Reluctantly, she allowed Olivia to take her hand and lead her toward the door, though her eyes locked on William until she could see him no longer.
THE DOOR TO THE MAIN hallway closed with an ominous finality, and a great shuddering seized Elizabeth. Her carefully constructed facade crumbled as both hands covered her face and she sobbed. Guiding her into an empty guest room, Olivia embraced her, rocking her side to side as one would a child.
“There, there, dearest. Cry all you wish... let it out.” Elizabeth wept for a long time, ultimately going silent because she was completely bereft of tears.
“As cruel as this may sound, I am relieved to see you cry,” Olivia said. “You must let the pain escape; otherwise, you will make yourself sick. And since you may be with child, you must do all in your power to stay healthy.”
Taking the handkerchief her aunt offered, Elizabeth sniffled as she dabbed her eyes and nose. “I feel so useless. There is nothing I can do to help Will.”
“In situations like this, we have to put our loved one in God’s hands and have faith in Him, just as Mr. Camryn said.”
“But... ” Elizabeth stuttered, “sometimes God does not give us what we ask, and I could not bear it if Will were to die.”
“I do not believe that Fitzwilliam is going to die, Elizabeth. But whatever happens, we will face it together. For now, you know that your husband would want you to be strong for the baby.”
The tumult in her heart subsided, and Elizabeth forced a faint, quivering smile. “I will try.”
Love and sweet patience were in her aunt’s look. “Come, then. We shall go to your dressing room so you may wash your face, and then we shall join the others.”
“You are wise, as well as kind. Thank you for your encouragement, Aunt Olivia. I love you.”
“With God’s help, I have survived many hard lessons in my life. If I have any wisdom, it is only by His grace.” She slid an arm around Elizabeth’s waist, hugging her closer as they walked from the room. “And, I love you, too, Elizabeth. Very, very much.”
DOWNSTAIRS
Elizabeth ate very little, but it was apparently enough to satisfy Mr. Camryn. Once the meal had concluded, he went straight upstairs whilst the others filed into the foyer. The Moodys, who were needed at the foundlings’ home, were leaving for Lambton with promises to keep William in their prayers as well as to come again the next day. Meanwhile, when a footman opened the huge entrance doors, the sombre atmosphere was broken by the noise of a vehicle with matching pairs of greys, halting on the circular, gravel drive.
Elizabeth and Olivia walked towards the door. They both appeared stunned to see Lady Susan Hartley exit a carriage with Lord Attaway right behind her. Upon seeing Fitzwilliam’s wife at the open door, Susan threw her head back, and with a frosty glare of defiance, began up the steps. Her companion scrambled to catch up. Astonished, Elizabeth stood like a statue as they passed her and Olivia and went into the house.
Inside, Georgiana was hurrying down the staircase. “Susan, I saw your arrival from my bedroom window,” she declared. “I had no idea you would come so quickly.”
“How could I delay after receiving your note about my dear Fitzwilliam,” Lady Susan replied, now sniffing into a handkerchief as evidence of her grief. “I could not bear to stay away, knowing how near to death he lies. Please tell me that he has improved.”
“I can say truthfully that he is no worse,” Georgiana answered, linking their arms. “Come, I will take you to see him.” Over her shoulder, she directed Mr. Walker, “Please show Lord Attaway to the library.”
As they began up the stairs, Elizabeth stood her ground with the most perfect dignity. “No, Georgiana. Lady Susan is not welcome to see my husband. He is not to be disturbed.”
Georgiana stopped and her lip curled with scorn. “My brother is unconscious. How can our presence disturb him?”
Elizabeth glared at the interloper. “After what happened in London, he expressly forbade Lady Susan from entering Pemberley ever again. Should he awaken to find that his wishes were ignored, he will be upset. And I will not have that.”
If it were possible, Georgiana got angrier. “Fitzwilliam was stressed when he made that statement, of that I am certain. He would not begrudge her being here under the circumstances for, in spite of everything, Lady Susan has long been a beloved friend of his, as well as mine.”
“Until he is able to speak for himself, I intend to follow his wishes.”
Lord Attaway tried to intervene, saying condescendingly, “Surely you are not so resentful as to bar an old friend from seeing Fitzwilliam?”
Elizabeth turned around to face him, asking irritably, “Lord Attaway, what right have you to intrude in this conversation?”
He wilted under her steady gaze. “None, actually.”
“Then may I suggest that you keep silent.”
Flustered, Attaway apologised. “Excuse me. I meant no disrespect.”
While this conversation was occurring, Mr. Walker had motioned three footmen forward. Seeing the men standing protectively behind her nemesis, Lady Susan decided that she would be unceremoniously tossed from the house if she kept to her plan.
“I did not come to cause turmoil, dearest Georgiana,” she said, her scowl a silent rebuttal of her words. “Please keep me informed every minute of Fitzwilliam’s progress. I can be here in less than a half-hour, if need be.”
Georgiana proclaimed boldly, “You do not have to leave. This is my house too!”
Lady Susan patted her hand sympathetically. “It is best, for now, that I do.”
As she walked past the woman who had stolen the man she desired, Lady Susan’s eyes danced with malice. She said nothing more, though, as she marched out of the house with Attaway following timidly.
The closing of the front door signified that they were gone and brought Georgiana down the stairs to confront Elizabeth. “How dare you tell me whom I may invite to Pemberley?”
Suddenly, a disembodied voice declared, “You will not speak to your sister in that manner.” Every eye flew to Joseph Fitzwilliam, who was now on the landing. As he came down the stairs, he added, “Furthermore, Georgiana, you will return to your room this instant and stay there until you can keep a civil tongue in your mouth.”
“You cannot tell me what I can do,” Georgiana replied, though she sounded hesitant.
“My nephew made it plain that he did not appreciate your disrespect of his wife. I intend to see that you respect Elizabeth while he is unable to make you do it himself.”
Georgiana’s eyes flicked about the room, meeting those of Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Walker and several maids and footmen. Seeing that she was defeated, she began to climb the stairs. When she got to Joseph, she stopped. “We will see who is in charge once the earl arrives.”
“Matlock is not master of this house, either,” Joseph said matter-of-factly. “And all who serve here will obey Mrs. Darcy, not him.”
Without another word, Georgiana fled to her rooms.
Elizabeth hurried up to meet him, asking, “Who is with Will?”
Smiling affectionately at her concern, Joseph answered, “Mr. Camryn had joined me in Fitzwilliam’s room. I came down when I heard raised voices.”
“Thank goodness.” Her shoulders slumped with relief. “I do not want Will left alone.”
“We will not let that happen.”
“I appreciate your words, Uncle. I do not wish to be harsh with my sister, but I will not let Georgiana change what Fitzwilliam decreed just because he is unable to speak for himself.”
“No thanks are necessary. I agree with you regarding Lady Susan, and I know my nephew would expect me to take your side against one and all.”
“You know full well that Georgiana will be angry.”
“She has been angry since Livy and I arrived. A little more anger will not hurt her,” he teased.
Elizabeth’s features softened to a quivering smile, and she nodded mutely before rushing up the stairs to her husband.
DESCENDING THE REST of the stairs, Joseph looked about to find that all the servants had disappeared. Gathering Olivia into his arms, he whispered, “Let us go into the garden so we may speak privately.”
She nodded, and they walked in that direction. Once on the gravel path, they went straight to the garden containing the wooden swing. He helped her to sit down and then sat down beside her.
After a brief silence, he said, “I am sorry that it has come to this.”
“It was not your fault. That Georgiana feels free, not only to attack Elizabeth, but to bring that woman here, is very alarming.”
“I will not see Elizabeth treated disrespectfully.”
“That makes me proud, dear. I do have to wonder, though, what the Earl of Matlock will say if he comes here.” She sighed. “I remember how hateful he was the last time we were in his company.”
“My brother can do nothing unless Fitzwilliam dies. If that were to happen, he could try to take charge, depending on how the will is written and how many men he still controls at court.” Joseph heaved a sigh. “It is unfortunate that Elizabeth is not with child. An heir would make all the difference with regard to her future.”
Olivia bit her lip and Joseph noticed the uneasy look on her face. “Clearly you know something that you have not shared with me, Livy.”
“You know me too well.” She breathed deeply. “I promised Elizabeth I would not tell anyone, yet I have had to confide in Mr. Camryn already. Please promise that you will not tell a soul.”
His features softened, “I promise.” Before she could explain, however, he added, “I assume from your reaction that my niece is with child.”
“Elizabeth thinks she is, though she cannot be certain until she feels the quickening.”
“How ironic—to feel such deep happiness and sadness at the same time. Our nephew would be ecstatic were he aware. Instead, he may never know how close he came to realising his dream of having a child.”
“It is heartbreaking how everything can change in the blink of an eye.” Tears filled his wife’s eyes. “We learned that lesson well, did we not?”
He pulled her close. “Yes, we did, my love.” Then seeking her eyes, he implored, “Try not to fret, Livy. Your delicate health causes me great concern.”
“Do not worry. I mean to be here a long time, for whom else do Elizabeth or Fitzwilliam have?”
“It is my job to worry about you... and about Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, too,” Joseph said, placing a quick kiss on her nose. Over her shoulder, he saw Mr. Walker exit the back door and head in their direction.
“Walker, do you have need of me?”
“I hate to bother you, sir, but Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Harahan returned in the middle of the night and went directly to their rooms. Now that they are awake, they asked to see Mr. Darcy. I explained what has happened, and they seem eager to speak to you.”
Joseph recalled Fitzwilliam mentioning the men, but he had never gone into detail about their employment. “Ask them to meet me in the library.”
Walked nodded, hurrying back into the house.
“After I meet with them, I think that you and I should stroll around the lake. My neck is stiff from the tension, and a walk would be just the remedy.”
“Then I shall wait here and enjoy the sunlight.”
Joseph leaned down to brush her lips with a kiss. “I shall return shortly.”
MINUTES LATER, JOSEPH Fitzwilliam passed a maid coming out of the library just as he was entering it. Coleridge and Harahan were seated on sofas, opposite each other, each holding a steaming cup of coffee and a plate containing a sweet roll. A nearby table held a tray with a pot of coffee. Both men started to stand when he entered the room, but he motioned for them to stay seated.
“My, that coffee smells incredible. I think I will join you in a cup.” He stopped to fill an empty cup with the dark liquid and took a sip, closing his weary eyes. Then he walked over to them, stopping in between where they sat.
“I am Joseph Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s uncle.”
The bald-headed man answered, “Dale Coleridge, sir. And this is Patrick Harahan.” He nodded to his red-haired co-hort. “We are former Bow Street Runners, employed by Mr. Darcy when he was in London.”
“My nephew mentioned you, though he did not go into detail about your duties, other than to say that it involved keeping an eye on Andrew Darcy.”
Harahan spoke. “We were shocked and saddened to learn of Mr. Darcy’s misfortune.”
“I note that you did not call it an accident,” Joseph stated.
“From what we have heard, we do not believe it was,” Harahan replied.
“No one else does, either; however, I have had too much on my mind to even consider investigating the incident. My nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, should be here any day, and I plan to leave that task in his capable hands. He had served as an investigator with His Majesty’s army for many years and has many resources that a regular chap could not possibly imagine.”
“We know Colonel Fitzwilliam well. It was he who recommended us to Mr. Darcy.”
“I see. That is most fortunate, for he and Fitzwilliam are confidants, and he will know what should be done next. May I propose that until he arrives, you dress down and visit the local taverns—see what is being said about my nephew’s calamity? Many may find their tongues if you buy them a drink.”
“You sound as though you have done some investigating in your time,” Coleridge ventured.
“I had to trace a deserter a time or two when I was with the navy. Please stay in touch if you do not return to Pemberley at night. That way Richard can locate you when he arrives. Do you need additional funds?”
“That will not be a problem. We will be staying at the Lambton Inn unless a lead takes us elsewhere. In that case, we will notify you straightaway. And, no, we are not in need of funds. Mr. Darcy was generous with his advance.”
“Very well. Please finish your refreshments before you strike out again.”
“We will. Thank you.”
Joseph swallowed the last of his coffee, set the cup down and nodded to them as he left to return to Olivia.
“WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION of Darcy’s uncle?” Coleridge asked a little later as he finished his second cup of coffee and placed the empty cup on the silver tray.
“Seems to me that he is a good man trying to hold everything together for his nephew’s sake,” Harahan replied. “I feel inclined to trust him.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Coleridge replied. “Well, are you ready to begin?”
Harahan came to his feet. “Yes, I could easily get used to living like this, and too much comfort tends to make me lazy.”
Coleridge chuckled. “Well, let us change into our rags, smudge our faces with dirt and join the unwashed crowd at the local taverns. That should make you feel more at home.”
“Very funny, old boy!” Harahan said, landing a punch on his friend’s forearm. “I think we should, too, but only after we follow up on that lead regarding the farmhouse outside Lambton.”
“So you are still set on finding Andrew Darcy?”
“I strongly believe that when we find that blackguard, we will learn that he is behind his cousin’s accident.”
“You are very untrusting, you know,” Coleridge teased.
“I learned that from you.”
Coleridge smiled widely. “So you did.”
SHEFFIELD
The Crown Inn
Andrew Darcy watched George Wickham primp in front of the mirror hanging over the dresser in their shared room. He could barely control his temper as Wickham turned from side to side, trying to see how his coat hung since he had had it pressed.
“I do not see how you can act so unconcerned!” Andrew said, throwing the newspaper that he had been perusing to the floor. “They could knock on our door any minute and arrest us for killing Fitz!”
Wickham rolled his eyes. “You have read too many novels, Andrew.”
“I do n
ot read novels. Nor would I have to in order to know that I am the prime suspect in my cousin’s death. No wonder you do not care. They will put me under arrest for the crime, and you shall walk free.”
“We do not even know that he is dead.”
“He looked dead to me!”
Wickham sighed, running his hands through his hair to comb it. “Even if he is, how many times do I have to tell you that we have the perfect alibi? As far as anyone knows, we were here when the shooting occurred. Letty and Agnes will swear to it!”
“Letty and Agnes will sing like song birds if Darcy’s cousin, Richard, gets a chance at them. You have never seen him question a suspect. He is tenacious!”
“And when have you seen him do that?”
“Once when I was a boy, Uncle George brought us all together—Fitz, Richard and me—to settle who had let one of his prized hunting dogs escape. I had my uncle convinced that I knew nothing about it until Richard began asking questions. In the end, he got me so confused that I confessed.”
“You are a man now. Besides, there will be no questions, for he will have no proof. He cannot arrest anyone on suppositions. So get dressed and join me. It will look better if we are seen at Lily’s Pleasure Garden again tonight instead of hiding in this room as though we are thieves.”
“Or murderers?”
Wickham smirked. “Not murderers—opportunists!”
Chapter 38
Pemberley
That same day
By evening, after there was no change in the master’s condition, an air of deep and irredeemable gloom pervaded Pemberley. The fading light found Mr. Camryn going down the hall to check on his patient, and upon entering William’s bedroom, he discovered Elizabeth still there. Sitting in a chair by the bed, she had laid her head on the counterpane next to William and was now fast asleep. Just as he started to wake her, Olivia and Joseph walked in the door. The three of them exchanged looks of frustration.
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 62