Mr Darcy's Reluctant Wife: A Pride & Prejudice Story by Martine Jane Roberts

Author:Martine Jane Roberts
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Read, Purchased, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Published: 2019-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Having made good time on his journey to London, Darcy decided to go directly to see his uncle, the bishop.

Though he was only a distant uncle on his father’s side, they had always dealt well with each other, more so on the odd occasion they had met in person. It was usually at a family gathering such as a wedding or graduations or, as the last time they met, at his fathers funeral, some five years ago.

On arrival, he was shown into the bishop’s private sitting room.

“So, young Darcy, to what do I owe the pleasure of a personal visit? Not in trouble, are you?”

“No, your grace, nothing like that. Quite the opposite, in fact. I am to be married.”

“Ah, I see,” interrupted the bishop, “so, either you want me to marry you or you need a special license? Which is it, lad?”

Darcy had given no thought to his uncle presiding over his wedding and squirmed in his own skin for having been so thoughtless.

“The licence, your grace, but of course it would be an honour to have you preside at my wedding; however…”

“No need to make excuses, man. If it’s just the license you want, then say so, you will not offend me. I suppose having a bishop as your uncle comes in hand sometimes, aye?”

Darcy flushed as the elderly man correctly guessed the reason for his visit, but merely replied, “Your grace,” and gave a curt nod.

First, the bishop handed his nephew a glass of port, then indicated for him to sit down.

“I am not a young man, Darcy, and see no reason to trouble my arthritic legs to stand when I am not going about church business. Now, tell me about this girl you intend to make your wife. Is she from a good family, money, a title?”

“Her name is Elizabeth Bennet, Your excellency, and she hails from Hertfordshire. Her father owns a small estate which has been in his family for generations.”

“And do her parents approve of the match?”

Darcy thought of how Mrs Bennet had almost salivated at the prospect of her daughter marrying the master of Pemberley with ten thousand pounds a year.

“Yes, sir, they approve. Miss Bennet is not yet one and twenty, so I secured her father's consent before asking for her hand.”

“And if she had said no?”

The thought that Elizabeth would reject his offer had never crossed his mind, not really. Not with her only other suitor being Mr Collins, and with four more sisters besides.

“I would not have made my offer if I was not certain of being accepted, your grace.”

The bishop waved his hand at Darcy, saying, “No need for formality here, Darcy, we are family.”

It was a good omen that he had permission to address the bishop by his family name.

Again, Darcy acknowledged the older man's words with a nod of his head.

“Uncle Barnabas.”

“So, she comes from good stock. Will she give you sons, do you think? An heir for Pemberley?”

Darcy chuckled to himself. A confirmed bachelor, who has entered the church as a youth, was now questioning him on the fertility of his future bride.

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