Page 15 of Losing Lizzy

He had assured Anne that he would send a carriage for her tomorrow to bring her to London, but his cousin had decided she and Mrs. Jenkinson would arrive at Darcy House some time this evening. “After her ladyship finishes wishing you upon a short ladder to purgatory,” Anne giggled. It was the first time Darcy could recall hearing that particular sound escaping his cousin’s lips.

“You are welcome at any time. Just know I have installed three men of business and a new land steward at Rosings until the Fitzwilliams can arrive. Nothing will happen to your inheritance.”

She glanced back to where the upper storeys of Rosings Park could be viewed over the tree tops. “It shall all feel odd,” she admitted. “All I have ever known—”

“Fitzwilliam and I will protect you.”

“Do you think I might have an allowance also, Darcy? I would enjoy making a purchase that does not require my mother’s prior permission.”

He caught her to him for a quick embrace. “We will set up a proper allowance when we meet your new men of business, who will aid in your transition to heiress.”

“As long as Georgiana permits me to hold her son, I shall be happy. Her ladyship always thought I was too frail to be around children. ”

Darcy swallowed his sigh of resignation: His cousin would have a long road ahead, one where she would finally experience a life of normalcy. “Until this evening then.” He turned to assist Elizabeth into his coach, and Sheffield lifted Lizzy Anne inside.

“If you hold no objections, I believe I will return to Brighton, sir,” his former servant said with customary decorum.

“Absolutely not,” Elizabeth declared before Darcy could open his mouth to express the same sentiments. “We began this journey together. William has promised me that we would be to Hertfordshire tomorrow. I want my whole family to have your acquaintance. They owe you so much. Neither Lizzy nor I would have survived without you.”

Sheffield shrugged in obvious defeat. “I have never had a female purposely make me feel guilty with as much skill and excellence as you, Elizabeth. You should beware of her arts, sir.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Trust me, I learned from the best. You will understand when you take Mrs. Bennet’s acquaintance.”

“Very well,” Sheffield said. “I suppose it would be pleasant to speak to Mrs. Guthrie and the others again.”

“William,” Elizabeth pointed her finger at first him and then at Sheffield, “do not permit Albert to sleep in the servants’ quarters. Both of you hear what I say.”

“Yes, Elizabeth,” he and Sheffield said together.

“I am warning you, Albert Sheffield, I will drag you from the servants’ quarters by the lobe of your ear and deposit you in a proper room if you do not follow my request. I will not relent on this matter.”

Sheffield nodded his understanding and stepped back to permit Darcy to climb into his coach. When Jasper closed the door and climbed up on the box, Darcy said with a grin, “You were very forceful, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Why you call Mama Bisses Barcy?” Lizzy Anne asked.

Darcy lifted the child to his lap. “Because our last name is Darc y . You are Elizabeth Anne Rachel Darcy.” He had learned his child’s full name when he had viewed her baptismal records.

His child looked to Elizabeth for confirmation. “Your papa is correct. We are Darcys.”

Lizzy frowned, but she did not dwell long on the idea. Instead she asked, “You have castle bigger than that one?” She pointed to Rosings Park, which grew smaller as they departed the main road of the estate. His daughter craned her neck for one last look at the manor house.

“Ask your mama,” he suggested.

“Your papa has one of the largest and finest houses in all of England,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

“Bigger than the King?” Lizzy asked in awe.

Darcy laughed, “Not quite that large, but large enough for you to have plenty of places to play.” He adjusted his hold on her. “We are going to our house in London. The King also lives in London, but not in our house.”

“We see baby?” she asked.

“Yes, you will see your new cousin,” he responded with a grin.

Lizzy told Elizabeth. “Baby’s a boy.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “You have told her of the Fitzwilliams’ son.”

“The child is her cousin,” he said with a smile. “Lizzy will have a family.”

“I like famee,” his daughter concurred. She yawned loudly.

“Papa will hold you,” he said softly. “You nap, and soon we will be at Darcy House.”

“The house has our name,” she murmured as she snuggled into his body.

He allowed the natural sway of the coach to rock the child to sleep. Within minutes, Lizzy’s eyes fell closed, and she hummed a soft snore. Darcy had not known such contentment since he had been a small child upon his mother’s lap.

“It may take more than one day for me to make the necessary arrangements for my sister and Fitzwilliam and come to an ‘understanding’ with Lord Matlock,” he cautioned. “You told Sheffield we would return to Hertfordshire tomorrow. I do not want to disappoint you.”

“I did not think tomorrow was possible,” she admitted. “After all, it will be the Sabbath. I simply wished to keep Sheffield with us for a few more days. I do not wish him cut from our lives.”

“I agree,” he said with a nod. “I am losing my aunt and uncle. Each has played a major role in my life since my father’s passing.” He sighed heavily. “I want those I can trust to play a role in Elizabeth Anne’s future, no matter his or her station in life.”

“Mr. Sheffield is a gentleman’s son, as are you,” she argued.

“Yes, he is. I did not mean to sound as if I disapproved of Sheffield’s upbringing.”

“I know,” she said in honest tones. “It is just that I have something to confess.”

Darcy eyed her suspiciously. “Please do not tell me you hold a tendre for my former valet.”

She laughed softly. “I adore the man, and he holds my deepest gratitude, but not my heart, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Only you. Yet, that does not mean I do not worry for the gentleman’s future.”

He smiled easily at her. “And what future do you believe Mr. Sheffield deserves?”

“A wife. Children, naturally,” she said with such ease, proving she had thought long and hard on her conclusion.

“Women always think every man requires a wife and children to know satisfaction,” he countered. “If the practice of primogeniture did not rule the aristocracy and upper society, I suspect more than one man would have been happy to spend his days in bachelorhood.”

“I do not think every man deserves a wife and children. Men, such as Mr. Townsend would be a poor candidate for any woman.” She frowned deeply. “I still believe Charlotte Lucas’s choice a poor one, and you cannot tell me Mr. Wickham is the type to want a wife or children if someone did not pay him to act honorably.”

“All good points,” he conceded.

“By the way, have you any knowledge of whether the Wickhams have presented my parents with a grandchild or not?”

“I do not. I did not think to ask of the pair when I spoke to Miss Bennet, and, she, thankfully, did not inquire of Mr. Bingley. I am not certain what I could have told her that she did not already know, and, as she did me a good turn, I would not have wanted to inflict more pain on her.”

“Thank you for that,” she said softly. “And as to the Wickhams, I suppose my mother will bring me up to snuff quickly enough.” She shrugged, “I pray our maneuverings did not bring sorrow to Lydia’s dreams.” She visibly shook away her doldrums. “The point I wish to make is, Mr. Sheffield would make some woman a devoted husband and would provide love to his children.”

“I assume you believe Sheffield should choose someone other than Mrs. Harris?” Darcy was enjoying this conversation because it provided him insights into Elizabeth’s mind. It was as if they had taken a step back in time to the days when they were still learning something of each other’s values. “I cannot say I was impressed with the lady,” Darcy admitted. “For what it is worth, I believe Sheffield is also less than happy in thinking the lady is his only choice.”

“Did he say something to you of the prospects of marrying Mrs. Harris?” she asked in interest.

“Just that the lady is not much of a reader,” he shared.

“Is that all?” Disappointment marked her features. “I was hoping he had come to his senses.”

“You do not understand the working of a man’s mind nor how we communicate with each other. When men speak of marriage, Elizabeth, such complaints regarding a woman’s lack of common interests is as good as a refusal for a man to propose.”

She presented him a large grin. “It is difficult to learn such nuances in a household of women. Then it was certainly true that your comment about my ‘fine eyes’ was an overture of your affections?”

“It was. My affections have not waned, my love.” Heat flashed between them before they both reined it in. They still had a long way to go before they could claim the remnants of what once rested easily between them.

“Then Mr. Sheffield,” she said in quiet tones, “requires a woman who is a reader.”

“I would think a man who owns a bookstore would wish to be able to discuss books with his wife,” Darcy concluded. “What have you in mind, Elizabeth?”

“I was just considering how both Jane and Mary are avid readers.”

He teased, “You will not enjoy my observation.”

“And it is?” she challenged.

“Just that you may be Mr. Bennet’s favorite daughter, but you possess some of your mother’s tendencies to manipulate those within your care, as if you are a chess master.”

She ignored his taunt but did display her concern. “Do you think either Jane or Mary a bad idea?”

“I do not,” he admitted. “If Sheffield would develop an affection for either, I would be happy to welcome him into our family. Either way, Sheffield will always be Lizzy’s ‘Uncle Albert.’”

“I promise to allow nature to take its course,” she said smartly, “except for one matter I deem of importance.”

“That would be?” Darcy could not resist smiling. He would be the fortunate one: the man who woke up to such a woman every day.

She blushed but did not look away. “I wish you to discover a bookstore similar to the one known as Brooke’s. Do you know it?”

“Yes, it is the one I frequented before my abduction.”

She nodded her understanding. “Before he called upon my father, Mr. Sheffield had thought to purchase Brooke’s with his savings. While still in your employment, he planned to hire someone to run the store for him, and when it was time to retire, he would assume those duties.”

“Admirable,” he said in honesty. “I had no idea Sheffield was wealthy enough to think of purchasing Brooke’s.” He grinned. “I must be overpaying my staff.”

Another rush of color flooded her cheeks. “I should probably not disclose this, but many of Society do not realize their servants possess ears.”

He stifled the laugh ready to escape his lips, for he did not wish to disturb his child. Yet, it was difficult not to wish to kiss Elizabeth’s lips when she quirked them in amusement.

“But—” she began.

“So, what exactly did Sheffield overhear that made him rich enough to consider purchasing Brooke’s when it became available?” he asked, thoroughly enjoying their conversation. This was to be his life, and Darcy could not wait to embrace it fully.

She smiled largely. “Sheffield invested in the same ventures as did his employer, and he sold when you did.”

“How very astute of him,” he said with a large smile. “Perhaps, I should ask for a fee as I am the one who did the research on the various proposals.”

She gestured his tease away. “Permit me to finish my tale, sir.”

He nodded his agreement.

“Sheffield had a small inheritance from his mother’s dowry and had saved for the purchase, but when he agreed to assist me, his expenses increased dramatically. We let a cottage in Cumbria for nearly a year. Furniture. Travel to Scotland and the necessary payments for someone to antedate the marriage and other ways to assure you and I were in the area on the appropriate date. My medical care. A wet nurse. Even when he lost the opportunity to bid on Brooke’s, he might still have chosen London, but we feared someone would recognize me. With my luck, I would have come across my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner or the Bingleys or someone from your family.” She paused to gather her thoughts. “As the Meryton militia had departed Brighton shortly after Lydia’s debacle, when the store there became available, Brighton proved a viable choice for both of us. Sheffield purchased the building and all its contents. As he would make the best with Mrs. Harris as his wife, Mr. Sheffield would be satisfied to return to Brighton, but, in my opinion, neither the lady nor the seaside town is the gentleman’s dream.”

Darcy’s smile dimmed, and he turned serious. “Mr. Sheffield would never accept my financial gratitude. His pride is as big as his heartfelt care for you and Elizabeth Anne.”

“I agree. Sheffield would refuse. Moreover, Brooke’s is no longer available, but certainly there must be one just as perfect for the man. Might I add a search for another establishment where Sheffield can hang his sign of ownership to your list of changes in our lives to accomplish?”

“Permit me to consider how best to proceed without destroying the gentleman’s sense of honor. I would have agreed to assist him even if he was still my valet, but your story compels me to know success in this matter,” he assured.

* * *

They had spent the remainder of their journey deciding how they would proceed with their relationship. They had agreed they would carry forward the idea that they had eloped to Scotland, providing Elizabeth Anne her legitimacy while denying themselves vows of marriage. Because neither of them considered ‘living in sin,’ despite their continued commitment to each other, a viable option, at length, it was decided they would marry in a private ceremony as quickly as possible. Yet, as English law required residency in the parish of either the man or the woman for four weeks prior to the ceremony, they would spend the next month as a couple in the eyes of the world, but, in private, this time, they would postpone the duties enjoyed by a man and his wife.

Neither of them wished to wait to share himself with the other, but they both felt strongly that if they did not properly speak their vows, it would destroy their future happiness.

At length, the two carriages pulled up before Darcy House, and Darcy assisted Elizabeth down before lifting Lizzy into his arms. He knew his neighbors likely watched his every move. Samuels hurried down the steps to assist Jasper with the trunks. He instructed, “Bring in those belonging to Mr. Sheffield also.” Then, he escorted his family into Darcy House for the first time.

“Mrs. Guthrie,” he said as he handed off his hat to the lady. “This is your mistress, Mrs. Darcy.” To Elizabeth, he said, “Our housekeeper, Mrs. Guthrie.”

His long-time servant curtseyed. “Welcome, Mistress. Your room is still in good order, but I will have a maid set the fire for this evening.”

Darcy gave his daughter a little squeeze. “And this is Miss Elizabeth Anne Rachel Darcy, my daughter. We call her ‘Miss Lizzy.’” He kissed his child’s cheek. “Miss Lizzy will require a place in the nursery along with Mrs. Fitzwilliam’s son. If the boy’s nurse cannot also tend Lizzy, then assign one of the maids to her. We will only be in residence for a few days. My wife wishes to visit with her family in Hertfordshire before we retreat to Derbyshire.”

“I shall see to the details, Mr. Darcy.”

He glanced over his shoulder to where Sheffield waiting. “I am certain you recognize Mr. Sheffield.”

“Yes, sir.”

He grinned. “Although I could desperately use his services, Sheffield is to be treated as a guest during his stay with us.”

Mrs. Guthrie’s features displayed her surprise, but, as any good upper servant would, she nodded her understanding.

“One last thing,” he ordered. “My cousin, Miss de Bourgh, and I assume her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson, will be joining us later for an extended stay. The ladies will require rooms, as will her footman and coachman. Please apologize to Cook for upsetting her plans for supper.”

“Certainly, sir.”

“Where is my sister?”

“I believe she and Mr. Fitzwilliam are in her sitting room. ”

He nodded his gratitude and started up the stairs with Elizabeth on his arm and Lizzy nestled against his shoulder.

“Sheffield,” Elizabeth called without looking around. “You may visit below stairs, but—”

“I understand, Mrs. Darcy,” Sheffield said with a laugh. “I would not dare go against your will.”