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

by Wells, Linda

  “Elizabeth?” Darcy looked back to the house. “What on earth did she say?

  Jane stood by her, “Lizzy?”

  “I will visit you at Lucas Lodge, Jane.” She blinked and kissed her cheek. “Good night.” Climbing into the coach, she sat down with Rosalie and hugged her. Darcy was torn between comforting her and wringing Mrs. Bennet’s neck.

  “I will find out what this is about.” Mr. Bennet said quietly. “Perhaps my daughter is a little more prone to emotion at the moment?” He raised his brow. “It is clear as day, Son.”

  “I will not deny it, but it is too early to confirm.” Darcy said tightly and looked at the house. “Elizabeth may be emotional sir, but I think that we are agreed that she would not practically run from her mother’s side without cause. We were both hesitant to make his journey to Netherfield due to the proximity to Longbourn, and I am shocked that our worst fears are apparently coming true within minutes of our arrival. I will do whatever is necessary to protect my family, sir.” He fixed his unblinking eyes upon Mr. Bennet. “Do you understand?”

  “I do.”

  “Thank you.” He turned to Lucas. “I am certain that we will meet soon enough.”

  “If there is anyone else in the world that understands, it is I.” They shook hands and Darcy climbed into the carriage. Waving it off, Lucas looked at Mr. Bennet. “Well?”

  “What could she have said to upset Lizzy so quickly?” They watched Jane and Kitty enter the house and looked at each other, and with a sigh, Mr. Bennet followed.

  “What did she say, love?” Darcy wrapped his arms around his girls. “Tell me and I will throttle her for you.” He tried to smile, but quiet fury was evident in his voice.

  “Once, just once I would like my mother to acknowledge that I am a success.” She blinked back her tears.

  His brow creased as he tried to understand what happened. “According to Jane; it seems that the neighbourhood is bored to tears with stories of Pemberley and Darcy House. And she talks of Rosalie, I understand.”

  “She might bore the neighbourhood but she never ever tells me these things.” She wiped her eyes. “She only tells me how unworthy I am, and how I am failing, and …” She sniffed and he hugged her. “I felt like I was ten again.”

  “What did she say?” Darcy whispered insistently.

  “I am growing fat and that you will not desire me anymore. No man wants to take a fat woman to his bed.” He stared in complete shock. “Yes Fitzwilliam she said that. She would have gone into even more excruciating detail had I let her. Jane is wonderful because she is pregnant, but can my mother, who can spot a pregnant woman at fifty paces, determine I am pregnant? No! I am fat and ugly, and you will never want to touch me!” She sobbed and Darcy held her close. “It will never change, will it? We can correct her and warn her, she might do better in company and perhaps be less silly, but when it all comes down to it, I am the much unwanted child and nothing, absolutely nothing I do will ever be good enough.”

  “Dearest …”

  “And it does not matter that she thinks you are handsome and rich, and she even says some nice things of you. I … I will never be wonderful because anything bad that happens is my fault. I broke up Jane and Mr. Harwick. I broke up Jane and Mr. Bingley … and that is another thing, we have told her that Kitty is not going to be pushed at Mr. Bingley! You know full well that she will try her hardest to make that match! One of her daughters will live in Netherfield!” She squeezed Rosalie and she squealed. “I am sorry sweetheart, I am sorry.” She kissed her cheek. “I promise, I will never ever treat you this way.” Sighing, she rested her cheek on her daughter’s bonnet. “I do not even know that she realizes what she is doing.”

  “Elizabeth Darcy.” He said firmly.

  “mamamamamamama”

  “Yes, Mama.” Darcy kissed Rosalie’s cheek then lifted Elizabeth’s chin so he could smile in her eyes. “Elizabeth Darcy might have a miserable mother, but she is the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I can barely contain my desire at any time, but especially now when I know our child grows within you. You are the most wonderful mother I have ever known, our children are blessed.” He kissed her tears away. “We are here for Bingley, and we are here to relax. I will not allow your mother to upset you again.” His stare became intense, and Elizabeth stroked his cheek, trying to calm him.

  “What will you do, muzzle her?”

  “It is a thought.” He closed his eyes and fought back against the familiar beginnings of a headache. “Perhaps a fashionable gag?”

  “A straight jacket composed of silk so she can brag about it on the way to Bedlam.” She wiped her eyes with her hand and Darcy took out his handkerchief to do a better job. “Thank you.”

  “We are going to have a wonderful time here.” Darcy said seriously. “We are going to see our good friends; we will see our sister and brother. We will for once be the guests and be free to play. Do not let your mother’s foolishness hurt this time. After all, we do have a game to play, do we not?”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth smiled and hugged Rosalie, whose eyes were blinking shut.

  “Good.” He looked up as they stopped in front of Netherfield, “Here we are.”

  “Darcy!” Bingley bounded down the steps. “Mrs. Darcy! And ohhhh Miss Rosalie!” His face fell when she ducked her head and clung to Elizabeth’s neck. “I frightened you! Forgive me!”

  “It is fine, Mr. Bingley, she is just a little shy. I am afraid that my mother was rather overwhelming.” Elizabeth kissed her daughter. “But we are fine now, are we not, dear?”

  “Of course we are.” Darcy smiled and touched Rosalie’s bonnet. “I certainly am happy to have arrived.”

  “No secret there.” Elizabeth whispered.

  Chuckling, he shook Bingley’s hand. “She will warm up to you soon, then you may tell your staff to beware of her antics.”

  “I look forward to them.” He stepped up to smile softly and touch Rosalie’s hand. “You are not afraid of Uncle Charles are you? Come, you have to teach me how to play with children, I might have a niece soon!”

  “mama.” Rosalie whispered and rubbed her face energetically on Elizabeth’s shoulder.

  “Try her in the morning.” Darcy smiled and caressed her back. “But be sure to keep your library door closed.”

  Bingley grinned. “No worry there, it is practically empty! Ah Darcy, you are doomed!”

  ELIZABETH HEARD THE TOLL of the church bell and rolled over. “Five more minutes.” The distant sound of a rooster crowing and chickens protesting the pilfering of their eggs roused her a little more, but it was the scent of fresh air coming through the open window, the familiar smell of Hertfordshire earth filling her senses that finally brought her to consciousness. “Oh, I can tell already it will be a beautiful day.” She thought sleepily. The warm body pressed to her side felt good against the slight chill of the autumn morning. “When did you come to bed with me, Jane?” She whispered and yawned. A snore cut through the pleasant atmosphere and her eyes flew open. “Jane?”

  A decidedly masculine hand stole around her waist, and a face covered with morning stubble nuzzled against her neck as the deeply sleeping man murmured incoherent nothings and fell back into his dream. “Oh good heavens!” Elizabeth’s hand went over her mouth and she stifled a laugh. “I thought I was at Longbourn!” Darcy cuddled closer and she smiled. “Well I certainly never felt anything remotely like that pressed to my back at Longbourn. I would not have known what to do with it if I had!”

  She looked around the beautifully decorated chambers they had been given and considered their situation. There were no commitments, no social requirements other than attending church on Sunday. They would undoubtedly have to attend a dinner at Longbourn and Lucas Lodge at some point, but not today. Elizabeth again felt the insistent presence of her husband pressing against her. It was tempting to roll over in his arms to wake him in a way that would keep him smiling all day, but …there was a game to be played! Carefully
she escaped his clasp and slid from the bed. Darcy immediately rolled onto the warm spot where she had been and embraced her pillow. She leaned down and ruffled his hair while kissing his ear, lifted his nightshirt to kiss and caress his bottom, then covering him up again, stole into the dressing room. A quarter-hour later she peeked around the corner. “Let the courting begin!” She whispered and with a wide smile, left the room.

  Birdsong and a bright shaft of sunlight finally dragged Darcy from his comfortable dreams. He woke and blinked a few times, then rubbing his eyes, rolled over. “Dearest?” He said softly and focussed on the bed. “Where are you?” His brow knit, but considering Elizabeth’s condition, it was not odd for her to disappear upon first waking. He sat up and listened. Finally hearing some sounds coming from the dressing room, he swung his legs and stood, stretched, and scratching his beard, he sleepily went looking for her. “Lizzy love …”

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy!” Millie jumped. “You startled me!” She quickly averted her eyes from Darcy’s nightshirt and looked at a spot over his shoulder. “Mrs. Darcy has gone out, sir.”

  “Out?” He stared at her. “Where?”

  “I do not know sir; she said to give you her journal?” Millie picked up the book and handed it to him. Turning away, Darcy opened it to the location of his lover’s knot and read the page.

  5 October, 1811

  The most wonderful thing happened today! I woke, and it was such a lovely morning that I rushed to dress so that I could enjoy it in peace. I stole a fresh bun from the kitchen and set off to my favourite path, and began the long walk up to Oakham Mount. There I sat, contemplating the busy world below, when I suddenly realized that I was no longer alone. A man, the most gloriously handsome man appeared as if by magic, and

  A slow smile began to spread over Darcy’s face. “Today we meet for the first time at Oakham Mount.” He laughed. “Very well, love. Let the courtship begin.” He carefully replaced the ribbon and set the journal down next to the bed. Twenty minutes later he emerged from his dressing room, refreshed, shaved, dressed, and more than ready to go in search of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. With a decided spring in his step, he hurried down the stairs and headed for the front door.

  “Darcy!” Bingley called from the dining room. “In here!”

  “Oh.” Darcy glanced at the hallway then to his friend. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” He studied the frown that had appeared. “You are dressed for riding, I see.”

  “Yes, I was going to look for a local landmark.” He picked up a cup and poured some coffee, added some sugar, and gulped it down.

  “I realize that you are more accustomed to being the host, but you are welcome to sit down.” Bingley offered. “Eat and we can look together.”

  Darcy picked up a bun and contemplated Elizabeth biting into it. “I am afraid that I will be a very bad guest for you today, Bingley.”

  “Why is that?” He sat back and folded his arms. “You do not want to play with me?”

  “No.” Darcy smiled at last. “I have an appointment.”

  “Ah, the in-laws.” He sighed. “I expected as much.”

  “No …” He blushed. “With my wife.”

  “Oh.”

  “It is a silly …” His blush deepened. “You might notice that we will behave oddly over our stay.”

  “Oddly?”

  “Yes.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “No.”

  “Tell me something, Darcy. Does this possibly have anything to do with this note?” Bingley grinned and held up a folded piece of paper. Darcy grabbed at it and Bingley hid it. “What are you two doing?”

  “Give me the note, Bingley!”

  Chuckling, he glanced at it then looked over to the fire, “Hmmmm.”

  “Do not dare …”

  “Or what?”

  “Or I will sic Mrs. Bennet on you.”

  “Give!” Bingley immediately handed over the note and Darcy read. “What is it?”

  “Directions to a local point of interest.” Darcy stuck the page in his coat and took a bite of his bun, then glancing at the clock, sat down to heap some eggs and ham on his plate. “I have some time. She cannot have walked there yet.” He murmured, then looked up. “I need a picnic.”

  “A picnic?” Bingley laughed and seeing Darcy’s lips clamp shut, signalled a waiting footman in the corner. “Go ahead, order my staff about.”

  “I need … wine, cheese, bread …” Darcy thought. “Something sweet.” Bingley’s brows rose. “All packed into saddlebags and taken to the stables. Oh, and a blanket.” He nodded and bit his lip. “Two bottles of wine. Thank you.” The servant dashed off.

  “My my.”

  “Quiet Bingley.”

  “No, I am simply admiring the master at work.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I cannot begin to imagine what you two are doing.”

  “It is a long tale. However in the meantime … have you seen Miss Martin yet?”

  “No.” Bingley’s arms came down. “I missed her at her uncle’s house, I saw him, of course, but she was out with her aunt. Louisa invited her to visit Monday. I did confirm which church they attend, I thought that we could visit there tomorrow? It is not the church that the Bennets visit, I am afraid.”

  “Of course, that is no concern at all.” Darcy smiled warmly and finished his breakfast. “You may stare longingly at Miss Martin from across the aisle.”

  “I have never done that before.” He said softly. “With any woman.”

  “Well then.” Darcy finished his coffee and set down his napkin. “Hopefully, she will stare back.” He gripped Bingley’s shoulder. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a young woman to meet.”

  JANE CLIMBED DOWN from the wagon and walking to the back, started to untie a bundle of flagstone. “What are you doing?” Lucas immediately asked.

  “Helping.”

  “Jane Lucas, if you dare pick up one stone I will spank you.”

  “You will what?” She turned and rested her hands on her hips and stared at him. “Nobody has ever spanked me!”

  “Well maybe they should have.” Lucas growled. “You will not pick up anything heavy; you will not risk our baby.”

  “How you could possibly think that I would risk our baby for a stone floor, I do not know!” She stubbornly turned around and went back to her work. “I just want to have a floor down so that someday I can walk in that cottage without fear of a tree sprouting between my toes!” The rope fell away and she started to lift the first stone. “Oh!” She gasped, and dropped it on her finger.

  “Heavy?”

  “Hush.” She squeezed her eyes shut then watched as he took her hand and kissed the reddened fingertip.

  “No harm done.” Lucas looked up to her and kissed her lips. “Do you see why I do not want you to lift these? They are not feathers. I am sorry that this is taking so long. The tenants will not really be free to help for another month or so. I will put word out around Meryton; perhaps there is a skilled labourer in the area.”

  “I am not pushing; I just wish that I could help.”

  “I know. My parents are unhappy enough that I am getting my hands dirty; I will not let you do any more. The weeds you and Lydia removed can at least be called gardening.” Jane laughed. “Well an indoor version.” Robert hugged her and looked at the cottage. “It is coming along. Perhaps we can invite the Darcys over for a picnic while they are here.”

  “Here?” Jane looked at him doubtfully.

  “Well, it may not be the fanciest of locations.” He chuckled. “All right, the stables at Pemberley are finer than this.”

  “The stables at Pemberley could house royalty.” Jane laughed. “Well, knowing my sister she would be delighted to have a picnic here, and you know that her husband will gladly follow her.”

  “Undoubtedly.” Lucas kissed her and looked over the house. “We will see. In the meantime, you go sit and I will carry in the stone.” He helped her back up onto the
wagon and looked at her belly. “I cannot believe your mother calling Elizabeth heavy.”

  “She is.” Jane smiled, and looked down at her waist and back to her husband. Lucas’ eyes widened. “They obviously are not tempting fate by speaking of it to anyone.”

  “Then I will not jinx them by saying another word.” He smiled at her then leaned back against the wagon. “Your father said that she thought she was being helpful. I have difficulty with that. Does she comprehend her remarks or does she mean to be so hurtful towards Elizabeth?”

  “I cannot fathom to understand my mother, I will not try. My experience with her and Elizabeth’s are entirely different, but Fitzwilliam’s reaction certainly spurred Papa to act. I just hope that his ideas work.” Jane sighed and Lucas kissed her cheek and walked to the back of the wagon to pick up a stone. “Sing to me.”

  “My voice is awful.”

  “No it is not. Practice some lullabies.” He smiled and she blushed. “We will need them soon enough.”

  DARCY TIED OFF HIS HORSE and contemplated the steep incline of Oakham Mount. “If I had known it was this bad I would not have chosen this path for you, love. This is too much, the walk was too much. You will be riding home, that is certain.” Unbuckling the saddle bags, he slung them over his shoulder and began the hike to the top along the narrow winding path through the colourful trees, their bright orange leaves gently moving in the constant breeze. He could occasionally catch the view into the valley below through breaks in the foliage, startling a stray rabbit or bird as he made his solitary way. There was no other soul around. At last he reached the summit, the incline levelling and the trees giving way to a grassy knoll. Seated alone was a young woman. Darcy stopped at the edge of the clearing and felt his face flushing in embarrassment. The girl was most assuredly not Elizabeth, she looked much too young, and the way she sat made her appear so small. She was dressed in a very simple muslin gown, and her face was completely hidden with a wide brimmed bonnet. The only resemblance was the hair that trailed below, ebony black in long curls, a style Elizabeth had not worn since, well since she had first met him. No, this was not his wife. Where was she? Worriedly looking around for her, his boot snapped a twig. The girl turned her head, and Darcy tilted his, he had caught a glimpse of her face.