Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Elizabeth and Darcy, accompanied by Mrs Bennet, took his carriage to Haye-Park the next afternoon. After presenting themselves to Mrs Neeson, they wandered the manor house. Mrs Bennet, eager to see the dower house, was conveyed there by Mr Cotten.
The manor house was just as it had always been, a beautiful old family home, now with no family. Despite Mr Goulding’s many gifts, there were still sumptuous carpets, paintings, furniture, and decorative art everywhere. The shelves of the library were still well-stocked.
“What will happen to the manor house?” Darcy asked Elizabeth.
“The trustees will take that under consideration. It may be leased to a family and the income used by the charity. Mrs Pym has suggested a home and school for children in poverty. Mrs Culver’s idea is for a training school to teach needle workers and seamstresses.
They may also auction off some of the items in the house to add to the endowment. ”
A large book was open on a library table. Darcy moved to look at it. “This is their family Bible,” he said in surprise, slowly turning the pages.
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered, joining him at the table.
“Just before Christmas last year, Mr Goulding’s heir, a distant cousin of his, was killed in a carriage accident along with his son.
My uncle Philips spent a great deal of time with the Bible, trying to trace the family lines to find the next heir.
They found nothing. That is why Mr Goulding chose to use his estate and investments to create a charity.
” She sighed and lightly touched the pages of the Bible.
“I think it very sad that the entire family has died out.”
“The Darcys have come close. Georgiana and I are the only ones I know of, and for many years I was an only child. My father had a sister, but she had no children. There was a great-uncle, a judge, who was widowed, childless, and never remarried. Pemberley is not entailed. Inheritance can go through the female line. Though to my knowledge, we have never had to search for an heir.”
Elizabeth let her eyes roam the library.
“This room was where we most often met Mr Goulding. My father would sit with him before the fire, and they would play a game. My sisters and I would play on the floor or out in the garden if the weather permitted us.” She laughed.
“He was possessed of endless patience. The neighbourhood children quite often spontaneously visited him in groups. He was always welcoming, whether he was busy or not.”
“This is also where I visited him.” Darcy said. “I am grateful to have been given an opportunity to know him. I am rarely so easy with a stranger, but he quickly became a friend. Did I tell you that he sent me a parcel before he died?”
“That does not surprise me. He was very thoughtful that way and planned many gifts for his friends before he died.”
Darcy reached into the inner breast pocket of his coat and withdrew a small piece of paper. “He returned a book I had given him with this inside.” He handed her the note.
Darcy,
A reminder of our discussion of Goldsmith: Remember, he wrote that ‘Success consists of getting up one more time than you fall’. He also wrote that ‘Hope is such an important thing; without it we are walking shadows’.
This is important, my boy. Keep trying; keep hoping. Do not give up on her.
Your Friend,
William Goulding
Elizabeth read the note and took a quick breath. “Oh, my dear godfather. Matchmaking from beyond the grave,” she said, a watery catch in her voice. Darcy handed her his handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes.
“It taught me to hope, as I had scarcely allowed myself to hope before,” he said quietly as he put the note carefully back into his inner pocket. “He, who perhaps knew you best, was telling me that in spite of my conceit and my disastrous, offensive words, you did not despise me.”
Elizabeth regarded him, her heart in her eyes. He opened his arms and she walked into them, into him, and he folded her into his warm embrace. They stood there in the quiet library, her cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, his head bowed over hers.
At last, she looked up and, blushing fiercely, smiled shyly up at him. As she had hoped, he understood her and slowly lowered his face to hers. Just as their lips touched, the sound of the housekeeper’s bustling footsteps reached their ears. They jumped apart just in time.
“I came to see if there was anything you needed?”
The couple exchanged a rueful glance. “No, I thank you, not at present. We are going to see the dower house now,” said Elizabeth.
They left the house and sauntered down a narrow lane that skirted a cluster of tall oaks. Darcy took Elizabeth’s arm and led her behind the trees. “Let us finish what we started,” he said, and kissed her thoroughly.
By the time they arrived at the dower house, their hands clasped together, with mussed hair and flushed cheeks, Mrs Bennet had already been in every room, uncovering furniture, examining the china, and checking the linen closet. Her cries of delight echoed through the house.
Elizabeth met Darcy’s eyes apologetically.
He shook his head. “Your mother will hear no disapprobation from me. In my opinion, Mrs Bennet’s joy is well-deserved. If I were a parent facing the possibility of my children reduced to poverty and homelessness, I would be equally delighted with a new home.”
She squeezed his arm. “You would react with shrieks and squeals?”
He chuckled. “Probably not. But one never knows how they may react to joy.”
Every day, their bond grew stronger, as did their mutual attraction. It was time, Darcy thought, to ask again that most important of questions. But first, he needed to speak with Georgiana.
He found her with Mrs Annesley in a small comfortable parlour that had been rarely used when Miss Bingley was hostess. Miss Bingley had preferred to have them all gather in the elaborate, overly large drawing room.
“Georgiana, will you walk with me?”
“Of course.” She rang for a maid to fetch her parasol and they set out. They strolled silently first in the garden, then he took her on a path that led to a field of wildflowers.
“What was it you wished to ask me, Fitzwilliam?” she asked.
Darcy had been gathering his thoughts. “What think you of adding someone to our family? It has been just you and I for so very long.”
She was way ahead of him. “Are you going to make Miss Elizabeth an offer?”
“I am. Does that surprise you? That I have chosen a bride who is not from our sphere? Many of our acquaintance may disapprove or perhaps even refuse to know her.”
“I am relieved. You do love her, I can tell. I would rather give up my dowry than have you marry for duty. I was afraid you might give in and marry Anne, or someone like Miss Bingley.”
“That is what our parents instructed me to do. It is what they did and what I always believed I would do, eventually. I believed the idea of marrying for love was foolish at best and dangerous at worst. I learnt through painful experience that real love exists and is worth some personal change. Elizabeth’s value cannot be measured in money or connexions.
She makes me a better man, Georgie, just by being herself. ”
“You had a painful experience?” Georgiana stared at him.
Darcy realised at that moment that perhaps his efforts to be the perfect brother had in fact given his sister an unrealistic opinion of him.
“I did. I proposed marriage to Miss Elizabeth in a most demeaning way. I insulted her. She was hurt and rightfully refused me. She threw my words back at me.” He sighed heavily. “I was angry at her until I realised my own arrogance. It was indeed painful.”
Georgiana had stopped in her tracks. “I would have never believed that, except that you are telling me yourself.” She tilted her head to one side. “You love her so much that you changed for her and would try again?”
He nodded. “She changed for me as well. We both learnt a difficult lesson. I am hopeful that she will accept me now.”
“I hope she will!” She shook her head in astonishment. “Oh, Fitzwilliam! Just to know you made a mistake, it makes me feel so much better!”