At least he is sensible enough to relate the facts without embellishment.
Once finished with the note, he sealed it and slipped it inside his coat pocket, for he knew that if Fanny caught sight of it, she would pester him to know what it contained. Returning the pen and paper to the drawer, he briefly considered his part in forcing Lizzy to marry.
I pray that I did not make a mistake, Lizzy.
Laying his head back against the chair, he closed his eyes. It was too late to go into Meryton today and post the letter. That would have to wait until tomorrow. And until he knew for certain that something was amiss, he was determined not to worry.
After all , he mused, if I am not careful, I could end up with Fanny’s nerves.
PEMBERLEY
The next morning proved a great disappointment to Elizabeth. For though she had Mrs. O’Reilly come at first light to help her dress and style her hair, when she entered the dining room at daybreak, William was not there. In fact, according to Mrs. Reynolds, his ankle was so improved that he had left the house with his steward while it was still dark, and was not expected back until after dinner. Though Elizabeth accepted the news with a stoic smile, she was hurt. She had no doubt that this prolonged absence was designed to avoid seeing her. Nonetheless, her new aunt and uncle chose just that moment to enter the dining room, which left her no time to dwell on that fact.
After they had greeted one another and sat down to eat, Joseph Fitzwilliam asked, “Would you ladies like me to escort you today? I have no plans that are pressing.”
“It is not necessary, dear. A footman can accompany us,” Olivia replied. Then she addressed Elizabeth. “You mentioned taking a gig.”
“Normally, I visit this tenant on horseback because they live where a carriage is not very practical. But, since you are joining me and we have several baskets of clothes, a gig will suffice.” Elizabeth smiled at her uncle. “And you need not worry, Uncle Joseph. I have driven a gig too many times to count.”
Joseph Fitzwilliam’s brows furrowed. “But you tire so easily, Livy. I would worry less if I went with you. That way, if necessary, I can bring you home and return for Elizabeth later. Besides, I would like to see the location of the new bridge that Fitzwilliam told me about. I understand it is near where you are visiting.”
Acutely aware that her husband did not speak to her of such things, Elizabeth shared all that she knew. “Mrs. Becker told me that it lies between their property and the next. And just so that you need not worry, I always tie my horse to the back of the vehicle in case she is needed. One never knows when one might be stranded by a broken wheel. Should the need arise to return Aunt Olivia to Pemberley, I can always ride Phoebe home.”
“That would defeat the purpose of being your escort, my dear,” Joseph said, dabbing his lips with a serviette. Then he smiled. “I intend to escort you both there and back. Since that is settled, I can be ready to leave shortly.”
“Well, I am not ready,” Elizabeth teased. “For I fear I must have another sweet roll and another cup of tea.”
Olivia laughed. “I do not know how you stay so slim, Elizabeth. You have such a healthy appetite.”
“My father says that I am completely hollow. But it is only that I take after his side of the family, for they are all slim. Even to this day, Papa can wear the suit he wore when he and my mother married.”
“Oh, for a constitution like that!” Joseph declared, as he stood and patted his stomach. “I find the older I get, the harder it is to maintain a decent weight.”
“You look just as handsome as the day we met,” Olivia said.
Leaning down to kiss the top of her head, Joseph replied, “You would say that, even if it were not true.”
“But I have no reason to lie.”
“As long as you think so, my love. Now,” he said purposefully, “I just remembered why I do not like to wear these boots. They are too narrow, and they pinch my feet. So I shall go change them.” With that, he walked towards the door.
As Olivia followed his retreating figure, Elizabeth whispered, “You are so blessed to have such a marriage.”
She turned back to her, noting her wistful expression. “I agree. And I pray that you find as much felicity with Fitzwilliam as I have had with Joseph.”
Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “I pray for that, too.” Then as quickly as turning a page in a book, her expression changed to forced cheeriness. “Please excuse me. I think I shall check to be sure that all the baskets have been packed.”
As Elizabeth hurried from the room, it appeared to Olivia that she might have begun to cry, so it was with a heavy heart that she went in search of her husband.
Chapter 25
Pemberley
The same day
Annie Becker was so grateful for the generosity of Elizabeth and Olivia that she could not hold back tears. The ladies had made enough baby clothes that she would not have to wash them every day, as well as a new supply of towels and sheets that were sorely needed. Moreover, a large basket was filled with jars of pickles and jams, while breads, cakes and sweets packed another. Seeing her mother cry, however, provoked Mazie to cry, and in an effort to cheer the little girl, Elizabeth reached into a bag containing a surprise just for her. It was a small doll, fashioned from scraps of plain, white muslin and dressed in a colourful print dress, white petticoat and cloth shoes. While Elizabeth had created the doll, even embroidering eyes, a nose and a mouth, Olivia had knitted and attached plenty of blond hair, which made it very similar to Mazie herself.
“For me?” Mazie cried in delight as she reached for the doll.
“Just for you,” Elizabeth confirmed. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam and I thought you might want a new baby to care for too.”
The little girl was still sniffling as she wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands. “I have never had so pretty a doll.”
Her mother smiled as Mazie examined her treasure. “What do you say to the ladies, Mazie?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Fizz... Fizzwilluuu... ”
“Fitzwilliam,” her mother finished.
“Yes, that!” Mazie said, her face beaming.
“You are welcome,” Olivia and Elizabeth replied in chorus.
“Mazie, did you let Star out of her stall so she can go into the paddock?”
The girl’s hand flew to her mouth. “I forgot.”
“She cannot reach the water unless you do. So put the doll down and let her out, please.”
“Yes, Mama.”
As she raced from the house, Annie explained, “Star is Mazie’s pony.”
“But Mazie is so small,” Elizabeth observed. “Are you not afraid for her to ride?”
“No, ma’am. She has been riding with her father since she could sit up. And after her third birthday, she began to beg for a pony of her own. She mentioned wanting one to Mr. Darcy, and he brought Star back from Wales just for her. The pony is barely three feet tall and as gentle as a lamb. Mazie adores her, and when Tom is home, he watches while she rides.”
“So Mr. Darcy provided the pony?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, she was a gift. The Master has always been very fond of Mazie—well, all the children. He also helped Tom find a good draft horse for the wagon for a reasonable price.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said numbly, her mind recording this new evidence of her husband’s goodness.
“Mr. Darcy has always been so very kind, and you have provided all these wonderful things.” She motioned to the baskets Elizabeth had brought. Her eyes dropped to the wooden floor. “I feel guilty asking for anything else.”
“Good tenants are an asset to Pemberley, and we want to help you whenever we can. Please do not be afraid to ask for what you need.”
“It is just that... ” She took a shuddering breath as she studied her feet. “Two years ago, I lost a child at birth—a son. The midwife said that he died because he was not healthy enough to survive, but he looked just as healthy as Mazie when she was born. There
was no difference.”
Olivia sat closest to Annie, so she grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. This gave her the courage to continue.
“There was no one here to send for the midwife when my time came. I was in labour all day before Tom came home that evening and I... ” She met Elizabeth’s gaze. “I wonder if the child might have lived, had the midwife gotten here sooner.”
“Oh, my dear!” Elizabeth said, reaching to pat her arm.
“I just pray that someone is here when my time comes, for I cannot send Mazie to fetch her father and I have no family near to stay with me.”
“If you agree, I can have a maid stay with you until the baby is born,” Elizabeth said. “She can help with your work, as well as fetch your husband when the need arises. Would that ease your mind?”
Annie smiled now. “Oh yes, ma’am, very much.”
“Good, then—”
The door flew open and Mazie rushed breathlessly to her mother. “Mama, Star is gone! I forgot to lock the paddock, and when she came out of the barn, she nudged the gate and it opened! I tried to catch her, but she ran away!”
“If only Joseph had not driven over to meet Fitzwilliam,” Olivia lamented. “If he were here, he could bring her back.”
Instantly Elizabeth was on her feet. “It should not be that hard to retrieve so small an animal. I shall take Phoebe and fetch her.” Then she bent down to speak to Mazie. “Could you show me in which direction she went?” The child nodded earnestly.
“You will need to give Mrs. Darcy the rope to lead her, Mazie,” Annie Becker said. Then to Elizabeth she added, “Star is wearing a bridle, so all you need do is run the rope through the ring on the bottom.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I should get started.” When she and Mazie reached the door, she called over her shoulder. “Do not fret if it takes me a little while to find her.”
With those words, Elizabeth was out the door. After untying Phoebe from a tree, she followed Mazie to the paddock, where the child pointed to a rope hanging on one of the fence posts. As Elizabeth took it, Mazie was already looking at something across a vast field.
“Can you see her? Star is underneath that tree.”
A small golden pony was barely visible on the horizon, grazing as though she belonged there.
“Yes, I see her. Now go to your mother, and I shall bring your pony home.”
As Mazie ran back to the house, Elizabeth pulled Phoebe to the paddock fence and stepped on the bottom board. Mounting the horse, she kicked the mare into a trot. Almost immediately, what had seemed an easy task quickly became an ordeal, for at the sight of Elizabeth coming towards her, the pony decided she had best escape. The scene repeated itself over and over, until Elizabeth found herself in unfamiliar territory. Stopping to get her bearings, she looked back but could no longer see the Beckers’ chimney.
A dense stand of trees lay straight ahead, while a clearing lay to the left. She concluded that Star must have taken the open path, so she headed to the left. Just as soon as she rounded the copse, however, she immediately pulled Phoebe to a halt. Just ahead was a meadow, and in the middle of it stood a small brick house. It looked well-maintained, for it had a manicured lawn with beds of flowers along the front and each side of the dwelling. A neat gravel path led from the front steps to a small shed on the left, as well as to a gazebo on the right. Since Star was nowhere in sight, there was a chance that the animal had gone behind the house, so she kicked Phoebe into a trot, intending to find out.
Circling the structure, Elizabeth found Star eating the flowers in the beds along the back entrance to the house. It was quickly obvious how the animal got her name, for the golden pony had a perfect white star on her forehead, as well as four white stockings.
Elizabeth chuckled. “So you enjoy eating flowers, do you?”
Star was too busy chomping the flowers to care that she had been found; thus, Elizabeth managed to dismount and slip the rope though the pony’s bridle without scaring her away. Then tying Star to one of the porch posts where she could continue to eat, she looked about. A large well, sheltered by a roof, stood in back of the shed, so she grabbed Phoebe’s reins and pulled her in that direction, hoping to get a drink of water. It took a good bit of effort, but by turning the handle, she eventually wound the bucket to the surface. Then grabbing a gourd dipper that hung from a leather strap, she drank her fill of the cool liquid.
Afterward, Elizabeth poured the balance of the bucket into a nearby trough. While Phoebe drank, Elizabeth turned her attention to the house. It looked as though no one was there, and, being very curious, she tied her horse to the well-housing and slipped over to peek in a window.
THE BECKERS’ HOUSE
When Tom Becker returned home, he was accompanied by two of the gentlemen who had been at the site where it was decided that the new bridge would be constructed—Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam. Mr. Sturgis, Darcy’s steward, had been sent straight to Pemberley, for he was clearly exhausted. Being weary himself, Becker was hoping that those who accompanied him would collect their wives and leave promptly, for all he wished was to eat and go straight to bed, though he had no way of knowing that was not to be. For as soon as he opened the front door, he was surrounded by three anxious females, all asking if he had seen Mrs. Darcy. Assuring them that he had not, his wife began to explain.
“Mazie’s pony escaped and Mrs. Darcy went in search of her. We expected her back before now. She has been gone for a long while.”
“Star is missing?” He looked to Mazie. “How did your pony get out of the paddock?”
“It was my fault, Papa,” she said meekly. “I forgot to lock the gate.”
He reached down and picked the child up, planting a kiss on her forehead. “I know you did not mean to forget, but you are going to be a big sister soon, and you must try to remember what we tell you.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Good. Now, tell me what happened.”
William and Joseph reached the door just as Mazie was explaining all that had transpired and each edged further into the cramped room in order to hear what was being said. Upon learning that Elizabeth was missing, Joseph glanced to his nephew to see what effect the news had on him. Except for the furrowing of his brows, William was expressionless, though he did ask the first question.
“You say she has been gone for an hour?”
“Yes, maybe more,” Annie replied, wringing her hands. “Oh, I do hope she has not met with some misfortune.”
“Most likely she has just lost track of time,” William stated calmly. “I shall go after her.”
“But surely your ankle must be bothering you,” Joseph interjected. “Let me go instead.”
“As a matter of fact, I have hardly noticed my ankle today. I suspect the exercises I have been doing are the reason for such improvement.” He glanced to Olivia, noting her fatigue. “You had best take Aunt Olivia home, for it will be dark soon.”
“I... we can wait here until you return.” Olivia offered.
“Fitzwilliam is right, my dear,” Joseph quickly overruled. “I shall take you back to Pemberley, and afterward I will be able to help him look for Elizabeth if she is still missing.”
“I can accompany you now, sir,” Tom Becker volunteered. “Just let me saddle my horse.”
“The child could come early, so I would rather you stay here,” William countered. “If more help is needed, I have men at Pemberley who can be of assistance.”
“I know the way Mrs. Darcy went,” Mazie volunteered.
William smiled at the girl. “I would like it very much if you could show me.” Mazie nodded, proud to be of service.
Then he addressed the others. “I am confident that Mrs. Darcy is well. However, if it gets dark before I locate her, I will return to Pemberley and organise a search party. For now, let us not panic.” He donned a slight smile for his aunt and uncle. “I hope to see you at dinner, along with my wife.”
William went out the door and walked towa
rds the barn, with Mazie running ahead of him. The child was sitting on the fence when he arrived, and after he mounted Zeus, she pointed in the direction that Elizabeth had taken. In mere minutes, man and beast were out of sight, and Mazie went back to the house.
AT THE COTTAGE
The heavy curtains on the back windows permitted no view of what was inside the house. Nonetheless, Elizabeth’s curiosity had been aroused by this mysterious dwelling, and, against her better judgement, she decided to see if, by chance, one curtain may have been left open. Alas, she found none. Suddenly remembering the narrow windows on either side of the front door, she hurried there. The windows were etched with bucolic scenes to provide privacy, but still she hoped to spy something amid the trees, flowers and birds. Cupping her hands around her eyes and squinting, she was frustrated to learn it was impossible; thus, she decided to knock on the door. There was no answer.
Well versed in good manners, Elizabeth knew better than to invade another’s privacy, but she simply could not resist trying the doorknob. It opened effortlessly. Turning in a circle to find no one about, she took a deep breath and entered. Stepping hastily over the threshold, two things became immediately clear. First, the house was definitely fashioned after a woman’s taste, and, second, her husband’s cologne still lingered in the air. That realization gave her pause. Not once had she considered that William might have another woman.
What if he had a mistress before we married and this was their rendezvous? Is it possible that he sought comfort in her arms again after I disparaged him? At once, she thought of how often he had been unavailable since his return. Swallowing against the lump that had risen in her throat, she shook her head decisively. No! You will not jump to conclusions again, Elizabeth Darcy! Fitzwilliam is not that kind of man.
Forcing all those thoughts from her mind, she began an examination of the house. The structure was comprised of four rooms with a narrow hall down the middle. As she walked further inside, she found a parlour and a bedroom on one side and a dining room and kitchen on the other. Beginning her examination with the parlour, she entered it and pulled back a curtain to let in more light. Two beautifully upholstered, jade-green chairs immediately caught her eye. A small table, holding a candelabrum, sat between them. A mahogany bookcase, filled with books, stood against the far wall, while a settee, upholstered in jade and rose, sat across from the chairs. Two landscapes on the walls and an oriental rug completed the decor.
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