Chapter Five

Saturday, May 9th, 1896.

Diamond Springs Manor.

Fitzwilliam stared at the clock and groaned.

Lying in his chamber, he took in a breath when the doctor soothed.

"It's alright, Master Darcy. Just take one more and you should be able to manage."

The gentleman rode from Newport and Fitzwilliam wished the man would vanish from sight! As he felt the pressure increase in his lungs, he heard one of the maids ask.

"He's gone through this several times before, doctor. Whatever will happen if this continues?"

The man's hands were on Fitzwilliam's right lung and he wished he could swipe his hand away! As if he needed another nursemaid by his side, Fitzwilliam, who lay flat on his back, stared up at the ceiling when the doctor answered.

"Well… I can only say that Mr. Darcy's breathing spells happen when the lungs are compressed due to the back. This isn't uncommon when this happens. Only you informed me this one was one of the worst?"

"Yes, doctor. That is correct." The maid replied.

It was here when Fitzwilliam inhaled and the tension was released from his lungs.

"There we go, Mr. Darcy. Simply needed a little grip there and you're back!"

As he slowly Lizzy, against the ache in his back, Fitzwilliam replied.

"And if that butler of mine wouldn't be frantic over me… I would be downstairs to meet the Queen of Beauty! The hour is 30 minutes to and all of you are staring at me like I'm some child needing my nursemaid!"

He managed to slam his first on a nearby table. Well… at least he was strong enough to bang on the table. When the servants saw this, the maid approached but Fitzwilliam shook his head.

"I can manage on my own." He answered and he slowly stood to his feet.

The cane, which helped steady him when he walked, he took into his hand and when he turned, he narrowed his eyes on those in the room: Francis, the doctor, Sterling, and that irritating maid.

"Now…" he started… "Shall we prepare for Miss Bennet's arrival? Or should I do her the disgrace of appearing like a rag hung out to dry?"

"Right away, Master Fitzwilliam!" Francis exclaimed but Fitzwilliam inwardly rolled his eyes. It was due to Francis Doctor Sterling was there! He suffered one of his "breathing spells" and Fitzwilliam knew this was because of the deformity in his back. But now – he was standing and as he hobbled over to the part of his room where he would be assisted in dressing, he turned to Doctor Sterling as he said.

"Doctor? I thank you for your services but I believe you're done here. Anne will take you out."

"If you ever need help," Doctor Sterling answered as he took out his cloak and put it on.

"Don't hesitate to inform me."

"For sure, indeed, doctor! For sure!" Francis answered for Fitzwilliam but he turned and glared at him.

Then Anne, one of the kinder maids, escorted the doctor out and Fitzwilliam was left to the mercy of Francis. As he sat down, he stared at himself in the mirror and he noticed he was wearing his gardening clothes. His "breathing spell" occurred when he returned and it was all he could have done to keep the pain away from those who saw him. Diamond Springs Manor was huge and gorgeous in itself but when he would make his way back from the gardens, Fitzwilliam always entered the back way. Or… as his brothers' would attest… requested him to go that way!

Staring at his reflection, Fitzwilliam noticed the hunchback to his spine and as Francis started, he heard the butler ask.

"Master Fitzwilliam? What shall you like to wear?"

He blinked and though he was annoyed with the butler, Fitzwilliam answered.

"Find the first shirt you can, Francis. I'll wear the evening pants. She is to arrive in 30 minutes and I don't want to be unpresentable for her."

In the candle light room of his chamber, Fitzwilliam turned and placing his hand on the chair, he finished.

"I'll take care of combing my hair. My shirt should be in the closet."

"Right on it, Master Fitzwilliam." Francis answered and he turned and made his way over to the man's source of clothes. Fitzwilliam felt a little irritated when he started to comb his hair. He was thankful he'd taken a bath but he continued to hope he would be able to do that on his own soon. When he glanced over towards a vase, he smiled when a pair of Rosary beads stared up at him. He smiled softly when he remembered Our Blessed Mother as he started to comb his hair.


"Miss Bennet? Would you follow me?" One of the footman asked.

The minute Elizabeth's carriage drove up, Norman, as always, held her hand and escorted her down. She was wearing the gown she'd yearned to wear to dine with Master Fitzwilliam Darcy and she was thankful the seamstress had met her request that Friday. It was all she could have done to keep her excitement in and now – as Elizabeth followed behind one of the Darcy Brother's footman, she noticed that the first floor of the manor was decorated in light candles lining the walls. Once her cloak was taken, she kept her composure and ignored the stares from one of the maids as she followed behind the footman. Unlike the Sunday before, which was the date of the ball, Elizabeth found that the feeling of mystery lurked within Diamond Springs as she continued walking behind the footman. He was wearing one of those "suites for serving the guests" and a little… to her amusement… a wig was on his head and if she was watching closely… it slipped every now and then.

"I wonder if this gentleman is bold," she wondered.

"He seems the kind to wear something like this to conceal something."

As she passed by one of the rooms, she suddenly paused when she realized this room, unlike the others, was different. The maid, who happened to take her cloak, was behind her and when she noticed this, she asked.

"Miss Beauty? Is something wrong?"

Elizabeth didn't turn to spot that the footman also turned and he quirked a brow as Elizabeth answered.

"Yes…. Pray tell… what room is this? I've never seen it before and it appears to be closed off."

She turned to the maid as she added.

"Is there reason for this?"

The maid, another woman who held a kindly expression, answered but in a matter of fact tone.

"That is a room which the Darcy Brothers' don't want anyone to enter, Miss Beauty."

"Not even Mr. Fitzwilliam?" She asked but here the maid didn't seem to want to answer her. Instead, she kept her focus forward and even though she held a kindly expression, Elizabeth noticed the woman was annoyed she'd asked such a question. When she walked forward and ignored Elizabeth, which stung her feelings, Elizabeth thought.

"Perhaps I shouldn't take advantage of my visit."

And inwardly, a voice in her mind barked.

"And keep whatever is on your mind to yourself!"

"Miss Beauty?" The footman asked.

"Yes, sir?" Elizabeth answered as she turned to him.

The wigged hair man had his hands behind his back and in the lightened hallway: he appeared more like a servant who only did as he was asked. But contained a little clumsiness about him or at least… that was what Elizabeth spotted. But she kept this to herself as he gestured with his head towards the dining hall. Nodding, Elizabeth followed him again. Her shoes softly touched the flooring and it sparkled like glass. The color was a light brown and Elizabeth knew the servants' took pains to clean it. Diamond Springs Manor wasn't like any other Renaissance design she'd seen before! In all her social gatherings, she rarely visited such places… majority of her time were with her lady friends… and the gatherings were elsewhere in places papa wouldn't have approved his daughter venture off to. But this evening – as she entered a lightened hallway which passed through the living room – Elizabeth didn't want to reflect on things which were passed. Though she was feeling the sting of them on her soul she kept this to herself when the two approached the dining hall. It was here when her escort, his hands still behind his back, stood to the side and when he talked, he said.

"Miss Bennet? Master Fitzwilliam will join you shortly. For the now," he turned and after he opened the door, he bowed to her as he finished.

"Your place is already set for you. I bid you a splendid evening."

Then he Lizzy and turning, left Elizabeth standing by herself at the doorway. She followed him with her eyes but did as he informed her and entered the dining hall. The minute she stepped inside, she let out a gasp. The interior of the room held two large Baccarat chandeliers, while around her – Corinthian columns supported a colossal carved and gilt cornice. A 16-century fashion of hew oak seats in the middle and large windows on both sides of her… as well as the burning fireplace in front…

"The Darcys' surely knew how to satisfy their children with such a place." Elizabeth thought as she slowly made her way over. The place settings, unlike the Sunday before, were only prepared for two as Elizabeth saw that there were only two plates with the utensils beside them. At the head of the table: there was a wine glass, the usual plate, fork, knife, napkin…

"Mr. Darcy must be the one to seat himself there," Elizabeth thought.

Here she stood beside her place and when she peered down, she knew her place would be seated opposite him… yet the table was so long… and the distance between them would be something to remember… as she pulled her chair out… Elizabeth wondered how her dinning with 'the Beast' would go. When she was seated, she elegantly placed her hands on her lap as she waited for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy to make himself present. The flickering of the candles as well as the crackling of the fire were her only companions as Elizabeth waited for her host to make himself present.

She wouldn't have to wait long. Within moments, she heard the sound of the door open and voice say.

"Welcome, Miss Beauty."

She kept her composure, though her heart thumped, as she replied.

"Mr. Darcy."


Fitzwilliam held onto the cane for dear life!

As he hobbled in, he made sure Francis didn't father him as he entered the dining hall. He'd seen Miss Bennet make her way through the main floor but he kept himself hidden in the shadows, as not to appear he was behind her when Anne, who took her cloak, walked behind her. He was up on the staircase after being helped into "presentable attire" but when he'd seen her enter – his breath caught in his throat! She surely was "the Queen" of beauty and the stories he'd heard about her returned to him as he made his way down.

"If only Francis wasn't so overly concerned," he thought when he felt the butler's hand help him as he walked down the grand staircase, "I would be fine if he wouldn't bother me so!"

Remembering how she'd responded to his bidding, Fitzwilliam kept his excitement in as he walked to her left and made it sure she didn't hear his own beating heart. He was thankful when he noticed she kept her eyes focused forward but he would have promised himself she yearned to stare at him. But he ignored this feeling as he used the cane to help him approach the head of the table and then, using the ability he could, pushed the chair out and seated himself opposite her.

When he set the cane to the side, he turned and keeping his voice calm, said.

"Miss Beauty? I see that your response to my invite was prompt."

"Yes, Mr. Darcy. It is a part of my social obligations." The voice of "Beauty" answered.

But Fitzwilliam detected she merely spoke this in a matter of fact tone. Or was it because she was beautiful she had to respond to them? Perhaps he should approach this in a different way…

His hands still on the table, Fitzwilliam leaned a little forward as he asked.

"And care to explain why you're not looking at me in the eye?"

This seemed to draw the "queen" out of her trance and when she looked at him, it was all Fitzwilliam could do but wish he wasn't as hunched over as he was. The way her eyes glowed, the outline of her neck, the way her hair was up, the curls dangling from her head touching her shoulders… the diamond necklace… and their matching earrings…

"You surely presented yourself finely for this evening, Miss Beauty," he heard himself say. He drew himself up when she replied calmly.

"Yes, Mr. Darcy. That I did."

He was trying to figure out what to say next as the chimes from a small clock struck the hour of seven. He arrived in time and he was pleased with that. But he also knew he didn't wish to disappoint her and he was one to follow through with his word. When there was another one of those strange pauses, Fitzwilliam, his hands still on the table, was surprised when the "Beauty" asked.

"Mr. Darcy? Where are your brothers, pray?"

"Of all the nerve," Fitzwilliam thought to himself as he tightened his hands, "she has to ask about them?!"

But he managed to keep his spark in as he answered.

"They are on a business trip, Miss Beauty."

He watched as she leaned forward and narrowing her eyes, which to him was charming, Fitzwilliam heard Miss Bennet ask.

"For how long?"

"A full month. Why do you ask, Miss Beauty?"

When she pulled back, Fitzwilliam heard Elizabeth answer.

"Because for men, such as your brothers, they surely wouldn't vanish for a month when the social season is in session! Both of recall they hosted the ball this past Sunday, remember?"

Fitzwilliam yearned to hiss but he kept this in as he replied.

"Yes, Miss Beauty. I do remember that."

"Indeed. For sure. As everyone did that evening but remember," she responded and Fitzwilliam watched that her expressions softened when she continued to look him in the eyes, as she added, "But I came and said I was sorry for the mistreatment."

"And in response: you are invited to dine with me." Fitzwilliam replied.

It was here when the doors to the side opened and turning, he inwardly smiled when Anne, the loving maid, entered and in her hands, was the first of the evening's meal. He returned his attention to Miss Beauty and felt a little startled when he noticed she'd taken barely removed her eyes from him. Feeling a little warm under the collar, Fitzwilliam cleared his throat as he announced.

"Anne? I believe our guest shall be served her meal first. Miss Beauty? I'm not sure you've met Anne? She's our housemaid as well as cook. But she does plenty to help when the manor needs to be tided for guests."

But Fitzwilliam wasn't unaware of what passed between the two ladies as Anne moved over and served Beauty her meal. Miss Bennet thanked her but Fitzwilliam noticed that there was tension between the two and he wondered what could have caused something to make that happen. But he didn't wish to ask when Anne moved over and served him his portion last. Once Anne departed, he turned to Miss Beauty as he asked.

"Would you join me in saying grace?"

He waited but as he watched… the expression of Miss Beauty changed… she tightened her shoulders but responded softly.

"Grace… go on… Mr. Darcy… you can pray…"

"In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…" Fitzwilliam began as he reverently made the Sign of the Cross. He bowed his head and kept his eyes away from seeing how Miss Bennet reacted to his "other side of him" as he started to thank God for the meal.


The course of the meal was slow for Elizabeth.

She anticipated having Mr. Darcy ask her questions about how her social standing was and how she became known as "the Queen" but when she heard him ask if she was willing to say grace with him, she wished nothing more but to rush and leave "the Beast" alone!

"What? Indeed?!" she thought as she pretended to bow her head in prayer, "He ask me to pray with him?! I would surely have accepted if he requested I play the piano for him instead! But pray?! No!"

But she willing obeyed and when she heard the "Amen," she lifted her head as she softly answered.

"Amen." But she didn't follow through with the Sign of the Cross… though some part of her shouted at her to do this…

"As the honored guest," a voice interrupted her thoughts, "you may start first."

It was Fitzwilliam Darcy's voice and when she turned, Elizabeth met his eyes and they were soft. Unlike earlier, when he'd asked her some of those intimating questions, Elizabeth yearned to escape the "Beast's" presence and she wondered if accepting his invitation was the correct thing she did for that week. After her napkin was on her lap, she reached out and took the spoon and once it was in her mouth…

"Perhaps I should have attended Abigail's social this week rather than be here," she thought as the soup entered her mouth. It was warm and soothing and Elizabeth never tasted something as great as this! Even her own parents' cook never prepared something as delicious as this!

"Mr. Darcy?" She found herself asking as she drew herself up.

"Yes, Miss Beauty?" he asked and inwardly… after watching how he changed after grace… she cringed but answered.

"I wish to express that this soup is delicious! I applaud your cook!"

"I did mention that Anne has her way of preparing such prizes." He replied.

Peering up, Elizabeth managed to catch him eyeing her with a pleased smile. It didn't vanish and when she realized he seemed to be speaking to her in a different manner, Elizabeth decided to take a little bit of the conversation over herself. Keeping her composure, though she felt as if he caught her in something, which was the guilt she didn't say grace with him, Elizabeth asked.

"Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes?"

She felt a little uneasy and it took a moment to reply.

"I… noticed there is a room… out in the main lobby… and when I asked the servants about it… they told me that the Darcy Brothers' don't want anyone there."

The response she received wasn't one she wasn't expecting.

"You mean… the Chapel?"

Stunned… Elizabeth looked up and stared into Fitzwilliam Darcy's eyes. What she saw in them made her soul leap within her body when he continued to smile at her but this time… his expression softened when he answered.

"Yes, Miss Beauty… that room is the Chapel. It's closed because Father Charles hasn't come with the Eucharist yet."

The dinner was put on pause when Elizabeth watched as 'the Beast' drew his shoulders back but when he did… he winced a bit… and Elizabeth remembered the Sunday ball.

"Are you in pain, Mr. Darcy? Should I ring for the butler?" Elizabeth asked and the Chapel was on pause for a moment.

She watched as the "Beast" shook his head as he replied.

"No, Miss Beauty… don't ring for Francis. I informed him I can manage on my own. But thank you for asking."

He then moved his attention over to the remaining of the meal.

"Should we continue here? I know the second course will be served and if you wouldn't mind…" she found she wasn't able to reply when he finished, "I would like to know how you liked your Lizzy?"

One of the feelings she presumed was that Fitzwilliam Darcy would yell at her for asking about the Chapel room… but when he seemed to let the matter sit… she felt embarrassed when she replied.

"My Lizzy? Mr. Darcy… its fragrance was all I was breathing throughout this week! I never imagined such a simple gift would bring such beauty to one's soul!"

Mr. Darcy, hunched over as he was, gently answered.

"And I have heard stories that perhaps once… you liked to garden?"

Now the soup felt like it turned on her. Elizabeth was taking a sip of water and she leaned forward. Catching herself, she managed to keep the water in as she replied.

"Yes… Mr. Darcy… that is true." Then she collected herself and staring at him, she asked.

"And I take it you heard that from your brothers?"

Like the day when she'd spoken with him behind the fence, Elizabeth watched as Fitzwilliam puffed his chest out again as he answered.

"Yes. That's what they told me."

Feeling she trespassed on another soft spot, Elizabeth wished she could depart but she found she didn't have the words to express this. Instead, she kept her composure but felt that Fitzwilliam had the upper ground so she softly replied.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy. I'm… accustomed to having my way when it concerns men."

The way Mr. Darcy responded gave her a different feeling when he answered.

"And I can understand that, Miss Bennet. You are known as the Beauty of Newport and I wouldn't be surprised from what the townsfolk been talking about would cause you to feel…" he stopped and Elizabeth looked at him. The "Beast" of Diamond Springs was silent for a moment… again she wondered if he was in pain…

But then he gently moved their conversation back to roses.

"Miss Bennet?" she heard Mr. Darcy ask.

"Yes?"

"Would… you mind if I asked you about what you liked about gardening?"

And much to Elizabeth's surprise, she started to talk to Mr. Darcy on the very topic which was something she'd never told anyone about and it was a secret only she knew she basked in doing.

"What I like about gardening is…" she began and the minute she said this, both Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy started a conversation that went from seven to midnight. To the amusement of some of the servants, who walked to and fro the dining room, they couldn't help but secretly raise their brows at each other when conversation of "Beauty and the Beast" speaking at length over a simple topic: roses.