Chapter 3.21 #2
Each retired earlier than usual. Georgiana remained to play the piano, and her music could be heard for another hour, while Elizabeth and Darcy preferred the solitude of their apartment.
“I wish to come with you tomorrow. Please do not refuse me,” she said.
He looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “Emily is under your protection, you deserve to be part of the discussion about her future.”
“Thank you,” she answered, surprised by his easy acceptance. It was obvious that he expected her request and had given it proper consideration.
“Stevens will come with us too. I trust him implicitly, and a witness might be useful.”
“Good…”
“Now, I need a glass of brandy, and then we should rest,” he said, first kissing her hands, then gently kissing her lips.
Elizabeth approved and an hour later they were in bed, tightly embraced, listening to the storm that seemed willing to break the window and invade their chamber. She was resting with her head on his chest, upon his heart, and his fingers were playing in her hair.
For the first time since they married, they fell asleep without making love, with heavy hearts and troubled minds.
∞∞∞
The next day, at four o’clock, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, as well as Stevens, knocked on Madame Claudette’s door. They were invited in, and the modiste showed formal deference in welcoming them.
“Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, allow me to introduce to you Patty Moore and her betrothed, Timothy Buxton.”
The woman greeted them shyly, with her head down, yet it was easy to see the resemblance to Emily. She was in her late twenties, with a handsome figure, although thin and pale.
The man was voluble, he expressed his pleasure in meeting them with a large grin, and his manners betrayed that he was a man of the world.
“Let us sit,” Madame Claudette invited them. “I have prepared some refreshments and drinks.”
“That will not be necessary, thank you,” Darcy replied sharply. “I shall not deny that we were surprised to receive your note and are interested to hear what your intentions are regarding Emily.”
“We are deeply grateful for your care of our dear Emily. We were astonished that she had aroused your interest and we hope she is behaving as well as you expect,” Buxton said.
Elizabeth and Darcy waited for him to continue.
“Patty and I became betrothed three years ago, and every day we talked about dear Emily and planned to take her with us. She was dearly missed. However, our situation is already difficult as it is. Taking care of a child is a demanding and expensive task.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and took a few steps around the room.
“I assume that neither of you is employed at the moment?” he asked coldly.
“No indeed,” Buxton answered. “I was forced to leave my regiment due to some misunderstandings. As you may know, I had been an army lieutenant, but even then, my income would not have been sufficient to keep a wife and a child.”
“I see. And Mrs. Moore? I was told she had been a good seamstress.”
“Indeed, but we are forced to move quite frequently, and it is difficult to find work in the small villages.”
The entire dialogue was carried out between Darcy and Buxton, and Elizabeth could see how difficult it was for her husband to keep his temper.
“And what are your plans now? What is the purpose of this meeting? I assume you still have no means to provide for Emily,” Darcy shortened the discussion.
“Indeed, we have not. But Patty misses the girl very much and she wished to take her with us.”
“I understand. Here is what Mrs. Darcy and I suggest. Emily is very happy in our home. She will be provided shelter and a good education, now and in the future. There is no better place for a child than with her mother, so we would be happy to offer Mrs. Moore a job in our house, with fair payment. This way, she will be close to her daughter, she will have no expenses for the child, and she could help you with your expenses until you find employment somewhere.”
The proposal came as a surprise, and the three glanced at each other, puzzled and disconcerted.
“I am sure you have been informed that Madame Claudette was offered one thousand pounds to cover her trouble in raising Emily over the last few years. The sum far exceeds her costs, so I am sure you might find a way to share it, at least to help until you find a new living. I am also willing to recommend you to some employers, as soon as you tell me what skills you possess,” Darcy spoke further to Buxton.
He grew angrier and more irritated with each passing moment, as the couple’s intention became obvious.
Madame Claudette paled and began to bumble, her voice growing higher.
“I assure you, sir, the sum barely covered my expenses. There is nothing left of it. And I cannot help more, I have already lost many clients due to Lady Matlock’s disapproval, so I am in a difficult position myself.
Patty and Buxton came to take the girl; they have already found a good arrangement for her.
She will be a companion to other children, in Lord Walford’s house.
It was fortunate that Lord Walford and his cousin, the marquis, accompanied their lady friends to my shop a fortnight ago.
They have been among my best customers for years.
Go on, tell Mr. Darcy all!” the modiste pushed the other two.
Buxton seemed entangled in his words.
“Well, yes…the thing is…Patty and I have some urgent debts that we must cover... And we cannot stay in London. I am acquainted with Lord Walford. Surely you must know, he lives with several friends near Brighton. You must know him, he used to attend all the parties and balls....And he has several nieces and nephews who live with him. There is always a large party there. We met, and he would be happy to take care of Emily too. He was kind enough also to offer to pay my urgent debts for now… he will keep Emily for six months, to see how she becomes accustomed to the others and…”
Elizabeth forgot to breathe, while a sharp pain clawed at her chest. She listened in disbelief, trying to understand the meaning of the words spinning in her head.
Then the entire room seemed to shatter, as Darcy hit the table with his open palm so hard that the tray of food and drinks fell on the floor.
His countenance darkened, and his eyes narrowed in anger, his handsome face twisted in fury as Elizabeth had never imagined seeing him. The others startled and a cry escaped from one of the women.
“What did you just say?” Darcy’s shout was like thunder.
“Are you negotiating a price for the girl? Do you plan to sell her? This is how you try to force my hand? Do you attempt to extort more money from me, the three of you? You have treated the girl with cruelty, kept her in the worst circumstances and now you pretend one thousand pounds is not enough? And you, as a mother? Do you have nothing to say? You abandoned your daughter to elope with this worthless piece of nothing? And now you try to sell your daughter for his benefit? What kind of mother are you?”
The woman was trembling, and she turned so pale that she had to sit on a chair. She bit her lip, incapable of speaking.
Buxton regained his courage enough to reply.
“Mr. Darcy, I assure you this is a misunderstanding! We only wish the best for Emily. Lord Walford promised he would take care of her education, in exchange for her keeping company with his nieces. He indeed offered us a repayment, which we cannot refuse, as we have no other means to live, and we might expect another child anytime soon.”
“If it is a misunderstanding, let us clarify it! But do not take me for a fool, man! Why do you have no means to provide a living for your wife? You are young and healthy— but very lazy and indolent, I assume! If you need a chance for employment, I could help you. But do not try to deceive me!”
“I assure you that was not our intention, sir…”
“Was it not? If you knew me at all, you would be aware that I am impatient and resentful! If you wish to challenge me, you must bear the consequences, as I shall rip you apart! My wife was the only one who showed kindness to this child! And you try to take even more advantage of this situation? Have you lost your mind? Can you not see in what danger you put yourself? I could hire someone to get rid of all three of you in no time!”
His voice was so loud, sharp and cold that the windows were quivering and the clear threat hanging over their heads terrified the three, unsure if they should take it in earnest or not.
They froze in disbelief, incredulous that a gentleman of Darcy’s position and education could make such a threat.
But his severe countenance left no room for doubt and their astonishment turned into fear.
“Mr. Darcy, we did not intend to upset you. We only wish to find a mutually agreeable resolution to this situation. After all, Patty is the child’s mother,” Madame Claudette said.
“If you are truly looking for an acceptable solution, we shall find one, appropriate for Emily,” Darcy declared.
“Mrs. Moore, it is never too late to be a true mother. Our offer is still available, you may come and work for us or we may assist you in finding employment that would allow you to make an honourable living. We shall happily support you in any effort to improve your life! But for now, Emily will stay with us and you will be free to see her at any time. You may come and spend time with her, you may sleep with her overnight. She will be provided with education, shelter, everything she needs. And most of all, affection. This is our final proposal.”
“But sir, you cannot make decisions regarding a child that is not yours!” Buxton insisted.
“Indeed I cannot and yet, I am doing it! You are free to confront me at any time, in any way you wish to! And speaking of confrontations, how can you prove this woman is Emily’s mother?”
“Excuse me?” Buxton interjected.
“No excuses are needed, only answers to this reasonable question. What proof do you have?”
“I am her mother! Everybody knows me!” the woman finally spoke loudly.
“Truly? Who knows you? My aunt and several of her friends may remember Emily’s mother as being someone different. They may easily declare they do not recollect ever seeing you before!”
The woman looked at her with such despair in her eyes that Elizabeth took pity on her. But Darcy remained unmoved.
“But sir, what do you mean?” Buxton asked hesitantly.
“You surely know what I mean. Here is what I suggest: I shall give you another five hundred pounds, to help you pass whatever present difficulties you are facing. Here is a settlement written by my solicitor. You should read it carefully; if you sign it, you will receive the money immediately. It states that Mrs. Patty Moore may see Emily whenever she wants, but the girl cannot be taken away from us until she is fourteen and she may decide for herself.”
“But, Mr. Darcy, this means I cannot decide my own child’s fate!” the woman cried.
“Indeed, that is the meaning. But why is that affecting you? You showed no previous ability or willingness to take care of your daughter. Why should we assume you will change now?”
“I do not know if you can do that. I must think...” the woman whispered.
“You do so! Take into consideration that we will never forbid you from seeing your daughter, and will not withdraw our employment offer. I shall wait for your answer until tomorrow at four in the afternoon. Consider it thoroughly,” he said, placing the papers on the table.
Buxton tried to speak, but Darcy dismissed him with a gesture, offering his arm to his wife.
“Tomorrow at four,” he repeated.
They were ready to exit when Elizbeth turned to the woman who looked tearful.
“Patty, do you not wish to see Emily? Do you not miss her? You have asked nothing about her. She is the sweetest child, with a kind, loving heart and a big soul. How could you be so indifferent to her, yet speak of deciding for her benefit?”
“I do miss her, ma’am. And in any case, it is for me to decide when it comes to my child!”
“You should earn the right to decide, Patty” Elizabeth answered severely, annoyed by such an answer. “Giving birth to her is not enough. Not to me or to Mr. Darcy.”
“But it is the law!”
Darcy stepped forward one more time. “Yes, the law. I shall make some enquiries into this matter and we shall see what the law has to say too. As I said, once you challenge me, you must be prepared to bear the consequences.”
He took Elizabeth’s arm and led her out. Behind them, the door closed by itself and Elizabeth clasped her husband’s arm. When they were in the carriage, she leaned into his embrace and began to sob.
Angry and distressed, Darcy was torn between comforting his wife and returning to Madame Claudette’s and settling everything to his satisfaction.