by Wells, Linda
“Of course.” Lucas observed the staff moving around the room. “It will certainly be different.”
“How are your investments going with Gardiner? I must say I am well-pleased.”
“They are very encouraging, sir. And I am following Darcy’s advice, and investing a portion of my grandfather’s bequest in a few companies that show promise with their manufacturing capabilities.” He smiled and looked at Jane. “I hope to do well by my family.”
Lord Matlock nodded thoughtfully. “That is excellent! I like a young man who prepares for the future. Perhaps you might even use a bit of this income to help your mother? Perhaps hire her a servant or two? I understand that your elder sister will soon be leaving home to marry? And your younger brothers will soon be apprenticed or off to the navy?”
“Yes, I … That is true, I might be able to afford a girl for the kitchen.” He sat up straight. “And perhaps another for the household.”
“It is not necessary, dear.” Jane assured him and took his hand under the table.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Yes, it is.”
Lady Matlock smiled with approval. “Now then, Miss Lucas will marry Reverend de Bourgh, when?”
“In a little over a month, madam. They wished for it to be sooner, but Mother wished for a bit of a rest after our wedding before planning the next.” They all laughed and Jane blushed. “But it works out nicely. Darcy told me last night that they will adjust their travel plans for London so that they may be present. It will give them extra time to purchase a new wardrobe for Miss Kitty, and augment yours, Miss Darcy.” He smiled at her and she nodded when the eyes turned to her. “Of course Captain de Bourgh and his mother will be attending, as well.”
“Oh!” Mary whispered and blushed.
Lady Matlock smiled. “Well I am certain that it will be a lovely occasion, and enjoyed by all.”
“BABA.” Elizabeth cooed at Rosalie.
Rosalie giggled and shook her rattle.
“Dada.” Darcy leaned down and smiled at her. “Dada.”
“Dada! Dadadadadadabababa.” Rosalie finished her speech with bubbles and another cry of delight at her rattle’s noise.
He looked up at Elizabeth and laughed. “Well, something for each of us.” They were walking alongside the baby carriage. Darcy held the reins for the pony in one hand, and clasped Elizabeth’s hand in the other.
“It is not a competition, Will.”
“No, but … I long for the day when she calls me Papa.” He looked into the carriage when a stream of babbling erupted again.
“Grace seems to almost be saying that, although she calls Stephen, Mama.” Elizabeth laughed. “She is a little confused.”
“Did you see Margaret? She was sitting up by herself; it will not be long before she is crawling.” Darcy said with awe. “That will be Rosa very soon.”
“And then we will be in trouble. I can see her dashing through the halls now, being chased down by her nursemaids. Poor Mrs. Somers will regret returning to Pemberley.” Elizabeth looked up to him and lifted her hand to brush back his hair. “You look so relaxed today; this is the best gift of all. Will you accept Uncle Henry’s suggestion that Matthews could be your personal secretary as well as house steward?”
“No, I want our house steward to look after the physical aspects of our home, not the staff or finances. We have enough staff to help with that. If I engage a secretary he will be dedicated solely to my affairs. I will meet a man in London Uncle Henry knows and will be in need of a position soon.” He smiled at her sceptical look. “All right, love, not if I hire a secretary, but when. However, I do feel better this morning; perhaps it is the very pleasant start to our day that is influencing me.” Darcy kissed her hand, and slipped his arm around her waist. “Perhaps it is relief that Georgiana’s behaviour may be addressed. I think that you were correct in what you were saying last night; she was on the cusp of some great mistake. I hope that she understands now that we did not send her to school to get her out of the way.”
“I imagine though that a great many of her schoolmates were.”
“No doubt. How many did we see arrive with only a servant as escort? I am sure that some of her behaviour was influenced by them.” He sighed and watched Rosalie entertaining herself. “I suppose that in some ways, that was why I put her in school to begin with, when Mrs. Somers left us, it seemed to be the best solution to continuing her education. I just felt so helpless when Father died. I know that I was trying to buy her happiness with gifts and indulgences. I had no idea what to do. I knew that Father would want her to be educated, and learn how to be with her peers. I tried. I thought I had tried.” He looked down to his feet. “I am so grateful for you coming to my rescue. Lord knows what may have become of her.”
“I did not rescue you; I think that your aunt and uncle did that.”
“They helped, but I believe that whatever they did was perhaps not taken as seriously as it should.” He looked back to her. “She knew that it was only a brief time in their care, she would be eventually returned to me and all would be easy again.” He sighed. “You saw what we chose not to.”
“I merely recognized Lydia.”
Darcy leaned down and kissed her. “At last Lydia has done some good for another.”
“Hmm, well hopefully Lydia will see the value of what she is about to receive. I fear that she will fight it, vehemently.”
“Yes, and I am afraid that she is in for many remonstrations by her new teachers and classmates.”
“I wonder if she will be more likely to listen to her peers and strangers.” Elizabeth watched him tying the pony to a tree and taking out the picnic basket they had stored. She reached into the carriage and lifted up Rosalie.
“Are you sure that you can carry her?” He asked worriedly when he saw her grimace. “I can manage the basket and the baby.”
“No, I am fine.” She smiled and started walking. “Coming?” Darcy sighed and followed her down the path through the trees and then down the trace to their glade. “Look sweetheart, look, this is where you were born.” Elizabeth walked around the grass and showed Rosalie the elm. “See, this is our tree, and here,” She bent and showed her a pink rose, “This is your namesake.” The baby reached and grabbed the stem, and screamed when her finger was snagged by a thorn. “Ohh, shhh, shh.”
Darcy dropped the blanket he was spreading and swooped over. “Shhh, love, shhh.” He wiped the big tears rolling down her face. “Shh, my Rosa.” Elizabeth handed her over and immediately he cuddled her up in his arms and kissed her, then kissed her fingers, nibbling on them and making her laugh. “There my Rosa, all is well.”
“You are so lost to her. I see now that you will definitely need me to keep you both in check.” Elizabeth hugged him and went to set out their meal.
Darcy just smiled and walked around as she worked, singing softly. “I gave my love a cherry that had no stone. I gave my love a chicken that had no bone. I told my love a story that had no end. I gave my love a baby with no crying.”10
Rosalie cooed and he caressed her cheek with his finger. “What shall we give Mama today?” He asked her. “What would she like the best? A new necklace?” She stuck her tongue out at him. “No? But I thought that jewels were the way to a woman’s heart? Hmm.” He lifted her up in the air and laughed when she squealed. A glob of drool fell on his nose. Hearing Elizabeth laughing behind him he settled the baby on his shoulder. “So you suggest some new handkerchiefs, then?” Elizabeth laughed harder and came over to wipe his face. They kissed and she returned to the basket. “I think that I can do much better than that. I suggest this.” He whispered in Rosalie’s ear and received a hand in his mouth in return. “It is settled.” He turned and grinned at Elizabeth. “She agrees with me.”
“When has she not?” Elizabeth settled on the blanket and he handed her the baby. He sat and pulled off his boots, and leaned on a tree, then held out his arms to her. Scooting backwards, she leaned on his chest, and opened her gown to feed
Rosalie. Darcy’s arms wrapped around them both, and they watched her suckle and slowly drift to sleep. “What did you agree upon? What is my gift?”
“Oh … I seem to remember you asking if our next child will be conceived right here.” Darcy’s eyes lit up when she blushed. “I know that you are not able to yet, love, nor am I in any hurry, but I surely do hope that I may fulfil that wish for you right here, one day.”
Elizabeth placed their sleeping daughter inside of the empty basket with a blanket, then returned to Darcy’s arms. “I hope that you do, but for now, shall we practice?”
He peeked at Rosalie. “Have we enough time?”
“Let us find out.”
16 AUGUST 1810
The celebration of Elizabeth’s birthday was glorious in its simplicity. I believe this was the easiest day we have spent in, I cannot say, months, perhaps. We spent hours in our glade. We loved each other while Rosalie slept, and then shared the picnic Cook had prepared. We returned to the house to find our guests well-occupied and seemingly oblivious to our absence. It was wonderful.
Following dinner we all moved outdoors. Torches had been lit and out at the edge of the lake, we could see the figures of men moving in the dusky light, and then suddenly, the sky was ablaze with brilliant colours and the shattering sounds of the fireworks echoed over the hills. My love is not so frightened of them now, but she remained in my arms, staring up in awe at the display, and jumped back with each explosion deeper into my embrace, finally letting go to laugh at herself. I did not let her escape my arms for very long. Behind and around us, we heard ohhs and applause, the staff had come out to see the display as well, and I am glad to have given them the pleasure. I had to laugh, Lucas was a novice and his fascination was amusing, to say the least, pointing and exclaiming to Jane. His face was lit with wonder, and she had to hold his hand to keep him still. I know that he feels moments of incredible inadequacy in the face of all that Pemberley is and what he can give to Jane, but I hope that what he takes away from their visit here is a sense of welcome and belonging in our family, and pride in what his hard work can give his own.
Georgiana was reticent and polite. All of the family chose to treat her as usual, perhaps more watchful, except for Mary who like us, seems to need evidence of repentance before granting forgiveness. She played for us, and her gift to Elizabeth was a promise to make a dozen dresses for children in the workhouse before she leaves for school. It is a tall order, but she said that if Elizabeth can spend her time sewing for them, then there was no reason why she could not do the same. When Elizabeth hugged her, I do not believe there was a dry eye in the room. Mrs. Somers arrives tomorrow; it will be good to have her back.
“WHEN WILL YOU MOVE Rosalie into this nursery, Elizabeth?” Audrey walked around the large bright room and looked over to the corner where her daughter was reaching for toys held by Mary. “Grace has been in the nursery at Ashcroft from the beginning.”
“Yes, so has Margaret at Matlock.” Alicia sat in a rocker and watched her daughter rake some blocks her way.
“Well, Rosa will remain in the little nursery next to the mistress’s chambers until she is weaned, at least, or perhaps until we have our next child. It is not as if she is in need of the schoolroom yet. Besides, I do not have any desire to go traipsing up the stairs in the middle of the night.” Elizabeth spoke from her position on the floor, and smiled at her baby who was babbling and leaning against her leg.
“But you have Mrs. Robbins for night time duty.” Audrey sat on a little bed. “There is no need for you to worry about it.”
“Yes, but it is also convenient for me and Fitzwilliam to have her near our rooms during the day. We both go up to visit with her.” Elizabeth stroked her hair. “He has private talks with her as often as possible.”
Audrey and Alicia exchanged glances and shook their heads. “And what is said?”
“Oh, sometimes they talk about the estate, but mostly they talk about me.” She lifted her head and smiled. “She reassures him that he is doing well by me.”
“Is he doing well?” Alicia asked quietly and saw Elizabeth’s smile fall away. “Forgive me, I should not pry.”
“It is just that we have been so worried about both of you.” Audrey said quickly.
“What do you see?” Elizabeth looked down at Rosalie and handed her a rattle. “You have known him far longer than I.”
“Nothing … He is just …different.” Audrey looked at Alicia helplessly. “As are you.”
“Well, we are bound to be.” Elizabeth sighed. “I suppose that Lady Matlock told you everything that happened.”
“And Evangeline.”
“Then there is no need to rehash it now.” She smiled and lifted Rosalie to her shoulder, wincing a little, but not stopping the movement. “I think that it is safe to say that we are much better, and we have more pressing things to worry over. For example, your mother has identified a girls’ school well away from the influence of London for my sister, Lydia.”
“Oh, the school run by Miss Edwards.” Alicia nodded. “Yes, it is … Well, let us say that they brook no nonsense there.”
“I knew a girl who attended Mrs. Banks’ school with me, and she snuck out of her window one evening to meet a gentleman …well a purported gentleman, for a rendezvous.” Audrey saw the ladies’ eyes widen and glanced to the corner where Georgiana sat silently listening. “Fortunately, a footman had stepped outside for a breath of air and noticed the girl dropping down onto a low roof, and the man waiting with a cart just below. Well, he raised the alarm, the man drove off and the girl was left standing on the roof, too far from the window to climb back, and too high off the ground to jump. Her parents had her removed and sent to Miss Edwards within the week.”
“Oh my!” Alicia cried.
“That is exactly what we fear Lydia might do. She would go to town and disappear, not liking the rules she lived under.” Elizabeth sighed. “The temptation would be great and she has no fear or even a concept of anyone using her ill. I hope that living in an atmosphere of little indulgence will save her from … a fate worse than death.”
“Is that possible?” Audrey asked and glanced at Georgiana to see if she understood. “Would she go that far?”
“She is a flirt, she knows she is pretty, and men react viscerally to her, despite her age.” Elizabeth closed her eyes and kissed Rosalie’s head. “Mama’s ideas on her wardrobe are not helpful.”
“She does not dress demurely as Georgiana does?” Alicia smiled at her.
“No, so she will be in for a great shock when she finds the trunk of appropriate clothing waiting for her at the school, and the dresses Mama had made for her hidden away at Lucas Lodge until she is older.” Hearing the peals of laughter, Elizabeth opened her eyes again. “Papa will be glad to be well away from the school by the time that the discovery is made.”
“Well, are you shocked at this subterfuge, Georgiana? What of you Mary? This is your sister!” Audrey asked with a smile.
“I think that it is the wise course to follow.” Mary said quietly. “Neither do I wish for my sister to be a bad influence on other girls with her dress, nor do I want her to call any more attention to herself than she already will.”
Elizabeth nodded and looked at Georgiana. “What do you think, Georgiana?”
She blushed and bit her lip. “I … I think that Lydia is fortunate that she has family that cares enough for her to try and save her before she makes any terrible mistakes. I … I certainly heard girls talking about men and … things. It was … it gave me thoughts.”
“Would you act upon them, though?” Alicia asked. “You know the difference between acting on an impulse and just entertaining a thought.”
Georgiana looked at Mary then over to Elizabeth. “I believe that I have learned that lesson. I hope that Lydia does as well.”
“I hope so, too.” Elizabeth smiled and Georgiana smiled shyly in return. “I truly do.”
“WELL?” Elizabeth prodded Jane t
he next afternoon. They were sitting on a blanket alone; watching the family moving across the lawn after Mary’s birthday picnic had been cleared away. “So how do you find marriage?”
“It is quite satisfactory.”
“Ohhhh, that does not sound good at all!” She laughed and drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them. “Surely you can find a better word than that! Robert is beaming. I would guess that he finds it far better than satisfactory.”
“Well.” Jane smiled and watched him amongst the men as they gathered the cricket equipment and argued about teams. “I would say it is …quite wonderful.”
“Now that is much better!” Elizabeth squeezed her hand and looked over to where Georgiana and Mary sat with the babies. “He seems to be more comfortable with the men now.”
“He is. It took him a few days. He was not quite so uncomfortable with Lord Matlock since they met before, but Viscount Layton and Mr. Singleton were new and I am afraid that he once again felt his inadequacy.”
“It is only inadequacy if he lets it be, Jane. You know that in Meryton, he is quite the important man. He will be taking his father’s place one day, perhaps he will be magistrate.”
“Whoever takes Netherfield …”
“Will be too busy to want to meddle in local affairs. He will pay his taxes, and concern himself with his estate and his pleasures.”
“Is that what Fitzwilliam does?” Jane said with her brow raised.
“No.” Elizabeth sighed. “He concerns himself with everything. Except politics. I am glad that he will soon begin working with a secretary, he takes on too much.”
Jane nodded and drawing a breath, closed her eyes and began a conversation that embarrassed her to her bones. “You share your bed with Fitzwilliam.”
Surprised, she turned to her. “Yes, you know that. I assumed that you did the same? Lucas Lodge surely cannot have room for two chambers for you?”
“Oh, no, we share out of necessity. He has apologized.” Seeing Elizabeth’s confusion, she said hurriedly, “Neither of us wish to be separated, it is just his desire to give me everything that a married gentlewoman should have, at least in his estimation.”