by Zoë Burton
“Maddie, it is so good to see you! It has been an age.” Lady Marlee pulled her friend into a tight hug and then beamed at her as she let go. Peeking around Maddie, her eyes landed on Gardiner standing behind her, and greeted him, as well. “Edward! Hearty as ever, I see. Our Maddie must be feeding you well.” Lady Marlee winked, causing both Gardiners to laugh.
“It has been quite a while, my lady. We have missed you at our meetings.” Maddie grinned as she spoke.
Darcy easily saw that Lady Marlee’s enthusiasm was boundless, and contagious. It was not difficult to understand why Mrs. Gardiner could not remain restrained in the presence of such a cheerful, joking, lively woman.
“I have missed you, as well.” Lady Marlee tossed her head back as she rolled her eyes. “But for the longest time, my sister insisted she could not do without me. I finally had to tell her plainly that I was bored. How she is able to pass months and months in the back of beyond is something I will never understand.”
“Well, you are here now, and that is all that matters. Is that not right, Edward?”
“Indeed it is. I look forward to seeing you at our dinners again. It is such a pleasure to surround oneself with intelligent conversationalists.”
Finally, Lady Marlee noticed Darcy. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, as I live and breathe! How are you, my boy?”
Darcy was grateful that she refrained from hugging him, and he made sure to remain out of arms’ reach. Though he was a man full-grown, in his experience, this lady often forgot that he was. It was not unknown for her to try to pinch his cheeks as she had done when he was a small boy. Bowing with a warm smile, he replied, “I am well, Madam. It is always a pleasure to see you.”
“How is your sister? I did not know you knew the Gardiners.”
“We are new acquaintances, but are quickly becoming friends. They are delightful people. Georgiana is coming up behind you, with Miss Bennet.”
Lady Marlee clasped her hands to her chest. “Miss Bennet!” She turned to see Elizabeth approach with Darcy’s sister. Letting out a soft sob, Lady Marlee stepped closer to Elizabeth, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Oh, dearest Miss Elizabeth. I am so sorry for your loss. How are you doing, my dear?”
Smothered as she was in the lady’s arms, Elizabeth’s response was muted, but it was clear that she was hanging on to her composure by a thread, for there was a hint of tears in her words. “I am well. As well as can be expected, I suppose.”
The lady loosened her embrace, taking a step back and running her hands over Elizabeth’s upper arms. “I have no doubt you are, and if you are not, you will be soon. Of all the Bennet girls I met, you were the strongest. Just to see you here now, standing before me instead of pining away, demonstrates to me that you will overcome this.” Lady Marlee stilled, her hands stopping at Elizabeth’s shoulders and her grip tightening. “Promise me you will come to me if you need anything. Anything at all, Miss Lizzy. Whatever you need, I will get it for you.”
Elizabeth swallowed. “I promise,” she replied, tears choking her voice and welling up in her eyes.
After one more long, tight hug of Elizabeth, Lady Marlee turned to Georgiana and greeted her, as well. “You are the image of your mother. So beautiful.” She grasped Georgiana’s hands. “It is your turn for a hug. How could I not embrace the daughter of my dear friend? I miss her more today than I have in a long time, seeing you.”
Georgiana submitted to being squeezed. As she pulled back after the embrace, she said, “I did not know you were acquainted with my new friends! How delightful!”
“Oh, yes, I have known Maddie Gardiner since she was newly married. We support the same charity. All the ladies get together once a month to sew clothing for the foundling hospital. Social status means nothing in the face of such poverty and need.”
After a few more minutes of conversation, Lady Marlee moved on to another group of friends, calling out promises to call on the Gardiners and Darcys soon.
By now, the group had passed a pleasant hour, and had made a full circle through the gardens to arrive once again at the entrance. Darcy noticed Elizabeth began to fidget and dart glances at the gate. She licked her lips and wrung her hands. Undoubtedly, she worried about once again facing her fear.
The change in her demeanor astonished Darcy, and he began to realize the depths of Elizabeth’s fear. He turned to the Gardiners, who were speaking to Georgiana and appeared not to notice Elizabeth’s increasingly agitated state.
“Did you bring the dog with you today?” He nodded toward Elizabeth. “I fear Miss Bennet will need his services.”
The Gardiners looked at their niece, then at each other. Mr. Gardiner excused himself and hurried out of the park.
“Thank you for alerting us, Mr. Darcy. I think we did not expect her to react until we had walked through the gates. My husband has gone to retrieve Brutus from the carriage; he will be waiting for us just outside. We look forward to our visit.” Smiling warmly at Darcy and his sister, Mrs. Gardiner curtseyed.
“If you do not mind, and if Georgiana does not mind, I will walk with you.”
Mrs. Gardiner had taken Elizabeth’s arm and looped it over hers, murmuring soothing words to her niece. Turning her attention back to the Darcys, she thanked them once more. Darcy, having received permission from his sister in the form of a nod, moved to the other side of Elizabeth, taking her free hand and tucking it under his arm.
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner, a crease between her brows the only visible sign of her concern, quietly drew her niece’s attention. “We are going to walk through the gate now. Brutus is waiting for you, to help you into the carriage. You can do this; there is nothing in the carriage that is going to hurt you, and nothing is going to occur on the way home. Are you ready?”
Elizabeth nodded, but her hands were clenched into fists and perspiration beaded on her forehead. Her breath came in quick pants.
Unable to see Elizabeth suffer, Darcy took her other arm. She swallowed as her aunt urged her to take a step. Elizabeth took that step, and then another, and then another. Again, Darcy marveled at her strength and fortitude.
Suddenly, Brutus was there. Gardiner had barely held the animal back while Elizabeth approached. The moment Elizabeth walked out between Darcy and Maddie, the dog leapt for his mistress. His paws on her shoulders, he licked her face in much the same way he had at Hatchards.
As he had a fortnight ago, Darcy stepped back to let Brutus work his magic on Elizabeth, who had instantly wrapped her arms around the dog. He watched the young lady bury her face in the animal’s neck; his heart ached for her. Feeling Georgiana take his arm, he looked down at her, taking in the crease between her brows and her lip caught in her teeth.
“Tell me what you are thinking,” he urged.
“Miss Bennet is afraid of carriages,” Georgiana observed.
“She is.”
“That is her dog?” Georgiana glanced up to see her brother nod, then looked towards her new friend once more. “I’ve never seen anyone behave in that manner with a dog before. Not in public, anyway.”
“Brutus has been hers for a long time, as I understand it. I can tell you with certainty that he helps her with the fear. The Gardiners tell me they have begun taking the dog everywhere with them, and he lays across Miss Bennet’s lap as they travel. He is a great comfort to her.”
Georgiana tilted her head, still chewing her lower lip. “I can see that he is. Already, she is calmer.” She looked up again, her brows drawn slightly together and a soft expression in her eyes. “It is a good thing she has … what did you say his name was? Brutus?”
“Yes, Brutus, and I agree. There, she has made him sit. Let us take our leave; Miss Bennet needs no more audience for her distress than she already has.” So saying, Darcy and his sister stepped toward the Gardiners and their niece.
Seeing them, Maddie smiled. “Once more I owe you thanks, Mr. Darcy. You have been such a blessing to us.”
“You are welcome, Madam. It was the least I could
do.” Darcy looked down as Brutus licked his hand. Chuckling, he petted the massive animal’s head, saying, “Good dog.” Darcy looked back at Elizabeth, who had turned from the witty and intelligent girl from the park into the pale wraith he had first met, and whose eyes were glued to the carriages parked in front of her.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy tried to draw her attention, happy when her head jerked in his direction. He bowed to her. “Thank you for entertaining my sister today. I think neither of us has had such an enjoyable time here before.”
“Yes, Miss Bennet, thank you,” Georgiana interjected.
The corners of Elizabeth’s lips lifted in a small smile. She managed a curtsey with her hand in its usual position, tightly gripping Brutus’ nape, and replied in one of the softest voices he had ever heard.
“You are welcome. Miss Darcy is wonderful. I enjoyed our chat very much.” She smiled at Georgiana. “Will you be there when we come for tea, Miss Darcy?”
Though she still looked at the carriages, Elizabeth exerted herself to speak with them as etiquette dictated. Darcy mentally applauded her excellent manners. It would be most understandable if she could not give them any attention at all.
“I will,” Georgiana assured her in a warm tone. “We should let you go. I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied in that same soft tone. Her eyes darted back to the carriages, and she swallowed, hard. Her gaze returned to Georgiana. “I will be well, soon.” She looked at the carriages once more and added in a whisper, “I hope.”
With a final round of curtseys and bows, the Darcys and their new friends parted. As Darcy handed his sister into his carriage, he looked back to see Mr. Gardiner, with Brutus’ help, assist Elizabeth into theirs. Darcy frowned before he looked up once more to mount the step and sit across from his sister.
Tea at Darcy House
Two days later, Darcy and Georgiana spent the morning pestering the staff, wanting to make sure the afternoon’s tea was a success. They had made arrangements with the butler and housekeeper, Mr. Baxter and Mrs. Bishop, to have a small fire in the grate that took up most of one wall in the entryway, and an extra shawl of Georgiana’s draped over the small chaise that had been placed near it. Darcy had seen Elizabeth shivering before in the aftermath of her fear, and both he and Georgiana wished to be of as much assistance as possible. More than once, it had crossed Darcy’s mind that he was far more interested in Elizabeth Bennet than he had been with any other woman of his acquaintance, but he brushed the thoughts aside to deal with later.
Soon, the appointed hour arrived, and the Gardiners and Elizabeth exited their carriage in front of Darcy House. Darcy had watched from the drawing room as Elizabeth had fairly exploded from the carriage, and appeared to be taking large breaths of air. Her relatives stood with her for a few minutes as she gathered herself. By the time they rang the bell, Darcy was at the bottom of the staircase, waiting with Georgiana to greet their friends.
Mr. Baxter opened the door. “Welcome to Darcy House, sir, madam, miss.”
Darcy, with Georgiana at his side, approached as his guests divested themselves of hats, gloves, bonnets, and spencers. “Welcome to Darcy House.” He and his sister came to a stop beside Baxter, bowing and curtseying their greetings. “It is good to see you again.”
“Thank you,” Gardiner heartily extended his appreciation. “You, as well. And thank you for your thoughtfulness,” he added, gesturing to the fire and furniture where his niece was currently seating herself.
“No need to thank me. I had noticed Miss Bennet shivering before when fearful and only thought to relieve some of her suffering.”
“It is very much appreciated, nonetheless.” Gardiner looked around the tastefully decorated hall. “You have a beautiful home, sir.”
Darcy glanced around, seeing the entryway as a stranger might. “Thank you. My mother decorated it years ago, and her taste was so exquisite that neither my father nor I felt a need to change anything after her death. I fear it might be a bit dated.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked up from her place beside Elizabeth to disagree with him. “Oh, no, it is not dated at all! Such classic elegance is always in style, despite being often overshadowed by short-lived inclinations toward gilt and gaudiness. I strive to meet a similar style in my home as what you see here.”
Darcy and Georgiana both smiled. “Then I shall stop worrying about it and simply enjoy the decoration.” Darcy looked at his sister. “Do you not agree, Georgiana?”
“Oh, I do! I love hearing about my mother. Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner.”
“You are very welcome.” Darcy grinned to see that Maddie’s warm smile made his sister blush and duck her head, though a small answering grin touched her lips.
After a pause, Darcy spoke again. “When Miss Bennet is well enough, we may venture up to the drawing room. The housekeeper should have our tea set up and ready very soon.”
“I believe I might be well enough now,” Elizabeth stated. “I thank you for your thoughtfulness. I am delighted to be so expediently warmed.” She stood, aided by her uncle’s extended hand. “You are a very gracious host,” she added while blushing.
Darcy bowed to her again, relieved that she had regained some color. “Come,” he said to the group with a smile and a wave of his hand, “follow me.” With his sister’s hand still tucked under his elbow, Darcy began to ascend the staircase. He looked back to see Gardiner following, his wife on one arm and his niece on the other.
Within minutes, the group was comfortably ensconced in chairs and on couches, and Georgiana was pouring out the tea under the watchful eye of her companion, who had been introduced to the newcomers as Mrs. Annesley.
As they sipped their tea and enjoyed sandwiches and scones, Darcy opened a conversation. “Mrs. Gardiner, when we saw you in the gardens, you mentioned that you spent time in Lambton. You lived with your grandparents while my parents were missionaries to foreign lands. Georgiana missed that conversation, and I know she would love to hear more.” He smiled to see his sister look eagerly at their guest.
“I did, for several years. My grandfather owned a small estate just outside of the town, but the house had burned to the ground several years before, so he bought one in Lambton proper, and he and my grandmother took up residence there. My grandmother and Lady Anne Darcy sometimes did charity work together. She was very kind, Lady Anne was, and she always seemed to have a tin of biscuits or sweetmeats with her to give to the children she met.”
Darcy grinned in delight. Though he had vivid memories of his mother, he only knew her from his own observations. He had learned quite a bit more about her character from others who had known her. “Mother loved children above anything else, I think. She would have loved to have more, and it saddened her to lose as many as she did.”
“She was like the Pied Piper to all of us. Whenever she arrived at a meeting or to shop in one of the establishments in town, all the children gathered in the doorway, hoping for her attention. Our happiness was complete when she would drop her formality and chase us about or play games with us.”
Darcy observed with a smile as Maddie grinned and told the story of the very proper Lady Anne Darcy laughing with glee as she was chased by a small band of youngsters around the drawing room of someone’s home.
“She sounds like someone I would have enjoyed meeting,” Elizabeth smiled.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Maddie exclaimed. “You are very like her in that aspect.” She turned to the Darcys. “My children adore their cousin; they say she tells the best stories and plays the best games. Except when she first came to us, she has never turned down an opportunity to read or play with them.”
Georgiana’s eyes lit up. “How wonderful! They are blessed to have such a caring cousin.”
“They are angels, so it is easy to spend time in their company.”
Elizabeth blushed. The conversation turned at that moment, though, and the focus of the company turned to other things.
Elizabe
th and Georgiana had chosen to sit together, and now were able to begin their own conversation, as Darcy and the Gardiners continued to discuss Lambton and Pemberley. Georgiana hesitantly began.
“I have a question for you, and I confess it is more than a little impertinent. Please do not feel compelled to answer it if you are uncomfortable doing so.” Georgiana’s hands, clasped tightly in her lap joined her lowered gaze to convey her nervousness in asking.
Elizabeth tilted her head as she observed her new friend’s obvious anxiety. “Of course,” she assured Georgiana. “What would you like to know?”
Taking a deep breath, Georgiana plunged in. “I have noticed that you are … anxious … about riding in carriages, and my brother tells me you were in an accident that has caused your fear. I,” she swallowed before rushing the rest out. “I saw that your dog seemed to know that you were distressed. Fitzwilliam said Brutus brings you comfort. How does he do it?”
Elizabeth smiled, a small lifting of her lips as her whole expression softened. “Brutus has been my best friend since before the accident. I begged Papa for him; he was one of a litter of twelve that was born to a neighbor’s dog.” She looked down, chuckling. “I can still recall my beloved father chastising me for pleading like a child, and my mother fussing about the unseemliness of an eighteen-year-old young lady pouting like a three-year-old.”
Looking at Georgiana again, she continued. “My father could not say no, and none of Mama’s attacks of nerves could sway him from pleasing me. So, Brutus came to Longbourn, where every bit of his care had been placed on me, probably to placate my mother.” Elizabeth’s wry tone made her companion smile. “We quickly became inseparable. I think he thought I was his mother at first. He went everywhere with me, unless the whole family was going. He was always too big to fit into a carriage that was already packed tightly with six ladies and a gentleman, except when he was a very young pup.”
Elizabeth looked down once more, and this time, her lips turned down and her eyes filled with tears. “He saved my life, they tell me. He paced and whined until the housekeeper let him out, and when she did, he ran out of the paddock and down the road. My father’s steward went out after him, and when he found Brutus, the dog was curled around me.”