Chapter10
"You have an idea to help Mr. Darcy?" Dr. Winter's inquired of Mrs. Darcy.
"My father's estate is in Hertfordshire, about twenty miles from here. I believe that we should go there. I know it would be difficult for my husband to travel, but it would get him away from the London air without being to terribly taxing of a journey."
"This is something to consider. With the proper precautions, I believe it might be worth the risk."
Elizabeth turned to her husband, who was looking somewhat disgruntled, "Shall we journey to Longbourn, sir?"
"NO!" Mr. Darcy's haughty demeanor had not been present in this time of his illness, but it had certainly returned at the mention of a visit to the Bennet estate.
"No? Whyever not?"
"Your family." Mr. Darcy paused, "We could go to Netherfield, though."
"Oh?" Elizabeth could scarcely disguise the anger in her voice. Indeed, Dr. Winters excused himself as he sensed the tension in the room.
A long silence occurred after Dr. Winters' departure. Darcy wondered how Lizzy could possibly expect him to convalesce in the presence of her ridiculous relatives. Lizzy, on the other hand, fumed at the outright rejection of her family and feared what it might mean for the future.
"I am going to go outside for fresh air, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth stiffly stated. Then, without waiting for a response she exited the room.
As soon as Lizzy left her husband's chambers, her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to rush out the door before anyone could see her. By the time she reached the garden she was sobbing. Indeed, Lizzy did not know whether she was more angry or sad, but she certainly felt a great deal more than she could handle.
"Insufferable man!" she muttered to herself.
Elizabeth paced in circles around the garden letting all of her emotions out through her tears. If only I had Jane to comfort me, she thought. Am I ever to visit my family again? Or are they lost to me now?
Can my husband truly love and respect me and not accept the people who raised me?
While Lizzy was wearing down a path in the garden, Mrs. Thompson was inside fretting. She had seen the mistress run out the door in obvious distress only a few minutes after the doctor had left. Her natural assumption was that Dr. Winters had provided Mrs. Darcy with particularly bad news regarding her husband's health. As the housekeeper, Mrs. Thompson knew it was not her place to be privy to all matters regarding her employer; however, anything which could cause such deep emotions in the normally very calm mistress was probably something she ought to know. Thus, Mrs. Thompson sought out Colonel Fitzwilliam for information.
"Sir, I beg your pardon for this intrusion, you must believe me that I would not disturb you if it were not for my deep concern."
"Excuse me, Mrs. Thompson, but what is the matter?" Mrs. Thompson briefly explained to the Colonel about the doctor's recent visit and Mrs. Darcy's ensuing flight to the garden.
"I was hoping, sir, that you might be able to tell me of any news from the doctor."
"I did not speak to the doctor, so I do not have the information you seek; however, I would be more than willing to address the topic with Mrs. Darcy."
"If you wouldn't mind."
Colonel Fitzwilliam found Mrs. Darcy pacing in the garden, and he watched her for a few minutes before calling attention to himself. It was impossible not to be moved by the great depth of emotion displayed on Elizabeth's face. The colonel could easily understand the degree of Mrs. Thompson's concern.
Finally, Colonel Fitzwilliam called out to Elizabeth, "Mrs. Darcy!"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam." Lizzy smiled as she spoke, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"I cannot help see that you are quite grieved at this moment. I hope this is not a sign that my cousin's health had taken a turn for the worse."
"No sir, Mr. Darcy is much the same as he has been."
"Are you certain you do not wish to inform me of the cause of your distress?" A part of Lizzy very much did want to unburden her heart, but she knew it would not be right to speak of her grievances with her husband's cousin.
"I am certain."
"Well, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"I will."
"Do you wish me to leave you to your solitary reverie?"
"I would, thank you. I shall not stay out too much longer. I only need some time to compose myself."
"Very well, Mrs. Darcy."
As Richard returned to the house he debated his next course of action; should he speak with Darcy or should he return to the housekeeper? Ultimately, he decided to speak with Mrs. Thompson first.
"Good news, Mrs. Darcy says there has been no change in her husbands health. So at least that is not the cause of her distress."
"I'd say his lack of improvement may well be difficult for her to handle."
"Perhaps, but she is such a strong young lady."
"I will not disagree with you, Colonel, but think of the all she has been through."
"I am sure that having her beloved so severely ill is trying."
"It is not only that."
"What do you mean?"
"She made the trip here rather suddenly, not realizing she was leaving her home and family for an entirely new life. From what I've heard her say, I believe she must miss her family a great deal. I know she is always ecstatic when she receives letters from her sisters."
"Maybe I could suggest that she invite one of her sisters to come and stay here."
"I think that is an excellent idea."
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered Darcy's rooms and found his cousin staring at the ceiling.
"Darcy, I am worried about your wife."
Darcy was irritated and disgruntled before Fitzwilliam spoke; he was frustrated with the constant pain he experienced, and he was annoyed that his wife's suggestion for his recovery would place him in an uncomfortable situation. Moreover, she had not even stayed to speak about the alternative suggestion he had offered. Plus, since the day they were married, she had not been out of his presence for so long, and he was peeved about her absence.
However, as soon as he heard his cousin's words, he was drawn out of his melancholy ruminations and filled with true concern. "What has happened to Elizabeth?"
"She has been in the garden crying since she left your room, Darcy."
"Why is she crying?"
"She would not say, but this whole situation must be difficult for her."
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Has it not occurred to you that she is racked with worry over your health? That she might be troubled by the uncertainty of the future? That her life has changed dramatically over the last fortnight?"
No, these facts had not occurred to Darcy. Indeed, he had not truly given much thought to Elizabeth's feelings at all. He had been pleased with her tender ministrations and was genuinely thankful for the way she gently cared for him. He admired the way she had so smoothly slipped into the role of mistress of the house and gained the unswerving loyalty of the servants. He had rejoiced to see that she was already caring for the needs of the tenants at Pemberley even though she had never met them. Nevertheless, Mr. Darcy had failed to consider wife's emotions. Now that Darcy did consider his wife's perspective he was overwhelmed with guilt for seeing what ought to have been obvious.
Colonel Fitzwilliam could see the emotions playing across Mr. Darcy's eyes, though he could not truly understand them. He waited for his cousin to reply to his comments and when no reply was forthcoming Fitzwilliam spoke again, "I believe your wife misses her family very much. Perhaps you might send for one of her sisters to come stay with her for awhile?"
"I should have seen it."
"Perhaps."
"Fitzwilliam, would you go down to my study and bring back the wooden case that is locked in the third desk drawer?"
"If you provide the keys, I shall be happy to."
All this time, Mrs. Darcy remained in the garden, but she finally managed to gain control of her emotions. She was still not happy, but she reminded herself that she had promised to love and obey Mr. Darcy, and she would act accordingly. Elizabeth believed herself ready to calmly approach her husband and accept whatever plan he thought best.
With a firm resolve, Elizabeth approached Darcy, but he spoke before she did.
"Elizabeth. I am sorry." Elizabeth was astonished. "I did not think."
"Fitzwilliam?"
"We will go to Longbourn."
"Thank you."
"You miss your family very much?"
"Especially Jane and Papa." Darcy nodded.
"I don't want you to be unhappy." Lizzy heard him and believed him. She understood that her fears of being permanently estranged from her family would not come to fruition. Even though he was proud and could be sometimes disagreeable, her husband truly did value her and would cherish her. Knowing she was valued built in Lizzy a new brand of affection. Though Mrs. Darcy did not realize it, the moment she heard those words, her heart became truly tied to the man she had promised to love for life.
"I was afraid you would make me cut ties from my family."
"Oh Lizzy." There was more Darcy wished to say. He wished to tell Elizabeth how much he appreciated her and that he could now understand that he had gained everything by marrying her, while she had gained nothing, where before he had thought any woman should consider it a blessing to be Mrs. Fitzwiliam Darcy. All the words he wanted to speak would have to wait, the pain of speaking had become to great. Instead, he gestured to his wife, and she curled herself up beside him with her head upon his chest and together the two fell asleep.
When Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to the room, he was surprised at the sight which greeted him; he could see his presence was unecessary, so he placed the wooden box beside Darcy on the bed and let them be.
When Darcy woke, he found that Elizabeth was at the writing desk, busy with correspondence.
"Writing letters?"
"Letting people know of our travel plans. By the way, I do not know what is in the box. It was there when I woke." Darcy took the box in his hands.
"Come here?" Lizzy came to her husband's side and was surprised when he grasped her left hand and slid the ring off her third finger. Mr. Darcy then opened the box, which Lizzy could see was full of jewelry. He picked out one particular ring with a small arrangement of garnets and he placed on the finger where Lady Matlock's ring was no longer.
Next, Darcy closed the box and handed it to his wife. "They are all yours. There are more at Pemberley."
Lizzy, who had never owned more than a few small pieces of jewelry was overwhelmed.
"It is an honor, though I cannot imagine wearing some of these." Darcy reached up and fingered the cross Lizzy always wore.
"Wear what pleases you."
"Thank you, sir. I think people may be shocked to find that Mrs. Darcy prefers to wear only the simplest pieces. My mother will, I believe be most appalled." Darcy offered a half-smile.
Lizzy looked down at her new ring again, "Such a lovely gift deserves a reward. Tell me, sir, what is your pleasure?"
"Let down your hair." Lizzy thought it an odd request. But she readily complied. Darcy had never seen Elizabeth's hair let loose before; the look in his eyes told Lizzy that he was pleased.
"Well sir, you are not so difficult to please as I once supposed." Mr. Darcy looked confused and Elizabeth laughed, "Come now, you must admit you were not keen to approve of anyone in Hertfordshire society when you first arrived in Meryton. I confess I believed you would only be happy in the highest circles, but here I discover you are not at all averse to the simple pleasures of life." Darcy felt there was nothing to say, so he acted in the only sensible manner; he stopped her mouth with a kiss.
Unfortunately, Darcy truly was not well enough to kiss his wife senseless, and he found himself soon coughing and wheezing in the most dreadful manner. He could not help but laugh at the ridiculous of the situation, which of course only served to worsen it, and he soon began gasping for air.
After drinking some tea and sucking on one of the ginger sweets Mr. Gardiner had sent, Darcy regained his composure.
"One day, Lizzy, I will kiss you senseless." Mrs. Darcy blushed and wondered what it would be like to be kissed senseless, and decided it must pleasant indeed.
"I will take that as a promise, Fitzwilliam. Now you must get well so that you may keep it."
"Of course."
That night Lizzy fell asleep with a smile on her face and dreamed peaceful dreams in which her husband was healthy and hale; together they explored the fields of Hertfordshire and basked in one another's presence.
Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, was plagued by nightmares. First, he dreamed that he proposed to Elizabeth while telling her of all the reasons he had resisted marrying her only to have her refuse him and tell him he was the last man in the world she could ever be prevailed upon to marry. Then he dreamed that he was married to Elizabeth, but he had succumbed at last to the disease, leaving her alone as a widow. The widowed Mrs. Darcy had been left penniless and unprotected and was forced into menial conditions where she was brutally mistreated.
Darcy awoke from his dreams in a sweat, thankful that reality was not so bleak as his dreams. Still, his second dream pressed upon him the fact that he had not made a marriage settlement for his wife. He resolved to remedy that predicament at the earliest moment possible.
It was far to early in the morning to conduct business when Darcy woke, so he lay quietly watching his beautiful wife slumber in his arms. She looked so innocent and childlike as she slept that his resolve to protect her strengthened immeasurably. When she too was awake, she startled to see that her husband was watching her keenly.
As soon as his wife's eyes were open, Mr. Darcy exclaimed, "I need to see my solicitor as soon as may be."
After asking a servant to summon the man in question, Lizzy asked her husband what business he had.
"A marriage settlement. I need to take care of you."
"Oh. Well, I had better go and get dressed before he arrives. I would not wish to scandalize your solicitor. I'll have Mr. Stinson make you a little more presentable too."
While Lizzy was dressing, Colonel Fitzwilliam popped in to visit his cousin.
"Is Lizzy feeling better this morning?"
"I believe so."
"So will her sister be coming to visit?"
"No, we are going to Longbourn."
"Dr. Winters approves?"
"Yes."
"I hope the journey is not too difficult for you, Darcy, I would hate to see a setback because of it. When do you leave?"
"Two days."
"Good. I should be able to travel with you. I just received word from my general that I am needed back with the regiment in a week. That gives me time to help you settle in. Will Georgiana be coming too?"
"I have not asked yet."
"I suggest they stay here and then follow you in a week or too if things are going well."
"Not a bad idea."
"What's not a bad idea?" Mrs. Darcy inquired as she entered from the adjoining room. Colonel Fitzwilliam quickly explained the essence of the previous discussion.
"I will talk to them about that this morning."
"Why don't you go and break your fast with the other ladies. I would be happy to stay her with Darcy and eat this lovely breakfast Mrs. Thompson has sent up."
"Is that acceptable to you, husband?"
"Yes. You need not be here when Mr. Horton comes."
So it was that Mrs. Darcy excused herself and headed to the breakfast room while Mr. Darcy explained to the colonel his purpose in calling for a solicitor in the early morning hours.
The meeting with the solicitor went as smoothly as could be expected, for though Mr. Horton found the circumstances of Darcy's wedding peculiar, he was not the sort of man to ask inappropriate questions.
Lizzy's conversation with her sister-in-law was also successful. Georgiana was at first disappointed at being left behind, but she resigned herself to that fate when she realized she would be soon reunited to her brother. Moreover, she was pleased with the realization which had not yet occurred to Elizabeth –they would be spending Christmas at Longbourn with the Bennets. Lizzy was naturally also pleased when Georgiana expounded on the subject of Christmas.
That afternoon Darcy's spirits seemed improved, and his physical condition seemed to improve because of it. Lizzy could not have guessed that her husband's improvement had come because he was now focused on her well-being instead of his own.
Darcy even managed to have a pleasant time with Mr. Gardiner when that gentleman came to call. Mr. Darcy's side of the conversation was, as always somewhat stilted, but he made it clear to Uncle Gardiner that he was thankful for the visit.
Mr. Gardiner, in addition to more of the ginger and honey sweets, had brought another product which he hoped would help his new nephew's health.
"I had a shipment in from China this morning. Included in it was a new type of tea I've never heard of before. It's supposed to improve overall health and especially help with respiratory problems. I have no idea if any of the claims are accurate; they are certainly unsubstantiated. Nonetheless, I assumed you'd be willing to try it, as you really have nothing to lose in the endeavor. In other words, I have brought you some tea." Darcy was doubtful as to whether the tea would help, but knew that Mr. Gardiner was correct that it was unlikely to harm. So he agreed to try it.
"I think having connections in trade might be a benefit." Lizzy, who knew her husband's statement to be quite a concession, happily squeezed Darcy's hand.
"Thank you, Uncle Gardiner."
Lizzy and her uncle continued in conversation for some time. Darcy included little, but his few interjections showed that he appreciated the discussion. When it was time for Mr. Gardiner to leave, Darcy wished him well and told him that he hoped they would see each other soon.
"Thank you, sir." Lizzy told her husband after her uncle had left.
"I like him."
"I believe you will like my Aunt Gardiner as well. At least I do have some relatives for whom I've no need to blush."
"Indeed." Elizabeth wondered whether her husband was becoming less proud, or if her knowing him better had increased her understanding of the man. More and more she was grateful that she had risked her happiness on him.
Of course, always weighing heavily on Mrs. Darcy's mind was her husband's health and the risks they were taking in an attempt to improve it. She hoped and prayed that their trip to Longbourn would be beneficial.
When the day to leave London arrived, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy found themselves comfortably situated in Darcy's finest carriage at first light. Inside the carriage was a featherbed as well as numerous pillows and blankets.
"I do believe this will be my most comfortable carriage ride ever," Elizabeth murmured as she snuggled in beside her husband.
The carriage ride may indeed have been a comfortable one, but the Darcy's could scarcely have predicted all that would happen before they were settled in at Longbourn.