“Well...not exactly.” Darcy grinned. “I vomited my dinner and a considerable amount of blood in her presence. Some of the particles landed on her skirt. With no complaints, Elizabeth held my head and wiped my brow. In the aftermath, without thought, most likely due to my weakness, I leaned my temple against her chest. There, she stroked my hair the same as she would do to anyone for whom she felt tender compassion. For a certainty, I had done nothing to earn her care. In fact, I had been unusually cruel to her the night we met. She forgave me, Richard. With that one act, her putting me ahead of the bounds of propriety, which are as important to her as they are to me, I knew in my heart that I would never find a finer woman.”
“So, casting up your accounts was what worked? In all my concerns of proper courting, I never gave it a thought.” The laughter coming from Richard sprang from deep inside him. Suddenly, he sobered. “I fully suspect that if I did the same to Miss Susan, she would attend me. But she would complain.”
“As would most females, I believe.” Darcy wondered about this young lady who held Richard’s interest.
“Darce, I thank you for your openness. Despite the circumstances being entirely different, the reasoning behind the decision is the same. You needed someone whom you could trust to care for the life you would leave behind in the same manner you would if you were here. Someone you knew with confidence would react well under difficulty. I need someone who would do exactly the same should I be sent back to the continent for a year or more. Therefore, it seems the issue comes down to trust. You trusted Elizabeth with all that you have and are. Could I do the same with Miss Susan?” He considered the matter. “At this time, I do not know for certain.”
“Then pray do not be in a hurry to make your offer, Rich. Come to know how she responds when under adversity, as well as under the good.” Darcy added, “Whatever choice you make, remember it is for your lifetime.”
Richard nodded. “I am grateful your health is vastly improved from when you were in town in the autumn. I hope you continue on this path so we can have a long life together as a family. Whether Miss Susan Carter will be a part of that family, I do not know. However, know this: I will spend the time I need to find out.”
“Very good.”
Gazing outside the window, the carriage was making the final turn before they approached Rosings Park. Feeling a tenseness enter his gut, Darcy breathed in and out slowly to calm himself. Elizabeth had given him a list of instructions to provide Rosings’ cook, along with directions to remove himself from Kent if the stress of being around his aunt and cousin became too much.
He recognized his wife’s wisdom as they drew closer and the tightness intensified.
“Richard, I am inclined to bury myself in the estate’s ledgers should you see to the grounds on this trip. The sooner we return to town the better, I believe.”
“I am in full agreement with you there. I need to return to my troops and a possible romance. You want to be back in London to see Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth was readying for bed later that evening when someone pounded on the front door of Darcy House. Grabbing a robe, she peeked into the hallway, seeing Georgiana’s head pop out of her doorway as well.
Pounding steps ascended the stairs.
Shocked at seeing Colonel Fitzwilliam rushing toward her, Elizabeth wanted to faint. William! Something was wrong with her husband.
Before he could say a word, Elizabeth yelled to her sister, “Ready yourself, Georgiana.”
Looking at the colonel, she commanded, “Have a note sent to Dr. Ernest Cuthbert right away. He can travel with us.”
Slamming her door, Elizabeth threw off her robe as her maid scurried to help her dress and pack some garments for the journey to Kent.
Within an hour, they were racing from London, grateful for the skill of Darcy’s driver and the almost full moon.
Chapter 10
Richard rode ahead of the carriage, a lantern in his hand. He knew the penalty should injury befall either Elizabeth or Georgiana. Darcy would never forgive him, nor would he ever forgive himself.
His and Darcy’s arrival earlier that day had been heralded with the fanfare of a king’s presence. Lady Catherine de Bourgh acted as if the prodigal son had returned to her home. She had completely ignored Richard, which was always his preference.
According to plan, he had the horse tied to the back of Darcy’s carriage saddled. Within thirty minutes of their arrival at Rosings, Richard rode toward the western boundary to survey the fencing and the state of the tenant’s cottages, and to gain a lovely view of the seashore. As usual, there would be little to report upon his return.
Meeting up with Darcy before they descended to the drawing room to await tea with their aunt, the two men compared notes. Very little changed from year to year at Rosings. This year appeared to be no different.
It was when they were seated and the tea was being served that the trouble began. Lady Catherine had placed her insipid daughter next to Darcy on a narrow sofa, bringing the two close together.
“Darcy, you have yet to compliment Anne on her improved health and looks. I can only believe your oversight was deliberate now that you have married someone far inferior to her in birth.” Lady Catherine poked her spoon toward her nephew, spattering a few drops of her beverage on her skirt.
“Aunt Catherine, I believe Anne looks as I expected.” Darcy glanced at his only female cousin before spearing his aunt with his stare. “I will let you know right now that neither my marriage nor my wife will be the subject of conversation while I am here. Am I clear on this, Aunt?”
Lady Catherine turned her full attention to her other nephew. “I suppose you have met this paragon, Richard. What was it about her that caused Darcy to lose all sense of duty? Is she a loose woman? Oh, Lord! Is she an actress from the stage? However is Darcy to know if the child she carries is actually his?”
Darcy carefully set his cup on the side table. Standing, he bowed to Anne. “Pardon me, but it was a mistake to leave my dear wife for this viper’s nest.” Glancing at Richard, he said, “I depart for London at daybreak. Are you with me?”
“Am I not always?” the colonel replied.
The two men left the drawing room together.
When they arrived in the sitting room set aside for Darcy’s use when he stayed at the estate, Darcy began pacing, muttering to himself about what an idiot he had been for leaving Elizabeth.
Richard poured himself a brandy. Without thought, he offered a drink to his cousin.
Shaking his head, Darcy continued to prowl the room. Richard was not concerned until he saw Darcy rub his chest.
“You are in pain?” he asked. “Elizabeth would not be happy.”
At that comment, Darcy came to a standstill. Breathing in and out slowly, he moved to the chair next to Richard’s.
“You are perfectly correct.” Wiping his face with his hands, Darcy pulled them away to reveal a smile. “Oh, my Elizabeth can be a fierce woman if she thinks I am not taking good care. I can see my wife right now with her fist raised at Aunt Catherine, verbally castigating our esteemed relative for daring to raise my ire. Elizabeth would fight an army for me if she knew.”
Richard grinned. “Then let us not tell her.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Thornton ushered in two footmen with trays covered with a meal.
“Cook heard the ruckus and sent these for you.” The valet directed the trays set on the table in front of the gentlemen. “She had been determined to prepare your favorite sliced roast beef, cheese, and fruit to break your afternoon’s fast. However, Lady Catherine insisted the shellfish she had delivered yesterday would be sufficient.”
“Very well.” Darcy dismissed the men from the room.
Everyone in the family knew Richard broke out in red bumps whenever he ate anything from the sea. So did their aunt Catherine. It was, in the colonel’s opinion, more evidence of her currying favor with the master of Pemberley. She knew how much D
arcy enjoyed seafood.
Looking over the offerings, Richard elected to eat the sweets Cook included on the tray. That and the brandy would fill him up and warm his insides.
Placing one of the oysters on his plate, Darcy speared the slimy bivalve with his fork, swallowing it down whole.
Ugh! Richard hated even the smell of them.
“Odd,” Darcy commented as he wiped his mouth with a cloth. “Perhaps it has been because I have not had oysters in a long while that the taste seemed off. I do not believe I will have another.”
Richard was grateful the tray could be removed from the room. Moving to the window, he shoved the glass open, allowing the spring air to infiltrate enough to remove the stench.
“Surely they taste as poorly as they smell.” Richard pinched his nostrils closed. “I cannot imagine how anyone could eat something with the fragrance of the Thames at low tide.”
Darcy chuckled. “Apparently, the oysters were too rich for my palate. I suggest we wait for Cook’s roast beef.”
Four hours later, Darcy was writhing in agony, the cramping in his abdomen sending him repeatedly to the chamber pot. When Richard spotted blood on Darcy’s handkerchief, he ran for his horse.
Never had he seen someone turn white then green as their stomach appeared to turn inside out. Richard knew without doubt that Darcy had not exaggerated his illness when he had initially informed him. But this...this was in every way horrid.
Darcy needed Elizabeth. Richard was determined to retrieve her.
Their arrival in Kent was met with silence. The hour was well after midnight, so a grand welcome was not expected. Elizabeth had only one concern, that of her husband. Throwing off her cloak and bonnet in the direction of Rosings’ butler, she followed Richard upstairs.
Georgiana had been quiet during the whole of the trip from London. Elizabeth heard the girl’s footsteps behind them as well as those of Dr. Cuthbert.
“Richard, once you direct us to William’s chambers, would you see to Georgiana, please?” Elizabeth directed.
Seeing Thornton coming from a room, Elizabeth broke from the others to hurry toward him. “How is he?”
Thornton’s appearance was telling. His clothing and hair were askew. Without saying a word, he reopened the door for her and the doctor to walk inside.
Darcy’s skin was as white as the sheets he was lying upon. Elizabeth rushed to his bedside.
“Oh, my darling husband.” She felt the clammy dampness of his brow. When his eyes opened, his orbs were glassy and opaque. Glancing at the doctor, she stepped back so the man could draw close.
Dr. Cuthbert first washed his hands in the basin, then approached. Pulling the bedclothes down, he ran his hand gently over Darcy’s abdomen. Immediately, her husband tensed in pain.
“How long ago did this start?” Dr. Cuthbert directed his attention to Thornton.
“It has been almost eight hours since his body began purging itself,” the valet replied. “I should tell you, sir, that Mr. Darcy will not accept bleeding or further purging from you or any physician. He saw what it did to his father.”
The doctor nodded, then asked, “Has he been able to take any fluids?”
“He has been able to keep small amounts of water down, sir.”
“Is anyone else in the household affected with the same conditions?”
“Yes, sir,” Thornton replied. “Miss Anne de Bourgh, who also consumed the seafood, passed away approximately three hours ago. The apothecary overseeing her health was called for at the first sign of the symptoms. The man purged and bled Miss de Bourgh in an attempt to rid her of ill humors.”
Elizabeth was crushed to hear of the loss of Darcy’s cousin.
“Any others?” Dr. Cuthbert insisted.
“No, sir. Lady Catherine and Colonel Fitzwilliam are both unable to eat seafood so are unscathed.”
“Then this is as I suspect: a poisoning from tainted food.” As the doctor spoke, he felt the pulse at Darcy’s wrist, pulled back each eyelid to examine his eyes, then placed his ear on Darcy’s chest. “For a certainty, Mr. Darcy has purged enough. I would never make his condition worse by doing more. I do not hold to the practice of bleeding. My experience is that individuals need all the blood they can get. Therefore, the best treatment will be to continue assisting Mr. Darcy to drink. There are several dangers we know of that are exacerbated by his stomach ailment. It is imperative that we keep him hydrated.”
“Is there not some medication we could give him to ease his way?” Elizabeth asked, unaware that tears were trailing down her cheeks.
“I brought along some bottles in my case,” Dr. Cuthbert answered. “My suggestion to you, Mrs. Darcy, is that you rest. This distress is not good for either you or the babe.”
“That will not happen,” Elizabeth immediately answered.
She had no intention of moving from her husband’s side.
The next week was the worst of Elizabeth’s life. It took four days of Elizabeth, Dr. Cuthbert, Richard, and Georgiana constantly giving Darcy water before he regained enough strength that he could sit up and drink by himself. For two of those days, blood continued to spatter his linens. His battered insides could tolerate only drops of bone broth, lukewarm tea, and cool water for another three days. On the tenth day, Dr. Cuthbert let his impatient patient get out of bed to sit on the sofa next to the window.
Her husband’s aunt did not attempt to see either of her nephews until that day.
“Darcy, I am pleased to see you improved in health,” she mumbled from where she stood just inside the door. “You heard of my Anne?”
Darcy nodded, his hand reaching for Elizabeth’s.
“I cannot imagine something tainted coming from my kitchen. There had to be another factor at work here.”
Although she did not verbalize her thoughts, the glare Lady Catherine gave Elizabeth set the younger woman’s teeth on edge. The shrew thought she had caused this misery? Absurd!
“Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth squeezed her husband’s fingers, before she added, “pray accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your daughter. Whatever we can do that is within our power and authority to ease your way, pray consider it done.”
Elizabeth felt she was being generous. Lady Catherine apparently took exception to each word.
“You will both leave my house never to return.” Focusing on Darcy, she added, “I have changed my will. Rosings Park will not see a Darcy living here, ever. Instead, I am leaving my estate to Richard. He would have married Anne had I asked. He has never caused me any difficulty. He has never brought a woman like...” Lady Catherine’s arthritic finger pointed at Elizabeth. “Richard would never bring a female like her into my home.”
Darcy roused himself to speak. “Aunt, you will leave us now.”
Unexpectedly, Lady Catherine spun around and left the room. Both Darcy and Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.
Sitting on the sofa beside him, the doctor, Richard, and Georgiana also departed, Richard winking at the couple before closing the door.
“My dearest husband, when you first showed me the letter from Lady Catherine weeks ago, I thought her ridiculous. Now I cannot seem to come up with a word to adequately describe her. Can you?”
She grinned when Darcy rested his temple on her shoulder, the better to kiss her on her neck. Tilting her head to stop the exquisite torture, she kissed him on the forehead, using her lips to feel the temperature of his skin. The paleness was gone. In its place was a much healthier pink hue.
“Let us not speak of my aunt, my lovely Elizabeth.” Darcy continued with his gentle caresses to her skin. “I have something far more important to tell you.”
“You do?” Elizabeth smiled. “In an odd circumstance, I have something to tell you as well.”
“Allow me to go first this time, my bride.” Darcy sat erect, then pulled her toward him so her head rested alongside his.
“I will allow it this time only, my dear,” Elizabeth teased.
&nbs
p; “During the worst of my illness, one regret ate at me worse than whatever was causing my physical torment. I vowed to myself to correct my oversight as soon as I was able. I even pleaded with God to have me survive so I could complete this important task.” Arranging himself so he was kneeling in front of her, he took her hands in his. “Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, you have become my world. You have given my life a purpose. You are more precious to me than the finest diamonds. You hold my heart in your capable hands. Your heart has taught mine how to beat properly. I love you, my wife. I love you more today than I did when we were first wed. I sincerely suspect my love will continue to grow until we are old and grey. If we were not already wed, I would beg you to marry me this instant. Would you say yes, my Elizabeth?”
She sighed at the beauty of his words.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, do you not know that you own my heart, that it beats alone for you and our child? Yes, I would marry you this instant, you dear man. For my love for you flows as steadily as a river to the ocean and is as vast as the seven seas that surround the earth. I will love you until we are so old our children and grandchildren will need to see to our care.”
Their kiss robbed each of them of breath.
Two days later, they left Rosings Park. The Darcys did not return for five years. Lady Catherine, had she not died of apoplexy the year before, would have been most displeased at their staying in her home.
Epilogue
Blood!
Everywhere Darcy looked there was the evidence of his wife’s labor and his daughter’s birth.
Despite the insistence of Dr. Cuthbert and the midwives, Darcy had not let his wife out of his sight during the whole of her travails. As his staff cleaned the room, the doctor closed his bag after his final examination.
Elizabeth was a marvel, but so must every husband believe when his wife presented him with a child borne of their love.
Holding the baby close to him, Darcy checked out his little girl’s features. In truth, she looked exactly like her two older brothers had when they were born—wrinkled, with wisps of hair on their heads, invisible eyebrows, and skinny legs. Nonetheless, in his eyes, her beauty rivaled a queen’s. She was stunning.
A Reason to Hope Page 6