Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
MONDAY, 3 FEbrUARY 1812
D arcy and Elizabeth remained at Rosings for a full week, offering their time and support to both Anne and Hargrove. They spent the days in quiet companionship, lending whatever assistance they could to the estate’s master and mistress. During that time, Elizabeth and Anne found several opportunities to converse in private, and it was in these moments that Elizabeth, with careful consideration, confided her suspicions about her own condition. Anne was delighted with the news.
While Anne initially married her husband for safety and security, in the months they had been together, they had developed a growing closeness and affection for one another. It was this bond that led the couple to desire to consummate their vows, along with Lord Hargrove’s easy acceptance of their marriage. Young Hargrove had not expected his father to support the union. However, had he spoken to him directly, he would have realised his father would have done everything possible to assist the couple, especially since the baron did not think well of Lady Catherine, though he had been friends with the lady’s husband.
Their fears were alleviated after a candid conversation with his father, during which Hargrove learned that his father had always hoped the family estate would pass to him, rather than to his sister’s child. He also discovered that his father did not disdain his interests in botany. A frank conversation between the men, facilitated by Anne, led to this new understanding which eased his worries and revealed a willingness of his father to support him that he had not seen before. The conversation was a revelation, shifting his perspective on both family duty and personal ambition, and it strengthened his resolve to build a future with Anne, grounded in mutual respect and shared aspirations.
The couple shared this information separately with Darcy and Elizabeth, who discussed it in their bed at night.
“Hargrove is a bit embarrassed for having assumed so much about his father’s intentions,” Darcy explained. “His elder sister’s son is a young man, soon to attend school. After the boy’s own father died, the grandfather stepped in to help his daughter’s family as best he could. However, after a candid conversation, their relationship has improved significantly.”
“Anne told me that the baron and Sir Lewis were good friends,” Elizabeth replied. “That reassured Anne of the wisdom in her original plan when she suggested the marriage months ago. I am glad they have found happiness with each other.” She snuggled deeper into her husband’s warmth, feeling content.
Darcy kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head, his voice soft as he spoke. “It is good to see Anne so content. She deserves peace after all the uncertainty she has endured. It seems Hargrove is growing up as well. Both are immature, I believe, but they are quickly growing and learning. The baron will help them as they learn to manage Rosings together. Hargrove encouraged me to write to his father as well, so we do not give them contrary advice.”
Elizabeth nodded, her thoughts drifting. “It is a relief, is it not? To see them find their way. It gives me hope for all of us that even when things seem uncertain, they can still work out in the end. We still have all of our sisters to get settled, and perhaps Jane will be happy soon. Do you think that Richard will approach her now?”
Chuckling, Darcy tightened his hold on Elizabeth. “It is too soon, Elizabeth. Richard is still in mourning, and we are uncertain about what will become of his father. There is also the matter of Matlock to resolve, and decisions need to be made regarding Ashburn. Moreover, we must be absolutely certain that no further complications arise from Lord Matlock’s schemes. Though his would-be debtors are now imprisoned, I wonder if others were involved in carrying out their threats. Richard is formidable, and I doubt many would dare to harm him, but we should ensure that no further harm comes to anyone because of my uncle’s actions.”
Elizabeth turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes full of concern. “Do you think there is still a danger?”
“I cannot be entirely certain,” Darcy said. “As I mentioned, Richard has been a soldier for many years, and I believe most would be wary of him. He claims to have quite a reputation in certain circles, but it is hard to know how much of that is truth and how much is mere bluster. My cousin has a knack for spinning tales in such a way that they could easily be believed, but one is never entirely sure.”
Laughing softly, Elizabeth trailed her fingers gently up the arms that held her. The movements paused a moment later, and Darcy thought she was lost in thought, but then he noticed her steady breathing. He smiled to himself, realising she had fallen asleep.
At the beginning of the following week, Darcy and Elizabeth prepared to depart for Pemberley, leaving Anne and Hargrove with promises to return when their obligations permitted and inviting the couple to visit them at Pemberley that autumn.
They travelled to Pemberley slowly, spending nearly a week at Darcy House in London, rarely leaving the house. So many matters had kept them occupied in the brief months of their marriage, and they enjoyed a few days of isolation in the middle of the season.
The knocker was kept off the door, and they spent most of their time between their bedchambers, the library, and the study. They took their meals either in their private sitting room or in the library and relished this time together before they returned to their responsibilities at Pemberley.
One afternoon late in the week, they ventured out for a short visit to the shops in a less fashionable area of town and paid a short call on the Gardiners. That couple was invited to Darcy House on Saturday evening for a meal which turned in to a delightful evening.
“Aunt,” Elizabeth said when the ladies had separated from the gentleman, “do you recall what we spoke of before Christmas?”
Tilting her head, Mrs. Gardiner thought about what they had shared. “Is it confirmed?” she asked, her eyes lighting as she recalled the conversation.
“I do not think I have felt the quickening yet but believe it will happen soon. I have not had my courses since just before we were wed. I… Mama has been staying at Pemberley, and I have not said anything to her about it yet. I… well, Aunt, is it terrible that I wish to send Mama home before she learns that I am with child? I am not certain that I want her with me when I give birth. She… just before we left, we sent her, with all my sisters, to the dower house. Of course, it was for their safety, for it was easier to arrange for protection of the smaller dwelling, but Mama is struggling with not being the mistress. She needs to be in her own home, and while I understand her reasons for not wanting to be at Longbourn, I am afraid she will drive me mad if I continue to be forced to share a house with her,” Elizabeth let out in an exasperated huff.
Her aunt laughed. “Truly, Lizzy, I do not think I have ever heard you sound so flustered. Your first months of marriage have been eventful, and you are now with child, so it is expected that you are unsettled. That is why you and your husband have hidden away here in London for a brief stay before returning home, is it not? Why do you not stay in town another week or two and enjoy a respite from all of it?”
Elizabeth let out a sigh. “We have enjoyed this last week. Do not get me wrong, I adore Pemberley and would much prefer to be there than in London, but it has been lovely not having any houseguests to attend to. My sisters would keep each other occupied, but I am afraid that Mama needs something to occupy her.”
“Now that the colonel has resigned his commission and is taking his place as the viscount, do you think it is possible he will court Jane?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“There seems to be interest on both sides, and while the funds Anne gave to Richard have alleviated many of his concerns, he is still in mourning for his brother. He has said nothing to my husband about the matter either, so we are uncertain,” Elizabeth replied. “He should have reached his family’s estate by now, and he will need to decide what to do about his father.”
“Well, if Jane were engaged, that would give your mother something to focus her attention upon. But the viscount has had to deal with many troubling matters of late, and I understand that he will need some time to focus on those before he considers courting or marriage,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.
Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “I will speak to Fitzwilliam and perhaps we might remain another se’nnight in town. I would not mind attending the theatre, but part of our enjoyment has been in our anonymity. You are the only ones whom we have seen, and that has been deliberate.”
“Your mother is trying to do better, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner told her. “I have had a letter from her where she expressed her regrets for throwing your household into disarray. She indicated she wrote to you as well.”
“It is possible. It is likely it was sent to Rosings since we told no one we were to remain in town, and it was probably returned to Pemberley,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “I will speak to Mama when we get home.”
“You will tell her your suspicions?” she enquired.
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth said with a shrug and a small smirk. “I still think I would rather she learn of an impending grandchild by letter.”
Soon the gentlemen joined them, and their conversation shifted to more general matters, including the account of a recent letter Mr. Gardiner had received from Longbourn.
“Lizzy, I received a letter from your father that I believe you would find quite intriguing,” Mr. Gardiner began, his tone deliberately measured. He studied her face for a moment, his eyes twinkling with humour. “I had intended to write to you about it, but since you are here, I can witness your reaction firsthand.”
Both Elizabeth and Darcy raised their brows almost in unison as they turned to look at Mr. Gardiner, the synchronised movement drawing a laugh from the other couple. “I am most curious to hear it,” Elizabeth said with a hint of amusement in her tone.
“I presume you already know that Mr. Collins has been in residence there for some time now. Your father is barely tolerating his presence there, but at the same time, has been teaching him how to run the estate.”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched, obviously caught between amusement and disbelief at the image of the two men attempting to work together. “My father? Teaching Mr. Collins? That is almost too ridiculous to imagine.”
Darcy leant back in his chair, his eyes sharp with curiosity. “I take it the instruction is not progressing well?”
Mr. Gardiner chuckled, shaking his head. “It seems Mr. Collins’s natural inclinations make him more of a hindrance than a help. Your father, Lizzy, described it in his usual sardonic fashion, likening the task to teaching a bull to waltz.”
This brought a genuine laugh from Elizabeth, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “That does sound like something he would say. Still, I find it difficult to believe he would put up with such a situation for long.”
“Oh, but that is where the letter becomes truly intriguing,” Mr. Gardiner continued, his grin widening. “Your father has written to ask me for advice—or rather, for assistance. He is hoping I might visit or intervene in some way to ‘provide a buffer’ between himself and Mr. Collins.”
Elizabeth barked a laugh, her disbelief obvious at the suggestion. “Surely he does not expect you to endure that man’s company any more than he can. Nor his own after the way he has treated us all over the last several years.”
Mr. Gardiner shrugged, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the situation. “He even suggested I might be better suited to dealing with Mr. Collins, given my ‘unfailing patience and tact’ and my ability to tolerate his youngest daughters who he believes are in my household.”
Darcy allowed a low chuckle to escape, his voice tinged with irony. “I cannot say I envy you that particular task, Gardiner. Your brother’s desperation is… entertaining. It might be worth it to visit Longbourn just to see how the two are managing together.”
Elizabeth glanced at her husband, her grin softening into something more mischievous. “Perhaps we should send Mr. Collins a few books on estate management as a token of goodwill. Or better yet, recommend he seek guidance elsewhere.”
“Indeed,” Darcy replied smoothly, his tone dry. “Should you write to Collins to tell him how you have managed the estate for the last several years? At least your information would be more current.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “As little as I wish to concern myself with Longbourn, I can almost pity my father for having to endure Mr. Collins. Although truly, I feel nearly as much sympathy for Mr. Collins at having to endure my father. A more selfish creature I have rarely known.”
Darcy placed a reassuring hand over hers. “It seems the two are managing well enough, particularly if your father can still find humour in the situation.”
“True,” she admitted, her voice warm. “I have every confidence that Mr. Collins will provide ample material for my father’s wit. Those two deserve each other.”
“They certainly do,” Mr. Gardiner replied with a wry smile, lifting his glass in a mock toast. “To Longbourn’s master and its heir—may their endurance outlast their mutual vexation.”