by Webb, Brenda
Why would anyone be stupid enough to engage my help in separating her from Fitzwilliam if she was not a serious threat? Could he actually have fallen in love with this woman?
Recalling an image of Elizabeth from the night of the party, her brows furrowed. From what she remembered of that lady, she was unable to see the attraction.
She is certainly no beauty, and according to Wickham’s source, she is a country nobody with nothing to recommend. Still, why would someone consider her such a threat as to write me? And what of her supposed trip to Ramsgate with Alfreda Wilkens? Did that not signify that she was practically engaged?
Downing the last sip of brandy, she threw the glass against the hearth as selfishness won the struggle for her conscience. If he does fancy himself in love with her, I shall see that it comes to nothing. I cannot be happy, then why should he?
Having too many unanswered questions regarding this Elizabeth Bennet, however, she rang for the butler before sitting down to draft a note to Grimsby. When he had returned from murdering Darcy’s solicitor, she had not had him killed as Lady Catherine ordered and Wickham believed. He was simply too valuable an ally. Thus she had sent him back to her estate in Derbyshire instead, knowing Wickham would likely not see him there. Grimsby had, however, mentioned that his grown son, Grady, would be joining him, and she needed someone she could trust implicitly to watch Darcy’s house and inform her of who came and went. She determined to ask Grimsby to send Grady to London to do just that.
Finishing with the missive, she walked over to the tray containing the bottle of brandy and more glasses. Pouring herself another two fingers, she raised it in a salute.
To you, my darling husband! To being miserable as long as I live!
~~~*~~~
Ashcroft Park
The gallery
Georgiana stood in front of the life-size portrait of Joseph Ashcroft, her head tilted back in order to view the entire figure of the man that she had come to admire after listening to her aunt’s tales. A dashing fellow, well over six feet tall with curly golden hair and dark brown eyes, she thought him exceedingly handsome, second only to her brother, if she had to say. His expression was almost sombre, until she focused on his eyes. There was no mistaking the twinkle in them, as though he were about to laugh aloud. Recalling her aunt’s story of how she had made faces behind the artist’s back so that he might lose his composure, she was beginning to chuckle when Audrey Ashcroft came around the nearest corner.
“Do you still find it amusing?”
“Yes, I never tire of seeing it. Uncle Joseph’s portrait is just like every other gentleman’s portrait until you notice the crinkling around his eyes and the mischievous sparkle therein. If only Brother had looked more like that when he sat for his portrait! As it is, he just looks older than he is and sad.
Audrey Ashcroft looked up at the portrait of the man she loved. A lump filled her throat as she took in his dear face and gazed once more into the eyes that she had adored.
“Yes,” she whispered roughly. “There is definitely a gleam there. And as for your brother, remember that he was faced with tremendous sorrow when his portrait was painted, as your mother was very ill. Besides, my Joseph was always more cheerful by nature than Fitzwilliam. Joseph very seldom—” Her voice caught and a single errant tear escaped. She could not finish the sentence.
In all the times she had visited Ashcroft Park, her aunt had never refused to recount her love story over again and visit the gallery. But now, mindful for the first time of how much seeing his portrait affected her, Georgiana began to apologise.
“Do not cry, Aunt Audrey. I am sorry that I have asked you to expose something that must still be very painful for you. I have been so selfish not to think of your feelings.”
Turning to grip her niece’s shoulders, she attempted to ease her worry. “Yes, it is painful, but you do not have to apologise. In truth, my memories are accompanied by pain, but I do not wish to forget anything about Joseph, so I endure what I must.” She brushed a tear from Georgiana’s face. “In the past, your inquisitiveness has forced me to face my sorrow, and I am stronger for it. I have learned that occasionally I just need to open my heart and embrace his loss once again.”
“I… I think I know what you are saying. For so long, I could not bear to think of Mother or Father, but now,” she took a ragged breath, “now I can remember them for a short while without feeling that I shall break down entirely.”
“Exactly. Our hearts heal as we learn to deal with our sorrows.”
“Do you know why I want to hear your love story over again? It is because it gives me hope that there will be such a man for me.”
Lady Ashcroft smiled lovingly. “Of course, there will be, child. When you are a good deal older, your brother and I shall see that you are introduced to the finest of men. I have no doubt that the man of your dreams shall walk right through the front door one day. You shall see!”
Georgiana’s eyes lit up. “Do you promise?”
“I promise.” Audrey Ashcroft was surprised when a moment later the smile left her niece’s face and she began to study her shoes.
Hesitantly, Georgiana asked, “Would it be impertinent of me to say that even I know that Lord Landingham cares for you? He is so kind and attentive. Do you not care for him a little?”
“Georgiana Darcy! Where did you ever get the idea—” Lady Ashcroft stopped. “No, I shall not dismiss you. You are correct in your observations, even if it is not polite to ask such personal questions unless someone has indicated your opinion is wanted.”
Wide-eyed, Georgiana looked chastised until her aunt smiled, making her courage rise. “But, Aunt, I care for him dearly, and though he is already my godfather, if he were my uncle—”
A hand came up, causing her to quiet. “Since you have brought up the subject, I shall answer. As much as I like him, I have no plans to change my life until you are older and married. I may not change even then.” She chuckled. “I am afraid that I am a creature of habit, having lived so long alone.”
“But, you changed your habits when you came to live with Brother and me.”
“Yes, yes I did.” Lady Ashcroft seemed to study that revelation for a moment. “But, changing residences is not like remarrying. I had everything I ever wanted in Joseph. In truth, I think he spoiled me for any other man.”
Georgiana took her aunt’s hand. “You deserve someone to love you who is here now.”
Tears filled her eyes at her niece’s concern. Smiling, she turned Georgiana in the direction of the grand staircase, and then slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I promise we shall talk about this again after you are married. Now, what say you to tea and biscuits and the story of Joseph’s hound getting locked in our bedroom closet one evening? We shall just have time for a short story tonight, since we must retire early in order to leave in the morning for Ramsgate.”
Georgiana giggled. “I never tire of hearing how old General started howling when he awakened in the middle of the night and scared you and Uncle so. It is too bad that he was nearly deaf and could not hear Uncle calling for him earlier.”
Mrs. Parker was in the kitchen when she heard the Mistress and her niece descending the grand staircase laughing heartily. She stopped to listen as it was so unique to hear merriment in the house. Ashcroft Park had enjoyed so little of it through the years that it always gave her pause whenever she heard it. And she was very aware of how she would miss the company and the laughter once they were off on their journey again. After a few seconds, she shook off her gloom and gathered the items for which she had come and walked out into the hallway to greet them. Audrey Ashcroft spotted her straightaway.
“We were looking for you, as we would like to know if you have any fresh biscuits that we might have with a cup of tea, Mrs. Parker.”
“I think we might have just the kind Miss Darcy loves—vanilla with almonds. And I just had Cook fix a fresh pot of tea. Would you like it served in the drawing room?”
“No, I think Georgiana and I would love to sit out on the terrace while it is still light. This is our last night here until we come back from Ramsgate, and I think it would be nice to watch the sunset.”
“Yes, madam,” the housekeeper replied. “If you want to go on out, I shall have a tray delivered in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Parker.”
With that, the duo turned and hurried down the hallway in the direction of the double doors leading out onto the terrace. As she watched them leave, she noted that they were chattering like two friends instead of aunt and niece.
Thank God for Miss Georgiana! That child has been so good for the Mistress’ spirits.
~~~*~~~
Darcy House
The Study
Both men carried on as they always had, Richard silently entertaining himself with a book on army manoeuvres as he waited for Darcy to go through his correspondence. Afterward, he knew they would discuss whatever was most important to Darcy, or as was often the case, most puzzling—which usually included Georgiana, Elizabeth, Gisela, Lady Catherine and the investigation by Lowell. Since eschewing the Earl of Matlock’s advice after he pushed for a wedding to Anne, William had no advisors other than himself and Landingham, and that gentleman was not in London right now.
However, as he turned another page in the boring tome, he was unaware that William had finished his correspondence and was now studying him. He had abstained from his usual glass of brandy in favour of a cup of hot tea with liberal honey, and it did not go unnoticed by his cousin.
“I am very pleased that you are not drinking so early, but why the change?”
Richard looked up. “I thought tea might help this dreadful cold I have been nursing for a week. At least Mother says it will make my head feel less like a bolt of muslin.” He chuckled and closed the book. “No doubt she just wants to convince me to drink less alcohol.” He stood and walked over to the window before taking another sip of the steaming liquid. “I do suppose tea has a good many benefits, though I doubt it will ever take the place of a stiff drink in getting my day started.”
“Perhaps it will be useful in preserving my stock of French brandy!”
“There you go again—always thinking of how to save money. One would think you a pauper to hear you complain.”
“‘If you do not waste, you will not want,’ Mother often said.”
“Aunt Anne was a wise woman. I will give you that. I miss her terribly.” Immediately he regretted his words, as they cast a pall over William’s features. “I am sorry. I should not have said that.”
William shook his head. “Do not apologise. You spoke from the heart.”
Trying to raise his spirits, Richard enquired. “Have you heard from the deserters heading to Ramsgate? Has Aunt Audrey and Georgiana arrived yet? And, most importantly have they met Miss Elizabeth?”
“Deserters?”
“Sorry, an unfortunate choice of words, owing to being in His Majesty’s service—but they are deserting us and the filthy air of London for the seaside.”
“Ah.” William smiled, nodding as he pulled something from his top desk drawer. “I received this first thing this morning.” He held up a letter. “Aunt Audrey says they have reached Ashcroft Park and will stay one day. She feels that they will not be too tired when they arrive in Ramsgate if they rest a day at her estate. So, no, they have not seen Elizabeth yet.”
“Odd that you would pay for her to send special messengers from every stop along the way and yet you begrudge me a bit of your brandy. Are you still sending six men along with the coach? That alone must cost you a fortune.”
“Money is no object when it comes to the safety of our aunt and Georgiana. They are my responsibility. Besides, Clark, who is the messenger, works for me exclusively and I can always hear from my sister no matter how far she may have travelled. As soon as he delivers one express, he gets a night’s rest and heads back to them with an answer. Then he serves as a footman until they need to send another express to me. At least in that way, Georgiana is assured that we are never too far apart to communicate effectively.”
“Do not start preaching, Cousin, I was just teasing. I understand completely. I should have known that they would stop at Ashcroft Park. That is truly a magnificent place, though much of the lure of visiting there was lost with Uncle Joseph’s death. I barely remember him, but I do recollect that he was a presence when he walked into a room. Bigger than life! The one thing I do recall clearly was that he used to take me riding when we visited.” He chuckled. “He insisted on sitting me right in front of him on this big brown stallion. It drove Mother mad.”
“I confess I do not remember him at all, as I was so young when he died, but I listened to Mother talk about him so often that I feel that I knew him. He was evidently a good man and quite jovial if you go by those that knew him.”
Richard was nodding as he drained his cup of tea. “That is true! I only wish Aunt Audrey had not held onto his memory so tightly that she never made room in her heart for another. I truly believe Lord Landingham would marry her at once if she would only agree and he would be good for her.”
William stood and stretched, then went to the side table to pour himself a cup of tea. “Landingham is a good man, and I agree with your assessment. However, we all must do what we feel is right for us, Richard. She must have loved Joseph Ashcroft dearly not to have married again.”
Richard studied his cousin soberly. “I can see where you would think her wise. I just imagine that had you married Elizabeth instead of Gisela and, God forbid, she died, you would never replace her.”
The cup in his hand stopped halfway to his lips, and William stared into space as though he were contemplating that very thing. Finally, he set the cup down without taking a drink; his voice was barely audible as he replied. “I… I could never have imagined finding such a woman as Elizabeth and still cannot envision having her as my own. But should that dream ever be fulfilled, I know she could never be replaced in my heart. It would be ridiculous to ever try.”
“Not even for an heir?”
William looked at him with an expression of resolve. “Not even for an heir. Why else would I have spurned Gisela these last two years? Georgiana can inherit Pemberley if I never have a son.”
Richard walked over to put a comforting hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Just as I said—you, of all people, would understand Aunt Audrey. Now, I think we should put off talking of such sad circumstances and discuss this business with Lowell. Have you heard anything yet from his examination? I worry what Aunt Catherine will do if she learns that he is snooping around the mills.”
“Not a word since I received the note saying that he had set out for Wexford. I confess that I am beginning to worry.”
Richard made his way back to the chair in front of Darcy’s desk, taking his seat and stretching his long legs out in front of him before he responded. “Why is that? I did not think he was supposed to contact you that often.”
“We agreed that he would inform me when he had finished at Wexford and was moving on to Stafford. I should think he would have done so by now and written to let me know.”
“I would not worry as yet, Darcy. Give him a few more days. If you have not heard by Friday, send me word and I will have some of my cohorts in that part of the country check on his whereabouts. You have to remember that travel in that part of the country is treacherous at best. The roads are nearly impassable especially when it rains and I have seen reports at headquarters of a lot of rain in that area.”
William nodded, his spirits beginning to lift at the reminder of why Mr. Lowell might not have corresponded lately. “Perhaps I am borrowing trouble for, as you say, I have gotten reports from Pemberley of unusual amounts of rain and the mills are north of there. The post coaches could be behind schedule too.”
Richard rallied to see William’s countenance brighten. “Let us do something to take your mind off all this? What do you fancy?”
“You mean to see if you can still best me?” Richard stood and bowed low with a sweep of his arm towards the door. “Why not? If you are still the only man in England who can defeat me, I shall not be too embarrassed. After all, your records at Cambridge have never been surpassed!”
William laughed loudly, proclaiming, “So you say! I doubt anyone would tell me if they had.”
“Not to fear, Cousin! Were I to hear of it, I would be the first to inform you!”
They had reached the hall and William halted, studying Richard with a wry smile. “And why is that, might I ask?”
“So as to keep your ego at bay! Do you know how many times you have bested me in the last year alone?”
“My ego!” William protested. “Why I will have you know…”
As they moved in the direction of the ballroom where they always fenced, each had an arm around the other’s shoulder. Hearing their easy banter, Mr. Barnes had taken note of the direction they were headed and smiled. If he hurried, he could convince a few of the newer servants to wager a few farthings on the outcome of the match.
He had never lost a bet, as he always chose first and took the Master’s side. Colonel Fitzwilliam was an accomplished swordsman, but Mr. Darcy was in every way his superior. Up ahead he caught sight of the new footman.
