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

by Wells, Linda

  “My very thought, love.” Darcy looked to the governesses, who immediately began shooing the children along.

  “Will you join us, gentlemen?” Elizabeth called. “Or do you have plans?”

  “Of course they have plans.” Lady Matlock sighed. “What are you going to do, Henry? Fencing, cards, shooting?”

  “Actually Aunt, I was going to suggest that we go and play with the children.” Darcy smiled to see her eyes widen. Elizabeth started to laugh and put her hand over her mouth, and he laughed with her. “What is wrong, we played during our picnic this summer, did we not?”

  “What shall it be, Fitzwilliam? Tops, nine pins, or perhaps marbles?” Elizabeth called.

  “You play with Rosa’s toys?” Layton grinned. “Tops?”

  “Have you any soldiers?” Fitzwilliam asked eagerly and followed Darcy off to the ballroom.

  “I have a daughter, Richard.”

  “Well, you should be prepared; Elizabeth is due in a few months …” Their voices faded as they went down the hall.

  Lord Matlock closed his mouth and waved at his staring wife as he hurried off after them. “We are going to go play, dear!”

  Chapter 29

  “I made a promise to you, a long time ago, and I intend to break it right now.” Lucas stood behind Jane; his hands were around her waist, holding onto hers as they rested over the baby. They were in the dressing closet adjacent to the bedchamber in their cottage, looking at their reflection in the mirror. “You are beautiful.” He kissed her cheek, and nuzzled her neck, kissing there. “Absolutely the most beautiful, angelic woman I have ever known, and I am so grateful that you chose me.”

  “Robert.” She sighed. “I am round and everything aches.”

  “You have a baby inside of you.” He smiled and rubbed over her. “Look at those cheeks of yours! So rosy and full!”

  “Will I ever look like myself again?”

  “Of course you will, Elizabeth returned to herself, did she not? Even lovelier, I remember Darcy saying.” He tilted his head. “Or do you intend to become matronly at the ripe old age of two and twenty?”

  “No.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “Do you truly not mind me feeding the baby myself?”

  “I truly do not.”

  “But our mothers …”

  “Jane, we have decided to listen with only one ear to our mothers and enjoy our own counsel, correct? Besides, they are afraid of us making good on our threats to keep the baby away from them.” He smiled and squeezed her. “We have the upper hand forever now, you know.”

  “I will be at it constantly until he settles …”

  “It is your decision, dear.” Robert kissed her warm cheek. “You have nowhere to be for six months until we go to Rosings, and this home is so small that you can easily manage it without leaving your rocking chair. One thing that Mother said is correct though, it would be best for you to have the baby at Lucas Lodge so that she and the staff can look after you. When your confinement is over, we will move back in here.”

  “I suppose that is the best plan. Mama would be here constantly, at least at Lucas Lodge she would have to respect your mother. She will complain that we chose Lucas Lodge over Longbourn.”

  “She will always find something to complain about. You heard her when Kitty left with the Gardiners.”

  “She was not happy when Papa did not let Kitty spend her time at Mama’s beck and call. She complained when she was here and now when she is gone. Nothing suits her, does it? Poor Kitty! At least she and Papa have become closer, and Mrs. Annesley distracted Mama when she tried to butt in.”

  “I think that her time was well-spent.” He looked to the sketch that hung in their bedchamber. It was their Christmas gift from Kitty, and showed the sisters dancing at the assembly. In this version, Jane was the featured dancer. “I think that she will have to attend every wedding, party, and dance from now on, to be the official portraitist and chronicler of our lives.”

  “So she may never marry?” Jane looked up at him and laughed.

  “Oh, her husband may come along.”

  “How generous of you!”

  He gave her a squeeze and they walked out to their room. They had moved into the cottage just before Christmas, the walls were painted and papered; they had rugs on the floors and pots in the kitchen. They had a pig and a flock of chickens. The rooms were not all furnished, he planned to use some of the money his grandparents had left to buy some things in the spring, but the main rooms contained serviceable cast-offs from family and friends. It was comfortable and most important to them, they were on their own. Hearing the unmistakable sound of horses and wheels, they looked to the window and found not one, but two covered wagons approaching the cottage. Looking at each other, they went downstairs in time to see the door opened by their maid.

  “Mr. Lucas?” A burley man asked. “I have a delivery for you.”

  “A delivery? Nothing has been ordered?” He was handed a paper and read it quizzically. “Chippendales? This must be a mistake …”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lucas, Bromley Cottage?”

  “Yes …”

  “Then this is the place.” He turned and called, “Bring it in!” Entering the house he walked right past the couple to the dining room. “Oh. What do you want to do with this, sir?”

  “The table?” Lucas stared at his mother’s worn table, carefully covered with a cloth to disguise the flaws, and looked at the mismatched chairs. “I … What is this?”

  The man pulled a wrinkled envelope from his coat. “Here, this might explain.” Ducking his head into the kitchen he returned. “You could use this in here; I’ll just have the boys move everything.” Disappearing, Lucas was left with the open letter in his hand and a look of absolute astonishment on his face. “Good Lord.”

  “What is it?” Jane took the letter from his hand and read, her hand covering her mouth. “Oh! How wonderful!” She cried and hugged him, then stood out of the way as men arrived to take the old dining room table and small buffet away to the kitchen. Into the house was carried the finest table, chairs, buffet, and china cabinet that Chippendale made, along with crates of china and crystal. “From Mary and Peter.” Jane started to cry and looked up to Lucas. In a flash the delivery was completed and a second letter was handed to him as the foreman and his crew headed upstairs.

  Calling down, he announced, “I’ll just move this old bed and chest into the empty chamber, shall I?” Not waiting for an answer, they soon heard the sound of the tired furniture being moved. Down the stairs they came and speechless, Jane and Lucas watched as a bed, twice the size of the small one they had taken from Lucas Lodge, a mattress, linens, canopy and curtains, and matching dressers and tables were carried up. Next came two comfortable chairs, and into their parlour, two deep leather chairs and a sofa were arranged. Last, a desk was carried in and placed into the room that Lucas was to use as his study, along with a chair worthy of the master of an enormous estate.

  “From Lizzy and Fitzwilliam.” She whispered and read from the letter. “In celebration of our new home, and because we could not refuse the gifts if they just appeared from out of the blue. These things are ours to take with us one day when we have another home.” She looked up to her husband and laughed through her tears. “What wonderful family we have.”

  “Yes.” He whispered, completely overcome. Numbly, he signed the delivery slip and the men were gone. “How can we ever repay them?”

  “They do not want to be repaid. I daresay they do not want to be thanked, either, but I am going to write to them right away! I will … oh.” She stopped and put her hand to her stomach.

  “Jane?” Lucas immediately snapped to attention. “Is it worse? The backache, is it different?” She nodded and he pulled her into his arms. “I think my dear; it is time to take a little ride to Lucas Lodge.” He drew back and read the fear appearing in her eyes. “Everything will be fine, and I will not leave you.”

  “Promise?”

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bsp; “I promise.” He kissed her and taking a deep breath, tried to smile bravely. “Come on, Mama. Let us go have a baby!”

  “THANK YOU, CONRAD.” Darcy handed his secretary a sheaf of papers. “I think that is everything.”

  “Yes, sir. Nichols is waiting.”

  “Of course, send him in.” He stood and walked to the window. A flash of colour against the white background of the fresh dusting of snow immediately caught his eye. Elizabeth was walking, but not at her usual brisk pace. Craning his neck, he watched as she bent down to something. Rosalie appeared from behind her skirts and ran forward a few steps, and turned to look at her mother before running ahead again, only to slip and fall. Darcy started, involuntarily reaching for her and watched as Elizabeth helped her up and brushed her off, then with a little push, sent her running again. Smiling, he shook his head. “Nobody ever picked you up, did they, Lizzy? Rosa will be fearlessly walking all over this estate because of you, climbing trees and probably always muddy.” Darcy chuckled. “I will get to see my wife grow up through my baby.”

  Elizabeth bent down and scooped up a little of the snow. She must have called Rosalie because she turned around and received the little snowball on her coat. The look of surprise was priceless, and she watched Elizabeth scoop up more snow and make a new ball to toss at her. Soon Rosalie was doing the same, scooping up handfuls of snow and throwing them ineffectively at her mother, until she squealed and ran at her to press some on her coat. Darcy laughed so hard his stomach hurt. Elizabeth grabbed Rosalie’s hands and spun her around in celebration. She spotted him at the window and showing Rosalie where he was, they beamed and waved. He waved back and watched them make their way back towards the house.

  “Sir?” Nichols cleared his throat again; he had been waiting patiently in the background.

  “Oh.” Darcy sighed and returned to his desk. “What can I do for you?”

  “I have about collected all of the rents; there are a few stragglers, as usual.” He handed Darcy the ledger. “But I will be taking care of that this week.”

  Darcy’s brow creased with concern. “Any problems with their families? Illness, anything to make them late?”

  “No sir, it has been a remarkably kind winter so far, of course we are not in the thick of it yet.” He looked out at the snowy view. “Are you certain that you wish to make the trip to town?”

  “I expect it has been a topic of conversation below stairs?” Darcy smiled when Nichols’ face became blank. “I see it has. I know that everyone is concerned, especially with Mrs. Darcy due within the next three months. If the wedding were any later, I would decline, but Mr. Bingley has done everything he can to schedule this as conveniently as possible, and this is one wedding I do not wish to miss.” He looked at the ledger. “We will only be absent a fortnight.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Your disapproval is noted.” Darcy raised his eyes to him and said pointedly. “Is there anything else?”

  “No, sir.” He stood straight. “I will have the spring planting plans ready for you to examine when you return. Everything is prepared for the morning. Safe journey, sir.”

  “Thank you, Nichols. I have no fears at all.” Darcy nodded and watched him leave, then turned to the window to look out at the grey sky. “Only for you, Bingley, would I leave here.” He sighed and rubbed his face. Giggling and running feet brought him up and around the desk, and into his study Rosalie flew.

  “Papa!” She beamed and held out her hand to give him a quickly melting snowball. He glanced up to Elizabeth who was standing in the doorway and biting her lip. “Snow!”

  “Yes it is, dear. Thank you!” Taking out his handkerchief, he dried his hand and hers, then lifted her up into his arms. He kissed her cheek. “Ohhh, you are cold!”

  “All wet.” Rosalie corrected.

  “That as well.” He smiled and walked over to the fireplace, and waited for Elizabeth to take a seat before he settled with Rosalie in his lap and covered her with a shawl that was draped over the side. The baby snuggled into his arms and he kissed her hair. “You had a good time, I see.”

  “We had a very good time.” She laughed. “I think that we will enjoy taking you on in some serious snow battles in the future.”

  “Two against one? That is hardly fair!”

  “You mean that you are afraid to take on your wife and a baby girl?” Elizabeth cried and he blushed. “Fitzwilliam Darcy!”

  “I am not afraid; I do not wish to hurt you with my impressive arm.” He lifted his chin proudly and a little smirk appeared.

  “You have never held back from me, no matter what you are heaving in my direction.” Her eyes sparkled and he looked quickly at Rosalie and back to her. “Oh, as if she would understand that!”

  “We need to start spelling certain words …”

  “Well that should prove interesting; I can spell the words I dare not speak.” Elizabeth laughed and put her hand to her mouth when his jaw dropped open. “Am I teasing you too much?”

  “Why, why do you always choose the moments when Rosa is in my lap to be wicked? Why Lizzy?” He shook his head. “What has come over you? You are …” A slow wide smile spread across his face. “Dearest, I just realized something.”

  She tilted her head. “What is that, Mr. Darcy?”

  “You have entered your seventh month.”

  “I have.”

  “You have begun the insatiable period.” He looked at her, absolutely glowing with health and smiling at him with a wanton glint in her eye. “Ohhhhhh I love this time!”

  Laughing, she got up and held his face in her hands. “I know that you do, my love.” She kissed him and he sighed. “And what are we doing? Leaving the privacy of our home for the company of family.”

  “That may be so, but I intend to test out the beds in every inn most thoroughly along the way, and make good use of our chambers and any other sturdy piece of furniture we might come across. I think that my dear wife will be tiring easily each night and will require frequent naps.” He looked at her meaningfully. “Will she not?”

  “Maybe …”

  “No maybe about it.” He growled and felt a little hand tugging at his coat. His eyes softened and he relaxed. “Yes, little love?” She looked at him seriously and touched his flushed cheek. “Hot?”

  “No, just warm, dear.” He smiled to hear Elizabeth laughing. “There are letters for you on the desk.”

  “Oh!” She retrieved them, and settled back in her chair. Darcy tucked Rosalie’s head under his chin and watched her. “This is from Jane …” She read eagerly and put her hand to her mouth. “She had a girl!” Darcy beamed and squeezed Rosalie to her instant protest. “Miss Lucille Jane Lucas was born on the 28th, oh how wonderful! She is healthy and has blue eyes and … oh, auburn hair. That sounds just lovely!” Elizabeth wiped her eyes. “Jane laboured for nearly a day, poor thing, Robert stayed with her almost the entire time. Lady Lucas was the model of efficiency and a great help to her, almost as stern as the midwife. Mama wailed and fluttered her handkerchief a good deal, but when the time came to deliver, she was absolutely silent. Jane thinks that she was vastly disappointed that it was a girl.”

  “Lucy.” He said thoughtfully and felt her silent question. “Forgive me, love, it brought to mind Wordsworth’s poems of a child named Lucy, but I hope that was not the impetus for the name.” He smiled, knowing he would have to explain himself later and looked back at the letter. “So your mother was not pleased with the sex of her second grandchild. No bragging over that, I suppose.” Darcy smirked. “No lording it over you either that Jane had a boy first.”

  Elizabeth looked at him over the pages. “Do you really think that she would have …” Darcy raised his brow and she sighed. “Of course she would.” Returning to the letter she laughed. “Robert was ecstatic, he had hoped for a girl. He sounds like you.” She smiled at him and he kissed Rosalie. “Papa and Sir William dragged him downstairs when it was over and they celebrated with some port that Uncle h
ad sent them for the occasion. Jane said that he tried to give her some, but she settled for tea.”

  “We will have to bring some champagne.” Darcy smiled. “We will stop there to meet the baby on our way home.”

  “We will?” Elizabeth beamed.

  “Of course we will. I could not deny you that, love. There is no need to meet your mother, they are at Lucas Lodge, write to her tonight that we will let them know our plans, then we can arrange to see her and your father.”

  “Oh Will, thank you!” Elizabeth came over to hug him and gave him a kiss. “She says that they love the furniture, and Robert was overwhelmed.”

  “I imagine he was.” He kissed her and laughed to see her transfixed gaze. “What of the other letter?” Tapping it he reached up to caress her cheek and kissed her gently. “Dearest?”

  “Oh.” She blinked and returned to her chair to read it aloud.

  4 January 1812

  Grosvenor Street

  London

  Dear Darcy and Elizabeth,

  Great news, great news! Louisa and Hurst have become parents at last! This morning, after a labour that I believe was all of four hours, my sister delivered the Hurst heir! Master Samuel Bingley Hurst was born, with a full head of blonde hair and green eyes, and lungs that will undoubtedly keep us all awake for years to come. He is so tiny! How can one so small be so exceptionally loud? Are all babies like this? Hurst is indescribable in his joy and the baby had to be pried from his arms to be fed by his mother.

  We spent the labour in his study. As much as he wished to be with Louisa, in the end, she sent him from the room; his sheer terror at the thought of losing her was doing her no favours. Fortunately Abbey and Mrs. Martin were visiting when the labour began, and they jumped to take care of Louisa. Good thing, too. The midwife barely arrived in time for the delivery! You can imagine the cursing that Hurst was expressing in the study, vowing to sue the woman for her tardiness. I have no doubt that between Mrs. Martin and the staff, my nephew would have come into the world safely. Well, I say that now that all is calm, but I admit I was pacing just as fervently as Hurst. Robinson could not bear to be with us, the memory of listening to Wallace’s birth was too fresh in his mind, but as soon as all was well, I sent a note and he was over to celebrate the happy news just as joyfully as you would expect. Abbey made the announcement, and Hurst was up the stairs before she finished. I am afraid that she and I quite forgot ourselves for a good long time to enjoy a private celebration. What a wonderful day this has been!