Out of Love and Duty.
This may stay as a one-shot, but if it gets a good reception I may write how Darcy acts as a consequence to this promise when it comes to Elizabeth and others in the original text. I hope you enjoy.
To those reading this after favouriting my other story 'Poor Orphan Child' and me as an author, I apologize that the story has been pulled as I never had any more inspiration and consequently no intention of completing the story.
Disclaimer: I do not Own Pride and Prejudice including characters, plot-lines or text. Any text that may seem familiar will be either quoted or paraphrased from the original text which belongs to Jane Austen.
'Mrs Reynolds, I believe it is time for me to say my goodbyes to my son' Anne said to her housekeeper. 'Please bring Fitzwilliam to me.' Mrs Reynolds nodded and curtsied to the older woman before leaving the room.
Lady Anne Darcy had been growing weaker every day since young Georgiana had been born and it was clear that she would not be on Earth very much longer. Mrs Reynolds held back the tears that threatened to fall as her gentle mistress lay on her death bed and went to find young Master Darcy. After searching the house, the boy was eventually found in the woods within the grounds of Pemberley. He was playing with the steward's son, George. The pair were duelling with sticks they had found lying around and Mrs Reynolds quickly saw that Master Darcy had the upper hand.
She sighed and called Fitzwilliam from his game to inform him that his mother requested his presence in her room. The young boy's face fell, he was a bright lad and knew his mother was dying, he understood why she wanted to see him. Master Darcy dropped his makeshift weapon and ran towards the great house. Mrs Reynolds followed sombrely hoping that Lady Darcy was wrong and that this would not be the last time Fitzwilliam would see his mother. Behind her, George stood with the wooden stick he called his sword, glaring after his playmate, it was not fair that Fitzwilliam should get to see Lady Darcy and he did not.
Fitzwilliam ran into his mother's room. His mind was racing. She can't die, I can't lose my mother. When he reached her bedside he saw how weak she had become in the last day, the deterioration of her condition had excelled greatly. Tears started rolling down his cheek. 'Mother, you wished to see me?' his voice cracked as he spoke.
'Fitzwilliam, my sweet boy, I'm so happy to see you.' She smiled weakly at her son and took his hand in hers. 'Now, William, I have to tell you something of the utmost importance. I had wished to discuss this with you when you came of age but I think we both know that will not be possible.' She stopped here to stroke her son's hair trying to provide some comfort.
'You will live Mama, we must just think positively.' But even as Fitzwilliam said this he knew that no amount of positive thinking could save his mother from her ailment. He looked into his mother's eyes, trying to remember the shape and colour and as she spoke he took care to remember the soft sound of her voice.
'William you know better than that, we must prepare ourselves for the worst. But know this my son, I will always be watching over you and guiding you towards the right path.' She reached up and kissed his forehead gently. 'I asked you to come here for I have one last piece of advice to impart on you before I leave this life. Come now Fitzwilliam, I have made peace with my fate, as must you.'
'But Mama…' he cried desperately as the time of her death drew closer by the second.
'No buts William, you must look after your father and sister, make sure she knows me. But now we must speak of love.' Her green eyes softened at the last word as she thought of her husband, George Darcy.
'Love Mama?' The young boy hung on every word his mother said, knowing he would not hear her speak again soon.
'Yes, my son, Love. You must know that when you were born and your cousin Anne was born that your Aunt Catherine and I often talked of you marrying when you came of age.' Here Fitzwilliam's eyes widened in shock and slight fear at thought of marrying his sickly cousin Anne. Surely Mother does not think I could ever love her, she doesn't even talk! He thought to himself. 'However, now that you are slightly older I don't believe you could ever be happy with her' She chuckled weakly at the relief on her son's face and squeezed his hand comfortingly.
'No Mama, I think you are right' he agreed, smiling at his mother's laughter and wiping some of the tears that were running down his cheek.
'I believe that your Aunt won't be as understanding though William. My sister married for money you see, and I married for love. However, I was fortunate that I didn't have to choose between money and love. But you must know that I would have married your father even if he hadn't had a single penny to his name. Do you understand that William?' Fitzwilliam nodded, he thought he understood what his mother was saying. 'I am glad. Now William you were born out of love, and look at you now. You are a strong, handsome and intelligent young lad and I'm sure you will continue growing after I am gone. Your cousin Anne was born out of duty. Catherine didn't love her husband and only bore him a child because she believed strongly in doing her duty to her husband. Once the child was born she believed she had done her duty and therefore they never had more children. It is my belief that Anne is such a sickly child for she was not born of love. Love is the key to happy marriage and strong children William. Do not be swayed by your aunt to marry Anne for duty, no good will come of it my son. Your father and I love each other very much and we have been happy in life. I only wish the same for you.' As her speech went on her voice got weaker and the fire in her eyes faded fast but she found the strength to finish her final advice to her son. Fitzwilliam listened to every word and held her hand tight, hoping with all his being that if he held it tight enough that she would not leave him. 'Marry for love, my son' she whispered quietly as she took her final breath.
'I promise Mama' he said as all light left her eyes. He sat next his mother crying and praying to God to let her live but she never woke again.
Thank you for reading, please review/favourite if you enjoyed it.
- Hollibella