Page 63 of Missing

Elizabeth was weary of being confined to her chamber all day, but she had no choice but to rest. It was her third day in bed, and the doctor had authorised her to leave her room and begin moderate activity on the morrow.

She had attempted to rise more than once, yet her husband had not permitted it.

William had removed his work to her chamber, seated at a small table by the window.

He knew well that Elizabeth was lively by nature and would struggle with enforced idleness.

Still, the doctor had assured them that if all progressed favourably, they might travel to the Lake District within a fortnight.

William was full of anticipation for that journey; he longed for time alone with his wife, to show her his gratitude for the precious gift she carried.

He could hardly wait for the birth of their child.

Thanks to the diligence of his new assistant, William was able to divide his attention between managing Pemberley and the Dalton company, which he had vowed never to neglect.

In honour of Aaron Dalton, the father who had raised him, he would ensure that the enterprise and the name endured for generations.

Christian Moore, barely two-and-twenty, had only recently completed his studies at Oxford.

His father, Colonel Moore, the second son of a Hampshire squire, had fallen in action when Christian was but seventeen, leaving his family in grief and straitened circumstances.

His mother became a companion so that her son might continue at Oxford, while his younger sister went to live with her aunt and uncle.

Determined to support them, Christian had worked in a solicitor's office, but his earnings scarcely sufficed.

He desired only an opportunity, and William had provided it.

Upon learning that the young man saved nearly all his income to rent a home for his mother, Violet persuaded William to offer him the use of the London house.

She herself had no intention of returning there for many months, intending instead to pass the summer season in Manchester.

Thus, Christian and his family could reside there, care for the property, and save towards their own establishment.

One afternoon, while William was reading Christian's most recent report, he caught sight of Elizabeth attempting to rise. "Where do you imagine you are going, Mrs Dalton?" he asked, springing to her side.

"William, must I really tell you where I need to go?" Elizabeth replied, a little vexed.

"I understand," he said simply, and, without another word, lifted her in his arms and carried her to the adjoining chamber.

When she was ready, Elizabeth addressed him firmly. "William, I must ask you not to exaggerate in your attentions. I already feel well, and I wish to resume my life. I do not desire you watching my every move all day long."

"I am sorry, Mrs Darcy, but I nearly lost you and our child a few days ago.

Whether it displeases you or not, I shall guard you until the doctor allows you to leave that bed.

Your health and that of our child are my only concern at present, and even should you be angry with me, I shall remain here to ensure your safety," William replied with resolute tenderness.

Elizabeth regretted her sharpness at once, for she knew his fears were born of genuine love. "Forgive me, my love. It is only that idleness makes me restless, and I become ill-tempered."

"I understand, my dear," William said, softening. "Do not trouble yourself; I knew, when I married you, that you were somewhat wilful," he added with a smile. "But you cannot imagine the anguish I felt when I thought I had lost you."

Elizabeth saw the torment in his eyes and kissed him tenderly. "You must not dwell on that. I am safe, our child is safe, and the accident proved far less grave than it first appeared."

As he laid her gently upon the bed, she added thoughtfully, "William, I have observed that at times you call me Mrs Dalton, and at others, Mrs Darcy. Why is that?"

"I shall be frank, my love, for you and my mother are the only two with whom I could share such a thought.

The fear of losing you made me reflect upon what my parents must have felt when they believed their son had drowned.

Though I have learnt to respect and admire Mr Darcy, part of me will forever remain a Dalton.

To the world, we shall be Mr and Mrs Darcy, yet in our home, we shall still be William and Elizabeth Dalton. "

"As you wish, my dear. I love William and Fitzwilliam alike. Yet I confess, I often imagine how very different our lives might have been had you grown up a Darcy."

"And why so?"

"Because," Elizabeth replied with a mischievous smile, "I suspect you would have grown vain and pompous amidst such grandeur and indulgence."

"That, my love, we shall never know. But what I do know is that we are destined for one another, and anyone who says otherwise is a fool," William declared. "Now, you must rest."

"Very well; I shall rest if it pleases you. Yet I, too, believe we were destined to be together, no matter the circumstances."

William kissed her cheek and watched as she drifted into slumber, still a little frail but comforted. Once certain she slept peacefully, he returned to his small table and began to compose instructions for Christian, setting out the work to be accomplished in the coming weeks.

◆◆◆

The days that Caroline remained at Netherfield were unsettling for Jane and Charles, yet neither of them yielded to her demands.

They stood firm and united, until Caroline, unwilling to live in the house as a poor relation and still less to take orders from a woman as insignificant as Jane Bennet, was compelled to leave.

She removed herself to Scarborough, but finding life with her aunt intolerable, she soon petitioned her brother for her dowry, hoping to establish a house of her own in London.

Yet her extravagant habits quickly consumed half of it, and in a desperate attempt to secure her future, she returned once more to Scarborough, where she accepted a marriage of convenience with a wealthy merchant.

Caroline had thought this would solve her difficulties, but the reality proved otherwise: her husband was so exceedingly frugal that, despite his great fortune, she lived in near penury.

Mrs Bennet, though she recovered from the illness that had nearly proved fatal, remained in fragile health and required almost six months to regain her strength. For that reason, Jane resolved not to travel with Violet, promising instead to care for her mother.

True to his amiable nature, Charles organised frequent social gatherings, picnics, and diversions for the neighbourhood, all without neglecting his estate.

In that way, he swiftly endeared himself to the community, who, in return, gladly assisted and advised him.

Jane, meanwhile, learnt to be more resolute and not so easily swayed by the opinions of others.

Mr Darcy wrote to the Bennet family of all that had occurred with Wickham, carefully assuring them that all was well.

He also composed a long letter to Violet, describing the tragic afternoon when William had been lost in the river, and expressing his wish to surprise his son with a celebration of his forthcoming birthday.

He entreated her, before travelling on to Manchester, to visit Pemberley for the occasion.

Violet, though reluctant to intrude upon her son's new life, perceived that he might need her presence and accepted the invitation, promising to come with Elizabeth's three younger sisters.

On the appointed day, Elizabeth awaited William on one of her favourite paths, having asked a servant to summon him.

Her task was to keep him from the house until all was ready for his surprise.

Leaning against the trunk of a great tree, she was listening to the birdsong when she saw her husband running towards her, alarm written on his face.

"My love, has something happened to you—or to the child? Pray, let me carry you home. I shall send for the doctor at once," William cried.

Elizabeth could scarcely contain her laughter. "William, I daresay Mr Miller told you, 'Mr Darcy, your wife needs you,' and you did not hear another word. If you had listened further, you would have learnt that I only desired you to accompany me on a walk."

Ashamed but smiling ruefully, William admitted the truth. "I wish I might command my fears, but I cannot. Perhaps, when time has softened the memory of Wickham's attack…"

Elizabeth took his hand with tenderness. "I love that you are so protective, but you must learn to trust me. We cannot live as though danger is always at our door."

"Yes, you are one more time right."

They walked for almost half an hour in the park adjacent to Pemberley, talking and planning everything they wanted to do on their trip to the Lake District.

Later, as they returned to the house, William opened the door of the blue drawing-room only to find it full of well-wishers. Above all, his eyes fell upon his mother.

"Mother! What a beautiful surprise," he exclaimed, embracing Violet.

"My dear boy, it rejoices me beyond words to see you so well, and in your own home," Violet replied, kissing his cheek.

The gathering was a happy one; Georgiana was delighted by the company of Elizabeth's sisters, and even Lydia, awed by Pemberley's splendour, remembered Violet's lessons and did her best to behave.

That evening, when the celebrations subsided, William drew his mother aside. "How have you been, dear Mother?"

"Very well, my son. Your sisters kept me laughing the whole journey, and I anticipate much happiness in Manchester. And Lizzy has told me the glad news—I shall be a grandmother!"

William's eyes softened. "Then I hope you will remain with us often, not for my sake only, but for your grandchild's."

"You know, my son, I am a woman of the city," Violet answered with tears in her eyes, "yet I shall always spend long seasons wherever you are."

"And I shall always be a Dalton in my heart," William replied. "I shall never abandon my father Aaron's business, nor forget the promises I made to him."

"My dear boy," said Violet, kissing his son's cheek.

Two days later, William and Elizabeth at last departed for the Lake District.

Violet and the younger Bennet sisters remained, much to Georgiana's delight, and Mr Darcy persuaded Violet to prolong her stay.

In those weeks, he and Violet became true friends, united in their devotion to the son they both claimed.

Neither desired William to feel he must choose between his two families, and in the years to come, their bond only strengthened.

Together, they witnessed the growth of their grandchildren.

The eldest, Bennet Darcy, became heir to Pemberley; the second son, Aaron Darcy, in honour of his maternal grandparents, took the name Dalton and continued the business of his grandfather.

◆◆◆

"I cannot believe we are in this place after everything that has befallen us in these last months," Elizabeth said, gazing over the lake. She leant against her husband's chest as they sat together upon the terrace of the house Mr Darcy had engaged for them.

"It has indeed been a most troubled season, my love, yet in spite of all, I am happy; I am, at last, at peace.

There are no secrets remaining in my life, and I possess more than I ever dreamt possible.

I have a father and a mother who love me dearly, a gentle and affectionate sister, three sisters-in-law who comfort and accompany my mother, and very soon I shall be blessed with a child.

And above all, I have you—my dear, my beloved Elizabeth. "

Elizabeth embraced her husband tightly, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love you, William."

"And I love you, too—my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."

Together, they watched the sun sink over the lake, exchanging tender kisses and renewing their vows of eternal love.

FIN