Chapter 5 Elizabeth Fixes upon a Lofty Goal #4
With my jaw clenched and my spine rigid, I locked my sight on the pair until they entered the mistress’s room and shut the door.
Sunday, 17 September
Elizabeth
Fitzwilliam and I walked to the Greens’ residence this morning. Along the way, we traded diverting remembrances of Bennet from our individual time spent with him in the past several days.
For my part, I shared my most recent entries to the “Bennet Journal,” a written log I had commenced the first month of our son’s birth to document his growth, activities, and most memorable words and phrases.
The sight of a mourning wreath upon the Green’s door brought our light-hearted discourse and forward movement to a halt.
I gasped, and my eyes met his. He gave my hand a squeeze, and we continued onwards. The door opened before we reached it, and Mr. Green greeted us, waving us inside.
When Selina came to welcome us, Fitzwilliam handed her a basket of fruits, nuts, rolls, and sweetmeats. His gaze shifted to include Mr. Green. “I am very sorry to have come too late to see your mother one last time.”
“There is no need to apologize.” Mr. Green glanced at Selina. “We can imagine how busy you have been since Mr. Hughes left. Besides, my mother drew much comfort from the visit with Mrs. Darcy and your friend.”
Selina placed a hand on her heart. “Mother Green spoke on and on of her delight in meeting Mr. Graham, and she appreciated Mrs. Darcy’s kind consideration in giving her the Pomfret cakes she so loved.
Her mood remained elevated throughout the whole of that evening.
In fact, she had a burst of energy that night unlike anything she had shown in months. ”
I drew alongside Fitzwilliam. “That is heartening to hear.”
She shared a glance with Mr. Green. “One aspect of your visit makes us curious. My mother-in-law would not tell us what Mr. Graham said to her, only that his words gave her peace.” Selina’s eyes fastened upon me with an expectant glint. “Will you tell us what he told her?”
As the gazes of Fitzwilliam and the Greens settled upon me, a sudden thickness hindered my throat.
What could I say to satisfy their curiosity?
I should not tell the Greens the truth; for Graham’s safety, his gift ought to remain a secret.
With so many ignorant and superstitious people in the world, anyone who seemed to be different or unnatural in any way might be oppressed or ostracised.
Besides, for whatever reason, Mrs. Green had not seen fit to pass the information on to her family.
“Oh, she must have been referring to a poem Mr. Graham quoted that day, William Cowper’s ‘Light Shining out of Darkness.’ Mrs. Green found comfort in the words, and she remained in higher spirits for the rest of our visit. ”
“Well, that is a surprise.” Mr. Green’s facial muscles tightened.
“My mother did not favour poetry as a rule. But no matter, your visit did her a world of good. She departed this earth peacefully in the early hours of the morning, and I must say the timing was fortuitous. We received notification today from the army of my brother, Lewis’s, death.
The letter was delayed, because the direction had been written ill.
We had not heard from him in many months and feared the worst. He lost his life when his troop battled in the Pyrenees Mountains. ”
So, they knew Lewis’s fate after all. “I am very sorry for your loss.” My husband echoed the sentiment.
“Thank you both.” Mr. Green’s voice grew low and solemn. “My brother was a brave man, and I have no doubt he fought with everything he had in him.”
Fitzwilliam nodded. “You have every reason to be proud of your brother. He died in the most honourable of circumstances. But this is indeed a sad time for your family. Let us know if there is aught we can do to help you.”
“That is kind of you. Although I’ve lived here my entire life, I’ve heard tales in my day of tenants being mistreated on other estates.
I appreciate how fair you have always been.
Your father was the same way. I believe part of the reason Pemberley is so prosperous is because your tenants respect you as a landlord and want to work hard for you.
We appreciate your generosity in allowing your tenants to share in the profits from their crops. ”
My chest swelled at this well-deserved praise. My husband, however, displayed a stiff attitude. He could not abide such attention with ease.
Fitzwilliam directed his sight to the window. “I am glad you are content to live here, Mr. Green.”
Darcy
On our way back to the house, I broached the subject of Graham’s conversation with the late Mrs. Green and held my wife in an intent look. “I know you well enough to be certain you either prevaricated or withheld information from the Greens. I cannot help but wonder why you felt the need to do so.”
Flashing a smile my way, she nudged me with her shoulder. “I thought you may have realised that. I should have related this to you the other day, but Lady Catherine showed up, and…well…this flew from my mind.”
She revealed the revelation Graham had shared regarding the demise of Mrs. Green’s son, Lewis. Later, he had recounted an experience Elizabeth had with her own late grandmother and passed on a message from her. My wife’s sight riveted upon me, and I fought the urge to look away.
Why had Graham revealed this extraordinary ability to Elizabeth and the late Mrs. Green, and what should I say about it now?
“You do not appear to be surprised. You must have known about Graham’s unique gift.”
Blast. Since Graham’s arrival, I had struggled to decide whether or not to reveal the truth to Elizabeth and forewarn her of the possible danger the angel posed.
Would she even believe me? What if the knowledge frightened her?
If she became hostile to Graham and inspired his ire…
No, I should not take that chance. “Graham is a singular individual with unusual talents.”
I halted our progress and turned towards her. “You must promise to tell me if he ever makes you uncomfortable in any way.”
Her brows drew together as she searched my face. “I shall, of course, but I cannot believe you expect anything of the sort.”
“Even so, I have not seen Graham in many years. People may alter over time, so he may not be the man he used to be.”
Pressing her lips together, she seemed to muse on my response. She would probably attribute the warning to my tendency to be protective of her. “Are you concerned about Graham’s involvement with Sarah Mead? Do you imagine he will damage her reputation?”
I tensed at this reminder of why we had been spared the man’s presence this morning. “He has assured me that he will be discreet and not soil her good name. I am not sure how he has managed this, but I have not heard any whispers concerning them.”
“Neither have I, thank goodness. But I also fear that Sarah’s feelings will be engaged. I should not want her to be hurt when Graham returns home. I hope she takes care not to grow too attached to him. I could be wrong, but he has given me no indication that he is looking to take a wife.”
Now that was an ominous thought! Certainly, there could be no chance of Graham taking Mrs. Mead or anyone else with him when he departed. “I do not think you are wrong. Your friend would be wise to keep a guard on her heart.”
With a gentle tug on my hand, Elizabeth pulled me back into a walk.