“And neither shall you,” said Darcy stroking his wife’s abdomen gently. “Love and duty you see, Elizabeth, we will raise one child through love, another through duty, but the treatment and the outcome shall be the same, none shall know the difference.”
Elizabeth was tired and could not find the strength to raise any argument to her husband’s points. She felt neither playful nor angry but stayed in that most distressing of states, indifference. Her own condition meant she grew fatigued easily and it was in both her mind and Darcy’s that the decision they had made was to have a lasting and dramatic effect on all their lives.
And so it came about that Lydia arrived and was soon after visited by the physician, though great lengths were gone to to ensure that this fact remained concealed.Always, in the back of her mind, Elizabeth puzzled over the identity of Wickham’s collaborator. But the subject was not raised by her or Darcy, even Jane did not refer again to it and Lydia, who perhaps could not bear the insult of recalling it, showed no inclination to do so.To speak of the matter may serve as an incantation, the mention of Wickham’s name may conjure him up from invisibility. It was not wanted by any of them to have him back again and all preferred to mislead themselves in the belief of his nonexistence. Besides which, the matters requiring immediate attention provided ample distraction. It was a thankful discovery that the sisters’ confinements seemed to coincide in progress, though the physician stated that there was no guarantee that delivery would take place concurrently. “The child determines these things itself,” he declared.“But I would say we do not have long to wait, five weeks short of a score should do it.”
Darcy shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you again, Mr. Drummond, I know I can be assured of your confidentiality.”
The old man nodded.“Glad to help in any way I can, my boy, I attended your mother when she brought you and your sister into the world.This is the natural sort of progression a surgeon relishes.”
Darcy smiled; the old man’s almost paternal affection did not go unnoticed. Looking fondly at Darcy again he said, “I shall arrange for Mrs. Quinn as nurse when the time is near. Good day to you, sir.”
The announcement was made, resulting in heightened feelings of one sort or another in the house.
Georgiana was thrilled. Caroline Bingley feigned goodwill but spoke privately to Lady Catherine. “I would not insult you, ma’am, by offering congratulations or claiming any personal delight at the news.”
Lady Catherine nodded gravely.“I appreciate your candor Miss Bingley, I do not take kindly to falsehood, this is vexing but inevitable news, this is how the strain is weakened. It heralds the destruction of all that is right and proper, to think I should witness in my lifetime the mingling of such very different bloodlines, it lays a disquiet deep within.”
Caroline smiled sympathetically. “And you must endure the indignity of suffering everyone else’s misplaced pleasure while Anne is so unwell.”
“Indeed you are right,” said Lady Catherine, “it is unfortunate that we cannot leave and get away from all this tiresome celebration, but Anne’s well-being is my priority, I shall bear it as best I can until she improves.” She added viciously, “Though I do not know that I shall be able to tolerate too much of this other sister who is just arrived, I know of her, of course, but then who does not?”
“I believe she is unwell, your ladyship, the physician visited her last evening after seeing Eliza, though I do not know what it is that ails her.”
Lady Catherine seized the opportunity to voice her dislike of the Bennets once more.“The same thing that infects the rest of the wretched family, rampant disregard for their superiors and ill-manners of every kind, the most severe of diseases. I am only thankful it is not contagious outside their own susceptibility.” She sat back and lifted her head in order to view the grounds out of the window, looking down her nose she narrowed her eyes and said, “Dear Pemberley, such sullied activities are an insult to its elegance, that such scandals and impropriety should take place within its distinguished architecture is a disgrace.”
Lady Catherine was kept occupied, if not amused, by the latest revelations, and on finding Elizabeth alone in the grounds one day made to join her and take a turn on the lawn. She commented first on the fact that she could only walk in shade, going on to mention how the sun should be avoided at all costs.
“For it is most unbecoming to see a woman’s face made brown by over-exposure.” She eyed Elizabeth archly. “The ladies of our family have all had exceptionally delicate complexions, made all the more pleasing by abstaining from the elements.”
Elizabeth detected Lady Catherine’s disapproval of the high color that overspread her own features. Embarrassment, her unrelenting love of the outdoors, and a recent tendency to feel flustered all, in equal part, had caused the bloom in her cheeks. To defend herself she could manage no more than a few words.
“I dearly like a walk in the sun, but I choose shade now, I have more than my own well-being to consider,” said she.
This was too much for Lady Catherine.“Expect no felicitations on my part, your condition will be greeted with despair by our family and while I cannot change the situation, do not think me accepting of it.”
“Your feelings and considerations are of little consequence to me, Lady Catherine, you must know me well enough to realize that. As for your family, it is now my own and contrary to your expectations and wishes, I believe my news will be greeted most kindly.”
Lady Catherine angered quickly.“Should my nephew hear you speak to me in this manner he would be most perplexed, you are devoid of manners, young lady.”
“If my husband heard you speak to me thus he would be equally perplexed for you appear to be as lacking in social graces as you deem me to be.”
Lady Catherine quickened her pace as Elizabeth made to walk away, she called out harshly, “Hear me out, you discourteous creature. I have said before that you mean to ruin him, and it seems you shall.This child, your offspring, will dilute the history of which our family is proud.That weak progeny of your kind should spring from such admirable origins as our own is quite detestable.”
Elizabeth stopped and turned abruptly to face her tormentor. “Lady Catherine,” she said,“if those are your rules then in making such judgments you surely lay censure at your own late husband’s feet. Anne is, and always has been, a sickly girl, I dare not suggest that you take responsibility for this inadequate inheritance, therefore I must ask, did you marry beneath you, ma’am?”
Lady Catherine stared at Elizabeth; her tone was harsh with incredulity. “How dare you speak ill of my husband, if you knew your history better, if you had taken the time to research the family you have had the good fortune to secure yourself in you would know that Sir Lewis de Bourgh was a respected man. He was well-connected in every conceivable way. My daughter’s physical fragility is not a sign of ill breeding, contrary to your insulting suggestion, it is a sure indication of the purity of her lineage.”
Elizabeth smiled. “It is a confusing game that you engage in, Lady Catherine, I cannot understand the rules, on the one hand frailty and weakness are the result of poor breeding, on the other a sign of nobility. I have discussed with you before the equality of my marriage to your nephew. Surely I need not elaborate upon it, only to say that these connections you speak so highly of are now my connections, whether you like it or not, but at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I made those connections because of love, not duty nor the happy chance of a fortunate birthright. I doubt you have known love in the way I do, and I am sure you never will and I pity you for it.You can dislike me all you wish, your ladyship, but you will not break me.” Elizabeth walked away quickly. Her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest and the feeling threatened to overcome her. She did not desire altercations with Lady Catherine, but she was too forthright to stand by and hear her without reasonable defense. She knew she should not allow herself to become so impassioned, so furious, but felt unequal to the task of contr
olling the vehemence of her feelings.
CHAPTER 15
“Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable, that one false step involves her in endless ruin, that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful, and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behavior towards the undeserving of the other sex.”
From the time of her arrival Lydia had kept to her bed, the travel having taken what little energy she had, she was oblivious to the startling array of feelings that pervaded Pemberley. In her new state of womanhood, she seemed more childlike than ever. Her Aunt Gardiner took charge of her care and, as was the woman’s manner, proved to be discretion itself. Elizabeth concealed her own misgivings about Lady Catherine when she visited her sister.
“You are comfortable, Lydia?”
Lydia nodded and huffed impatiently. “To think how I’ve longed to be back at Pemberley and now here I am, and I cannot enjoy any of the fun.”
Elizabeth shook her head.“You must bear it as best you can, we must be adults about this, besides there are no balls or special occasions, this must be a time for rest, for both of us.”
Lydia groaned. “You sound like Mary. Where is Mary? You would think she could see me, her own sister, she spends all her time with Anne de Bourgh and never thinks of her family.”
Elizabeth smiled.“Come now, Lydia, you never actively sought Mary’s companionship before, petty jealousy is not reason enough to seek it now, you will have to make do with me. Besides we have a secret and must keep it so.”
“Do you not trust me to keep quiet, Lizzy?”
“I must trust you, Lydia, I have little choice, but I would have you admit that you have been guilty in the past of revealing confidences when you should not.You must not berate me for fearing you may do so again.”
“I shall not expose myself,” Lydia exclaimed.“I do not want the truth known, I do not want to know it myself, I want the business done with and finished so I can have a chance at life again, I have had a dreadful time, it simply is not fair.”
“Then I shall rely on your silence,” said Elizabeth.
“Yes do, I can do no more than have this child and hand it to you for a chance in life, it is a great sacrifice, Lizzy, I hope you know that.”
“Oh Lydia, believe me, I know of sacrifice,” said Elizabeth sadly.
Elizabeth, as ever, was astonished by her sister’s apparent lack of proper feeling.That she could be so cold about the most serious of matters and so impassioned by frivolity was a mystery to her.
“My sister thinks little of the child,” she said to Darcy when they were alone together again.
“She is but one herself, there is your explanation,” said he with gravity.
“But it pains me to hear her indifference.”
“I say be gladdened by it.Would you prefer that her heart break when she abandons her own baby? No Elizabeth, that would be more than you could stand, her immaturity is preferable, she will recover quickly and seek the pleasures in life with scant thought for her son or daughter.We have that as reassurance, my love.”
“And little else,” said Elizabeth with conviction.
“You do not regret our decision?”
Elizabeth thought for a while.“I cannot regret doing what is right, and I shall do so without resentment, but I wish it had been different, I wish there was not this repeated need for you to rescue my family.”
Darcy looked at his wife, his eyes fixed upon hers, the resonance of his voice stirred her emotions. “You have been my salvation, Elizabeth,” he said,“therefore I shall stand by you or rescue you or your family whenever the need is there.”
“But I did not save you from anything so desperate,” she protested.
“Ah, but pride creates distance and distance in turn causes loneliness which breeds its own desperation.” He looked directly at Elizabeth. “You showed me the possibility of experiencing proper feeling, you reminded me that I was set out in life to be a gentleman above all else and you proved to me, when no other could, that I had failed. I will not fail again and I will not fail you.”
Elizabeth put her head in her hands, her emotions soaring from deep within, her husband’s strength and power humbled her almost to tears, but she lifted her head and with eyes just moistened she looked at him and knew that between them all the wrongs in the world could be made right no matter how often others might attempt to put them asunder.
CHAPTER 16
“But the wife of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation, that she could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine.”
Mr. Bennet had always accepted that he must endure his wife’s rantings, and when they first had Darcy and Elizabeth’s announcement she flew about the place in a state of euphoria.
“You see, Mr. Bennet,” she said boastfully, “this is all working out just as I planned, indeed it is better. Oh, that is just like Lizzy to be sly and keep her news a secret. But there we are, her confinement is most convenient for Lydia.”
Mr. Bennet looked at his wife over the rim of his spectacles.“I am glad to know you greet Lizzy’s news with such heartfelt affection.”
“Mr. Bennet, if I was in the habit of letting my emotions run away with me I do not know what would have become of us all. Someone has to keep a level head you know!You should be thankful I am not given to silly outbursts like some women,” she said firmly and with a change of expression she went on, “but listen to me! Of course I am delighted, to think we should have grandchildren born of such status, it will be Jane next you know, now there will be a child set for great things.”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “Indeed, Mrs. Bennet, I am sure you are right, and what design do you have for Jane’s infant, shall you begin by choosing the crib or the style of its bonnets before we have the necessary confirmation, or do we rely on your well-tuned instincts to predict yet another child’s arrival?”
Mrs. Bennet was at once affronted by her husband’s remark. “Oh, Mr. Bennet,” she reprimanded, “you would have everyone believe me simple and meddlesome, I know you would, you mistake my meaning. I merely behave with the intuitive nature of any good mother or grandmother for that matter, I am only suggesting that Jane will follow Lizzy shortly, it is the way of things.”
Mr. Bennet nodded.“I see, Mrs. Bennet, you would have it that no woman in the family is safe if conception be so contagious, perhaps you might call a physician to your own bedside for reassurance.”
Mrs. Bennet gave her husband a look of exasperation. “You think it highly amusing that I demonstrate a natural care and understanding toward my daughters.”
“Oh, I would not mock you for that, Mrs. Bennet, it is good news,” said her husband, “but dare I suggest your maternal concerns might include Kitty? The child is not herself you know, I do believe she feels peeved that no scandals surround her.”
Mrs. Bennet looked at her husband expectantly.“And what am I to do, shall I suggest she find some trouble or other? No indeed, she is only vexed that she misses out on Pemberley, she has the idea that it is all lightness and entertainment there. No! I am afraid she will just have to bear it. Besides, I need someone here to steady my nerves, you have not the first idea what anxiety all this has caused me,” she said with exasperation and then, her mood lifting suddenly, she exclaimed,“oh! I must tell you, Mr. Collins is eager to be considered as a suitable clergyman for the baptism. I have told him to write to Lizzy directly if he is serious about the position before she has the opportunity of appointing an alternative.”
“Mr. Collins, eh? He shows himself quite readily at the slightest scent of dilemma, he has quite a talent for it.”
“Mr. Bennet! Our Mr. Collins is a decent man; it has not been easy for him or for Charlotte. Much as I resented the way she took him right from under Lizzy’s nose, it is past, why should they not be given another chance? A baptism of such note would be just the thing to re
establish his position within the church.”
“You are all kindness, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Indeed I am, often to my own detriment, but there it is.”
No sooner had Mr. Collins had the notion that he may have the chance of baptizing the Darcy heir than he began to regale his father-in-law with the marvelous possibilities this represented.
“You understand, Sir William,” said he,“the great import of my securing such a position, and I flatter myself that I stand a substantially good chance of being selected as the appropriate clergyman due to my potent connections with the family.”
Sir William Lucas looked bemused but nodded.
Mr. Darcy's Decision: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Page 11
