Chapter 12 Time Runs Out
Pemberley
Graham
The servants bustled to and fro, arranging food and decorations for the celebration. In their haste, the maids who scampered by spared me nary more than the flash of a smile.
I stopped at the entrance to the morning room, wherein Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Bingley worked on sewing projects while Elizabeth demonstrated a complicated embroidery stitch for Miss de Bourgh. “Good day, ladies. Pray pardon me for the intrusion.”
With an endearing protestation for my suggestion that I could be anything other than welcome, Elizabeth bade me to join them, and I obliged her.
I selected the chair nearest to Miss de Bourgh and set the basket on the floor.
“I find myself in need of a favour.” I took a theatrical pause to ensure I received the ladies’ full attention; after all, I had contrived a superb story, and they ought not to miss it.
“On my walk back to Pemberley this morning, I stopped to assist a family bound for Falmouth, where they will sail to America. They became stranded on the road after a wheel on their coach had worked itself loose. Yesterday, the father had purchased a four-month-old puppy for his young daughter. Unfortunately, the child suffered from a runny nose, sneezing, and red, irritated eyes whenever she came near the animal. So, I volunteered to find the puppy a new home.” I lifted the lid off the basket, and a reddish-blond head with long, pendulous ears popped up.
“Dear me, what a perfect creature!” Miss de Bourgh sprang from her chair and crouched next to the puppy, stroking his head. Elizabeth, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Mrs. Bingley voiced their praises for the little dog as well.
Rising from my chair, I stepped away—without the cover of the basket, the young dog could be alarmed at my proximity. “Miss de Bourgh, is there any chance you would do me the great service of taking on the responsibility for this beast?”
She lifted the puppy into her arms with the utmost care and stood before me, her eyes glistening. “You cannot doubt that I should be delighted to give this…um…female?”
“Oh…ah…male.”
“…male puppy a home.” She turned the creature to examine his face. “He is the exact sort of dog I have longed to have.”
Elizabeth approached the animal and caressed his head. “Do you see how the puppy leans into you, Anne, and away from Graham? It is clear he already favours you.”
My lips curved up. That could be one explanation for the animal’s actions.
Miss de Bourgh grinned at Elizabeth. “The feeling is mutual.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Do you suppose he needs to go out of doors?”
“Oh yes, I should say so. He has been cooped in the basket for over half an hour.”
She touched Elizabeth’s arm. “I should love to learn more stitches from you another time. I shall take the puppy out into the garden.”
“Yes, of course.”
Miss de Bourgh’s sight lowered to the puppy. “If you approve, I should like to stop by the nursery and show him to Bennet upon my return.”
“That is a marvellous idea. Bennet loves dogs, and who could resist such an adorable one as this?” Elizabeth gave the creature another pat.
My nose crinkled. I could! What made the scraggy little runt so special?
Once Miss de Bourgh had left the room, Elizabeth came nearer, and I held still, a lovely warmth spreading through me. “You gave Anne a wonderful gift, and that puppy will be well loved.” She used a hushed tone.
Upon my life, I had had no conception of gratifying Elizabeth when I sought the puppy; otherwise, with the expectation of pleasing her, I might have obtained a dozen of them.
“You heard how I obtained the creature. I happened upon the situation and merely—” The electric thrill of her hand upon my wrist stilled my tongue.
“You related a fable with the kindest of motives. You are a generous man. Fitzwilliam has a wonderful friend in you.”
I nodded and pasted on a smile, the profound sense of gratification from a moment ago had all but vanished. Why did she have to mention Darcy?
Darcy
I walked the grounds and surveyed the preparations made by my servants for the afternoon’s party. A flash of colour in the rose garden caught my eye—my cousin Anne walked on the main path. Now would be an ideal time to speak to her.
In the garden, I jerked to the side at a soft pressure upon my leg.
I gazed down, and a short laugh came from me.
The culprit, a small cocker spaniel puppy, wagged his tail and raised his paw at me.
I crouched to stroke the animal. At Anne’s approach, I raised my head.
“Well, Anne, will you introduce me to your friend?”
My cousin greeted me with a merry smile. “Is he not beautiful? Mr. Graham brought him here. He recounted a story for how he came to rescue the puppy, but I suspect he bought him for me.”
She could not have accepted a gift from Graham, so the fabrication would have been necessary. “Do you know why he did this for you?”
Her cheeks darkened in colour. “Yesterday, I mentioned to him that I wished for a cocker spaniel such as this one.”
Graham’s deed seemed harmless enough. “I see. You may not remember, but my mother used to have a cocker spaniel of a similar colour. He died of old age near the time I turned ten.”
“Oh yes, I remember. Her dog was a lighter shade of blond.”
The puppy rolled on to his back. As I rubbed the creature’s stomach, one of his hind legs shook in the air. “This one has an uncommon amount of charm. Does he have a name?”
“Yes. Many years ago, I chose the name Jasper for a dog, although Mother never allowed me to have one.” She set her shoulders. “But she will no longer make decisions on my behalf.”
“I am glad to hear that, and Jasper is a fine name.” I brushed a few particles of dust off my trousers and stood.
“I apologize for my treatment of you for the past eight years. When your mother asserted that we would marry, I ought to have protested. My parents had never specified a similar expectation. But rather than make a denial, I avoided the subject…and you as well. I regret that very much and hope you will be able to forgive me.”
Anne took the puppy into her arms and held him against her.
“My feelings were hurt when you avoided me for all that time, and I missed the talks we used to have. But my mother placed you in a difficult position. I accept your apology, and I am happy you found a wife so well suited to you. I quite like Elizabeth, and Bennet is a delight.”
I drew in a deep breath, and a sense of lightness spread through my limbs. “Thank you. That is generous of you.”
Jasper squirmed in her arms, so she set him on the ground. “I wish to thank you as well for writing to our uncle on my behalf.”
“You are most welcome. It is wonderful to see you so healthy and strong, and I am glad you have taken an interest in the management of Rosings.”
Her lips pressed together. “My acceptance of responsibility for the estate is long overdue. But it seems I may not require Uncle’s interference.
” She paused, and her eyes lit in amusement as Jasper scurried off in a frenzied, but fruitless, pursuit of a mouse.
“Mother and I had a long discussion this morning, and I informed her of my intentions. To my surprise, she agreed to turn over the responsibility to me.”
“Indeed? That does not sound like Lady Catherine.” Of course, her apology to Elizabeth had been unprecedented as well.
“I know, and I shall not be surprised if she has second thoughts later. For the present, though, she appears to be sincere.”
“No doubt your steward and tenants will be well satisfied at the change.”
She clasped her hands in front of her. “Darcy, I…well…now that my health has improved, I would be pleased if you, Elizabeth, and Bennet came for a visit this spring. I should invite Richard and Georgiana as well. I should welcome the opportunity to repay your hospitality and have several ideas for activities and excursions we could all enjoy.”
A frown flitted across my face before I replaced it with a tight-lipped smile.
Alas, that would not be possible for me, but I should take care to provide Anne a politic reply.
“Thank you. I shall discuss your offer with Elizabeth, but I have no doubt she will be agreeable.” My sight followed Jasper as he sniffed his way through a row of rose bushes.
Graham
I weaved through the throng of people strolling the grounds of Pemberley, exchanging smiles and nods with those I passed.
The local landowners near the small towns of Lambton and Kympton had arrived in full force.
Some of the guests cast random thoughts and memories at me, providing a wealth of personal information interspersed with a healthy dose of gossip.
All the while, I followed the Darcys’ movements.
According to Sarah, the Darcys held festive events such as these once or twice a year.
The first party of this kind occurred the summer after Darcy married Elizabeth, and the local gentry had been keen to attend; they had been eager for a close look at the couple and wanted to ascertain how Pemberley would alter with the new mistress’s influence.
Most people had come away with a kind regard for the new Mrs. Darcy.
Before he took a wife, Darcy had acquired a reputation for being veritable and dependable, but also proud and aloof. A general accord within the neighbourhood deemed that Darcy’s charming and affable wife had influenced her husband to be, if not amiable, at least less reserved than before.