MR. DARCY'S FIRST ELIZABETH

by John Edwards

  On the ride back to Kimblehouse all recollected their memories of the good times they had. Some said the fishing contest and still others the dance at the assembly while Elizabeth looked over her shoulder to catch the last glimpses of the grand house and could not choose a best part. Her thoughts were of John Winstead and his sister and indeed all those that made the last few days so special to her. She felt as content as she had been in many years and was pleased that all was going well for all her new friends and herself.

  They arrived in Wakefield and because the carriage stopped at a shop near Mrs. Watson’s home, Elizabeth asked if she could take the children to see Rascal. Soon she was at the door and Mrs. Watson greeted them. She showed Rascal to the children and they petted him. “He is so beautiful, Mrs. Watson, and so soft too.”

  “Thank you, Lucy. Do you have a cat?”

  “No, but maybe one day. Richard, do you not think he has soft fir?”

  “Yes, Lucy, soft like a bunny.”

  “Rascal loves Elizabeth. You must know, he slept on her bed while she stayed with me. Elizabeth sees Rascal on Sundays after church.” The children giggled at hearing this. Elizabeth then excused their having to leave, and the children, after saying their goodbyes, left to return to the carriage.

  Finally arrived at Kimblehouse, she took the children to the nursery and then readied them for the noon meal. Elizabeth continued to work with the children on their studies, music and manners lessons, and both the Kimbles saw their improvement. They agreed that Elizabeth was the best governess they ever had, and they knew their children loved her.

  John Winstead arrived at ten that next Thursday and the servants carried Elizabeth’s things to the carriage. John Winstead declined to come inside and soon helped Elizabeth into the carriage and they were off, but not before Frank Kimble shouted, “You take good care of our governess, John.”

  John Winstead smiled back at his friend as they left. Frank Kimble looked at Louisa and she said, “It is good that they will attend this wedding. I give them no more than three months and they will be married.” Her husband laughed, and he said he did not believe it would be that long, for he also was convinced they loved each other.

  “Miss Watkins, Charlotte and the staff at Hunting Hills will host and actively participate in the wedding party. I thought it was a good time to get the tenants and the staff at Hunting Hills together to celebrate this union. All the arrangements have been made. The bride and groom have new clothes for the event and rings to exchange. Charlotte has put all this together and I am most proud of her. She is anticipating your visit.”

  “Oh, You both have been very busy, but I am very eager to see her again. I would like to help.”

  “Yes, Charlotte says bring you soon. She thinks I fuss too much when you are gone. Truth be known, I am a different and better person when I am around you, Miss Watkins, but to be correct, it may be that I am on guard and careful, like the matador in the bull ring.” They both laughed.

  “I will leave Charlotte to tell you all the details of the wedding plans, but I hope you will enjoy your visit with us these next few days. This event should bring some closure to your misfortunes when you first arrived here. Those can now be put aside in your memory bank and you can look at the good you have done for these young people.”

  “Sir, it is you who has arranged for all of this. Both of us agreed to release the boys but you made them the offer of employment at Hunting Hills and you and Charlotte are making these arrangements to celebrate their union and share with the other tenant families and Hunting Hills staff this celebration of love.”

  “For myself, I am glad that they have a job working the farm, and they will have a home. My new steward, Mr. Jones, interacts with all the tenants to advise me of their situation and what is happening on the farms. The tenants are responsible to meet with him every week to discuss progress and problems and suggestions that may be implemented. These farms have served my family well for many generations and I suppose that should continue.”

  “Before arriving at Hampshire, Mr. Winstead took a detour and round about way up another road leading above the town, with views as breathtaking as those he had shown Elizabeth and Charlotte that Sunday weeks ago in Wakefield.”

  “This is a beautiful spot to view the surroundings, sir. Why, you are full of surprises. After you have stopped near Wakefield and now here, I have to say you are quite the romantic.”

  “No, but I thought by this time we might need to eat something, so I asked my cook to prepare a picnic lunch for us. I will let you choose the location.”

  “Then how about this choice, Mr. Winstead, and she proposed a flat spot on grass set back from the slope but with a commanding view of the town and countryside.”

  “You have made an excellent choice, my friend. Let us see what we have, and Elizabeth went to work laying out the plates and utensils. John opened a bottle of wine and then filled water glasses, and Elizabeth served the beef and cheeses and scones with fruit, butter and jellies.”

  They ate and she laid back on the picnic blanket, arms folded under her head, and she felt the winds breath gently kiss her face and heard the sounds of this splendid summer day and breathed all the fragrances of the show nature was displaying.

  “What are you thinking, Miss Watkins?”

  He gently stroked her arm and she felt her body shudder at his touch, so thinking of a response was difficult. Finally she thanked him for bringing her to this spot. “Sir, this place is beautiful and as she looked up at the clear blue sky above her head, she set up from the blanket and saw John Winstead reach into a bag and take out a small but beautifully wrapped box.

  “This is for you, Elizabeth.” He handed her the box and watched as she carefully opened the present and he saw her tears rush and her gasp of breath as she looked at a gold necklace with a diamond pendant. I thought you might wear this at the wedding. You might be uncomfortable wearing your own locket since Sara had also worn it. No need to worry, I have also bought a necklace for Sara. Here, let me put it on you.”

  “He came behind her and gently helped her put the necklace on. She felt his warm hands against her skin, fumbling as they were to set the lock and gently brushing through her hair. Now she shuddered again and she cried softly and giggled at the same time.”

  “I do not know how to thank you, Mr. Winstead. No one ever has done for me what you have done. You must know I cannot accept this gift from you.”

  “Very well, Miss Watkins, if you do not accept it you will have to walk home by yourself. Then he laughed.”

  “Then, sir, I will accept it but only if you always call me Elizabeth when we are alone together.”

  “I will agree to do that, Elizabeth,” and she and him took in the beauty of the place one more time before they left again for Hunting Hills.

  Charlotte greeted them and the servants helped with the luggage. Elizabeth was shown to her room, which was next to Charlotte.

  Her thoughts were full, the room was twice the size of the room she had just days earlier, and was decorated for a female and included soft pastels and exquisite draperies and matching bed spreads together with a couch and several plush chairs and a writing table. With the large full windows, the sitting area offered an excellent prospect out front. Her room also included a large walk-in closet and dressing area. While the servant put away her things, Elizabeth could not believe she was being treated so well and she tried to calm her emotions, but a look into the mirror over her night stand allowed her to picture Mr. Winstead behind her helping to secure her necklace and she gasped at the feelings that came over her such that she turned away to regain her composure. Finally, after taking a deep breath, she went downstairs and Charlotte and her went for a walk.

  “Charlotte, I am so glad to see you again. Your brother gives you much credit for all the arrangements you have made for the wedding and the party afterwards.”

  “My brother is too kind. He helped me and provided excellent recommendations, but it is
you that he credits for the event even happening. He told me that your goodness will be the cause of a couple living as a family. One day, Mr. Thomas or Sara or Henry, may return your favor to someone else. As he explained it, the benefit of one act of goodness can be contagious.”

  “Let us hope so, Charlotte. So how are you progressing with your assertiveness training? Have you been practicing?” Charlotte held onto Elizabeth’s arm tighter now and laughed as she said, “My brother thinks I carry this too far but he is pleased overall that I am gaining my self confidence.”

  They talked about many other things. Charlotte had received a letter from Lenore. Both Lenore and Mr. Duncan were an item now. He visited her the very day she arrived back home and she wrote me the next day. “Is this not good news, Elizabeth? She is so happy and Lady Anne is overjoyed. I do wish her to be happy.”

  “I too, Charlotte. Say, it looks as though someone has arrived.” Looking back at the house, in the distance they made out a carriage and a man and young girl walking to the front.

  “This is strange, Elizabeth. I did not know we were to expect visitors.” They looked again and the strangers had been invited in, but within a few minutes they left and hurried to their carriage amid loud disagreeable language. This event hastened their return to Hunting Hills. As they arrived they saw John Winstead, in no good mood. “Not now Charlotte, Miss Watkins. Let me cool down a bit before I come to you both.”

  Charlotte and Elizabeth went out on the veranda and waited to see John Winstead. Finally he came and apologized. “I am glad you were outside and did not hear those recent exchanges? That man with the little girl has brought me news which I must soon act on, though the details I cannot relate to you. I am afraid I will have to go into Hampshire right away and see some people who helped me earlier. I should be back for dinner, so do not be alarmed. This news will not affect our having a grand wedding and party for the young people and we shall enjoy ourselves.”

  As they watched him leave, they returned to speculate on what news would affect him so. What they did not know was the man, claiming to be the young girl’s grandfather, had arrived to press Mr. Winstead for another payment of three hundred pounds, which had been pledged for her upkeep. John Winstead had never heard of this before but the man said the money was required and that the father had first paid it a year ago and this would be the second payment. John Winstead had told the man to leave but told him he would look into the matter but when he demanded the man’s address, he was refused. That is when the loud commotion and shouting was heard.

  John Winstead went to Hampshire to discuss this turn of events with his own attorney and investigators that had helped him before. It was clear to him that his father had been told that his older son was the girl’s father, and this yearly payment was to be made until the girl became sixteen years. John had never heard of this from his brother and did not believe in the charge made against him. Owing to his father’s diminished understandings over the last many months, the son figured his father had been cheated again. There was no way his own brother would hide this from him. He knew his brother to be a ladies man, but he would not be capable of this. Now John Winstead settled in his thoughts that it was an extortion. Why, the first payment was made when the girl was already four years of age. Why not earlier? The Winsteads of Hunting Hills were a well known family, a family of great wealth with an older son that was prone to some mischief while away at Cambridge, but not this. John Winstead was certain that his father would never have agreed to this two years ago. The plot went from the planning stage to the execution stage after his father’s mental lapses became more exaggerated. John supposed the earlier ill business directed at Hunting Hills was connected with this as well, and that some of the same people had alerted the man that his father was an easy mark.

  He arrived back from Hampshire in good spirits for the people he consulted with were of the same mind as himself. Nevertheless, they would seek out John’s friends from Cambridge to get more information, and they would talk with those others who were involved with the earlier ill deeds perpetrated against Hunting Hills. All had agreed with John Winstead that the two things were tied together.

  “I hope brother, that things are looking better now.”

  “Oh yes, I do believe things are going to turn out well, but we shall have to wait and see, but do not be troubled, let us eat and enjoy the evening. So they did, with Charlotte making a lot over Elizabeth’s necklace and all talking about the wedding. Soon John Winstead went to his study and Elizabeth and Charlotte went into the library. Elizabeth remembered the closet with the secret entrance into the study. She fondled the elegant necklace she had been given and looking toward the closet she sighed as it all hit her for the first time, John Winstead must admire her a great deal. Elizabeth’s gasp was not unnoticed as Charlotte said, “It is a beautiful necklace Elizabeth. I was with my brother when he made the purchase. It looks beautiful on you and your wearing it makes both my brother and me very happy.”

  “You are too sweet, Charlotte, I do not deserve such good friends.”

  “Now, have you found a book?”

  “No, I shall come back later, I am half finished with the one I brought here so probably will not start on another while I am here.”

  “Then, let me show you this.” She reached for a large book which was handsomely covered in leather and which was penned by hand. It included the history of Hunting Hills and many details with maps, drawings, sketches, family tree and yearly history capsules going back over one hundred years.”

  “Oh yes, Charlotte. Can I read this?”

  “Yes, you may take it with you anywhere in the house, or if you prefer, you can sit here and read it, but beg you will excuse me Elizabeth, I am tired and will retire, so goodnight.”

  “Yes, and goodnight to you Charlotte.”

  Elizabeth remained up and found she could not stop reading the book on Hunting Hills and her mind went many places as she contemplated the people and their lives inside the grand home. Even though the hour was late she kept reading but soon felt her head nod and fall forward as she lost the battle to stay awake. Soon she was awaken by a noise at the end of the library, as a door opened. She looked up and John Winstead was standing over her.

  “Elizabeth, you have fallen asleep reading about us all. Are we as dull in person as the book makes us out to be?”

  “Please excuse me sir, I did not want to put the book down. The history of Hunting Hills is very interesting, and dull it is not. I am learning some very interesting things. Yes, I did fall asleep but not from boredom, and no, in real life there is nothing boring about you or Charlotte or the whole of Hunting Hills.”

  “Then I am glad. Once we have some time and we are not so tired I would like to discuss the book with you, but for now I shall walk you to your room and then go to my own.”

  He offered her his arm and they went straight away to her room, when she turned and thanked him for his and his sisters’ friendship. Her eyes caught his and she noticed his smile and the sweet scent of the man’s perfume as he patted her on her shoulder and told her to sleep soundly. Then he left for his room.

  Just moments ago Elizabeth was falling asleep reading in the library, but now she was in bed and fully awake. She thought of all that had gone on that day and her mind was going in many directions at the same time. Elizabeth’s best attempts at diverting her thoughts and trying to clear her mind did not work. Though she knew she had to close her mind down for sleep to come, she could not, but remembering what her mother had told her, to lay with no covers on, she finally cooled down and fell into a deep sleep. In her dream, Rascal had jumped onto her bed and was lying next to her when Mr. Winstead came into the room and argued with her and with Rascal too. “Miss Watkins, I have tried in vain to tell you of my feelings for you, but you do not favor me, instead, you have chosen a rascal over me.” Elizabeth’s dream continued with her crying and shouting to him, “No I love you; you are the only one for me.” At this point John
Winstead exited her dream by slamming a door and he walked away out of Elizabeth’s life, starting her own crying that awoke her. She comforted herself and laughed off the silly dream but she knew it was not silly, at least not the part dealing with her affections for both Rascal and John Winstead. Even so, she soon put the dream aside and slept soundly.

  While Elizabeth was trying to sleep, John Winstead had his own difficulties. He was dealing with the wedding, and though he knew all would be well, he still felt responsible for the wedding and the party. There was also this new business with the young girl and her supposed grandfather; but he felt that was under control too. He had just reviewed his father’s accounts and saw that nearly a year ago he had paid a sum of three hundred pounds to Grayson for farm equipment. This puzzled him because there was no such farm equipment maker or distributor of that name. Then he did something he had never done, he opened his father’s diary for that day. It addressed the visit that was just concluded with a Mr. Grayson as well as his daughter and her child. There were no words to indicate he had ever spoken to his oldest son about this matter and John was satisfied that his father was trying to protect him. John Winstead knew with all these concerns he would get little sleep that night, but he knew the biggest obstacle to his getting his rest was mere feet away, in the room two doors down from his room. He relived his day with her and finally those thoughts settled him down and sleep visited him.