by Wells, Linda
Memory
A Tale of Pride and Prejudice
Volume 3: How Far We Have Come
Linda Wells
Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice
Copyright © 2010 Linda Wells
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form whatsoever.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead; is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Images © Roger Asbury (back), Ellen Morgan (front): Dreamstime.com
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To
Catherine and Tania
Bill and Rick
And to all of the readers at the Meryton Literary Society and Austen Underground, thank you for your exceptional support.
Chapter 1
“Come on man, get up there!” Fitzwilliam urged his brother. “I am telling you, it is the most glorious sight to witness the birth of your child!” He beamed and plopped into a chair. “And Eva, my wonderful Eva, demanded that I be there at the end. Did she not, Father?”
“Yes Richard.” Lord Matlock sighed and exchanged weary looks with Layton. “Ignore him, Son. If Alicia wants you, she will undoubtedly tell your mother and Eva.” He looked to Fitzwilliam. “And I seem to recall that you were hardly enthusiastic about being present for a good twenty hours of her lying in.” He shook the snuff box at him when he blushed. “You Son; were terrified, and my voice felt the effects of our unending conversation for a good week afterwards. How you never fell asleep …”
“Eva was not to sleep, why should I? Besides, how many years did I spend not sleeping and waiting for something to break?” Fitzwilliam murmured and glanced at his brother. “Forgive my pushing.”
“I understand.” Layton stood and walked to the window at Matlock House and stared out at the falling rain with his hands clasped behind his back. “I am not cut of the same cloth as you, Richard. I love my wife, but I know my place is here.”
“Bowing to convention.”
“No … well, yes, but I am no good seeing her suffer.” He looked down and to his boots. “We had not really thought of another child so quickly. After so many years of marriage, nothing, and now …” Layton pressed his lips together. “I hope it is the heir so that she will not feel the need to produce again so quickly.”
“I do not think that it was her need in particular that produced this child, Son.” Lord Matlock smiled and winked at Fitzwilliam.
Snorting at his brother’s reddened cheeks, he chimed in, “Darcy and Elizabeth have no child coming, perhaps there is something to this feeding plan they have. I suppose Eva and I will find out.” Fitzwilliam chuckled. “You know that they do not hesitate to … take advantage of each other.” He heard his father’s snort and watched Layton’s shoulder’s shake. “He will not talk about it, but we all know. It is always the quiet ones.”
“So true.” Lord Matlock smiled, then his expression sobered. “I would suggest that it is more the luck of the draw rather than feeding choices, considering the fact that Audrey has not become with child again, but your mother recently informed me that she has suffered two miscarriages in the past year.” Both Fitzwilliam and Layton turned to look at him in surprise. “Yes. I had no idea. I know at one point I thought that she looked a little full around the cheeks and kept expecting an announcement, but then nothing came. At last I know why.”
“Singleton never said a word.” Layton mused. “We should be grateful.”
“Yes. I well remember the sadness of such a loss.” Lord Matlock finally took a pinch of snuff, sneezed, and settled back in his chair. “I ran into de Bourgh at the club.”
“Oh, he is in town.” Fitzwilliam happily seized on the new subject and sitting back, crossed his legs. “Undoubtedly awaiting Miss Bennet’s arrival? Perhaps improving his home in anticipation of her first look?” He chuckled. “Do you know how many women are gunning for him this Season? Women, not young girls in their first gowns? Women who know a thing or two about attracting a man, and women who are more than willing to offer him quite a lot to gain his attention. The word is out that a handsome young man has taken over Rosings. I wonder if his fondness for Miss Bennet will be tested.”
“You do not think he will resist?” Layton sank down in a chair, and glanced at the clock. “Darcy said that he seems quite decided.”
“Will the women of the ton let him remain so?” Fitzwilliam shrugged.
“I like Mary very much.” Lord Matlock smiled. “You were not at Pemberley this summer, Richard. She is a girl who has grown.” He closed his eyes and thought of her birthday party. “And she looks very lovely in her pearls.”
“Pearls?” Fitzwilliam sat up. “Is this the missing pearls?”
“Yes.” Lord Matlock smiled and laughed. “Your missing pearls.”
“Darcyfound them?” He stared. “Where? When?”
“The very day you broke that necklace. He gathered them up and gave them to his father. Always an excellent little boy, he knew what to do even at the age of three.” Fitzwilliam’s mouth dropped open. “And they kept them hidden for … Oh, twenty-five years, about that?” He chuckled and sat back in his chair. “Yes, and it seems that he made a necklace for Mary out of one and had a necklace made for Rosalie that has been put aside.” He watched Fitzwilliam spluttering, and leaned forward, “He laughed at you every time you looked for them in the grass.”
Layton laughed and kicked his brother’s leg. “Excellent! Well done Darcy! Well done Uncle George!”
“Well I’ll be damned.” Fitzwilliam’s mouth finally closed and he rubbed his hand over his face. “I’ll be damned! Darcy has a sense of humour!”
“Of course he does.”
“No, I mean, a really wicked sense of humour! From birth!” His incredulous stare brought forth howls of laughter from his father and brother.
Evangeline appeared at the door and smiled at Layton. “Alicia asks for you to come and meet your son.”
“Oh.” Layton instantly sobered and rose to his feet while wiping his suddenly tear-filled eyes. “She is well?”
“Yes, it was easy. I am unquestionably jealous of her. You would think that she just took a brisk stroll.”
“Congratulations, Son!” Lord Matlock hugged him and Fitzwilliam clapped his back. He thanked them shakily and squeezing Evangeline’s hand, exited the room. They looked after him and she turned to Richard who held open his arms.
“He is beautiful.” She said tearfully and hugged him tightly.
“How could he not be?” Fitzwilliam kissed her and smiled over her head to his father. “There, the future lord is born.”
The Earl nodded and sniffed. Evangeline let go of her husband and smiling, walked over to him with her arms open. “Go on, Grandpapa; do not hold back your joy.” She hugged him and Lord Matlock’s shoulders shook.
“I feel like a damned fool.” He sniffed and tried to stop himself.
Lady Matlock appeared in the doorway to take in the scene of Richard standing with tears rolling down his cheeks and her husband valiantly trying to remain strong in the face of his children. “Henry Fitzwilliam, you are a silly fool.” She said softly and took over for Eva. Lord Matlock kissed his wife and smiled at her through his tears. She gave her son and daughter a pointed look and Fitzwilliam grinned, took Evangeline’s hand, and they left th
e room.
Evangeline pulled the door shut behind them and they stood in the hallway. He glanced up the stairs. “Well you know that we are not wanted up there.”
“And we are decidedly not wanted in there.” She laughed and he kissed her. “Shall we go home to our baby?”
“I cannot possibly think of a better idea.” He kissed her hand and they walked towards the door to call for their coach. “So my love, shall I tell you the truth about our child’s middle name?”
6 MARCH 1811
I received a letter today announcing the birth of The Honourable Frederick Henry Fitzwilliam, heretofore to be known as Freddy, until such a time that he is old enough to object strenuously to the appellation. If I were he I would do so as soon as possible. Layton is ecstatic with the birth of his heir, and the knowledge that Matlock will remain with his blood. I knew that he was worried. Alicia is approaching the age when babies will be coming farther and farther apart, and he knows that their opportunities may be limited. At last the run on daughters has been broken. Perhaps this will spawn a similar beginning, and we will all enjoy sons as our second gifts from heaven.
A letter from de Bourgh announcing that he has arrived in town was delivered and he is, at Uncle Henry’s encouragement, joining the Fitzwilliams in their various entertainments. It rather reminds me of the time after Father died, and they were forcing me to go about with them when I had no such desire to be courting or meeting any woman. Not when my heart was already taken. However, I cannot blame Uncle for introducing him around. He is a man with a substantial estate, he has not the history that I did to fall back upon, and making acquaintances and friends amongst our society is important. De Bourgh is no child, he is an experienced man (I apologize Elizabeth, but he is), a man of the world quite literally, so he should know what he wants in his wife, but I have to think that he needs to be exposed to the women of this circle he now inhabits, just to be sure. I do not want him to marry my sister only to have niggling regrets appear a year or so later, when he considers what he might have had from a woman of society as he becomes increasingly comfortable in his place. I hope that his weeks in town will put to rest that question and when we arrive, he will be ready to begin the courtship that we all expect.
Darcy sighed and looked over his entry, then up to Elizabeth. “What will we do if de Bourgh is captured by one of the ladies?”
“Do you truly think that is possible? He has not put it in words, but his every letter indicates his growing feelings for Mary.” She put down her book and looked at him with concern. “She is nervous enough now; do I need to prepare her for rejection?”
“Dearest, I do not know, I only wish to have a plan in place should we arrive to find him besotted by some angel.”
“That sounds more like Mr. Bingley than Captain de Bourgh.” She smiled and he closed the journal to come and sit next to her. “I suspect that he is not going to be swayed, you read of his affront to Lady Catherine’s machinations.”
“I did, but that is not the same as being exposed to it firsthand. Those ladies are relentless, and the flattery can turn a man’s head.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her arched brow. “I know.”
“What exactly do you know?”
“Not enough to raise your ire.” He chuckled when she stared at him. “You forget how unwelcoming I once was.”
“And remain.”
“Oh, I am much improved!” Darcy protested. “Am I not?”
“I suppose.” She smiled as he shrugged, and teased him. “You are no Mr. Bingley.”
“Elizabeth.” Darcy said seriously. “Would you want me to be?”
“No. I could not bear it from you. I love everything of you. Do not change a thing.” She caressed his face and they kissed. “Does his teasing bother you?”
“His torture, his clowning …” Darcy growled and she tilted her head. “No. Well, sometimes a bit, but that is because I am intensely possessive of you. Any other man and his face would be pulp.” He was rewarded by another long kiss. “Ahhhh.” Elizabeth laughed and cuddled into his arms. Darcy kissed her hair and sighed. “You know, his joie de vivre is one of the reasons I like him. He is enthusiastic and without fail brings joy to any room he occupies, just like you.” He hugged her to him. “He simply has no focus yet. He will settle when he has his estate to worry over and a true love to shower with attention, whoever she may be. I wish better of him, but I know that it will come, and I do not wish to dampen his spirit, it is a rare gift. He has come such a long way already.” He bent his head and peeked at her. “Do you feel better?”
“About what?”
“Encouraging him.”
“I do not!”
“You do not slap his face.”
“That would be like harming a kitten!”
“Or a puppy.”
Elizabeth laughed and Darcy joined her. “Why do we feel so protective of him?”
Darcy settled his chin on her head and looked out at the unending rain. “I think, well besides his being such an amiable fellow, I think that it is because our first true interaction occurred in the process of protecting him. At the Derby.” He looked down and smiled. “Remember?”
“I do.” She smiled back at him and turned to hold his face in her hands. “And he brought us together forever.”
“Yes.” He kissed her and settled his cheek back on top of her head. “I suppose that makes all things bearable.”
“Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Elizabeth murmured as his arms tightened around her.
“You speak of love.” He whispered. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1
“I think that he is rapidly becoming a man.” She whispered and closed her eyes. “And I think that Captain de Bourgh has long been a man and will not be swayed by the toys dangled before him.” Darcy gathered her up and settled her on his lap. Elizabeth caressed his hair and smiled when he lifted her chin with his thumb to kiss her. “And I am deeply grateful for the man who loves me.”
LYDIA WALKED PAST Jessica’s empty bedchamber as she had done every day since she disappeared nearly a month earlier. This time the door was open and she heard the sound of voices inside. Excited, she ran in only to find two girls, years older than herself, standing over an open trunk and grimly packing. “What are you doing? Those are Jessica’s things!”
“We know, we are her sisters.” One girl looked at her and went on about her business. The other girl squeezed her arm and walked up to Lydia. “I am Jill Simkins, and this is my sister, Emily.”
“Oh.” Lydia bit her lip. “I am Lydia Bennet.” The girls exchanged glances and she saw that Emily’s eyes rolled. “What are you doing?”
“Clearly we are packing up her belongings, and we will return to our home where we will wallow for the rest of our lives in the shame that our foolish ungrateful sister has cast upon us and our family.” Emily said bitterly. “Why did you not stop her?”
“Me?” Lydia squeaked. “I did not know she would run away!”
“You knew she was infatuated with that soldier!” Emily spat. “You knew she was selfish and unthinking. Now we are left to hope that she is found before the neighbourhood realizes she has not come home from school. At least we have bought some time that way.” She looked at her sister. “I suggest that you stop being coy with Mr. Brown and get yourself married before this news spreads.”
“Why is that important?” Lydia asked when Jill blushed.
“Are you daft? Jessica is unmarried! She ran off with a soldier, who I might add is back with his unit with nary a lash across his back for disappearing for three days! He was on an approved leave, they claim. He has no idea where she is, he claims.” She huffed. “Three days he spent with her, Lord knows where, and then they argued and he left her. Left her! Left her at an inn, ruined, utterly ruined and without so much as a shilling. He di
d not care. He got what he wanted out of her. His friends are laughing I am sure, and his colonel likely laughed with him.” She picked up a dress and looked at the cut with disgust. “No wonder he wanted her. She got everything she ever wanted from Mama, and Papa was unable to see the damage, even after she was sent here. She was his pretty girl.” Tears began to slide down her face. “If she is alive, I cannot bear to think what she is doing to survive.”
“Emily, we cannot possibly know for sure what happened, please stop thinking the worst.” Jill whispered as her sister shook her head.
“Why could she not come home?”
Emily clearly bit her tongue and Jill said softly, “If there is any chance at all of her sisters marrying respectable men, we will have to be separated forever. Hopefully our dowries and the public severance of our ties to her will be enough to save us.” She turned away and folded the dress that Emily had thrown down. “Unless we find her before everyone knows.”
“Everyone will know. There are only too many girls here who will gladly spread the word. If she turns up, she will likely be with child to some man or other.”
“But …but Lieutenant Tike would be the father! He will marry her.” Lydia whispered.
“You idiotic girl, how do you think our sister is feeding herself now if she lives? She is on her back in a brothel.” She saw Lydia’s eyes grow wide. “Do not play innocent with me; you know exactly what I am talking about. This school is not a cloister. You know what happens between men and women.” Emily went back to the closet and pulled out the rest of the dresses. “Lydia Bennet, our sister’s friend who ran interference while she batted her eyes at the soldiers.” She spun back around and glared. “Why is it not you that ran away? Why can it not be your sisters who bear this ruin? Why are not your father and uncles combing London for you? I hope that you learn something from this! Now get out of here, leave us to our mourning!”
Lydia looked at Jill who gave her a sad smile. “There is nothing for you here. Please go.”
Lydia turned her back on the room and walked out into the hallway. Inside she saw that Emily and Jill stood embraced and sobbing. Overcome with horror, she started running, turned a corner, and flew into her room, slamming the door behind her and locking it before falling onto the bed and sobbing into her pillow. Moments later, the knob on the door rattled.
