by Wells, Linda
“Do not for a moment believe that you are free from reproach because you are not bleeding out over this fine carpet right now. I promise you, I will serve as your personal judge and jury for the remainder of your days.”
“I told you that I mean to dedicate those days to my family.”
“If you had any other plan in mind I would have set you straight.” Richard stood when there was a cautious knock on the door.
“Harding, the post has come, would you like it?” Susan asked, and both men heard the trepidation in her voice.
Judge Darcy struggled to his feet and swearing under his breath, Richard pulled him up roughly and sent him to the chair behind his desk. Then retreating to a neutral corner, he nodded.
“Come in, dear.” He said in a slightly strangled voice and cleared his throat.
“Is everything well?” Susan looked between them worriedly.
“Of course, I was complaining of my dear family.” Richard smiled. “After all, it was hearing of their antics that drove me north.”
“I know that they can be a trial at times, but you should be glad for the family you have.” Visibly relieved she smiled, and placing the letters on the desk, she went to hug him. “You are just another of my boys Richard. If you need to escape your family every so often, you are always welcome to visit ours.” She patted his cheek. “I know how much Harding cares for you. Just as he does Fitzwilliam.” The two men’s eyes met and Richard looked back down to Susan.
“May I call you Aunt now?”
“I do not know why you haven’t already.” She smiled at him. “Now, Samuel will be home before long and then I hope to have a pleasant evening listening to the three of you carry on.” She hugged him again and smiling at her husband, closed the door as she left.
“Dear Susan.”
“And that is but one who you would destroy with a confession.” Richard looked around the room, and poured out a large glass of port.
Judge Darcy absently picked up the letters and opened the first. “Good Lord.” Richard turned and he held it up. “Wickham.”
Incredulous, Richard crossed the room. “He wasted no time. He said something of writing to you when he was rejected by Darcy. What is it, blackmail?”
“No.” Judge Darcy’s brow creased and he held it out to Richard. “But it answers many of the blanks in my memory.”
3 March 1812
Judge Darcy,
You probably know that I wrote to Darcy asking for money and threatening to expose Georgiana if he did not pay, and by the tone of his response, he knew that I was bluffing. He is correct, of course. I never would have hurt Georgiana that way. You once stood before me in your private prison and sneered that I cared for her. But I did. I do. I just thought that Darcy has always been so easy, why not try once more? It was stupid. If nothing else, the time in that basement made me see how good I had it with the Darcys and how I wasted every opportunity I was given. But regret does not put food in my belly. I could threaten to expose you, but who is going to believe me? Nobody. So I will put this to you, I ask you to buy me a decent commission in the militia, NOT the army, I do not want to go to war, but a career in the militia would be fine. Buy me that, and I will leave you and Darcy alone for good.
Call it payment for services rendered. When you came to the basement that day and ordered us to go to Pemberley and kill Darcy, I knew you were sick. You had a seizure right in front of me and when you were through, I knew that you did not remember a thing of what you ordered, just that we should wait until Twelfth Night before leaving. It was Christmas who decided that we would go early, not me. That carrot you dangled in front of him was too rich, and he was too good with that knife of his for me to try and get away.
I knew that you had tried to stop us when I heard that you were at Pemberley the day of the crash. Did you know that I wrote to Darcy trying to warn him? I did not want to kill him. I even untied my end of the rope when the carriage was coming down the drive so the horses would not trip. It was Christmas yelling at me when I took off running that spooked them. In any case, it is not my fault that they crashed. I did my part to stop everything. I think that is worth the cost of a commission, and maybe a little pocket money to start with. Do that and I swear I am gone forever. I know that Georgiana is where she belongs and that Darcy will find a home for the baby.
Just send the commission papers to the same address as before. If the colonel was going to kill me, it would have happened by now.
Wickham
“Amazing.”
“I have no clear memory of what he says there.” Judge Darcy murmured. “Twelfth Night … Yes … that was when I woke …”
“Well, this reduces slightly my desire to hang you by your testicles.” Richard murmured as he read the letter again. Judge Darcy closed his eyes and blew out his cheeks. “You realize that while professing his love he still asks for something for nothing. Payment for services rendered! He has a lot of brass!”
“So in essentials he is unchanged?”
“A leopard cannot change his spots. Something like that.” Richard looked up, and tossed the letter on the desk. “Well, a militia commission. That sounds like a bargain for his permanent silence. You provide the funds and I’ll find him the most miserable post imaginable.”
Judge Darcy rubbed his stomach and looked up to find the colonel with a satisfied smile on his face. “Pocket money?”
“No.” He took out his snuff box and studying the woman’s leg, held it up. “The only thing that he should find in his pocket is the incurable boneache. That would be justice.”
“THE YEARS HAVE TREATED you well, Mr. Parker.” Mrs. Shaw, the housekeeper of Sommerwald, said with a smile. “More tea?”
“I can pour for myself, thank you.” Parker’s normally impassive face bore a tinge of pink and glancing at Judy he saw her brows raised and amusement in her eyes. Judy and Jennifer exchanged smiles and returned to their porridge. “The … house looks just as fine as ever.”
“Oh, thank you! Mr. Darcy is very liberal with the funds so we are able to keep it up nicely. My, how the master has changed since we last saw him. Don’t you think, Mrs. Duncan?” Mrs. Shaw looked over her shoulder at the cook.
“He’s a man now, that’s the difference. When last he was here he was still a gangly carefree boy. His Papa wasn’t gone yet.”
“He was hardly a boy, but he was quite a handsome young man. How soon after you left did his father die?” Mrs. Shaw asked Parker.
“We left here and returned to Pemberley, and then about six months after that Mr. Darcy died in London. It was a terrible time.”
“That must be when that crease in Mr. Darcy’s brow appeared.” Mrs. Shaw held out a basket. “Bun, Mr. Parker?”
“No, thank you.”
“I will have one.” Judy smiled and receiving a glare, the basket was put back down on the table. Judy reached and taking one, split it open. “These are wonderful Mrs. Duncan. Mrs. Darcy adores baked goods, it is her greatest weakness, and she loves shortbread. She is quite likely to appear in the kitchen and watch you cook, so do not be surprised or disconcerted when she does.”
“The mistress comes to the kitchen!” The cook and housekeeper stared. “That is not her place! No gentlewoman comes near the smells of the kitchen! What sort of woman did the master marry?”
“An excellent woman.” Parker said with finality and put down his knife and fork. “I hope that you quickly appreciate that. I expect that you will be sending your letters to her attention from now on. I will not tolerate any talk about her or Miss Cargill for that matter.”
“Miss Cargill.” Mrs. Shaw sniffed. “Five years the master is away and why does he come back? To bring a ruined girl with him.”
“She made a terrible mistake and the Darcys are trying to save her life. I hope that you can appreciate the effort and help them, and keep your judging to yourself. She is quite aware of what she has done.” Judy said pointedly to the frowning woman.
“Nobo
dy likes the situation, but they are doing their best for her.” Parker added in support of Judy and Mrs. Shaw softened when she heard him.
“I suppose Mr. Darcy will be doing something with the baby so she can return home? Her family will take her back?” Mrs. Duncan asked and sat down at the table to eat with them. “Poor girl looked exhausted when they arrived.”
“She was.” Jennifer nodded. “It was a very hard trip for her, and I know that she will be glad to do some sleeping.”
“She is a cousin?” Mrs. Shaw asked. “Cargill is the name of the woman this estate was built for. Her portrait hangs in the library.”
“Yes, we know.” Parker looked between them. “We will have to identify a midwife and alert her as to the expected arrival of the child, however, for obvious reasons; Mr. Darcy does not want talk of Miss Cargill or her condition to be spread about the neighbourhood. He expects absolute discretion on the part of his staff.”
“Of course, what do you take me for!” Mrs. Shaw snapped.
“I will be serving as butler as well as valet for our stay; however I have no desire to step on your toes, Mrs. Shaw. This is your household to run.” His words soothed her ruffled feathers and he looked at Judy and Jennifer. “You will help out wherever needed. I know that Mrs. Darcy does not want to bring on any more staff than necessary.”
Mrs. Duncan sized up the two ladies’ maids. “We have Amy who helps out in the kitchen; she can do the fires and hard cleaning just fine.”
Mrs. Shaw nodded, “We send the laundry out when the house staff is not at its full complement.”
“Fine. Jennifer is more of a companion to Miss Cargill so she will be busy with her, but Judy and I can look after any dusting and polishing that is needed.” He smiled to himself when he heard her sigh. “We just will not let anyone at Pemberley or Darcy House know about it.” Turning back to Mrs. Shaw, his businesslike demeanour returned. “That should be enough. The Darcys do not intend to entertain.” Mrs. Shaw laughed. “Is something amusing?”
“Mr. Parker, you are in lonely country here. When we sent Gerry into the village to order a joint for dinner, everyone knew that Sommerwald was going to be occupied. They’re used to the Walkers, the family that leases the estate, going to London for the Season. So when they heard him make the order, why the tongues were wagging! The news that Mr. Darcy was coming was through the village quick as lightning. I think that you had best warn the master that the local gentlemen will come calling before long, and you know what follows is the ladies and the invitations.”
Parker’s eyes closed. “I was afraid of that.”
“It is to be expected.” Judy said softly, and he looked to her. “I think that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy will be fine with it. They probably could use a little social time with others for a change. It might reduce the constant worry they keep trying to hide from each other.”
“But how can they socialize?”
“Miss Cargill is not out, there is the perfect excuse for her to always be left behind or not appear if anyone calls. I will keep her occupied.” Jennifer assured them.
“I will speak to Mr. Darcy.” Parker sighed. “I just hope that it does reduce their worry rather than the opposite.”
“What will become of the baby?” Mrs. Shaw asked. “Are they leaving it here?”
“No, the baby will find a loving home in England.” Parker got to his feet and looked around the table. “They are counting on us to help them through this very trying time. I, for one, would like to see the master and mistress finally enjoy their marriage. I sincerely hope to leave here in August with joyful expectations for Pemberley. Now, I have work to do. Ladies.” He bowed his head and departed.
Judy stood as well, “I should attend Mrs. Darcy while Mr. Darcy is busy with the steward. Smiling, she touched her sister’s shoulder and nodded to the buns. “Will you make Miss Cargill a tray?”
“That is what I was about to do.”
Judy left the kitchen and caught up with Parker on the stairs. “Now … what was that jealous old bird about? I thought that she was going to start spooning your porridge in your mouth.”
“Please.” He said tiredly.
“Another bun, Mr. Parker?” Judy said liltingly and nudged him. “Come on, out with it!”
“I danced with her a few times over the years.” He shook his head when she laughed. “What is so funny?”
Separating from him, she went to the door to the mistress’s chambers as he stood with the handle in hand for the master’s. “I do not know; you must have quite a way about you, to leave such a lasting impression. I never saw it myself.”
“Get to work Miss Orchard.” He said with a straight face.
“Judy is good enough for me, Mr. Parker.” She bobbed him a curtsey and disappeared inside of the room.
Elizabeth was just choosing a dress for walking when Judy appeared. “That was interesting.”
“Madam?”
“I have never heard you tease Parker before.” Elizabeth smiled when Judy’s mouth dropped open and held out a dress. “I think that this one will do.”
“This one, madam?” Judy was still blushing, but she held out the white gown doubtfully. “I thought that you were going walking?”
“I am, and I intend to return here thoroughly dishevelled with my hem six inches deep in mud.” Seeing Judy’s face fall, she laughed. “I am sorry, but there are just some things that a woman must do to remain attractive for her husband. And one of them is remembering what attracted him to her in the first place.”
“Walking in the mud?” Judy stared.
“No.” Elizabeth laughed and patted her arm. “Teasing him.”
Chapter 3
“There you go, Lizzy.” Darcy helped her up onto the horse. “Very good.”
“One ride with Mr. Ferguson and suddenly you feel that you must tour the grounds daily?” Elizabeth said a little nervously as he watched her settle her seat and adjusted her stirrup. Darcy put the reins in her hands and gave her leg a reassuring pat.
“One ride with Mr. Ferguson and I found that I did not hurt so badly anymore, and … I remembered how wonderfully freeing it feels to be on horseback.” He walked over to his mount and swung up into the saddle. “If there is one thing that you and I need, it is time to be on our own.”
“It looks like rain.”
“Stop making excuses, Elizabeth. The Mistress of Pemberley rides.” He spoke sternly and was clearly not going to accept no for an answer.
“This is not Pemberley …” She squealed when he gave her horse a little pat and she began moving. “Will!”
Darcy just laughed and nudging his mount, confidently moved ahead of her. “Keep up! Unless you would like to stare at my back the whole way.” Elizabeth was about to reply in kind when she noticed the rather nice way that Darcy’s thighs grasped his horse, and the impressive sight of his straight back and broad shoulders. Darcy turned his head when he did not hear an answer and stopped. “What thoughts are flying through your mind?”
“I was just admiring your form.” Elizabeth lifted her chin and continued past him.
Darcy watched her go and took note of her bottom bouncing so very pleasantly on the saddle. “I must say the same of yours, dear.” Elizabeth looked over her shoulder and met his eye, “Ahhh, I think that we may be racing before the day is through.” Darcy easily caught up with her and they wandered out of the estate and on their way down the roadway. “It has been some time, but I believe that this path leads to the coast. There is a little fishing village where I spent many mornings, watching the boats going out.”
“Your father was not with you the last time you visited?”
“No, I was on my own.” He noted her concern.
“No travelling companions? You had friends …”
“Of course, and I travelled around England and Ireland with a group of them from school, but there came a point when I had had enough of them and I … I was close enough to Sommerwald that I came here. Father was not leasing
out the house then. He wanted to come whenever he wished, and of course that is not possible when you have a tenant.” He bit his lip and looked down. “It was a relief to not be involved in their amusement any longer.”
“What did they like to do?”
“Gambling, drinking to excess … other things.” He cleared his throat and looked ahead. “I was glad to part ways. I … they were different when we were in school. I suppose that the strict atmosphere held them in check and once graduated, they … were ready to sow their wild oats.”
“That sounds like your cousin Albert. I wonder, have you maintained friendships with these men since?”
“Casual, but nothing more. I have been occupied with Pemberley.” Their eyes met.
“Was Mr. Manning one of them?”
“Yes.” Darcy smiled with her ‘ah.’ “You were not impressed? He is not a bad egg. That was some time ago, I think that his oats are very thoroughly sown now. We spent some of last summer together.”
“So you preferred the solitude of Sommerwald to the companionship of others?”
“Being largely an only child, I suppose that is not unusual? I am quite adept at entertaining myself. I remember travelling with my parents and staying quiet so I would not disturb Mother.”
“Did she object to noise?
“No … I remember Father saying that she was delicate and needed to rest. It occurs to me now that she was likely pregnant all of those times.” He looked to her. “The things you understand when you are all grown up.”
“Yes, I … I am always having moments where I seem to have epiphanies. Now I understand Papa’s jokes.” Her smile faded and she looked ahead. “Where else have you been?”
“Oh, all over. Of course I lived in Eton and Cambridge.”
“What is Cambridge like?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“I shall take you there. I am afraid that my descriptions will leave you yawning.” He chuckled as she squeezed his arm. “You know I have no gift for speech, certainly not of flowery praise.”
“I was not seeking that, and you are doing just fine.”
“Thank you.” He said softly and nodded to her horse, “You are as well.”
