37. Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

July 4, 1812 Pemberley Jane

“ G ood morning, dearest.” Elizabeth seated herself next to Jane at the table, and she watched her younger sister select fruit, scones, and bacon for her breakfast. Elizabeth had never eaten so much in the morning. Jane idly wondered if she might be expecting and not yet ready to share the news. She had only been married for two months, but so too had Jane when she first suspected she was with child.

“Good morning, Elizabeth.” Jane greeted her sister warmly, turning to smile at her. “How do you do today? Recovered from your journey?”

“Yes, indeed. I plan to tour the house, followed by a long walk on the grounds. I am to meet with Mrs. Reynolds this afternoon to begin taking over some of the mistress’s duties she has managed for some years.” Elizabeth seemed pleased with the prospect; she was built for the challenge of managing a large household. Jane would be happy with one the size of Longbourn.

“Might I join you on the tour? Your housekeeper offered to show me when I arrived, but I did not feel up to it.”

“Of course!” They finished their breakfast and found Mrs. Reynolds. They began in the public rooms, and Elizabeth gasped in delight with each door that opened.

“Where is the library?” she asked.

“The master has requested that he be the one to show you.” Mrs. Reynolds smiled, her eyes twinkling, and Elizabeth blushed, causing Jane to wonder if there was some hidden meaning to the seemingly innocuous reply. “But let us go to the gallery. The family portraits are there.”

The ladies followed Mrs. Reynolds to a long gallery on the floor above the public rooms. Portraits of Darcys spanning several hundred years lined the walls with the most recent being closest. Jane followed Elizabeth as she walked slowly down the row of paintings, commenting here and there on the subjects.

The tour took nearly two hours, and after they had completed it, Jane and Elizabeth retired to the blue drawing room. This larger, more spacious room was the salon usually used to receive guests, or so Mrs. Reynolds had said. Jane found it soothing. The window looked out over the lake and fountain in front of the house, and the entire thing had been decorated in shades of blue. Cream and gold accents brought a feeling of sophistication to complete the picture.

“I never imagined I would be mistress of all this!” Elizabeth exclaimed, collapsing into a chair. “How shall I manage?”

Jane chuckled warmly. “If anyone can manage, it is you, dear sister.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand from her seat next to her sister’s chair. “Have you any regrets?”

Elizabeth sobered and she sat up, taking Jane’s hand in hers. “Any regrets I had have faded gradually,” she confessed. “There is much to admire about my husband. His rougher edges have smoothed somewhat, and many of my misconceptions have been corrected. Though I am at a loss as to why he treats you with such polite aloofness.”

Jane shrugged. “He has not offended me, Lizzy. If I surmised correctly, he did not know I would be here when you arrived. The knowledge likely surprised him, and he has not had time to adjust.” She frowned playfully at her sister. “You ought to have told him.”

Elizabeth bit her lip and looked away. “I feared he would not let you come,” she confessed. “I did not wish to risk it.”

“I would not wish to become a wedge between you and your husband. It sounds as if your opinions from last April have materially changed. I do not want to be the cause of any conflict.”

“Never, Jane! Yes, my feelings from last April are so different. I have not made complete sense of them.” Elizabeth changed the subject abruptly. “I had a letter from Charlotte this morning. She is to marry on the third of August. She is sad that we will be unable to attend, but I would not have her delay her happiness any longer.”

Jane nodded. “I agree. Six months is not long. We will see her again when our mourning is complete.” She paused before continuing. “Tell me, how is our family?”

Elizabeth blew out a breath and leaned back. “As they ever were. Lydia and Kitty seem to have sobered some with Papa’s death. I hardly saw Mama while at Longbourn. The tensions between us have not abated. She enjoys bragging about her ‘wealthy daughter’ but treats me with the same disdain she has had since I refused Mr. Collins.”

“She does seem determined to hold on to her anger,” Jane mused. “It is ridiculous. A marriage to our cousin was accomplished, and I carry his child. She will likely be restless until she knows whether she is to be cast out or not.”

“What will you do if you bear a son?”

Jane frowned, thinking. “I shall have to return to Hertfordshire, I suppose. I had once hoped to call that county home forever. And after I married Mr. Collins, I knew I would return one day. Now, it does not call to me as it once did. If I have a son, he ought to be raised on the estate he is to inherit.”

“That is a wise decision. Uncle Phillips has promised to work with the steward to maintain the estate until the child comes.” Elizabeth paused, glancing at the door. Her brows came together for a moment and then her expression smoothed. “What of our mother?” she continued. “How will you handle her?”

Jane straightened, a steely look on her face. “Mama will be evicted from the mistress’s quarters,” she said resolutely. “My sisters will learn to behave, or I shall not support them. In short, our mother will be given a choice: comply with my edicts as mistress or leave.”

“That is probably the harshest thing I have ever heard you utter!” Elizabeth cried delightedly. “Will you retain the steward?”

“I will. I shall enlist Uncle Phillips to assist me in other matters, including keeping the servants and staff honest. If my son is to inherit, I wish him to inherit a prosperous estate.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Your plans are sound, sister. I believe you are more than capable of managing the estate in our father’s stead. When your son is old enough, you can give your responsibilities over to him.”

“We do not know if my child is a son yet,” Jane cautioned her sister. “Though I wish it so, if only to know my future is secure, I cannot be certain until he or she arrives.”

“I know. Wishful thinking and such nonsense. Perhaps if we hope and pray hard enough, our desires will be manifested!” Elizabeth chuckled, and Jane joined her.

“I am happy to be here with you, Lizzy,” she said to her sister. “I did not take it well when Mr. Collins told me I could not write.” Tears pricked her eyes, and Jane looked away so that her sister could not see. “I meant to defy him, of course; my actions were quite unlike the biddable girl Mama believes she raised.”

Elizabeth laughed again. “Yes, I think our mother will be surprised when confronted with this tower of resolve and strength!”

They both laughed. The conversation turned to other things, and soon it came time for the midday meal. Jane linked arms with Elizabeth, and they tried to find their way to the small dining room. After two wrong turns and directions from a footman, they found the right door and entered the room.

Georgiana had already come down with Mrs. Annesley, but Darcy was nowhere to be seen. Jane wondered if his absence had anything to do with her presence and glanced expectantly at Elizabeth, wondering if her sister knew her husband’s whereabouts. Elizabeth shrugged and proceeded to fill a plate from the sideboard.

After lunch, the four ladies returned to the blue drawing room. Jane retrieved her workbasket from the yellow parlor, working carefully on one of the gowns for her child. Elizabeth and Georgiana had a book between them and discussed the various merits of the heroine.

The butler appeared at the door and addressed Elizabeth. “If you please, madam, there is a carriage in the drive.”

Elizabeth looked surprised. She stood, and Jane and Georgiana followed suit. “Do you know who it is, Palmer?” Jane’s sister asked as they followed the butler from the room.

“It appears to be Mr. Bingley’s ma’am.”

Jane froze, her heart stuttering at the sound of his name. It cannot be.

Elizabeth turned to a footman. “Find Mr. Darcy, if you please, and tell him to meet us here.”

Darcy

He backed away from the door, his heart thumping painfully against his chest. What had she meant when she said her feelings from last April are different? Elizabeth’s words had struck him with force, and he found himself reevaluating their every action since the day he proposed.

Mrs. Collins had claimed she did not wish to be a point of conflict. Did she mean conflict between him and Elizabeth? So far, they had disagreed rarely and had always resolved things quickly. How could the sister’s presence create a problem?

He did not deny to himself that having Mrs. Collins in his home discomposed him. He did not enjoy associating with fortune hunters, let alone having one live with him. He supposed Elizabeth loved her sister, just as Bingley loved his. They could not help their relations.

He retreated to his study, closing the door and absorbing himself in his work. His thoughts made him uncomfortable, and he did not wish to examine them too closely. At least not now.

An hour passed, and a footman appeared at the door. “Mrs. Darcy has asked me to fetch you, sir,” he said. “She is in the entryway.”

Frowning, Darcy nodded. He followed the footman out of his study and to the designated location. Elizabeth stood there, arm around her sister. Georgiana stood behind them, and all three turned at his approach. The glare his wife directed his way baffled him. What can she have to be angry about?

“Palmer says there is a carriage in the drive,” she said evenly.

He waved his hand dismissively. “It is likely that tourists wish to view the house. Mrs. Reynolds keeps them to the public rooms—”

“He says it is the Bingleys’ carriage,” she bit out.

He froze, suddenly remembering the invitation he had extended to Bingley months ago, shortly after his marriage. And the former Miss Bennet is here. He will once again be within her grasp. Surely, Elizabeth had comprehended this and was now angry to be put in a situation where she was required to host guests she had not sanctioned as Pemberley’s mistress.

“Mrs. Reynolds!” Darcy cried, looking around for the housekeeper.

“Here, sir,” she said, appearing from a doorway on his left.

“Have rooms been prepared for the Bingleys?” Ever efficient, he had sent word to his housekeeper immediately upon issuing the invitation. Surely, she had prepared the necessary guest chambers.

“They have.” She nodded, glancing nervously between him and her mistress. The tension seemed obvious, and she doubtlessly knew something had gone amiss.

“Good. We shall greet them then.” He glanced at Elizabeth’s steely gaze and knew he owed his wife a rather large apology. Her expression smoothed, and she linked arms with Georgiana and Mrs. Collins, turning away from him as she headed toward the doors.

He trailed behind them and took his place next to his wife as the carriage came to a stop. A footman hopped down and opened the door, assisting Miss Bingley down, followed by Mrs. Hurst. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley came last. His wife stepped forward and took his arm, taking her rightful place by his side.

“Mr. Darcy! How pleased we are to be here at last! It seems an age since we were last at Pemberley!” Miss Bingley climbed the steps hurriedly and beamed at him. Her smile faltered as she took in the others with him. “Mrs. Darcy,” she said coolly, “and Jane! It is not Bennet any longer, is it?” Her fake smile turned to a sneer as she spoke to the bereaved widow.

“Darcy!” Bingley cried, apparently not hearing his sister’s cold greeting. “I am so glad we have arrived. The journey was…” His friend trailed off as he took in Darcy’s armband. His gaze wandered to Elizabeth, and then his eyes widened when he saw Mrs. Collins standing with Georgiana. “Miss… Mrs. Collins! I did not expect to see you here. How do you do?” Bingley’s words were stilted, and he bowed to the entire party.

“Let us go inside. Bingley, if we could speak before you are shown to your chambers, that would be most agreeable.” Darcy led the way, Elizabeth on his arm. His forward momentum slowed when Miss Bingley latched onto his other arm.

“How pleased I am to be here again,” she repeated. He said nothing, but noted Elizabeth tense as they went.

“Mrs. Reynolds, show the Hursts and Miss Bingley to their rooms,” he commanded his housekeeper. “Mr. Bingley and I have business in my study.” He turned to his wife. “I shall speak with you after, Elizabeth.” He hoped she heard the apology in his voice.

Bingley followed him to his study. They did not speak until the heavy oak door had closed behind them.

“I had no notion the house was in mourning, Darcy. Why did you not say?” Bingley’s question surprised him. Darcy had expected him to ask about Mrs. Collins first.

“Everything happened so quickly. I confess, your visit completely slipped my mind. I neglected to tell Elizabeth; she appears to be rather cross with me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I am sorry.”

“We can depart if you like,” Bingley said. “We were only to stay for two weeks before continuing north.”

“I shall discuss it with my wife and see what she desires,” he replied. “I would not wish to upset your plans.”

Bingley cleared his throat. “Who died?” he asked.

Darcy frowned. “Mr. Bennet first, and then Mr. Collins,” he said finally. “You must be on your guard, Bingley, lest you fall under Mrs. Collins’s spell once more.”

“I still love her, Darcy,” Bingley admitted. “It pains me that she entertained my attention only for my fortune.” He looked away. “She carries his child.”

“Yes. The nature of the entail is uncertain until the babe is born. If she bears a son, then Longbourn’s future is secured.” And she will have no need of another husband.

Bingley sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “It will be uncomfortable, no doubt. I left without telling her goodbye. Darcy, you may not approve, but I feel as if Fate has granted me another chance at happiness. I must know how she feels. I cannot let this opportunity pass without speaking candidly with her.”

“She is in mourning!”

“She will not always be,” he countered.

Darcy shook his head. “If she misrepresented her feelings then, she will surely do it now. There are still three months until the child comes. She may choose to secure you just in case it is a girl.”

Bingley regarded him steadily. “ If, Darcy, being the operative word. Why do you stubbornly cling to your poor opinions? I have had many months to think about your arguments, Darcy. You claim you saw no real affection for me in Jane’s actions. What if I were to tell you the same about Mrs. Darcy? I saw no real affection in her behavior toward you. In fact, had I a guess, I would say she despised you. Up until you told me of your marriage, I believed you felt the same way about her.”

Darcy’s heart seized, and he thought again on Elizabeth’s words to her sister that morning. Did she love me? He did not know. She was warm and affectionate now, when she was not angry at him. Could she have married for mercenary means, just as her sister did? He shook himself. No, I will not believe it.

“If it brings you comfort, you may say whatever you like,” he said, affecting an air of indifference. “Elizabeth refused Mr. Collins. If she were mercenary, she would bear his name instead of her sister.”

“Jane marrying her father’s heir does not mean she is mercenary.” Bingley seemed determined to assign his beloved’s actions to any other motive.

He sighed. “Speak to her if you must, but do not upset her. She is in a delicate condition. Besides, my wife will have my neck if you do anything to harm her favorite sister.”

Bingley nodded. “Speak to Mrs. Darcy and inform me whether we shall depart Pemberley on the morrow.” He left the room and Darcy sank into his chair.

What a mess I have found myself in, he murmured. Slowly, he stood, resolved to find Elizabeth as soon as may be.