by Linda Wells
“On one condition.” Darcy pressed his finger to her nose and then shook it at her.
Elizabeth laughed. “What is that my dear husband?”
“You must promise not to become one of those ladies of society that I have avoided all of my adult life. I want the girl I married to retain her smile and laugh, to be intelligent and witty, to be kind and lovely.”
“Is that not the opposite of everything that I am supposed to be?”
“I want the cats of London to see why I rejected them.”
“May I dance with you too much?” She raised her brow and pursed her lips.
He chuckled. “I will demand it.”
“May I occasionally hold your hand in public?”
“Only if I may steal a kiss.”
“Oh, the scandal, sir!” She pretended horror.
“Will.” He corrected.
“My Will.” She declared.
“My Lizzy.” He lifted her chin and gently traced his tongue over her parted lips, then captured them for a slow deep kiss while caressing his other hand over her bottom, drawing her hips to his.
“ohhhhhhhh.” She moaned softly.
“Let me love you, darling.”
A footman on duty in the hallway startled with an unfamiliar sound. Catching up his branch of candles, he walked cautiously towards the master’s chambers and paused. His eyes widened as he realized what the sound of the steadily creaking bed meant, and hurried away, but not without a smile.
“I AM NOT sure of this Angus.” Sarah Douglass worriedly looked at her husband and he smiled as he guided her into the carriage.
He took his seat and seeing Marshall just leaving the inn, he turned to her. “Come, my dear, you are as anxious to meet your niece as I am, and after reading your brother’s extraordinary letter about Miss Darcy, well, I would think that you would like to meet the girl as well. I have always felt a great respect for Mr. Darcy, but seeing how he handled his sister’s fall, I admire him even more. It seems that Mrs. Darcy was indispensable in her recovery, and obviously won the heart of a good man in the process.”
“I just do not like coming unannounced like this.” She fretted and looked at him anxiously.
Mr. Douglass looked into the wide expressive eyes that had captured his heart and imagination so many years ago. “My dear, I have sent a note to Pemberley asking to see Mr. Darcy. It is not entirely unreasonable, the threshing should have just been completed, so he will know exactly the yield of his crops now, and since I happen to be in the area …”
“You are in the area by design, Angus.”
He laughed. “Indeed, but he does not know that.” Marshall climbed up into the coach, and Mr. Douglass patted her hand. “It will be fine.” She looked at him doubtfully.
“What will be fine?” Marshall asked.
“Visiting Pemberley today.”
“I heard that the Darcys have been home a fortnight. I suppose that they have likely been disturbed by many neighbours since the wedding. Isn’t it customary to give the couple a week to settle in before coming to call?”
Mr. Douglass smiled in triumph. “There, you see Sarah? Even our son knows that this is not improper.”
“Hmmm.” Sarah looked out the carriage window and worked to calm her nerves. This would be the first time in nearly a quarter century that she had seen any blood relative besides her own children. She would be lying if she professed that she was unaffected by the prospect. Her brother’s remarkable letter made her think that perhaps she could be of use to the Darcys. His regret in not welcoming her back into the family after their parent’s deaths was great, and she admitted that forgiveness for the continued banishment was not easily found. But that was a quarrel with her brother, not with her innocent niece. She resolved to be open and friendly, and she hoped to reconnect with the rest of the Bennets through her.
The Douglass’ travelled the thirty miles from their home to Lambton the day before. It had been a difficult journey, winter was closing in and the roads were snowy, causing both the horses and carriage wheels to slip on occasion, but they had arrived, tired and relieved, to sleep and present themselves to the owners of Pemberley.
“It is just as magnificent in winter as in summer, don’t you think?” They peered out the carriage windows at the view of the frosted mansion just before they began to descend into the valley below.
“I think that it is in some ways lovelier.” Sarah said. “It blends in even more perfectly now.” Slowly the carriage made its way down the drive, and finally came to rest before the steps. Alert footmen appeared and opened the doors to let them out, and guided them inside.
Mrs. Reynolds was waiting for them, and watched the staff efficiently take their things. “Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, we have been expecting you. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are waiting for you upstairs, if you will please follow me?” Mr. Douglass raised his brows at his wife. This was the first time he had been invited up to the public rooms of the house; all other visits had been conducted in the study or dining room. He held out his arm and they followed the housekeeper up the steps. Marshall made a studied attempt to keep his jaw from falling open at the grand interior. His father was wealthy, but it was nothing to this. He could feel the gravitas of the family permeating through every portrait, wall sconce, and carpet.
Arriving outside of the selected sitting room, Mrs. Reynolds knocked and hearing Darcy’s call, entered. “Mr. and Mrs. Angus Douglass and Mr. Marshall Douglass, sir.” She stepped back, then exited, closing the door behind her.
Darcy stepped forward. “Mr. Douglass, it was a most pleasant surprise to hear that you and your family were in the area. May I present my dear wife, Elizabeth Darcy, and my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.” He smiled down at Elizabeth who was holding his hand tightly and looking with fascination at the older woman whose features vaguely resembled her own. “Elizabeth, Georgiana, this is Mr. Angus Douglass, his wife, and their eldest son, Mr. Marshall Douglass.”
Elizabeth felt his fingers squeeze her hand and she startled from her occupation and laughed. “Forgive me; I believe that I was lost in a mirror.” She smiled and letting go of William’s hand she stepped forward. “Aunt Sarah?”
Sarah Douglass was similarly mesmerized with Elizabeth, and startled herself. “Oh, I … well, yes; I suppose that in fact I am … Niece.” She smiled and was surprised to be on the receiving end of a warm embrace. Suddenly the years of shame and guilt over her foolish behaviour were wiped away with that simple act of acceptance, and she began to cry. Elizabeth held her and cried as well, for the lost years, and for the harsh punishment that the woman had suffered. Holding her made her appreciation of William’s decisions for Georgiana’s future so much greater, and she felt her pride in him grow.
The men stood by looking at each other and unsure of what to do. Marshall was entirely confused, he had not been told of the relationship, but his eyes drifted to Georgiana, who was blushing while alternating her glances between him and her sister. Finally Darcy stepped up and touched Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Perhaps we should be seated my dear, or would you like to be alone with your aunt?”
Elizabeth drew away from Sarah and still holding her hand looked at her with a smile. “What would you like Aunt Sarah? Shall we ladies have a little talk? I daresay the men would prefer not to see any more tears.”
Sarah laughed, a warm bubbling laugh, which startled Darcy just as much as Elizabeth’s expressive eyes startled Mr. Douglass and Marshall.
“Yes, let us leave them to their own devices. I hear that my husband claims that they were to discuss crop yields today.”
“Ah yes, well, I admit that we were suspicious of his intent when the note arrived.” Elizabeth gave the fascinated man an oddly familiar smile. “Forgive me sir, but your ruse was seen through immediately.”
He laughed. “Well, Mrs. Darcy, it gained us entry didn’t it?”
Darcy took her hand and spoke. “It would not have been refused in the first place. Nonetheless, shall we go down to my
study and leave the ladies to their discussion?” Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s hand and smiled warmly at her and Georgiana; bowed to Sarah and led the way out the door. Marshall looked at the three women in wonder and then hurried to catch up, a million questions in his mind. They proceeded to the stairs, and Marshall found his voice.
“Is … is Miss Darcy recovered from her sadness of the summer, Mr. Darcy? She looked very well.” Marshall asked cautiously.
They arrived in the study and Darcy closed the door after them, indicating chairs by his desk. He did not answer until he took his seat. He looked at the young man carefully. He had not missed the behaviour of either of them and decided to follow through with the decision he and Elizabeth had made. “My sister is returning to herself. I wonder if you have heard the story of why she was so distressed?”
Marshall looked at his father who was nodding his head in affirmation. “No sir, I have not, but it seems my father has.”
“I have Son, and if Mr. Darcy decides to share the information with you, I want him to know that I understand the suffering that his sister has endured, and I support with great pride his decisions regarding the matter.”
“Thank you, sir. I imagine that you are a man who would understand much better than most, and I respect what you have done as well.”
Mr. Douglass nodded. “Go ahead, sir. I would rather he hear it from you than from the gossips.”
Darcy grimaced. “Ah do not even mention the gossips, they have done enough.” He then proceeded to lay out the basics of Georgiana’s ruin. He did not mention what happened in Hertfordshire, it was not pertinent to the story. He only said that the man at fault was no longer alive. Marshall listened, absorbing the information. He had not been able to forget Georgiana in all of the months since he last saw her. He was struck by her almost ethereal beauty, but also by the despair that he sensed about her.
“I share this information with you Douglass because, as you have probably realized by now, my wife is your mother’s niece. As a member of our extended family, I prefer that the truth be known to you. We have suffered quite grievously with those who took my sister’s story and chose to make it fodder for the gossip mills. I understand that your mother suffered a similar situation, and it gladdens my heart to see proof that my sister has the chance of a happy life.” He looked over to Mr. Douglass and nodded. “My sister has only very recently been removed from a painful situation, and she is still recovering from the incident. As you are now likely to be invited to Pemberley for more than business, I feel that you should be aware of the reasons behind her behaviour. I do not wish you to think poorly of her when you are in company if she … falters or withdraws.”
“It seems that she is in need of a friend.”
“She is, and that was how I met my wife. She was offering friendship to my sister at her moment of greatest need.”
Marshall thought over the overwhelming information and looked between the men. “Perhaps, when I am visiting, I might … talk with her?”
Darcy smiled. “Certainly, that would be welcome. I expect that you will occasionally call on Pemberley in accordance with the contracts that we have between ourselves, beyond any family event that we may be hosting.” He looked to Mr. Douglass who was nodding. “Sir, in that light, I would also like to take this opportunity to invite your family to Pemberley for a family dinner on New Year’s Eve and to stay the night. The entire Bennet family will be coming for Christmas, and I hope that your wife will wish to reunite with her brother and meet her other nieces. You will, of course, be welcome to stay longer if you all feel comfortable after the introductions.”
“Really sir? Well, I will need to consult my wife, but I would be very happy to accept your offer of hospitality.” He smiled at his son. “What do you think, Marshall?”
“I would like that, sir. Thank you.” Darcy nodded then pulling out some papers smiled. “Well, until our wives finish their talk, shall we speak of wheat, sir?” Laughing, Mr. Douglass pulled up his chair and leaned over the desk, and the talk turned to business.
GEORGIANA SAT quietly watching the two women fall into animated and easy conversation. To look at them they would appear to be acquaintances of a lifetime, not minutes. Sarah was aware of her family’s doings from her brother’s letters, and was most interested in learning about changes in Longbourn and Meryton. Elizabeth wished to hear of her other cousins, and where her aunt lived. When their combined curiosity had been sufficiently sated, Elizabeth took Georgiana’s hand and turned to her aunt.
“Aunt Sarah, my husband told me that you have been informed of what happened with my sister this summer. You should know that I have told her of you. She has come a long way from where she once was in her recovery, but recent incidents have set her back, despite her current appearance of cheer. I have tried the best that I can, but I admit that I hope you might lend her some advice, or be able to answer questions that I have no experience to aid me in replies. Would you be willing to counsel both of us?”
Sarah looked at Georgiana’s downcast eyes. “Of course I would be glad of it. You are not so very alone, there are many of us.” She patted her hand and met her surprised expression. “My dear, when a girl is ruined, the family has four options. Each carries its own burden. They can marry her off to the man who compromised her, they can marry her off to another man who is willing to accept her, they can send her away either permanently or until the confinement is over and the child abandoned, or they can keep her home and face the scorn of their society. I believe that your brother’s insistence that you remain at home was very brave, and proves his love for you is far greater than his concern over his status. You are very fortunate. I hope that you recognize the sacrifice he made for you.”
“I had not thought of it that way.” She whispered and looked to Elizabeth with wide eyes. “He has never spoken of it.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I think that your brother is actually grateful for it because his temporary fall gave him the ability to see me as worthy, instead of an impossible choice.”
“He is a very good man.” Sarah smiled. “Now, I am sure that you wonder what your future may hold?” Georgiana nodded. “You are young, you are very wealthy. I know that you have been the subject of scorn and derision, but I am sure that you are well aware that a family may inherit a title, but entailments prevent them from selling property to provide funds for the estate and lifestyle they must maintain. They must marry a woman with a dowry. You will not be scorned by such families as a possible bride.”
“But I want what William and Elizabeth have.”
“Ah then, I hope that you will find a man like my husband. He courted me when he was still an apprentice, and when it was over and he was free to marry, I told him of my past. He accepted it for what it was; a foolish mistake of youth; that I admitted was partly my fault. He still wanted me, and we have been married happily for three and twenty years.”
“Everyone in London knows what I did.” She said softly and looked down at her hands.
Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “No, I would say that everyone in London thinks they know, but have embellished it with their own version. Unfortunately, it will be very difficult to change that opinion, even with those families who would accept you for the dowry.”
“Well then, I suggest that you widen your prospects. Not every eligible man lives in London, and not all of them are peers.” Sarah smiled. “But you will not need to worry about such things for a few years yet.”
“No.” Georgiana bit her lip and looked between the ladies. “I thought that Mr. Douglass was quite handsome.” She blushed furiously and looked back down.
Elizabeth and Sarah smiled at each other, each lifting identical brows to matching dancing eyes. “I think he is quite handsome as well, Georgiana.” She looked at her aunt. “Would you like a tour of the house while we wait for the gentleman to finish their business?”
“I would indeed, Elizabeth.”
Chapter 35
“Let us see then …
” Elizabeth sat in Mrs. Reynolds’ office, looking over the menu for Christmas dinner. Mrs. Reynolds had not failed to appreciate the mistress coming into her domain, and the rest of the staff had noted it as well. Elizabeth wished to demonstrate that she was approachable. “Roast beef, venison, capon, goose …”
“Cook has some nice fat peacocks as well, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Oh, I hate to kill such a beautiful bird!”
“Noisy bird, if you ask me madam, no great sin to silence one or two.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, since I have not had much exposure to them, I will have to take your word for it.” She sighed. “What we are planning is quite beyond anything that I have ever experienced, and I thought that my mother always set an excellent table.” She smiled at her housekeeper, and then her eyes grew wide. “Oh, did I remember to give you the recipe for the Bennet family Christmas pie? Papa would be devastated if it was not on the table!”
“Yes madam; and I have located the Darcy family recipe for Christmas pudding.”
“Was it not made every year?”
“No, madam. Christmas was never really celebrated at all, other than attending services and a family meal. This recipe is from your husband’s grandmother. It was tucked away in an old cookery book.”
“This truly was a sad house.” Elizabeth watched the woman’s downcast eyes and pursed lips. “Mrs. Reynolds, how long have you been at Pemberley?”
“I have been here just over four and twenty years. My husband, bless his soul, was here when your husband’s parents married.”
“I have heard it was … difficult.”
“Mr. Darcy was a good man when he was younger. I understand that it was his wife who turned him into a very bitter and angry one.” Mrs. Reynolds’ eyes flashed. “Pardon me madam, I should not speak ill of the dead.”
“Did you know George Wickham?”
“A clever schemer that boy was!” She shook her head. “He worked his way around Mr. Darcy and used him, and hurt the young master!” Her eyes closed. “Pardon me again madam; I should not be speaking so plainly to you.”
