My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (8 page)

Lizzy's comment on Mr. Collins shall not be repeated here.

Dinner itself went well enough. The food was marvelous, Raul and Miss Anne made doe eyes at each other throughout, Lady Catherine's face pruned
increasingly, Rev. Collins waxed philosophical on the virtues of chastity and morality, Mrs. Collins and Col. Fitzwilliam and I hid our smiles, and the palpable tension nearly manifested physically. As I said, it was stupendous!

As we rose from the table, Raja requested to speak alone with Lady Catherine. She demurred, pointedly stating that anything he wished to say could be said in front of us all. I tried to have the good grace to look embarrassed, but simply could not muster the emotion. Raja was prepared for any eventuality, so her presumptive hope to unman him failed. Upon arrival in the parlor, he boldly asserted himself, Miss Anne sitting with quiet grace but steady strength. I think I can closely relate the entire conversation:

'Lady Catherine,' Dr. Penaflor began, 'I am sure you are aware that Miss de Bourgh and I have grown friendly over the course of our acquaintance. Although initially my interest was as a physician and strictly professional, I soon realized that my respect and admiration for her as a person had risen. With each passing day I am amazed at the intelligence, kindness, grace, and humor that are only a fragment of the positive attributes that your daughter possesses. I am beyond fortunate to have met her and would appreciate your permission to formally court her with the definitive intention of securing her hand in matrimony when, or if, she deems me worthy of her.'

"Very well done," Darcy murmured. "Yes," Lizzy responded, "well thought out as all the right things a girl needs to hear to render an affirmative response to a proposal." She laughed, patting her husband's red cheek.

'That is a wonderful speech, Dr. Penaflor. What assurance can you offer me that any of it is the truth?'

'Time, Lady Catherine, will prove the truth of my words. I am honorable and a gentleman. I would not state such praise in the presence of a lady without fully meaning it; however, I shall take no offense as you do not know me well. Therefore, time and permission to intrude upon your home is requested so all parties involved can feel certain of the relationship.'

'Tell me, Dr. Penaflor, as a gentleman claiming to care for my daughter, do you account a mere doctor as adequate to husband the daughter of a lady?'

'I suppose the answer depends on what you consider an adequate husband. My profession, my lady, is of no import in regards to my love for her, and my desire to ensure her happiness and welfare. That comes from my
heart. If you are referring to monetary issues, I assure you I can more than adequately provide for her needs.'

'What you really mean is that in marrying her you will not have to worry about money!'

'Mother!' Miss de Bourgh declared, but Lady Catherine and Dr. Penaflor ignored her.

'What I mean, Lady Catherine, is precisely what I said. I can more than adequately provide for her needs.'

'How do you expect to do that on a doctor's income? I do not know what the status of physicians is in Spain, but in England they barely scrape a living!'

'Lady Catherine, allow me to make several things perfectly clear for all our sakes. First, I am proud of my chosen profession and will make no apologies for it. I am not a doctor for the financial benefits, although I do not see that aspect as bleakly as you do. Secondly, Miss de Bourgh is a great lady and as such deserves only the best. If I did not think I could provide this, I would not offer, no matter my feelings. You asked if a mere doctor was worthy of your daughter and I would concur that the honest answer in light of English societal mores would be no. My personal opinions of this fact are inconsequential as I have qualification beyond my calling.'

'What sort of qualification could a vagabond from Spain possibly possess?'

Raul smiled, glancing to Miss de Bourgh and then to me. Here comes the humorous part, but I also know Raja, and he abhors touting his connections. Few know anything beyond that he is a Spaniard. 'Lady Catherine, my father is Duke Manuel Penaflor Aleman de Vigo. My mother is now the Duchess de Vigo, but was born an Infanta of the royal house.'

He went on for quite a bit, outlining all the various interconnections in his family, none of which I can unravel and remember. All the while Lady Catherine's face was paling further. Frankly, I drifted off for a spell as I always do when Raja elaborates on his family relationships. I was brought to wakefulness by the blessed sound of utter silence. Now, Elizabeth dear, do not read this next part as I intend to reveal my evil nature, and as you esteem me nearly god-like in your adoration, I would hate to burst your bubble.

Lizzy dissolved into laughter, wiping tears from her eyes as she gasped, "Oh William, I so adore your uncle!" Darcy smiled, offering his handkerchief.

William, your aunt was white as a ghost and stammering inarticulate noises. Col. Fitzwilliam was red as a beet in an attempt to not laugh, Mrs. Collins stared into her lap with magnetic intensity, Rev. Collins was gazing at Raul with pure worship, and Miss de Bourgh was glowing with pride. I am quite certain he could have dropped to one knee and secured her hand on the spot. Anyway, I could not tear my eyes from Lady Catherine. I have rarely known such joy! She was completely at a loss for words, so I bluntly filled the gap.

'Well, Catherine, seems to me that Dr. Penaflor outranks you. My, my, my. What shall you do? Cannot very well withhold consent to a genuine royal, can you?' Yes, yes! I enjoyed myself immensely and could only wish with all my being that James were there. Lord, how he disliked Anne's sister!

Well, there you have it. I know you continued to read, Elizabeth, so can only pray you still love me and want these hands to deliver your baby. Lady Catherine eventually consented to Raul's courtship and I departed two days later for London, leaving Raja to his pursuits. Have not heard from him since but suppose I shall need to find a new associate. Col. Fitzwilliam accompanied me, and we two bachelors managed to have a bit of fun ere my departure to Devon. Do not worry, William, Mrs. Smyth would not allow me to ransack Darcy House too profoundly. It remains largely intact.

"Better be or there shall be hell to pay," Darcy murmured with a smile. Lizzy was dazedly imagining the vision of a pestered and flustered Mrs. Smyth with no small amount of pleasure.

The family here in Honiton greets you both. They have nothing but praise for Elizabeth, to all of which I wholeheartedly concur, and entreat me to send their congratulations on your blessing. I do pray your child is half as adorable as Cousin Nicole's two. They have the roundest brown eyes and are simply sweet enough to eat! Naturally they love me and I am having a marvelous time. However, I will return to Pemberley in late September, or sometime in there. I deem it only polite to visit with Mrs. Smyth again for a spell as I am sure she misses me greatly. I do hope all is well with you
both. Enjoy your holiday at the seaside. Oh, I nearly forgot! Mrs. Collins's pregnancy is progressing nicely, not that we spoke of it, naturally, but I could readily discern that all was well. She is a delightful woman. So warm and humorous. She spoke of you, Elizabeth, with tremendous affection. We had no opportunity to speak privately, not that this would have been appropriate, but I wanted you to know her status.

With deepest regard and love to you both,

George, alias Dr. Darcy for you, Elizabeth

Darcy was grinning as he folded the letter. Glancing into his wife's dreamy face, he reached to brush the backs of his fingers over a velvet cheek. "Do not fear, love. I am positive our baby shall be the loveliest on the face of the earth."

Lizzy laughed, turning to kiss his knuckles. "Yes, surely. However, I was lost in the delicious vision of a harried Mrs. Smyth." She sighed deeply, an evil twinkle in her eyes.

Darcy assumed a stern face, although his eyes twinkled as well. "How unbecoming of you, Elizabeth Darcy. I am aghast."

Lizzy merely laughed further while Darcy rose to deposit the letter onto his desk. They sat in his study, the late afternoon August sun blazing through the open windows. No breeze was forthcoming and had not been for days upon days, therefore the room was stifling. Lizzy wore the thinnest dress she could find, refusing a petticoat thicker than the sheer muslin one, which meant that her legs did show slightly, but she was tolerably cool. She observed her husband, dressed to the nines although in a light kerseymere, and wondered for the thousandth time how he could appear so comfortable. Not even a sheen of sweat along his brow. Of course, Darcy was perpetually collected and calm.

"I certainly enjoyed your uncle's version of events over Miss de Bourgh's," Lizzy said. "Although the emotion in her letter was so touching."

"Yes," Darcy replied from his desk chair where he was rifling through a stack of folded parchment envelopes, "and, if you recall, my dearest, she expressed her wish to forgo the long courtship and hasten to the marriage part."

"She did not!"

"I beg to differ. Ah! Here it is." He fluttered the pages with a flourish, smirking at his wife, and then clearing his throat as if preparing to address Parliament. "She writes, and I quote, 'In the end Mother did consent to allow Dr. Penaflor the right to court me. Oh William! I cannot express my happiness. I must thank you for encouraging me to follow my heart and to trust. I have no doubts regarding my feelings toward Dr. Penaflor and know he feels as strongly. Love at nearly first sight! I never anticipated this happening to me. Honestly I had relinquished all hope of finding love and cannot repress the trepidation that I shall wake to discover it is all a dream. I appreciate Dr. Penaflor's design to court me properly and comprehend it derives from his esteem; however, I must confess a desire to hasten time. Is this selfish of me, William? My life has altered drastically these past three months, and my joy is nearly complete. Suddenly my wildest wishes are within my grasp, and I am aware that the natural womanly response is to revel in the season of wooing and flirtation. Nonetheless, my greatest urge is to be married to sweet Raul and begin our life together.'"

Lizzy assumed a haughty pout in the face of Darcy's smug grin. "Very well, Mr. Darcy. I shall admit my error; however, I detect only the yearning to be bonded in matrimony and no allusion to 'fun' as you so called it."

"The fun is implied, love."

Lizzy laughed and shook her head, turning to another letter waiting on the table. "Shall I read Papa's letter aloud?"