Chapter 3.29 #2
“For now, we will do what we can. They are staying in the servants’ wing and slowly recovering.
They are silent and frightened. They barely eat and barely speak.
Mrs. Talbot has placed them in two large chambers and they hardly leave their rooms at all.
Walking or playing outside is unthinkable.
I fetched the doctor to examine them—apparently, they are unharmed, from what he could see. ”
“Could you find out anything from them? About Walford?”
“Not at the moment. As I said, they barely speak. Elizabeth and Georgiana visit them several times a day, but they seem frightened even of the ladies. I cannot even tell you how terrified they are to see me. They are much more at ease with the servants than with us. And Emily is very caring with them—she has suddenly turned into their protector.”
“Emily has recovered quite well, from what I see,” the colonel said.
The girl was playing in the corner of the room, on a small table, with Robert and Rebecca Gardiner.
“Yes. Once she began to really trust us, her improvement was remarkable. Elizabeth and Georgiana are very attached to her and very proud of her progress. You cannot imagine how much a little affection and care can change a child.”
“That is lovely. But what next? What will you do with the other six?”
“We will host them for the time being. At least here they are safe, warm and fed. Mr. Clarence and my solicitors are working out the proper way to handle the situation. I intend to reunite them with their families if that can be done in a safe way and if they are willing. And if we are able to find the families.”
“You just said that the families could not take care of them.”
“What matters is to help the parents support the children. Provide the father employment of some sort to earn his living...I am not certain yet…”
“And if not?” the colonel enquired.
“If not, we will take one step at a time. I have spoken to Elizabeth, and we intend to build a school for orphan children near Lambton too.”
“Darcy, you have placed another heavy burden on your shoulders. More responsibilities.”
“Perhaps, but it comforts me to know that I have taken the burden from the children’s weak shoulders. I can carry it, they could not. Bingley and Jane are also willing to help us. We will find a way.”
“Let me know how I may help.”
“I will. Lady Matlock has already been exceedingly helpful. Now, let us return to the others. We have every reason to be joyful and grateful, Richard. Our troubles are far less than our blessings,” Darcy concluded, his gaze meeting Elizabeth’s intrigued glance.
He smiled at her, and her face lit up as she waited for her husband to approach her.
“I hope you are having a pleasant time, gentlemen,” Elizabeth said when they were close.
“As always,” the colonel replied, bowing to her. “You are an excellent host, my dear Mrs. Darcy. Now please excuse me, I need another drink.” He joined the other gentlemenLord Matlock, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner and Bingley—allowing Darcy a moment with his wife.
In a room full of people, Darcy could not resist taking his wife’s hand and kissing it.
“You are indeed an excellent host, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Hardly,” she laughed. “I have so many people helping me, that I do not have much to do. But I confess I am pleased and relieved to see everybody enjoying themselves.”
“So am I. Georgiana said we have never had so much joy in our home. And I could not agree more. You have brought joy into our lives, my dear Elizabeth.”
“I have brought very little compared with what I have received, husband. The kindness you and Georgiana have shown to my family is everything I have ever dreamed of.”
“We are slowly learning to enjoy large gatherings, after years of quiet and privacy,” he smiled.
“I understand you have invited everyone to Pemberley for the summer?”
“Yes. I must compensate for last summer when you only stayed a few days,” he joked. The painful memories of those days had begun to fade and mentioning them was less painful.
“I look forward to seeing Pemberley again,” she whispered. “I left part of my heart there last summer.”
“If it was only up to me, I would leave for Pemberley immediately,” Darcy declared. “I have dreamed of having you there for so long…”
“So would I. But I have promised Lady Matlock we will remain in town at least until the beginning of the season. She secured me the invitation at Almack’s, and she is so pleased with her success that I do not dare disappoint her.”
“I know; we will keep our word and attend our engagements. I am grateful to my aunt for her support, and it is worth sacrificing our comfort for a little while.”
“My love, you and Richard looked very serious when you were talking earlier. Too serious for a dinner party,” she teased him. “All is well, I hope?”
“Yes. We were talking about the children.”
“I see…”
“He believes we have taken on too many responsibilities, put too big a burden upon ourselves. I disagreed.”
She rewarded him with a smile. “If there is love, there is no burden,” Elizabeth said. “Besides, you have always taken many responsibilities upon yourself, Mr. Darcy. This is only one of the many things that makes you the best man I have ever met. A man without faults,” she teased him.
“As I told you a year ago, Mrs. Darcy, that would not be possible for anyone. I have faults enough, as you well know,” he whispered.
“If you do, they must be hidden behind your excellent qualities, as I have not seen them lately,” Elizabeth replied lovingly.
They were in the middle of the gathering, sharing a smile and a gaze that seemed heavy with meanings.
The others did not miss the small exchange.
With different feelings, the guests looked at the couple that seemed oblivious to anything except each other.
There was still much ahead of them, more problems to be solved, more obstacles to overcome.
But nobody doubted their success, as they witnessed the power of the Darcys’ locked gaze and their hands held together.
Then, with astonishment and disbelief, they watched Mr. Darcy—the most proper of men—claiming a brief kiss from his wife, a most improper gesture to be displayed publicly.
The Matlocks shook their heads with amusement, the Gardiners and the Bingleys exchanged a quick smile, Georgiana, Kitty and Mary blushed and hid their amusement, the children chuckled, and Mrs. Bennet gasped.
Mr. Bennet held his glass tightly, struggling to fight the tears of joy that burned his eyes.
Any remaining doubts he had about his favourite daughter’s marriage to such a worthy, yet arrogant and proud man had vanished.
He met his wife’s gaze and for the first time in a long while, he could see they were in complete agreement.
And there was no better occasion for such a joyous moment than the first Christmas of the rest of their lives.