Chapter 3.25
The sun shone as bright as a summer day, revealing a serene, blue sky. The snow was already gone, and the roads were clear.
Darcy looked through the library window, enjoying a large cup of coffee. Another distressing day had begun, but he was prepared to handle it.
A soft knock at the door turned his attention back to the room. Stevens, his valet, entered, together with Sarah, who was holding Emily’s hand.
“Come, come, do not be shy. Take a seat,” he said, and the three looked at him in panic. Sitting in the master’s presence was beyond their imagination, but as Darcy insisted, they reluctantly obeyed. Emily held Sarah’s hand tighter.
“I have called for you as I wish to speak to you in the strictest confidence. I am counting on your absolute discretion, and I must trust your secrecy,” Darcy said in earnest, resuming his place behind the desk.
The three nodded, and he leaned towards Emily.
“Emily, you must promise you will keep the secret too! I am putting all my confidence in you!”
“I will, master,” the girl whispered.
Very well. Tomorrow, we will have a large party here. Mrs. Darcy does not know of it, and I wish for it to be a complete surprise. She must not suspect anything.”
The girl glanced at Sarah, then back to Darcy, uncertain what to do or say.
“Stevens and Sarah are already aware of their assignments. We will have a house full of guests. Mrs. Darcy’s entire family will be here, as well as Lady Matlock, Lord Matlock and my two cousins.”
Emily nodded, waiting, grasping Sarah’s hand.
“Do not worry, master. I will stay downstairs, nobody will see me.”
Darcy’s heart melted for a moment, and he needed to regain enough composure to continue seriously.
“Emily, I do not wish you to stay downstairs. Quite the opposite. I want you to help me take care of Mrs. Darcy’s family, so everybody enjoys their time in our home.”
Emily looked at him in complete astonishment and even Sarah and Stevens were taken aback by such a request.
“Me?” the girl whispered. “But…But…What can I do?” her eyes were wide and tearful, looking at Darcy with a touch of fear.
“Mrs. Darcy has a nephew and a niece, close to your age. Robert is eleven and Rebecca is nine years old. Since you are now part of the family, I would appreciate it if you would take care of them and treat them like they are your guests.”
The girl’s disbelief only increased.
“Me?” she repeated. “I am part of the family?”
“Of course you are.” Darcy smiled. “I trust you are grown up and responsible enough, and I am sure you will quickly become friends. The three of you will spend some time with the adults, but only for a short while. You will dine separately and will entertain yourselves.”
Emily was utterly lost. The master’s request seemed unreal.
“Me? But…But…”
“Only if you wish to. It is a favour you would be doing for Mrs. Darcy and for me.”
Emily nodded solemnly; tears rolled down her cheeks, and she tried to wipe them.
“Why are you crying, my dear?” Darcy asked gently.
“These are happy tears,” the girl explained, sobbing. “Just as Mrs. Darcy said.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“Master… So I do not have to leave?” the girl continued with a trembling voice.
“Leave? Where would you go?”
“Away?”
“Away? My dear, do you still doubt my promise to you? And Mrs. Darcy’s?”
“Oh, I do not doubt, master…”
The child continued to sob, and Darcy felt a sudden lump in his throat. He struggled to hide his emotions from the two servants, who had never seen him in such a state before.
He briefly stroked the girl’s hair.
“Emily, you will not be leaving, except to go with us, to Pemberley. You have no reason to worry anymore. Not ever. Now, may I count on your help with the guests?”
The child nodded again, wiping her face and finally raising her eyes to him.
“Good. Now, let us all return to our duties before Mrs. Darcy wakes up and catches us in our conspiracy!”
His joke was missed by all three, as the emotions were overwhelming for them all. They apologised and left in a hurry, with Emily still holding Sarah’s hand tightly.
Darcy remained alone, pacing and brushing his fingers through his hair.
His promises were not enough to remove the girl’s distrust and fears, and not even bringing her into a safe home was enough to make her forget her past suffering.
What could he expect from those children who were still in danger?
How could he remedy the wrongs done to them?
“Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, Miles?” He turned to the door, surprised that he had not even heard it opening. The butler had no time to reply, as Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared, stepping into the room joyfully.
Darcy met him with a smile.
“Welcome, cousin! I did not expect you so early. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Even two cups! I am glad to see you, Darcy. I arrived last night, and I am on my way to deliver an urgent letter to Colonel Johnson’s wife and children. Then I will return to have breakfast with my parents and later on my father and I are meeting Thomas at the club. You should join us!”
As always, the colonel was joyful and energetic at any hour, despite any problems he had to face.
He rarely allowed any distress to lower his spirits and to wipe the smile from his face.
For a moment, Darcy considered again, with a little trace of jealousy, that he was very much like Elizabeth.
Even after all those months, he could not stop worrying about what would have happened if the colonel had proposed to Elizabeth in Kent.
“So?” the colonel repeated, gulping from the hot cup.
“I am not certain yet. There are many things I have planned for today and Elizabeth and Georgiana have not awoken yet.”
“Georgiana has—I just greeted her a few moments ago. She was with a maid and a young girl—your little protégée, I believe.”
“Yes. So, what do you think of this sordid affair, Richard?”
“Darcy, I confess that I was stunned when I received your letter. My father gave me some more details last night. On second thoughts, few things would surprise me coming from Lord Walford and that marquis cousin of his. By the way, I am not certain how they are related.”
“I am pondering the best way of handling this situation, as soon as possible. I shall see Uncle Darcy later today and hope for his support. His interest in this matter seems to be as great as his revulsion.”
“I say, if we are certain he keeps some children in his house, I can bring several fellows, enter there and take the children out. And give Walford and his cousin some proper, military punishment that will not be easily forgotten!”
Darcy threw his cousin a glance, enough to see that he was only half-joking.
“As much as I am tempted to accept your suggestion, we must not replace one scandal with another. I will keep you updated on what we discover.”
“Do you know that Walford and his cousin are in town now?”
“I do know. I have people watching him.”
“My offer to provide a proper punishment is still ongoing. I can do it in complete secrecy…”
“Richard, let us handle this the proper way for the time being.”
“Ah, yes…the always proper Darcy! You did the same with Wickham, and you gained little else but more distress.”
“I do agree that the children should be taken out of that environment as soon as possible. And there is another question that has arisen: what should we do for their protection? Some of them might have parents, others not. In each case, their living is surely not an easy one, and they could easily fall back into dangerous circumstances. We should have a proper way to shelter and help them. Somewhere like an orphanage.”
“Most orphanages are horrible places, Darcy. I had soldiers who had grown up in such places. Children are abused by the eldest and even by the teachers’ exaggerated severity. They would never learn kindness and honour if nobody showed it to them.”
“I am well aware of that, Richard. What I am thinking is a house, a property, where children can live, play, learn to write and read, learn skills useful for their future. With careful supervision and fair teachers, to educate and lead them by example.”
“Oh, come now, Darcy. Where can you find such a place in the whole of England?”
“I would likely not find it; so I shall find a way to build one. I will speak to Elizabeth immediately after tomorrow’s party. I am sure we could find the means to accomplish it. As Elizabeth and Georgiana said, with the cost of a private ball we could feed fifty children, for several weeks…”
“That is a very noble intention, and the endeavour would be significant. Let me know if I can help in any way. Also, do not hesitate to ask for my mother’s advice. She is a fair and kindhearted woman, even if she does not always show it.”
“I will certainly do so.”
“Very well then—I shall leave you for now. I look forward to seeing your wife’s expression tomorrow at the party!”
“You cannot imagine how anxious I am,” Darcy replied.
They were walking towards the door when it opened, and Elizabeth appeared.
Seeing the colonel, her face brightened with joy, and she hurried to him. He bowed to her ceremoniously, then kissed her hands.
“My dear Mrs. Darcy, you look stunning! Even more charming than when I last saw you. I must say, marriage suits you very well!”
“Thank you, dear sir! My appearance is the perfect reflection of my happiness, and I have your cousin to thank for that,” Elizabeth said, turning a loving glance towards her husband while still holding hands with the colonel.
“I imagine that, and I still wonder about it,” the colonel laughed. “I still recollect how you said that you and Darcy were not the best of friends and how you were arguing all the time at Rosings.”
“I remember too. I still cannot believe that Mr. Darcy has been so generous as to forgive my foolishness,” Elizabeth replied.
“It was not generosity, but utter selfishness, I assure you. Even then I knew that my felicity was bound to you, and I would have done anything in my power to secure it,” Darcy said in earnest.
Elizabeth withdrew her hands from the colonel’s and moved to stand next to her husband.
“It has always amazed me how Fitzwilliam turns every praise into self-blame and rejects any offerings of gratitude,” she said, grasping her husband’s arm.
“Yes, that is him exactly; always proper, always honourable, always doing the right thing. Rather boring, I know,” the colonel jested.
“Cousin, are you not in a hurry?” Darcy mocked him in return.
“I am. I wish you well and hope to meet again very soon. Darcy, we will be at the club this afternoon, in case you consider joining us.”
The colonel left with a last glance at the Darcys. They were standing in the middle of the library, arm in arm, the harmony between them apparent. Even before the door closed, Darcy turned towards his wife and cupped her face in his warm hands, locking his eyes with hers.
“Good morning, my love,” he said, then pulled her closer for a long embrace.
∞∞∞
As he had previously stated, Darcy was uncertain of his schedule. He was waiting for news from Mr. Dunn and Mr. Clarence while trying to keep his mood light for his wife and sister’s sake.
“It is such a lovely day,” Elizabeth said. “Perfect for a walk, would you not agree?”
The question found Darcy still lost in his thoughts. He heard Georgiana agreeing, and attempted to smile.
“It is a lovely day, indeed. I have some fixed engagements, but I encourage you two to enjoy a walk. You should take Sarah and Emily, too, and perhaps Stevens if you wish to.”
“Stevens?” Elizabeth laughed. “My darling, surely you cannot be so cruel to the poor man! I believe the four of us will be a large enough party to be safe in broad daylight, only minutes away from home!”
“As you wish. I promise I will return as soon as possible.”
“Please be careful in your business and do not worry about us,” Elizabeth said. “We will anxiously wait for your return, but that does not mean you should hurry.”
According to the plans, Darcy departed as soon as breakfast ended. Elizabeth and Georgiana remained to enjoy another cup of tea, then rang for Sarah and Emily.
As noon came and went, the day turned even lovelier and warmer. When they eventually left the house, the fresh air tickled their senses. It felt like spring, although Christmas was only a fortnight past.
To their surprise, Hyde Park was slightly animated. People, carriages and horses were taking advantage of the pleasant weather.
“Mrs. Darcy, this is where we fell in the snow!” Emily pointed out joyfully.
“Indeed, my dear.”
“I hope it will snow again,” Emily continued.
“I hope so too,” Elizabeth answered.
“Winters are much longer and colder at Pemberley,” Georgiana interjected. “And the springs are so lovely; everything is flourishing, the colours, the scents, the breeze! I cannot wait to return home!”
“Mr. Darcy said I would go to Pemberley too,” Emily declared. Then panicked and quickly covered her mouth with her palm, glancing desperately at Sarah for help.
“He did?”
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy. We met the master briefly before breakfast. I believe he wished to reassure Emily that she has no reason to worry about being sent away from the family,” Sarah explained to avoid any other enquiries.
“My dear child, are you still worried?” Elizabeth asked, taking the girl’s hand.
“I am not worried anymore, Mrs. Darcy,” Emily replied with genuine honesty.
“Good! I confess I look forward to seeing Pemberley too. I imagine both of us will be surprised. And Sarah too, as she has not seen it either.”
“I would go anywhere with you, Mrs. Darcy,” the girl continued, holding Elizabeth’s hand in one of her own and Sarah’s with the other.
“But you will have to learn to ride!” Georgiana cried. “There is nothing more enchanting than admiring Pemberley’s grounds from a horse.”
“Oh dear, I am afraid we must first admire it from the carriage. Or on foot,” Elizabeth laughed. “It will take a long time until I am able to keep pace with you on a horse, my dear sister.”
In cheerful conversation, they walked around the lake for a while, lighthearted, enjoying themselves until they forgot the time.
Eventually, tired and thirsty, they walked back towards the house. More people had filled the park, and a carriage or a rider passed them every other minute.
On their way to the main gate, they heard the sound of horses and a carriage and then a voice calling to them interrupted their conversation.