Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (80 page)

“Darcy . . . Are you playing footsie with your wife?”  Richard called.

“What gives us away?” 

“Pure jealousy on my part.”  He looked down the table to Sophie.  “My legs are not long enough!” 

“Then I suggest that you come and sit beside me.”  Sophie laughed. 

“And displace my father?”  He grinned.  “No, I have a better idea.  If I cannot marry you tomorrow, may I dance with you tonight?” 

“I would love to.” 

“Gentlemen? Shall we dispense with the port for tonight?”

“If it is that same horrible vintage you have favoured before . . .” Darcy looked to his uncle. 

“I am afraid that it is, Darcy.” 

“That settles it.  Dancing it is.”  Letting go of Elizabeth’s foot he stood.  “Mrs. Darcy, shall we?”

“And what if the port had been excellent, Mr. Darcy?”  She asked with a lift to her brow.

“I would still want to dance, love.”  He laughed at the pleasure he saw in her eyes.  Elizabeth stood and took his outstretched hand.  “At last.”

“What happened to my dinner?”  Lady Matlock cried.

“It has been taken over by the young people, my dear.”  Lord Matlock rose to his feet along with the rest of the party.  “Let us enjoy it.  I think that we are due.” 

Chapter 30

“m
mmmm.” 

“Shhhhhh.”  Darcy kissed her shoulder and drew her closer.  “How do you feel?”

“Perfectly lovely.” 

“I would have danced all night.” 

“Even to Aunt Grace’s playing?”  Elizabeth looked backwards and Darcy kissed her, then entwining their fingers held her closer still.  “I do not think that we needed music.” 

“We have no music now, and we are dancing very well.” 

“Mrs. Darcy.”  Elizabeth kept her eyes closed.  The voice was not Darcy’s rich caress, nor was it Judy’s quietly deferential murmur.  “Mrs. Darcy, I can tell that you are awake, I am quite accomplished ferreting out individuals who are playing possum and I know that you are doing so right now.  It is unbecoming for the mistress of an estate as great as Pemberley to avoid speaking to her relatives and I demand that you do so immediately.”  The speech was punctuated with the sound of a walking stick striking the polished oak floor.  Elizabeth cringed on behalf of Lady Matlock’s maids, but did not move.  The distinct rustle of silk from a woman taking a seat and adjusting her skirts gave evidence that Lady Catherine was not going to move either. 

How could I let her catch me? I knew that I should have gone for a walk!
  Elizabeth examined the options before her and knew that at some point, she would have to address her aunt. 

“Mrs. Darcy!” 

“Aunt Catherine, must you always have your way?”  Elizabeth opened her eyes to find the elderly woman staring at her.  “Would you like to be interrupted when you were resting?”

“I never nod off, and you are too young to do so.”

“I am not used to Town hours, either, but Aunt Grace insists on keeping them.”  Elizabeth yawned delicately and sat up. 

“My sister is displaying to the Kellys what is expected of their daughter.”

“She is not; she is trying to show off.  For a family that is so financially troubled, I am surprised that Lord Matlock would agree to purchasing an excess of candles to burn late into the night.  It is summer!  The sun shines quite nicely . . .!”  Seeing the dowager’s complete incomprehension of economizing, she gave it up.  “Did you have something to ask me, or do you simply disapprove of sleep?”

“You know that I wish to discuss the absence of an heir.” 

“Why?”  Elizabeth asked frankly. “You look shocked.  Does nobody question your imperious commands?  What business is it of yours when Mr. Darcy and I begin our family?” 

“It is of great interest to everyone!” 

“Shall you come and witness us, then?  Shall we throw open our chamber doors for the general amusement of the company?  Would you care to critique our methods?  I believe that in the end even the dullest of wits manage the technique.  It is a primal urge is it not?  I recall that our minister said something of it during our wedding.” 

“Mrs. Darcy you are making light of a very serious subject.  I will disregard your vulgar speech for now.”

“How is what I said any less vulgar than the conversation you have initiated with me?  I am quite aware, painfully aware, of how serious the subject is, but that does not mean I seek your advice.  Nor that of your former pastor.”  Elizabeth said bitterly and looking away, felt tears come to her eyes.  “Oh bother, not again.” 

Lady Catherine’s affront with Elizabeth’s remonstration immediately veered to a different topic.  “Mr. Collins?  Mr. Collins has remarked upon your lack of a child?”

“He wrote of my sister’s pregnancy and intimated that I am unwilling.”  She found her handkerchief and wiped her eyes.

“If you are unwilling I will eat my hat.”  Lady Catherine spoke flatly.   Surprised, Elizabeth looked up.  “Mr. Collins is clearly affronted at your rejection and he is bragging about his success before my nephew’s.  He is a fool.  I imagine that Darcy has responded?”

“He says that he has, but did not share his letter with me.”

“Which proves that he spoke particularly plainly to his brother and wished to shield you from his display of his anger.  My nephew is an excellent gentleman and he respects your sensibilities.”  She glanced at Elizabeth, “I wonder if he is aware of how plain-spoken you can be?” 

“Quite aware.” 

“Hmmph.” 

“If you are so confident of our . . . compatibility, then why do you feel so compelled to corner me to discuss such a personal subject?” 

Lady Catherine looked down at her lap and to the door, then to Elizabeth.  “Mrs. Darcy . . . You are particularly knowledgeable that I expected Darcy to be my son.  He is a very fine example of a man and . . . he is my sister’s child.  I . . . looked forward to being a grandmother to his child.”  She looked away.  “I looked forward to telling this child all about my sister and seeing him grow.  I know that I would probably not live to see him be Pemberley’s master, but I hoped that I would . . .” She stopped and waved away Elizabeth’s hand on her arm.  “Viscount Gladney is . . . was . . . a fine . . .”  She closed her eyes.  “I am a fool.   Anne could never bear a child.  She is too much like my sister.” 

“She seems much stronger now that she is married.”  Elizabeth said quietly.  “Now that she is married to a man who understands and loves her.” 

“Gladney does not love her.”

“How do you know?  She loves him.”  Elizabeth smiled.  “She is protective of him, is she not?  And he refrains from his desire to resume his opium habits.  Who does he do that for?  Certainly not himself.  He is thinking of her.”  Lady Catherine’s sharp gaze softened.  “I believe that you are correct, they will never have a child, and the future of Matlock is very much in Richard and Miss Kelly’s hands, as is, eventually, the future of Rosings.” 

“She is not a bad sort of girl.  I see a faint likeness to you in her.” 

“So I am not a bad sort?”  Elizabeth laughed. 

“Mrs. Darcy, I have not met a woman who can hold a candle to you, despite your youth, inexperience, and negligible education.”

“Then why come after me about our lack of a child?” 

“Because I do not like seeing you fail.”   It was Elizabeth’s turn to stare.  “Mrs. Darcy, I know what I did to you when you first married, and I realize that it was not in the least helpful, particularly as you were facing your father’s demise on top of your husband’s near death.  But it is the woman’s fault if no child is produced.  I have never witnessed a marriage such as you enjoy with my nephew.  I find aspects of your affection to be utterly inappropriate and incomprehensible; however I do not wish to see the new light in my nephew’s eyes flicker because you have not given him his heir.  And
that
Mrs. Darcy, is why I am meddling in your marriage.” 

Stunned, Elizabeth sat back.  “You . . . You appreciate that Fitzwilliam loves me?” 

“He never would have been this way with Anne.  Now that I see him, I think that it would have been a crime to have forced him to accept her.  Or any woman who was not his choice.  I wish my nephew to be happy.” 

“I . . . I do not know what to say.” 

“You
are
trying to give him his son?”

“Yes, Aunt Catherine.  I promise.  And may I confide in you that we are very hopeful?” 

“Is that so?”  Lady Catherine lifted her chin.  “Well then.  I will recuse myself from the subject.”

“I love him dearly.”

“Mrs. Darcy, I am fully aware of that.”  She rose and Elizabeth stood with her. 

“Have you ever spoken to anyone like this before?”

“I have no idea what you are intimating.”  Lady Catherine set her walking stick gently before her and looked impassively out of the door.  Elizabeth noticed that Lady Matlock was passing with Mrs. Kelly, Susan, and Sophie, giving them a tour of the house. 

Looking down at her clasped hands, Elizabeth spoke softly, “I understand and I appreciate that you seem to respect me.  May I ask a favour of you?”  Lady Catherine looked at her and said nothing.  “The Kelly family is neither poor nor unrefined.  They are not as wealthy as our family, but they do deserve your tolerance.  I realize that you are disappointed in the prospect that your daughter’s child may never be born or grow up to live in your ancestral estate, but Richard and Sophie, and by extension her family, will keep this estate viable.  You do not have to like them, but they are not dirt under your feet.” 

The women’s eyes met.  “Tend to your husband, Niece.” 

“With pleasure, Aunt.”  Elizabeth smiled and receiving a nod, watched her leave.  Her eyes closed and she held her stomach.

“Are you well, Mrs. Darcy?”  Sophie asked from the doorway. “I saw Lady Catherine leave and I . . . well, I know how she makes me feel.”

“Oh, yes, of course.  I am fine.”  She sighed.  “And I wish that you would call me Elizabeth.  My husband thinks of Richard as his brother, so I am sure we will be more like sisters, will we not?  And you are not far away so I am certain we will see each other often.” 

“I would like that very much.  I think that twenty miles will feel like a hundred on some days.”  Sophie laughed.  “Mother is enjoying her tour, but I would rather have Richard be my guide.”

“I cannot possibly imagine why.”  Elizabeth laughed.  “I was just considering taking a walk, would you like to join me?”

“I would rather ride; my nerves are so frayed . . .”

“Well, shall we search out Cathy and see if she can introduce us to the stable master?” 

Sophie fell into step with her.  “Are there any horses to be had?  The men are out shooting.” 

“They walked out.  I watched them.”  Elizabeth tilted her head.

“Did they?”  Sophie’s eyes lit up.

“I am certain that Georgiana would love to join us.  Perhaps we can persuade Anne, as well.”  Laughing, the ladies walked to the door.  “I feel better already.” 

“YOUR ELDEST SEEMS to have a good head on his shoulders.”  Lord Matlock remarked to Mr. Kelly as they walked across the fields together.  “I listened in on his conversations with his brother.” 

Mr. Kelly studied the earl.  “What were they saying?” 

“They were remarking on this new world Miss Kelly is about to enter and if she was up to the task.”  He was pleased to see Mr. Kelly’s focussed attention.  “They thought she would be brilliant, in time.  They seem very fond of her.”

“Yes, they are, as am I, although I believe that your son has become justifiably impatient with our protection.  It is terrible to let her go, even if she is coming to this.”  He sighed and waved his hand to encompass the estate.  “I was disappointed that she would not marry in our church, but I am glad that I have the opportunity to see her new home.  Marrying the son of an earl, I never expected such a match.”

“What did you expect?”

“I do not know. Not this.   The years have passed and she is not on the shelf, although her brothers teased her about it, but she is not a new face, either.  I suppose that I did not want to let her go, or I would have taken her places to be seen.  Edinburgh, even London.” 

“I understand that she has never been to London.” 

“No.”  He smiled.  “I am not fond of London.” 

“Scot.” 

“Yes.”  Mr. Kelly laughed.  “Aye, yes.” 

“Then marrying a Fitzwilliam is not too bad.”  Lord Matlock smiled. 

“But you do not live across the way from us.  You mean to make a lady out of my girl.” 

“Well, if it helps you along, your girl will be Mrs. Fitzwilliam until the viscount and I are in our graves.  So with luck, that will be a long time.”  He looked back at the manor and then to Gladney, walking with Harding.  Mr. Kelly followed his eyes.  “If it were up to Richard, she would be Mrs. Fitzwilliam all the days of her life.”

“He said that he does not want the earldom.”

“No, but I think he would be outstanding.  He is an excellent leader and I can see him taking charge in the House of Lords.  He earned his rank, and he left a great deal of blood on the continent.  I am incredibly proud of him, but grateful that he is no longer in uniform.”  He cleared his throat and rubbed at his nose.  “Well.  Your grandchildren will be peers.  Can you bear that?” 

“I suppose I must.”  Mr. Kelly kept his eyes on Gladney.  “There is no hope for the viscount?” 

“The last time he managed to raise his mast he was inebriated with opium and entirely too fascinated with Mrs. Darcy.” 

Their eyes met and Mr. Kelly nodded.  “Now I understand.  I wondered why Mr. Darcy kept an eye on him, and was surprised that the viscount did not ask her to dance.”

“You can imagine that words were exchanged.”  Lord Matlock looked down and back out over the fields. 

“Good for Mr. Darcy.”

“That was the last time Albert breathed in the poison, and with that . . . he became sober and we fully realized what he had done both to himself and our family.  He married my niece to make amends.”