by Webb, Brenda
Her thoughts were cut short by the sudden halt of the vehicle and the opening of the door by a colourfully dressed footman. As he reached to hand her out, she nodded and offered a polite thank you. Peering up as the front door flew open she relaxed to see the servants who had been at Pemberley the longest step out on the portico to greet her. Mrs. Reynolds had been with the Darcys since Fitzwilliam was in knee pants, and Mr. Walker had been hired not long after. Their presence was comforting. Nothing too dreadful could be amiss if they were on watch.
As she ascended the steps, the housekeeper declared, “How good to have you back, Lady Ashcroft!”
“It is good to be back!” she answered truthfully.
As they continued into the foyer, the white-haired butler took her cape, bonnet and gloves while Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed animatedly, “Mr. Walker and I wish you joy and felicitations on your upcoming marriage. We have always thought very highly of Lord Landingham.”
“Thank you. I think highly of him myself.”
Everyone shared a laugh as Audrey began to look around as though expecting some of the family to greet her.
“Where is everyone?”
Mrs. Reynolds’ smile waned. “Mr. Darcy has been gone several days, Miss Darcy is having her music lesson as we speak and Mrs. Darcy…” Audrey thought she heard the housekeeper sigh as her voice trailed off.
“Mrs. Darcy?”
“I do not know exactly where she is at the moment. She was in the rose garden earlier, but when I checked a few minutes ago, I could not find her. I have learned not to get overly concerned, as she loves to walk and often takes the path around the lake with the slightest impulse.”
“She is alone?”
“Mr. Darcy has commissioned several footmen to follow her whenever she leaves the house, so she is never alone.” Lowering her eyes the housekeeper added, “We were not expecting you, or I am sure she would not have walked out.”
At that point, Audrey was certain that her new niece had not informed the rest of the family or the servants that she had asked her to come early. She was equally convinced that Mrs. Reynolds was not at all unconcerned.
“Then let us keep my presence here a surprise for a little while longer, shall we? When do you expect Mr. Darcy to return?”
Butler and housekeeper exchanged anxious glances before Mrs. Reynolds answered. “At present we have no idea. From the note he sent to Mrs. Darcy, he was about to commission the rebuilding of a bridge that was near collapse, when another storm came through and finished the destruction. That bridge was in the far northwest corner of the estate where the river divides the property.”
Audrey’s eyebrows rose at this information. “And how long has my nephew been resolving estate matters?”
“A little over a week now. He spent three days settling tenant disputes from dawn to dark and then made the trip to assess the bridge. After the collapse, he has not returned.”
“I see,” Audrey murmured quietly.
Mrs. Reynolds clarified further. “Mr. Darcy explained that though it would be possible for him to return via a circuitous route, it would add twenty miles of rough road to the normal five. Thus, he decided not to come home each night but to stay and get it done sooner. Mr. Pickering, the new steward, is in residence. If you would like, I can send for him, as he is more knowledgeable of the problems the Master is facing in rebuilding the bridge.”
Already woodenly walking towards the hallway that led to the back entrance, Audrey’s mind was racing with the significance of all she had learned. Finally, she remembered the servants and turned to address them.
“I shall greet Elizabeth first, and then I will speak to Pickering. See that he is waiting for me in the yellow drawing room when I return. Lastly, I shall greet Georgiana. Would you make sure that her music master knows that I wish for him to keep her occupied until I send word?”
“Of course.”
Mrs. Reynolds followed Lady Ashcroft’s progress until she was completely out of sight, then she turned to Walker. “You had better hurry if you are going to catch the music master before he concludes the lesson for today.”
As she watched Walker dash towards the music room, the long-time servant felt the stirrings of hope for the first time in days.
Apparently I was right. The letter that Mrs. Darcy posted was a plea for help. Everything was so lovely before Miss Georgiana returned to Pemberley. I pray that the Master’s aunt can make it so again.
With those words, she glanced to the tall clock standing against the wall. Seeing that it was nearing the noon hour, she began to make plans.
I shall have Cook prepare a fresh pot of tea and a tray with bread, meat and cheese. Mrs. Darcy has barely consumed anything the last three days, and if she continues this pattern, she will be sick. Besides, I could use some chamomile tea to soothe my nerves too.
~~~*~~~
Just as Abby Reynolds had said, Elizabeth was not to be found in the gardens, thus Lady Ashcroft began to walk the gravel path circling the lake. One section, which turned back towards the house on the far side, meandered into the edge of the woods. It was at the beginning of these woods that she found a footman sitting on a large boulder, waiting patiently.
“Good day, Mr. Wheatly,” Audrey said softly as the elderly footman stood. “I assume Mrs. Darcy is nearby.” He raised his brows and tipped his head in the direction of the trees.
Silently following his line of vision, she spied Elizabeth sitting on a wooden bench near the path. Nodding her thanks to the servant, Audrey entered the tree shaded haven and stealthily moved towards her niece. Because she was focused on a book in her hands, Elizabeth seemed not to notice her.
“Elizabeth?”
Dark eyes flashed with surprise and then relief. Instantly Elizabeth was on her feet, placing the book on the bench and launching herself into her aunt’s arms. She did not make a sound, but it was evident from the way she shook that she was crying. Lady Ashcroft rocked the younger woman back and forth.
“There, there, my darling niece. All will be well. All will be well.”
Elizabeth stepped back, hurriedly drying her face with the backs of her hands. “Forgive me. I did not mean to cry. Grown women should not cry at every little thing. In truth, I have no idea why I am so prone to tears with the least provocation these days.”
Audrey pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and held it out to Elizabeth. She took it gratefully, dabbing at her eyes.
“Please do not apologise. And do not let anyone tell you that grown women do cry! Now and again it helps to let our emotions out. Now, tell me what has happened to make you so unhappy? Has my nephew been unkind?”
“Oh no, Fitzwilliam could never do anything unkind!” Elizabeth began to sniffle anew. “It is my fault! I have ruined everything!”
“I do not believe that for a minute.”Audrey patted her hand. “Now, my presence at Pemberley cannot be a secret for long, so tell me, what has Georgiana done?”
Elizabeth looked incredulous. “How—”
“Georgiana is the reason for your letter, is she not?”
Elizabeth’s face crumpled. “I love my sister dearly, but I am finding it difficult to please her as well as Fitzwilliam.”
“I understand.”
“It started so innocently. I wish for us to be close, so when she began asking me to do certain things with her, I admit to being pleased.”
“But, of course, she wanted you to do them with her alone, not including Fitzwilliam.”
Elizabeth’s eyes went wide at her aunt’s effortless comprehension. “She insisted that I come alone to her room at night, just to chat before she went to sleep. But each night the conversations got longer and—”
“And meanwhile your husband was patiently waiting for you to return to him.”
“Yes, you see, before Georgiana came home, we would dine early and then enjoy a quiet time in the library.” Teary eyes smiled at the remembrance. “Fitzwilliam enjoys reading, and I love to listen to him.”
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“Yes, he does have a marvelous voice,” Audrey smiled. “So your evenings were altered with my niece’s return?”
“Yes, and of a morning, he and I would break our fast and then spend the majority of the day exploring Pemberley.” Her voice brightened. “Fitzwilliam talked me into riding with him on Zeus, so Mrs. Reynolds would pack a picnic and off we would go. I could never have dreamed of the beautiful vistas reachable only via horseback. We swam, fished, hiked and even went shopping in Lambton.” She sighed longingly. “I love the fudge at the confectionery shop and Fitzwilliam indulges me. Late afternoons would find us in the gardens or the library if it rained.”
“Let me guess. Georgiana wanted you to break your fast in her sitting room, just the two of you, and then she suggested that you practice the pianoforte or walk or shop in Lambton without her brother.”
“How did you know?”
“I know my niece well. Because of her upbringing she can be quite needy if that impulse is not curbed. When I became her companion, she demanded my undivided attention. She became jealous if I spent any time with Fitzwilliam. Unfortunately, it seems she has repeated this behaviour with you.”
“While I cannot be with her constantly, I do not wish for her to think I have no time for her.”
“Of course, you do not,” Audrey said understandingly. “However, your concern for her has made you the victim of the green-eyed monster. Georgiana wants your company for herself, while Fitzwilliam must feel lost that she has gained so much of it.”
“I did not mean to.”
“I know. And believe me when I say that Fitzwilliam knows this too. He comprehends full well that you need time to establish a relationship with Georgiana, and the guilt of wanting to keep you all to himself must be tremendous.”
Elizabeth wrung her hands. “A few days ago it became unbearable! I missed Fitzwilliam so dearly! That was when I realised that I have been trying to please my sister to the detriment of my husband. I explained to Georgiana that I no longer wanted to do things without Fitzwilliam, at least not consistently. I also explained that, on occasion, Fitzwilliam and I would like time alone. In fact, I sent for her music and French masters to resume her lessons to keep her occupied part of the day.”
“Elizabeth, you have handled the situation admirably—exactly as I would have advised. But, tell me, how did Georgiana react?”
“Not well, at first. Initially she pouted. That lasted for about a day, though now she seems to have forgotten the entire episode. However, by the time I realised that I had created a monster by catering to Georgiana, Fitzwilliam had found other things to occupy his time.” Her face crumpled. “I am mortified to speak so bluntly, but before Georgiana came home we made love often. Yet this morning marks the seventh day since…”
She was unable to finish, and Audrey used two fingers to lift her chin so their eyes locked. “Tell me about his new preoccupation.”
“He began to handle the estate issues that had been neglected while he was in London. I understand that that is his duty, truly I do. It is just that the tenant disputes seemed to take all his time. He would not return until long after I was asleep, and he began sleeping in his bed alone. According to his valet, he did not wish to disturb me. Since he left in the dark of early morning, I had no chance to speak with him then either. I kept thinking that all this madness would end and our lives would return as they were before. In hindsight, I should have written him a note and asked him to awaken me when he got home.”
“Unfortunately, hindsight is always clearer.”
“Now, with the bridge, I have no idea when I shall see him again.” She stared at the lake peeking through the trees in the distance. “My greatest fear is that our first weeks of marriage were an anomaly—something only starry-eyed lovers experience. What if now, given the choice, he would just as soon do his duty as spend time with me?”
“You know that cannot be true. By your own admission, he was a passionate lover before Georgiana came home. I think that when you became preoccupied with Georgiana, he sought an outlet to suppress his desires. That outlet was the estate.”
“If he felt neglected or missed me as much as I missed him, why would he not just say so—or at least try to gain my attention again?”
“Men are strange creatures, Elizabeth. Perhaps he worried that since you had so easily been swayed by Georgiana, you were not as, shall we say, enthusiastic about marital relations as he was.”
“But I was enthusiastic,” Elizabeth offered without thinking. “Could he not just ask if he had any doubts?”
“You will learn that something in a man’s nature will not allow him to dwell on that possibility. To learn that it is so would destroy him, thus he keeps those fears to himself. Now, may I ask another personal question?”
“You may ask me anything.”
“I was wondering if you have had your courses since you and Fitzwilliam married.”
Elizabeth’s brows knit as she concentrated. “I have not thought about it, but they should have begun about the time Georgiana returned. That was two weeks ago.”
“I see,” Lady Ashcroft said, smiling perceptively. That explains the urge to cry so readily.
Elizabeth looked a little dazed. “Is it possible that I—could I be with child so soon?”
“It only takes one time, my dear, and from your description of your husband’s devotion, one time would not accurately describe it.”
Elizabeth could not help but smile, though she blushed furiously. Audrey slipped an arm around her shoulder. “Let us start back to the house, and I shall explain how we are going to resolve all your worries.”
“Let me fetch my book,” Elizabeth said rushing back to the bench. “I would not want to lose it. It was Fitzwilliam’s first gift.”
Taking her place alongside her aunt, they headed in the direction of the manor house. And as they walked, her aunt laid out her plans.
“First of all, Georgiana shall accompany me to Westcott Manor this evening. She shall reside there with me until my wedding. It shall be just as easy for her masters to meet with her there as here. When she is idle, I shall let her help me with the preparations, which should make her happy. She loves to feel that she is in charge of everything.”
Both ladies laughed.
“Afterwards…”
~~~*~~~
Just before dusk
William let go a sigh of relief and allowed Zeus to slow as soon as Pemberley came into sight. Since receiving the note from his aunt requesting that he come immediately, he had ridden the stallion at a full gallop much of the way. Fearing something had happened to Elizabeth or Georgiana, by the time he reached his home, his stomach was in revolt and, as he slid from the saddle, he prayed that he would not lose what little he had eaten.
His thoughts thus occupied, he happened to pull back on the reins a little too forcefully, causing the horse to rear after he halted. Instantly, the head footman, Mr. Douglas, hurried to take the stressed animal.
“Good evening, Mr. Darcy, sir,” Douglas exclaimed breathlessly as he held onto the reins of the skittish animal. “It is good to have you home.”
Absorbed with learning the reason he had been summoned, William only nodded, rushing past the old servant and up the steps without a word. And as the front door opened and his master disappeared inside, the man’s brows raised curiously. “Mr. Darcy must have something on his mind; he is normally more sociable.”
The younger footman seemed unconcerned to have been overlooked. “He is likely just tired.” Taking the reins from the older man, he ran a hand down Zeus’ damp chest. “I had better get this chap to the barn. He needs a rub down and some oats and I shall instruct one of the grooms accordingly.”
Douglas laughed. “If you wish to handle him, I shall gladly defer. That horse has more fire in his belly when he is worn-out than most do when they are rested!”
~~~*~~~
Striding purposefully into the foyer, William was not surprised to see Mr. Walker
coming towards him. The butler began to take his hat, coat and gloves.
“Good evening, sir. Welcome home.”
The butler’s serene attitude seemed out of place, and William looked about in disbelief. Why was his aunt not rushing to explain the urgent need for his presence?
“My aunt summoned me. Where is she?”
The voice of Lady Ashcroft came from somewhere behind. “I am right here, Fitzwilliam!”
Turning, he watched her float towards him in her usual elegant manner, seemingly unperturbed. Her steps were unhurried, and she had a slight smile on her face. When she reached him, she placed a kiss on his cheek.
He was thoroughly perplexed. “You do not look troubled in the least. Have I taken your missive more seriously than I should?”
“If you took it seriously, it served my purpose, Fitzwilliam. Now, if you will follow me, we must talk.”
At the new gravity in her voice, his heart jumped into his throat again. “Please tell me now. Has something happened to Elizabeth or Georgiana?”
“Neither one is ill or injured, but if you will be so kind as to come with me, I shall explain why I sent for you.” With those words, she turned and went in the direction of the parlour.
Letting go of the breath he had been holding, William’s colour returned and he glanced skyward. Thank you, Lord! Then he hurried to follow his aunt.
Once the parlour door was shut, he began to get a bit irritable because he was exhausted. “If they are both well, why the urgency in your message? From what you wrote, I thought the worst.”
“Just because neither of them are ill or injured, does not mean all is well, Nephew. Do you not wonder why I am here today instead of next week as planned?”
With all that had occupied his thoughts of late, William had completely forgotten when she was to return. At his look of complete confusion, Audrey Ashcroft’s face softened. Smiling, she went to him and cupped his face with both hands.
