by Wells, Linda
“HOW ARE YOU?” Elizabeth joined Georgiana in her father’s old reading room and settling in the window seat, looked to where her sister sat with mementos scattered around her. “Mrs. Annesley told me about your talk.”
Georgiana glanced up and spoke from where her head rested on her knees. “I suppose that is a good thing, to have a companion who tells you everything, instead of Mrs. Younge who said nothing at all.”
“We want you to have confidence in your relationship with her. I think that if you confided in her and it was not something that she felt we needed to know, she would keep it to herself.”
“But you want to know everything.”
“No, I do not. And although your brother would claim otherwise, he really does not want to know everything either, particularly if it involves the handsome qualities of some young man.” Elizabeth smiled but Georgiana did not. “Yes, one day you will find a young man handsome.”
“But will he find me the same, once he knows?”
“I do not know. But it would be wrong not to tell him.”
“But would he … tell everyone else?” Georgiana looked up at her.
“Well …” Elizabeth slid down to the floor beside her. “That is where your brother will make the decision. If the young man is sincere, if he is trustworthy, if he goes to Fitzwilliam and tells him his intentions …” Georgiana buried her face on her knees. “I cannot see him telling a suitor on the second visit what happened.”
“But is it wrong to lead him on?”
Thoughtfully, Elizabeth looked up at the portraits that hung above the fireplace and studied Darcy’s younger self. “Perhaps we will have to probe his opinion on things before they go very far, as I was doing with your aunts at Matlock. Now we know for certain that we did the right thing in keeping it a secret, at least as much as we could.”
“Oh Elizabeth!” Georgiana started to cry. “Please, just let me stay here! I will be the most wonderful aunt for your children. Please do not make me go to London!”
“Hush.” Elizabeth put her arm around her sister and hugged her. “Going to London does not mean you are marrying tomorrow. Look at Cathy, she is five and twenty! Is she any closer to marrying today than she was ten years ago?” Georgiana looked up and shook her head. “Very well then, she is proof that sleeping in a London townhouse does not necessarily make you a bride. We just want you to take advantage of everything your position allows. Fitzwilliam has already written to music and dance masters. What other talents would you like to learn? Your sewing is excellent after all of the baby clothes you have made. We talked about improving your artwork, did we not?” She pointed at the drawings hanging on the wall. “Have you studied since you made those for your father?”
“No, only the pianoforte.” She wiped her eyes and looked at her drawings. “Those are terrible.”
“Your father loved them. Look! Pride of place!” Elizabeth smiled.
Georgiana’s eyes moved to the empty spot on the wall. “Do you still have George’s portrait?”
“Yes.” Elizabeth looked up at the spot beside Darcy’s miniature.
“I defended him before Aunt Grace and Aunt Catherine. What does that mean?” Georgiana looked at her sister.
“You defended Hope’s father. That is different from defending him.” Elizabeth smiled. “Do you wonder where he is, and what he is doing?”
“Sometimes. Is that wrong?”
“No, he was a significant person in your life.”
“To say the least.” Georgiana smiled sadly and Elizabeth brushed back her hair. “I am glad that I have you to talk to now.”
“I am glad that you feel comfortable with me.”
“I see how you and Fitzwilliam talk about everything, even when you are upset or angry, you do not keep things from each other.”
Elizabeth said nothing for a few moments. “Well, when we do, things seem to go awry.” Hearing the front door opening and the heavy, familiar tread of Darcy’s boots across the marble floor, both women looked to the door and stood. “Excuse me.” Elizabeth said in a whisper, and was gone.
IF SHE IS WITH CHILD, then she will be a different woman. Not in essentials, mind you, but you will see the changes. You mention that she cries with no provocation and is perpetually sleepy. Mrs. Gardiner was always ill and suffered pains in her back, and was forever in search of a chamber pot. And on occasion, I did not recognize the nonsensical woman who appeared. Each woman is unique, each pregnancy is unique. I cannot tell you if it is true, Darcy. I can only share your hope. Elizabeth has confided nothing to my wife, only her questions posed that one day while we visited gave her aunt any inkling that her thoughts were on the subject. I fear that my niece is going to remain the obstinent girl you fell in love with, and will not dare to hope she has your child in her belly. She needs proof. Mrs. Gardiner is of the opinion that she desires it so much she could not bear the pain of it not being true. She loves you so much that she cannot bear to disappoint you. I leave it to you, Son. If it were I, and this was my first child, I would try my best to contain my excitement, for her sake. One day she will come to you with joy in her eyes, and you will be free to celebrate. Until then, wait, hope, tolerate her tears and pray that she will stay awake long enough for you to come to completion, at least once in a while. I promise you, as the pregnancy wears on, there will come a time when it is she who is chasing after you.
Darcy read the last with disbelief. “Begging me to love her?” A smile flashed across his face and then it became sheepish. “I have never needed more than a crooked finger wagged in my direction … A finger, not even that, a glance! A smile, a … a … heaven help me when she is walking …” His hand rubbed over his face as he thought of that morning, “I have been most glad to satisfy us both, but to have Elizabeth begging me …” Darcy closed his eyes and imagined the sight of his wife performing all manner of wanton acts upon his person and nearly groaned. “Lizzy, I am aching for you. After this morning … you gave a wolf a taste, dearest. Five minutes. It is all I ask for …” His hand flexed and he started when Parker entered the dressing room with his freshly pressed shirt.
“Was it as you feared, sir?” Parker asked as he took Darcy’s riding clothes and set them aside for cleaning. “There was no uprising?”
Instantly, he was brought back to reality, “No, no, it was … Nobody came after us with pitchforks, but understandably there was a great deal of concern, and I know that it will only grow. This was only the first day.” He rubbed his hand over his face tiredly. “So many questions. Will I buy more machines, when, will they be trained on them, will there be positions for the displaced workers … will their wages rise when my profits increase.” He closed his eyes. “They asked questions that I shamefully had not considered and was left floundering. I did my best.”
“I have no doubt of that, and it is more than any other master would do. He would introduce the machines and not give a thought to those who have loyally served his family for generations. It is not shameful to not know all of the answers. You do not live as they, so how could you possibly imagine what they would find important?” Parker handed him the shirt and watched it slip over his head. Darcy reappeared and was lost in thought. “I am surprised that Mrs. Darcy has not thought of things for you to say. She is so good speaking with the staff, sir. She is empathetic when needed, and … well, you saw her with Mrs. Shaw.”
“Yes.” Darcy smiled and then sighed. “I would probably benefit a great deal sharing this with her, and ordinarily I would, but … the violence in Kent is what holds me back.”
“That is Kent.”
“I do not want to worry her. I do not want to disturb her equilibrium in any way. Mrs. Darcy is to be relaxed and happy. You know that stress can cause a miscarriage.” Darcy’s brow furrowed and he missed the surprised expression on his man’s face. “She shows so many symptoms!” He picked up the letter from Mr. Gardiner and struck it with the back of his hand. “I am sure it is true.” He looked up at Parker, almost pl
eadingly, “Has Judy said nothing?”
“Not to me, sir.” Parker assured him. “But she would not, not if it is early. The risk of disappointment is so clear.”
“And so I will have to think of more foolish excuses to keep her from,” he consulted the letter, “violent exercise, lifting weights, reaching, jumping, vomiting, coughing, convulsions, blows to the belly, falls, fever, bad odors, plethora, indolence, high living, or the contrary, and violent passions of the mind, including joy as well as fear and grief. Good God!” His hand ran through his hair. “And all this when she absolutely refuses to address even the possibility! Have you ever seen a woman cry or sleep so much?” Darcy demanded. “There must be a cause!”
“Assuredly, sir. And it would be a joy if your theory is true, but … that list you read, would not worry over you be one of the items?”
“Yes.”
“Sir, if ever I have seen a worried woman, it is Mrs. Darcy.”
“I know, I know. I saw it this morning, and again when I returned.” He sighed and looked again at his letter. “Nothing goes well when we keep things from each other. When will I learn?”
“I suppose that she is doing the same for you, is she not, sir? By not telling you of a possible conception?”
Darcy looked at his valet and smiled. “Thank you for sharing the blame. And how will my worry manifest itself, do you think?”
“If you start rubbing your chest again, I think that Mrs. Darcy will throttle you.” Parker said dryly.
“Will?” The men turned towards the door and both heard the concern in Elizabeth’s voice. They looked at each other and folding his letter, Darcy walked to the door. “Coming, Lizzy …” Parker watched him disappear and hearing the sound of a kiss, he smiled when he next heard Darcy’s voice. “I think that you and I need to talk.”
Chapter 33
“Mama, it has been two weeks, please stop crying!” Jane sighed and looked helplessly at Mary from outside of the parlour door as the rest of the party from Netherfield uncomfortably took their seats. “I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble.”
“She just wants attention from you. She was fine until the carriage pulled up. I would not pay her any mind at all and she will stop. Any other visitors and she would be boasting about one thing or another, my pregnancy, your buying an estate, Lizzy …”
“Lizzy? I have never heard her brag of Lizzy.”
“She does when she wants to impress. After all she has the richest husband, even if she is undeserving.” Jane’s eyes widened as Mary sighed tiredly and stretched out her back. “Those are her words, you have heard them enough. Lydia will not sit with her anymore when she is like this, and Kitty received a letter from Aunt Gardiner yesterday inviting her to visit so she is too excited about travelling to London to sit still. Of course Lydia is very jealous and keeps demanding that she goes, too. I am tempted to send her, but then Aunt would never speak to me again.”
“Kitty is invited to London.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed and put down her handkerchief. “But she cannot go now! Since you do not have your own townhouse, Mr. Bingley, she must go when Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are there! Then you can all introduce her to rich men, not the tradesmen my brother knows!” The sisters glanced at each other, and Jane marvelled at her mother’s incredible hearing as they entered the room and took their seats. Bingley’s fair skin was reddened and he looked down at his hands while Hurst coughed.
“Oh, I do not want a very rich man like Mr. Darcy, Mama. He is far too frightening. Maybe one like Mr. Bingley …” She smiled at him.
“Thank you.” Bingley cleared his throat.
“Not too rich, then.” Hurst smirked. “Just enough to get by.”
Jane said quietly, “I do not believe that Aunt and Uncle were going to introduce her to anyone, Mama. This is just an opportunity to educate Kitty about a household and children, and seeing London a little. That is all they ever did when I visited. Besides, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy are unsure of their travel plans.” She faltered when her mother’s gaze settled upon her. “Whenever they next travel, I mean.”
Mrs. Bennet instantly read Jane’s open face, “They are planning a trip to London?”
“They were visiting with Mr. Darcy’s family. The colonel was to marry, and I do not know if they intended to stay longer than the wedding or not. I have not heard from Lizzy for some time…”
“They visit his family …” Mrs. Bennet said icily. “They always have time for them. It is as if she is ashamed of us!”
“Yes, Mama.” Jane nodded.
“Of course they visit his family! Why would they pass the opportunity to be with the earl?” Caroline said. “Even with the scandal that surrounds them …”
“Scandal?” Mrs. Bennet’s ears perked up.
“There was no scandal, Caroline.” Bingley corrected.
“There most certainly was.” She chastised him and smiling, turned to Mrs. Bennet. “The viscount is a drunkard and gambler, and nearly destroyed the family with his debts. He married Miss de Bourgh to pay them off.”
“The same Miss de Bourgh who was meant to marry Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet gasped and put her hand to her chest.
“Yes, she is Lady Gladney now. But I do not know what good it all is, she is so weak, she will never produce an heir.”
“I will be curious to meet the colonel’s bride.” Hurst settled back in his chair. “Is she his choice or the family’s?”
“His, I believe.” Bingley nodded. “It will all be on them to continue the family name.”
“I do not believe it! The viscount must be without fault.” Collins declared. “Lady Catherine would never align her daughter with such a notorious person. She is far too proud of Rosings. Her hopes were pinned on Mr. Darcy as her daughter’s husband until he married outside of the family’s wishes.”
“Poor thing had to settle for a titled cousin instead.” Hurst rolled his eyes, “And good thing for Darcy that he did not follow orders or he would have no chance at children if this blathering of yours is true, Caroline.”
Lydia shrugged. “I do not see the difference. Lizzy miscarried.” Seeing the collective stares, she looked at her mother. “Did she not? Isn’t that why she went away to Scotland instead of coming here when Papa died?”
“I did not know of this!” Jane cried.
“Well, none of us know. It was a theory of Kitty’s.” Mary said quietly.
“It is a weakness for a woman to lose her husband’s child. Lizzy is obviously unfit.” Kitty said and feeling the attention of the room, she blushed, “Is that not what you said, Mr. Collins?”
“Mr. Collins, if you dare speak of Mr. or Mrs. Darcy’s fitness to be parents before my wife and sisters again, you and I will have a very brotherly conversation outside. Similar to the one we had over the steward?” Bingley said in a low voice.
Collins hurriedly spoke, “That, that was some time ago and I was mistaken. I did not mean to imply anything, Mr. Bingley.”
“Of course you did.” Hurst noted.
Silence pervaded until Lydia spoke up. “How far away is Mr. Darcy’s family’s home from Pemberley?”
“I believe that the earl’s home is only thirty miles away.” Bingley said while still looking at Collins.
Mary sighed with her husband’s unspoken plea for rescue, “A few hours in the carriage is not so bad. Our travel to and from Hunsford was tedious, I cannot imagine staying at inns for days at a time to come to London.”
“It is wearing.” Louisa agreed. “But the trip is worth it in the end.”
“Mr. Collins, pardon me, sir, but you have received a franked letter.” Mrs. Hill attempted to contain her excitement as she extended the note to her master. “I have never seen one before.” She composed herself and handed another letter to Mary. “Here is one for you from Mrs. Darcy, madam.”
“A pretty penny that cost, I am sure.” Mrs. Bennet eyed the note and then looked back to Collins, who was staring raptly at the letter in his hand and the word, “free” i
nscribed by the direction.
“Would you rather Lizzy not write at all, Mama?” Mary asked.
“She never writes to me.”
“She probably has better things to do.” Lydia said as she looked over Mary’s shoulder.
“Oh, of course she does,” Jane agreed as she looked curiously at Mary’s letter. “Besides how much news can there be, after all?”
“Oh, Lizzy and I do not really talk about news so much.” Mary looked at her letter and smiled. “We have become such better friends now. Is it odd, that she had to go away for that to happen? Sometimes I do not quite understand what she is talking about, but I suppose that she has so much on her shoulders that I could not.” Shrugging, she put her letter aside and did not notice Jane’s furrowed brow.
“Lizzy has not one worry.” Mrs Bennet said loudly. “She has a rich husband, a grand house, and a hundred servants. She has all of the time in the world, but she does not write to me or come to visit.”
“Well, they are still visiting are they not? Were they not to bring Miss Darcy to London?” Mary asked.
“There! I knew they were coming!” Mrs. Bennet cried.
“No.” Bingley started from watching Jane. “No, I had a note from Darcy. They are returned to Pemberley. He said something of the harvest, but he is considering honouring Miss Darcy’s plea to remain in Derbyshire until they travel to London at Christmas. So we may make our way to Pemberley on our own. I suppose that we will leave at the end of the month …”
“We are going to Pemberley?” Mrs. Bennet clapped.
Bingley shifted uncomfortably. “By we, I meant … Jane and I, and the Hursts and my sister. We are looking at estates as you know … and that will give the staff the opportunity to pack up our things, since we shan’t be returning, will we?”