We Have Mary King to Thank – Part 10, by Jack Caldwell

Greetings, everyone. Jack Caldwell here.

Well, it’s been a lot of fun writing this thing. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Meanwhile, I’ve got to get cracking on my next work for publishing, BROTHER OF THE BRIDE. So, back to the grindstone for me!

Thanks goes to my lovely Beta Babe, Debbie! Give her a hand, folks!

Part 9 may be found HERE.

And now, the conclusion to our story:

Part 10

September

THE DARCYS’ CARRIAGE ROLLED DOWN the cobblestone streets of Liverpool. All about were the sounds and dust of construction. New buildings were growing like corn stalks all about.

“My goodness!” cried Elizabeth. “I believe there is more activity here than in London!”

“You may be right, dearest,” said her beloved husband. “Even with the wars, trade is booming, and fortunes are being made. There are many a peer jealous of the money in Liverpool.”

“I was of the belief most of the trade came from America.”

“It did. Thanks to Mr. Madison’s War, these ships now sail from the West Indies and other locales.” In a more tender voice, he said, “Are you certain the noise about the inn did not keep you from your rest, Elizabeth?”

She blushed. “No, indeed. If I lost any sleep last night, it was not due to unpleasant matters!” Darcy smiled and leaned in to steal a kiss.

“Mr. Darcy, we’re coming up to your destination!” called the coachman.

“Excellent, John!”

The pair readied themselves as the carriage slowed. Within moments, Darcy handed Elizabeth down, and they approached the door of a modern brick building.

A butler answered at the first knock and responded upon Darcy’s presentation of his card with, “Ah, yes. You are expected. Right this way, if you please.”

After handing off their hats and coats to a footman, the butler led the pair up to the first floor. Elizabeth noted that while there were a few fine older pieces, most of the furnishings were new and expensive. One side table had caught her admiring eye when she was interrupted by the butler’s announcement at the open parlor door.

“Mr. and Mrs. Darcy to see Miss King, sir.”

The parlor was a smallish, well-appointed room. Two windows faced the street, filling the space with sunlight. A gentleman and a lady stood awaiting them. The gentleman was balding and rotund, of medium height. His dress was that of a very prosperous tradesman. The young lady, of seventeen years, was short and somewhat stout, unremarkable in dress and looks, save for the unfortunate freckles scattered about her nose and cheeks. She stared at the newcomers in curiosity.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy,” said the gentleman after a bow. “I am Mr. King, and this is my niece, Miss King.”

“Thank you for agreeing to our call, sir,” said Darcy. “My wife is eager to renew her acquaintance with Miss King.” He offered the young lady a smile.

Everyone took their seats and Miss King called for tea. They then fell into the usual inquiries of weather, travel, health, and family.

“My mother in Meryton writes of your recent marriage and that of your sister,” said Miss King. “Allow me to wish you joy.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you. Jane and Mr. Bingley are happily ensconced at Netherfield, and we are on our wedding tour.”

Miss King started. “Oh! Umm, it was kind of you to invite my mother to the wedding breakfast.”

“Not at all. Our only disappointment was that you could not come as well.”

Miss King was openly confused. “M-Me? But—pardon me, Mrs. Darcy, I have hardly had the pleasure of your acquaintance!”

Now Elizabeth smiled widely. “That is something we hope to remedy in short order!”

The conversation was interrupted by the maid bearing the tea. Once the girl left and Miss King began to serve, Elizabeth continued.

“I know we do not know each other well, and that is something I truly regret. The purpose of our visit today is to learn if you are amenable to improving matters.”

“I-I do not take your meaning.”

Darcy grinned and turned to Mr. King. “Sir, I would like to speak to you privately about an important matter. Shall we leave the ladies to their tea?”

Mr. King, just as dumbfounded as his niece, reluctantly agreed. The two gentlemen soon departed the room. Elizabeth returned to Miss King.

“Do not be alarmed, my dear. Mr. Darcy is simply requesting your uncle’s permission for you to visit Pemberley next month.”

“Your husband’s estate? But why?”

“We are determined that we shall become good friends, for if not for you, we might never have found our happiness!”

Mary King gaped. “Mrs. Darcy, I still do not understand!”

“I will explain. It all began with Mr. Wickham.” At Miss King’s high color, she quickly continued. “Do not concern yourself! That cad is out of the country, hopefully never to return. Canada can have him!

“You see, I took an instant dislike to Mr. Darcy upon our first meeting in Hertfordshire, due to my violent reaction to a thoughtless remark by him. Mr. Wickham’s lies only increased my abhorrence. I had no idea Mr. Darcy fancied me. We met again months later in Kent. You may recall that Charlotte Lucas married my cousin, Mr. Collins. I was visiting her at Easter at the same time Mr. Darcy was a guest of his aunt, the patroness of Mr. Collins. Mr. Darcy and I met and fought again, and we would surely have separated forever, save for a remark about Mr. Wickham courting you. Mr. Darcy grew alarmed and vowed to save my friend from that scoundrel.”

A wide-eyed Miss King blurted, “But, we are not friends.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Mr. Darcy assumed we were. This led to a discussion about Mr. Wickham’s true history and all his lies and wicked actions. It helped me see Mr. Darcy in a different light. I was forced to drop all my preconceived notions, and after his apologies for his unfortunate behavior and a rather short courtship—well, here we are!” She smiled brightly as only a lady in love could smile.

Miss King dropped her head. “Mr. Wickham was so handsome. I could not believe that of all the young ladies in Meryton, he chose me.” She looked up. “I admit I was a little envious of you, Mrs. Darcy. When George—Mr. Wickham paid me attention rather than you or your sister Lydia, I was so happy! I never thought that he was only interested in my fortune. I should have known. No man would want me.”

Elizabeth reached over and touched her hand. “Miss King—”

“No. Pray let me finish. My uncle learned of Mr. Wickham’s interest from my mother. His investigations alarmed him, and he rushed to Meryton to save me. He shared with me some of what he learned. Mr. Wickham is a bad man, I now know. H-he never loved me.” She began to weep.

Elizabeth reached over and Miss King fell into her embrace. “Oh, my dear! Shed no tears over that rascal! You are not his first victim, but hopefully, you will be his last!”

“He was the only man to notice me. I shall die an old maid.”

“No, you will not.” She dried Miss King’s face with her handkerchief. “That is why Mr. Darcy and I wish you to visit Pemberley. You will be our honored guest, and there will be those who wish to know you. Miss Darcy is of an age with you, and my sister Kitty will join us as well. Come make merry with us in Derbyshire!”

“You … you really want me to visit your home?”

“We insist upon it!”

Miss King gave her a watery smile. “If my uncle approves, I will come.”

~~~

The next month Mary King was welcomed at Pemberley with open arms. She quickly befriended not only Elizabeth, but Miss Darcy and Miss Kitty Bennet as well. They were soon Lizzy and Georgie and Kitty and Mary to each other. She remained a little in awe of Mr. Darcy, but was far more comfortable with another guest to the estate. Colonel Fitzwilliam had come, and though Mary still bemoaned her freckles, the colonel seemed not to mind them at all.

Upon the end of Mary’s visit, the colonel requested that he write to her uncle. A dazed Miss King gave her consent and Elizabeth quickly invited her new friend to spend the Season with them after the New Year.

Elizabeth’s machinations were wildly successful. By April, Mary was engaged to Colonel Fitzwilliam. They married in June, two months before the heir to Pemberley, Thomas George Darcy, was brought into the world. At Elizabeth’s insistence, the Fitzwilliams stood as godparents to the child.

In the years to come, the Darcys were always on the most intimate terms with the Fitzwilliams. Darcy and Elizabeth were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the lady who, by igniting Mr. Darcy’s noblest instincts, had been the means of uniting them.

THE END

Thank you for reading this little entertainment, and a special shout-out to those of you who commented!
For more of my free offerings, just pop over to the Free Books section of the website.
And please give my published works a look You can find them at Amazon.

Until next time, this has been the Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles.

It takes a real man to write historical romance, so let me tell you a story…