by Sue Barr
With shaking hands, he broke the seal and began reading.
Pemberley, Derbyshire
November 14, 1814
My Lord Duke,
I am in receipt of your letter dated November 8. After carefully consideration, I have requested and received permission for you to attend Pemberley at your earliest convenience. My brother awaits your response in order to have rooms prepared in advance.
In good conscience I cannot have you arrive without advising that my cousins, the Viscount Ashton and Colonel Fitzwilliam will also be in attendance. They are set to arrive sometime next week and will remain at Pemberley through to Twelfth Night.
On a personal note, I beg you destroy the letters I wrote. My maid mistakenly mailed them, not realizing they were for my own particular use.
Regards, etc.,
Georgiana Darcy Kerr
Duchess of Adborough
Max read the letter several times, saddened by how stilted and formal she sounded. Even though he understood her embarrassment and desire for the letters to be consigned to the fire, he could not comply. Not when the pages were filled with how much she loved him. He treasured every word written and they’d have to pry them from his dead, cold fingers.
He checked his calendar and decided to leave in two days. The prospect of a quiet, personal visit had diminished upon Georgiana’s revelation that her two cousins would be in attendance. She was amassing a formidable army that would protect her by any means at their disposal. However, he counted on the blessed fact that she had loved him as his best weapon to breach her defenses. He’d make sure Clarkson brought extra shirts and cravats for him. Knowing the Fitzwilliam brothers’ temperaments, he expected double trouble in the form of fisticuffs and words. It was best to be prepared for the worst, although he prayed for the best.
~~~~~
Max opened the well-worn Bible he’d pulled from his valise. He’d gone into the library to spend a few minutes of quiet before leaving for Pemberley. A heavy sigh lifted his shoulders and with his hand resting on his most treasured possession, other than his wife, he released his breath, letting frustration and worry expel alongside.
“Lord, have I lost everything? My lack of trust in Georgiana unforgiveable. Guide my thoughts and words as I go forward rebuilding my marriage.” He glanced down at the Bible, opened to the book of Joshua. “I need the fortitude and faith of Joshua to slay the giant of my pride.”
He closed in eyes in contemplative silence, opening them only when the door crashed open. Viscount Ashton burst into the room; anger etched deep in his face.
“Your Grace, I apologize. I explained to the Viscount you were not receiving.” His butler, clearly distraught, followed Ashton into the room.
“It’s all right, Benson. You may go.”
With a polite bow, Benson left the room, closing the door behind him. Not sure what Ash would say or do, but willing to receive a verbal chastisement, Max stood. He moved so fast Max barely had time to blink before Ashton had his throat clutched in a deadly grip. Gasping for breath, he struggled to break free from the larger man’s strangle hold.
“You may have wrestled with younger brothers, your Grace,” Ash leaned close to his face and growled, his breath hot on Max’s cheek, “but Darcy, Richard and I grew up with Wickham.”
For the first time in Max’s life ice cold fear crept through his veins and snaked around his heart. The venomous hatred in Ashton’s voice, as well as the unspoken truth that anything learned from George Wickham was underhanded and foul, cautioned him to tread lightly. He tried, unsuccessfully, to twist out from Ashton’s hold.
“You abandoned my cousin” – the fingers squeezed again – “sentencing her to solitary confinement without so much as telling the prisoner her supposed crime. Darcy is too much of a gentleman to attack you physically. Richard would run you through with his sword, but as a Colonel in his Majesty’s military he’d face court martial and deportment, if not the death sentence. I, on the other hand, have no plans of ever marrying and carrying on the Matlock name. It would be my honor to make Georgiana a widow.”
“Ash,” Max choked out and patted the Viscount’s arm in the unspoken way of surrendering to a more capable opponent. “I love Georgiana.”
“You love her!”
“Yes.”
With a bitter laugh, Ashton released his grip and stepped back. Max coughed as much-needed air made its way into his lungs. With a sound of disgust, Ashton turned to leave. When he reached the door, he turned abruptly and faced Max.
“You are a hypocrite and a fraud. A deceiver of the worst kind.” His voice vibrated with anger. “You may love your horse, or your newest vest, but you do not love my cousin.”
“I do love her,” Max reiterated and straightened to his full height, his bruised pride smarting over the idea that Ash believed he loved only inanimate objects. “My recent behavior is unacceptable” – the Viscount snorted indelicately – “however, if Georgiana chooses to look beyond this and forgive, I ask that you follow her lead. All I can do is prove my words with action.”
“There is a story in the Bible where the Lord caused the sun to stand still. You need a miracle of that magnitude to earn back my cousin’s trust. To earn back ALL our trust.”
For the first time in months he felt the stirrings of a smile. He knew nothing was impossible with God.
“You and I both know that if the Lord can make the sun and moon stand still, He can soften the heart of the sweetest woman ever created. I will do my part and the Almighty will do His.”
“If you plan to stand on prayer alone, you’d better ask Him to give Elizabeth a heart full of forgiveness. She is the one you should fear, not Darcy.”
Max knew Elizabeth Darcy was a formidable woman in her own right, on par with his much beloved mother. Diminutive in stature, her intelligence and strength of will was the stuff of legend. If she chose to oppose a reconciliation between himself and Georgiana, his task would become exceedingly difficult.
“I’m well aware this task, without Divine intervention, is nigh unto impossible.”
Ash reached for the door handle and then paused.
“Adborough,” he said, without turning around. “It’s been a long time since I thought God held any interest in the affairs of man. If you manage to earn back the love and respect of our family and friends, I may have to revisit my long-held doubts.”
“Then it’s imperative that I succeed.”
The Viscount half turned and held Max’s gaze. “I almost hope you do.”
Chapter Sixteen
Brittle leaves covered the walkway which lined the edge of a lake near the front of Pemberley. Georgiana and Lizzy, arm in arm enjoyed a slow walk along its path. Given the advance state of Lizzy’s condition, this was the only place Fitz allowed Lizzy to take her daily constitution because, although close to her time, she refused to stay abed.
“Have you given any more thought of the Duke’s intentions to attend Pemberley?” Lizzy queried between short breaths.
“I have thought of nothing else since Fitz received his letter.”
They came to a stop and Lizzy placed one hand against her side and grimaced.
“This child is moving so much I can barely catch my breath.”
“We are almost at the bench Fitz installed for you. Give me your arm and we’ll rest for a bit before going back into the house.”
With a soft thank you, Lizzy took Georgiana’s arm, placing much of her weight against it and they moved at a snail’s pace towards a bench. Without warning, Lizzy stumbled and even though Georgiana held tight to her arm to soften the fall, she dropped heavily to her knees.
“Lizzy!” Georgiana cried out and helped her move into a sitting position, uncaring if both their skirts became embedded with mud and snow. “Oh, dear Lizzy. Are you all right?”
“No… Ooooooo.” Elizabeth sucked in a sharp breath and clutched her belly. “Not now, not now, not now…” she whispered and drew in another deep breath.
>
“What must I do? Can you stand?” Georgiana looked around to see if anyone had noticed them from the house, but she and her sister were obscured from sight by a clump of coniferous trees.
“The child is coming, Georgiana.” Lizzy bit her lip and closed her eyes. “Find Mrs. Reynolds and have her send for the midwife and also a few footmen to carry me to the house.”
“I cannot leave you alone−”
“We have no time for this.” Lizzy’s voice brooked no argument. “I twisted my ankle and am unable move on my own. You have no choice.”
“I shall see if I can find Fitzwilliam−”
“He has gone with his steward to assess one of the tenant’s cottages. He will not get back in time.”
Georgiana gripped Lizzy’s elbow and tried to help her stand. Lizzy moaned softly and before Georgiana could move, a large hand reached between them. Surprised, she glanced up and saw Maxwell leaning over them, his face grim. Where had he come from? She hadn’t heard a carriage, or horses.
“Lend me your hand, Mrs. Darcy. I shall carry you to the house.”
“I’m far too heavy for you to carry.”
“Nonsense.” In deft, efficient moves he gathered her up and cradled her effortlessly in his arms. Lizzy wrapped hers around his neck and shoulders. “You are still as light as a feather.”
“Careful with your words, your Grace. I know I’m a heavy load to carry over treacherous ground.”
“I said light as a feather, Mrs. Darcy. I didn’t specify which bird.”
Lizzy started to laugh and then caught her bottom lip between her teeth, another moan escaping in place.
“If you intend to take me indoors before this child makes an entrance, I suggest we move now.”
“As you wish.”
Max began covering the ground with sure strides. Before he reached the front steps, the door opened and Mrs. Reynolds hurried out to greet them, two footmen following close behind.
“Oh, Mrs. Darcy. What happened?”
“Mrs. Darcy requires a doctor, or midwife, if that is the arrangement she’s made.” Max answered for Lizzy who’d begun to pant from the contractions.
Mrs. Reynolds stopped and gaped at Maxwell, torn between anger at his treatment of her girl, Miss Darcy and admiration that he was taking care of her beloved mistress.
“The midwife is but a few miles from here, I’ll have a footman bring her right away.”
“And have Stephens send out a rider for my brother,” Georgiana ordered, finally rousing herself from the shock of seeing Max. “Fitzwilliam will want to be advised as soon as possible.”
“Right away Miss Darcy – forgive me – your Grace.” Although a furious blush colored Mrs. Reynolds cheek at her faux pas she quickly directed one of the footmen to carry out the orders before facing Maxwell again. “Creighton here can carry Mrs. Darcy to her room, your Grace.”
“There is no need Mrs. Reynolds. I do not see the need to give her any more discomfort than what she already has. If you would lead the way, I shall follow.”
“Yes, sir.” Mrs. Reynolds paused and caught Georgiana’s eye. “Would you care to attend Mrs. Darcy now or wait until she’s settled?”
“I’ll wait until she’s settled. I need to find Anna and have her bring up the supplies we’ve prepared for this moment. Also, I need to advise Lizzy’s physician. I’m sure he would like to be here in case there are any difficulties, not that Mrs. Andrews is not a competent midwife.”
“Very well.” With a brisk nod of approval, Mrs. Reynolds turned to Max. “If you would come this way, your Grace.”
Max spared Georgiana a quick glance and smiled ever so slightly before ascending the staircase with his precious load. Loathe to go upstairs too soon and run into him before getting her thoughts in order, she handed her outerwear to a waiting maid and quietly asked her to find Anna and begin preparations. By this time, their butler had appeared and she gave instructions for the doctor to be called out.
“Before I send a footman with the note, would you like some tea. I’m sure it will help settle your nerves before the big event.”
“Carson, you are a life saver. Can you have it brought to the breakfast room?”
“Yes, your Grace.”
She hurried to the breakfast room and sat facing the window. A light snow had begun to fall, coating the bare trees with a soft blanket of white. The pastoral scene outside was calm and peaceful, yet her mind whirled with worry. Lizzy wasn’t due to deliver the baby for at least two to three weeks. She prayed quietly the fall hadn’t hurt the child and that both mother and babe would be healthy. Her thoughts then turned to Maxwell. His arrival, though not unexpected, was also premature. While grateful he’d arrived when he did, for Lizzy’s sake, what precipitated his early arrival?
The door to the room creaked open and she turned expecting one of the staff members to enter with her tea. Instead, the large frame of her husband filled the doorway. She rose to her feet and faced him properly for the first time in nearly five months.
“Good afternoon, your Grace,” she finally managed to say.
“And to you, Georgiana.” He accompanied his greeting with a small nod. “I hope you don’t mind that I joined you. Carson indicated he was bringing tea, and I have to admit, I’m parched.”
“No, I don’t mind, your Grace. I shall leave you to it while I attend my sister.”
She started toward the door but Maxwell did not move aside. Unsure of what to do, she paused.
“Georgiana, please don’t rush off on my account. I know you are angry, with just cause. I have come, heart in hand, to beg your forgiveness and begin to make amends for my past behavior. Can you please stay for but a few minutes before seeing to Mrs. Darcy?”
“You ask for a few minutes to forgive your foibles when you could not spare any time to even introduce me to your staff?” She drew herself up to her full height, which was considerable given her family genes. “My sister’s baby will not wait for anyone, not even a Duke, and I will attend her. Please stand aside. Now.”
Max moved to his right and she swept by, head held high.
~~~~~
Max closed his eyes and drank in the light scent of honeysuckle which lingered after his irate wife made her way upstairs. He’d known he would not be welcomed to Pemberley and as such, had prepared himself for barbs and subtle insults. What he hadn’t anticipated was the cold depth of Georgiana’s anger.
“What did you think? That she’d open her arms wide and tell you how much she loved you?” he muttered.
“You finally figured it out.” The droll tone of Ash gave him a start. The Viscount strolled by, clipping his shoulder with his own as he entered the room exclaiming, “Splendid. Carson provided tea.”
Max shoved down his disappointment and followed Ashton into the room. A footman hurried to provide both of them with a cup of tea and then, very discreetly, left the room.
“Have you been here long?” Max asked, not really caring for an answer but wished to dispel the heavy silence. He thought he detected fatigue around the eyes of his former friend, but Ash led such a dissolute life it very well could be world weariness.
“We have only just arrived. In fact, given the state of your horses at the carriage, I’d say we were about an hour behind you.”
“You didn’t leave him alone−” Colonel Fitzwilliam burst into the room, stopping short at the sight of Max. Instant anger tightened the Colonel’s lips into a thin line and he began stalking toward Max, who’d risen to his feet. Ash stepped in front of his brother and stayed his progress with a steady hand against his chest.
“Let me at him, Edmund,” Richard growled.
“Keep a cool head, brother. I spied Georgiana heading to the second level and our dissolute Duke was here, alone, in the breakfast room. We were about to have tea. Care to join us?”
“I’d rather eat my own boots.”
“Normally I’d say, ‘have at her’, but this is a perfect time for us all to sit down and hav
e a conversation.”
“Who says I want to speak to that prat?”
“Because this was the whole purpose of why I came to Pemberley,” Max said before resuming his seat. “Have you seen Darcy?”
“Afraid of coming face to face with her brother?” Richard sneered.
“Not in the least.”
Worried, but not afraid. There was a vast difference in attitude.
“How do you explain the reason you’re still in your traveling clothes?”
“I haven’t had time to change. We sent rider out for him because Mrs. Darcy is in labor−”
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place!”
Richard swiveled and exited the room, shouting orders to bring his horse around to the front of the house. Ashton glanced at Max and assessed him.
“You couldn’t have led with that when I came into the room?’
“What, and take away your joy of digging the knife in further?”
“There is that,” Ash conceded with a wry smile.
“Your brother also interrupted before I had a chance.” Max blew out a soft sigh. “I arrived and spotted both Georgiana and Mrs. Darcy walking along the lake’s edge. I then saw Mrs. Darcy fall, quite hard, and immediately went to give aid.”
“Is Elizabeth well? The baby?”
“As far as I could ascertain, and I’m no physician, she hurt her ankle and was unable to walk, plus she went into the early stages of childbirth.”
“How did she get back to the house?”
“I carried her.”
“You!” Ash exclaimed in obvious disbelief.
“Yes.” Max ground out between clenched teeth. “Me.”
“Hmmph… Good job, Adborough. There might be some redemption in this for you after all.”
