A Life Apart: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Harriet Knowles

  But now she knew it was her home, and the room looked completely different. She was mistress of Darcy House in the same way as she was of Pemberley. But she must be careful. She could not arrive and immediately displace Georgiana, for she would have been acting as the mistress of the house until now.

  Georgiana looked at her. “Would you like me to call for tea, Mrs. Darcy?”

  Elizabeth relaxed back against the sofa, inviting her new sister to relax too. “I’d be very pleased. But I will like it even more when you feel you might be able to call me Elizabeth.”

  The girl blushed. “I always wished for a sister. Might you call me Georgiana?”

  “That is settled, then.” Elizabeth allowed her voice to sound calm and confident. She saw a footstool placed nearby and fished around with her feet to pull it towards her. Then she rested her feet on it with a sigh.

  Georgiana laughed. “I am glad you can feel at home.”

  Elizabeth looked at her. “I will rely on you very much to show me what I might need to do, how the household is run in the way that best pleases your brother.”

  Georgiana frowned. “Well, he likes everything to run on a strict routine, really. When I come down to breakfast each morning, he has always been out for a gallop — he goes to Rotten Row in the Park. Then he shuts himself away in the library on business matters.” She smiled slightly. “I have a lovely companion, but it can be lonely sometimes. I have been looking forward so much to having your company.” She looked away.

  “But I have been so nervous that you might perhaps not like me.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I would guess that you could not possibly have been as nervous as I have been, thinking you might resent me for taking your brother away from you for so long.”

  “Oh, no!” Georgiana met Elizabeth’s eyes. “I was so pleased when I heard that you had resolved the difficulties there had been — I could tell from his letters how happy he is now.”

  Elizabeth nodded at her but didn’t answer as the housekeeper bustled in with two maids carrying trays. She supervised them placing the tea and pastries as Elizabeth watched.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Porter.” Elizabeth was glad she’d remembered the housekeeper’s name as the woman beamed at her.

  “We are very pleased to see you here in town, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Elizabeth nodded her thanks and watched the smallest maid pouring the tea.

  When they were settled down again, she nodded towards the corner. “I see you have a pianoforte in here. Do you play much, Georgiana?”

  “Oh, yes! I love music and I practice a great deal.” The girl seemed animated and Elizabeth kept the conversation on music, as Georgiana appeared happier.

  It was not long before William entered the room with his cousin.

  “I see you have a good sense of when the tea has arrived!” Elizabeth curtsied at them and resumed her seat, happy to see that her husband seemed more relaxed.

  He came over and sat on the sofa beside her. Elizabeth tensed, trying not to show how much he could still affect her.

  “I am pleased to see you have discovered that you share a great enjoyment of music, Elizabeth.”

  She smiled at him. “Indeed, and Georgiana assures me that there are many duets among the music scores. We have already decided to discover if our playing coincides.” Elizabeth smiled over at Georgiana.

  “I hope that you will both entertain us a little after dinner.” He smiled at his sister, who seemed to be in awe of Elizabeth.

  “We will, won’t we, Georgiana?” Elizabeth drew the girl’s attention back to the conversation.

  It was only a short while later that dinner was announced and William rose and offered Elizabeth his arm. Cousin Richard took Georgiana on his and followed the Darcys to the dining room.

  Dinner passed in a sudden haze of exhaustion for Elizabeth. She knew her husband had noticed and he and his cousin kept the conversation light and inconsequential.

  She and Georgiana left the gentlemen to their port after the meal and withdrew to the drawing room.

  “I’m sorry, Georgiana, I do not think I will be very good company this evening.” Elizabeth sank into the chair. “I don’t know why I feel so suddenly tired.”

  Georgiana handed her a cup of tea. “You have had a very long journey, and you have confessed to feeling anxious about meeting me and Cousin Richard. I would think that the relief of completing such an ordeal would result in tiredness.”

  “You’re right, of course,” Elizabeth sighed. “I hope you will not be offended if I am poor company this evening.”

  “Of course not!” Georgiana sounded surprised. “I am looking forward to your companionship tomorrow.” She smiled. “Do not be afraid to retire early tonight. We will quite understand.”

  “Thank you, Georgiana. I’m so happy to have you as my new sister.”

  Later that evening, Elizabeth slowly climbed the stairs on her husband’s arm. “I’m so sorry to be suddenly weary like this, William. Just when you are home and wanting me to enjoy the company of your family.”

  He bent his head down towards her. “You must think nothing of it, Elizabeth. I am at fault for not insisting we travel more slowly from Scotland.” His arm tightened on her hand. “I don’t want you to become ill, and you must be properly rested before we proceed with our plans.”

  She paused outside the door to her bedchamber. “You’re very good to me, William. I am quite sure I will be perfectly well tomorrow.”

  She slipped her hand from his arm. “Please return to your sister, it is too early for us both to leave them, and Georgiana will very much enjoy the opportunity to talk to you.”

  His eyes were dark and concerned. “Are you sure you do not want me to remain with you?”

  She laughed gently. “All I ask is that you join me when you retire, even if I am asleep — but only if it pleases you, of course.”

  His eyes crinkled up at the corners. “And what makes you think it will not please me, Elizabeth?” his voice was light and teasing.

  “Oh, well.” Elizabeth shrugged. “You might want to stay up with your cousin and talk the night away.”

  “I may stay a while downstairs,” he conceded. “But I will join you later, Elizabeth, and I will try not to disturb you.”

  It was much later when she awoke. The room was dark, the fire having died down to mere glowing embers. The strange bed had not woken her, several weeks’ travel with constant new inns had meant that she had barely remembered even her own bed at Pemberley.

  But this was her own bed, her confused mind told her. But even if it wasn’t, everything was all right, because William was there. His scent, a musky aroma of leather and sage, overlying the wild fresh air of the peaks, wrapped her round with comfort.

  She sighed. All was well.

  Chapter 54

  He sat back in his dressing room that morning, while his valet shaved him, feeling most contented. He’d had the satisfaction of having Elizabeth sleep in his arms all night and she had woken looking very much improved on her pallor of the previous evening.

  Her eyes had laughed up at him. “I am so sorry, sir! I am ashamed of my weakness last night and I will endeavour to improve my strength!”

  He had tightened his arms around her. “I will ensure your good health, Elizabeth. I will not permit you to become so weary again.”

  He sat up. “Yes, yes, that’ll do!” He gestured the valet away. He wanted to be waiting for her when she was ready to go downstairs.

  The servant assisted him with his cravat and coat and he nodded.

  “Thank you, Mr. Maunder.” Darcy strode out of his chambers to wait in the hallway. The sunlight was angled across the great old oaks in the garden, low in the sky, and he was reminded how late in the year it was and that they had been fortunate to have such good weather for their tour.

  But now they were in London, and they had no journey to undertake should the weather become inclement.

  She would enjoy the garden, he thought. Per
haps this afternoon, when it was warmest.

  He heard her door open and she stepped out into the hall. He could see her maid in the room tidying away the paraphernalia of her toilette, but his attention was taken by Elizabeth.

  He bowed over her hand. “You are most lovely this morning, Elizabeth.”

  She smiled serenely. “Thank you, William. I feel very rested, and it was comforting to wake and find you with me.”

  His heart swelled with love. How had he been so senseless as to waste so much time after their marriage before getting to know her? She was perfect for him, and he might never have allowed himself to consider her virtues had he not become obliged to her.

  But she was watching his expression with some concern. “What troubles you, Elizabeth?”

  “I confess I should be anxious if I thought that I might be interrupting your settled London routine, Mr. Darcy.”

  He wondered at her sudden formality. “How so, Elizabeth?”

  “Georgiana told me yesterday that you always rode before breakfast, in Hyde Park. I would not wish to thwart such enjoyment of yours.”

  Darcy stopped, halfway down the stairs as they were. “I would not have you anxious about me. Later, I may well indulge in my enjoyment of an early ride. But I would certainly not leave you the first morning we were in London.” He smiled.

  “And I must say, any loss thereof is quite outweighed by the happiness I feel at seeing you wake in my arms.” He watched with amusement as a blush spread delightfully across her features.

  He began to descend the rest of the stairs with her. “Besides, I have promised I will not leave you, Elizabeth, until you are confident of your security. Now we are in London, I can begin to work towards its accomplishment.”

  “Thank you, William.” She made no further demur and, entering the breakfast room, he discovered that they had been preceded by both Georgiana and Richard.

  The low morning sun lanced in through the great east-facing windows and he saw Elizabeth brighten noticeably. Perhaps next winter, she might enjoy a southern tour, he thought. Italy, perhaps.

  He drew his attention back to the present and saw Elizabeth was conversing with Georgiana. They seemed very relaxed, and he exerted himself to join them.

  Watching the two ladies going through to the drawing room after breakfast, he was delighted they had formed such an early friendship. He knew Georgiana’s shyness made it hard for her, and Elizabeth must have divined exactly what was needed to help her relax.

  “She is indeed a most thoughtful lady.” Richard was beside him. “I think circumstances have dictated that you have had the greatest good fortune in acquiring such a delightful wife.”

  Darcy glanced at him. “Yes.”

  Richard smiled at his friend’s brevity. “And, looking at you, am I correct in thinking that you are now reconciled to your situation, indeed, very happy with it?”

  Darcy raised his eyebrows. “You’re trying to embarrass me, Richard.”

  “Indeed not! I am hoping that my congratulations are in order. I am so happy for your contentment with the situation and — I must add that I am most relieved at your willingness to discover your feelings.” Richard turned with Darcy towards the library. “Many a lesser man would have been determined to show the Bennet family that their insistence on a marriage could never work.”

  “Thank you,” Darcy said heavily. “But we still have some way to go. I would wish for her sake, a reconciliation with her family, although my own inclinations would never be to have any relationship with them at all.”

  They sank into the comfortable chairs and he nodded at the footman bringing in the coffee.

  “Does Elizabeth wish a reconciliation?” Richard took his cup and extended his legs towards the fire.

  “I think she is completely unsure. She is certainly not willing to have any form of contact with her mother and, to a lesser extent, her father. But her eldest sister and her aunt — I think she might be happy to see them again, although she is most anxious as to how difficult the first meeting might be.”

  He remembered the letter he had placed in his desk, and found himself laughing again.

  “But the need to promote this has been brought forward somewhat, which is why we have returned to London.” He got to his feet and went to his desk.

  Going back to his cousin, he handed him Collin’s letter. “Enjoy.”

  Richard looked a little puzzled but put down his cup and unfolded the sheets of notepaper.

  Darcy returned to his chair and prepared to enjoy the expressions on his cousin’s features as he read. His face was almost as expressive as Elizabeth’s.

  At the end of it, Richard leaned forward and handed the letter back, chuckling. “I have rarely had such enjoyment, Darcy. So what have you decided, apart from attempting to ensure the man does not get his wish?”

  Darcy glanced at the folded letter in his hand. “I cannot think that even Collins would be foolish enough to think that any of the younger girls would be acceptable to Lady Catherine. However, the eldest, Jane, might be in some danger and under pressure from her mother, if things are left as they are.”

  He crossed his legs and sipped at his coffee. “I assisted Elizabeth with devising a letter to her aunt in Cheapside, asking her to invite Jane to London. Otherwise Elizabeth will not be able to contact her sister without her parents knowing, and that, she cannot yet countenance.” He smiled into the flames.

  “I think that this might, in fact, be a fortunate intervention; for it has, perhaps, brought forward the realisation that she does need to build some bridges with those of her family she once loved.” He glanced up. “I would be sorry if the situation went on too long and became intractable.”

  “You are very forgiving, Darcy.” Richard put down his cup. “Perhaps we should join the ladies.”

  Darcy rose. “You are right. But I do need to raise another issue with you shortly, one that is troubling Elizabeth rather more.”

  Richard clapped him on the shoulder. “I will do all I can to help, you know that!”

  As they crossed the hall, they could hear laughter and Richard looked at Darcy with raised eyebrows. Darcy smiled, he knew the atmosphere here at Darcy House would be very different with Elizabeth in it. He welcomed it, but he knew his cousin would be surprised. He acknowledged that the old Darcy would not have welcomed this change, but he himself had altered utterly in the last weeks. He was pleased; he had never before, he thought, known true happiness.

  The two ladies were sitting close together at the pianoforte and had broken into a lively air just before they entered. He could see their fingers tangle as they attempted to keep up with the rhythm, it must have been this which was causing such amusement. He found himself smiling at their delight.

  The music suddenly stopped as they saw the entry of the gentlemen and rose to curtsey.

  Georgiana looked anxious, and glanced at Elizabeth. “I am sorry, William, we were only practicing.”

  He bowed to her. “Pray continue. I would by no means prevent your enjoyment.”

  “Oh, we are having so much fun, William.” Georgiana seemed so much happier than he had seen her for a long time — since Ramsgate, in fact.

  Darcy glanced at Richard, who also seemed struck with the change in his young cousin. He turned back to the ladies. “Please continue, I would like to hear your efforts at learning a duet. When the tea arrives we can talk.”

  He sat down beside the fire and indicated the chair opposite him to Richard. “We perhaps have a chance now for me briefly to inform you about what your father and Lady Catherine have attempted in their efforts to separate me from Elizabeth and end our marriage.”

  Richard sat and leaned forward. “You have indicated to me the problem in your letters. What would you have me do to assist?”

  Chapter 55

  After lunch, her husband turned to Elizabeth. “I wonder if you would care to take a turn in the gardens with me, Elizabeth? We have some very distinguished trees here and a
fair landscape. It is, of course, much more circumscribed than Pemberley, but quite pleasant for town.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I would be delighted, William. I have been looking out of the windows and would love to explore.”

  She saw Georgiana look between them. “Would you excuse me from joining you, Elizabeth? I might rest a little before the evening.”

  Elizabeth smiled at her. Georgiana was being most perceptive in her efforts not to come between them. “Of course, Georgiana. Whatever you wish.” She looked across the table. “Might you be joining us, Colonel Fitzwilliam?”

  He looked gratified and bowed his head. “Thank you for the invitation, madam. But I must return to Matlock House this afternoon. I need to speak to my father about a certain matter.” He hesitated. “And please might you address me as Richard? Or Cousin Richard, if you would prefer the extra formality.”

  She relaxed. “Of course. But will you be joining us for dinner? I would be discomposed if I felt that my arrival here prevented you from being here often.”

  “I would be very glad to join you then.” Richard bowed his head again.

  Once they were outside, Elizabeth stared up at the great oak trees that were William’s favourite part of the gardens. “Do you know how old they are, William? They must be much older than the house.”

  His arm tightened on her hand. “They are. I have papers in the library from my great grandfather’s time which show the building instructions that the trees were not to be touched.” He waved back at the windowed rear of the house. “That is why the drawing rooms are to the north side. So that the view is not obstructed by the oaks.” He smiled at her. “He was an old man by then, and did not want to plant new saplings, knowing he’d never see the mature trees.”

  “I think you will be the same when you are older, William.” Elizabeth stared up at the sunlight rimming the edges of the twigs and branches. “I cannot wait to see what they look like on a sunny day when they are in leaf.”