by Wells, Linda
Darcy caressed her back and smiled at his girls. “Is she too much? Should I rise?”
“No, I can manage.” Elizabeth carried her to the nursery and when she returned, she found him waiting with the covers pulled back.
Darcy sighed when she enveloped him in her embrace. “It is over, and I never want to think or talk about it again.”
“Very well, what shall we talk about? It has been an exceptionally long day. I am so proud of you, Will. How do you feel?” She lifted her head from his hair and kissing his brow, gently rubbed his back.
“So very tired.” He closed his eyes and buried his face against her shoulder. “I was not prepared to have to face this drama with Mrs. Younge after having to look upon …him. I suppose that wearing the necklace was a symbol of defiance.”
“What an enormous risk she was taking.”
“One that nearly succeeded. I gather that she was planning to leave London immediately. She admitted her address and all that was found were her packed trunks and a large sum of money. She claimed that she had saved it from her wages and the settlement from her husband.” Darcy’s voice was incredulous. “Her husband was an army lieutenant!” His eyes squeezed shut and he exhaled noisily when her hands moved to massage his shoulders. “Stop it Darcy, Uncle Henry will handle this. No more! I do not want to talk about it!”
Elizabeth kissed his hair and watching him carefully, decided to bring up the next subject while his headache was young. “I spoke to Georgiana about the necklace.”
Still trying to calm, he spoke angrily, “I told her to be careful of her purse at school for just this reason. I knew that it might be stolen. Why would she be so careless? Would she not value her mother’s jewels? Does she not know their importance?”
“She was thirteen, Will.” He grunted and she continued, “And then when the necklace disappeared soon after arriving at school, she decided not to tell you. It did not occur to her that you might one day ask her why she never wore it.” Elizabeth kissed his cheek and gently began rubbing his temples. “I like your decision not to return it to her.”
“Yes, but what sacrifice is it for her? She has been without it for months already. We will have to think of something more.” He tried again to relax and failed. “Rosalie will like that necklace one day, and hopefully Georgiana will learn to care for and appreciate her possessions. Beyond the monetary value, the connection to her mother should have been precious to her.”
“But she does not have any memory of her mother.”
“It is no excuse for not honouring her.” He said stubbornly.
“You are correct, and I am not making excuses for her. Will she return to that school?”
“No. I have asked Aunt Helen to identify one for us.” Opening his eyes, he asked Elizabeth helplessly, “Are we too soft with her?”
“We have hardly seen her to be anything at all.” He moaned. “I did not say that to make you feel guilty! You know that schooling is essential for her progress, and it is not as if we left her alone, if anything she has experienced the strictest of upbringings living with your aunt and uncle. No wonder she wished to be with us! But now, I think that witnessing all that we endured has her frightened. We must reassure her that we will be well.” Elizabeth heard his deep sigh when he nestled further into her embrace. “I know as much about parenting as you, dear. We are both learning as we go. It would have been easier to start at the beginning with Rosalie instead of in the middle with Georgiana.” She laughed softly when he nodded fervently.
“I am deeply grateful to have you with me on this journey. What would have become of her if I was alone?” He looked up and saw her smile. “What would I be doing now?”
“Oh, probably preparing to attend another gala ball, escorting some lovely young girl for an evening of dancing.”
He snorted. “Hardly.”
“Married?”
“I pray not.” He smiled to receive her kiss, and closed his eyes. “No, I would be at Pemberley.”
“Happily enjoying your solitude and becoming increasingly cantankerous in the process.” Elizabeth laughed when he sat up and kissed her hard. “Bad-tempered, difficult, grumpy …”
“Are you through?”
“No. Argumentative, arrogant, and thoroughly disagreeable.” She finished and squealed when he pushed her back and lay over top of her. “See! My point is proven; you would have been a hermit. Likely toothless.” She added for good measure.
“Would I have grown a long beard and frightened the tenant’s children?” He growled and began nipping at her throat.
“Oh certainly, and you would have chased them away when you angrily brandished your walking stick!”
He chuckled and looked up from his nibbling. “You have me sounding as if I were an old man!”
“So you would be, without your lively wife by your side to prod you from black moods.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled up at him. Darcy settled more comfortably over her and smiled, brushing back her hair, and looking over her face. “What are you thinking?”
“I do not doubt your prediction of my sad existence without you, and I am grateful that you have come to prod me.” Darcy kissed her, then said seriously, “I want to go home and be the good husband and master my father was. I want him to be proud of me.”
“Well then Mr. Darcy, what may I do to help you to achieve this admirable goal?” Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair and made a show of thinking deeply. He laughed softly when she kissed his nose. “I know.”
“What?” He smiled and twisted a curl around his finger.
“Come here, dear man.” She drew his head towards her and slowly kissed him.
Darcy moaned, whispering when she licked his parted lips, “Oh love …”
“Shhhh.” Her lips travelled to nibble just below his ear. “I love you, my Fitzwilliam.”
“Sweet love.” He sighed and turned so he held her safely in his arms. As his eyes closed and he succumbed to sleep, he murmured, “No more regret, from this moment on.”
Chapter 22
“Now, you will write to us.” Elizabeth ordered.“Yes, I promise.” Bingley held his hands up and hid from her stern glare. “I will!”
“And you will be careful, and behave, and enjoy yourself.” Her commands continued.
“Now, Mrs. Darcy, you need to make up your mind, am I to behave or enjoy myself?” He chuckled when she hit his arm. “Ow! Darcy! Control your wife!”
“No chance of that, she is simply saying what I am thinking.” Darcy held out his hand, then the men embraced and clapped each other’s backs before drawing away with awkward smiles and shining eyes. “I am very proud of you taking this step, Bingley. I think that it will good for you, and I look forward to seeing you again, ready to take on the rest of your life.”
“Is that what the tour did for you?” He laughed and rubbed his thumb over his eye.
“No.” Darcy chuckled and shrugged. “But it was an experience that I am grateful to have had.”
“And what will I find when I return?” Bingley smiled at Elizabeth. “What wonders will you have begun?”
“Do you know something that I do not?” She looked back at Darcy then returned to Bingley. “I am hoping for a peaceful time of simply being a good wife and mother, and seeing what I can do with all Fitzwilliam has given me.”
“That sounds dangerous.” Bingley winked and grinned at his friend.
“It does, rather.” Darcy’s eyes twinkled at her.
She groaned and turned her back to him. “Well, we need to be on our way if we are to be at Longbourn on time. We should have left at sunrise.” Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Bingley’s waist and hugged him tightly. His eyes opened wide and he saw Darcy’s frown, but he closed them and hugged her just as tightly back. Elizabeth let go and holding his face in her hands, kissed his cheek. “You know that we all love you, and want you to come home soon.”
“Oh.” He took her hands and squeezed them as his eyes welled up, and he sniffed.
“How am I supposed to leave now?” Bingley kissed her cheek and hands, then placed one into Darcy’s palm. “Thank you.”
Darcy’s smile returned when she squeezed his hand, and he helped her up into the coach. He then turned to shake Bingley’s hand once more. “She speaks from the heart, and for all of us. But I am not going to kiss you.”
Laughing, Bingley nodded. “Thank God for small favours.” He paused and said softly, “I feel the same. Be careful on your journey home.”
Darcy nodded and biting his lip, took a book from his coat and handed it to him. “You might want to look at this before you leave for Dover. It is a very good book. A very good book.” He looked at Bingley meaningfully.
“Very well.” Bingley smiled and glanced at it.
Elizabeth called out. “It really is a very good book, Mr. Bingley. It is full of excellent suggestions. Some that you should consider before your plans are set.”
“Thank you.” He gave them both a bemused smile and watched as Darcy stepped up into the coach and Bingley closed the door after him. A footman moved the steps back and Bingley leaned into the open window. “Miss Darcy, I have been practicing my writing, I hope that you will be able to read my letters.”
“I certainly hope so, Mr. Bingley, I will be glad to see the evidence of your endeavours.” She glanced at Elizabeth who smiled and nodded. “And … and I hope, we hope to hear from you very soon.” She blushed when he flashed her a warm smile.
“I am sure that you will.” He smiled at Mary. “And I hope that you enjoy Pemberley, Miss Mary. It is a magical place.”
“I know that I will, sir.” She smiled a little and glanced out of the window. “Oh!”
“Good, you did not depart yet!” De Bourgh leapt down from his horse and tossed the reins to a footman as he strode to the carriage. “I wished to give this to you, Miss Mary.” He handed a battered journal through the window. “I sent for it from Rosings. I will not be nearby to fill your head with tales, so you may read this until we meet again. Take good care of it, now. It is precious and full of my memories as a young lad.” Seeing Darcy’s brows rise, he winked. “Young lad Cousin, you might say, a boy. Does that satisfy?”
“It does.” Darcy grinned.
“Thank you, sir.” Mary clutched it to her chest. “I will take good care of it.”
He kicked down the step and leaned further into the window. “See that you do, Miss Mary. I look forward to hearing your impressions when next we meet.” Their eyes held for several moments and his confident smile wavered briefly before it returned brighter than before. Smiling around at the group he hopped back down. “Safe journey!” De Bourgh looked up at the coachman and waved his hand. “Away!” With that the Darcy and servants’ carriages pulled forward, with more farewells called from all.
“So, do I see something between you and Miss Mary?” Bingley asked as he moved towards his horse and mounted.
De Bourgh smiled and climbed up on his own. “What do I see with you and Miss Darcy?”
“She is a little girl!” Bingley cried. “You cannot be serious! I have no intention of waiting, good heavens, at least another three years!”
“Perhaps you will find some exotic Miss on your travels.” De Bourgh cocked his brow. “How are your languages? Perhaps you should stick to England.”
“They are not that terrible.” Bingley chuckled and relaxed. “In any case, I will find a good English lass to be mine one day.”
“Too bad my sisters are married.” He rubbed his chin.
“No, no matchmaking. I have taken the vow to abstain from machinations for one year.” Bingley said seriously. “In one year, I will find my angel.”
“OH JANE, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!” Kitty sighed.
“And Robert is so happy.” Charlotte stood behind her and buttoned the gown. “He is nervous, though.”
“What did he do?” Mrs. Gardiner smiled and picked up the bonnet to plump the spray of white roses that adorned the brim.
“He had his waistcoat buttoned all wrong, and the valet had to ask Papa to come in and have a word with Robert because he kept untying his neck cloth, claiming he could not breathe!”
The ladies all laughed and Jane blushed. “I hope that is not a sign that he thinks he is making a mistake.”
“I think that is a sign that he would rather have a quiet ceremony in the parlour instead of this spectacle your mothers have devised.” Mrs. Gardiner patted her hand. “Your patience with their competition has been saintly.”
“It is one day in a lifetime.” Jane sighed at her aunt’s praise. “We can endure it. The result is all that matters.” She glanced out of the window. “Is there any news of Lizzy?”
“I know that they will be here, dear. The past days have been very trying for them, you cannot imagine the interest they suffered, or the stress they endured; they may have had a later start than anticipated, no matter their desire to leave and put it behind them.” Mrs. Gardiner heard Lydia’s voice in the background and saw Kitty grimace. “Are you excited to be attending school with Miss Darcy this autumn, Kitty?”
She nodded and looked at her hands. “I hope that I do not embarrass her.”
“I am certain that you will not.” Jane gave her a hug. “If you like, I can teach you all of the things that Lady Matlock taught me about how to behave in her society.” Kitty bit her lip and nodded. “Mary did very well at that school, so I am sure that you will, too.”
“Mary is much smarter than I am. I do not have any talent for music or reading.” Lydia’s whining grew louder. “But I am happy to be leaving.” She whispered. “Is Miss Darcy nice?”
“She is very nice.” Jane assured her. “You met her once, although I think that she was a little overwhelmed by our family at the time.”
“She is nice, Kitty.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “But you must remember that she is very young and might benefit from your experience as well.”
Her eyes widened. “My experience? I have none!”
“That is not true at all. You are older, you have grown up seeing behaviour that you now understand is unappealing, and hopefully you will appreciate this opportunity to learn and improve your future.” Mrs. Gardiner gave her a slight embrace. “Keep in mind that Miss Darcy has been denied very little, not only because of her wealth, but because she lost her parents.”
“Lydia is indulged.” Kitty said thoughtfully.
“She is, but what I think would benefit Miss Darcy is to see how you embrace the opportunity you have been given with this education. This is truly a gift for you; it would be good for her to appreciate what she has as a matter-of-course.”
They heard a loud screech from downstairs and looking to the window, they saw the two Darcy carriages rumbling into the drive. “Thank heaven.” Jane sighed and stood at the window to watch Darcy step down, hand out Mary and Georgiana, and finally Elizabeth. He said something to her and she laughed, standing on her toes to kiss him and caress his cheek. They both turned to see Mrs. Robbins approaching with Rosalie. Mrs. Bennet flew out of the door, practically prostrating herself before Darcy in her excited welcome. Mrs. Gardiner’s brow rose nearly to her hairline and she turned to look at Jane for an explanation.
“Fitzwilliam had his lawyer draw up an agreement stating that he will provide a home and any additional reasonable income for Mama and any unmarried daughters upon Papa’s death if it was necessary, no matter whether she outlives Elizabeth. Papa showed it to Mama; and ever since then, Fitzwilliam has become her saviour, and Elizabeth has made the most brilliant of matches, as she has always deserved to have.” Jane sighed. “And … She has forgiven me my choice.”
“Oh Jane, I am sorry.” Mrs. Gardiner hugged her. “It is very good of Mr. Darcy to do such a thing.”
“Robert is … he feels unhappy that he cannot offer such a grand gesture, but Papa explained to me that Fitzwilliam has not done this out of the goodness of his heart, it is an obligation and will keep her from his door.” She hung her head. “Now I see
Mama through Lizzy’s eyes.”
“If it makes you feel better Jane, Mama is very happy to gain you as her daughter. She said that after she had thought about it for awhile, she could not think of another girl she would want to share her home with, or give it to someday.” Charlotte smiled. “And since I will be leaving in a few months to marry Michael, she will need to have another sensible daughter at home, because we all know that Maria it just too shy to speak her mind!”
“Thank you, Charlotte.” Jane wiped her eyes and hugged her new sister. They heard a carriage pulling away and knew that it was Darcy going over to Lucas Lodge with Mr. Gardiner. Since his brothers were so young, Lucas had asked Darcy to stand up with him in church. There was a knock and Elizabeth peeked around the door. “Lizzy! I was so afraid you would be late!”
“I am sorry, Jane.” She hurried in and hugged her. “We tried to leave early, but Rosalie was not cooperating, and then Mr. Bingley stopped to say goodbye once more, and Captain de Bourgh stopped … It was just impossible to leave!” Elizabeth stood back and held her hands. “Everyone sends you their love and best wishes. I have gifts for you from the Matlocks, Harwicks and Stewarts. Mr. Bingley wishes you joy and happiness.” She smiled when Jane’s eyes went to the floor. “Now, what are you doing wearing this gown?” She looked over the blue dress that she had given her. “This was not supposed to be a wedding gown!”
“Oh Lizzy, how could it not be? When will I ever have another gown from Madame Dupree? And …” She bit her lip and whispered, “It does match my eyes.” She laughed and the sisters hugged. “I promise, I will wear it over and over again, but I confess that I cannot wait to see Robert’s face when he sees me!”
“Well I shall be sure to watch him instead of you.” Finally they let go and Elizabeth greeted everyone else, hugging Charlotte and congratulating her on her very recent engagement to Michael de Bourgh, then kissed Kitty’s cheek and felt her sister hug her hard.
“Are you truly well, Lizzy?” Kitty asked worriedly. “I was so frightened! Is Mr. Darcy well?”