“Come; I have quite a few letters to write, and that can best be accomplished in my study,” Darcy suggested, “and you, my love,” he said as he held out his hand to his wife, “can write to your friend and assure her of our assistance.”
The particulars were decided and letters written, discretion being called upon in each one. Mrs Lewis was to choose a minimal staff from among Pemberley’s servants and remove to Rose Bluff immediately to prepare it for occupation. It was decided the Fitzwilliams would leave in three days time in order to be established in their new home before their visitor was to arrive. Mrs Edith Darcy would travel on from her estate, Havendale, to Pemberley with Georgiana, freeing Mrs Annesley to accompany Miss Lucas on the journey. Elizabeth wrote to Charlotte, telling her to have Maria’s trunks packed and ready at dawn, one week from today, and a carriage would be there to pick her up. The location to which she would go was not revealed, but she did assure her friend that if Charlotte wished to send any correspondence to Maria, she could send it to Pemberley and they would see it was delivered.
So it was that the Darcys and Fitzwilliams were removed from Town before Twelfth Night, each bound for their homes in Derbyshire.
Maria thought she could cry no more, but every day that passed proved just how misguided such an assertion was. The burning in her eyes was the least of the pain she felt though. Her father had turned her out. He did not care where she went, only that she was far enough away as to assure the family’s name remained unharmed by her actions. Charlotte was doing everything she could, but Mr Collins was known to keep a tight rein on his wife. Surprisingly, Charlotte found a friend who was willing to help, and now here the two sisters stood, Maria’s trunks stacked by the front door as they awaited the carriage of this unknown benefactor.
Through the thick fog that settled on this cold morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, they heard the carriage as it approached. The driver stopped and two footmen jumped down to attend to the trunks. The door opened, and an older lady descended the stairs and approached, giving them a curtsey.
“I am Mrs Annesley, and I take it you are Mrs Collins?” she said to the elder of the two sisters.
“Yes, I am,” Charlotte answered.
“You must be Miss Lucas,” she said to Maria. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” She then turned back to Charlotte and held out a letter, “I am to deliver this to you. There is no need to read it immediately.”
“Thank you,” she said, placing it in her pocket. The next thing she knew Maria’s arms were wrapped tightly around her as the girl began to sob. Charlotte returned the embrace, telling her how much she would be missed. The sudden crying of her own babe in the background made her pull away. “I must attend to William, and it is time for you to leave.”
Mrs Annesley’s arms wrapped around the girl’s shoulders, and with a simple nod to Charlotte, she led Maria to the carriage. Then they were gone. Maria watched as the neighborhood she had always known passed outside the windows. Tears continued to stream down her cheeks. The soaked handkerchief she held tightly in her grip was no longer of much use.
When the last of Meryton finally passed, Mrs Annesley closed the shades on the window and moved to sit next to the girl. “Here,” she said as she handed her a fresh linen cloth. “I know this must be extremely difficult for you, but you are not alone. You have friends who love you and wish the best out of this situation.”
She sobbed even harder, “My family has turned me out, I know not where I am going, nor with whom I will be staying. Who are these friends?”
“I am not at liberty to say, but they care for your well—being. Now, it will not do to distress yourself like this. Just relax,” she said as she reached for the ties to Maria’s bonnet, removing it. “You just lay your head down here,” she indicated her lap. Maria laid her head on the older lady’s lap and a rug was draped across her chilled body. “That’s it... now just rest.” The gentle hands ran through Maria’s red curls, the motions soothing the girl’s frayed nerves and within minutes she was calmed and asleep.
The days were cold, the journey long, and when they finally arrived at their destination on the fourth day of travel, both were weary of the roads and Maria was sick from the constant rocking. Mrs Lewis was introduced as the housekeeper and the person to whom Maria need speak with if she required anything. It was explained which rooms would be open to her use and which section of the garden had been established as her private area. A maid named Cora would be her constant companion, and when it came time for the midwife to be called, she, as well as Mrs Annesley, would also assist with the birth.
Maria was soon settled in her rooms, the loneliness she had felt over the last few weeks not diminishing with her arrival here. Cora served her dinner and soon Maria was ready to retire. The journey caused such weariness that she was quickly asleep.
Mrs Annesley returned to Pemberley the next day, leaving Maria in the hands of the servants of Rose Bluff until she would return for the girl’s confinement. Being privy to the details of last spring, and knowing what her employer surmised about this fallen young miss and who the father of the child could likely be, she was glad to know Miss Darcy was saved from such a fate. Her charge was, at times, difficult to convince of her own culpability in the matter, and she felt it might be best to tell her of Miss Lucas. She would bring it up with Mr and Mrs Darcy when she returned. Perhaps in time they would see the wisdom in introducing the two young ladies. One was in need of a friend during such a difficult time, and the other was in need of a lesson to be learned from such tragedy.
The Derbyshire winter was colder than usual this year. The toll it took on Elizabeth was noticeable. While she grew with child, her habits of walking out every day came to a sudden end and she was confined to pace the halls of Pemberley, usually with her husband at her side.
Georgiana’s time with Aunt Edith, and the presence of her companion, seemed to quell her insolence, though she still refused anything more than the basic interaction she must have with her new sister.
Letters between Rose Bluff and Pemberley were regular enough to warrant hiring a delivery boy to go between the two estates. Mrs Lewis’ son, James, was the perfect candidate for the position. The boy was eager to be of service, and when he was not going between the two estates, he continued his work in the stables. The ten miles became more difficult with the snow, slowing some deliveries to only once a week. It was on one such week when the missives were stacked high awaiting the boy’s return, that Fitz had a thought. He quickly jotted down a note for his cousin, placing it on top of the stack before going to find his wife.
She was sitting in the library reading when he tried to sneak up on her. Anticipating him, she moved just as he reached out from behind.
He stomped around the chaise to sit beside her, “I shall never understand how you do that?”
“It is easy—when you enter the room, I feel your presence. No matter what has my attention, I know when you are near.”
Fitz wound his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. “You know just what to say to make me feel completely besotted.”
His lips descended, meeting hers in a fury of passion that built quickly, ending only when they both needed air. Fitz reclined on the chaise and pulled her tightly to his chest, running his fingers through her dark curls.
Mary rested her cheek against her husband’s chest, the movements of his heavy breathing evidence of their exchange. All her life she had longed for something, but she could not determine what it was. Now after being married these past few months and the small intimacies she shared with Fitz, she knew just what was missing from her life. How she could have thought marriage was not for her, she did not know. This was exactly what she needed. He was exactly what she needed.
Fitz saw a small smile play across her red, swollen lips. He tapped her arm, drawing her attention, “What has amused you?”
“Life... marriage... you,” she answered verbally.
She kissed the small, faded scar next to his mouth left from that exchange, the roughness against her lips pleasing in a way she could not describe. “I am forever grateful he did as well.”
“I know you have missed seeing your sister this last month, and I have devised a plan. I wrote to my cousin asking if my Aunt Anne’s sled is still at the back of the carriage house. If it is, I expect he will agree to send it for us to use.”
Mary sat up quickly, a large smile now brightening her features.
“This pleases you?”
“OH yes! I would dearly love to visit my sister!”
“Then we shall do just that. I expect this storm to pass quickly, and James will surely be able to make his deliveries to Pemberley by tomorrow evening. If the weather holds out, we could be there very soon.”
She stood, signing to him, “Then I must pack.”
He stood as well, taking her hand and drawing it to his lips, depositing a simple kiss on the back. “It will be good to see our family once again. Hiding within just a few rooms here in our own home is quite daunting at times.”
“It is not you who must hide, my love.”
“You cannot fool me. I was present when you were verbally assaulted by my young cousin, by my own mother, and then later by my cousin again along with Miss Bingley. I was also there when you were shunned from even attending a church service while in Meryton. You need not try to convince me why you wish to keep your presence as the Mistress of Rose Bluff from our visitor. I understand more fully than you will ever know. Mrs Lewis has established a routine which seems to give us our privacy, but I see how tense you become when you are walking from room to room. This is your home and it should not be this way.”
She looked down, “I have encountered situations such as this for long enough to know this is just how it is to be for me.”
Fitz lifted her chin so she would look at him, “No, it need not be like this. When we return from Pemberley we will find a more reasonable solution. I cannot have my wife feel this way in our own home.” He did not give her time to object before his lips were gently coercing hers into submission. When the kiss was broken, he signed, “I love you.”
She smiled, “I love you as well.”
“Come, we must attend to our trunks, Mrs Fitzwilliam.”
Elizabeth was seated in the drawing room, knitting something special for their baby as she watched Mrs Annesley and Georgiana. They were positioned by the window in front on an easel. The girl had such talent, yet she would hardly receive even a compliment from Elizabeth without turning up her nose. In the month since returning to Pemberley, she had found the best solution was to leave Georgiana’s care to Mrs Annesley. If Miss Darcy’s presence was requested, the companion was sure to have her charge attend. Today was just such a day. Elizabeth had spoken with Mrs Annesley about spending more time in the presence of her new sister, even if they were simply in the same room doing different tasks. Today Miss Darcy was practicing her drawing, and the unusual winter light from the large window was just perfect.
Elizabeth was lonely here at Pemberley. If it were not so cold, she could retreat into the garden, but at this time of year and in her condition, her husband requested she remain indoors. She saw the logic in his request, though it was difficult to be so alone. As the master of the estate, he spent several hours each day on business, and she did not like to disturb him. So she sat here in silence watching Georgiana and missing her sister Mary greatly.
Darcy walked into the room carrying a letter, “I have heard from your uncle. He wishes to send his love and assure you of their comfort this winter. He also wished me to convey that he has found what made the nursery so drafty, and the children are now much warmer after attending to the window sill.”
She moved over so he could sit beside her on the sofa, receiving the kiss he always administered to her cheek. “I thought it was the window last year, but could not be certain. I am happy to hear it has been repaired. Poor Henry was forced to sleep in the coldest bed in the whole house.”
Darcy chuckled, “Yes, he told me once about the quilt you made just for him because he was often found crawling into your bed at night.”
Elizabeth smiled, her hand moving to rest upon her growing stomach.
Darcy looked across at his sister. Assured of some privacy, he too reached out to touch his wife’s belly, locking his fingers with hers. All of a sudden he felt a tiny movement and Elizabeth nearly jumped. “Was that...?”
“I think so,” she replied in shock.
He pulled her closer to his side and moved his hand, hoping to feel the movement again. As if on cue, the babe moved again. “That must feel strange,” he whispered.
“It used to feel as if a butterfly was fluttering on the inside, but lately it is becoming stronger.”
He smiled as he caressed her belly, “My little butterfly.”
Georgiana saw the exchange and rolled her eyes. “I would never act this way in public with my husband.”
Mrs Annesley looked over to the loving couple, “When you are old enough to marry, perhaps you will feel differently. This is not a public place, it is their private home. They are clearly in love and looking forward to their growing family. My husband and I shared moments just like this as well.”
Georgiana stood, removing her smock, “I am finished for today; this light is no longer adequate.” When she passed her brother, she put her nose in the air and kept walking.
“I am sorry, sir, madam. I will speak with her,” Mrs Annesley replied as she pulled the drawing from the easel and gathered the supplies.
“There is no need,” Elizabeth answered. “Even if she refuses to accept my place here, I still wish to see her every morning. I fear if you say anything she may refuse even that small accommodation.”
“As you wish, madam. Perhaps tomorrow we can try the music room?”
“Yes, that would be lovely; thank you.”
Mrs Annesley left to catch up with her charge, leaving the couple alone.
Darcy sighed heavily, “This is not working. I do not know what to do, but something must get through to my sister. I see what this is doing to you. You have lost a little of the sparkle in your eye, and it pains me to see it go.”
“Do not worry, my love. When the weather warms and I can return to my daily walks out of doors, I am certain the sparkle you love so much will return as well.”
“I hope I do not have to wait so long as that,” he replied. “Winters here in Derbyshire can be quite long, and it is barely February.”
Mrs Reynolds knocked on the open door, entering to say, “Sir, Madam, you have visitors.”
“Who could it be in this cold?” Elizabeth said as she stood, her hands going to her hair to ensure it was not out of place.
Darcy stood, kissing her cheek and smiling, “You look lovely. Let us go and see who is here.”
When Elizabeth entered the front hall and saw Mary and Fitz standing there, she broke out in an enormous smile and ran to embrace her sister. The two gentlemen exchanged their own, more subtle greetings, and watched as their wives cried and signed faster than either of them could keep up with.
“Perhaps we should leave them to their own devices?” Fitz suggested.
“Yes, I am certain they would both appreciate some privacy.” Darcy walked over to them, welcoming Mary and suggesting the two take tea in the drawing room. The visitors coats were removed and the sisters were soon back to discussing all they had longed to tell the other over the last month that letters could not adequately convey while the gentlemen removed to the billiards room for a few games and their own discussion.
Georgiana was happy to have her cousin at Pemberley again, even if it meant his wife must be here as well. It freed her from the obligations
to sit with Elizabeth every day. Mrs Annesley still insisted they attend the entertainments after dinner, and that was enough for her. Most of her time was spent in her own rooms.
It was on one such afternoon, when she was quite bored and Mrs Annesley was mending something in the dressing room, that Georgiana decided to go downstairs. She heard the sounds of balls cracking against one another and saw the butler retreating from the billiards room. Before the door closed she heard her brother say to their cousin, “It is from your father.”
Curiosity got the better of her and she sneaked past the door and into the hidden service corridor. She found most of the passages in the lower levels of Pemberley were rarely used, only those surrounding the bedrooms above stairs. She knew the hidden wall panel was covered by a large tapestry, so she opened it just enough to hear what was being said within the room.
“I cannot believe his gall!” Darcy was furious.
“What does he write?”
“Here, you must read this dribble for yourself to believe he would even ask such a question.”
Fitz began to read the letter aloud.
“We have removed from Town back to our home. Your aunt is quite missing the frivolities of the Season and is already planning a few parties and teas for when we return. We would hope you could attend, though we cannot offer an invitation for the whole family.”
He looked up at Darcy, “I cannot believe he would invite you and not your wife!”
“Oh, that is the least of it. Continue reading,” Darcy suggested.
“Your cousin Milton has also removed from Town. It is he who I wish to discuss, and why I find myself penning this missive. Upon my arrival, it has come to my attention that Croome Court is not as productive as it has been in previous years, and with the debts we have accrued in Town over the last few months something must be done. I have already told Milton that he must marry. It is, however, imperative that the family line not be tainted, and this is why my main objective was to write to you immediately. The time has come for my son and your sister to marry. It is what your father would have wanted, and I dare say my own sister would have wished it as well, had she lived long enough to give her blessing to such a union. With the financial holdings being tied up in the land, we will require the marriage take place immediately as to ensure the estate not be broken up and sold off...”
Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' Page 29