by Wells, Linda
“Three days from London, madam.” Darcy said quietly. “It is quite taxing, and not to be entered into lightly, particularly in times of inclement weather.”
“Of course you have your own carriage.” Mrs. Long smiled. “How fortunate you are! You must have many!”
“I have several.” He acknowledged and looked down at his plate.
Lady Lucas was watching the stiffness between Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet with curiosity. “Tell us all about Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!”
“I am sure that you have heard enough of it from your daughter, Mrs. Lucas. I do not wish to monopolize the conversation.” He looked to Elizabeth pointedly; his patience had nearly reached its end. She sat back as the servants arrived to clear away the main course and deliver the dessert of salad and cheese.
“Jane, perhaps you can tell us what is next for the cottage?”
“Oh, well we have found a man to lay the wood floor over the flagstone, and …”
“Capital, capital!” Sir William cried from the other end of the table. Heads turned but the individual voices could not be discerned amidst the rest of the dinner’s noise. Maria’s giggles rose above it and every female in the room turned to see who had inspired them.
Abbey looked away from her plate to see that her view of Bingley was lost behind Mr. Goulding’s ample form. She recognized his laughter, and looked down again.
“Mr. Bingley.” Mr. Long spoke from across the table. “I hope that your party will join our pew again for church tomorrow?”
Bingley’s smile grew. “I will be glad to attend services with you, sir.” He turned his head to seek Abbey but she was hidden. Frustrated, he moved his chair back and caught her eye at last before turning back to her uncle. “Perhaps Miss Martin might share her prayer book with me again. I am afraid that mine remains missing.”
Unable to converse with him, Abbey strained to hear, but only caught Robinson’s remark. “Did you perhaps forget to pack it, Brother? Or is it misplaced from lack of use?”
“Really Mr. Robinson, how can you joke about such a thing? I am sure that Mr. Bingley is quite devout.” Miss King smiled at him.
“It is rude to talk over people.” Miss Goulding said, glaring at Miss King.
“Not if you want to get some attention.” Her father said to her pointedly and shifted again to block Abbey’s view of Bingley. “Get to it!”
“I cannot raise my voice to speak, either, Papa!” She protested.
“I am afraid that Mr. Collins is your man for an example of devotion, Miss King.” Bingley said as he shifted his chair again. “I have always needed a good motivating factor to encourage my attendance.”
Collins eagerly jumped in. “Yes, yes indeed, I am most devout, of course, a man such as I should not be left to be a curate, but I will undoubtedly find a benefactor who feels that I am worthy of … Mr. Bingley, is there a living associated with your estate?”
“I am leasing only, sir.”
“Oh.”
“My experience with the church will not be in the giving of livings, only in attending with good people.” He tried to see Abbey and his frustration was beginning to show.
“It seems that you have found at least one.” Robinson turned to see Abbey blush and clearing his throat when he noticed the frowns from Miss King, and Miss Goulding heard her father’s exasperated sigh.
“I have indeed.” Bingley smiled, at last catching a fleeting look at Abbey, and returned to Mr. Long. “This neighbourhood is most welcoming, and I am sure that I will enjoy the people here.”
“Well said.” Lucas laughed and raised his glass.
“Flattery but not fawning, sincerity, that is admirable.” Mr. Bennet murmured and returned to his observation of the other end of the table. “What have I missed, Jane?”
“Oh, Papa, I fear Mama, she is vindictive tonight. Lizzy is not happy and I know that Mr. Darcy probably is not either, but I cannot see him.” Jane looked helplessly at Lucas who could not hear, but could just see Darcy’s frozen visage and how he touched his temple.
Mr. Bennet sat back and tried to see Darcy but failed. “De Bourgh, how is your brother? I cannot move to see him.”
“Neither can I. We are jammed in here so tightly, no wonder emotions are high. Watch your daughters and I think you will know his opinion matches mine.”
“Brilliant seating, Lady Lucas.” Mrs. Long observed tartly as the cloth was removed and the final course of syllabub was brought out. She looked over to her husband and was relieved to see him nodding to her with a reassuring smile.
“Yes, giving your daughter a chance at both bachelors.” Mrs. King said icily.
“Mr. Collins is with your girls, he is quite eligible, or he will be one day.” She smiled sweetly at Mrs. Bennet.
The ladies’ heads turned to the small table, and observed as Collins, sweating profusely, chattered non-stop to the three young women while Mr. Philips and Mr. Goulding ate in silence.
“Mr. Robinson is in mourning, so you can hardly call him eligible.” Mrs. Goulding glared back at Lady Lucas.
“Oh, yes, how correct you are. I suppose that Maria will have to entertain only Mr. Bingley then, of course he is in mourning, too.”
“Not for long.” Mrs. King tried to look down the table at him but could not see past de Bourgh.
Kitty spoke up. “Maria has certainly changed since I have been away; it is so good to renew my friendship with her.” Charlotte and Lady Lucas smiled at her appreciatively.
“Yes, I have always thought that Maria was a lovely young woman. I am sure that some young man will be happy with her one day.” Elizabeth agreed. “Is she like you, Kitty? Not quite ready to entertain marriage?”
Kitty leaned forward to try and see her. “We have not really talked about it, so I guess that means yes! We have enjoyed men’s admiration, though. Excuse me Mr. Hurst if you are embarrassed by my conversation.”
“Not at all, I was young once.”
“I wonder at any man admiring her.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
“Pardon me?” Lady Lucas glared.
“Have you insulted my sister, madam?” Michael tried to see around Mary. “Did she?” He demanded of Jane.
“I am not sure.” She looked at Elizabeth who was staring at her mother.
“What is happening?” Mrs. Philips demanded. “Brother, tell me what is happening? All of the interesting conversation is at the other end!”
Mr. Bennet waved his hand impatiently. “Quiet, Sister, I have a feeling you will hear plenty soon enough.”
Mrs. Bennet continued on, “Now my Kitty, she is quite pretty. Mr. Bingley will see it and make his choice accordingly. After all he liked my Jane until Lizzy …”
“Until Elizabeth did what, Mrs. Bennet?” Darcy snapped when he saw Elizabeth’s eyes close.
“Mrs. Bennet …” Mr. Bennet said with warning in his voice.
“Mama!”
“Well, my Kitty is better suited for Mr. Bingley than any of them. She has been to school and has a companion!” She looked away from Darcy’s glare.
“Yes, courtesy of Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth noted, recovering from her moment of strain and trying to relieve her husband’s growing anger.
“I am grateful for Mr. Darcy’s generosity towards my education, and especially for him and Lizzy taking me into their home, it was a privilege that I will forever treasure.” Mary agreed, smiling encouragingly at Darcy as he clearly had begun battling the familiar pain. His eyes were fixed on Elizabeth, watching her for the first cue that she was ready to surrender, but he turned to nod at Mary the best he could.
“We were pleased to help, Mary.”
“I am grateful as well, no matter the interminable wait for you to return from Pemberley to me.” De Bourgh said to Mary with a brilliant smile. “Mrs. Hurst, I understand that Miss Martin attended the same school as you did?”
“Yes, Captain, we have shared many common memories, of course, we are several years apart.” Louisa smiled, unaware of the tens
e conversation at the other end of the table.
“We were very pleased to know that Mr. Bingley’s sister shared so much in common with our Abbey.” Mr. Long nodded to Bingley, who instantly gave his full attention to their conversation and away from Sir William’s effusions on London.
“I look forward to hearing more stories of their common misery.” He laughed and glanced down the table to see that it was not nearly as merry.
“So you say that education outside of the home is best?” Mrs. King asked Elizabeth.
“I suppose that depends on what the parents provide within the home. I do not know your methods, madam.” She looked to Mrs. Lucas. “I do know that Mrs. Lucas was very involved in her children’s education to the best of her ability, was she not, Charlotte?”
“Oh yes, Mama was a great taskmaster, something I did not appreciate at the time.”
“I did my best.” Lady Lucas said flatly.
“And it shows! Look at the brilliant match Charlotte has made and one day I am sure that Maria will impress a very worthy young man.” Elizabeth smiled down the table at her. “When she is a little older and more experienced.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy. Do you think that she would benefit from time in London? I see how it has influenced you and your sisters.” Lady Lucas now saw how Bingley was trying to look at Abbey, and had only polite conversation for Maria. “My husband has enjoyed visiting St. James’s over the years, and of course we may bring a guest with us …”
“We have not attended, I am afraid.” Elizabeth smiled at Darcy who looked up to search her face. Her smile was warm and he drank it in. “We prefer to visit the theatre and parks, and enjoy the company of friends at home more than attending dances or balls.”
“That is true, I hope that my wife never persuades me to attend St. James’s, however my sister may force my hand.” He smiled at her growing glow. “I fear that she will wish to join her classmates in all that is expected of her situation.”
“Perhaps not, Mr. Darcy, she is very shy.”
“Not with you as her sister.”
“You mean despite having you as her brother?” She laughed and those seated nearby watched in fascination as the couple found sanctuary from the sniping in their own conversation. Darcy’s gaze fixed on her and Elizabeth folded her napkin. “Mr. Darcy, I could use a breath of air, will you escort me?”
“Certainly, Mrs. Darcy.” He got to his feet. Instantly all heads turned to watch as he made his way around the table and waited for her to rise from her seat.
“Are you ill Mrs. Darcy?” Mrs. Lucas asked worriedly.
Elizabeth smiled at Darcy. “No, I am …”
“She is with child.” Mrs. Bennet said loudly, usurping their moment. Again all conversation stopped.
Turning to look at her mother, she nodded slowly as she heard Darcy’s hiss. “Yes, although we have not made a formal announcement, we were recently assured of our child’s presence. We expect him in March.”
“Congratulations!” Lady Lucas smiled and was echoed by the other ladies sitting around them. “How wonderful! I suspected it, but did not want to assume anything! My goodness two sisters having their babies so close together. How exciting for you and Jane!”
“It is wonderful.” Jane smiled and looked at Lucas.
“Thank you.” Elizabeth joined Darcy and looked up to his warm eyes. “We are very happy.”
“Well do not get too attached, you can still miscarry.” Mrs. Bennet picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. “I know so many women who have lost their babies at the stage where you are.”
Darcy and Elizabeth stiffened and he was about to lash out when Elizabeth squeezed his hand hard. “Do not give her the satisfaction.” She whispered to him and then turned to her mother. “I have lost one child, and we loved him, as short as his time with us was. We planted a tree in his memory, and we treasure the joy he gave us. Even if I did lose this life I now carry, we would treasure his memory just as fiercely. Our babies are loved and wanted; there will never be a question of becoming attached at a specific time. We were in love with him when he was conceived because we love each other deeply, and our children are the fruit of our happiness. Whether it is a boy or girl, we will want and love every one of them.” She met her mother’s eye and turned to Darcy who was looking at her proudly. “Are you ready for that breath of air?”
“You have brought it into the room already.” He kissed her hand and looping it around his arm, they left.
During Elizabeth’s speech, the silence was absolute, few knew of their loss, and everyone felt the set down she had delivered. Now all eyes turned to Mrs. Bennet.
“Mama how could you speak so cruelly?” Jane cried. “Have you no compassion for all that they have suffered?”
“Mrs. Bennet, you have said more than enough,” Mr. Bennet said quietly, “you have embarrassed our family and our hosts, and I have heard all that I wish for the remainder of the evening.” He looked to Sir William. “I apologize on behalf of my wife, sir.”
“I could use a drink.” He looked to Lady Lucas. “Perhaps the ladies could enjoy their conversation …”
“Oh.” Lady Lucas had been left stunned by the speech. “Of course, ladies, please come with me.” She got to her feet, as did everyone else. The women filed out and walked to the drawing room, where tea and coffee had been laid.
“Where are they?” Jane whispered to Mary. “I have never been so mortified.”
“Mama has done no favours for any of us, but at least we are married. Kitty, you are a fool if you remain here, go to Pemberley, go to London, but do not stay here. How Elizabeth remained calm through all of that, and kept Mr. Darcy calm, I will never know. Peter was ready to leap over the table to throttle her.”
Kitty looked at her mother across the room and then waved them over. “I think that I found them.” Exposed by the moonlight and the flickering of a lamp, Elizabeth and Darcy were just visible, entwined, and clearly talking.
Mary sighed. “I hope that Fitzwilliam is well.”
“His headache is back.” Jane sank down onto a sofa. “It only seems to come in Hertfordshire now.”
Lady Lucas looked away from the distressed sisters and turned to her neighbour. “Mrs. Bennet, it occurred to me that there was some sort of tension between you and Mrs. Darcy when you arrived today. Jane had asked that I not seat you near Elizabeth, but I admit that I rather wanted to take advantage of that tension to distract you from your determination to match Kitty with Mr. Bingley, so I moved her. It was a mistake and I regret it.”
“Mama! I told you that I did not want Mr. Bingley!” Kitty cried.
“You do not know what is good for you!”
“I know that I am too young to marry!” She walked over to Maria. “Do you want to marry yet?”
“No.” She looked at her mother. “Were you trying to match … Mama it is clear as day that Mr. Bingley has eyes only for Miss Martin! All he wanted to do all evening was look at her.” She pointed at Abbey who turned three shades of red. Louisa took her hand and led her to a sofa.
“That cannot be, he looked at me!” Miss King cried.
“Oh he smiled at you, but he looked at me!” Miss Goulding insisted.
Mrs. Philips addressed the room. “Girls, I watched Mr. Bingley quite closely and he looked only at Miss Martin, and it was obvious that Mrs. Darcy made sure that she was able to speak to him before dinner, did you not notice how she swept through you all when you were batting your eyes at him? Oh it was a thing of beauty! I am most disappointed, most disappointed indeed to see that he wants nothing of my niece, but if she put her mind to it, I am sure that she could win his heart away, but I cannot force the girl to want him. Well she is likely better off. She will find a man, with her pretty face and lovely manners, how can she not be a success like her sisters? Look at them! Jane with Mr. Lucas, Mary with Captain de Bourgh, and of course Lizzy, with the finest man …” She stopped. “Sister …”
“What?” Mrs. Ben
net startled.
“Why is it that you have never been asked to Pemberley?” Mrs. Philips demanded.
“I have wondered that myself.” Mrs. King rounded on Mrs. Bennet. “All we hear from you is Mrs. Darcy this, that, and the other thing when she is not present, but tonight …”
“YES!” Mrs. Goulding nodded. “I thought it odd! You speak of her as if you are her intimate friend, and so very proud, but you could cut the tension with a knife! And Mr. Darcy looked as if he was ready to throttle you at the slightest provocation! How could you insult him as you did? Calling him a servant! Talking of miscarriage? What has happened between you?”
“Ohhhhh.” Mrs. Long sat down and looked at Mrs. Bennet. “It is all a sham!”
“A sham? Lizzy is married to Mr. Darcy, and he does have Pemberley, tell her Mary, Jane …”
“No, no, I have no doubt of any of their credentials, it is yours that I question. They do not like you!” Mrs. Long laughed and pointed at her. “They do not want you near their homes! That is why you have never been to Pemberley!” She clapped her hands. “That is why Mrs. Darcy did not tell you the moment she thought she was pregnant! Did you even know that she miscarried? I wonder if they want their children near you!”
“Oh my! She does not want you … OH!” Mrs. King started nodding and pointing at the ladies. “Do you remember, Mr. Bennet disappeared and when he came back, it was with the news that the Darcys had married?” She turned to see Mrs. Bennet blushing. “YOU were not invited to their wedding! They have never wanted you near!”
“I had not thought of that!” Lady Lucas cried.
“They married very quickly; there was no time for me to go.” Mrs. Bennet said weakly.
“There was time for Mr. Bennet to go.” Lady Lucas grinned. “Oh what a laugh! Here we have been putting up with your bragging for years and years …”
“I have every right to brag, Mr. Darcy is a very powerful man …”
“Not according to you! You called him a servant!” Lady Lucas gasped. “Do you know what he could do to you if he wished?”
“I believe that it is only Mrs. Darcy that holds him back.” Mrs. Long smiled. “He is a proud man.”