He wondered what her aunt had written to her. Yesterday morning, Elizabeth had appeared at breakfast with reddened eyes and small appetite. He knew whatever the aunt had written must have affected her profoundly.
But with great courage, she had pushed it aside, been what she divined he wanted of her. He loved her for that, wanted to make everything right.
She’d left the aunt’s letter on the table after reading it the previous evening, there at Carlisle. He’d picked it up and tucked it into his pocket, to return to her the next day. But on seeing her reddened eyes, he had changed his mind. He would not give it to her that day, just before they married.
He wondered when he should give it back to her, but he really didn’t want to remind her of the distress it had caused.
He sighed, and hoped that time would heal the wound somewhat. Perhaps when Mr. and Mrs. Bingley visited, he would be able to discuss with her sister what the aunt had been told.
“Such a heavy sigh, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth’s teasing whisper told him she’d woken.
He smiled, “I was wondering whether to wake you.”
“Well, you do not have to.” Her eyes closed again. “But it was a lovely way to wake.”
“Indeed. And we can do so each morning.” He let himself run his fingers along her hair, marvelling that this was now his privilege and no longer forbidden.
Her smile was content. “I am pleased that this behaviour is not permitted before a wedding, sir. It is much too exciting.”
He laughed. “If you call me sir again, I might have to start calling you Mrs. Darcy.”
Her eyes flew open. “Oh! I’m sorry, I forgot myself again.” But her smile was mischievous. “But I do like hearing the words Mrs. Darcy. Although I’m sure I will not recognise it as referring to me at first and will ignore the speaker without meaning to offend.”
“Then you must concentrate more,” he teased her. “Or you will have to work harder to rectify the offence!”
She wriggled from his grasp and sat up on the edge of the bed. “Then I had better rise and prepare myself for the experience!”
He reached out and caught at her hand, tugging it to his mouth and kissing it.
“If that is your pleasure, dearest Elizabeth.” He pushed back the covers and sat up, rubbing his face. “Let me go through to the dressing room, then you can summon your maid.”
He was heartily glad to reach Pemberley the following day and he thought Elizabeth and Georgiana were too. Georgiana’s governess had arrived with the rest of the servants from London, as had a number of letters and much business. As he handed her down from the coach, the housekeeper and his steward waited to greet their new mistress.
She seemed composed as he introduced them, he was pleased to see, and his staff were properly welcoming. He led her up the steps to her new home. She gazed around her at the imposing galleried hallway, the great portraits in their gilded frames.
He smiled. “I think Georgiana would like us to take tea in the music room. I believe she has missed her pianoforte very much.”
Elizabeth looked across at his sister’s eager face. “I would love to see it.”
“You know me too well, Fitzwilliam,” laughed Georgiana.
“Come, Elizabeth, I will show you where it is, and afterwards I will show you around the house.”
He bowed to them. “I need to speak to my steward, and I will join you shortly.”
He turned into the estate office and sank into a comfortable chair. She was safe now. She was Mrs. Darcy and she was at Pemberley with him. Collins could never take her now.
He could rest and enjoy her company. He could show her his estate and help her make a new life here.
He turned to his steward. “Tell me what has happened of importance.”
It was more than an hour later when he entered the music room. The teacups sat untouched on the tray and Elizabeth and Georgiana were sitting on the piano stool, playing a merry duet and laughing as they got faster and faster.
He stood in the doorway, smiling at their enjoyment until Georgiana noticed him and nudged Elizabeth.
They came over to him and Elizabeth looked at the footman.
“More tea, if you please.”
Darcy sat on the sofa beside Elizabeth and Georgiana poured the tea.
“So you are both happy to be back where there is a pianoforte?” he teased. “Perhaps I need to purchase another for the gallery, so that you might both practice without interrupting the other?”
Elizabeth laughed and passed him his cup. “I do not think we will be in conflict over the piano. But a home can never have too many instruments.”
Georgiana gave them an arch look. “You might also need yet another for the nursery suite in a few years. You will wish your daughters to be accomplished, will you not?”
He gazed at her in astonishment. “Georgiana. I do not think the comment is quite appropriate at the present time.”
Elizabeth broke in. “We are all family here. It matters not at all between us.”
He looked at her. “But I would not have you feel that my only aim in marriage is to procure an heir.”
She laughed. “I had not even considered the comment to impute such an aim, sir. I believe Georgiana would love to be a beloved aunt.”
“Well, Mrs. Darcy, I will allow the comment.”
Her eyes widened as she looked at him, concerned at his formal manner of address, then she seemed to realise she had referred to him as sir, and relaxed, smiling.
He reached for one of the pastries and bit into it appreciatively.
“There is a small amount of business for me to attend to in the morning, Elizabeth. But it will not take too long. Perhaps we could take a walk around the lake so that I may show you the gardens and we can get some exercise after such a long journey.”
“Thank you. I look forward to becoming familiar with Pemberley.” She looked around the music room. “It is the most beautiful home.”
He bowed his agreement. “I do hope you feel at home very soon.”
“I’m sure I shall.” Her glance was affectionate and he dared hope that she was beginning to return his love. He sat and watched as she and his sister conversed easily until it was time to go upstairs and dress for dinner.
“Georgiana, would you be so kind as to show Elizabeth where her bedchamber is? I will come up in a little while.” He watched as they left the room together and looked at the footman.
“Whisky.”
He was very glad to be home.
Chapter 42
The following two weeks were some of the happiest he could remember. Pemberley was filled with her presence. The whole place seemed to come alive and he hurried through his business each day so that he could then join her. They rode out in the carriage and visited local towns. They walked for miles in the Derbyshire hills and moors. They sat beside the lake and picnicked.
Often, Elizabeth would ensure Georgiana was with them, and at other times, she would seem to know he needed her to himself.
He was amazed how quickly she seemed to have developed a sense of what he liked and did not.
“You are looking much better now, Elizabeth,” he commented one morning over tea as they sat in front of a huge fire and the last of the overnight wind rattled the windows. “I think finishing all the journeys and settling has done you good.”
“Indeed it has, Fitzwilliam. I have more than I could ever have dreamed of, and I feel very safe.” She didn’t glance up at him, concentrating on an intricate piece of needlework.
Georgiana leaned over her. “I wish you would show me how to start that stitch, Elizabeth. It is the most exquisite I have even seen.”
“It’s not nearly as complicated as it looks, Georgiana. See, you bring the needle up within that loop, there, and draw it tight. Then for the next, you catch it just here.” The two ladies leaned over the scrap of fabric and Mr. Darcy looked up as a footman arrived with a small sheaf of letters on a silver tray.
He n
odded his thanks and leafed through them. “A letter for you, Elizabeth, and one for you as well, Georgiana.”
He handed them over and opened the first of his, recognising the hand as from Bingley.
My dear Darcy,
I am sure my beloved wife is writing to Mrs. Darcy at this moment, but I decided to write as well, because I know you think me unable to string two sentences together. So I have decided to write and confirm to you that we will accept your invitation with great pleasure.
It will just be Jane and myself, because I just so happen to have chosen a date that unfortunately coincides with a ball that my sister Caroline wishes to attend in town.
Darcy grinned, his friend was beginning to develop some discernment.
So she will stay with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst in London. As you have suggested, we plan to stay for a number of weeks and I thank you for the offer to assist me in finding a suitable estate near you. I believe my dear Jane will be much happier residing closer to you in Derbyshire than remaining in Hertfordshire.
But I will leave her letter to make the arrangements with Mrs. Darcy.
“Is your letter from Mr. Bingley, Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth was looking over at him, her face alight with anticipation. “Has he told you that they are accepting your invitation? They will be arriving next month. And she says my father is much better.” She smiled. “He seemed to feel much happier on being reassured by Jane that our family would always be looked after.” She held the letter to her. “Oh, I can hardly wait for them to arrive!”
“Yes, this letter is from him. And you know they are very welcome here as long as you wish them to stay.” He smiled. “Did Mrs. Bingley say that Miss Caroline Bingley will not be coming with them? They have unfortunately selected a date which means Miss Bingley would rather stay in London for a particular ball.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth obviously tried to think of something polite to say. “I hope she did not think she would not be welcome here.”
They both heard Georgiana’s small sound, which she turned into a hasty cough.
“So, pray tell me what your aunt writes to tell you in her letter.” Mr. Darcy found it difficult to chastise Georgiana when she was actually echoing his own thoughts about Miss Bingley, so he merely looked sternly at her.
“What?” Both ladies had burst into laughter. “What did I say?”
Neither answered him for a few moments and he looked from on to the other, rather bemused.
Eventually Elizabeth pulled herself together. “You must forgive us, Fitzwilliam. We ladies can sometimes take a little while to control our emotions after a difficult time, and I think all three of us must in truth express a degree of relief that Mr. and Mrs. Bingley will be travelling to us alone.”
He had to acknowledge the truth of it, reflecting that his home was now very different with Elizabeth there.
“So, what does Lady Catherine say?” he asked Georgiana again.
“She says that she called on us in London last week and that the servants would give no very great account of where we were.” Georgiana cast an unhappy look at Elizabeth.
“She says that I should come straight back to London and prepare for the season, especially if you are with ‘that girl’.” She looked uncomfortable.
“Don’t be downcast, Georgiana.” Elizabeth was quick to reassure her. “I have become accustomed to my aunt thinking badly of me, so someone else’s aunt is quite certain to disapprove of me.” She smiled cheerfully.
Mr. Darcy was quite convinced that she was making more lightly of the matter than she was really thinking. There was a hurt deep in her eyes that she could not conceal, and he felt anger rising within him at those who would hurt her.
“Might I request that you do not answer the letter to Lady Catherine for a few days, Georgiana? I might have to spend a few days in town soon, and then I could take a morning and call on her at Rosings Park. I would dearly like to inform her in person of my marriage.”
He smiled at Elizabeth. “I am happy that you seem to be more accepting of your own aunt’s disapproval than when you first read her letter. I know you have been very close to her and am wondering how soon we might try to effect a reconciliation.”
The animation died out of her face. “I am not sure that is going to be possible. That she could believe such things of me as were said.” She shook her head. “I would show you her letter, but I do not have it any longer. Perhaps I left it at the inn in Carlisle.” She shrugged. “It would do me no good to reread it, in any event. No, I am quite reconciled to the fact that I have all the family I need around me, right now.” She sat up straighter. “All the family I need.” But she smiled. “And being able to continue with the friendship of my sister Jane is an extra blessing.”
He reached out and took her hand, brought it to his lips. “Bravo, Elizabeth.”
Chapter 43
Three days later, his coach drew up outside his London residence. He climbed out, already missing Elizabeth bitterly. The night stops had been lonely and cold, and he had found himself spending many of the travelling hours wondering how she was, what she was doing, whether she was thinking of him, as he was her.
But this journey was for her, even if she did not know it. He must do his best for her. He hurried up the steps of his house. He must wash the travel weariness from him before he did anything else.
His London steward came forward.
“Good afternoon, sir. I got your express and have discovered that the gentleman returns home at about four in the afternoon.”
“Good man.” Darcy strode through to the library. “Tell my coachman to have the coach ready for half after three.”
“Yes, sir.”
Darcy looked at the footman and nodded. He didn’t have to say anything, and the man poured him a whisky.
He took the glass and nodded his thanks. “Please tell my valet I need a bath.”
He slumped in the chair. London had long since lost its lustre to him. Without the necessity for Georgiana to be here for the season, he would be happy to stay in Derbyshire all year.
Maybe if he had brought Elizabeth with him, he would be happy to be here. But it was too soon. For her, it must be a place of fearful memories and he wanted to leave it for a while before bringing her here.
He smiled grimly. Especially if Lady Catherine was likely to visit unannounced.
He got up and splashed more whisky in his glass before he drew out the letter Elizabeth had left at the inn in Carlisle.
After Elizabeth had said she would show it to him if she had not lost it, he had felt authorised to read it. He read it again now, his face dark with anger.
…and now you are in the hands of Mr. Darcy, who can have only evil designs upon you.
That a strange lady he had never met would have believed Mr. Collins over the respected name of Darcy. He growled under his breath.
How could you treat your family so ill? I am bitterly disappointed in you.
Those words from a favourite aunt must have been like a dagger in the heart. He shook his head. And yet his Elizabeth had wept alone. Then she had got up, hidden her hurt and been cheerful and married him the very next day.
He shook his head and went upstairs for his bath. He doubted any reconciliation was possible. And yet he had to try. If this aunt was anything like the rest of the family, he wasn’t sure he wanted to face them.
But he would, for Elizabeth.
It was just after four o’clock that his coach drew up outside twenty-three Gracechurch Street, and Mr. Darcy stepped out, looking up at the house. It was pleasant and well-kept.
He mounted the steps and gave his card to the footman. “Mr. Gardiner, please.”
He stood in the hallway, hearing the sound of laughing children echoing through from the lounge.
A gentleman came through to the hall to greet him, a heavy, thick-set man with pleasant features that were set with suspicion.
“Mr. Darcy.”
He bowed. “I am sorry to call unannounced,
but have only a day or two in London.” He looked at Mr. Gardiner. “I have news of your niece. I wonder if I might speak to you and Mrs. Gardiner together?”
A few minutes later, he was offered a seat in the drawing room with icy politeness. Mrs. Gardiner came back into the room after sending the children up to their nursery and she sat down next to her husband.
He knew one thing immediately. They were nothing like the Bennet family and he knew why Elizabeth had loved them. He sat forward. He must try and reconcile them.
“You said you had news of Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Gardiner’s voice was steady and calm.
“Yes.” Mr. Darcy reached inside his jacket pocket and produced Mrs. Gardiner’s letter.
“It was only three days ago that Elizabeth said she would show me the letter you wrote to her. So I had the opportunity to read it.” He glanced at her, but her expression did not change.
“I am sorry you think I could have only evil designs on Elizabeth. I think you might have heard some things that were not true, and she is most unhappy at the breach in relations with you.”
He took a deep breath, he was not used to displaying his feelings to strangers, but he must do this for Elizabeth. “I love her more than life itself. I was glad to be there to assist her when she was alone and in danger. And I must tell you that I am honoured to be able to say that she is now my wife.”
Silence greeted his remarks and he could not understand what they might be thinking.
“So what will you do about the baby?” Mrs. Gardiner’s voice was laden with suspicion.
“The baby?” he hadn’t expected that.
She looked disbelieving. “Her father and Mr. Collins came here and told us Lizzy had got herself into trouble and she is with child. She is refusing to say who the father is. Mr. Collins has been saintly and charitable and says he’ll take her in and marry her, despite her ruination.” She leaned forward. “And now you have prevented it, stopped the way we could have protected her ruin from public knowledge.” There was disgust in her voice. “So, I say again, what will you do with a baby who isn’t yours?”
Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation Page 17
