by Wells, Linda
Darcy kissed her and nodded. “Very well.”
“And Fitzwilliam, I know that you will want to investigate how he could have entered the house and discipline the staff, but that can wait for cooler heads, can it not?”
“You must allow me to do my duty as master, Elizabeth.” He said slowly.
“But the house is my domain, as are the servants, are they not?” She tilted her head and observed him.
“I … we will discuss this tomorrow.” He saw her smile. “Do not think that you have won yet.”
“No, not yet.” Her smile grew and he shook his head and pulled the bell cord before leaving the room with a loud sigh.
“SO THAT EXPLAINS IT.” Mr. Gardiner mused while Fitzwilliam poured out his wine. “I knew there was some tension in the air that I have not noticed here before. The staff is on tenterhooks.”
“They are waiting for dismissals, I suspect.” Fitzwilliam held up the decanter to Darcy who shook his head. “When will you lower the boom?”
“Elizabeth will not let me.” Darcy rested his chin on his folded hands. “At least, she demands that she make the decision with my advice.”
“So she will decide.” Mr. Gardiner smiled and Darcy’s face was blank. “Perhaps you should demand the staff to investigate what may have happened.”
“My butler already has, the only possible entry was through the kitchens. It was pure chance that nobody saw him. Wickham undoubtedly knew his way around.”
“So it is an unfortunate accident.”
“I would not characterize it so if Elizabeth had suffered more than a twisted arm and a memory that no amount of kissing will erase.” Darcy said coldly.
“I did not mean to trivialize the incident Darcy. Clearly more happened here than you are willing to disclose, and I respect your decision to maintain your privacy. What is to be done?” Mr. Gardiner asked and was greeted by silence as Darcy worked to control his tongue. He cleared his throat and turned his attention to Fitzwilliam. “Tell me, what brought you back in time?”
“Oh, Darcy and I were on our way to look over an empty townhouse for a friend and then we were going to stop at the artist’s studio and pick up the miniatures of their portraits. Darcy drew an absolute blank on the address when we left the townhouse so we were just going to drop in and confirm it before heading back out.” Fitzwilliam settled in his chair and waved. “We returned to find Wickham at the desk and Elizabeth on the floor.” The two men studied Darcy staring at the spot. “I was curious, why were your father’s journals in the strongbox? I was wondering what was in there when I made the switch.”
“They are precious.” Darcy said quietly.
“I suppose that the jewels have been moved from where I hid them?” Fitzwilliam saw Darcy look up and back down again. “Not telling anyone? Well as long as somebody knows, else there will be a regular treasure hunt someday.”
“Elizabeth knows everything. And she will outlive me.” He said determinedly. “She will be strong and well for many years. I will not spend the rest of my life kneeling at her grave as my father did with my mother.”
“She told you of the baby.” Mr. Gardiner spoke softly.
“Yes, and apparently your wife informed you.” Darcy said unhappily.
“Ah, I surmised the subject when I came upon my wife speaking to Lizzy about pregnancy, and seeing her unease with my presence told a story of my mother. Later that evening Marianne confirmed the news I suspected. Well, undoubtedly you will have the same problem I do, Marianne and I share nearly every worry with each other. You realize that you do Lizzy no favours by being so fearful. Stop it now.”
“Good sense tells me that you are correct. But, do you not worry? I do not know about you, but I have experienced the death of my mother through childbirth, two of my siblings were stillborn, two more were lost to illness, I am acutely aware of the risks. Elizabeth, may God bless her, admits her fears, but blissfully believes that it could not possibly happen to her. It is not just surviving the birth, but also avoiding the fevers and disease that may come afterwards. That is what claimed my mother.” Darcy ran his hand through his hair. “You have been through this many times, I know that you love your wife, how do you survive?”
Mr. Gardiner laughed. “I rejoice, Darcy. Now do not look at me with such disbelief! Granted, I know the risks and possibilities, but I choose not to dwell upon them. I honestly need Marianne to pull me down from the clouds I am so delighted! It is the most extraordinary miracle, do you not understand? Loving your wife creates … life!” He smiled and shook his head. “I understand your fears, Son, I do. But Lizzy is no more your mother than she is hers. She is a glorious and strong individual, she is desperate to express her joy, but is holding it back for fear of your reaction. She wants this for you.”
“How do you know this?”
“I just told you, I have a wife who talks to me, just as yours wishes to do.” He tilted his head, “At least my wife is not afraid to speak of any subject that concerns us.”
“Elizabeth is not afraid of me!” Darcy growled.
“Is that so?” Mr. Gardiner raised his brows. “Prove it.”
Fitzwilliam sat up and chuckled, then outright laughed. “Well done, sir! Well done! Come on Darcy, admit it, you are just dying to be excited about this. You just have to give yourself permission to do it! I am thrilled with the thought of being an uncle and corrupting these little ones!”
Darcy smiled and looked at his hands. “You will not corrupt my children, Richard.”
“Ah, that’s the spirit! You have just multiplied your brood, that bodes well, does it not?” Fitzwilliam laughed. “I cannot wait to take your boys riding! And to teach them how to fence and box!”
“I will teach my boys those things, Richard!” Darcy declared. “And you are not getting anywhere near my girls!”
“Would you care to bet on that? I look forward to bouncing them on my knee and telling them stories to make their eyes grow wide and squeal in horror before begging for more!”
“If anyone is to entertain my girls with …” Darcy stood and strode out of the room.
Mr. Gardiner laughed and Fitzwilliam stood. “Well that was entertaining.” They walked down to the sitting room to find Darcy on the sofa with Elizabeth, holding her hands and complaining loudly about Fitzwilliam.
“There he is! There is the one who wishes to corrupt our children!” He pointed. “Trust me Lizzy, I grew up with him, he is evil.”
“Oh that is just the red coat.” Elizabeth laughed and squeezed his hands. “You are a sweet, gentle soul, are you not Richard?”
“I am.” He lifted his chin. “And I will gladly entertain your children …” Darcy glared at him and Richard stopped. “Well at least let me tell them the story of my pearl.” He pointed to the pendant hanging around Elizabeth’s neck.
She raised her brow and pursed her lips while meeting Darcy’s eye. “Perhaps Fitzwilliam would like to tell that story himself.”
Darcy smiled. “I would. I would and I will.” He reached out and hugged her tight. “I will try not to worry so much, my love.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth rested her head against his chest. “Because I intend to be very happy.”
12 OCTOBER 1809
At last we have arrived home. The journey back was far more pleasant than the one to town. Naturally knowing the reason behind Elizabeth’s misery is a great part of that, and her health seems to have largely improved, her pallor is once again rosy, her appetite has returned, and above all, she is at last free to express the joy she feels for our child. Not only does she radiate happiness, but she has managed to make me feel it as well. I find myself drinking in her laughter and feeling that warmth chasing away my fears, or perhaps it is better to say the light is keeping the shadows of my fear at bay. The only darkness that falls upon us now are our dreams. We continue to comfort each other.
I found in my stack of correspondence a letter from Stewart. He has his contacts and through them will receiv
e regular reports on Wickham and how he fares. Seemingly the inmates at Newgate have taken to him, so at last he is amongst his own. I am sure that before long he will cheat them as well, and find that they will grow fond of ruining the remains of his good looks with whatever means they have available. Stewart discovered that a woman regularly visits him, bringing baskets of food and funds to pay for his care and remove his shackles. She has not as yet been identified but he feels, and I agree, that it is best to be sure of her name. Wickham would not be beyond seeking revenge through an agent, although the chances of him escaping his gaol are unlikely. I cannot imagine him owning anything worthy of bribery, but one never knows, and Stewart told me that for a large enough sum, prisoners are given leave to exit the jail for a time. Why they would willingly return is beyond me. His trial is set for November, I have hired a solicitor recommended by Stewart to represent my interests and he will find a serjeant to serve as prosecutor. He expresses regret that as a barrister, he cannot appear for me, but will do all that he can to assure success. Of course, I realize that he is acting as much if not more for Elizabeth than I, and I will not fault him that at all. He will be at Pemberley in a week, and I look forward to his news.
Longbourn was different on our return trip to collect Jane. With Mary gone and Jane leaving, I believe that I saw something akin to panic in the eyes of Kitty. She took Elizabeth aside and asked if she might come to Pemberley as well. It seems that with her there alone with Lydia, she would become the preferred target of her mother’s ire and she felt unable to rise to Elizabeth’s level of strength and Mary or Jane’s level of serenity. Elizabeth promised her that she would write to her weekly and she would ask their father to keep Mrs. Bennet in check. Miss Lucas and Miss Maria arrived to greet Elizabeth and farewell Jane, and were accompanied by their brother. We were introduced and he said that he remembered me from Cambridge, although I did not recall him. We spent some minutes discussing shared memories and then he begged my opinions on estate management, as I took advantage of his opinion on Netherfield. It was a satisfying and pleasantly unexpected conversation. When they took their leave, I resigned myself to visiting Mr. Bennet, while Elizabeth enjoyed her time with her sisters. I offered once again to aid him with the girls’ dowries and he refused, stating that he will not take away from Elizabeth’s children because he was negligent with his own. His recognition that Elizabeth was with child clearly struck him deeply. It was then that I realized something had changed in him. Perhaps this and news of Wickham’s attack were the final events required for him to see his responsibilities. I noticed that he offered me ale, not port, and that his book was worn. He made no mention of it, but I believe that economizing was underway. We rejoined the ladies and I was pleased to see that he remained. Perhaps life at Longbourn is improving at last.
Elizabeth settled back into Darcy’s chair, missing him since early that morning when he rode out with Nichols. “Your chair is no substitute for your arms, my love.” She read over the passage again and considered the subjects that plagued him. He was telling her of his worry, but was trying to remain positive, that was good. He worried over her sisters, which truly amazed her. Perhaps when the baby came Kitty could come to stay. She smiled to see that little hint of jealousy that remained for Mr. Stewart. “You will never quite let that go will you? I suppose that he will have to be married and a father himself before you are satisfied!” She then thought of her father. He was different, it was hard to put her finger on it, but it was something that resembled pride. “Perhaps he is pleased with the efforts he is at last exerting to care for the family. Maybe by April Kitty will not wish to escape Longbourn.”
She looked at the miniatures on the desk of his mother and sister, and then turned her eyes to see the newly placed painting of her face, and wondered how often he might be stopped in his work to gaze upon her. “That is not vanity. That is love. I know that I shall study your portrait constantly.”
Remembering how he had stood behind her for those long hours of posing, she smiled. His thumb continuously teased her throat and shoulders, and if she just closed her eyes, she could imagine his touch and the scent of him surrounding her. What she did not realize was that when the artist had declared he no longer needed Darcy’s presence and would focus on Elizabeth, he felt compelled to remain, and did not trust a maid to keep her company. He watched the man’s eyes as they flicked continuously from his wife to the canvas. He listened to the banter between the two, knowing that it would lend a sparkle to her eyes that he wished to have captured, but hating any man who could bring about that smile in her voice.
“Lizzy?” Jane called from outside in the hallway. “Are you here somewhere?”
“In here, Jane!”
Jane peeked around the corner and was about to leave when she spotted Elizabeth’s small form buried within the great chair. “Does Fitzwilliam mind you in his chair?”
“Oh yes, he does.” Elizabeth laughed. “But he loves it as well.”
“That makes no sense.” Jane entered further and looked around nervously at the intensely masculine room. “Should we be in here?”
“Of course, I answer my correspondence with him here. Are you uncomfortable? We can leave if you like.” Elizabeth stood and she paused to put the ribbon in place before closing his journal.
“Should you bring that with you?”
“No, it is his. I read it daily.” Elizabeth laughed to see Jane’s astonishment. “My goodness Jane, will I do nothing today that does not shock you?”
“I am beginning to wonder.” Jane clasped her hands and thought over her next words. “Lizzy, does Fitzwilliam like me?”
“Well, yes of course he does. Has he indicated otherwise?”
“No, he … He is just so quiet around me. I think that I make him uncomfortable. The trip here, he barely spoke.”
Elizabeth tried to relieve her tension. “Oh. Surely you know how shy and restrained he is by now.”
“Yes, I suppose … except when you are near.”
“Well we know each other particularly well, would you not say?” She smiled. “Fitzwilliam will warm; you must realize that the two of you really have not spent a great deal of time together.” They walked out into the hallway and Elizabeth led the way to a discreetly placed set of stairs near the dining room, and down to Mrs. Reynolds’ office. “Are you ready to learn your mistress duties?”
“Your duties.” Jane smiled. “I can only imagine what all is entailed with this home.”
Elizabeth laughed as she knocked on the door. “Well whatever you imagine, quadruple it.”
HARWICK WATCHED EVANGELINE fold her letter and then stare pensively outside at the leaves slowly swirling along the ground. When she failed to move after several minutes he cleared his throat. “Eva, do you wish to come to Pemberley with me? Would you rather not meet the colonel?”
“How did you know?”
“Know what? That you are receiving letters from him?” Harwick smiled. “He wrote to me with the news that he would be writing to you in August.”
“He did?” Eva’s hand fell over her heart and she looked back down to the letter in her hand. “He … He wished to be …”
“Unquestionably honest.” He set down his paper and moved to sit beside her.
“What did he tell you?” She asked quietly.
“He said that you have his devotion, whether you accept it or not.” Taking her hand in his, Harwick squeezed. “Eva, please do not feel obligated to stay with me. I will remarry, I must. I was a fool to think that I could do so without affection, and I was wrong to ever approach Miss Bennet.”
“No, no you were not. She was a reasonable choice for what you felt you needed at the time. I was probably wrong to discourage you from her.”
Harwick laughed. “As I recall you were quite determined to do just that. No Eva, I searched my soul while I tried to accept a fate that my heart would not allow. Ellen would have been so unhappy to see me lonely forever. I will do as she bids me to do every t
ime I talk with her. I will find a woman who fills up my soul and makes me whole again. I think that I may have met her, and I think that she feels the same for me. And now … I am at last ready for her.”
“Who is she?”
“Miss Laura Stewart. She will be at Pemberley and … if she is as she was when we last saw each other; I think that I will be ready to begin again with her.”
“Oh Daniel!” Evangeline threw her arms around him tightly. “I cannot tell you how happy that makes me! Miss Stewart is a lovely woman, and she has so many interests in common with you! I know that she loves to ride, I have seen her in the park so many times with her brother, and she is so friendly. I know that Mrs. Darcy has taken to her, so that must be a good sign and …”
“Eva, Eva, slow down!” Harwick laughed. “I know all of these things and so many more. I do not require any convincing at all. I think that we could be …” His eyes welled up with emotion. “Very happy.”
The two siblings hugged and Evangeline held him while his shoulders shook. “I have thought so long about this, and …talked to Ellen. I read her letters and her journals and I found a note where she even spoke of her love for me and her desire that should she leave me …that I should find love again.” He sniffed and turned his head away to wipe his eyes. “I was not able to read her thoughts until we returned here in August. I just was not ready, but after I met Miss Stewart, I felt my heart beat again. That was when I felt that I could see what Ellen …” He sniffed and pulled himself together, and cleared his throat. Looking up he smiled and wiped his sister’s tears. “So, you see my dear, I feel that my days as a widower may be coming to an end. What about your days as a widow? What do you fear?”
“I have control over my destiny now. I do not have to bend to the will of any man. I control my money; I have a home for life in town, I can do anything I wish. If your dreams come true, I will leave Meadowbrook and go to my townhouse.”
“And do what, dear?” He whispered. “You need family around you. If you did not you would have been in that house years ago.”
