“I take it things have not gone too well here at Rosings,” ventured Richard as he made his way towards the bottle of brandy.
Darcy looked up at Richard and nodded his agreement. “I’m afraid I have some rather alarming news regarding Anne’s health.”
Darcy proceeded to tell Richard of his conversation with Dr. Adams and also his conversation with their Aunt Catherine. As unpleasant as the news was, Richard was hardly shocked. They had known for years that Anne’s health was frail, at best. Of course, that did not make the prognosis any easier to bear.
“What will you do?” asked Richard.
“I plan to take Anne back to Pemberley and make her as comfortable as I can. We will stay here for a short time, but I want Anne to see how beautiful Pemberley is at Christmas.”
When Richard looked over at his cousin, he saw the sadness reflected in his eyes.
There was a long silence between the cousins. Neither felt the need to talk, for they were both lost in their own thoughts. Darcy was having a hard time reconciling himself to all that had happened. If what the doctor had suggested was true, then Anne’s health already had been in jeopardy when they married. He needed to believe that their marriage had not caused her any harm.
He would devote himself to her for as long as she had left. That was the least he could do. As soon as Anne felt strong enough, he would retrieve Georgiana from London, and the three of them would go back to Pemberley. He rose from his seat and looked over to Richard.
“Care for another?” he asked as he raised his glass in the air. Richard nodded. Darcy poured each of them another drink and sat back down. There seemed to be nothing left to say.
He unconsciously touched his waistcoat pocket and felt Mrs. Reynolds’s letter.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Despite the way the evening had started out, it was ending on a much brighter note. After the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Bingley privately expressed his anger to Caroline and told her they would speak about her behaviour at greater length on the morrow.
When it was time for Jane to leave, Bingley offered to accompany her home. He handed her into the carriage and took the seat next to her. Jane was a bit nervous. Despite the fact that she was four and twenty, she had never been completely alone with a gentleman before.
Well, there had been one gentleman when she was but fifteen who had written her love poems that would have made the angels sing. However, his affections for her had never progressed beyond the occasional sonnet. He also had made it quite clear that his devotion to his dear widowed mother would always be his first priority.
As the carriage began its short journey, Bingley moved closer to Jane and took her hand. She smiled at him. He smiled back.
His voice was tentative as he addressed her. “Miss Bennet, I know we have not known each other very long, but I was hoping you might consider entering into a courtship.”
A slight blush coloured her lovely face as she shyly looked up into his eyes. “I would be honoured to have you court me, Mr. Bingley.”
She looked down at his lips, hoping he would take the hint. Even though she knew it would be most improper, at four and twenty she believed she had waited long enough to experience the thrill of a first kiss. Love poems might feed the soul, but Jane was anxious to feed her imagination.
Bingley lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. It stirred the butterflies in her stomach as he did, but still she wanted more. Please do not recite a poem, she thought.
As the carriage stopped before the Morgans’ townhouse, Bingley opened the door and stepped down. He took Jane’s hand and guided her steps to the ground. “If it is agreeable to you, I would like to call on you tomorrow evening, shall we say about seven?”
“Yes,” said Jane, “I would like that very much, Mr. Bingley.”
He was again about to bring her hand to his lips. Jane, now realizing she was to be denied once more even the smallest of kisses, withdrew her hand and reached her arms around his neck, planting a kiss most decidedly, and quite accurately, upon his lips. His first reaction was one of surprise, but he very quickly recovered and kissed her back most ardently.
~*~
“Caroline, I wish to speak with you about your behaviour last night,” said Bingley. “I cannot believe you were so rude to our guests. I wouldn’t blame Darcy if he never wished to be in company with us again. And your treatment of Miss Bennet was unforgivable.”
“Charles, really, you’re overreacting,” countered Caroline. “Mr. Darcy knows of my affection for him. And for Mrs. Darcy, too,” she added as an afterthought. “I was only trying to be a good hostess. I was expressing my desire to have their company for a few days more. That is all. And as far as Miss Bennet is concerned, I still cannot believe you invited her without telling me. I think, under the circumstances, I was quite justified in my behaviour.”
“Caroline, I’m warning you. You will desist with this fantasy you have of you and Darcy, and you will behave in a civil manner towards Miss Bennet.”
“Or what?” she asked.
“Or you will find out what it’s like to live within the confines of your stipend,” he replied.
“You know I cannot do that,” she said, a horrified look transforming her face.
“Well, the choice is yours, Caroline. And I should tell you that you will have ample opportunities to make it up to Miss Bennet, as I expect to be seeing a great deal of her from now on.”
“I thought you were in a hurry to return to Netherfield?”
“Well, Caroline, you should be happy. You’re getting your wish to stay in London a little longer.” With that he turned and left his sister’s company.
Louisa Hurst entered the breakfast room and sat down next to her sister. “Well, our brother seems to be in a most horrible mood this morning. Is he still upset with you about last night?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll get over it soon enough. I’m just trying to stop him from making a fool of himself over that servant. We’ll all be the laughing stock of London if he continues to see her.
“And I’m sure Mr. Darcy would quite agree with me. After all, the only reason he married Anne was because of her wealth and social status. Mr. Darcy is a man who understands the importance of such things. I’m sure I’ll have an ally in him. I will make sure to discuss this with him when he returns to London.”
“How do you know he will return to London?”
“Well, Georgiana is to accompany them, so he must come to London for her before they proceed to Pemberley. Maybe we should call on her in the meantime. This way it will not look suspicious when we visit her when he returns. We will be good friends by then.”
“Caroline, you really are so devious!” said Louisa.
~*~
Elizabeth took the letter from Mrs. Worthington’s hand and eyed the handwriting. Noting it was not from Jane, her hand immediately began to tremble. She excused herself from Mrs. Worthington’s company and went out to the gardens. The letter, as she suspected, was Mr. Gallagher’s reply. He instructed her as to when and where a carriage was to meet her.
Elizabeth knew she would now have to speak with Mrs. Worthington. She needed to inform her of her imminent departure, and she also needed to ask a favour of her. She waited until it was time for their afternoon tea. As she poured out a cup for each of them, Elizabeth took a deep breath. Mrs. Worthington noticed her unease.
“I hope your letter did not bring you bad news, Elizabeth.”
“Not exactly,” she replied. “However, the news it bears will have an immediate effect on my circumstances.”
“How so?”
“I’m afraid that I must leave here, Mrs. Worthington. A personal matter has arisen that I must attend to.” Mrs. Worthington eyed her curiously but said nothing. “I do not wish to appear mysterious, but I cannot disclose any of the details,” continued Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth, if you are in any trouble, please tell me. I may be able to be of some assistance.”
“
I assure you, I shall be fine. It is something that I must face alone,” said Elizabeth. “I do, however, need to ask a rather large favour of you.”
“What is it Elizabeth? You know I will try to help you if I can.”
“Since this matter is highly personal, I’m afraid I cannot even divulge the details to Jane. She cannot know that I have left your employ. Therefore, I would ask that you forward Jane’s letters to me. I shall give you the address where I will be residing for the next several months. Would you be willing to do such a thing for me?” asked Elizabeth.
“If that is what you wish. When must you leave?” asked Mrs. Worthington.
“In four days’ time.”
“Elizabeth, I know I am just an old woman. I’m sure you think me very thick and naïve. But, I was once a young woman such as yourself. I am not unacquainted with the fancies of young men and women. And, I am not completely unaware of the changes in you since your return from holiday. I do not wish to interfere in your life, but I want you to know that if you ever need me for anything, I would be most willing and happy to assist you in any way I can.”
They looked into each other’s eyes; Elizabeth’s already brimming with tears. “I thank you” was all she could manage to say.
~*~
Despite the vastness of Rosings, Darcy was beginning to feel claustrophobic. It seemed he could find no refuge from the company of his aunt. His only escape, a temporary one, came in the mornings when he would choose a mare from the stables and ride.
It was almost December, and the mornings were getting colder. He wanted to be heading back to Pemberley soon. The last thing he wanted was for the weather to prohibit their departure. Anne was not getting any better. She had refused to see any more doctors or to have any further tests. He could have insisted, but he did not. He could not blame her. What was the point? Why did he need to have further confirmation of her fate? Whether Dr. Adams was right or wrong in his diagnosis, they would know soon enough.
Even with all that had been happening with Anne, Darcy still could not stop thinking about her. Ever since he had read Mrs. Reynolds’s letter, she had been in his thoughts constantly. She was with child, his child. Despite the fact that they were never to meet again, they would always have this bond. Nothing could ever break it.
He wondered where she was. He wished he could see her again. Just once more. The last few months had taken their toll. He longed for the sanctuary of her embrace. He wanted to feel that closeness again. He both blessed and cursed her.
Before her, he had felt nothing. He was a man driven solely by his sense of duty and responsibility. But now, now that he had experienced what it was to feel such a connection to someone, to have his passions awakened, how could he go back to the nothingness he had before? Yet, he knew he must. Would it not have been better never to have known such feelings?
He had tried not to think of all the coincidences that had been surfacing lately; the entailment of Longbourn, for one. Mr. Collins had inherited Longbourn due to an entailment. Lizzy had lost her estate to a distant male cousin, due to an entailment. Was this just a coincidence?
And what of Wickham and the ten thousand pounds? Lizzy had said that her predicament was of a personal family matter that had to be acted upon quickly. Could that have been Wickham? Was the money she needed to pay him? If that were the case, then Richard had been in her company. It also meant that she was Miss Bennet’s sister, which meant that Bingley had been in her company also.
Darcy shook his head, thinking he must be suffering from paranoia. He was convinced his mind was playing tricks on him. Not everything is connected to her, he thought. Still he could not help but be curious.
They would be leaving for London next week. He would spend only a few days there; just enough time to see Bingley again and to give Anne sufficient rest before they departed for Pemberley with Georgiana. He told himself once safely back home, he would rid Lizzy from his mind once and for all.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Darcy and Anne arrived at his townhouse much later than he had planned. He had wanted to get an earlier start, but his aunt had delayed their departure. She had insisted that they stay the evening in order to share the company of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, who had been invited to dine. Even though Darcy had no desire to be in the obsequious clergyman’s company, he thought it might be a good opportunity to learn more about the clergyman’s recent inheritance.
As they entered the parlour, Mr. Collins bowed so low before Lady Catherine that his wife had to help him back to an upright position. His added delight at seeing Mr. Darcy was apparent. He was somewhat stunned by the appearance of Mrs. Darcy as she was pale and much thinner than the last time he had seen her. He, however, did not let that deter him from finding some compliment to offer.
“How delightful to see you again, Mrs. Darcy. And may I say the colour of your gown is most complimentary to your slippers.”
Anne tried to join in pleasant conversation, but her fatigue grew with each passing moment. She begged to be excused, and Darcy escorted her to her room and made sure she was comfortable.
“I shall have some supper sent up. I promise not to be too long, Anne. As soon as dinner is over, we will depart for London. Get some rest if you can.”
As they sat at the dinner table, Darcy was anxious to ask the clergyman some questions regarding the entailment. “Tell me, Mr. Collins, how do you like living at Longbourn?”
So enthralled was he at the fact that Mr. Darcy had actually taken an interest in him, he was only too happy to proceed to tell Mr. Darcy anything he would like to know on the topic.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, I can honestly say that I am quite enjoying being the master of my own estate. Oh my dear sir, not to compare my position with yours, of course, but I must admit living the life of a country gentleman is quite appealing.”
“It must have been very hard on the Bennet family to lose their home to an entailment,” offered Darcy.
“Oh, are you acquainted with the family, sir?”
“I have only recently met Miss Jane Bennet. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her mother or any of her sisters.” At least to my knowledge, thought Darcy. “Are you acquainted with the rest of the family?”
“As it happens, Mr. Darcy, Miss Jane Bennet is the only sister I have not met. She had already departed for London by the time I reached Longbourn. But I am acquainted with Mrs. Bennet and her other four daughters.”
“I see,” said Darcy, not wishing to appear too interested. However, he could not help himself as he asked, “Are you much acquainted with the other four daughters?”
Mr. Collins looked down to the end of the table and saw that his wife was deep in conversation with Lady Catherine. He turned his body slightly in Darcy’s direction, as if to avoid his wife’s notice and spoke in a low voice.
“Well, to be honest, Mr. Darcy, when I arrived at Longbourn to claim my inheritance, it was my intention to choose a wife from one of Mrs. Bennet’s daughters. I thought it only my duty to try to make things right. As I mentioned, Miss Jane Bennet had already departed for London, but, when I saw Miss Elizabeth, I thought I had found my future wife. Indeed her wit and her vivacity were qualities to highly recommend her as my life’s companion.”
Darcy sat in complete silence, listening to every word he had to say. He dared not ask any more questions for fear of arousing the clergyman’s curiosity. But, then again, there was no need to ask any further questions, as Mr. Collins was only too delighted to continue. Noticing how absorbed Mr. Darcy was in his story, he threw caution to the wind and revealed every detail.
“I had decided to ask for her hand the very afternoon of my arrival. I am not a man who is swayed by appearances, Mr. Darcy, but upon seeing Miss Elizabeth, I will admit I was enthralled by her dark eyes, her beautiful chestnut hair and,” again looking down at the end of the table to make sure his wife was not listening to their conversation, “her most pleasing figure.”
Darcy tried not to react to his de
scription of Miss Elizabeth. He merely nodded for him to continue.
“I know it is very hard to believe, considering my position, but she refused me! I explained to her I was offering to save her family, but to no avail. I pointed out the unlikelihood of her ever being offered another proposal of marriage, and still she refused! Can you imagine such an imprudent young woman? Upon witnessing such reckless behaviour, I was somewhat relieved; for I’m sure we would not have been of the same mind.”
Darcy could not help but ask his next question. ” Did she give you a reason for her refusal?”
“Such foolishness to be sure,” replied the clergyman. “She vowed never to marry if she could not do so for love. Can you imagine such folly?”
Darcy sat there stunned for a moment. Was that not the same response Lizzy had given during their interview?
His aunt’s voice brought him back to his surroundings. “Of what are you speaking, Darcy? I must have my share in the conversation!”
The two gentlemen proceeded to join the ladies’ conversation, and the rest of the evening passed unremarkably.
~*~
Georgiana was delighted to see her brother and Anne seated at the breakfast table the next morning. Her delight was somewhat diminished upon noting the pallor of Anne’s skin. She tried not to look alarmed as she greeted them both.
“I am so glad you have returned from Rosings. I have missed you both so much,” she said.
“Have you had nothing to pleasantly divert you since our departure?” asked Anne.
“Well, I have been visited on several occasions by Miss Bingley,” said Georgiana. “However, the diversion was not necessarily a pleasant one.”
Feeling embarrassed by her uncharitable admission, she added, “I do not mean to sound ungrateful for her companionship, but sometimes I feel I am just a poor substitute for you and my brother, that it is not me that she truly wishes to visit.”
Thursday's Child Page 11