Chapter Seven

Fitzwilliam glanced up when Lizzy entered his study.

Dressed in a lovely evening gown with a touch of lace, he held his breath when she closed the door behind her. The study was somewhat dark but thankfully: the afternoon sunlight was shining through. With the acceptance of the fireplace to the left, the window was the only means of light for Fitzwilliam. His appointments along with all the other business affairs of the day were on him but he rose when Lizzy entered. Her expression was narrowed and he knew something wasn't right. Rising, he asked.

"Mrs. Mayfield? Is something the matter?"

"Yes. I received this in the mail earlier this afternoon."

And in her hands, she held him a letter.

"Blackmailer."

"What?" Fitzwilliam asked.

He immediately took the paper from her hands, which would have marked as a paper cut, and he read the sender's demands. His temper heated when he asked.

"He wants this much before midnight?"

He turned and stared hard at Lizzy as he added.

"Today?"

"Yes." She replied.

"When and who informed you about this? And at what time?"

"Albert. This afternoon after I returned from Our Lady of the Rosary."

"He demands this much before midnight? And if not… disastrous results will follow?"

"Yes." Lizzy replied and Fitzwilliam felt his throat dry a little.

Fitzwilliam knew what blackmailer's consisted of but he also knew responding to them wouldn't be the best of ideas. He stared at the letter and re-read what the sender asked. Lizzy, out of the corner of his eye, turned around and seemed to swallow. He didn't think much on this when she turned and asked.

"Mr. Darcy? What should be done?"

"I'm driving into town to show this to the police, Lizzy. I won't be at dinner until later. Inform Heather as well as Emma to send the boys' and ask William to be at his best. I will be back but make sure the women know, alright?"

He spoke this in such an urgent way, he turned and taking hold of his cloak, he put it on and rushing past Lizzy, he nearly caused some of the coffee items on a nearby stand to fall over. He opened the door to the study and entered the main lobby. Then he ran out and was soon outside. He had the keys in his pocket and after he stepped into the car, he drove out of the street and onto the main road. His location would be New York's Police Station.

When Lizzy entered the dining hall, John was there. He had his little hands behind his back but when she entered, he turned and smiling at her, bowed.

"Am I on time, mama?" He asked once he drew himself up.

The young lad was wearing his best suite an when Lizzy met his eyes, they glowed like the candles on the table. Smiling, she made her way over to him and placing her hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes when she answered.

"Yes, John. You most certainly are on time. I already notice you're wearing one of your suits?"

"Yes, mama." He replied and he squared his shoulders. Lizzy remembered he was already nearing his 6th birthday and she recalled William would be turning 10 later.

"And to add I will be marrying their father in 6 weeks." Lizzy told herself.

As John squared his shoulders again, he continued as one of the servants entered.

"Mama? I want to be my best for you and papa's wedding. I told the other students about it and some of them said I was very lucky to have a mama like you."

"Did they indeed, John?" Lizzy asked as she gestured for John to take his seat. She spotted William was yet to appear and remembering what Fitzwilliam asked her, Lizzy turned and spoke to the servant.

"Emma? Mr. Darcy wanted me to inform you as well as the others that he will be arriving late for the meal this evening. Wanted to have both of the boys' here so when he returned, they wouldn't be left waiting."

The maid, Emma, who wore a black dress with a white apron, paused in placing the soup on a separate table when she answered.

"Alright, Mrs. Mayfield. Thank you for the information. I will tell Heather and the others when I'm finished here."

"Thank you," Lizzy answered.

Then she heard John slid himself in and he spoke.

"I'm ready whenever the cook serves me, mama! Should I put my napkin in my shirt or leave it on my lap?"

Seemed to Lizzy she was preparing herself to be John's mother sooner than later. Walking over to him, she crouched down and staring into his eyes, she replied.

"I would suggest placing it on your lap, John. You've grown old enough to exclude the napkin in your shirt now."

The little boy's eyes glowed again and before Lizzy knew it, he had his arms wrapped around her and he nuzzled her as he answered.

"Truthfully, mama? I am?"

Feeling how truthful he was, Lizzy engulfed him in her own and momentarily, she closed her eyes. Remembering how Edward used to hug her like this, only caused her pain inside to increase but she wouldn't let John know. She even ignored Emma when she re-entered, carrying a few items for the table, as she felt John nuzzle her again. Inhaling his fragrance, Lizzy opened her eyes and when the little boy stared into hers, she answered.

"Yes, John. You are old enough. I would say: as old as a young eagle is when he leaves the nest."

"Don't they usually leave when their wings are strong?"

A voice asked.

John's eyes rolled when he returned to his seat and when Lizzy rose, she felt her temper heat when William stood in the doorway, his arms folded and he seemed to stare at the two with a sour expression. How often was it he would bully her when his father wasn't around?

"William Darcy, you take a seat and put on your best behavior." Lizzy answered as Emma walked past her. Before she vanished to the kitchen, both Emma and Lizzy shared a look and it was annoyance. Apparently: William took advantage of his papa when he wasn't around to bully those around.

"I don't need you to tell me what to do, Mrs. Mayfield." The older brother answered but he made his way over and seated himself. Much to Lizzy's utter annoyance, William placed himself at the head of the table… where Fitzwilliam normally would be…

"You sit where you belong." Lizzy barked and she was feeling her temper rise.

"I am sitting, Mrs. Mayfield." Willian answered and he took his father's napkin and placed it on his lap. When he met her eyes, he placed his hands on the table and was quite pleased with himself.

"You're not doing what papa told you to do!" John shouted, standing in Lizzy's defense.

"And you were told to be as quiet as a lamb, remember?" William replied and Lizzy saw how John gripped his napkin in his lap.

Oh, if only their father was here he would do something about this!

Lizzy knew she needed to take over. Remembering Fitzwilliam informed her he would be late, she drew herself up and looking William right in the eyes, she spoke.

"William? In that seat or I will personally take you out of there myself."

"Then try it, Mrs. Mayfield." William answered and his eyes were fierce.

"Oh!" Lizzy responded as she walked over and taking hold of the chair, she spun William around, forcing him to face her. The impact of her temper surprised her as much as it did him. When the two were staring into each other's eyes, William gathered himself and when Lizzy placed her hands on his shoulders, he placed his hands on the chair and gripped the edges.

"This young lad isn't going to leave without a fight." Lizzy thought when she felt his body remain on the seat. She felt John's eyes on her and she could tell he was rooting for her. The commotion from William's outburst drew the other servants from the kitchen. Ignoring their stares, Lizzy firmly gripped William as she tried to pull him out of the chair. But the boy was strong. She felt him react and he pressed his lips together when she attempted to pull him out. The chair moved and this caused his head to bump into her upper chest.

"No apology there," she thought when William closed his eyes and pressed his lips together even tighter. He wasn't one to give up. Feeling him make a sound in his throat, Lizzy managed to take a hold of him one last time before she pulled him from his seat and the chair fell to the ground with a thud. For a woman such as herself, Lizzy was amazed to feel how William actually reacted when John cried.

"Mama! You managed to pull William off of his chair!"

"Oh, shut up!" William answered and he opening his eyes, he growled at John.

"Young man: you're sitting in that seat without question." Lizzy spoke and with quick motions, walked over and placed William down hard. With a thump, he was on his usual seat and Lizzy drew back. Brushing her hands, she turned to the servants, who been watching the entire time, as she addressed.

"I wish to make it clear that William has returned to his rightful place. Now – do make yourselves useful and serve the boys' first. Their father will not be home until much later."

Focusing her attention to them, she finished.

"Thank you."

When she noticed William was about to make a motion, Lizzy silenced him by raising her hand and John smiled at her. Out of the corner of her eye, Lizzy made sure she kept a close look on William. Treating her like that didn't do her any good and she didn't express to allow him to harass and bully her like he was doing with John. Lizzy seen enough of that to know how to act and know what to do. Once she seated herself, she asked for the boys' to hold hands before the servants served them their meal. As always: John was willing but William reluctantly paused before he reached over and held hands. Lizzy could tell it was all he yearned to do was pray. But prayer was the only answer for them after what took place. Lizzy silently thanked Our Lord before she bowed her head and started grace. Once it was finished, the servants followed through with serving the boys' and she wasn't the last one. When the first portion of the meal appeared, a sound was heard outside and Lizzy knew Fitzwilliam returned.

"There you are, papa!" John called and Lizzy paused when Fitzwilliam stumbled inside the dining room. He was struggling to take his cloak off and lowering her spoon, Lizzy asked.

"Need any help?"

The businessman, who appeared to have gone through an adventure, glanced up when William made a noise but Lizzy silenced him when Fitzwilliam replied.

"I would appreciate that, actually. Thank you, Mrs. Mayfield."

Rising, Lizzy walked over and helped Fitzwilliam remove his cloak. As she was doing this, he leaned forward as he whispered.

"The sheriff received the letter."

"That is all?" Lizzy asked.

By this time, his cloak was off and she held it out for the butler to take. He nodded before he vanished. Taking a step back, Lizzy let Fitzwilliam clear his throat before he asked.

"Mrs. Mayfield? Should we return to the meal? It smells very fine."

"Yes, Mr. Darcy. We shall."

Then they returned to their seats and all Lizzy felt was a little puzzled. When Fitzwilliam entered, he stumbled and struggled to take his cloak off. She also noticed he wasn't smiling or as enthralled as he'd been earlier. As she watched him eat, something wasn't feel right when he seemed to hungrily eat at his meal. Even William and John were silent as their father ate. Briefly pausing in her own meal, which was soup, Lizzy thought.

"Wonder what happened at the office to make him react like this?"