by Wells, Linda
I took your advice and procured a special license. What an excellent idea to marry here in the parlour! Louisa can join us now, I had not thought of her confinement. It will be simple, a ceremony and a little breakfast, we truly do not want more, although the Martins surely would. I received an overwhelming invitation from Lord Matlock just yesterday. It seems that the Fitzwilliams have arrived for the opening of Parliament and as he has
Forgive the smeared ink, Darcy. Lord Matlock said that he regards me as a member of the family. A fondly regarded nephew, he said. It is an honour I can hardly express, but he said that since you look at me as a brother, that he has no choice! He added that he feels that with Elizabeth’s advanced pregnancy it would be unfair to expect you to host a dinner, so Lady Matlock will give us one a few days before the wedding. I am overwhelmed by their generosity and kindness. To be accepted by your family; and for them to accept Abigail into their home is more than I can ever have hoped. They know nothing of her. I know without a doubt that you and Elizabeth are behind this, and I thank you once again.
I look forward to seeing you soon. A very safe journey to you, I know that you have no desire to leave your beloved Pemberley, and I am aware of the honour you show me by taking your family so far to share in our day. Abbey and I thank you.
Your brother and friend,
Charles Bingley
“Oh Will.” Elizabeth wiped her eyes and saw that his were bright as well. “This page is just covered with smears and splotches, and I know it is from tears. What a dear man he is.”
“Where Richard is my elder brother, Bingley is my younger.” He took a deep breath and saw that Rosalie was asleep in his arms. “A baby boy for the Hursts!” He smiled. “Good for them!”
“I am delighted for Louisa, she was worried that she was getting too old, and now they have an heir, and a cousin for Wallace to play with. Perhaps her in-laws will be a little more welcoming now.” She sniffed and found her handkerchief. “Did you really have to convince Uncle Henry to accept Abbey?”
“They have learned to accept that the heart must be allowed its due when making a match, and they certainly cannot disapprove of the dowry she brings with her, nor her education. Lord Matlock thinks that she is suitable for Bingley although he would have preferred that he had married a gentlewoman.” Elizabeth sighed and he shrugged. “It is her parents that he finds much harder to disregard; Mr. Martin is without question a tradesman.” Darcy saw her disappointment. “Remember it took Anne’s attack on me to convince them that the Gardiners were worthy. And it was a good deal of work to convince them to accept Bingley. They are changed in many ways, but they are still peers, love. I imagine they will be cautious when they meet the Martins. But in all likelihood it will probably be the only time they will be invited to their home, for a private dinner.”
“But at least they are willing to overlook their provenance for the sake of their nephew. At least for one night.” She laughed and he smiled. “I am glad that they wish to welcome Abbey into the family.”
“I am, too.” He kissed Rosalie’s head and reaching over to take Elizabeth’s hand, looked to the one that rested over the baby. “One more journey before we are through.”
“I intend to have a wonderful time.”
“AND I SAID; what on earth are they coming to London for?” Mrs. Mercer shook her head and picked up her cup of tea. “Why come all this way in this weather with the mistress so far along? I thought for sure that the master had taken leave of his senses when I read the letter to open up the house!”
“Now, now, you know as well as any that the master is very close to Mr. Bingley.” Foster nudged her. “And do not tell me you aren’t glad to see Rosie running about again? When we heard Mrs. Darcy was expecting, I was certain we would not see them again for ages. This is a treat!”
“Well of course it is.” Mrs. Mercer sniffed. “I never said it was not. I just worry for the mistress. Did you see how enormous she is? And she has months to go!”
“Mrs. Darcy is doing so much better with this pregnancy, she is not so frightened, she is still active, and not quite as …” Millie searched for a word. “Forgetful?” She looked at Adams who smiled.
“Silly, perhaps.”
“Silly?” Mrs. Mercer asked.
“She manages to stop herself before giving in to some whims.” He said diplomatically. A footman arrived with a box and set it down on Mrs. Mercer’s desk.
“What is all this?” She stood and started pulling out items. “Marmalade, chocolate …” The staff smiled and looked at each other. “It seems Mr. Darcy has been shopping this morning while Mrs. Darcy was receiving visitors?”
“Yes ma’am. He dropped me off with these things before continuing on.” The footman nodded. “We were stopping all over the city, I thought we’d be sitting outside his club all morning, but he was there just long enough to pick up Colonel Fitzwilliam and then the two of them were off. Giddy as a bunch of women with their purchases they were.” Foster looked at him sharply and the footman straightened. “I understand that more will be delivered to be packed up for Pemberley. This is just for their stay. He said you would know what to do with them.”
“I do.” Mrs. Mercer nodded. “Go on with your work.”
The tall young man disappeared and she sank down in her chair. “Giddy as women.” She laughed. “I can just see those two boys! Oh the master does love taking care of her.”
Adams picked up the box of chocolates, and examined the wine. “I think that we will have a great deal of time to ourselves this trip.” He winked at Millie. “Enjoy it while you can, we will not be back for a very long time.”
“But the master said to keep the extra staff that we brought back when we reopened the house.”
Nodding to Foster, Adams picked up his glass of ale. “They will not be here but I understand that the master will offer the house for the Season …”
“He is not renting it out!” Mrs. Mercer cried.
“ …to Mr. Bingley or the Colonel.”
“Oh. Well that’s all right, then.”
“Sorry to ruffle your feathers, Mrs. Mercer. Either one is acceptable? Shall I let Mr. Darcy know that you approve?” Adams chuckled
“I believe that is Mrs. Darcy’s concern.” Mrs. Mercer noted severely. “And she would not take kindly to you forgetting it.”
“You certainly do not!” Foster laughed and raised his glass. “To the mistress and the hoped-for heir!”
“JANE.” Lucas smiled and carefully lifting the baby from her, walked around the room with his sleeping daughter. Jane was fast asleep in the same rocking chair his mother had used to nurse all of her children. He leaned against a wall and looked down to the tiny bundle. “I love you little Lucy, but oh you are making your poor mama very tired.” He laughed softly when she yawned. “Your poor papa, too.” Carefully he placed her into the cradle, then walked over to the rocker and bent; picking Jane up, and carried her to the bed. Her eyes opened and he kissed her. “All is well, go back to sleep while you can.”
“Oh.” She watched him get in and then curled up next to him. “What happened?”
“She sleeps, do not ask.” He kissed her and chuckled. “Take advantage.”
“She is beautiful.”
Lucas sighed and put his arm around her. “That she is.”
“How can Mama not love her as we do?”
“Janie dear, why are you putting any credence in anything your mother says? You just asked yourself, how could your mother not love her? Well, easily, she did not love Elizabeth did she? Or Mary?” He bent his head. “They disappointed her.”
“I disappointed her.”
“Oh what a shame.” He said sharply and she looked at him quickly. “And how many has she managed to disappoint? One husband, five daughters, her sister, her brother, who else? The village of Meryton? The county of Hertfordshire?” Snorting, he laughed. “I would say she is due for a bit of disappointment, and if it comes with the birth of our daughter, I
say God bless her!”
“Robert!” Jane laughed and wiped her eyes all at once.
“I am serious, Jane. If we are stuck living beside a miserable woman like Francine Bennet, we will not let her words hurt us. When she says something ridiculous we will tell her immediately. When she says something hateful, she will be shown the door. We will laugh at her and will not reward her ravings with attention. Grandmother or no, if she ever makes you cry again, I swear she will never see our child.” He nodded with finality. “Do not attempt to change my mind.”
“I will not.” She smiled as he glared.
“Robert?”
“What?” He growled.
“I love you.”
“Oh.” He relaxed and his gaze softened, and he drew her close. “Well then. Go to sleep.”
“Yes, dear.” She hugged him and he closed his eyes. “Robert?”
“Yes, dear?” He whispered and hearing nothing, he looked down to see that she was asleep. He closed his eyes again. “I love you, too.”
“I KNEW THAT THE MOMENT we left, Jane would have the baby.” Kitty sighed. “Lucy Lucas, who thought of that name?”
“I think it was a little joke between Jane and Robert.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “When he was a boy working in his father’s business, there was a little girl who used to come by and admire him when he was sweeping the floors. Robert would not tell her his name, so she started calling him Lucie …”
“And Jane has a sense of humour.” Elizabeth laughed. Hearing some commotion downstairs, she walked to the doorway. Darcy was at the bottom of the stairs, sedately handing over his things to Foster. “Look who I found.”
“Georgiana!”
“Elizabeth!” Georgiana cried and ran up the stairs and threw her arms around her. “Oh!” She pulled back and stared at her stomach, automatically putting her hand over the baby. “Look at you!”
“Yes. Just look.” She patted her belly and they hugged. “Oh I have missed you so much!”
“I have missed you, too. I had no idea Fitzwilliam was coming, I thought that I was going to see … Kitty!” Georgiana squealed and ran to hug her sister. The two girls started talking over each other. Darcy reached the landing and stood with his hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. She smiled up at him and he beamed at her.
“She was completely surprised.”
“He picked me up and spun me around right in front of the school!” Georgina laughed. “A few of the girls saw him and were sighing over the handsome man, I heard them wondering if you were courting me!”
“Oh that is silly! He is so …” Darcy tilted his head at Kitty. “ …obviously your brother.”
“Hmm.”
“I think she was about to say old, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth nudged him.
“I was not.” Kitty declared and taking Georgiana’s hand, “Tell me everything!”
“Maybe you two should get caught up while you dress. We will be leaving for Matlock House in an hour.” Elizabeth smiled, “Go on!”
“It is so wonderful to be home again!” Georgiana kissed Elizabeth and hugged Darcy tightly. He kissed her cheek and chuckled when she let go and took off with Kitty.
Smiling, he turned back to the ladies. “I do not know if I should be thrilled with her missing us or feeling guilty for sending her to school.”
“Thrilled.” Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner said together.
“I suppose that is best.” He looked around the room. “Where is Mr. Gardiner?”
“Right behind you.”
“Oh.” Darcy turned and offered his hand. “I was afraid that you had chosen not to come.”
“I would not dare, I rather imagine that I will be looking after Mr. Martin all night. The man is a nervous wreck, the home of an Earl!” Mr. Gardiner shook his head. “No doubt a singular event.”
“No doubt.” Darcy said seriously. “I remember him as rather … verbose.”
“That is putting it mildly, Fitzwilliam.”
“I was being diplomatic, love.” He smiled at her and looked back to Mr. Gardiner with a serious expression. “Please …”
“I understand, just as my dear wife understands her role with Mrs. Martin.”
“You are invited as friends of the family, Uncle, not as foils for the Martins.” Elizabeth reminded him.
“I know, my dear, but how convenient that we have bridged the gap between Mayfair and Cheapside?” He winked and took a seat beside Mrs. Gardiner. “I imagine that you two need to change? Do not worry about us. We will enjoy this handsome room and plot our course.”
“It is dinner Uncle, nothing more, nothing less.” Elizabeth sighed.
“I am not protesting his plans, love.” Darcy took her hand and they headed off to their chambers. “Although I honestly expect nothing worse than a raised eyebrow and amused stare or two. Do you?”
She leaned on him and he put his arm around her shoulder. “For Charles and Abbey’s sake, no I do not.”
“ARE YOU FRIGHTENED?” Bingley whispered to Abbey. “They are rather larger than life, but they truly are very kind.”
“Now that frightens me.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “Are they more intimidating than the Darcys?”
“Definitely, but they have been at it longer. Give Darcy and Elizabeth a few more years and they will likely scare anyone who comes near them, too. Come dear, Elizabeth has always been welcoming to you, and so has Darcy in his reticent display of mirth.” He laughed and shrugged. She shot him a look and could not help but smile. “Just remember what Elizabeth told you about Lady Matlock.”
“Be myself.”
“Exactly.” He glanced across to Mr. and Mrs. Martin and barely spoke loud enough to be heard. “I love you.”
“I love you.” She mouthed and he raised her hand to kiss. “Charles …”
“This is the world we will occupy.” He looked at her seriously. “You might as well start at the top amongst friends.” The carriage stopped and they looked up at the brightly illuminated windows of Matlock House. Cheerfully, Bingley smiled at the nervous occupants of his carriage. “Well, here we are!”
“Oh my.” Mrs. Martin’s hand went to her chest. “August …”
“We will be fine, Mrs. Martin.” He cleared his throat nervously, and jumped when the door was opened.
Bingley climbed out first and handed down Abbey and Mrs. Martin, then waited for Mr. Martin. They walked up to the house and stepped inside. Upstairs they could hear the familiar laughter of a Fitzwilliam family gathering. Immediately Bingley felt very much at home and was taken aback when he saw the wide eyes of his new family staring around at the splendour, and startling with the sudden onslaught of servants taking their things. “Truly, there is nothing to fear.” He assured them and took Abbey’s cold hand.
“This way, sir.” The butler directed. At the head of the stairs appeared Darcy and Elizabeth, both smiling. Immediately Abbey relaxed.
“There you are!” Elizabeth called and took Abbey’s hand as soon as they arrived. “Oh this is lovely!” She looked over the pretty gown. “I love this fabric!” She squeezed her hand. “I have met your father, Mrs. Martin? I am Elizabeth Darcy and this is my husband.”
“Sir.” Mr. Martin started to offer his hand then bowed low. “An honour, an enormous honour to meet you again, I did not say this the first time but I must say now, your benevolence to my daughter, allowing her to visit your home and spend time with your family is the greatest joy of our lives!”
“Well,” Darcy looked at Elizabeth uncomfortably. “I would hope that Miss Martin’s and Mr. Bingley’s marriage will surpass that a hundred-fold, sir.” Immediately he turned to Mrs. Martin and bowed. “Madam.”
“Oh.” She stared up to him. Darcy waited and cleared his throat, then turned to Abbey with a friendly smile. “Miss Martin, my wife and I were delighted that you condescended to accept our friend.”
Abbey smiled at Bingley. “I think that was the other way around.”
“Oh no, Miss Martin, I have no dou
bt that he has the bigger prize.” Darcy assured her and offered his hand to Bingley solemnly, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” He laughed at the poorly hidden twinkle in his friend’s eye. “Elizabeth …” She opened her arms and he hugged her and kissed her cheek, then pulled back to hold her hands. “Look at you!”
“Charles, you never tell a woman that she is not petite!” Abbey chastised him.
“Did I say that?” His eyes widened. “Did I?”
“Well …” Elizabeth laughed and smiled at Abbey with a shrug, and hooked her arm with Darcy’s, “You could have stared at my eyes instead of my baby.”
“But you are so …” He laughed when the women stared at him. “Stop while I am ahead.”
“I would.” Darcy laughed and nodding to the Martins, led the way to the rest of the family. “Everyone is here; I leave it to you to do the introductions.”
“How is the Earl?”
“Tipsy.” Darcy winked.
“And the Countess?”
“See for yourself.” Elizabeth waved her over. “Lady Matlock, this is Miss Abigail Martin, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Martin.
“Welcome to Matlock House.” Lady Matlock spoke in her most imperious tone and watched them, particularly Abbey, sharply. “We were most pleased to learn of Mr. Bingley’s engagement. We are quite fond of this great friend of our nephew Darcy, and of course had to celebrate the news that he has decided at last to take a wife. All last Season we watched him, waiting to see who would catch his eye. My husband and sons were at the ready to help him along and make a suitable choice, but it seems he already had someone in mind and resisted the countless young ladies who courted his favour. You are a very fortunate lady to have captured him so early, Miss Martin. I congratulate you.”