Chapter 18

18

E ach time Elizabeth stepped into the nursery, a sense of calm enveloped her. The babies were everything good about the world. Jane and Bingley would have been devoted.

Clara, her belly full, took advantage of the removal of the swaddling bands to stretch, flailing her arms wide, pointing her toes like she was trying to touch the bottom of the cradle. Once she was clean and dry, Elizabeth rested her on her shoulder, gently rubbing her back.

Mrs. Congden diligently attempted to feed Charlie. The poor lad kept falling asleep. The wet nurse spoke softly to him, encouraging him to wake long enough to fill his stomach.

As she rocked, Elizabeth refused to allow herself to fret about what was happening in the Court of Chancery. If anyone could guarantee the success of the children, it was Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man who did not fear exercising the power in his possession. Lord Matlock was not without resources of his own. Would he use them to benefit the new Mrs. Darcy and Bingley’s children? She had no reason to doubt his willingness to support his nephew’s new family. But everything about their situation was so new.

Leaning back in the chair, Elizabeth absorbed the sounds and smells of the room, enjoying the babe tucked over her heart.

Mrs. Carter yawned. “That little gal slept very little last night.”

“Her brother slept through her squalls.” Mrs. Congden grinned. “He reminds me of my Albert. When he was newly born, he could sleep through anything. I swear, had a hurricane struck the house, he would not have stirred from his slumber. It seemed like every minute of the day I spent trying to tempt him to nurse. Now that he is six, it seems like I spend every minute of the day cooking for him ’cause all he wants to do is eat, and I can’t get him to go to sleep at night. Why, not two weeks ago he told me that if he did not have something more to fill his stomach, he would probably not live through the night. I gave him my last biscuit so he would finally close his eyes. Children!”

Mrs. Carter nodded knowingly. “My Gertrude was completely opposite. As a baby, she was always eager to eat. When she was six, nothing I put on her plate suited her. Even now, she is a picky eater. She is a skinny little mite who would rather spend her time doing anything other than sit at the table. Her youngest sister is not yet two. Little Millie would still be nursing had I not got work with these young ones. I feared that she would need one last pull of the breast before she walked down the aisle to wed her husband if I did not have to make her stop. I agree, children!”

Chuckling to herself, Elizabeth hummed. Soon enough, Clara rested heavily against her, her breathing steady.

Charlie sneezed, spraying milk all over the front of Mrs. Congden, who brushed it off without pause.

Contentment surged through Elizabeth. She did not need to nurse a baby to have it permanently attached to her heart. No, these two women were proof that the parentage of a child mattered not when it came to love. Hugging Clara closer, she knew that these twins were hers to care for, love, andnurture.

Please, dear Lord, help Darcy be successful at Chancery on this day.

Elizabeth knew from the second her husband entered the room that the news was terrible. Her husband, her poor husband, looked like he battled gladiators in the Roman Colosseum during the few hours he was gone. While his stance was resolute, his eyes…those dark sapphire orbs radiated powerlessness and devastation, even as his words sought to reassure her that the war was not yet over.

He stroked Clara’s cheek before resting his hand on her shoulder. “All I can say is that Lord Robert Hendricks has some love for little ones since I was able to plead for at least a short period due to Charlie’s fragile health. He gave us thirty days. As soon as they are up, we are to deliver the lad to Lord and Lady Armstrong. He refused to accept an appeal.”

“Thirty days? That is all we have until we hand Charlie over to a life without us?” Elizabeth barely kept from shrieking. “Tell me, Fitzwilliam, how a man such as the Lord Chancellor can be worked upon for if it is money he wants, give him the whole of Bingley’s fortune in guarantee that he grants us the children instead of sacrificing their happiness at the altar of Lord and Lady Armstrong’s selfishness. Or, at the least, allow us to appeal.”

His hand dropped to his side before he replied, “Hurst arrived with his own petition before we did.”

“What? How can that be?” Elizabeth thought back to the weeks she spent in their company. Gilbert and Lousia Hurst were the epitome of self-indulgence. They rarely put themselves out in conversation or social activities unless it was at their own suggestion. Even pleasant Mr. Bingley and sweet Jane had little convivial to say about them. “Mr. Hurst cannot truly want the children since he and Louisa made no effort at all to see them despite knowing of their existence. I know that it has only been a day or two since they learned of Jane’s passing, but where have they been? They want money, nothing more.”

“Agreed.”

“But Fitzwilliam, the Lord Chancellor does not understand. Charlie cannot leave the nursery. Thirty days is not enough time. Even your physician said it would be hazardous for him to be in the cold wintry air.”

Darcy rubbed the back of his neck. “I know. When I used the same argument, it was thrown back at me that we chose to bring Charlie from Hertfordshire to London in that same cold air. According to Lord Armstrong’s attorney, we carelessly endangered him.”

“This cannot be happening.” Elizabeth felt like a hammer hit her chest. Yet, she still had plenty of fight left. “Then let us depart immediately for New York or Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. With a name like that, it would be a great place for a brother and sister to grow. Or, what of a warm climate like Italy or Gibraltar? There is no French presence there as far as I am aware, is there? The colonel would know, I am sure. Why, I cannot imagine that it would take that much effort to relocate for the next fourteen years, would it?”

He slowly shook his head. “The thought must have crossed Lord Armstrong’s mind since he clearly stated that should we pursue that course, he would have a warrant for my arrest on the grounds of kidnapping. Besides, think of how hard the journey would be for the twins. Especially Charlie.”

“I know.” She groaned. “You are correct, but I cannot help but seek alternatives.”

“I do understand since I feel the same.” Dropping into the chair across from hers, he said, “When I asked Lord Armstrong why he wore no black band on his sleeve, he claimed that one was not due to a brother-in-law closely tied to trade, someone so far from his elevated rank that he was undeserving of respect. His hypocrisy at denouncing the parents while attempting to claim their son was sickening.”

Elizabeth gasped. “How dare he!”

“Yes, he dared, Elizabeth. I protested vehemently. It was my uncle who brought to the chancellor’s attention how this attitude toward Charlie’s parents was not fitting since the babe deserved to know the sort of people who gave birth to him.”

“How did he respond? Your uncle has a higher rank as an earl. Surely, both Lord Hendricks and Lord Armstrong listened.”

Darcy leaned his head back on the chair. “They did not. Lord Armstrong made it perfectly clear that he had no intention of raising Charlie to be his ward. Rather, he would treat him in every way as his son. Even though his title will not pass on to an ‘adopted’ child, the lands and accounts not tied to the barony will go to Charlie. This appeased the chancellor enough that he let the matter go.”

As frustrated as she knew her husband to be, Elizabeth barely kept her voice in check. “The children are happy here. For the most part, they both nurse and sleep well. They are warm and cared for by a multitude who put their needs above their own.” Slapping her palms on the arms of her chair, she stood. “I know what we need to do. Send Cook to Chancery. She will wield her rolling pin, setting the Lord Chancellor, Lord Armstrong, and god forbid, Mr. Hurst straight.”

She caught the smile that briefly appeared on Darcy’s face before he frowned. “Lord Armstrong came prepared. Some of Wickham’s typical lies painted me in a negative light. My uncle and cousin were quick to defend me, adding verifiable reports of Wickham’s offenses against the Darcy family and crimes against our neighbors.”

“How did Lord Armstrong respond when his prime witness had his feet knocked out from underneath him?”

“In truth, he cared not. Such was his arrogance.” Darcy sneered. “Elizabeth, men such as George Wickham and Malcolm Armstrong are unprincipled. They will do or say anything to promote their cause. To win their point. We cannot use scruples against them.”

“Fitzwilliam, then let us seek higher ground.” She held out her hand to him, waiting until his palm touched hers, then said, “I will not lie or try to deceive you in how I feel. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. Although I did not know much about you at the time, I entered our marriage to protect these children from harm. Since the ceremony, I am entirely convinced that you are the sort of gentleman who places the care of those under his authority as your highest priority. We have thirty days, thanks to your efforts, to come up with a plan to unseat Lord Armstrong from his position of control. We have not yet lost this fight.”

His fingers squeezed hers as he stood to face her. “My lady.” He bowed. “We are not alone in our struggles. With your cunning and mine, in addition to our family’s wisdom, it is possible that what Lord Armstrong won today was a Pyrrhic victory.”

Tapping her finger against her chin, Elizabeth mumbled, “A win at great cost to himself.” Stilling all movement, she asked, “What do you have in mind, Fitzwilliam?”

The tension in his face eased, as did the pressure of his hand on hers. “I cannot believe what I am suggesting since I am inclined to have the two of us become recluses, spending every minute with the twins. However, we need to muster the troops. Therefore, I propose to have the Matlock family, along with my sister, come to Darcy House not long after your parents arrive.”

“A tribunal? A court of justice?” The pounding of her heart quickened. “This could work.”

Darcy transformed from weary and worn to assured in front of her eyes.

“If we are to stand a chance, we need to utilize every resource. Your mother proved to be the sort to take a task seriously. Your father’s affection for his family moved him to leave the comfort of his library. To be honest, I expected neither of your parents to be of use.” Before she could protest, Darcy added, “Nonetheless, I was completely wrong about them. I do not intend to misjudge your family poorly again.”

He stepped closer. “Dear wife, I believe that we have been going about this all wrong. We have assets that Lord Armstrong does not have. Love and devotion to Charlie and Clara must account for something, do they not? Justice is on our side as is our willingness to go to any length to keep the twins with us.”

Despite how difficult it was for her to hear his opinion of her family, she understood his meaning. Now was not the time to be arrogant like Lord Armstrong and his wife.

Darcy was correct. They were not without resources or hope.