Chapter 3.21
Elizabeth put on her robe, then sat on the rug by the fire, warming her feet and hands and rubbing her fingers and toes, which were wrinkled from the cold. The short stroll had delighted her. She was happy having her husband and sister-in-law with her, and Emily’s enjoyment added to her pleasure.
However, Darcy’s sudden change of disposition since they returned home worried her.
He had been in excellent spirits the entire day, and she expected they would warm up together, embracing under the blankets, talking, caressing, sharing more lovely intimate moments. Instead, he expressed his desire to be alone.
Elizabeth soon became restless; she considered speaking to Darcy but abandoned the thought. He had requested privacy and obliging him was a matter of affection and consideration. He would undoubtedly share his thoughts with her if it were possible.
Still impatient, she decided to see what Emily was doing. The chamber shared by the girl and Sarah was in the guest wing. It was a convenient location, somewhat close to Elizabeth, but far enough to ensure the Darcys their desired privacy.
She opened the door, and from inside, she heard their joyful voices. Sarah was drying Emily’s hair, while the girl sat on the bed, wrapped in a blanket.
“For Christmas, the master always lets us go to church if we want. We can also go home to our families if we want too.”
“Are you leaving too, Sarah?”
“I am going home on Boxing Day after the master gives us the presents. I will take them to my parents and siblings. I hope he does—he has always done so in the past. The master, I mean.”
“Presents?”
“Yes, we all get presents on Boxing Day.”
“All?” Emily asked incredulously.
“Yes. Very nice presents.”
“I don’t want any presents,” the girl said in earnest. “I have everything I need; I do not need anything else.”
“But I am sure the master will give you one nevertheless,” Sarah replied.
“But why is the master so good to everybody? Mrs. Darcy is good because she is an angel. But Mr. Darcy is a man. Why give presents to everyone?”
Silence fell, as Sarah considered the girl’s question.
“I do not know why Emily. I suppose he is a good man, everybody says so.”
“But will he not fall into poverty, if he gives so many gifts? Madame Claudette always said she would fall into poverty because of me.”
“Oh, that is foolish! Madame Claudette is a horrible liar, shame on her! God would not help her, I am sure! I do not think the master will become poor for being generous to us.”
“Still, I do not want a present, just in case,” the girl concluded, and Elizabeth’s eyes burned with tears.
Eventually, she closed the door, making her presence heard. The girl tried to jump from the bed, but Elizabeth calmed her and sat near them.
“Stay there my dear and keep the blanket around you. Are you warm enough?”
“I am very warm… this is so good! To be warm after I was cold and wet.”
“I am glad you feel comfortable. I hope you will play in the snow again soon!”
“Oh yes, I love the snow,” The girl replied energetically. “The snow is soft and white, just like the bedsheets.”
“Excellent comparison,” Elizabeth smiled, embracing the girl. “Now you should rest for a while. Sarah, you may stay with her, you are not needed for the time being.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“You should also rest, Mrs. Darcy. Your hair is wet too. You should stay in bed to not catch a cold,” Emily declared with utter seriousness.
“I shall do just that, my dear.”
∞∞∞
Back in her apartment, Elizabeth was happy to see Darcy waiting for her. She hurried to embrace him, and he opened his arms to her, then kissed the top of her head. She had hoped for more, but he remained thoughtful, pulling her close to him.
“What is wrong, Fitzwilliam? You are not well; I can see that.”
“My love, I have some news; come, let us sit.”
He held her hands while she looked at him with growing concern.
“What is it?”
“I received a letter from Madame Claudette. It seems Emily’s mother has returned. The letter was written by a man who declared himself to be her betrothed, a former officer, he said. He asked me for a private meeting to discuss our protégée’”
Elizabeth gazed at him in disbelief, her hands cold and trembling.
“Emily’s mother has returned now? After all these years she has suddenly returned?”
“Apparently. The reports of how you took Emily under your protection have reached every corner of the town and beyond. It is almost universally acknowledged.”
“I imagine people like to be entertained by gossip, with little consideration for the truth. So… what should we do? What does she want?”
“I am not certain. I shall respond to the letter and establish a meeting with the man. He suggested we should meet at Madame Claudette’s.”
“But why not here? Does her mother not want to see Emily? Let them know she may come whenever she wishes to. I would not oppose them meeting as soon as possible. I only hope she will not disappear again and leave Emily even more grieved.”
“This is what worries me too. I explicitly declared in the settlement I made with Madame Claudette that her mother is welcome to see the girl and free to make any appropriate decisions regarding the child. I would expect a request for a call and an encounter.”
“So—what do you suggest? What should we do?” Elizabeth repeated, looking at him with hope and utmost confidence.
“First I shall pay a visit to Madame Claudette. However, I just realised that neither of us is acquainted with Emily’s mother, and the girl last saw her too long ago to remember what she looks like. I only know her name—Patty Moore.”
“Dear Lord, what are you implying? Do you suspect Madame Claudette of some devious plans?” Elizabeth enquired, horrified.
“I have countless suspicions now, and I must think of how to dispel them. I believe we should ask for Lady Matlock’s assistance.
My aunt might remember Emily’s mother; if, not, she will surely know someone who does, since the woman had been a seamstress.
She must have interacted with many ladies of the ton. ”
“Yes, but, just as in Emily’s case, it is unlikely that these ladies would recollect the face of a mere dressmaker. They probably never looked at her.”
“Unfortunately, I fear you are right. However, Madame Claudette is not aware of that. I could and I shall mention to her that my aunt remembers Patty Moore. It will surely make her reluctant to attempt any deception.”
“Fitzwilliam, you have paid her one thousand pounds, have you not?”
“Yes.”
“Could she have planned a scheme to get more money?”
“I hope not. If she has, she will soon be cast out of London for good. She cannot be such a simpleton as to imagine she might trifle with me.”
“When will you meet them?”
“I will send my reply immediately, and suggest meeting tomorrow afternoon. Then I must speak to my aunt and my solicitor.”
His plans seemed already made, his countenance severe, the restlessness was apparent in his dark gaze. Elizabeth imagined he might have looked the same the previous summer when he left Pemberley to find Wickham and Lydia.
“I wish to come with you!” she declared.
He looked at her and kissed her forehead.
“My love, not today. I am in a hurry and I will move more easily by myself. Stay with Georgiana and Emily at home. I would suggest not mentioning anything to the girl yet, as we are ignorant of what is truly happening.”
“Of course not.”
“And please accept no visitors, no calls from outside the family until I return. I will tell you everything tonight.”
She would prefer to be with him but found no strength to oppose him, as she could see the reason in his request.
“Very well,” she accepted, tightening her arms around him. A sense of panic sent cold shivers across her skin. Outside, the wind had begun to blow again, and suddenly the first snow had lost all its beauty.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth spent the entire afternoon in the music room, with Georgiana and Emily.
Mrs. Talbot came to discuss several details about the upcoming Christmas preparations and about the servants’ schedule for the Christmas period.
It was a tradition for the staff to choose if they wished to stay or to join their own family, and Mrs. Talbot was careful to reconcile their preference with the household needs.
While listening to Mrs. Talbot with all politeness, Elizabeth’s attention was on Emily.
The girl seemed more joyful and at ease than she had seen her before.
Her complexion had also improved and she looked exceedingly pretty.
She moved from Elizabeth to Georgiana, to the mantelpiece and to the window, exclaiming about the bad weather and how much she liked to stay near the fire.
Darcy returned before dinner. He appeared more stressed than when he had left, wearing a deep frown between his eyes and the same severity on his face.
He invited Elizabeth and Georgiana to the library, and only then he informed his sister about the latest news. Georgiana was momentarily panicked and tearful.
“Will you allow Emily to leave?” Georgiana asked, wiping her tears.
“I would if I knew she would be safe and sound and properly taken care of. First, I shall meet with her mother and this man, Timothy Buxton, and hear what they have to say. Most certainly, I will not make any decision tomorrow.”
“But can you keep them from taking her? How is it possible that her mother appeared suddenly?” Georgiana enquired.
“Elizabeth and I wondered about that too. I can delay her leaving for a while. I have spoken with my solicitors and with our uncle. The girl is in my house and I have some responsibilities to her, before allowing her to be taken away. We will see tomorrow and decide on the next step. For now, let us try to calm down and have dinner.”
Despite Darcy’s advice, neither of them enjoyed the meal and their attempt at behaving normally met with little success. Fortunately, the girl suspected nothing, as she did not eat with them but only came to say goodnight.”