Page 92 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

E lizabeth’s visit with her husband in the library became a tender interlude. She was exceedingly pleased by his admiration of how the dress suited her, but even more, she was delighted by his emotional reaction when he read her note.

The previous night had united them in a way that still astonished her.

Besides their union as husband and wife, something more had changed, grown, and deepened in their mutual understanding.

At daylight, their tender holding of hands, enchanted smiles, and stolen glances turned into pure, complete, and powerful happiness.

“I missed you,” Darcy said, embracing his wife tightly then inviting her to sit.

“I missed you too. I was wondering why you left, but then I saw the beautiful red roses.”

“Red roses seemed more proper this time. But to be completely honest, I left because, otherwise, I would have been tempted to awaken you,” he said hoarsely, and for a moment she was puzzled, then her face and neck coloured. “As I said, I really missed you,” he added.

“Please do not hesitate to awaken me whenever you wish…”

“I shall remember that. Now should we have breakfast? ”

“Yes… This dress is beautiful. Your choice was perfect, and I only need the proper occasion to wear it.”

“You might have one soon. We received an invitation to Lady Isabella’s ball in two days’ time. Do you wish us to attend?”

“Well, it depends. Will I be allowed to dance with other gentlemen?” She was teasing him about his jealousy and ridiculous accusations from a week earlier, but he remained serious.

“It is not for me to allow you anything, but I cannot deny that it would not make me happy.”

“I am certain you are only mocking me, but I find your jealousy rather appealing.”

“I could not be more serious, but I will try to keep my distress under good regulation.”

“And I am sure you will succeed—as always. Is there anything I may do to relieve your distress?”

“I shall think on it. In the meantime, you should remember to dismiss Molly for after the ball,” he whispered, demanding her lips, which joined his with eager delight.

The kiss reluctantly broke a few minutes later when Darcy remembered the time and Elizabeth hurried to change her dress.

During breakfast, the ladies carried most of the conversation. Darcy’s eyes were quite often on his wife, rarely paying attention to anything else and making her blush the whole time.

“I shall visit Aunt Catherine later. Or tomorrow,” Darcy finally said. “It should not last long.”

“Brother, you should be careful!” Georgiana exclaimed with distress.

“Come, dearest, I am not going to war. You cannot be frightened by your aunt.” He laughed.

“She was very upset! Please trust me—I have never seen her in such a state.”

“Let us not trouble too much about that. So tell me: how were your days alone?”

“I truly missed you and Elizabeth, but I had a lovely time with Mrs Annesley. Robert and Maryanne visited me every day. Oh, and Peter and Libby! I am so happy that Elizabeth decided to bring them into the house! They are such lovely children!”

“Really?” Darcy smiled at his sister’s genuine enthusiasm.

“Really! Peter is very good with animals—not only with Titan and Lucky but also with the horses! Maryanne’s carriage waited in front of the house the day before yesterday, and Peter happened to be in the yard with the dogs.

The horses were scared by something, and Peter just ran in front of them, grabbing the reins.

We were so frightened, but he just stood there, perfectly calm. ”

“That is truly astonishing,” Darcy admitted.

“Indeed! And Libby possesses uncommon intelligence! Anything she sees once, she never forgets! She stood by me at the piano, and I played a little song that I learnt as a child. She just touched the keys in the order she saw me play with no other practice. And she is amazing at calculating. I mean, she does not really know that she is calculating—she is just doing it. She multiplies, divides, and so on. Mrs Annesley and I were shocked.”

“So she learnt all these things in a few days?” inquired Elizabeth.

“Not at all! To be honest, neither of them is fond of study—I believe very few children are—and they are rather far behind their age in knowledge as they had barely gone to school. Peter seems fascinated by a book given him by Robert about army and war—but not much else, at least for the time being. And Libby—she learns if someone teaches her rather than by reading. These are just their natural qualities. Janey was unaware of all this too! She never had the chance to observe such talents in her children before now.”

“This is very surprising. I shall speak to them myself after breakfast,” Darcy declared .

“I cannot think of what would have happened to Cathy and even to the older children had they been left alone. It is so unfair… In the past, I have rarely considered the situation of the families unconnected to us—and now I can think of little else,” Georgiana continued.

“Please do not be sad, dearest,” Elizabeth said. “We should be grateful that we have the means to help as much we can. Peter, Libby, and Cathy were fortunate that their mother worked in the house of Mr Darcy, who is a generous and kind master.”

“Yes, the best master and the best landlord, as Mrs Reynolds says,” Georgiana concluded. She and Elizabeth shared a warm smile. Darcy felt suddenly uneasy.

“I do not deserve such praise. I am doing little more than any other man in my position would do. But if we are to speak of children, I was thinking…perhaps you could go further and accomplish our mother’s long time desire—to build the school for girls in Lambton.

It will be a demanding and perhaps daunting task, and I do not want to force your decision. ”

“I would love that,” Elizabeth said. “Nothing would give me more joy.”

“Oh, Brother, that would be wonderful! I would do anything I can to help.”

“I am sorry I will not be able to participate,” Mrs Annesley said. “But I will come to visit when it is ready. I am certain Mrs and Miss Darcy will accomplish a wonderful result.”

“I thank you both,” he said, gently bringing Elizabeth’s hand to his lips.

“Please do not thank me. It is such an honour. So when shall we go to Pemberley?”

“Soon if you have no other reason to stay in Town. The Season starts in March.”

“I would rather see Pemberley. The balls may wait.”

After breakfast, they asked for Peter and Libby to be fetched. The first to arrive was Janey, who could hardly contain her tears while she thanked them for the generosity they bestowed upon her children and assured them once again that they had saved their lives.

“Janey, let this be the last time we discuss it. We have done what we thought to be right,” Elizabeth said. Just then, Mrs Thomason entered with the children, who shyly greeted the master.

“I was informed of only good things about you two. You seem to have performed your duties in an excellent way. Mrs Darcy and I are very pleased,” Darcy said, and the children watched him, eyes widening, mumbling a “Thank you.”

“As you have been working for a week now, it is time for the first payment. I expect you to help your mother increase your family income. Here is one shilling for each of you.”

The children took the money with trembling fingers, forgetting to breathe.

“If you each gain a shilling every week, and there are fifty-two weeks in a year, it means you will be able to help your mother with…”

“A hundred and four shillings,” Libby whispered. The others looked at her in astonishment.

“Precisely! Excellent answer, Libby, you are a very smart girl,” Elizabeth spoke warmly.

Peter lowered his eyes in front of the master. “I knew that too,” he said hesitantly.

Darcy put a hand on his shoulder. “No, you did not, Peter, and let this be the last time you tell a lie to impress others. Do I have your promise on this?”

“Yes, master,” the boy of nine answered, his voice trembling.

“Very well. Even if you are not as sharp at calculating as your sister, I was told you have other qualities equally important. I expect you to continue to use them.”

“Yes, master.”

“Good. You may go now, and we shall meet to talk again in a week,” Darcy dismissed them. The children bowed and curtseyed again, then held hands and hurried to their mother, whispering to her while they exited the library, followed by Mrs Thomason.

***

Elizabeth spent the next hour in the music room, listening to Georgiana’s exquisite performance at the pianoforte.

Earlier in the day, Georgiana had confessed to her brother the entire story of her correspondence with Wickham, and she received his understanding and forgiveness in exchange for her promise of complete honesty.

Later, Elizabeth told the girl about meeting Wickham and the demands she made of him to stop any illicit contact. Georgiana’s frown whenever she spoke of him was a clear proof that her heart was not as ready as her mind to abolish his memory, and the music helped her fight against her weakness.

Mr Darcy soon joined them. He sat by his wife and took her hand in his.

The beautiful music enchanted them for another half an hour, and Elizabeth allowed herself to be slowly pervaded by a new kind of joy.

Her husband brought her hand to his lips several times when he was certain nobody would notice, and his thumb gently caressed the inside of her palm, making her skin tingle.

His small gesture was a sweet recollection of the past night and a daring promise for the night to come.

It was a moment of perfect intimacy although they were in company.

She was happy to be home . To be his wife. To be with him.

Their peace was disturbed by a servant who reluctantly entered to announce that there were two visitors waiting in the main hall for Mr Darcy.

“Who is it?” he inquired, displeased to be interrupted.

“Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. They said they wish to speak to the master urgently.”