Page 6 of Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honourable Man

Netherfield

Trunks littered the hallway as footmen moved back and forth loading them aboard the coach in front of Netherfield. Nodding to Charles who stood just out of Lizzy’s sight, William entered the small sitting room adjoining Lizzy’s bedroom. He could hear Jane, who knelt in front of the chair where her sister sat, patiently explaining what was about to happen.

“Lizzy, dearest, do you understand what I am trying to say?”

Elizabeth showed no reaction, and Jane glanced over her to William and Charles before her eyes returned to her sister. “All of us—William, Charles and I—agree that it is best if William takes you to his home… to Pemberley. It is very lovely there, and you will be safe. You know how you love to walk? Well, you can walk about the estate to your heart’s content.” She smiled, patting her sister’s hands.

“While you will be under Mr. Darcy’s protection, Charles and I will be kept informed of your health and well-being. You and I will exchange letters frequently, and God willing, we shall come to visit you there as soon as possible. Would you like that?”

She waited a moment, but with no response, she continued. “We love you, Lizzy, and I would not have you think we are abandoning you. We would never do that.”

Jane searched her face, but Elizabeth only stared at her, barely blinking. William moved to kneel in front of Elizabeth and took the hand that Jane released.

“We all love you, Elizabeth, and together we will see you through this. Not one of us will allow anyone to hurt you. You will be safe at Pemberley, I promise.”

Elizabeth looked down to watch as his thumb made a small circle on the back of her hand, and everyone followed her gaze. No one moved or spoke, recognizing that this was the first time since Elizabeth had been recovered that she had actually followed anything with her eyes.

Seeing her reaction to this small touch, William felt hot tears fill his eyes. He glanced at Jane and saw that she was crying silently. He lifted Elizabeth’s hand slowly, letting his eyes adore her as he placed a soft kiss on the back of her fingers. He was rewarded with her eyes following this gesture as well. Though this was the extent of her response, there was a wave of emotion coursing throughout the room, and tearful eyes met and heads nodded in silent acknowledgement of this milestone.

Thus, it was with renewed hope for Elizabeth’s recovery that the trip to London began.

On the road to London

Mid-morning found William, Elizabeth and Mrs. Drury in Darcy’s coach, slowly making their way to London through a thick fog that cloaked the countryside and slowed their journey. Elizabeth had been given a draught to calm her before they left Netherfield, and almost immediately upon entering the coach she had removed her pelisse and laid her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. William worried that she should have kept the pelisse on, as she was likely to become cold the further they travelled.

With every sway of the coach, her head moved from side to side, and by the time they were several miles out of Meryton, Elizabeth leaned heavily against Mrs. Drury. Seeing that she was asleep, William motioned for Mrs. Drury to help him, and he picked up Elizabeth’s feet, laying them on the seat, causing her head to slide down into the woman’s lap. He then removed her pelisse to his side of the coach and reached under the seat to secure two warm blankets. One he used to cover Elizabeth, and the other he handed to Mrs. Drury. The companion smiled, nodding her appreciation, and closing her eyes, rested her head against the side of the coach.

With both ladies asleep or resting, William availed himself of the opportunity to study Elizabeth. As much as was possible, Jane had taken good care of her. She was fashionably dressed in a very becoming green gown and half boots of dark blue kid. Her hair looked beautiful, arranged with small butterfly pins scattered throughout. The pelisse, which she had immediately discarded, was dark-blue twilled cotton with a light blue silk lining, trimmed in fur. Examining her face, William noticed that she looked almost peaceful as she slept.

As the long ride progressed with his companions napping, William’s thoughts turned to the meeting he had had with the Bingleys that very morning. All of them had Elizabeth’s best interests at heart, and each was painfully aware of the importance and consequences of the actions they were taking.

Netherfield

The Drawing room

Earlier That Morning

“You realise that for Elizabeth to be sheltered at Pemberley, I will have to close the estate to almost everyone else? And until her condition improves, I think it best for no one—not even you—to visit.”

Jane nodded thoughtfully. “We could correspond regarding her, keeping abreast of her progress, could we not?”

Charles interjected, “What if one of our letters fell into the wrong hands?”

“We can establish a name to refer to Elizabeth in our letters,” William responded.

“When we were small, we pretended to be grand ladies, and we would make up names to go with our new identities. Lizzy used to call herself Elise Lawrence.”

“Then if we speak of her in correspondence, we shall refer to her as Elise. However, it would probably be less confusing to Elizabeth if she is addressed by her Christian name in conversation at Darcy House and Pemberley. She shall from this time forward be called Elizabeth Elise Lawrence while she is under my protection. Now, we must decide on her background.”

“Can she not be a distant cousin of yours? You remarked of having cousins in Sussex—a few of which you had met only once,” Charles offered. “I could feign having met her at Pemberley in years past, thus the enquiries into her health in my letters.”

William considered the suggestion. “That is probably as good a story as any. Are we in agreement?” Jane and Charles nodded.

“I have other concerns. I met Mrs. Drury this morning in the hallway, and she seems very refined, more so than the average servant. Is she the one primarily responsible for caring for Elizabeth?”

“Yes. She is Lizzy’s nurse. Until circumstances forced her into service, Mrs. Drury was a gentlewoman. She was our nurse at Longbourn when Lizzy was born, and as we got older, she did not agree with Mama’s treatment of Lizzy.” Jane looked away.

“She left Longbourn and found work elsewhere. When Charles and I married, I learned she was available and convinced her to come here. Naturally, when Lizzy was recovered, we needed someone we could trust, and she has been a godsend. She loves Lizzy. I assure you she will think nothing of accompanying her to Pemberley.”

“I believe familiarity will be helpful. Mrs. Drury does not have to assume another name, but at Darcy House and Pemberley, she will take on the role of Elizabeth Lawrence’s aunt and chaperone, which she seems capable of doing. If you will, Elizabeth will be a proper young lady being chaperoned by her aunt, in case others learn of her presence.”

William frowned as he addressed other concerns. “Of course, in order to truly keep her safe, some of my trusted servants must know her true identity and why she is with me, and I will not lie to my cousin Richard, my sister or her husband.”

“We understand completely. Do what you must.”

“Now, tell me everything from the first time she met this blackguard. I want to understand how this could have happened.”

“I believe Charles has already told you how Count Stefano came to be in Meryton.” Jane ventured, and seeing William nod, she continued. “Lizzy was not impressed at all by the count’s smooth conversation and charm. Used to having his choice of female companions, he could not comprehend why every woman was taken with him—except Lizzy. He became obsessed with her.”

She shivered. “If only I had listened when Lizzy said there was something evil about him! Finally, she persuaded Papa to tell him to leave her alone.” She added softly, “Lizzy was Papa’s favourite.”

Taking a deep breath to strengthen herself, Jane continued. “Then Papa died unexpectedly, we had to move into a small cottage behind Aunt Phillips’ house, as Mr. Collins demanded that he take possession of Longbourn at once. Mama went mad with grief and worry. She began inviting the count to our small house every night. Elizabeth begged her not to encourage him, but to no avail. One day when I came home, Lizzy was gone, and no explanation was offered.”

Jane stood and began pacing as she relived the horror. “I tried to find her myself. I had Mr. Hill drive Mary and me throughout Meryton and half the county, asking if anyone had seen her. I enquired at posting inns, I talked to the constable,” she struggled, “but it was hopeless.” Silence filled the room.

Whirling around, her eyes blazed in anger. “Then Mama purchased a bigger house, began hiring servants, buying clothes, as though she had gained a fortune. I suspected then that she had profited by my sister’s absence. It was only by chance that I heard her bragging to my Aunt Phillips that she had given her consent for Lizzy to marry Count Stefano!”

She dropped her head in her hands and began to cry, then lifted it to vent her rage. “LIZZY WOULD NEVER CONSENT TO MARRY THAT MAN!”

Charles moved to hold her, and she calmed somewhat. “We would have left Meryton long ago, but I feared Lizzy would make her way back, and I would not be here to help her!”

Trying to gain control of his temper, William walked over to stare into the gardens. The set of his shoulders, the clenching and unclenching of his fists, were the only evidence of his barely contained fury.

Charles took up the tale. “I returned to Netherfield just after Lizzy disappeared. We were married shortly thereafter, and I immediately hired a man to help in the search. After a year, he had found no trace of Lizzy or the count. Then about four months ago, a young man came to Netherfield, saying he was the nephew of the housekeeper of an estate in Sheffield. His aunt, a Mrs. Browning, asked him to deliver a letter to Elizabeth’s sister, Jane. He asked a few questions in Meryton and was directed here.”

Charles held up the missive. “The letter was precise. We were to come straightaway to retrieve Lizzy, but cautioned not to inform anyone, especially Mrs. Bennet. We did as she asked and found Lizzy being cared for by a relative of Mrs. Browning. She, her husband and a few other servants were living in a fire-ravaged mansion. Though the damage was extensive, it was confined to one wing.”

“And the cause of the fire?”

“A maid told Mrs. Browning that she had heard the count shouting and then a gunshot before she saw the smoke. She assumed that he had set it. Mrs. Browning said the maid found Elizabeth on the floor, just inside the door to the burning room, still alive but with a wound to her head.

Lizzy’s personal maid and a child appeared to have been killed instantly by other shots. They had time only to remove Lizzy to safety before the flames spread. Had a thunderstorm not been raging that night, the entire mansion would probably have been consumed by the blaze.”

William’s brow furrowed as he turned to face Charles. “A child? Whose child?”

“It seems the maid had a child who lived in the servants’ quarters with her.”

“I see.” He relaxed his stance a little. “Does the estate where Elizabeth was found belong to the count?”

“The estate is owned by the count’s father. Apparently, the count was only in residence sporadically before the fire and has not been heard from often since then.

William eyes narrowed. “Who is the father?”

“Frederick Warren Stanton, Earl of Essex. Do you know of him?”

“I have heard the name.” William considered for a moment. “And the son goes by an Italian surname?”

“Evidently he chooses to go by the title he inherited from his mother’s father, who was an Italian count.” William’s eyebrows rose in question.

Bingley nodded, his thoughts taking the same direction. “Yes, I had wondered about it myself. As he is so difficult to find, he may use various names to confuse those whom he knows to be looking for him.”

“Tell me about Elizabeth’s injuries. Has she been seen by a physician?”

“A private surgeon from London, Mr. Callahan, examined her. In his opinion, she was grazed by a gunshot, and he says that could explain why she does not talk and could also account for her odd behaviour. He assumed that it was an accident, and I did not correct him.”

“Martin Callahan?” William enquired and Charles nodded. “He is a colleague of my own surgeon, Farnsworth Towson, is he not?”

“Yes. I learned that he and Towson are versed in head injuries, and that is why I sent for him. They were commissioned by the Crown to do research on soldiers returning from battle with such injuries. Most of them have been shuffled to Bedlam, but he believes that they could have been helped, given time and patience.”

“Time and patience,” William murmured. “One I cannot control and the other I lack.”

~~~*~~~

William was thankful that Charles had sent a servant ahead to arrange for fresh horses along the way and that Jane had packed a basket of food and drink, as it allowed William and his party to arrive at Darcy House just after dark in spite of the thick fog that slowed their coach. Elizabeth was still sleeping, probably because of the draughts. He was relieved to think he would be able to get her into his home without contending with the prying eyes of his neighbours. He vowed to leave the same way when they removed to Pemberley.

As the coach came to an abrupt stop, a footman appeared seemingly out of nowhere to open the door. Gently lifting Elizabeth from Mrs. Drury’s lap and clutching her tightly to his body, William stepped out on the walk in front of his home. He glanced up at the three-story facade as he always did when he came back to his London home. The front door’s immediate opening brought his attention back to the situation at hand.

“Good evening, Mr. Darcy! A pleasure to see you again, sir!” Mr. Barnes exclaimed as he stepped back for them to enter.

Mr. Barnes had been the butler, and his wife the housekeeper, at Darcy House for the last five and twenty years, and William knew he could rely completely on the man’s discretion.

The butler averted his eyes to keep them on the young man. “Mrs. Barnes has your rooms prepared, and supper is waiting.”

The smell of roast beef and fresh bread filled the foyer as William moved towards the staircase—his eyes still fixed on the butler. “Thank you, Mr. Barnes. Please remember not to put the knocker on the door tomorrow. I do not wish for anyone to know I am in Town.”

Mrs. Barnes was at the foot of the stairs as he turned. “Mr. Darcy, would you like Perkins,” she motioned to a footman, “to assist the young lady to her room?”

Eyeing the tall young man with caution, William replied. “I will carry her myself. Just show Mrs. Drury to the rooms you have prepared, and I will follow.”

“Yes, sir. Madam, please follow me.”

Mrs. Barnes started up the grand staircase and everyone followed. Glancing back over her shoulder, she addressed the weary party, “After you are refreshed, I will send each of you a supper tray, as I know you are most likely famished. Cook has prepared Mr. Darcy’s favourite meal.”

“That is so kind of you,” Mrs. Drury replied as she continued her trek up the stairs, William following.

Leading the procession, Mrs. Barnes made no remarks about the circumstances that brought the young woman to Darcy House. She and her husband along with Mr. Noble, Mr. Darcy’s valet, had been informed only to expect Mr. Darcy’s cousin, who was travelling with him to Pemberley, as she needed to recuperate after a severe illness. William trusted them implicitly and intended to explain everything to them later. He knew they would guard Elizabeth’s secret just as tenaciously as he.

Arriving at a large bedroom, tastefully decorated in gold and green, Mrs. Barnes motioned for them to enter. Two maids stood at attention, awaiting instructions, and showed no astonishment at seeing the Master come into the room with a woman in his arms. They were well-versed in their duties and kept their eyes cast down.

“This is your room, Mrs. Drury,” Mrs. Barnes said, looking to one of the maids. “Agatha, will you attend Mrs. Drury. Lula, come with me.” With quick curtsies, the maids complied.

Crossing the room to a door, Mrs. Barnes opened it to reveal a sitting room and continued through and into a second bedroom, decorated in lavender and white.

“This is Miss Lawrence’s room.”

William followed his housekeeper into the second bedroom and carefully placed Elizabeth on the large white counterpane covering the bed. He perceived that she was awakening, so he sat down on the side of the bed. A flick of his hand sent the servants out of the room.

“Elizabeth?” Her eyes flew open and locked on his. “You are at my home in London. We will rest here for just a few days before travelling to Pemberley.” He took both her hands in his, remembering how she had reacted to his touch that morning.

“I will leave you in the care of my trusted employees, who will see to your comfort. You will have a nice hot bath and something to eat before you have a good night’s rest in this soft bed.”

Elizabeth seemed to study his face and he smiled. Leaning over, he placed a kiss on her forehead before pulling back.

“Mrs. Drury will be in the next room, and Lula will be sleeping on a cot in the sitting room in between. If you need anything, you may ring this bell.” He reached over and picked up a small bell on the bedside table, ringing it a bit and smiling.

“I will see you tomorrow. Most likely, you will want to tour the house, and I will be happy to escort you. Would you like that?”

As quickly as he stood, the young maid reappeared, and he nodded towards Elizabeth. As she came around the bed, he slipped out the door and found Mrs. Barnes standing just inside the sitting room. She said softly so that Lula could not hear, “I thought that having them in adjoining rooms would ensure that Mrs. Drury is able to keep close watch over Miss Lawrence.”

William nodded, glancing back to Elizabeth, and speaking equally as quietly, he gave further instructions. “Keep the doors to the hallways locked. I do not want her to encounter any men—footmen or otherwise—in the house.” Then he said wearily, “I will retire to allow you to take care of Miss Lawrence so that she and Mrs. Drury may eat and rest.”

As he made his way out of the room, he could hear Mrs. Barnes speaking. “Mrs. Drury, Agatha will assist you with a bath if you would like. Rest assured that Lula will see to Miss Lawrence’s every need.”

Mrs. Barnes had been informed that if anyone should enquire, Elizabeth Lawrence was a distant cousin of Mr. Darcy, and a debilitating illness had triggered an invitation to Pemberley to recuperate. Of course, Miss Lawrence was being chaperoned by her aunt, Mrs. Drury. Though this explanation was plausible, it was certain that nothing would satisfy the gossips of the ton if they got wind of the young woman’s presence in Mr. Darcy’s homes, either here or at Pemberley.

William’s Study

The next day

Attending to some problems with his steward the next morning, William was startled when Mr. Barnes announced his cousin. “Colonel Fitzwilliam to see you, sir.”

Sighing, he stood. Richard warned me that he had ways of knowing when I was in Town. “Send him—”

“Darce!” Richard entered without waiting for William to finish. “You were not joking when you said you would not be staying at Netherfield long, were you?” Then looking back at the departing butler he chuckled, “Old Barnes is getting faster. He was able to catch me this morning!”

Shaking his head at Richard’s antics, William replied, “It is good to see you too, Richard, but I do have much work to accomplish before I return to Pemberley. Perhaps we could meet later today?” As he spoke, he motioned towards the pile of papers on his desk and his steward still sitting in the chair in front.

“And this is the thanks I get for coming to warn you, Cousin?”

William immediately dismissed the steward, waiting until he closed the door on his way out before asking, “Warn me?”

“Yes. Mrs. Preston is on her way to Darcy House, even as we speak.”

“Mrs. Preston? How would she—” He stopped at Richard’s smirk. “What would possess her to call on me uninvited and unaccompanied?”

“Oh, she is not unaccompanied. Mother is with her!” William sat back down with a groan. “It seems the two of them have become quite cosy since you danced with the Black Widow at my ball. She has convinced Mother that you shall offer for her any day now.”

Another louder groan filled the room, and Richard guffawed in response. “Oh, come now, Cousin! Did you really expect to pay even the slightest amount of attention to that wallflower and not raise her expectations?” At William’s scowl, he sobered and spoke candidly. “It is true! She has been seen picking out her trousseau, and I have a firsthand account that she has been commenting on where you might go on your wedding trip.”

“I…I never gave her any expectation of—” William turned to grab the bottle of brandy behind his desk and poured a large glass.

“Pour me one as well,” Richard declared, taking the seat formerly occupied by the steward and reaching out to take the proffered drink. “I think we will have to plan our strategy quickly, before they get here.”

At that precise moment, a loud commotion upstairs interrupted their conversation, and William hurried out the study door without explanation, Richard on his heels. William reached the first floor landing quickly, having ascended the steps two at a time, to find Mrs. Drury struggling to keep Elizabeth from escaping her grip.

“Please, Miss Elizabeth. Do you not remember that we are in London now? You cannot walk out this morning. Besides, it is much too cold, and the wind is fierce,” her companion begged.

Elizabeth pushed away from Mrs. Drury, trying to get past her. Immediately, William moved to fold her in his arms, pulling her solidly against his chest. She stilled, taking hold of his coat lapels, and relaxed into him, laying her head on his chest. As she did, she took a deep breath, seeming to calm at the familiar sandalwood cologne permeating his clothes.

Mrs. Barnes had arrived by then and shared a look of astonishment with Richard, before composing herself into her normal head housekeeper mien. Richard’s expression never changed.

William whispered into her hair, the lavender scent making his heart beat faster.

“Shhh, Elizabeth. All is well, but it is still quite cold outside. London is much colder than was Meryton, and I would prefer you do not go walking about today.”

He nodded slightly to Mrs. Drury and then to the maid. “Come. Let Lula direct you and Mrs. Drury to the conservatory where you may enjoy the sunshine and flowers this morning. You can even eat breakfast there, if you like.”

Elizabeth did not move, still holding tightly to his coat. He smiled as he gently unclasped each hand, taking them in his own, and pushed her slowly back to create some distance between them.

Mrs. Drury came to Elizabeth’s side, taking one arm, while the maid stepped up to take the other. William lifted her chin, willing her eyes to focus on his. “I shall join you there in a short while, and we shall have that tour of the house I promised. Then perhaps we shall share a book.” Though there was no recognition or emotion in her eyes, her gaze never varied. He smiled lovingly at her and then stepped back.

“Please take Miss Elizabeth to the conservatory by the back staircase. Mrs. Barnes, please go before them, and see to it that there are no footmen in her view.”

“Yes, sir,” the elderly woman said as she hurriedly led the others down the hall. Soon they were all out of sight.

Having forgotten about Richard during the crisis, William was startled by a low whistle.

“If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it! What in the world is going on, Darce? Is that not Elizabeth Bennet? Whatever has happened to the poor girl?”

William motioned for Richard to be quiet. Looking about and seeing no other servants, he replied worriedly, “I find it hard to believe myself. Come, and I will explain it all, as I will most likely need your help.”

~~~*~~~

Thus, it was with Richard’s assistance that Lady Matlock and Mrs. Preston were thwarted in their attempt to encounter William at Darcy House. Richard met the two ladies as they ascended the steps, while he was coming out the front door.

“Mother!” he declared heartily, “imagine meeting you here. And Mrs. Preston, it is a pleasure to see you again so soon.” He bowed and the ladies nodded. “Alas, if it was your wish to visit with William, I regret to inform you that I was just inside, and William is not here. I would not take Mr. Barnes word for it at first.” He turned to address the widow. “My taciturn cousin sometimes has Mr. Barnes say he is not in when he has work to finish. Thus, I always confirm it for myself.”

Mrs. Preston was not quite sure what to make of the colonel’s revelation, but turned as he began to escort her and Lady Matlock back down the steps towards their carriage.

“I am on my way to White’s to confront him. Shall I tell him that you expect him for dinner tomorrow, Mother, and that the lovely Mrs. Preston will be in attendance as well? Will that suffice for the inconvenience of your finding him not at home?”

“Yes, thank you, Richard,” Lady Matlock answered, patting Richard’s cheek affectionately as he helped her into the carriage.

“Mother!” Richard blushed and said mockingly, “not in public!”

Watching his mother’s carriage wend its way down the street, he breathed a sigh of relief before remembering what he had just learned from William. A frown crossed his face as he turned to go back into the house.

Somehow, I must talk Darce out of this madness!

~~~*~~~