Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY 1812
O n the final morning of their journey, near Chesterfield, Fitzwilliam separated from the Bennet ladies to ride alone to Pemberley. He needed to speak with Darcy about recent revelations and to distance himself from Miss Bennet. Taking the final miles at a gallop, he sought to release his pent-up frustration.
Upon his arrival, the animal was lathered and tired. However, Fitzwilliam was energised from the exercise and quickly washed himself and changed into clean clothing before seeking out his cousin. He found him alone in his study.
“Richard,” Darcy said in greeting. “I expected you later today. Is anything the matter?”
“I rode ahead to speak with you,” Fitzwilliam began. “The investigators you hired uncovered some troubling information before I left Meryton. It is worse than we expected. I believe Father was involved in Lady Catherine’s death, and I am uncertain what he might do next. He and my brother must be growing desperate—Andrew has hidden himself away from society. My father, I’m afraid, is becoming unhinged.” Fitzwilliam explained all that the investigators had learned.
Darcy's expression shifted to one of shock and concern as he looked at his cousin. “Have you spoken with him recently?”
Fitzwilliam shook his head. “I have not, not since the last time I was in London. He is still at Matlock House. However, I have heard from the butler that he is no longer leaving the house, preferring to stay in. A few of the lesser servants have left, since they had not been paid in some time.”
Darcy leant forward, his voice steady. “What will you do?”
Fitzwilliam exhaled slowly, frustration evident in his gaze. “I plan to track Andrew down. He is the one who owes the debt, so he is their main target. At first, they likely hoped my father would settle things, but they clearly had no idea how close to empty the Matlock coffers truly are. The funds Lord Matlock claimed from Lady Catherine’s estate might buy a little time, but it is nowhere near enough.”
Darcy’s expression grew thoughtful. “How concerned are you about their threats against your brother?”
A flicker of reluctance passed over Fitzwilliam’s face. “Andrew and I have never been close, as you well know, but I would never wish harm on him. These men, however—they are not ones to make idle threats. I pray Andrew has not been so reckless as to go to Matlock or his own estate at Ashburn. I have six weeks, and while winter is far from ideal for such a search, I intend to see what I can learn during this time and what might be done.”
“Is there anything I might do?”
Fitzwilliam shook his head slowly. “Unless you are prepared to travel with me to scour the countryside, I am not sure what help I could ask of you. I certainly would not ask you to pay his debt. Even if you were inclined, it would likely only embolden him to do this again. No, remain here with your lovely wife and her family.”
Despite the seriousness of their talk, Fitzwilliam’s lips tipped up in a slight curve. “However, with your new mother in residence, you might wish to accompany me. I will admit that while she has improved from when I first knew her, she can still be rather trying. Miss Bennet frequently hung her head in shame at the inns along the way. Her mother can be loud and has a tendency to say whatever she thinks.”
Darcy frowned at that. “Elizabeth was concerned about this. Elizabeth asked Mrs. Annesley to spend time with her mother to model proper comportment. Mrs. Annesley has a quiet manner that Mrs. Bennet would do well to emulate. While their personalities are vastly different, Mrs. Bennet could learn to temper her behaviour with some direction.”
“I know Anne and Elizabeth spoke to Mrs. Bennet several times during their brief stay at Netherfield. As did Mrs. Gardiner. She did follow through on her promise to send the two youngest girls to school, and Miss Kitty has already begun to improve. Miss Lydia, well, she is stubborn and is less willing to change. Miss Bennet asked me to speak to her again about how little a militia officer is paid, and I think she was surprised to learn that even I could not support a wife in the style to which the Longbourn ladies are accustomed.”
Darcy raised his brow at this comment. “Are you considering marrying one of the women from Longbourn, cousin? Has one of my wife’s sisters caught your eye?”
Sighing heavily, Fitzwilliam scrubbed his hand down his face. “I admit that I am intrigued by the eldest Miss Bennet. She is quiet and kind, and I think enjoys my company. Whether her feelings go deeper than that, or could go deeper, I know not, nor am I willing to ask her to consider it.” He raised a hand to silence Darcy when he opened his mouth.
“No, Darcy, I will not take funds from you, not even as a dowry. It would take a significant amount before I could even think of retiring from the military, and Miss Bennet is not the type of woman I would ask to follow the drum. No, cousin, I cannot consider Miss Bennet. In truth, I doubt I will ever marry.”
Though he did not agree with his cousin’s conclusion, Darcy could do nothing about it now. Elizabeth had mentioned to him something of what she and Jane had discussed in Meryton, but Darcy would not reveal that to his cousin. Perhaps that would change in time, but for now, it was best to avoid the complication.
“How long will you remain at Pemberley?” Darcy asked instead.
“I will travel to Matlock on Monday. Depending on what I find there, I will then go on to Ashburn. You are welcome to join me if you like, although I doubt you will be able to tear yourself away from your wife,” Fitzwilliam said, grinning at his cousin and waggling his brows.
Darcy only shook his head at his cousin’s attempt to bait him. “If you need me to go, I am more than willing to travel with you,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Matlock is less than half a day’s ride from here. If Andrew is not there, I could return to Pemberley without you while you search further afield,” he added, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Fitzwilliam’s eyes gleamed as he shot back, “You would not accompany me to Ashburn?”
Darcy shrugged with a feigned sigh. “If you insist,” he said, before meeting his cousin’s gaze with a more serious expression. “However, I would rather not be away from my wife for long. Even her mother’s presence is enough to drive me from home. We are not speaking of it openly yet, but we believe Elizabeth to be with child. She does not want her mother to know until it is confirmed, and I am uncertain if she will tell any of her sisters about it since we only suspect her condition.”
Fitzwilliam raised his brow at his cousin in question. “Truly, Darcy? So soon?”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “Elizabeth’s mother gave birth to five children within the first decade of her marriage to her father. It should come as no surprise to discover that my wife is equally fecund,” he replied matter-of-factly, with just a hint of smugness in his eyes.
With a grin, Fitzwilliam punched Darcy’s shoulder in jest, but quickly turned serious. “How are you holding up at this news?”
Drawing in a breath and releasing it slowly, Darcy contemplated how to answer. “I am well, I believe. As long as Elizabeth is well, I think I will be. My mother was always so weak, and it was worse when she was with child. I did not know it at the time, but she lost several babes between me Georgiana. She recovered after Georgiana’s birth, but then she declined so rapidly a little over two years after. Father did not tell me until later that she lost a babe then and never recovered fully from that. Her decline continued until she finally passed away just after Georgiana’s third birthday.”
“I remember as well,” Fitzwilliam replied. “Uncle George seemed to know that Lady Anne was declining, for he asked Father to allow me to stay at Pemberley and delay my going to Eton that quarter. I was here when Lady Anne passed away.”
Darcy nodded, his throat slightly constricted as he remembered that time. He shook his head as though to clear it and spoke, almost to himself. “Elizabeth is remarkably strong. While she is not entirely certain of her condition—we will not know for another month or two, until she feels the quickening—we have kept the matter private for now. Still, I felt the need to confide in someone. Elizabeth has shared her symptoms with her aunt, and I suspect her maid has some understanding, but I needed to speak to someone myself.”
“Does Elizabeth know about your mother?” he asked.
Darcy nodded, his expression solemn.
“She will be well, Darcy. You have nothing to fear. As you said yourself, Elizabeth is nothing like your mother.” Fitzwilliam’s words carried quiet conviction.
Smiling at his cousin’s effort to offer encouragement, Darcy nodded in response. Fitzwilliam was more than just a cousin; having grown up together, they were as close as brothers. Their bond was such that they often understood each other without the need for words.
“Come, Richard. My wife’s family will be arriving soon, and I should be on hand to greet them. You can also explain to Elizabeth that I will need to accompany you on your visit to Matlock,” Darcy said, attempting to lighten the mood.
When the carriage paused at the crest of the hill overlooking Pemberley, Mrs. Bennet leant out of the window, her usual chatter abruptly silenced. The grand estate spread before her was unlike anything she had ever imagined. Its sheer size and elegance rendered her momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for the verbose woman. She had always fancied herself the mistress of a grand house, given Longbourn’s prominence within the society of Meryton, but truly Pemberley was nothing like she had ever seen before.
As she gazed at the house, a strange sensation stirred within her—a feeling of awe and an uncomfortable awareness of her own shortcomings. The sheer scale of the estate, its stately architecture, and the impeccable grounds all underscored the magnitude of Elizabeth’s new role as mistress of such a place. Mrs. Bennet had believed Elizabeth and Mrs. Hargrove when they spoke of her faults, and she had resolved to change, but seeing Pemberley made her feel the weight of her own insignificance.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind—how could her Lizzy, her headstrong, sharp-tongued daughter, possibly manage such a household? It seemed inconceivable. Elizabeth had always been resourceful, more perceptive than she had given her credit for. Perhaps she was capable in ways Mrs. Bennet had never fully understood.
“I cannot believe it,” she murmured, more to herself than to anyone in the carriage. “My Lizzy, mistress of such a house… My, my, what funds must Mrs. Darcy have for redecorating. I hope Lizzy has not already done too much, for I look forward to advising her on how to do it in the latest styles.”
Jane, sitting next to her mother, reached over to cover the hands her mother was twisting in her discomfort. “She is doing well, Mama. The housekeeper is competent, and she and Lizzy get along well. Lizzy learned much from your example in managing the household and is not intimidated by the scale of doing so here. She has said there has been little need for redecoration at present, other than to restore a few things. Her own rooms, of course, she is having done in a style that suits her own tastes. I am not certain she would welcome your input there.”
Mrs. Bennet nearly laughed at such fulsome words. “Jane, you know very well that without Mrs. Hill, Longbourn would not run as smoothly as it does. I did little to train any of you girls in managing any house, much less one so grand as this. Lizzy will need to decorate it in a very fine fashion, with all the latest furnishings. Mr. Darcy has relations who are titled; how will I ever act when I face them? How will any of my daughters face them?”
“Mr. Darcy’s titled relations will not be in residence. In fact, from what Lizzy has said, I do not think that they will see that part of the family very often. You know that Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins’ patroness, recently passed away, her title was only a courtesy title. The colonel said he has little to do with his father, the earl, and Darcy has also distanced himself from that part of the family for the time being.”
Mary remained quiet, though she would ordinarily have found a quote from Fordyce to be a fitting contribution to the conversation. However, she had come to understand that not everyone shared her appreciation for his wisdom. Uncertain of how to respond appropriately in this particular situation, she chose to remain silent.
They noticed a bustle of activity as they grew closer to the door, and saw Elizabeth and Darcy at the open door to the house. A moment later, their new brother was standing by the carriage as it stopped, allowing the footman to place the step before waving him away.
“Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Mary, we are delighted to welcome you to Pemberley. I hope your journey was pleasant,” Darcy greeted.
“It was very, pleasant, my dear Mr. Darcy. Thank you ever so much for sending the carriage to bring all the way from Meryton,” Mrs. Bennet effused as she stepped down from the carriage.
“You are very welcome, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy replied before turning to hand the other ladies down.
“Your house is so very fine, Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, her voice brimming with unrestrained enthusiasm. “I must say, you must be ever so pleased to have me here. After all, Lizzy has never taken as much interest in fashion or decor as I have. I daresay she will need my advice in redecorating these splendid rooms. A house such as this must truly reflect your immense wealth and importance!”
Darcy’s jaw tightened as he suppressed a grimace, his expression betraying only the barest hint of his irritation. “Mrs. Bennet,” he said with forced civility, “please, let us move inside to escape this chill. Elizabeth has arranged for tea to be served in the family sitting room. Should you prefer to go directly to your rooms to refresh yourself after your journey, she will be happy to accommodate your wishes.”
He gestured towards the house, his movements precise and composed, though the tension in his shoulders was evident to anyone observing closely. Mrs. Bennet was not one of those.
At Mr. Darcy’s words, the family moved to the front door, held open by a footman. Jane and Mary trailed behind their mother, who had eagerly accepted her new son-in-law’s arm as he escorted her inside. Elizabeth walked on his other side, her expression serene as she listened politely to her mother’s effusive praise of the house.
Jane and Mary exchanged a glance, observing the scene before them. The carriage was already being moved to allow for their luggage to be unloaded and taken to their rooms. As they entered, maids approached to assist them with their outerwear.
Amidst the bustle, Elizabeth slipped away from Darcy’s side and moved towards her sisters. Almost without their realising it, she enveloped them both in a warm embrace, her smile bright with welcome. “I am so glad you are finally here,” she said softly.
Jane returned the embrace with equal warmth, while Mary, though more reserved, allowed herself to relax in her sister’s arms. “It is a lovely house, Lizzy,” Jane said, her voice full of quiet admiration. “I know you told me a little of it while at Longbourn, but it is even more than I imagined.”
“It is very large, different than Longbourn,” Mary added, her tone contemplative as her gaze swept the grand entrance hall. “But I am glad to see you looking so happy here.”
Elizabeth’s smile widened as she linked arms with her sisters. “Come,” she said warmly. “There is so much I want to show you, and I am certain you will grow to love Pemberley as much as I do. After tea, we can take a tour, or if you prefer, we can save it for tomorrow. Your rooms are ready if you would like to rest first, but you are also welcome to join us for tea to warm yourselves.”
She paused, her expression softening as she continued. “I have placed the three of you in the family wing. Jane and Mary, your rooms adjoin and share a sitting room for your comfort. Please do not hesitate to ask for anything you might need. Mama will be across the hall from the two of you.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Mary said. “I am looking forward to our visit; it will be a relief to be away from Mr. Collins.”
Elizabeth laughed at that. “I am glad to provide succour to my sisters. Now, come, let us have some tea and conversation.”