Jane waved her hand dismissively. “Doubtful, we’ll keep it on the up-and-up.”
Darcy returned with her punch, and she took a sip. “My love, would you mind if I give Lady Christie a tour?”
“Elizabeth has told me about your extensive library, and I have been quite insistent on seeing it myself.”
Darcy paused; his face reflected that he was uncomfortable with the idea.
“I promise not to touch anything,” Jane stated.
The inflection in her voice seemed to ease him. “Please do not keep me too long, you know how I dislike playing host.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I promise.”
Without hesitation, Elizabeth escorted Jane to the library. Turning around, Jane checked to see Darcy wasn’t following her. Instead, his eyes bore into her, and she smiled and waved.
Darcy thought she was peculiar in her mannerisms, and he decided to follow them when they were safely behind the library doors.
****
Elizabeth hugged Jane, as soon as they were inside the library. “I am very happy to see you! Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me and being so cunning in talking him into having this lovely party.”
“I wasn’t quite sure if he would allow me to or not.”
Jane pressed her lips together. “I come under false pretenses though; I bear an urgent message.” She placed a finger on Elizabeth’s lips to silence her. “You do not belong here, and you must go home, back to your real life.”
“Yeah, you already told me in a dream, and before you faded away you handed me a locket with my and Darcy’s picture in it.”
Aunt Jane grinned. “Good, then it worked. I could never get haunting right.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “No time for jokes, Aunt Jane. What the hell is going on here? Why do you insist I go back to my real life? Where Charles cheated on me? Where I am miserable?” She raised her voice louder than she wanted to.
“Not so loud! However, be as it may, you are in danger here.” The inflection in Jane’s voice sent shivers down Elizabeth’s spine.
Elizabeth rushed her words. “Is Darcy in danger? You told me he was a lost soul . . .”
Aunt Jane nervously eyed the door. “Yes, he is unaware he took over his past self and he too is in danger. You mustn’t tell him; the shock could be very dangerous.”
Before Elizabeth could say anything, they heard footsteps outside. They both turned around to see Darcy entering the room.
“I apologize to barge in, but my love, your friend Charlotte awaits you. She is quite anxious to see you.”
Elizabeth left Jane’s side and followed Darcy back to the party. Jane followed, and Elizabeth was thankful because her heart pounded in her ears and her body almost collapsed when she saw the woman who was waiting for her. “Jo!” she cried out and ran to hug her.
Charlotte returned her embrace and pulled back and smiled. She did not mention Elizabeth’s outburst, but Elizabeth noticed Charlotte exchanging a concerned look with Darcy. Charlotte led Elizabeth to the chaise, and they both sat down. “My dearest Elizabeth, I am pleased to see you, it has been too long!”
Elizabeth wanted to cry. She was sweet; her demeanor wasn’t like Jo at all, she was an alien to her. Elizabeth wanted to burst and tell her everything, but she knew she could not. How she longed for Jo. Lost in her thoughts, she caught Aunt Jane’s disapproving stare, and no exchange of words was needed. She knew Aunt Jane was warning her not to get close.
A sharp pain throbbed behind Elizabeth’s eye, and she grew nauseous; it was all very overwhelming, to have Jane and Jo’s doppelganger in the same room. A sharp pain stabbed her lower abdomen, and something kicked inside her belly. She clenched her stomach and tried to hang on as the lights blurred her vision, and as the room began to fade out.
Her eyes glazed over, and Darcy dashed to her side before she fell onto the floor. He gently lifted her up, and with the aid of Aunt Jane, he took her to her room.
He stood over her as she lay in bed. “Lady Christie, please stay here. I am going to go fetch the doctor.”
Jane did not protest, but as soon as he left, she procured medicine from her bag.
Elizabeth raised her hand in protest. “I do not need a doctor, and I do not need any medicine,” she moaned in agony.
“Always stubborn,” Jane snickered. “Take this.” She handed Elizabeth a bottle of amber liquid.
“What exactly is this?” Elizabeth asked suspiciously.
“It will help settle the twins and your nausea.”
Elizabeth looked at her like she was crazy. “I am not pregnant.”
Jane lowered her eyes. “Your protruding stomach tells me otherwise. Plus, I know and see all, Elizabeth.” She laughed.
“I am not pregnant; I’ve just gained a little weight from all the eating I’ve been doing.”
“Hush, and just take it before Darcy comes back with the quack doctor.”
“Fine.” Elizabeth took the liquid. It tasted like ginger and apples.
On cue, Darcy raced back into the room. “I have sent for the doctor.”
Feeling settled, Elizabeth stated, “No need, Lady Christie has given me something to settle my stomach.”
“Well, I would rather he still look at you. Until then, rest.”
She nodded and stared desperately at Jane.
“Elizabeth, I shall visit again.” Jane smiled, and in a blink of an eye, before Elizabeth succumbed to the sweet feeling of sleep, Jane was gone.
She heard Darcy bid Jane goodbye and grumbled about escorting the guests out.
Alone in a haze, falling asleep, her stomach settled, she placed her hands over her belly.
“Twins,” she whispered. “Impossible.”
****
The sun hit her eyes as she struggled to open them. The smell of strawberries and honey invaded her senses. She could make out a shadow looming above her. Hot breath on her face; it was Anise. “Mommy, you’re awake! You’ve been asleep for a long time.”
Elizabeth shook the cobwebs from her brain, and before she could respond, she heard Darcy. “There you are, Anise; leave Mommy be. She is not feeling well.”
Elizabeth protested. “She is not bothering me, I am feeling much better.”
“See, Daddy, she is feeling much better! Does that mean we can decorate the Christmas tree today?”
Elizabeth smiled at the idea. “That sounds like a fantastic idea!”
Darcy groaned. “I don’t know, I have work to do, and Mommy needs her rest.”
Elizabeth wanted to celebrate. With the help from Anise, Elizabeth was able to coax Darcy to bring a tree home and have the servants bring out the decorations. It was a festive occasion. The three decided to put the tree up in the great hall, where the fireplace was roaring, and the smell of chestnuts on the fire filled her senses. The magic of Christmas filled the halls of Pemberley. Gaiety was contagious, and as Darcy softened his resolve, his worry lessened over Elizabeth being overwhelmed. Elizabeth and Anise sat by the fire, roasting chestnuts and drinking their hot chocolate. Darcy admired the two as if he were staring at a painting. He did not want to disturb their moment, and so he left to retrieve more decorations, leaving Anise and Elizabeth alone, deep in conversation about Old Saint Nick and a reindeer named Rudolph. He was bemused at her stories, but Elizabeth always did have a way of creating such magical worlds.
As Elizabeth regaled Anise with tales of sugar plum fairies and Old Saint Nick, Anise pleaded for more of the magic she spoke of. Elizabeth was in awe of the child’s hunger for storytelling, but Elizabeth soon ran out of plausible stories to tell her. Elizabeth had to be careful; however, she knew telling Anise about Rudolph was an error, and she did not want Anise repeating it to Darcy. “Sweets, I shall tell you more later, but how about we start trimming the tree?” Elizabeth said as she got up.
Anise jumped up, and without requesting more of her mother, she grabbed the garland and ran around Elizabeth, causing the garland to wr
ap around Elizabeth’s ankles. Elizabeth smiled and laughed at Anise’s exuberant display. Stepping aside from the garland, Elizabeth helped Anise wrap it around the tree. Elizabeth started to hum “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Anise peered at her mother. “Mommy, what is that song you are singing?”
Elizabeth was unaware she was singing, and she quickly dismissed the little girl. “It’s nothing, my sweet.”
****
Darcy entered the room, admiring the sight before him, and he too heard Elizabeth humming. Darcy was thrilled to see Elizabeth and Anise interacting like mother and daughter should. Is Elizabeth on the cusp of returning to her old self? Though she still acted a bit odd, and he had never heard that song before; he was quite curious as to what it was. It sounded foreign and intriguing. “It didn’t sound like nothing; do not be modest, my love. You should sing it aloud,” Darcy encouraged her.
Elizabeth spun around, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “No, trust me, you do not want to hear my singing.”
Darcy placed the box of decorations on the floor and approached Elizabeth. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the cheek. “Nonsense, you sing like an angel.”
Anise nodded her head in agreement, “Please, Mommy, sing for us.”
Elizabeth was hesitant; she could not think of any appropriate period pieces. She turned to Anise. “What would you like for me to sing, my little angel?”
Anise, without skipping a beat, requested “Silent Night.”
Elizabeth took Anise by the hand and smiled at her. “Why don’t we sing it together?”
Anise clapped her hands, and her eyes grew wide with excitement. “Yes, Mommy, I would love that!”
Darcy was overcome with joy that they were bonding. He cleared his throat. “Would you mind if I joined in as well?”
Anise grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the floor beside her. “Yes, please!”
Elizabeth giggled. Who knew Mr. Darcy had a soft spot for Christmas carols? She thought.
Darcy furrowed his brows. “What do you find amusing, Mrs. Darcy?”
Elizabeth snorted. “I thought I’d never see the day where I would hear you sing, Mr. Darcy.”
Anise looked back and forth between her parents, as she was getting anxious to sing. Elizabeth bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. “I think Anise is ready whenever you are, my love.”
Without further interruption, Anise began to sing, and Darcy chimed in. Elizabeth was in awe of their beautiful voices, especially Anise’s. She took a deep breath, and she too joined in. They harmonized perfectly, and the oneness and familiarity of it all surprised her. Then other memories came flooding back to her, memories of singing by the fireplace with Jo. Her heart grew heavy, and silent sobs began to threaten to take over. She missed Jo, and desperately needed her friend. The words began to catch in her throat, and her eyes burned with unshed tears.
She could not control her emotions, and she began sobbing, which caused Anise and Darcy to halt their singing. Anise took Elizabeth’s hand and held it. “Mommy, please do not cry.”
Darcy got up from the floor and offered Elizabeth a hand to help her up. “Yes, please do not cry. What is the matter, darling?”
Elizabeth wiped her eyes. “I am dreadfully sorry, I do not know what has come over me.” She couldn’t think of a rational reason as to why she was crying. Guilt gnawed at her conscience; she grew tired of lying to Darcy. How much longer can I keep this up? She thought desperately. Ever since her Aunt Jane confirmed that Darcy wasn’t a lunatic, she felt much worse; she was unsure what was going on. This was some sick, cruel joke. Was she stuck in purgatory? It was like that movie Groundhog Day, but instead of repeating the same day, she had to repeat facing Darcy, and a life she had no claim to.
She was saved by the interruption of their butler. “Sir, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention. Mr. Fitzgerald is here to speak with you; he is in the study awaiting your presence.”
Darcy let out a sigh, and his shoulders slumped in exasperation. What could he possibly want? Darcy was torn, and he gave Elizabeth a “we will talk about this later” look.
****
Mr. Fitzgerald, the overseer of several of Mr. Darcy’s estates, awaited him in the study. He turned around as the door slammed behind him, causing him to jump out of his deep thoughts.
“Mr. Fitzgerald, how may I help you?” Darcy said through clenched teeth.
“Mr. Darcy, I do apologize for interrupting your Sunday evening, but it has come to my knowledge that several of your properties that are under my care are being vandalized. There is even word of squatters in the area.”
“Then why do you not take care of this matter?” Darcy asked.
“Mr. Darcy, with all due respect, no one else is able to assist me, and you have a way of getting things accomplished. I do hope you can leave immediately; the problem is getting out of hand.”
Darcy grew furious at this man’s inability to take care of his properties. “In a fortnight, it will be Christmas, and I do not plan on being away from my family.”
“I can assure you, you will be home before Christmas.”
“We can leave tomorrow.”
“But . . .” said Mr. Fitzgerald, growing agitated as he was interrupted.
“You come here asking for my assistance and interrupting my Sunday evening with my family. Let me enjoy my time with my family, and we can leave in the morning.”
Mr. Fitzgerald nodded in agreement.
“Do you need accommodations, Mr. Fitzgerald?”
“No, that is quite all right. I have already interrupted your day; I do not want to intrude. I am staying at a lodge in town. I shall return in the morning, and we can ride together in my carriage.”
“If that is all, Mr. Fitzgerald, I bid you good day, and I shall see you in the morning.” Darcy excused himself without another word and called on the butler to escort Mr. Fitzgerald out.
****
Darcy returned to the great hall, with a foul look etched across his face.
“What is the matter, my love?” Elizabeth carefully asked.
“I must leave tomorrow morning; properties are being vandalized.”
She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “How long do you think you will be gone?”
“It is a two-day ride, and Mr. Fitzgerald painted a grim picture of the situation.”
Something did not feel right about the situation, yet she could not pinpoint it, and she did not want to alarm Darcy with her silly notions. He was a grown man, and he could take care of himself.
CHAPTER NINE
The following day, Elizabeth filled the void Darcy left by entertaining Anise. During breakfast, Elizabeth didn’t have a moment to herself to really process the situation at hand because she had a little girl to tend to. She didn’t mind at all, because she adored Anise; however, she still couldn’t help feeling uneasy about Darcy being away. Perhaps it was the warnings her Aunt Jane instilled in her during the party. Sensing something wrong, when Elizabeth hardly touched her breakfast, Anise sidled up beside her. “Mommy, please don’t be sad. Daddy will be back soon!”
Elizabeth scooped Anise up in her arms and gave her a bear hug. “My darling, I know he will be, and in the meantime how about we do something fun?”
Anise pulled back and squealed in excitement. “What do you want to do, Mommy?”
“Would you like to go to town and buy something for Daddy’s return?”
“Oh, yes, please!” Anise jumped up and down.
Elizabeth was afraid she would start bouncing off the walls. Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile and laugh at her excitement. If only I had half her energy. “All right, I shall call for Millie to bathe you and dress. However, first, you must finish your breakfast.”
Anise shoveled her eggs and toast into her mouth and finished eating like she was at the Indy 500. Elizabeth snorted. She’s just like me.
Anise burped and immediately turned red. �
��Excuse me. I’m sorry, Mommy, for being rude.”
Elizabeth smiled and reassured her. “It’s fine, my dear. No need to apologize.”
Millie entered the room. Elizabeth could’ve sworn she was definitely psychic. “Millie, please take Anise to bathe and dress; we are going out for an adventure.”
Millie nodded. “I shall draw you a bath as well.”
“No need, I can do that myself.”
Millie nodded again and led Anise upstairs to bathe and dress.
Half an hour later, Elizabeth and Anise were in their carriage, heading into town. Elizabeth was fidgeting with her dress and trying to smooth all the wrinkles out. She did that when she was trying not to overthink things. Anise placed her little hand on hers and squeezed it tightly. “Mommy, I promise you that Daddy will be safe. Please stop worrying.”
Elizabeth smiled weakly. She wasn’t sure how she could respond to that without scaring the poor child. Anise was clueless about the warnings and the situation they faced. Regardless of the comfort Anise tried to provide, Elizabeth’s chest and mind were gripped with anxiety that Darcy was in trouble.
****
It was too late when Aunt Jane found Darcy, bloodied and face down in a gutter. If only she had been able to warn him in time that it was a ruse to lure him away from Elizabeth. She had overheard the plans for the attack a few days ago at the inn she was spying in. She sat in the corner, so she was undetected, and she happened to overhear a man telling another man about wanting to tear Darcy and Elizabeth apart. She attempted to catch a glimpse of the men, but they were heavily cloaked. She caught wind of Elizabeth’s inheritance and how they wanted their hands on it, whether she was dead or alive.
So, now she had to be the guardian of Darcy as well. Her eye twitched in frustration; this was turning out to be more complicated than she had planned. She was supposed to watch over Elizabeth and send her back home. She shouldn’t have meddled and given Mr. Bennet a large sum of money to secure Elizabeth and Darcy’s legacy when they were gone. But the man she found lying in the gutter was making that difficult, by keeping Elizabeth locked inside of her house, with no interaction with others.
Returning to Mr. Darcy Page 10