Chapter Eight

Saturday, May 16th, 1896.

Bennet Residence.

Elizabeth was walking out in the back before she approached papa's rose bush.

Leaning forward, placing her hands on her hips, she was satisfied when the little plant was beginning to signs it had absorbed the water she'd poured over it three days before. As disappointed as she'd been when he'd learned of Mr. Darcy's "condition", Elizabeth wouldn't allow such an event dismay her in any way! As she drew herself up, she heard another sound and turning, she spotted another Yellow Breasted Chat and he was making his cries known to the morning.

As she watched, the dear creature puffed his feathers and started to groom himself. He didn't seem to mind she was observing; in fact: Elizabeth was charmed! She'd missed her days in the garden with papa and after his death, which took a huge toil on Elizabeth, she felt her conscience prick at her when memories of what happened afterwards attacked her like a mob – shouting at her she'd done the wrong thing and should regret it for the rest of her life!

But she pushed these away as she thought.

"I need to remember that they all occurred in the past and none of that will be repeated again."

Or at least: Elizabeth hoped they wouldn't as she turned and made her way back to the Gothic manor. The morning of May 16th was fresh and Elizabeth remembered that the nurseryman would be arriving in the afternoon to discuss with her the topic of gardening. She also wanted to check papa's nursery house and this was on another part of the property. With this in mind, she re-directed her feet and soon approached the familiar cottage which held memories of herself and papa when the two used to garden together. Once when Elizabeth was a small girl, she'd held one of papa's tools and she was more than delighted to remember it was a shovel. She smiled when she remembered hearing him say.

"My little Lizzy! Don't stare so! The shovel is meant to dig a little hole for the roots to rest in!"

"The roots, papa?" Little Lizzy asked as she stared up into his eyes.

He smiled at her before he placed his hand on her hair and lovingly touching her, he answered.

"Yes, my Lizzy. Where the roots will be planted but the top will be thankful for them!"

"Until that horrible day when you died," Elizabeth thought aloud as she stood before the cottage's door. It seemed to tower over her as the memory continued on. Shaking herself out of it, Elizabeth placed her hand on the handle, before she pushed open the door and entered the cottage. Thankful no one was watching her, Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder before she closed the door behind her. Inside, she spotted the usual: papa's untouched tools, a few more boxes for flowers, papa always had more than simply roses were his favorite plants, but also spotted that there were some weeds growing in some places. She knew she would have to either pull them herself, which to her felt more distasteful than an enjoyment, but then she remembered the nurseryman would be arriving and she would talk with him about this.

"Now… what was it I was searching for?" Elizabeth asked aloud.

When she peered over to the back where papa kept his tools, Elizabeth quickly approached. It was the bench where he kept his notebook where he'd written notes concerning each flower and which one needed certain chemicals to use to keep them healthy. When she noticed dust on the leather, she reached out and taking in her hands, Elizabeth blew it away.

After she brushed a few more pieces away, she opened papa's book and narrowing her eyes… she began.

"The roses are a symbol of Our Blessed Mother's love to the world…"


The Macy Residence – Newport.

Later that evening…

As she sipped the Jasmine tea, Elizabeth tried to keep the pounding of her heart calm when she listened to the ladies' as they chatted on about the latest news Newport contained.

"Miss Beauty?" Abby began and Elizabeth lowered her cup.

"Did you hear that the Darcy Brothers' are out of town?"

"Yes." Elizabeth replied and she resumed sipping her tea.

Seated in the parlor of the Second Empire Architecture manor, Elizabeth been invited to attend Abby Macy's ladies gathering, as she would call it, for the weekend and Elizabeth, as the queen of beauty, responded to her invitation and that was earlier that week. Though she kept to herself she would have seen 'the Beast' of Diamond Springs, Elizabeth didn't mention this to the ladies' as some were playing cards… while others were talking about what Newport had to speak about. But here, as Elizabeth sat, she didn't wish to talk as much as listen to what her "social friends'" had to say with anything which was of intrigue!

Abby, who was a few years younger than herself, leaned forward as she replied.

"Well, Miss Beauty… seems that Phillip and Henry Darcy, the eve of their ball, were more than enamored with you! They simply brought in…" she shuddered "the 'Beast' and he was quite a sight! What a hideous creature! If indeed one would call something like that!"

When Abby turned to her, she added.

"And what a shame it was that he spilled that wine on your gown! I was pleased you let out your outburst when he did that! It looked as if he'd bitten you!"

Another one of the ladies to Elizabeth's right, nodded in agreement before she sided with Abby.

"I agree with Miss Macy, Miss Beauty. Such a woman such as yourself didn't deserve to have such…" she cleared her throat "an unfortunate scene take place! Especially at the Darcy Brothers' ball! Those two brothers' have been admiration of the ladies of the town, which I know you already know."

"Yes… that I do." Elizabeth heard herself reply but she disliked the tone her voice possessed.

She felt her heat beat more when Abby drew her shoulders back as she answered.

"For a woman such as yourself – Miss Beauty – you were put on the spot for such a fantastic show! I must applaud both of the brothers!"

Then she surprised Elizabeth by raising her hands and when she clapped, a few of the other guests' turned and one of them, whom Elizabeth knew, asked.

"Miss Macy? Why the sudden movement of applause?"

Abby, who was hosting, Lizzy and as Elizabeth watched, she answered.

"I would like to inform all here gathered that our queen, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, was the center of attentions of the two Darcy Brothers! As some of you weren't present at their ball, Miss Bennet was asked to see their 'surprise.' Though the surprise," she turned and with a smile, raised a brow towards Elizabeth before she finished, "wasn't a surprise! The 'Beast' of Diamond Springs came and I may as well inform you all: he managed to trip and spill wine all over her gown!"

She leaned forward and Elizabeth saw that Abby was either drunk with too much tea or merriment as she added.

"And our Beauty was the target of their admiration afterwards! You all should have seen how Miss Beauty composed herself after that creature was pushed out of the room!"

The applause she received caused Elizabeth to replay the event of the ball in her mind. She remembered hearing how both of the brothers addressed Fitzwilliam as 'the Beast' and what she'd witnessed later. And she never spoke a word when another one of the gentlemen, who was Abby's escort, approached her and asking if he could hold her hand, which she placed in his palm, Elizabeth heard him comment.

"Miss Beauty? I was there when the Darcy Brothers showed you their 'Beast.' I agree with Miss Macy. You were the best at holding your ground when they brought him in. But that doesn't matter," he leaned forward and in disgust, Elizabeth felt him kiss her skin as he finished.

"Our queen of Beauty is here now. Safe and away from such a man!"

"If you would call him 'a man.'" Abby added and she placed her hand in his.

Elizabeth, once her palm was released, felt more disgust at the reaction to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy when more of the assembled crowd began a discussion on 'the Beast as a small band struck a romantic melody. Abby and her escort walked over to the center of the room and a few other couples joined them. Though Elizabeth was indeed "the queen of beauty" at times… she was left out to sit and wait until a gentleman approached and asked her to dance. Lowering her cup, Elizabeth watched as Abby and her gentleman started to dance and it was here, when one of the elder ladies, whom Elizabeth held an affection to, walked over and took the vacant chair where Abby sat.

"Miss Beauty? May I join you?" She asked.

"Yes. You may." Elizabeth answered and while the other two women, who were also seated at table, turned to each other to speak, Elizabeth moved her attention over to the lady, who was a matron, as she added softly.

"Seems that I'm not one to be asked to dance this evening, Mrs. Macy."

"I can see that, child." Abby Macy's mother answered.

Elizabeth didn't want to inform anyone she'd secretly seen 'the Beast' the week before and she felt how everyone wasn't telling her things which she thought she deserved to know about! She actually disliked remembering how the Darcy Brothers' called their brother 'the Beast' and she recounted how, when she'd gone to apologize to Fitzwilliam, how Francis as well as Norman both didn't want her there or as she thought about correctly: expressed a harsh word for her not to even be seen with him!

"Yet… the mistreatment I witnessed wasn't right and was wrong." Elizabeth thought as she turned and putting on her smile, she asked Mrs. Macy.

'Where is Lillian? I was hoping to see her tonight. I hope she hasn't caught the usual cold. I know she's known for something like that."

"She should be down soon, Miss Beauty." Mrs. Macy replied and she leaned back in her chair. She folded her arms a little when she added.

"Though… she wouldn't be taking this long… she never misses something such as this and whenever she knows you'll be here… she would be as fancied up as her sister is!" Mrs. Macy glanced over her shoulder and when she gestured to one of the footman to step forward, she gestured for him to come over before she asked.

"Benjamin? Would you inquire what is keeping Miss Lillian?"

The footman bowed before he replied.

"Yes, Mrs. Macy."

Then Elizabeth watched as he Lizzy and turning around, he departed. But he didn't leave before looking at her and sent her a wink. Elizabeth felt flattered as she thought.

"The usual wink from every man who admires the Beauty."

Then she waited for the sister she liked better to appear as the discussion progressed on to other pheasant topics which didn't connect with 'the Beast' of Diamond Springs. And as Elizabeth listened and added her put here and there – she was thankful she didn't let anyone know she'd seen Fitzwilliam Darcy or 'the Beast' the week before. And this she'd done this in secret.


Diamond Springs Manor.

"If I wasn't lying on my back, I would wish I run around the gardens three times!" Fitzwilliam exclaimed.

That same evening, Fitzwilliam found himself on his back in his room. Not one of his "breathing spams" but he'd overworked himself out in the garden. The day was so fresh and luring that Fitzwilliam couldn't help himself. He was disappointed he wasn't graced with Miss Beauty and he disliked how his "condition" kept him from at least writing to her! Lying where he was, which was in his bedroom, with the candles and the crackling of the hearth, as well as Francis staring at him with a harsh stare, he heard Francis reply.

"Master Fitzwilliam? You do recall that overworking isn't what your body is cable of handling."

"And I am perfectly fine with that!" Fitzwilliam answered.

"You can't let that pride of yours take over you, sir." Francis replied and Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes. This time… he wanted to make sure his butler knew he was able to sit up!

Setting his hands on the bed, which was of a king's size, Fitzwilliam gripped the edges and holding his breath, he prayed a Hail Mary, and with the strength he felt, pulled himself up as he turned and stared at Francis as he replied.

"Now… would you care to obey when I ask for a letter and quill? I want to resume my afternoon meet with Miss Bennet this Monday. I also know that the weather will be pheasant and she will love the plan I have for her!"

"Very well, sir," Francis answered but his attitude made Fitzwilliam wish to slap him.

He wasn't in the mood for "lectures" on what Doctor Sterling insisted he have here. Or listen to his older brothers' "rules" to obey them whenever they left for their business. What made matters worse was whenever they were gone, the servants' took the liberty of fathering him as if he were still the "unfortunate offspring" of his late mother! Fitzwilliam, though he never informed anyone, shortly after the passing of his mama, turned to his Catholic Faith and devoted himself to Our Blessed Mother and he was thankful for her motherly influence. When he sighed, he thanked her when his breathing was steady but he also knew he didn't want to ignite the pain in his spine. When Francis walked over with the items he requested, Fitzwilliam reached over and using the ability in his hand, he banged the cane on the ground as he announced.

"Now… would you care to leave me alone? I can manage writing on my own!"

"Yes, sir," Francis replied.

Then when the butler left, Fitzwilliam returned the cane to the side table, before he dipped the quill in the ink and started to compose another invitation to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He hoped he would be graced to see her that Monday… though he kept in mind how she'd reacted when he brought up religion to her. But he wouldn't let this bother him as he dipped the quill in the ink again as he continued writing. When he was finished, he looked over towards a small vase as two sets of roses stared at him. Fitzwilliam only smiled as he sealed the envelope and rang for Francis to send it off to the Bennet Residence. He was thankful when Francis spoke not a word after he left.

"Goes to show how I dislike how I'm treated when my brothers' are away." Fitzwilliam's last thought was as he Lizzy. His strength returned but he heard a little crack and when he winced, he realized how the hunch to his spine caused him difficulty to walk. As he made his way over towards the window, he used the cane to help him once Francis departed. The butler was a great man but whenever Fitzwilliam was in charge – it appeared more as if the servants' took over him – rather than let him be the master of the manor.

When he stared down, he saw how Francis pulled himself up on the stallion, before he slapped the reins and the two rode off into the night. As Fitzwilliam watched, he prayed and hoped one day he would be able to ride as fast as Francis did! In his pocket, he reached down and touched Our Blessed Mother's Rosary beads.