Chapter 54 The Long Vigil
Elizabeth was bathing when a tap sounded upon the connecting door.
“Come in,” she called. The soft tread of boots crossed the wooden floor. Though hidden from view, she recognized him at once. She knew the rhythm and weight of his footfalls as well as she knew her own heartbeat.
He came around the privacy screen and flashed her a grin. “Mrs. Darcy, you are looking very fine. Very fetching.”
Water ran down her face as she poured clean water from a jug to rinse the soap from her hair. Setting the jug aside, she wiped her eyes.
“Sir, you are exceedingly partial to me if, finding me in such a state, you still think me fine.”
His gaze traveled over her.
“Yes, ma’am. Very fine indeed.” He picked up the pitcher and filled it. “I see there is still soap in your hair. Shall I give you another rinse?”
Laughing, she said, “Yes, if you please.”
He poured the water over her head while she shielded her eyes with her hands. When he had finished, she pushed the wet curls from her face and asked, “Sir, would you hand me my towel? You have frightened Gibbs away.”
“She is not frightened, Elizabeth. She is well-trained and knows better than to remain in the room when your husband is present.”
She took the towel and dried her eyes with one corner. Then she rose and allowed the water to run from her for a moment before wrapping the towel about herself. He offered his hand and steadied her as she stepped from the copper tub.
“Mrs. Darcy, I am tempted to embrace you now, but as I am still covered in dust and dirt, and smell of the stable, I shall restrain myself. Reeves is drawing my bath at present. I understand your brother-in-law has arrived.”
She grimaced. “Yes, and he is as detestable as ever. I do not know how Mary shall endure living with him for the next forty years.”
“Darling, the human mind possesses a remarkable ability to adapt to nearly any circumstance. Regardless, we are given but one day at a time. Anyone can endure the trials of a single day.”
He kissed her wet mouth and then excused himself to bathe and dress for dinner.
That evening, Mr. Collins proved respectful and personable, answering the questions put to him while otherwise attending quietly to his meal. Elizabeth observed him closely and concluded that his agreeable conduct owed much to the presence at the table of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Selkirk.
When Elizabeth rose and led the young ladies from the room, the three gentlemen remained behind, enjoying a fine brandy while discussing the next day's hunt.
“Mr. Darcy, I should be interested in riding out with the hunting party tomorrow,” Collins said.
Darcy raised a brow. “Mr. Collins, Elizabeth informs me that your wife will most likely deliver tomorrow. Would you not wish to remain at her side?”
“To speak candidly, sir, the midwife has not permitted me entry to the lying-in chamber, citing that it is not considered proper. The hours of waiting are exceedingly tedious.”
“Very well, sir. You are welcome to join us. We expect it shall be a short day, as a storm threatens. Are you an experienced rider?”
“I have never participated in a hunt. I ride in the course of my duties, but I make no claim to being a horseman. I will carry no weapon. I should be perfectly content to follow along and observe the proceedings.”
“I will arrange a steady, seasoned mount for you, Mr. Collins. So long as you remain behind the others, I doubt you shall come to any harm. You are, of course, welcome to return to the house at any time.”
Collins nodded, his expression one of satisfaction, and lapsed once more into silence.
A short while later, Darcy rose to his feet. “We ought to join the ladies before it gets much later.”
The three gentlemen sat in a grouping of chairs that allowed them to continue their earlier conversation while each of the three sisters took their turn at the pianoforte. When Mr. Selkirk excused himself at nine, the family retired for the night.
Elizabeth went upstairs to Mary's room and found matters much as they had been three hours earlier. The two midwives were taking turns attending her sister. Elizabeth had prepared the adjoining bedchamber, and Mrs. Harwood was presently asleep there.
Elizabeth was sent to bed, for there was nothing she could do for Mary, who was dozing between contractions.
She was slipping beneath the covers when Darcy entered the room.
“How is your sister, Elizabeth?”
“Much the same as before, poor thing. She has been in hard labor for hours, and the only encouraging news is that both infants have moved into the proper position for birth. The midwives expect her to labor throughout the night.”
Darcy climbed into bed beside his wife.
“Elizabeth, you are not going to like this, but Mr. Collins intends to join us on the hunt tomorrow. I attempted to dissuade him, but he insists the hours of waiting are too tedious.”
Elizabeth huffed. “Despicable.”
Darcy added, “At least he possesses good table manners. He gave us no cause for embarrassment in Selkirk’s presence.”
“At least he spared us that,” Elizabeth agreed.
“What sort of husband leaves on a hunt when his wife is in labor? Rather than seeking to divert himself, he would be better employed waiting to learn whether his wife and children survive the birthing process. He cannot understand that the birth of twins carries considerable danger for both mother and infants.”
Darcy slipped an arm beneath Elizabeth’s shoulders and drew her close until her head rested upon his chest.
“Perhaps he has no love for his wife. I know that I should be in the room with you, seeing how you fare and doing whatever lies within my power to ensure your comfort and safety. I could not endure sitting outside, uncertain of your condition.”
She ran her fingers lightly across his lips. “That gladdens me, Fitzwilliam. I shall be comforted knowing you are with me.”
“Shall I refuse to take him with us?”
“No, take him. If he does not wish of his own accord to remain with her, then I do not want him here. We have no need of that malcontent in the house. The hours will pass more easily if he is not underfoot.”
There was a note of anger in her tone.
Darcy lifted his head so that he could better see her face.
“Has he behaved improperly toward you, Elizabeth?”
“No, sir. He has crossed no boundaries.”
“But?”
She remained silent. She must tread carefully with Fitzwilliam. She had not forgotten how he had dealt with Lord Dunwich.
“Elizabeth,” he said quietly, “did he say or do anything that was improper?”
“He is an imbecile, sir, who knows no better than to govern his tongue. It was nothing.”
“If it was nothing, then it should not cost you to tell me what occurred.”
He was not going to let the matter rest.
“Mr. Collins remarked that had I chosen him, I might have looked forward to living in my childhood home for the rest of my life. I told him he misunderstood me, and he answered that I had overlooked my father’s heir, because I had been determined to secure a gentleman possessed of ten times the consequence.
When I took exception to the remark, he apologized, saying that although it was true, he ought not to have mentioned it because it was impolitic.
At that point, I excused myself and left him.
I refused to remain in company with such a boor. ”
Darcy remained silent after Elizabeth finished her account.
“Sir, you are very quiet. I should like to know what you are thinking.”
“Elizabeth, since he is my brother-in-law, I cannot take him to task. Nor can I administer the sort of correction I gave Dunwich. I was merely considering my options, and I find none of them particularly satisfactory.”
She propped herself upon one elbow and peered through the darkness, trying to make out his face.
“Please, Fitzwilliam, promise me you shall take no action. I shall remain at Mary's side tomorrow, and you may be certain I shall never again find myself alone in a room with him.”
She could make out his profile as he stared up at the canopy above them. He was thinking. Elizabeth remained silent until he finally turned to face her.
“Very well. I shall take no action against him. He is a near relation, and your sister lies in this house, laboring. He shall be with us during the hunt tomorrow morning, and I shall send him back to Kent soon after your sister is delivered.”
She settled once more against his chest. “Thank you, sir.”
She lay quietly, listening to the steady beat of his heart. When his hand drifted to the small of her back, she lifted her head and found his mouth.
After that, neither Darcy nor Elizabeth spared another thought for Mr. Collins or any other concern. Wrapped in the quiet of her bedchamber and the comfort of his arms, nothing existed beyond his caresses.
Elizabeth woke to kisses pressed along her collarbone. She felt the roughness of his unshaven jaw against her skin and opened her eyes to find her handsome husband gazing down at her. The shadow of his beard lent him an especially masculine appearance. A soft sound of pleasure escaped her.
He propped himself upon one elbow and looked into her eyes.
“Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, you are entirely too enticing.”
He caught a lock of her hair between his fingers before burying his face in its curls.
“I am dragging myself away only because I cannot keep Selkirk waiting.”
Bending down, he kissed her deeply. When he finally drew back, a sound suspiciously like a growl escaped him.
“I am a newly married man. How can I be expected to leave my bride to attend to all the demands of family and estate?”
She giggled. “Poor Mr. Darcy. Burdened with a large estate, a fine house, and a wife who adores him. Such burdens would crush a lesser man.”
“You dare to mock me, Mrs. Darcy?” He brushed kisses across her brow, her nose, and finally her lips.
“Goodbye, darling. I must dress, eat, and be off if we are to accomplish anything before the storm arrives.”
“Take care, Fitzwilliam.”
“I will, darling.”
He stole one final kiss before reluctantly slipping out of her bed.
“I have ordered food baskets, and we shall take the gig in case Mr. Collins proves unable to keep up. If necessary, he can drive himself back.”
He rose and, after one last glance in her direction, departed.
Elizabeth rose as well. She ought to see how Mary progressed.
The morning passed with excruciating slowness. Elizabeth felt as though twenty-four hours had elapsed instead of just four.
She stepped into the hall to check on her sisters. Chairs had been moved there especially for them, and both young women rose when they saw her.
“Nothing yet, girls. Mary has dozed off for a little while, so I came out to see how you are carrying on.”
They resumed their seats and reached for their knitting, eager to show Elizabeth their progress.
Georgiana held up her work. “We are knitting for the Christmas baskets that shall be distributed to the tenants. See, these are caps for the children.”
Elizabeth took the knitting into her hands and ran her fingers over the wool.
“Georgiana, this is lovely. The wool is very fine, and the bright red is such a cheerful color.”
Georgiana reached into her knitting bag and withdrew a blue skein of yarn.
“This is the color we are using for the boys. Once Kitty becomes more proficient, I shall teach her how to knit mittens.”
Elizabeth examined their work with approval.
“These are beautifully knitted, sisters. I am impressed, and I am certain the children shall be delighted with them. Georgiana, prepare a knitting bag for me. I shall work on a cap while I sit with Mary. I have grown weary of reading and could use the distraction.”
“Have we had any word from the hunt?”
“No, Lizzy, nothing,” Kitty replied. “But at least it has not begun to rain.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I am going to see Mrs. Reynolds to discuss the dinner menu. Send for me immediately if Mary has need of me.”
The waiting was wearisome, and Elizabeth was tired and wished the babies would simply be born.
Her thoughts drifted to Lydia. Who would have sat beside her in India had she carried her child to term?
But there was no purpose in dwelling upon such questions.
It would never come to pass. Lydia was gone.
After spending a quarter of an hour with Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth went to the library and stepped through the French doors into the garden. She wandered among the roses and paused to admire the riot of color when one of the footmen came running toward her.
“We have word from the hunt, mistress. Mr. Collins has sustained an injury.”
He handed her a small piece of paper. A note in Fitzwilliam’s hand.
Dread settled in her stomach as she unfolded the paper. For a moment, she could scarcely comprehend what he had written.