The Darcys of Pemberley

by Shannon Winslow

  “Then you render a great service to us all. Mr. Darcy’s mind will be much relieved to know his sister is in good hands, and I shall be ever so grateful to return to Pemberley. I simply cannot bear this heat and oppressive air any longer. I expect I must blame it on my ‘delicate condition’ for I have never been much bothered by such things before.”

  “That ‘condition’ of yours, Lizzy, is not so easily disguised as when I saw you a month ago,” Charlotte stated matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, you are quite correct,” Elizabeth agreed, laughing. “That is another reason I shall be glad to retire to the country. I fear my figure can no longer pass the test of public scrutiny even tolerably well.”

  Chapter 23

  Farewell Dinner

  The Darcys’ farewell dinner party was held three days later. The setting was not as grand, nor were the accoutrements as impressive as the recent dinner at Rosings featured. Neither had Elizabeth arranged for entertainment as lively as what that evening had supplied. An excellent meal and pleasant company were all she endeavored to provide for her guests, the assumption being that between old friends this would not be judged deficient.

  When the guests arrived at the appointed hour, no introductions were necessary. Everybody had met before, and most of those present were on very familiar terms. As a result, the evening took on a relaxed, informal tone, the conversation flowing freely in the drawing room before dinner. No one felt the need for pomp or parade with the possible exception of Miss Bingley and the Hursts, who were always more occupied with rank and consequence than was necessary or becoming.

  When they proceeded down to dinner, Miss Bingley was pleased to discover that she was seated next to Mr. Darcy, with her sister not far off. The gentleman, less delighted with the arrangement, gave his wife a significant look across the room. Elizabeth smiled back innocently from the opposite end of the table where she fared much better, having the entertaining Mr. Applewhite by her side. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam held down the middle of the table, sitting exactly opposite each other, an arrangement made with Miss Darcy’s full approval and in direct contrast to her preference at a similar dinner party some months before.

  During the course of the meal, Miss Bingley brought up the subject of Heatheridge House and its inhabitants, a topic to which her dinner companion was neither averse nor indifferent. “Well, Mr. Darcy, what do you hear from my brother?” she asked.

  “From your brother, I hear nothing at all; he is no letter-writer. We have all our information thanks to Jane. She is a very faithful correspondent.”

  “Yes, Jane sends us the most charming tales about little Charles and Frances. How I long to see them! Not that I care much for other people’s children in general, but one’s own niece and nephew cannot fail to be of particular interest. I am completely envious of you, Mr. Darcy, that you saw them so soon after they were born.”

  “Elizabeth insisted on being at Jane’s side throughout the ordeal, and so we were both there when the infants arrived.”

  “I understand that the children are growing by leaps and bounds. I suppose you will see them again very soon, since you are returning to the north. So, once more, I must envy you, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley with a sigh. “I do not know when my sister and I can expect to have the same opportunity.”

  “Surely, Miss Bingley, you and the Hursts are at leisure to travel whenever you wish, and need not wait for an invitation to visit your own brother. You must be welcome there at any time.”

  “Ah, yes, and we would go in a moment were it not for the fact that there are other house guests already staying at Heatheridge. I am afraid that the addition of three more would create an … uncomfortable closeness, as we had the misfortune to discover in the same company last January. Heatheridge is not as roomy as Pemberley after all, Mr. Darcy, you must admit. So, it appears that, unless something else offers, we must be patient and wait for the current guests to move on, howsoever long that may take. Alas, the party in question apparently has no immediate plans to go; it is likely to be quite an extended stay, from what I understand. I do hope the children are not half-grown before their aunts may finally be allowed to meet them.”

  Miss Bingley delivered this speech with such a melancholy tone of voice and sorrowful bearing that tears could naturally be supposed, if not actually seen, to fill her expressive eyes.

  Mr. Darcy had the penetration to see her lament for what it truly was: an application for an invitation to Pemberley. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had been his guests there on many occasions before his marriage, as part of Mr. Bingley’s party. The thought of having them now – for an unspecified length of stay and without the brother’s moderating influence – did not fill Mr. Darcy’s heart with cheer. Nor did he expect his wife to rejoice at the prospect.

  “There are other options if you cannot bear to wait,” he said.

  Miss Bingley’s gloomy visage brightened.

  Darcy continued. “I understand there is at least one very fine establishment in that part of Staffordshire where you might be comfortably lodged conveniently close to Heatheridge. Your brother could advise you on the particulars, Miss Bingley. I would recommend the inn at Lambton but for the fact that it is some twenty miles from your ultimate destination. I know you would wish to be closer at hand,” he said with seamless diplomacy.

  Caroline Bingley deftly countered. “Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Darcy. I am much obliged to you for it. Unfortunately, Mr. Hurst is adamantly opposed to stopping at any sort of public place.” For confirmation of this fact she looked to her sister, who was attending the conversation.

  “It is true,” Mrs. Hurst verified. “He infinitely prefers the comforts of a private home.”

  “As do we all, I am sure,” continued Miss Bingley. “My brother-in-law would never be persuaded to your suggestion, Mr. Darcy, as sensible as it appears to you and to me. As for distance, that does not signify in the least at this time of year. For example, would not you agree that the drive between Pemberley and Heatheridge is nothing at all when the roads are dry and the weather is fine? I must say that I should love a summer excursion of that sort above all things.”

  Caroline’s intimations were so pointed that she left no graceful way of escape. Darcy bristled at her impertinence, but he did what the rules of civility demanded. “Of course, Mrs. Darcy and I would be pleased to have you, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst,” with a nod in Louisa’s direction, “to stay with us at Pemberley, if that would be of any use. Personally, I think you make too light of the distance to Heatheridge and back, but that is for you to judge.”

  “What an excellent notion!” Miss Bingley exclaimed, as if the idea had never occurred to her. She turned to her sister with a look of triumph in her eyes. “Louisa, is that not a capital idea? I think Mr. Darcy has hit upon the very thing that would suit us best. Surely, Mr. Hurst would agree.”

  Mrs. Hurst returned her sister’s exultant look. Speaking for herself and on behalf of her husband also, she added her approbation for the plan. So, before other possibilities or objections could be raised, it was settled. They were determined to come, and in no more than three weeks time – sooner if Mr. Hurst could arrange it. All that remained was to share the glad tidings with the prospective hostess. Mr. Darcy did not relish the task, but knew it must be done at the earliest opportunity. It would not do for the information to overtake Elizabeth unawares.

  As the ladies stood to repair to the drawing room after dinner, Mr. Darcy drew Elizabeth aside for a whispered communication. “I fear your little joke has gone awry, Lizzy.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “Seating Miss Bingley next to me. Despite my best efforts, she managed to wrest an invitation to Pemberley from me. She and the Hursts will be arriving in little more than a fortnight.”

  “Oh, dear!”

  “I thought I had better tell you before someone else had a chance. Shall you mind so very much?”

  “I suppose not. Surely they ca
nnot mean to stay long.”

  “Unfortunately, I believe they intend to stay until they can remove to Heatheridge, which they will not do until your youngest sister and her husband quit the place.”

  “But that could be weeks!”

  “Precisely.”

  Joining the rest of the ladies, Elizabeth did her best to look pleased as she acknowledged Caroline and Louisa’s upcoming visit.

  The sisters were all ease and friendliness, overflowing with benevolence and goodwill, now that their invitation to Pemberley had been secured. Miss Bingley’s joy increased still more when she received the intelligence in the course of conversation that the interesting Colonel Fitzwilliam was once again a free man.

  Chapter 24

  A Wedding and a Dream

  Departure preparations chiefly occupied the following day. Mr. Darcy made one last trip into the business district to finalize his affairs, whilst Elizabeth oversaw the packing and gave instructions to the household’s permanent staff in anticipation of her absence. According to their plan, the four of them would attend Anne’s wedding together the next morning. Then, since the church was across town and along their way, Darcy and Elizabeth would continue on from there, Charlotte and Georgiana returning to the townhouse by another means.

  They arose early to allow time for last minute details, and then set off while the air was still cool and the streets of London mostly quiet. As expected, only a few people were gathered at the church when they arrived. The communication they had received from Rosings, acquainting them with the particulars of the wedding arrangements, had stated that the guest list would be very limited. The same letter also requested the services of Georgiana as bridesmaid and Mr. Darcy to give the bride away, since Anne had no father alive or any closer male relative available.

  The ceremony was brief, tasteful, and completed without difficulty. Glowing with the bloom of health and high spirits, Anne looked truly handsome in her pale silvery-gray gown, garnering the admiration of all those present, particularly her devoted groom. The tall Dr. Essex cut a dashing figure in his wedding clothes and played his part so well that it would have been impossible for anyone unacquainted with the facts to guess that he was not the man originally cast in the role.

  Lady Catherine had more difficulty portraying her assigned part: the happy mother of the bride. Her pallor and rigid expression made her outward show of assent unconvincing. When all was accomplished and she stood to make her way out of the church, she would have benefited from the support of a strong arm. But she refused to accept those dutifully offered her. Lady Catherine could not look upon either of her nephews with much fondness at that moment. To her way of thinking, they had both failed to do their duty and were responsible in large measure for the way things had turned out.

  The group moved to a nearby establishment for the wedding breakfast, where a veritable feast was laid out for their enjoyment. During the course of the meal, Darcy spoke to his cousin. “Again, I must thank you, Fitzwilliam, for conveying the ladies back to the house.”

  “I am glad to be of service. How fortunate that Mrs. Collins is willing to stay on with Georgiana. It seems an eminently suitable arrangement.”

  “Yes, although I would be easier about leaving if I knew you were also close at hand. Might I entreat you to make yourself available as much as possible as an escort to the ladies, especially on their evening outings?”

  “Of course. I mean to put myself entirely at their disposal. I have little else to occupy me here in London in any case.”

  “How long do you intend to remain in town?”

  “I hardly know. My only definite plan is to stay well clear of my father until he recovers somewhat from this latest disappointment over me. I wrote him that, now that I am a bachelor again, I intend to take in what remains of the social season. Perhaps I might yet find an obliging heiress willing to marry me and make him proud,” Fitzwilliam quipped. “What do you think of my chances, Darcy?”

  “It depends entirely upon how particular you are, I should imagine. I hope that recent events have taught you to be careful indeed. Thanks to Anne, you have come away unscathed this time, but you may not be so lucky the next.”

  “Experience is a harsh but effective teacher.”

  “Enough said then; I did not intend to preach to you, old friend. I do have one last favor to ask, though. Would you consider accompanying the ladies when they return to Pemberley … if you are still free to do as you please, that is? Of course, if you have found your heiress by then, she may have other ideas.”

  The colonel laughed heartily. “Since I have no real intention of looking, I scarcely think it likely I shall find her so soon. I will be only too happy to fulfill your commission.”

  Meanwhile, Elizabeth had a few parting words with Georgiana. She wished her success in sorting out her feelings and wisdom to guide her decision regarding Mr. Sanditon. Both sisters promised to correspond frequently during their separation.

  Darcy and Elizabeth did not linger long when the wedding breakfast was over. After wishing the newlyweds joy and saying their farewells, they settled into their carriage and were off on the next leg of their journey, not sorry to leave the ever-present gray of cobbles and masonry behind in favor of the verdant countryside.

  On their way homeward, they were obliged to make a stop in Hertfordshire to visit the Bennets and to collect Kitty as prearranged. However, since the long days of June provided many hours of daylight for travel, they still hoped to make enough headway to enable them to reach Pemberley on the morrow.

  As they drew near Longbourn, Darcy said, “You realize that your parents are not likely to be satisfied with as brief a visit as we have planned. No doubt they will attempt to persuade us to stay the night, and I truly have no objection if you wish to remain. I am far more patient than I once was, so you need not be uneasy on my account.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Darcy, but I honestly have no desire for an extended stay.”

  “Are you sure it is wise in your condition to attempt so much in one day? We have made a late start, and this interruption will slow our progress still more. I wonder if it might not be better to break our journey at Longbourn rather than tax your strength by pressing on any farther today. I would gladly suffer anything rather than risk your health, Elizabeth.”

  “You may be willing to suffer, but I am not so generous. At present, I am the one who lacks forbearance, and I can imagine nothing that would tax my strength more than my mother’s incessant fretting and fidgeting. No, the kindest thing you can do for my health and comfort, husband, is to keep the length of this visit to a bare minimum and get me home to Pemberley as soon as possible.”

  So, when they arrived at Longbourn, Darcy and Elizabeth were agreed on keeping the stop as short as good manners would allow. Mrs. Bennet was tolerated to fuss over her guests for an hour before her son-in-law announced it was time to go. Strenuous protestations followed, just as predicted. Darcy would not be dissuaded, however. As soon as Kitty’s trunk was loaded onto the carriage, the party took leave.

  Once they were underway, Kitty pressed her sister for every detail about their London season, inundating her with dozens of questions. Elizabeth indulged her interest until fatigue and the rocking motion of the carriage got the best of her. When she could keep her eyes open no longer, she curled up against her husband and peacefully drifted off to sleep in his arms.

  Elizabeth’s slumber did not remain tranquil, however. After only half an hour, a series of plaintive moans and violent starts gave evidence of her growing unrest. Darcy’s normal reserve quickly dissolved. Entirely forgetting his sister-in-law’s presence, he stroked Elizabeth’s hair and whispered words of comfort in her ear, attempting to soothe his wife back into a more easy sleep. It was of no use. Finally, when he could bear her distress no longer, he gently roused her.

  Elizabeth woke with a jolt and a wail. She looked about wildly, her vision still clouded by phantoms from her sleep.

  Darcy
held her tight to stay her trembling. “Hush, hush, my darling, I am here. It was a nightmare, but now you are safe. Only a dream; it cannot harm you.”

  Elizabeth could not immediately calm herself. She clung to Darcy, sobbing, as he rocked and caressed her.

  Kitty silently took in the scene, her eyes wide with alarm over her sister’s state and also in wonderment at witnessing the intimate exchange between husband and wife. This unguarded glimpse of married life, and of her forbidding brother-in-law, came as quite a revelation to her. She was both embarrassed and fascinated to see it.

  When at last the vivid images crowding Elizabeth’s mind began to fade, she struggled to reassert a measure of composure. Echoing her husband’s assurances, she told herself that it was only a dream. Her mind, if not her emotions, insisted that it must be so. At length, the tension in her body began to ease.

  “Are you feeling better, Elizabeth?” Darcy asked gently.

  “A little,” she answered with a quavering voice. “I am so sorry to have distressed you both by such a display. What must you think of me?”

  “No, no,” Darcy protested. “Nightmares are beyond one’s control. Yet I have never known you to be afflicted by such dreams before, my dear, at least nothing as dreadful as this.”

  “You are quite right, Mr. Darcy,” Kitty volunteered. “Lizzy never suffered from nightmares, even as a child. I clearly remember Mama saying that Mary was the only one of us five girls who had any difficulty of that kind.”

  “Yes. Truly, I have never in my life experienced anything like it,” said Elizabeth, still shaking. “It was so intense, so real, that even now it frightens me! I cannot dispel the feeling that it was no ordinary dream.”

  “What was it about?” Kitty asked with excited curiosity.