Thursday's Child

by Pat Santarsiero

  “I’m sure that is not the case,” said Anne. “Why would she have visited then, knowing we were away?”

  “I guess that’s true,” said Georgiana, still not completely convinced.

  “I promised Miss Bingley we would all call on her and Mr. Bingley as soon as you returned.”

  Darcy looked over at Anne. He could tell she was not fully recuperated from their journey from Rosings. “Perhaps Georgiana and I should go alone,” suggested Darcy. “That will give you another full day to rest, Anne. I do not want to exhaust your strength. We still have a long journey ahead of us to Pemberley.”

  “Perhaps you are right, Fitzwilliam,” said Anne. “Please make my apologies to Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley. I am sure I shall see them again soon.”

  After breakfast, Darcy and Georgiana headed out towards Bingley’s townhouse. Darcy was anxious to speak to Bingley on a private matter. He would only have a few days in London, and he had much to accomplish.

  Caroline and Mrs. Hurst greeted Georgiana and Darcy most graciously. Upon noting that Anne had not accompanied them, Caroline was immediately at Darcy’s side and escorted him personally into the parlour. “How good of you to call so soon upon your arrival in London,” she said. “I’m sure Georgiana has told you how close we’ve become during your absence.”

  Darcy looked over to Georgiana who smiled at Caroline as she spoke. Despite his best efforts, he could not help but roll his eyes, causing Georgiana to stifle a giggle. “Yes, I just mentioned that very fact this morning,” said Georgiana with a grin.

  Bingley made his way towards the parlour and greeted his guests. Darcy straightaway suggested they leave the ladies for a short while. “I have some business I need to discuss with you,” said Darcy.

  “But, of course, Darcy. I would be most happy to be of any help I can.”

  They entered Bingley’s study where they made themselves comfortable before the fireplace. “What is it you wish to discuss with me?” asked Bingley.

  Darcy hesitated. He didn’t really know how to broach the subject, so he just blurted out “Have you been seeing much of Miss Bennet?”

  Bingley, somewhat surprised by this question answered defensively, “Don’t tell me you, too, are going to start in on me!”

  “Whatever do you mean?” replied Darcy.

  “Well, it’s just that since I started courting Miss Bennet, Caroline won’t give me a moment’s peace. She insists that I stop seeing her. And she has assured me that you would wholeheartedly agree with her.”

  “I have never even discussed Miss Bennet with her, so I don’t see how she could know my feelings on the matter,” said Darcy.

  “So, you are not here to try and talk me out of seeing Miss Bennet?”

  “I assure you, I am not.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” Bingley smiled at his friend. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear you say it. Well, what did you wish to discuss then?”

  “Actually, the matter I wish to discuss is not wholly unconnected to Miss Bennet. I know this will sound like a strange request, and I must insist that you not ask me the reasons why I seek this information.”

  Bingley‘s face was one big question mark. “Whatever are you talking about?”

  “I need you to find out if Miss Elizabeth Bennet is still employed as a lady’s companion,” said Darcy.

  “Whatever for?” exclaimed Bingley.

  Darcy let out an exasperated sigh. “I just explained that I cannot give you the reasons why, Bingley. I just need to know if she is still living with her employer as a lady’s companion.”

  “However am I to find that out without raising suspicions?” asked a very confused Bingley.

  “Can you not work it into a conversation with Miss Bennet?”

  “I suppose I can,” admitted Bingley. “As a matter of fact, Miss Bennet is dining here tonight. Perhaps you and Georgiana would care to stay? I’m sure Caroline would be more than happy to accommodate you both.”

  “I think I can manage that. I would like to send word to Anne to let her know that we will not be home until later this evening.”

  ~*~

  It was unusually warm for a December day. Anne was not in the least disappointed that she had not accompanied Fitzwilliam to Mr. Bingley’s. As much as she liked Mr. Bingley, she could not tolerate an entire afternoon watching Miss Bingley fawn over her husband and listening to her make unkind remarks at her own expense. She decided to spend the afternoon in the small parlour off the breakfast room. The room was completely infused with light, and Mrs. Evanston had placed several floral arrangements throughout the room, giving it a most wonderful outdoorsy effect.

  Anne had slept but little the previous night due to her cough. The nights seemed worse than the days. She knew that as Fitzwilliam never brought up the subject of her health, the situation must be grave. He avoided the subject entirely, and she was grateful that he did. She did not want to deceive Fitzwilliam, but in her own mind she had good reason not to mention any other symptoms to him or Dr. Adams. There was no point in making her husband worry more than he already was. There was certainly nothing that he could do to relieve her distress. She knew her fate was in the hands of God.

  ~*~

  Jane Bennet arrived at seven o’clock. She was greeted by an anxious Mr. Bingley and an even more anxious Mr. Darcy. After greetings were exchanged, they all sat down in the parlour before dinner was called.

  Darcy tried to situate himself as near to Bingley and Miss Bennet as he could without raising curiosity. After some conversation had passed between the two, he saw that Bingley still had not approached the subject he wished to discuss. He finally decided to take matters into his own hands.

  “Miss Bennet, I recently had the opportunity to dine with your cousin, Mr. Collins. During our discourse he happened upon the subject of your family. He informed me that you were the only family member he has not met.”

  “That is true, Mr. Darcy. I had already left for London with my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when Mr. Collins arrived at Longbourn.”

  “He mentioned that your mother and younger sisters were situated on the outskirts of Meryton.”

  “Yes. As you know my youngest sister, Lydia, is now married and living in New Castle, but my mother and two younger sisters live in a cottage just outside of Meryton.”

  “He did not know where your sister Miss Elizabeth was now residing,” Darcy said rather cautiously. “I heard you mention at the dinner party that she is employed by a Mrs. Worthington. Is she still in that lady’s employ?”

  He steeled himself for her answer. He knew from Mrs. Reynolds’s latest letter that Lizzy was now living in the accommodations arranged by his attorney. She would stay there until the end of her confinement. He held his breath as he waited for Miss Bennet’s reply.

  “Well, yes, Mr. Darcy,” Jane replied, somewhat surprised by his interest in her family. “As a matter of fact, I just received a reply to my last letter this morning, and Elizabeth said that she and Mrs. Worthington would not be travelling much in the near future. She said she was most happy to be staying in one place for a while and that I should continue to write her at Mrs. Worthington’s home.”

  Darcy thought the look of relief on his face must have been quite apparent to everyone in the room. “I am glad to hear it. I trust she is well?”

  “Yes. She sounded quite well. I thank you for your interest, sir.”

  Bingley had sat and listened to this entire exchange in complete bewilderment. In all the years that he had known his friend, this was indeed the most loquacious Darcy he had ever witnessed. What in the world was he about? Why was he so interested in Miss Elizabeth’s whereabouts? He knew it would be futile to ask.

  As dinner was announced, Caroline immediately went to Darcy’s side and, with her arm entwined around his, led him towards the dining room. Darcy was so relieved that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was not the “Lizzy” of his acquaintance that he actually indulged Caroline with conversation throughout the en
tire dinner.

  It was quite late by the time they departed Bingley’s. During the carriage ride home, Georgiana soon fell asleep, leaving Darcy alone with his thoughts. He concluded that if Jane Bennet was writing to her sister at Mrs. Worthington’s and she had received a reply to her last letter just this morning, then it must follow that Elizabeth Bennet was still a lady’s companion where she had been employed for the last year and a half. She was not the Lizzy he had met in St. Andrews.

  Now that this was no longer plaguing his mind, he began to relax. He couldn’t even imagine the awkwardness such a situation could have presented. Imagine, Bingley courting the sister of . . . of . . . can I even think the thought? . . . the mother of my bastard child! No. That is not how it shall be. I will find a way to bring this child into my home and raise it as my own. I must find a way to conquer this.

  With thoughts of his child running through his mind, he immediately thought of what his child might look like. With Lizzy’s dark eyes and hair, he knew the child would be beautiful. How could it not be? He thought of her; about seeing her again. Would it really be so imprudent to see her once more? Just to be in her company one more time before she was lost to him forever. Would she be willing to see him again? Did she miss him at all?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The sun shone brightly down on Grosvenor Square as Darcy assisted Anne and Georgiana into the carriage. It was Georgie’s plan for her and Anne to get some Christmas shopping accomplished before their return to Pemberley. Darcy had offered to accompany them stating that he had business in town which needed his attention. As he dropped them off at the prominent shops along the main thoroughfare, he arranged to meet them at the book sellers across the street in two hours. Once he left their company, he headed north three blocks to the office of Mr. Gallagher.

  Two hours later, as planned, Darcy walked into the book sellers. Noting his wife and sister had not yet arrived, he started perusing the shelves. Perhaps he would purchase some books for Georgie for Christmas. He approached the clerk and, after asking for the latest novels and biographies suitable for a seventeen year old girl, made several selections. He asked the clerk to wrap them quickly in case his sister should arrive in the meantime.

  He again wandered the rows of books, sighting many of his beloved possessions. He then came upon Paradise Lost, and his heart sank in his chest. He pulled the book from the shelf and leafed through several pages, reacquainting himself with the verses. The eternal fight of good and evil, he thought. A fight he knew he was losing, just as surely as Adam and Eve had lost their paradise. Impulsively he pulled several volumes of poetry from the shelves and quickly brought them to the clerk, once again requesting that they be immediately wrapped.

  The bell above the door tinkled, announcing that Anne and Georgiana had entered the shop. They both carried several packages, and Darcy rushed directly to help them. “Anne, whatever possessed you to carry such a heavy load?” She was unable to answer. He could see she was winded and was having trouble breathing. She began to cough and gasped for air. He immediately picked her up and carried her to their carriage. The clerk helped Georgiana gather the rest of their packages and packed them into the boot of the carriage.

  With a distressed look upon her face, Georgiana asked, “What is the matter with her, Fitzwilliam?”

  “She is just out of breath,” he replied, not wishing to alarm his sister.

  He knew he would have to reveal the truth to Georgie soon, but for now he preferred to preserve the possibility that Anne’s health could still improve with time. If Georgiana knew the truth of Anne’s condition, he was sure she would not be able to conceal her grief in Anne’s presence.

  Anne’s coughing subsided after several minutes. Darcy pulled her close, and she rested her head on his chest, her breathing still laboured.

  Once back at their townhouse, Darcy saw to Anne’s comfort and care. His heart was heavy with concern. Each episode seemed to come more quickly and last longer than the previous one. He would give her at least a day or two of complete rest before they journeyed home. He was convinced that the healing effects of his beloved Pemberley would help restore her health. He would see that she received the best of care.

  ~*~

  Caroline Bingley entered the foyer of the Darcy townhouse. Even though Mrs. Evanston had informed her that, unfortunately, the family was not receiving visitors today, she had insisted on being announced.

  “I’m sure they will make an exception in my case,” she stated with conviction. “I’ll wait in the music room,” she said as she brushed her way past the housekeeper. Several minutes later a very agitated Darcy entered the music room and approached his unwelcomed guest.

  “Thank you so much for seeing me, Mr. Darcy,” said Caroline as she rose to greet him. “I told your housekeeper that there must be some mistake. I knew you would not refuse to see me.” Caroline sat back down upon the divan, waiting for Darcy to sit next to her. He remained standing.

  “I’m afraid both Georgiana and Anne are indisposed this morning,” said Darcy barely able to contain his annoyance.

  “Oh, I am sorry to hear that. Nothing serious I hope?” she asked trying to sound sincere.

  “No, just tired after a long day of shopping yesterday,” he said. “I’m sure they will both be well recovered and ready to travel to Pemberley by tomorrow.”

  “So soon? I thought after our pleasant evening together you might delay your departure a little longer,” she said as she again stood and placed her hand on his arm.

  “Our ‘pleasant’ evening together?” asked Darcy with a genuine look of confusion on his face.

  “Why, yes,” she said, “the other night at dinner?”

  Darcy removed her hand from his arm and stepped back. As he was about to speak, she continued, “Oh, I know we must be discreet, Mr. Darcy. It must be very difficult for you, with Anne being so often indisposed. I’m sure you frequently find yourself in need of companionship. That you’ve turned to me is indeed most flattering, but I must advise you, sir, I will not be involved in a scandal.” As she said this, she moved her hand along the lapel of Darcy’s tailcoat somewhat diminishing the sincerity of her declaration.

  As he again removed her hand from his person, Darcy was confident his look of abhorrence conveyed his feelings. Surely she must be delusional. “Miss Bingley, I assure you that I have no intentions of involving you in a scandal. I have no intentions towards you whatsoever. I’m sorry if anything I’ve said or done has led you to believe otherwise.”

  “I understand, Mr. Darcy,” Caroline whispered as her eyes darted about the room. “We must be very careful not to raise any suspicions. How fortunate that Georgiana and I have become such good friends. I can always use visiting her as an excuse for us to be together.”

  With an exasperated look on his face Darcy asked, “Why are you here, Miss Bingley?”

  “I have come to talk to you about my brother and Miss Bennet. I am counting on you to talk some sense into him. Certainly you must agree that it is imperative that he stop seeing that . . . that servant!”

  “Your brother is a grown man. I’m sure he is capable of making such decisions on his own.”

  “But certainly you would never think of courting a woman in domestic service yourself, Mr. Darcy. I know you far too well to believe that you would.”

  Most undoubtedly he agreed with Caroline’s assertions; however, the hesitation that preceded his response caused both of their brows to crease slightly. “I . . . I believe that my circumstances greatly differ from those of your brother. My family has always instilled certain expectations in me, and there are certain rules of propriety that must be followed,” said Darcy. “You cannot compare my place in society with that of your brother.”

  “Well, Mr. Darcy, I see you feel yourself quite above the rest of us. Would you not wish to counsel Charles with the same good sense and respect for propriety that you yourself received?”

  Darcy pondered this for a long moment. What
was the world coming to when the likes of Caroline Bingley actually made sense? Bingley forming an alliance with Miss Bennet would not advance his position in society. Granting that perhaps Caroline had made a valid point he stated, “I promise to do no more than point out the disadvantages of such a match. He must make up his own mind on the subject.”

  “That is all I ask of you, sir. You know how much Charles values your advice.

  “I will leave you now, Mr. Darcy. I will look forward to our next meeting. I am sure you will find some reason to visit us in London again very soon.” Looking around the room, she whispered, “You can count on my discretion in all matters, sir.”

  ~*~

  Darcy, knowing he hadn’t much time to speak with Bingley regarding Miss Bennet before departing for Pemberley, decided the best course would be to send a note requesting his company for lunch at his club. He did not want to be in Miss Bingley’s company again and resolved to avoid Bingley’s townhouse at all cost.

  Darcy was already seated at his usual table when Bingley arrived. Bingley greeted his friend warmly, happy as always to be in his company. “I can understand why you wished to meet me here,” said Bingley. “Caroline has been out of control lately. I never know what she will say or do next to embarrass me. I truly apologize for her behaviour.”

  “There is no need for you to apologize. I admit she can try one’s patience at times, but that certainly is no reflection on you, Bingley.”

  “So, tomorrow you leave for Pemberley?”

  “Yes, but there was one thing I would like to further discuss with you before I leave,” said Darcy.

  “Oh? What might that be?”

  “I was wondering how things are going with Miss Bennet?” inquired Darcy.

  “Why, very well, Darcy. I don’t see her as often as I would wish, due to her duties as governess, but we have had several pleasant evenings together. Is she not a perfect angel?” replied Bingley grinning quite openly.

  “I believe those were the very words you used to describe that young lady you met last year at the Banister’s party, was it not? You know the one you courted for several weeks before she mentioned that her betrothed was away on business?”