By Charm or by Choice

by Shana Jefferis-Zimmerman

  “Fitzwilliam, it does not matter if he felt some embarrassment, I believe even your presence in London and during his travels north comforted him. Of course Richard knows that everything that could be done to ascertain his whereabouts was being done. I think you did right by respecting his request for privacy. He is a very obstinate man. And he is not used to needing help. Can we write to the Earl in Whitworth? Surely they will both be there for some duration? Perhaps we can go visit him once the surgery has been performed.”

  “Yes, I shall write to my uncle and find out about Richard’s surgery and his other wounds.”

  “Fitzwilliam, I did not understand precisely what you were talking about with the stock market crashing. It was covered in the papers as well. They called it a panic and said many families have been badly hurt. What has happened?”

  “Elizabeth, we are fine. Pemberley is fine. But I have news. Richard has been writing to us so regularly about his movements and the military gossip regarding the funding of the war. His interesting theories have been on my mind for some time. There was a stock market crash. Once news of a British defeat was falsely reported in the papers, certain financial notes and securities lost much of their value for a full day before the retractions were printed the following day upon receipt of the accurate military reports detailing Great Britain’s victory. Had I not been in London, none of this would have mattered. The prices all nearly returned to normal within a day. But because I was there and I had received several of Richard’s letters, I believed the early press reports were false. I did not succumb to the panic that many others did. Instead of selling as many others were, I authorized my banker to BUY securities during the panic. And these securities were substantially discounted in price. My banker tried to dissuade me, but I would not be moved. I risked a great deal of money and I made a huge profit in the span of a single day. I’ve already sold the investment. All due to Richard’s information! I want to give Richard half of the profit. It would make him a wealthy man, able to buy an estate or a house in town and marry.”

  “Fitzwilliam, it is everything we have hoped for him! Do you think he would accept?”

  “I don’t know. It was his information. I owe all of the profits to him. But since I risked the capital for the investment, I thought splitting the profit would appeal to his sense of fairness and honour. It’s not a gift. It’s a business transaction.”

  “It’s ingenious! I think he can be persuaded. But first we must pray that he recovers.”

  Chapter 31

  Pemberley House, July 20

  Dear Charles and Jane,

  I am enjoying the beauty of Derbyshire as well as the fresh air that it offers. I hope you are both well and in good health. Jane, I pray your increasing is progressing well and that you remain hopeful as your time nears. I think of you both often. Georgiana is working very hard on her practising of the pianoforte and I am endeavoring to do likewise. I am very pleased with how the rose garden has been fitted up. At first I was nervous as to how it would be received, but the Darcys were so complimentary, I feel very gratified in their response. I believe you will enjoy seeing it when you are next here. The rose garden sees more visitors now that it is arranged for conversation and enjoyment of the view.

  Elizabeth shared with me that you had hired some workmen and were making improvements to Barrington during your travels. That is most clever and I look forward to hearing about the enhancements following their completion. Presumably the new nursery is being fitted up. But I am curious as to what the other projects entail. It is a lovely home already and I am sure that anything that you alter will make it even more so.

  Yours, etc.,

  Caroline

  Several weeks went by and Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth dispatched letters and eagerly waited for each reply from the Earl. The latest letter appeared to have a sobering effect on Fitzwilliam.

  “His wounds and the surgical incision are healing and he is well enough to travel, though he still must travel slowly in order to not reinjure himself. His wounds in his legs have continued to avoid infection. The bonesetter is satisfied with the progress in his back and an assistant will accompany Richard along with a nurse when he travels. His injuries are not the problem.”

  “There is something else?”

  “Richard has been in a lot of pain. He is still in some pain I would imagine. But in addition to the fine care he has received from the Taylors, he has been given pain medication, too much pain medication. His doctor believes he is addicted to his medication and I agree. The doctor says that Richard has developed a dependency on his medication. He says that once addicted, the patient has a hard time differentiating their need for the medication due to the pain of their injuries versus simply their need due to the habit of it. They can also develop a tolerance for the medication and require a larger dose for the same amount of relief from the pain.”

  “What is Mr. Taylor’s recommendation for this dependency?”

  “That Richard will receive better care and more privacy here at Pemberley.”

  “I am agreeable to it. What say you?”

  “Mr. Taylor has consulted with a specialist in this area, a Mr. Talbot. I believe Mr. Talbot first trained as an apothecary, but began treating patients who suffer from dependency on various medications. He shall travel with Richard and the nurse to Pemberley. And Mr. Talbot shall repair to Pemberley to examine Richard periodically. His calculations will be used to determine the future dosages of the medication. Our challenge is to wean Richard off of the medication with progressively lower dosages. It will be utterly unpleasant. Richard will not cooperate with us as this is being done, he will reimagine the pain from his injuries, but he will also be experiencing real pangs, symptoms that is, from the reduced level of the medicine. Richard may lie, manipulate, and plead for more medicine. And because he is somewhat mobile, he could search the house looking for it. We must lock the medicine up with the family jewels, of all things! Richard will suffer for eight weeks or so until his body has been accustomed to the lower dosage and ultimately no dosage at all.”

  “Poor Richard! Does he know this is to come?”

  “Yes, and he begged his father not to do this. But it must be done. And even Richard knows it. We shall have no visitors and do no entertaining whilst this is going on. Do you think we can have Caroline in the house during all this?”

  “I think so, she is improving, my dear! But if this becomes intolerable with Richard, then, Caroline, Catherine, Georgiana, and I shall go to Darcy House. But I confess, I would feel guilty quitting Pemberley with Richard facing his torment without staying to help. But I will not endanger Catherine. I confess I simply don’t know what to expect.”

  “You should prepare yourself for having to tell him ‘no’, consistently and repeatedly. It won’t be pleasant.”

  Barrington House, August 4

  My Dear Sister,

  I am getting quite large! I have never looked anything like this before and am becoming hopeful that I can carry this child to my confinement. Based upon my size, I may have been wrong about the date of our impending blessed event and it may be sooner than I calculated. I have felt the quickening for some time now and Charles loves to feel the baby move. That is his only consolation as Dr. Saunders has banned him from my bed chamber until after my confinement. Charles smiles whenever he sees me and even the staff can sense our optimism. There are no decisions to be made and there are no feminine maneuvers to repel. There is no arguing. The house is rather chaotic with the workmen about and yet it is a happy sort of disorder and I feel no strain. It is merry and loud, in the best possibly way. Even the workmen don’t seem to mind my looking at their progress. I think they know of our scheme and that I have nothing else really to do.

  The room we have assigned for the new commode is still in complete disarray. I have seen the Bramah commode operate and it is a wonder! It is to my great amusement that, based on its location, the staff will have easier access to the bathing chamber and the comm
ode than will Charles or I. The baby bassinette is here and I sit in the nursery every day. My chandeliers are come and have been hung. They look so elegant and I look forward to wasting many candles in their use. My new wallpapers are here and I unroll them every day to admire them anew.

  Give my love to all. I’m not sure what you are telling Caroline but I am sure it is for the best.

  Yours, etc.,

  Jane

  Chapter 32

  Richard arrived on the anticipated date. Georgiana was out with Caroline making calls and doing some shopping. Elizabeth had contrived for Georgiana and Caroline to be busy that day whilst away from the house. Richard was accompanied by Mr. Talbot, a nurse, Mrs. Sutton, and his father, Lord Matlock, who was sitting with the driver. Richard looked pale and drawn and had bushy hair, mustache, and beard. He appeared thin and moved slowly and very rigidly, but he could walk for short distances. Elizabeth thought his eyes looked haunted. She kissed his cheek as she was afraid an embrace might cause him pain, but then allowed Mr. Talbot to assist on one side whilst Fitzwilliam took the other and they gently led him into the house. Lord Matlock and Elizabeth directed the footmen in unloading the carriage and where his trunk was to go in the house. Elizabeth said her hasty greetings and farewells to her Uncle Fitzwilliam, who also looked tired and haggard and then he entered the carriage. The carriage departed more quickly than it had arrived.

  Elizabeth found the foursome upon repairing to the house. Richard had been helped onto a settee in the sitting room nearest to the foyer. “Mrs. Darcy, you take on too much trouble by inviting me into your home.”

  “Richard, don’t be silly. We would do far more if you would permit it.”

  “Cousin Elizabeth, I am worried about putting you through this. It will not be pleasant – I will not be pleasant! God forgive me, but I do not want to be seen like this!” Richard was fighting for his composure.

  Elizabeth clasped his hand, “Richard, my dear friend, I can tell you that Pemberley will be closed to all during your convalescence. You will not be put on display or paraded about. There will be no visitors, no parties, no entertaining. We want you to have your privacy, but we also want you to get well. Mr. Talbot shall check in periodically. Your nurse, Mrs. Sutton, is going to stay, as you know, during the reductions of your medication. This is such a relief to know you are alive and to see you walking about! You and your guests will have prepared rooms in the servants’ quarters for your privacy. Georgiana is in Lambton and I have not told her about your arrival yet. I will tell her when you are ready to see her. We have one guest only. And she is never in the servants’ quarters. So you should be safe.”

  “Who is staying with you?”

  Elizabeth hesitated. “Caroline Bingley.”

  “Good God! Have I not suffered enough?”

  “Indeed you have. She is staying for the next six months or so and we are doing it as a favor for Charles and Jane. Jane is with child and needed some peace. I have been speaking with Caroline since her arrival and she is somewhat altered since your acquaintance with her, but like Georgiana she will have no idea you are here. We will give you complete privacy in your chamber and with your meals. I understand that fresh air and exercise is ordered, so you and I are under the same doctor’s orders at present.”

  “You are under the care of a doctor, too?”

  “Yes, and I am so excited to introduce you to little Catherine! Fitzwilliam says she looks just like Georgiana did as a baby.”

  “A baby? I am so sorry, Elizabeth, I completely forgot you had been with child and are a mother now. Good. I am so happy for you and Darcy both. What sayeth Lady Catherine to having a namesake?”

  “Nothing as of yet, but we do expect to hear from her in the future.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes but could not hide a small smile.

  “Shall we get you three moved into your rooms before the ladies return?”

  Richard was exhausted from his journey and simply walking into the house. So he was carried to his room on the stretcher the party had brought with them. Richard was moved from the stretcher to his bed so he could continue to lie down. Mr. Talbot would only be staying for a few days. Mrs. Sutton would be staying for some duration. Elizabeth made sure she had a uniform ready for Mrs. Sutton which would help her blend in with the other staff. All three would take meals in their rooms and not quit the servants’ quarters. The staff who knew about the three guests was sworn to secrecy, but knew it was Colonel Fitzwilliam and that he wanted to recover before seeing Georgiana. He was a great favorite of the staff and his request for secrecy and privacy was to be honoured. The three guests and the Darcys all met in Richard’s room to discuss the daily routine. Elizabeth was shown the medication for treating his pain. There was a written schedule which indicated the daily dosages and how they tapered off over the next eight weeks. Fitzwilliam made a point of informing everybody in the room that only he would have access to the medication. And each morning, Mrs. Sutton would be given a sufficient quantity of medicine for only one day, which she would divide up and administer to the patient throughout the day.

  “So Richard, there is no one else in this house, besides me, who can help you obtain more. Neither Mr. Talbot, Mrs. Sutton, Elizabeth nor the staff will know where it is.”

  “I understand why you would do that, cousin.”

  “I plan to visit you once each day Richard,” Elizabeth said.

  “I will look and act very unbecoming.”

  “Yes, I know. But I will come in the morning before my walk, right after you’ve had your first dose of medicine. You will be in the best frame of mind at that time and no one will notice me coming down the servants’ hall. I can read to you, sing for you, bring little Catherine, or we can just talk. It will be up to you. For now, I think you must rest.”

  “You have had a long journey. We want you to relax and understand that you are safe here,” Darcy explained.

  “Thank you, cousin. I hope you know what you are doing. Promise me, if this becomes too burdensome, you will send me back to Whitworth.”

  “I promise, but it will not be a burden. It is a debt of gratitude that we owe you for your service to our country and this family. You have seen me at my absolute worst when I thought I’d lost Elizabeth forever. Let us help you. We have much to tell you, but I will save that for another day.”

  Richard nodded. He was sweating profusely by this time and Elizabeth surmised it was time for his next dose of medicine and her presence was no longer required. She gently kissed Richard’s forehead and excused herself.

  “Until to-morrow morning, Richard, sleep well.”

  Fitzwilliam reassigned a footman to the servants’ quarters, but stationed him inside the long hall, so he would not be noticed by Georgiana or Caroline. He also met with the butler and instructed him to collect all firearms and put them in a locked trunk in his bedchamber as a precaution. Elizabeth conferred with the cook so that some bone broth would be brought to Richard immediately and a tray would be brought for breakfast, luncheon, and dinner. She also requested a bath, shave, and haircut for Richard, fresh bandages for his wounds, and that his clothes be moved from his usual room in the family wing. Lastly, she selected several books that he might enjoy reading to be put in his room. A few were his favorites.

  “Burn what he is wearing and inspect the other things in his trunk. I don’t want his clothes to go to any of the servants. Who knows what vermin he might be carrying? And don’t let Georgiana or Caroline see any of this. ”

  Elizabeth was surprised and amused when one of the kitchen staff returned and said Richard had refused the bone broth.

  “Ma’am, he said no beef, broth, bread, rice, or potatoes! He quite yelled!”

  “I’m glad he still has some spirit! Don’t worry, Matilda, I’m sure those were the staples of his regiment and he has eaten little else. He is quite right. Ask him what he would like, as there is plenty on hand in the kitchen. But do not give him any alcohol, even if he asks f
or it.”

  Matilda reported back to Elizabeth that Richard did not complain when he was offered most any kind of fish, bird, game, pork, or lamb which he had seen very little of whilst in action. He also had requested fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and eggs. Though his appetite was weak, he was eating. This relieved Elizabeth. The morrow she could see that Richard’s haircut and shave and the donning of familiar clothing had further exposed his thinness and poor health. She instructed the kitchen staff to include milk, butter, cream, and cheese with his meals.

  Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth worked very hard to maintain the daily routine for the next few days. They did not want Caroline or Georgiana to detect any disruption or change. Each new day passed much as the day before had done. Elizabeth kept to her morning walks, but slipped into Richard’s room before each walk to visit with him. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam still spent time in the nursery with Catherine. Meals were kept on schedule. Elizabeth continued to practise the pianoforte with both Georgiana and Caroline and kept her appointments with the riding instructor and Mr. Smith. Georgiana and Caroline had settled into a comfortable companionship now that marriage to Fitzwilliam was no longer an incentive for Caroline to seek Georgiana out. Elizabeth wrote her customary letters to the Bingleys, her family in Longbourn, Charlotte, Aunt Fitzwilliam, and Aunt Gardiner. Fitzwilliam continued to keep up with his business correspondence in the study.

  At night in the privacy of her bedchamber, Elizabeth tried to soothe Fitzwilliam, who was highly agitated about Richard’s condition and state of mind. He was visiting with Richard several times a day over Richard’s protestations. After they had retired, he updated Elizabeth on his cousin and the reports from Mr. Talbot and Mrs. Sutton.