by Kelly Miller
Fitzwilliam spoke with a solemn air. “I never knew of this. I am sorry for your loss.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Elizabeth echoed his sentiments.
Lady Catherine nodded. “I thank you both. I am sorry to say that, since James’s death, I have not lived my life in a way that honoured the love he and I felt for each other. Instead, I told myself love should be avoided at all costs; it was certain to bring heartache and misery.” She directed a solemn gaze at Fitzwilliam. “This was the reason I became obsessed with the idea of you and Anne marrying. I never expected that it would be a love match, but I believed you would be friends. I knew you were an honourable man who would take good care of my daughter. I thought it would be the best possible outcome for both of you. I was wrong to try to push that belief onto you and Anne by insisting upon a marriage of convenience.”
Lady Catherine took a long breath. “I can now admit, Darcy, I have noticed a change in you since your marriage; I can even deem it an improvement. Not only do you appear to be happier, but you are more pleasant company than before.”
Fitzwilliam favoured Elizabeth with a smile as he replied to his aunt. “I give my wife full credit for any improvements you see.”
Her ladyship moved her gaze to Elizabeth. “As for you, at first, I dare say, anyone would have justifiably been suspicious of you. After I witnessed your deportment in the company of my two nephews in my parlour at Rosings, I observed no sign whatsoever that you held any true affection for Darcy. You admitted to me on my first evening here that you disliked Darcy at that time. In fact, one might have assumed from your conduct at the time that your preferences ran in a different direction.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together. It was true. Lady Catherine had had good cause to suspect she had accepted Fitzwilliam for mercenary reasons, but the woman had closed her mind to any other alternative.
“This, and your family’s precarious circumstances made it appear probable that you had accepted him for financial gain, but one has only to observe you with him now to know the truth of the matter. I should have recognised it sooner, but it seems the unhappiness and bitterness I have harboured for so long made me blind.”
Her husband’s hand closed around hers as Lady Catherine continued.
“I am sorry for every unkind word I have said to you. I am most ashamed of drawing Lady Rebecca into my ill-advised scheme, and I am thankful she had the sense to abandon it. Though I showed you disdain and hostility, you never ceased to treat me with respect and kindness. You are a stronger woman than I am, Elizabeth. I can see now that Darcy chose well for himself.” She lifted the handkerchief clutched in her hand to dab at the moisture that had pooled in her eyes. “My daughter has proved herself wiser than her mother. She wishes to get to know you better, and she bears no resentment whatsoever for your marriage. I regret that it has taken me longer to let go of my own animosity, but at long last, I have. Do you suppose you can find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Expelling a deep breath, Elizabeth smiled. “I am happy to accept your apology.”
Fitzwilliam squeezed her hand as he spoke to his aunt. “You should know that, when my wife told me of your reason for coming here with Lady Rebecca, I intended to ensure you left Pemberley at once.”
His aunt’s eyes widened as she collapsed against the back of her chair.
Elizabeth raised her brows as she peered at her husband. Why tell his aunt this now when it no longer mattered?
In a softer tone, he said, “Elizabeth persuaded me to let you stay. She wanted the opportunity to change your fixed assumptions concerning her. Because of my wife’s insistence, you are still here.”
So this was what he wished his aunt to know.
Lady Catherine’s eyes planted on her. “Why? Why did you want me to remain here?”
She flashed a glance at Fitzwilliam, who brushed her palm with his thumb. “I did not want my husband to lose his connection with his mother’s sister and, by extension, his cousin if I could prevent it. His family is small enough already.”
Lady Catherine spoke in little more than a whisper. “I am grateful for your efforts. It is more than I deserve, but I am glad for it.” She paused to wipe her eyes again. “I have decided to travel to Bellwood Hall tomorrow and stay there for a few days. It has been more than a year since I have visited my brother and his family, and it has been far too long since I have seen the beautiful grounds surrounding my childhood home. Anne has indicated a preference to remain here while I am gone. I hope you do not mind.”
“Fitzwilliam and I are more than happy to have Anne stay at Pemberley in your absence. She seems to have already formed a rapport with Bennet. The toy dog he received from you and Anne is one of his most prized possessions.”
Furrows lined her ladyship’s brow. “The what? Oh, yes. I am glad to hear it.” Sitting straighter in her chair, Lady Catherine addressed her in a more familiar, confident tone. “I must commend you on your improvement on the pianoforte. Your playing years ago at Rosings was barely tolerable, but it has undergone a noticeable improvement.”
Elizabeth cast a smile towards her husband. Here was the Lady Catherine she knew. She bit her lower lip to temper her smile. “I thank you. I have been practicing more than I once did, and I have taken the opportunity to learn with a master for a time.”
She nodded. “Yes, yes. That is well, but see that you are diligent with reference to practice. Mark my words, you shall not retain the advances you have made in your playing unless you practice with attentiveness and constancy. I dare say even with guests in the house, you should be able to find time to practice.”
A side glance at her husband revealed his lips had curved into a smirk. “Yes, Lady Catherine, I shall keep that in mind.” He is enjoying this now, but wait until this evening when his aunt expects him to play quadrille again!
Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “It is time my wife and I made an appearance in the breakfast room. Lady Catherine, shall you accompany us there?”
“No, you two go on without me. I had a bite to eat in my room early this morning, and I must speak with Mrs. Jenkinson. I have an apology to make to her as well.”
***
Darcy’s mind reeled from his aunt’s startling revelation as he left the sitting room with Elizabeth. How might his family’s mental disposition towards class and social standing have been altered if his aunt had married the son of an insignificant gentlemen? Would he have grown up without the prejudiced views that had led him astray when he first met Elizabeth?
How had Lady Catherine kept this important episode in her life hidden for so many years? A sudden realization hindered his breath; it was due to Elizabeth that this secret was ever revealed. It may have remained unknown to anyone but his aunt were it not for his wife and her determination to break through his aunt’s shell of grim disdain.
As his eyes fell upon Elizabeth, the inclination to tease her came upon him. “You know, what my aunt said earlier has merit. You can always practice on the pianoforte in the east wing. You would be in nobody’s way in that part of the house.” He had scant time to complete his sentence before his wife slipped her hand under his coat in a deft movement to pinch him on the waist. He jerked to the side. “Hey!”
The nearest footman, though trained to keep his countenance at all times, startled when Darcy erupted in laughter.
***
Elizabeth and her husband entered the breakfast room later than was their wont, but Anne and Papa were the sole occupants who had preceded them. At her inquiry, Anne reassured her that she had slept well and everything in her room was to her liking.
Papa initiated a discussion with Fitzwilliam centring upon several books on philosophy he had perused in the library. Her heart was full, and her vitality overflowed as her two most beloved men conducted a light-hearted debate. It was a delightful sight! Were
it just the three of them, she would have interjected doses of her own views into their discussion, but as it was, she and Anne had their own animated chat regarding the many walking destinations around Pemberley. The two of them decided to plan a group walk for the following day.
They had been at breakfast for a time before they were joined by Georgiana and Richard. A few minutes later, Jane, Charles, Lady Catherine, and Mrs. Jenkinson arrived. After the revelations made by her sisters the previous day, Elizabeth gave them careful observance. From the cheerful comportment and frequent smiles displayed by both Jane and Georgiana, they had managed to solve their individual concerns. An airy lightness filled her at the improvement in her sisters’ moods. It seemed that everything was wonderful and right in the world. What an ideal day this promised to be!
In a bright, buoyant tone, Elizabeth reminded her guests of the party planned for that day. Outside the breakfast room window, servants were arranging tables and chairs next to the lawn area at the front of the house while separate sections were being set up for lawn bowling and archery.
***
Graham carried a large wicker basket as he ambled along the road from Lambton. After he left Sarah Mead’s home that morning, he had taken advantage of his superhuman perception, which had prompted him to visit the Lambton Inn. The proprietor, a genial fellow named Mr. Hawkins, had a four-month-old, reddish-blond cocker spaniel for sale. Graham agreed to purchase the puppy without haggling over the price, and Mr. Hawkins was kind enough to give him the basket.
Last night, Graham had informed Sarah that it would be his last visit. Although she had accepted his words with the appearance of equanimity, there had been moments during the evening when she had been fighting tears, discernible in the way her voice had faltered.
When he had taken his leave of Sarah that morning, she had been stoic and had given him a faint smile after he kissed her one final time. They would see each other that afternoon at the Darcys’ party, but henceforth, they would meet as cordial acquaintances, not as lovers.
A faint but persistent impression acted with oppressive force against his quietude. What could be the reason for his unease? Had he not been truthful with Sarah from the start? As easy as it would have been for him to exert a subtle influence upon her to ensure she agreed to his overture, he had refrained from doing so. It had been her own choice to agree to his stipulation. Of course, most mortal women he had met had evinced a strong attraction to his form. Perhaps Clive had been correct: it may have been a bad decision to have chosen so beautiful a body to inhabit. If he had been more prudent—if he had chosen the form of a man more moderate in appearance—would Sarah have had an easier time saying goodbye?
A sudden thought gave him pause and caused a churning in his stomach. Had Sarah fallen in love with him? A review of their time together over the previous evenings brought him reassurance. No, she could not have. From their first meeting, he had divined that one man, Nicholas Mead, owned her heart. This fact had made her the ideal choice for a companion.
It was unfortunate that Sarah’s husband had died so soon after their marriage. During the course of his visits, Graham had been able to reach a good many of Nicholas Mead’s thoughts and memories. He had been an admirable gentleman who had loved his wife with all his heart. If Sarah was sad that Graham would visit her no more, it was because he had, for a short time, assuaged her loneliness and diverted her mind from her longing for another.
This conclusion with regard to Sarah lifted his mood until thoughts of Darcy pushed their way through. Graham had given the matter much contemplation, and the stark truth had become clear: taking another’s life in place of Darcy would not be appropriate. He had formed the incorrect assumption that he could substitute the man’s aunt, who had already lived the majority of her expected life span, but he had been incorrect. To take another person, any person, in his or her prime of life before their fated time so that Darcy could be allowed to live would be against all the gentleman stood for. Darcy was a man of honour, truth, and integrity. To make such a substitution on his behalf would be wrong, and he would be the first to say so.
This afternoon, during the outdoor party, Darcy’s seven days would be up. Due to his puzzling inability to see the Darcys’ futures, what would befall him was a mystery. It could be an illness like apoplexy or internal bleeding, or it could be an accident.
His facial muscles grew taut. This mysterious impairment of his abilities was odd and vexing to experience. It would be so much easier if he knew what to expect! What could be the reason for his disability? Was it a consequence of his time spent among mortals? When he next saw Clive, he would ask him to explain this strange affliction.
Graham had come to a significant decision: he would stay on earth and provide whatever support he could to Elizabeth for as long as she needed him. Mayhap she would one day desire to marry him. It might take years for this to occur, but he was not in a hurry. She would be in mourning for a year in any case, and because of Darcy’s standing in the country, strict adherence to such customs would be expected.
Concluding his liaison with Sarah was the first step towards a change in his conduct designed to prove to Elizabeth that she could depend upon him. From now on, he would spend his nights in his guest room at Pemberley. He would be available for Elizabeth whenever she needed him.
Chapter 12: Time Runs Out
The servants were in such a bustle of activity as they arranged food and decorations for the celebration that when Graham returned to the house, the maids who passed by him spared nary more than a flash of a smile in his direction.
Graham stopped at the entrance to the front parlour. Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Bingley worked on their own sewing projects while Elizabeth demonstrated a complicated embroidery stitch to Miss de Bourgh. They had not noticed his arrival. “Excuse me, ladies. I hate to interrupt your good work.”
The ladies stood and curtsied as he bowed, and Elizabeth bid him to join them.
Choosing the seat nearest to Miss de Bourgh, he set the basket on the floor. “I find myself in need of a favour.” He took a dramatic pause. He had the full attention of the ladies. “On my walk back to Pemberley this morning, I stopped to assist a family on the road. A wheel on their coach had worked itself loose. I was told they were leaving the area to take a ship to America. They had learned yesterday that the ship did not allow dogs, and they had obtained a four-month-old puppy in the prior week. They were in a terrible rush to leave in order to reach their ship in time, but were frantic with concern for their pet and what would become of it, so I volunteered to find a home for the creature.” He lifted the lid off the basket. A reddish-blond head with long, pendulous ears popped up.
“Oh, it is perfect!” Miss de Bourgh burst out of her chair and crouched next to the puppy, stroking its head.
Graham rose from his chair and took a step back from Miss de Bourgh and the animal lest he alarm it. “Miss de Bourgh, is there any chance you would do me the great service of taking on the responsibility for this beast?”
Miss de Bourgh lifted the puppy with the utmost care and stood before Graham as she viewed him with eyes that glistened with moisture. “I thank you for thinking of me in your quest of a home for this darling puppy. I shall be happy to give this…female…?”
His brow crinkled. “Oh, um, male.”
“…male puppy a home.” Turning the puppy to examine its face, she spoke in an undertone. “He is the exact sort of dog I have always wished to have.”
Elizabeth moved closer to the puppy and caressed its head. “Do you see how the puppy leans his body into you, Anne, and away from Graham? It is clear he already favours you.”
His lips curved up. It was one explanation for the animal’s actions.
Miss de Bourgh met Elizabeth’s gaze with a grin. “The feeling is mutual.” To him, she asked, “Do you suppose he needs to go outdoors?”
; “What? Oh yes, of course. I imagine he does as he has been in the basket for a long while now.”
As the other ladies crowded around Miss de Bourgh to voice their admiration and pet the puppy, she addressed Elizabeth. “I should love to learn more stitches from you another time, but I think I shall take the puppy outside now.” She hesitated. “Afterwards, if you think it is a good plan, I should like to stop by the nursery and show him to Bennet.”
Elizabeth gave her a bright smile as she gave the puppy a final pat. “That is a marvellous idea. Bennet loves dogs, and who can resist a puppy?”
Graham crinkled his nose. He could! What did they see in the scraggy little runt?
When Miss de Bourgh had left the room, Elizabeth stepped near him. She used a hushed tone. “It was a wonderful thing you did for her. I believe that puppy will be well loved.”
Her nearness made his hands tingle and hindered his breathing, even as it filled him with delight. He had had no conception of gratifying Elizabeth when he sought the puppy, otherwise, in the hopes of pleasing her, he might have obtained a dozen of them! “You heard the story; it was not my doing. I—” The hand she placed on his arm stilled his tongue.
“I know the story was made up. It was exceedingly sweet of you. I thank you on behalf of Fitzwilliam. He has a wonderful friend in you.”
He nodded and pasted on a smile, but every good feeling of a moment ago had vanished. Why did she have to mention Darcy?
***
Darcy had been walking the grounds amidst the preparations being made for the afternoon’s party when a flash of colour in the rose garden caught his eye. It was his cousin Anne. He strode in that direction and entered the garden but made a sudden jerk to the side at a soft pressure upon his leg. Gazing down, he laughed; it was a small cocker spaniel puppy. He crouched to stroke it and raised his head as his cousin approached. “Well, Anne, shall you introduce me to your friend?”