Undoing

by L. L. Diamond

  “I am pleased she has been so agreeable.”

  “Well, you did cause a scandal in Meryton. I cannot remember a duel ever being fought in the villages around Longbourn during my lifetime.”

  “We have naught to worry over from now on.” His son held his thumbs in his fists while he lifted them up and down, beating his lap with raucous giggles.

  “I do feel for him. The infection was a terrible way to die.”

  “Richard attempted to dissuade him from firing the weapon before the actual duel. Flintlock pistols typically do not have such grievous faults, but if a spark remained inside when it was reloaded, the gunpowder can ignite without pulling the trigger. James refused to trust Carlisle’s weapons and insisted on testing the weapon for himself. He caused his own injuries.”

  They sat quietly for a several minutes, watching Alexander as he now shoved Fitzwilliam’s thumb into the corner of his mouth and gummed it. His pleased expression proved he understood little of his parents’ discussion.

  Fitzwilliam lifted the baby over his head and made silly faces at him. “What do you have planned for the day?”

  “I penned a letter to Laura upon our arrival. Since we do not plan on remaining in London for long, I would be surprised if she does not call.”

  He laughed low in his throat as he brought Alexander down to his lap. “I sent a note to Matlock house. My aunt may call as well. I know she has been eager to meet Alexander, so hopefully, you will not be inundated with callers when she arrives.”

  “The knocker will be up, yet our arrival is not well-known. I doubt many will even consider us a possibility.”

  “Those were always the days Miss Bingley and her sister would come to call.”

  She cringed and situated her coverlet. “I do hope Nicholas gave her enough of a set down in Hertfordshire that she thinks twice.”

  “She and Mrs. Hurst fled Hertfordshire with their tails between their legs. If you remember, Mrs. Nicholls indicated they departed early the next morning for London.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes and angled to the side to face him. “The Bingleys have attended several social engagements about town since departing Hertfordshire. Laura happened upon Miss Bingley at the Earl of Coventry’s ball and gave her the cut direct. I know not of your aunt.”

  “Perhaps you will discover that today.” He cuddled Alexander close, closing his eyes and kissing his son’s soft cheek, letting that peace he so required to spread throughout his body. “I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to wake to the two of you every morning. I thank God every night before I sleep that both of you are now mine.”

  Her fingers combed through his hair and she kissed his cheek, though he was unable to resist and turned so their lips met. “I know we needed to return Kitty and Georgiana to school, but I would have been pleased to simply journey to Pemberley. I have missed Laura and your aunt’s company, but I am eager to enjoy the solitude of home.”

  “A fortnight, dearest. Then we shall go to Pemberley.”

  Elizabeth shifted and rose from the bed, holding out her arms for Alexander. “I should dress and speak to the housekeeper. I need to send a note to Madame Bonheur. I require a few gowns for when the mourning is officially over.” While they had wed, Elizabeth still adhered to the dress requirements for mourning Thomas. She always wore the half-mourning colours of dove grey and lilac, which were a vast improvement over black, yet did not suit her as well as the bolder colours she had worn in the past.

  The baby happily fell into her arms and bestowed a wide, open-mouthed kiss to her cheek when she brought him to her shoulder. “Thank you, dearest,” she said when he pulled away with a giggle.

  Darcy sighed and peered at the bed covers. He would have been content to spend the day here with Elizabeth, but too many duties called him. “I suppose I should make myself ready. I have an appointment at my solicitors before I return Kitty and Georgiana.”

  “I am glad that falls to your lot and not mine.” She wore an impish grin that made leaving the bed even harder, though he followed her to her side of the bed and swung his feet over the edge of the mattress.

  He drew her by the hips between his legs and leaned his forehead against her stomach.

  “Are you well?”

  “I am. I know we have our entire lives, yet I do not want to be away from you. I suppose it is nonsensical, but I would be well-pleased to remain within these rooms for the rest of the day.”

  “Eventually, I would need to get out.” The fingers of her free hand caressed his scalp, while Alexander’s tell-tale hand hit him in the head. “Poor Papa,” she said as her lovely ministrations ceased followed by Alexander’s pats. He lifted his face, and she bent forward to bestow a kiss to his lips.

  “Go ready yourself for the day,” she said. “The sooner we take care of our business, the sooner we can be together again. We do not want Pemberley to fall into a terrible state from your distraction.” He rolled his eyes at her gay laughter. She was inordinately fond of making sport of him.

  Sooner than he was ready, she pulled from him and disappeared behind the door of her bedchamber where she would hand Alexander off to Millie and dress. If he summoned Bishop now, he could meet her in the breakfast room before he needed to leave. That was all the inducement he required to spring from the bed and stride to his own dressing room.

  “Lady Vranes to see you, Mrs. Darcy,” said the butler as he shifted aside to allow Laura to pass.

  Elizabeth rose swiftly, and as soon as the door closed behind her friend, the two clasped hands and kissed cheeks before Elizabeth gestured to a chair. “I am so happy you could come.”

  While her friend settled, she placed her hands with her reticule in her lap. “Of course, I received your letter explaining your marriage, but it shall take some time to become accustomed to the appellation. Do you miss being ‘Her Grace’?”

  “Not in the slightest,” said Elizabeth with a sigh. “I am more than content simply being Mrs. Darcy, and I would prefer to be Mrs. Darcy to even being a princess or a queen. I never dreamt I would have a title much less that of duchess, so Mrs. Darcy suits me very well indeed.”

  Laura’s eyes darted to a maid who entered with tea. “You certainly look well.” As soon as the maid departed, Laura relaxed into her seat some. “Forgive me for speaking freely, but I always assumed your marriage to the duke was one of convenience. He required an heir, which you provided. The two of you seemed friendly, yet your interactions lacked a certain intimacy which is borne of deeper feelings. I suppose the point of this is that I hoped, if you married again, you could do so for love. With my own felicity in marriage, I do feel it a shame when one is wed to someone they merely abide.”

  Elizabeth shifted to a chair closer to her friend and clasped her hands. Laura, at times, did behave much as an older sister and in quite a bold manner. Yet she cared so for those in her circle. “Do not feel distressed. I would prefer you speak your mind rather than keep thoughts to yourself. I did not love the duke as a wife should love a husband, but I love Fitzwilliam dearly. Pray, do not fret. While I did not wish for Thomas’s death, I would not be this happy were I still married to him.”

  “Then I am relieved,” said Laura, removing a hand to place it to her chest. “When you wrote me of the circumstances of your marriage, I did worry that you wed again for convenience, this time for protection. A great weight has been lifted from me to know your heart is engaged.”

  “Fitzwilliam is the best man I have ever known. He loves me, and he loves Alexander as though he were his own son.” While she did not mind confiding in Laura, some secrets were better left to as few people as possible. “When you see us together, you will know. He may not be a perfect man, but he is perfect for me.”

  She tittered and clasped her hands. “I would have given my right eye to have been witness to Miss Bingley receiving the news. That is my only regret in cutting her.”

  “How spiteful of you,” said Elizabeth with a bit of a giggle.

 
“Only to those who deserve it, dear girl—only to those who deserve it. That so-called lady has been one of the most spiteful of society since her coming out. She belittles all who she believes inferior, whether they are or not. I have heard that Lady Matlock cut her at a ball last week, though I do not know the circumstances. That lady is done in London society. She had best return to whence she came and marry someone in her home county. No one of importance in London will so much as look at her now.”

  “When she was in Hertfordshire, she would try my nerves, yet now I only pity her.”

  “Do not feel sorry for her, my dear. She has had this coming to her for some time. Regardless of your birth, you were a duchess when she first belittled you. You were a gentleman’s daughter before that. She has always given herself more consequence than she truly possesses.”

  At a knock on the door, Elizabeth paused before she spoke. “Come!”

  The door opened, and Millie peeked her head in. “I beg your pardon, ma’am. The young master has been a bit fussy. I thought perhaps . . .”

  “Of course, bring him in.”

  As soon as Alexander set eyes on Elizabeth, he reached his chubby arms for her. “Ma!”

  “Oh, look!” Laura clasped her hands in front of her. “He is perfectly adorable.”

  He nuzzled his forehead into Elizabeth’s neck for a moment before he lifted his head and smiled at Lady Vranes.

  Laura gently ran a finger down his soft cheek. “He resembles the Darcys, just like his father. I remember my own father commenting that the duke and George Darcy could have been twins if George Darcy had not been two years younger than the duke.” She leant against the arm of the chair in a casual manner. “When do you depart for Pemberley?”

  “We leave in a fortnight. We shall pass through Hertfordshire on the way and break our travel at Netherfield to visit Lord and Lady Carlisle once more before we head north.” Lady Vranes opened her mouth to speak, but the door opened again, startling them both.

  “Thank you! Pray do not stand,” said Lady Matlock as she passed the butler, who had never so much as had the opportunity to announce her. “Lizzy, I am so glad you have come to London!” She kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and curtseyed to Laura. “Lady Vranes, I am happy to see you again.” She suddenly stopped and pressed her hands to her chest. “Oh, Lizzy, he is beautiful. He looks so much like his father. It is well-known that the duke always favoured the Darcys. If I had not known the connection, I would have assumed he was Fitzwilliam’s, the resemblance is so striking.”

  Her son lay his head on Elizabeth’s shoulder, and she rubbed his back. “I believe he is teething again, so Millie brought him to me. I hope you do not mind.” It was probably better to ignore Lady Matlock’s comment.

  “Heavens, no! I am pleased to see the poor dear.” She sat across from them primly. “With your mourning, I have not seen you for ages, so I was eager to visit when I received my nephew’s note.”

  “I am pleased you have called. If you had not come, I would have called upon you. I might have even sent a note since I need a few gowns for when my mourning is over. You always have such a keen eye for fabrics.”

  “Lady Matlock does have beautiful gowns,” said Lady Vranes. “I patronise Madame Bonheur, but mine never turn out as well as yours.”

  Elizabeth placed a hand on Laura’s. “Madame Bonheur will even claim her success is Lady Matlock’s choice of fabrics. She does have a wonderful eye. Perhaps you could join us? Unless you have no need of a new gown.”

  Her friend turned her head so her chin touched her shoulder in a cheeky gesture. “Oh, I always need a new gown.”

  After they dissolved into laughter, Lady Matlock pressed her hands together. “I also cannot tell you how thrilled I am to call you niece. My nephew was so stubborn before Christmastide, insisting he had his eye on a particular lady. He was quite mysterious, I tell you. I can only assume he meant you.”

  With a shake of her head and a quick, nonchalant shrug, Elizabeth did her best to answer calmly. “I cannot say how long Mr. Darcy has held a tendre for me. I can only tell you that I was greatly moved by his ardent proposal. I am content to say my high regard for him has grown a great deal since our marriage. He is a wonderful man.”

  Lady Matlock took a deep breath and sighed dreamily. “I am beyond happy to hear it. He is indeed a good man. Nicholas told me of Richard bringing that cretin James to Netherfield. I cannot apologise enough for his interference into your affairs. Last we had heard, he was in Southampton.” She shook her head with tears in her eyes. “I wish we could understand why Richard has turned out as he has. He was such a lovely boy. He adored puppies, and my husband took great pride in how swiftly he learnt to ride a horse.”

  “I am certain it was nothing you did,” said Elizabeth. How terrible to love your child with all you have in you, and for them to be a disappointment as Richard was to Lord and Lady Matlock.

  The door opened again and Fitzwilliam strode in with a smile as great as one of the peaks in Derbyshire. “Good morning, Aunt,” he said in a cheery voice. He kissed Lady Matlock on the cheek and stood tall. “’Tis agreeable to see you, Lady Vranes.” Both ladies stared at him with wide eyes and eventually grins.

  Laura peered over to Elizabeth with a giggle. “I can see marriage certainly agrees with Mr. Darcy. Lizzy, what have you done to him?”

  Lady Matlock tittered and leaned back in her chair. “I can only agree with Lady Vranes. What have you done to my nephew? I do not believe I have seen such a smile on him in ages.”

  Fitzwilliam laughed and took a seat beside Elizabeth. Alexander reached for him, and he happily took their son while the ladies continued to watch him with incredulous expressions. He nibbled Alexander’s fingers and kissed his cheeks while his aunt practically glowed.

  “I must say, Lizzy. The tirade my husband suffered when Lady Catherine learnt of your marriage was well worth the misery when I witness this spectacle. I wonder how devoted he will be to your own children if he is this way with his cousin’s.”

  “Aunt, as far as I am concerned, Alexander is as much mine as he was Thomas’s. I shall be the one to raise him, and I have no care for who his father is to the rest of the world. I love him as my own, and shall always love him the same as any future children. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes,” said Lady Matlock, a bit pink. “Forgive me. I did not mean—”

  “I know you meant no offence.” Fitzwilliam made a silly face at Alexander, who laughed and clasped his father’s cheeks, planting an open-mouth kiss to Fitzwilliam’s lips. When he released him, Fitzwilliam took out his handkerchief and wiped his face. “As I was saying, I know you meant no offence, but I am the only father Alexander will ever know. I would never want him to feel as though he is loved less than any siblings who happen to come along—not that I ever would.”

  “You are an excellent father, Mr. Darcy,” said Laura as she stood. “I must be going. Pray, send around a note to let me know when you plan to shop. I truly would enjoy joining the two of you.”

  “I should probably depart as well.” Lady Matlock rose. “I promised to call upon Mrs. Chamberlain before returning home. Let me know when you have Madame Bonheur’s appointment, Lizzy. I shall be pleased to accompany you.”

  Elizabeth stood and walked them to the door while Fitzwilliam continued to play with Alexander. Once they departed, she returned and closed the door behind her. “You did not have to set down your aunt as you did, especially in company.”

  “I shall not have people say Alexander is less to me than my own children. Even if he were not my own flesh and blood, I would still take offence to the notion that I care for him less than any brothers or sisters. In my mind, he would still be mine.”

  She sat beside him and cuddled to his side, kissing Alexander’s palm as it pressed against her cheek. “I do love you so. You have the biggest heart of any man I have ever known.”

  “You have not known that many men, dearest.”

  “Quite true,
but why should that matter?” She arched that eyebrow in his direction, and he answered with a passionate kiss to her lips, leaving her breathless. What had she ever done to deserve that?

  Chapter 30

  Christmas 1810

  The grand staircase at Pemberley was festooned with boughs of holly, a kissing bough hung in the drawing room, and a yule log burned merrily in the grate as laughter filled the house as it had not in years.

  “So, you will not be returning to Netherfield after Christmastide?” asked Elizabeth. Nicholas and Jane had arrived the day before, bringing Georgiana with them. Mr. Bennet had been good enough to retrieve Kitty and Georgiana for their break and brought them to Meryton, allowing Georgiana to join Nicholas and Jane on their journey to Pemberley.

  Elizabeth had spent a prodigious amount of time with Jane, speaking of happenings since they had last been together, but neither Jane nor Nicholas had revealed their intentions of avoiding Hertfordshire until that evening.

  After a sigh, Jane leaned into Nicholas’s arm. “I love Mama, but I made her leave the room during my lying in. After five hours of her lamenting her nerves, I required peace. Thank goodness for Lady Matlock.”

  Nicholas smiled softly and wrapped his arm around his wife. “To be honest, I had to put an end to Mrs. Bennet’s calls. After two days of her insisting Jane incorrect on every minute detail, I told the butler not to admit her. The daily visits after Edward was born were enough to make me seriously consider turning Netherfield back to the owner.”

  Fitzwilliam’s low, warm laugh rolled through Elizabeth and made her want to cuddle to him. In the months since their marriage, they had grown closer, despite the occasional arguments. With two such stubborn individuals, the clashing of the minds was certain to happen on occasion. Elizabeth did love how they made up after. Just the thought made her toes curl in her slippers.