by Linda Wells
“I do not speak of my own situation. I never said anything of yours!” He grinned. “Besides, you did ask me for advice.”
Bingley looked at the floor. “Yes, I did, and I think that I will follow it.” He looked over to Jane, who was tearfully embracing Elizabeth.
“Oh Jane, we are two old married women now!” Elizabeth hugged her tightly. “I know that you will have a wonderful life with Charles, he is a very good man.”
“I know he is, Lizzy. I am so happy.” Jane tried to find a dry bit of handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
“William was going to invite you to come visit us in a few months. I hope that you can come. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner will be visiting in July when they take their tour of Derbyshire, and it will be so good to see the both of you as well.” She gave her a squeeze. “I cannot wait to show you Pemberley! It is breathtaking!”
“I am so happy to hear you say that, my love.” Darcy’s voice sounded in her ear. “I am afraid that it is time for us to depart. Let us farewell your family and be on our way.”
Soon Darcy handed Georgiana into the coach. He turned to see Alex looking thoughtfully at her face in the window. The men’s eyes met, and a look of agreement passed between them. Mr. Bennet stepped up and shook his hand, wishing them a safe journey. Darcy now saw the source of so much of his Elizabeth’s wit. He watched the son and unwitting father standing side by side, with the same wistful expression on their faces.
Finally Elizabeth finished saying goodbye to everyone and Darcy handed her into the carriage. After one more wave, he climbed in and took the seat by her side. The coach began to move and without hesitation or regard for his sister’s presence, he pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and together, they rested their hands on her waist. Her thoughts were with the life that may be growing within her, and his began to wonder over Denny’s revelation. So few people knew of his attachment to Elizabeth at the time, who had objected? He thought, Mr. Bennet, obviously, and he had met Wickham, but he also knew that the man had tried to seduce Elizabeth, so he certainly would not have contacted him to try and entice her away. Darcy thought many things of Mr. Bennet, but he was not that low, was he? He shook his head. Who else? Aunt Catherine, but no, there was no time. They were married only days after she was told of their engagement.
The vision of Caroline watching him love Elizabeth came to his mind, and he shuddered with revulsion. Yes, that is someone who would certainly stoop to such an act, but again, she did not know Wickham, or know of the engagement. Again his thoughts returned to Mr. Bennet. He was angry, and desperate. Darcy looked down at Elizabeth’s peaceful form, now cuddled against his chest, sleeping. He glanced over to Georgiana who was lost in a book. Was Bingley correct, should he let it go? Was Denny correct, Wickham was lying about the letter? He certainly did form a plan to extract money from him, but was it truly a letter that was meant to separate them that instigated it? What if it was Mr. Bennet who began this? He certainly would not have predicted the horrific events that followed. Darcy tightened his embrace of Elizabeth. He vowed that if he learned for certain that Mr. Bennet had instigated their pain, the man would never see her again, no matter what improvements he made to himself. But he did not know. And likely never would without a direct confrontation with her father. He gently brushed a curl from her face. For now, he would be forced to remain silent, but would forever be watchful.
INSTEAD OF LEAVING for Rosings quickly as he had planned, Richard and his parents were delayed in London for several extra days. It seemed that resigning his commission took longer than expected. They departed the day after the Bingley wedding. The carriage arrived at Rosings and Richard pulled uncomfortably at his new civilian clothes. “I suppose those will take some getting used to, Son.” Lord Matlock smiled at him.
“But they look very well on you, Richard.” Lady Matlock declared.
“It is the blasted cravat that bothers me the most.” He said, giving the fabric a frustrated glare. “That is the one great feature of a uniform, no neck cloth, just a good black stock!” They all laughed.
The family’s frivolity was silenced as they passed the church. The tolling of the bell from the tower was heard. It was the passing bell, alerting the village of an imminent death. Silently they counted the peals, six, a woman. There was a pause, and as the carriage continued up the drive, they counted the following peals, twenty-seven. It must be for Anne.
Inside of the house they were greeted by the housekeeper, Mrs. Withers, who informed them that Lady Catherine had taken to her bed. The physician was concerned about her and had prescribed laudanum to calm her agitation over Anne. Lord and Lady Matlock said that they would go to visit her first. They entered the room to find an unfamiliar woman sitting by her bedside. She did not appear to be a servant.
“Good afternoon. Are you Lord and Lady Matlock?” The plain-faced woman asked after she rose to her feet.
“Yes, and you are?” Lord Matlock addressed the woman, but was looking at the peaceful countenance of his sister.
“I am Mrs. Collins, the pastor’s wife. I thought that I might be of assistance here until the family arrived.” Charlotte stepped away from the bed. “Yesterday Lady Catherine was hysterical, shaking Lady Anne when she fell into a deep state of unconsciousness. The physician was fortunately here, and prescribed laudanum to calm her. Miss Miller sent me a note asking if I could come and sit with her, as she was busy with Lady Anne.” She looked at the still form of the previously formidable woman, now appearing very small and old. “The doctor wished to be notified when you arrived, to decide if you would like to awaken her now, or wait until Lady Anne passes. You may have heard the bell tolling as you arrived.” She looked at the sombre face of the brother, noting the similarities to his sister, but also seeing the evidence of a life of laughter in the deep furrows around his eyes and mouth, something that Lady Catherine de Bourgh never achieved.
“Mrs. Collins, I am deeply grateful for you taking the time to be here for our family.” He turned to his wife, looking lost.
Lady Matlock gave his hand a squeeze. “Yes, Mrs. Collins, we are thankful for your help. From what you say, our niece is near her end?”
“The physician and Miss Miller believe that it will not be long.” She said softly.
Lady Matlock took charge. “I believe that Catherine would want to be awake when she passes. Perhaps she will be calmer with us here. We should send for the physician, and discuss how best to rouse her. I will speak to Mrs. Withers about it. What should we tell Darcy? Should they come?”
Charlotte’s demeanour changed. “Are Mr. and Mrs. Darcy coming?”
Lady Matlock noted the sudden brightening of the solemn woman. “Do you know them?”
“Yes, I grew up with Eliza, Mrs. Darcy. Longbourn is next to my father’s home, and she stayed at the parsonage when she visited here at Easter. My husband is her cousin.” She smiled, remembering, “I was the first person she told of her engagement to Mr. Darcy. She was walking on air.”
Lord and Lady Matlock both smiled at the image. Focusing on something joyful for a moment brought relief to the room. “Yes, I believe that she still is. They attended her sister’s wedding, and they intended to leave for London immediately afterwards.”
“Yes, Jane and Mr. Bingley’s wedding. I wish that I could have gone, but it seems that I was needed here.” She looked down at Lady Catherine.
“Thank you again, Mrs. Collins. I think that you can safely return to your own home now. I will be sure to tell Elizabeth that we met.”
“If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to send for me.” Charlotte curtseyed, gathered up her sewing, and left the room.
WHILE HIS PARENTS attended to Lady Catherine, Richard went up the stairs towards Anne’s bedchamber. When he reached the top, he heard a door open, and Kathleen stepped into the hallway. She looked up to see Richard. Their eyes locked, and both of them felt their hearts start to pound. Richard walked, seemingly taking years to reac
h her, and when he finally did, he looked down into her blushing face, wanting to kiss her hand, and her soft lips.
“Miss Miller, I am pleased to see you.” He spoke, trying to put so much more meaning into his voice.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am happy to see you have arrived safely.” Kathleen met his gaze, and took a sharp breath, seeing his ardour.
“Ah, Miss Miller, I am Colonel no longer. I am now merely the Honourable Richard Fitzwilliam.” He smiled. “I have resigned my commission. It is time for younger men to fight the battles. I am ready to settle down.”
“That is wonderful news!” Kathleen said, hoping in a small part of her heart that maybe, just maybe, he might want to settle down with her. “I am sure that the army will feel your loss, though, sir.”
“Ha! I think the men I was training will be dancing a jig in relief of my absence!” He laughed, loving her blushes. Then, seeing the obvious exhaustion in her face, he returned his thoughts to the most pressing concerns. “Miss Miller, you look very tired, I know that this has been difficult, how is my cousin?”
“She is no longer responsive, sir. It will be soon. I was just going to refresh myself before going back to her.” She smiled slightly. “I will return very soon. Perhaps you could keep her company until I do?”
He wanted to stay and talk with her, but he knew that this was not the time for courting. He nodded. “Yes, I will be happy to watch over Anne until your return.” He bowed, and taking a breath, entered the darkened bedchamber. Closing the door behind him, he saw a young maid sitting by the bed. He dismissed her, and smiled at her grateful expression.
He took the chair and took Anne’s hand, and told her that she was loved and could go whenever she was ready. Kathleen returned unnoticed then, and listened to his soft words, tearing up at his tenderness. She pulled herself together and walked to stand beside him. They watched as Anne took a breath, then a long pause, another breath, and then nothing. They waited, staring, for several minutes, and then Kathleen checked her heart and placed her ear near her mouth. She was gone.
Richard stood with tears tracing down his face and let go of her hand. Without thinking, they together began to recite the 23rd psalm, and when finished, Richard reached out and wrapped his arms around Kathleen, and held her tightly to him. She rested her head on his shoulder. Without saying a word, they knew that all three of them had found their home.
Chapter 30
It was with great relief that Darcy paused in the doorway of Elizabeth’s dressing room and saw her standing before the mirror in a pale pink gown. The bombazine that she had worn for the past six weeks to honour Anne was gone. The black fabric seemed to depress her spirit. She seemed so sad and tired. He hoped that the brightening of her mood would come with the new wardrobe. She was happy to wear mourning for Anne; it was the only gesture she could make for the woman who so kindly welcomed her into the family. Lord Matlock suggested that only Darcy come for the funeral. As women, Elizabeth and Georgiana could not attend, and Lady Catherine was not strong enough to see Darcy’s wife yet. The ladies stayed in London, and he made the day trip to Rosings.
“You look beautiful, Lizzy.” He walked into the room and kissed her.
Elizabeth smiled up at him. “Thank you William. It feels so good to wear a happy colour again. I imagine Georgiana is overjoyed dressing this morning.”
He slipped his arms around her and held her tightly. “I hated your beauty being hidden away.”
“Thank you, William.” She whispered
“For what, my love?” He asked, kissing her nose.
“You are the only one who has ever thought of me as beautiful.” Her eyes were bright. “I was always told that I had great wit, but no beauty, at least, next to Jane.”
“Then whoever said that was blind.” He could not seem to break through the strange sadness that came upon her suddenly and just as suddenly disappeared, and hoped that the arrival of the Gardiners that afternoon would help both of them. He planned to seek Mr. Gardiner’s advice.
Elizabeth did feel a little better than she had. Her appetite had returned. The smell of certain foods no longer seemed to bother her and she was not so sleepy. She knew that William was very concerned. She just was not ready to talk about it yet. After her overwhelming conversation with her aunt at Jane’s wedding, she was so disappointed when her courses began several days later. It was intensely painful, and much heavier than usual, and she had a feeling that when she spoke to her aunt, she would learn the truth of what she felt in her heart. She had miscarried. The only thing that she was grateful for was the knowledge that she had not told her husband of her suspicions.
He was blissfully ignorant of what did not happen, although she thought, smiling to herself, he certainly was confused when she suddenly began to experience her monthly courses for the first time in their nearly three month marriage, and she had to explain to him that this was something that would occur regularly. She tried to reassure him that they rarely left her bedridden and in such pain. Eventually, she knew that he would puzzle out the truth, but she was not ready to bring up the subject. Not yet. She barely acknowledged it herself. They took their customary morning walk, and returned to the house for breakfast.
“Oh Elizabeth is it not wonderful to wear colour again!” Georgiana said as she spun around the room.
Elizabeth laughed at her exuberance. “It certainly is Georgiana. I wish that women were as fortunate as men, and could simply wear a black armband or ribbons.” She looked over to Darcy, who was nodding his head emphatically and laughed again.
Darcy opened the letter that was sitting by his place setting and began to read. “This is from Richard.” He smiled. “He has proposed to Miss Miller.” Darcy looked up, and seeing Elizabeth’s happy face, he grinned. “It seems that he just could not explain her continued presence at Rosings now that Aunt Catherine has decided to move to the townhouse in London. He felt that he would make the great sacrifice of ending his bachelorhood and marry the girl.” He laughed. “He plans to emulate us, Lizzy. He will procure a license, and just pull her into the church at Hunsford and marry her with no great fuss. In fact, he may have done it by now. He was accompanying Aunt Catherine to London to see her to the townhouse, and planned to arrange the marriage settlement while there.”
“What do his parents have to say about it?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes dancing.
Darcy consulted the letter. “He has not spoken with them yet. He does say that if his marriage can even approach the joy that he knows we share he will be a lucky man.” His gaze met Elizabeth’s and they were lost in each other until Georgiana spoke.
“Will we meet Miss Miller soon, William?” Georgiana had become accustomed by now to her brother and Elizabeth frequently forgetting about her presence, and had learned to simply start talking and eventually they would refocus on her.
“I am afraid that it may be some time, Georgie. We will be entertaining the Gardiners, then the Bingleys, and then we must travel to Hertfordshire for Lydia’s wedding.”
“Why do we not invite them for Christmas?” Elizabeth asked. “I remember Aunt Gardiner telling me how Pemberley was always opened for visitors then, but Mrs. Reynolds said that the tradition ended. Could we begin again? Perhaps have a ball? I think that I should be confident enough by then with my duties, and it will give me some practice for entertaining during Georgiana’s Season.”
“Oh yes William! Please? We could invite all of our family. I would love to have a ball and see Pemberley decorated properly for Christmas again!” Georgiana said with enthusiasm.
Darcy could not help but smile at the two dearest people in his life, so full of excitement. It was wonderful to see Elizabeth feeling joy. “As much as I truly dislike the ordeal of a ball. . .” He paused, watching their anticipation, “I think that it is time to reinstate the Christmas tradition.” The ladies both jumped up and kissed his cheeks, hugging him. Darcy pretended to fight them off, but loved the attention. “Enough!” He laughed. “I a
m going to finish some work before our guests arrive.” He stood and lovingly kissed Elizabeth, and shaking his head, grinning, left the room.
Georgiana set off for her lessons with Mrs. Annesley, and Elizabeth rose to meet with Mrs. Reynolds. She wished to make sure that all was prepared for the Gardiner’s arrival, and set to work deciding the menus for the week. Once they arrived, she wanted no domestic worries to prevent her from enjoying their company. Her confidence in her duties as Mistress was growing steadily. Her mother had many faults, but she did give the Bennet girls a thorough grounding in what was involved with managing a household. Pemberley was nearly ten times the size of Longbourn, but the same principals applied. Mrs. Reynolds was vastly pleased with her new Mistress. And Elizabeth had earned her respect very quickly. Not simply for her domestic skills, but for the life and happiness that she brought back to the estate. She had changed Darcy and Georgiana. Darcy was still the quiet, reserved, sombre man he ever was, but in the presence of his wife, he allowed himself to express his happiness in laughter and open affection. It was glorious to see. Georgiana seemed to be gaining confidence in herself, and was not as shy. Mrs. Darcy was kind and amiable, but she was also a force to be reckoned with, and had earned the unending loyalty of the staff by displaying her fortitude when surviving the attack by Wickham.
“There, Mrs. Reynolds, I think that settles the menus for the whole week. Is there anything else that we need to address?” Elizabeth handed the sheaf of papers to her and looked at her inquiringly.
“There is one other subject that has been concerning me, Mrs. Darcy.” Mrs. Reynolds said quietly.
“Yes? Please tell me.” Elizabeth smiled encouragingly, wondering at the unusual hesitation.
“I noticed some changes in you, madam. For some time I suspected that perhaps you might be with child, but I understand from Rosie that is not possible.” She looked at Elizabeth, whose smiling face had disappeared, and was replaced by one of sadness. “Mrs. Darcy, were you with child?” She asked gently.
