Chapter 10 A Rousing Song
Elizabeth
Ihad changed from the picnic when a servant arrived with a note. I perused the unfamiliar feminine handwriting.
Dear Mrs. Darcy,
I wish to offer you my sincere gratitude for the gracious hospitality and care you and your servants have provided me throughout my visit. I shall depart as soon as my maid can collect my belongings.
Pray accept my sincere apology for my behaviour since my arrival.
I regret ever having listened to Lady Catherine.
Due to my dire circumstances and my belief in the falsehoods she had told me concerning the state of your marriage, I had agreed to assist her.
However, I had already decided against any further cooperation with Lady Catherine when an express arrived for me today with welcome news requiring my immediate return to London.
I shall remember you with admiration, and I wish all the best for you, your husband, and your family.
Cordially, Lady Rebecca Seymour
What welcome news! Notwithstanding Lady Rebecca’s evident change of heart, I should rest easier when she left Pemberley. Maybe if she had a few physical flaws and a few less accomplishments, her company would be easier to tolerate.
At the knock on my door, I called out an invitation and Fitzwilliam entered.
He leaned in, kissed me, and glanced at the note in my hand. “Is aught amiss?”
“On the contrary.” I handed him the message.
He skimmed the writing and set the paper on the table. “It is a shame Lady Rebecca is not taking my aunt with her. Of course, now we have Anne here as well. I trust you do not mind her presence.” The gravity in his gaze induced me to discard the teasing reply I might otherwise have uttered.
“Not in the least. I am glad for the opportunity to become better acquainted with her.” I raised an eyebrow. “Bennet seemed quite comfortable with her at the picnic.”
“Yes, that did not escape my notice, and I am gratified to see such an improvement in her health.”
I released a short laugh. “Maybe the distance from her mother had a healing effect on her.”
“There could be some truth to that.”
My mouth fell open. “Do you think so?”
“Lady Catherine would never hurt Anne intentionally, yet she clings to a few antiquated beliefs. For instance, my aunt considers physical exercise to be detrimental to ladies.”
“She may share several opinions held by my own mother. To my good fortune, Papa did not allow her to restrict my activity.”
Fitzwilliam took my hand, and his thumb moved in a circular pattern over my skin. “I am grateful for his intervention. Your childhood experiences allowed you to become the person you are today”—he lifted my hand to kiss my inner wrist—“a woman ideally suited to me.”
Graham
I followed Darcy’s brother-in-law Colonel Fitzwilliam into the billiards room. The retired officer, who retained his military bearing, stiffened at my entry, signalling his annoyance at my intrusion. Still, he managed to prevent frowning.
I bowed to him. “Good day, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
He completed his strike before straightening and returning the gesture. “Mr. Graham.”
Earlier today, I had obtained several interesting musings from Mrs. Fitzwilliam when I passed by her, but I gleaned almost nothing from him. In this setting, I might have better luck. “Would you care for a game?” I approached the table.
“Yes, of course.” He retrieved his ball from the pocket. “Shall we make it a short game, just to six?”
“That is a fine suggestion.” I selected a cue. “Go ahead and play first.”
Whilst Colonel Fitzwilliam examined the table and prepared for his shot, he sent me several covert glances. “I understand that you and Darcy met at Cambridge.”
“Yes, we shared a close bond back then.” I chalked the end of my cue and took a position beside him. I waited a beat as a few fragments of his stormy thoughts became perceptible to me. “I have been living in Calabria. For the past few years, I have offered my services as a spiritual advisor.”
His nose wrinkled. “A spiritual advisor? What does that mean?”
I bent over the table to take my turn. “The practice is commonplace in Calabria. People consult me when they seek guidance to resolve a problem or make an important decision.”
With a derisive laugh, he shook his head. “You mean to say that perfect strangers reveal their personal difficulties to you?”
“Indeed, and it has been a privilege to provide them assistance.” I retrieved my ball from the pocket. “For example, one of my first clients came to me in a desperate state after his wife had threatened to leave him.”
A smirk played upon Colonel Fitzwilliam’s lips as he shifted into position to make his strike.
I moved across from him. “My client was reluctant to relate the problem, but at length, he explained to me that he could no longer bring himself to perform his marital duties.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s white ball sailed off the table and struck the hardwood floor with a jarring, dissonant crash.
Aha, now I have nettled him.
With a wince, he rubbed the weathered skin on the side of his nose. He went to the corner of the room in a slouched carriage and retrieved the valuable ivory ball from the floor. He inspected the ball, which appeared to be intact. “That was a humbling display.”
“Mistakes happen to the best of us. I can see you are a skilled player, so this must have been a freak occurrence for you. You should take your turn anew.”
“No, no. I insist. You go ahead.”
“As you wish.” I took my turn.
He shot me a quick look before moving his gaze to the table. “You…um…mentioned a married man who came to you for advice.”
“Ah yes. Given his problem, you might assume the gentleman no longer loved his wife or suffered from a physical ailment, but you would be mistaken. He adored his wife but would not take the chance of impregnating her. He did not want to risk her succumbing to one of the hazards associated with childbearing.”
In the flickering light from the nearby fireplace Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face appeared pallid. He took an unsteady backward step and leaned upon his cue.
I went to him. “You do not appear well. Allow me to get you a drink.”
With a nod, he set his cue stick against the wall and plunged into a nearby chair. “I am not at my best today.” He unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat. When I gave him the brandy, he took several small sips.
I poured a second glass for myself and took a seat across from him. “Now, to return to my client, I solved his quandary to his satisfaction, and he is now content with his life and his marriage.”
His eyes flared wide, and his breaths came in rapid succession. “How did you address his fears? The dangers to women who go through childbirth cannot be denied.”
“You are apt to be sceptical of what I tell you next. I have a talent for sensing what shall occur in the future. For this client, I assured him that he would have four healthy children and his wife would live until the end of her seventh decade. As of now, they have been blessed with three children.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned back in his chair and lifted his chin. “I understand. You told your client, an ignorant and superstitious man, what he wished to hear, and he believed you. You are fortunate his wife survived the three births, or you would have been exposed as a fraud.”
“Perhaps you would be good enough to humour me for a moment.” I sat forwards with my hand extended.
He glared at me for a long moment. “So, you want to give me a demonstration of your gift? Very well.” He took my proffered hand in a punishing grip.
My eyes closed, and a deluge of images appeared. “You suffered a grievous injury two years ago by an enemy’s blade in Vitoria, Spain, that left you with a sizable scar on your chest. I see a handsome, raven-haired, green-eyed lady with whom you spent many nights before you returned to England.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam heaved a laboured breath. “How do you know about her? This is not possible.”
“I see three children in your future, one boy and two girls. You may be assured that Mrs. Fitzwilliam will live a long and contented life.” I opened my eyes.
He pulled his hand from mine as though I had burnt him. “I do not appreciate this street fair performance. Do you take me for a fool?”
“My sole object has been to assist you. Your doubt is to be expected, but before you dismiss what I have told you, consult Darcy. Ask him if my word may be trusted.” I stood, swallowed the remaining brandy with one gulp, and quit the room.
Elizabeth
I knocked on the door to Jane’s bedchamber and entered upon her invitation. We settled into a pair of chairs near the large window, which afforded a picturesque view of the river and the adjacent woods.
My sister gazed out at the prospect. “Stunning views abound at Pemberley, but this one is most delightful.”
“I could not be happier that the room pleases you.” My sight fixed upon her. Had it been my imagination, or had Jane’s countenance crimped for a second? If aught troubled her, I should not scruple to encourage her to confide in me. First though, I enquired after Charlie.
My sister described the toys and activities he favoured of late, the books he loved to have read to him, and the latest words he had learned.
“Did you enjoy the picnic?”
“Indeed, I did.” A rosy tint overspread her cheeks. “Despite your advance warning, I became tongue-tied when your husband introduced Mr. Graham. He is the most attractive man of my acquaintance.”
“Yes, he is rather exceptional.”
“Oh, and Bennet is so adorable!” She folded her hands. “When he handed me the daisy today, he appeared so solemn and sincere, like a much older boy.”