The Darcys of Pemberley (5 page)

“I see.”

“Later, I thought we might take a ride
together if the rain holds off. What do you say?”

“I think it is an excellent idea, sir. I
would be even more enthusiastic were it not for the fact that I
fear it will require us to leave this snug spot and this pleasant
room.”

By and by, the two did manage to quit their
bedchamber and, after breakfast, parted to attend to their separate
duties. Elizabeth first addressed the daunting collection of
correspondence that had accumulated in her absence. Then she
consulted with Mrs. Reynolds about household affairs, though Mrs.
Reynolds, after her long tenure at Pemberley, needed very little
direction from anybody. On the contrary, it had been Elizabeth who
required instruction when she arrived as the naive new mistress of
Pemberley the previous November. For Mrs. Reynolds’ kind counsel
and sage advice during those early months, she would be forever
grateful. Now the two women worked as a team to manage the
house.

With his wife thus occupied, Darcy closed
himself up in the library for a protracted discussion with Mr.
Adams, reviewing various aspects of the estate’s business
enterprises and the concerns of his numerous tenant farmers.
Although Darcy left much of the day-to-day oversight in the capable
hands of his steward, he insisted on being kept abreast of all
matters of consequence, and reserved for himself the task of every
weighty decision.

When Elizabeth considered how many people
depended on her husband for their livelihood and security, it
sometimes alarmed her. Along with the power he possessed – as
husband, brother, landlord, and master to a host of servants and
workers – came heavy responsibility. A less conscientious man might
not have felt the burden of this trust. But she knew Darcy was
acutely aware of his obligation to protect the welfare of all those
under his guardianship, and mindful that his choices in the
management of Pemberley could affect dozens of others for good or
for ill. Still, he never complained. He was much more likely to
brood in silence if trouble threatened.

When her husband at last emerged from the
library, Elizabeth scrutinized his countenance for the telltale
signs of strain she had come to recognize. There they were: the
tightened lips, the contracted brow, the unblinking gaze.

“Difficulties?” she asked gently.

“Nothing out of the common way.”

“Dinner was just announced and Georgiana has
already gone in. Shall we join her?”

He nodded and offered his arm to escort her
into the dining hall. There the three Darcys gathered at the near
end of a massive mahogany table sized to comfortably accommodate
more than ten times that number.

After the soup had gone quietly by, Elizabeth
observed, “The weather has cleared. Perhaps we might have our ride
after all, my dear. I believe the fresh air would do us both good.
What do you say?”

“I don’t see why not. Will you join us,
Georgiana?”

“I thank you, no. I rode Ginger hard
yesterday; she has earned her rest.”

“You cannot expect to be excused on those
grounds,” Darcy objected. “The stables are full of horses. Surely
we can find you another mount.”

“Duchess, I daresay, would be happy to oblige
you,” Elizabeth suggested by way of a joke.

Before she came to Pemberley, Elizabeth was
no horsewoman. Therefore, Mr. Darcy made a circumspect choice for
her first mount, selecting a steady dapple-gray mare of advanced
age and decrepitude. It was not long, however, before Elizabeth
tired of Duchess’ plodding pace, and begged to be promoted to a
horse with more spirit and speed. After much pleading, she was
allowed to retire Duchess in favor of a roan gelding of seven with
enough vitality to satisfy her and stay the pace with her husband’s
mount.

“Or, if you prefer,” Elizabeth continued,
“you shall have my Simba, and I will renew my acquaintance with
Duchess.”

Since Georgiana could not be persuaded to
join them, Darcy and Elizabeth changed into their riding clothes
and went without her. They started by taking the path that traced
the perimeter of the lake and its outlet, following it far
downstream to a place where the water was slow and shallow enough
for a safe crossing. The trail then took them through the wood,
gradually climbing to one of the higher points of the estate. There
they stopped to rest their horses and to appreciate the fine
prospect of the surrounding countryside afforded by an opening
through the trees. Continuing on, they eventually broke out onto a
great meadow where they turned themselves and their horses loose
for an exhilarating gallop before joining the drive to return to
the stables.

Elizabeth’s visage glowed with high color as
she and Darcy strolled back toward the house in the dusky evening
light. “What a capital way to end our first day home!” she
exclaimed. “I cannot imagine any felicity superior to the thrill of
a good ride.”

“I can think of one or two things to rival
the experience,” Darcy murmured. “But it
was
invigorating, I
grant you. And I must say your horsemanship has come a long way,
Lizzy. As a rider, you are quite transformed.”

“In so many other ways as well,” she mused,
half to herself, marveling once again at the metamorphosis of her
circumstances over the last year.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Later that night, Georgiana retrieved a
letter that had come for her brother in his absence. “It is from
Colonel Fitzwilliam, I think,” she said, handing it over to
him.

“It is indeed,” Darcy replied as he
recognized the scrawling handwriting of the direction. He opened it
and read the short note aloud.

My Dear Friend,

I find myself summoned once again by our aunt
to Rosings. Since her disappointment over you, she has relied more
and more upon me for company and entertainment. I know that I can
be rather amusing at times, yet I can hardly imagine why she
requires my presence there so often. Alas, duty calls, and, as you
know, a military man cannot shirk his duty. I do at least propose
myself the satisfaction of enjoying your hospitality for a few days
on my way. According to my plans, I should be with you at Pemberley
on Thursday next. You ought to feel an obligation to cheer and
fortify me for the journey. After all, it is entirely your fault
that I must now suffer these visits alone. Not that I blame you for
marrying outside her ladyship’s will. I would have done exactly the
same in your position. You are a lucky man, Darcy. You have married
the perfect wife and, in so doing, you have cleverly exempted
yourself from waiting upon our aunt.

Yours, sincerely,

J. Fitzwilliam

“Poor Fitzwilliam. I do not envy him being
Lady Catherine’s new favorite,” said Elizabeth. “At least his
errand provides him a reason for visiting us; that is cause for
celebration. And what a charming letter he writes. Do not you think
so, my dear?”

“Yes, he pays you a fine compliment, and he
accurately summarizes my happy situation. Had my aunt known the
outcome of her threat of excommunication, no doubt she would have
chosen a different strategy to prevent our marriage. My only regret
over losing Lady Catherine’s society is that it has left Cousin
Anne even more isolated than before. I am glad for her sake that
Fitzwilliam is still prepared to go. No doubt he supplies Anne
better company than I ever did.”

Georgiana added, “I really do feel sorry for
Anne. It must be a severe trial having a sickly constitution. If
anyone can cheer her, it is Fitzwilliam.”

Colonel John Fitzwilliam, the Darcys’ cousin
on their mother’s side, had a well-informed mind, fine manners, and
a jovial nature, all of which made him welcome wherever he went.
The ladies, especially, found Fitzwilliam’s affability and humor
agreeable. Yet the colonel remained a single man, partly due to
lack of funds and partly to his decided indifference over every
suitable candidate that came his way.

As the younger son of an Earl, he could not
marry where he chose. Since he would not inherit his father’s
estate and yet was expected to uphold the style of living his
family enjoyed, he was obliged to establish his own fortune by some
other means. The colonel showed no inclination for banking or
politics, and an inconvenient state of peace had broken out before
he could amass any great sum by distinguished service in the army.
His best remaining chance for even a modest fortune seemed to be to
acquire one by marriage. This was the course of action strongly
recommended to him by some of his relations. As the colonel’s
father often reminded him, many a rich merchant would be willing to
pay handsomely to have his daughter married to the son of an
Earl.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was on the most intimate
terms with the Pemberley family, counting Darcy more as a brother,
and feeling a doting fondness for Miss Georgiana. He and Elizabeth
had taken to each other immediately when they met at Hunsford two
years earlier, their mutual admiration soon settling into a warm
friendship.

On Thursday, the Darcys’ happily anticipated
guest arrived as advertised, and was welcomed with sincere
cordiality. Mr. Darcy received and returned Colonel Fitzwilliam’s
firm handshake. The visitor then turned his attention to the
ladies.

“My dear Georgiana, I think you grow taller
and more beautiful each time I see you. And Mrs. Darcy, may I say
you look
uncommonly
well?” To this he added a gallant bow
and a kiss of her hand. “Marriage must agree with you,” and in a
lower voice, “though how being married to such a disagreeable man
can be at all agreeable, I am sure I cannot fathom.”

Darcy merely rolled his eyes heavenward and
pretended not to hear what Fitzwilliam said entirely for his
benefit.

During dinner, the conversation ranged over
the customary ground, that of ascertaining the state of health and
welfare of everyone of their common acquaintance. Darcy politely
inquired after the colonel’s parents and brother, and Georgiana
after his niece and nephew. All these received glowing reports.
Then Fitzwilliam asked about Mr. and Mrs. Collins, whereupon
Elizabeth delivered the sad story of her cousin’s demise.

“Having now such a close correspondence with
Rosings Park, I am surprised you were not already informed of it,”
said Darcy.

“Yes, it is odd. Her ladyship made no mention
of it when she wrote to summon me, and of course everything was
fine when I was last at Hunsford three months ago. I called in at
the parsonage some once or twice, and the Collinses dined at
Rosings frequently during my stay.”

A quiet thoughtfulness overtook them all and
held for some minutes.

“How was Cousin Anne when you saw her?”
Elizabeth asked the colonel, breaking the silence.

“I am happy to testify that she looked quite
remarkably fit, with much better color and energy than ever before.
Her spirits are vastly improved as well. She has a new physician
now – one of those scientifically educated fellows – and he has
done wonders for her. I was quite impressed at the transformation.
Did you not see her when you were there?”

“No, we were denied that pleasure,” answered
Darcy. “She was not at the service with her mother, and calling at
Rosings was obviously out of the question. Still, I am gratified by
what you say of Anne’s improvement, Fitzwilliam. I hope her
superior health will allow her to be more out in company. To be
relieved, even briefly, of Lady Catherine’s domineering presence
must do her a good at least equal to whatever medicine her
physician prescribes.”

“Perhaps I can help accomplish your wish
whilst I am there. I shall have my eyes open for some scheme to
take me from the house in any case; I will endeavor to help Anne
make good her escape as well,” said the colonel with a hearty
laugh.

The evening passed pleasantly with
conversation and music. Colonel Fitzwilliam insisted on hearing
both Georgiana and Elizabeth perform, and they were happy to oblige
him.

That night, in their private apartment, Darcy
surreptitiously studied his wife as she readied herself for bed. At
length he said, “Fitzwilliam was flirting shamelessly with you
again tonight, Lizzy. If I did not trust him so absolutely, I would
never tolerate him taking such liberties.”

“Your cousin is very charming, but quite
harmless,” Elizabeth assured him as she brushed out her hair at her
dressing table.

Darcy came and stood behind her, resting his
hands on her shoulders and his eyes on her reflection in the
mirror. “Nevertheless, he was quite right when he said you look
uncommonly well, my dear. I will grant him that much. I truly was
thinking the same myself.”

“Thank you, my darling … for the compliment
and also for the note of jealousy in your voice. Fitzwilliam was
right about one more thing, however. If you remember, he very
correctly credited my marriage as the source of any added beauty.
It most definitely does agree with me,” she said turning and
reaching for her husband’s embrace.

He met her halfway and lifted her to himself.
“I am glad to hear it, Mrs. Darcy. Still, I wondered…that is, I
hoped…that there might be a more particular reason…,” he said
uncertainly. “We have been married almost a twelve-month, and I
thought…”

Then Elizabeth understood him. She took his
face in her hands and looked up into his hopeful eyes. “My love,
when I have news of that sort, believe me, you will be the first to
know. In the meantime, I suggest we not waste energy worrying about
it. Let us instead conserve our strength for efforts that have more
chance of yielding the desired result.”

She gave him a playful kiss and, with a
lilting laugh, bounded into bed. Taking her meaning, Mr. Darcy
instantly assented to the wisdom of her proposal and followed her
forthwith. He never was one to procrastinate.