Duty Demands

by Elaine Owen

  Please come home soon. I will count the days until I see you again. Until then, I am

  Your wife,

  Elizabeth Darcy

  Gazing at her signature on the page, Elizabeth wanted to dance, to spin wildly about the room in joy. Instead, she must seal the letter and make ready to send it at once. Even a moment’s delay would be too much.

  As she rose to her feet, a motion by her bedroom window caught her attention, a brief fluttering of the curtain, and she moved closer to investigate. Some careless servant had opened the window to air the room during the day and neglected to close it again. Now, in the early dusk of a summer’s eve, the curtain had caught the warm breeze and was blowing lightly, drawing her toward it. Elizabeth lifted her hand to rearrange the curtain and close the window, but as she looked out she caught her breath in wonder and delight. The night was warm and humid, with clouds obscuring the moon just as they had on the night she had stood on the balcony with her husband. In the east the clouds were rolling away, revealing a sliver of starry sky. And just beyond their edge, visible even in the early dark, Darcy’s comet was shining.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  It was impossible to guess how many times Elizabeth reread her letter from Darcy that night. She sat in the window seat for hours, using the light of the comet to recite Darcy’s tender words to her over and over. She savored every sweet sensation his endearments engendered, and when she finally yielded to sleep she kept the letter under her pillow, where her hand rested on it all night. It was not the letter itself that brought her comfort; it was the reassurance that all would be well, that her husband would return to her, and that they could make a happy marriage after all.

  She knew that the future with Darcy would still be fraught with difficulties. They still had many misunderstandings to work through; and painful memories, like scars, would need time to fade away. But they would face them together from now on, and she felt no fear. She felt only gratitude for the worth of the man she had married, and hope that Darcy would be able to return to her as soon as possible.

  The sun awoke her the next morning, shining brilliantly across her pillow. Elizabeth laughed at her own carelessness when she looked out the window and saw the position of the sun in the sky. In the excitement of reading Darcy’s letter, she had stayed up far too late, and now the day was nearly half-gone. She rang for Cora, and the girl responded at once.

  “Good morning, ma’am.”

  “Good morning, Cora. I would like to dress and do my hair right away, please.”

  “Of course, ma’am.”

  “How long have I slept?”

  “Quite late, ma’am.”

  “Has the morning post been taken to Lambton?”

  “It was gone an hour ago, ma’am. Is there something you would like added?”

  “Perhaps—no, never mind. I have a letter to send, but I think I can find someone who might be willing to take it to town for me. Is Colonel Fitzwilliam up?”

  “He’s been up since dawn. He likes to keep his army hours, he said.”

  If she had risen just an hour earlier, her answering letter for Darcy might already be on its way, but this might be even better. She would emulate her husband and send her letter by the hand of someone he knew and trusted, rather than by the common post. Elizabeth smiled confidently at herself in the mirror while Cora arranged her hair, practicing what she would say to the colonel.

  Clearly Colonel Fitzwilliam had feared the worst when he gave her the letter the night before. Elizabeth found it surprising that Darcy, such a private man, would have confided so much about his marriage to his cousin, but apparently, she had misjudged her husband yet again. She still did not understand why the colonel had felt so rushed in his journey to Pemberley, but perhaps he was simply trying to be of service to his cousin. He must have been aware of the choice that Darcy would offer his wife. Even now he might be lingering downstairs, waiting to see Elizabeth and wondering what her decision would be. If she could convince him, without violating her own privacy too much, that a happy reunion was in the offing, perhaps he might volunteer to bring her answer back to Darcy himself.

  But when Elizabeth came downstairs, looking eagerly about her, the colonel was nowhere to be seen. The sound of the pianoforte from the music room betrayed Georgiana’s location, but a quick look inside did not show him there either. “I understand the colonel is an early riser,” she said to Mrs. Reynolds as the housekeeper passed her in the hallway. “Is he still in the house?”

  “He rose very early, ma’am, and has been gone for some time.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  “He generally rides about the estate in the cool of the day, before the sun grows hot. By now he would be in Lambton, if he follows his usual pattern. Would you like me to locate him for you?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No, that will not be necessary, but I would appreciate it if you would let me know when he returns.”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Elizabeth took food from the sideboard and ate her own hasty meal, then settled in the parlor to wait for the colonel. The upcoming interview with Colonel Fitzwilliam had her in a state of suppressed excitement. She earnestly hoped that the colonel would agree to return to London at once with her letter for Darcy, once he understood its importance. He had mentioned traveling north to join his regiment, but she felt sure that had been a ruse, an excuse to stop at Pemberley without exciting Georgiana’s curiosity. Now that she had reason to hope, she was painfully impatient, anxious for the return of the person who would be the means of ending this separation from her husband.

  An hour passed with no sign of the colonel. Restlessly Elizabeth took up a book and tried to read, but she had too much nervous energy to allow her to focus on more than a half page at a time. In other circumstances, she might have spent her agitation on a long walk, but she did not want to risk being out of sight of the house; so instead she took out a pen and paper and began to write.

  Elizabeth had first neglected and then avoided answering her sister’s most recent letter, which had arrived the day of her argument with Darcy. She had planned to respond right away, but was delayed by Georgiana’s dilemma. After that she had been too disturbed in her spirits to write rationally, and then too worried about what the future might hold. The time had now come when she could begin to bare her heart.

  My dearest Jane,

  I have sadly neglected you, I fear, not to have written to you for so long. I hope that this letter will, by its novelty, atone for the delay; and that it might well forever after hold me blameless from any charges of oversight or indifference.

  I have astonishing news, Jane—news that I know will please you, even if you have a hard time crediting it at first. My heart is truly engaged for the first time in my life, and the object of my affection is none other than my very own husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy!

  I know you will protest. I know you will say that you know I do not even like him, and that I need not sacrifice any more for my family by voicing sentiments which are not my own. But those feelings are all in the past now, and this is the last time I shall ever speak of them. Though I have sometimes been accused of professing opinions which are not my own, I can tell you now, in all seriousness, that I have come to love my husband.

  I have not always felt this way, as you know. He is not an easy man to understand. I have mistaken his intentions since nearly the first day of our acquaintance, interpreting his silences as disapproval, imputing the worst of motives to almost every action he has taken, and misjudging him in every way possible. We were crossed in our understanding of each other at nearly every turn.

  I know now that he is a good man. There is a gentleness in the way he treats those who are most dependent on his goodwill—his servants, his sister, and me. He is an exemplary brother and friend, and he does what he thinks is right regardless of the cost to him. Truly, Jane, despite my previous assertions to the contrary, he has no improper pride. He is the best man
that I know.

  Whatever would Papa say, if he knew of all this? Surely he would never have dreamed of such an outcome to this unlikely match! I like to think that he is watching, and that he approves this most unexpected development.

  Unfortunately, we have been in some difficulties here. I spoke to my husband in anger about matters I did not fully understand and regretted it almost at once. He is in town now, and I do not know when he will return. But when he does, I intend to open my heart to him fully, make amends where I can, and show him all the faith and affection I should have had for him from the beginning. Until then I will pray every day that he can forgive me, and that we can have a new start in our relationship and in this marriage.

  In her improved mood, Elizabeth could not resist teasing her sister somewhat.

  Finally, my dear sister, if everything I have written here does not convince you of the truth of my newfound affection for Mr. Darcy, perhaps I should describe again the glories of Pemberley. You would have no trouble believing me then! I hope that you may see them for yourself one day.

  If she and Darcy could reconcile, Elizabeth thought with a smile as she continued writing, was it possible that Bingley could also reconcile with Jane? Surely Darcy would no longer look down on Jane as a possible match for his friend. Perhaps Jane could join her at Pemberley when Bingley arrived—but then Elizabeth caught herself with a frown. Darcy had said there would be no dinner party for Bingley. She would have to ask the colonel if he had any further information on what Darcy had meant by that.

  She must not forget to address the troubling issues Jane had brought up in her letter.

  Speaking of Mama, her plan to send Lydia to Brighton sounds as monstrously ill-conceived as any of her other schemes. I can only hope that some great disaster, such as a lack of suitable dresses or bonnets, may have kept our sister at home for the summer instead. If she has indeed gone with Mrs. Forster, as you thought she might, I doubt much worse could happen to her there then at home. After all, although my husband’s generosity has improved our family’s prospects considerably, the Bennets of Hertfordshire still cannot be considered rich. I cannot imagine that any of our younger sisters would be an attractive target simply for their own charms. Perhaps if Lydia does go to Brighton and makes herself ridiculous flirting with all the officers, she will return home a little more conscious of her lack of consequence to anyone in the world.

  Perhaps, Elizabeth thought as she continued writing, just perhaps, in the future, Darcy would consent to allowing Jane or even one of her younger sisters to visit Pemberley, where they could be better supervised. Georgiana would benefit from the exposure to more young people her own age, and Mary and Kitty could only improve by exposure to such superior society. Now that she was certain of Darcy’s feelings for her and her own in return, nothing seemed impossible.

  She was about to close and seal the letter when she remembered one final, important communication.

  By the by, there is still one more piece of information which is probably not needed now, but I will relate it anyway in hopes that it might possibly prove useful. If Wickham is still anywhere near Meryton, you ought to do everything in your power to avoid him and to tell others of your acquaintance to do the same. I am afraid that he is not a man to be trusted; we have been entirely deceived in his character.

  The front door had just opened, and Elizabeth heard the colonel’s voice speaking to the servants in the hallway. Hastily she finished.

  I hope to write again soon, more promptly and more fully, after Mr. Darcy has returned from town. Until then I am your affectionate sister

  Elizabeth Darcy

  She signed the letter and sealed it. As she did so, Colonel Fitzwilliam came striding into the room. When he saw her, he came directly to her and bowed. “Good morning, Mrs. Darcy. May I ask after your health today?”

  Elizabeth smiled radiantly at him. “I am entirely better, thank you.”

  “Your headache is quite relieved then?”

  “It was a trifling thing; it disappeared as quickly as it came.”

  “I am glad to hear it,” he answered, observing her cautiously.

  “And I believe that I may have you to thank for my improved health.”

  He tilted his head to one side, considering her words. “How is that, madam?”

  “Why, you cured my headache by bringing me the most potent medicine in the world—my husband’s letter.”

  “Indeed!” The colonel gave a short laugh. “I had not anticipated such an immediate, beneficial effect!”

  “I can safely say, colonel, that the only tonic more restorative than a letter from my husband would be his presence here with me.”

  The colonel looked at her with pleased satisfaction. “As I said once before, my cousin was most fortunate in his choice of a bride.”

  Elizabeth acknowledged the compliment with a slight bow of her head and then asked if he was hungry, knowing that his breakfast had been some hours ago. Upon receiving his affirmative reply, she rang the bell and called for refreshments to be served. The colonel brightened at the prospect of food and immediately sat down to wait with her. They chatted on inconsequential subjects for several minutes while plates of fruit were brought in and arranged before them; and then Elizabeth decided to broach the subject of her letter.

  “I wonder if I might ask a favor of you, if it is not too much trouble.”

  “It would be my pleasure to help you if I can.”

  “I think we both know that you have no immediate plans to join your regiment in the north.” Elizabeth raised a questioning eyebrow as she said this, and the colonel had the grace to look a little embarrassed.

  “You are correct, of course. I had to come up with some reason to visit Pemberley, some motive that would not sound suspicious to Georgiana. Traveling to join my regiment seemed like a convenient excuse.”

  “Your excuse was unnecessary, since Georgiana has been unaware of anything amiss. All is set right now, and I have an important communication to send back to my husband. I wonder if I might be able to impose on you to take it yourself.”

  The colonel looked at her, tilting his head slightly as if puzzled. “I do not have the pleasure of understanding you. What has been set right?”

  Elizabeth was a little flustered. Without knowing exactly how much the colonel knew, she was reluctant to mention any specifics. “The difficulties which have been keeping my husband in town have been resolved. I expect he will return here as soon as he receives my letter.”

  The colonel frowned. “I am unaware of any changes in the situation at hand.”

  Elizabeth raised her chin. “The situation has completely changed.”

  “In what way, exactly?”

  Such a direct question took her aback. For a moment Elizabeth floundered, struggling to devise a response, but before she could say anything, the colonel went on.

  “When I last saw Darcy, Lady Catherine was being as obstinate as ever.”

  “Lady Catherine!”

  “There was no change of status at that time. Darcy asked me to come here specifically to protect you and Georgiana.”

  Elizabeth was now thoroughly confounded. “Protect us from what?”

  “Why, from Lady Catherine and her schemes, of course.”

  “Her schemes?”

  “Yes, of course.” He saw her look of astonishment. “Darcy sent me here to prevent Lady Catherine from removing Georgiana from Pemberley.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  “Whatever do you mean?” Elizabeth exclaimed, shocked beyond the point of courtesy.

  The colonel stared back at her, equally surprised. “Did Darcy not tell you anything about this?”

  “Mr. Darcy has not said a word to me about Lady Catherine.”

  “But I thought Darcy’s letter to you—” the colonel started, and then stopped. “What else would Darcy write about, if not his aunt?”

  “Never mind that now; pray tell me what is happening this instant.”

&n
bsp; The colonel shook his head. “I see that I have blundered into some sort of error. If Darcy did not choose to tell you then I should not either.”

  “But why would my husband not share something of such importance with me?”

  “I cannot say. He must have had some reason.”

  Elizabeth fixed him with her firmest expression. “Colonel, you must know that I cannot rest until I know all the particulars.”

  “Your curiosity does not disturb me. I am not obligated to satisfy it.”

  “But I am obligated to protect my sister, and I cannot do so when I am wholly in ignorance of any threats against her.”

  The colonel looked at her for a moment and then shook his head. “That is true, but I am not inclined to speak more on this subject without asking Darcy first.” The look on the colonel’s face said that he considered the matter settled.

  Elizabeth decided to try a different tack. “Did my husband expressly forbid you from speaking of this with me?”

  “He did not, but there must be a good reason why he has not done so himself.”

  “But is it not logical to think that, if my husband had wanted you to keep it a secret, he would have told you so? And since he did not mention it, it would not be wrong to tell me.”

  The colonel looked at her again, hesitating, and Elizabeth could see that he was wavering. She tried one last approach. “Colonel, I shall use all the resources at my disposal to find out what is happening, with or without your help; and then I will do whatever I think necessary to protect Georgiana. But it would be so much easier if you would share what you know now.”

  The colonel frowned at her unhappily, considering her response. “Well, Darcy is not here, and I must do as I think best,” he finally said. “If you are truly uninformed about any of this, I suppose I will have to tell you everything from the beginning.” He settled back into his chair as if preparing for a long stay.