Chapter 34

A week into their fight to reach Nassau, The Protector was sighted by a Royal Navy Frigate on patrol in the waters of the West Indies. They were boarded by a Lieutenant-Commander and twelve Royal Marines.

Using semaphore, the commander of the boarding party communicated with his captain on board HMS Angie . Soon longboats were alongside The Protector bringing victuals, a surgeon, HMS Angie's shipwright, and the carpenter's mate, along with men to augment the depleted crew.

With the Royal Navy's assistance, the foremast was repaired enough so it would provide The Protector some additional propulsion. The surgeon went about setting broken bones and helping to save those who were able to be saved. With the added speed and HMS Angie escorting her, three days later, The Protector limped into Nassau's harbour.

Once the scope of the disaster was unfolded for the Governor, a man who had known both Bedford and Hertfordshire, the survivors from The Protector were put on the first packet ship which would depart for England. Although the Captain protested he should remain with his ship while it underwent repairs, the Admiral in command of the Royal Navy fleet based in the Bahamas with the aid of the Governor, convinced him his testimony would be needed back in England as aside from scores of sailors, most of four families had perished—three of them peers of the realm, and one related to the Crown.

Even though they knew it was fruitless, the Admiral dispatched four of his ships to search the area just in case of a miracle. No survivors were found and two weeks after the packet ship departed, news of that fact was also on its way across the Atlantic to England.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The same day that the survivors of the four ships which had departed London in February arrived in Nassau, Lady Marie Fitzwilliam née Rhys-Davies delivered a squalling, but healthy son who was named Robert Andrew Fitzwilliam, who was the future viscount and earl.

The Earl and Countess of Matlock enjoyed the pleasure of their first grandchild while for the Duchess of Bedford it was her third, but that made it no less exciting. Her thoughts went to Adelle who was visiting Rebecca's parents and to Little Sed who, she estimated, should by now be seeing the wonders of Jamaica with his parents and her beloved Sedgewick.

There was no point in writing a letter announcing Robby's birth. By the time it arrived in Jamaica they would have moved on and she was certain her family and friends would arrive home long before a letter ever caught up to them.

The three grandparents were standing around the cradle in the nursery admiring the newest member of their combined family while Andrew was lying on his wife's bed hugging her to himself as she slept. His Marie had done so very well in bringing their son into the world and just when he thought he could not love his wife any more, he did.

Andrew knew that although his wife understood that her father and brother along with his family would not see Robby until long after the christening, it saddened her because she would have liked Sed and Rebecca to stand as Robby's godparents. Richard was to be the second godfather, so until their brother and sister returned from the voyage, Richard would be the only godparent in attendance.

When Marie woke from her rest, Andrew would make that suggestion to her. In the meanwhile he revelled in the feel of his wife in his arms while she slept.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Darcy thought he had fallen asleep in his coach and was dreaming about Elizabeth, as he did every night, because he could have sworn he saw her galloping across one of Rosings Park's fields just before his coachman guided the team off the road and onto the lane which led to the manor house. In his dream she was being followed by two enormous men keeping a horse length or two distant from her.

"William, do you think that is Richard's fiancée riding that magnificent horse?" Georgiana asked as she pointed to the point that the apparition had disappeared from his view.

"Anna, did you see her as well?" a confused Darcy asked. If it was not a dream, what on earth was Miss Elizabeth doing here? "Did you see her too, Lady Charity?" Said young lady nodded. "That was not Miss Mary who is engaged to Richard, but Miss Elizabeth, the second Bennet sister."

Given how her brother had reacted—even though he had apologised the previous time she had mentioned Miss Elizabeth's name—Anna did not say anything when her brother identified the lady they had seen on the Arabian. She was confused why he had verified with both herself and Charity if they had seen the lady as if he did not trust his own eyes. For the same reason, she decided not to ask William about that either.

Elizabeth saw the carriages, but kept urging Penelope to run as she was not in the mood to see Mr. Darcy yet. There would be no avoiding him though when the parsonage party had dinner at Rosings Park that evening. She would behave as expected of a well raised young lady, but Elizabeth intended to keep away from Mr. Darcy as much as possible.

Both she and Mary were looking forward to coming to know Miss Darcy, and also Lady Charity, who Richard had told them would be arriving with the Darcys. They had met her parents, brother, and sister-in-law in London and had found them easy to speak to, so they did not expect Lady Charity to be any different. Besides, knowing how much Mr. Darcy disdained her family in general and her specifically, Elizabeth was confident he would not put himself in her company more than absolutely necessary.

Richard and Lady Catherine were waiting under the portico to welcome the Darcys and Lady Charity to Rosings Park. Trying to push their disagreements from Hertfordshire to the side, Richard welcomed his cousin warmly. He hugged both Anna and Charity, who was after all, his sister by marriage.

Lady Catherine added her welcome to the newly arrived three and led them into the house and to the main drawing room where Anne waited for them. "Before you greet Anne, Reggie sent an express. Marie delivered a son yesterday, he will be named Robert Andrew, both mother and son are doing well and are healthy."

"They named him after Papa," Georgiana gushed. She had a new cousin.

"You two are in a suite across from Anne and me, and your companions have a chamber either side of the suite," Lady Catherine shared. "Greet Anne, and then the housekeeper will show you up. William you are in the same chambers you always use."

The two young girls greeted Anne and then they and their companions followed the housekeeper up to their shared suite.

"Richard, could we have a word in the study before I go up and change?" Darcy requested.

With a nod, Richard led his cousin to his study. ‘ If he says one derogatory word about Mary, his will be a very short stay at my estate ,' he thought as he went to take a seat behind his desk. " What is it William?" Richard asked annoyedly.

"How is it that Miss Elizabeth is here?" Darcy asked with no preamble. "I thought I was seeing things when we arrived, but Anna and Lady Charity saw her as well."

"Before I answer your interrogatory, let me pose one of my own," Richard returned. Darcy extended his hand palm up to signal Richard to proceed. "Has my sister's youngest sister not told you on multiple occasions you may address her as Charity?"

"She has, but I cannot," Darcy owned. "She is the daughter of a duke, and I cannot be so informal with her especially as she was under my protection."

"You have some rather interesting ideas about rank," Richard shook his head. "As far as Lizzy being here, do you remember my parson who was in Meryton when we were there? I am sure I mentioned him to you." Darcy nodded. "Well, he is married…"

"Did Miss Elizabeth agree to marry that buffoon?" Darcy almost screeched as he jumped out of his chair, which came close to toppling over.

"No, Lizzy was invited to spend time with Mrs. Collins, née Lucas, who happens to be a very good friend of the three Bennet sisters. My Mary accompanied Lizzy and is also at the parsonage," Richard explained.

Darcy almost made a comment about Richard marrying far below himself when he read the dangerous look on his cousin's countenance so he made a good decision and held his peace. He did not know it, but that decision kept his face unblemished.

"Should we go call on them so they may meet Anna and Lady Charity?" Darcy suggested.

"That is rather superfluous as they will be attending dinner here in less than two hours." Richard paused. "Given how you treated the Bennets in Hertfordshire, why are you so keen to see them here? If you repeat your slight, or importune them in anyway, know that I will send you packing long before I would ever ask the Bennets to leave."

The way his cousin spoke to him irked Darcy, but he nodded and did not respond verbally. He concentrated on the fact Elizabeth would be at Rosings Park in the matter of a few hours. It was time for him to advance his suit and leave her in no doubts of his intentions. How fortuitous it was that she was here at the same time as himself. Had she heard him speak of visiting Richard, or gleaned the information from his cousin and made sure she would be in his path again? Darcy realised Richard had only spoken of the two younger Bennet sisters, and made no mention of Miss Bennet. He was surprised she was not with her sisters. He would have thought she would jump at the chance to be put in the path of wealthy men.

Regardless of the reason for Elizabeth's presence in Kent, it was to his advantage as it meant he would not have to court her in Hertfordshire. She was the only reason he had been willing to return to that neighbourhood and her proximity would save him lowering himself by being there once again.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"Lizzy, I know you are angry with Mr. Darcy, but do not forget he is here as Richard's guest and will be my cousin in three weeks," Mary said quietly as she and Elizabeth walked ahead of the Collinses and Maria Lucas.

They were making the oft travelled less than half mile walk to the manor house with two of the footmen-guards trailing the party of walkers. It was amusing to the two Bennet sisters that Mr. Collins was still very much afraid of John and Brian from his first visit to Longbourn. In deference to their cousin, the men did not enter the house when he was within.

"Do you think me so very deficient I would misbehave rudely to a guest in my soon-to-be brother's house?" Elizabeth hissed back. "You know me better than that. "

"Yes, Lizzy, I do," Mary acknowledged. "However when one is angry, reason sometimes flies out of the door."

"I suppose you have the right of it," Elizabeth owned. "There are times when I am so angry that it causes me to speak first and think later. I will try and keep my anger at Mr. Darcy under regulation, but what he attempted to do was beyond the pale."

"It was ineffectual," Mary reminded her sister. "Do not forget Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie not only did not agree with his statements, but sent him away with a flea in his ear."

Elizabeth allowed a giggle to escape her lips. "I own I would have liked to have seen him receive a setdown," she smiled. "At least we will meet Miss Darcy and Lady Charity. Richard told me they are both sweet girls."

"That is my Lizzy. Think of the positive only," Mary stated.

Soon the butler was handing their outerwear to a footman. He led the arriving party to the main drawing room.

Darcy was frozen to the spot when the parsonage party were announced. There she was before him, looking more beautiful than ever, her extremely fine emerald-green eyes shining with intelligence. He had wanted to introduce her to Anna, but while his tongue turned to wood in his mouth, Richard performed the office.

After Richard had told her that he had informed the Bennets regarding Ramsgate, Georgiana Darcy had worried she would see censure in the looks from the Bennet sisters. She saw anything but. Her guardian had been correct. All she saw was compassion and acceptance in the looks from the two very pretty ladies. Soon she, Charity, and Anne were seated with the sisters, who included Miss Lucas in the circle, speaking like long lost friends.

Even though he had not the pleasure of making the introductions, Darcy was gratified when he saw how easy Anna was with the Bennet sisters and Mrs. Collins' younger sister. It was then he noticed Anne was treating Misses Elizabeth and Mary like they were intimates and unless his hearing deceived him, Anne addressed the Bennet sisters informally, as did they her. He thought his aunt would object given their relative social and financial positions, but all he saw was Aunt Catherine watching the tableau while smiling indulgently.

He did not miss the mooncalf way Richard was looking at his fiancée. Darcy hoped she returned his cousin's affections and was not just interested in him for pecuniary advantage.

Just when Darcy was about to approach Elizabeth as there had been a lull in the conversation, the butler announced dinner. Rather than their aunt, Richard offered each Bennet sister an arm leaving Darcy to lead his aunt and Lady Charity into the dining parlour. Anna and Miss Lucas followed with Mr. and Mrs. Collins bringing up the rear.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

After the rather sumptuous meal, all but Anne retired to the music room. The latter was fatigued so Mrs. Jenkinson assisted her up the stairs after Anne made her excuses.

"Will you delight us with playing and singing, Miss Elizabeth?" Lady Catherine requested. "You and my soon-to-be niece prove what I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice, is correct. It is a pleasure to hear the Miss Bennets spend time in this room practicing as Mrs. Collins has no instrument. Elizabeth and Mary are very welcome, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in this room. When they do, it lightens and warms the house."

Mr. Darcy could not account for his aunt's approbation of the Bennet sisters, and made no answer.

When coffee was over, Richard reminded Mary of having promised to play for him; so she sat down at the instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened intently, not saying a word to her other nephew, so the latter stood, and walked away from her, and made a casual approach towards the pianoforte just as Elizabeth replaced Mary at the instrument.

Darcy stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said, "You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed though I have been told your sister also plays so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."

"Miss Elizabeth, your playing is far superior to mine," Georgiana insisted. "Charity agrees it is true in relation to her playing as well."

Darcy was once again impressed by the warmness between his sister and Elizabeth on such a short acquaintance. "I shall have to say you are mistaken," he replied to her previous statement, "because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own."

Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to his sister and Lady Charity, "Mr. Darcy will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose my flaws, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous of you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your sister and her friend to hear."

Darcy quailed but caught himself quickly. Surely she would not relate his insult to her before his sister and aunt? "I-I meant nothing by it," Darcy claimed.

Before Elizabeth could say any more, Mary shook her head, so Elizabeth said nothing and returned her concentration to her fingers as they tripped over the ivory keys.

An hour later the parsonage party left to make the quick walk to the Collins' house. Other than a terse ‘goodnight' Darcy was silent until the guests departed.