Page 43 of Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honourable Man
Rosewood Manor
As Georgiana came down the grand staircase, servants were rushing to and fro, almost colliding with one another in their attempts to get everything accomplished before the coach arrived with the Master of Rosewood. According to the last express he had sent, he would arrive today. Being exceedingly anxious, Georgiana had already questioned Mrs. Jenkins regarding the progress of the preparations, and the housekeeper’s assurances had calmed her somewhat.
For her part, Georgiana had awakened at first light, gone into the nursery to check on Millie and found her wide awake. She had lain down on the bed with her child, hoping a cuddle with her mama might lull her back to sleep, but after a half-hour of back rubs and lullabies, she gave up, and, with daughter in tow, headed below stairs.
Now three hours later, Georgiana sat anxiously watching the drive through the drawing room windows, while Mrs. Calvert entertained an increasingly heavy-eyed child by reading to her . She will probably be irritable and sleepy by the time Evan arrives. A big yawn from Millie just at that very moment confirmed her fears.
“Mrs. Calvert, please take Millie back to her bed for a short nap so that she will be well rested when her papa arrives home.”
Millie’s head swiftly whirled around to study her mother. “Papa?” she echoed.
“Yes, darling,” Georgiana replied, smiling at the tow-headed child that she no longer remembered was not her own flesh and blood. “Your Papa will be home by midday, and our family shall be complete again! That will make you and Mama smile!”
Millie nodded, doing exactly that. “Mama smile.”
Georgiana walked over and took her up in her arms, running her fingers lightly over her face. “Yes, Mama smiles when Papa is home.” Then she handed her child to the nurse who had waited patiently and was now reaching to take the bundle of muslin, lace and beribboned hair. Millie’s face crumpled, her bottom lip starting to poke out. Georgiana laughed.
“You will get nowhere by pouting, sweetling!”
She leaned in to kiss her daughter’s soft forehead before the now whining child was carried out of the room. Her cries began in earnest once she could no longer see her mother, and Georgiana, stepping to the doorway, watched stealthily as Millie’s tears of protest lessened the farther Mrs. Calvert walked, stopping completely by the time they negotiated the hallway upstairs. Then she walked back into the room smiling, remembering the nurse’s assertion that Millie never cried for long.
As her daughter was now down for a nap, Georgiana focused her attention solely on the deserted front drive, sighing heavily. Where are you, Evan?
Pemberley
The scene at Pemberley was not unlike the one at Rosewood Manor. However, there was one difference—there was no one to question Mrs. Reynolds about the state of preparedness.
For years, she had been solely in charge of the house and often took care of a myriad of other tasks while Mr. Darcy was away for long periods—not because she particularly desired to do so, but because the task fell to her lot. Or at least it had up until now. The realisation that someone else would now be taking care of the matters previously ascribed to Anne Darcy stopped the elderly servant in her tracks as she crossed the foyer on yet another trip to the kitchen. Captivated by the notion, she felt the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile. After all these years, Pemberley is truly going to have a mistress once more!
When she was unmarried, Georgiana had often tried to function as hostess at dinners and such, even showing some interest in running the house, but she had never attempted to fill her mother’s role. Thus, Mrs. Reynolds seldom dwelled on the possibility of someone else replacing Anne Darcy ... until Elizabeth had come.
Suddenly, something drew her attention to the top of the grand staircase, where an apparition of William’s father and mother materialized, their eyes communing with hers. They were dressed exactly as she had seen them before the last dinner party that Mrs. Darcy had been well enough to attend. The housekeeper had had similar glimpses of them over the years, and each revelation reassured her that they were watching over Pemberley and their children. With shining eyes, she addressed them in her heart.
Fitzwilliam has married a good woman who loves him—Elizabeth Bennet. And just as when I spoke to you of Miss Georgiana’s husband, I have no doubt that you would heartily approve of his choice, too. You raised them well, and I pray that you rest in the assurance that, because they are honourable, they have found the happiness that oft times evades those of their circle.
Suddenly the candles on the large chandelier overhead flickered, causing her to chuckle. You need not remind me that, though I may be a sentry, I am never alone on my watch.
A familiar ache remained as they faded away, and a quick swipe of her hand removed all traces of the tears that had suddenly surfaced. Straightaway, Pemberley’s long-time servant resumed her duties as though nothing untoward had occurred. After all, there was much to accomplish before the arrival of Mr. Darcy and his bride.
Another post with explicit instructions from William had arrived yesterday, and in response, she had begun airing out the Mistress’ rooms and moving the items that Elizabeth had left behind into the closets and dressers that had once belonged to his mother. Subsequently, all of the bed coverings and curtains in the Mistress’ bedchamber were removed. Lady Anne might have preferred dark reds and royal blues, but William assured her that Elizabeth would prefer lighter colours—green, lavender and cream. These colours would work with the embossed ivory wallpaper with a delicate green vine woven throughout—until Elizabeth could select her own.
A quick trip to a shop in Lambton late on the previous day had confirmed that fabrics in those hues were available. The merchant, Mr. Thacker, long accustomed to Mr. Darcy’s propensity to request that an item be made overnight, and equally aware of his habit of paying extraordinarily well to accomplish that, assured her that bed sheets, counterpane and curtains for all the windows would be ready today. Cheerfully, he spoke of calling in extra seamstresses to work through the night to accomplish the task. What he did not say was that he was conscripting an order begun for another estate, done almost entirely in those exact colours. He reasoned that he would just explain to Lady Throckmorton that some of the fabrics for her order had been delayed. The completed curtains needed only to be hemmed and an exquisite satin counterpane was not so far along that it could not easily be converted to what Mr. Darcy desired. Satin sheets in all of the requested colours were already stacked and waiting. And since Thacker was more than willing to put off the Throckmortons than fail his foremost customer, he was certain to deliver the items with time to spare.
In William’s Coach
Near Pemberley
Knowing they were close to home, William smiled down at the dark head of curls resting under his chin. Long since convinced that she would rest most comfortably by sitting in his lap with her legs stretched along the seat, Elizabeth had taken advantage of the last hour to do just that. Her upper body was turned so her head lay on his chest and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. This pleased him tremendously, not only because he loved holding her thusly, but also because he had done nothing since they had left the inn but fantasize about the night to come, their first at Pemberley as man and wife, and he did not want her to be too tired to participate fully.
Suddenly smiling in spite of himself at the memory of Elizabeth’s cries of completion which had alerted practically the entire inn to their activities, he just as swiftly frowned at the remembrance of the knowing smiles of those they had passed on their way to the dining room. For once, he was grateful that Elizabeth had brought a bonnet, which he usually forbade her to wear. At least the bonnet’s large brim had hidden the smirks of the gentlemen they had encountered, including Richard’s. Aware that his cousin would do more than tease him when they were alone, he was prepared for that eventuality. However, he worried that somehow Elizabeth might learn that their amorous activities at the inn had become general knowledge and be mortified. That she was so uninhibited in their lovemaking had been a wonderful discovery, and he wanted nothing— absolutely nothing —to affect that!
William ran a finger down the small nose peeking out from under the curls, finding himself aroused by that simple gesture. She did not awaken, so he took a deep breath to quell his growing need and tried again. “Elizabeth?”
This time his touch caused her nose to twitch as though a fly might have landed thereon, and he could not help laughing aloud. The sound of his guffaw woke Elizabeth, and she squinted up at him curiously.
“I apologise, darling!” he declared, hugging her tighter. “You look so sweet when you do that!”
Still sleepy, she resumed snuggling into his chest, completely unaware of how that simple act reminded him of their lovemaking. In fact, he admitted with some dismay that her every gesture reminded him of making love—biting her bottom lip, raising a quizzical brow, even smiling her crooked grin. He concluded that it was almost impossible not to desire her constantly, his hardening groin area demonstrating agreement. He took a deep breath, trying to gain control.
Hearing that sound and seeing the now familiar hardness, Elizabeth pulled back to study William. In his passionate gaze was raw desire, and it fuelled her own. She whispered desperately, “Do we have time?”
Lost in yearning, William could not think clearly as his pounding heart echoed in his ears. “You ... you will not think me a barbarian?”
Her lips crashing into his was the only answer he was to receive, and quickly she found herself lifted to sit astraddle him. Frantically now, both fought to remove the clothes that obstructed their joining, and it seemed only moments before they were united. At first content just to be joined, their desires quickly progressed into the rhythm of the act itself, and they made love to the rocking of the coach. Unbeknown to them, just as they had reached fulfilment and clung to each other in utter happiness, the coach entered the gate that began the long drive towards Pemberley.
Rosewood Manor
The foyer
“Do you suppose we should just find our rooms and ignore them?” Richard asked Mr. Williamson as Georgiana and Evan continued their endless welcoming kiss.
Hearing his retort, Evan pulled back to give him a pretend glare. “Wait until you are married, my friend, and see how you greet your wife after a long absence!”
“Yes, Richard!” Georgiana replied over her husband’s shoulder. “I daresay you have much to learn about greeting a wife after you have been gone for days. You should watch my dear husband, instead of trying to disconcert him. I assure you that you will learn valuable lessons in how to have a happy marriage.”
“Well I, for one, love to see married couples display affection. I have counselled too many couples who do not get along well to object to displays of affection between a man and his wife,” Mr. Williamson interjected.
Then he bowed towards Georgiana’s questioning gaze. “John Williamson, madam. I am the vicar at Meryton.”
Georgiana smiled sheepishly at her visitor. “Please excuse my poor manners. Evan wrote that you would be staying with us, and I am indeed pleased that you are here. Elizabeth spoke of you quite often, and any friend of hers is welcome in our home.”
“Yes. My Lizzybet is like a daughter to me.”
“Lizzybet?”
“An endearment from her childhood which I have never forsaken. She will always be Lizzybet to me.”
Displaying mock exasperation, Richard exclaimed, “So now that we are all acquainted, could you please desist these displays of domestic felicity long enough to direct me to my room? I am in great need of a hot bath and a bit of a nap before dinner.”
Everyone chuckled, and Mrs. Jenkins stepped forward as Georgiana addressed her. “Please show my cousin and Mr. Williamson to their rooms and have hot baths prepared for them as well as for Mr. Ingram.” She winked surreptitiously at her husband. “I believe they all will want to wash off the dust of the road and then rest before dinner.”
“Please follow me, gentlemen,” Mrs. Jenkins instructed, turning towards the grand staircase.
As the two men followed the housekeeper up the stairs, Richard’s braggadocio began. “I love to stay with my rich relations, as it is the only time I am treated as a gentleman of leisure! I am sure you will get quite used to it and dread returning to your calling as much as I do mine!”
More outrageous statements followed, echoing throughout the two-storied foyer and then down the upstairs hallway, causing those listening below to shake their heads in wonder.
“Your cousin certainly has a way with words!” Evan chuckled.
“Yes, he does. And oftentimes I find myself wishing he were mute!”
“Speaking of mute, it is much too quiet in this house. Where is my lively sprite of a daughter?”
Georgiana chuckled. “She was up so early that she was getting sleepy, so I sent her back to the nursery for a nap. However, she has been asleep only for a short while.”
Evan took his wife’s hand, nearly dragging her up the stairs behind him. “Then let us get reacquainted, my darling. There will be time enough to awaken our daughter and tell her how much her papa missed her.”
Near Pemberley
Elizabeth fumbled about, trying to find the pins lost during their interlude of passion and was becoming a little missish with the smug smile on her husband’s face as he unhurriedly lent a hand.
“Hurry, William! We shall be expected to exit the carriage soon and my hair is not presentable!” With great frustration, she pushed another pin into the hastily reconstructed coiffure.
William hid his smile, aware that his nonchalance was beginning to unsettle her. “You look lovely, Elizabeth! Just put on your bonnet, and no one will be the wiser!”
“Except for all the curls that are not contained by the bonnet!”
“I love those curls! And I love that they do not stay contained!”
She huffed. “I am returning as the Mistress of Pemberley, and I look like a ragamuffin!” Then, unexpectedly her eyes filled with tears.
Seeing this, he immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her until she relaxed and melted into him. Then he leaned back to cup her face so their eyes locked.
“Forgive me. I did not understand the extent of your distress. But, know this! You do not have to impress anyone, darling. Every servant at Pemberley already loves you for the kind, wonderful woman you are, not for who you married.”
“But I want you to be proud of me! And I know nothing of being the mistress of so vast an estate! What if I—”
A kiss ended her protest, and she had calmed considerably when he continued, “I am proud of you just as you are. And you already know everything necessary to be the Mistress of Pemberley. For all I have ever desired is someone to share my love, bear my children and see to their welfare. Everything else is incidental. I care not if you take over the account books, supervise the cleaning, plan the menus or entertain guests. I will care if I want to be with you, and you are occupied with unimportant things. Do you understand?”
The glint in her eye suggested that she did not find that prospect unattractive. “So you are saying that you should be the main focus of my attention?”
“Exactly! I have been alone for far too many years to bury myself in the concerns of life or let you do the same. I intend to enjoy the wife that the Lord has so graciously given me.” He nuzzled her neck. “At every opportunity I am afforded.”
They were still kissing when the coach came to an abrupt halt, and a footman climbed down to take his position at the coach’s door. Knowing better than to disturb the newly married couple until they wanted to be disturbed, he pasted an indifferent look on his face as he stood at attention and waited for the Master to unlatch the door.
On the steps, almost the entire host of Pemberley’s house servants, led by Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Walker, were waiting to welcome their new mistress—the double line progressing even into the foyer through the open front door. All eyes watched the footman intently for any indication that the Darcys were about to appear, when suddenly the door flew open. The steps were folded down, and the Master disembarked first, smiling as most had seldom seen. He reached back into the conveyance to take the hand of his bride, and in seconds, Elizabeth appeared. For just a moment, it was obvious that she was taken aback by the throng waiting to greet her.
She took a deep breath and put a smile on her face as William squeezed her hand and whispered, “Welcome home, Mrs . Darcy.”
Netherfield
The next day
“Jane! Jane! Where is that headstrong girl?” Mrs. Bennet came stomping into the foyer, heedless of the trunks that were being deposited there in light of the Bingleys' visit to Pemberley.
Charles left his study to meet Jane’s mother, his steward wisely choosing to wait there, when he peeked out of the door to see who was making such racket.
“May I help you, madam?”
“Where is Jane? And why was I not told that she is going on a trip? Or that Peter is leaving, for that matter? I am his grandmother for heaven’s sake! Does that not account for anything? I had to learn from the neighbourhood gossip that you are leaving today.”
“My wife is in her rooms preparing for our journey, and as for our trip, we did not think it essential to inform you.”
“Essential?” Whom do you think you are addressing, sir?” Mrs. Bennet tried to pull herself up straighter. “You have gotten high and mighty since you married my daughter! What right have you to talk to me in this manner? And just where are you heading?”
“That is none of your concern.”
“Humph!” she grunted. “I shall know before Jane leaves.” She turned to begin to climb the stairs, but Charles blocked her path. Allowing her growing anger to get the better of her, she called out, “Jane, come down this minute and explain yourself!”
Charles was about to say more when Jane appeared at the top of stairs and began slowly descending. He ran up the steps to take her arm, as she often got off-balance because of her delicate condition.
Mrs. Bennet looked quite smug as Jane came towards her, even going so far as to smirk at Charles. But when Jane finally stood before her, she noticed that her daughter’s eyes were hard and unwelcoming.
“Why are you disrupting my home?”
“I have come to learn where you are going, and why you kept it a secret.”
“From now on, where I am and whom I visit will be of no consequence to you. I intend to sever all ties with you and my sisters and move as far away as possible.”
Mrs. Bennet paled, beginning to flap her handkerchief. “Why, you do not mean that! I am your mother and Peter’s grandmother! Surely you jest! But that is a cruel jest indeed!”
Jane stiffened, and Charles slipped his arm around her waist in support. “I swear to you, it is no jest, as you shall soon learn.”
“And what would give rise to this rejection of your family, even your own sisters?”
“You sold my most beloved sister into a loveless marriage to a madman. I think that is reason enough!”
“I … I sold?” Her voice failed, though the look on her face indicated that she knew of what Jane was speaking. It was obvious that she was suspicious of how much Jane knew about Elizabeth’s disappearance. “Whatever made you think—”
“Enough!” Jane’s voice was eerily cold and her countenance colder still. “I know everything! Suppose you start by telling me why you would do such a horrible thing. Make me understand, Mama, how you could sell your own flesh and blood!”
Jane’s demeanour was such that Mrs. Bennet knew she had no option except to lie. Her only hope was to garner sympathy instead of the wrath that now emanated from her eldest child.
“Can we not go into the drawing room? I should hate for our discussion to be gossip for the servants to spread.”
Jane turned on her heel, and she and Charles unceremoniously led the way to the drawing room where, once inside, Charles shut the door with no little noise, causing Mrs. Bennet to jump. Jane had moved ahead to take a seat on a small sofa, and he joined her there, taking her hand and glaring at her mother.
Seeing her once-favoured daughter so resolute on having an explanation, Mrs. Bennet began a sorrowful tale of woe, explaining her dire straits after Mr. Bennet’s demise and how all of them would have been living in the hedgerows had the count not made the offer she could not refuse.
“So, you see! I could have done no less! Lizzy was not likely to receive any other offers of marriage, as she was determined to be a scholar. Men do not appreciate women who flaunt what they know; they want someone compliant to warm their beds. You understood that. Why could she not?”
Jane’s sharp intake of breath did not bode well, so Mrs. Bennet quickly added, “I was doing her a favour in securing her a rich husband. And the rest of you would be able to live well in the bargain! And how is it my fault that she died in a fire?”
“A fire set by the very man to whom you sold her!”
Mrs. Bennet did not look surprised. “Well, if that is so, and I have no idea how you would know such a thing; it is not my fault! He seemed a gentleman to me!”
Jane stood shakily, her eyes blazing and her breathing ragged. Charles rose to steady her. “A gentleman? A gentleman? What part of Papa’s objections to this monster did not register in your hard heart? He rejected the man’s offers for my sister because he was well aware of his faults, thanks to Lord Stanton. And I know he told you everything, as he said he had, and you would not listen!”
Mrs. Bennet could only stutter, “I—I—”
“No! You knew he was no gentleman! You did not care how he would treat Lizzy, only that you would be paid for her sacrifice! You are despicable! I no longer want to be known as your daughter; and as for Mary, Kitty and Lydia, they have never once shown any concern or love for Lizzy. Like you, they care only for themselves. So, it will be no imposition to cut them from my life as well.”
Mrs. Bennet stood, shaking violently. “You do not mean that!” She attacked Charles. “You! You have done this!”
Jane resolutely stepped to within inches of her mother’s face, instantly silencing her. “You drove me away—no one else! Now, kindly leave my house and never try to see me or my child again!”
Charles had walked to the door and opened it. He motioned for two large footmen to step forward, when Jane finished and stalked out of the room, her mother on her heels, crying and begging.
At his nod, the footmen each took an arm and escorted Mrs. Bennet from the premises, even going so far as to walk her to the edge of the property and stand guard as she turned to berate them and the occupants of Netherfield Park.
Quickly Charles caught up with his wife, helping her up the stairs and into her room. Watching as she lay down on the bed, the tears streaming down her face, he immediately sat on the edge, trying to determine what course of action he should take.
“Janie? Are you well? Should I send for the physician?”
She shook her head without speaking and lay quietly for a moment with her arm across her face. Finally she moved her arm to her side and spoke, greatly easing his mind. “I am not crying because of what has just happened. I have neither respected nor loved Mama for some time now. I am crying for all that Lizzy went through for so selfish a reason. Father did not leave much, but she would never have had to live in the hedgerows. Greed was responsible for my sister’s dreadful experience. She nearly died!”
As Jane’s tears began again, Charles leaned down to kiss her forehead. “This is not good for you or our child.” He ran his hand over Jane’s stomach. “Lizzy would not want you to risk your health or the child’s when she is so deliriously happy.”
Jane’s mouth curved into a slight smile. “And how do you know she is deliriously happy?”
It was Charles’ turn to smile. “Because she has loved Darcy since she first saw him. Did not her letters attest to that? And now they are married. How could she not be happy? I know what it is to be married to the love of your life.”
With those words, Jane’s tears instantly ceased. Charles was right! It was time to forget the past and look to the future. A future that included her most beloved sister!
She reached to cup Charles’ face with her hands. “Are the servants ready to leave? Do you think we have time?”
“We have as much time as we wish,” Charles murmured, leaning in to capture her lips in a quick kiss. “After all, we are the masters of our destiny!”
Her giggles were stopped by an all-consuming kiss, which was interrupted moments later by Peter’s cries to be fed.
“Well, perhaps not the masters of everything!”
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