A Sense of Obligation Page 21

  “I would never criticise anyone for their services, but does not Scripture teach us that true charity comes from a cheerful heart? To give grudgingly or for the sake of fashion is not at all what God asks of us.”

  Darcy smiled and took her by the unwounded hand, leading her back to the sofa. After kissing her forehead, he said, “You are already such a great mistress for our homes, Elizabeth. Now it seems you have received your answer from Georgiana.”

  Elizabeth eagerly took the note he extended to her. Upon reading the favourable reply, the two readied for their plans.

  Quickly completing his other business, which was a call on a business associate, Darcy arrived at Dr. Ashton’s home in Hans Town and nervously waited to be shown into his private parlour. Absently, Darcy mused that the doctor’s home was nearer the fashionable Hyde Park than his own.

  “Mr. Darcy, is your wife feeling unwell again?” the gentlemanly doctor asked when Darcy was seated.

  “No, and I am surprised you know of it already.”

  “Matthews sent a note to me. I like to keep up on my patients, even after an absence, and he knows you always send for me first.”

  Darcy averted his eyes a little. It rankled his morals that so few men were surprised or disgusted at the obvious truth that he had bedded a gentleman’s daughter before marriage. Regardless of how many gentlemen visited the brothels, most did not trifle with gentlemen’s daughters. He realised he ought to be thankful for the lack of condemnation, but he still could not entirely clear it with his own conscience, and he hated the hypocrisy others applied to the situation. Gentlemen’s daughters were not left alone because the men had respect for the ladies but because of their rank, as though a servant or tradesman’s daughter was less human.

  He cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I...uh...it seems I need some clarification on how to care for my wife.” He loathed that he could not make himself speak plainly on the subject, but to do so was simply too vulgar. He excelled at forthright business conversation; skirting around societal niceties was another matter entirely.

  “Care for her? She ought to be feeling quite well in a matter of days. This indisposition is entirely normal for ladies, and one, I might add, you ought to get used to.” Darcy’s relief must have shown, for Dr. Ashton chuckled. “I understand Matthews was called as soon as you arrived home from your wedding ceremony?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr. Darcy, you recall I was friends with your father?” Darcy nodded. “And although I know your uncle, the earl, is very approachable, it is possible you may have reservations about discussing certain matters. As a long and happily married man, may I give you some advice?”

  “Certainly, sir.”

  “These times in a wife’s life are brief compared to all that follows. Although the timing is unfortunate, it is by no means alarming or unusual. I am certain she will welcome your attentions when all is well, and it is quite possible you will not be faced with this concern again for many months.”

  “And you are certain I cannot harm her?”

  “Harm? She might experience mild discomfort and pain.”

  Darcy furrowed his brows. He hated the idea of bringing her pain...again.

  “Now come on, man! It cannot be helped. All ladies manage it quite well. Indeed, it is nothing compared to the bearing of children. You obviously care for her. Now, where is your sense? If women were continually and severely harmed by the act, we would hardly have so many people about. Indeed, I believe some ladies even find pleasure in their husband’s attentions!”

  Darcy managed to chuckle at the logic of the doctor. And I know I can bring her pleasure. Standing, he stretched his hand out to the older gentleman. “Very well; thank you for easing my mind. It was pleasant meeting with you again, Dr. Ashton, but I hope I will not require your services again for several months.” So saying, Darcy was able to return home with a happier mind, ready to prepare for their evening with his relations.

  *****

  At Darcy House, Elizabeth nervously waited for Miss Darcy and her companion to arrive. She had expected Miss Darcy to be as acute an observer as her brother but immediately saw she was immeasurably shy but eager for friendship. She smiled warmly at the girl.

  “Miss Darcy, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “I am so happy to meet you! I have heard from William about you, and I know you will make him happy! I am so pleased you are married now!” She blushed as she clearly thought twice of her enthusiasm. “Excuse me, I forgot my manners.” She blushed again. “This is my companion, Mrs. Annesley. Mrs. Annesley, my new sister, Mrs. Darcy.” She beamed.

  Elizabeth curtsied, then took Miss Darcy’s hands. “And as your new sister, I really must beg that you call me Elizabeth or Lizzy.” She looked at Mrs. Annesley. “Both of you.”

  Miss Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hands and bounced on her toes. “And you must call me Georgiana or Georgie.”

  “I would be pleased if you addressed me as Ruth, ma’am,” Mrs. Annesley said.

  “Please sit. Refreshments will arrive shortly.” Elizabeth waited for her companions to be seated. “Will you be journeying with us to Pemberley, Georgiana?”

  The girl shook her head. “No, I have lessons in Town and do not prefer Derbyshire when it is so cold. I will come when Uncle Sidney and Aunt Eleanor return to their estate for Christmas. Or perhaps you will not wish for us to be at Pemberley then; I should not presume.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “I would never wish to stop or change family traditions. William and I have not discussed Christmas yet, but I think I will enjoy the whole family together.” She smiled. “It will be an adjustment for me! I will be sorry to miss your company until Christmas. I have four sisters and am afraid your brother will have his hands full attempting to keep me as amused as they did. Soon he will hide in his library all day and lock the door!”

  “But William writes of how much he loves your company! And he tolerates even the worst people, like my Aunt Catherine and Miss Bingley!” She covered her mouth, and her eyes bulged wide. She had spoken quite out of turn.

  Elizabeth patted the young lady’s knee. “I was only teasing, dear. And never fear. I have had the pleasure of meeting both ladies. You are quite correct. However, your brother treats them with the utmost civility.”

  “Unlike me.” She hung her head.

  “Georgie, look at me.” Her head snapped up.

  “I assure you, I have heard far more unguarded things from my sisters and certainly thought them of those two myself. We are sisters now; let us not be so formal. If you cannot express yourself with family, then you will be consumed with fear of speaking to anyone.”

  “Yes! That is exactly it!” Georgiana nodded, and Elizabeth wondered if she had perhaps understood another part of her husband’s character as well.

  “Your companion may scold me for being a bad example, but I can be nothing but myself, and if you were perfect all the time, I think I would grow quite afraid of you,” Elizabeth said with a reassuring smile.

  “Afraid of me?” Georgian’s porcelain skin wrinkled in confusion.

  “Yes, I would be afraid you were always judging and finding fault. I admit I thought it of your brother when we first met.”

  Georgiana gasped. “No! It is only that he hates being talked about and does not know what to say to strangers…”

  Elizabeth interrupted. “I do understand that now, my dear. I only bring this up because it can do us good to understand how others may perceive us—even if it is only because of our own fears.”

  “I would hate for someone to think that I disliked them simply because I am afraid to speak.”

  “Exactly, and that is what we shall work on. The company of a sister close to your age is very different from a much older brother.”

  Georgiana glanced towards Mrs. Annesley as though asking for permission. “Go on, dear. I quite agree with her.”

  “William is the best brother, but you are very right. Your company is also dif
ferent from my cousins. Laura is William’s age, and Anne is so ill.”

  Elizabeth squeezed Georgiana’s hand. “It sounds as though you have been a little lonely. We will get to know each other better over Christmas. For now, I understand you are very musical!”

  The ladies talked about music until Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley needed to leave to prepare for that night’s dinner at Sidney House. Darcy arrived in only enough time to dress for dinner. The houses were too short a distance to encourage discussion, and Elizabeth’s nerves made her quieter than usual.

  Her greeting from the earl surprised the room. “Mrs. Darcy!” he exclaimed before enveloping her in a hug.

  Once she recovered, she looked at Darcy, who had a fond smile on his face and laughter in his eyes. His other relatives were exactly as he had described them. She was surprised to meet a Lord and Lady Tiswell and their daughter, Sophia. The viscount’s attention was frequently drawn to Sophia, who enjoyed the attention immensely. Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she was reminded of Lydia, although an older version.

  Dinner passed quickly. The colonel flirted with her and would laugh when Darcy glared in his direction. Elizabeth had to hide her laughter as well. When the ladies left the gentlemen, Elizabeth felt a moment of trepidation at being in the room with such distinguished ladies.

  Lady Sidney led her to a seat and began a conversation about music. Lady Sophia, Lady Halifax, and Georgiana sat in another corner chatting about the arrival of the newest member of the Halifax family, expected in April.

  “And you will be next, Mrs. Darcy! They will be so close in age.” Lady Sophia laughed.

  Elizabeth blushed but demurred. “I fear Lady Halifax’s babe would be at the least half a year old.”

  Lady Sophia continued excitedly, “There’s no need to pretend here. We are all quite close, I assure you.”

  Lady Sidney narrowed her eyes before reaching for Elizabeth’s hand. “Not close enough to put forward rumours, I assure you, Sophia.”

  “Oh…oh!” Lady Sophia stuttered after staring at Elizabeth’s mid-section. “Good Lord, Mrs. Darcy! He is just a besotted fool; anyone can see you did not need to draw him in!” She clutched her hands to her chest as though afflicted with a nervous flutter. “Please, believe me, I meant no offence.”

  “That is quite enough!” Darcy boomed from the hallway.

  “Darcy?” Voices of the men behind him filtered into the room.

  Darcy came to Elizabeth’s side. “Are you well?”

  “Of course,” she said. He was clearly angry, but she was more amused than anything else.

  “Aunt Eleanor, Uncle Sidney, I regret that we must leave early, but we must journey to Hertfordshire in the morning for the wedding of Mrs. Darcy’s sister, and then we are to Pemberley immediately. You will excuse us if we leave now. We had a very enjoyable evening.” He held out his hand for Elizabeth to rise, then bowed to the hosts. “I hate to steal my bride away from you ladies, but we do need to assure an early departure. Tiswell, Lady Tiswell, Lady Sophia, it was a pleasure.” He punctuated the final sentence in a clipped tone.

  “Do forgive us,” Elizabeth said. “I do desire to leave early in the morning. Jane is my dearest sister, and I am so pleased to be able to attend her wedding even as Mr. Darcy is needed at Pemberley.”

  “Of course,” Lady Sidney said. “Safe travels, dears.” She gave them each a kiss on the cheek.

  The earl kissed Elizabeth likewise. “Mrs. Darcy! How good it is to have a Mrs. Darcy again!” Elizabeth smiled as he eagerly pumped Darcy’s hand.

  Georgiana quietly came to Elizabeth’s side. “May I write you, Elizabeth?”

  “I would be very upset if you did not!” Elizabeth said.

  “I miss you already!” she exclaimed before squeezing Elizabeth in a tight hug. She quickly pulled back, embarrassed by the display, and turned to Darcy, who gently kissed her on the top of her head.

  The others quickly said their goodbyes. Once seated in their carriage returning to Darcy House, Elizabeth sighed contentedly. She had worried about her reception by Darcy’s family and being in his circle for no reason at all.

  However, her husband was of a different mind about the course of the evening. Darcy let out a frustrated sigh as he and Elizabeth climbed into their bed.

  “I am sorry you heard that, Elizabeth.”

  “You are not at fault.”

  “If I knew she was to be in attendance, we would not have appeared tonight. What can my aunt and Arlington have been thinking?” Darcy’s frustration was obvious.

  “She is very beautiful. I understand she is very wealthy, and her uncle is a cousin to a duke. She seemed very accomplished.”

  “And ill-mannered combined with dull! Her wealth is no excuse for such behaviour.”

  “William…”

  “I can only think she is entirely senseless or bitter. I never gave her any encouragement.”

  “I know…”

  “I never encouraged any lady, never showed a preference. I only ever wanted you.” He squeezed her tightly as they lay in bed together. Being in the company of the “glamorous” Lady Sophia Tiswell made Darcy all the more thankful he had Elizabeth in his arms.

  “I know…”

  “It is patently false.”

  Elizabeth arched her brow. “That you are besotted with me?”

  Darcy chuckled despite himself and raised her hand to his lips. “Certainly you know that part is true by now.”

  “I do.”

  “You did not draw me in…”

  “William!” He finally ceased talking long enough to look at his wife. She did not look distressed.

  “I have no desire to speak of that woman, or any woman, while in our bed. Her words did not wound me, nor was I without protection.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Your family trusts your decision, but your behaviour towards me counts for far more, I think, and the whole world will soon see it.”

  “So you got along well with Aunt Eleanor and Laura? Not every woman in my family is like Aunt Catherine. Did Georgiana speak more to you?”

  Elizabeth smiled at Darcy’s endearing nervousness and decided to ease his nerves, however much she would rather have his attention on other matters. “Your sister was very agreeable, only a little quiet. I believe I will soon love her as much as my own sisters. I do like your aunt and cousin very much. They are such clever and kind ladies. I would say Lady Sophia may disagree, but I think she did not quite understand their remarks on the matter. I truly do not believe she meant malicious intent with her remark.”

  “Elizabeth…”

  “It is true! Did you not notice how much she sounded like Lydia?”

  Darcy stared at her in disbelief. He was simply too used to being preyed upon.

  Elizabeth spoke in a tone that sounded eerily similar to Lady Sophia Tiswell and indeed sounded like Lydia. “Good Lord, Mrs. Darcy! He is just a besotted fool; anyone can see you did not need to draw him in!’

  Darcy cringed at Elizabeth’s performance. “Shall you take to the stage now, madam?”

  “Certainly not!”

  “When next we are in Town, we shall have to go to several performances.”

  “That sounds lovely!”

  Darcy smiled broadly at her enthusiasm and pulled her a little closer. After kissing her cheeks, nose, forehead, eyes, and finally bestowing a tender kiss on her lips, he repeated her word, “Lovely.”

  Elizabeth smiled and sighed. “Happy again, Mrs. Darcy?”

  Smirking, she nodded. “Very.”

  Her face took on a look that foretold teasing. Darcy quirked an eyebrow. “Out with it.”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “I know that look. That delightfully, teasing look that…”

  “That drew you in?”

  Kissing just below her ear, Darcy huskily replied, “That always tempts me.”

  “That made you a besotted fool?”

  Drawing his lips down Elizabeth’s neck, Da
rcy spoke between kisses. “I am no match for your wit tonight but will gladly be victim to your teasing. I am almost certain it is my obligation. However, I can hardly read your mind.”

  Elizabeth replied with a languid half-smile, “I was only thinking how very much I would like to make you happy again, Will…”

  Elizabeth’s words died on her mouth as Darcy was only too willing to prove how besotted he truly was.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Soon after Darcy and Elizabeth arrived at Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet scurried Jane away for last minute wedding details. Darcy followed Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner to the library.

  Kitty and Lydia had eagerly acquainted Elizabeth with the news of Miss Bingley’s engagement to Mr. Collins, including her call on Longbourn and her letter to Jane. Once Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth were left alone for a few minutes, she turned to her aunt.

  “I can hardly believe it! Miss Bingley trapped into marriage with Mr. Collins! I heard nothing of it from the earl the other night.”

  Mrs. Gardiner shook her head. “It is exactly what her letter said, but Jane told me Mr. Bingley had told her she must marry this Season or find her own establishment.”

  Elizabeth began laughing. “I suppose she found my cousin tempting enough, then!”

  Mrs. Gardiner joined her laughter. “You are wicked, Lizzy!”

  Finally sobering, Elizabeth turned the conversation. “We will be returning to London after Twelfth Night and wish to host you properly then.”

  “Of course, Lizzy!” Mrs. Gardiner reassured her niece before changing the subject. “How do you like Darcy House?”

  “It is not ostentatious, but it is fine and elegantly furnished. There is something about it that feels comfortable,” Elizabeth mused to her aunt, feeling an unaccountable pride in the Darcy legacy.

  “I confess it surprises me that it is not larger. Pemberley is exquisite.”

  “When Darcy’s mother lived, they leased a larger house.”

  “Yes, it would be difficult to host the ton’s greatest fetes in something as you described.”