Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (112 page)

“Did she believe you?”

“I do not know, she was a little difficult to read this morning.  I gather from Lady Matlock’s maid that the countess was not in the least bothered by any of them.  That is an old married woman for you.”

“One who is used to her husband’s habits.  I imagine she would think quite differently if this had not been a private family party in front of Pemberley.”  Seeing Mr. Evans waving for his attention, Parker nodded to him and returned to Judy.  “I think it is a good thing for the master to relax from time to time.  And what did he do wrong, other than kiss his wife?”  He winked before leaving.  “It sounds like a fine occupation to me.” 

“Get going, Mr. Parker.”  Judy said as her cheeks reddened again. 

“As you wish, Miss Orchard.”  He bowed and went off to see the butler. 

Judy put her hands to her cheeks and then glared as a pair of maids passed her with a giggle. “Don’t you have work to do?”

“MY SISTER WAS MISTRESS of this home for thirteen years.”  Lady Catherine pronounced when she came to a stop beside Elizabeth in the gallery, startling her quiet contemplation of her husband.  She looked up at a portrait of Anne Darcy, painted not long after she had married.   

Elizabeth looked to her predecessor’s face, “I will be fortunate to serve half as long.” 

“Do not placate me, Mrs. Darcy, it is unbecoming.” 

The elder woman regarded the younger, she had not come to breakfast with her guests.  Her husband’s absence was understandable, but Elizabeth should have appeared.  She looked tired, more tired than a mere sleepless night warranted, and the glow that had suffused her features in days past was missing.

When provocation did not provide a response, Lady Catherine turned her complete attention to ferreting out the cause of Elizabeth’s withdrawal.  “I hope that my nephew’s drunkenness was atoned for by his apology?”

“Fitzwilliam’s only error was his method of informing me of his return.  He should know better that when I worry, I do not see subtlety.”

“Yes, he should.  But that display of affection . . .”

“Requires no apology.  It was family, Aunt.  He was happy and relaxed, and tired from the journey.  He did no harm to anyone but himself.  He deserves some peace.  He deserves a few moments of joy . . . before . . .”  Elizabeth’s voice cracked as she held her face in her hands.

“Mrs. Darcy!”  Lady Catherine stared.  “This is inappropriate!”  Looking around, the supremely uncomfortable woman took Elizabeth by the arm and sat her down roughly on a bench.  “Now stop this unseemly behaviour at once!  You are Mrs. Darcy, you do not cry over . . . well whatever it is, certainly not where you might be seen by your guests and staff!”  Awkwardly, she patted her arm.  “What has come over you?” 

“It is nothing, Aunt.”

“Do not lie to me, Niece.  I find it intolerable.” 

Elizabeth immediately thought of Darcy at the Meryton Assembly.  She heard the strains of the song that they did
not
dance to.  “It is nothing.”  Wiping her eyes, she looked up when she saw a handkerchief offered to her.  “Thank you.”

“I do hope that this pending ball is not overwhelming you.  I assure you; it will come and go before you know it.  These men who come today, they are all old friends of your husband’s, and you know that Darcy would not take men as friends who are anything less than himself.”  She arranged her dress around her knees and looked up at Darcy’s portrait.  “Oh, I know that he had a falling out with them briefly, but that was when they were young and foolish, too fond of drink and too far from home.  But every young man needs that taste of freedom.”  She glanced at Elizabeth’s bent head.  “Well, my son had entirely too much of a taste, but that is neither here nor there.  He is well-married to Anne and recovering as best as he can.”  She looked up at her sister’s portrait.  “It has been a surprising turn of events.” 

“Quite.”  Elizabeth whispered.  Lady Catherine saw how her knuckles were white; she was clutching the handkerchief so tightly. 

“I should tell you we are still hoping that Mr. Manning takes a fancy to Cathy.  I have made that quite clear to Miss Bingley, although, she really is not likely to be chosen by any of Darcy’s friends.  Once they know who she is.”

“She has an admirable dowry, and is healthy.  She could provide an heir for any of them.”  Elizabeth said softly. 

“Certainly, and that is fine, but my dear, I do not want to meet that woman at any function of
our
circle, do
you
?  Even if she does accept our chastisement, she will always want your husband.  She will always want your position.  Who needs to contend with that every Season, or even in your home?  It is better to marry her off to some man who will take her out of your sphere.  You will come across her at your sister’s home, but it will not be often, and it will be by your choice, not hers.”

Elizabeth looked at her companion.  “You are so soft, Aunt.”

“I fail to see the humour in that statement.”

“It was sarcasm.”

“Hmmph.”  She sniffed.  “So, the men are not to be worried over, Miss Bingley will be dealt with.  Susan, Grace and I have examined all of your plans, and we are astounded by all you and your staff have accomplished.  All is well in hand.  What does that leave?” She studied Elizabeth.  “Your sister, Mrs. Bingley.  What has happened between the two of you?”

“Nothing.” 

“Nonsense.  She seems awed by you, as she should be, nonetheless, it is not the relationship you once shared.  You are closer to Mrs. Fitzwilliam now.”

“It is not a competition.  It is simply two different women, and the separate friendships I have with them.”

“I doubt that your sister feels that way about it.”  Lady Catherine looked at her sister’s portrait.  “I had a falling out with my sister when she married George Darcy.”  Elizabeth dabbed at her cheek and looked up at the woman who had her husband’s eyes.  “It was our reunion that gave birth, so to speak, to our hopes to unite our children.  Well, the best laid plans . . .” She glanced at Elizabeth who was still staring at the portrait.  “There was a ring . . .”

“It has been misplaced, Aunt.”  Elizabeth said clearly.

“How?  It is important to me that I know where it is, for my sister’s sake.”

“It is not for your sister’s sake, Aunt.  She has long departed this earth.”  She looked to her with a smile.  “You wanted that ring?”  Lady Catherine pursed her lips.  “Why?”

“It is not your business.”

“Then stop making it so and do not pursue this further.”  Elizabeth spoke with quiet command.

Lady Catherine noted the finality in her tone.  “I understand that your husband refuses permission for Georgiana to attend the ball.” 

“Yes, and he will not be moved.  And neither will I.”  She looked to Darcy.  “We are quite united about protecting our sister’s future.  We are aware of her mature features and that she attracts gentlemen’s attention; we were all witness to how the Kelly boys were drawn to her at Matlock.  We feel that to expose her at the ball would be a mistake.”

“How does she feel about this?” 

Elizabeth looked at her with surprise.  “She respects her brother’s decision.” 

“That is certainly admirable, just do not be overprotective.  She should be permitted to experience the world.  This was a mistake that I made with Anne.  Despite her weakness, I should have allowed her to try.” 

“Then you might have lost her sooner, and Rosings to some man who was not so compliant with your demands.  Your protection, while heavy-handed and unreasonable in regards to my husband’s choices, was also done with Anne’s best interests at heart.”  When the lady said nothing, Elizabeth looked down at her hands.  “May I take this opportunity to thank you for your defence of me to Mr. Collins?  I know that you have accepted me, and tried to set right the opinions you stated publicly, but the letter you wrote to him, concerning my affection for my husband . . .”

“I am mortified that you should know anything of it.  How do you know?  Did that pipsqueak write to Mr. Darcy?”

“I am afraid that your letter was read out loud to my entire family.  Miss Bingley was delighted to speak of it.”  Elizabeth nearly laughed to see the woman’s mouth drop open.  “I appreciate your faith in us.”

“Well.”  Flustered, she stood.  “I am without words, however, I will say that you and Mr. Darcy will . . . certainly fill these halls with children, if your mortifying displays of public affection are any indication of what takes place behind closed doors.”  Elizabeth smiled and did not offer any protest, Lady Catherine eyed her.  “Have you any further suspicions?”

Elizabeth looked back to Darcy’s eyes.  “I have a vast array of suspicions, and proof of nothing.”  Drawing her shoulders back, she said determinedly.  “And until there is proof, I will simply . . . have faith.” 

“WILLIAM?  ARE YOU OCCUPIED?”

“Samuel.”  Darcy blinked and attempted to ignore the dull ache in his temples.  “No, I am merely putting on the appearance of industry, please come in and I will attempt to focus upon you instead of the drummer residing in my brain.”

Smiling, he entered and taking a seat, watched his cousin wince with the sound of the chair scraping across the floor.  “A bit of a head this morning?”  Darcy grunted.  “You know; the problem is that when
you
drink to excess, you appear to be perfectly in control and incredibly relaxed, but behave supremely out of character.  To anyone who does not know your nature, you seem to be a most entertaining companion.”

“To listen to you, I should have a glass in each hand at all times.” 

“I understand that you were reciting Shakespeare to Elizabeth and then accosted her before the entire party.”  He grinned and laughed as Darcy’s dull eyes sharpened with a glare.

“I kissed her.”

“A great deal, so my Father mentioned this morning . . .”

“Damn Richard.”  Darcy swore.  “Every time,
every
time I let him water me . . .”

Laughing heartily, Samuel sat back and observed the hurting man.  “You should know by now.”

“Well, I am a damned fool, too.  I sincerely hope that he wakes beside his chamber pot where he has been praying for the sweet relief of death on his knees all night.”  Rubbing his face, he looked up when Samuel snorted.  “Elizabeth is still sleeping.”

“You have not faced her this morning?  You ran off?”  Samuel’s grin grew along with Darcy’s embarrassment.  “Oh, I will remain for that!  And here I was feeling regretful that I had not been along for the day.”

“Why
are
you here?”  Darcy pulled himself together and glanced at a clock.  “Should you not be in Lambton?  Do you not
live
in Lambton?”

Samuel sobered, “Well . . . yes . . . I wanted to talk with you, so I asked Mr. Mayfield if I could have the morning and stayed at the dower house last night.  If you truly are not well . . .”

Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose, but was focussed on his cousin’s expression.  “No, this is clearly something that you need to discuss or you would not have made the arrangements with your employer.”  Mrs. Reynolds knocked and he saw a girl beside her with a tray.  “Yes?”

“Mrs. Darcy thought some coffee and biscuits would be good for you, sir.  And she directed me to mix up some of the willow for you.”

“Thank you.”  He spoke softly and looked at the glass containing the pain remedy.  “Mrs. Darcy is awake, then.  Did you see her?”

“No sir, Judy gave me the order when she was helping Parker with the wet clothes . . .”  Darcy sighed and Mrs. Reynolds took pity on him.  “She is in the gallery, I understand.”  He lifted his eyes to her and his brow furrowed.  “Judy said that Mrs. Darcy was entirely herself.” 

Samuel looked between master and servant curiously as Darcy blew out his cheeks.  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”   He watched the girl set down the tray and disappear into the hallway where he saw more servants working.  “I suppose that you are prepared for . . . whoever else is coming here.”  Disgusted with himself, he closed his eyes against the pain.

“Yes, sir, Mrs. Darcy and I have been over everything and the rooms for the Manning, Winslow, and Fox families are prepared.  It seems that many of your invited friends are staying at neighbouring estates, so you will not need to host any other guests, unless of course, they are unfit to travel after the ball.”  She looked away from Darcy’s frown and to Samuel, “May I bring you anything, sir?” 

“No, nothing, thank you.”  He smiled and nodding, she left and closed the door behind her.  “That was cheeky.  Unusual from Mrs. Reynolds.”

“She fancies herself my mother at times, I will overlook it.  Three more families coming.”  He sighed and wondered what Elizabeth was doing in the gallery. 
Poor Lizzy, I have no business being ill when she has so much.

“Father is friends with Judge Manning.  You took your tour with his nephew, Roger Manning?”

“As well as Fox and Winslow.  They were my best schoolmates and companions around the kingdom until I had enough of their shenanigans and left them for the peace of Sommerwald.”  Rubbing his face he smiled slightly, “They have certainly seen me in worse condition; hanging over the side of a boat in the Irish Sea comes to mind.”  Pausing, he added softly, “I had nobody to look after me then.” Darcy picked up the glass, stared down at the liquid for a moment and then downed it with a shudder.  “Blech!” 

“Will it help?”  Samuel asked curiously. 

“Knowing that Elizabeth is herself helps.  Seeing her will help further.  I was asleep as soon as my head found the pillow last night and she was asleep when I woke with a furry tongue at dawn.”  He blew out some air and focussed on his cousin’s smile.  “Now then, while I wait for my brain to begin functioning again, tell me your troubles.  And please, do not beat about the bush.  I am not quite equipped for riddles this morning.”

“You know me too well.”  Samuel looked at Darcy’s desk and the work spread over it.  “I suppose that yesterday when I watched you all riding through the village, I felt a bit left out.”

“I understand that.  You were welcome, you know.”

“Yes, I know that, but . . . I am also a working man.”