“Thank you, Darcy, but your company and the delivery of my family are the greatest gift.”
“I wish I could stay, Father,” Owen remarked, having slipped back into the room. “But with three mares to manage, and the conclusion of the business documentation, I must go on.”
“Of course, that is as I expected. You do me proud by carrying on the estate business so ably in my absence, son, and by your care for your stepmother and Lucy. I am a fortunate man indeed.”
There was noise at the back door.
“Owen, your brother has returned. You and I shall go to him first. Please, help yourselves to refreshments. We will be only a few minutes.” They bowed and quitted the room.
“Your husband is an admirable man, Mrs. Wyndham, to bear so much adversity with such serenity and wisdom.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. He is more forbearing than I can say I am. I am quite put out at these miserable lodgings.”
Kitty was almost overcome at Darcy’s slight roll of his eyes and quickly stuffed her mouth with a piece of cake.
Two by two they visited the injured man, with the Stapleton sisters last.
“No, Julia, you cannot!” came Matilda’s cry from the sick room. “Father would forbid it. Mr. Darcy will forbid it. It is impossible!” She burst into the drawing room in quite a state.
Darcy stepped forward. “Whatever is the matter, Miss Matilda?”
“Julia says she will stay here until we return. Mr. Douglas has asked her to, and she agreed. Tell her she cannot, Mr. Darcy.”
Georgiana ran to comfort Matilda whilst Kitty struggled to understand what was happening.
Owen did not disguise his agitation.
“He cannot do this to her. No, she must go on. She has suffered enough.”
Darcy looked at Owen, and then at his father.
“Wyndham, what is going on here?”
“Darcy, let us retreat to the outdoors a moment,” Wyndham suggested. “Come, Owen, you must join us. I can speak only for my family. Darcy, you must speak for the squire in his stead.”
How much would Owen divulge?
In a few moments they returned and Darcy walked directly to the sick room to speak privately with Julia and Douglas. Kitty realized she was the only one who had been unaware of the previous history between the two.
Mr. Wyndham spoke in a pained voice. “Douglas called for Miss Stapleton even in his delirium. It seems the bond they had has been sorely tried but not severed on his part. And perhaps not on hers? He claims he cannot live—does not wish to live—without her.”
Everyone pondered the situation in silence.
Owen paced the room, an intense scowl on his face, his hands formed into fists as if to fight off a demon.
Which decision would be right for Julia? Could true love triumph? Even lead to a recovery? It seemed Darcy would have the final word, and he soon re-entered the sitting room.
“I was not aware of the intensity of the prior attachment between those two. If you agree, Wyndham—and if you and your wife will provide proper supervision—I will allow Miss Stapleton to remain here whilst we go on to Oakhurst. It will be less than a week until our return here. If there is healing or a reconciliation in their future, it will be apparent by that time. But no matter the outcome, Miss Stapleton must return home with us, and any further visits must be sanctioned by her father.”
Wyndham was nodding thoughtfully when Owen’s voice burst forth.
“No! How can you allow this? She does not know her own mind—she is swamped by grief. She cannot be allowed to sacrifice herself.”
Darcy’s face showed surprise at this uncharacteristic outburst from Owen.
“Son,” said Wyndham, “I agree with Darcy. You may be better informed on this situation than either of us, but we have the wisdom of years. Miss Stapleton is an intelligent young lady. We must allow her to know her own heart—and Douglas to know his. I believe we must give them this chance.”
Kitty, too, was surprised at Owen’s vehemence. His burst of anger led her to suspect there was more to be known than what Julia had confided.
Owen drew himself up and faced the two men squarely.
“Very well. I hope you are right. I pray this is a decision we do not all come to regret.” With that, he walked out the door, his fists belying the calm demeanor he had managed to compose.
Christopher raised a brow at Lucy.
Her eyes lit up with sudden realization.
“I shall take Julia’s place! There is nothing for me here, and Douglas will not miss me in any case. Please, may I go?
Mrs. Wyndham appeared rattled by a problem greater than that of less-than-elegant surroundings. She sighed and looked to her husband.
Wyndham looked askance. “Darcy, you have enough to manage, do you not?”
Darcy looked from Wyndham to Lucy.
“Miss Jamison, you wish to join the company to Oakhurst?”
“Oh, yes, I sincerely do, sir. What can I do to convince you, Mr. Darcy?”
“That is easy. You must agree to respect me as your full father figure with the same authority over you as I have over the other young ladies. All decorum will be observed. No reputations will be sullied, and there will be no quarreling. I do not know you as well as the other young ladies, but perhaps you, too, deserve your chance?”
Chapter Twenty
Fresh horses were harnessed and the carriage made ready. Julia’s baggage was brought into the lodging, and Lucy’s was added to Darcy’s carriage. Lucy was all smiles as she joined Georgiana, Kitty, and Matilda.
“Oh, what a merry time we shall have!” she cried. She shared a special smile with Christopher, who tipped his hat to her.
Kitty exchanged a skeptical look with Georgiana, and the carriage pulled away with a jerk.
Saying goodbye to Julia had been difficult. Kitty wanted to believe her friend was making the right choice and that true love would triumph. But could Douglas really love her? Did he really have her happiness in mind?
Kitty’s last words with Julia left only a wake of confusion.
“Kitty, you do support me in this choice, do you not?” Julia had asked, grasping Kitty’s hands.
“I cannot say, Julia. So much of your affair happened before I ever arrived. I have not seen you two together and in love. I have only seen you sad, and him a deeply troubled soul.”
“But I do believe my love can heal him. And the revival of our love will certainly do away with my sadness.”
Kitty remained doubtful. “But what of his trying to strike you? How can that be love, in any sense? I worry for you, Julia. Are you sure you would not rather come with us and think about it more—away from his influence—before placing yourself in his power once again?”
Julia drew back. “I thought you were my friend.”
Kitty was torn and reconsidered. But after reflecting, all she could offer was, “I am your friend. And a true friend offers true counsel to the best of her ability, from her heart. None of us can see the future. What harm would it do to delay this decision by a week? When we return, speak with him again and see if you both feel the same.”
“What harm? At best, it will delay his healing. At worst … he says he does not wish to live without me. I cannot risk that! I love him. I must stay.”
“Very well, Julia. You have my best wishes that love will prevail. I shall miss you in our adventures.”
“Kitty, I am sorry to disappoint you. But this is something I must do. For Douglas. And for myself.”
“I understand. We can talk again on our journey home.”
≈
The scenery continued to be a refreshing distraction as the coach made its way south. The weather was agreeable; the food at the traveling inns less so. Soup, bread, and cheese were the most tolerable fare.
With Georgiana and Matilda such bosom friends, Kitty found herself thrown in with Lucy, who tended to prattle on about things in which Kitty could claim only passing interest, such as gossip about others,
fashions in London, and trends set by the ton. Lucy had no interest in horses, art, or the landscape. It did not take long for Kitty’s attentiveness to lag, but Lucy failed to read Kitty’s lack of interest.
Lucy was also a stranger to discretion and soon took Kitty into her confidence. She whispered observations about Christopher’s merits and attractions and looked to her new friend to agree. Kitty had been aware of Lucy favoring him but now paid it more attention.
“Is he not handsome, Kitty? See how his eyes sparkle when he looks at me?”
“He does seem to pay you special attention, Lucy.”
“I do not care for horses myself; but he rides well, does he not? He is bold and daring.”
“Much of good horsemanship is invisible, Lucy. It is about understanding the horse’s mind and working with the horse’s natural ability.”
“Pish posh! It is about looking dashing. One horse will do as well as another, I am sure.”
Kitty sighed. It was like talking to a turnip. Lucy was quite taken with mysteries and legends though, and on that topic they might find mutual interest.
“Lucy, perhaps we may discover some legends surrounding Oakhurst. Shall you be interested in exploring with me?”
“Legends? Oh, yes. I love to be thrilled! And it makes Mr. Christopher’s strength and daring even more desirable—having a man look out for you, that is. It makes me feel like a true woman, Kitty.”
“Indeed.” Kitty sighed in resignation. Would they be able to ride at Oakhurst? At the next change of horses, she would ask Fitzwilliam.
How close was Oakhurst to Windsor Forest? There were many legends of that famous place. Would that she could deliver the mares with the men and see the royal stables!
She looked out at Fitzwilliam, riding along calmly, taking in the sights. Nothing seemed to escape his observation with regards to the coach and the horses and the riders. It occurred to Kitty that Owen possessed many of these same traits and skills. Did Fitzwilliam have the explosive temper Owen had demonstrated? A man’s temper could be quite frightening. At least she could say that her father was never violent—she did not fear for her safety when he was angry. She sighed. There was so much she did not know about men. If only she had had a brother.
Her eye was suddenly taken by a particularly unusual rock formation, and she tried to press it into her memory so she might attempt to sketch it later. Perhaps Darcy could purchase a sketchbook and pencils for her somewhere along the way?
Her mind wandered in this fashion as the carriage rolled on, her own thoughts interspersed with comments by Lucy about hoped-for parties and Christopher’s endless assets. Anyone could notice Christopher’s efforts at exhibiting his prowess riding past the carriage at various paces, attempting to catch the eyes of the ladies.
Whatever were Georgiana and Matilda talking of? She leaned forward to better hear them.
“Please, share something interesting,” she whispered. “The conversation grows thin on this side of the carriage.”
The two across from her smirked and spoke more loudly of general topics.
“Are there young people at Oakhurst?” Kitty asked.
Georgiana raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“I do not know. I believe Mr. Cressley has at least one son, perhaps more. I shall ask my brother at our next dining stop—if one can call it dining. I find the food rather coarse, do you not?”
By the next day Kitty was weary of the coach, and more than weary of Lucy’s insipid company. Travel had always sounded exciting, but the reality was more tedious than she had expected. Although they stayed in the finest establishments, she did not feel at ease. Darcy had procured a sketchbook and pencils for her, and these proved a worthy distraction. She gave her attention to her partial sketch of a tree. Drawing had looked so easy when she watched Julia. She applied the eraser again.
At the stop for luncheon Darcy said, “Later today we shall arrive at Oakhurst. So be of good cheer. Our journey is nearly completed, for now.”
“Brother, what shall be our activities at Oakhurst?” Georgiana asked.
“I have not given that much thought yet, my dear,” he answered. “My main concern is to get the royal mares delivered safely for Mr. Wyndham. Once that is completed, well … we shall see what is available and what my cousin has planned.”
“Are there any young people in residence?” Matilda asked.
“I do not know. His eldest son married last year. Mr. Cressley has two other sons as well. I assume they all remain at Oakhurst, but I cannot be sure.” He looked at the eager faces in front of him. “Cultivate patience, ladies. It is a desirable virtue.”
Georgiana made a silly face at him, and they all laughed.
≈
The afternoon had grown warm and all were relieved to enter the large park of Oakhurst. Trees arched over the lane in many places, providing welcome shade.
“Brother,” Georgiana called out, “is Oakhurst as great as Pemberley?”
“If you mean in size, yes; the estates are similar in acreage. The house itself is of a different style than Pemberley. It is older. It was once a royal hunting lodge. I admire it very much. Long ago these grounds were part of the great forest. Do remember, Georgiana, Mr. Cressley’s wife died some years back. I do not know what, if any, feminine influence remains at Oakhurst. I hope you shall all be comfortable.”
They rode some time in the quiet of the woods until at last Oakhurst Lodge appeared in a clearing, set upon a slight hill. Several lanes led off in various directions. Kitty wondered where the horses grazed in so much wooded land.
Upon their arrival, the travelers were immediately attended to and shown into the drawing room. The afternoon sun penetrated the tall windows, glinting on the dark woodwork that was heavily carved. They were announced, and Alfred Cressley stood and strode forward, hand outstretched. His face was rugged but his countenance pleasant. His hair had gone white, but his dark eyes still flashed with vigor.
A younger man also rose and came forward. Kitty saw the resemblance at once—a younger version of the older man, with the same lively dark eyes.
“My dear cousin, how good it is to see you again. And you have brought with you a great and varied company, I see. Excellent! Which of these handsome young ladies is your sister?”
“May I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
Georgiana made a lovely curtsey and smiled up at her cousin.
“Yes, on closer look, the picture of my dear aunt she is, Fitzwilliam. A great beauty. Miss Darcy,” he said, bowing to her.
“Thank you. May I introduce my companions?”
“By all means. But first, here is my youngest son, William.”
“Miss Darcy, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. My father has spoken much of Pemberley and of your brother. I hope to some day have the honor of visiting there.”
“You are most welcome to visit whenever convenient.”
He smiled his acknowledgement and bowed in response to her curtsey.
Georgiana began. “Here is my sister-in-law, Miss Catherine Bennet, from Hertfordshire. She visits us for the summer.”
Kitty stepped forward and curtsied.
“Welcome to Oakhurst , Miss Bennet.” Mr. Cressley bowed.
“I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet,” said William, bowing.
“Thank you. I am honored.”
Georgiana now looked at Matilda. “Please meet my dear friend, Miss Matilda Stapleton, daughter of our neighbor Squire Stapleton of Swan’s Nest.”
Matilda’s curtsey was quick and lively and excitement sparkled in her eyes.
“I am very pleased to meet you both.”
“Welcome to Oakhurst Lodge, Miss Stapleton.”
“Miss Stapleton, it is an honor and a pleasure,” said Mr. William, delight evident in his face.
“And our friend and neighbor, Miss Lucy Jamison of Greystone Hall,” Georgiana continued.
“You are most welcome to Oakhurst, Miss Jamison.
”
“Delighted, Miss Jamison,” replied William, bowing. As he stepped back, his gaze returned at once to Matilda.
Darcy spoke then. “It is for Miss Jamison’s father—and Mr. Owen’s (nodding at Owen)—that I return the three royal mares tomorrow. Mr. Wyndham and I share a strong interest in horse husbandry, especially in particular lines.”
Darcy introduced Owen and Christopher. Kitty thought she saw a spark of recognition in William’s eye at the introduction to Christopher, who displayed his trademark cocky elegance.
“Drake is a name I know from Cambridge. Might you be related to a Mr. Benjamin Drake? He and I were acquainted, both studying the law.”
“Yes,” Christopher answered brightly, “Benjamin is my younger brother.”
Georgiana could not hide her delight at the mention of Benjamin’s name and exclaimed, “How lucky we share such a connection!”
“He is a most personable young man, well liked amongst his school fellows. I was a year ahead of him there.” He glanced with curiosity between Christopher’s face and Georgiana’s.
Georgiana blushed, suddenly aware of being outspoken.
“Yes, I believe he has just completed his coursework,” Christopher responded, tossing his head.
William looked at him again, slightly puzzled, as if trying to make a connection.
Mr. Cressley ushered them towards the door.
“Now, allow my staff to show you to your rooms so you can get some rest and clean off the traveling dust. Tea will be served whenever you are ready. Shall one hour be sufficient?”
“Certainly. That is most kind.”
≈
Mr. Alfred Cressley welcomed them back to the drawing room.
“Ah, here you are! I hope you are refreshed and ready for some lively conversation. And pray, Miss Darcy, will you honor us with your musical talent this evening? You were unfortunately from home when I visited last autumn, but your praises have been sung”— he chuckled at his own joke—“far and wide. We do not often have a talented musician in our midst.”
Her Summer at Pemberley Page 18