by Greer Boyd
Within the hour, the invitations had been issued and accepted, the steward had sent travel plans to the inns Darcy favoured, and Mrs. Wyatt was directing the packing for the return trip to Pemberley.
Just as planned, the following day was filled with activity beginning with the very early arrival of the four young people. After book shopping and a puppet performance at Vauxhall Gardens, two carriages conveyed the party to Bond Street, where Georgiana and Annabel took Clarissa to Madame Claudine’s Modiste to shop for a new dress for her to wear to the theatre the next night, while the others went on to more bookstores. They all were to meet at Serendipity Confections a short time later.
As Annabel walked to the door of the modiste, Nathan’s gaze rested on her much like Darcy’s tended to rest on Elizabeth. But, as the young ladies entered the shop, Nathan noticed a peculiarly dressed woman walk slowly from the corner of an adjoining building to the edge of the shop window. She looked in with eager interest for a few moments, then, turned and quickly walked back the way she had come, before disappearing down the alleyway between the two buildings.
“That was strange,” thought Nathan to himself. “I could have sworn that I saw that woman in the crowd at the puppet performance.”
When he turned back to his group, he noticed that Elizabeth was looking in the direction of the alleyway. As his eyes met hers, he knew that he had been correct. Someone was following their party, or more specifically, Georgiana’s party.
Both Elizabeth and Nathan approached Piers to voice their concern over their observation, only to find Darcy already speaking to him.
“Piers,” stated Darcy as quietly as possible, “Georgiana is being followed by Mrs. Younge.”
“WHAT? Are you sure, Darcy?” demanded Piers, turning to look toward the modiste.
“Absolutely sure. I am the one who sent her packing after Ramsgate. She was known to be personally involved with Wickham.” Darcy virtually spat out the words Ramsgate and Wickham, since both created a vile taste in his mouth.
Upon the mention of Wickham’s name, Elizabeth’s face grew pale, and she sought Darcy’s arm for support, but he instead turned her toward Nathan. “My Love, please stay with Nathan and Piers. I will be back in just a moment.” He quickly turned to enter the bookstore immediately behind him, where he asked the proprietor for pen and paper. Then, having penned a note, he inquired if the store might have a runner available.
Pointing to a young man at the back of the store, the proprietor summoned him, “Peter, come here please.”
“Peter,” explained Darcy quietly to the young man as he clasped his shoulder, “there is a pound in it for you if you go as fast as possible, wait for an answer, and return here immediately.”
“YES SIR. Right away, sir,” Peter replied and took off at a speed that frankly amazed Darcy.
Emerging from the bookstore, he stepped to the two armed outriders who were accompanying the party and spoke softly to them. Immediately, they went to take up a position at the back of Madame Claudine’s shop.
“Let us continue our shopping. There is no need to hurry. In fact, I think that we may go to a few more shops than originally intended before returning home,” Darcy announced to Elizabeth and Piers.
Within half an hour, Peter returned with a response to the note that he had delivered to Darcy House. “Did Mrs. Wyatt give you your compensation?”
“YES SIR,” replied Peter, just as enthusiastically as he had at the first, obviously very pleased with the small fortune he had been paid for what was merely a brisk run for him.
A few minutes later as the group shopped, an armed outrider approached Darcy and bent to whisper in his ear. When Elizabeth saw the young man, she looked out the front window of the store to see a mounted outrider standing guard behind each of the Darcy carriages and two more standing as unobtrusively as humanly possible in front of Madame Claudine’s shop. Another stood in front of the bookstore where they were now shopping. She was sure that the young man speaking with Darcy would soon take his place out front as well.
When Georgiana emerged from the modiste, she was surprised to see the additional outriders but did not want to let her concern show or remotely run the risk of upsetting her two young charges. Smiling to Annabel and Clarissa, as the two girls talked animatedly with one another, she inquired. “Shall we join the others and tell them of our success?”
As Georgiana took the arm of each young lady and carefully walked across the street, having paid a young man to sweep the way clear of the reminders that many horses had passed that way, one of the outriders quietly stepped to walk behind them, while the other quickly turned down the alleyway. Georgiana had been exceptionally pleased when her brother had insisted that the outriders be dressed like glorified footmen with their weapons cleverly concealed from view with the exception of their sword: but readily available at a moment’s notice. Now, she was not only pleased, but thankful as well.
The three ladies entered the bookstore to find that an amazing array of books was already being wrapped to be taken to Darcy House, and within minutes Nathan came to claim Annabel and his sister, as Elizabeth joined Georgiana.
“Lizzy,” questioned Georgiana as calmly as possible, leaning her head down toward Elizabeth to make certain she could clearly hear her response, “what has happened?”
When Elizabeth replied, “We have been followed from near Vauxhall Gardens by Mrs. Younge,” she saw Georgiana’s face blanch. “She was looking in the window of Madame Claudine’s before she disappeared down the alleyway. William feels that we should visit a few more stores and not appear to be disturbed or in any hurry to return home. With all of our purchases, it will appear that we required more footmen to help carry the bounty.”
“It will not be the easiest thing I have ever done,” Georgiana admitted, stiffening her spine to stand more erect, “but I will not let that woman ever alter my life again.” Interlocking her arm with Elizabeth’s, she mustered her courage and queried, “Shall we return to Wills and Piers?”
After no less than twenty minutes, the family group left the bookstore, followed by the outriders, and slowly walked up the street passing a small jewelry-maker’s shop. Noticing that Nathan had looked steadily into the window as they walked past, Elizabeth called to him, “Nathan, will you accompany me for a bit?”
“Of course, Lizzy,” responded Nathan, turning from Annabel and Clarissa, “I would be delighted.”
When she walked into the jewelry-makers shop, one of the outriders immediately took up his station outside the door. She placed her hand on Nathan’s and asked, “Did something catch your eye?”
“Cousin Lizzy, sometimes you remind me of Mama,” uttered Nathan, a smile lighting his face as he gazed about the store.
“Well Nate, I consider that high praise,” she laughed. “Now, tell me what attracted your attention.”
“There is a small cross with amethyst stones the same colour of lavender as Annabel’s eyes,” he admitted, a blush beginning at his collar.
“Nate, you must know you will not be able to give it to her without first asking Aunt Eleanor for permission?” asked Elizabeth pointedly.
“I intended to show it to Lady Eleanor first and ask her permission,” replied Nathan, looking hopefully toward the display in the window. “If not this year, then I can hold the necklace until I do receive permission.”
Turning to the jewelry-maker, Elizabeth presented him with her card and asked that the bill be sent to the address on the card and the necklace be delivered to her at Darcy House in Mayfair along with the matching bracelet and earrings.
As she continued to look about the shop, she spied a tiny trinket box. It was gold, inlaid with mother of pearl, and small enough to fit comfortably into the inner pocket of a man’s waistcoat. “And I will take this as well,” she added, handing the finely crafted box to the jewelry-maker.
When he suggested she also look at the boxes in the corner behind her, she discovered an even smaller trinket box, very
feminine, silver and topped with a single, small, pale-purple stone. Catching Nathan by the elbow, she gently pulled him to where she stood. “Nate, if I were you, I would save the necklace for a future date and offer this trinket box, containing a lock of your hair instead.”
“Do you think that Annabel would like it?” he asked picking up the box and examining it from all angles before looking back at her.
“I cannot speak for Annabel, but I know that I would have appreciated such as gift when I was Annabel’s age,” laughed Elizabeth. “And I think that Aunt Eleanor would be far more receptive to the gift of a trinket box than the more elaborate jewelry, at this time.”
Almost unable to contain himself, Nathan took Elizabeth’s hand and ceremoniously bowed to bestow a kiss upon it, “Thank you so much, Cousin Lizzy.”
Elizabeth walked briskly to the jewelry-maker and smiled: “We will take this one as well; and, if you would include a very appealing gift box and a ribbon the same colour as the stone, I would appreciate it very much.” Then, pulling at her bonnet, she asked, “Now Nate, shall we join the others?”
Laughing, as he extended his arm for her to take, Nathan cheerfully replied, “Yes - - peez.”
The entire group continued their shopping until they all made their final stop at Serendipity. Tea and an exceedingly tasty confection provided the perfect end for their excursion.
When they returned to Darcy House, a messenger was sent to Matlock House to inquire if Uncle James and Aunt Eleanor would please join them for dinner. When the elder Fitzwilliams arrived, Darcy greeted them, immediately ushered them into his study, and sent for Piers. Once he and Piers had explained their having seen Mrs. Younge both near Vauxhall Gardens and on Bond Street, Darcy voiced his concern: “It may simply have been the shock of seeing Georgiana after so long a time, or it may be a harbinger of some unpleasantness to come. I will quietly have Mrs. Wyatt and then Mrs. Reynolds circulate a description of Mrs. Younge among the staff, so that if she should make any inquiry about Georgiana or possibly follow us to Pemberley, everyone will be aware and on guard.”
Turning to Piers as he allowed a quite fearsome look to spread over his countenance, he continued, “I will not allow this woman to harm Georgiana, or Elizabeth, or any member of my family. I will write to Bingley. He should be made aware as well.”
“Well,” harrumphed Uncle James as he walked to the cabinet containing the brandy and glasses. After he poured a small quantity into three glasses, he passed one to Darcy, another to Piers, and kept the third for himself. “We attend the theatre tomorrow night, and then you are all off for Pemberley. With good fortune, this ‘thing’ with Mrs. Younge will end up being nothing at all.”
∞∞∞
Annabel had asked Georgiana to assign a maid as companion for Clarissa. Having anticipated such a request, Georgiana had already selected the young maid and had clothing prepared for her to fit her new situation. Clarissa and Oliver were soon as close to Annabel as was Nathan, well almost as close.
Annabel was finding it difficult to wait until Christmas to give Nathan his present. Several days before departing London, she had gone shopping with her mother, and in a display case in the back corner of a small jewelry-maker’s shop on Bond Street, she had found a small silver trinket box with a single perfect dark sapphire-coloured stone, almost the same colour as Nate’s eyes, adorning the top. It was small enough that it could easily fit in the inside pocket of a man’s waistcoat. When she showed it to her mother and asked if she might purchase it as a Christmas gift for Nathan, her mother had searched her face before asking, “And what message do you want the gift to imply?”
“Only that I want him to remember me,” replied Annabel, hoping that her mother would understand what she was trying to say without her actually having to utter the words.
“Annabel,” responded her mother as she hugged her daughter close to her side, “I think it would be most appropriate. Perhaps you could place a small braided lock of your hair inside. Ask the jewelry-maker for a suitable packaging box, and we will purchase a ribbon the same colour as the jewel on the top to tie around it.”
The next night Clarissa and Oliver enjoyed the opera along with everyone else. They delighted in the lightness of the songs and paid no attention to those of the “ton” who stared at the Darcy box throughout the performance. After the theatre, they happily took part in the light meal prepared for everyone at Darcy House and were awake bright and early and anxious to begin their journey to Pemberley the next morning.
Annabel and the Gardiner children were to travel in one carriage, and Darcy, Elizabeth, Piers and Georgiana were traveling in another. The babies, as Elizabeth called Thomas and Anne Elizabeth, were in yet another carriage with their nurses, while the maid-companions and valets occupied two additional carriages. The vast amount of luggage needed for the party as well as the books and gifts that had been purchased during their London visit filled yet another carriage, with the balance spread out over any available space in the entourage.
After the three-day journey, the carriages neared the Pemberley House overlook along the road. Nathan almost shouted, “Rissa. Ollie. Come to this side of the carriage so that you can see Pemberley House from the overlook.” When the carriage stopped, Nathan and Annabel bounded from the carriage with Clarissa and Oliver in tow to get an even better look at the house.
“It looks like a house from a fairy tale,” exclaimed Clarissa, while Oliver simply smiled. After a few moments, the adults joined the young people to look down at Pemberley House shimmering in the distance. Darcy pointed out the best places to fish along the pond and showed them where riding trails led into the wooded areas.
Elizabeth had walked over to Clarissa and gently placed her arm around the young girl’s waist. For the first time, Darcy was struck by the close resemblance of the two, and he realized that Clarissa was the closest he might ever come to seeing how Elizabeth looked as a young girl. Her hair was the same dark, almost black in colour as was
Elizabeth’s, but her eyes were dark blue like Nathan’s instead of the near black-blue of her cousin’s. Clarissa’s voice was also very similar to Elizabeth’s. Darcy could imagine that as she grew older it would be difficult to distinguish one from the other by their voice alone.
Oliver’s hair was almost the corn silk colour of Jane’s instead of the light honey colour of his brother. His eyes were a pale blue, again more like Jane’s, and he had his brother’s tall slender frame. Darcy could see both boys growing to be taller than their father . . . perhaps as tall as Bingley or even himself.
“Mr. Darcy,” asked Oliver excitedly, pulling Darcy’s thoughts back to the present, “do you truly mean that we will be permitted to ride?”
“Of course,” answered Darcy as he placed his hand encouragingly on the shoulder of the young man. “Perhaps Nathan and Annabel will show you their horses.”
“They have told us about the unusual colour,” offered Clarissa with a laugh that was surprisingly like Elizabeth’s, just a bit higher in timbre. “I, for one, am most anxious to see them.”
“Well then,” Darcy chuckled, “shall we get back in the carriages for the remainder of the ride to Pemberley House? Once you are settled and your luggage stored, Nathan and Annabel can give you a short tour of the house, nearby grounds, and, of course, the stable.”
Oliver turned and almost ran to the carriage. “Nate, Rissa, Lady Annabel, hurry.” The others laughed, but climbed into the carriages in short order.
As always, the footmen and maids were assembled to unpack the carriages and take the luggage to the appropriate rooms. Surprised, Clarissa found she had been placed in the second half of a small suite in the family rooms, with Annabel occupying the other half. Oliver was in a guest room situated beside Nathan’s. With the efficiency of the Pemberley House staff, everything was unpacked and they were free to tour within a half hour of their arrival.
When Clarissa left her room and met Annabel in the hallway, she saw her young comp
anion fall into step behind her, just as Annabel’s young companion had done. “Annabel,” exclaimed Clarissa, “it may take me a while to get used to the idea of having a companion.”
“Well, I thoroughly enjoy having Carolyn with me, and I am sure that you will soon find the same with Sharise,” countered Annabel, as she turned her head to look at the two young women following them. “Cousin William and Cousin Piers want everyone to know that every young woman under their charge is well protected.”
“Since we are close in age, I think that we shall be the best of friends,” Clarissa answered happily. “I turned two and ten in August.”
“And I turned two and ten in June,” replied Annabel interlocking her left arm with Clarissa’s right. “I do believe that you are correct. We shall be the best of friends.” Then turning to their two young companions, she added, “And I truly hope that you shall become the best of friends as well.”
Sharise was quick to respond, “We already are.”
Throughout the course of the late afternoon, Annabel, and the Gardner children toured the house and the gardens, before they finally arrived at the stable. Clarissa and Oliver started laughing almost immediately when they saw the creamello horses. Then, when they spied the silvery ponies belonging to Thomas and Anne Elizabeth, Ollie exclaimed, “Oh Nate, do you think that Cousin Lizzy and Mr. Darcy would find such unusual horses for us?”
