“I would imagine you also wonder if I am the first of my family to use nefarious activity to maintain our lifestyle.”
Nodding, Darcy took a step closer. “That is correct.”
“I learned my business at my father’s knee, as he learned from my grandfather before him. The earl has his own business interests as I have my own. We also attempt to keep our full name only known to a small selection of our most trusted men.”
“Which is why most people call you Thomas Grayson?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Lawrence Archibald Thomas Grayson.” He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. “Now, I must head for home. Thank you for speaking with me, and please do send me an express if you happen to locate Gardiner.” He turned and exited the door, pausing just outside. “Also, please give my regards to your wife.”
Carlisle strode away. As soon as the cur was gone, Darcy dropped into a seat and took a deep breath. He leaned his head back so he stared at the ceiling and remained in that attitude for at least a half hour as he contemplated all he had learned.
What if Carlisle discovered he had helped Gardiner? Perchance, the man would never return from Nova Scotia! His heart settled knowing Elizabeth was safe, yet what of those other women. It rankled him to sit by while they were enslaved and abused, but he had no choice. His first loyalty was to Elizabeth and their child. He could not put them in harm’s way.
With a frustrated shake of his head, he had begun to rise to return to the others when Richard peered around the doorframe.
“There you are. Father and I wondered where you had disappeared. We are ready to leave for home.” He turned his head back and forth to study the room. “But why are you in here alone?”
He stood and made his way closer to Richard. “I do not wish to speak of it at the moment.”
His cousin observed him in a concerned manner. “Carlisle?”
He nodded and followed Richard to where his uncle waited by the door with his hat and coat. “I believe your wife was to come visit Anne this afternoon. Would you care to return to the house with us and join her?”
“I had hoped to, yes,” he replied. After they climbed inside the carriage, he looked over to where his uncle was seated across from him. “Has Anne shown any signs of improvement?”
“No, she has not opened her eyes in a few days. The doctor has indicated we should prepare ourselves for the worst.” Lord Matlock gave a weary sigh. “Catherine has been relentless to call on her, but Elinor is insistent that we will adhere to Anne’s wishes; thus, she refuses to allow her entry to even the house. On the other hand, Lizzy has been a godsend. She has spent most of the last week with Anne.”
Well aware of the time his wife was spending with his cousin, he had been touched by her willingness in the beginning; but, due to Elizabeth’s ability to love without reserve, it had become difficult. “Yes, but she returned to Ashcroft in tears yesterday, and was so upset, I almost forbade her from going today.”
Her anguish was heart wrenching, and the idea was to prevent her further pain, yet he had hesitated. Elizabeth’s temper was terrible when provoked, which had resulted in their first row two months after they were wed. They had engaged in trifling disagreements; however, Elizabeth Darcy was not to be underestimated.
“Why did you change your mind?” A smirk crossed Richard’s lips.
Darcy raised his eyebrows. “I did not wish to stoke her ire.”
Uncle Henry began to chortle. “She has let you have it then?” He rubbed his hands together as he inhaled through his teeth. “Good for her! I was wondering how long it would take before she settled into your marriage and told you off.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “Elizabeth’s manner was a bit teasing when we first met, but she was even-tempered. I never imagined she could become so impassioned when angry.”
“I am willing to bet it was over something absurd,” ventured his uncle.
“Yes, she wished to have her sitting room redecorated whilst we were in town, so she would not be subjected to the mess on a daily basis, but I thought it would be better for her to oversee the work.” His uncle and cousin both chuckled. “I had no idea she would oppose my plan with such vehemence.”
Uncle Henry tilted his head and peered over his spectacles. “Those sorts of arguments are more common when a woman nears confinement. I would learn to agree with her more often than not.”
Richard guffawed. “I am appreciative that I am not to be henpecked like the two of you besotted fools.”
“Your mother’s companionship and love are worth it in the end, son. You could have the same if you wished.”
In complete agreement with his uncle, Darcy slapped his cousin on the back. “When the time comes, I would be happy to let you have the use of Rosings for as long as you require. You could even keep the profits in order to purchase your own estate.”
Shaking his head, his cousin placed a hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “I appreciate what you are trying to accomplish, but it is not the life for me. Besides, Anne is not yet in her grave.”
“Despite how much we wish Anne would recover, it is plainly a matter of time. Your father and I have been reviewing Sir Lewis’ will, as well as Anne’s, in preparation for the day.”
Richard turned to stare at him, incredulous.
“It was Anne’s idea.”
“Anne asked this of you?” his cousin clarified.
Uncle Henry leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Anne wishes us to know the terms both she and her father had set out for Catherine because she does not want her mother to give any argument that may delay the execution of the will. Catherine will be furious and recalcitrant. We have to know what we are about when we deal with her.”
“Anne understands that Elizabeth wishes to return to Sagemore,” explained Darcy. “Elizabeth’s condition has become apparent, and so she is no longer joining Grandmamma during calls. I still insist on us walking together in the park each morning, but she prefers to walk around the estate and not London.”
“She is preparing for the babe,” added Uncle Henry.
Darcy’s lips curved, and he nodded. “She is.” His happy expression disappeared as he turned back to Richard. “Anne has known from the beginning she would not survive long. I believe she rallied as we all waited for Elizabeth to know for certain she was with child. Our cousin enjoyed the excitement, and an heir is the fulfilment of her wish to have a family at Rosings.”
Uncle Henry gave a snort. “Goodness knows, it has never been that way whilst Catherine resided within its walls.”
“If you do not wish to take me up on the offer, Richard, then I shall lease Rosings until it has an heir ready for its management.”
“You intend to hold it for a second son, then?” asked Uncle Henry.
“If we are blessed with one, then yes, if not, then perhaps a daughter.”
Richard’s expression was wistful. “Anne would like that.”
“I believe she would, too. I shall have to look into the legalities of such a venture, but it is not worth pursuing for now.”
His uncle resumed his upright posture. “Will you turn it over to a solicitor to handle the lease?”
“I will require my solicitor to draw up the papers, but I have someone in mind. I intend to send word to him within the next few days to ascertain if he is interested.”
All conversation stopped within the carriage, and they disembarked to make their way inside. They were still removing their gloves and hats when Lady Elinor happened upon them, her eyes awash with tears.
“I am so glad you are here!” Her breath hitched, and she sniffed. “Anne’s breathing changed a short while ago, and we have sent for the physician. Elizabeth and I both agree, she has taken a turn. We do not expect her to make it through the night.”
Darcy sighed as he handed his gloves to the footman. “How has her condition changed? Perhaps it is a fleeting alteration.”
“Her breathing is slowing. She also sometimes pause
s between breaths and has even gone as much as a minute without inhaling. I think poor Lizzy holds her breath whenever Anne does, but she refuses to leave her.”
Aunt Elinor choked back a sob as she took his hand. “She has begun reading her Psalms.” She stopped for a moment to give a distorted chuckle. “Although, Elizabeth leaves out the parts about casting enemies into the pit. She says she does not wish to read Anne anything about her enemies or casting people into pits whilst she is dying.”
Uncle Henry gave a sad smile and pulled his wife into his arms. “We could only do so much for her. She always insisted she must stay with Catherine.”
Aunt Elinor once again stifled a sob as she drew back, but her husband kept his arm around her waist. “That is because she did not wish for Catherine to start a war with the family. Anne knew she had no loyalty to mother or to us and would not hesitate to try to ruin us.”
“Lady Catherine would have been the one ruined,” said Richard. “If you will excuse me, I wish to sit with Anne one last time before she passes.”
Darcy, amazed at Richard’s calm and composed demeanour, stared as he exited the room.
“He has dealt with more death than any of us will in our lifetime.” Uncle Henry’s concern was evident when he turned towards him. “I doubt he will have much more of an outward reaction than what we observed during the carriage ride here.
Darcy ran a hand through his hair. “We should sit with Anne before the physician arrives. He may not allow us entry again for some time, if we do not.”
With a turn, he led the way through the quiet halls. His uncle’s house was never a noisy or boisterous place, but the atmosphere was never this calm; the stillness gave an eerie aura. Upon reaching Anne’s chambers, the door was ajar, and he placed a hand near the opening to make his way inside.
Elizabeth sat upon the bedside with a Bible resting in her lap while Grace and Richard stood to the opposite side, Richard’s arm around his sister’s shoulders. Darcy made his way behind Elizabeth and placed a hand on her back, but she did not flinch or give any indication she was aware of his presence.
He made to speak, but a gasping breath drew his attention to his cousin in the bed. Elizabeth’s shoulders began to shake, and he trailed his hand across her back as he watched and waited for Anne to take another breath. Her next was delayed and it was the same gasp, followed by an extended exhale.
Elizabeth brought herself under control, placed a hand on Anne’s cheek, and waited. If only she would breathe again. But then how could she be so selfish as to hope for Anne’s continued suffering? She had sat with Anne all day and had been the first to notice when the poor lady took a turn for the worse.
Aunt Elinor had attempted to persuade her to take some time for herself, but Elizabeth had refused and remained by Anne’s side. They had become close over the almost two months she had been in London, and she was loath to lose someone who had become another sister. She had lost so many—Jane, Mary, Kitty, Lydia, her father and mother, and now she was forced to say goodbye to Anne. Dear, sweet Anne, who, like Jane, never had a cruel word for anyone. What had Anne done to deserve this?
Elizabeth waited and waited for another breath as she heard Grace and Elinor begin to cry from the other side of the bed. Another breath would not come, but she still waited, until she heard her husband’s voice break through the sounds of the others tears.
“Elizabeth… my love?”
Her hand moved from Anne’s face to her arm as she became aware of his large, warm palm between her shoulder blades and turned her head in Fitzwilliam’s direction. When had he entered the room?
“She is gone.” Her voice was soft, and her eyes burned as tears pooled in her eyes.
He nodded, helped her stand, and took her into his arms. As she met with the safe harbour of her husband’s embrace, she could no longer control her emotions like before, and began to sob uncontrollably.
“Shhhhh, Anne would not want all of these tears.” His voice was gentle and low, but it did not calm her. As she poured out her grief, she became more insensible of her surroundings than ever before.
Later, she would discover she had not heard the dowager’s entrance into the room, or her advising Fitzwilliam to take her to a bedroom down the hall; she had not heard the physician enter and suggest to her husband that she should be given laudanum before she harmed herself or the baby; and she had not heard Fitzwilliam’s angry rebuttal as he refused the physician’s advice, nor his insistence that his wife was not so feeble-minded that she would cause herself an injury.
Her surroundings came into focus once more when she awoke, ensconced in a strange bed with Fitzwilliam curled around her back. Her stomach gave a resounding rumble. How long had it been since she had eaten? How long had it been since Anne had passed?
The baby rolled within her womb, and she had a dire need to relieve herself. Pulling herself up in bed, her husband was startled and sat straight up.
“Elizabeth?”
She placed her hand on her lower abdomen and winced. “I require a chamber pot.”
Darcy pointed towards a door in the corner, and she hastened through, taking care of the most necessary business before returning to the bedroom. She fingered the folds of the unfamiliar nightshift she was wearing.
“I changed your clothes after you cried yourself to sleep.”
She peered up to where he stood donning his dressing gown. “It is not one of mine.”
“No, it belongs to Grace. The whole household was occupied yesterday afternoon, and there was not a servant to be spared to be sent to Ashcroft house.”
“Please do not think that I mind.” She glanced at the clock—it was half-two. How long she had slept? “How long has it been since Anne…?”
“Yesterday,” he responded. “Grandmamma suggested this room, so I brought you in here and remained, holding you. You cried for the better part of an hour before you fell asleep. I had my meals brought up and have not left.”
“Please forgive me for worrying you so.”
He approached her and cradled her face in his palms. “You have spent so much time with Anne during the past fortnight. I have been concerned because you were overwrought and exhausted, but I thought if I allowed you to rest, you would be well.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished,” she said with a small smile. “Do you think the cook has enough food to feed us both?” Fitzwilliam chuckled when she placed her hands on her belly.
“She has been cooking since daybreak. I am certain she can manage to put something together for my beautiful wife and the child she carries.” Ringing the bell, he made arrangements for a meal to be brought up while she waited on the sofa by the fire. He spoke at length to the servant, gesturing often with his hands.
After he closed the door, Darcy settled himself in the corner of the sofa beside her and enfolded her in his arms as she rested against his chest. “I was thinking whilst I waited for you to wake.”
“About?”
“I know you wish to go home, but I must travel to Rosings to attend to Lady Catherine and install the new steward. I thought perhaps you might want to journey ahead to Sagemore, and I could follow when I conclude my business in Kent.”
Elizabeth drew back and began to shake her head before he even finished his suggestion. “I will not be without you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, so you can rescind your offer at once. Your business at Rosings could take a few days or it could take a fortnight. We have no way to know, and I do not wish to be on my own.” She was on the verge of tears and spoke with anger. Separation was not an option, and she was furious for him suggesting it.
“You need not become so upset, Elizabeth. I offered you a choice...”
“A choice I have neither requested nor desire.”
He massaged her back with one hand and placed his other over hers. “Shhh... I always prefer to have you with me.”
Fitzwilliam began to smile, beam, in fact, and she narrowed her eyes. “Why are you so
happy when I am upset?”
“Several reasons,” he said as his grin widened. “I love you, and I am pleased you wish to remain with me rather than returning home. I also find your ire rather humorous.”
“Why is my anger humorous, may I ask?” He began to chuckle, which made her more furious. “Laughing is not helping, sir.”
“Sir?” He pressed his lips in a tight line, but his endeavour to suppress his mirth was unsuccessful. “I do not think you have called me sir since we first met.” He shook his head. “You have become angry—more than reasonably angry over an idea I would have never forced upon you. I do not mean to offend you further with my laughter.” His warm kiss on her temple was welcome, but did nothing to alleviate her distress. “I love you, dearest Elizabeth. I shall always want you with me.” His palm moved to the swell of her waist. “Both of you.”
Elizabeth turned and met his lips with her own as she attempted to convey her deepest feelings with a tender moment, yet when she pulled back, his smile still unnerved her. “Why are you still smiling in such a fashion?”
Fitzwilliam laughed and shrugged. “I thought of something Uncle Henry told me yesterday.”
“Which is?” she asked testily.
“That you would have more of these unreasonable fits as you come closer to your confinement?”
She gasped. “You think I am like this for no other reason than the babe?”
“I do not think you would be as angry if you were not with child.”
He may have thought he could reason with her, but she was not ready to be reasonable. She rose, took a seat in an armchair, and folded her arms across her chest. A knock came from the door and Fitzwilliam called for the person to enter.
“I am so glad to hear you are awake, Lizzy,” exclaimed Aunt Elinor, as she entered the room. “You must have been exhausted to sleep most of the day away. I feel responsible for allowing you to sit for such long hours with Anne. I had no idea the toll it was taking.”
An Unwavering Trust Page 33
