Chapter Twenty-Six

Mr. Darcy sat in the Public Gallery at the House of Commons listening to a speech by Mr. Tillerson. Even though he had a powerful voice, it was difficult to hear him at times as he was heckled by members of the ruling Tory party who were in no mood to listen about his concerns about people living in rural communities. "People are being thrown out of their homes, with no chance of finding work, facing starvation," shouted Mr. Tillerson to hoots of derision. "We have a responsibility to see that they are treated fairly."

Mr. Darcy listened carefully. Tillerson was a powerful orator, but even he was struggling to fight against such a mob. There seemed little difference between the Members of Parliament and the protestors trying to fight again Lord Wilmington.

He knew if he decided to take up Lord Campbell's offer of a seat and tried to fight for the future of the poor who worked their land he too would face such opposition. He still wasn't sure if he had the patience for it. And yet he thought of his dead father, who had always cared for the men and women who worked on the Pemberley estates, ensuring their working conditions were the best around.

His father had been an unusual man and he had hinted to Darcy before his untimely death that it was a tradition he should continue. But Darcy realised he could do more, but he was unsure whether he would ever get the opportunity to do so. He'd agreed to meet Tillerson when he left the floor of the House. What he had to tell him might cause Tillerson to withdraw his support.

"Are you sure you are well enough to attend the ladies' tea?" Elizabeth asked Lady Trentham as they awaited the arrival of their guests.

"Elizabeth, I have stayed in bed for the last two days and I am well rested," said Anne who was indeed looking less sickly than when she had first arrived. "Just being here at Pemberley has made me feel a great deal better. It is so nice to be away from Cadogan Gardens. I find it quite depressing at times."

"It is rather dark," said Elizabeth, not wanting to appear rude.

"It is and I am worried about my child. I do not want them brought up in such a place. I have tried to persuade Lord Trentham to move, but my efforts have met with little success. He is determined we shall stay at Number Three."

"Perhaps you could make some changes," suggested Elizabeth.

Anne carefully lowered her expanding figure into a chair and allowed her maid to tuck a cushion down her back. "I think I will when I return home. Dear Edgar is so rarely there, I'm not sure he would even notice, but I think it is time that I suited myself."

Elizabeth was relieved to hear Anne thinking of her own comfort.

"And what of you?" asked Anne suddenly.

"I don't know what you mean?" said Elizabeth.

Anne looked at her quizzically. "You were looking very pale when I arrived. I was concerned that you and my cousin have fallen out. Has he been bullying you?"

Elizabeth was shocked. "Mr. Darcy would never bully me."

"Perhaps my choice of words was the wrong one," said Anne, unflustered by Elizabeth's sharp tone, "But Fitzwilliam is a complex man and I know at times he can be rather difficult. If there is nothing wrong between you, then there must be some other reason why you look so ill."

Elizabeth was not yet ready to share news of her condition with anyone, not even Anne. She decided to divert suspicion. "I love Mr. Darcy, Anne, you know I do, but at times he can be infuriatingly secretive."

Anne smiled, shifting slightly in her chair to find a more comfortable position. "Elizabeth, that is not just my cousin. I believe it is an affliction that all men suffer from. That is why ladies' teas are so important. We need to get together and find out what is really going on."

Elizabeth laughed. There were times that Anne could say the most outrageous things that held an element of truth to them. She had been wondering whether her ladies' tea really was a good idea, but with Anne at her side she was certain it would be a success.

"I am very nervous," said Kitty later that afternoon as they waited for the first of Elizabeth's guests to arrive.

"There is no need to be, Kitty," Anne reassured her. "Most of them will be too busy talking about themselves to be concerned about you. But you can follow my lead and if in doubt we will talk about their health or the weather."

Elizabeth thought how sweet Anne was. Her sister really was nervous. Kitty had confided to Elizabeth that Mr. Bennet had been doing his best to encourage her to read more and to engage her daily in conversation, so she was more at ease in polite company. Elizabeth was pleased to hear he had kept his promise to her.

"But Father won't allow Mary to recommend any book," said Kitty. "You know how Mary can go on so."

Elizabeth did know. Since her marriage, not once had she invited Mary to stay. She just didn't think she could inflict Mary and her insufferable opinions on Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth smiled at Kitty. "We will not think of Mary today. Kitty, do not worry, we are all going to enjoy ourselves."

Half an hour later the small drawing room was full of women busy talking to each other. Elizabeth introduced Anne to Lady Eleanor Montague, one of her most eminent guests, and the two women were soon talking as if they were old friends. Anne made sure that Kitty was involved in their conversation and Elizabeth saw her sister flush as Lady Montague asked her where she lived, but she managed to respond in her politest manner.

Glad that her sister was at ease, Elizabeth turned her attention to her other guests, most of whom already knew each other. She felt a little guilty as she poured the tea. Although in the early days of their marriage she and Mr. Darcy had been invited to a number of dinner parties and balls, they had been so content with each other they had avoided as many events as possible and the invitations soon began to dwindle. It had not upset either of them, as there was no one they preferred to spend their days with more than each other. Then after the loss of her son they had stopped dinning out altogether. Listening in to the conversations going on around her Elizabeth was beginning to realise how much she had missed out on by not involving herself more in their local community.

"Mrs. Darcy," whispered Mrs. Plumstead, whose husband was a successful businessman in Lambton. "I wanted to say that I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your unborn child."

It still hurt but Elizabeth was able to reply calmly enough. "Thank you. It was a difficult time. And how are your children?"

"Peter is studying law in London. I still have Victoria and Arabella at home. Children, they are such a blessing." Mrs. Plumstead suddenly realised what she had said and covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm so sorry, that was tactless of me."

"Please don't worry," said Elizabeth, handing her a cup of tea.

"Mrs. Plumstead, have you been upsetting Mrs. Darcy?" asked Lady Lytton, who had never been known for her tact.

"Not at all," said Elizabeth quickly. "We were just talking about families."

"Of course, your son is in London isn't he, Mrs. Plumstead?" asked Lady Lytton in a bullying manner.

"Yes, he is," said Mrs. Plumstead quickly.

Lady Montague joined their conversation. "Mrs. Darcy, did I not hear you were recently in London?"

"I was. I had the pleasure of seeing Lady Trentham and other friends and families."

Anne smiled. "And it was lovely to see you." She looked around the room at large. "We saw an excellent production of Macbeth."

"I am not a lover of Mr. Shakespeare's work," said Lady Lytton. "I prefer the opera. But last time I was in London, the production we had hoped to see was called off. There was a fire at the theatre."

"The opera?" said Mrs. Plumstead. "Didn't I hear that we have an opera singer in our midst?"

Elizabeth tensed, her hand wavered and she almost dropped the cup she was about to pass to Mrs. Forth.

"Who do you mean?" asked Lady Lytton, who didn't like someone else to be the centre of attention. If anyone was to impart a piece of news she thought it should be her.

"Lady Wilmington. Selina Grey," said Mrs. Plumstead, a triumphant look on her face.

"I once heard her sing, at the Opera House," said Lady Montague. "She does have a beautiful voice."

Elizabeth tried not to look at Anne. She wished they could start talking about something else.

"Have you met Lady Wilmington, Mrs. Darcy?" asked Mrs. Forth, whose husband was a university professor.

"Yes, on two occasions," said Elizabeth carefully, glad that she had handed out the last of the tea and no one could see her hands shaking.

"I have heard she is with child," said one of the other women.

Mrs. Forth sniffed. "I too had heard that." She dropped her voice and spoke in a conspiratorial manner. "There are rumours that the child is not her husband's. I believe she has been consorting with another man, someone from her past."

Elizabeth inwardly gasped. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Her mind was racing. Lady Wilmington was with child. That in itself meant nothing. But the past love? That meant something.

"Lady Montague. How often is your husband in the Lords?" asked Lady Trentham, seeing Elizabeth's pale face.

Elizabeth never heard the answer. A child. Mr. Darcy had visited Lady Wilmington. He would never betray her. He couldn't.

Mr. Darcy met with Mr. Tillerson when he had delivered his speech and left the floor of the House of Commons.

"It's good to see you again, Darcy," he said as he guided Darcy into an empty Members room that was often used for visitors. "Tell me that you are going to accept Lord Campbell's offer of a seat? We need you. Too many toffs trying to block any sort of progress."

Darcy was sorry that he was going to be a bearer of bad news. "I believe, sir, that my presence could be more a hindrance than any sort of help!" said Darcy.

Mr. Tillerson's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" he asked, taking the chair opposite Darcy's.

"The murder of Gerald Fairfax, Lord Wilmington's solicitor."

Tillerson shook his head. "I'm not sure what you mean, Darcy. I know the accused is married to your wife's sister, but this is of no consequence. Your enemies might try and use it against you, but it will not worry anyone in the party."

"Even if I was shown to be a dishonourable man?" asked Darcy.

"I would be shocked if you have ever been shown to be anything but an honourable man. That is why I recommended you to Lord Campbell. "

Mr. Darcy was touched by the faith that Mr. Tillerson had in him, but he knew it wasn't quite as simple as that.

"I will be appearing in court tomorrow…after that you may change your mind."

Mr. Tillerson looked impatient. "Darcy, stop paying games. Tell me at once."

Mr. Darcy told him.