage by denying my husband the first thing he has asked of me.”

“Well, I hope that Mr. Darcy will allow you to return to Longbourn when I am near my confinement,” Jane said with a catch in her voice.

“Oh, Jane, please. I would not miss the birth of Baby Bingley for anything. I shall be here. I promise.”

But Jane was now clearly unsettled. “Please forgive me, Lizzy, but there is something I must say, even at the risk of offending you. I have thought for some time that there is something unusual about Mr. Darcy. I cannot put my finger on it, but he has a tendency to stare. When he does, it is almost as if he knows what a person is thinking. The other night, just as I was about to ask Mr. Bingley to bring me a cup of tea, Mr. Darcy went and poured a cup for me, saying that he could tell that I was thirsty. Another time, he retrieved my fan because he knew that I was overly heated when I had said nothing about it. It was very kind of him, but I swear he sensed…”

“I understand why you have that impression,” Lizzy said, interrupting, “but contrary to what you think, Mr. Darcy is not staring at you but through you. I have mentioned this to him, and he is trying not to do it. But old habits are hard to break. I think part of the problem is that you are comparing Mr. Darcy's quiet nature to that of Mr. Bingley's more animated disposition, but one should not be criticized for being overly attentive to another's needs.”

“You do understand that I only want what is best for you.” Jane began to cry, which was something she was doing quite frequently now that she was in her sixth month.

“Then your wish has been granted as I
do
have the best. Mr. Darcy and I are perfectly suited to each other. He loves me deeply, and when I am with him, there is no one happier than I am.” Lizzy stood up and offered her sister assistance in rising. “Now, you must return to Netherfield Park. Tomorrow is my wedding day, and you are my matron of honor. I want you well rested so that you will enjoy the wedding breakfast. I do believe that half the county is attending.”

“Only half?” Jane said, smiling, and she went in search of Charles just as Darcy came looking for Lizzy.

“If you are beginning to think about what you will need for our journey,” he whispered, “make sure you have your gloves, muff, boots, extra stockings…”

“Sir, you have told me what to expect, and I shall pack accordingly. You should really take your own advice and stop worrying. Since my mother has turned our wedding breakfast into a spectacle to rival a harvest festival, I plan to enjoy myself.”

By this time, Georgiana had come downstairs, accompanied by Kitty and Mary. The siblings had already received an invitation from Mr. Darcy's sister to come to Pemberley in the spring.
After nightfall
, Lizzy said to herself, and she realized that every plan she made would have that contingency attached to it.

After seeing the Bingley carriage turn out of the drive, Lizzy pulled her shawl tightly around her and looked up into an obsidian sky punctured with a thousand points of light and a waxing moon poised over a distant wood. Although Mr. Darcy had told her that in time the rising of a full moon would not merit a second thought from her, she knew differently. The welfare of her husband and her family depended on her being acutely aware of the moon's every phase.

Thank you, Mama,” Lizzy said as her mother tightened her stays, “but Jane and I have already had this conversation.” She could hardly believe that her mother had chosen the morning of her wedding day to have “the talk” with her daughter.

“But you might encounter a very different situation than Jane's as Mr. Bingley is of a slight build when compared to Mr. Darcy, so…”

“Mama, at this point, there is nothing to be done, and I wish to enjoy my wedding day without thinking apprehensively about my wedding night.” Lizzy gave a silent prayer of thanks when Kitty arrived and handed their mother a letter.

“Oh dear!” Mrs. Bennet said after briefly scanning its opening paragraph. “It is from Lydia. She will not be coming to the wedding after all, as there are no funds to pay for her coach fare. It is too bad that she did not write sooner as there is nothing to be done now.” She continued perusing the letter. “Oh, goodness me! There is more news. Lydia is to be a mother, and she expects to be delivered of her child in midsummer. How wonderful! I shall be a grandmother twice over in the new year.”

Lizzy made no comment. Her sister's announcement that she was with child should have been joyfully received, but how could it be when it was coupled with the news that she did not have enough money to pay the coach fare to come to her sister's wedding. As her father had so succinctly put it at the time of Lydia and Wickham's marriage, “Lydia has married one of the most worthless men in Great Britain.” No good could come out of such a union, and the letter proved it.

But then Mrs. Bennet burst forth with the happy news that Lydia would shortly be coming home, as Mr. Wickham's regiment was to go to fight in the Peninsular campaign. With Wickham gone, there was no point in Lydia remaining in Newcastle. Although her mother was happy that her youngest daughter would be coming back to Longbourn, Lydia's sisters were not, not even Kitty, who had learned a lesson from her sister's mistakes. Everyone understood that with Lydia's arrival the house would be topsy-turvy once again. But this gray cloud did have a sliver of a silver lining for Lizzy: Mrs. Bennet had left the bedroom to share the good news with Mr. Bennet, and all discussion about Mr. Darcy's size had come to an end.

***

Darcy had been up since dawn, and with Mercer gone to see to the arrangements for their journey, he had to dress himself, which was no hardship, except for the damn neckcloth, and he enlisted Bingley's assistance in tying the knot.

“We are all fools to have that peacock, Beau Brummel, dictate fashion,” Darcy complained. “This thing around my neck is little different from the bows that Georgiana wore in her hair when she was a little girl. Why must it be so complicated?”

“Calm down, Darcy. You know that this has nothing to do with your neckwear. You are a nervous bridegroom, and there is no need to take your frustration out on poor Mr. Brummel.”

“You mock me, Bingley, and having been in my position, what, seven or eight months ago, you should be more sympathetic.”

“I do not recall being this nervous—certainly not about the ceremony. Perhaps you are looking past the festivities to your wedding night.”

“Why do you say that?” he asked anxiously. “What do you think will happen? Will it be unpleasant?”

“Not for you, it won't.”

“Damn it, Bingley. I am not here for your amusement.”

Bingley found it difficult to suppress his laughter, but since his friend was in desperate need of calming, he told Darcy of his own wedding night, including the darkened room, Jane with the covers up to her nose, his wife lying in their bed as stiff as a board, and fumbling about in the dark.

“But, Darcy, you have to allow that it is a rather curious thing for a woman. Jane and I were not permitted to be alone at any time during our courtship, but on our wedding night, she is supposed to be comfortable disrobing in front of a man? Not likely. You will find that it takes patience and a great deal of talking about love.”

“I am finding this whole business of the terrors of the wedding night to be ridiculous. Why should a woman hide beneath the covers in trepidation of a physical act that has gone on since the time of Adam and Eve? It is a part of the natural order. Men and women were created so that they might reproduce. ‘Be fruitful and multiply.' It is a Biblical injunction.”

“Is that what you are going to whisper in Elizabeth's ear? ‘Darling, I come to you tonight by Biblical injunction, so that we might reproduce.'”

And even Darcy had to see the absurdity of his statement. “I cannot wait for this day to be over.”

***

Darcy decided to follow Bingley's suggestion and have a glass of wine, and he had just poured himself a tall one when Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Netherfield. Because Richard had been unsure if he would receive permission to leave his regiment, Darcy was more than pleased when his cousin entered the room. However, his pleasure was short-lived because right behind him was Antony, Lord Fitzwilliam.

“Oh, God, just what I need,” Darcy said to himself, and he added more wine to the glass.

Antony immediately sought an introduction to Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, and it was quickly apparent why women loved this irredeemable rascal.

“Mrs. Bingley, I had the good fortune to make your sister's acquaintance while in town, and I thought, what a beautiful young lady my cousin is to marry, but here I come to find that Miss Bennet has a golden-haired equivalent residing in the country.” He continued on in that vein, and although Jane had been told about the black sheep of the Fitzwilliam family and his shameless flattery, she could not help but smile, especially since she was in need of compliments as she felt as wide as a barn door.

As much as he was enjoying the company of the lovely Mrs. Bingley, Antony tore himself away so that he might speak with his cousin to reassure him that he had not come to make mischief.

“Darcy, I promise to be on my best behavior. Besides, I do not think there is anyone here to misbehave with, so I shall limit myself to flirting with Mrs. Gardiner.”

Darcy rolled his eyes but decided it was best not to say anything. It only encouraged him.

“Oh come, Darcy, don't give me that look. I daresay Mrs. Gardiner enjoyed my winking at her. I do not know of any woman who does not like to be reminded of a time when a man flirted with her. Such little pleasures keep one young. But I have come with only one purpose in mind and that is to wish you joy. Honestly, I did not think you would ever marry.”

Darcy gave his cousin a sideways glance. “Why not?”

Antony looked about to see if their conversation could be overhead before continuing, “Because your wife would have to be a very special person, now wouldn't she?”

“What are you talking about?” Darcy asked, as he felt his heart quicken. Had Richard betrayed him by telling his blabbing brother of his situation?

“I know that you do not have a high opinion of me, Darcy, and with good reason. You think that I am incapable of keeping a secret, but I have kept yours for eight years.” Following Darcy's eyes as he looked across the room at Colonel Fitzwilliam, he continued, “Richard did not tell me. It was Anne.” At first, Darcy felt his heart sink, but knowing what an incurable gossip the earl was, Anne must have had a good reason for revealing so dark a secret.

“Do you remember the time when Anne was so ill that she thought she was going to die?” Darcy nodded, and a vision of Anne lying in her bedroom at Rosings fighting for every breath appeared before him. It was only by God's good grace that she survived. “It was then that she asked me, as the head of the Fitzwilliam family, to take care of you. So I have watched you all these years from a distance, and as far as I could tell, you required no assistance from me. But when I learned from Anne that you were engaged, I was concerned—for both of you—which is why I called on Miss Bennet while she was in town.”

“You have no reason to be concerned on Elizabeth's account. She knows everything as she has seen me in my altered state.”

“Then I have nothing else to say except to offer my congratulations to you on finding true love,” Antony said. “In my short visit with Miss Bennet, I saw something: a strength of will and character. And I knew that you had found the perfect wife, and I envy you that. But I want you to know that if either of you ever needs assistance, I will be there to help you in any way I can. I also want you to know that I will take your secret to my grave. Not even Richard knows that I know. The less said, the better, even to my brother. Let me conclude by saying how much I admire you. Something like that would have brought a lesser man to his knees—me, for instance.”

Antony took out his pocket watch and showed it to Darcy. “You have about one hour before you leave the ranks of one of England's most sought-after bachelors. Do you know how many hearts you are breaking by marrying Miss Bennet? Alexandra Banbury has taken to wearing dark colors.”

“How is it that anyone in town knows I am to be married? I have made no announcement.” Antony looked at the ceiling, studied his nails, straightened his collar, and in every way looked uncomfortable. “You cannot help yourself, can you?” Darcy asked.

Antony merely smiled, but as he started to walk away, Darcy pulled him back. “You and I have had our differences, but you should know that if I did not care, I would not bother.”

“Of course, I know that, but as for our having differences, I know your lectures are for the purpose of making me a better man. However, I have no intention of reforming. Our time on earth is so short that it would be a sacrilege to go through life as a virtuous prig. Now, here comes my brother, so I shall have a glass of wine.” The brothers bowed in passing.

“Good grief, Darcy. You are not even a married man yet, and you are already mellowing. That is the longest conversation you have had with Antony in years, and you only rolled your eyes once. That is a record, I am sure.”

“There are times when he can actually be helpful. I assume you came in Antony's carriage, so if he was the only means of your getting here, I am glad to have him. But where the devil did you stay last night?”

“At the coaching inn, the Roost, about four miles from here.”

“I cannot picture Lord Fitzwilliam sleeping on a well-worn mattress in a coaching inn.”

“You do not have to picture such a scene because he did not sleep on any mattress. He came prepared with his own pillow and blanket, and after spreading out his overcoat, he lay down and went right to sleep. So I slept in the bed and escaped without so much as one bedbug bite.

“On another matter, on the way up to town,” the colonel continued, “I stopped at Rosings Park and visited with Aunt Catherine and Anne, and our cousin looked very well; she was lacking that gray pallor she usually has in the winter. She sends you her love and is looking forward to visiting Pemberley in the spring.”

“Did Aunt Catherine have a message for me?” Darcy asked.

“Actually, she said that she hopes the weather stays fine—not necessarily for you, but for everyone, and there is reason to hope that she will come around. Apparently, after Georgie and you left, Anne and her dear Mama had a long talk, and Aunt Catherine stated that she hopes you will be happy. Although she doubts you will achieve domestic felicity, she wishes to be proved wrong.”

Darcy nearly spit out his wine. “Aunt Catherine wishes to be proved wrong? Yes, and Antony wishes to stop sleeping with married women.”

“However, bringing up a touchy subject was not my reason for making my way over here. I have come to execute my responsibilities as your best man and to make you aware of the time.”

“Richard, I can hardly believe it. I am actually getting married.” Darcy's whole demeanor changed at the thought of his marrying Elizabeth. “Just like any other man, I shall have a wife and family. I did not think…” Darcy could hear the catch in his voice and looked away from his cousin.

“Come on, old boy,” Richard said, slapping Darcy on the back. “We are to church, as your bride awaits.”