“Next you must select the styles and finishes of each piece. We must also choose colors and fabrics. All of this can be done in London. But if you can recall, I think you should mark in the catalogue the pieces similar to Mrs. Piedmont’s whilst we are still here. Then your final decisions can be made more easily at the furniture makers’ shops.”
Elizabeth showed Caroline’s drawn plan to Fitzwilliam and he approved as well. He inquired whether a few of the current pieces in the saloon might be reused in the new plan. Elizabeth could see the sense in this idea and asked him to show her which pieces he might like to see kept in the room. After all, the attic was still rather full! The tea table was an heirloom from his mother’s family and should stay. Three of the paintings he wanted to stay. And the tall clock was a gift to his parents on their wedding from his paternal grandfather and he hoped that would also stay. There was a family legacy of keeping time and recognizing that it was not always measured in hours and minutes, but rather decades and years. Elizabeth thought that the Darcy family clock was perhaps more appropriate in the study. He loved this idea.
Chapter 34
Longbourn, September 4
Dear Lizzy,
Our little performing troupe has at last gained a true competency in the dance. I think Kitty’s skill is sufficient even for those of the first class. Practising the quadrille required some considerable imagination as we only ever had two of the requisite four couples on hand. Your mother has taken to forcing me to escort her to the local assemblies and dance with her in front of our neighbors.
Kitty and I have been discussing the contents of the paper. Though I would never accuse her of having clever conversation, she will be able to comprehend the events and persons that others may be speaking of and at least be able to join in the discussion.
Yours, etc.,
Papa
Richard had moved beyond the end of the hallway. He had slowly walked to the music-room. As the music grew louder he could hear the voices and laughter of his family. He held himself steady at the doorway and peeked in. The sight touched his heart. Georgiana looked beautiful and so happy. Elizabeth was laughing and Fitzwilliam had a smile on his face. Caroline was playing and looked quite relaxed as Georgiana turned the pages. Richard quietly withdrew and headed back towards the servants’ hallway. He knew he had taken a risk of discovery, but it had been worth it. He wanted to make more progress before Georgiana saw him. It was nearly bedtime and he was sweating and suffering the craving again. He did not think it was as bad as before, but he could not get the medication out of his mind. Would he ever be well?
He told Fitzwilliam about his gamble later that evening during his visit. “I think you should try some greater walking distances and go outside. At night,” Fitzwilliam replied.
“You do?” Richard asked.
“Yes, I do. That monotonous hallway must be driving you mad, regardless of how many paintings Georgiana has hung there. The fresh air will do you good. Georgiana and Caroline are not out in the evenings. You may run into Elizabeth or I. All of the servants know you are here. That was a secret even I was powerless to contain. It won’t spread beyond the house and grounds. You need not have any fear of running into a servant or stable hand. If you would agree to it, I would take you out on a horse, Richard.”
“It may be a good idea. Let me think about it. Why is Georgiana hanging paintings in the servants’ hall?”
“It’s not just the hall. She and Elizabeth have added paintings, furniture, carpets, and curtains to various servants’ bedchambers.”
“I had assumed you had dressed up my recovery room as a courtesy. You are telling me they have done this in ALL the servants’ rooms?”
“It all started with Elizabeth learning about art appreciation in London and how it’s inaccessible to the underclass. She thought the senior servants’ quarters would be a good place to start practising home decoration before taking on the saloon, which I think intimidates her. And she thought it would be an excellent learning opportunity for Georgiana before she has a household of her own to run. The servants’ quarters led to the Parsonages which then led to the idea of the Rose Garden sitting room as a project for Miss Bingley. So now Elizabeth is ready for the saloon with Miss Bingley’s assistance.”
“Why does redecorating the saloon intimidate her?”
“It’s not the room, precisely. It’s that redecorating it is undoing choices that Mother made. At least that is what I think. I confess, marriage can keep you guessing sometimes, old man.”
“You seem to be holding up admirably.”
“I am completely at her mercy! But I am happy and very fortunate. And I would like to see you as happily situated, cousin.”
“We’ll see.”
The next evening, the two men went for a walk up the drive in the dark. It was a pleasant night, as it had rained earlier. Fitzwilliam thought it did Richard a world of good. He told Elizabeth about it once he joined her in her bed chamber.
Chapter 35
“Where is he?” Georgiana demanded as she burst into the breakfast-room.
“Where is who?” Fitzwilliam inquired.
“Richard! Where is he? He’s not in Whitworth, so don’t say it. He is here, I know it!”
Fitzwilliam locked eyes with Elizabeth and swallowed. Had she seen him walking with Richard on the drive? He asked the footmen to take their leave. After they had withdrawn, he began, “Georgiana—”
“Don’t ‘Georgiana’ me. Where IS he? He is in this house and I don’t want to hunt for him. I shouldn’t HAVE TO!”
So much for celebrating Georgiana’s cleverness! Elizabeth, having seen her own younger sisters lose their tempers on occasion, tried to soothe her, “We did not plan the secrecy, Georgiana. Richard is embarrassed about his injuries and his illness. He asked us to delay mentioning his presence whilst he recuperates. Write him a letter and I will deliver it immediately. It’s HIS decision.”
Fitzwilliam rued the day he had agreed to secrecy in his own house and hoped Georgiana would forgive him for his deception. Because they had relied on each other so much due to the loss of their parents, they had never had secrets between them, until Ramsgate, and he detested the sensation. Today had the potential to be a very unpleasant day. But Fitzwilliam was quite relieved the charade was over.
Georgiana returned in a half-an-hour and handed Elizabeth her letter which was not folded in its customary fashion and had no sealing wax as the others had.
“I’ll wait here.”
Elizabeth took the letter and delivered it to Richard. He looked surprised upon her entrance in the late morning when she had already visited earlier that morning. Then he saw the unfolded piece of paper.
“She has sniffed me out, has she?”
“Yes, and she is quite angry.”
Richard took the letter and read it. He rubbed his face and neck with his hands. “Did you tell her the secrecy was at my request?”
“Yes, and she is still quite angry. I do not think your injuries will acquit you of her displeasure, Richard. I have never seen her so,” Elizabeth replied archly.
“Tell her I’ll join her in the music-room directly.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Georgiana. He has already suffered a great deal and he has his reasons for asking for privacy.” Georgiana stood with Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam as Richard limped slowly into the music-room. She was crying as she walked to him and hugged him.
“How could you make me wait? I’ve been so worried about you!” she wept.
“I’m sorry, my dear girl. I wasn’t ready to be seen. I’m still not ready. I am a broken man, trying to find my way back.”
Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth withdrew to allow them to talk in private. Caroline was apparently breakfasting in bed that morning as she was nowhere to be seen.
Later, Richard and Georgiana joined them in the dining-room for luncheon. Fitzwilliam hugged Georgiana, apologized, and asked her to forgive him. He explained that he had weighed Richard’s
request for privacy and time to recuperate with the cost of keeping her in ignorance and had been forced to make a difficult choice. She forgave him immediately as her happiness at being reunited with her favorite cousin was of far greater importance than her disappointment at being left out. Richard told the party he would keep his bedchamber in the servants’ hall as it was more convenient than being relocated back to the family wing. He would join them for one meal a day. He was ready to walk outside some each day to get some fresh air. And could they defer the renewal of his acquaintance with Miss Bingley for as long as possible?
“So have you told them how you figured it out?”
“No, I have not had the opportunity.”
“Well I think you should,” replied Richard.
“Very well. There wasn’t one particular detail. It was a combination of circumstances, what was said, what was not said. Not being able to pen the direction myself was unusual. In one of his letters, Richard mentioned looking forward to SEEING me play the pianoforte again, which was odd. After I became suspicious, I laid out all of Richard’s letters to reread them and I also had the latest letter that I was writing to him. That is when I noticed that his pages and my page were all on the same type of paper. I went to Richard’s old room and of course he wasn’t there. But I searched it and his clothes weren’t there either. That is when I knew.”
“It’s very impressive Georgiana. You are growing up. You’ve worried that you will never be able to discern the sincerity of a suitor. I should think you’ve put those fears to rest. You can properly read a situation. You can analyse and draw conclusions, see what people aren’t telling you. I’m very impressed, even if you are still angry with me,” replied Richard.
“Oh, I can’t stay angry with you. I’m too happy you are here. But I am disappointed you thought I needed to be protected. I can handle your injuries.”
“Possibly you can. But it is not you I’m protecting. It’s ME. You don’t know all the details. I am not this charming in the evenings.”
“In the evenings, what do the evenings have to do with anything?”
“Let’s talk about that another day. I’m quite tired from all this excitement. I should probably go back to my room and lay down.”
After Richard removed with Fitzwilliam’s assistance, Elizabeth spoke to Georgiana.
“I am very relieved that you can forgive your cousin and your brother so quickly. Fitzwilliam deserves your forgiveness, too.”
“It’s hard to be angry with him; he has been my closest friend for so long. And he forgave me for my mistakes at Ramsgate.”
“That is true. But I was also speaking about being able to see things from another person’s perspective. Richard put your brother in a very difficult situation; a situation where he had to choose between two fine things that are equally important. Richard should be allowed his privacy. And you are entitled to know of his safety and whereabouts when he has been away at war. Your brother had to prioritize one of those worthy alternatives before the other, for a short time. I am pleased that you are not angry with him.”
“I appreciate your counsel and I see no reason to stay angry, though I admit I was at first.”
“Did Richard explain to you that he has three wounds from the battle?”
“Yes, he said he had three lance wounds, one in each leg and a more severe one in his back.”
“And his wound in his back is the one that required the surgery in Whitworth.”
“Yes, he mentioned that too.”
“His nurse is helping to ensure that infection is avoided in all three wounds. And, of course you would expect that Richard has suffered greatly. He has endured tremendous pain. And he has been very fortunate that there are medications available to help alleviate the pain. But addressing a patient’s pain is not fully understood. I was offered opium during my delivery of Catherine. The pain was very great and I accepted the medication for two days during my labors. Richard’s suffering has lasted for a much longer duration than two days. And he was unfortunately given too much medication for far too long. Georgiana, he has come to depend upon the medication.”
“Poor Richard!”
“Yes, he has had a very long trial. His convalescence here has been designed to keep his wounds clean, promote improving his strength in his legs, AND to slowly reduce the dosage on his medication. The reduction in his medication causes great pangs of desire for more medication. It might be similar to being exceedingly hungry and being unable to eat, I do not know. But it preys on the mind and consumes one’s thoughts. He is prevailing in all three contests. And that is very good news. I am telling you this because I know you can bear to hear it. You must not treat your cousin any differently because of your knowledge. Richard has come home from war and needs to recover. He may never speak of it and you are NOT to ask him about his medication. If he wants to confide in you, that is his decision. You also may not give him alcohol, even if he asks for it. Alcohol can be used to counteract pain and that defeats the purpose of his recovery.”
“I had no idea. This is more complex than I considered. I want to help him, but I don’t know what to do.”
“I think we shall slowly see more of him about the house. And you of course can solicit his permission to visit him in his room, but you must specify a time. His dosages are administered by his nurse at certain times and he will not want to be seen immediately before a dosage. That is when his pangs are at their greatest. So we must respect his desire for privacy at those times. And you cannot discuss this with anybody, including Caroline. If you have questions, Georgiana, you must come to your brother or me. Your cousin is a highly decorated Army field officer. We will not sully his reputation by letting this story out.”
“I understand. And thank you for trusting me with this. I will protect Richard’s privacy and his good name.”
At dinner, which Richard did not attend, Caroline apologized for her absence during the day. She explained that Georgiana had told her about Richard being hidden in the house and had asked her to keep to her room so she could confront Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. She reassured everybody that she would give Richard every courtesy and any privacy he required. Elizabeth was quite touched by her understanding and lack of impertinent questions.
That night in Elizabeth’s bedchamber, she and Fitzwilliam discussed Georgiana’s discovery of Richard’s presence and her readiness for her coming out. Fitzwilliam would always seek to protect his younger sister. But Elizabeth was quite adamant that Georgiana was ready for London society and a season.
“She is ready now, but as I had not finished the preparations, it will have to be next year. So prepare yourself, my love. I’ll arrange for her and Kitty’s vouchers for next year at Almack’s whilst we are in London. And she and I can go to the dressmaker to get started on her gown for her presentation to the court and her other needed evening dresses and ball gowns. But it is high time. If not for my distraction, it would have been this year.”
“I knew this day would come.”
“Do not worry so, my dear. We shall be close by and able to observe. By next year, Richard should be able to play his role as guardian as well. His recovery is progressing well. Georgiana has much more discernment and confidence. I plan on giving her more responsibility whilst we are in London with Caroline. She shall be receiving callers and looking after the household accounts. And I think it will be highly beneficial for her to observe the drawing room being fitted up. She knows I am nervous about it and it is good for her to see me facing my fears as well.”
“You have done such a fine job of helping to draw her out. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your influence on her. I don’t know what Richard and I would have done without your insight and guidance.”
“Thank you, my dear.”
Chapter 36
The next week transpired with Richard spending more time away from the servants’ quarters, as Elizabeth had hoped. Mrs. Sutton was seen about the house and was no longer in uniform. She very muc
h enjoyed selecting books from the library and reading whilst in the rose garden sitting room. Everybody seemed to understand that a peaceful and happy house was of great benefit to Richard and all had a part to play. Georgiana was very solicitous of his comfort and would happily fetch his tea or a blanket. She invited Richard to join her and Miss Bingley in the music-room to play the pianoforte and the harp for him and Richard accepted graciously. Mrs. Parker was instructed to bring Catherine down from the nursery several times each day so that Richard may visit with her. He endeavored to have breakfast with his cousins and Miss Bingley each morning. Fitzwilliam had slowly walked with Richard to the stables so that he might inspect the new foals that had been born earlier that summer, as he was an excellent judge of horseflesh. Richard had teasingly asked Georgiana about the story that included Lady Catherine, bees, and a pistol. Knowing that Richard had seen enough suffering already, Elizabeth first assured him that the patient in the story makes a full recovery. She then obliged him by unfolding the matter which everybody enjoyed hearing again. She told the tale with great spirit and humor exaggerating Lady Catherine’s ridiculousness, which was no great leap. She embellished all the servants’ reactions to their Mistress, which Richard could easily envision. And she concluded with Lady Matlock’s letter mocking Lady Catherine’s rendition of events which of course had been circulated all over London and was met with varying degrees of incredulity. Richard was in tears he laughed so hard! He was happy though to hear of Mr. Collins’s speedy recovery and his Cousin Anne’s sensible intervention.
Richard found Miss Bingley quite improved from his prior acquaintance with her. He was given a tour of the rose garden sitting room and thought it very stylish whilst still being inviting. He sat in the rose garden almost every day usually with Miss Bingley. She had offered to remove herself so he may have his privacy, but he told her that was not necessary. Sometimes they read or just sat in companionable silence. Sometimes they talked about the direction each of their lives had taken and how they had both arrived in the same house at the same time each facing an uncertain future. They enjoyed each other’s company.
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