Sometimes at night as she lay in bed, she could not believe she had actually agreed to such a situation. Even now as she stared at the agreement in her hand, it did not seem real. Was she just beginning to realize the impact this entire affair would have on her? Had she really been so naïve?
Within the next few weeks, the nausea passed. She began to feel like her old self again and had even convinced herself that perhaps she had only suffered a touch of the flu to cause her such symptoms.
That diagnosis was quickly dismissed, however, when on the following week, she most decidedly felt someone kick her. The kick came from within. She knew she would have to contact Mr. Gallagher very soon.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Darcy’s carriage pulled up in front of his townhouse in Grosvenor Square. He helped Anne and Georgiana down and called to the footman to help with their trunks. They had arrived two days prior to the dinner party and hoped to spend some leisurely time visiting with Bingley. Darcy quickly penned a note, sending his card around to inform him of their arrival. By that afternoon, Bingley was at his door. Unfortunately, he was not alone.
Upon their announcement, Caroline and Charles Bingley entered the music room. Darcy immediately rose from his seat to greet his guests. “Bingley! What a pleasure to see you again.”
Before he could address Caroline, she was at his side and gave him a rather lingering kiss on his cheek. “Mr. Darcy, how we have missed your society! I am so glad you have accepted our invitation.”
“It is a pleasure to be in your company as well,” said Darcy with far less enthusiasm.
Georgiana rose from the pianoforte, where she had been playing, and went to her brother’s side. “I’m so happy to see you both. I am so looking forward to your dinner party.”
Bingley graciously took her hand and bowed. “You’re looking very well, Georgiana. I must say you have grown into a most lovely young lady.” Georgiana blushed shyly at his compliments.
“Oh, my dear Georgiana,” said Caroline, “Charles could not be more correct—you have indeed grown. You must be at least two inches taller than last we met.”
Georgiana hesitantly smiled in response, not quite sure if this was a compliment or not.
Darcy led the entire party over to Anne, who rose from the divan to greet her guests.
“How lovely to see you again, Mrs. Darcy,” said Bingley. “Do you remember my sister Caroline? You met briefly at your wedding.”
“Yes, of course,” said Anne. “It is nice to make your acquaintance again.”
Looking the woman over from head to toe, Caroline’s insincerity was hardly disguised. “The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Darcy.”
With introductions and greetings finally out of the way, the party sat and tea was ordered. “Well, Darcy, what have you been up to?” asked Bingley. Realizing his friend was still practically on his honeymoon, Bingley’s colour deepened at his own words.
However, connubial relations were the furthest thing from Darcy’s mind, and he didn’t notice his friend’s embarrassment. “Anne and I are getting used to married life. We have been enjoying the peace and quiet of Pemberley, and Anne is learning about some of her duties as Mistress. Mrs. Reynolds has been most helpful in acquainting Anne with her many new responsibilities.” With that he looked over to his wife, who smiled at him.
“I’m sure it is a most daunting task,” said Caroline. “Running a household as large and prestigious as Pemberley must be very exhausting for someone as . . . delicate as you, Mrs. Darcy.”
Darcy quickly tried to intercede on his wife’s behalf. “Did you enjoy the London season?” he asked.
Both Caroline and Bingley answered together. “Exceedingly so,” was Caroline’s reply.
“Not really,” was Bingley’s.
“It is such a pleasant day; shall we take to the outdoors for a stroll?” offered Anne as she gave Darcy a look of gratitude.
“That is an excellent idea!” said Georgiana eagerly.
Darcy leaned over to Anne and whispered in her ear, “Are you sure you are up to a walk so soon after our arrival?” She gave him a smile and nodded.
As the entire party was making ready to leave, Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the foyer. “Oh, Richard, you made it!” cried Georgiana. Bingley and Darcy expressed their pleasure at the colonel’s timely arrival to accompany them, and they all proceeded out to enjoy an afternoon in the park.
Maintaining a leisurely pace, they remarked on the beauty of the day and shared pleasant conversation. Upon approaching a park bench, both the colonel and Bingley eyed the blonde beauty seated, and each to the surprise of the other said simultaneously, “Miss Bennet?”
Jane Bennet looked up from her letter and eyed the three couples before her. She immediately recognized Colonel Fitzwilliam, having seen him only three months prior at her sister Lydia’s wedding. As she looked at the other familiar face, she blushed, realizing it was the man who had so often occupied her thoughts. She immediately rose from the bench.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam! Mr. Bingley!” she exclaimed. “What a most unexpected surprise!”
“Indeed,” said the colonel as he bowed to her.
Bingley’s face immediately reflected his pleasure at seeing her even as he pondered on her association with Colonel Fitzwilliam and how it had come about. The next thing he noted was the small child playing at her feet.
He bowed and addressed her. “I’m so happy to make your acquaintance again, Miss Bennet. I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. We only met on two occasions, but he seemed a most amiable gentleman.”
“I thank you, sir.”
There was a moment of silence before Bingley, remembering his manners, introduced Jane to the rest of their party. When he got to the colonel, he could not help but comment, “And you obviously already know Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
The colonel said nothing, waiting to see how Miss Bennet wished to explain their acquaintance. “Yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam and I met a few months ago while attending my sister Lydia’s wedding. The bridegroom was in military service and an acquaintance of the colonel.” Her reply caused Bingley’s demeanour to brighten considerably.
It also drew Darcy’s attention. Was this the young lady that Richard accompanied to London to meet Wickham? He would have a private talk with Richard later.
Jane looked down at Caleb, who was tugging on her skirt to gain her attention. Reaching down, she scooped him up into her arms.
“What an adorable little boy,” said Georgiana.
“Yes,” said Jane. “He is adorable, but he can also be a handful. This is Caleb,” she said to all, “one of the three children under my care.” She gestured to the pond and indicated Jaime and Sarah also. “I have been their governess for over a year now.”
Again, Bingley conveyed a look of relief at this news. He had not taken his eyes from Jane even once, and she could not help but notice.
Caroline, realizing that this was hardly someone who could further her position in society, dismissed her immediately. “Well, we really should be going.”
“Yes, of course” said Jane. “It was very nice to meet all of you. I hope that we shall meet again.” The gentlemen bowed at their departure, and the couples continued their walk.
Jane sat back down on the park bench. She felt out of breath. She could not believe the serendipity of such a meeting. Would he seek her out again now that he knew where he might find her?
As the couples continued their stroll, Bingley remarked, “Perhaps we should invite Miss Bennet to our dinner party, Caroline.”
“You must be joking, Charles. Are we now inviting domestic help to our social affairs?”
“Really, Caroline, must you always be such a snob? Miss Bennet comes from a very respectable family. It is only due to the entailment of her family estate that she finds herself in need of such a position.”
“Tell me, Bingley,” asked Darcy, “do you know to whom the estate was entailed?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact
, I do know. He, of course, is now a neighbour of mine. His name is Mr. Collins; he is a clergyman,” stated Bingley.
“How unbelievable,” said Anne. “We are acquainted with Mr. Collins! My mother was his patroness at the parsonage at Hunsford.”
“Yes,” said Darcy. “If I remember his conversation, I believe he said the estate was entailed to him since he was the only male heir.”
“That’s right, Darcy. There are five daughters. Mrs. Bennet lives with two of her younger daughters, Miss Katherine and Miss Mary, outside of Meryton. Miss Lydia, as you heard, was just recently married, and I’m not sure where Miss Elizabeth is living now. You remember I told you that I had met them once at Longbourn that week before we all attended the Meryton Assembly,” said Bingley.
Colonel Fitzwilliam decided it was best to keep any information he had to himself at the moment. He certainly didn’t want to mention in front of Georgiana that Miss Elizabeth had accompanied him to meet Wickham.
Darcy did not want to think upon these new revelations. He was sure his imagination was just running away with itself. But one thing he had to admit: it was certainly a small world, and it seemed to be getting smaller by the minute.
~*~
The next day Darcy was determined to speak to Richard privately. He summoned him after breakfast to meet him in his study. “I would like to ask you about Miss Bennet,” said Darcy.
“I thought you might.”
“Is that the young lady you accompanied to London to meet Wickham?”
“No,” said Richard, “that is her sister. I went to London with Miss Elizabeth.”
“Well, if Miss Elizabeth is half as agreeable as Miss Bennet, I do not think it was exactly a hardship,” he said with a look of amusement on his face.
“No, it was not,” agreed Richard. “She may not be as beautiful as her sister, but she is exceedingly pretty, and she has a smile that reaches all the way up to the most delightful eyes I’ve ever seen.”
“How does she make her living?”
“From what I gathered, she has been a companion to an elderly widow since shortly after her father’s death.”
“I don’t understand,” said Darcy, “how Miss Bennet’s employment as a governess and her sister’s position as a lady’s companion enabled them to afford to pay such a large amount of money to Wickham, not to mention the fulfilment of his debts in town?”
“That is indeed a very good question, Darcy,” said Richard. “I know Miss Elizabeth made all the arrangements to obtain the money, but I never asked from whence it came. I just assumed she had managed to borrow it; from a relative, perhaps.”
Darcy ran his hand through his hair. Why was he getting this uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach?
~*~
When Bingley announced he was going out for the morning, he was relieved that Caroline had not offered to accompany him. He had his own agenda in mind.
“I’m sorry, Charles; I must stay here. I’m expecting Louisa and Mr. Hurst to arrive sometime this morning. Louisa and I are planning to go shopping with Anne and Georgiana.”
Bingley tried to look disappointed.
Practically running from the townhouse to the park, he was hoping to find Miss Bennet somewhere within. He walked the same route as they had the day before, and, upon nearing the same park bench, he saw her. She looked up and eyed him immediately.
He approached her and bowed. “Good morning, Miss Bennet. I was hoping I might meet you again.”
She blushed.
“Would you mind if I joined you?” he asked.
“Not at all, sir.”
He sat beside her on the bench, a wide grin upon his face. “May I inquire as to your health?”
“I am well, sir,” she replied.
“And what about your family, Miss Bennet, are they well?”
“They are all very well, sir.”
There was an awkward silence. Even though he could think of nothing else to say to her, he could not help the smile that continued to reside upon his face. It must have been contagious, because soon Jane was displaying a similar smile.
As they sat there, grinning at each other, Bingley had an inspiration. He would defy his sister and invite her to his dinner party. After all, it was his dinner party.
“Miss Bennet, I am giving a dinner party tomorrow evening, and I was wondering if you might like to attend? I know it is rather late notice, but if it is at all possible, I would be most happy to have the pleasure of your company.”
“I would be delighted to attend, Mr. Bingley.”
“Excellent! I shall send a carriage for you, shall we say at seven? Just give me the address, and I will see to all the arrangements.”
Jane stood and helped Caleb to a standing position. Bingley immediately followed her lead and took hold of one of Caleb’s hands. As the little boy teetered between them, they looked into each other’s eyes.
“Would you care to join us in a walk around the park?” inquired Jane.
“I would enjoy that very much.”
Jane called to Jaime and Sarah. Sarah came running quickly, but Jaime approached slowly, eyeing the gentleman who stood next to Jane.
“Sarah, may I present Mr. Bingley,” said Jane.
“It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Sarah,” said Bingley, bowing before her. The little girl’s already rosy cheeks blushed a deep red at his words, and she giggled gleefully.
“And this is her brother Jaime.”
“Indeed, a pleasure, sir,” said Bingley. “I have been invited to accompany all of you on a walk around the park. I hope you do not mind.”
Jamie instinctively took hold of Jane’s hand and gave Bingley a wary look. Obviously, he did mind. Jane smiled down at Jaime, comprehending his gesture.
“Perhaps you would like to hold Mr. Bingley’s hand during our walk, Sarah. That way you and I shall both have the protection of a gentleman to accompany us,” said Jane.
Again Sarah blushed but quite willingly put her hand in Mr. Bingley’s. Bingley and Jane each held one of Caleb’s hands and smiled adoringly at each other as they all proceeded on their walk, both quite content just to be in each other’s company.
~*~
Mrs. Reynolds was instructing the staff of their duties for the day. With the Master, Mistress and Georgiana all from home, she decided it would be a perfect opportunity to do a thorough cleaning of their bed chambers. She instructed the servants to open all the windows and remove all the bedding.
She gathered up the bed clothes from Georgiana’s room first, and as she was next stripping the mattress in Anne’s room, she noted several handkerchiefs stuffed beneath it. As she pulled them out to surrender them to the laundry, she noted the dried blood within each one. She quickly took them, hiding them in her apron pocket, not wanting the servants aware of her findings.
Although somewhat startled by this discovery, she was not surprised by Anne’s deception. Anne had confided in her several times over the past months of her guilt regarding the situation of her marriage to Mr. Darcy, guilt derived from her feelings of inadequacy. She felt she had failed him. To make matters worse, despite these failings, he continued to be attentive and supportive of her as his wife. Mrs. Reynolds had tried to convince Anne that she should not give in to such self-deprecation, but she could not be convinced. The more accommodating Darcy was to her needs, the guiltier she felt.
If Darcy knew the extent of her illness, he would be even more solicitous, causing Anne even more remorse. It was a complicated matter to say the least. She would have to decide what course of action to take. If she removed the handkerchiefs from beneath the mattress, Anne would know she had been found out. She would need time to think over the situation.
Mrs. Reynolds had been in service of the Darcy household for five and twenty years. She knew almost all there was to know about the family. She had been caring for Mr. Darcy since he was four years old.
She was extremely proud of the fine young man he had become. She was also pai
nfully aware of the current circumstances of his life. She knew his regard for Anne’s health had forced them to abandon the hope of producing an heir together. She also knew of his plan to produce one elsewhere. Although she did not entirely approve of her master’s plan, she could not deny him her assistance in helping him see it through. Her loyalty and devotion to the family was unquestionable.
She continued her supervision of the housecleaning chores throughout the morning. When the mail arrived after lunch, she shuffled through her master’s correspondence and came across a letter addressed to her from Mr. Gallagher.
November 8, 1812
Dear Mrs. Reynolds,
I have received word from the young lady. She has informed me that it is her belief that she is now with child. She has experienced the quickening to confirm this. She relayed no other details and is requesting to receive further instructions. She has asked me to again assure her that I am the only person to know her identity, and I have written her with my assurance and to advise her of the arrangements being made for her confinement.
If there is anything you would like me to convey to the young lady, please write me.
Yours truly,
Arthur Gallagher, Esq.
Mrs. Reynolds refolded the letter and placed it into her pocket. She could not gauge her own reaction to this news. She knew how much Mr. Darcy wanted this child, but she also knew he had not come up with a feasible plan to claim the child as his own.
As much as she had disapproved of this entire scheme to produce an heir, she had to admit she found no offense with the young lady herself. She had been open and as honest as could be expected regarding her circumstances. She was bright and intelligent and had a certain warmth about her. Indeed, Mrs. Reynolds had agreed wholeheartedly with her master’s choice. However, now that she knew for certain of the young lady’s condition, she wondered how this warm, bright, and intelligent woman would be able to give up her child?
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