Chapter 27
A month passed by peacefully, and calm happiness returned to Darcy’s home.
The tragic events surrounding young Markham’s death were often mentioned in Town despite the family’s attempt to keep the matter private.
In addition, there was no little talk about Caroline Bingley’s great fortune in becoming a young and exceedingly wealthy widow.
Caroline and her child were still in Darcy’s house at Elizabeth’s special invitation.
Caroline’s condition continued to improve while little James became as healthy and strong as any infant his age.
Caroline spent all her time in her apartments, most of the time holding her son and speaking to him or singing to him in a low voice.
As Elizabeth predicted, the bond between mother and son was rapidly restored.
The relationship between Caroline and Lady Cassandra gradually became quite different than it was earlier in their acquaintance, and though they could not be called close friends, Cassandra’s frequent visits and constant inquiries after the child’s health became a daily habit.
Lord Markham had called every single day after his son’s burial, asking about Caroline and his grandson’s health, but Caroline never agreed to see him.
He also expressed his regrets—with painful honesty—as he declared he alone was culpable for everything that occurred regarding his sons.
Cassandra refused even to speak to him directly, but the Darcys, the Bingleys and Colonel Fitzwilliam accepted his apologies with wisdom and generous understanding in consideration of all he had endured.
The earl presented Bingley with a settlement on Caroline and her son: a house in Town in a fashionable neighbourhood and a generous allowance to afford them a comfortable life even without any other support.
To everyone’s shock, Caroline refused it instantly and declared she and her son would live with the Bingleys.
Mrs Hurst censured her younger sister, insisting that she should be happy that her son would be the heir of Markham’s name and enormous fortune. After that, Caroline also refused to see her sister and held on to her refusal for more than a fortnight.
Lord Markham left a copy of the settlement with Bingley. Even more, he insisted that his grandson would be his heir, and he expressed his deepest hope and ardent wish that, sometime in the future, Lady Caroline Markham would be able to forgive him and allow him to see his grandson.
∞∞∞
The end of October was a little cloudy but the weather was still fine. Elizabeth and Georgiana were enjoying a cup of tea and watching their companion. It was the first time Caroline had agreed to leave her room and join Elizabeth in the drawing room.
Her son was close to her on the settee, sleeping peacefully, as Caroline refused to go anywhere without him.
Georgiana moved near to admire the infant’s pretty face and attempted to take the child in her arms for a moment, but to her shock, Caroline turned instantly and pulled her hands away from her son.
A moment later, red-faced and deeply embarrassed by her unwarranted reaction, Caroline begged for forgiveness and encouraged Georgiana to hold the child as much as she wanted as the boy was always pleased to be cradled.
It took some time before the tension vanished from the room; Elizabeth started to talk about the weather and then continued to chat amiably about the Bingleys and Caroline’s return to her brother’s home, which was expected soon as the Bennets had left town the day before.
Mr Darcy was out on some business and was expected to return before dinner, as were Lady Cassandra and her husband.
Georgiana was still holding the child as Caroline stood up to fill Elizabeth’s cup of tea once more, asking if she was comfortable enough on the couch.
“I am fine, thank you, Caroline. In fact, I am very well indeed except that I can barely move.” Elizabeth smiled.
A moment later her smile faded, and she let go of the cup.
A sharp pain made her bend over, and a cry escaped her lips; she tried to rise from the chair, but she fell to her knees when another spasm came over her.
Caroline held her while Georgiana, pale and frightened, still carrying little James, called for the servants.
Two hours later, Darcy returned home; he was hungry, tired and worried about Elizabeth as he had been out for the entire day. At least he was content that he had finished all his business and could stay home with Elizabeth for the next few weeks in anticipation of their child’s birth.
He had barely entered the house when he heard in the main hall far more voices than expected. He easily recognised the colonel, Cassandra, Bingley and—to his shock—his sister-in-law, Jane. Before he had time to wonder at such a sudden gathering, Bingley approached him nervously.
“Darcy, where on earth have you been? Your butler has been looking for you for at least an hour.”
Darcy frowned as the sudden understanding fell over him; he noticed the doctor drying his hands and moving slowly down the stairs toward him.
“Where is my wife? Where is Elizabeth?”
“Mrs Darcy is well, sir—as well as can be expected in her condition.”
“You will excuse me; I need to see her this minute.” Darcy pushed Bingley away, running to the stairs.
“Sir, you should wait another moment; the midwife is with her, preparing Mrs Darcy and your son to receive your visit,” the doctor said, obviously pleased with Darcy’s shocked expression.
For only a moment, Darcy remained stone still before disappearing up the stairs, not even noticing his friends calling to him.
That night Mr Darcy refused to leave his wife’s apartment, though everyone—including Elizabeth—assured him there was no reason for worry.
The servants retired but no further than Elizabeth’s dressing room to be near their mistress.
The midwife could not hide her disapproval of such behaviour.
Did no one ever sleep in their own rooms in this house?
Finally, she abandoned any attempt to argue with the master and his disobedient staff, and found a place to sleep on a sofa nearby in case she should be needed.
Darcy moved an armchair close to Elizabeth’s bed and sat by her.
She was more beautiful than ever—rather, she was beautiful in a different way than ever before—and he could not find the words to tell her everything that was in his heart.
Her tender smile and her eyes sparkling with happiness proved to him that no words were needed—so he remained silent, smiling tearfully, wondering at the miracle brought to life by their love, while she finally fell asleep, her hand resting in his.
∞∞∞
Four months later
The Darcys’ carriage drove along the white streets of a frozen London; inside the carriage it was also cold, and Elizabeth slid her frozen hands into her husband’s to warm them. To her surprise, his fingers did not entwine with hers as she was used to.
“Thank you for taking the time to come for me, William,” she said, a little disconcerted.
“There is no need to thank me. It is always a pleasure to accompany you; you know that. Besides, when I came home and learned you had just left to visit your sister, I saw no reason to remain inside alone. My only option was to come for you.”
“Forgive me for not being there when you arrived. It was on very short notice, and I was certain you would be out on business until later in the afternoon. Cassandra came by to take me, as we wanted to plan together with Jane the last details about Christmas dinner. As I had just nursed little Will, I took the opportunity and joined her. Are you displeased? Has anything happened?” she inquired, puzzled by his obviously low spirits.
“Of course I am not displeased. Why should I be? No, nothing happened. It is just that…you should have stayed home and rested. I am afraid you are tiring yourself too much. Things have not been easy for you the last months: first, all the duties you had to learn at Pemberley, then the blessed news of our child, Jane’s illness and then Caroline, the birth of our son ten weeks ago and your insistence on nursing him yourself.
Now things are finally settling, everyone is well and safe, and our son is growing up wonderfully.
You should use this time to rest more. Cassandra could have made plans with Jane first and shared them with you tomorrow. ”
“Oh, do not worry for me, dear husband. I confess I am so tired sometimes that I fear I might fall asleep on my feet.” She laughed. “But I could not resist walking out of the house for a short time—especially as it snowed earlier; did you notice? You know I love snow.”
“Yes, I did notice it snowed.”
He was obviously upset, and Elizabeth could not understand the reason. Perhaps he received some distressing news and was unwilling to share it with her yet. She took his hand and continued, smiling.
“Jane was looking wonderful, do you not think so? And Caroline—I was so pleased to see her well recovered! Two beautiful, healthy boys in the Bingley’s house—Mr Bingley has every reason to be thrilled. And he seemed quite pleased to see you, too.”
“I was pleased to see Jane again, and indeed I am content everything turned out quite well for Caroline’s situation.
As for Charles—trust me, I meet him every day, so I doubt he missed my presence since I saw him just this morning.
I dare say I see Charles more often than I see you.
” His countenance turned grave as he ceased to conceal his poor disposition.
“I am not sure I understand you, William. We see each other every day, do we not?”
“We see each other every day indeed, but you are not looking at me any longer, Elizabeth—not the way you used to look at me.”
“You are upset with me, and I cannot determine the reason. What have I done to displease you?”