Chapter 3.23
Darcy watched Elizabeth sleeping in his arms, deeply and peacefully.
He barely breathed for fear he would wake her, trying to allow her a few more minutes of rest. Soon, they would have to get up.
It was already late, and the hour for the encounter was close.
Twelve o’clock. The middle of the day, a time most meaningful for Emily’s future.
The girl’s despair of the previous night was still vivid in his mind. For a moment, he tried to imagine what would happen if he allowed those two to take her. Not only Emily, but neither Georgiana nor Elizabeth would ever forgive or forget such an offence.
Darcy realised that he had spent an imprudent amount of money on resolving Emily’s situation, but he had not an instant of regret or hesitation.
This was a child’s life at stake—and Elizabeth had taught him to value it properly, beyond his usual judgement.
However, for many, even half such a sum was beyond reach.
For his acquaintances and relatives, one thousand pounds was an unacceptably large amount to throw away on a stranger.
To add another five hundred was unthinkable.
Sadly, the same people who would rebuke him for such waste would easily spend the same amount on a card game, a ball, or a hunting party. But not on a poor, innocent child.
He briefly remembered that in three days, he and Elizabeth would celebrate their two month anniversary and that the Bennets and the Bingleys would join them.
He selfishly considered how he could solve the entire situation as quickly as possible and return to his life.
He knew he was being unfair, that his suffering could not compare with that endured by the girl or even his wife and sister.
But he could not deny his feelings. He had been a selfish man all his life and that had not changed overnight.
“Good morning, my love,” he heard Elizabeth whispering. Her hair was tickling his bare chest and her fingers briefly touched his face.
“Good morning, my beloved.”
Her lips were slightly swollen and red; he brushed his thumbs over them, and she closed her eyes in delight.
“You have not slept much, have you?”
“No. But I did rest enough. And you?”
“I loved you. That is enough,” he said adoringly. She stroked his chest and placed a soft kiss upon the spot where his heart was beating.
“My soul is filled with you,” she whispered. “I have just realised that we have enjoyed almost two months of pure bliss, do you know that? Where has the time gone? I can hardly remember my life before I shared it with you.”
“I feel the same, my dearest. You are a part of me. And yes, I do know it has been almost two months. How could I forget? I am counting every moment we spend together, and there are times when I still fear that it could be only a dream.”
“So do I. I confess that many times, during the night, I touch you just to be sure you are truly at my side. I still wonder how you overcame my impertinence, hasty judgement and prejudice, how did you forget all the accusations and offences and propose to me for the second time?”
“How? Quite easily; once I accepted that I had given you enough reason to judge me in that way, my anger vanished, and I admitted that you had captured my heart forever. When I saw you again at Pemberley and I realised how differently I feel when you are near me, I understood my felicity is strongly bonded to you. So I simply chose my future happiness over my pride and vanity.”
“I dare say you have made a wise choice, Mr. Darcy!” she teased him while struggling with her overwhelming sentiments.
“Of that, I have no doubt, Mrs. Darcy. You belong in my arms, and you fit perfectly there.”
“In your arms is where I wish to stay, my dear husband,” Elizabeth said.
She adored their little exchanges, their honest confessions, their complete trust in each other. And she loathed having to break their blissful embrace and confront the day. But it was time.
“As much as I wish to delay it, we must prepare for the day,” Darcy declared, as if guessing her thoughts.
“I know. Will you allow me to accompany you? I cannot bear to stay at home and wait. It would be tedious. I need to feel I am doing something, as little as it is.”
“I would prefer you not to come, my darling. I shall visit my uncle, the judge, at noon. And my solicitor, Mr. Barrington, will come with me to Madame Claudette’s.
I wish to be certain everything is thoroughly settled, so we can avoid any further surprises, no matter which decision Patty Moore makes. ”
“It is so hard to know how much the choice would truly be hers. That Buxton man appeared to influence her every word.”
“Yes, this is why I am taking Mr. Barrington with me. To make sure that the decision belongs to the child’s mother. I have no intention of speaking to Buxton more than I must. He is nothing in this circumstance.”
“I fear something will go wrong, and Emily will be taken from us.”
“Elizabeth, I shall not allow that to happen, unless I can see such a measure would benefit the child. Which is certainly not the case presently.”
“There is something that troubles me, and not even you have allayed my curiosity. Why would a young earl, unmarried, with wealth and connections, take the trouble of hosting a strange girl? Why would he need her to keep company with his nieces and nephews?”
Darcy gently caressed her hair, then kissed her hands and struggled to sound light while searching for the right words.
“My dear, I am not certain, I have only some suspicions, as I said last night. I also spoke to my uncle, Lord Matlock, and my cousin Thomas, and this is what I wish to approach with Uncle Darcy. I have heard rumours that Lord Walford used to host all sorts of parties and that the children living in his house are not related to him… that they are mostly orphans, from poor families.”
For a moment, Elizabeth’s face brightened. “Truly? He takes care of orphan children?”
Darcy’s countenance remained dark. The smile froze on Elizabeth’s lips, and the lump in her throat made her speech incoherent.
“Surely you do not mean...NO! It cannot be! Do you suggest that…? Dear Lord, surely you are mistaken!”
“My love, I am not suggesting anything, these are only rumours and speculations. None of us, not even Thomas, are closely acquainted with him. We have never attended any private gatherings in his house. But I confess I was struck with worry when I heard of his intention to take Emily and pay for her company! As you rightfully asked, why would he take the trouble? I was reluctant to share such distressing rumours with you until I had further knowledge.”
“But… So…What is to be done? Are there other children like Emily? How is that possible?”
“Elizabeth, you must calm yourself if you wish to continue this conversation! You are pale, and your hands are trembling! This will not do!”
“I am calm…Do not worry, I am fine…But Fitzwilliam, this is more horrible than I could imagine…I pray you are wrong…When did you begin to suspect?”
“Almost immediately. Sadly, it is not a unique situation among men of consequence. As soon as I heard about nieces and nephews, I wondered who they could be. Walford has no siblings that I am aware of.”
“So … he keeps some strange children in his house? Against their will? Do their parents know the true circumstances? What about Madame Claudette?”
She grew more and more distressed, her countenance hurt and angry, leaving Darcy with regret for sharing his concerns with her.
“Elizabeth, you pretended to be calm, but you are so troubled that you worry me!”
“I am not troubled, my love. Yes, I am…I am troubled because I fear you are right, and I feel furious and helpless! I cannot believe a man of such consequence could indulge himself in such horrible actions, that would hurt innocent and unprotected children!”
“Mr. Barrington has already hired a man to make some discreet but thorough enquiries. A Mr. Dunn, who is proficient in such investigations. It is a most delicate situation, as it involves a man with a significant position within the ton—and most likely several others who are closely acquainted with him! I would not wish to accuse anyone without clear evidence.”
“You have already hired someone? I assume your suspicions must be very strong. I hope you will not allow Emily’s mother any choice, after that revelation!”
“The only choice is between signing the settlement and taking those five hundred pounds, or accepting work in our house to be around Emily. Any other proposal would face my fierce opposition.”
He kissed her hands again, and she leaned her head on his chest for a moment. Again, he was taking upon himself the trouble of solving a situation which seemed hopeless and for which he had no responsibility. Just as he had done with Lydia. Only more dreadful.
“I must leave soon—it is already very late,” Darcy said. “I hope you will calm yourself and betray none of our worries to Georgiana.”
“You must not worry for any of us, Fitzwilliam. Just look after yourself, my dear husband.”
∞∞∞
After a hasty, silent breakfast, Darcy left, under his sister and wife’s worried glances.
Despite her attempt to carry out a light conversation, Elizabeth’s distress increased with every heartbeat.
She began counting the minutes until his return, wondering about his whereabouts, unable to conceal her preoccupation.
Emily joined them, then Mrs. Talbot came, requesting the mistress’s opinion on the dinner menu. Elizabeth listened politely but understood little.
Georgiana easily noticed her preoccupied state. Miss Darcy was well aware of the reason her brother had left so hastily and why her sister-in-law looked more distracted than she had ever seen her before. They spoke briefly, but there was not much to say, they could only wait and pray.