Mr Darcy's Mistress

by Francine Howarth

  And yet, within the marital bed it fell impossible to believe Darcy’s desires were less than honest, so intense, sensual, and vigorous was he. But men it seemed derived extreme pleasure from the purely physical at any given moment in time, thus love, true love they kept close to their hearts with covetous delight. Was Georgiana truly blind to the union and subsequent bond existing between Darcy and Belle?

  “Is that not so, Lizzy?” said Lydia, dragging her from heartfelt reflections of self-imposed misery.

  “Forgive me, what have I missed?”

  “Oh Lizzy, it’s your birthday on the morrow.”

  Jane’s hand alighted on hers, exchange of understanding thus immediate and her sister’s voice a calming influence. “Lydia suggested Saturday should be more than a mere supper party with a little dancing and asides. She is of mind it should be a birthday celebration ball, which would make for an exciting evening and afford every excuse to use the grand lower drawing room as a ballroom.”

  She hadn’t asked Georgiana how many invitations were dispatched, or the expected number who would respond with agreeable result. “Will there be enough guests to warrant moving furniture aside?”

  Georgiana caught her eye: “It is only Tuesday. I could send out more invitations to those who would cave if dancing is a surety. In actual fact, we could call it a birthday supper ball.”

  “But that would make me the centre of attention.”

  “That goes without saying, for you are the new mistress of Pemberley, and is that a bad thing?” asked Georgiana, seeming quite enamoured by the notion, her eyes pleading agreement. “There is speculation out there as to Darcy’s marriage, and while I do think it was bad of my brother to forget his friends prior to the wedding, thus not one could attend at the church. If nothing else, believe me when I say, they are for the most part an affable assortment of good and once loyal friends. A few of the mamas will of course wish to see who trounced their beloved daughters in the Derbyshire marriage stakes and won Darcy’s hand, but that is only natural.”

  “Yes, Lizzy,” enthused Lydia, “let’s hold a birthday supper ball. I feel sure, even in my advanced condition I can find someone who will dance with me.”

  “Is it not rather short notice to send out invitations for a ball this coming Saturday?”

  Georgiana clapped her gloved hands together, her eyes once again appealing in angelic manner. “Let us leave Saturday next as a small dinner party, and then two weeks hence we can hold a ball, and for that I shall enlist Belle’s help if we stop by at Farthingly.”

  Jane and Lydia’s eyes met, and despite Jane shaking her head in a No gesture, Lydia burst forth: “Oh what an excellent notion. Shall we order the coachman to Farthingly?”

  It would dampen their enthusiasm, but no, for as mistress of Pemberley she could not venture to Farthingly with the knowledge Darcy was there. The consequences could be dire if she let fly in discourteous flow and such at present seemed a probability. “I think not. It would be unfair to enlist Lady Sanders help, for it would amount to burden on kindness.”

  “Oh Lizzy, it’s a perfectly reasonable request, and Georgiana will ask on your behalf, won’t you?” posed Lydia, to the young lady seated alongside her.

  “Yes, of course,” replied Darcy’s sister. “Belle would be delighted to help. She has oft assisted Darcy in the past with sending out invitations. And besides, it is indeed my birthday two weeks hence, so you see, Elizabeth, I could steal a little attention away from you, if that would help to ease your mind.” Georgiana fell to infectious and endearing chuckles, and glanced from face to face. “It is for the best, I think, for I warn you, there was a time when Darcy’s friends were very sure he and Belle would announce imminent betrothal. It was all on account of their having co-hosted several supper parties and two summer balls. But alas, it was not meant to be, and rightly so, else he would never have married you, dearest Elizabeth.”

  The carriage hit a rut and jolted several times, and Lydia once again pressed the ongoing advantage of Georgiana engaging with open heart: “Do you think our lives have predestined paths, and no matter which way we turn, or whom we fall in love with, Lady Fate takes command and determines the outcome?”

  “Goodness,” exclaimed Georgiana, “then I pray Lady Fate will deal me a better hand in the coming months, than she did in the past.”

  “Do you mean Wickham in past context, if so; I can tell you, you are far too sweet for a man of his lusty nature and earthy ways. He is the very devil in the bedchamber.”

  “Lydia,” said Jane, her tone sweetly calm, yet chastising, “airing one’s marital affairs in public is quite improper.”

  “Public? When we are but four within a carriage?”

  Jane sighed, Lydia harrumphed; thus it fell to the second eldest sister to quell any rebellious notions whirling in Lydia’s mind. “The fact of the matter, we are three married women, and Georgiana is unfamiliar with the consequences of marriage, as yet.”

  Georgiana covered her mouth in attempt to mask a smile, and Lydia snorted. “Oh Lizzy, you sound like an old maid, Jane too. Pfft, how ridiculous both, for Georgiana knows full well the consequences of marriage, and Lady Fate willing, perchance her soldier viscount will sweep her away to a hedonistic marriage the like Wicky and I have.”

  It was the wrong moment to drag forth the sins of the Wickham pair, but curb Lydia’s tongue she would. “Jane is right; there are aspects of marriage a young wife of good standing will not venture to whilst in company.”

  Lydia glanced at Georgiana, and clasped her hand in seeming solidarity. “At least Belle is less prim and proper than you two are, thus Georgiana knows perfectly well what awaits her on the wedding night.”

  Georgiana blushed, eyes downcast, and indeed it was plain to see she was far more informed than surmised from her seeming innocence. Lydia leaned across and whispered in Georgiana’s ear, and the holding of hands continued as deathly silence befell the carriage.

  Despite Lydia’s tender years, it seemed probable she was better informed than her elder sisters prior to their hasty double wedding. Oh how demeaning to think Lydia was far more conversant in matters of a sexual bent than they were at her age and before marriage. But how in the deuce had she gleaned knowledge of that nature so young in years? Denny? The two were close at one time, and with serious reflection on past events there were times aplenty Denny and Lydia could have arranged to be left alone. All it would have taken was for Kitty and other friends to be lured distant. Shame, shame on Lydia, and was it any wonder Denny had lost her to Wickham, the damnable man’s seductive voice alluring to a little vixen such as she had become.

  To think of all the pain and worry Lydia’s elopement had caused, it was nonetheless time to forgive and forget. Despite half truths and constant begging for monies, she sensed something existed between Lydia and Wickham that indeed gave rise to the notion he would come for her, or would send for her. Time would tell, and for the present four women had lost the will to enter into discourse, perhaps in fear a falling out would arise. Thus all settled to enjoy the views from the carriage windows. Shopping would soon break the ice, more so if she treated Lydia to a token of sisterly affection.

  Twelve

  ~

  Whilst climbing the steep incline from the crescent, Jane paused to glance back at the vast structure, attributed to the generosity of the fifth Duke of Devonshire, which resembled many edifices of Georgian architectural design and construction across the nation.

  “It stands so stark in contrast to the older grey stone Buxton buildings,” marked Jane, whilst pointing back down the hill. “And the Dome stable complex to the rear is truly impressive.”

  “He was a very wealthy man, and the present duke likewise,” said Georgiana, who paused with her collection of little parcels bound with string. “The fifth duke was very fortunate when a large deposit of copper was found within the Ecton mine, which he owned. Though it must be said, it was a mere portion of the wealth the Cavendish family have a
ccumulated across the centuries, for they owe much to Bess of Hardwick for their vast fortune.”

  Jane who loved history said: “Oh yes, she married Sir William Cavendish, her second husband, the last and present duke’s namesake.”

  “Ah,” intoned the mistress of Pemberley, “We read a wonderful article about Bess, by Edmund Lodge within the Monumental Illustrations of British History. How we came by a copy printed in the seventeen hundreds, I cannot recall. It was probably within father’s collection of books and papers. It contained a goodly introduction to Bess and her early life, her marriages, and a great deal about Hardwick Hall, and Chatsworth. Included were etchings of both houses, as I remember, and a letter written by Bess was the main subject matter. If ever a woman knew her own mind and led by example, it was that woman, and what a woman she was. From lowly birth to wealthy husbands she died a countess.”

  “If Cavendish was merely, a sir, in Bess’ day, when did the first duke acquire his ducal seat?” enquired Lydia, whilst swinging a bandbox in idle manner.

  “I dare say father could enlighten you better than I, but I do recall the first duke had a hand in deposing James II, and duly reaped the ducal title as a reward from William of Orange.”

  “A traitor to the crown, then?”

  Jane again took the lead: “In the eyes of James II, he saw himself as the rightful king regardless of his Catholic faith, but in the eyes of Protestant aristocrats and a greater majority of the populous, James was looked upon as a traitor to the Church of England.”

  “How can a king be a traitor?”

  “He practiced the Catholic faith and foolishly sacked Protestant courtiers, and thus reinstated courtiers and ministers chosen from within the Catholic elite, which stirred outrage. It was therefore assumed he could not in all fairness uphold his position as king and protector of the Protestant faith. Would it not make perfect sense, to invest time with books instead of new bonnets, then you would be conversant with history.”

  Lydia screwed up her nose. “Why bother reading when one has sisters who know these things because they studied and listened to father’s tutorials.”

  Georgiana laughed. “I dare say we can find books in the library at Pemberley. Father was a great collector of tomes, and I know there are numerous books on history.”

  Lydia shuddered at the very thought of study time. “Heavens to mercy, I have no call to relive the past by way of dusty old tomes. No, no, no. I am quite struggling with the present, as you all know; well enough.”

  That remark caused a moment of light-hearted relief and laughter aplenty, until Lydia said: “Who’s that person of importance down below, and how lucky she is to have a footman trailing in her wake with parcels. What is more she has a fine looking gentleman latched to her arm, and they’ve just stepped from the saddler’s on the corner.”

  Georgiana spun around to view the vision of a fair woman in a glorious black fur-trimmed claret coloured pelisse, a matching brimmed hat decorated with a black plume. They were hastening to a waiting carriage of grand design and moniker to the door, a groom awaiting them. “Goodness, that’s Belle and the earl.”

  So Belle was indeed a woman of high fashion, and the earl’s cloak was impeccable and a fine fit but it hid not the blue cavalry tunic beneath. In fact the pair cut a dash. Standing sufficiently distant the four on-lookers half-way up a slope passed unnoticed by the couple.

  The silence between the onlookers was broken only by birdsong until Jane said: “She’s decidedly fetching in appearance, and I fancy the earl holds a lighted torch to that lady.”

  “Oh indeed,” said Georgiana. “He’s so taken with her I do wonder if he will ask her to marry him. The very fact he is dressed in military attire may mean he is about to depart or has already departed from Chatsworth.”

  “He’s not entering into the carriage,” said Lydia. “He’s stepped back as though waiting for it to drive onward.”

  “I can’t think why when it is his conveyance.”

  “I do believe,” said Jane, he’s waiting for—”

  “Lordy, whatever next,” exclaimed Lydia, cutting across Jane’s flow. “Look, for there’s Bingley and Darcy stepping from the saddler’s premises; and what in the deuce are they doing here, and how did we not see them about town?”

  That was a question the mistress of Pemberley would dearly love to know, for how had they missed encountering one another in town whilst wandering around the shops and sights? And yet, in watching the two men glancing here and there, surely it was far from pure imagination they were doing so in furtive manner? The earl likewise in hustling them aboard confirmed hers and Jane’s suspicions.

  Jane turned about. “Well Lizzy, all I can say, is our husbands were hiding in the saddler’s shop along with the earl, and her ladyship. They must have watched us passing by, and I do believe that’s our carriage waiting atop the rise.”

  As Jane walked on so Lydia nudged Georgiana’s elbow, and onward and upward they walked in Jane’s wake, the younger two stepping ahead of her. “But you paused to admire a side saddle,” said Lydia, “and to think no one in that party had the good sense to note in which direction we turned at the end of the street.”

  Georgiana clearly saw the funny side of it all, and burst into titters. “Oh dear, oh dear, I may as well confess. You see, I knew all along they were intent on coming to town with Belle.”

  Astonished by Georgiana’s confession, Lydia burst forth: “You tease. No, I see you mean it, so do tell.”

  “It can do no harm, for Darcy required Belle’s assistance in a matter of choosing a special item for a special occasion.”

  “It is Elizabeth’s birthday on the morrow, but his venturing to a saddler bodes ill for my sister.”

  “Oh no, he sought not a saddle,” declared Georgiana, whilst blushing profusely as though struck with sudden realisation she had committed a faux pas, “The item he sought today was for a sporting device to complete a whole.”

  Lydia’s eyes veered over shoulder to the mistress of Pemberley, and then back to Georgiana. “You cannot mean to leave us in suspense.”

  “I fear I have said too much, and cannot say more.”

  Lydia linked her arm with Georgiana’s. “Are we not sisters at heart, and now family, and what can be so secret that you should tease us so?”

  Whilst she and Jane followed in the footsteps of the younger, it was tempting to let Lydia have full rein and wheedle Darcy’s secret out of Georgiana, but Jane upped and stole the moment: “If Georgiana is sworn to secrecy, there is every good reason to refrain from questions, Lydia.”

  Surprised by Jane’s sharp chastisement, Lydia turned to Georgiana. “Are you indeed, sworn to secrecy?”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes I am, and wish it was not so. But there it is, and Darcy will be furious if he discovers I have betrayed his confidence.”

  “But you have not; though I swear we will never tell him if you do feel need to unburden the secret. I do sense it is now weighing heavy upon your shoulders.”

  Georgiana tittered. “It is not, and you shall not tempt me to reveal all. You are quite wicked, Lydia Wickham, delightfully so, and charming with it.”

  “Alas, I fear I am losing my charm of late.”

  “Not a bit of it; and altogether quite the madam when carding.”

  “Ah well, it has been said of me I am a charmed croupier by soldiers who have asked me to stand at their shoulder. It is rather strange how they win more when I favour them, and when I take to the carding with them I do seem rather fortunate in robbing them a little.”

  “As you robbed me,” said Georgiana, unabashed at having laid wagers with Lydia.

  “Gambling, you’ve gambled with soldiers?” asked Jane, her voice reflecting shock and abhorrence at the very notion. “And you’ve robbed Georgiana? Whatever next?”

  “I only sat in on card games with monies Lieutenant Neale placed on the table for me, and it was very small stakes, for the men had no desire to fleece me. The games
between Georgiana and self were but token wagers.”

  “Oh Lydia, what were you thinking in venturing to gambling dens?”

  A peal of laughter ensued, and then: “Oh Jane, Jane; the gambling den was my parlour. Lieutenant Neale, Major Rogers and Wicky are all good friends, you see, and Lieutenant Neale kept company with me when Wicky was absent. All quite proper; and I owe the lieutenant a great deal for he’s the dearest friend I had in Newcastle.”

  As they neared the waiting carriage, so Darcy’s groom held wide the door in readiness; two carriage rugs slung across his arm, thus both the younger ladies hurried onward with giggles aplenty. Whilst Jane, disapproving of Lydia’s carding, voiced concern: “She will lead Georgiana astray before long. Pray to heaven Wickham sends for Lydia sooner rather than later.”

  “I would agree if Georgiana were of Kitty’s impressionable nature, but I have noticed in the last days a marked sense of joy about Darcy’s sister. She smiles and laughs a great deal, and has truly found her voice. Whilst a little of that is accountable to Belle’s former influence, and perhaps exchange of letters betwixt her and the viscount has lifted her spirits, nevertheless, I believe Lydia has drawn Georgiana out into the light. She positively glows, her self-imposed protective shell is finally cast aside, and Wickham is but a mere mistake in her past. That was obvious when she addressed Lydia, as Lydia Wickham.”

  “I expect you are right, Lizzy. You’ve known her longer than I.”

  “Only in as much as I met her before Darcy and I were wed. At that time she was markedly shy, her voice almost a whisper, and now behold, for she is a delightful and charming companion.”