by Wells, Linda
“Quite aware.”
“Hmmph.”
“If you are so confident of our … compatibility, then why do you feel so compelled to corner me to discuss such a personal subject?”
Lady Catherine looked down at her lap and to the door, then to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy … You are particularly knowledgeable that I expected Darcy to be my son. He is a very fine example of a man and … he is my sister’s child. I … looked forward to being a grandmother to his child.” She looked away. “I looked forward to telling this child all about my sister and seeing him grow. I know that I would probably not live to see him be Pemberley’s master, but I hoped that I would …” She stopped and waved away Elizabeth’s hand on her arm. “Viscount Gladney is … was … a fine …” She closed her eyes. “I am a fool. Anne could never bear a child. She is too much like my sister.”
“She seems much stronger now that she is married.” Elizabeth said quietly. “Now that she is married to a man who understands and loves her.”
“Gladney does not love her.”
“How do you know? She loves him.” Elizabeth smiled. “She is protective of him, is she not? And he refrains from his desire to resume his opium habits. Who does he do that for? Certainly not himself. He is thinking of her.” Lady Catherine’s sharp gaze softened. “I believe that you are correct, they will never have a child, and the future of Matlock is very much in Richard and Miss Kelly’s hands, as is, eventually, the future of Rosings.”
“She is not a bad sort of girl. I see a faint likeness to you in her.”
“So I am not a bad sort?” Elizabeth laughed.
“Mrs. Darcy, I have not met a woman who can hold a candle to you, despite your youth, inexperience, and negligible education.”
“Then why come after me about our lack of a child?”
“Because I do not like seeing you fail.” It was Elizabeth’s turn to stare. “Mrs. Darcy, I know what I did to you when you first married, and I realize that it was not in the least helpful, particularly as you were facing your father’s demise on top of your husband’s near death. But it is the woman’s fault if no child is produced. I have never witnessed a marriage such as you enjoy with my nephew. I find aspects of your affection to be utterly inappropriate and incomprehensible; however I do not wish to see the new light in my nephew’s eyes flicker because you have not given him his heir. And that Mrs. Darcy, is why I am meddling in your marriage.”
Stunned, Elizabeth sat back. “You … You appreciate that Fitzwilliam loves me?”
“He never would have been this way with Anne. Now that I see him, I think that it would have been a crime to have forced him to accept her. Or any woman who was not his choice. I wish my nephew to be happy.”
“I … I do not know what to say.”
“You are trying to give him his son?”
“Yes, Aunt Catherine. I promise. And may I confide in you that we are very hopeful?”
“Is that so?” Lady Catherine lifted her chin. “Well then. I will recuse myself from the subject.”
“I love him dearly.”
“Mrs. Darcy, I am fully aware of that.” She rose and Elizabeth stood with her.
“Have you ever spoken to anyone like this before?”
“I have no idea what you are intimating.” Lady Catherine set her walking stick gently before her and looked impassively out of the door. Elizabeth noticed that Lady Matlock was passing with Mrs. Kelly, Susan, and Sophie, giving them a tour of the house.
Looking down at her clasped hands, Elizabeth spoke softly, “I understand and I appreciate that you seem to respect me. May I ask a favour of you?” Lady Catherine looked at her and said nothing. “The Kelly family is neither poor nor unrefined. They are not as wealthy as our family, but they do deserve your tolerance. I realize that you are disappointed in the prospect that your daughter’s child may never be born or grow up to live in your ancestral estate, but Richard and Sophie, and by extension her family, will keep this estate viable. You do not have to like them, but they are not dirt under your feet.”
The women’s eyes met. “Tend to your husband, Niece.”
“With pleasure, Aunt.” Elizabeth smiled and receiving a nod, watched her leave. Her eyes closed and she held her stomach.
“Are you well, Mrs. Darcy?” Sophie asked from the doorway. “I saw Lady Catherine leave and I … well, I know how she makes me feel.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I am fine.” She sighed. “And I wish that you would call me Elizabeth. My husband thinks of Richard as his brother, so I am sure we will be more like sisters, will we not? And you are not far away so I am certain we will see each other often.”
“I would like that very much. I think that twenty miles will feel like a hundred on some days.” Sophie laughed. “Mother is enjoying her tour, but I would rather have Richard be my guide.”
“I cannot possibly imagine why.” Elizabeth laughed. “I was just considering taking a walk, would you like to join me?”
“I would rather ride; my nerves are so frayed …”
“Well, shall we search out Cathy and see if she can introduce us to the stable master?”
Sophie fell into step with her. “Are there any horses to be had? The men are out shooting.”
“They walked out. I watched them.” Elizabeth tilted her head.
“Did they?” Sophie’s eyes lit up.
“I am certain that Georgiana would love to join us. Perhaps we can persuade Anne, as well.” Laughing, the ladies walked to the door. “I feel better already.”
“YOUR ELDEST SEEMS to have a good head on his shoulders.” Lord Matlock remarked to Mr. Kelly as they walked across the fields together. “I listened in on his conversations with his brother.”
Mr. Kelly studied the earl. “What were they saying?”
“They were remarking on this new world Miss Kelly is about to enter and if she was up to the task.” He was pleased to see Mr. Kelly’s focussed attention. “They thought she would be brilliant, in time. They seem very fond of her.”
“Yes, they are, as am I, although I believe that your son has become justifiably impatient with our protection. It is terrible to let her go, even if she is coming to this.” He sighed and waved his hand to encompass the estate. “I was disappointed that she would not marry in our church, but I am glad that I have the opportunity to see her new home. Marrying the son of an earl, I never expected such a match.”
“What did you expect?”
“I do not know. Not this. The years have passed and she is not on the shelf, although her brothers teased her about it, but she is not a new face, either. I suppose that I did not want to let her go, or I would have taken her places to be seen. Edinburgh, even London.”
“I understand that she has never been to London.”
“No.” He smiled. “I am not fond of London.”
“Scot.”
“Yes.” Mr. Kelly laughed. “Aye, yes.”
“Then marrying a Fitzwilliam is not too bad.” Lord Matlock smiled.
“But you do not live across the way from us. You mean to make a lady out of my girl.”
“Well, if it helps you along, your girl will be Mrs. Fitzwilliam until the viscount and I are in our graves. So with luck, that will be a long time.” He looked back at the manor and then to Gladney, walking with Harding. Mr. Kelly followed his eyes. “If it were up to Richard, she would be Mrs. Fitzwilliam all the days of her life.”
“He said that he does not want the earldom.”
“No, but I think he would be outstanding. He is an excellent leader and I can see him taking charge in the House of Lords. He earned his rank, and he left a great deal of blood on the continent. I am incredibly proud of him, but grateful that he is no longer in uniform.” He cleared his throat and rubbed at his nose. “Well. Your grandchildren will be peers. Can you bear that?”
“I suppose I must.” Mr. Kelly kept his eyes on Gladney. “There is no hope for the viscount?”
“The last time he managed to
raise his mast he was inebriated with opium and entirely too fascinated with Mrs. Darcy.”
Their eyes met and Mr. Kelly nodded. “Now I understand. I wondered why Mr. Darcy kept an eye on him, and was surprised that the viscount did not ask her to dance.”
“You can imagine that words were exchanged.” Lord Matlock looked down and back out over the fields.
“Good for Mr. Darcy.”
“That was the last time Albert breathed in the poison, and with that … he became sober and we fully realized what he had done both to himself and our family. He married my niece to make amends.”
“Yes, the colonel told me the story.”
“Good. I would rather not confess it all to you now, but I assure you sir, that your daughter is going to a good man, in a sound, if somewhat depleted home. It will be refurbished before very long and I hope that she and Richard will be able to live there happily. He will naturally be master of Gladney, however in preparation for his likely future, I have asked him to join with me here on a regular basis, so that he learns all about Matlock and most importantly, so that I may instruct him on his duties in Parliament … should that day come.”
“That is sensible. I am doing something similar, on a smaller scale, of course.”
“Yes, well …” Lord Matlock cleared his throat, “Your eldest, he should be settling down soon?”
“He has not found his partner yet.”
“Has he had the opportunity to look? You say that you avoid London, is that fair to him? I have visited Sommerwald. That is lonely country for you. Allow him to go somewhere. Perhaps he could join Richard and Miss Kelly, and come to stay with us next Season? The Darcys will surely be there, I know that my niece will be in London.” He smiled and shrugged. “I must return in January, so … there is time to discuss it.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mr. Kelly shook his head. “I am overwhelmed by your welcome. I expected … I am not certain exactly what I expected, but surely not this.”
“Well, I have learned a number of humbling lessons. We will just leave it at that.” He blew out his cheeks and smiling, pointed at Mitchell and Adam, running after their elder brothers. “What are the plans for those two?”
“Mitchell has expressed interest in marrying your niece.” Mr. Kelly winked.
Laughing, Lord Matlock looked over to Darcy and Richard talking with Samuel. “My son thought that you were entirely too protective of Miss Kelly. I pity the suitor who approaches Darcy.”
Stephen looked around and said heatedly, “I am just saying that she is breathtaking. Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, nothing at all, but she is barely sixteen, Mr. Darcy made it abundantly clear that he would not entertain anyone regarding his sister for a very long time, and you, Brother, had better give it up! He would not even allow us to dance with her!”
“I know.” Stephen groused.
“I do not think that she wanted to dance. She was incredibly shy, they were right to keep her cloistered at Sommerwald, she is not ready to be out.” Robert mused and then seeing his brother’s continued disappointment, he nudged him, “Now, Lady Catherine, she is the perfect age.”
“On the shelf.”
“No more so than Sophie, they are the same age.”
“Are you interested in her?” Stephen asked Robert curiously.
“Not in the least, but I thought of you.”
“Me?” He laughed. “Me? Marry a Lady? And bring her home to what? My room in Father’s house? At least you know you will inherit the estate. I have nothing to offer. I am not even past my apprenticeship yet! I cannot marry, I can only imagine.”
“Just like me. I am learning a great deal, but I look forward to the day when it is over.” Samuel joined them and grinned. “Divvying up the ladies?”
“You heard us?” Stephen shot a look over to Darcy and Richard.
Samuel followed his gaze and laughed. “It is quiet and your voices carry, but they are in a deep conversation. By all means, take a look at Cathy, it would delight her family.”
“Seriously?” Stephen’s brow creased. “Why? She must have a dowry and expectations.”
“She does.”
“Well, why not you?”
“No. I know what I want in my wife.” Samuel drew a breath and his smile fell away for a moment and he looked to his hands, then back up. “Hopefully one day I will find her.”
“Describe her.” Stephen challenged.
“Not a chance.” Samuel grinned.
“Absolutely ridiculous.” Richard grumbled to Darcy as the men fanned out across the meadow. “I am engaged to marry her, to marry in … days! And still I can dance with her no more than twice! Two dances before her brothers stepped in! And they were both jigs! How am I to make love to my bride if I am hopping and spinning around her? I need a quadrille, a … a … minuet …” Richard finally noticed Darcy’s tightly pursed lips and twinkling eyes. “What?”
“Nothing.” He grinned and looked the other way.
“You find my discomfort amusing?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “I find everything about your frustration amusing. I rejoice in it. You have had it far too easy and I have enjoyed seeing you come aloft at the slightest smile from her and then have to hide behind some convenient object. Ahhh, memories …”
“Memories indeed. I heard you two last night.” Richard growled.
“Heard us? Doing what exactly?” Darcy tilted his head.
“I heard the laughter behind your closed door. I know what that was about.”
“It was about happiness, Cousin. Your desperation has made you hear what you desire. Elizabeth was exhausted and was asleep almost as soon as she was safely resting in my arms …” Darcy’s chin lifted as Richard’s brow rose and he said gruffly, “What were you doing lurking outside of our door in the first place?”
“I was not lurking, I was passing. I … Fine, I was on my way to her chambers …”
“Richard! Good Lord, in days you will be married! What has happened to you?”
“I did not even knock; I just wanted to be near her …”
“And who would that benefit? You, obviously. Stop being so selfish! It is moments like this that your resemblance to your brother appears, do you realize it?” Richard stared and Darcy nodded. “I have Fitzwilliam blood coursing through my veins, too. I am at times as selfish a man as there ever was, so I know what I am saying. Let the poor girl become accustomed to this life you are giving her. She may come from excellent circumstances, but she is still no more of your world than Elizabeth was of mine. You are anxious to feel her at last, but you will not be spending your lives in your bed, as intoxicating as that prospect sounds.”
“I know, I know. Lord, I am a hypocrite. No wonder Elizabeth does not let go.” Richard kicked a stone and stared at the ground. “I kissed her.”
“Yes? You are engaged. I certainly kissed Elizabeth.”
“It scared me.” Shooting Darcy a look, he was relieved to see that he was not laughing. “I … I let myself go, I lost control … I …”
“You let yourself feel.” Darcy said quietly.
“God, yes.” Richard’s relief that he was understood was palpable. “I have never felt so … it was a miracle that I stopped. If we had been alone in a room, I …” He held up his hand. “I hate to think what I might have done. She deserves more from me.”
“And she will receive it. On her wedding night. Elizabeth and I did not have that joy. We did our best, but …” Darcy became quiet and looked across the fields.
Richard kicked himself. “You are correct, Darcy. I have no business complaining, not to you of all people.”
“Well. I certainly have no reason to complain now.”
The sound of hoofs on dirt turned all of the men’s heads and they were greeted with a spectacular sight. From across the meadow, five women on horseback appeared, riding through the wildflowers. The men stood in stunned fascination, and gradually, the group came together to watch.
> “Where is Sophie?” Mitchell asked. “Oh, there she is, in the lead.”
“Of course she is in the lead.” Adam declared. “She is my sister!” Mr. Kelly laughed and placed his hands on his son’s shoulders.
“That is my bride.” Richard elbowed Darcy. “Look at her! What a horsewoman I have!”
“She is going to leap, look.” Robert grinned and looked to Stephen. “I wonder if there is bet on between them?”
“Is there a village nearby? She will want her chocolate.”
“I have laid in a supply at Gladney.” Richard said to nobody in particular. The Kelly men exchanged knowing glances and watched as Sophie’s mount easily leapt a hedge. She stopped on the other side and called for the ladies to join her.
“There goes Cathy.” Lord Matlock watched proudly as his daughter proved her skill. Stephen’s head tilted and he watched Sophie clapping and congratulating her.
“No, Lizzy … do not jump.” Darcy whispered and clenched his fists.
“Are you praying, Darcy?” Samuel laughed. “What was that story you told me about Elizabeth’s riding lessons?” He turned to Richard. “She dismounted and was hopping over a bush, trying to teach the horse how to leap!”
“No!” Richard snorted and grinned. “I cannot imagine Elizabeth doing such a mindless thing! She is far too intelligent to …” He watched Darcy’s frozen expression. “What is wrong? Surely you have taught her by now.”
Darcy said nothing and resisted striding across the meadow. It was Georgiana’s turn and displaying the skills of a girl raised at Pemberley, she too easily made the leap. Mitchell cheered for her and Robert sent him a quelling look. Elizabeth and Anne were left and the two women looked at each other.
“No!” Darcy cried as they moved their horses away from the hedge to gain running room.
“Darcy what in God’s name is wrong?” Richard demanded. In a flash, Anne made the jump and just as quickly was on the ground, falling on Elizabeth’s side of the barrier. Immediately Elizabeth was off her horse while the other three ladies leapt over the hedge to join her. Darcy and Richard were running, but Gladney had caught up to them. Elizabeth was kneeling on the ground with Anne’s head resting on her knees.
