Chapter Twenty-Seven #3
Mr. Darcy shuddered as Elizabeth continued her soothing ministrations, and he clung to her as he wept.
Elizabeth allowed his embrace and gently stroked his thick, dark curls.
Her heart ached at his despair, and she began murmuring gentle words of comfort into his ear.
When he finally recovered himself, he withdrew from her embrace and ran his hands down his face with a look of wild grief.
Fearing the worst, Elizabeth asked, “What happened to the baby?”
“She lived. Richard and I removed my sister and the babe from the house at once; Matlock, where Richard’s family resides in Derbyshire, was not far, though the journey was taxing on Georgiana.
My aunt, the Countess of Matlock – God bless her, for she devoted herself to nursing my sister and the child back to health.
My sister named the babe Margaret in her honor – Margaret Rebecca, for Richard’s sister was also exceedingly attentive.
They have since gone to Matlock House in London, where my sister and her daughter have been given every chance at recovery from such an unspeakable ordeal, but I know she will never forgive me for what she suffered. ”
“What has been done about it? Surely your cousin’s mother must be punished for her cruelty,” Elizabeth cried.
“I fear there is little that can be done. There is no evidence of any crime, and the servants who did not object to her mistreatment can hardly be trusted to speak out against their former mistress. After Peter’s death, his estate passed to another distant cousin, and the harridan was turned out of the house, sent to live with whatever kin would take her. ”
“But your sister has recovered, has she not? She and your niece are in good health?”
“They are, thank God. I had a report from Richard’s sister Lady Rebecca, who has never been especially fond of me – I fear she has shaded my sister’s opinion of me.
Georgiana ought to be in half-mourning by now, but I understand my cousins mean to introduce her properly into society.
I think it too soon, but apparently I no longer deserve a say in what is done for her, and this I cannot argue. ”
Elizabeth brushed the tears from her cheeks and took Mr. Darcy’s hand once more. “When did you last see your sister?”
“Five months ago. I stayed a week at Matlock before I was needed at Pemberley to oversee the spring planting. She would not see me until the final day of my time there, and I believe Richard took pity on me and compelled her. She was already recovered enough that I could take comfort in her restoration to good health, but her spirits were low, and we quarreled over my aunt’s intention to take her to London.
I thought it too soon, and I feared it may endanger her health, but I conceded that my judgement was not so infallible where she was concerned, and I allowed the Fitzwilliams to do what they thought best for her. ”
“Have you made any further attempt to reconcile with her?”
Mr. Darcy shook his head. “I have sat down a hundred times and tried to put pen to paper, but I am too ashamed. What can I possibly say that will make amends for how I have let her down? If she must blame somebody, let it be me, if it pleases her. Perhaps there is some comfort in it for her, though I will feel the loss of her affection for the rest of my days.”
“I cannot think your silence is helping the matter,” Elizabeth said gently. “Has she any idea how acutely this has wounded you?”
“What right have I to speak of it, when her own suffering had been greater?”
Elizabeth sighed, considering her words carefully.
“Perhaps she may rebuke you, but you cannot know unless you make the attempt. Forgive me for saying so, but she is a very young girl whose feelings may not be entirely rational. I daresay she may have led a sheltered life, to be seduced in the first place, before she had even come out in society. She saw even less of the world during the penance of her marriage; I can hardly wonder that she would wish to be in London as soon as she regained her health. But might she not also crave some token of your esteem?”
Mr. Darcy was silent for a minute, and then he nodded slowly.
“Perhaps there is truth in this. I am all she has had since she was very young. I must have failed her all along, for her to be such easy prey for Wickham, and then for Peter’s mother.
But I fear my love will mean nothing to her after all she has endured. ”
“You may fear the worst, but you cannot know for certain. If I may speak plainly, Mr. Darcy….”
He pressed her hand in his. “Of course; there is nobody whose candor I prize than your own.”
Elizabeth smiled sadly at this, wondering if he comprehended in his present state what such praise meant to her. Touched as she was, she felt obliged to be harsh with him.
“Sir, you are a man of considerable consequence, who might do whatever you please. I know what it is to be the ward of such a man, and to be limited to moving only as much in the world as he chooses for me. I never left home at all until I went to Weymouth. Your sister comprehends your power, and she has seen you wield it over her, but not in her defense. You might show your sister her own importance by seeking some justice against the woman who wronged her, or by supporting her desire to return to society. And – forgive me for asking – but what of the child? You have called the babe her child but not your niece . If you see this baby only as Wickham’s child?
Your sister is sure to perceive as much. ”
Mr. Darcy closed his eyes, drawing in several deep breaths and slowly releasing them, and then he finally looked at Elizabeth with tears in his eyes.
He once again cupped her face, this time with both hands, and he softly kissed her forehead.
“I am indebted to you, Miss Bennet – for hearing me and not despising me, and for your wisdom in advising me – what you say is absolutely true. I must consider the matter carefully, and proceed with delicacy, but I know that I must act, somehow.”
“Can your cousin the colonel not provide some insight to your sister’s current state of mind?”
“I will write to him in the morning. If he believes there is any chance that my sister is amenable to hearing from me, I shall have you to thank.”
Elizabeth smiled at him. She had never known herself capable of such sage wisdom, and she was as much in awe of him as he was of her. “I wish you success with all my heart. I shall bid you goodnight, and leave you to ponder, before I expose the limits of my own insight.”
He stood and helped her to her feet, and she was so full of the feeling of his lips on her forehead that she impulsively stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek before turning away and hastening for the room.
She was fairly trembling from her own bravado, but she heard him softly say, “Good night, Elizabeth.”