by Ola Wegner
***
Mary Drew stood in the back of the church, holding Tommy’s gloved hand in hers. There was such a crowd at the service that Sunday that she could barely see what was happening at the altar.
Today the christening of the young heir to Pemberley was taking place. The robust boy with rosy cheeks was very quiet, although Mary knew well that he had strength in his lungs which he liked to demonstrate to the world, usually in the middle of the night.
As the ceremony came to an end, Mary pushed forward to see the Darcys leaving the church. It was not easy to get through, but Mr Harrison appeared unexpectedly by her side, clearing their way. He even picked Tommy up so her son could see everything better.
Mary had to admit that the Darcys as well as their guests presented themselves with as much grace and elegance as it was expected of them.
Mrs Darcy’s elder sister, as the godmother, stepped first, carrying her nephew in her arms. Next to her walked the godfather, the Earl of Northumberland. Mary had never been seen such a beautiful couple. Were they ever to get married, they would produce the most handsome children.
The villagers who did not fit inside of the church cheered loudly at the sight of the newest addition to the Darcys’ family. Their enthusiasm might be strengthened with the generous feast prepared for them on the green.
Mary stayed behind. She did not have to return to Pemberley today. It was her day off.
She looked down at her boy. “Shall we join the others on the green?” she asked. “I heard there is a table prepared for children only.”
Her boy clung to her side. “I wish to stay with you, Mama.”
Mary touched Tommy’s cheek. “Of course that we shall stay together, my love.”
As she and Tommy walked hand in hand, Mary saw Mr Harrison with the corner of her eye walking with his daughters. The younger girl was truly adorable with glossy blonde curls. Such a long time had passed since his proposal, and she had heard no news of him courting anyone. They saw each other quite often, and his eyes always wandered towards her person.
Mary had to admit that she thought about him all too much. It was a different kind of interest than what she had for her husband. She was ten years older, though. Her view of the world was entirely altered to what it was when she had been eighteen.
As soon as Tommy saw the low, long table set with a variety of snacks, he ran away from her to join other children around it.
Mr Harrison came to stand next to her. His daughters ran after Tommy. The older girl elbowed herself between the children to get her little sister access to all the goods.
Mary felt the man’s eyes on her. Her intention was to ignore him, but she could not help herself and looked up at him. Their eyes met. He smiled at her.
***
Mary Drew was seated in the corner of the staff dining room below the stairs. She was supposed to repair Mrs Darcy’s dress, but she could not concentrate on her work.
“Mrs Drew, Mr Darcy wishes to see you,” Mrs Reynolds said, unexpectedly standing in front of her.
“Mr Darcy?” she asked.
The housekeeper nodded. “You should go. He is expecting you now.”
As Mary walked through the halls of Pemberley, she wondered what Mr Darcy could possibly want from her. He rarely spoke to her more than a few words.
Mary stood in front of the solid library doors for a long minute before she knocked. She was admitted instantly.
Mr Darcy was seated behind his desk writing busily.
The crib with Master Thomas was positioned beside the desk.
Mary found it rather unusual for the father to spend so much time with such a small child. Mr Darcy was enamoured with his son, perhaps even more than he was with his wife.
“Please, sit down, Mrs Drew,” he said.
“I prefer to stand, sir,” she said.
“Very well,” he said, standing as well. “A while ago we discussed the possibility of your son’s future education,” he reminded her.
She cleared her throat. “Yes, we did.”
“I have thought about it lately. I should not have given you an ultimatum.”
She frowned. “What is your meaning, sir?”
“I saw you last Sunday standing close to Harrison. I saw the way he looked at you. You are free to marry him. I shall keep my promise to you to send your son to the best school in England. I know that my wife shall not be pleased to lose you, but she will understand.”
“Has Mr Harrison talked to you?” Mary asked.
Darcy chuckled. “Elizabeth told me that you were clever. Yes, Harrison and I talked about you. I have known him for a long time. We played together as children. He is not afraid to tell me his opinion.”
“You are very generous, Mr Darcy. I will never be able to repay you for this.”
He lifted his hands in a defensive gesture. “My conscience is clean. It is your decision from this point. You must remember that your life at the farm shall be very different than here.”
“I know.”
“Very well. I will not keep you away from your duties.”
“I thank you, sir.”
She watched him leaning over the crib. He was not paying any attention to her any more. He was entirely focused on his sleeping son.
Quietly, she left the library.
Epilogue
One year later
Elizabeth had almost forgotten how warm the winter could be in Hertfordshire. It felt rather unusual to be able to walk outside without ice-cold wind blowing onto your face.
She and Fitzwilliam walked together slowly, keeping the pace of their son, who toddled between them, holding on to their hands. Thomas had been walking for the last four months, but his steps still could be rather shaky, especially on uneven ground. Thomas was a stubborn boy, though, and when he wished to walk, he did, although there were plenty of volunteers to carry him.
They stopped in front of the tombstone which was still new amongst all the others which surrounded it.
Elizabeth handed a small greenhouse bouquet of flowers to Thomas and said, “Put it here, darling.”
The boy took the flowers and put them to his nose, inhaling. Elizabeth patted the tombstone. “Here.”
The boy hesitated. His gaze was rather confused as he stared at his mother.
Darcy kneeled beside him. “It is your grandfather’s resting place,” he explained. “We shall bring him flowers whenever we visit Hertfordshire.”
Gently but decidedly he took the flowers from his son and placed them on the smooth surface of the tombstone.
Elizabeth’s eyes rested on her father’s name engraved in the stone. She had not been here for over two years.
She heard her husband’s voice above her ear.
“Thomas and I shall walk to the Purvis Lodge.”
She nodded. “I shall join you shortly.”
“Take your time.”
Elizabeth watched as they were walking away. Soon Thomas grew tired and lifted his arms, indicating to his father that he wanted to be carried. Darcy picked him in his arms, throwing him in the air, eliciting delighted laughs from him.
Elizabeth kneeled on the ground, not minding her fine coat.
“Why did you have to leave so early, Papa? I miss you,” she whispered. “I will always miss you. Little Thomas is just like you. Everyone agrees that he is your spitting image. All is well with us. Jane married Mr Bingley. She is happy. Why are you not with us?” Large tears ran down her cheeks. “I love you, Papa.”
She looked at the sky, smiling brightly at the sun coming from behind the clouds. She felt that her father’s sprit was with her. It would stay with her not only here but wherever she went.
The End
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