by J Dawn King
He must have had a quizzical look on his face because the Duchess explained. “My governess spent many years with a woman of noble birth who married a baronet. The man was a rake and a notorious gambler. She went from privilege to poverty. The lady had no skills, no training for her reduced circumstances, and this increased her distress. When this governess came to me, she determined that it would serve me well to learn to care for myself and others. I have not made one lemon tart since I married, but I could if there was ever a need.”
“And if you had lemons.” Elizabeth added to much laughter.
Darcy was fascinated by the woman he wed. Her eyes sparkled and she spoke with the duchess as if she were born to it.
“It is good to know, Darcy, that if we ever lose our fortunes, neither of us will starve.” The Duke had long forgotten his wife had that skill. It pleased him to know that Mrs. and Miss Darcy were following the pattern of his most excellent wife. He had respected Darcy’s father deeply and had watched the son over the years. George Darcy would be proud of the man his son had become and pleased with his son’s choice for Mistress of Pemberley.
The Duke and Duchess of Devondale spent the remainder of the evening in the Darcy box. Lady Catherine had left soon after the Duke visited her. Darcy was curious to know what had been said to stop his aunt’s verbal assault. He would not ask. If Devondale volunteered the information, then he would know.
Elizabeth had no such compunction.
“Your Grace, it appears that you have unusual skills of your own.”
The duke looked at her, his left brow lifted, and a slight smile on his face. “Mrs. Darcy, I do not know what you mean.”
“Ah, a cautious man.” Darcy could see the teasing glint in Elizabeth’s eye. “I refer to being a hunter of wild creatures, your Grace.”
“Is that to what you refer, Mrs. Darcy?” The Duke’s smile grew. He was being teased by a young woman comfortable in her marriage and he delighted again to know Darcy would be happy in his home. “Yes, I have an intense aversion to reptiles. I do not like to be surprised by one when I am in the countryside and I detest running into them in town.”
“It is a humble man to admit to such a condition, your Grace.”
“Why thank you, Mrs. Darcy, but it is not my humility that is in question. It is my modesty.”
Elizabeth raised her own brow at this and gave thought to how she would answer the Duke. “To be humble is to lower oneself. I would have thought this to be the proper position to address a serpent crawling in the grass. To be modest is to recognize your limitations, is it not? I do not understand,” she started. Then her eyes opened wide and her lips parted in surprise. “I do understand, your Grace. Your aversion, as you described it, is your limit, is it not?”
At his nod, she continued. “Therefore, your limit is no tolerance.”
“You are correct.” He tilted his head towards the box that Lady Catherine had been standing in, which was now empty. “I reminded your aunt that she had become reprehensible and unwelcome in good society. If she was not willing to remove herself gracefully, I would see that it would be done post haste.”
“Then, your Grace, I thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, Mrs. Darcy.”
The Duke of Devondale and his wife walked out of the theater with the Darcys. That one act cemented the standing of the new Mrs. Darcy more than had her position been granted by birth. Darcy was grateful and Elizabeth was relieved. Since their marriage, there had been one trouble after another and she longed for peace.
***
The next day saw Mrs. Annesley established in Darcy House. Georgiana was relieved to have a companion who was fashionable, kind, and lovely. When Richard and Lady Matlock appeared later in the day, the ladies noticed the colonel’s response to the new addition to the household. He was all that was charming.
Darcy wondered what his cousin was about. He completely missed the covert glances Richard offered his ward’s companion. Mrs. Annesley, on the other hand, completely ignored Richard. It was not until Elizabeth explained the dynamics that he smiled to himself. It would be a pleasure to watch his cousin chase someone who did not want to be caught. Richard’s attachment to the house of Matlock and his outgoing personality typically guaranteed he had success with the ladies. This would be a first for him and Darcy could not wait to tease.
Lady Matlock was delighted for a completely different reason. She loved the man her son had become. Underneath his rough exterior was a tender heart. It would take a woman of uncommon character to complement her son. Mrs. Annesley appeared to have that type of character. She resolved to see what time revealed.
Elizabeth thought of how life was like a play with characters that moved around each other on a stage. Some were the heroes and others supported them — their actions and decisions influencing the lives of the other performers. Some had a few brief lines and others lengthy orations. She wondered how those gathered together in this room would interact and influence each other in the years to come.
Elizabeth glanced at Richard and saw a man who was steady, honorable, and quick to defend and protect those he loved. He was a man willing to sacrifice— his own life if necessary. Then, she gazed lovingly at her husband. He had all of the qualities that made up Richard Fitzwilliam, but there was so much more to the man. Elizabeth’s breath caught. She was in love with her husband. Completely, utterly, unreservedly, unconditionally in love.
Darcy happened to look at his wife, not knowing what was going through her mind. When he saw the warmth and emotion of her gaze, he wondered at her thoughts. He watched her rise from the chair and walk towards him, never taking her eyes from his. She stopped just in front of him and, uncaring of who saw or who heard, she leaned into him and whispered the words he longed to hear. “I love you, William.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Fitzwilliam Darcy closed his eyes as he embraced his wife, his mind replaying over and over the precious words she had uttered. Forgotten were the other occupants of the room. Forgotten was the standard engrained in him from infancy that a man never expressed his feelings in a public setting. Forgotten were the days of uncertainty that lead to this point in time.
Releasing his arms, he stepped back from Elizabeth. Taking her left hand in his right, he gave a short bow to his family without looking at any of them. He said a polite, “excuse me”, and pulled his wife out to a small balcony just outside before any of the other occupants of the drawing room could reply.
Richard Fitzwilliam knew what would be happening outside and for the first time in his adult life, he was jealous of his cousin. Certainly not because of how they were spending their time, for Richard correctly imagined they were locked in a passionate embrace, but because of the bond, the depth of feeling Darcy received from his wife. Richard had never coveted Darcy’s wealth. He knew, probably more than any other, the responsibility that came with being Master of Pemberley. There had been no single person to provide succor and comfort since the loss of Darcy’s parents, until Elizabeth.
His mother looked at her son and realized, as only a mother could, that this instant was a time of great change for him. The extent of her suffering each time Richard had gone to fight Napoleon’s forces had aged her prematurely. It was the suffering only a mother would understand. While Helen Fitzwilliam was delighted for her nephew and his wife, she desired the same relationship for Richard.
Georgiana did not understand what had happened. Her brother’s actions bordered on rudeness. She had never known him to set aside propriety and decorum even in his private life. Leaving a room with guests without providing a reason was beyond the pale. She turned to her new companion, hoping the woman was not offended by the slight.
Mrs. Annesley remembered the first blush of love. What she observed with the Darcys was so much more than that, a love that resonated with passion. It was a ‘to death do us part’ kind of love that every woman’s heart desired. The loved engendered by her husband had been comfortable, no more o
r less than that. It paled in comparison to what she had witnessed. She was unsurprised that a young inexperienced girl would not understand how consuming such strong emotions could be.
Turning to her new charge she addressed the confusion she saw on her face.
“Pray do not be concerned with the actions of your brother and his wife, Miss Darcy.” She had Georgiana’s full attention. “Under these circumstances, we need to overlook their actions and discern their motives.”
“But..,” Georgiana did not understand.
Her companion had been told in detail all that had happened with George Wickham after she had accepted the position. Mrs. Annesley remembered the confusion and turbulent emotions of her adolescent years.
“Miss Darcy, do you remember the feelings you had when Mr. Wickham expressed his love for you the very first time?” The words were quietly said. Nevertheless, this conversation had the full attention of Lady Matlock and her son.
“I do, Mrs. Annesley.” Georgiana had a dreamy look on her face. “We were walking down the boardwalk at Ramsgate. The sun was hot, the sky was blue, and the air was filled with the noise of families enjoying the day. George took my hand in his and boldly kissed the back of it, right there in public notice.” She sighed. “He told me that he had loved me for a long time and that he longed for me to be at his side.”
“And, how did that make you feel, Miss Darcy?”
“Warm and cherished.” Georgiana thought back on those days just over a month ago. “I felt like I was beautiful and desired. I do not recall ever being so happy in my lifetime.”
“And, when you found out that Mr. Wickham did not mean what he said?” The question was harsh, though her tone was gentle.
“The hurt was terrible.” Georgiana felt the pain in her heart as if the wound were fresh.
“Now, imagine how you would feel to hear those words from a man who was constant, a man who had proven his worth and devotion to you, one who would never deceive or lie to you. How would you feel then?”
Just thinking of such a man brought tears to Georgiana’s eyes. Richard saw his cousin’s reaction and was almost moved to tears himself. He appreciated the way Mrs. Annesley was helping his ward to see the situation with Darcy and Elizabeth clearly. She was a woman of wisdom and keen understanding. Richard leaned forward to not miss Georgiana’s answer.
“I believe,” Georgiana started. “I believe… I believe I can only imagine the kind of happiness that would bring.”
“Well said, Miss Darcy.” Mrs. Annesley then helped Georgiana draw her attention away from herself to the matter at hand. “Did you happen to hear Mrs. Darcy’s words to her husband?”
“She whispered that she loved him.” Georgiana suddenly felt every year of her youth, very young indeed. “Elizabeth meant it and William knew that she meant it, did he not?”
“Yes, Miss Darcy.” Mrs. Annesley could not help the little smile that appeared as realization finally came to Georgiana. What they had observed was a rare occurrence in their society. It was a powerful lesson to a young lady, a marker to try to reach for in making future decisions for a partner in life.
Richard stared at Mrs. Annesley and Lady Matlock watched her son.
Mrs. Annesley had noticed the attention the gentleman was paying her and she was not unaffected. However, it was her first day of employment in the household and she had much to learn about the quality of people she would be associating with. She had known of Lady Matlock through her last assignment and appreciated the fine reputation of the woman seated across the room. She knew nothing about the reputation of her son, nor did she want to know at this time.
What she did know is that he was a handsome man with a fine form and a pleasant smile. He seemed to care for his ward and for the woman that gave him birth. His sun-streaked dark blonde hair had grown down on his collar and his eyes held stories that would fill volumes if written down. Yes, he was an attractive man.
Lady Matlock watched the interplay between the man and woman. While Richard openly displayed his attention, Mrs. Annesley’s glances were brief as she tried not to look where her eyes were inclined to linger.
Helen Fitzwilliam smiled to herself at what the future held. She, too, knew what Darcy and Elizabeth were about. It was her hope that Darcy House and Pemberley would soon be filled with children’s voices. Darcy would allow her the privilege of being a grandmother to his offspring and she rejoiced at the role.
On the balcony, Elizabeth giggled out loud. It had not taken long for William to draw her into a tight embrace. The words her husband whispered into her ear were filled with loving and tender affection.
“William, did we abandon our guests with no consideration for their care?”
“Yes, we did, my love.” He pulled her closer to him. “They are adults, well, with the exception of my sister, who I believe thinks she is an adult. They can learn to care for themselves as I am confident this will not be the last time I am overcome by the beauty and magnificence of my wife.”
Elizabeth hugged her husband to her and chuckled aloud. “We are terrible hosts, Fitzwilliam.”
“That we are, wife. That we are.”
Elizabeth had been correct. The world was a stage and this was a fitting exit at the end of the last act. Their play, their romantic drama, had played out with all of its parts to reach the happily ever after she had always dreamed of.
EPILOGUE
Darcy House – three years later
“Are you pleased, dearest husband?” The doctor, surgeon, and midwife were finally gone, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone with the small infant. Fitzwilliam Darcy cuddled the tiny bundle to his chest and looked at his wife in confusion.
“Why would I not be pleased, Elizabeth?” He knew why she asked. Having been raised in a household where the lack of a male child was a tragedy, Elizabeth worried that another daughter would be a burden. Darcy surveyed his newest child, the small round face topped with a dark tuft of fine hair, eyebrows and lashes so wispy they were barely visible. The sleeping child had stolen his heart with her first breath, just as her older sister had done.
Their first child, Victoria Elizabeth Darcy, was a miniature version of her mother. At two years of age, her natural inquisitiveness, boldness, and joy of discovery filled Darcy House with delightful giggles. Darcy wondered at the future personality of this newest daughter. Would she be like her sister or would she have the reticence in company that her father and aunt had? Darcy knew that it would not be long before they would find out. His own joy increased every single day with his growing family.
Elizabeth loved her husband with a fierceness that consumed her. He was an outstanding husband and an excellent father. He watched over the goings on of the household with tender care. He had insisted that both of her confinements be under the care of multiple physicians and she graciously allowed this as it seemed to assuage his worry. It was what a good man did for his family.
Darcy worried about the rest of his family in equal measure. Though he realized he had little control, he fretted over them all.
Darcy had participated as he was able in his sister’s first season, though he would much rather have been at home with his wife and Victoria. When in attendance, Darcy opened each ball with Georgiana, and suffered to see gentlemen posturing and preening to gain his sister’s attention. The season had ended with no less than six proposals, all of which his sister refused. Darcy’s relief was unmistakable. Georgiana had become a wonderful young woman and the loss to his home and his heart would be felt deeply when she found a man who claimed her heart. He worried that there was not a man good enough in all of England for his sister.
With the season’s end, Richard offered again for the hand of his cousin’s companion and was accepted. His first offer had been soundly rejected as Mrs. Adriana Annesley’s loyalty to her charge overrode her attraction to the former colonel. This allowed the couple to gradually come to know each other better as Richard came and went between his property outside of London
and Darcy House. Lady Matlock could not have been more pleased.
The rupture between Lord Matlock, Lady Catherine, and the Darcys never healed. Occasionally, there was a squawk heard out of Kent, but nothing ever came of it. The Duke and Duchess of Devondale continued close association with the Darcys, which firmly placed Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy in the first circles of society alongside her husband and relegated both Fitzwilliam siblings to virtual oblivion.
“What shall we name her, William?” Elizabeth smiled as she counted the fourth time her husband placed a tender kiss on their daughter’s forehead. The man, whom she had incorrectly assumed was reserved and undemonstrative when they had first met, was nothing but. “I am hoping you will agree to include your mother’s name, husband.”
