If Only In His Dreams by Melanie Schertz

the Fitzwilliam family, but he is not head of the de Bourgh or Darcy families.”
     
    This made Darcy think of his own engagement with Elizabeth.  Had her brother not done just the same thing that Lord Matlock had done for his sister?  Could Elizabeth harbor ill feelings towards both of the men who had made the decision for her to marry without consulting her opinion?  An ache began to grow inside his chest, his heart overwhelmed at the thought of his behavior being anything at all like his uncle’s.  “Mother, I believe that it is important for me to speak with Miss Elizabeth immediately.  I will return in time for dinner.”
     
    “Very well, William.  And tell Lizzy that I look forward to seeing her tomorrow.”
     
    Placing a kiss on his mother’s hand, Darcy nodded.  “I will do so, Mother.”
     
     
    Darcy quickly made his way on horseback to Longbourn.  Elizabeth was surprised to see him return so soon after he had left.  “Is all well with your family, Mr Darcy?”
     
    “Indeed, Mother and Georgiana have refreshed and are now resting.  I needed to speak with you on a matter of extreme importance.  I was hoping that your brother would allow us a few moments of privacy.”
     
    The two made their way down the hall to the study where Alex was working on his correspondence.  “Mr Bennet, I wish to have a few moments alone with your sister so that we might have a private conversation.  I promise you that I will behave myself in a proper manner, I only need to speak with her on an issue that I do not wish to speak of publically.”
     
    Alex looked back and forth between the two before nodding his head in agreement.  “I will allow you to utilize my office, on the condition that each of you is on opposite sides of my desk.”
     
    Once they had agreed to this stipulation, Alex left the room.  Darcy took the seat that Alex had just vacated, while Elizabeth sat in the one directly in front of the desk.

 
    “I made a startling revelation just a short time ago and realized that your brother and I have been cruel in a way to you.  I must begin with a tale that will explain why I came to this notion, if you will allow me to tell you.”
     
    Elizabeth nodded her head and Darcy began his tale.  “My mother is the youngest of three children.  Eldest is my Aunt Catherine, then their brother, Lord Matlock, and my mother is the youngest.  Their father died quite young, and Lord Matlock, my Uncle Henry, became the head of the Fitzwilliam family.  My mother was fortunate that she had already become betrothed to my father, for the power Lord Matlock felt in his advancing to head of the family was unbearable for my Aunt Catherine.  She was forced into an arranged marriage to Sir Lewis de Bourgh, a man who had a sinister reputation and a large bank book.  My uncle has always been a bit of a gambler, losing far more than he can afford.  So he arranged the marriage of my aunt to de Bourgh.  My aunt suffered severely for the marriage, for de Bourgh was heartless and abusive.  Aunt Catherine was wounded many times; broken bones, bruises, cuts, and even burns on her arms once.”
     
    Elizabeth gasped at such information.  Though it was difficult to believe, it was not something a man such as Darcy would claim if it were false.  He was trusting Elizabeth with a family secret and she would respect the trust he was giving her.
     
    “Fortunately for my aunt, Sir Lewis died not long before their fifth wedding anniversary.  He was well known at many of the brothels in Town and in Kent.  One night, a jealous man who thought himself in love with one of the harlots killed Sir Lewis, finding him with the harlot in a…well…um…”
     
    “Relations?” Elizabeth interjected.
     
    Coloring quite vividly, Darcy turned his face away from his fiancé.  “Yes, that would be a way to describe it.  Anyway, the man pulled a knife and stabbed Sir Lewis multiple times, then killed the woman as well.  Finally,