by Wells, Linda
Darcy laughed to see Layton grinning. “How did you know?”
He shrugged and clapped his back, and smiled over to where Alicia was seated with the ladies. “Because I was thinking the same about my dear wife.”
Seeing Elizabeth walking towards him, he held out his hands for her and spoke over his shoulder as he waited for her to arrive, “Come on Cousin, let us feed our wives some cake and return home.” He smiled down to her when she slipped her hands into his. “I am ready to go home.”
Chapter 11
Darcy nodded at the tenant and Nichols ushered him from the study. Quarter day was approaching and two tenants were unable to make their rent payment on time, and were asking for leniency. Darcy worried that he had not allowed them enough income from their work, but discovered that both tenants had illness in their families that robbed them of their excess funds, and had been too proud to approach Mr. Nichols and even less willing to ask Darcy for the help he would have readily provided. The men left with a new understanding of his expectations and trust for the young man who had become their master not so long ago. Rubbing his face, Darcy studied the papers before him, then looking to the doorway, waited for the next man to arrive, this one wishing to discuss the crops he would plant that year. His brow knit at the delay and he was about to call for Nichols when Elizabeth appeared. “May I interrupt you for a moment, dear?”
“Of course.” He stood and walked over to her. “I welcome the intrusion.”
“Well if I am intruding …” She laughed when he smiled and stood behind her to deliver a hug. “Oh, I look forward to facing you again!”
“I do, too.” He whispered in her ear. “Although loving you has become a very creative exercise.”
“Will, please …”
“I love how our baby has made you want me constantly.” His lips nibbled beneath her ear. “Now you know how I have felt for so long.”
“Fitzwilliam …”
“Hmmm?” He gently caressed over her hips and she moaned. “Shall I close the door?”
“Oh, no, no there are too many men waiting and, and you know how noisy we are … and …”
“But you do want me, don’t you?”
“Oh Lord yes, I do!” Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide and she clapped her hand to her mouth. “Did I say that?”
Darcy chuckled and squeezed her. “You certainly did; my good wife. Thank you.” Turning her around he kissed her lips. “Well, we shall continue this particular topic later. What brings you to me?” He stroked her cheek while she stared up at him in fascination. “Dearest?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you wish to show me the letter you are crushing?” He tapped the paper in her hand.
“Oh!” She looked down. “Oh yes, it is a girl!”
“A girl?” His brow creased. “Alicia?” Elizabeth nodded and beamed. “She is healthy, they both are?”
Elizabeth saw the fear and anxiety appear, and smoothed the wrinkles in his brow. “Yes, she is well. She had an easier time than Audrey, according to Aunt Helen. Margaret Helen Fitzwilliam; named for her grandmothers.” Tears began to slip down her face just as Darcy’s eyes welled up. “She said that she is bald with enormous blue eyes, and so beautiful!” They held each other as tightly as they could.
“Our baby will be beautiful, too.” He whispered and kissed her cheek. “It will not be long dearest; soon we will join our cousins’ joy.” They swayed together until they both were again calm, then Darcy kissed her softly. “I will write a note for Layton to include with your letter to Alicia.”
She nodded and smiled. “I will leave you to your work.” Caressing his cheek she wiped away his tears. “I love you.”
“I love you.” He kissed her hand then walked her to the door, and nodded to Nichols to bring the next man in. He drew a deep breath and sank down onto his chair and looked at the miniature of her face. “One more month.”
“TELL US OF LONGBOURN JANE.” Mrs. Gardiner handed her a cup of tea and settled back against the sofa. “How is everyone?”
“Well.” She smiled when she saw Mary’s eyebrows rise expectantly. “Papa has not quite given up his attempts to improve our minds, but I think that he will be most pleased when Kitty and Lydia are away at school in the autumn. Book learning is not something that either of them enjoys; and I count myself in that same group. I have tried, but the words do not strike me the way they do Papa. Lizzy has suggested less challenging authors, and I have enjoyed some of their work, but Lydia and Kitty … Well, they can read and write, and do the simple accounting for a household, so I imagine that will have to do for now. Perhaps proper teachers will inspire more, but I have my doubts, for Lydia at least.”
“Kitty shows some hope, then?” Mr. Gardiner took a biscuit and bit in. “I thought she had more to her than Lydia.”
“She does, she needs to escape her influence.” Mary said quietly. “She is too easily led.”
“Perhaps separate schools?” Mr. Gardiner suggested. “They will not be attending Mrs. Banks’ school, will they?”
“No.” Mary sighed. “I am ready to go as well.”
“But Georgiana will return?”
“Yes. Fitzwilliam wishes her to be fifteen before she departs, and then they will interview companions for her. She will benefit from the masters in London until she is out. Mrs. Younge has not been any trouble at all, so he is confident that all will be well for Georgiana to attend alone next year, she knows to be wary.”
“And you will be going to Pemberley with her this summer.” Mrs. Gardiner said gently. “Do you look forward to that?”
Mary looked up and smiled. “Oh, so very much! I miss Lizzy terribly and Fitzwilliam is so kind. I cannot wait to care for their baby!” She glanced at Jane. “I have not heard from Mama or Papa for some time.”
“I think that they leave the correspondence to me, Mary. It is not a slight. You know how they are.”
Mary nodded and shrugged. “I will be happy to live at Pemberley or wherever Lizzy is. Fitzwilliam said that I was welcome to stay with them forever if I wished.”
“Mr. Darcy is very kind.” Jane smiled a little and glanced up to see her uncle studying her. “Mr. Lucas sends his greetings. I have a letter for you upstairs.”
“Ah, and how does the young man get on?”
“Very well, we have seen a great deal of each other, and have danced together several times.” She blushed and saw the speculation in the raised brows. “I … have enjoyed his company.”
“That is obvious.” Mr. Gardiner saw his wife’s pointed look and he shook his head with a smile.
“Mama …” Jane started and dropped the subject, and looked back down at her hands. Mrs. Bennet had been very clear on her expectations of a match with Bingley, and told Jane not to let Lizzy ruin the attachment as she had with Mr. Harwick. The subject of Robert Lucas was ignored entirely.
Mrs. Gardiner realized that a need for a private conversation with her niece would be necessary to learn what havoc her sister had created, and moved on. “I understand that the Matlocks had hoped to join the viscount and his wife on a holiday to Bath when Lady Layton’s confinement ends, but that the timing just is not quite right for Parliament’s Easter recess. Instead I believe that they will visit Rosings. Lady Matlock regrets not being able to stay with Lizzy for her confinement, but Mrs. Singleton will be with her. I am surprised that they are not coming to London for the birth, as Lady Layton did. This is where the best care is, after all. In any case, you know that we will be glad to take you around to any balls or dinners that come about in our circle until Lady Matlock begins with you.” Jane nodded and she added, “Mr. Bingley visited last week, and inquired after your health. He has been in town since December.”
“Yes, so Lizzy tells me.” Jane twisted her hands and bit her lip. “I think … Lizzy said that I need to experience what Lady Matlock has to offer so I can decide where I feel I belong.”
“So no decisions have been made yet.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “
That is wise, dear.”
“Decisions about what?” Mary asked and looked between them. “Has Mr. Bingley offered for you?”
“No.” They all said. “He has expressed admiration, dear.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled.
“He is terribly handsome,” Mary said thoughtfully, “but not anyone I would want.”
“Why ever not?” Jane asked curiously. “Is he wanting in some way?”
“No …well I only really saw him at Lizzy and Fitzwilliam’s wedding. I rather liked …” She bit her lip and blushed.
“Who?” Mrs. Gardiner prodded. “Come now Mary, you have never expressed admiration for any man, who caught your eye?”
“Nobody.” She whispered.
Mr. Gardiner tilted his head and studied her. “Well of the unattached gentlemen present at the wedding breakfast I would say it was one in uniform, and further, one who was wearing blue, rather than red?” He smiled and Mary looked at her hands. “Ah, a navy man for you.” He chuckled. “Well, well.”
“I did not say that I liked anyone at the wedding.”
“Oh …” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Well I am pleased to hear that dear, Captain de Bourgh is ten years your senior.”
“Oh.”
“Perhaps another older gentleman has attracted you?” Mr. Gardiner smiled. “Come dear, you cannot know that many.”
Mortified, Mary stammered, “I did not say that, I …” She rose up and ran upstairs.
“We hurt her.” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “Mary is so sensitive.”
“She is not used to being teased in a friendly manner.” Mr. Gardiner agreed. “She is also not given to flights of fancy regarding young men. But it is nice to see that she is thinking about them.”
“That is a change.” Jane smiled. “I had not thought of that.”
“So what about you, dear?”
“I … I will see what Lady Matlock does with me when she arrives in a few weeks, and if Mr. Bingley approaches me, I will … see what he has to say.” She closed her eyes. “Why do I wish I had gone to Pemberley instead?”
“Your life is the one that you must consider, dear. You cannot hide behind your sister’s.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “It is time to find your way.” She stood and walked to the door. “I think that I will go and apologize to Mary for our teasing. I want her to be sure that she can count on us, just as you can, Jane.”
DARCY GROANED then smiled to see Elizabeth open her eyes. She was napping in the chair next to his desk. “Forgive me.”
“What is it?” She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Why is it so hot in here?” She glared at the coals glowing in the grate. “Is that fire really necessary?”
“It is for those of us who are not with child, love.” He chuckled and held out a letter. “I have no desire to ruin my eyes trying to decipher this.”
“Mr. Bingley?” She laughed to see the telltale splotches. “What are we to do with him?”
“Perhaps if he wrote in crayon it would be better?” Darcy stretched his legs out and rested his head on the back of his chair. “Read on!”
“Oh my.” Elizabeth giggled. “Miss Bingley has a nibble.”
“I heard that before and it was Wickham.” He leaned forward on the desk and rested his chin in his hands. “Who is it now?”
“An acquaintance of Mr. Hurst’s.” Elizabeth tilted her head and bit her lip. “I think … yes, he is a newly minted gentleman and a continuing tradesman …His estate earns two thousand a year!” Looking up she saw Darcy’s smile. “Imagine that!”
“Indeed.” He chuckled. “And?”
“Mr. Bingley is assured of his credentials and worth, has had him thoroughly vetted, and if the two of them are interested, he will gladly encourage the match.” She smiled. “And happily wave goodbye at the church door!”
“Hide your feelings, Bingley, there’s a good man.” Darcy smiled and reached his hand out to grasp hers. “Well if it should come to pass, then he will be able to concentrate on his future. He will be speaking with the owner of Netherfield sometime this summer, I believe.”
“But what of the problems you perceive?”
“Ah, Stewart will accompany him on the meeting, but really, he is just renting a place to live so that he can entertain in the country. He is not responsible for the estate unless he purchases.”
“I would hope that he could find something near us.” Elizabeth smiled at Darcy’s warm gaze and he squeezed her hand. “I know that is unlikely.”
“We will have to watch the market, dearest.” He nodded at the letter. “What else does he say?”
“Hmm?” She refocused her attention and returned to the letter. “OH!” She blushed and her free hand went to her mouth. “OH!!”
“What is it?” He let go of her hand and came around the desk to lean over the chair and read. “What …” Darcy squinted and stared at the blotch where Elizabeth’s finger lay. “It says … he … Harris’ list …” He blushed.
“Fitzwilliam, what is Harris’ List of Covent Garden Ladies?” Elizabeth whispered.
“It is …dearest … It is a list that is nearly a dozen years outdated … It gives the names of …courtesans and their … attributes and specialties.” He watched her eyes widen and sighed. “It seems that someone might be starting a new list and Bingley was shown a copy.”
“This was something that men used to …”
“Find relief.” He said cautiously. “Elizabeth?”
“That is disgusting.”
“Indeed.” He nodded vehemently. “It does not appear that Bingley actually used this information.” He added gently.
“No, it says right here that he enjoyed the favours of one Miss Clarissa at Madame Hofner’s establishment on Bond Street. Oh Fitzwilliam! Do men truly speak of their experiences to each other?” She glared at him.
“Dearest, I … I am not the one to ask and no, I am not suggesting speaking to Bingley either … I knew that I should learn how to read his letters.” He took the crushed note from her hand and set it on the desk. “He is not married, love, nor is he attached to any woman, even to Jane.”
“But he expresses interest in her.” She said angrily.
“But he is not committed to her, they are not courting, they are only friends.” He sighed and took her hands. “Come.”
“Where?” She said as he helped her to rise.
“Upstairs. I need to soothe you as only a husband can do for his wife.”
“I do not wish to be soothed.” She protested. “I do not understand this … habit of men.”
“Do you not?” He said softly as they walked slowly up the stairs. “Do you not after nearly a year of marriage to me?”
“But you love me.” She explained. “You wish to express your love to me.”
“A man wishes to express his love to his wife, but if he has no wife, he still has desires.” He sighed and she stared at him. “It was a long wait for you, trust me.” Their eyes met and he opened the door to their bedchamber, ushered her in and closed the door, locking it. “Now, you look very tired, shall we retire for the night?”
“It is early.” Elizabeth yawned.
“A nap then?” He whispered and started unbuttoning her gown. Elizabeth let his fingers do the work of her maid and before long she was undressed. Darcy caught up her nightdress and slipped it over her head. “I would prefer to leave you unclothed but you seem too sleepy for anything else.”
“I am not sleepy.” She cuddled onto his chest. “I am just …”
“On the verge of motherhood.” He whispered. Peeking down at her closed eyes, he smiled and lifted her up and onto the bed. While she curled up with a pillow, he went to his dressing room and changed into his nightshirt, then returned to settle beside her. With her journal in hand, he wandered through the entries until he stopped on one from only a week earlier.
22 March 1810
We received word from Matlock that Alicia delivered her baby girl Margaret Helen yesterday. I think that I cried for a full half hour when I l
earned the news, then I waited outside of Fitzwilliam’s study to tell him, and there I was faced with my tearful husband. Oh, and I cried again! I am sure that our tears were for entirely different reasons, well perhaps not. We both carry our fears of the unknown and wishes for an easy birth and healthy child. I am so emotional now, I looked outside to see the spring bulbs pushing through the earth, and I cried. Millie delivered a love letter from Fitzwilliam this afternoon and I cried. I wrote him a letter in return and cried all over that! I think that if Mrs. Reynolds were to tell me that my household accounts were correct I would cry again! Oh I have never been so emotional. I do not have any memory of this at all! But then I do not have the capacity to remember either, or pay attention, or do anything with my addled brain. My poor dear husband, how he bears me in this state is a mystery. I pray for a houseful of children but I pity this man who must endure me to get them. What did I just write here? Oh I cannot bear to look, I know that you are reading this sweetheart, whatever I have said, know that I love you.
Darcy chuckled, closed up Elizabeth’s journal and placed it on the table next to the bed, then began rubbing her swollen feet. “What has you so amused?” She asked, opening one eye to spot his warm smile. “What were you reading?”
“It was the entry announcing Margaret’s birth.”
“Oh?” She gasped with a sharp kick, and before she had a chance, his hands were reaching to rub the sore spot on her ever-expanding belly. “Thank you.” She sighed.
“Are you still feeling courageous about the pending arrival of your tormentor?”
“Are you still feeling panicked?”
He kissed her toes. “mmmhmmm.” She looked up to see him smiling, then laughed when he dropped her feet and ran his hands up her nightdress to hold her hips. “What are your intentions, Husband?”
“I believe that I will assert my desires.”
“What of mine?” She watched him grab a pillow to place beneath her bottom, and lifted his nightshirt off.