by Wells, Linda
“And she throws you aside when she is bored.” Elizabeth held her hand. “So why would you want to go to school with her?”
“I guess it is because I know what to expect from her.” She shrugged and started to wipe her eyes with her hand and felt a handkerchief pressed into her palm. “Oh Lizzy, what will I do in this school for rich girls?”
Elizabeth brushed back the curls that fell across her face. “You will learn how to be the best Kitty you can. You will leave there in two years just as rich in knowledge as they are. What happens after that is up to you. We offered Mary a home with us at Pemberley, and we will be happy to have you come to us there when you are finished as well.”
“You would let me come?” Kitty looked up hopefully.
“Of course.” Elizabeth smiled and kissed her. “Poor Fitzwilliam, another woman in the house!”
“Then you will have to have a boy next!” Kitty giggled. “And we can spoil him!”
“I have a feeling that he will need spoiling after his papa fills his head with talk of duty and honour.” Elizabeth laughed. “Now, are you still frightened?”
“Yes.”
“I think that we should go and talk to Mary. She can tell you everything about how to fit in with these rich girls.” She tugged Kitty’s hand and they stood. “And I think that I might have a few things to tell you, too.”
“But you are a rich girl now, Lizzy.” Kitty followed her out of the room.
“I suppose I am.” She laughed and gave her a hug. “But once upon a time, I was just as silly as you.”
“I CANNOT REACH MY ARMS AROUND YOU!” Fitzwilliam laughed.
“Richard, do not toy with me!” Evangeline warned him. “I am not in a playful mood.”
“I am!” He rested his chin on her shoulder and kissed her neck. “So tell me my dear, what may I do to improve yours?”
“Carry your child for me.” Evangeline closed her eyes and sighed. “I am so tired.”
“I know sweet girl.” He whispered in her ear. “It is nearly over.”
“It is not.” She let her weight rest against his chest. “It is two months away.”
“But that is less than nine.” He hugged her and laid his hands over her belly. “He is kicking me.”
Tiredly, she sighed. “Me, as well.”
Chuckling, he took her hand. “Come along, dear. Darcy and Elizabeth will be here very soon, that should cheer you.”
“I wish that I could visit them.” She looked at her swollen feet. “What am I saying; I wish that I could walk.”
“You do just fine, and I like always knowing where you are.” He chuckled at her glare. “And think of the money we save without you shopping!”
“Richard Fitzwilliam, if you think that you are cheering me …”
“No, I know I am infuriating you.” He winked and led her to a sofa, eased her down and lifted her legs so that they rested on pillows. Leaning down, he kissed her. “Better?”
“Yes.” She said reluctantly.
“Good.” He settled behind her back and rubbed her shoulders. “I love you.”
“You think that makes up for everything?”
“Everything? You mean making you so lovely?” He chuckled when she groaned and kissed her cheek. “Indeed!”
“Sir, the Darcys have arrived.” A footman announced and soon showed them in.
“Forgive us for not standing.” Fitzwilliam smiled as they entered and shook hands with Darcy. “Where is Mary?” He craned his neck to the doorway. “Did she lose her way?”
“No.” Elizabeth kissed them both and sat down next to Darcy. “She and Aunt Gardiner are enjoying tea at the de Bourgh townhouse.”
“With Mrs. de Bourgh and son.” Darcy chuckled.
“Oh ho!” Fitzwilliam rubbed his hands together.
“Keep your oh ho’s to yourself, Richard.” Evangeline nudged him. “Is it a match?”
“You are as bad as your husband.” Elizabeth laughed. “Or Lady Helen!”
“I am not!” She declared.
Darcy stepped in. “No match. Not yet. He has this ridiculous sense of honour or duty or something, wanting to wait until she is sure and truly ready.” Fitzwilliam and Evangeline, exchanging glances, blushed.
Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “Rather admirable, that.”
“Hmm.” Darcy’s hint of a smile graced his mouth.
“And the girls, they are settled at school?” Darcy’s smile disappeared. “Come on, man, you know it is best for them.”
“I know.”
“They are just in Queen’s Square; Kitty wondered why they could not just walk there from Darcy House every day.” Elizabeth smiled when Darcy relaxed against her. “We explained that would defeat the purpose of a boarding school.”
“It is hardly a stroll down the lanes to move between Mayfair and Bloomsbury.” Fitzwilliam laughed. “Country girls.”
“Richard, do not test my ire so soon in our visit.” Elizabeth warned. He raised his hands over his head in surrender.
Darcy cleared his throat. “They were soundly warned about walking alone. I am not so afraid for Georgiana, but Kitty …”
“Kitty is a follower; she will do whatever Georgiana says.” Elizabeth assured him. “She will do whatever is necessary to fit in to her new circumstances, and if the Misses Stevenson give her praise, she will be loyal to them forever.”
“Sounds like an ideal wife.” Fitzwilliam winked at Darcy. “You know, hanging on your every word, rushing to provide you a drink, a rub, any bit of comfort.”
“And without protest.” Darcy added when Fitzwilliam yelped from Evangeline’s pinch, and sent a sidelong glance at Elizabeth. “I feel the heat of your glare, my love, and it warms my soul.”
“That is not the only thing that I should be warming on you.” She declared and crossed her arms.
“Oh ho!” Fitzwilliam cried.
“Richard!”
“She baits him, my dear!” He sat forward, “Come man, return the strike!”
“I will not fight my wife for your entertainment, Cousin.” Darcy stated and smiled to see Elizabeth let down her stance. “I do that for my own.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy!”
“Touché!” Richard declared. “Good Lord, Darcy. It is good to see you back in top form again. It has been far too long!”
Darcy looked down at Elizabeth’s fingers entwining with his and smiled. “We are not there yet, Cousin, but we have learned how to tame the beast.”
“And how is this done?” Evangeline watched them supporting each other.
“We have accepted our weaknesses and have learned when to accept help.” Elizabeth looked into Darcy’s smiling eyes then turned to see understanding in theirs. “And we are ready to move on.”
Chapter 27
“What do you think of Mrs. de Bourgh?” Mrs. Gardiner asked Mary. “She seems rather brusque. But I believe that she means well.” Mary added quickly.
Elizabeth hid her smile in her teacup. “She reminded me of Lady Matlock in some ways, she does not mince words. But I agree, she means well, she is very protective and does not tolerate foolishness.”
“I could see that she liked you, Mary, she was just seeing what sort of a girl you are.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled and sighed when Mary’s eyes widened. “She wanted to see if you are genuine. I am certain that her son has begun attracting attention. He is a handsome young man who has control of a large estate, he is going to be desired by a great many women. He is no innocent fool, but Mrs. de Bourgh will be vetting any woman who smiles at him, and more, any who he chooses to smile at in return.”
“But I … I am not chasing him, I would not know how to chase a man!”
Elizabeth sighed. “That is not what she said, Mary. But surely you can understand how protective Mrs. de Bourgh will feel about him? He has been away from home since he was a very young boy, and now he has returned at last to have all of these riches and responsibilities thrust upon him. She is just protecting him now in th
e way she could not do all those years when he was at sea.”
“Oh.”
“I know; that is something you and I find hard to understand, since it is so different from our own experience. But I will certainly be just as protective with my children.” She smiled.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded and turned to Mary. “She has not had an easy life, and she needed to be very strong to see her family safely to adulthood. She has been a widow for a long time, and had to rely on the kindness of family to help them get by on the little she had from her husband until Captain de Bourgh began earning enough to send home to her. You know that is why her younger son was not in the navy, do you not? Captain de Bourgh was so terribly lonely as a boy, he insisted that part of the funds he sent be saved to send his brother to school, and to keep him from the sea.”
“How good of him!” Mary whispered. “I did not know. I knew that he was lonely, he wrote about it, but …” She fell into thoughtful silence. “His journal was his friend.”
“Just as my journal was mine, and Fitzwilliam’s was his.” Elizabeth saw that she understood and smiled. “Captain de Bourgh is a very modest man, and to speak of that would be promoting himself, even to his journal. He reminds me of Fitzwilliam in many ways. He is a very dedicated family man. It is something to be admired.”
“How do you know so many details about him?” Mary asked her aunt. “I can see why Lizzy would but, how do you know?”
“Well I had of course met him before, so I was able to talk to his mother about some little observations I had made. And then it was just two mothers speaking about a favourite child. How do you feel about him?”
“Oh, he is so very kind to me. Why?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well clearly he finds you disgusting and wishes to fill his imagination with images of you to laugh about when you are gone.”
“Lizzy!”
“Truly Mary! The way he stares at you! I am certain that he is amazed continually that such a poor creature as you can breathe, let alone engage in intelligent discourse! Oh yes, you are a curiosity, a freak at a fair.” Elizabeth nudged her and smiled.
“You are teasing me.” Mary said to her hands.
“Of course I am! Mary! Oh, do you not recognize the smile in his eyes when he looks upon you? He has come sightseeing with us so many times this week! Why do you think that is? He is very sly, not smiling too much, not hovering too much, but his pleasure cannot be entirely disguised. Just wait until we take Fitzwilliam to the theatre, you will be in your new gown, your hair beautifully dressed, wearing … oh I have a lovely necklace you must borrow, and when we come down the stairs together, I am sure that the expression on his face will give away all of his thoughts.”
Mrs. Gardiner sighed at her playful niece and took Mary’s hand. “What do you think of him?”
“He is very kind. And he seems genuinely interested in me.” Mary smiled shyly. “I like learning all about him.”
“Well that is only natural, and you are fortunate that he has a very pleasant voice that he is not afraid to use.” Elizabeth laughed and clapped when she saw Mary blushing again. “Do you like him?”
“Yes, of course.” She looked up to see her sister’s eyes sparkling. “Lizzy, what has come over you?”
“Oh Mary, cannot I feel happy for you?” Elizabeth laughed. “Captain de Bourgh is a dear man, he is loyal, he is considerate, and he is becoming a confident master. How can you not admire such a man? And what I like best of all about him, he likes you. That shows excellent taste.” She stood to hug her sister. “I am sorry to sound like a matchmaking mama, I simply like him and love you.”
“Thank you, Lizzy.” She sighed. “I confess, I have thought of how he has become master of an estate, and how different it is from what he has known for so long. I wonder if he will change as he becomes more comfortable.” She looked to her sister. “Fitzwilliam cares little for society, and he would be just as happy to be at home at Pemberley all of the time. Captain de Bourgh, he has so many opportunities ahead of him.”
“He does, and he is taking his time. I know that he spoke to Fitzwilliam about wanting to be confident in his new position, and confident in the world where he now lives. He wants to do well for his family.”
“And to meet some lady of society.” Mary deflated. “I understand.”
“No, Mary, you do not.” Mrs. Gardiner touched her knee. “Watch him at the theatre, see where his attention rests, see how he responds to the ladies who undoubtedly know who he is and what he has, and then you will perhaps understand him better.”
“Lizzy!” Benjamin Gardiner ran into the room and threw his arms around her waist. “Lizzy!”
“My goodness! Look how you have grown!” Elizabeth cried and gasped at the force of his hug. “How did you escape your governess?”
“I heard you laughing. I waited until she was not looking and snuck downstairs. She is busy with Amy.” He beamed at her. “I have not seen you for so very long!”
“I know, and I missed you, dear.” She hugged him and kissed his blonde curls. The sound of boots in the hallway was followed by the arrival of Darcy and Mr. Gardiner. Benjamin kept his tight grip on Elizabeth and frowned at Darcy.
Mr. Gardiner spoke sternly. “Son, why are you scowling at Mr. Darcy?”
“He always takes Lizzy away.”
Darcy’s eyes widened and he bit back a smile when she started to laugh. “Forgive me; I did not know there was a rival for my affection!”
“You always go back in the parlour and close the door.” Benjamin accused. Darcy’s eyes met Elizabeth’s and they both blushed.
“We have very fond memories of that room, Benjamin, and a visit to your home would not be complete without a moment spent there.” He smiled and ruffled his hair. “I am happy to know how fond you are of your cousin.”
“Now you know how I feel, since your affections belong to another woman.” Elizabeth hugged the little boy and he snuggled in closer. Darcy smiled to see her eyes dancing. It had been a long time since they both felt so good.
“I think, Mrs. Gardiner, that it is time that our boy was breeched.” Mr. Gardiner tilted his head and looked over his son. “Time to remove the petticoats and make him a man.”
“Oh Edward, must we?” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “He is so young.”
“He is six.” He met her eye. “Breeches. It is time. We probably should have done it a few years ago.”
“Yes dear.” She looked sadly at Elizabeth. “He is a child no more.”
Darcy watched the scene and looked up to Mr. Gardiner. “I remember my first pair of breeches. I was six, I think. I do not remember my mother’s reaction, but my father was undoubtedly very proud. I remember being glad to be out of stays.” He laughed to see Elizabeth’s obvious sigh. “They gave me a little party to celebrate, that I remember, but then as soon as I was in my skeleton suit, my education of all that is Pemberley began in earnest. I would join Father as he rode the estate. It was not always easy, though. I remembered sometimes wishing that my lessons with him were finished so that I could escape to the schoolroom.” He smiled at Benjamin still embracing Elizabeth. “Will you begin taking your son with you?”
“Of course, but his schooling is very important as well.” Mr. Gardiner’s chest puffed. “I am very proud of what I can provide for him.”
“As you should be.” Darcy nodded. “I look forward to passing on my pride to our son one day.” He met Elizabeth’s smiling eyes. “Well, eventually.”
“WHERE ARE YOU GOING MRS. BENNET?” Mr. Bennet’s voice floated from his bookroom. “I certainly hope that you are not bound for Lucas Lodge again.”
“You make me sound as if I am a pest! I am visiting our daughter!” She entered the room and started fussing over her bonnet. “She needs me.”
“To do what, exactly? She is living in another woman’s home; she is learning her role as wife and future mistress from the person whose place she will one day assume. A friendly call once or twice a week is sufficie
nt enough disruption from you.” He looked at her pointedly. “You heard Lucas. He was serious. He would deny access to his home if he felt that the behaviour of our family was a bad influence on his own.”
“He was speaking of Lydia.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
“He implied us all.” He said sternly. “Lydia is a product of her education.”
“Oh my poor dear girl! Tell me again how she cried for me when you left her at that horrible school!”
Rolling his eyes and sighing, he set down his paper. “She cried for herself, but Miss Edwards made it perfectly clear in the first moments of their meeting that she will brook no nonsense from her. That woman has years of experience with spoiled girls, she reminded me of Darcy with her ability to silence with a look. As if I did not already feel that I am a failure as a parent by those two young men chastising me, after seeing how quickly that woman handled our daughter, I was humbled and embarrassed for having to present her as mine.”
“Poor Lydia; exposed to all of those awful girls! I do hope that she is not influenced by them.” She sighed and when Mr. Bennet did not respond, she looked up to see the disbelief in his face. “Why do you stare so?”
“Mrs. Bennet, Lydia may have an opportunity to improve herself. Do you not see what schooling has done for Mary?”
“Mary attended the same school as Miss Darcy. Besides she always had her nose in a book.” She sniffed. “Just like Lizzy.”
“Yes, and Lizzy has done so poorly.” Mr. Bennet sighed.
“Ever since Lizzy married Mr. Darcy, all of our girls have been taken away.” Mrs. Bennet played with her bonnet ribbons. “If he had not taken her, there never would be this need for schooling. You would not have thought of it.”
“No, I did not, despite Lizzy’s pleas for it, and I have done our daughters and our families no favours for being so negligent. Mrs. Bennet, surely you are not holding a grudge against Mr. Darcy for urging that our daughters be improved? Without proper education, Elizabeth has made an exceptional match, as has Jane. And if Captain de Bourgh continues to admire Mary, she will be extraordinarily wed. I could never have imagined such fortune for her, for any of our girls. You should be overjoyed, and I am overwhelmed that you are not. And now Kitty will have the opportunity to meet men through Elizabeth, and if Lydia works very hard, she may just win someone better than my heir. How can you not be pleased, what happened to your cries of triumph to have two daughters wed?”