Chapter 6 A Brother’s Visit #3
Elizabeth described the time she and Bennet had spent yesterday with Lady Catherine.
“…and then Bennet brought me his favourite book, and I read to him.” A brilliant spark illuminated her eyes.
“Your aunt pretended to take no notice of us in favour of her magazine, but I caught her sneaking glances our way, and unless I am mistaken, she never once turned a page.”
My hand covered hers. How I adored her! No other woman would go to such lengths for my sake. “I greatly appreciate your efforts, and I hate that my aunt is so stubborn and unbending. No reasonable person could spend any amount of time with you and Bennet without admiring you both.”
Her head cocked, and her expression brightened. “Not that you are biased in any way.”
My answering smile came without effort, as so often happened in her proximity.
We fell into silence as Bennet’s progress with his task absorbed us.
Moments later, though, a new thought drew my focus.
I wanted to ensure Elizabeth would be home when the surprise guests arrived.
Had she made any conflicting plans? “If you have no other engagements tomorrow, I thought we should take Bennet on a picnic—perhaps in the north meadow near the stream?”
“Yes, I should like that.”
I released my fettered breath.
Bennet set down the final piece of the puzzle. He wore a glowing grin. “Mama, Papa, I did it!”
“Well done, Son.” I patted his shoulder.
Elizabeth clapped. “That is wonderful, Bennet.” She bent to kiss his cheek. “I am proud of you.” We took our leave of our son and left the house.
Last night, I had described Bennet’s pony to Elizabeth, and she voiced a desire to see him.
So, we stopped at the stables before leaving on our walk.
Over the past few weeks, I had struggled to persuade my wife that the Darcy tradition of introducing their children to riding at the tender age of two years was not, as she had put it, “madness.” Over a series of discussions that became heated at times, I had conveyed the importance of our son establishing a strong affinity for horses—an estate owner depended upon his steeds each day of his life.
My wife rushed ahead to the large stall, her countenance glowing and flushed with colour. She opened the gate and entered. The pony ate his breakfast of hay, sparing her the briefest of glances before continuing to feed.
She took slow steps to the pony’s side and stroked his neck. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, he is so beautiful! Bennet will love him. I do not believe any child could fail to be pleased by this fine pony.”
With a grin, I moved to stand beside her.
If she proved to be as delighted to see her own new mare, I should be well satisfied.
“He is just shy of fourteen hands, almost as big as a horse. Once he acquires the skills, Bennet will be able to ride him for many years to come. This pony can carry an adult male with ease.”
Her brow arched. “You could not have chosen a worse attribute to promote if your object is to convince me of his suitability for Bennet. If the choice had been mine, he would receive the smallest pony in England.”
She teased me, for I had already assured her that Bennet’s more serious riding instruction would be with Georgiana’s old Shetland pony. His “lessons” with his new pony would serve to create a bond between Bennet and the animal and accustom him to the feel of sitting upon a moving horse.
“Nevertheless, I have no doubt our son shall be delighted with your choice.” She slipped her hand in mine, and a sensation of lightness spread within me.
An impulse seized me to present the mare to her today. Should I do that? I could walk her there now. But no, I should wait one more day.
Lambton
Graham
I whistled a cheery tune and ambled towards Pemberley in an energetic gait. I had spent a delightful evening with Sarah Mead. I could not have chosen a better companion.
Of course, my time with the Darcys had been no less enjoyable. Thus far, my holiday had been an enlightening and pleasurable diversion—so pleasurable, in fact, that I had given serious consideration to—
“What do you think you are doing?”
Jerking to a stop, I angled my head towards the gentleman who had appeared beside me out of nowhere.
The nondescript man looked to be thirty or so years of age and ordinary in every particular.
Clive—it had to be him. My back tensed. Why had he sought me out?
No doubt he wanted me to return. In any case, I should not be intimidated.
I sniggered and gestured to my brother in a flippant style. “This is so like you, Clive. You chose the most unremarkable body you could find to inhabit.”
“You are flashy enough for both of us.” He emitted a rude noise. “Unlike you, I know better than to attract undue attention.”
“This is my holiday. Why should I not choose the best possible body? Just look at these splendid accoutrements.” I ran my hand over the Italian wool coat.
My brother shook his head.
“To what do I owe this visit?” I resumed walking and Clive followed suit.
“You must have known your actions here would not go unnoticed. Your interference with a mortal’s lot has caused our father a great deal of anxiety. You have never gone to such lengths before. Why did you do it?”
Invoking an air of indifference, I shrugged. “When I observed a man take a fatal fall, I acted on impulse to save him. Afterwards, I decided to sojourn in the world of mortals for a time.”
“We are allowed to delay a mortal’s death for no more than seven days.” Clive bent his head to view me. “Are you aware of this?”
What did he take me for? My lips pressed together.
Clive nudged my shoulder. “Graham?”
My exhalation sent wisps of my blond hair aloft. “Yes, of course I know that rule. There is still a bit of time left. Perchance I shall find a way to prevent the man’s death.”
“What did you have in mind?” My brother’s eyes took on the appearance of steel slits. “Do you hope to sacrifice another person in the man’s place?”
“Well…um…I have not finalised the details, but that is a possibility. I understand it has been done on rare occasions. I may substitute another individual if that person is in close proximity to him at the time of his expected death. That should not be too difficult to arrange. I have someone in mind—the man’s aunt, who is staying at the estate.
” A distinct image of Lady Catherine’s wizened features came to mind.
Clive’s index finger jabbed my shoulder. “That is but one of the ideas you have contemplated. Have you not imagined taking his wife, Elizabeth, instead and giving her the gift of immortality so she may become your companion?”
Devil take it! My jaw shot forwards. “You have been spying on me! How dare you!”
“What did you expect? Father insisted that I determine why you are here. You cannot keep secrets from me. My skills have always surpassed yours.”
With a groan, I dug my fingers into my nape.
Why did my deuced brother have to be so perceptive?
“Very well. Maybe I have considered such a plan, but I do not believe it would work. It would be difficult for any mortal to agree to such a drastic change of circumstance with equanimity. And since she has a young child, I do not believe she could be convinced to leave him.” An acrid taste filled my mouth as I uttered that last sentence.
I could not alter this truth, much as I may wish to do so.
“Father will be incensed to learn that you have been imposing yourself on these mortals. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are good, decent people. You have no cause to toy with them.”
“What can you mean?” My voice gained strength. “I have done Darcy a tremendous favour! I know very well that he is a fine, honourable man—that is why I cannot decide the best way to proceed.”
“You are deluding yourself and indulging your whims at this man’s expense. You do not want to help Mr. Darcy—you want to be him.”
What? My brother misunderstood me. I did not wish to be Darcy.
Did I? No, of course not! I rubbed my hands over my hair.
“Despite the fact that I may have considered other options, my primary object now is to save Darcy’s life.
I understand it will be a complicated manoeuvre that must be timed with care.
If I fail in the endeavour, I shall remain and provide what comfort I may to Mrs. Darcy.
She is certain to be devastated by the loss. ”
“You are a quixotic fool!” His words dripped with sarcasm. “You propose to spend the next fifty or so years here to comfort Mrs. Darcy? I suppose you plan to marry her.”
“Perhaps. I know not. I should not expect her to fall in love with me straight away. I realize she loves her husband very much, but this body I chose is exceedingly attractive to every female I have encountered and a great many males as well. I am confident I could win her love in time.” In actuality, Elizabeth’s behaviour in my company, though delightful, did not assure me that I could win her heart; she almost seemed to be immune to my charms.
“The longer you remain here, the higher the likelihood that your powers here will diminish.”
“What?” I took an unsteady step and came close to stumbling. “I have not noticed any loss in my abilities. That is not true, is it?”
“Father believes it to be so. Few angels have chosen to remain here more than a day or two, so we cannot be certain.”
Egad, could I bear to stay on here if that meant I should eventually become as helpless as any other mortal?
“Are you in love with Elizabeth Darcy?”
“Me? In love?” An effusive laugh burst from me. “No, of course not. I enjoy Elizabeth’s company and find her attractive. Why should I not? She has a unique charm. Her mind is sharp, she has a marvellous sense of humour, and she is extraordinarily kind and generous.”
“I see.” Clive raised his brows, his gaze probing me. “And what of the other lady with whom you have spent your nights?”
“You refer to Sarah Mead.” I swallowed. “She understands that my stay is temporary.”
“And yet you hope to remain and keep company with Elizabeth Darcy.”
What did Clive mean to insinuate? I had done nothing wrong in cultivating a friendship with Sarah. I had not coerced her in any way. “Sarah is a woman of keen understanding. I have no concerns for her.”
“You may as well know you cannot take Lady Catherine in place of Mr. Darcy. If you are to make a substitution, you must choose someone within a few years of his age.”
Blast! My head bowed. Despite the fantasy I had been entertaining of a life with Elizabeth, I had never accepted in my heart that Darcy would die. However, it appeared that saving him would be much more difficult than I had anticipated. “Why must there be so many complicated rules?”
“To dissuade you from interfering, I imagine.” Clive moved closer. “Brother, I can understand the desire to learn how mortals live and to experience life in their world, but though you may seem to fit in among these people, you are not one of them. Do not forget that.”
“Do not be concerned for me. I have not lost sight of who I am. During my stay here, I hope to be of assistance to the Darcys and to the people around them. In fact, I believe I already have been helpful. In revealing to Mr. Darcy my true identity and making him aware that I delayed his death, I have prepared him to face his own mortality. There must be an advantage in that.”
Clive rubbed his eyes. He opened his mouth as though to speak, but with a slight shake of his head, he seemed to change his mind. “When I leave you, I shall go to Father and do my best to placate him.”
“Thank you. Rest assured, I have everything in hand here. There is no cause for his concern.” I drew taller, attempting to portray confidence and tranquillity.
My brother’s eyes fixed upon me for a long moment. “Very well. I shall take you at your word. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Clive.”
Without the least bit of flourish—not even a cloud of dust—my brother vanished.
Good riddance! I removed my handkerchief from my pocket and dabbed at the dampness upon my forehead before resuming my walk. My customary smile seemed to be beyond me, though, and my stride lacked its usual vitality as the implications of Clive’s words revolved in my head.