by Wells, Linda
“Aunt Catherine had her own agenda.” Elizabeth murmured and seeing Sophie’s cocked head, smiled. “Poor Richard, he must have been terribly disappointed.”
“Yes, he was.” She smiled. “He is still a soldier. Poor man, he could not crow his triumph, and you know he wanted to, such a proud male he is.”
“Well, neither could Aunt Catherine, her grand entrance was ruined, what does that make her?”
“I could see her leading an army.”
“So could I. An army of harridans, all carrying walking sticks!” Elizabeth laughed and watched Sophie admiring the decoration. “It is nice to have some companionship on my walk this morning. Fitzwilliam and I usually exercise before breakfast, but this morning …” She shrugged. “I am used to him riding out onto the estate all day long, but for some reason, having him so far away just … it just does not feel the same. He will be gone the same amount of time, more or less, but …” She smiled at Sophie’s amusement. “I know, you think I am foolish.”
“You are simply protective, Elizabeth. Richard has survived war without knowing I exist. And how many times were we separated when we were courting? I have no fears of him not returning to me.” Sophie gave her arm a squeeze.
“I do not either, I just …” Unconsciously her hand passed over her belly. “I just prefer him nearby.”
“I do not blame you.” Sophie returned her attention to the house. “Matlock does not compare to Pemberley. Richard was describing so many things before we departed, and I had convinced myself that he was just telling one of his tales, but he did not do it justice. It is richly decorated, but one does not feel crushed by it, if that makes sense at all? Matlock is overwhelming, while this is so warm. There are no weapons displayed either.” Hearing Elizabeth’s burst of laughter, she studied her furiously blushing hostess. “What has come over you?”
“Forgive me … This ball has made me a bundle of nerves. No wonder I miss my husband.” She drew a calming breath and managed to regain some control of the images galloping through her mind. “You were saying?”
Sophie studied her and spoke slowly, “I have only been in one other great house. Maybe Pemberley is typical?”
“You are definitely asking the wrong person, I am as naive as you, I am afraid. I am still becoming acquainted with all of the rooms. We simply have not had time to renew our tour, but we will. I am fortunate that I have very little to redecorate.”
“And I have a whole house!”
“A challenge indeed.”
“I hope that you do not mind if I steal some ideas during my stay?”
“Not at all.” Elizabeth opened her arms. “Take what you will.”
“Richard is so attached to Pemberley. I do not understand why, though? It has nothing to do with his family, besides his aunt being mistress once.”
Elizabeth smiled fondly, “He and Fitzwilliam consider each other to be brothers. And in many ways, I think that Richard felt more at home here or at Darcy House than with his own family. My husband told me how he would avoid them as much as possible until very recently. With good reason it seems.”
“It is improved, although if Albert were not at Matlock I am not sure if Richard would want to visit as often as he must.”
“How is Albert faring? He seemed fit enough the last few nights.” Elizabeth heard another sigh. “He is still tempted? Is Anne doing better with him? I have been so busy entertaining that I have not had much opportunity to observe them together since they arrived.”
Sophie considered the question thoughtfully, “Yes, they are closer … They care for each other. That I can certainly confirm. I do not know, Elizabeth. Sometimes Albert seems fine and sometimes … he just looks like he is ready to leave this earth. It seems to be a daily struggle.”
“It will be good for him to see the judge again today. He seemed to have a positive influence upon him.”
“Yes, Lady Matlock remarked something of the sort recently.”
They approached the drawing room where the ladies were gathered making decorations for the ball, and hearing their voices, Elizabeth stopped. “I am glad that Richard told you about Georgiana, for more reasons than I can say.”
“You mean; that he trusts me?” She said softly when Elizabeth smiled and nodded. “Mother did write to me about what was said at Matlock, and I wrote back about how disappointed I was that she had spread such terrible gossip. Richard was very unhappy with her, and I had to tell her that as well.”
“Is Richard still unsympathetic towards Georgiana?” Their eyes met and Sophie nodded. “Fitzwilliam took a long time to accept that she was far more at fault than himself.” Sophie rolled her eyes and Elizabeth nodded with a sigh. “But he loves her dearly.”
“Obviously. Look at all you both have done for her. As well as the judge and Mrs. Darcy.”
“At least it seems that we have avoided her exposure and things can settle for a few years.” Sophie squeezed her arm and Elizabeth smiled.
“It is so nice to see Fitzwilliam relaxing with the family. When we met, he felt utterly alone, except for Richard and Uncle Harding. He was so terribly hurt by all of this, and I know that he has not told me everything. I wish that he would not spare me.”
“He reminds me of Richard in that. He loves Georgiana and wants her and the baby to be well, but he will not accept any sign of weakness on her part. He feels that she has been given a king’s ransom in return for a curtsey. Not that he questions your husband’s determination to save her.”
“Richard was equally complicit in saving her, so he would only be questioning himself if he did. She is truly repentant and much improved, but I would not like to see either of them if she ever steps a toe out of line again.”
Sophie smiled at the glint in Elizabeth’s eye. “I imagine that you and I share similar feelings on the matter, and that we also can empathize with the plight of a ruined girl better than they.” Seeing the women in the room looking to them, Elizabeth nodded. They paused at the door and Sophie looked down. “I also suspect that Richard knows much more than he has told me. He seems to have things tucked away that he thinks about when he is alone.” Sophie looked back up and saw that Elizabeth was listening closely. “Do not read too much into it, please. Richard says a great many things when his guard is down. Sometimes he forgets … When we … lie together, he … tells me …”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Do not betray his trust to me, you are his most intimate and devoted confidante, be glad that he speaks to you. I can only imagine some of the experiences he has had. I know that he speaks of them to Fitzwilliam but he will never tell me anything of it.”
“He does not tell me the details, only the emotion he has suppressed because a man is not to feel such things.” She glared at a portrait of a soldier. “Fools.”
“I am so happy that he married you.” Elizabeth smiled and hugged her. “He is not what you expected at all, is he?”
“No.” Sophie laughed. “But then, I am not what I appear to be, either.”
“Is anyone?”
SAMUEL WATCHED the impressive display of the Pemberley men disappearing down Lambton’s main road on his cousin’s finest horseflesh until they had been gone for some time. Mr. Mayfield cleared his throat at least a half dozen times until he started and looked up. “I am sorry, sir. I did not hear you.”
“That much is obvious, Darcy.” Settling into a chair opposite the desk in the small office Samuel occupied, he folded his hands over his ample belly. “Feeling left out? I saw the party passing through. Your cousin attracts attention at any visit to the village, but with eight other men along …” He chuckled. “What are they up to?”
“One of the men is searching for an estate to purchase, his father was in trade.”
“Was he? Good for him leaping the social boundaries, he will do well with Mr. Darcy as his guide.” Mayfield nodded. “I have never had any interest in that life myself. Corn and cattle,” He wrinkled his nose. “I would rather leave the Mr. Darcys of th
e world to it and send my good wife to do the shopping.” He winked. “Like your wife will do.”
“My wife?” Samuel shook his head with a smile.
“I was not thinking of next week, now.” He chuckled. “Although, there is that ball coming up at Pemberley. And a great many harvest fetes and assemblies to attend in the coming weeks. A young handsome fellow like you will have the maids falling all over themselves to catch your eye. Good prospects, good teeth …”
“You make me sound like a thoroughbred at Tattersall’s.” Mayfield laughed. Samuel smiled and looked back out at the town. “I know what I am searching for. I pray that I find a bright-eyed country girl for me.”
Mayfield tried, but he could not read the young man. “Are you certain that you want to move off the estate? My offer for you to stay with us stands if you would rather not live at the inn. Lambton is just too small to have many rooms to let. My wife would be glad to have you.”
“I appreciate that sir, but … My parents are disappointed enough with me for leaving home. If I were to move into your house …”
“Your mother would be insulted, yes, I know, I know. Even though she would be assured of your eating well, and it will be yours before too long. Well, you have lived on your own before, I cannot blame you for not wanting to forever feel like a guest and have to be on your best behaviour.” Nodding to the building across the street, he pursed his lips. “It is not a house, but I imagine our inn is a far sight more comfortable and quieter than where you lived in London.”
Samuel smiled and looked down. “That would not take much, sir.”
Mayfield leaned forward. “Are you sure that this is what you want with your life, Darcy? Something tells me that you are a man of the land, not of the books. You are doing your damndest here, and I look at your work and know that you will be running circles around me before the New Year. You are sharp as a tack and learn quickly, but is this what you truly want?”
“What would you have me do?” Samuel said incredulously. “I am not like Mr. Bingley and the recipient of a hundred thousand pounds to go off buying a home! My cousin, more so than my father, is financing the purchase of this practice, for heaven’s sake! I have been blessed by his faith in me! I must earn my living and I followed in my father’s footsteps. Is that not what most every son does? I want him to be proud of me.”
“Yes, of course. If I had a boy who had wanted it, would I have entertained Mr. Darcy’s suggestion that I take you on, a newly employed clerk? I would have saved your position for my blood. But my boy wished to be a physician, and he became one. A damned good one, too. The point being, Darcy, he is doing what makes him happy, not me. I love him just the same.”
“Sir … I appreciate your efforts to help me find my path, but the point remains, I have no great inheritance. I have no expectations of one. I have generous connections, and I am quite content to be your successor, I truly do enjoy the law and I do not covet my cousin’s estate.” He turned completely away from the window and looked his employer in the eye. “Now then, I have some questions for you, if you have the time?”
Mayfield sighed and then nodding; found his usual smile. “Certainly, let me just go and fetch my spectacles.” He stood and went out into the office.
Samuel stopped shuffling the papers on his desk and blew out his cheeks. He stared unseeing out of the window and thought of the men from Pemberley riding through Meryton, and then thinking of his father, he shook his head and returned to work.
“MRS. DARCY, are you going to remain in that doorway conducting your private conversation or will we all share in it?” Lady Catherine demanded.
Elizabeth heard Sophie’s quiet groan and entered the room, “Forgive me, Aunt. I was not aware that you were without companionship.” She looked around; all of the female guests were present. Jane was looking at Sophie curiously.
“Hmmmph. I assume that your plans are completed?”
“I hope so, but Mrs. Reynolds will probably arrive in minutes with another disaster to settle. I would be glad to receive advice from you or Aunt Grace; you have surely hosted and attended scores of private balls. The grandest I have ever experienced was held by my brother, Mr. Bingley.” She smiled at Jane. “What an evening that was! I was a bundle of nerves; at last I was to dance with the man I would soon marry.” She turned to Susan and Lady Matlock, “And I met your sons that night.”
“It was a terrifying evening.” Jane agreed.
“Nobody saw your fear, I assure you, Jane.” Louisa smiled, “You looked so serene.”
She started and put her hand to her heart, “I did?”
Elizabeth turned to the elder ladies. “For me it was all a blur, I hardly remember a thing other than … well … some things I do remember.” She smiled to her hands and everyone saw her touch her ring.
“Well then, as you are ignorant, I will give my counsel since I was in charge of that affair.” Caroline spoke up and turned to Lady Catherine, “You see, I was acting as the mistress of the house at the time.”
“Yes, naturally. And when your brother married you stepped aside as you should.” She dismissed her and nodded to Jane. “Mrs. Bingley, I know how your sister has admirably donned her role of mistress of my nephew’s homes, and she has been extremely successful after a fashion.” Elizabeth’s eyes rolled and she caught Sophie’s smile behind her hand. “What have you done to make Mr. Bingley’s home your own?”
Her eyes wide, she felt her cheeks reddening. “Unfortunately, Mr. Bingley currently does not have a home, Lady Catherine. Our lease ends in a few weeks at Michaelmas and we have already moved away. We are staying at my sister’s invitation until an estate is purchased.” Jane looked to Elizabeth. “Perhaps it will be found today.”
Lady Catherine was looking sharply between the sisters. “I hope that you take greater interest in this home, Mrs. Bingley, and do not give your husband any trouble when he purchases it. Your sister should not have to host you indefinitely.”
Jane stammered, “Of … of course not, Lady Catherine. We appreciate my sister and brother’s kindness.”
Impatient, Cathy brushed the conversation aside and leaned towards Elizabeth, “I want to hear about your first meeting with Richard.”
“I have no doubt that he made a lasting impression.” Lady Matlock smiled.
“He certainly did with me.” Sophie laughed.
“Yes, I wished to throttle him.” Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully.
Sophie clapped. “Me, too!”
“Now that is the brother I know and love.” Cathy laughed. “What did he do?”
“Oh my, too many things. His self-appointed task was to find out what sort of a woman had wormed her way into my husband’s heart at long last.” She took an imaginary poker and twisted it. “He was awful, I assure you. No offense, Sophie, but he was. I felt as if I were being held in a dungeon and questioned at the hands of a hooded thug.”
“Oh my!” Georgiana gasped.
“It was awful. No wonder I have forgotten so much of that night.” She shrugged at Sophie, “Again, I apologize.”
“No, no, I take no offense with anything he did before I was near to correct him. I have given him a blanket pardon for his past.” She grinned. “From what I have seen of your relationship, you have been an excellent influence upon him.”
Elizabeth opened her hands, “I am glad to have relinquished it to you.”
“And how was my son, Elizabeth?” Susan asked.
“Samuel.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Samuel is any young lady’s dream. Handsome, thoughtful, kind … an absolute gentleman … He was so shy, how he has changed in the time I have known him.” She smiled at his proud mother. “You have done wonderfully raising him.”
“Then why did you not marry him?” Caroline spurted out before Susan could respond. Her face coloured when the women turned to her, and she moderated her voice. “You seem enamoured of him.”
The warmth in her expression gone, Elizabeth spoke sharply,
“I was engaged to Mr. Darcy, Miss Bingley. My heart was captured by him quite early in our acquaintance. The beauty or manner of any other man, while appreciated, can never compare to my husband, or at that time, my betrothed. If I recall, you noticed my husband’s feelings for me as they formed and commented upon them frequently. Did you not see that I cared for him as well, particularly when I accepted his proposal in your presence?”
“As I remember, I expressed my surprise along with the rest of the witnesses.” She said defensively.
Anne addressed Caroline, “You witnessed my cousin’s proposal? May I ask what it was like?”
“Oh yes, do describe it!” Cathy leaned forward eagerly.
“Girls!” Lady Matlock chastised them. “It is not your business!”
“Of course it is!” Cathy glared at her mother. “Anne and I both were hoping to hear him propose to us! She is married, I am … endeavouring to be married … and you know that Elizabeth will only describe his proposal in the most glowing terms.” Turning back to Caroline she looked at her encouragingly. “Well? How was it?”
“What did he say? Did he get on one knee?”
“Oh, how unlike him that would be!” Cathy looked at Anne. “I always imagined him taking my hand and speaking very seriously.”
“I always imagined Mama sitting next to him with a knife pressed to his back.” Anne laughed.
“Lady Gladney!”
“I am sorry, Mama, but as positive as I was that he would be my husband, I knew that he was not in any hurry to propose.” She sighed and looked at Elizabeth. “I am sorry to renew any discomfort between us; I hope that we have managed to move on?”
Elizabeth was sitting with her arms crossed protectively over her chest and watching the conversation with disbelief. “No, no … you are quite married now and if I can find it in my heart to be friends with your mother, I should certainly accept you. I believe that I made my opinion of your … opinion of him quite clear at our last meeting.”
“Good.” Cathy turned back to Caroline. “Well?”