Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1811
T wo days before Christmas, Darcy and Elizabeth were in their shared sitting room as they reviewed the day’s post. Darcy glanced up from a letter he was reading, his brow creased as he considered the words. “A packet from Rosings arrived today with news from Anne. She is coming to terms with her mother’s death, though it is still difficult for her. Hargrove arranged to have Lady Catherine returned to Rosings for burial, even though Anne questioned if that was the wisest choice.”
Elizabeth nodded, understanding lacing her tone. “I imagine it would be complicated for her—I am certain Rosings carries so many memories. For her mother to be returned there after all of this…”
Darcy sighed, looking down at the letter again. “Yes. But what is truly maddening is how the news reached London. It seems the gossip columns are painting quite a different picture. They claim Lady Catherine was set upon by highwaymen, using her death as a rallying cry for more protection against such supposed dangers.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “Highwaymen? That is a gross misrepresentation of the truth. If anything, the person who shot her believed that Lady Catherine was helping a highwayman because she was demanding the carriage stop.”
“Yes, exactly. I am not sure how such a story started, but they have twisted the facts into a tale that suits the public’s appetite,” Darcy replied, a scowl darkening his expression. “As much as I did not wish to expose Lady Catherine’s wrongdoings, the idea that she is being painted as some sort of ‘heroine’ is difficult to comprehend. Still, this distorted version might shield Anne from unwanted scrutiny—for now, at least.”
His wife nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps that is a small mercy, then, and it is best that she was buried at Rosings.” Elizabeth squeezed Darcy’s hand in sympathy. “If it spares Anne a little pain, then let them write their stories. We know the truth of the matter.”
Darcy snorted. “Mr. Collins was quite displeased at not being chosen to conduct the funeral service for his ‘former patroness.’ Anne requested the bishop conduct the service, as she feared Collins would fill the service with endless, nonsensical praise of Lady Catherine. Anne did not want to endure insincere praise for someone who did not deserve it.
“Of course, Collins is unaware of the true circumstances, but the bishop did. To make matters worse, Collins took it upon himself to criticise the bishop for praising my aunt enough —so much so that the Bishop felt he had no choice but to dismiss Collins from his position for heresy. The foolish man tried to argue with the bishop that Lady Catherine’s pronouncements should be considered just as frequently as the Bible itself. Anne has given him until year’s end to vacate the parsonage.”
“Where will he go?” Elizabeth asked.
Darcy barked a laugh. “Anne suggested he return to Longbourn to learn from Mr. Bennet how to manage the estate. Mr. Collins seemed to think that a good idea, and I would not be surprised if the man turns up there.”
Elizabeth frowned thoughtfully. “Mr. Collins irritated my father to no end, and he avoided him whenever possible. It would be poetic justice if Longbourn’s heir returned, and my father was forced to instruct him. After all, that was what he had hoped for if I had married Mr. Collins, so he cannot truly think it is such a terrible idea.
“I will write to Mama and extend another invitation for her to join Jane when she comes to Pemberley. I know you would prefer not to live with her permanently, but do you think you could tolerate her for a time? At least until she decides whether she wishes to return to Mr. Bennet or settle elsewhere? There is a dower house she and Mary could live in, if you think that arrangement would suit everyone better.”
Taking a moment to consider her words before he answered, he slowly nodded. “I do not mind her visiting for a time. We can find a way to co-exist, but if her visit goes on for too long, I reserve the right to abscond with you to our estate in Scotland for a respite. When we travel to Rosings in the spring, she can join us, and perhaps she will want to stay at Rosings for the summer. Or Brighton? I would gladly lease a house for her and your sisters.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth began slowly.
When she did not continue, he turned to look at her with concern. “Are you well, my love?”
“It is a small matter, but I am uncertain if we will wish to travel in the spring as we originally planned,” she answered.
Darcy furrowed his brow as he looked at his wife. “What can you mean, Elizabeth?”
“It is just… I believe I am with child, Fitzwilliam. If I am, we will want to remain at Pemberley until the child is born. My aunt mentioned that she never liked to travel when she was expecting…”
Darcy cut her off before she could continue any further. “Truly, Elizabeth? You are carrying a child? My child?”
She laughed at the expression on his face. “It is not certain, but I do suspect that might be true. If it is, the child will not arrive until late July, or even August. If you recall, my courses arrived while we were travelling to Scotland but have not come since. In London, I asked my aunt a few questions about what I could expect if I were with child, and the queasiness I have been feeling every morning is one symptom. I did believe it was merely related to how anxious I was, but it has continued since we returned home, so I suspect it may be something more. We will not know for certain until I feel the quickening.” Elizabeth hastily added, not wanting to raise her husband’s hopes.
“But you are well? Other than your stomach being unsettled, there is nothing else wrong with you, is there?” Darcy asked, his voice shaking slightly. He was torn, uncertain which emotion was greater: the anxiety over his wife’s health or his absolute delight in knowing his darling wife was carrying his child. Delight won out. “I love you, Elizabeth,” he said, pulling her back into his chest. Then, he bent and lifted her into his arms.
She laughed. “Whatever are you doing, Fitzwilliam?” she asked, amused at his actions.
“I am taking you to our room, where we might celebrate this news appropriately,” he said, shushing her when she attempted to object. “I know it is not certain, my love, but I am so pleased that a physical manifestation of our love is growing within you. I could not be happier with this news.”
He paused. “We can… that is, it will not harm the child if we… I will not hurt you or the babe, will I?” he asked hesitantly.
Elizabeth reached up to pat his cheek. “Dear Fitzwilliam, he or she is well protected inside me. We have not exactly abstained over the last weeks. Perhaps when I grow too large, we will have to consider other… methods, but for now, there is nothing to worry about.”
Darcy bent his head, his gaze tender as he again whispered, “I love you, Elizabeth,” before capturing her lips in a warm, lingering kiss.
Later that afternoon, Darcy and Elizabeth returned to the matter they had been discussing when Elizabeth revealed her condition.
“Elizabeth, will you want your mother with you when you enter your confinement?” Darcy asked. “If so, we can invite her to come and stay as long as she likes, or we can ask her to come for a month or two with Miss Bennet and lease a home for her somewhere for a few months before bringing her back to Pemberley in July.”
Elizabeth thought for a moment, her brow furrowed. “I am uncertain what I would want just now. The Mama I knew a few months ago—the one who fretted and schemed—I would not have wanted her near me during such an intimate time as childbirth. Yet, she seems to have softened since my marriage. Anne and I had a candid talk with her about how others perceive her conduct, and she appeared to consider our words, showing more restraint for a day or two. Of course, she then tried to convince us to change our plans and stay longer at Longbourn.”
She paused, glancing at Darcy. “Perhaps we should invite her to Pemberley in January, so I can better assess how I feel then. I hope Aunt Gardiner will speak with her as well, especially about her intentions for Kitty and Lydia’s schooling. That might ease some of her restless energy and allow her to focus on what is best for them.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, it is probably for the best to wait to decide. If you do not want her here, I will offer her that house in Brighton or Lyme, or somewhere similar.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam. You are too kind to my family,” she said.
“They are my family now as well. Besides, I selfishly want to make things as easy for you as possible when you are giving birth to our child, and I will do whatever it takes to make it perfect for you,” Darcy replied, kissing Elizabeth’s forehead.