Chapter 15 #2
“Henry was a fine man who did not deserve to be struck down by a runaway cart, but after he died, I no longer had to pretend I was a cheerful bride. In my heart, I was not disappointed it would just be me and my baby and then. . .then everything was taken from me.”
Elizabeth embraced her sister. “Jane, you will be able to smile again, I promise you. Now, get home safely, and I shall see you tomorrow. Come as early as you wish—Fitzwilliam is proud of the progress the builders are making and will be busy showing Mr. Bingley the construction for hours.”
* * *
Bingley arrived midday, and he and Darcy walked towards the manor house. They carefully made their way inside where the sound of sawing and hammering made conversation difficult. Darcy took pride in showing his guest the progress.
“If we walk towards the southern wing, it will be quieter. We are rebuilding the north side of the house first: kitchen and servants’ quarters, a small dining room, and a drawing room on this floor, as well as the family quarters upstairs.
Georgiana’s suite is well under way. The southern wing can wait until this first phase is finished.
I am anxious to have Elizabeth and the baby living here as quickly as possible. ”
“From the sound of things, the rooms should be finished before too long. The damage is much more extensive than I imagined, yet it is remarkable to see how much you have already done. Do you have any idea how the fire started and why it caused such widespread damage? When I learnt what happened, my first thoughts were that a lit candle left near the draperies or a spark from a fireplace caused a carpet to catch fire.”
“The blaze was started in the middle of the night in rooms where there were no lit candles. Shortly after the fire, I met with the local constable, and he said there was evidence that the fire was intentionally started.”
“What?” Bingley’s mouth and eyes were wide. “Who would do such a thing?”
“There is no need to say more than the culprit has been found and brought to justice.”
“I understand. If there is anything I can do for you when I return to London, you need only ask.”
“Thank you, Bingley. You have always been a good friend to me.”
“I wonder if you can explain how Mrs. Darcy got that burn on her face.”
Darcy replied with a knowing smile. “People often mistake it for a burn. In fact, she was born with it. There is no treatment for it, and once you spend more time with her, you cease to notice the mark exists. When Elizabeth and I realized how much we loved each other, we no longer saw ourselves as others do because the cottage is enchanted. I see her without her birthmark, and she sees me without my scars. We look at each other through the eyes of love. Mrs. Reynolds told us enchantment is the oldest form of medicine, and it has certainly cured any problems we had before the wedding.”
“If you believe it, I am thrilled for you and Mrs. Darcy.” Bingley shook his head. “Fitzwilliam Darcy lives in an enchanted cottage. I dare not tell anyone else—they would cart me off to Bedlam!”
They stood outside the remains of the study and discussed Darcy’s plans for its restoration.
“Until this section of the house is rebuilt, I shall work at a desk in the new upstairs sitting room. I found I do not need much room: since the fire, I have been using a small desk in the cottage library, and it has sufficed.”
“Will you tell me more about Miss Horton? Why is your wife’s maiden name Bennet?”
“She is Mrs. Horton and was widowed last year, not long after her marriage. Elizabeth and Jane have always been the closest sisters and best friends, and my wife asked me if her sister could live with us when the family wing was ready. She accepted our offer and, in the meantime since I own several small estates nearby, she has been living at Stockton Hall since October. It is less than an hour away, so she has her privacy when she wants it, but visits us quite often.”
* * *
They had all gathered in the drawing room before dinner when Bingley noticed the etchings on the glass.
“What is all this writing on this window?” Darcy explained the history before he pointed out his and Elizabeth’s names and showed Bingley the etching tool.
“So, all these people lived in the cottage?”
“Until the fire, the only time anyone stayed here was on their wedding night. This cottage is full of all the love our predecessors had for each other as well as the love I have for my wife.”
“And I for my husband. Now, pray, follow me to the dining room. I cannot wait a moment longer—this baby makes me hungry all of the time!”
* * *
The dinner conversation was lively, and everyone learnt more about the others at the table. The sisters spoke of their family and the changes their father’s death brought to their lives.
Bingley told them that his older sister, Louisa, and her husband recently left London to live at his family’s estate in Essex.
“Thankfully, Caroline is now married to a wealthy gentleman from Shropshire whose family also has a house in London. She seems pleased with her situation, and it is a great relief she is no longer my responsibility, and I need not spend time with her.”
“Is she not your sister?” Elizabeth asked.
Bingley sat back; his head tilted. “Has your husband never spoken of Caroline to you?” Elizabeth shook her head.
“My younger sister was far from subtle in her schemes to ingratiate herself into Darcy’s life.
For years, she had the nasty habit of loudly denigrating any woman she sensed might be her competition for Darcy’s attention.
I believe she assumed Darcy inviting us to spend several weeks at Pemberley every summer was the perfect opportunity to create a situation with the appearance of impropriety and force him to do the honourable thing.
She finally gave up on making Darcy her husband when she heard about Pemberley being destroyed and the extent of my friend’s injuries.
She saw that she could neither be mistress of the estate as it once was nor be seen dancing with Darcy during the Season, so Caroline decided to look elsewhere.
In my opinion, what ultimately dissuaded her from pursuing Darcy was when she heard about the theft of the Darcy jewels. ”
Elizabeth quirked her eyebrow at Darcy, and he huffed.
“I never paid Miss Bingley any attention and certainly did nothing to make her think I had any interest in her becoming my wife. She was my guest only because I wished Bingley to spend time here, and he could not accept my invitation without bringing his family. While they were my guests, I kept my door locked, and Kenton slept in my chamber. Miss Bingley assumed that if she criticised and demeaned every other woman in the room, it would make her look better. She never understood that I would never marry anyone as scheming and heartless as she.”
“Was she as bad as all that?” Jane asked. Elizabeth was right, Jane was too kind.
Bingley pressed his palms together. “Mrs. Horton, from the moment she met him, my sister was single-minded in her quest to be Mrs. Darcy. When we were all together, she did everything she could to display how perfect she would be as the mistress of Darcy’s estate.
Caroline deceived herself into believing if she were mistress of Pemberley, the stench of our family’s money coming from trade would disappear and she would gain access to the highest echelons of the ton.
When she learnt all about the fire, she accepted the hand of a man who, although untitled, was the second son of a baron and wealthy in his own right. ”
Darcy then turned to Jane. “One evening at dinner, she told Georgiana that a woman cannot attract a man unless she has a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages. She professed that in order to be called a lady it was imperative a woman possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking. These were all the accomplishments of which she wrongly assumed she herself could boast. She stated that a lady must expand her mind by extensive reading, even though no one had ever seen Miss Bingley with a book in her hand! Of course, it was all nonsense, but that night Georgiana came to me in tears, concerned that she could never meet Miss Bingley’s definition of a lady.
I assured her that when the time came, she would marry someone who loved her just the way she was.
I am glad your sister is content and far away from Derbyshire, Bingley.
I married the most wonderful woman in England, although,” he paused, “I recently learnt she cannot draw! Perhaps I should reconsider. . .”
Elizabeth rubbed her belly. “It is too late for that, my dear!” Everyone laughed and the evening ended on a happy note.
* * *
“What is your impression of Bingley?” Darcy asked later that night in their chambers.
“He appears to be everything a gentleman should be—kind, handsome, and well spoken.”
“He has changed since I last saw him. He appears more mature and surer of himself. At Cambridge and for many years afterward, he was easily led in one direction or another. Bingley often thought himself in love with most of the young ladies he met. Just today, he told me that he enjoyed the time he spent ‘sowing his wild oats’ but now thinks it is time to settle down. It appears he has outgrown his immature behaviours and knows what he is about.”
“It is good to hear that since he and Jane certainly seem attracted to each other. I know Jane wishes to marry for love this time.”
“Did she not love Mr. Horton?”
“She and Mary married while my father hovered between life and death—it was a miserable, uncertain time for all of us. She told me yesterday that she was content with Horton but not in love with him as a newly married woman should have been, as in love as she can easily see we are. When Henry died, Jane said it was a reprieve from having to pretend she was a happy bride.”