Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (55 page)

Deep inside, Audrey Ashcroft’s heart was at war with her sense of duty. After the fiasco with Wickham, she felt that she could not tell Marshall of her change of heart with regards to their situation just yet. No, she would wait until this crisis with Georgiana was resolved before telling the man she loved that she wanted to marry as soon as possible.

Leaning down, she placed a soft kiss on his head and he sighed contentedly, closing his eyes while she kept up the soothing therapy.

~~~*~~~

In Another Part of the Manor

Though her heart was heavy, one would never have guessed that Henrietta Parker had a care in the world as she bustled about Ashcroft Park with her small medicine bag in one hand and an array of papers in the other, performing her job with quiet assurance. As customary, she made copious notes to be certain that everyone was taken care of and all was in order.

Though always pleased to have her Mistress in residence, it was impossible for her to fathom the events that had brought everyone rushing back from Ramsgate. That anyone would try to kidnap Miss Darcy, kill Lord Landingham or hurt the young woman who accompanied them was just unimaginable. Still, those horrible happenings were not uppermost in her thoughts at this moment. What was chiefly troubling her was the fact that Lady Ashcroft had informed her that Mr. Darcy was to arrive today. Other than her mistress and Lord Landingham, no one knew of his eminent arrival, and she had been cautioned not to mention it. Lady Ashcroft did not want Georgiana to fret about his safety on the road and she could understand why. If ever a brother and sister loved one another, the Darcys did. And there was a tender spot in her own heart for them which caused her to dread witnessing Mr. Darcy’s reaction to all that had occurred.

While the other servants were oblivious as to why Lady Ashcroft had cut short her visit to Ramsgate, Henrietta and her husband were not. During all the years they had served the Ashcrofts as housekeeper and butler, a strong bond had developed, and they were almost like family. Thus, if anything important happened in Lady Ashcroft’s family, the Parkers would eventually be apprised of the circumstances. Naturally, such confidences never passed their lips, but it did help them to anticipate the needs of whatever family members happened to be staying at Ashcroft Park.

For instance, Miss Georgiana had, understandably, not been herself since returning from Ramsgate. Sensing that Lady Ashcroft’s niece might not want to participate in  her usual activities—playing the pianoforte, crocheting or creating flower arrangements—she had refrained from suggesting them. Instead, she had waited for the girl to indicate what she wished to do. This had worked out well as Miss Darcy was now practicing her charcoal drawings on the balcony with Miss Bennet, who had stopped by her bedroom to enquire after her wellbeing and been cajoled into joining her.

Miss Bennet—now there is a woman to admire
, the housekeeper mused as she made her way towards the grand staircase. She began a mental list of all that she liked about her—foremost being her courage.
According to Lady Ashcroft, she immediately ran to Georgiana’s aid without any thought of the danger to herself.

Stopping to add to her load a stack of dusting clothes that one of the chamber maids had set down on a table and forgotten, Henrietta hurried down the hall as though in a race against time. Her chain of thought, however, was unbroken.

Though admittedly at first glance Miss Bennet is not a classic beauty, she is really quite striking once you take a closer look. And though she is not as tall as Miss Darcy, she has a perfectly proportioned figure and carries herself well. 

Recalling how she had found that particular guest this morning, she smiled. Thinking that Miss Bennet was already below stairs, she had slipped into her bedroom to leave a quilt in the large closet. Upon hearing voices in the sitting room next door, she quietly moved to the doorway to behold one of the young maids styling Elizabeth’s hair. It was obviously one of her best assets as it was dark, unusually thick and curly and had a glossy finish not unlike a fine bolt of satin. The poor maid was having trouble getting her substantial stands to behave and Elizabeth was attempting to console her.

“Oh, do not worry yourself over it too much. A good bit of it shall slip back out of the pins by the time I am fully dressed.”

Then Miss Bennet had giggled in her own distinctive way as the maid pretended to throw up her hands in defeat. Not wishing to intrude on this merry scene, Henrietta had slipped back out of the bedroom without letting her presence be known.

Yes, this lass is very personable and laughs easily, unlike most women her age who are conceited and put on airs. And her dark locks are equally matched by those ebony eyes that sparkle when she laughs. Yes, I can definitely see a gentleman falling in love with her.

Instantly, her thoughts flew to Fitzwilliam. She remembered the first time Lady Anne had brought him to Ashcroft Park and how little he had changed over the years.
I have known him since he was but a boy of about four,
and if I was to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed that they who are good-natured when children are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted, boy in the world.*
14

Reaching the end of the hall, she halted at the top of the grand staircase to visualize the first and only time she had seen Gisela Darcy. The memory, even now, made her smile shamelessly. Mrs. Darcy had appeared at the estate about six months after the marriage, accompanied by an unknown gentleman and obviously in-her-cups. She demanded to see Fitzwilliam, though he was not there and neither was the Mistress. Moreover, Lady Ashcroft had left word that should that lady ever darken her door, she was not to be allowed inside. Thus, it had been her delight to inform the woman that she would not be offered the hospitality of Ashcroft Park. Gisela had left, but not before berating her as an inhospitable wench.

I have to believe that Mr. Darcy deserves more than that horrible woman, and
I pray that he finds true happiness before it is too late. Perhaps Miss Bennet will be the inspiration for him to get the divorce that Lady Ashcroft mentions so often!

Brightening at that thought, the housekeeper hurried down the stairs intent on finding the cook in order to ask for a fresh pot of tea. The Mistress had been exceedingly tired since they had arrived late yesterday blaming it on the lateness of their arrival—rain having delayed them until well after dark. Yet, she felt that the Mistress’s ills were more likely due to the stress of worrying over Georgiana’s ordeal and Lord Landingham’s persistent headaches.

Thus she had prepared powders for the Earl’s headache and a draught to relieve her Mistress’s fatigue and both had worked remarkably well. Fresh tea was essential for delivering the remedies, and it would be crucial for everyone to feel their best if they were to discuss what happened in Ramsgate with Mr. Darcy. Accordingly, Mrs. Parker was determined to have more tea and remedies on hand just in case the discussion brought a repeat of those complaints and she was asked to provide relief.

Just as she gained the foyer, there was a knock at the front door. Hurriedly, she headed to put the items she was holding where they belonged, while her husband rushed towards the entrance. Though it was earlier than she had expected, she was certain that Fitzwilliam Darcy had arrived.

~~~*~~~

William was bone tired by the time Ashcroft Park came into view at the end of a long, landscaped drive. Allowing his body to relax, he let his usually straight backbone curve and his shoulders droop with fatigue. The stallion he rode noticed the way his seat had shifted and raised his head in curiosity. Catching sight of the manor house, the animal picked up his pace knowing rest and oats would soon be his reward.

It seemed only a moment until William, Slattery and Musgrove were halting in front of the broad steps that led to the front door, each dismounting with equal degrees of weariness, as well as various levels of pain. Fortunately, several footmen rushed to relieve them of their mounts, these men disappearing around the side of the house by the time all three had climbed the numerous steps to the front entrance. And, before William could raise his hand to knock, the elegant door opened and Mr. Parker’s smiling face greeted him.

“Mr. Darcy! Lady Ashcroft told us to expect you today. Come in! Come in, sir! I do hope your journey was not too gruelling.”

“Thank you, Parker. The journey was demanding but at least uneventful.”

The butler stood back, sweeping a hand in front of himself to direct Mr. Darcy and the two men into the foyer. Once inside and looking about, Darcy was surprised that, other than some footmen, no one was there to greet him. Nevertheless, he began to give orders concerning his men.

“Please see that Mr. Slattery and Mr. Musgrove are given something to eat, a hot bath and a clean bed. They shall need their rest in order to accompany us back to London.”

Mr. Parker was nodding his assent, even as he waved a footman over to direct Pemberley’s servants to their quarters. William addressed both men as they turned to follow the servant, “You have served me well. Rest. It shall be an equally tiring journey home.”

All three had barely gotten out of hearing range, when Mr. Parker began apprising him of the situation.

“The Mistress and Lord Landingham are in the drawing room and asked that I direct you there as soon as you arrived.”

“And my sister?”

“I believe Lady Ashcroft said she was in the conservatory.”

William seemed to be considering his options. “If possible, I would rather that Georgiana not know I am here just yet.”

Nodding briskly the butler replied, “Of course.”

Suddenly, Henrietta Parker was hurrying towards them, smoothing her skirts as she always did when she was anxious. Stopping in front of Mr. Darcy, she dropped a perfect curtsey.

“Mr. Darcy, I am so glad to see that you have arrived safely. Your aunt has been anxious all morning.”

“My aunt worries too much,” William responded good-naturedly, managing a wan smile in spite of his weariness.

The housekeeper stepped closer, a warm expression crossing her face. “I have your room just as you like it and a bath ready at your convenience. I felt sure that you would wish to wash off the dust of the road.”

William gestured to his clothes, “I fear that I am wearing half of the county on my back, so you are correct.”

Both Parkers chuckled at William’s jest.

“I shall look in on my aunt and Landingham quickly before I go to my room.”

Mr. Parker stepped forward. “I shall be happy to direct you.”

“There is no need. I know where the drawing room is, and I need no announcement.”

Acquiescing, both Parkers stood aside and watched him walk down the hall until completely out of sight, then meeting each other’s eyes, they sighed heavily. There was nothing more they could do, so they clasped hands briefly and then went in opposite directions, each with their own chores to accomplish.

~~~*~~~

The Drawing Room

An authoritative “Come” greeted William’s knock on the drawing room door and he entered straightaway. He was not surprised to find his aunt standing right next to the chair that Lord Landingham occupied. The growing closeness between his aunt and his godfather was apparent and, what's more, he welcomed it wholeheartedly.

Now, however, both occupants’ furrowed brows made him wonder just what they felt compelled to tell him before he rested.

“Fitzwilliam!” His aunt declared, rushing to take his hands and place a kiss on his cheek. “I was so worried about you.”

William pulled back a little. “Do not get close, Aunt.  I am filthy. I came here before going to my room to bathe as you seemed so eager to see me.”

“I do not care one whit about the dust,” she replied. “You never did have an ounce of patience, and I feared you would break your neck trying to get here too quickly. I would not even tell Georgiana that you were coming, as I feared she would fret as well.”

“Travelling is no longer the problem that it was when those nags they provide at the inns were the only steeds available. I began to keep my own animals there when you started bringing Georgiana here and to Ramsgate every year and it helps considerably.”

Lord Landingham had risen by then and extended a hand, which William shook as he surreptitiously examined the wound at his godfather’s hairline. “My aunt’s letter told me what you did for Georgiana, and I shall be forever grateful. I pray you are well and your wound is healing properly.”

Landingham’s hand went instinctively to his injury, and he gently rubbed the place that the bullet had grazed. “I did nothing more than any gentleman would have done.”

“There were men there who did not step forward—like Wilkens.” Audrey interjected. “Of course, I really do not consider him a gentleman in any sense of the word.”

William swiftly added, “Neither do I, but…” He put an arm around his godfather’s shoulder. “You almost died saving Georgiana. That will never be forgotten by her or any of our family.” Hesitantly, he added, “And what of Miss Bennet’s injuries? Is she well?

“Her injuries are not severe, though they are unsightly,” his aunt replied. “I have not told you, but she accompanied us here.”

William’s befuddled expression became eager as he tried to take it all in. “Eliz… Miss Bennet is here? Under your roof?”

“She most certainly is. It was not safe for her to stay with Wilkens, and I offered to see her to London.”

A look of foreboding crossed his face as his body stiffened. “What do you mean it was not safe for her to stay with Wilkens?”

“I think it best to let Miss Bennet explain that to you. I do not believe she was comfortable telling us the full extent of what happened at Gatesbridge Manor after she returned there from the gallery. Perhaps she will be more forthcoming with you.”