Darcy the Admiral

by Harriet Knowles

  Her shoulders sagged. “It’s not that, sir. Not at all. I’m happy you’re safe, and your sister must be delighted.” She shook her head. “But I wonder how happy you will be.” She lifted her eyes to his. “I am the last person who would wish to see you in danger, but I saw you aboard ship; I saw how your stance changed when you were talking about your ships and men. I … it is presumptuous of me, I know. But for so many years, you have had the wide horizons and the skies to draw your gaze to far-flung lands.” She clenched her hands in her lap. “I am not certain that you would not regret leaving that life, which is all you have ever known.” Her voice was so quiet, he struggled to hear.

  “You have great insight, Miss Bennet.” It was painful to admit it. “But my sister needs me, and I am now in a position where I can take that step for her.” He hesitated. “Besides, I wish to settle. Is that so wrong?”

  She shook her head.

  He had to ask. “I think it would be too much to ask of a lady, that she marries but never knows if her husband is coming home again or where he is.” His voice deepened. “Could you do that, Miss Bennet?”

  “No, Mr. Darcy, I could not do it. I believe it takes a different order of bravery.”

  He nodded heavily, but before he could answer, she looked up, her eyes bright and challenging.

  “So. You have made your decision for your sister. It merely remains for you to decide how you will exchange the far horizon for challenges within your life outside the Navy.” Her impish smile made him smile in return.

  “Perhaps you might be able to assist with some ideas, Miss Bennet.”

  Her eyes had wandered to the window again. “I would like that,” she murmured. “But my aunt is beckoning. Perhaps we have been out here too long.”

  He rose to his feet. “I would by no means discompose your aunt.”

  After he had delivered her to the drawing room, he hesitated. “Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, I would like to introduce you to my sister. Might I be permitted to bring her to call upon you tomorrow?”

  As he rode home, he recalled the subject of their conversation. Nobody — nobody at all, had ever thought to ask him how he felt about his naval career. Nobody had ever dared to ask if he had been frightened as a boy. Even his cousin Richard, closer to him than either of his brothers, hadn’t the insight to understand how difficult he might find living without the sea and ships.

  His heart warmed: she was the best of ladies. He’d never met anyone like her. As often happened, his mind’s eye caught a glimpse of the memory of her first boarding the Hibernia, her soaked gown clinging to her slender figure. His horse snorted and threw up its head, wild-eyed.

  Darcy patted it. “Sorry, old fellow. I must concentrate.” He must do this. While he was ineffably encouraged by their meeting this morning, he knew he had a distance to go before he might win her hand. Firstly, he must introduce her to Georgiana. He spurred the horse on to a trot. He hoped his sister could be friends with her.

  20

  Aunt Gardiner smiled at Elizabeth. “Are you happier in yourself since Mr. Darcy’s call, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth felt her face grow hot. “I think so. There is — something — I don’t know what it is. I suppose I will discover eventually what it means.” She glanced at her aunt. “Did he tell you yesterday that he has given up the Navy, that he has retired to make a home for his sister?”

  “No, he didn’t tell me that.” Her aunt continued with her careful needlework. “I wonder that he can afford it.”

  Elizabeth shrugged slightly. “He just said he was in a position where he could now give her a home. He didn’t say any more than that. I suppose he has been saving.”

  “He has been successful,” her aunt mused. “And there is prize money to be gained by those in the navy, I know that much.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “It’ll be interesting to meet his sister. He tells me she is only just sixteen, and very shy.”

  “Well, we can make her welcome.” Aunt Gardiner gathered up her needlework. “Although I am surprised he feels he needs to offer her a home. It is usual for unmarried daughters and sisters to stay with the relation who owns the family estate.”

  “I suppose it is.” Elizabeth was interested. “He did not seem forthcoming about his brothers.”

  “Well, that is because this generation does not have the same quality as their father, perhaps.” Aunt Gardiner rose to her feet. “From what I have seen of the admiral, Pemberley would have benefited much more had he been the eldest son.”

  Miss Georgiana Darcy was scarlet with embarrassment when Mr. Darcy appeared with her the following morning. Elizabeth smiled at her warmly, feeling she ought to know what to do with a girl the same age as her youngest sister.

  “Come and sit with me a moment, Miss Darcy. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

  The girl glanced up at her brother, and Elizabeth saw him give an approving nod to the fair-haired girl, who came and sat beside her.

  The early conversation was a little stilted, but, as his attention was taken by Aunt Gardiner, Elizabeth was able to draw more of the girl’s attention.

  “You must be very pleased that your brother has left the navy and is now safe, Miss Darcy.”

  “Oh, yes.” The girl was pleating the fabric of her skirts between her fingers. “I’m very happy I will not have to worry about him so much.”

  “He tells me he is going to settle so he can give you a home.” Elizabeth didn’t look at her.

  “Oh, yes!” the girl breathed. “I’m so lucky that he’s willing to do this. My older brothers don’t really seem to have much time for me.”

  Elizabeth reached out and took her hand. “I’m sure they love you very much. But they must have many cares. Are they much older than you?”

  Miss Darcy nodded, and her eyes filled with tears. “I think they blame me for Mother passing when I was born. George is one and thirty, and Stephen is thirty years old. Then William is eight and twenty, and I am sixteen.”

  “Well,” Elizabeth said practically. “I suppose gentlemen have more cares when they get to that age than we spry young things do. But perhaps we can be friends, and you and I can have all sorts of secret conversations.”

  Miss Darcy giggled, and Elizabeth saw her brother give her a startled glance before he was drawn back into the conversation with Aunt Gardiner.

  “Miss Bennet,” the girl sounded anxious again. “Do you think you can call me Georgiana? It will be lovely to be called that. All the servants call me Miss Darcy, and my life is so formal.”

  “I can only agree to that if you call me Elizabeth. Or even Lizzy if you like. But we shall certainly be friends. Will your brother permit me to write to you?”

  “Of course — if you really don’t mind.” Georgiana’s eyes were alight with hope, and Elizabeth decided to write her a note that very afternoon.

  A few moments later, Aunt Gardiner called them over to join her for tea, and the conversation became more general. Elizabeth knew herself to be rather flustered at the knowledge that Mr. Darcy’s gaze was upon her all the time, and she wished it wasn’t, or Georgiana might come to resent her instead of wanting her friendship.

  But soon enough, it was time for them to leave, and amid the general busyness he bowed to her. “Might I call upon you again tomorrow, Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet?”

  Aunt Gardiner assented briskly, and the guests took their leave.

  But he did not call the following morning. Elizabeth had taken more than usual care with her toilette, and pinned up her hair while smiling at her quite different appearance in the glass. Even Uncle Gardiner noticed something was different about her when he bade her farewell that morning.

  “I might need to write to your father, Lizzy, and tell him what is happening.”

  “Please don’t, Uncle!” She was horrified. “You might spoil it.”

  He laughed immoderately. “I will wait until your aunt tells me to,” he chuckled, and left for his warehouses.

  As t
he hour for formal calls ticked past, and then the quarter-hour, Elizabeth couldn’t bear to look at her aunt. Finally, her aunt got up and rang the bell.

  “We will order tea,” she said decidedly. “When Mr. Darcy arrives, we can order fresh tea then.”

  “He’s not going to come,” Elizabeth whispered. “I think something terrible has happened.”

  “Don’t be silly, Lizzy. You can’t possibly know that.” Her aunt rang the bell. “No, his horse has shed a shoe, or something of that sort. We will take tea and we will not conjecture.”

  A few moments later, the sound of the doorbell could be heard, and Aunt Gardiner smiled at her.

  “You see? All is well.”

  But the butler entered the room, a small card extended on a silver tray. “A messenger from Darcy House with the regrets of Admiral Darcy, madam.”

  Aunt Gardiner nodded at him and took the card. As soon as the servant had left the room, Elizabeth hurried over to sit beside her aunt.

  “I hope he is not injured.” Somehow, she could not voice the fear that he’d merely changed his mind. But her aunt was not deceived, and patted Elizabeth’s arm, before turning over the card.

  “Oh dear.” She noticed the black line edging the note at the same time Elizabeth did. They read the note together.

  My most sincere apologies, Mrs. Gardiner.

  I have been summoned to Pemberley as a matter of urgency, and I do not know how long I might be needed there.

  It is a matter of enormous regret that I will be unable to call upon you and Miss Bennet today.

  Yours, etc.

  Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rear Admiral (retd.)

  Elizabeth stared at the letter, trying to discover more meaning behind the words.

  “Well.” Aunt Gardiner permitted Elizabeth to take the note to examine it further. “It appears we will not get a call this morning.” She put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “While the children are still upstairs with their governess, we will take the coach and go out to the park for a stroll. I think you need the distraction.”

  Elizabeth smiled weakly at her. “I suppose you’re right, Aunt. But …” she looked down at the note. “What do you think has happened?”

  “I don’t know,” her aunt said, briskly, “and it will not do to speculate. Now, go and get your coat and hat, and meet me in the hall when you’re ready.”

  Elizabeth was downstairs in less than five minutes and stood waiting for her aunt to descend the stairs when there was another knock on the door.

  The butler took the post, as Elizabeth watched idly. Then he turned to her.

  “An express for you, Miss Bennet.”

  She stared at him. What had happened at home? “Thank you.” She took the letter mechanically.

  “I don’t recognise the handwriting, Aunt.” Her aunt had joined her at the bottom of the stairs and waited while Elizabeth broke the seal.

  “It’s from Georgiana!” Elizabeth gasped, and nearly dropped it.

  21

  “Come through to the drawing room and read it, Lizzy.” Her aunt guided her through, as Elizabeth scanned the letter.

  She sank to the chair. “Oh, poor Georgiana.” She held out the letter to her aunt, and they read the hurried little letter together.

  Dear Elizabeth,

  I’m sorry to ask this of you. But we’ve had such terrible news.

  William has hurried off to Pemberley, but he said I ought to stay here and not leave the house for the moment, until he knows what is going on.

  Please, Elizabeth, I have no one to talk to, no one to advise me. Could you and your aunt call here to see me? I think I will go mad if I don’t have a friend.

  Yours,

  Georgiana.

  Aunt Gardiner reached up and rang the bell. “It’s fortunate we have our coats on already, isn’t it? I will just check that the coach is ready for us.”

  “Oh, thank you, Aunt.” Elizabeth clutched the letter to her. Poor Georgiana, she was so unsuited to being alone. “Georgiana said yesterday that their eldest brother was gone to Pemberley on business matters. She wasn’t sure whether their other brother had gone, too.”

  Aunt Gardiner’s face was set. “I hope nothing has happened to Mr. George Darcy. He is still a young man, and though he tragically lost his wife, there is time for him to take another. The second son, Mr. Stephen Darcy, is not well liked in Lambton.”

  Elizabeth glanced at her. “Of course, Pemberley estate is important to the village, isn’t it?” They hurried out to the coach.

  Georgiana was looking out of the tall, curtained windows in the drawing room of Darcy House as Elizabeth and her aunt were admitted by a disapproving-looking butler.

  “Please wait here, ladies.”

  “No. Thank you, Mr. Jones. I have invited Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet.” Georgiana’s voice was rather wobbly, but she sounded very determined.

  The butler looked dubious. “Very well, Miss Darcy.” He stepped back and beckoned a footman to take their coats.

  As soon as they were in the drawing room, Georgiana appeared to lose her composure. Elizabeth drew her down beside her on the sofa instead of waiting for the girl to gather herself together to perform her duties as hostess.

  “Georgiana, I’m so sorry you’ve had such difficulty. Do you want to say what has happened?”

  The girl sniffed and sat up straighter. “It’s awful.” She mopped at her eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Elizabeth waited patiently, wondering what had caused such an upset. For the first time she noticed the girl was in a dark-coloured gown. Mourning. She took her hand.

  Georgiana looked up. “We were at breakfast together.” She gave a watery smile. “It was lovely to be together, just us, and William was looking forward to calling upon you.” She twisted her gown in her other hand. “Then an express letter came from the steward at Pemberley. Our … our older brother, George, was found dead in the woods. A hunting accident.” She started weeping again.

  Elizabeth drew her into an embrace to let her cry it out, giving an expressive look over the girl’s head to her aunt, whose look of sadness mirrored her own feelings.

  But Georgiana pushed herself upright. “But it got worse.” She wrung her hands together. “William was giving orders to have his things packed and the coach readied, but … but just before he was about to go, another express arrived from the steward saying that — that Stephen’s manservant had found a bundle of Stephen’s clothes, hidden in a closet.” She sniffed. “They were covered in blood. The steward has called the magistrate; because he fears for the safety of me and William.” She seemed exhausted, and laid her head on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “William has so much to sort out. But he told me to stay in the house, not to leave.”

  She gathered herself together. “I’m glad you came to help me. I’ll order tea, and see if I can think of something else to talk about.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Tea will be very welcome, and I’m sure it will help you to talk a little about your brothers.”

  Georgiana glanced at her. “William told me to stay here in the house. Not to go out.” She took a deep breath. “But if it is Stephen — well, he lives here. The servants can’t stop him coming in.”

  “I don’t think he’ll come down here, will he?” Elizabeth wondered. “It would look very suspicious if he leaves Pemberley just now.”

  Georgiana shrugged. “If he’s master of Pemberley, like he always wanted to be, then he’s rich enough to have any charge overturned. I’m sure he knows he’ll be able to get away with anything.”

  Elizabeth glanced at her aunt, who was looking a little concerned.

  But Aunt Gardiner smiled at Georgiana. “Perhaps the admiral has left instructions with the servants, Miss Darcy. Please don’t be discomposed, and, if you like, Lizzy can come each day to keep you company.”

  “Oh, would you do that?” Georgiana’s face shone. “It’s so wonderful to have a friend.”

  “Of course I will,” Elizabeth said readily
. “And I can be good at distracting you from your thoughts, because there’s nothing you can do to change anything at present.” She smiled. “And I’m sure your brother will write to you each evening.”

  “Well, he cannot possibly get there until late tomorrow,” Aunt Gardiner said. “And, as he did not start at dawn, he might well be two nights on the road.”

  Georgiana nodded. “I don’t even know if I ought to travel up for the burial.” Her voice trembled.

  “Would he be brought to London?” Elizabeth wondered.

  “No, Lambton church has a private burial area for the Darcy family.” Aunt Gardiner smiled at Georgiana. “It’s a very beautiful place.”

  Georgiana nodded sadly. “Mother lies there. I was born at Pemberley, and Father always said it was because there weren’t good doctors in the north that she was lost.”

  Elizabeth hugged her again, but it seemed there was nothing much she could say.

  They were all startled by a sudden commotion in the hall, and Georgiana shrank back. The door flew open, and Elizabeth saw a tall, lean man in military uniform stride in, looking half-angry, half concerned.

  “Georgiana! Who are these callers? You are in mourning!”

  “Cousin Richard!” Georgiana seemed relieved and rushed to him. Elizabeth relaxed. It obviously wasn’t the brother, Stephen. She waited to see what would transpire.

  The new caller turned to the servant who had followed him into the room. “Call Miss Darcy’s companion. She is to pack and accompany Miss Darcy back to Matlock House with me.”

  “But …” Georgiana turned her face towards him. “Cousin Richard, William told me on no account to leave the house until he was home.”

  “He’s changed his mind,” the officer growled. “I am to guard you more easily at Matlock House. I will show you his letter to me which he sent from the first post stop — when your callers have left.” He looked suspiciously at Elizabeth and her aunt.

  Aunt Gardiner stood up. “Perhaps we’d better go, now, Miss Darcy. I’m glad you have confidence in the family around you. Do feel free to write as often as you wish.”