Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice)

by Wells, Linda

  “As you wish.”

  Bingley looked between the two without understanding. “Will you stay on here?”

  “NO.” Robinson said emphatically. “I never wish to come here again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I will sell it.” He took another drink. “This was a mistake to purchase; it was me reaching for more than I needed. “Me, a landed gentleman?” He laughed harshly. “Lead a fox hunt; entertain guests for months on end? I was a fool. I am a tradesman, a very successful one, and that is the world where I belong.”

  “What of Wallace, though? You can give this to him one day. He might like being the gentleman. He will be going to the best schools. If you think about it; he is on the path that Bingley took.” Hurst smiled at him. “And here you are leasing an estate, where Wallace could have one waiting for him.”

  “I will not raise my son to think that being a landed gentleman is the way to happiness.” Robinson growled. “No offense, Bingley, but your parents did you no favours; I saw what it did to Caroline.”

  “No, I agree with that to some degree, but it is a worthy dream, it just depends on how it is presented.” Bingley shrugged.

  “Take it then.” Robinson raised his hand and waved it around the room. “Take Swansdon, I’ll sell it to you at cost, no profit, take it off my hands and it will be worth it. It cost me 40,000 pounds. That would leave you with plenty to invest, perhaps in oranges.” He smiled slightly.

  “Are you serious?” Bingley’s mouth dropped open.

  “Dead serious. I never want to be here again.”

  “I … I …” Bingley closed his eyes. “No.”

  “No?” Hurst stared at him. “Why?”

  “I must go to Netherfield. I have to.” He looked at his brother. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I do.” Hurst smiled and laughed. “I do.”

  “I do not, but that is neither here nor there.” Robinson shrugged. “I will put it on the market if you would prefer wasting your money on a lease …”

  “Why the hurry, Robinson? You own this place, you were already in the habit of leasing it out, let the steward work it, collect the income and if someone comes along to take it, you can lease or sell, it is up to you. Nothing good ever comes of a snap decision.”

  Robinson stared at the little bottle and nodded. “Very well then, I will hang on to it for now. But tomorrow, I am leaving here for the last time.”

  “OH HOW WONDERFUL!” Mary laughed as she read Jane’s letter.

  “Let me guess.” De Bourgh poured out some sherry and walking across the room with their two glasses, sat down beside her. “Lucas finally started building that cabin?”

  “No, but I do think they will wish it existed.” She accepted her little glass and sipped before setting it down. Looking back up, she found her husband right there and ready to kiss her. “Peter!”

  “I just want to taste the wine on your tongue.” He leaned in and fulfilled his desire, then pulling her against his side; he comfortably rested his feet up on the table before the sofa.

  “You are going to ruin that.”

  “I will buy a new one.” He kissed her cheek. “So what is the news?”

  “A baby in January.”

  He started chuckling. “Where is a pen, I must write to Fitzwilliam!”

  “You men and your bets!”

  “They are harmless, dear. I wonder when Elizabeth will be with child again, Darcy is determined.” Mary shot him a look that only made him laugh more. “Any other news?”

  “A letter from Mama.” She said softly and his laughter faded.

  “Do not read it.” He took the envelope from her hands. “I will not have you upset.”

  “It could be important.”

  “If there was anything important, Jane would have discussed it in her letter. Correct?”

  “I suppose.” She looked up at him. “Should we reconcile with her?”

  “Ohhhh,” He sniffed and looked out the window. “We can come to a bearable relationship, maybe. If we are visiting somewhere and she happens to be in the room.”

  “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”6 Mary smiled a little when he groaned.

  “Am I to spend a lifetime hearing bible verses?”

  “I always thought I would marry a minister.” She said thoughtfully. De Bourgh’s head turned back to hers and he regarded her seriously. “I just thought if some man thought me worthy, it would be for my scholarship. What man could better appreciate that than a minister?”

  “Any man who does not look upon you as worthy is not only blind but a fool.” He said positively and kissed her. “Besides why would you want to be married to my brother?”

  “Your brother?” Mary laughed. “Did I name him?”

  “No.” Smiling, he shrugged. “Are you happy with the path your life has taken? Marrying me? Living in this miserable hovel?” He laughed when she rolled her eyes. “Even if it is not what you aspired to have?”

  “I think that is why we both are happy, neither of us wanted, expected, or tried to achieve such an existence.” Mary rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his cheek in her hair. “I love surprises.”

  Chapter 17

  “Please forgive me for bursting in like this. You have a guest, I should go.”

  “Please stop apologizing! Miss Martin is just helping me to sew some mourning clothes, and she certainly understands your desire to come and see your son. She is fine on her own for a little while.” Louisa touched Robinson’s hand and he looked up from the boy in his arms.

  “Is my attire proper? My valet went into the village and purchased the armband. I am relying on him to keep me respectably turned out.”

  “You look fine, Harris.” She saw the black ribbons that had been added to his breeches, and undoubtedly a black band was on his hat. “It is much more cumbersome for ladies.”

  “Bingley said it will be three months for you.” Louisa nodded. “Thank you for allowing my visit.”

  “If you had not come here directly I would have been very unhappy with you. You were expected.”

  “Am I still your brother?”

  “You remain part of our little family. Caroline’s death does not change that.”

  Their eyes met and he nodded his thanks before returning his attention to the baby. “You are a most handsome lad.” Robinson spoke softly. “I will see to it that you are never neglected. My only thought was returning to see you.” Wallace reached up to pat his cheek, and cooed. His father smiled a little when a happy smile lit up his son’s face.

  “ba-ba.”

  “He spoke!” Robinson cried and looked up at Louisa.

  “Well, if you say so.” She laughed and smiled at the baby. “He babbles a bit.”

  “It is a beginning.” Lifting him up he watched Wallace’s feet press down on his legs and looked up to see another brilliant, toothless smile. “How can you not care for this child?” His voice cracked a little. Louisa saw that his grip was failing and she quickly scooped Wallace up and moved him to her lap. “Forgive me. I am not acting as a man should.”

  “Harris, that is my sister’s voice I just heard. I know what she thought of Wallace and I vehemently disagreed. Remember, I was there the day that you sent her to Derbyshire, and she was never one to keep her feelings hidden. Please, you must talk about what happened. Nothing you say can surprise me, and who better to understand Caroline but me?”

  “I cannot speak of her. I doubt that you knew even this. No.” He reached for Wallace and his finger was snatched into a chubby fist, and brought to his son’s mouth. “What are you doing?”

  “He is teething and will gladly gnaw on you.” Louisa rubbed his soft cheek and smiled at Robinson. “Will you take him home?”

  “One day.” He nodded. “I will not relinquish him, but first I must find the best governess. One who will care for him, he will always have the very best. He has that right now with you, but my son will come home.” Looking back a
t Louisa his brow creased. “Are you well? You seem a little pale. Here, I will take him …”

  “I am fine.” Louisa handed Wallace back to his father and sat back with a smile. “I am with child.”

  “No!” He smiled widely. “That is outstanding news! Hurst did not say a word of it!”

  “He does not know.” Louisa pursed her lips and whispered. “I will tell him next week when he returns.”

  “You told me first? Why?”

  “Because we have been trying for years to have a child, and honestly, I thought that it was not meant to be, but then this little man came to live in our house and suddenly, here I am.” She caressed Wallace’s hair. “Thank you for the loan of his excellent influence.”

  “So my son is a good luck charm?” Robinson laughed. “I will have to make a note to see if the trend continues.” His smile faded and he stared down at the baby’s dark hair. He sat without speaking, just caressing Wallace’s head as he sat on his lap, and finally in a choked voice, he spoke. “We might have had another, except she did not want him. She drank a concoction.”

  “Oh no.” Louisa gasped.

  “She gave herself to a peer in the hopes of … Lord knows what.” He finally let it flow out of him. “I had to listen to the man describe what it was like to be with my wife. He talked about it like he was evaluating a prostitute. He was!” Robinson squeezed his eyes shut against the sight of Louisa’s shock. “I was no better, paying women for the pleasure. That is why I still offered to reconcile with her. She encouraged me to use courtesans, wanting to limit our time because …” He looked down at Wallace. “She did not want children?”

  Louisa pulled herself together and attempted to understand her sister’s actions, but failed. “It is a mark of superiority to have survived childbirth. I certainly heard her lording it over me that she had produced Wallace.” Robinson reached out to touch her hand. She smiled. “It was not unexpected.”

  “I am sorry. I had no idea; I would have said something to her. I should not have told you this. I am ruining your memory of your sister. A woman should not hear …”

  “Harris. My sister did me no favours, and I was grateful that she married you because it saved my own marriage. If listening to the truth of how she destroyed her life helps you to heal, then so be it. Unburden yourself.” She nodded encouragingly when he hesitated. “You asked her attitude towards children. In her mind, the children were born and sent to the governess, only to be seen by the parents for brief, disinterested visits and shown off as prizes to visiting women. You were to be occupied by the courtesans to fulfil your needs.”

  “I never visited another after I heard of what she had done with Lord Creary.” He said softly. “I brought home that girl, the servant, the runaway. I saw that she needed a home. I recognized myself in her, used, wise to ugliness, and I did have good intentions, but that afternoon I listened to him crow over the pregnant wench who serviced him, I was so angry and I admit to having ugly thoughts of bedding the girl in Caroline’s home, under her nose. Stupid. I would not have done it.” He looked up at Louisa. “Truly.”

  “The girl was not so sure.” She said seriously. “Neither were my husband or brother.”

  “I can believe that, I am sure that she felt I was menacing. I know I was numb to all charitable feeling. And then Wallace came.” He looked at the boy happily sucking his hand. “And everything changed.” He leaned down to kiss the baby’s head, and closed his eyes. “Is there anything that I could have done differently with Caroline? I think that she cared for me a little.”

  “She did care for you. But my sister grew up as I did, expecting to advance beyond our roots. Unfortunately, she felt that meant that she should move to the highest ranks immediately, instead of taking it by steps, and simply being satisfied somewhere in the middle.” Louisa looked around the drawing room. “Which is where I am, and I am quite content to remain.”

  “I think that I am as well, I let success cloud my vision.” Robinson removed his son’s hands from his mouth and held them, smiling down at the wide eyes now staring up at him. “You and I, Son, we will be successful merchants of exotic fruits. We will invest our profits wisely; perhaps expand our business, who knows? We will not attempt to leap to the top. Perhaps when you grow up, you may move us forward.”

  “What of your estate?”

  “Caroline is buried there.” He sighed. “I do not know. Perhaps Wallace would like it one day. Perhaps I should sell.”

  “Pardon me, Mrs. Hurst.” Louisa and Robinson stood when Abbey entered the room and she immediately stopped, seeing that she was interrupting an emotional conversation. “Oh, Mr. Robinson, I am sorry, I am sorry for your loss.” She bit her lip. “I do not mean to intrude, I should go.”

  Louisa smiled. “It is fine, I am sorry to have neglected you.”

  “Miss Martin, please, it is all right.” He assured her. Wallace began squirming in his arms and reaching for her. “Wallace! Hold still!”

  “Bababa!” He crowed.

  Abbey smiled and approached. “Hello Master Wallace. Settle down for your papa.”

  “He knows you.” Robinson watched with fascination as his son wrapped his arms around Abbey’s throat and she lifted him up to hold. “He likes you.”

  “Oh we have become good friends.” She bounced him a little and he laughed. “I have been keeping Mrs. Hurst company while her husband was away.” Smiling at Louisa she nodded to the window. “Papa’s wagon should be along soon. I finished the trim on the bottom of that gown.”

  “Thank you for your help. I cannot believe that your father let you come.” Louisa sat down and Abbey sank onto a sofa, still easily holding Wallace, tickling him.

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh, he was not pleased, I can tell you.”

  “Your father does not like you visiting here?” Robinson asked.

  “No, he does not like me riding in the delivery wagon.” She smiled when he nodded his understanding. “But it is not as if I have any other easy way of coming here. In any case, while the boys were making their deliveries around to Mayfair, I took advantage of the opportunity.”

  “And I interrupted your visit.”

  “No, Mr. Robinson, I am the one in the way.” Wallace had curled up in her arms and his eyes closed. “Oh dear.”

  Louisa smiled at him. “He is content.”

  “He is a very sweet boy.” Abbey caressed his hair, and looked up to Robinson. “Hold out your arms.”

  “No, do not disturb him.” He smiled at the scene. “I am glad to see that he feels safe with you.”

  “Sir, it is your son, and you hurried home to be with him.” She leaned forward and eased the baby into his arms. “There you go.” Adjusting his little white gown she smiled at him. “He is a handsome child.”

  “Thank you.” Robinson looked down at his peaceful face and back up to hers.

  “I did not have the opportunity to ask before, have you had any word from Mr. Hurst?” Abbey asked Louisa.

  “I received a letter from Pemberley just this morning, he and Charles are well.”

  Abbey bit her lip. “Will they stay long?”

  “I think they will be home in a week or so. After hearing Charles praise the sport at Pemberley when we visited last winter, I know that Mr. Hurst was anxious to give it a try while they were in the area. No doubt he is in a field right now shooting at some bird. It was their intention to stop there with fabric for Mrs. Darcy after the visit to Scarborough, and since it was so close to Mr. Robinson’s home, there was no reason to curtail their plans; Mr. Hurst knew that I was fine on my own.”

  “I remember they mentioned the sport.” Robinson said softly while watching his son. “I was only half-listening.”

  “Mr. Robinson, I am amazed that you heard anything at all.” Abbey smiled at him and he looked up to her appreciatively. “Mr. Bingley will not stay longer, then?”

  “I do not believe so, but that might change. I know that you are looking forward to going to Hertfordsh
ire, it will not be long, but I am afraid that he will not be able to socialize until late October.” She looked down at her mourning and Abbey nodded her understanding.

  “Hertfordshire.” Robinson sat back and adjusted his hold of Wallace. “Of course, that is the reason he would not buy my estate.”

  “Pardon?” Abbey turned to him.

  “Bingley, I offered him my estate, and he said that he needed to go to Hertfordshire.” He looked down at Wallace.

  “Oh.”

  “Madam, there is someone here for Miss Martin?”

  Louisa touched her arm and Abbey startled from the sight of the man in mourning holding his son. “I should go.” She laughed a little. “No, I have to go. I was glad to help you Mrs. Hurst. Mr. Robinson, I was glad to see you, sir. I will keep you in my prayers.”

  Robinson stood and bowed a little. “My son and I thank you, Miss Martin. We need them.”

  Abbey curtseyed and left the room with Louisa. Robinson walked to the window and watched her boarding the delivery cart emblazoned with her father’s name.

  “So she will be my sister?” He asked when Louisa returned. “She is the reason Bingley goes to Hertfordshire.”

  “I do not know. They have yet to begin, and it will be October until he may court her.” She joined him at the window. “She impressed you?”

  Robinson smiled. “Yes.” He turned to look at her, “But I suppose that at this moment I am quite susceptible to any person who shows care for my son.” Wallace stretched and yawned, then woke, looking up at his father with bright eyes.

  “I hope you find happiness, Harris.”

  “Thank you.” He shook his head. “I wonder what that feels like.”

  Louisa tickled Wallace’s chin and he grabbed at her finger. She tugged it back and he laughed. Robinson’s eyes met hers and he smiled a little. “I think that you know.”

  “INCREDIBLE.” Darcy said softly, and prepared to cast out his line again. “As terrible as it is to say, I am glad to hear of your suspicions. Elizabeth and I were quite affected when we heard that she died from the miscarriage, but if it was one of those patent medicines …”