Page 139 of Obligation and Redemption

Saturday morning arrived and Elizabeth began to think that perhaps Lord Langston and his wife might not come after all.

Her husband had said that they would arrive before Easter, so if they did not show up today, they likely might not come at all, and if they did, they would only be here for no more than a few days without her husband in attendance.

Elizabeth enjoyed her morning walk again with Clark, then spent the afternoon visiting one of the tenants before practising upon the pianoforte, continuing her attack on Beethoven.

She found that when she got caught up in the music that she quite forgot her trials and had just succeeded in mastering one of the many difficult passages in Beethoven’s sonata when a servant entered informing her of the arrival of guests.

Her heart began to race. Oh, God, please not the viscount!

But her prayers were not to be answered as she wished, for moments later Langston and his wife were ushered in for a greeting before being shown to their rooms .

“Mrs. Darcy, we did not mean to disturb your laboured efforts at the pianoforte. We know our way around since we have stayed here many times, so can take ourselves up to our suite – that is, of course, if you have managed to secure our usual rooms?”

Elizabeth forced a smile as she responded, “Lady Susan, welcome. You are arrived at a fortuitous time, for I have been at the instrument for hours now and am in need of a break. I do believe Mrs. Reynolds is aware of your preferences and has everything ready for you.” Not wanting to show her fear, she turned to Langston and continued, “Sir, welcome to Pemberley. Darcy said that you would be here until his arrival this coming week. How nice not to have to spend the holiday alone. I suppose you will be joining me for services in the morning?”

“Yes, we always attend,” answered his wife.

“We will be having dinner at six-thirty.”

“Six-thirty? I suppose that will have to do,” said Lady Susan, resigned to be back in the presence of the woman for whom she held no fondness.

Happy to be alone, Elizabeth left them to find their own way.

She then summoned Laura to ask that she join them for dinner.

Elizabeth would loan her one of her simple gowns and ask Janette to style Laura’s hair.

Although an unusual request, Laura did not question her mistress, whom she knew to be a rather eccentric young lady.

What the other servants were to say, Laura could not know, but apparently Mrs. Darcy felt a need for her presence, so she would be there for her.

Langston and his wife had never met the woman before and would not know that Mrs. Darcy’s companion was in truth the housemaid’s apprentice.

Elizabeth then called Peters and told him of her desire to keep Clark close by at all times.

The butler agreed without question and made certain the valet was assigned as the mistress desired.

After taking care of preparations for her own safety, Elizabeth retired to her room to prepare for the evening ahead. Before long, Laura joined her. Her presence was already having a calming effect on Elizabeth, much like Jane’s companionship would have.

Dinner conversation was stilted. Although usually a skilful hostess, Elizabeth found herself unable to move things along.

Laura, uncomfortable with the company, had little to contribute.

Lord Langston sat quietly, staring at Elizabeth as though she were a piece of sweetmeats.

He was careful to hide his attentions from his wife, but could not keep his deliberations from the notice of Clark, whose job was to anticipate the guests’ needs.

Clark began to discern his mistress’s concerns and rationale behind her recent, strange requests.

Elizabeth, too, could not miss the covert interest in her person and was thankful for her own foresight in ensuring her safety.

After dinner, they adjourned to the music room for the ladies to demonstrate their skill.

Susan was finally able to enjoy herself, for she found her abilities far exceeded that of her host. She could not like the attention obviously placed upon Mrs. Darcy by her husband and was determined to show Elizabeth in a poor light.

Her accomplishment was completely lost on her husband, however, for he had heard her play the same songs many times, and Elizabeth’s pathos displayed on the instrument had a similar effect on him as it had on others of the same sex.

Elizabeth’s passionate nature could not be contained, for she had no understanding of the influence herself; nonetheless, Clark was able to discern the essence of her bearing and the possible impact on a man’s sensibilities, specifically those of Lord Langston.

The evening came to an early end, and Clark escorted his mistress to her chamber.

Langston watched the footman’s attentiveness and suspected that either Elizabeth had developed a tendre for him as well, or he was given the job of protector.

Either way the viscount would find a way of getting Elizabeth alone.

DURING THE NIGHT ELIZABETH heard the sound of the door to the sitting room, adjoining her husband’s, quietly opening.

She watched as Darcy made his way towards her bed.

Remarkably, she felt a sense of anticipation for she had missed him dearly and only desired his comforting presence.

He lifted the bed linens and crawled in beside her, then soon began caressing her exposed skin, moving next to her hidden form.

Darcy’s kisses were gentle at first, but became more passionate and insistent as he moved on top of her.

Although overwhelmed by his closeness, she could appreciate the feelings of warmth and desire that she had recently begun to own while in his company.

His hands and mouth continued their explorations as he joined with her in fervent abandon.

However, something seemed wrong to her sensibilities.

Her husband had said that he would not come to her again without her invitation.

When had he returned home? Just then, as these thoughts intruded upon her, she looked up to see Langston’s face above her, leering.

Elizabeth attempted to push him away, but he insistently continued his assault as he laughed in derision.

Elizabeth began to weep as she considered her predicament.

How could she have mistakenly supposed that her husband was home and would have come to her?

She continued to desperately fight off the vile man’s overwhelming presence, as he forcefully held her at bay.

Elizabeth tried to scream, but no sound erupted.

The harder she fought, the more helpless she felt.

“Mrs. Darcy, please wake up! You are dreaming!” Elizabeth heard a distraught, feminine voice insistently say near her ear.

Elizabeth opened her eyes to darkness as she slowly came to realise that neither Langston nor Darcy was there, but only Laura Carpenter, who had obviously been attempting to wake her from her nightmare.

To Laura’s dismay, her mistress appeared terrified as she hastily looked around to take in her surroundings.

Elizabeth trembled and began to cry without restraint as she allowed her companion to provide comfort.

Having Laura with her for consolation was a true blessing; nonetheless, Elizabeth was thankful for the darkness, for had there been light, Laura would have seen the scarlet blush upon her countenance as she recalled her disturbing dream.

Never would Elizabeth have imagined such recollections – that she would have welcomed her husband in that way was inconceivable to her conscious state; but that her mind would devise the following events was unthinkable.

Must she also be tortured in her slumber?

Could she not find solace behind locked doors?

Why would a dream that brought peace with her husband turn into one of fear and pain?

Could it portend future threats emanating from her trust in the man who now owned her heart?

THE NEXT TWO DAYS PROGRESSED without incident for Elizabeth.

Her faithful servants stayed by her side and asked few questions, but each suspected the mistress’s true concerns.

Having Clark and Laura in her presence allowed her to concentrate on being the hostess her husband would have her to be.

She noticed the viscount’s leers but felt safe with Clark nearby.

Laura continued to sleep in Elizabeth’s room with her, which ended up being a real treat, reminding Elizabeth of the days when she and Jane shared a room at Longbourn.

In the meantime, Elizabeth missed her husband’s company exceedingly and eagerly anticipated his return on Wednesday.

Although she had once felt only distress while in Darcy’s company, it had been many weeks since Elizabeth had come to regard him as the very best of men and longed for his comforting presence.

Tuesday morning arrived and while taking breakfast with her guests, the mail was brought in on a salver.

She saw that she had received another letter from Mary.

Elizabeth had written to her sister in Kent asking for any interesting happenings, hoping that Mary might inform her of whether or not Darcy had made a showing at his aunt’s.

She excused herself after the meal and went to her sitting room to read in private, dismissing Laura until she was done.

April 12, 1811

Hunsford, Kent

Dear Lizzy,