Memory: Volume 2, Trials to Bear, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice)
Page 22
“Upon you?” Darcy said through gritted teeth. “You created this situation, Aunt, not I.”
“Darcy.” Fitzwilliam spoke softly and touched his shoulder. “Let us go and visit Anne. As you said, we are here for her.”
“You are no better, Fitzwilliam!” Lady Catherine spat.
“Aunt, I will disregard your manner in light of the pain you are likely feeling with the pending death of your only child; however you should have been prepared for this day years ago. We will not carry the burden of your anger.” He spoke very softly and steadily. “Now, let us visit Anne.” He looked at Darcy and the men followed Mrs. de Bourgh out of the room and up the stairs.
“You did that very well, sir.” She spoke quietly as their boots rang out on the marble. “I have observed her carefully over the past months. I wondered if her distress originated from pain over her daughter’s fate or her own.” She stopped at the chamber door and placed her hand upon the knob. “I have come to the conclusion that her concern was selfishly motivated.” Turning to look up at Darcy’s expressionless features she nodded. “I hope that you listen to your cousin.”
He nodded and followed her into the darkened room. It was chillingly familiar. He closed his eyes against the rush of memories that flooded his mind; the atmosphere of pending death was nearly suffocating. First he thought of his father, then opening his eyes, he saw a vision of Anne Darcy in the still form lying on the bed. “Mother.” He whispered, and began flexing his hands, needing to clutch onto something. Fitzwilliam noticed the nervous gesture and he nudged Darcy’s arm to rouse him from the memory, then stepped forward to bend over Anne.
“Anne, it is Richard.” He said softly with a smile and held her hand. She blinked slowly and looked up at him. “I have come to see you.”
“Where is Fitzwilliam? I have waited for him.” She faintly whispered.
Darcy drew a deep breath and saw Mrs. Jenkinson in a corner nodding and urging him forward. He stepped up and took Richard’s place, holding her frail hand in his. “I am here, Anne.”
“Husband.” She smiled and sighed. “At last.”
He did not know how to reply, so he wrapped both of his hands around hers, and watched as she closed her eyes and sank back into the pillows. They remained that way as the others looked on for endless moments, until gradually, her wasted body relaxed, and he felt the hand in his grasp become limp. He knew what had happened. “Be at peace, Anne.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, then placing her hands together over her chest, he stepped away and walked to the window to hide the unbidden tears. Mrs. Jenkinson stepped to his side.
“Thank you sir, thank you for giving her this.” He nodded, not looking at her. “She never really believed that you were not married.”
“Please, do not tell me more.” Darcy wiped his eye with his thumb. “I cannot know.”
“But you should know, sir. She was the happiest I have ever known her these past months. Her mother was gone from her daily life, she believed herself to be married, and she occupied her time redecorating her home. She was full of happiness for the life she thought she was leading. It was not difficult to convince her that you were away for good reasons. It gave her happiness.” She looked back at the still figure as Mrs. de Bourgh kissed her and left to find Lady Catherine. “You gave her life.”
Darcy met her eyes, but could not speak of Anne. “If you need a situation …”
“I will be fine sir; the Captain’s sisters need a companion.” She smiled. “It will be well.”
The chamber door opened and Lady Catherine entered. Darcy bowed to her. Richard caught his eye as they slipped from the room to the hallway where de Bourgh waited. ““She asks that you not stay for the funeral. I am sorry. I do not agree with it.”
“No, it is not your fault. We came to see her in life; she knew that we were here. You are the master now; we will stay if you wish. We are here for Anne; and Anne alone.” Darcy glanced back at the room where Lady Catherine stood looking down at her daughter. “Your mother seemed to believe that our aunt was unaffected by this.”
“I do not know.” He shrugged. “She lets nobody in. We will look out for her Darcy. Perhaps she will soften now.”
Richard shook his head. “No, she will remain as you see, defiant to the end.”
“ARE YOU WELL, ELIZABETH?” Lady Matlock placed her hand on Elizabeth’s waist and embraced her lightly. “Do you mind Darcy’s decision to go to Anne?”
Elizabeth wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks and glanced down to the letter in her hand. “No, not at all. I have never been prouder of him.” She smiled and looked up. “He is the best of men.”
Chapter 9
“Well.” Fitzwilliam dropped into a chair by the fire glowing in the library at Matlock House. “I suppose that Father will have a great deal to say when he comes down.” He propped up his feet and stared at his boots. “He seemed rather impatient to hear the news.”
“I am amazed at their speed; they left almost as soon as the messenger arrived, if it had not been for the weather, they might have been here in three days rather than four.” Darcy accepted the glass of port a silent footman offered, and watched de Bourgh lean into the fireplace, poking at the coals and saying very little. “I will be happy to go with you to visit the solicitors tomorrow. I use them for Pemberley.”
He looked up and smiled. “The Earl is here, Darcy. I know that you are anxious to return home. You have answered all of my questions. I am sure that the he will look after me.” Setting down the poker, he found a chair and sat back. “Sorry for being so pensive. I am just now feeling the weight of what I have inherited.”
“It hits you hard when the funeral is over, and the people are gone.” Darcy said quietly.
“I … This will probably sound unlikely, but I am sorry to have lost Anne.” De Bourgh noticed Fitzwilliam’s incredulous stare and continued. “Yes I know that it would mean that I would still not be master of my fate. Also, I am well aware of her behaviour of the past. Mrs. Jenkinson informed my mother and me, and I realize that had she seen you it would have been ugly. But she was, well for the time that I knew her, a wistful, and determined young woman. Of course I know that is entirely because she was living in a fantasy with you, Darcy.” He saw him close his eyes. “Forgive me, but she did. What struck me though is what sort of a woman she might have been without her mother’s interference.”
Fitzwilliam spoke when clearly Darcy would not. “Sadly we will never know that, but your care and appreciation for a relative you were essentially forced to attend for an unknown period is appreciated by all of us.”
“It was no trouble; I feel that I in some way earned the honour of being Master of Rosings by this. And of course, I will always have Lady Catherine in my ear.” He smiled and the others relaxed and joined him.
Fitzwilliam glanced at Darcy. “How long will you stay?”’
“I just wish to speak to your father about our decisions regarding Mrs. Younge, and I want to visit the girls once more.” He stared at his feet. “I hope that it will not be a long wait.”
The Earl cleared his throat and the men all looked to the doorway. “I changed as quickly as I could, Darcy.”
“Forgive me, sir.” Darcy said as he hurriedly stood. “How is Elizabeth?”
Standing aside, he waved towards his study. “Your aunt and I are well, thank you.” Darcy sighed as Fitzwilliam and de Bourgh chuckled. “Come along, Son. Let us get you squared away.” He walked on to the study and took his chair behind the desk, and watched Darcy close the door behind him. When he was settled, the Earl drew a letter from his coat and handed it over. “Elizabeth is well, although she misses you deeply and is incapable of hiding it. There is something missing in her laughter, and her eyes are not as bright without you by her side.” He watched Darcy caress the envelope and how his fingers twitched over the wax seal. “She is also extremely proud of you for going to Anne.”
Darcy looked up to him quickly. “She is?”
“There is not much to add, it was over very quickly. I am afraid that I let my emotion get away from me at the end, when he made references to Elizabeth and threats to return and finish what he began.” Darcy stood and began pacing. “That is impossible, is it not? He cannot escape, can he?”
“I have heard Newgate described as a filthy rabbit’s warren of passages, and treatment is really dependent on how much kindness the prisoner can buy.” He shrugged. “As is normal out here in the light of day, he who has funds lives a more comfortable existence. Gaolers are well-known to demand bribes for food, clothing, freedom from chains or work, women, whatever a free man would desire can be had.” He chuckled, “After all, they like their inmates, why else would they demand payment to let them out when the sentence is served? Then again, he might be farmed out to one of the privately run prisons around town.”
“But then could Wickham …” Darcy stopped by the window and stared out at the darkened street. “We learned that a woman friend of his was visiting and bringing him food and money.”
“Not surprising. Gaolers are under no obligation to feed their prisoners. That is for the charities and the bribes to handle.”
“She teaches at Georgiana’s school.” Lord Matlock sat up. “I warned her to stay away from him, and to leave the girls alone. I told Mrs. Banks to watch her and told Mrs. Younge that I would keep tabs on her.” Turning to his uncle he watched for his reaction. “I feel that she was likely duped to appreciate Wickham’s charms, much as my father was. I do not care to be the means for sending a woman to poverty.”
“You are trading on her gratitude for saving her employment by your compassion to appease her anger for losing her lover? Perhaps knowing her location and watching her behaviour is good as well?” Lord Matlock settled back in his chair, and steepled his fingers. Tapping them on his lips he considered his nephew. “You are either naive or brilliant.”
“What would you have done?”
“I would have had her tossed out on her ear; I am surprised that her employer has not already.” Darcy said nothing and looked back out of the window. “Do you believe that she knew of Wickham’s plans?”
“No, I think that he was simply using her. He complained of me, but well, when has he not?” He sighed. “I spoke to Georgiana and Mary briefly before we left for Rosings. More Mary though. She is older and in some ways wise beyond her years.”
“All those sermons.” The Earl smiled. “Elizabeth was speaking of her one day.”
“Ah.” Darcy smiled fondly. “Well both she and Mary are the well-read girls of that household, they are similar in some ways, but where Elizabeth was the subject of her mother’s unending criticism, Mary was simply ignored. They both worked to distinguish themselves. I like her.”
“Well then, if she has half the good sense your dear wife does, I am certain she will not be taken in by any foolish attempts by Mrs. Younge. And you are of course, quite correct. Good jobs are hard enough to find, and undoubtedly this one pays room and board as well. She would be daft to jeopardize it for a man who will be on a ship to Australia in a few months. No, go ahead; continue with your compassion, Darcy. But I would certainly speak to both girls again before you depart. When is that, by the way?” He glanced at the dark street. “Too late to leave today.”
“Unfortunately.” Darcy smiled and at last took a seat. “I will visit the girls tomorrow and take care of some business while I am here. Then I will return home where I belong.”
“She will be glad of that.” Lord Matlock considered him for a moment. “Are you nervous?” He watched Darcy’s head tilt and smiled. “Stupid question, I know. I am anxious to hear how Audrey fares. Their current plan is to travel from Ashcroft to his father’s townhouse. After we have everything settled with Rosings we will return to town to await the birth and Parliament opening, then we have Richard’s wedding and Alicia’s confinement … It is more activity than we have had in years, and I for one will be happy for the peace of the Season.” The two men laughed at that thought and Lord Matlock said softly, “From listening to my wife, I know that Elizabeth and Alicia are quite anxious to hear every detail of Audrey’s laying-in. They are in desperate need of reassurance.”
Their eyes met and Darcy noted the unspoken concern that mirrored his own. “I suppose that Aunt Helen’s accounts of her children did nothing to help?”
“No, they want to hear it from someone not so far removed from the experience.” Lord Matlock laughed, “You know, someone familiar with all the modern techniques.”
“I have been doing some reading on the subject, myself.” Darcy coloured when his uncle’s brows rose. “I have to know. I have done my best to remain calm and optimistic, but after seeing Anne’s death, I am afraid that I was haunted once again with visions of Mother’s deathbed, and with no Elizabeth there to persuade me against my dark thoughts, my only option was to seek information. The library at Rosings did not yield much, but I found some books at home, and plan to visit a few bookshops before my return.”
“Cold hard fact, then?”
“Indeed.”
“And are you reassured yet?”
“No.” Darcy laughed and rubbed his face. “But I will try.”
“YOU NEED NOT WEAR MOURNING, dear.” Darcy said softly when Georgiana and Mary entered Mrs. Banks’ office. “You barely knew her.”
“But she was my cousin.” She looked at the dress. “It is only for another month, and the dresses are not too tight from Papa, just a little short.” She sniffed and fell into Darcy’s open arms. “I miss him.”
“I do, too.” He kissed her hair and stroked her back. “How are you, Mary?”
“I am well, Mr. Darcy.” Mary said softly from the open door.
“Now what did I tell you about my name?” He smiled when Georgiana withdrew from his arms.
“Habits are difficult to break.” She smiled. “I will endeavour to improve.”
“Excellent.” He smiled and realized he was staring when she blushed. “Forgive me; your features are reminiscent of Elizabeth.”
“You miss her.”
“Deeply.” He admitted. “I will be home within five days, four if the weather is good.”
“I have a letter for her.” She held it out. “You said that you might stop before you returned.”
“I will gladly give it to her.” He placed the letter in his coat and saw Georgiana standing with her hands on her hips. “What is it, dear?”
“Mary, will you not kiss your brother?” Mary’s blush grew even deeper in colour, and Darcy’s lips twitched.
“No, thank you. No offence sir, Brother.” She glanced at him and back down to her hands. “Your face belongs to Lizzy, and … I will shake hands with you, sir.” She held hers out and he took it.
“Has nobody ever embraced you, Mary?” He said softly. “Besides your sisters?”
“My aunt and uncle do sometimes.” She whispered and felt Darcy’s arms close around her. “oh.” He let go quickly and saw the embarrassment in her face, but he also saw the appreciation in her eyes.
Georgiana clapped. “Is that not so very nice? He is not as round as Papa was, but he reminds me of him when we hug.”
Darcy looked to her with a grin. “I am glad not to be so round as Father.” He chuckled. “But I am glad that I remind you of him, thank you.” Georgiana giggled and he asked them to sit down. When they were all settled, he launched into his speech. “We spoke about Mrs. Younge before I left for Rosings.”
Mary nodded. “Yes, and I have paid close attention to her since then. She is not any different than before, perhaps a little less …” She searched for the word, “attentive?”
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�Does it affect your education at all?”
“No, sir …Brother. I could sew competently before I came here. That is one lesson that mother taught us, that and providing a fine table.” She sighed. “We all had to remake our clothes, so needle skills are important.”
“Oh, I hate sewing!” Georgiana wrinkled her nose.
“Then it is fortunate that you do not need to remake your things.” Darcy said sternly. “Count your blessings.”
“Yes, Brother.” She glanced at Mary who looked at him with approval.
“Now then, I am trying to determine if I have made a wise decision. Are you both truly happy here?” He looked between them. “Are you learning new things? Are you making friends? Do you dread your lessons? Are you treated well? Is anyone bothering you?”
“Is this about our schooling or Mrs. Younge?” Georgiana asked.
A small smile played on his lips. “You are definitely growing to be a very clever young lady.”
She blushed, but lifted her chin. “I am a Darcy.”
“Hmm. Remember, pride in position is not our goal.” He said seriously. “Although I have no doubt that just such an attitude is necessary amongst your peers. If that is what you must do to survive in this mix of girls, I will allow it. However, it is what resides in your heart that counts.” He tapped her shoulder. “Do you understand? Remember the family history I had you read.”
“Yes, Brother.” She sighed. “Elizabeth would be so disappointed if I left here.”
“She would. She is grateful for Mary’s opportunity that she never had.” He looked to see Mary nodding.
“I have learned much already, I understand very well what a gift this is.” She was rewarded with a brilliant smile from her brother.
Georgiana’s brow creased and she spoke up. “Mary told me to be wary of Mrs. Younge’s friendliness ages ago, and now you have twice. What did she do? You have not explained that. Should we not know?”