Posted on Friday, 07-Aug-98

Dear Mr. Darcy:

The indignation solicited by your missive knows no bounds. That a man heretofore well known to all as honorable and of great intelligence should allow a momentary infatuation to render him so lost to the use his good judgement, as to inflict such degradation upon himself and his family - it is insupportable. Such an alliance shall not be borne!

I implore you to come to your senses. If you will only consider that that woman has but enticed you with her arts and allurements - it is nothing less than wiles on her part. She can have no true regard for you to so impose herself on a society far above her own inferiority, against all sense of decorum and to all that is an abomination! She is in truth but an obstinate, headstrong upstart of no importance in the world who willfully wishes to ruin you utterly.

It is my duty, as such a near relation, to recall you to your obligations to your position and to that which you owe to yourself and to your family. By honor should you be adhered to the tacit expectations of those near to you. Better to renounce such offers as would so pollute the lineage of your dear mother and father than to excite the disdain and vexation of everyone.

I am most grievously disappointed in you,

Lady Catherine De Bourgh

Author's note: Published in this story with credits to Sharon.

Pemberley, Two Years Later

Elizabeth Darcy sat rocking her newborn son, staring out the nursery window at a beautiful winter morning. It had snowed the previous evening, not a great deal, but enough to cover the ground with a fresh blanket of white. A servant entered with a letter on a tray; Elizabeth thanked her and picked it up with a smile.

She set the sleeping boy down in the bassinet, and sat down again to read her letter. It was from her Aunt Gardiner, in congratulations of the birth of the first Darcy child three weeks prior. She was finishing up the letter, reading about the Gardiner children, when her husband stormed into the room.

"Elizabeth, is Mrs. Bingley about?" he demanded with a stern look on his face.

"Mr. Darcy," she replied, irritated, "please lower your voice! Bennet is sleeping." She glared at him for a minute until he looked away and sighed. "Jane is out for a walk."

"I am sorry for hollering," he began. "You are sure we are quite alone?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"Would you join me in our chambers, then?"

Elizabeth nodded again, rose, and followed her husband.

Once inside the room, Darcy flopped down on a chair. Elizabeth chose a seat near him. "What is the matter, Fitzwilliam?" she asked sympathetically.

Darcy reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "I have received a letter from my Aunt Catherine this morning," he replied. "In reply to the one you suggested I send to inform her of Bennet's birth."

Elizabeth waited, but he did not continue. "And what does she say?"

"I should not have allowed you to persuade me to send her that letter!" he stormed. "I should never have sent it! Never!"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in irritation. Should not have allowed me, indeed, she thought, but said nothing.

Darcy stood. "I can not believe I am related to such a woman!" he continued, still hollering.

Elizabeth had just about had enough, and drew herself up to her full height to look her husband directly in the eye. "Mr. Darcy," she said, in a controlled tone, "I beg you to lower your voice. I have been constantly awake with your son these three weeks; please do not wake him again. I am in no humor at present to act as your chopping block."

"Elizabeth, do not trifle with me," he warned. "If you had hired--"

He stopped. What on earth was he thinking? She would never have trifled with him. If she had hired a wet nurse, she would not be Elizabeth. Why was he fighting with his wife? He dropped his head again and sighed, rubbing his temples. "Elizabeth, please forgive me."

"Fitzwilliam, look at me," she demanded. He sheepishly raised his head to meet her forgiving smile. "What does the letter say?"

"It is a precise duplicate of her last letter to me, before we wed," he said quietly. "She writes . . . I will not repeat what she said. You do not need to hear it."

Elizabeth took him by the elbow and led him back to his seat; she sat next to him again. "Fitzwilliam, you tried. You can not expect your aunt to change. She believes this child has polluted the lineage of your mother and father."

Darcy looked back at his wife. "That can not be an easy thing for you to say."

"Indeed, it is not," she admitted with a grin. "How could it be, with a child so beautiful and perfect as our son?"

"If Catherine truly knew you, she would not say such things." He reached out to touch her face.

"Or perhaps, if she truly knew me, it would reinforce what she believes," chuckled Elizabeth. "It does not matter, Mr. Darcy. I have not disappointed you as a wife, have I?"

He returned her smile and drew her into an embrace. "Indeed not."

"Give her time, Mr. Darcy. If she truly loves you, you will hear from her again."

Rosings, That Same Year

"Mother," began Anne De Bourgh, "have we had a letter from the Darcys this Christmas?"

"No," answered her mother shortly, and Anne knew in an instant she was lying. It wasn't that Lady Catherine was a liar in general; in fact, she was quite an honest woman. It was only that Anne knew her mother.

She applied to her cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam for an update of the family which her mother found so unsettling, and her request was kindly granted. Colonel Fitzwilliam wrote that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy were both very happy, and had recently been blessed with the birth of a son. Anne was delighted for her cousin, for she knew how important a son would be to such an estate as Pemberley. She knew her mother had always planned for her to marry Darcy, but she had never seen anything beneficial in the match for either of them; the benefit would have been for Lady Catherine. As for Elizabeth, Anne had never any reason to dislike her, and in truth she secretly admired the way Elizabeth was able to stand up to those who would ordinarily suppress her. She applied to her mother for a visit to Pemberley for the Christmas season, and was met with another resounding "No." In place of the visit, Anne wrote her own letter to the Darcys in congratulations and hopes of a happy Christmas, and was treated to a reply from both Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

One more Christmas passed in this way, Elizabeth persuading Darcy to write to his aunt, except that he received no reply at all from Lady Catherine. Anne sent her own holiday greetings, and the Darcys sent their reply, this time with a scribble at the bottom from the youngest Darcy.

The following Christmas, there was a second Darcy child, and shortly before the Christmas season came, Anne decided she must see her cousin's children. Again, she made the request of her mother, who replied that she would not go.

"May I, then, go alone, with Mrs. Jenkinson?" asked Anne.

"Absolutely not!" declared Lady Catherine. "You are in no condition to travel, and you shall not set foot in that house; I shall never allow it!"

Anne was never very good at persuading her mother, so she merely sighed. "Mother, the Darcys have two children now. They are my cousins; your nephews. They are our family. Why do you persist in this opposition to Mrs. Darcy? It has been four years, Mother."

"Very well, Anne. If you must, then you must. We will make the trip to Pemberley. You shall soon see what damage Miss Bennet has brought to your family."

And before Anne knew it, she was sitting in a carriage outside the main entrance of Pemberley.

Pemberley

"Pardon me, Mr. Darcy. There is a visitor for you."

Darcy's brow rumpled as he sat with Mr. Gardiner in the library; being preoccupied he did not think to inquire as to who it was. "Show him into the drawing room, and I shall be with him in a moment." He turned to his guest. "Please, excuse me," he said, and Mr. Gardiner nodded.

Darcy went in search of his wife, thinking it must be a tenant sending along his holiday cheer with a gift one of his daughters might have made for the mistress. So close to Christmas Day, these visits had always been common.

He found his wife in her bedchamber, laying on her bed with the drapery closed.

"Elizabeth," he whispered, "are you all right?"

"I am not feeling well," she replied in a meek voice.

"Then rest. May I check on you in an hour or so?"

"Did you require something, Mr. Darcy?" she asked, sitting up. "You came looking for me for some reason. What is it?"

"We have a visitor," he replied. "A tenant; I do not remember the name. I am sure he will understand."

"Give me a moment, Mr. Darcy . . . I shall be along." She slowly rose to pull open the drapery.

"Are you sure, Elizabeth?" asked Darcy. "I am sure he will understand."

"I shall be down," she replied, touching his face. "It is only a minor stomach ache and a little fatigue. I can rest later."

"Are you sure?" He was worried; there was something familiar about this. "I am sure it will be all right."

"No, Fitzwilliam, I am fine," she said. "Shall we go?"

Darcy smiled at his wife, placed her arm in his, and walked downstairs with her.

As Darcy entered the drawing room, he saw his cousin, Anne De Bourgh. He and Elizabeth both smiled. "Anne," he said, "it is good to see you." He started to cross the room, but felt Elizabeth's hand on his arm, holding him back.

Then he saw his Aunt Catherine.

He looked back at Elizabeth, who was grinning at him. She was right, he thought, she has come. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

"Mr. Darcy," began Catherine, "Anne has been asking for a visit to Pemberley. I explained to her the degradation you have brought upon yourself and your family by allying yourself with that woman," she paused here to eye Elizabeth with disgust, "and that I did attempt to recall you to your obligations to your position and to your family, but that you instead proceeded with your insolence. She persisted; therefore I am here to show her the consequences of what you have done."

For a full five minutes, nothing but silence could be heard in the drawing room at Pemberley. Darcy and stared at Catherine with resentment until she looked away. "And what," he asked, "do you intend for her to see?"

"After a few days' stay, she will see for herself."

Darcy raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for inviting yourself, but--"

"Mr. Darcy."

Darcy looked down at his wife.

"She is family."

He looked thoughtfully at her for a moment, then turned to Anne. "Thank you for coming," he said, smiling wearily. "I will have a servant bring your things to your rooms." Anne smiled in return, and he turned back to Lady Catherine. "Please let us know if you should need anything. Tea will be served in a few minutes, in the music room. Georgiana usually plays for us in mid-day. Shall I let her know you are here?"

"She will find out when she comes to tea."

"Very well," replied Darcy. "I have another guest to attend to, but I will see you again in a few minutes." He bowed to Catherine and Anne, and winked at Elizabeth, returning to the library.

Elizabeth turned to Catherine. "Welcome to Pemberley, your ladyship."

Catherine ignored her.

"Is there anything that I can do for you, until tea time?"

Catherine continued to ignore her.

"Would you like to see the children?"

"Mrs. Darcy," said a small voice behind her, "I should like to see the children."

Elizabeth turned around to smile at Anne. "Very well," she replied. "Your ladyship?"

Catherine turned to look out a window.

"You know your way to the music room, then?"

Again, Catherine made no reply. Elizabeth sighed quietly and turned her attention to Anne. "This way."

"They are wonderful boys, Mrs. Darcy," said Anne, sitting with Elizabeth in the nursery. "Bennet looks like a miniature of his father." Elizabeth agreed with a proud smile. "How old is Andrew?"

"He is now nine months," replied Elizabeth. "Bennet has just had his second birthday."

"Mrs. Darcy, I find myself in a somewhat odd circumstance. I must apologize for my mother's behavior."

Elizabeth smiled a little and blushed, looking down at her slippers. "Miss De Bourgh . . . while it is true that your mother has caused a great deal of pain to me personally, her motives cannot be questioned. She is always very kind to the Collinses, I am told, and I know her to be very charitable to the villagers. She truly cares for my husband and Georgiana, otherwise I would not have stopped him from asking her to leave."

Anne wondered at Elizabeth's forgiving nature. "I hope that the rift between you may heal soon. I should like to visit more often than once in a great while."

"Elizabeth, are you coming down -- oh, Anne!" exclaimed Georgiana, coming into the room. "I was not aware you were coming for a visit!" She greeted her cousin warmly.

"It was something of a last-minute decision," smiled Anne. "It is good to see you, Georgiana."

"Is my Aunt Catherine here, as well?" asked Georgiana.

"Yes. She is in the music room waiting for tea," answered Anne.

"Then shall we join her?" Georgiana smiled with delight at her cousin, excited at the prospect of seeing her aunt again after nearly three years. She looked over at her sister, who looked a little tired. "Elizabeth . . . you will join us, won't you?" she asked.

"Of course," said Elizabeth with cheerfulness she did not feel. She was still feeling a little ill and was really not up to the battle of wills she was sure to encounter in the music room. "I always love to hear you play." Georgiana and Anne both smiled, and Elizabeth turned to Bennet. "I will be back after tea," she told him. "You will behave with Mrs. Brooks?"

Bennet nodded shyly at his Mama and waved cutely to Georgiana and Anne. "Bye-bye," he said. Georgiana and Anne waved and smiled back at him.

What Elizabeth's eyes met in the music room was little surprising. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner sat near each other, talking quietly and sipping a cup of tea. Mr. Darcy stood staring out a window, and Lady Catherine was no where to be found.

After the Gardiners had been introduced to Anne, Elizabeth quietly walked over to her husband. "Where is Lady Catherine?" she asked.

"She refused to have tea with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. She is pouting, like an errant child, in the drawing room." He turned from the window and walked to the sofa with his wife.

"Sarah," said Elizabeth to the maid who had brought in the tea things, "would you see to it that Lady Catherine is offered some refreshment? She is in the drawing room."

The maid nodded at her mistress, and Anne smiled thankfully. Mr. Darcy was a little upset. "Elizabeth," he said, "if Aunt Catherine can not be bothered to join the rest of us--"

"Mr. Darcy, she has had rather a long trip from Rosings," said Elizabeth tiredly. "I am sure she would appreciate a little something. She must be famished."

Mrs. Gardiner smiled approvingly at Elizabeth and gave Darcy a gentle look. She knew Elizabeth had been hurt more than once by the words of Lady Catherine DeBourgh.

The maid Sarah timidly entered the drawing room, setting down a tray. "Lady Catherine," she said quietly, and the lady turned. "Mrs. Darcy asked me to send this in to you."

Catherine raised her eyebrow at the girl. "Against his wife's wishes, I am sure," she commented.

Sarah was confused. "Mrs. Darcy sent me, your Ladyship. Not the master."

"Hm," she said. "I did not expect such civility from her."

"But Mrs. Darcy has always been very kind," said Sarah, wanting to defend her mistress. "May I pour you a cup?"

"Yes," snapped Catherine. "Tell me something. Do you perceive your master to be very happy with her? Does she play with her children, and does she smile at him, and does she behave properly, as a lady should?"

"Yes, of course," replied Sarah. "For as long as she has been here, it has been so. Why do you question it?"

"It is none of your concern," snapped Catherine after a moment of thought, dismissing the girl.

She sulked out a window for a while, considering what she had seen. That she had been asked to take tea with those relatives of Mr. Darcy's wife in trade insulted her, though she was not insensible to the fact that Mr. Darcy had almost thrown her out, and Mrs. Darcy had stopped him. She supposed the former Miss Bennet would put on a good show for visitors, and Pemberley was sure to have many of those during Christmastime.

She began to wonder about the children. Two boys, was it? Well, at least her nephew would have an heir. Even Lady Catherine could not deny the very good possibility that if he had married Anne, she may not have been able to give him children, for she had always been very sickly. Still, it did not matter that the children were born, she told herself; what mattered was that they were raised properly, with good schooling and instruction at home. Perhaps, she thought, I should investigate this for myself.

"Lady Catherine?"

She turned to see a rather pale Elizabeth standing near her. She turned immediately away. "Yes?"

"I came to see that you are comfortable, your Ladyship," replied Elizabeth. "It can be cold in this room at times, if the fire is not kept up."

"How very considerate," commented the Lady. "I assure you, I am well."

"May I have anything more brought for you?" asked Elizabeth. "Is your tea satisfactory? It is Mr. Darcy's favorite."

"Yes, Earl Grey, I know," replied Catherine. "Thank you for your offer, but I am fine."

"Mr. Darcy and I always play with the children in the nursery after tea," continued Elizabeth. "Are you sure you would not like to meet them?"

"I would like to rest, thank you. Perhaps after supper." She still had not looked at Elizabeth.

"Do you have any preference for a menu?" asked Elizabeth, desperate for some kind of positive response from her husband's aunt.

"You may serve what ever you had planned," replied Catherine. "It is of little consequence to me."

Instead of sighing in utter frustration, which was how she felt, Elizabeth informed Catherine of the time supper would be served, and turned to leave.

"Mrs. Darcy?"

"Yes, Lady Catherine?" she asked, hopeful.

"Send my daughter to me."

She swallowed her irritation at being ordered about in her own home and replied that she would. As soon as she told Anne that her mother waited for her in the drawing room, she became determined to relax and play with her children, heading up to the nursery.

About twenty minutes later, she sat with Andrew, feeling drained but giggling as Bennet and Darcy wrestled with each other playfully. Anne entered the room. "Mrs. Darcy?" she whispered from across the room.

Elizabeth picked up Andrew and carried him over to where Anne stood. She looked back as she heard a playful growl from where her husband and son wrestled on the floor, and laughed as she realized she couldn't determine whose throat it came from. She turned back to the smiling Anne.

"Mother would like to know if she may meet the children."

Elizabeth smiled more widely. "Of course," she replied, "if I can get my two barbarians to stop wrestling for just a moment. Let her know we will be down in just a moment."

"She is in the sitting room now," said Anne, heading out again.

"Come on, Andrew," murmured Elizabeth to her younger son as she approached her older. "Do you think we can stop Papa from getting Bennet again?"

Bennet's eyes widened as he saw his mother. "Mama," he laughed as his father flipped him onto his back and tickled him mercilessly. "Mama, help!"

"You've gotten yourself into a bigger mess than I can help you out of," laughed Elizabeth. She let Darcy stop, and then ruffled his curly black locks. "Mr. Darcy, your aunt wishes to meet the children."

"Ah, she does, does she?" he said good-naturedly. "Perhaps she has come around, hm?" He swooped Bennet up in his arms, carrying him over to a chair, setting him down again, and straightening his son's and his own clothing and hair. "Well, come now, Bennet, are you excited to meet your Great Aunt Catherine?"

"Kafrin?" questioned Bennet.

"Yes, Catherine," smiled Darcy. "Now, Catherine is a lady, so we must be on our very best behavior."

"Yessir!" replied Bennet enthusiastically. "Gennlemins."

"Yes, we are gentlemen," confirmed his father proudly. He looked over at his wife, who was holding Andrew, and his smile dropped. "Mrs. Darcy, you do not look well," he said guiltily.

"I am fine," she tried to assure him, but it was plain to Darcy that his wife was at least very tired, if not ill.

"No, you are not," he said, taking her hand. He led her down the hall amidst her protests that she was fine, and took Andrew from her as he gently pushed her into her bedroom. "Please, my love, take a nap," he requested of her. "I should not have woken you earlier."

Elizabeth lay down gratefully on her bed, kissing Bennet and Andrew on their cheeks. "All better, Mama," said Bennet sweetly, waving as he trailed his father out of the room.

Bennet stood under the scrutinizing eye of his father's aunt a few minutes later, more than a little intimidated by her presence.

"Well, well, put the other child down," said Catherine exasperatedly.

"Andrew is only nine months," asserted Darcy. "He can not stand yet on his own."

Catherine raised her eye brow. "Very well," she said, looking over Bennet again. "I do not suppose he matters much."

Now it was Darcy's turn to raise his eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?" he asked.

"There is no need to be impertinent," snapped Catherine. "I meant only that he is a younger son. He does not have as much bearing on the family as this one." She shoved a finger at the older boy.

"His name is Bennet," snapped Darcy in return, "and Andrew is every bit as important to me as Bennet."

Catherine ignored him. "Is he going to Eton?"

"Of course," said Darcy tightly.

"And I assume his mother behaves properly around him?"

Heat crawled up the back of Darcy's neck. "Again, I beg your pardon?"

"Certainly he can not grow up thinking ill of women," said Catherine. "Certainly you would want him to honor his mother, would not you?"

"Aunt Catherine, I have no doubt he will grow up to honor his mother. In fact, I am sure he does already. The only one in this family who he will not grow to esteem is you. I will not have my wife so constantly insulted in her own home. She does not deserve your disrespect and your unfounded dislike. Anne is welcome to stay, but you may leave. I will have your things brought to your carriage." He took Bennet's hand, and turned to leave the drawing room. Bennet, for he did not understand what had just happened, simply followed where his father went, and waved at the lady.

"Bye-bye, Kafrin."

It wasn't until then that Catherine felt an unfamiliar pang of guilt for how she had imposed on the Darcy family. Perhaps she had been irrational.

Darcy headed back upstairs, dropping Andrew and Bennet off in the nursery. He promised to wrestle with Bennet again later and went for a short walk around the house at Pemberley. About twenty minutes later, he opened the door to his wife's bedchamber, quietly walking over to her and sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Elizabeth?"

She stirred. "Yes, Fitzwilliam?" she murmured.

"Are you feeling better?"

"I suppose I am," she answered groggily.

"I am worried about you, darling," he whispered. "I would like for you to spend tomorrow resting."

Elizabeth breathed deeply for a moment. "Perhaps, it might be nice," she said. "But not necessary. I should be up and about."

"No," protested her husband. "I want you to rest."

"I assure you, Mr. Darcy, it is not necessary. I am sure it is just . . . well . . ." she took her husband's hand, turned it over, and placed it on her stomach.

"Elizabeth . . . do you think you are with child again?" he asked.

"I am beginning to think it a possibility," she answered. "I seem to remember feeling this way with both boys."

Darcy smiled. "I want you to rest, regardless." He looked her over. "You do not seem excited at the prospect."

"Oh, it is not that I don't welcome another child," she said. "I would like to have a daughter. It is only that I feel . . . rather . . . sickly right now."

Darcy bent down and kissed his wife gently. "I shall send for a doctor. Would you like me to send Mrs. Gardiner in?"

"No," she replied with a smile. "I will take a rest. Should you welcome a daughter?"

"Of course I shall," he replied. They gazed at each other for a moment, and then he felt it necessary to bring up the rather uncomfortable topic of his aunt. "She continues to insult you," he finished, after explaining what happened in the sitting room. "I can not abide it, Elizabeth."

"Shall Anne stay?" asked the disappointed Elizabeth. She had so hoped for a reconciliation this Christmas.

"I do not know," replied Darcy. "I hope so. Georgiana looked so excited talking to her at tea."

"I hope so as well," said Elizabeth sleepily.

Darcy bent down to kiss her forehead. "Rest, my sweet. I will have the doctor come first thing tomorrow."

Anne stayed at Pemberley through the Christmas season. Elizabeth was found to be with child again, and Anne had been delighted to share in the news with her. She spent much time with Georgiana and the Darcys' boys, and was never so amused as she watched her serious cousin wrestle happily with his oldest child nearly every afternoon.

When she returned to Rosings after the new year, she found her mother different. It wasn't an obvious difference; in fact, were it not for one conversation, Anne would not have known at all that her mother was capable of introspection and change.

During supper the night she returned, Lady Catherine de Bourgh asked many questions about Anne's trip, and then began on her questions of how the Darcys were.

"How does your cousin do, Anne?"

"He is well," replied Anne, "very happy that Elizabeth is expecting another child."

"And the other children?" asked Lady Catherine. "I suppose Bennet is getting to be rather tall, like his father."

"Yes," said Anne happily. "The boys are like little Fitzwilliams, Mama. They are darling."

Lady Catherine smiled. "And their mother?"

"Oh, Elizabeth is well," she said. "You should see, Mama, the way little Andrew trails after her all day. He takes the governess' full attention most times, keeping him out of trouble."

Catherine was pensive for a moment. "Do you suppose you would be feeling up to a visit, after the next child is born?"

Anne grinned again. "I would."

"I shall arrange it if Mr. Darcy sends a letter to me."

"Oh, I am sure he will," said Anne hopefully.

Her hopes were answered that July when a letter with the Pemberley seal was delivered to Lady Catherine on a silver tray. She took it and read it graciously, and when she was finished, she spoke to Anne. "Well, it seems the Darcys have welcomed a daughter, which they have named Annabelle."

"What a lovely name," smiled Anne.

"It has been my experience, Anne, that one must not too harshly judge another. I have come to believe that God has put us all on this earth in different situations so that we may learn to forgive differences. And, perhaps, a person of low rank might have something substantial to teach a person of a higher rank in life. Perhaps children can teach adults. And never forget, Anne, that no matter how well you think you know your own mind, it can always be changed."

Anne didn't know what to say upon this revelation from her mother, but knew that it meant that there would no longer be bitter feelings towards their relations in Derbyshire.

"The Darcys have invited us to Pemberley." Lady Catherine nodded decisively. "I shall arrange it."

Three weeks later, Catherine held a very tiny Annabelle Darcy in her arms, declaring her a delight in many ways. Her advice to Mrs. Darcy flowed long, almost to the point that even she realized she was irritating her niece and nephew.

"What was it," asked Darcy of his wife, quietly nestling her one night, "that made you forgive her? When she spoke of you so irrationally, when she was so abusive of you? What made you insist that I write all of those letters when she continually rejected you?"

"She is your aunt," said Elizabeth. "Your only link to your mother, and her only link to her sister. It did not matter whether she was abusive of me; she is your family. She needs you as much as you need her."

"You continually amaze me," wondered Darcy, gazing at his wife. "Thank you, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled up at her husband. "I am only glad you could be persuaded."

The End