Chapter 2.5
For the first time in his eight and twenty years, Darcy met his cousin Robert Fitzwilliam with uneasiness and held his gaze for no longer than a moment.
He was afraid that his expression would betray the reason for his delay.
Colonel Fitzwilliam knew him well enough to notice any particular disposition—and yes, Darcy was indeed in a delicious mood.
The colonel was also very perceptive; he had quickly observed the small gesture of Darcy’s touching Elizabeth’s shoe under the table at the first dinner they had together.
The same evening Mr Bennet arrived with the shocking revelation of Lydia’s elopement.
The same evening his plan to propose to Elizabeth was ruined by Wickham.
Happily, all was past now, and Darcy attempted to hide his thoughts behind a glass of brandy after he filled Robert’s half-empty one.
“Forgive me for barging in uninvited. I hope I did not disturb you.”
“You need no invitation to visit us, Cousin. I am always pleased with your company—and so is Elizabeth.”
“I am relieved to hear that.”
Darcy felt the colonel’s intense gaze; he did not say that the impromptu call did not disturb them. Without a doubt, the colonel caught his meaning.
“Elizabeth will come to greet you shortly. She was not ready to receive guests.”
“I understand. I do not want to bother either of you.
I just want to ask whether you are open to going to the theatre tomorrow.
Mama is very eager to see the new performance of Hamlet with some new actor in the leading role; apparently, he is the latest ‘most admired man on stage.’“ The colonel’s voice expressed complete boredom, and his plea to Darcy was full of hope.
Darcy laughed. “So why are you so displeased?”
“Well, there will be my parents, plus Lord and Lady Pemberton with their daughter Marianne, the Countess of Wellford with her second husband and her stepdaughter Sophia, and of course, Thomas and Beatrice.”
“Only friends and family.” Darcy laughed again. “So you came to beg me to keep you company and save you from Lady Marianne.”
The colonel rolled his eyes. “You are very amusing and full of humour now that you are married. I remind you that you have promised my mother to attend this spectacle since December.”
“I did no such a thing.”
“Of course, you did—when Georgiana started feeling better. But that was before Miss Bennet came to Town and before you decided to wed in a few weeks. I can see why you forgot.”
“Do not be jealous, Cousin. A determined man does not delay things unnecessarily. Since I was convinced I must marry Elizabeth, there was no reason to wait longer. But yes, now I remember my promise. I cannot disappoint Lady Ellen. I shall speak to Elizabeth, and if she has nothing against it, we shall come.”
“Against what?” Elizabeth smiled from the doorway.
Her appearance was beyond reproach; only her cheeks were still crimson. The cross pendant and the earrings glowed on her skin as she graciously greeted the visitor.
The colonel bowed to her then kissed her hand with warm politeness.
“Mrs Darcy, please allow me to tell you that you look more beautiful every time I meet you.”
“You are very kind, Colonel. It is always a pleasure to see you. And I hope you will address me by my given name from now on. We are family.”
“Of course, Elizabeth—I would be honoured. And I must say those jewels are exceedingly flattering to your figure.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks and neck coloured even more, and the colonel thought it was a lovely sign of her modesty. Darcy took her hand and helped her to the settee as she replied to their guest.
“I thank you. I just received them earlier from William. It has been a week since our wedding.”
“I see…” The colonel seemed suddenly uneasy, and he looked from one to the other, realising that he indeed had intruded.
Darcy indicated he should sit and filled his glass once again.
“My dear, Robert reminded me that I promised to attend a play tomorrow night. It is a performance of Hamlet with a new actor. Would you like to go? My aunt and uncle will be there with several other guests and also my cousin Thomas and his wife, Beatrice.”
“But please do not let that discourage you,” the colonel intervened, and Elizabeth laughed aloud while Darcy threw him a reproachful glance.
“Mrs Darcy…Elizabeth, please forgive my improper mockery. The truth is I am very fond of my brother; he is an excellent man. But I am not equally happy with his choice of a wife. My sister-in-law and I are not the best of friends.”
“I am sorry to hear that, Colonel. I met your brother, Lord Buxton, and Lady Beatrice at Lady Ellen’s ball.
From what I heard, Lady Beatrice is the daughter of a marquess and one of the most admired young heiresses in Town with a considerable fortune and excellent connections.
Perhaps she just needs more time to adapt to your family.
I am confident that things will turn out well in the end. ”
The colonel did not miss the subtle reference to Lady Beatrice’s situation in life, and he could not deny that both his parents had approved of her enthusiastically at the beginning and highly supported Thomas’s intention to marry her.
Unfortunately, Lady Ellen proved wrong in her estimation that time.
“Well, they have been married for quite some time now, and things have not improved in the slightest,” he said, taking another gulp of brandy.
“If your brother is happy with his choice, that is what matters most, is it not?” Elizabeth added.
“Indeed…if only he were happy.”
Elizabeth continued with a slightly sharp, teasing voice. “I imagine you were not very happy with Mr Darcy’s choice of a wife, either, but I dare say things improved in time between us.”
“I cannot deny that. But I will tell you what I told my mother even before she met you: my opinion about you changed the moment I saw how happy Darcy was in your presence. I would be very content if my sister-in-law would look at my brother the way you look at my cousin.”
Elizabeth’s smile paled with emotion, and she found nothing more to say. Darcy took her hand to his lips.
“It will be a pleasure to spend a lovely time with all of you at the theatre,” Elizabeth concluded politely, and she quickly turned the conversation to Georgiana, whom she had not seen in a few days and truly missed.
They were interrupted by the sudden entrance of Dr. Harris. At seeing the colonel, the doctor apologised even before he had time to greet them and attempted to leave the room.
Darcy invited him to join them, and the doctor hesitantly accepted.
“Forgive my intrusion, Mr Darcy. I came to check on my patient, and I wished to take this opportunity to give my regards to you and Mrs Darcy. I shall not bother you any longer.”
“Sir, please stay only a moment and have a drink with us,” Darcy replied.
“And how is the girl?” Elizabeth inquired.
“She is improving. Her state is still not entirely satisfactory, but Mrs Hamilton reported to me that she refuses to keep to her bed. Fortunately, she is warm and benefits from proper food and care, so I trust she will be her usual self in a few days.”
“Did Mrs Hamilton offer you the remuneration for your services?”
“Yes, ma’am, of this I never worry in regard to Mr Darcy.”
The colonel looked at them in complete puzzlement, and as soon as the doctor’s short visit ended, Darcy gave him details regarding the new addition to their household.
“If not for Elizabeth, most likely the girl would have frozen to death,” Darcy concluded.
“Yes, it was quite fortunate. Sadly, such situations are not rare. The master and mistress have complete power over the lives of their servants. God knows what stupid error this girl had done, and she was thrown out with no mercy. You know, I do not think anyone else living in this part of Town would take the trouble to even speak to someone lost on a bench in the park.”
“I am sure anyone would have done the same, Colonel. Or at least, you and William would,” Elizabeth said warmly.
“Yes, well—perhaps. Now, I feel I have stayed too long. My mother is waiting for me at dinner, and she allows no delay. She will be happy to hear you will join us tomorrow.”
“So are we. I am sure it will be at least four very entertaining hours.”
“My servant will bring some wine. I always prefer to have my own in such cases,” the colonel said.
Colonel Fitzwilliam left after a visit that lasted an hour and a half, promising to convey their warm greetings to Georgiana and his parents.
Mr and Mrs Darcy informed the staff they would have dinner in their apartment, and in the privacy of their rooms, they continued the celebration of their first “anniversary.”
The next morning found Elizabeth sleeping soundly in her husband’s tight embrace, wearing nothing but the jewels he gave her and a trace of their shared passion.
∞∞∞
Immediately after breakfast, Mrs Hamilton inquired whether they had reached a decision about Maud. The young woman had asked to be given more tasks—to be helpful to the house.
“Please bring her here. We will talk to her, then Mrs Darcy will decide the best course of action,” Darcy said, and the housekeeper exited to comply with his request. Elizabeth smiled at her husband.
“I understand her family is lacking the means to support themselves. And her aunt works as a servant at that inn. I doubt she can be of much help. Could we offer her an assignment in the house?”
“We could…but I want to know where she stayed before and the reason for her leaving. I have always avoided hiring people we cannot trust, even if their situation is pitiful.”
“I understand…I find your reasoning very wise.”
“However, I will accept any decision you make. You are the mistress of the house,” he said, briefly kissing her hand.
The young woman entered behind Mrs Hamilton as if she were trying to hide.
“I am pleased that you look better,” Elizabeth said kindly, noticing the girl’s unusual pallor.
“I thank you for your generous help, ma’am. I am truly grateful.”