Chapter 2.3 #2
She continued to laugh, enjoying her husband’s teasing and his small kisses tantalising the back of her hand.
She vividly recollected the first time he kissed her hand—in the Netherfield library—and that evening in his house when she first felt his lips on her wrist. She shivered just remembering her feelings then and the growth of those feelings, emotions, and sensations during the last weeks.
“But our conversation has made me realise that there are two things I need to purchase without delay.”
“What could they be? I cannot imagine anything missing in this house.”
“One would be a small piano for your apartment. I would like to admire your playing later at night.”
“I would love that very much. And the second?”
Although the room was almost dark and there was no one around, Darcy leant to whisper in her ear.
“A large bathtub.”
She was genuinely puzzled and withdrew a few inches, staring at him. “But there are two—one in each of our apartments.”
“Precisely. I think a larger one—fit for two people—would be more appropriate. One for here and one for Pemberley.”
Her eyes opened widely and her cheeks coloured while amusement spread over his face.
Elizabeth thought of something to reply, but she felt uncertain at how to debate the subject. She tried to put a trace of mockery in her voice as she responded.
“You must know best what purchases are needed in either of our houses, Mr Darcy. I trust your judgement.”
“I thank you, Mrs Darcy. Your trust pleases me exceedingly.”
∞∞∞
The day, spent in sweet teasing and stolen improprieties, was slowly coming to an end.
It was late in the afternoon, and it was getting dark when the couple left the house for a short walk.
It was no longer snowing, but the weather had turned colder. The sky was serene, lit by the stars. As they walked, the snow crunched under their shoes.
Elizabeth walked carefully to avoid slipping. She was holding Darcy’s arm tightly, and from time to time, she intentionally stepped through a pile of fresh snow. Before long, her shoes and lower gown were frozen. Her cheeks turned red as she glanced at her husband frequently.
“There is something else that I must purchase for you,” he suddenly said.
She turned her wondering gaze toward him, her cheeks even more coloured as she remembered their previous conversation. Immediately, her mind was filled with the image of them both, warming together in a large bathtub…
“What is it?”
“A pair of thick, winter boots. And perhaps some trousers to wear under your dress from November to March whenever you walk outside.”
He was so serious that she burst out in laughter.
“You are very thoughtful, sir.”
He put his hands over hers to warm them, his broad smile matching hers.
“Are you cold? Shall we return?”
“Let us stay only a little longer, please.”
“Very well—we will do as you like.”
They took the direction of Hyde Park, with the intention of not going far.
The streets were mostly empty; some fast walkers passed through the park toward their own homes. The prospect of walking in such freezing weather appealed to very few people.
As they spoke quietly, Elizabeth’s attention was drawn to a small bench where an unknown person sat hunched over, apparently trying to fight the cold.
She directed Darcy’s attention to the person, and they approached the bench together. Darcy gently pushed Elizabeth behind him—in an attempt to protect her—then slowly touched the person.
“Hello there. Are you well? May we help you in some way?”
There was a slight movement; then, from behind a thick shawl, the small face of a young woman appeared.
“Are you hurt?” Darcy insisted, and he received a gesture of denial.
“What are you doing here?” Elizabeth spoke with a soft voice, trying to encourage the strange woman. “It is dangerous to stay outside in this weather. Where do you live?”
“Nowhere,” was the weak response. “I mean…”
“Are you waiting for something here? For someone?”
“No…”
Darcy and Elizabeth looked at each other in puzzlement; then he gently took the girl’s arm.
“You cannot stay here in the cold. You will come with us, have some hot tea, and warm yourself.”
An astonished gaze expressed the girl’s disbelief.
“Come with you? But why?”
“Why? Because you will freeze to death here,” Darcy answered decidedly, almost forcing the girl to rise. She seemed unsteady on her feet and fearful to move, but Elizabeth took her other arm.
“Come—do not be afraid. We are Mr and Mrs Darcy. Our house is just around the corner. You will be properly attended. Do not be afraid.”
As they walked together, the cold was so sharp that Elizabeth could barely feel her feet and cheeks.
With horror, she wondered how long the girl had been sitting there and what might have happened to her had they not found her.
She already could barely move; if not for their support, she would have indeed fallen after the first step.
Eventually, they entered the house, and the footmen stared at them in shock.
“Fetch Mrs Hamilton! And Miles!”
Only a minute later, both appeared, and the housekeeper gasped in surprise. Darcy allowed no time for questions.
“We just found this girl on a park bench. She seems frozen, and she might be hurt. Please take proper care of her and let us know how she is. We will be ready for dinner in an hour.”
“Yes—of course. Right away, sir.”
Miles supported the girl to walk downstairs while a maid took her small luggage. The girl still did not speak; she seemed lost and frightened.
“Mrs Hamilton, let us know if we need to fetch a doctor,” Elizabeth added.
“Of course, ma’am.”
Elizabeth and Darcy returned to their rooms, hand in hand. Elizabeth was preoccupied with the strange girl; Darcy was even more affected by his wife’s distress.
“What could be the meaning of this? Poor girl—did you see her face? I think she is no older than Lydia or Georgiana.”
“Yes…it was fortunate that you spotted her.”
“She was lucky, indeed. If we had not gone for a walk…I cannot imagine finding her there in the morning, frozen to death.”
“Do not worry; she will be safe now. We will help her any way we can if she needs assistance.”
Darcy stole a kiss then caressed her hair. “Come, we should change our clothes too.”
He continued to place small kisses along her face—then stopped as he noticed that she was preoccupied. No doubt, the incident affected her deeply, so he cupped her face with his warm palms and made her look at him.
“What is on your mind, my beloved wife?”
“Forgive me…I was just thinking…had you not involved yourself in forcing Wickham to marry Lydia, he might have abandoned her somewhere. She could have been in the same situation…”
“Please, stop! First—I do not think even Wickham would have done something so horrible. Second—even if Lydia were in such a dangerous situation, she would never stay outside to freeze. She is a decided young woman who knows to fight for her well-being if needed. And she has a loving family who would have sheltered her, despite her errors.”
She forced a smile. “True…but your help was no less valuable, nevertheless. Now let us change for dinner. Forgive me for being in such a poor mood.”
His lips rested on her neck and tasted it tenderly.
“I do not want to impose on you just now, but once you are certain the girl is fine, and we have had a quiet dinner, I intend to change your mood, Mrs Darcy.”
Her smile widened, and she put her arms around his neck.
“For this, you will not have to work very hard, Mr Darcy. I have longed to be alone with you.”
They called for Molly and Miles and retired to their rooms. As they were quickly ready, Elizabeth found herself having some time on her hands before dinner. She hesitated a few moments, listened at the door, heard Darcy talking to Miles, and left the room in some haste.
From the time spent in the house—even before their engagement—she knew the surroundings well. She went toward the kitchen and asked about Mrs Hamilton and the girl.
“They are in the third room down the hall, Mrs Darcy. Shall I fetch them?”
“No—no, I will go there. Thank you.”
As she approached, she heard Mrs Hamilton, another maid, and a small, lost voice.
“You must not be afraid. You are fortunate: you happen to be in the house of the most generous mistress ever. Mrs Darcy is the most kind and considerate young lady,” the maid said.
“And so is the master,” Mrs Hamilton quickly added, and Elizabeth smiled to herself.
“I…I do not want to intrude…I will leave right away. Thank you for your care…”
“But where will you go? Do you have family in London?”
“I have an aunt…she works at a small inn…but she is not in Town now. She will help me go back to my family. They live near Oxford…in a small village…”
“But you cannot leave now in the middle of the night. The mistress will not allow it. You may leave tomorrow if you want.”
“But I cannot give you so much trouble. I thank you, but—”
“Nonsense—I am going to talk to Mr and Mrs Darcy now,” Mrs Hamilton concluded, and Elizabeth stepped forward, knocking on the open door. Immediately, everyone rose to their feet. Elizabeth smiled kindly and asked them to sit. The maid brought a chair for Elizabeth then apologised and left.
Elizabeth looked at the woman; she was young and handsome. Her cheeks, recovered after the cold, were red and complemented her dark eyes. She mostly looked at the floor and barely held Elizabeth’s gaze.
“I thank you for your kindness, Mrs Darcy. I beg you to forgive me for all the trouble. I told Mrs Hamilton…I will leave at once…”
“Do not worry…there is no trouble. What is your name?”
“Maud…Maud Lovell, ma’am…”
“And how old are you?”
“I am eighteen.”
“Maud, will you tell me what you were doing in the park? I just want to know how we can help you.”
“I thank you, ma’am…I am sorry…”
“Do you know someone in Town? Can we offer you a carriage to go somewhere? Or to send for someone?”
“I have an aunt…I went to talk to her, but she is not in Town. She will return in two days and…”