Chapter 25
Chapter 25
18 February 1815
Jane nursed Clarissa at her breast while Lizzy sat on the other side of the sofa. It was difficult to believe a fortnight had passed since Clarissa’s birth—since Jane had been found and returned home to Clitheroe House. While she was in that dark, hopeless pit, the hours had crawled by with no heed for the torture she endured nor the torture her family endured at being ignorant of her fate. Instead of five days, she could have sworn she had been held for weeks.
Her husband had been all that was doting since her return. He had spent most of his time at her side, except when Gran, Lizzy, and Amelia called. During those visits, he afforded them their privacy to speak of ladies’ concerns, which left him free to attend the business of the dukedom. When it was just the two of them, Henry’s secretary brought his ledgers to their sitting room, so he could attend to his estate affairs nearby rather than in the study. Yesterday, she had awakened to find him at her escritoire—one of rather feminine design—which had made her grin then tease him in a manner that would have made Lizzy proud. He had appeared silly indeed!
Thankfully, she had not suffered any lasting effects from her bump on the head; however, she still had nightmares of Simon yelling at her, baring his teeth while he raised his pistol, his finger quivering over the trigger. The first few nights, she had awakened with a jolt and a cry when Simon fired his weapon. Every time, Henry held her and crooned soothing words while she sobbed into his chest and trembled in his embrace. At least Simon could never harm her or her loved ones again.
Yet, as Gran explained during one of her calls, time does have a certain healing way to it, and true to her word, the dreams no longer occurred every evening. In fact, Jane’s last nightmare had been two nights ago. What remained would surely fade away altogether one day. She was certain of it.
“Has your husband said anything of you feeding her instead of a nurse?”
She smiled down at her sweet girl and touched her cheek. “After all that has occurred, he is hesitant to bring anyone new into the household. When Lord Bath came to where I was being held in St. Giles, he spoke of a source in this household as well as at Hemel Hill and Lord Bath’s household. The day after Clarissa’s birth, Henry went below stairs and expressed himself on the matter to the servants. From what Sutton has said, he was merciless in his censure and threatened them with the constable since they aided his brother in the kidnapping and what was supposed to be my murder. We have had one maid disappear since, and after Lord Charles made a similar speech to his household, he had a footman and a maid depart. They claimed to have found better positions and let it be known they were leaving, but we cannot discount the timing. After all, Mrs. Deaton’s speech to the servants at Hemel Hill caused two maids to disappear during the night. We pray all traces of Lord Bath’s spies have left us—”
“I suppose trusting most people is difficult after the ordeal you have endured.”
“Very much so. I am thankful for Sutton. I have known her long enough that I can trust her without question, and she is happy to be of aid with the babe. Henry has given no indication he is upset with me nursing Clarissa, and I have no need of a woman to do what I am happy to do. You fed your child, as did Amelia, so ’tis not so uncommon.”
Lizzy’s bubbling laughter filled the room. “Speak of it in a drawing room during a call, and you will discover just how rare it is. Fostering has been discussed more than once while I was in company, and I have learnt to remain quiet on my opinion. Fitzwilliam and I agreed before Alexander was born that we had no wish to send our child out to be fostered with a tenant family. Georgiana was. My husband told me recently that as a young man he found it odd. He was introduced to his baby sister, then only saw her here and there until she was old enough to return.”
Her sister bit her lip and turned on the sofa to face Jane. “We once spoke of matching Georgiana with Lord Charles—I beg pardon—Lord Bath. ’Tis so strange calling him thus.” Henry had accompanied Charles to Bathwick House two days after her safe return. After all, the title and the property all now belonged to Charles. While searching for the ledgers, they found Simon’s handwritten plans to use Charles’s deafness against him—to take his property. How fitting that Charles was now the master of Simon’s!
“Henry and I find it odd as well. The former Lord Bath would despise that his title and holdings now belong to Charles, yet I feel they could not have gone to one more deserving. He has released the servants at Bath House and brought those who have been loyal to him for the past few years. Henry will need to hire replacements but it was my husband’s suggestion for Charles to take the servants with him.
“As for the pairing of Lord Bath and Georgiana, do you still feel the match would be successful? They do not say much to each other beyond a greeting when we are all together, but I have seen her watch him.”
“I have too,” said Lizzy, nodding. “I just do not know if it is due to his good looks or fascination with the language your husband and the servants use to speak to him.”
Jane shrugged. “Until recently, we have not all been in company since we travelled north after last Season. At that time, Lord Bath was still mourning his loss of hearing. Now, he has begun to speak less and less in company. The physician who had experience with deafness in those who once had hearing told him his voice would change, and his valet has let him know how his has altered. He has no wish to make his loss evident to those around him. He will likely not speak to her without provocation.”
With her brow creased, Lizzy crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, many frown upon those who cannot see or hear as though they lack a sound mind. Lord Bath, if one holds a conversation with him, retains every bit of his intelligence. Fitzwilliam has mentioned some of their discussions on estate management. He is impressed by Lord Bath’s knowledge.”
“Henry mentioned Fitzwilliam learnt to speak with him some as well.”
“My husband cannot say much, but yours has been of aid. I want to learn as it seems a prodigiously useful thing to know. I can tell my husband to rescue me from annoying conversationalists in a crowded ballroom and no one would be the wiser.”
Jane laughed and shook her head. “That would be uncharitable.”
“But useful,” said Lizzy, wagging a finger.
“I must admit that I do think pairing Charles with Georgiana would be beneficial for them both. In the right company, he is gregarious, but feels matters keenly, while she is sensitive and would be more likely than most to accept his lack of hearing. He deserves to be loved just as much as anyone else. My heart breaks that he is resigned to a life alone. Henry has chastised him that marriage is a must in case we have thirteen daughters.”
“Thirteen daughters?”
“We do hope for a boy—an heir—one day, but we have little control over what God provides. If it does not happen for us, then Charles must have a son to inherit the dukedom as well as his own title.”
“I agree that they would make a good match,” said Lizzy. “And I do believe that when we have called, if Lord Bath is nearby, Georgiana’s eyes seek him out. She watches him, which is a good sign. We do need a plan of how to throw them together more. He seems unlikely to pursue her without a firm shove, and she would never approach him.”
Jane disengaged the babe, who had fallen asleep, drooling milk down her cheek, and put the child to her shoulder. “I believe the house party I suggested to be the perfect idea. Not at Pemberley, mind you. Georgiana would hide herself away if she were on familiar ground.”
“I agree.”
“Lord Bath mentioned his desire to spend the summer at his new estate and requested we stay for a month complete to ensure all is as it should be. He can see to matters on his own, but he now lacks the confidence. Perhaps if we persuade him to invite you, Fitzwilliam, your children, and of course, Georgiana. Or if you feel it is too much of an imposition, Georgiana could remain with us after you depart London, and we could use the excuse of journeying to Bathwick Abbey before going to Pemberley so she could spend time with him.”
Her sister wagged her finger. “I believe that is our solution. Regardless of Fitzwilliam’s worry, he does tend to keep a protective eye on her. While I do not believe that to be bad, she may behave more freely if we are not there.”
At that moment, the door opened, and Henry strode into the bedchamber. “Mrs. Darcy, I must thank you for making my wife laugh. I was gathering some papers in our sitting room to give to my secretary and heard her through the door. That happy sound is sorely needed in this house of late.”
“I am pleased to be of service,” said Lizzy. “Although, I believe I told you to call me Lizzy as my family does. After all, you are my brother now.”
“Yes, you did make mention of that. Forgive me.”
“There is naught to forgive.” Lizzy hugged Jane and kissed her cheek. As she rose, she faced Henry. “I do hope you have begun making plans for a moat around Clitheroe. If Clarissa is anything like her mother, she will attract all sorts of undue attention.”
Jane laughed while she continued to rub her daughter’s back. “Lizzy!”
“Do not ‘Lizzy’ me. I remember the gentleman who called when you were fifteen. Mrs. Bennet never ceased her raptures about the poetry he wrote for you. After that, John Lucas held a tendre for you. At how many assemblies did he attempt to gain the first set?”
Her cheeks burned the more Lizzy revealed. Henry had never asked of suitors, and she had never elaborated. “Pray, no more.”
“You had a prodigious number of calls when we came to live with Grandmamma and Grandpapa.”
She lowered the baby to her lap. “Lizzy! Enough!”
With a grin, Lizzy executed a careless curtsey. “I shall call tomorrow.”
After she departed, Henry chuckled. “The two of you are so different.” He took Lizzy’s spot on the bed beside Jane and wrapped an arm around her. “What were you discussing before I entered?”
“The possibility of matching Georgiana Darcy with Charles. I mentioned the idea when we broke our journey at Pemberley during the summer.”
“Ah, yes, I do remember you telling me of your matchmaking scheme. She is a quiet young lady. Do you truly believe she and Charles would suit?”
“She is not so quiet when around those she knows well. Lizzy told me Georgiana has mentioned wanting a family of her own, yet she never wishes to partake of a London Season, nor does she seem inclined to promote herself to most gentlemen.”
“Which would be necessary if she desires such a future,” said Henry. “So, how do you propose to match them without letting them know of your plan? I do not believe either would be amenable if they are aware.”
She smoothed Clarissa’s blanket, then caressed her little hand. “I agree. I offered my sister two choices. One would be that we invite their family to Bathwick Abbey for a month during the summer—”
“Charles would despise that. While he prefers the Montfords, Darcys, and Greenes more than anyone of society, he still disappears from their company at times. I believe he becomes overwhelmed. He cannot hear what anyone is saying, and even though I try to keep him in the conversation, following who is speaking has to be difficult with so many in one room.”
“Yet, he would not deny us if we asked,” she said with a sigh. “If you must know, Lizzy felt my other idea to be preferable.”
“Which is?”
“When she and Fitzwilliam depart London, they will leave Georgiana with us on some pretence—perhaps to help with Clarissa—then she will be forced to spend the summer with us at Bathwick.”
“The second seems less contrived, but a month is not much time for a courtship.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “How long before you knew you wanted to marry me?”
He chuckled and kissed her temple. “You caught me out. I was well aware I wanted no one but you before we had courted for a week, but I had to prove myself to you—to earn and be worthy of your love.”
“Do you think matching them will work?”
He took Clarissa from her and placed the babe in the cradle near the bedside. “I do not know if anyone can predict love, but for Charles’s sake, I hope so. Without someone to love and to love him, he will hide himself away at Bathwick and wallow in his misfortunes.”
One layer at a time, Henry stripped off his topcoat, waistcoat, and cravat. He then removed his boots and crawled under the coverlet, drawing her into his embrace. “Enough of my brother and Darcy’s sister for now. I wish to hold you close, kiss you, then sleep for a while with you in my arms.”
“Perhaps you should sleep at night when I am tending to Clarissa’s needs.”
His head shook. “Those quiet moments when you feed her and sing softly to her are some of my most cherished. I should not like to give those up. The more we eschew what is expected, the more I wonder at how much most people miss. In that way, I suppose Simon has done us a favour.”
“The notion would horrify him.”
“It would indeed.” He drew up her chin, so she gazed into his eyes. The intensity within those hazel depths still managed to set her insides aflutter. “Now, let us plan for what I shall do to you after the churching.”
“I should wish to return to Hemel Hill until we must leave town.”
His lips found a sensitive place on her neck. “’Tis not what I meant, but I agree with you,” he said before finding the spot and suckling once more.
She curled her hand around the back of his head, her fingers threading into his chestnut hair. “I believe we should visit the folly on the hill.”
“The folly?” He drew back, his eyebrows dipped in the middle. “Why should you wish to visit the folly?
“Well, I shall not wear my stays, and I shall don one of my bib-front gowns…” Her free hand strayed to his neck and untied his fine lawn shirt.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I believe the folly would be as good a place as any. I eagerly await when we can visit it again.” His lips descended upon hers, and after a long, languid kiss that made her knees knock, he hugged her to him with a groan.
“What did I ever do to deserve you?”
She cradled his face in her palms, so their gazes met. “’Tis not such a difficult question to answer. You loved me.”
The End