Chapter 3 A Most Unpleasant Surprise #2
He squeezed my hand and released it before shifting to Graham. “You ought to come with me. You may find this particular task edifying.”
“No doubt you are correct.” Graham glanced at me.
“However, Elizabeth’s undertaking is no less consequential, so I shall do what I can to assist her.
We shall provide whatever comfort we may to Mrs. Green.
I am a poor substitute for you, to be sure, but I shall try my best to provide the woman a bit of cheer. ”
“As you wish.” My husband’s response sounded a touch bearish. We left the house, and Fitzwilliam parted ways from Graham and me.
At the Greens’ humble home, Mrs. Selina Green, a woman in her third decade, offered us a warm welcome. When I introduced Graham, she gave him a look that might be called an ogle.
I waited a beat for her to become inured to Graham’s uncommon appearance. “My husband had intended to come, but a last-minute estate matter required his presence. He sends the family his best regards.”
Her gaze returned to me. “I’m sorry to miss seeing Mr. Darcy but pleased you and Mr. Graham are here.
” Selina sneaked another glance at Graham, who set the basket of provisions we brought for them on a table.
In our subsequent exchange of polite enquiry, I assured her of Bennet’s continued good health, and she returned the sentiment, adding that her two children worked the fields with their father today.
When Selina led us towards Mrs. Green’s room, I removed the jar of Pomfret cakes from the basket.
Selina knocked upon the open bedroom door. “Mother, look who’s come to see you.” She waved Graham and I closer, and the two of us entered the room.
“My goodness, Mrs. Darcy, it is a blessing to see you. I do so enjoy your visits.” Mrs. Green's rheumy eyes glinted at me.
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Green.” I fought to maintain a cheerful exterior. The effects of the disease had ravaged her vitality, and she appeared a full decade older than her six-and-forty years.
She raised into a seated position, and I moved to the bedside, adjusting the pillow behind her. She nodded her thanks. “And who’s this handsome stranger? I’ve never seen such a striking gentleman—aside from Mr. Darcy, of course.”
At this, Graham came closer and favoured Mrs. Green with a dazzling smile. I performed the introductions.
Mrs. Green pointed to the chair closest to her bed. “Sir, pray indulge me by sitting here. My sight has grown dim, and I have few enough pleasures these days. I should like to get a proper look at you.”
Graham’s hearty laughter lightened the atmosphere. “You are most kind, madam. I feel privileged to have been afforded the best seat in the room.” Angling his head to the side, he winked at me. He moved another chair closer for me before taking his designated seat.
I raised the distinctive jar decorated in black-and-white stripes before Mrs. Green. “I understand you have a preference for Pomfret cakes. Would you care for one now?”
Mrs. Green clapped her hands. “Oh, you are a dear lady! I have had a hankering for those treats for weeks. They are an extravagance I have indulged in on rare occasions. I should love to have one, and I hope you both will partake as well.”
I opened the jar and handed one of the flat, round confections to Mrs. Green. “I appreciate the offer, but to be truthful, I do not favour them.” When I offered the jar to Graham, he shook his head, placing a hand on his stomach.
“None for me, thank you.” His sight flitted to Mrs. Green. “Mrs. Darcy can attest to the fact that I ate a great deal at breakfast.”
“Yes, without question.” I directed a grin at Mrs. Green. “I should wager that Mr. Graham’s appetite is unrivalled.” I set the jar on a nearby table.
She held the cake aloft to view its distinctive engraving.
“It is true that not everyone appreciates these. My granddaughter and I are the only ones in my family who favour them.” She took a tiny bite, and a sigh slipped from her as she chewed the sweet morsel.
“Mrs. Darcy, I cannot thank you enough, both for the Pomfret cakes and for taking along this delightful young man for me to gaze upon.”
“You are a flatterer.” Graham extended his legs and thrust out his chest. “I should wager you had more than your share of admirers in your day.” His eyebrows waggled in a comical style.
A touch of pink appeared on Mrs. Green’s otherwise pallid cheeks. “Yes, most people considered me to be attractive in my youth.” She released a feeble giggle. “My dear, departed husband, Thomas, used to call me ‘The prettiest lass in Lambton.’”
Graham beamed at her. “The true beauty of a woman is constant and never fades.”
A lump formed in my throat. Graham possessed an impressive skill as a charmer.
Given this, how could I blame my friend Mrs. Mead for having found him irresistible?
With my promise to Fitzwilliam on my mind, I imparted his regret and well-wishes to Mrs. Green.
Thereafter, the three of us chatted in a light, cordial style whilst she nibbled on the Pomfret cake.
After a while, though, she grew quiet, and her slight smile evaporated.
I stretched towards her. “Are you well, Mrs. Green? If you are in pain, I could ask Selina for a draught. Or if you are weary—"
“Oh no, you need not fret for my sake.” Yet in defiance to her words, her forehead corrugated.
“Pray excuse my frankness, but the time for me to join my dear husband is nigh. Each sunrise finds me weaker. Mr. Cooper believes I shall last a few more days at most, and I have made my peace with that fact.” A doleful heaviness characterised her appearance as she glanced towards the window.
Moisture pooled in my eyes, and I averted my gaze.
Graham moved to the edge of the chair. “You may think me impertinent, but despite your words, I can see you are aggrieved. Will you not tell us what is on your mind?”
“Ah, well…” Mrs. Green’s features contorted, lending her a wistful look.
“You are a perceptive gentleman. My youngest son, Lewis, is in the army. He has not sent word for many months. He last wrote to me after his regiment received orders for Spain. I had hoped to hear from him before I… Well, it seems that will not happen.”
Graham reached out to take her hand. “I have an unusual request. I ask you to close your eyes and picture your son Lewis as you last saw him.”
Her sight flew to me as though to gauge my response. I struggled to remain still and maintain my countenance. What did Graham intend to do?
“Very well, I shall do as you ask.” Mrs. Green’s eyes drifted shut.
Graham’s eyes closed as well. He sat stock-still with his lips pressed together and his head angled to the side as though deep in thought.
At length, he stirred, bent his neck back and forth as though to relieve a cramp, and beheld Mrs. Green with a grave expression.
“Madam, I am aware of your son Lewis’s fate. Would you like me to inform you?”
My hand covered my mouth, stifling a gasp, and a smothering rush of heat spread through me. Graham could not possibly know anything about Mrs. Green’s son. Did he imagine himself to be a soothsayer?
Mrs. Green blinked several times and stared at him. “Yes, if you please. I want to know Lewis’s destiny.”
“Three months ago, your son took part in a battle along the mountains of Spain. He exhibited bravery and strength in his efforts while in combat. Unfortunately, he and several others in his battalion fell victim to enemy fire. Be assured that your valiant son did not suffer. His death was immediate.”
“No, pray tell me it is not true!”
Graham shook his head. “Alas, that is what happened.”
She fell forwards, drew her hands to her face, and bewailed. The soft, anguished sound permeated the small room.
Fie! Why in the world would Graham do this? How could he tell this poor, sweet lady such a dreadful falsehood? I never should have taken him here!
“Your son did not die in vain.” Graham leaned closer to Mrs. Green, and his voice softened.
“His actions allowed many others in his regiment to avoid injury or death. His final thoughts were of you. He pictured you seated in your favourite chair by the window—where you sit to admire the blooming bluebells in the spring. Lewis recalled the day he left home. You had risen hours before daylight to bake his favourite currant tea biscuits for him. He saw how weary you were and walked you back to your bed.”
Mrs. Green gawked at him. “Yes, yes, that is correct! I gave him the biscuits, and he insisted I lie down and rest. He hugged me as he said goodbye and told me he loved me. Then he stopped at the doorway and waved. I never saw my Lewis again.”
Goodness gracious! How could Graham have known those details?
He sat back in his chair. “You have no further cause to grieve over Lewis, for you shall see him again soon. You will be reunited with your husband as well.”
Mrs. Green dabbed at her face with a handkerchief. “Sir, you have brought me a great deal of comfort.” Her gaze moved towards me. “I am grateful to you both for your visit. Now, if you will excuse me, I am quite fatigued.”
“We shall take our leave.” I stood, and before we completed our farewells, Mrs. Green appeared to have drifted into a slumber. As Graham and I returned to the curricle, questions filled my head.
I bided my time until we returned to the road, leaving the Green’s home in the distance. “What happened back there? How did you know those facts about Lewis and Mrs. Green?”
He halted the horses, moved the reins to one hand, and faced me.
“I have a gift of sorts, an enhanced form of intuition. Certain details pertaining to people living or dead are accessible to me in the form of visions and thoughts. When I apply my mind to the task, I can make a connexion with other people so that images and information are available to me, such as Mrs. Green seated in her favourite chair.” His eyes blazed into me like a fiery probe, and I looked away.