Through the Window 2

by Mary Jane Ballew

  Darcy folded the letter closed. “I will inform my sister and my cousin of the invitation, but I will not go and see her myself,” he told her.

  Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, “William, I do not want to be the cause of you not speaking with your aunt,” she told him.

  “You are not the cause, my love,” he reminded her. “I have chosen not to speak with her until she stops this ridiculous behavior. This is my choice, one that has been brought about by her actions. She alone is to blame for the hostility between us now.”

  Elizabeth walked over towards her dressing room door then suddenly stopped. She turned back around, “William,” she called out his name. “You do not suppose Lady Catherine will attempt to influence your Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam against me, do you?”

  Darcy hoped that she would not, but he could not be sure. He smiled and said, “I am sure both Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam will like you,” he assured her. He did not want her to feel overly anxious about meeting them. When he and Elizabeth married, his aunt and uncle were abroad visiting his aunt’s sister in Scotland and were unable to attend.

  “At least my mother and Lydia have not yet arrived. Although, I still think it a mistake for them to bring Lydia along,” Elizabeth said before she left to go into her dressing room.

  Caroline was sitting in the parlor with Georgiana and Kitty when Jane and Elizabeth came in to join them. “Oh, Jane, I was wondering how your outing with Mr. and Mrs. Godwin went yesterday,” she asked her. “Did you find Mrs. Godwin in good health?”

  “I believe her health has improved,” Jane told her.

  “I am very glad to hear it,” she said. “And she will be well enough to attend the wedding as planned?”

  Elizabeth smiled, “Yes, she is quite well,” she assured her.

  “So there will be no delay?” Caroline commented again.

  Jane looked over at Elizabeth, then back to Caroline. “I see no reason why there would be a delay. As I said; Mrs. Godwin’s health has improved much.”

  Caroline sighed, “I am very glad to hear it,” she said sounding very pleased with herself. “While you were away yesterday, I went to the shops on Oxford Street. I had a new gown commissioned by Mason and Sons for the occasion. I was assured it would be ready in time for Miss Bennet’s wedding next week. I must say, I was more than happy with how splendidly my gown will look. The seamstress at Mason’s does all my gowns for me. I wonder if you and Elizabeth will not end up regretting taking your sister to the shops in Cheapside. I have heard they do such inferior work to those that the more luxurious shops along Oxford or Bond Street located in Mayfair do.”

  “I am sure the warehouses my aunt took us to are all very trustworthy,” Jane told her. “In fact, I know that Higgins is very reputable and has a very good reputation for being very reliable. Why even Mrs. Godwin was telling us of how she buys all her gowns from Higgins. I believe she even mentioned Lady Fitzwilliam shops there.”

  “She did mention that she sends her friends and acquaintances to Higgins regularly,” Elizabeth commented.

  Caroline was astonished, “Well, I suppose if one is into economizing, a place like Higgins is acceptable,” she said somewhat indignantly.

  Elizabeth smiled, “Well, some might consider economizing to be a sign of greater intellect. After all, why would you pay more for something if you did not have to?” she said. “I think if I can have a gown made in the time that I wish, with quality fabrics and great care, then it makes little sense to go anywhere else simply because of the street the building might be on.”

  Caroline feigned a smile and shrugged her shoulders, “I suppose there is merit to what you say.”

  Jane decided to change the subject, “We are to dine with Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam this evening at Hallowell,” she told them. “Admiral Godwin and Mrs. Godwin will be among the guests.”

  Caroline furrowed her brow, “Lord Fitzwilliam is the Colonel’s father, is he not?” she asked trying to remember the family connection.

  Georgiana nodded her head, “Yes, he is,” she told her. “My cousin Owen is Richard’s older brother and will one day inherit Hallowell as well as Willowing Park.”

  “Will we be meeting Mr. Fitzwilliam, do you think?” Kitty asked. “The Colonel mentioned that his brother might be there this evening.”

  Georgiana shrugged her shoulders, “I cannot say if he will attend or not. My cousin Owen is a bit more solitary than Richard is, I think.”

  Caroline could not help her curiosity, “Really, why should that be?” she asked.

  “Well, I cannot say for certain what his reasons are, but if I were to guess, I believe he suffers from a broken heart,” Georgiana told her. “My cousin lost his first wife only a short time after they were married and he loved her very dearly. I believe he has kept himself from society these past three years because of how very much he misses her.”

  Caroline thought about her own heart and how very fickle a thing it could be. “Yes, I believe you are probably right about that,” she said softly. She took in a deep breath and sighed, “Georgiana, I should like to meet your cousin if he does join us. Would you be so kind as to introduce me?”

  Georgiana hesitated for a moment. She had always felt sorry for her cousin Owen. For him to have had to face such heartache and tragedy in the loss of his wife so soon after they married seemed too cruel. She did not like the idea of Caroline Bingley setting her cap for him, but she had no reason to deny her request. “Of course, Miss Bingley. It would be my pleasure to do so.”

  Darcy sat at his desk waiting for his cousin to return from his meeting with Captain Hathaway. He had an uneasy feeling that Wickham was in town and up to no good. He got up from his desk and walked over to stoke the fire. There was a bit of a chill in the air this afternoon. As he stood there, he thought about his Aunt Catherine and the troubles she could cause if she was determined to do so. He pushed the slowly dying embers around the hearth and considered what Wickham being in town might mean. If Lady Catherine got wind of Wickham’s conduct with another man’s wife, she would most certainly use that information to insult Elizabeth and her family further. He took in a deep breath as he thought about Lady Catherine’s letter and how spiteful her words were. Sadly, she herself displayed none of the superior breeding or manners that she accused Elizabeth of lacking. He turned and looked over to the door as it opened and Richard stepped inside.

  “It is much colder this afternoon,” Richard said as he closed the door and came to stand near the fire. “The wind has picked up, and I think we might be in for a storm.”

  Darcy replaced the fire poker and walked back over to his desk, “I wonder; do you mean figuratively we might expect a storm because Wickham is in London, or literally because of the inclement weather?”

  Richard walked over and poured himself a glass of wine, “I suppose both,” he told him as he went over to the chair and sat down. “I met with Captain Hathaway, and he confirmed that he saw Wickham at the Dark Horse Inn. Evidently, Wickham does have a room there. Hathaway said that Wickham was with a rather beautiful woman with dark hair who was dressed very elegantly for the area. He later learned from Maines that she was the Lady DuVernay. Knowing Wickham’s background from our days together at Pemberley, Hathaway decided to look into the matter further. Hathaway knew Wickham married not long ago. He had heard from his father that Mrs. Wickham is the sister of Mrs. Darcy, so he thought it best to find out what Wickham was up to.”

  “Hathaway has always been a good and loyal friend,” Darcy commented, then asked, “What did he learn, was he able to discover why Wickham was meeting with this woman?” he said. “Well, besides for the obvious reasons.”

  Richard took another sip of his wine, “Unfortunately, he has not learned anything that would tell us what it is that Wickham is truly up to. Hathaway said that he spoke to the innkeeper and learned that Wickham had met with the lady on three separate occasions. Evidently, that part of town is usually frequented by those who are from the working
class or the militia. When the Lady DuVernay came dressed in all her fine, elegant clothes, he remembered her at once. The innkeeper told Hathaway that the two met in the tavern. He said they always sit near the back in the corner away from the front door and windows. He had observed them talking for some time, then the lady left followed a short time later by Wickham.

  “And he was sure they left the inn,” Darcy asked. “They did not go up to the rooms at any time?”

  Richard shook his head no, “Hathaway said the innkeeper was very sure they did not go upstairs together.”

  Darcy considered what he said, “Did he say anything more?” he asked. “Anything that might tell us if Wickham is having an affair, or if he is up to something more devious?”

  Richard shook his head, “Hathaway said he would continue to look into Wickham’s movements. He checked with some of his contacts as did I, and have not heard anything about Wickham being on any kind of mission,” he told him. “Unless Colonel Wellington has sent Wickham on some mission by special orders, I would doubt that it has anything to do with his military duties. Lord DuVernay is already cooperating with the crown. So there would be no reason for Colonel Wellington to send Wickham all the way to London that I have been able to discover. I believe the things Wickham said to Lydia were lies so that he could conduct his dubious affairs without her knowing. It is most likely as we suspected. He is up to his old cheating and lying ways.”

  Darcy was not so sure, “Still, with his own finances so tight, how could he manage the cost of coming here?” he asked.

  “It is possible that Lady DuVernay is funding their liaisons. It is possible that she was unable to meet with him as they might have done before in Newcastle, so he came to see her,” Richard suggested. “I know a number of men who have gone twice as far to meet with their mistresses.”

  Darcy sighed, “Yes, I suppose you are right,” he said as he got up and walked over to the window. “Poor Lydia, I thought in persuading Wickham to marry her he would settle down. I had hoped he would take on the responsibility of marriage and all that would come with it seriously, but it seems he has not changed.”

  “What is it they say about a leopard, he never changes his spots?” Richard commented.

  “Yes, quite right,” Darcy said, then he changed the subject. “I received a letter from Lady Catherine informing me of her arrival. She wishes that you and Georgiana call upon her in two days’ time to pay your respects and welcome her into the area.”

  Richard furrowed his brow, “Did she not include you in the invitation?”

  Darcy turned back around and walked over to sit down at his desk, “She did include me,” he told him. “However, she did not include Elizabeth, so I have no intention of calling on her. I felt obligated to pass the message on to you and to Georgiana, and now that I have done so, I leave it to you both to decide how you wish to proceed.”

  Richard sighed heavily, “Darcy, I have no intention of accepting this invitation from Lady Catherine. She has been mean and spiteful from the moment you made known your intention to marry. I cannot support her continued revengeful conduct in slighting Mrs. Darcy. She speaks of family tradition and what is owed to her without thought or regard to her own actions.”

  “I have done my best to set aside any ill feelings that I might have had towards Lady Catherine in the beginning. I have repeatedly said I am willing to mend the rift between us, but she is unwilling to budge,” Darcy told him. “I had hoped that by coming to London with Anne, she might finally be accepting of my marriage to Elizabeth. I had hoped that she would allow my cousin to come out into society, but from Lady Catherine’s letter, I see that is not to be the case. I believe her only intention in coming here is to further attempt to punish me for the perceived wrong she believes I have done to her.”

  Richard finished his wine, “I feel for my cousin. I do not know what Anne’s heart or desire in any of this has been, but I believe she has suffered because of my aunt’s stubbornness.”

  “I think you are probably right in saying that,” Darcy told him as he sat back down at his desk.

  “What has Georgiana said? Has she any desire to call up Lady Catherine?” Richard asked him.

  “She expressed much of the same sentiment that you did,” he told him.

  Richard leaned forward. “Will you respond to her letter?”

  Darcy shook his head, “I think not,” he told him. “Truly, what was there to respond to? She must know I will not leave my wife sitting at home and go to call on her because she has demanded it be so. I would never expose Elizabeth to such ridicule or gossip that doing so would surely follow. Lady Catherine’s design in this is clear. She wishes to imply that my wife is inferior to myself and my family, and as such, should be treated so. I will not dignify such behavior with a response.”

  Richard took in a small breath and sighed, “Darcy, I hate to bring this up, but what of my mother and father?” he asked him.

  “What about them?” Darcy asked.

  “I have nothing but the utmost respect for my mother and father, but they both like the distinction between the social classes as well,” he began to say.

  Darcy’s eyes narrowed, “I do not believe I understand your meaning? Elizabeth is my wife, and as such, she is most certainly in the same social class as Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam.”

  Richard sighed heavily, “Of course, in that regard, we both agree completely,” he told him. “However, you know very well my mother prefers to keep things formal,” he reminded him. “Think about it Darcy, have you ever called my mother anything other than Lady Fitzwilliam? Have you ever heard her address my father as anything but Lord Fitzwilliam?”

  Darcy considered what he said, “I suppose Elizabeth does refer to me by my given name from time to time while we are in mixed company.”

  “I have heard her do so,” Richard commented. “I take no issue with her calling you by your given name. Honestly, I think having one’s own wife refer to you as Mr. Darcy all the time is entirely ridiculous, but my mother is one to follow societal rules.”

  Darcy thought for a moment, “Do you believe if Elizabeth were to call me by my given name that my aunt might think ill of her for it?”

  “I think it is possible,” Richard admitted. “As I said, my mother is, for the most part, a very kind and caring woman, but she does hold to the formality that society seems to demand of us all. I only know of a few in my mother’s social circle that she is close to and allows to address her as Lady Abigail.”

  “I will take it under advisement,” Darcy said as he leaned back in his chair. “Oh Richard, Elizabeth did mention that Admiral and Mrs. Godwin will be joining us for dinner this evening. Were you aware of the friendship between Mrs. Godwin and Lady Fitzwilliam?”

  Richard furrowed his brow, “Of course! That is where I learned of the Admiral having two sons,” he suddenly remembered. “I recall very clearly now Mother mentioning to me that she had become acquainted with the Admiral and Mrs. Godwin some time ago. She often talks to me about her various friends and acquaintances, but I find it difficult to keep track of it all,” he admitted. “So, we are to dine with the Admiral this evening?”

  “Yes, that is what Elizabeth said,” he commented.

  “Well, I dare say that will make the evening a bit more interesting,” he told him. “I very much look forward to hearing some of the Admiral’s war stories. I have heard them before of course, but it will be truly something to hear them told first hand.”

  Darcy nodded his head, “Yes, I should like to hear what he has to say myself,” he remarked.

  Richard shook his head and laughed just a little, “Truly, it is astounding how small the world can be at times. I had forgotten entirely that my mother had become friends with Admiral Godwin and his wife,” he said somewhat amazed. “I believe she mentioned something about them meeting at the theater, or perhaps it was a concert…”

  Darcy laughed, “Perhaps you should listen to what your mother tells you more atte
ntively,” he joked with him.

  Richard stood up, “Quite right; perhaps I should,” he remarked before turning to leave. “Hereafter I promise to do so,” he said as he reached the door.

  “Oh Richard,” Darcy called out to him. “Please do not say anything about Wickham to anyone. I have decided not to say anything to her concerning the matter. I see no reason to distress her until we are certain what the man is up to.”

  Richard nodded his head, “Agreed,” he said. “Oh, I should tell you, I have asked Captain Hathaway to join us for dinner this evening. He asked after both you and Georgiana, and I know my mother will not mind my inviting him. She always has Mrs. Mills prepare far too much food anyway.”

  “I am glad that you did. It will be good to see him again,” Darcy told him. “Last I heard from Mr. Hathaway; John was doing very well for himself in the militia. I understand that his superiors think very highly of him and he has been on several raids that have done very well.