Chapter 32 Sunday
On Saturday afternoon, before dinner, Darcy sent Peter and Robert to wait at the gatehouse.
He gave them a box of cards and some money to help pass the time while they waited to see if Miss Bingley would appear.
For the first time in Fitzwilliam’s memory, the gate was locked that night, and the chains were not removed until the following morning, when the carriages were made ready to travel to church.
The three Bennet sisters were attired in their new gowns, their hair freshly arranged by Ellis, each adorned with a new bonnet. As they waited to be handed up into the carriages, Elizabeth studied her sisters and realized that, for the first time, they were dressed as well as Georgiana.
When her husband, impeccably dressed as always, entered the carriage and took his seat beside her, Elizabeth felt, perhaps for the first time, that she truly belonged in his magnificent home and in his life.
The colonel sat opposite with Georgiana and Mary, while Jane travelled with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts. It occurred to Elizabeth then that Mr. Darcy was quietly furthering that connection, and a rush of affection for him filled her heart.
When they entered the church, every head turned, and a hush spread through the pews as the congregation took in the sight of Mr. Darcy and his party.
He thought wryly, It is no wonder they regard me and my party with open curiosity.
I never worship here if I can help it. Usually, he and Georgiana worshiped in the Kimpton church, but today, he led his party to the front, to the Darcy family box.
He opened the door and gestured for the others to enter, then took his place beside his wife.
Darcy was gratified that the rector preached an engaging sermon, and afterwards he invited the young man to Pemberley for the noon meal.
Elizabeth had prepared one of the larger salons, fitting it with an extended table for breakfast and luncheon while Pemberley hosted guests. It was the first time the family had used the room, and Darcy thought it exceedingly well arranged.
His wife stood at the sideboard, which ran the length of the wall. Sunlight filtered through the beveled windows, gilding her hair with bronze and illuminating the delicate grace of her face. Her beauty, her innocence, those fine eyes, smote him utterly.
Beyond her, the gardens were bathed in the summer light, beckoning. He wished that he and she might walk there alone, her arm in his, her form leaning against him, her eyes lifted to his, her lips parted in invitation.
He drew a sharp breath and stepped forward to pull out her chair. That time would come, he knew. He had only to wait for her awakening.
By chance, the only vacant chair was beside Mary, and the rector, Mr. John Seymour, took the seat next to her. “Miss Mary,” he said, “how long will your visit here extend?”
“I will remain with my sister until we travel back to London, sir.”
“Ah, yes,” he said, “in late November for the season.”
Mary inclined her head. “Yes, we will winter in London.”
“Do you know any of the neighbors in this community, Miss?”
“No, sir, but I hope to begin visiting the tenants with Mrs. Darcy next week. I will come to know the people of the Pemberley estate and am sure to meet the neighbors soon.”
Mr. Seymour nodded. “I understand that the daughter of Pemberley’s nearest neighbor has returned from a long stay in Scotland. Have you been introduced yet?”
Mary was interested. “No, sir, this is the first any of us has heard of her return.”
The rector continued, “The eastern boundary of Pemberley runs along that of the Ashbrook estate. Miss Ashbrook returned to her father’s house a week ago. I will pay my respects this coming week. She is not accepting callers until then.”
“Is she a very young lady, sir?” Mary asked.
“No, I understand that Miss Ashbrook is five and twenty and still unmarried. I confess, I was surprised to hear it, for they say she is very beautiful and quite accomplished.”
Richard’s eyes flicked to Darcy, who was pale.
His gaze was fixed upon his plate, and he neither looked to the right nor the left.
Fortunately, the women were occupied with the rector’s account of the new neighbor, and no one but Richard noticed Darcy’s momentary distress.
Elizabeth wondered why Fitzwilliam had not mentioned Miss Ashbrook as someone she could befriend, but perhaps he had not known that his neighbor had returned home.
When luncheon ended, Darcy was the first to rise. He turned to Elizabeth. “Would you care to walk to the ruins of the castle?”
She agreed at once, and Darcy extended the invitation to the others.
Mr. Seymour turned to Mary. “May I escort you to the ruins, Miss Mary? They are quite charming, and at this time of year, the wildflowers will have taken over the grounds. If you enjoy bird-watching, the goldfinch and the blue tit are often seen there.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Sir, you speak so persuasively of the castle that anyone who hears you must wish to see it at once. I have not yet visited the ruins myself, but now I can hardly wait to begin the walk.” Turning to Darcy, she added, “Fitzwilliam, I must change my gown and shoes for something more suitable. I will return in fifteen minutes.”
Mary and Jane excused themselves as well.
Georgiana, who had often seen the ruins, remained at home to play the pianoforte, and Richard said he would stay to listen to her.
The Hursts declared their intention to rest. Darcy asked his cousin to join him in his study.
When the door was closed, he spoke in a low voice.
“Richard, I had no idea Lady Christiana had returned. What can Ashbrook be thinking? He cannot pass her off as a maiden. I do not know how I shall face her after what passed between us.”
Richard met his cousin’s troubled gaze. “Let the moment be your guide, Darcy. When you meet, do not be the first to speak. Wait to see how she conducts herself. If she has any sense of what is proper, she will keep her distance.”
Darcy exhaled and turned toward the window. “At one time, I believed she could never put a foot wrong, but how deceived I was.”
By half past two, the walking party was scattered along the path, their laughter mingling with the summer breeze. Darcy led the way, Elizabeth’s arm held firmly within his.
“Mrs. Darcy,” he said, glancing down at her with quiet pride, “what think you of your new home?”
Her eyes roamed the wooded hills and the silver stream that coursed through the meadow to their left. Wildflowers spread thick across the fields, and the sky above was a clear and brilliant blue.
“Derbyshire is wild and remote, sir,” she said softly, “with its hills and rocky outcrops interspersed with fields of grain and apple orchards. I could never have imagined a more beautiful landscape. I can hardly believe my good fortune that this is my home. Someday, I shall raise my children here. We will run together upon this very path to the castle. I can almost hear them laughing, sir.”
A half-smile touched Darcy’s lips. A surge of delight coursed through his veins. She had spoken of children and laughter. He would give her those joys, and more. Drawing himself back to the present, he tempered his thoughts, unwilling to press her toward any intimacy she had not yet invited.
“And what did you think of the service this morning?” he asked.
She looked up at him. The long, dark lashes that framed her eyes caught his attention, and for a moment, he was caught in contemplation of their graceful sweep.
“I found the parson engaging, sir,” she said at last. “His sermon upon the will of man reminded me of our conversation the other evening, about fate and the power of choice. I believe him to be well-read and intelligent. I should very much like to hear him again.”
As she spoke, she bent to pluck a long-stemmed lavender flower. “This is pretty. What is it called, sir?”
“Jacob’s ladder,” he replied. “It is native to Derbyshire. Though I do not think it quite so pretty when I find it growing among the wheat and barley.”
She grinned. “No, I suppose that would be rather inconvenient.”
After a moment’s pause, she added, “Sir, it seemed to me that the parishioners at Lambton church were surprised to see you this morning. They greeted you as though it had been some time since your last attendance, yet you have a family box there.”
Darcy sighed inwardly. And so it begins, he thought. I should have known my clever Elizabeth would root out my secrets.
“You are observant, my dear,” he said at last. “You are correct. It has long been my habit to attend the church at Kimpton. It is larger, and the parishioners there did not see me grow from boyhood, nor do they recall every youthful scrape or folly.”
She laughed lightly. “Ah, you pass yourself with better credit at Kimpton. I understand, sir. My own neighbors will never see me as anything but one of the Bennet girls, the one who falls into ponds, handles fish, and climbs trees. They do not see the woman I have become, and likely never will.”
“I believe my six years’ absence from Lambton church made a marked difference in my neighbors’ memories,” he replied. “I was little more than a boy when I began to prefer Kimpton.”
“Will you consider attending here now that we are married?” she asked gently. “I imagine many of our tenants worship there. I should like our family to be more present in their lives. Perhaps I might prepare Christmas baskets for them?”
The minutes slipped by as Darcy listened to her speak, learning more of his wife through her kind and charitable wishes for his tenants and neighbors.
The more she revealed of her heart, the deeper his love grew, and the stronger his longing to take her into his arms and show her just how dearly she was loved.
Jane and Bingley lagged behind the rest.
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said, “has Mrs. Darcy told you of our plan to intercept my sister should she travel this far south?”
Jane shook her head. “No, sir.”
“We have stationed two footmen at the Red Lion and two at the Pemberley gatehouse. If my sister passes through Lambton, the men will follow her carriage and stop it at the gatehouse. In this way, we hope to avoid a scene such as only Caroline could create.”
Jane flushed. “Mr. Bingley, I am relieved to hear it. I am sorry to admit that Miss Bingley frightens me, and she has been most unkind to Elizabeth. We both fear her, sir, and I am grateful that you wish to protect my sister from further insult.”
He looked earnestly at her. “Miss Bennet, it has long been my wish to speak to you of a future with me. I have wanted to offer my hand in marriage since our time in Hertfordshire, but I had to see to my sister’s future first. She is now married to my cousin Augustus, but for some reason, she has left his protection.
I wrote to him yesterday by express through my uncle Ambrose, hoping to learn why she left her husband and her friends to travel south.
My uncle believes she travels to Pemberley, for her maid said she heard her mistress speak of it, but I do not know for certain.
I can only pray she is on her way here so that I may return her to her husband.
Because Caroline’s conduct may bring scandal to my family, I will not ask you to join your life with mine at present, but I ask that you do not accept another proposal until I have settled my sister’s affairs.
If she has not ruined my good name, I would like to speak to you again of marriage. ”
Jane’s expression grew grave. “Mr. Bingley, it has been my dearest wish to be your wife, but given the circumstances your sister has created, I must not commit myself. Until it is certain that she is married, settled, and has brought neither shame nor ruin upon you, I cannot marry you. I have three unmarried sisters and myself whose reputations must be protected. You understand, sir?”
He sighed. “Of course. I had not considered your unmarried sisters, but I understand. The taint of ruin would fall upon them as well, were you connected to a fallen woman.”
Jane said gently, “I wish she would arrive tonight or tomorrow so you might know for certain where she is and what has happened. If her husband will receive her again, then there could yet be a future for us. But if he refuses her, or if she refuses to live quietly and enacts another Cheltenham tragedy, what then, sir?”
He looked at the woman he loved. Her eyes were filled with sadness, and he was shaken.
Could this be the end for them? “I had not thought that far ahead, Miss Bennet, but your concern is valid.
I will speak with Darcy and Richard again.
“If there is only one road from the north to Pemberley, I will travel it with two of my servants and see if I can find her somewhere along the way, to put an end to this wretched business as soon as possible.”
He offered his arm. “But for now, I will escort you to the castle ruins and not allow Caroline to trouble us until tomorrow.”