by Wells, Linda
Immediately Darcy’s intense focus was on her. “Pardon? In your imagination … you thought of him as you looked upon the babe?”
“No, Fitzwilliam. In the garden. Yesterday.” Darcy’s lips pressed into a tight thin line. “I … Elizabeth left me and … George was there, watching me.”
“He spoke to you? What did he want?” Darcy demanded.
“shhh!” Elizabeth chastised him when the baby stirred.
“Well?” Darcy said in a heated whisper.
“He just wanted to know that I was well, and he hoped to know that the baby was well.” She touched Hope. “He just wanted to know if he was the father of a girl or a boy.”
“Oh, Georgiana …” Elizabeth sighed. “I am sure that seeing him is what brought on your labour.”
“He said that he would not bother me, and that he … he hoped that I marry a good man who will love me.” Darcy listened closely. “He said that he would watch over me from afar.”
“There it is.” He sat back and nodded. “I knew that he could not bow out gracefully.”
“But he is! He asks for no money, I even questioned him on those things! I … I was quite unyielding.”
Darcy’s lips twitched up. “Were you?”
“Yes.” She crossed her arms. “Elizabeth taught me.”
“I did?” She smiled.
“I do not like the thought of Wickham appointing himself your personal keeper, in fact, it disgusts and infuriates me. He will never let go of us. But it does answer the mystery of yesterday. Richard did spot him. And woe to Wickham if Richard catches him.”
“Will you look for him?” Elizabeth asked as she bent to kiss Hope.
“Yes. It seems that I must have a talk with him.”
“You will not hurt him will you?” Georgiana gasped.
“No, but Richard will.” Darcy said frankly. “I do not fear Wickham’s actions anymore. If he were going to expose you, it would have been months ago when he learned of your condition. Now that you have delivered, any claims he might make can be brushed off, especially when you appear in Town with your companion and spend time with the Matlocks who have no inkling of your compromise. Now more than ever it is important to have you restored and on the way back to finding your place in our world. Even if you eventually choose a quiet life in the country, it will be as a respectable woman.”
“I truly do not believe that he will expose me, Fitzwilliam.”
“I do not either, but I do believe that Wickham will never let us go. We are his only family, and he will return to us again and again. I will always say no, and … I hope that you will, too. If he approaches you for money, you must say no.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You were considering that possibility already.” He said sagely.
“I thought that it would not be … yes, sir.” She whispered. “I read his letter to you.”
“Do not let him manipulate you, Georgiana. He might say that he cares for you and the baby, but he cannot help being the person he is.”
“Will you hurt him?” She asked again.
“I would enjoy choking the life out of him.” Darcy admitted.
“Will!” Elizabeth gasped.
“I would.” He shrugged. “But I will not unless he tries to harm my family again.” He sighed and looked down at the baby, grateful that he saw no trace of her father in her features. “But I will have to seek him out and see what is happening in that mind of his. I have wanted to speak to him for almost a year now.”
“And I will get on with the business of …”
“Growing up.” Elizabeth handed Hope back over to her. “One day you will be ready to be a wonderful mother.”
“But until then … I will be a wonderful cousin.” She kissed her daughter and looked up to Darcy and Elizabeth with shining eyes. “Please tell Mrs. Dickson to send for the nurse right away.”
Darcy held her as tightly as he could without crushing the baby. “I am glad that you decided for yourself, dear. And I am proud that you stood up to Wickham.” His eyes closed as he refrained from saying more and opened them to find Elizabeth was watching him.
“I know that you are angry, Will.”
“And I know what you are going to say, but I must speak to him.” Elizabeth opened her arms and he let go of Georgiana to hug her.
“Am I going to have to relax you again?” She whispered against his ear. “How can I possibly improve my technique?”
“I will be glad to demonstrate.” Darcy drew back a little to see her eyes.
“I will be happy to receive the lesson.” She smiled and caressing the hair from his brow, was relieved to see the tension in his face easing. “Soon we will be home.”
“I told you this morning that I am already home.” His lips lifted in the little smile and he leaned to kiss her. “I just need to clearly establish the rules of the house to an unwelcome visitor.” Seeing the worry in her eyes, he rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Trust me.”
Chapter 18
“This girl has just given birth; she is undoubtedly tired and terrified for what her future holds. She is mourning not only the loss of her child and the man who she thought loved her, but the family that has rejected her. Her only duty will be to recover her strength and feed the baby.” Elizabeth spoke to the staff gathered together in the kitchen. Everyone nodded and she centred her gaze on the three women of Sommerwald. “Unfortunately, we do not know her background or character, so trust will have to be earned. I know that Mrs. Darcy will rely on you to tell us if our kindness has been misplaced.”
Mrs. Shaw spoke up. “I would never take on staff without references.”
Amy looked over to her. “You let me stay.” Parker nudged her and touched his finger to his lips.
Elizabeth clasped her hands before her. “The reason for us coming here was to protect Miss Cargill; there is absolutely no reason to reveal to Debbie who Hope’s mother is, nor to say anything of the baby’s origins other than she is the ward of Mr. and Mrs. Harding Darcy.”
“But will she not see another lady in a similar condition?” Amy piped up again. “I certainly will not tell. I did not have anywhere to go after I lost my baby, but Mrs. Duncan as good as saved me like you are doing for Debbie, Mrs. Darcy. I’ll keep the secret, but Miss Cargill … She looks like she’s just had a baby.”
Mrs. Duncan smiled and patted her shoulder. “That she does, Amy, but Miss Cargill is still abed. I wager the two Mrs. Darcys have worked that out.”
“We have. When Debbie arrives, we will simply put her to bed to recover for at least a fortnight, by that time Miss Cargill will be up, hopefully her milk will be dry, and she will be able to depart. The two of them need not ever meet here. When Debbie is not actually feeding Hope, there is no reason for her to be in anyone’s company but her fellow servants and Mrs. Darcy. Together they can work out what her duties will be, but my concern is simply to keep the secret as well as we can.” She scanned the faces and was about to speak directly to Mrs. Shaw when the kitchen door flew open.
“Elizabeth!”
“Mr. Darcy.” She said calmly and managed to catch his eye with a pointed glance.
Darcy noticed the staff and clearing his throat, held up a letter, “Mrs. Darcy, forgive me for interrupting. I have received some very disturbing news from Lord Matlock.”
“Well … perhaps we should retire to your study …”
“No.” He shook his head. “Mrs. Shaw.”
She startled. “Sir?”
“My uncle informs me that my tenant Mr. Walker has made a habit of claiming he is the owner of this estate, and that he has given his son the impression that he is its heir.” His intense gaze bore into the stunned woman. “Is that so?”
“I … I … I have not heard them say such a thing, sir … I know that they were very proud to be here, they looked upon Sommerwald as their home.”
“It is my home, even if I do not live here, it is mine.” Darcy’s glare made her shrink. “The gall!”
>
Elizabeth touched his arm, “How does Lord Matlock come to know of this, Mr. Darcy?”
“Apparently the son asked Cathy for a dance and used his so-called position as a carrot to entice her. As if Cathy would ever consider a mere landowner as a mate.” He snorted.
“She considered you …”
“I said a mere landowner, dear.” He raised his brows and she refrained from laughing as the Darcy pride flared. “Uncle suspects that a grovelling letter will be coming my way from Walker post-haste. I do, as well.
Elizabeth took the letter and read. “What can be done? I imagine that Lady Matlock will gleefully inform the world of their claims and they will be laughingstocks.”
“Undoubtedly.” Darcy sighed. “Such idiots. I could never imagine Bingley doing such a thing with Netherfield, could you? Certainly, be proud of the place where you reside, but if you do not own it, you cannot covet it, that leads to foolishness like this!”
“They are hardly the first to forget.”
“Nor the last, I daresay. But it is one thing to put on airs when living in the neighbourhood and another to make false claims when leasing yet another home elsewhere.” All eyes turned to Mrs. Shaw whose face had crimsoned. Darcy ran his hand through his hair. “Well, it seems that I need to contact the estate agents to say Sommerwald is available again for any trustworthy tenants who may be interested. This is my fault; I should have kept a more careful eye on the estate …”
“Fitzwilliam you cannot take on everything! That is why you trust the people you employ.” Again the eyes of the room turned to Mrs. Shaw.
Darcy focussed his unyielding gaze upon her. “Well, Mrs. Shaw, I certainly hope that I can trust you to keep me informed if some other pretenders move in here in future. Mr. Ferguson has enough on his plate.”
“Yes, sir! I … I will keep you informed with my monthly letter.”
“Good.” Darcy took up Elizabeth’s hand. “Are you finished in here, dear? The carriage should be ready for you soon.”
“Yes.” She looked to Judy. “You know our plans.”
“Yes, madam, I will be sure that they are explained.”
“Thank you.”
Opening the kitchen door, Darcy led Elizabeth out, and immediately began talking. The staff stood quietly, listening as his voice carried down the hallway.
“Uncle also took the time to stop by Easterly’s office and see what can be done about breaking the lease.”
“Did he now?” Elizabeth laughed. “How kind of him.”
“Our opinions are similar; he was sticking his nose in a bit farther than necessary. I could have had Samuel look over the lease, or even Uncle. I suppose that he was trying to be helpful.”
“Or he was trying to return to your good graces …”
“Or he was prying in my business.” Darcy smiled at her nodding head and gave her hand a squeeze. “You always make me feel better, love.”
“I am simply returning the favour.” She leaned on his shoulder. “So what did Uncle learn from Mr. Easterly?”
Darcy paused for a moment, studying her, until she looked up curiously. “As we thought that we would be here through August, and their new lease was not to begin until September, he suggests that nothing more than a terse letter ending our relationship is necessary.” His disgust flared, “Idiots! Why would anyone make such a foolish claim? It might have worked in Edinburgh, but in London? I have a home in London! I am not a renowned figure, but I am not anonymous either!”
“No, you are no mere landowner, are you?” Elizabeth jumped when he pinched her. “It seems that his son was not aware that this was a secret, or … a tale to be used for convenience. I can see Caroline Bingley doing something like this.”
“Well, whatever it was, it is exposed now. I hate deceit and here I am mired in it. At least the deceit practiced by our family is done for the sake of saving lives, not for the self-indulgent pleasure of claiming pride for something we do not possess.”
As the voices drifted away and the study door was heard to close, the staff of Sommerwald turned to look at each other. “Well. That was quite a lesson, was it not?” Parker said dryly. “I do hope that you have changed your opinion of the Darcys now, Mrs. Shaw.”
“I have, Mr. Parker.” She took her hand from where it rested on her heart. “It is quite the opposite of what it was.”
“And quite where it should have been to begin with.” Parker nodded at her. “So, we are in agreement, the wet nurse need know nothing of the baby’s origins other than she is a ward of Mr. Harding Darcy. She does not need to even know that Miss Cargill exists, and I believe that they are going to go forward with the story that the child’s mother died and the father asked the judge to care for her, so she will be seen as a legitimate orphan. I understand that Mr. Darcy will suggest that Miss Cargill travel to Pemberley with Mr. Samuel Darcy when she is well enough to make the journey; and the Harding Darcys will travel when the baby is able.”
“And when will the master be travelling?” Judy asked.
“You mean, when will you and I go home?” He smiled gently. “I believe that it is imminent, he has one last thing that he wishes to address before he goes.”
“What is that?” Amy asked curiously.
“Ah, that my girl, is a secret.” Parker winked. “And you know how good Mr. Darcy is with keeping his secrets.”
“WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO, THEN?” Darcy approached Richard who was standing before a hallway mirror and preening. Joining him before the glass, he lifted his chin. “Hmm. You do lose something without that blue coat. Perhaps you should reconsider your retirement.”
“You are no help at all.” Richard snapped.
“Was I supposed to be helping?”
“I suspect that you are taking out your ill-concealed anger for your tenants on me.”
“Your father is not present for me to rail against.”
“He did not have to tell you …” Richard raised his brows.
“Of course he did, he was dying to tell me.” Darcy clasped his hands behind his back and before he could continue, the cries of a hungry baby filtered down the stairs. “Somebody is awake.”
“She leaves no doubt of that. I suppose that this is the reason why the nurseries are located on the floor above the parents’ chambers?” He looked up and grimaced. “What a sound. The judge will be rueing the day he agreed to this.”
“Do you think so?” Darcy tilted his head. “I think that it might heal him at last. I believe that his life fell apart when his children died. He has suffered enough to make any man go mad, not to mention the rather cruel treatment he received from his father.” Brushing a speck of lint from his coat, he did not see Richard’s brow crease. When he looked up, he smiled. “Have I inspired some thought?”
“You read people well.”
“I am not sure that I agree with that statement. I misread Elizabeth, after all. I thought that she cared for me.”
“But she did, you knew before she did.” Turning back to the mirror, he caught Darcy’s thoughtful expression.
Elizabeth appeared from upstairs. “Georgiana is a mass of emotions. Susan is practically holding her while she feeds Hope.” Shaking her head she pulled on her gloves. “I think that the wet nurse will be coming just in the nick of time.”
Darcy looked up to the landing. “Perhaps we should remain during her withdrawal.”
“She will simply not be feeding her. They will not be separated from each other. It is something that she must become accustomed to, regardless of who is here. And Susan is more than capable of taking care of Georgiana. Besides, she will be home at Pemberley in just a few weeks.” Richard watched the set line of her jaw curiously. When she finished with her gloves she noticed his attention, “Are you going to the Kelly’s home, Richard? You seem to be turned out in your finest this morning. And appear particularly handsome.”
Darcy coughed and Richard shot him a look before stuttering, “I … I have not called in two days …”
>
Laughing at his defensive posture, she squeezed his arm. “That is fine, I was not criticizing! I received a note inviting Aunt Susan and me to visit. How they knew that we had more guests is a mystery …”
“In this neighbourhood? I do not think so, love.”
Elizabeth glanced at her husband and smiled, “True. Well in any case, Mrs. Kelly suggests that we visit. She has invited Mrs. Annesley, and I need to speak to her about coming to Pemberley …”
“So you are asking me to accompany you?” Richard asked with a frown. “What of your unoccupied husband?”
Darcy cleared his throat. “I have some work to accomplish with Ferguson.”
“Oh.”
“Uncle has taken Samuel to visit the seaside in the curricle.” Darcy added.
“Oh.”
“And of course, wild horses could not coax Aunt Susan away from Hope. I promise you that I will not infringe on your time with Miss Kelly, Richard. And I may just be distracting enough that the two of you will have some time alone?” Elizabeth tilted her head and winked.
Richard’s eyes lit up. “You would do that for me?”
“Of course!”
“Well then … let’s go!” Elizabeth laughed and he headed towards the front door. “Time is a-wasting!”
Elizabeth turned to Darcy with a grin and he smiled softly. “Be careful.”
“Harris is driving, not me.” She fussed with his neck cloth. “What are you doing with Mr. Ferguson?”
“Oh, just shoring things up before we go … First I will take a look around the estate on my own.”
Her fussing stopped. “For Mr. Wickham?”
“As we discussed last night. No, I did not forget our conversation, no matter how distracting you tried to be.” He read the worry in her eyes and caressed her cheek. “I am not a murderer, love.”
“Is he?” She whispered.
“Seemingly not, if his letters are to be believed.” Elizabeth immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and he held her closely. “I do not fear him.”
“I wish that you would tell Richard or Uncle Harding, or even Samuel that he was truly here …”
