He ran a hand through his hair as he sat by George Darcy’s bedside. How would this affect his father on a permanent basis? Could he ever regain what he once was?
A muffled, slurred sound startled him from his thoughts to where his father reached for him with his good hand.
“Izsshe?”
He furrowed his brow as his father repeated the strange sound. The elder Darcy’s valet, hearing the commotion, rushed into the room and took a place on the opposite side of his master.
“I believe he is inquiring of Mrs. Darcy, sir.”
“You wish to know of Elizabeth?” he asked, surprised.
His father patted his left hand against the bedclothes, and the valet nodded. “That is his signal for yes.”
“Elizabeth made the journey with me.” The elder Darcy closed his eyes and gave a heavy groan. “She was whisked to our chambers by Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds. I believe she weathered the trip better than I expected.”
His father relaxed. “Grandmamma joined us. I hope you do not mind. She had just arrived to see Elizabeth through her confinement, and since the child will likely be born at Pemberley, Grandmamma invited herself along.”
A harsh sound resembling a bark of laughter escaped his father’s throat. He brought his good hand to his forehead and then looked to his son with tears in his eyes. “Ssssorrry.”
“Are you apologising?”
His father struck his hand upon the bed in obvious frustration.
“You will not apologise. Do you understand?”
He began to wave his hand back and forth against the bed. The valet indicated that to be his father’s method of saying no, but the son would not have it.
“Did you expect us to receive word of your illness and not ensure your well-being?”
His father closed his eyes.
“I intended to make a quick trip and return before the babe arrived, but Elizabeth would not have it. She insisted on accompanying me, and I will not drag her back to Sagemore before the birth. We will remain until you are well and Elizabeth is able to travel.” He grasped his father’s good hand and squeezed.
“You are sure to be better company than Richard and Huntley whilst I wait.”
The elder Darcy gave a lop-sided grin.
“You see. It is done, and you will have to allow us to remain for the duration.”
His father squeezed his hand. “Sank… sank…” he attempted and grimaced.
“Is that ‘thank you,’ sir?” Asked the valet, and the elder Darcy’s hand patted the bed.
“There is no reason to thank me. I could not leave Georgiana alone to deal with such a situation.”
His father appeared aggrieved, and stopped. What could he have said to cause his father such pain?
“I wish to be here for you as well, father. I believe we have made great strides over the last few years. Do you not think so as well?”
A relieved expression suffused the elder Darcy’s countenance as his hand rapped the bed. A maid appeared with broth and tea as his father’s valet began to fuss over his master.
“Perhaps I should peer in on Elizabeth to see for myself that she is well whilst your valet tends to you. If he will send word, I will keep you company until you fall asleep. Would that please you?”
His father patted the bedclothes, and he smiled. “Good, I shall return. I promise.”
When he arrived at his chambers, James was laying out his nightshirt and dressing gown.
“I was unsure of when you would leave your father’s side.”
He held up his hand. “If warm water can be arranged, I should like to bathe and change. Then, I will sit with my father until he falls asleep.”
James nodded. “I will leave your nightclothes out for when you retire.” His valet’s eyes shifted to the door that lead to the mistress’ chambers and back. “I will have the bath ready as soon as you have ensured Mrs. Darcy is well.”
He chuckled as he peeled off his topcoat and waistcoat. “Am I so predictable?”
“You are, but I do not feel it reflects poorly upon you, sir. Few are gifted the felicity in marriage you enjoy with Mrs. Darcy.”
A smile lit his countenance as he handed James his cravat. “I tend to agree with you, but I give all the credit to my wife.”
“As you say, sir.” James gave a swift bow and exited through the dressing room while he made his way to his wife’s chambers. He knocked softly and was not surprised when his grandmother opened the door. She was still in her travelling clothes as she put a finger over her lips.
“She bathed and fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillows, despite her intentions to wait up for you.”
A corner of his lips lifted, touched by her wish to wait for him. He had no expectations of her doing as such.
“Where is Georgiana?”
“She departed to check on her father. I suspect you will find her there when you return.”
He stepped over to the bed and took a seat, careful not to disturb Elizabeth’s rest. She was curled on her side with pillows cuddled down her front. He touched his lips with care against her temple. She sighed and began to murmur in her sleep. He kissed her hair and rose.
“I must bathe. I promised father I would return and sit with him until he fell asleep.”
“Do not forget to rest yourself, Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth is not the only one who could use some sleep.”
“His valet indicated father usually wasted no time falling asleep once he was tended to and ate. I suspect tonight will be no different. Elizabeth and I shall most assuredly sleep late in the morning.”
“As will I!” His grandmother often spoke with conviction, but this was more emphatic than her usual speech. “I do not plan to travel in such haste again. These old bones do not agree with the pace.”
“I apologise…”
“No,” she interrupted. “I would not leave Elizabeth on her own to give birth, and I should like to be here for George as well. I just do not believe it to be in my best interest to attempt such a journey again.”
He nodded. “I thank you for taking the trip, Grandmamma. I know Elizabeth will be more at ease with you in attendance during her confinement.”
“I will be more at ease, as well.” She peered over to Elizabeth. “I will return to my chambers now that I am assured she has weathered the trip. Mrs. Reynolds has posted a maid in Lizzy’s dressing room to sit with her so she is not alone.”
“I will remember when I return. Good night, Grandmamma.”
“Good night, Fitzwilliam.” She exited out to the hall and closed the door behind her.
He took one last look at the bed. How he wished to climb in behind Elizabeth and succumb to his dreams! Instead, he turned and made his way to his dressing room for his bath.
True to his valet’s word, George Darcy did not remain awake long after his dinner, and after remaining with Georgiana until their father slept, Darcy gave in to his deepest desire by joining his wife in her bed. He did not rest well and rose early the next morning.
James was prepared when he entered his dressing room, and had him outfitted for the day with his usual efficiency. The elder Darcy was still asleep when he stopped by his chambers, so he requested he be notified when his father was next awake and made his way to his father’s study.
The steward was taken aback at the son’s insistence of handling his father’s affairs for the time being but did not brook an argument. They discussed the few matters of importance that had occurred over the last few days, but with nothing further, the man went to tend to business, leaving the young master to peruse the contents of his father’s desk.
The ledgers for Pemberley and three other properties were set in a stack to one side, and he opened each to ascertain where each account stood. Pemberley, Ellon Strath in Scotland, and Huntingdon were all financially sound, even if their numbers were not as high as he would have expected.
He reached for the final ledger, unaware of the identity of the property. The three pri
or estates had been in the family for generations, but what had his father purchased and when did he make such an expenditure?
The cover creaked like a book rarely opened, and he was stunned to see little in the way of entries, only the name of the property—Longbourn. He dropped back in his father’s seat and stared at the page agape. He had been well aware the estate had been sold, but he had not known the identity of the new owner—until now.
Collins, as he had predicted, had spent from Longbourn’s accounts until he could no longer pay his debts in Meryton. In the end, it was his debts to the butcher that broke him.
An offer from the Darcys of Sagemore was proffered through his solicitor, but his father must have been the individual who acquired the estate before their bid was presented. Fortunately, Elizabeth had been unaware until after the failed offer when he apologised for not succeeding in the endeavour.
She had not been angry or upset. Instead, she praised his efforts and led him upstairs to their chambers. She was too good!
He shook his head. His father had purchased Longbourn! But why?
“Fitzwilliam?” His wife’s voice came from the door, and he peered up to where she waited for him to bid her enter.
“Please, come in.” He held out his arm, so she could take his hand. “I was going over father’s ledgers.”
“Is something amiss?”
The account book in his hand drew his attention, and he stared at the page for a few more moments before he passed it to her.
“What is this?” She took the book with caution, but her eyes remained on him.
“Please look. I could use your insight on the matter.”
Elizabeth’s eyes drifted to the page and bulged. “Your father purchased Longbourn?”
He nodded in confirmation. “I am as stunned as you.”
A maid entered with a tray and set it on a table in the corner. Elizabeth excused her and took a seat to prepare their repast as he returned to the account books for the other properties, discovering significant withdrawals from those accounts prior to the purchase date for Longbourn.
“He planned for it.” He whispered it to himself, but Elizabeth heard and waddled around to look over his shoulder.
“I do not understand why he would want Longbourn.”
“That is something I intend to discover.” He shut the book firmly, and Elizabeth covered his hands.
“Do not become angry when you are unsure of his motive. He may not have intended anything untoward.”
“I believe at times you and your description of Jane are not so dissimilar. You have a tendency to look for the best in people as well.”
She squeezed his hand, drawing his eyes to hers. “I do not have reason to disbelieve his change over the last two years. He has never given us cause to think him false, and it would be a shame to destroy the relationship you have built on nothing more than suspicion.
“Do not allow your prior prejudices to ruin the relationship you now possess.” Her earnest gaze prompted a nod.
“I will ask, but I am unsure what sort of answer I will receive. He has great difficulty when he speaks.” His wife took his hand and led him to the sofa where he took his seat.
“I sought out Mrs. Reynolds on my way here, and we have an idea that may help.”
“Really?” he asked as he took his teacup.
“She will need to find the necessary materials, but let us hope they will not prove too difficult to locate.”
“You are being very mysterious.”
“I do not want you to be excited if the attempt is unsuccessful.”
“Very well. I will wait.”
She handed him a plate as Thomas barrelled through the door and into his father’s free arm. Elizabeth managed to grasp his tea before it spilled. “Papa!”
The long carriage ride had been excruciating for young Thomas, who missed his freedom while in the confines of the family carriage or travelling with his nurse. He would be a great deal to manage as he was sure to run his nursemaid ragged to atone for several days of restricted activity.
He lifted his son into his lap where he began to reach for the food on the tray. Elizabeth handed him a piece of toast as a winded Mary made it through the door.
“I am sorry, sir. I no more than set him upon the floor when he disappeared. I followed his footsteps as fast as I was able.”
Elizabeth beamed at her son. “It is fine. We will send for you when we need you.” Mary curtsied and closed the door behind her before they both began to laugh.
“Perhaps we should employ a new nursemaid to help with Thomas,” he suggested, caressing his son’s head. “The new little one will not make her life any easier.”
“I suppose you are correct.
A knock at the door halted their conversation. “Enter,” he called.
A footman opened the door and stepped inside. “Mr. Darcy, your father is awake.” With a last cuddle and kiss to his son’s head, he set Thomas beside Elizabeth and stood to go to his father.
“Fitzwilliam, you should eat.”
He turned to find his wife regarding him with concern. “I shall. I promise, but I need to speak with him first.”
She nodded, and he strode through the great hall and up the stairs to the family wing where he rapped upon the master’s bedchamber door. The elder Darcy’s valet allowed him to enter.
His father was seated, propped with pillows against the headboard with Georgiana seated to his right side on the mattress. His pallor was improved from the evening prior, and he gave his son a lop-sided smile.
“Morning.” He was unsure of where to begin. How should he approach the matter?
“Fitzwilliam! How is Lizzy this morning? I hope she is rested from your journey north. She looked so tired when you arrived at Pemberley.” George Darcy’s eyes turned back to him with worry.
“She is much improved, thank you. She is with Thomas in the study if you wish to spend time with them.”
“Oh, I should like to play with Thomas, but I would like to remain with Papa for a while longer.”
With his good hand, George Darcy tapped on the bed and gestured towards the chair to his side. Darcy made himself comfortable as his father noticed Longbourn’s ledger in his hand. His shoulders slumped, but he reached for a slate and slate pencil on the bed, which must have been the idea Elizabeth mentioned earlier.
He was right-handed so his left did not cooperate in the same fashion, but eventually he held up the board, which read, “Tell Lizzy?” as he pointed to his son.
“Did I tell Elizabeth?”
The elder Darcy rapped his hand against the bed with urgency as Georgiana looked on with worry.
“Yes, I showed her the ledger. I do not keep secrets from my wife.”
His father swiped the slate clean with the arm of his nightshirt and concentrated as he put the pencil to the surface.
“Gift.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “You meant Longbourn as a gift?”
The elder Darcy’s left hand patted the slate.
“For whom?”
His father exhaled heavily. “Iszzy!”
“You bought Longbourn as a gift for Elizabeth?” He was astounded. Why would he spend such an amount? His father appeared to care for Elizabeth, but he would never expect him to purchase the Bennet estate for her. “I…”
Georgiana placed a hand on her father’s arm. “I believe I can answer your questions for Papa.”
He looked to his sister with incredulity. “You were aware of this?”
A smile crossed her lips as she nodded. “I was. Papa spoke of his idea after the incident at Ramsgate. After his investigation of Elizabeth when you first wed, he was aware of the cousin who inherited Longbourn upon her family’s death, and the son who succeeded him.
“He did not mention much after the two of you reconciled, but I accompanied him to Meryton several months ago. Papa was so excited when he spoke to me of his wish to purchase the Bennet estate, set matters with you to rights, a
nd gift Longbourn to Elizabeth.”
“Mr. Collins…”
“Mmbecile.”
His head snapped up as the comment took him by surprise, then he chuckled. “I cannot argue with your assessment. I sent my solicitor to purchase Longbourn, but you anticipated me. I had made a promise to acquire her childhood home after we visited Meryton during our journey to Ramsgate.”
“Sorry.”
“The gesture was not necessary, but Elizabeth will be ecstatic to know Longbourn is not owned by a stranger. When I discovered the property had been bought, she would not allow me to discover the identity of the current owner.”
His father’s one-sided smile reappeared.
“I suppose it suited your purpose, but now do you wish to tell Elizabeth or wait? She is aware you own the property, and I do not believe I will be able to deter her questions later.”
The elder Darcy wrote on the slate, but angled it towards Georgiana who grinned and disappeared into the corridor. She was not gone for more than ten minutes when she reappeared with Elizabeth and Thomas in tow.
His father’s expression lit when he noticed his grandson, and Thomas shyly agreed to sit with Grandfather on the bed.
Darcy explained his father’s actions, which prompted tears to stream down Elizabeth’s cheeks.
“For me? I cannot accept such an extravagant gift.”
“Lizzy,” interjected Georgiana. “Papa wishes for you to have Longbourn.” She handed her a leather case she must have retrieved when she fetched Elizabeth.
With shaky hands, his wife opened the flap to reveal the papers placing her family’s estate in her husband’s name. The law combined with their marriage prevented her name from gracing the paperwork, but her eyes still welled with tears.
“I will have it added to your settlement when I amend my will to include the baby, or if I cannot, it will be left to you in my will.” He stood at her shoulder as she nodded and still attempted to contain her emotions.
She handed him the folio and stepped to the side of the bed where she took the elder Darcy’s hands. “I do not have the words to thank you.”
An Unwavering Trust Page 49
