What Fitz expected to see when he opened the door was a confrontation. He was shocked to see, instead, the ladies sitting together and enjoying tea and sandwiches. His mother was all that was pleasant. His father, however, sat apart from them and wore a scowl on his face.
“There you are,” Mary signed to him. “Your parents have come for a visit.” She walked over to greet her clearly shocked husband.
Ignoring propriety, he kissed her on the cheek and mouthed silently, “Are you well?”
Mary gave a small smile and signed, “We are perfectly well. We were just enjoying tea. I would invite you to join us, but I fear you are quite underdressed,” indicating his disheveled appearance with mud splatters covering his boots and breeches from the three racing their mounts.
With her clear control of the situation, his fears were calmed. He greeted his parents, then excused himself so he could change.
Darcy and Bingley also left to change, their wives having brought their dinner clothing with them since it was known they would be staying the night.
When the three returned to the sitting room, Fitz was still in awe that it was just as when he had left. He took a seat next to his wife on the sofa, then turned to his mother, “I cannot imagine what has brought you here to our doorstep.”
Elizabeth saw that they needed a few minutes to speak privately, so she stood, suggesting Georgiana and Maria join her in the garden. Darcy and Bingley followed them as well, leaving Fitz and Mary alone with his parents.
The countess stood facing her youngest son. He had grown into such a good looking young man, and here he stood before her with a wife at his side and a child above stairs. She had missed out on so much of his life. Tears began to form in her eyes. “I have been so wrong. I have not been the mother you needed, and I refuse to allow our family to remain divided like this any longer.” She sobbed, reaching her hand out to Fitz, “Oh please forgive me. I am truly sorry for all I have allowed, and all I have said, to the both of you, all these years.”
Fitz felt such compassion fill his heart that he too had to fight back tears. He took his mother’s arm and helped her sit on the sofa, sitting beside her. He was a little taken aback when she drew him into an embrace, but after a few seconds the physical touch they shared began to heal all the years of wounds between the two. This was what he had needed so many times—his mother’s embrace. He never thought he would have her in his life again, and yet here she sat, hugging him. Both were sobbing so hard their bodies shook, but neither one cared. This was just what they needed.
When they were finally calmed and each let go of the other, Fitz looked over to his father. The earl sat there with that same scowl on his face, but there was a look in his eyes that he tried to hide. Fitz saw it though. He turned back to his mother, “Are your trunks upstairs?”
“Oh no, we do not wish to be a burden. We have taken rooms at the Red Lion Inn in Lambton.”
Fitz looked to his wife, who gave a small nod of her agreement, then he said to his mother, “No, no, you must stay with us. I will have your trunks brought here.”
The earl spoke, “We will be comfortable enough at the inn.”
Fitz knew his father would be harder to win over, so he let it go and turned back to his mother. “You are well? The family is well?”
She patted his hand, squeezing his fingers in motherly affection, “Yes, all is well. Now.” She swallowed hard, then turned to Mary, “Please accept my apologies for all I have said to you. I should have accepted you into my family with joy, and instead I cut my son off. It is clear you hold deep affection for each other, and above all, that is what I have always wanted for my boys. I cannot say the same for my eldest son—his wife cares not for him, only his title. You are not like that though. I can see in your eyes how much you care for my son. I am sorry I have stayed away so long.”
Mary smiled, signing to her, with Fitz interrupting. “I am glad to have you here now. Let us not dwell on the past, for it is in its proper place. What matters most is the future.”
The earl sniffed when Fitz voiced what she signed. He clearly saw no reason for such sentimentality.
The countess turned toward her husband of over thirty five years and glared at him with a look he could not ignore. “I just do not see the point in this charade,” he replied to her.
She stood, squaring her shoulders, and replied in a firm, solid voice, “I have come to realize just what is missing in my life, and I refuse to let my grandchildren grow up without my seeing them. You forced our son to leave home at an early age, and I said nothing. You have allowed our eldest to gamble away what he could of the estate, and I said nothing. You yourself have had your vices for years, and I have said nothing. I will remain silent no longer. I will stay in Richard’s life as long as he and his wife will have me. If you do not like that decision, you may stay at the Red Lion Inn. I will be staying here at Rose Bluff.”
She turned, reaching her hand towards Mary, “Come, my dear. We will leave the men to speak in private. I must call for my trunks to be brought.”
The two ladies walked from the room and Fitz turned back to face his father. Something was different. He could tell the earl was hiding something. “What has truly brought you here?”
“Your mother insisted we come.”
“That explains her being here, but not your own presence in my home.”
“I came only out of obligation,” he said coldly.
The earl shifted in his seat uncomfortably and Fitz he would learn nothing if he was passive in his assault. “And you care not for anything she has just said? I mean nothing to you still?”
“You are my son—is that not enough?”
“I am your second son; your spare. That is all I have ever been to you,” he said with fire in his eyes.
“You know NOTHING of being a father!”
“I know you have not been one in my life! I know Uncle George was more of a father to me than you ever were! I know every day when I hold my son in my arms, I promise to be the best father I can be to him and support him in any way I can.”
“You have never had to face the decisions I have had to face.”
“And you, sir, have never been be pushed away by your family—the family who should have protected you and loved you. My mother is welcomes to stay as long as she wishes. Unless you are willing to tell me what has truly brought you to my doorstep, then it is time you leave.”
“It is none of your concern.”
“It is my concern. I am your son.” Compassion filled his eyes and voice, “Do you not see that I care for you? Is that alone ever to be enough for you?”
The earl stood, striding to the window where he drew back the lace curtains and looked out. He felt his son come up behind him, and he finally said, “I am dying.”
It struck Fitz hard. He closed his eyes and sucked in a shallow breath. When he opened them again, his father was looking at him.
“The doctors say I will not make it another year.” His hand reached up to his heart. “I have not told your mother—it would crush her. She began to talk of Lady Beaumont and how often she spoke so highly of being a grandmother. Every note your wife sent, and even the drawing she did of you or your son was cherished from the moment it arrived. Your mother continually compared your wife to your brother’s, and Viscountess Milton was the daughter—in—law who came up wanting every time. I could see what your mother desired more than anything was to be in your life. Then after receiving a Christmas greeting from your wife, she insisted on coming here.” He looked down, not able to look his son in the eye again, “I was certain we would be turned away at the door, our card not even accepted. Yet your wife ushered us in, offering refreshments and being so kind to us. We do not deserve such treatment.”
“Your actions do not match the tone of what you say. If you truly feel this way, why are you continuing to push me away?”
“Do you not understand?” he said harshly. “I am dying. I will not live past another year, accordin
g to the best doctors in London, and the last thing I wish to do to you is step back into your life only to cause you such grief in a few months time.” Tears welled in his eyes and began to spill down his cheeks, “I cannot do that to you!”
Fitz now understood. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Opening them again, he focused on his father’s eyes, “You are my father. Every day I get to spend with you is worth it to me. As my wife has so graciously taught me, we must look to the past only as its remembrances bring us pleasure. While there is little pleasure to be found there for us, we have these days set before us. Would you forever consign me to the remembrances I hold now? It is my dearest wish to make pleasant memories with you before your days come to an end.”
The earl was taken aback. Even after everything he had put his youngest son through, all the years of pushing him away and manipulating for his own gain, Fitz was still able to forgive. He still wished to have him there. The earl knew immediately he could not walk away now. “Your mother is right you know—we have treated you abominably. I am not proud of many decisions I have made, but if it is to be the last one I make in this life, I do wish to make it right between us. I am sorry son. Can you ever forgive me?”
It was hard enough for Fitz to imagine his mother apologizing, but now he was completely in shock as his father’s words of contrition as well. He gave a simple nod, “Of course, sir.”
They stood silently for a few minutes, then the earl asked, “Do you think Darcy will forgive me as well?”
Fitz looked down at his hands. “Honestly, I know not. He was disturbed to receive that note from you insisting Georgiana marry Milton.”
“I wrote that when I was drunk.”
“That much was clear.”
“I have since stopped drinking. The doctor says it could drive me to my grave even earlier, so I have given it up—along with many other things that have been my constant companions all these years.”
“Darcy, I am sure, will at least be willing to speak with you. The harder one to be won over though will be Georgiana.”
He was shocked, “She knows?”
“She confided in me recently that she found your letter in the fireplace where Darcy threw it that day.”
He walked back over to the chair and sat down heavily, his head held in his hands, “What have I done to this family?”
Fitz did not know what to say, so he waited until his father spoke again.
“I need to speak with her—I must apologize.”
“I would suggest you speak with Darcy first.”
“Yes, I will do that.” His chest began to feel tight and he knew now was not the best time to have another emotional conversation such as this one.
Fitz noticed him wince in pain. “Are you well? Do you need to rest?”
The earl stood slowly, “Yes, it would probably be best. If the offer still stands, I would like to have my trunks brought from the inn as well?”
“Of course you are welcome here. Would you like to go straight to your room, or would you care to meet your grandson first?”
The earl smiled, “It would give me the greatest pleasure to meet my grandson.”
Fitz nodded. “Right this way.”
“I hear he is quite the healthy boy.”
Fitz smiled, “Yes, he is quickly outgrowing Darcy’s daughter even though she is several months older.”
They turned to walk from the room, the earl saying in jest, “You know what my sister would say about those two if she were here.” He put his nose in the air and said in a manner just as Lady Catherine would, “They are formed for each other from their cradles.”
Both laughed heartily as they went into the hallway. Fitz told the butler to have the trunks brought from the inn and the two ascended the stairs and turned towards the nursery to introduce the earl to his grandson.
Late that night Mary and Fitz lay in bed, cuddled against each other. Mary could tell her husband wanted to talk, so she turned to face him, the light from the candle beside the bed was just enough to see his mouth when he spoke. “What did he say?”
Fitz drew his hand wearily over his eyes. “He did not wish to hurt me further, so he wanted to keep the distance between us.”
It was in times like this that she used her voice to talk with him. “Obviously you came to some kind of an agreement, as he is now sleeping just down the hall from us.”
“He is dying. The doctors give him a year at best.”
“Ahhh, now I understand. He truly does wish to be in our lives, but he cannot fathom burdening you with such a loss?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Does he not see that it does hurt us further by continuing to take these last days from us?”
“That is just what I asked him. He has apologized, but only time will tell if he truly means to be in our lives. Tomorrow he is to talk with Darcy.” He sighed, then smiled at her, “You were right. All this time you were right to write to them and continue the connection. I never thought they would come around, but it seems your persistence has paid off. I am shocked at what has occurred and I hope it will last.”
Mary smiled, reaching her arms around her husband’s neck to draw him closer, “Believe me, the way he was looking at Bennet was very telling. He is quite happy to be a grandfather, and I do not see him shirking that responsibility anytime soon.”
“You do not mind them being here?”
“What better way to celebrate the Christmas season than with family and loved ones? Sir William and Lady Lucas will be arriving with their family next week, and Aunt Edith a few days afterward, and we will soon all remove to Pemberley until after Twelfth Night. Elizabeth has planned several neighborhood dinners, there is to be a fox hunt, roasting nuts, wassail, decorating the bannisters, hunting the wood for the best bough of mistletoe,” she quirked her eyebrow at him, both remembering well the number of boughs they sought out the previous year as newlyweds, “and parlour games!”
“Yes,” he said, tickling her side, “we all know how much you like playing Snapdragon.”
She flinched and tried to pull away at his assault to her ribs. When he would not release her, she grabbed the pillow and flung it at him.
Fitz was able to block it easily and the next thing she knew she was flat on her back and her husband was smiling as he looked down at her. “I must say, my favorite part will again be the mistletoe.” His smile faded and a fire of passion slowly grew in his eyes. His lips descended upon hers with a soft touch. The exchange was short lived when he pulled back far enough for her to see what he said, “Aside from being the most beautiful lady of my acquaintance,” he kissed her lips quickly, then continued on, “you are also the most gracious, understanding, and forgiving person I have ever met. You see the good that no one else sees in every situation. I will be forever grateful you accepted my hand and my heart.”
He reached for her hand and drew it to his throat, pressing her fingers just slightly so she could easily feel the vibrations of his voice as he said, “I love you, Mary Fitzwilliam.” Once again he leaned down and kissed her soft lips, the two lovers quickly becoming lost in their passionate embrace.
Sarah Johnson is a professional juggler in the circus of life! Married to her own Mr Darcy for sixteen years, they traveled the world thanks to the US Army. Now back in the civilian life and settled in Texas, where she grew up, they focus on homeschooling their six children and participating in church and community activities. She can often be found writing a manuscript between spills, science labs, and pencil wars, or late into the night when the house is finally still enough for her imagination to run wild! When she has a few spare moments, she enjoys just about anything crafty—scrapbooking, painting, sewing, quilting, crocheting—basically anything except knitting, a craft she swears few left—handers truly ever pick up well.
A devotee of all things Jane Austen, she enjoys exploring the story lines Jane never lived long enough to give the world. She is often found discussing with her online friends the
intricacies of the novels we do have from our dearest author. It is these discussions that often lead to the plot bunnies that have now become many stories over the last few years, and hopefully further into the future as well.
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Leaving Bennet Behind Series
“Utterly unique and totally charming!”
-Amazon Reviewer Lizzybelle
“Fun book with an interesting premise!”
-Amazon Reviewer Sophie
A carriage accident changes the Bennet family for the better. In Chosen, the first of this series Elizabeth Bennet finds herself drawn to a handsome visitor to the neighborhood, Fitzwilliam Darcy.
For more information about books by Sarah Johnson, visit: www.MyPeculiarWorld.com
“This heartwarming tale... sure to delight JAFF readers of all ages.” -Amazon Reviewer Jen Red
“...an enjoyable, light read to help pass a rainy afternoon.” -Amazon Reviewer KindleLover
Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' Page 37