Chapter 26
August—one year later.
The marriage between Lady Cassandra and David Fitzwilliam was not a discreet event in Town. The genuine happiness of the colonel’s family, together with the rumours and wonderings of those who had never considered such an alliance before made it the talk of the ton for the entire season.
The wedding took place at the end of February at the Fitzwilliam residence, and though both the bride and groom expressed their request to have only the family invited, guests filled the large ballroom.
The only comfort of the newlyweds was that they shared the ton’s curiosity with the Darcys.
There were many who had been convinced for years that young Darcy would eventually marry Lady Cassandra; hence, the unexpected turn of events was difficult for them to understand.
Mrs Darcy was therefore carefully scrutinised and severely judged with respect to her looks, manners, behaviour and disposition; Elizabeth was declared pleasant enough, pretty enough, with a lively disposition and—most of all—exceedingly fortunate in securing Mr Darcy for a husband.
By what arts and allurements she managed to catch Mr Darcy remained a mystery, still unsolved by summer when the couple returned to Pemberley.
The Bingleys found an estate only 30 miles from Pemberley, and Mr Bingley offered it to his beloved wife precisely at the time she announced to him another more precious gift: the news that he would have an heir.
The only reason for distress tormenting Charles Bingley was the lack of news from his sister Caroline. Except for the brief note announcing her marriage to Markham, no word arrived for months.
As happened with their engagement, the Darcys shared the blessed secret of expecting a son or daughter a month later than the Bingleys, as they preferred to share the bliss of their future parenthood between themselves.
Mrs Bennet’s nerves barely survived such happy news; she expressed her desire to visit her daughters instantly, but Mr Bennet disagreed with great determination.
He insisted the weather was entirely too hot for such a long journey, and he forced his wife to delay the trip until some unfixed date in the future.
Instead, at Miss Darcy’s invitation, Kitty and Mary were allowed to spend the summer at Pemberley.
Understandably, Miss Darcy, being surrounded only by newlyweds she did not wish to disturb, could benefit from the company of two sisters-in-law of the same age, and Kitty and Mary could certainly benefit even more from Miss Georgiana’s friendship.
In such a pleasant way June and July passed until, unexpectedly, Mrs Bingley’s state became a source of worry for her husband. Her health seemed much worse than did Elizabeth’s though Jane was only a month nearer to her confinement.
While Elizabeth changed few of her habits, Jane was rarely able to leave her bed. A doctor was fetched from London and, upon thorough examination, declared Mrs Bingley’s pregnancy to be a reason for concern.
When Jane’s state did not improve, Bingley decided they would go to London so Jane could be under the doctor’s constant care. Even more, he hired a nurse to be with her day and night.
Of course, the Darcys could not stay away, so they returned to their town house only two days after the Bingleys.
A week later, Cassandra and David followed them, so that only Georgiana and the two Miss Bennets remained at Pemberley to enjoy each other’s company as nobody informed them about the gravity of Jane’s state.
Bingley’s despair was heartrending for his friends; day by day, his distress grew and was more difficult to handle.
He had reached the point where he declared he cared for nothing but his wife’s health.
After many glasses of brandy, and tearful with worry and helpless torment, he swore to Darcy and the doctor that his wife would never be put in a similar situation because surely he would never touch her again and put her at such a risk.
The doctor, a proficient physician who had treated the Darcys for more than 30 years, patted Bingley’s arm, assuring him he had seen many other ladies bear a difficult pregnancy with the first child, only to have easy, uneventful births later.
Then, while having a glass of brandy himself, the doctor concluded it would be a pity for a man who was so much in love with his wife never to touch her again.
To the shock of Darcy—who was assisting silently in the conversation—the doctor suggested to Bingley that he could offer him some medical advice about how to “delay” a new pregnancy, until the moment he and his wife would wish to have another child.
∞∞∞
“Darcy, be so kind as to pour me a glass of wine,” said David to his host, and Darcy hurried to fulfil his request.
“I have just come from the Bingleys, and I have to say I am very impressed. Bingley has been brave indeed—I grant him that. To have his son born a month earlier than expected after such a long labour when everyone feared the child would not survive—I would never imagine both Bingleys being so strong! I say, Mrs Bingley has gained my deepest admiration. I saw her today, only a week after those horrible days and nights, smiling so serenely as if she had the most peaceful time of her life.”
“Yes, she is remarkable indeed.”
Darcy sipped some of his wine and then continued regretfully. “I still cannot forgive myself for how grossly I misjudged Jane last year. When I think that I could have ruined her happiness forever—and Bingley’s—and mine too as Elizabeth never would have forgiven me.”
“Now, Darcy, do not ruin my disposition. I am in such a good mood since Charles asked me to be the child’s godfather!”
“Yes, I noticed that. I think it was a wise decision of Bingley. I cannot see a better godfather than you.”
“As for Mrs Jane Bingley—she is so kind that I am sure she forgave you a long time ago, so perhaps it is about time to forgive yourself, too.”
“I truly hope so.” He offered his guest another glass of wine.
“Darcy, did you see poor Bingley’s face? He seemed lost in his own world as he looked at his son and his wife,” the colonel laughed.
“Well, he has every reason to be proud and grateful to his wife. She gave him a strong, healthy boy. What more could a man wish for?”
Suddenly understanding the effect of his words, Darcy stopped and looked at David with regret. He tried to apologise, but David would not allow it.
“Do not worry for me, Darcy; I am perfectly happy as I am now—just Cassandra and me and hopefully a few godsons from both you and Bingley. Now, speaking of that Bingley boy—he will be a very spoilt child. Mark my words! Thank heaven your child will be born soon so the Bennet family attention will be split in two.”
“Not quite so soon.” Elizabeth still has two months until…you know.”
“I know that—two more months. Just long enough for Mrs Bennet to change her residence from the Bingleys, where she stays now, to your home, to be as close to your wife as she has been to her eldest daughter.”
“Heaven forbid, David! Mr Bennet indicated they will leave town in a month, not a single day later.”
“Your father-in-law is a wise man.”
“Well, he does his best, considering the circumstances. I know he has been of great support to poor Bingley all these weeks as Bingley’s family seemed indifferent to his problems.”
“By the way, do you have any news of Bingley’s sisters?”
“Well, the Hursts are still at Brighton, and they sent a note that they will return next month. As for the present Lady Markham, not a single word.”
“Damn, that stupid woman continues to torment poor Bingley with her silence. What is she thinking? Where the devil is Caroline, and how is it she has only written him twice in as many months?”
“Something is not right, David. Something has been wrong since the day Markham decided to marry her. And this long, strange silence! Bingley visited the elder Markham, and not even he is aware of Caroline’s whereabouts. He said he had not seen her since they married.”
“That is indeed strange—especially considering we met Markham in town a month ago! Did he not allow her to contact her family? I do believe him capable of such cruelty. I am quite certain he is completely out of his mind. Do you remember what he said when we last met him in July?”
“That we finally are all a big family now, just as he always wanted? Of course I remember, but it was not only his words but his voice, the look in his eyes.”
“Have you seen him since then? Did you get any news? I know you have hired some men to find his location.”
“Nothing at all; he did not reside in any of their houses, and nobody—including his father—has seen him.”
“Do you trust the earl to tell you the truth?”
“I do. The elder Lord Markham did misbehave in the past, in more than one situation. He always supported his sons in everything they did, and he trusted them implicitly, but he is also known as a reasonable man and an honest business partner. I am certain he understood Bingley’s worry about his sister.
If he knew something, he would have at least mentioned it. ”
“You are probably right. If we meet Markham again, we should force him to tell us where his wife is.”
“I would rather not meet Markham anytime soon. I promised Elizabeth I would never allow him to provoke me again, and I intend to keep my promise; however, it would be very difficult were I to face that man. Elizabeth was distressed when I told her about our meeting, and I will do everything in my power not to upset her again during this time.”
“I understand—you must be worried about your baby. You know, I might be selfish, but that is why I am somehow pleased that Cassandra will never. . . I do not think I could bear the worry, the fear that something might happen to her or to the child.”