Chance Encounters

by Linda Wells

  “Then a move will be just what we need. You will be closer to your sister. I will be closer to my friend and brother, and we both will be farther from Caroline.” His smile faded.

  “You received a letter from your aunt this morning, I noticed.” Jane gave him a squeeze of support.

  Bingley laughed hollowly. “My aunt tells me that Caroline is driving her loyal servants to beg for removal. She is making everyone insane from her demands. She still has not accepted Darcy’s marriage to Elizabeth. She speaks of him constantly, and wrote to me only yesterday begging me to speak to him on her behalf. She wishes to return to London. How can I impose myself on him, after all they have been through, to bring him this added burden?” He shook his head hopelessly.

  “You cannot.” He looked at Jane with surprise. She never took sides. “Caroline’s bed is what she made for herself; it is not up to you to rescue her from her mistakes anymore.” She looked at him seriously.

  “Jane, what has come over you?” He held her face in his hands. “This is not the attitude of a peacemaker!”

  “No, Charles, it is not. But it is the attitude of a person who wishes to see peace come to the people who most deserve it. We deserve it, Lizzy and William deserve it. Caroline has done nothing to earn it, and until she does,” here she took a deep breath and said what she thought in her deepest moments, “she can stew in her own pudding!”

  Bingley stared at his wife, a huge grin spreading over his face, and kissed her. “My goodness woman, such a mouth you have!”

  THE GARDINERS were only to stay at Pemberley for five days, and several of those days were taken up with visiting old friends in Lambton. On the fourth morning, when Elizabeth accompanied her aunt on a call, the gentlemen left for the lake and indulged in a bit of fishing.

  “So William, tell me, how do you like married life?” Mr. Gardiner’s eyes twinkled, looking at the younger man.

  “I truly cannot imagine how I lived so long alone, sir. I have no idea how I managed to get through the day without having Elizabeth by my side.” He smiled; his expression blissful.

  Mr. Gardiner laughed. “I am delighted to hear it, sir. After the rough start the two of you had, I think that you deserve some days of joy.”

  Darcy’s smile fell off of his face. “Yes, however, it seems that we are still experiencing some difficulties.” He looked over to his companion. “I imagine that you have heard of Elizabeth’s miscarriage?”

  Mr. Gardiner walked over to Darcy and clasped his shoulder. “I am so sorry, Son.”

  “I did not know she was with child.” He looked up at Mr. Gardiner. “I planned to talk with you when you came. She had been so sad, and tired, and her eating. . .” He stared at the water.

  Mr. Gardiner sighed. “Yes, those are some of the signs. My wife suspected it and advised her not to say anything until she felt the quickening. She did not wish to raise your hopes too soon. It seems that she was right. Please do not be upset with Lizzy. She did not believe it was really true from what I understand.

  “I am not upset with her.” He said softly. “But she has been carrying this secret for . . .” He looked at Mr. Gardiner. “Since Bingley’s wedding?” He nodded. Darcy sighed. “I wish she had told me, but I understand why she did not.”

  “We lost two before we had our first, and now we have four. That is why Madeline told Elizabeth to wait to speak to you. I am grateful that she waited each time with me, I am afraid that I am very much a worrier.” He smiled slightly, trying to reassure him.

  Darcy was staring, watching his line bob on the water. “But you do have four beautiful children.”

  “Yes, we do.” He said quietly.

  “Thank you, sir.” Darcy was unsure of what to do. He naturally was looking forward to fatherhood, but it had not been in the forefront of his mind. He was so thrilled with being a husband, and wanted to enjoy this time with Elizabeth before beginning their family. The two of them had certainly joked about it, played with the idea as a good excuse for increasing their lovemaking, but with the knowledge that he was almost a father; his emotions were difficult to understand. Now he wished more than anything that it had happened. Mr. Gardiner’s reassurance that there would be children in the future helped a great deal to soothe him. Now he needed a way to care for his wife.

  Elizabeth enjoyed her visit to Lambton with her aunt, but was a little overwhelmed by the deference shown to her at every turn as Mrs. Darcy. They walked down the main street, looking in the shop windows as yet another person mumbled a greeting and backed away from her. “Aunt, I do not think that I will ever become used to this. How much different it would have been visiting your friends this summer if I was still plain Elizabeth Bennet. How can I convince people that I am no more important than they are?”

  Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her. “Lizzy, you have yet to realize that you are not plain Elizabeth Bennet. You are the Mistress of Pemberley, and a very important figure in this area. The livelihoods of a great deal of the population depend on your estate, and your husband, and I might add, you.”

  “Me? What do I have to do with it?” She asked curiously. “I may sit in William’s study with him while he works, and he does ask for my opinions and talks over his worries with me, but I would hardly say that the future of Pemberley lies in my hands.” She smiled at the thought.

  “It does not lie in your hands, my dear; it lies in your marriage.” Mrs. Gardiner said gently. Confused, Elizabeth looked at her. “My friends have told me of the great joy that filled the district when it was learned that Mr. Darcy had married. They look forward with great anticipation the birth of your children, because with that the estate will be secured for another of their generation as well as yours. They will be secure in the knowledge that the good Darcy family will continue at Pemberley, and that it will be operated in the same reliable fashion as it is today. If Mr. Darcy had never married, as some speculated he would not, and an heir was not begat, the fear amongst the populace as to who would inherit would have been quite real.”

  “I never realized how much was involved in my simply saying “I will” to William.” Elizabeth felt the loss of their first child deeply, but was, she felt, handling the sadness with an attitude of acceptance and optimism. But now, with her aunt’s words, she felt completely overwhelmed with the pressure to produce an heir, and the far-reaching importance of her success. She was suddenly afraid of failing William again.

  Mrs. Gardiner sensed her deepening mood. “Lizzy, I am sorry if I have made you feel as if you carried the world on your shoulders. When the time is right, you will have your family. You know how long your uncle and I waited. You must relax. It will come.”

  The next morning the three Darcys gathered in front of the house to farewell the Gardiners, who were continuing on their journey to the Lake District. Darcy regarded their leaving with longing. He still had not taken Elizabeth on their honeymoon, and with the harvest fast approaching, he would not be able to leave Pemberley anytime soon. He looked over to his wife, who was tearfully embracing her aunt. Elizabeth was not yet recovered and he held firm in his promise to wait for her to tell him when she was ready to begin again. He could sense a new reticence about her.

  As Elizabeth embraced her aunt and their conversation played over and over in her head, her fear began to slowly overtake her, and for the first time, she felt unable to talk about a problem with William. She decided that she would work this out alone.

  AFTER ANNE’S DEATH, Kathleen stayed on as companion to Lady Catherine, helping her to recover from the shock. With time, the woman returned to herself, perhaps almost defiantly more formidable than she was before. She flatly refused Richard’s offer to let her stay at Rosings, much to his relief, and decided to spend the remainder of her days in town. She also decided she had no need for a companion; so, when she prepared to leave for London, Kathleen knew that she now must leave Rosings, and had begun to pack her belongings. Throughout this time Richard had courted her most assiduously. They already felt a
deep connection with each other, having both witnessed far too many tragedies, but they also shared an intense desire to laugh. They were well matched. Richard’s proposal was straightforward.

  “Miss Miller.” said he as they walked in the groves the day before he left to accompany Lady Catherine to London.

  “Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “I cannot quite get used to being called Mr. Fitzwilliam. Too many years in the army, I suppose. I was Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant, and before that well, I will not mention what my friends called me.” He laughed.

  “Well sir, I have not known you long enough to become mired in your many titles.” Her eyes sparkled up at him as she smiled.

  “Ha!” He grinned. Then becoming serious, he said, “Miss Miller, I understand that you are considering leaving Rosings when Lady Catherine departs for London tomorrow. I do not understand why. Where will you go?”

  “I will stay with my brother until I can find a new position.” She looked away, not wishing him to see her distress.

  “There is no need for you to leave Miss Miller.” He said softly, touching her arm.

  “I can hardly stay in your home without a lady to care for, sir.” She said sadly, speaking the truth of the matter.

  He turned, and glanced back at the imposing building. “My home. It is difficult to think of this place as home.” He returned his gaze to her face. “It is not a home without a family, and one man does not constitute a family.”

  “What does it require, sir?” She asked, her voice shaking, then looking away.

  He placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her face so he could look in her eyes. “To begin with, it requires a woman to join the man. The man needs a wife. This man needs you.” She gasped. “Miss Miller, we have come to know each other. I know I have opened myself to you more than any other woman, perhaps more than almost any friend I have ever known, I deeply value your friendship, and I have come to find that I am lost without your company.” He stood directly in front of her, taking her hands in his, and looked down into her tear-brightened eyes. “Miss Miller, Kathleen, my Katie, I find myself in the extraordinary position of being a man who is very much in love with a woman who takes my breath away and sets my heart and mind singing with joy. I want to share this place with you, and fill it with our hopes, our dreams, our children, and our love. Would you please do me the great honour of becoming my wife?”

  Kathleen looked up into his piercing blue eyes; there was not a trace of hesitancy in his countenance. He was a commander, waiting for an answer. She drew herself up and pulling her shoulders back, addressed him straight on. “Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam, Richard, or whatever name you choose for me to use, I will be honoured, pleased, and thrilled to accept you as my husband, because I find myself quite unquestionably in love with you, and cannot possibly imagine my life without you.”

  Richard threw his head back and laughed. He grinned down at her and raised her hand to his lips. “Thank you my Katie-love, and I think we will begin with Richard, until you devise a name of your own for me.” She laughed at him, and then gasped as he swept her up and twirled her around. He set her down on the ground and wrapped his arms around her, then bringing his face nose to nose with her he looked deeply into her eyes. “I will enjoy very much spending the rest of my life loving you.” He then brought his mouth down to hers in a hungry, passionate kiss. She met him with the same degree of fervour. Neither of them felt a need at that moment for gentleness, there was too much pent-up energy between them. They kissed, their tongues meeting and wrestling with each other, and he proceeded to drag his lips down her neck as she ran her fingers through his golden hair. He held her tightly to him, and she could feel how much he wanted her. She did not shy away but pressed herself closer. They stayed in the strong embrace, knowing they must stop before they lost complete control. He whispered hoarsely in her ear. “Promise me you will not leave before I return from London.” He felt her head nod. “Say it, Katie. Promise me you will be here waiting for me.” He pulled back and looked at her, the blue eyes demanding her answer.

  “I promise Richard, I will wait for you.” She said matching his gaze.

  He nodded. “Good. I will not be long.”

  That was four days previously, and she expected him back sometime that day. She knew that she could not stay under his roof, despite the engagement. It was not proper for either of them, no matter how much they both wanted it. So, she slowly began packing up her meagre belongings and hoped he would understand. The sound of a carriage arriving brought her to the window, and she saw his handsome form emerge. He ran up the steps into the house and it was mere moments before she heard his firm knock on her chamber door.

  “Katie!” He beamed at her, and advanced into the room, quickly sweeping her into his arms while she laughed. He kissed her ardently, and finally pulled back to see her beaming back at him. “I missed you, my girl!” He let go and his eyes swept the room, taking in the state of her packing. “What is this?” He asked, turning to her with a frown.

  “Richard, I missed you too, but you knew that I must leave here upon your return. I promised to wait for you, but you know I must go.” She took his hand in hers, imploring him to understand.

  “No.” He said flatly. “You must stay. This is our home.”

  “Richard, we are not married. It is not possible.”

  “Ah, but if we were married, it would be, would it not?” He raised his brows, his eyes challenging her.

  “Well, yes, of course, but we are only just engaged.”

  “Come.” He took a look around, spotted a bonnet, and stuck it on her head. He took the ribbons and tied a clumsy bow and looking her over, nodded his head. “Beautiful.” He kissed her, and taking her hand, pulled her out the door.

  “Richard! Where are we going?”

  “You will see.” He grinned at her.

  They rapidly left the house and passed through the gardens. He paused for a moment, quickly picked a bunch of flowers, and presented them to her. Nodding again at her appearance, he took her hand and continued their journey.

  “Richard!” She cried, trying to slow his unfaltering stride, “What are you doing?” He just turned and grinned at her.

  Finally they arrived at the parsonage, where he knocked on the door. “Mr. Collins, please.” They entered and found the man in his study. “Are you ready, sir?” Richard addressed him.

  “Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam, all is ready, I will just ask Mrs. Collins to join us, sir.” The little man bobbed in his excitement. He had been warned quite severely to desist in his fawning attentions or he would soon find himself without a position.

  “Fine, we will proceed to the church.” Richard turned, pulling Kathleen with him.

  “The church?” Kathleen said as they left the house. She finally stopped dead and refused to move another step. “Richard Fitzwilliam, you will tell me exactly what is happening this instant!” She glared at him, her hands on her hips, the flowers upside down, slapping against her thigh, and dropping petals at an alarming rate on the ground.

  “My dear, if you keep that up, you will be carrying stems at your wedding.” Richard righted the unfortunate blooms.

  “My wedding?” The shock was clear on her face.

  “Of course, how else was I to keep you from leaving Rosings? We are getting married today.” He looked to see the Collins’ joining them. “Now, as a matter of fact.” He grinned.

  She stared at him, mouth agape. “It would have been pleasant to have received some sort of warning, perhaps a chance to prepare?”

  “Nonsense. You have a bonnet, you have flowers, your dress is most becoming, and most importantly, you have a very willing and eager groom. What is life without some surprise! Come my love, come and marry me.” He smiled, his joy radiating from his face. He held out his hand to her.

  She sighed and shook her head. “What am I doing with a madman like you?”

  “Loving me, just as I will love you, al
l the days of our lives.” He spoke very softly. He kissed her hand with the utmost tenderness. “Now, Miss Miller, shall we proceed to the church?”

  She looked at him with affection and touched his cheek. “Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam, let us be wed.” Within a half hour the two were married, Rosings had a new Mistress, and Richard had a wedding story to rival Darcy’s.

  THREE WEEKS after the Gardiner’s departure Darcy came upon Elizabeth in the music room, alone, playing a rather melancholy piece. He came and sat beside her on the bench. She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. He knew that she was physically recovered from the miscarriage; however, she had given him no signal that she was ready to begin again. He was determined to honour her silent request for distance, but it was so difficult when he loved and needed her so much.

  “How are you today, dear?” He asked softly, watching her fingers glide over the keys.

  “I am well.” She could not meet his gaze. Darcy reached out and touched her fingers, stopping their progress.

  He entwined their fingers together and gently turning her to face him, stroked her cheek. “Talk to me, Lizzy. Please.” His soft eyes looked into hers.

  She blinked back the welling tears. How could she tell him her fear? How could she tell him that he had married the wrong woman? That she could not give him his heir? She was sure that this first miscarriage was just a warning of things to come. In her grief, her fear of failing him again was haunting her every thought. She was afraid to begin again, because she knew he would be disappointed. Pemberley was too important to be hurt by her weak body.

  One large tear rolled down her cheek. It broke Darcy’s heart to see it. He wiped it away with his thumb and leaned in to kiss her. “I love you so much, Lizzy.” Their lips met tenderly. The soft caress made her breath catch, and he felt her respond for the first time in weeks. It was like water to a parched man, and he acted as any starving man would when presented with a feast, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. He looked down into her eyes, caressed her face, and lowered his mouth. They kissed, again and again. His tongue explored her mouth and to his joy, she responded in kind, holding him tightly, kissing him with the ardour that he held for her, when suddenly she stiffened and pulled away.