by Wells, Linda
Again they laughed, and Fitzwilliam cheered. “I think that I am going to like this cousin of ours!”
“You may have your opinions of Collins, but he is a tenacious little beast.” Layton smiled.
“Perhaps you could offer him Kympton when it comes up, Darcy.” Lord Matlock’s lips twitched.
“I have enough problems, thank you. Collins inherits Longbourn when Elizabeth’s father dies.” All eyes turned to him and he shrugged. “Well, his father has to die first.”
“And which lucky Bennet daughter will win his hand?” Fitzwilliam asked. “And further, can you not anticipate the joy of their visits to Pemberley?”
“Do not even attempt to entertain such a possibility.” Darcy threatened him, then looked back at his uncle. “Is there more news?”
“He asks about Catherine’s methods. It seems that she would squeeze the tenants for increasingly ridiculous rents and larger portions of their yields. She even limited their cider supply.” He looked at Darcy and raised his brow. “I had no idea, did you?”
“I know that she was hard on them, but it seemed that she did these things at harvest time, and of course I did not see the books until the past two springs, Father handled it before then. Her steward did as she bid to keep his position.”
“De Bourgh disapproves.” Lord Matlock consulted the letter. “He said that he may have spent the past fourteen years on the sea, but his experience leading men tells him enough to know how to care for these tenants. He begs for advice on a number of subjects. Of course I will be happy to help him. Perhaps we might pay a visit there before returning to Matlock.” He looked at Layton who nodded his head.
“Yes, we should at least look in on Anne. Aunt Catherine is established in the dowager’s house?”
“Yes, she is out of Rosings.” Lord Matlock smiled. “Helen heard from the ladies selected for Elizabeth’s calls. Catherine’s friend Mrs. Kendall came by yesterday, complimenting her for sending Elizabeth to visit. She knew the reason was the hope that she would be persuaded to give her public approval. Helen knew that she was inclined to support Catherine, and winning her opinion was important.” He laughed. “Of course she was correct. She called Helen a brilliant strategist, and noted that when Elizabeth at last realizes her power as Mrs. Darcy, she wanted to be on her good side. She suggested that Catherine attempt to reconcile with you Darcy, if she ever wishes to leave the dowager’s house again.”
Darcy stared down into his glass. He was, after two years, finally becoming fully aware, but not at all confident with the power he held, and was not entirely sure how he felt with the acknowledgement of Elizabeth’s potential to be a force in society. “I am glad to hear of her support.” He said finally.
“Catherine lost the townhouse did she not?”
“Yes, it is de Bourgh’s now, well Anne’s.” Lord Matlock was watching Darcy, and trying to puzzle out his silence. “Son.” Darcy looked up. “I doubt that Elizabeth could ever become like the ladies of society.” He smiled at the astonishment on his nephew’s face. “I cannot read most of your expressions Darcy, but when it comes to your wife, no mask can cover your feelings.”
Layton looked at Singleton and asked for a refill of his port. Fitzwilliam busied himself with the snuff box. Darcy nodded to his uncle and looked back into his glass. Lord Matlock cleared his throat. “I also heard from Mrs. Jenkinson on Anne’s welfare.”
“She is well?” Darcy asked.
“She is very weak; however she is seemingly thriving under the care of our physician.”
Fitzwilliam looked over to his cousin then asked his father, “Does Anne still believe herself to be wed to Darcy?”
“Yes, she lives under the impression that she is preparing Rosings for him. I understand that when she speaks of him she is immediately corrected and is assured that his feelings for her are familial only.” Noticing Darcy’s stony expression he added, “However, she does not listen and it has been determined that if she were to actually see him, she would likely become physical.”
“So Darcy, you will never visit Rosings again.”
“Not as long as she lives.” He said softly. “I am sorry that it must be this way.”
“I certainly hope that you are not regretting marrying Elizabeth instead of Anne.” Layton smiled and nudged him, offering a refill of his port.
A small curve appeared on Darcy’s lips. “No, no, I am not regretting that decision at all.” The room filled with laughter at that understatement and Darcy’s smile grew a little as he looked down to his boots.
“Well, we have let him alone long enough. Come on, give us the details!” Fitzwilliam grinned.
“You do not seriously expect me to speak of …what are you asking?” Darcy peered at him suspiciously. “You are trying to get me to …”
Lord Matlock interrupted. “My son’s years in the army have eroded his manners.”
“I only wished to ask after Elizabeth’s well being after that old snake’s imposition at the ball.” Fitzwilliam said innocently.
“She is fine.” Darcy glared.
“She was much admired there.” Singleton added and winked at Layton. “At least by the men.”
Layton grinned when Darcy’s fiery gaze moved to a new target. “Yes; and the same men were sure you would not have the least idea how to …”
“Well they are mistaken.” Darcy interrupted with a growl.
“Stick in the mud.” Fitzwilliam offered.
“Dullard.” Layton agreed.
“I heard many offers to take care of the poor girl.” Singleton raised his glass to his lips, and stepped out of range of Darcy’s fist.
“Then again, I heard the ladies remarking on his handsome face, particularly when it was glaring so at Creary. Rather similar to what is displayed before us now.” Lord Matlock laughed. “Watch yourself Son, you may be married, but there are plenty of bored wives and widows who will willingly take you on. Not to mention the courtesans who will gladly pick your pockets.”
“Is that your experience, sir?” Darcy said through clenched teeth.
“Years ago.” He said thoughtfully. “I never said yes, of course.”
Singleton’s smile fell away and he looked down to the floor, as did Layton. Fitzwilliam’s eyes travelled between his brothers then met Darcy’s. “Seems that the joke has backfired.”
“I have had enough of it.” Darcy said quietly.
“I am to be a father.” Singleton said softly and looked up to Lord Matlock. “Audrey told me this morning.”
“My … my little girl is …” A beaming smile lit up Lord Matlock’s face. “Grandfather!” He laughed and shook Singleton’s hand. “I knew it! I knew she was with child! Helen was sure ages ago! When?”
Singleton laughed and flexed his crushed fingers. “January, she predicts.” He turned to meet the smiles and handshakes of the men of his family. “I thank you all for what you have done for me, Layton and Fitzwilliam for scaring me sober, and you Darcy, for the example of felicity. I realize that Audrey became with child before I began to change, which is a credit to her allowing me … But if I had not changed, instead of a wife filled with joy of our pending family, she would likely be cursing me, and I probably would be too drunk to notice.”
“If you were still alive.”
“Yes, my creditors were becoming impatient with me.” He said softly. “The thought of walking in front of a carriage had crossed my mind.”
“I had no idea it was so bad.” Darcy said with his brow knit. “Audrey never spoke of it.”
“She would not.” He shook his head and blinked. “I will spend the rest of my life apologizing to her.”
“No, spend your life being a dedicated husband and father.” Lord Matlock clapped his back. “I am proud of you, Son.”
“Perhaps you could mention that to my father.” Singleton said softly, “Although a son would likely do just as well.”
“I will speak to him before you and Audrey return to the estate.” Lord
Matlock assured him and smiled.
“It seems that I had better get to work on an heir.” Layton smiled. “I can hear Mother now congratulating her daughter and then offering advice to my wife.”
“Well, it is certainly about time, Stephen. Perhaps the stories are incorrect; you are the one who needs advice, not Darcy.” Fitzwilliam winked. “You are the hopeless dullard.”
“Richard.” Layton said with a warning in his voice. “Enough.”
“You can dish it out but not take it?” Fitzwilliam laughed. “Come big brother; let me whisper some advice to you.”
“You give advice?” Darcy smiled. “This I should like to hear.” He crossed his arms and leaned against a table. “Speak on!”
“Well, one must, first and foremost, be handsome.” He drew himself up. “And intriguing.”
“Ha!” Layton laughed. “You certainly do not qualify! Those scars are hardly appealing!”
“But they are intriguing.” He raised his brow. “Besides, by the time the scars are visible, I believe that the lady is quite committed to the evening.”
Darcy groaned along with the other men. “Enough of this. Perhaps we should return to the ladies before this conversation deteriorates further into the bragging of the schoolyard.”
“At least I have stories worth bragging about.” Fitzwilliam grinned, and felt his father’s arm around his shoulder.
“Another time, Son. Perhaps we might even believe some of them.” The men laughed and toasted the father-to-be.
ELIZABETH LIFTED HER HEAD to the sound of laughter floating down the hallway, and felt great satisfaction when she recognized the low rumble of her husband’s voice. She caught Georgiana’s smile and walked to her side. “He is happy.”
“Oh Elizabeth, he is so very happy! I cannot remember him so joyous; it has to be years, even before he went away on his Grand Tour! It is because of you.” She threw her arms around her sister and squeezed. “I cannot thank you enough for bringing him back.”
“He was never really gone.” She hugged her. “Just like you, I think.”
“But if it were not for you, we would both be still so sad.” Georgiana let go and beamed.
“I believe that your time here with your aunt and uncle has been very important to your improvement.” Elizabeth saw Lady Matlock standing nearby and listening. “I am afraid that I will not be nearly as instructive as Aunt Helen.”
“I think that Georgiana will welcome simply being a sister for awhile.” Lady Matlock patted her shoulder and walked away.
“Is that so?” Elizabeth whispered and squeezed her hand.
“Yes.” She sighed. “I am tired of lessons.”
“Do you truly wish to go away to school? I know that you were unhappy when Fitzwilliam first spoke to you about it.”
“I was.” Georgiana looked down at her sister still holding her hand. “I was frightened that if I left something would happen to him and I would be alone, or … he would realize that he did not need me anymore and would not want me to come back. I guess that was silly.”
“Not at all. I would have felt the same way. You just have to remember that he loves you very much, no matter where you are.” Elizabeth smiled as Georgiana’s face brightened.
“He cannot wait to take you home. He told me some of his plans! I am jealous!”
“Well you are coming home as well; perhaps he will ask you to join us?” Elizabeth laughed to see a mischievous smile appear. “What is that for?”
“I told Fitzwilliam that I wish to return with our Aunt and Uncle. Mrs. Somers will leave me at the end of the month and it would be silly to have her travel to Pemberley for a few weeks then back here to collect her things and go to her father. I will remain here, and we will see her off properly, and …you and Fitzwilliam may follow his plans.” She giggled and took her hands. “Oh, he is so excited!”
“How can you tell?” Audrey asked when she joined them. “Your brother has a talent for not letting on his feelings, good or bad.”
“Oh, I can tell, can you not, Elizabeth?”
“I can.” She sighed. “There is a twinkle to his eye that appears when he is especially pleased.”
“So subtle.” Audrey shook her head.
“Speaking of which, when are you going to announce?” Lady Matlock and Alicia joined them and patted her daughter’s belly. “Have you told him?”
“Told who what?” Georgiana asked.
Elizabeth gasped. “Audrey! Are you …”
“Yes.” She blushed. “Near New Year we will have our baby.”
“And when were you planning to tell us!” Alicia cried and hugged her.
“I just wanted to be sure, and … yes, Robert knows.” She smiled and tears began to flow. “He is so grateful that he has made the many changes to his life. He … He is being so good to me.” Elizabeth took out her handkerchief and wiped Audrey’s cheeks, then wiped her own. “I never could have imagined us being this way a year ago.”
“Oh Audrey, I am so happy for you!” Elizabeth cried.
“It is because of you and Darcy, you know.” Audrey took her hands and looked at her sincerely. “Your example has been such a great influence to us.”
“How? We have only been married weeks and … Well; honestly only together for a few months, you have been with child at least that long.” She looked down and blushed. “At least if your time of confinement is correct.”
“I never stopped my duty to him, but … trust me, your influence is great. I thank you.”
“Audrey is correct, Elizabeth. Darcy’s behaviour has been influencing Stephen for quite some time. He suspected that Darcy was in love years ago, and he watched how he approached Pemberley as well, the combination moved him to gradually make changes in our marriage. It took time but it is greatly improved. I hope that we will be crying happily over a future heir sometime.” She smiled and squeezed Audrey’s hand.
“And you will surely be with child soon, Elizabeth.” Lady Matlock smiled as she instantly blushed. “Darcy himself was born exactly nine months after his parents’ married.”
Alicia saw her discomfort and turned to her motherin-law. “How long did you wait before Stephen was born?”
“Oh, he came within the first year.” She laughed. “I remember Henry sitting at the piano trying to pick out the songs his governess sang to him in the nursery while we waited those long months.”
Elizabeth walked over to the pianoforte and sat down. She started to play with the keys as she remembered songs from childhood and softly sang, “Lavender’s blue, diddle diddle, lavender’s green. When I am king, diddle diddle, you shall be queen. Lavender’s green, diddle diddle, lavender’s blue. You must love me, diddle diddle, ‘cause I love you.”6 Elizabeth looked up to see the ladies had gathered around the instrument, but beyond their shoulders she saw Darcy in the doorway, his eyes alive and happy, and fixed on her. She became shy and studied the keys as he walked over. The crowd moved away, and he took a seat beside her on the bench.
“You have not sung for so long, dearest.” He kissed her cheek. “Sing to me again.”
“What would you like to hear?”
“Do you know any of Robert Burns’ songs?”
“I am afraid that I will torture the words with my poor Scottish accent.” She laughed and looked back up from her hands. Darcy took advantage of her raised face and softly kissed her lips. Elizabeth blushed as the ladies of the family looked on and began whispering amongst themselves. “Fitzwilliam!”
His twinkling eyes smiled at her and he ignored the conversation as he bent to whisper against her ear. “Nothing could be tortured coming from your lips, my love.” Darcy’s fingers entwined with hers and Elizabeth leaned against him, then he let go and began to stroke the keys, and sing softly in her ear. “O my Luve’s like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June. O my Luve’s like the melodie, that’s sweetly play’d in tune.”
Elizabeth sighed and he continued on, “As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, so
deep in luve am I: and I will luve thee still, my dear, till a’ the seas gang dry.” Darcy noticed Fitzwilliam mouthing the words, and smiling he sang, “Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, and the rocks melt wi’ the sun; I will love thee still, my dear, while the sands o’ life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only Luve, and fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my Luve, tho’ it were ten thousand mile.”7
He ended with another gentle kiss to her lips and the applause of the ladies and groans of the men. Looking up, he noticed Layton’s shaking head and smiled. Elizabeth blushed again as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Where did you learn that accent?”
“Father used to take me fishing in Scotland when I was a boy.” He smiled with the memory and noticed her considering him.
“Will you sing to me at home, where I can express my admiration freely?”
He chuckled and hugged her to him. “Oh dearest, that would be my great pleasure.”
“Besides, we must keep your fingers nimble.” She said quietly and glancing up to him was delighted to see his blue eyes darken and his tongue appear to moisten his lips. “I have been considering a number of activities.”
“Elizabeth …” Darcy’s breath hitched and his grip on her waist tightened.
“Another!” Fitzwilliam cried. “Come now, you cannot just stop entertaining us!” Nudging Georgiana he grinned, “Your turn Cousin, dislodge these lovebirds and give us a tune suitable for dancing!”
“Go away, Richard.” Darcy said under his breath.
“Why would I do that?” He laughed. “Oh, am I disturbing you?” Leaning down he spoke softly to Darcy’s shoulder, “Difficulty in rising?” He snorted and took Georgiana’s arm. “Come my dear, he is immovable; therefore it is Elizabeth’s turn to perform.”
“Your cousin enjoys amusing himself at other’s expense.” Elizabeth said quietly.
“He does.” Darcy glared. “Dearest, please appease him and play. If I try to stand now I will never hear the end of it.”
