Springtime at Pemberley

Chapter One

Fitzwilliam Darcy was more tired than he'd ever been in his life.

If he stopped moving for a moment, his eyelids grew heavy, his chin sank to his chest, and he slipped under the waterline of consciousness. Even the hair on his head felt heavy; bone-deep exhaustion unlike any he'd ever known before.

Still, he walked, putting one boot in front of the other, pacing the dimly lit hall, back and forth, carrying the baby so she would quiet and his wife could sleep.

He sighed audibly. His arms ached from holding her so long though she seemed to weigh almost nothing. He could turn her over the nurse. But the newly hired woman was currently in her room, probably fast asleep in her own warm bed because it was so early. Ironic, really. He was paying a woman to sleep while he was doing the caretaking. And yet, despite his fatigue, he was content. He didn't want to be anywhere else.

Well, a nap in his bed next to his wife would be preferable.

Upon his order, Mrs. Reynolds hired both a wet nurse and infant nurse from the village-two kind, capable women-but Elizabeth, an eager mother, wanted to do what she could herself, and the only way to get her to sleep was for him to take over and hold the baby.

For the first five weeks of her life, when Cassandra wasn't held by either himself or her mother, she cried.

Enthusiastically.

Great lungfuls of sound that rang up and down the halls of Pemberley.

She would become an opera singer, Darcy said.

Town crier, Elizabeth replied.

But she was asleep now. Darcy listened for her quiet, rhythmic breath as he paced, her downy head held gently in his hand. To be honest, he enjoyed his new infant far more than he'd expected and was pleased to take care when he could. He guessed more new fathers felt this way but weren't keen to admit it.

He hadn't expected the longing he felt to be near his daughter or the way his mind returned to her again and again when he was away. Everything reminded him of her and he saw Pemberley anew with all the things he must show her. Most strangely of all, was the odd peace he had when he knew she was content, warm, and quietly sleeping. His heart contracted when he was away from the tiny creature and it opened when he saw her again. The only thing that had stirred him similarly like this before was Elizabeth.

It was true, fatherhood was changing him, despite all his foolish protestations to his friends to the contrary. But he hadn't known how his heart would bloom when he looked at the vulnerable, tiny baby. He could scarcely remember the days before she had been born. How small that existence seemed to him now. He pressed his cheek to her velvet-soft head and breathed in her mild, baby scent.

And he didn't mind a jot.

A flash of blue outside drew his eye to the window as someone on the grounds hurried to the house from the direction of the stables. He recognized Georgiana's blue cloak flapping in the wind. What was she doing outside this early? He reminded himself to ask her when he saw her later that day.

Once he'd had a nap.

Georgiana's left boot sank into the mud as she hurried back from the stables, cold water chilling her foot.

Blast.

She tried to dodge the cold, spitting rain of February but now it was in her boots.

She pulled her foot out and kept walking. A ewe had given birth yesterday in stables, and she wanted to see it so the groom had taken her out to help feed the tiny woolly thing. It was adorable and seemed completely worth caking her boots in the mud. Now, looking down, she wasn't so sure. Mrs. Reynolds wouldn't be pleased to see her dirty her boots again, so she tried to dip one lightly in a nearby puddle to clean it. Somehow, she'd only added more muck to her foot.

"Judas," she said, although no one was around to hear her.

She straightened her shoulders and continued on.

As headed back to the house, she heard the clatter of horses' hooves and the jingle of a carriage from the front drive. Who was coming to Pemberley? She knew Elizabeth's sister, Jane and her husband, Mr. Bingley were expected to arrive the next day. But they wouldn't be this early.

Her heart thudded in her chest as she wondered if it might be a surprise visit from Adam Merriweather, the new neighbor she had become friends with over Christmas. She still wasn't sure about his intentions. They had shared a kiss when they were both locked out of the house and forced to huddle together to stay warm, but since then he'd been rather proper and formal around her and she wondered if he regretted it. After all, they had been outside tippling brandy while outside. Warmth curled through her chest as she smiled at the memory. Her brother still wasn't aware of that incident, and dear Elizabeth had gone into labor right after finding them both outside. She had been very fortunate that her new sister-in-law was so kind and understanding.

If it was Adam, she needed to change. Already the hem of her skirt had mud and melted snow on it from her outing.

Georgiana stepped out of the cold wind and into a side servant entry way to scrape the mud from her boots before she walked in the house. She moved to the window to spy the carriage to see who was arriving. It shone like a black beetle on the snowy drive. She swallowed thickly. It wasn't Adam after all.

It was Lady Catherine's opulent, old-fashioned coach.

That was much worse.

She hurried inside.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and tried to remember where she was.

Darcy's bedchamber. She knew because the pillow smelled faintly like him. Woodsy and warm. It was a good scent to emanate from one's husband. She was in a warm room, a soft bed. He had brought her here to sleep when taking the baby from her. She didn't know how long it had been, hours or several minutes. She'd sunk into a deep dreamless sleep almost as soon as her head hit the downy pillow.

She felt something warm move near her foot and looked down to see both of Georgianna's orange kittens curled up there. They weren't supposed to be here, but they found heat wherever they could. Rascals.

Elizabeth didn't have the heart to move them.

She knew the baby was safe with Darcy and had access to the wet nurse, but she still yearned for her tiny warm body curled up next to hers. She had been told by the doctor she should rest for several weeks after the labor, but instead felt confined and restless in her bedchamber. She longed to move about the house and be useful again.

She was still so tired, and easing her face back onto the warm pillow felt so wonderful. But thinking of her daughter had already activated her body, she realized wearily. She would need to change her chemise again as she felt the dampness of her milk wetting it. She was trying to wean the child solely to the wetnurse, but her body seemed to have other ideas.

Not that she truly minded.

It was unfashionable these days for a mother to nurse, but she found it comforting. She finally sat up so she didn't leave wet, milky spots on Darcy's bed.

She heard a horse whinny from the drive. She would need to get up if they had visitors. She removed the kitten from her foot with a gentle pat and stood.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh swept through the entryway at Pemberley without waiting for the footman to assist her, her green velvet cloak folded elegantly over her head. Darcy knew it was Lady Catherine before he even looked up by the way the occupants scurried from the room a moment beforehand, both servants and his two dogs. No one emptied a room quite like his aunt.

Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper appeared at his side at the stairs, her arms open to take the infant from him. He handed her his daughter and steeled himself to face his aunt.

"Fitzwilliam!" Her voice echoed in the empty room.

He hurried downstairs to his aunt and kissed her cheek.

"What a happy surprise. We did not know you were in Derbyshire."

Lady Catherine smiled imperiously. "I am staying with my dear friend, Lady Riddle, not twenty miles from Pemberley. And I wanted to see the babe, of course."

Lady Catherine had been completely against his marriage to Elizabeth and was so bitter she hadn't attended the wedding. However after Elizabeth's confinement was announced, he began receiving short missives inquiring about his bride's health written in her wide, flourishing script. Although she never formally apologized, apparently she viewed carrying and successfully delivering the Darcy progeny more relevant than Elizabeth's inferior family. Darcy was surprised and pleased. But he hadn't expected her to come unannounced.

"How wonderful," Darcy said, although his voice strained on the last word. "You should have told us you were coming. Pray, come meet Pemberley's newest occupant."

Mrs. Reynolds carried the baby to the great Lady, and Darcy watched his aunt's face. He couldn't bear it if she found his daughter anything but perfect, but Lady Catherine hadn't favored Elizabeth as his bride, and that she excelled at backhanded compliments. He readied himself for one.

"A beautiful babe," she pronounced to the room. "Too bad it is a girl."

Darcy ignored the comment and smiled at his daughter's peaceful face. How could anyone find a deficiency in her, even his prickly aunt? "She favors the Darcys with her dark hair."

"Do you think so? Elizabeth has dark hair too."

Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed as she studied her great-niece.

"Yes, but those curls and lashes can only come from the Darcys." She smiled down at the baby.

William was going to tell her that Elizabeth's hair was every bit as thick and curly as his, perhaps more so but he stopped himself and merely allowed his aunt to be right. It was less work.

"Would you like to hold her?" Darcy asked Lady Catherine.

"No, I do not!" Lady Catherine exclaimed as though he suggested she run naked on the Mall in London. "I do not want this dress stained."

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. Perhaps she is ready for the wetnurse," Darcy suggested and Mrs. Reynolds nodded and carried her out of the room.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my favorite nephew?"

"Of course not. Although I am your only nephew."

"Yes," Lady Catherine said as she allowed the footman to remove her cloak. "Is my favorite niece here as well?"

Darcy nodded. "I believe she was just outside."

Lady Catherine frowned. "Outside? In this weather?"

"I believe she was visiting sheep."

Lady Catherine's face sagged with displeasure. "Good Lord, why?"

Darcy smiled to himself at her reaction. "A new baby sheep. She likes those sorts of things."

Lady Catherine looked askance. "I see. It is good that I have come by. I have just heard back from a friend in London and I have wonderful news for Georgiana."

Darcy wondered what she could mean as he asked Georgiana's maid to fetch her.

"She has only just now come back inside. She asked to change first," the maid said.

"Oh, for heaven's sake. I cannot stand around here waiting forever," Lady Catherine said impatiently.

Darcy smiled kindly at her maid. "Please fetch her as she is."

A few moments later, Georgiana emerged from upstairs. Her appearance was, indeed, rough. Her yellow hair was windblown and tousled, and her boots and dress hem were damp and coated in mud. Darcy hoped Lady Catherine wouldn't mind too much.

"Hello, Aunt Catherine," Georgiana said solemnly out as she leaned in to kiss her aunt's cheek, dutiful resignation in her face.

Lady Catherine held up her hand and warned her back. "Oh! You are a sight. I do not wish to be caked in sheep mud, thank you very much. It is good that I have come when I have. I see now another day and I may have been too late."

"Too late for what?" Darcy asked and suppressed a smile.

"Too late to save you from living in the barn, apparently. Fortunately, I bring good tidings."

Georgiana's eyes peered at Lady Catherine. "What sort of tidings?"

Lady Catherine smiled, obviously pleased with herself. "In a month's time, you have been accepted to be presented at Queen Charlotte's court."

Georgiana stood stock still, her face paler than usual. Even Darcy was startled by the news.

"She has?" he said, glancing at Georgiana to see her reaction.

Lady Catherine smiled gloriously. "You know I am a childhood friend of Lady Whitman, who of course is one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. When I mentioned that I have a niece who has no mother and none of the correct relations to sponsor her, she insisted I bring her to court myself."

Darcy's mouth opened, but he said nothing. "Well, there is Elizabeth," he said finally.

Lady Catherine nearly choked. "Mrs. Darcy has not been presented at court. Nor has her mother. It is a completely foreign world to her. And, of course, she is still confined."

That was true, Darcy acknowledged. Although foreign was a strong word. He cleared his throat.

Georgiana's voice rose up and echoed in the large room, "But I don't want to be presented at court."

"Of course you do. It is what every unmarried girl wishes." Lady Catherine said and turned back to Darcy. "It is the way to ensure that she only meets the finest families."

Georgiana's eyes opened wider in horror.

Poor Georgiana, Darcy thought. He knew firsthand how difficult it could be to have Lady Catherine's full attention trained on you. He also knew just how tentative Georgiana could be. But perhaps the experience would be good for her. She would meet new people and gain more confidence.

Georgiana's eyes blinked several times and he saw them grow large and teary. She took on the look of a spooked filly, ready to flee. This was not going to end well. Yet again, he wished Elizabeth were here so that she might pass on her ideas. He knew so little of young, unmarried girl's minds.

Lady Catherine continued, ignoring Georgiana. "We will take her to London to see the finest modiste. Some say Paris is more fashionable, but we can't parade her in front of the queen in French fashions. Even though silhouettes are sleek today, court dresses are still expected to include wide hoop skirts; the Queen insists. But this is no business for you, Darcy," Lady Catherine said and smiled patronizingly at Darcy.

"No, indeed," Darcy said. He looked back at Georgiana's crestfallen expression and felt a creeping dread as she stood frozen in her muddy dress. This issue would take more finesse than he had. He definitely needed Elizabeth. Even though Lady Catherine wouldn't like it.

"No." A clear voice came from Georgiana.

Lady Catherine and Darcy both turned in her direction.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I don't wish to be paraded at court like a fatted calf," Georgiana's voice quivered as she spoke, but she stayed still.

"My dear girl," Lady Catherine began.

"I don't wish to be introduced to the finest families and wear hoop skirts. I sometimes feel uneasy enough around society in Derbyshire."

Darcy looked down, feeling a spark of admiration for her spirit it took her to speak out against Lady Catherine.

The older woman smiled as though she expected her reaction. "You have no true peers here. You must meet your equals. It is an honor you cannot afford to refuse." Lady Catherine was still, but her nostrils flared. Darcy half-expected her to paw the floor like a bull ready to charge. He stepped in.

"Lady Catherine, you are too generous, and we are exceedingly grateful. Allow me to discuss it with my wife, and we can finalize our plans."

Lady Catherine's mouth turned down and she sniffed. "The season is upon us and we need to make appointments for preparations. There is no time to wait. She will not have a full season, of course, but she will have the most important experience. Most girls would be falling over themselves in gratitude." Lady Catherine eyed Georgiana as she said this. Darcy said the first tear spill down her cheek.

"I will not!" Georgiana's voice rang out and her boots tapped on the floor as she ran from the room. Silence filled the room.

Darcy sighed. He tried to smile politely at his aunt, who glowered at him.

"Allow my wife to convince her. She and Georgiana have become quite close and she may best be able to persuade her."

Lady Catherine still looked like a bull. Her gaze flicked to Darcy coolly.

"Her obstinance is very unbecoming. Darcy, we must intervene now or her whole future will be ruined."

Darcy nodded, not completely convinced. But then maybe being presented to court would be fruitful for Georgiana. He had to admit he wasn't against the idea of her meeting other young men than Adam Merriweather. Perhaps she would meet someone whose family wasn't a tradesman.

"Please forgive her. None of us are ourselves since the baby's arrival."

Lady Catherine looked down her nose at him but nodded.

He needed Elizabeth. He sighed and invited his aunt to share tea in a sitting room, but was interrupted by the high-pitched cries of the baby.