Chapter 34
Two days later, Mr. Darcy and his sister left for Pemberley.
There was great turmoil in the city because of the assassination of Prime Minister Perceval in broad daylight by a disgruntled tradesman. Mr. Darcy’s view of politics had always been that they were a necessary evil, which, at times, caused truly evil things to happen.
To a gentleman farmer, estate matters took precedence over politics. However, there was the matter of the barony held in abeyance, which was his to claim. Perhaps he could assist the Duke more readily in the Lords…
As soon as he set foot on the grounds of his ancestral home, however, his mind instinctively focused on those things that ensured the well-being and prosperity of Pemberley and its dependents.
He felt energized tending to estate work: the wool from spring shearing had to be sorted, spring planting was in full swing, and repairs of all sorts would begin after the growing season started.
Notes included in letters between the Duke and Mr. Darcy were the means of communication between the two undeclared lovers.
No passionate exchanges could be found as a show of respect for His Grace, who willingly took on the role of a go-between because he did not want the hidden romance to be known to anyone else.
Even so, news and subtle words of admiration for each other made the separation bearable, unlike when Elizabeth felt compelled to go to Rosings after realizing for the first time that she might be in love.
In the meantime, Earl Dunham had retreated from his futile lawsuits and stratagems against the Northampton Dukedom.
The Dukes of Devonshire and Northampton had joined forces to threaten to sue the Earl’s heir for high crimes that would surely result in the Viscount’s banishment to Botany Bay.
The Earl, though extremely upset by his heir’s recklessness ruining his elaborate schemes to snatch the Northampton Canal Network for himself, could not stomach losing his firstborn to disgrace and exile.
Another piece of good news emerged that took everyone except Lady Mary by surprise: the Duchess of Northampton was enceinte.
In five months, the future of the Dukedom would be determined—either extinction of the title after the incumbent Duke, or a chance to perpetuate the Dukedom for generations to come.
These good tidings were reported in the Duke’s letter to Mr. Darcy, but he was much more eager to read the included note from Elizabeth. Her missives were always lively and contained details so vivid he felt he was standing by her side as the described event happened.
From his beloved, he learned the Duchess was excited for but extremely cautious about her pregnancy and stayed in bed day and night.
Elizabeth thought her mother was glad of an excuse to refuse attending social functions because the Duchess had not yet accustomed herself to the pomp and circumstance she, as a duchess, had to endure.
Moreover, the entire family and household coddled her as if she were the queen, which, in this case, was not that far from her current position…
Mr. Darcy was conveying the note and letter’s cheerful contents to his sister when another express was brought in. He knew without even looking that it would be from Rosings.
“Let us see what Aunt Catherine wants this time?” Mr. Darcy’s lighthearted countenance was replaced with a grimace in the blink of an eye.
What he saw made him almost jump out of his skin. The letter was in the handwriting of his wife, in her usual affected hand with many flourishes.
My dear husband,
I have not felt so well in all my life. Two weeks ago, the weather turned lovely, and I spent more time on the terrace.
At the end of last week, I got out of the wheelchair and started walking.
This morning, I walked to the end of the terrace and was not at all winded.
Tomorrow I shall ride in my phaeton. I am terribly excited to feel the breeze on my face again after almost two years of being bedridden.
I think married life suits me. You have been attentive and kind—not controlling and unreasonable, like Mama.
Being married to you is the best thing that has happened to me.
Have I thanked you for agreeing to marry me?
You were reluctant at first, but of course, Rosings is now yours.
It was not too poor a bargain for you, was it?
I want to be truly married to you and live away from Mama.
The dower house is too close for my liking.
You promised to take me to Brighton, did you not?
I want to go now. If the spring air at Rosings has been so beneficial, imagine what the sea air could do?
A little strengthening of my constitution is all I need to be Mrs. Darcy, mistress of Pemberley and Rosings, in truth.
I have been wanting to visit Brighton since I was a little girl.
My papa told me what a magical place the Pavillion was.
He used to go there with the Prince of Wales’s entourage.
Mama would not hear of going near there—she called it Sodom—or allowing me to breathe sea air, but I need not listen to her anymore. I feel liberated just knowing that!
Please come home to Rosings as soon as possible to see for yourself that your wife is not a weakling anymore, but one ready to live life to the fullest! I remain,
Your faithful and loving wife,
Anne
Mr. Darcy sat stunned, scaring Georgiana.
“Brother, what is the matter? Has something happened to Cousin Anne?”
Instantly, the mien of a strong, protective brother returned.
“Sweetling, something did happen, and it is good news. Cousin Anne’s health has taken a turn for the better. She thinks she is well enough to visit the seaside in Brighton. The sea air may do her further good.”
“Oh!” Georgiana uttered softly.
While staying at Kennington Castle, she had heard that Lieutenant George Wickham of the militia had failed to secure the hand of Miss King in marriage and remained with the militia as a junior officer.
Said militia would move to Brighton in the beginning of June.
If her brother should ask her to go to Brighton with him, she needed to come up with an excuse not to go.
“This means I shall have to return to Rosings within the week. What would you prefer to do—come with me to Rosings and visit Richard, stay with Aunt Charlotte, or go to the Ladies Bennet-Fitzstuart again?”
“Oh, the Ladies Bennet-Fitzstuart, please. Thank you, brother, for not expecting me to come with you to Brighton.”
“I would not dream of it. Now I need to write a few letters. You should soon receive an invitation from the Bennet-Fitzstuarts. Be ready to leave shortly after so I could escort you to Kennington Castle.”
“Thank you, Brother!”
On her way out of the study, Georgiana turned and, with face flushed, asked hesitantly, “What will happen to you and Elizabeth now that Cousin Anne is on her way to recovery?”
Mr. Darcy was astonished on two fronts: how did Georgiana know about his secret courtship, and why had he never considered as real the possibility of Anne actually recovering from her disease?
In his mind, he always took the doctors’ diagnosis of terminal consumption as the only outcome.
Could a miracle happen—as the Duke posed as an intervention from God?
But then he did say God would not be so merciless…
“Georgiana.” Being addressed by her Christian name in private meant her brother was extremely concerned about something. The last time this had happened, he had come to Ramsgate unannounced and discovered her plan to elope.
“Yes, Brother?” Georgiana was ready to cry.
“Sweetling, I am not going to scold you. Please do not cry. I simply need you to tell me why you asked about Lady Elizabeth and me.”
“Forgive me, Brother. I have been wishing for such a thing, and accidentally said it out loud just now. Elizabeth’s sisters were certain something was going on between the two of you because of the way Lizzy talked about you. It made my heart glad to hear that.”
“I see. I am glad you are so fond of Lady Elizabeth that you want our family to be tied to her. She is an exceptional lady, and she will always be your friend. Whether there is anything between us does not signify.”
“But…Yes. God is kind.” Georgiana walked out and closed the door behind her.
God. Providence. Everyone has high hopes that God is on my side. I do too, but perhaps I have chosen my side wrongly? Is it wicked of me to love Elizabeth? If so, forgive me, Lord, but I cannot help myself.
This new experience of self-doubt—or perhaps indecisiveness—left Mr. Darcy feeling unsettled. However, his ingrained sense of duty and honor soon reasserted itself and ordered him to do what he had promised before God and man.
A week later, the Darcy siblings arrived at Kennington Castle.
Georgiana Darcy had become a favorite of everyone, even Lydia, who felt a camaraderie with the girl who almost committed the same sin at about the same age.
After being humiliated at the hands of her classmates, the overly confident girl had become far more subdued.
She had even developed a sense of shame and dreaded meeting the real Duke of Devonshire.
With Jenny’s help, Mr. Darcy had a few minutes to speak privately with Elizabeth before traveling to Kent.
“I need you to know, dearest, that Anne’s health has continued to improve. I shall take her to Brighton, since she believes the sea air will heal her completely. And…”
He hesitated, blushing furiously.
“Yes…” Elizabeth encouraged.
“And she hinted at… wanting to consummate the marriage,” said Mr. Darcy, the second part of the sentence rushing out in one breath.
“Oh!” Elizabeth was ignorant about many aspects of marital intimacy, but she did know what a married couple were expected to do but was forbidden to unmarried ones.
“What will you do?” She sounded uncertain.