Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice)

by Wells, Linda

  Elizabeth sat up a little and took the book in her hands. “Your journal.” Glancing at the date she looked quickly up at him. “I know this date very well.”

  “Do you?” He asked quietly. “I visited this page daily for a very long time.” Watching her read, he could tell exactly which sentence she was on, he recited it to himself as she took in his words. When she was through, she closed the journal, and set it back on the desk.

  “When did I become Elizabeth to you?”

  “When we met in the park.” He kissed her softly. “When you were no longer a dream.”

  “When did you stop reading the page?”

  “When I left the journal at Pemberley, after I knew that Stewart had courted then abandoned you. I would reach for it here, but …” He sighed and hugged her. “I have a confession to make.”

  “What is it?”

  “Do you remember walking in Hyde Park and coming upon a man of about my height, who likely did not like your approach? You were by the Serpentine.”

  “yes.” She whispered. “That was Lord Creary.”

  “Yes.” He sighed. “I came upon him just after you ran away. I … I saw you walking with your aunt. I …decided not to follow.”

  “I knew you were there!” Elizabeth sat up. “I knew it!”

  “I was not ready to … I was a fool. I said goodbye to you as you walked away.” Darcy’s eyes grew bright. “I am so sorry. If I had gone after you then, I could have saved you so much heartache with Stewart and your parents. And I never would have had this experience we are living now with Anne. I … I was a different man then. I was full of the wrong ideas about what my duty was to my family.” He reached back to his old journal and showed her the special entry again. “On this day I asked my father if I could marry you, and he said to follow my heart as well as my head. I promptly forgot that until the day we met in the park and you became Elizabeth.” He kissed her softly. “I remembered him telling me to be proud that I am a Darcy, and I forgot that he meant our history, not our status. I wasted so much time protecting something in his memory that he did not hold dear. I am so grateful that Stewart did not succeed.”

  “oh.”

  “Please tell me what you are thinking.” He begged. She slipped off of his lap and walked to the door. “Elizabeth!”

  “I need to walk. I will go and change my dress.”

  “You cannot walk alone.” He said worriedly.

  “I did not say that I would.” Elizabeth held out her hand to him and he stood. “I am married now; I need never walk alone again.”

  “Elizabeth.” He took her hand and kissed it.

  “I would like to walk around the Serpentine with my husband.” She smiled and he visibly relaxed.

  “You are not angry?”

  “No.” She sighed. “Fitzwilliam, the experience with Mr. Stewart forced me to accept many truths about myself and my family, things that I likely would have resisted admitting for years. My opinion of you was never sullied because I did not know the struggle that you faced. I simply thought that fate did not bring us together again.”

  “But now that you know that I did struggle, that I did stay away, what do you think?”

  “I think that time apart matured us both in ways that otherwise may not have come. And the end result is the important fact. When you knew your heart, you did not hesitate. How can I possibly be angry with that? Think only of the past as it gives you pleasure.”

  Darcy regarded her closely. “You are far too calm.”

  “Why do you say that?” Elizabeth looked down and clasped her hands and Darcy nodded as he saw the brave front slip.

  “I know you, Elizabeth. You say that these experiences matured us, and that is doubtless true, but I cannot help but think that you are feeling fear that my opinion of you might be influenced by outside forces again. You know how close we came to not being married now. Dearest, you do not have to be brave with me.”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “I do not know. I only want you to know that …that you need not fear losing me.” Darcy pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Why you are not berating me for being such a fool is beyond me.”

  “It would serve no purpose.” She buried her face in his shirt. “If I had turned when you saw us walking away and we had seen each other …” Darcy’s embrace tightened. “You would have come.”

  “I could not have stayed away.” He whispered.

  “Things worked as they should.” Elizabeth looked up to him and he wiped away the tear that was rolling down her cheek. “Now, come and walk with me.”

  “But what of the evidence?” He gently touched the mark on her neck and smiled as she regained her composure.

  “I have a new lace shawl for my shoulders.” She laughed. “And if any of those women speak to us and begin to cluck, I can proudly say that my husband loves me.”

  “That he does.” Darcy hugged her and they started up the stairs.

  “However, I beg you to attempt to restrain yourself so that I may heal before this ball. I do want to wear the gown Madame Dupree made for me.” Darcy’s eyes lit up. “What are you thinking?”

  “I am thinking that I will claim every dance.”

  “Oh, you know that you cannot do that!” She laughed when he slipped his arm around her waist and spun her around the hallway. “Fitzwilliam!”

  “We must learn how to waltz together.”

  “What is that?” She said breathlessly.

  “I saw it on the continent. I do not know if it has even reached our shores yet.” He laughed. “I do not know really how to do it, but it was scandalous to see.”

  “Why?” She asked eagerly.

  “Dearest, we dance together.” He held her the way he had observed in his travels and swayed then turned. “I think that only married couples will be permitted this privilege.”

  “Then I am grateful to have a husband.” She smiled and laughed as he turned her again.

  Darcy stopped and kissed her, then brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “When was the last time that you had a good long walk?”

  “Oh it has been too long. I cannot tell you how I yearn for the countryside. When will we go?”

  “Once this ball is through there is no reason to remain here. I am anxious to show you our home.” They arrived inside of the mistress’s chambers and he looked around, seeing little signals that this space was now occupied. He drew a deep breath. “What is that scent?”

  “Lavender. Do you like it? It was a wedding gift from Jane.” She entered the dressing room and returned with the bottle. “She said that it was a woman’s scent.”

  “It is, sweet, but seductive.” Darcy kissed her. “That is you, my love.”

  “And what does your scent say of you?” Elizabeth rubbed her cheek on his chest to catch the musky mixture. “It reminds me of the forest after a heavy rain, woodsy.”

  “Keep this up and we will not be walking.” Darcy warned.

  “I will not be walking in any case. I feel that I waddle.” She walked across the room and back to him. “Does my gait appear as odd as it feels?”

  His brow creased. “No, not at all. Why does it feel differently?”

  Elizabeth’s hands fell on her hips and she stared at him. “Sir, what has been our activity for the past day?”

  “Oh.” Darcy blushed and grinned. “I did not think of that.”

  “Selfish, are you not?” She squealed as he grabbed her hand and placed it over his rapidly expanding arousal.

  “See, now I will have difficulty walking. Please will we relieve this before we go?” He looked at her hopefully and she smiled, and bent, kissing the hard lump and delighting in his gasp and groan. “Elizabeth!”

  She straightened and kissed his mouth softly, then ran her fingers over his shirt, down his stomach, and settling upon his groin where she lightly stroked over him. Darcy’s eyes closed as he dropped his head into her hair, and held onto her shoulders. Elizabeth kiss
ed his chest through the open shirt then … stepped away. “There, now let us go.”

  “But …” He looked down at his breeches, then to her empty hands and up to her face.

  “Yes, dear?” She smiled.

  “You cannot leave me like this!”

  “Of course I can.” She laughed and entered her dressing room. “Fifteen minutes, Mr. Darcy?”

  He stood looking after her in disbelief then down at his prominent appendage. He mustered up his dignity and walked awkwardly to his dressing room. “If you think that you have difficulty walking now, my love, just wait until you wake tomorrow!” He growled.

  “Did you say something?” She called.

  “I certainly did.” He replied. The last thing he heard as he closed the door was Elizabeth’s laughter.

  “WHO WAS THAT MAN?” Captain de Bourgh twisted his neck to catch another glimpse of Mr. Collins as the carriage rolled into the gate at Rosings.

  “A candidate for the living at the parsonage. We strongly urge you not to offer it to him.”

  “Why is that?”

  “You are a navy man, do you appreciate sycophants?” Lord Matlock asked. “My son Richard hates them in his own men. He will not grant special consideration to someone who attempts to win his favour without working for it.”

  “Oh, I understand. Yes, I have experienced a few of those. While it is nice to have someone at your beck and call, that is really the position of my man, not some boy looking for a promotion. Still, there are plenty of officers who rose quickly for just such methods, after all most captains are made through connections, not achievement. I imagine that there is more to it than that though.” He turned to regard his new mentor.

  “Hmm, yes, he took it upon himself to spread the tales conjured by Anne.”

  “That I cannot excuse.” De Bourgh nodded. “I have a younger brother taking holy orders soon. I shall give the living to him.”

  “That is good of you.”

  “Well, we have always got on, and it will be nice to have some family nearby.” The carriage rolled around the drive and the house came into view. “My word.”

  Lord Matlock glanced at Layton and smiled. “It is rather impressive.”

  “Do you know anything of estate management?” Layton asked.

  He laughed at the thought. “Hardly. I was at sea when I was thirteen. The only estates I know are the ones I could spy with a glass from the ship, or perhaps pass to and from London when we were in port.” Shaking his head he met Layton’s smile. “I am as lost as a frigate in the fog.”

  Lord Matlock laughed. “The steward is a good man, Darcy’s father hired him. We have managed to keep him in place, despite my sister’s complaints, and rather close-fisted treatment of her tenants. I am certain that he will be relieved to have you in charge.”

  “I will do my best.” He sighed and looked again at the looming building. “At least we are not far from the sea if I feel a need for some bracing air.”

  The three men entered the house and were immediately taken in to Lady Catherine. “So this is the heir of Rosings?” She sniffed.

  “Catherine, this is your nephew, Captain Peter de Bourgh. He is the son of Lewis’ brother, Reginald.”

  “It is an honour to meet you, Lady Catherine.” De Bourgh bowed. “I hope that we will be able to re-establish family ties that I never knew existed. My father died when I was very young, and I am afraid that family tales died with him.”

  “How did you come to identify this man, Henry?” Lady Catherine looked him over. “How do we know that he is indeed the heir? He might be an imposter.”

  “Catherine, enough of this, he is the heir.”

  “Anne may still marry …”

  “Who?” Layton said angrily. “Who might you try to coerce into that? Oh, some ghoul waiting for her death?”

  “Darcy still might, he did leave her with child.” She said with her nose in the air. “It is true, and he will do his duty.”

  Lord Matlock groaned. “If that is true, I will paint my face and join the circus. It is just another fantasy spouted by Anne and encouraged by you, besides none of that matters now. If she is with child and miraculously lives to bear it, it would be a bastard, and the father could be any man. One thing is certain; it is most definitely not Darcy’s.”

  “What do you mean?” Lady Catherine demanded. “Where is Darcy? Why has he not come?”

  “Darcy has better things to do with his time.” Layton smiled. “Do you not agree, Father?”

  “I would. You met Mrs. Darcy, de Bourgh, do you not find her lovely?” Lord Matlock winked at him.

  “I do. Charming and lovely.” He smiled at Lady Catherine, he had waited to meet her before forming an opinion but now, he knew just what to do. “Your new niece is an asset to the family and will bring much happiness to my cousin, I am certain.”

  “What is this?” Lady Catherine looked from one man to the next. “What are you saying?”

  “Darcy married Miss Elizabeth Bennet yesterday.” Lord Matlock smiled. “It is done, Catherine. Irrevocably.” He watched her face fall. “And no, Richard will not marry Anne either. Now, I would like to visit my niece. I understand that she is much calmer now that the fever is gone, but that she is very weak. De Bourgh will be resigning his commission and coming to live here. Since Anne is well, you will take your place in the dower’s house, as she has demanded, and he will assume the duties of master, and care for her.”

  “No!”

  “Yes.” Lord Matlock said sternly. “You have no say in this. She is the mistress of the estate, not you. She has ordered you out, and out you will go.”

  “You have no control of Rosings! You are not the master!” She screeched.

  “Catherine, I said that he would assume the duties, I did not say that he was master. As you have proven without a doubt that you are incapable of caring for your daughter, and she clearly wishes you to be gone, it only makes sense that de Bourgh come to stay here, as an invited family member, and help to care for Anne through her final days.”

  “Invited by Anne?”

  “No, by me.” Lord Matlock said quietly. “If Anne were to be found incompetent, you know that the court would appoint me as her guardian, not you.”

  “Because I am a woman.” She said bitterly. “How dare Darcy defy me! He was taken in by that fortune hunter. I hope that he regrets his choice and they live for a very long time.”

  “I almost felt sympathy for you Catherine, but that last statement dashed it away.” He turned to de Bourgh. “Well, you now see what you will contend with. Would you prefer to return to the sea?”

  He looked between the two siblings then bowed to Lady Catherine. “I should move in within the month, madam.” He examined the room. “I will bring my mother and sisters with me, and they will look after Miss de Bourgh. Perhaps they will have some suggestions on the decoration.”

  Layton contained his smile and looked at his father who did not bother to hide his. “Shall we visit Anne, Cousin?”

  “Thank you.” The two young men left Lord Matlock with his sister.

  “You know, it did not have to be this way. You encouraged Anne’s delusions for years. I have no doubt that your whispering about Darcy is what fixated her mind on him. She may have always been weak and likely come to this end, but it is your fault that she is so ill in her mind. Ending in the dower’s house is your justice. George Darcy told you to leave his son alone. I am proud of Darcy for making his choice to marry Elizabeth, and not allowing your false claims of duty to sway him. Yes, there are rumours flying through Town, but they will die one by one. And you sister, will end alone.”

  “Why must I leave Rosings?” She demanded. “My place is with my daughter.”

  “You gave up your rights as a mother when you began using her to forward your desires. If I had known the extent of her illness and your manipulation of it, I would have become her guardian years ago. I will regret failing Anne to the end of my days.” Lord Matlock said quietl
y. “Within the month, Sister.” He bowed and went upstairs to join the others. Lady Catherine was left alone in her throne-like chair, with nothing but the ticking clock to break the oppressive silence.

  “You look well, Anne.” Layton took her frail hand and smiled. “I am glad to see you feeling better.”

  “Thank you, Cousin.” She whispered, and blinked up at de Bourgh. “Do I know you?”

  “No, but I am happy to know you at last. I am your cousin Peter de Bourgh.”

  “I do not remember hearing of you.”

  “I am the son of your father’s brother Reginald.” De Bourgh smiled. “I will be coming to stay here in a few weeks. My mother and sisters will come to keep you company as well.”

  “Oh … I have not hosted guests before. Mother always did.”

  “That is fine, Cousin Anne. We will be no trouble. You just feel better.”

  Anne nodded and saw her uncle enter the room. “Uncle Henry.” He smiled and kissed her hollow cheek. “Where is my husband?”

  “Now you know that you are not married, Anne.” He said sternly.

  “I am not?” Her brow furrowed. “I was sure that I was.” Lord Matlock glanced at the men around him then caught Mrs. Jenkinson’s eye. She was smiling. “It was just a dream that you had. Darcy married a very nice young woman yesterday. He is very happy.”

  “He is?” She asked bemusedly. “But Mama told me that …”

  “No dear, your mother was incorrect.” He kissed her again and patted her hand. “You look tired, take some rest.” She nodded and settled back in the pillows. The men left and Mrs. Jenkinson followed them out. “She is much different. The change in treatment is clearly effective.”

  “That and removing her mother’s influence. She never comes to see her anymore.”

  “She sleeps only two doors away!” Layton cried.

  “Anne has served her purpose Son, and it was a failure. Your aunt has no further use for her.” Lord Matlock said quietly. He turned to de Bourgh. “Now you might understand why I feel no remorse towards her and have encouraged you to take your place. As you can see, the end is inevitable.”

  “I do. How long does my cousin have, do you think? She seems on death’s doorstep now.” They looked to Mrs. Jenkinson and she shrugged.