{"id":6336,"date":"2020-02-25T17:45:15","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T22:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=6336"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:09:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T18:09:36","slug":"mr-darcys-twelfth-night-chapter-2-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/mr-darcys-twelfth-night-chapter-2-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Mr. Darcy’s Twelfth Night Chapter 2 & 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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His family hates him BWAHAHAH \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>

XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Chapter 2 - Mr. Darcy's Twelfth Night, a Pride and Prejudice Sequel Romance Novella<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Vehicles from private carriages to wagon loads of goods clogged the roads to London. Elizabeth\u2019s first carriage trip alone with her husband felt exhilarating for the first hour. The happy couple learned such an intimate space provided the perfect romantic influence none could begrudge a newly married couple. When they passed the mile marker Elizabeth recognized as the halfway point between her home and her many trips to London to see her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, she sat up straighter and grinned at her husband. Mr. Darcy kissed her temple and inquired as to her mood. <\/span><\/p>

“I’m afraid to confess I don’t believe your sudden spark of elation comes from your present company,” he said, reaching down to squeeze her hand. The two had removed their gloves more than a dozen miles ago.<\/span><\/p>

“Do not sell yourself so short, sir. I find my happiness comes in equal measure from riding alone with you, and spying the halfway mark to our destination.” Elizabeth laughed and gently ran her fingers along her husband’s thigh. Her boldness to reach out and touch his person was a relatively newer development in their relationship than his confidence to explore her.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy grimaced. Elizabeth froze. But he reached down to gently rub the palm of her hand to reassure his love. “No, your touch is exquisite,” he managed after a breath. “I’m afraid your attentions, Madam, stir passions in my chest that are so foreign, yet so welcome, I am often still taken aback.\u201d He sighed as he leaned his head against hers to stare out the window with her. \u201cAlso, I’m afraid your halfway marker may have to change.”<\/span><\/p>

“We are halfway to London!”<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy nodded. “To the outskirts of town, I concur. How often have you seen fit to travel greatly outside of your aunt and uncle\u2019s neighborhood?” Darcy asked and Elizabeth frowned. “Ha, that is what I feared. I’m afraid you shall find it will take us nearly an additional hour or more to navigate the narrow, congested streets of the city.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth sighed and rested her head against her husband\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIf that is to be the case, may I humbly request we stop at another inn before arriving at your, our home?” Elizabeth managed to correct her speech with a lopsided grin.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>

For more than a year of their acquaintance, she had no reason to think of his homes as his possessions. Unlike certain other ladies of his acquaintance, Elizabeth Bennet had held no anticipations of becoming his wife. But now her husband’s greatest joy seemed to be for her to feel all that was his now also belonged to her. Without hesitation, such a meager request of an additional stop was very easily managed. <\/span><\/p>

“Mrs. Darcy,” he began leaning forward to gently kiss her neck just below her hairline, sending a shiver down his wife\u2019s spine. “I believe you will find you need only to ask, and I shall find a way to accommodate.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth Darcy made an expression of being impressed with her new station in life, while Mr. Darcy picked up his cane from the small iron loop that held it in place against the door. He quickly tapped three times on the roof above them. Like so many times he had traveled alone or with Georgiana, his sister, the Darcy carriage slowed to a stop. Elizabeth took note of the signal, wondering if some stick remained if a lady were using the conveyance alone.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy opened the window to give new instructions to the driver. The cold air rushing into the cabin caused Elizabeth to reach for the coach blanket they had cast to the opposite bench. The ever-loyal Darcy staff readily agreed to their Master’s request, and the couple was soon again on their way to the first place Elizabeth could identify as her new home.<\/span><\/p>

Her husband had not misled her as to the number of hours it took to reach Grosvenor Square in Mayfair. And he was likewise happy they had made an additional rest on their half day\u2019s journey. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season attracted more to the city center than would ordinarily bloat the streets and walkways in just a month’s time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With the weather uncharacteristically warmer than previous days, Mrs. Darcy sat highly amused in observing the drastic change in the attire of the pedestrians as the coach traveled. At first, she had recognized the men and women running between the warehouses, wharves, and shops: a mixture of working men and women and the mercantile class like her relations in finer threads. But as they put more and more blocks of buildings between themselves and Cheapside, not even the footmen attending to their employers\u2019 needs wore a shabby scrap of cloth. The transformation had come on so suddenly, she had not realized she had been holding her breath when the carriage took one last right turn, then slowed to a stop.<\/span><\/p>

An elaborate set of steps was brought out by the footmen to line up directly with the door of the carriage. After Mr. Darcy descended, he turned around to put out a hand for his lovely wife. As Elizabeth walked down in grand fashion, she was on full display to all of the staff assembled in the front yard before the gate, and for the many faces taking their peek in the windows above. Her cheeks reddened as heads bowed when she walked by and she focused upon the unassuming bright red door with the golden lion\u2019s head knocker to keep her wits about her. But the Darcys never needed to knock on their own front door. The entryway opened on its own accord and in keeping with tradition, Fitzwilliam Darcy whisked his lady off of her feet to step over the threshold. <\/span><\/p>

“Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth exclaimed, happy she thought to call him by his proper name in front of the staff. During the carriage ride, there had been many breathless Elizabeth’s and Fitzwilliam’s whispered sweetly between them, but now that they were out in public, their polite monikers must be used.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“I should not wish to anger my ancestors. Or yours.\u201d <\/span><\/p>

“Indeed.” Elizabeth looped her arms around her husband’s neck as he spun her around in the grand marble foyer. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the largest crystal chandelier she’d ever seen above her head. Rainbows twinkled across the high walls from the daylight spilling in from the oeil de boeuf above the door. She closed her eyes and pressed her head closer to Mr. Darcy. She wished to remember this moment for as long as she lived, and couldn\u2019t wait to share it with Jane in a letter.<\/span><\/p>

“I should not like to anger anymore of your ancestors or relatives,” she added, laughing, then hastily stopped as she realized she should not have said she had angered one of his relatives out loud. <\/span><\/p>

On the subject of relatives–pesky possessions one has—a pair of the groom’s ruined the fun of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. The parlor doors opened and Lord and Lady Matlock stood with smiles upon their faces as they caught Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mid-kiss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Congratulations, again, my boy!” Lord Matlock boasted proudly, startling the Darcys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

They hastily ended their kiss. To their equal dismay, Mr. Darcy gently let his bride down to the ground to stand upon her own two feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“I do not recall sending any invitations out, especially for this day, the day I bring my bride to her home.” Mr. Darcy said sourly, while his aunt and uncle chuckled. Elizabeth looked confused because Fitzwilliam appeared to have genuinely enjoyed the company of Lord and Lady Matlock at their wedding nearly a month prior, but currently, her husband stood looking rather vexed. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth decided it was partly her responsibility, as a new mistress of the home, to smooth over any awkwardness.<\/span><\/p>

“But we would be happy to entertain at another time,” Elizabeth said, brightly attracting the notice of Lady Matlock.<\/span><\/p>

The grand woman, exasperated with waiting for the Darcys to enter the parlor properly, huffed and puffed in slight annoyance as she walked out of the room to come closer to her nephew and newest niece.<\/span><\/p>

“I knew I should like you, that was a superb compromise, Mrs. Darcy.” Lady Matlock made direct eye contact with Elizabeth as she used her new married name. It was a great sign of respect between the two women. “But unfortunately, there is no time. I need you to please see to your personal needs and then we must be off. We have an appointment in just one hour, an appointment that was very difficult to get I might say, with my modiste. Off you go,” Lady Matlock began to shoo Mrs. Darcy up towards the stairs, but her nephew blocked the way.<\/span><\/p>

“One moment, if you please Aunt. We have traveled the better part of the day. My wife needs to rest.” Mr. Darcy said, and Lady Matlock gasped at her nephew’s stupidity.<\/span><\/p>

“She’s barely into her second decade, Darcy! Do not insult the girl with this insistence that she rest. I spy plenty of energy about her,” Lady Matlock said, inspecting Elizabeth for any signs of weariness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The former Bennet woman stifled a giggle. More than once her husband’s overprotectiveness had clashed with her sense of independence.<\/span><\/p>

Lord Matlock, finishing his drink in the parlor and tired of being alone in the one proper room for these discussions, also joined the fray in the foyer.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0“Mathilde,” he said in a low voice as most of the servants had scattered to see to their duties, “they have just married. I don’t believe my nephew meant any insults when he suggested his wife rest.” <\/span><\/p>

Another flush of embarrassment rose to Elizabeth Darcy’s cheeks at the insinuation that she might go above stairs to rest, without any sleep, especially by these two near-perfect strangers. Unfortunately, for Lady Matlock, there was no time for such delicacies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“William,” Lady Matlock scolded back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

For a moment Elizabeth was confused as to whom Lady Matlock was speaking to. But it would appear that while her husband was named Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock’s Christian name was the proper, William. Elizabeth could not hold back her giggle this time as she realized that meant that his full Christian name was William Fitzwilliam, but she covered her mouth with her hand. Her husband gently touched the small of her back, and Mrs. Darcy inhaled to steady her behavior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Lady Matlock turned around to take her husband to task. “They have been married for more than three weeks, and while I don’t believe the bloom has gone, surely they can sustain one afternoon apart while I help Mrs. Darcy take her place in society.” After giving her husband a stone-faced look of annoyance, she smiled when she turned towards her new niece. “There is less than one week’s time to our Twelfth Night Ball. Practically all of any consequence and in Town will be there. I cannot have you miss it. To do so would be a miscalculation of egregious portions for your family’s social standing.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth found herself nodding at every word Lady Matlock said, while her husband closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose because the argument was not going his way. She also felt quite elated; she’d always wished to go to a Twelfth Night Ball! But she and Jane had never attended because those evenings were quite rowdy and wholly unsuitable for maidens.<\/span><\/p>

Without waiting for her husband’s input, Elizabeth spoke up for herself. “If your ladyship would grant me a quarter-hour, I shall refresh my dress and return to you for our errand.” Lady Matlock seemed satisfied and Lord Matlock led his wife back into the parlor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy turned to his wife. “Elizabeth, you do not have to placate their whims,” he began. <\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth stood up on her tiptoes to gently kiss her husband’s lips. “And embarrass you? I should rather shop for hundreds of gowns after traveling half the day than risk gossip of the meanest kind about the Darcy family.” Personal pride prickled at Elizabeth’s heart, as she felt the first moment of understanding her new self-value in her married state.<\/span><\/p>

When her husband could not disagree with her, she winked at him and motioned for Gale, who had appeared in the hallway behind the stairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“But I have not yet given you a proper tour of our home!” Mr. Darcy called out, watching his wife’s backside most appreciatively as she climbed the stairs at double the pace of what could be considered ladylike.<\/span><\/p>

“I shall close my eyes!” she called back, laughing, as she and her maid disappeared down the upstairs hall.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy frowned, then sighed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Is all well, sir?” the kind Mrs. Abbot asked her employer, giving the only small indication that perhaps she disagreed with the new changes to the household.<\/span><\/p>

“No, Mrs. Abbott,” Mr. Darcy answered, forgetting himself, then immediately changing his answer. “I meant to say yes, Mrs. Abbott, all is well. I am just a bachelor no more,” was the only explanation Mr. Darcy would give, before smiling like a schoolboy and abandoning his aunt and uncle to chase his wife above stairs.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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NEW RELEASE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For the Love of a Bennet<\/strong><\/p>

What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton<\/em>?<\/span>

A reimagining of Jane Austen’s most beloved tale,\u00a0Pride & Prejudice,\u00a0<\/span>join author Elizabeth Ann West as she writes the romantic adventure story she always wanted! When Lizzy and Lydia arrive in Brighton, it’s very clear that the younger Bennet sister came with very serious plans towards Mr. Wickham. Thankfully, an old ally is also in town, with problems of his own to solve. After Mr. Darcy, himself, is summoned to Brighton to hopefully solve two dilemmas with one wealthy member of the gentry, the whole militia is thrown into an uproar by Wickham’s most dastardly deed, yet. Together, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have to save Lydia from her own undoing, or it will mean more than just mere reputations are ruined.

For the Love of a Bennet<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth’s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 3 - Mr. Darcy's Twelfth Night, a Pride and Prejudice Sequel Romance Novella<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Elizabeth followed her maid, denying her husband even a proper tour of the home. Gale had been in the employ of the Darcy family for many years, ever since she was\u00a0 a young housemaid. At their first meeting, Elizabeth worried the woman would hold loyalty to someone other than herself. But weeks of giggles, easy companionship, and the adventure of inventing Mrs. Darcy had settled the matter in Elizabeth’s mind. Gale was hers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“This way, ma’am. Unfortunately, your apartments are not yet finished and so I’ve been instructed to take you into the Master’s room,” Gale explained as she led Elizabeth to the end of the hall where two doors stood side-by-side.<\/span><\/p>

Confidence in her plans she had possessed down in the foyer swiftly left her as Elizabeth stepped into Fitzwilliam’s room. The room made her feel exposed as her eyes inspected the furnishings. She guessed which pieces had belonged to generations before her husband, and which he had selected. Perhaps later that night, she would ask him to learn if she was correct. Gale began to undress her while Elizabeth stood in quiet reflection.<\/span><\/p>

Behind them, Fitzwilliam had snuck in and placed his finger to his lips when the maid turned her head sensing the presence. He silently dismissed Gale while Elizabeth stood in her chemise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Fitzwilliam traced the elegant line of his wife’s spine, making her shiver. His voice low and husky, he established himself as her humble servant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“My lady, please allow me.” And his hands reached up to her shoulders to brush the thin linen garment off her delicate skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth did not turn around, allowing her husband to undress her and to satisfy her curiosity in this seduction. While she had not expected his aunt and uncle to be present when they arrived, and she had genuinely wished to cooperate with his aunt’s plans, the prospect of an afternoon apart warred with her sensibilities. They had not parted since their wedding, and the suddenness of the plan washed regret over her.<\/span><\/p>

“Mrs. Darcy, has anyone expressed to you how positively alluring your naked form is, madam?” His fingertips stroked the outside of her thighs and Elizabeth leaned back into his form pressed against hers.<\/span><\/p>

“Mmm, only my most devoted husband, and I should not have it any other way.” She reached up behind her to wrap her hand around his neck, as his lips pressed kisses along her collarbone. Her stretch lifted her bosom as her back arched, and his hands slid up her midsection to cup their fullness. Elizabeth wiggled uncomfortably as his fingers rolled her rosebud tips, increasing her arousal tenfold. He groaned as her movement caused friction between them, and pushed him to nearly the edge of his restraint.<\/span><\/p>

“Mrs. Darcy,” he managed, just as Elizabeth spun around in his arms. She locked eyes with her husband and deployed her new skills in cravat untying as a rapid stomp of footsteps came rushing down the hall. Instinctively, Fitzwilliam blocked his naked wife from the door just as the knocking began.<\/span><\/p>

“Brother! Brother!” Georgiana’s bright voice called out as both of the Darcys tensed. Fitzwilliam scowled, and Elizabeth, despite her own frustrations, began to laugh at their predicament. No matter how much they wished for time alone, it would appear that every Darcy relation in the area was keen on interrupting their ardor!<\/span><\/p>

“Wait there, I’ll be out in a moment!” he called, sternly, and Elizabeth looped her arms around his neck properly. “My love,” he whispered, “I had no idea how much my family hates me.”<\/span><\/p>

“It’s not so bad as all of that, and tonight, we shall find a time to be together that will not be rushed,” she promised, glancing over his shoulder to the four-post bed behind him that looked large enough for a king.<\/span><\/p>

“If Georgiana is here–“<\/span><\/p>

“What a joy! That must be why your cousin left so hastily!” Elizabeth interrupted, locking her eyes on his to keep her husband’s focus. Her conclusion reminded Mr. Darcy of how odd they had both found it that Colonel Fitzwilliam declined the invitation to stay at Netherfield Park more than a single evening. “He must have traveled straight to Pemberley and collected your sister!”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy cleared his throat. He struggled to calm his interest with his wife standing so fetchingly before him. Reluctantly, he lifted the chemise from the ground and slipped it over her head. Elizabeth accepted his assistance and the two shared another embrace. Giggles on the other side of the main door could be heard, as well as a male voice that sounded an awful lot like Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. A soft knock from the door between the master and mistress suite drew the couple’s attention in the other direction.<\/span><\/p>

“We are cursed, it seems,” Mr. Darcy pronounced.<\/span><\/p>

“No, my husband, you are loved by many. But by me, the most,” Elizabeth said, pecking him on the nose and then dashing to the adjoining door she assumed was her maid seeking to continue the task of preparing her for a day of shopping with Lady Matlock.<\/span><\/p>

“Ma’am, I took the liberty of pressing this lovely olive frock for your afternoon errand,” Gale said, holding the garment out for her mistress’ approval. Elizabeth gave one last forlorn glance at her husband before closing the door behind her. She followed her maid to where Gale laid it out upon the bed. Both women inspected the gown for any signs of damage or strings.<\/span><\/p>

“Yes, I believe this one shall work and I’ll wear the black velvet Spencer over it,” Elizabeth said and her maid nodded vigorously, as it always pleased them both when they were in agreement as to the Mistress’ attire. As she gazed around in the room meant to be hers, she failed to see why it did not pass muster. The furnishings were older, reminding her more of a few pieces her mother had inherited from Mr. Bennet’s mother after she passed. But they were certainly of a higher quality than most of the furniture Elizabeth had grown up with.<\/span><\/p>

The bed had certainly seen better days, and the fabric making up the canopy was practically shredded along the edges. An errant thought came to Elizabeth’s mind as she had never asked if Mr. Darcy’s mother had died in London or at Pemberley. Gauging by the dust, the extra basins and empty apothecary jars over on the bedside table, a grim understanding hit Elizabeth. This had been the former Mrs. Darcy\u2019s sick room.<\/span><\/p>

“Has anyone stayed in this room since Mr. Darcy’s mother?” she asked Gale, as the maid smartly used the traveling case of beauty tools to help her mistress get ready, instead of the antiques along the vanity.<\/span><\/p>

“No, ma’am. But, it is planned for you to choose your fabrics and papers for the room to be redone in your tastes.”<\/span><\/p>

“And those items?” Elizabeth pointed to the vanity, suddenly rather saddened by the last reminders of the great lady who had come before her.<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, those are rightfully yours, ma’am. No worries there, but the Master married in such a haste, I’m afraid the staff here forgot to clean them and freshen the room.” Elizabeth caught Gale’s expression as the woman buttoned her gown to include a slight frown of disapproval.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But Elizabeth was smarter than to feel a slight from inefficiency by the staff. She had a much better understanding of what might have occurred. Her conclusion was that Mr. Darcy likely did not think to order his staff to change the room, and no one wished to ask the master of his thoughts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As her brown Spencer was adjusted, Elizabeth suddenly had a better thought.<\/span><\/p>

“Gale, I will discuss this with my husband, but I should like the personal items of the former Mrs. Darcy cleaned, repaired if need be, and then placed in the nicest box that can be found.”<\/span><\/p>

“Ma’am?” Gale looked alarmed at her mistress, as she had not known her lady to be the mercenary sort.<\/span><\/p>

“Do not worry, I am not displeased with the earlier plan. But I believe there is someone else who is the rightful owner of her mother’s things. And I should like to remedy that,” Elizabeth said brightly, then motioned at her traveling case of combs and brushes that had been a wedding present from her parents, her father especially. “Besides, we can make do with what we already have.”<\/span><\/p>

Gale nodded, and held back a smile as she followed her mistress to the door so she could open it and curtsy. When Mrs. Darcy left, she set about collecting the things from the vanity that had been used by the previous woman to hold the same name. The combs were tortoise shell and jade, of the highest quality, and with a small sigh, Gale resolved herself to see them properly presented to Miss Darcy. She only slightly lamented not using the elegant items in her daily work, as she held little doubt that despite the new Mrs. Darcy believing she could get along with a simple travel case of tools for beauty, such an economy would not be sustainable for her position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With a small mischievous smile, Gale rushed out of the room to the back stairs, down to the kitchens to find exactly who she was looking for: her cousin Jack who worked for the Matlocks as a footman, waiting anxiously for the call to attend Lady Matlock and her guest to the modiste.<\/span><\/p>

“Jack, there is something important I need to you pass along to Her Ladyship,” Gale began. And she whispered her plan to her cousin’s ear, making him smile all the more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

All of the Darcy staff felt nervous about who would be the next Mrs. Darcy, a woman whose character would impact the lives of over a hundred employees. But a truly kind and sweet lady, such as the former Elizabeth Bennet, inspired service mere money could not purchase, service that belied the beginnings of loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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You’ve been reading Mr. Darcy’s Twelfth Night
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