Page 10 of Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honourable Man

Pemberley

“Mr. Darcy! I was hoping to find you out early today!”

Cecile Preston’s greeting caused William to turn Onyx around from the view at the top of the mountain and watch her manoeuvre her mare up the steep trail behind him. He frowned to think she might have followed him to Derbyshire. Her appearance at this place, sacred to him since he had come here first alongside his father, raised his ire.

He wondered whatever had possessed him to show it to her. This outlook was his destination each time he rode out seeking sanctuary, and now she knew just where to look for him. Seeing the unnatural smile on her face, he wondered at her presence on his property at all. He had assumed that Cecile had been sufficiently offended by his actions that he would never see her again by her own choice.

Fears of a compromising situation intruded on William’s thoughts as well as the realisation that she must still be hopeful of gaining his admiration. If that were true, she would likely want to follow him back to the manor. Trying not to raise her suspicions, he summoned his best manners and assumed a pleasant mien.

“Mrs. Preston, I am surprised to see you! I thought you were enjoying the advantages of Town.”

“Oh, I decided to leave London shortly after…” She coloured and looked down demurely. “I decided I simply must apologize for what I said at your aunt’s ball. I do not know where my manners were, but I assure you that I did not mean a word of my,” she looked up through her pale eyelashes, with what she believed was a most seductive expression before continuing, “my little show of temper.”

William showed no emotion, so she quickly continued, “I still want for us to be friends and maybe, when you have all your responsibilities well in hand—”

“Speaking of those responsibilities, I am supposed to meet with my steward in a half-hour, so I must beg your leave and return to the house. I wish you a very pleasant day.” He pulled the reins and nudged Onyx to turn, but at the dejected look on her face, felt somewhat sorry and added, “You understand that I have been gone a great deal lately, and I have much to do.”

“I understand completely. You have much resting on your broad shoulders. However, I wonder if I might ride back to Pemberley with you? I need to rest my horse for a bit before I return to Rosewood Manor, and surely you would not deny a thirsty lady a cup of tea.”

At the sight of a frown appearing on his handsome face, she continued pleadingly. “You will not even know I am there, as I know you have a meeting to attend, and I must return to Rosewood shortly or Georgiana will worry.” She tried to be more cheerful. “I cannot wait to inform her that you are already home. She mentioned your return to me, and from the intended date of departure, we believed that you would arrive tomorrow.”

He wondered at Georgiana’s discussing his letters with her and that she rode all the way to Pemberley this morning if she believed he was to arrive tomorrow, but he kept those thoughts to himself.

“Of course. You are welcome to rest and have some refreshments.”

They rode back to the stables in silence, and he was able to keep a short distance ahead the entire way. His thoughts were occupied with planning how best to keep Cecile from seeing Elizabeth. Once they attained the paddocks, William dismounted, throwing the reins to a groom, and began surveying the house to see if he could espy Elizabeth on the balcony outside her room.

“Mr. Darcy?”

William looked over his shoulder to see Cecile holding out her arms, obviously waiting for his assistance in dismounting. She had never required his help before, and he stood transfixed until suddenly remembering his manners and moving to lift her down. The smile she bestowed as she slid down, purposefully trying to move closer to his person caused him to shiver in disgust. It was the exact smile he had seen on innumerable ladies of the ton throughout the years. How wrong he had been to ever think she was not one of them!

After setting her on the ground, he offered her his arm, and they walked swiftly towards the manor. It was all Cecile could do to keep pace with his long legs, as William wished to gain the house as soon as possible and be done with her company. He cut across the lawn to enter the house via the portico. The French doors in the parlour already stood open, letting in the morning air.

As they entered, William startled to see a flustered Mrs. Drury walk hurriedly past the door in the direction of the front of the house. Forgetting about Cecile, his only thought was that something might have happened to Elizabeth, as her companion rarely left her alone.

“Mrs. Drury?” he called, leaving Cecile behind as he stepped briskly ahead. Mrs. Drury’s footsteps stopped and became louder as she hurried back toward him. Upon reaching the door, she timidly peered inside, and seeing Mr. Darcy, sighed audibly.

“Mr. Darcy, I am so glad you are here. Elizabeth—” She stopped, as he held up his hand to silence her, and Cecile materialized from behind him. In his concern, William had almost forgotten his unwanted guest was right behind, so now he sought to isolate her.

“I am sorry, Mrs. Preston. Would you excuse me? If you will continue to the dining room, I am sure cook has set out breakfast and will see to it that you have your tea and perhaps something more filling.”

Although she must have realised from the way Mr. Darcy quieted the woman that something had to be amiss, Cecile’s face showed no disquiet.

“Oh, do not concern yourself about me, Mr. Darcy. I know just how to make myself at home here.” She started out of the room, a simpering smile on her face that caused his stomach to turn. With Mrs. Drury’s sudden appearance, he was beginning to regret allowing the woman to visit.

William followed her to the doors, closing them and turning to Mrs. Drury. He had no way of knowing that Cecile had quickly moved down the hall and through the music room next door, then out onto the portico, where she inched towards the still open doors of the parlour they had entered just moments ago. She was able to hear their entire conversation from her hiding place.

“Mrs. Drury, what about Elizabeth?” William enquired, now quite alarmed.

“As is her habit, Elizabeth arose before dawn and was on the balcony as the sun rose this morning.” The elderly woman brought her hand to her forehead as though she was trying to remember precisely. “I was with her when I saw you ride off quite early. After the sun was up, I requested the maid bring her breakfast. She ate a muffin and drank a cup of tea, and I read to her. Shortly afterward, you returned and,” the woman blushed, “I was not trying to spy on you, but I did notice you helping that woman down from her horse.”

“Yes, and?”

“Out of the blue, Elizabeth dropped her cup. As I went to pick it up, she stood and hurried into her bedroom. She locked the door, and I have not been able to get her to open it. I returned through the door into my bedroom. I was afraid to alert your staff, as I did not know how much you wanted them to know.”

“I was planning to discuss our strategy after breakfast. I would like to keep her presence a secret from outsiders, of course, but not every servant here will know about her special problems either—only those that I trust implicitly. I will discuss it with you today.”

At that very moment, a footman appeared on a nearby balcony, and still eavesdropping, Mrs. Preston was obliged to hide behind a large potted plant. Sure that she had heard quite enough to alarm Georgiana, she decided not to wait for tea, but to return to Rosewood immediately. She stood perfectly still until the footman went back inside and practically ran down the path towards the stables.

Meanwhile, William paced the parlour, running his hands through his hair. He knew Elizabeth was beginning to rely on him completely, and he recollected Dr. Towson’s warning not to hurt her feelings. “Do you have any idea what caused the spell? Could she have seen me with Mrs. Preston?”

“I am not sure. She never seems to pay attention to anything in particular, but this is her first morning at Pemberley, and to see you with any woman, particularly one holding onto you the way the lady…well, I would have assumed she was your wife, if I did not know better.”

“Return to her, and I shall come as soon as I wash the dirt off and change clothes.” She bobbed a curtsy, and he bowed imperceptibly before hurrying past. As she reached the doorway, she caught sight of him as he reached the staircase and took the steps two at a time. Being not so nimble herself, Mrs. Drury followed at a more sedate pace.

Stalking back to the stables, Cecile was seething.

So, he has thrown me over for some chit, and he had the audacity to bring her to Pemberley. He is a fool to believe he can hide her!

She stopped abruptly when another theory came to mind. Of course! She is probably his mistress! And what special problem could she have? Is she with child already? Well, Mr. Darcy, we shall see exactly what Georgiana and Evan will say when they learn of this!

The groom already had her horse prepared, and she was on the way to Rosemont Manor before William had even remembered to check on his visitor in the dining room. Having washed and changed into clean clothes, he returned downstairs to find she was not in the house. Checking with Mrs. Reynolds, he learned Cecile had never entered the dining room, and a footman had seen her hurrying to the stables.

William had a niggling suspicion why Cecile might have left without a word but no way of confirming it, so he convinced himself that it made no sense to worry about something that might not be true. He had intended to offer his sister and brother a full accounting of Elizabeth’s situation; now that would have to become a priority for this day. If Cecile stayed in Derbyshire for any length of time, she would likely learn of Elizabeth’s presence, so he would need to seek Georgiana’s thoughts on telling her sister, in confidence, the story they had invented about Elizabeth’s being a distant cousin. Perhaps Cecile would feel bound by familial duty to Georgiana and Evan to keep it private.

He shook his head, trying to clear all negative thoughts and assume a pleasant countenance. At this very minute, there was a beautiful young woman that needed some reassurance from him, and William was eager to be of service. As he hurried to her room, he distinctly heard a small still voice. Remember, she is married.

He stopped for a brief moment before dismissing it as he had at every other instance. He was too deeply in love to consider that.

~~~*~~~

“Elizabeth! Please open the door!”

For the fourth time, William put his ear against the smooth wood, but Pemberley’s doors were so thick it was impossible to discern any movement within the room. His eyes met Mrs. Drury’s and he shrugged. “I shall have to get inside via the servant’s hall.”

At her expression of surprise, he explained. “All the bedrooms have hallways behind the walls that allow the servants to come and go without disturbing the guests.” While he talked, William went into Mrs. Drury’s bedroom, walked over to one of the walls and pressed a panel. She gasped as a door opened, revealing a narrow space wide enough for one person to enter. He lit a candle sitting on a nearby table and holding it, disappeared inside. She walked over to look down the narrow corridor in the direction of a light that was getting dimmer the farther he walked.

Entering Elizabeth’s bedroom through a similar door, William blew out the candle and stood still for a moment. He did not wish to frighten her, and she had all the curtains drawn, rendering the room almost black. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark, a small sigh caught his attention, and he stepped silently towards a form, now visible on top of the white counterpane.

She hid her face in a pillow and only an occasional sound escaped. She looked so vulnerable, still in her white, lace-trimmed nightgown, barefoot, her dark hair dishevelled. It was entirely void of pins and hung down like a child’s. For several seconds, his starving eyes drank in the sight of her. She must have detected his presence, because she raised her head from the pillow.

“Elizabeth?”

She rolled in the opposite direction, hiding her face in the pillow once more.

“Please, Elizabeth!” He went around to the side she now faced, sat down and took one hand in his. “Will you at least let me explain?”

When he finally coaxed her to open her eyes, he was devastated to find the distant look that harkened back to his first memories of her at Netherfield. He cupped her face, but got no reaction. Finally, as a last resort, he leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. When he pulled back, she was studying him with a puzzled look.

“The woman you saw with me, the one I helped down from the horse, is only a guest who wished to rest here for a bit before resuming her journey. I could not refuse her request for a cup of tea.” He longed to see her features relax. “She is only an acquaintance.”

Once again, Elizabeth focused somewhere off in the distance, so he continued.

“Today I would like to show you Pemberley’s walking paths. We have short ones through the gardens and longer ones around the lake and ponds. Would you like that?” He thought he felt a squeeze of her hand. “All right then. I will open the door for Mrs. Drury and your maid to assist you in getting dressed.”

With a heavy sigh of relief, he stood and opened the door, finding Mrs. Drury waiting patiently just outside. “I shall have Mrs. Reynolds send Maggie to help her get dressed. Send for me when she is ready, and I shall take her walking.”

“Very good, sir. I feel sure it will raise her spirits.” Mrs. Drury could not contain her smile as she entered Elizabeth’s room.

Rosewood Manor

A Drawing Room

“And you say this woman is living at Pemberley?” Georgiana’s voice got higher as she questioned her sister.

“I am only repeating what I heard,” Cecile stated resolutely. “He said he wants to keep this woman, Elizabeth, a secret, and he mentioned her special problem.”

Evan Ingram frowned at his wife. “Ana, you should wait until your brother explains. I am sure he will come today. He always sees you as soon as he gets home. Cecile may have been mistaken.”

Cecile looked between the two with barely concealed irritation. By the time Evan had joined them, she had practically convinced Georgiana to storm Pemberley, demanding that Mr. Darcy throw the whore out. How she wished that he had been out of the house when she returned! He was being the voice of reason, and she could not let him prevail.

“Mr. Darcy did not seem eager to visit today. In fact, he seemed more worried about the problem Mrs. Drury was having with the woman.”

“And just how did you happen to hear a private conversation between Darcy and this Mrs. Drury?”

Evan’s question made Cecile colour, but she had become quite used to producing excuses since she had partnered with Mr. Wickham. She needed plenty of them in order to borrow her friends’ jewels and visit their homes to learn their configuration.

“As I explained to Georgiana, I left my riding crop in the parlour and was going back inside to find it, when I accidentally heard them talking. I was shocked by the scandalous topic and froze to the spot. But I could do nothing but wait on the portico until they left the room, then retrieve the crop and hurry here.” She slowly lifted her eyes to Evan’s, but his face was as expressionless as Mr. Darcy’s had been.

“I see,” was all he managed to say, though his manner clearly showed his disbelief. He turned back to Georgiana. “I have my steward and a tenant in my study as we speak, but if you will wait, I will ride over in the carriage with you after we conclude our business.”

Georgiana would not be gainsaid. “I believe it would be better if I talk with my brother alone. He will speak more freely with just the two of us present, and if he has really brought a—someone he needs to hide…” Georgiana could not go on, as she was overcome with emotion, thinking of the implications.

Evan frowned, as he took in Cecile’s satisfied smirk. He tried once more. “If you go now, alone, I fear you will only make matters worse.”

“Nevertheless, I shall ride over and see what he has to say.”

Evan scowled at her insistence on doing as she pleased, even knowing that he disapproved. She was just as stubborn as her brother. “I only wish to reiterate that you should wait, but if you are determined, good luck! You will need it.”

With that, Evan stalked out of the room, clearly annoyed, leaving Georgiana flustered and Cecile with a wicked smile on her face, one which instantly sobered when Georgiana looked her way. She offered encouragement.

“If it means anything, I believe you should go alone as well. Mr. Darcy would feel the need to defend himself in front of Evan.”

“I believe you are right, and I must know for my own peace of mind if what you heard is true.”

“I will ride over with you and wait in the garden, if you desire.”

“No, it is best that I go alone.” With that, Georgiana hurried toward her bedroom, eager to change into her riding habit.

Pemberley

“Do you see that rock over there?” William pointed to a large boulder that was about fifty feet out into the lake. Elizabeth stood with him on the bank, staring in that direction. “There is a terrapin that suns itself on it every day in the summer. He is larger than any I have ever seen, and his is so colourful that Georgiana used to sit on this bank and draw likenesses of him.”

His heart leapt as she smiled wanly—only the second time that he could remember her doing so. “Do you remember when I talked about my sister, Georgiana?” She squeezed his hand, and he continued excitedly. “She lives nearby—she and her husband, Evan Ingram. They are very good people, and I know they will love you. Perhaps Gigi—that is what I call her—will bring some of her drawings to show you.”

They were almost at the end of the path around the lake, and Elizabeth seemed to be tiring. So as they neared the house, William planned to escort her back to her room to rest until the afternoon meal was served. Instead, a calico cat trotted past them on her way to the stables, the evidence of her newborn kittens very noticeable. As she passed, she mewed a greeting to William.

“Good day, Stockings!” William called after her, causing Elizabeth to glance up at him. He smiled at the evidence of her attention.

He squeezed her hand. “Georgiana named her that because she looked as though she wore four white stockings.” She still wore a blank expression, and a thought crossed his mind.

“Do you want to see her kittens?”

Elizabeth’s eyes showed a spark of interest, so he pulled her off the path and across the lawn in the direction of the stables. Once there, they went around to the back of the building and entered a door. The last stall was filled with so much hay that there was no room for a horse, but atop several bales, sat four kittens in various hues of black, brown, orange and white on an old blanket. As they stood there, Stockings hurried inside to plop down among her brood, and the kittens began to nurse hungrily.

Elizabeth was mesmerized, and William had no intention of suspending her enjoyment. They observed the kittens until the last one was satisfied with his meal, and then William gently pushed her towards them.

“Go ahead. You may hold them.”

She eased forward, sitting down gingerly on the straw, gently lifting first one and then another. She gave each a thorough rubbing and a quick kiss before she set them down. With the last kitten, an orange stripe, she lay back on the straw and held him overhead. All the kittens began to walk around and across her, and as one brushed her face, she closed her eyes and smiled. Her peaceful expression warmed William’s heart.

“When they are old enough to leave their mother, would you like to have one? Georgiana used to have a cat in her room. They make excellent pets.”

Elizabeth barely nodded as he held out a hand to help her stand. He tried brushing the straw off her dress and from her hair, but was not successful. “I am afraid Maggie will have to remove the straw, as all I shall accomplish is to rake the pins from your hair.”

He laughed as she seemed to blush, and they hurried back to the house. “Mrs. Reynolds will wonder where I have taken you, if I do not return you shortly! She always provides a light snack at this time, as I am usually famished by then.”

Once at the house, he could find no one about as he led Elizabeth to her room, so he walked her out onto the balcony.

“Stay right here, and I will send Maggie to help you get the straw out of your hair and change clothes. I would like you to join me for refreshments, if you feel up to it.” He squeezed her hand and left.

As he exited, he went through the sitting room and knocked on Mrs. Drury’s door. There was no answer, so he continued into the hallway where he was met by an exasperated Mrs. Reynolds.

“Mr. Darcy, there are two tenants downstairs who almost have come to blows in the foyer. I asked Mr. Walker to escort them to the east drawing room and stay with them to assure they do not resort to fisticuffs until I could locate you.”

“What do they—never mind. Please ask Mr. Walker to escort them to my study where I shall hear their dispute. Also, have Mr. Sturgis come to the study, as I am sure he knows more about their argument than I do at the moment.”

Mrs. Reynolds looked frustrated. “I am sorry you have to deal with this now, with the young lady here and all.”

“Oh, I nearly forgot! I left Elizabeth out on her balcony, and I could not locate Mrs. Drury or Maggie. One of them needs to go to her immediately.”

“Maggie is helping to train a new maid downstairs. Mrs. Drury is in the east wing drawing room. I shall send her back to Miss Lawrence straightaway.”

“Thank you.” William touched her shoulder. “I can always count on you.” She blushed and bobbed a small curtsy.

“I shall have Mr. Walker send the men to your study right away and locate Mr. Sturgis.”

William watched her walk away and for a moment considered whether Elizabeth would be safe alone for a few minutes. Increasingly loud voices below caught his attention, and deciding Elizabeth would surely be safe on the balcony, he hurried down the stairs towards the angry men.

Meanwhile, Georgiana arrived at the front door of Pemberley to find the place seemingly deserted. While there were footmen outside, there were none to be seen once she stepped inside the doorway. Neither was Mr. Walker about to greet her. She waited for Mrs. Reynolds to appear as usual, but even she did not come, so she continued on through the foyer and stood looking up at the grand staircase. A young maid whom she had never met, came swiftly down the stairs with an armload of dishes on a tray. Georgiana addressed her.

“I am Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana Ingram. Do you know where I might find my brother?”

She bobbed a curtsy. “Yes, ma’am. I heard Mr. Walker say he was taking two tenants to Mr. Darcy’s study where the Master is to hear their dispute.”

Just at that moment, loud arguing could be heard from the direction of the study, and Georgiana determined she might as well take this opportunity to assess the mysterious woman for herself.

“Yes, well, I have actually come to see the visitor Mr. Darcy brought back from London. Can you tell me where I might find her?”

The young girl studied the older woman, and believing that she was Mr. Darcy’s sister, answered her question. “The young lady is staying in the family wing—the third room on the right.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana replied through gritted teeth. She tried not to show her disgust. “You have been most helpful.”

In the family wing! How could William put her in our family quarters?

Opening the designated door without knocking, Georgiana stalked inside to find no one about. She turned to leave but noticed that the curtains covering the French doors were billowing in the wind. Walking to the doors, she looked upon a sight that made her cringe. Elizabeth sat in a comfortable chair, her shoes off and her feet propped upon a stool. She was watching a pair of horses gallop in perfect synchronization across a nearby meadow, oblivious to the fact that her dress and hair were littered with hay. Her chocolate curls were half out of the pins from William’s attempts to get the straw out.

Georgiana walked around in front of her. “I am Georgiana Darcy Ingram, and you are?”

Elizabeth’s gaze drifted to her shoeless feet, and she began to wring her hands, but she did not answer, causing Georgiana to become even more agitated.

Putting her hands on her hips, Georgiana exclaimed, “Have you no manners? And just what are you doing with hay in your hair? Did the tenant’s dispute interrupt a roll in the hayloft with my brother?”

“Georgiana!”

She turned to see William striding towards her, Mrs. Drury fast on his heels.

“William, this creature will not even introduce herself! And look at her appearance, what kind—”

William said nothing but took his sister by the arm, and none too gently dragged her from the balcony into the bedroom. Then is a low, barely controlled voice, he hissed, “Go to the drawing room and wait for me.” Just as quickly, he turned on his heel and hurried back to Elizabeth.

Raising her head in indignation at his callous treatment of her over an obvious strumpet, Georgiana marched to the door. She intended to go directly home without waiting to hear him out, but at the door, she turned to see William kneeling in front of the woman, gently stroking her hands as he talked to her in a comforting manner. She had never seen her brother look at any woman the way he was looking at this one. With a start, she realised that the woman did not seem to be paying much attention to him either.

The lump in her throat refused to be swallowed, as she recognised that perhaps there was more to the situation than first she had thought. As she quit the room and descended the stairs, it was with much more meekness than she had ascended them minutes before.

Fitz w illiam would never speak to me in that manner, unless…

A multitude of possible reasons for his actions began to rush through her mind, and she began to regret her impulsiveness. Mortified, she wondered how she could justify accosting his guest.

Entering the empty drawing room, she found a comfortable seat. She would wait for her brother, regardless of the time or inconvenience. She knew she deserved whatever chastisement she would receive.

~~~*~~~