Chapter 50: A new development

Fitzwilliam,

I am happy to know that all is well in Pemberley. Your aunt expresses utmost desire to see Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Emma.

I met with your advocate. I can understand how difficult the past weeks must be for you and Elizabeth. Adopting Emma might be a legal challenge, even if we try to settle with the court. We are amazed at your wife's kind heart. She must be attached to Emma. It is a pity that we cannot make this happen easily.

Now I want to get to the matter of importance. You would not believe it, but I have just returned from Kent. I received an express from Rosing's stating that Lady Catherine had taken ill all of a sudden. She wanted us to visit her.

Please understand that I feel the same way about her dealings with Anne and Dr Nash in the past. But we did not want to neglect her request. We visited her.

Margaret and I were quite alarmed to see her state at first. But her doctor assured us that there is nothing fatal. She seems to have fainted a couple of times and is bedridden. She is extremely weak. But what astounded me was the difference in her character. I feel she is not the same person, Fitzwilliam.

I assume she thinks she is on her death bed. She made a request, which I cannot comprehend. She wants to see Emma. She begged forgiveness for all her mistakes. She says she does not want to die without knowing her grandchild. I still cannot believe this change in her. I never imagined this day would come.

I have given it a lot of thought. I do not think any harm would come if you take Emma to Kent. She has changed. We spent a week under the same roof. All she could speak was about how she repents letting Anne go and hating her grandchild.

I do not want to force you to visit her. You are Emma's legal guardian. I know how she threatened you in Pemberley some months ago. You have every reason to think ill of her. But I feel we owe it to Anne to give her a chance.

Please discuss with Elizabeth and decide what you want to do. Do write to me about your decision. God be with you.

Regards,

Robert Fitzwilliam

Darcy read the letter many times. He could come to terms with the content of the letter. This is not true. Lady Catherine can never change. All she has in her blood is the thirst for wealth and status. This cannot be true.

He paced his study, unable to control his anxiety. He did not want to worry Elizabeth and kept the letter to himself.

Elizabeth noticed his discomfort.

"Fitzwilliam, is anything wrong?" She asked when they retired for the night.

"No, nothing. Why do you ask?"

"I can see that something is worrying you. Is it Emma?"

"There is nothing of concern. As I told you, our advocate is still trying to find a way to deal the matter in court." He said, looking at her troubled face. I have given you enough sadness, Elizabeth. I will do everything in my power to keep you happy.

Elizabeth was not convinced. A week later, she received a letter from Charlotte. When she finished the letter, she was confused. Charlotte wrote in detail about Lady Catherine's illness and her surprising change of intentions towards her granddaughter.

She wants to see the child, Lizzy. At first, I thought she was not in the right state of mind, but her intentions are genuine. I think her illness has brought her to sense. She is guilty of neglecting her grandchild for so long. The Earl of Matlock visited her last week. She expressed her wishes to him. I spend my evenings reading to her. My husband spends the whole day in Rosing's. His devotion to his patroness is truly impeccable. I do not know what your plans are. But if you and your husband plan to visit her, I will be happy to see you. I miss you so much, Lizzy.

The rest of the letter was about her life at the parsonage. Elizabeth could sense the pain in her friend's words. She knew that someone as sensible as Charlotte could not bear the torment of the ridiculous blabbering of Mr Collins.

You deserved better Charlotte. She thought.

She understood what troubled her husband for the past week. Uncle Robert must have written to Fitzwilliam about his aunt. No wonder he has been so withdrawn. She could not believe the change in Lady Catherine.

I witnessed the amount of grudge she has against Emma. How could she change so soon? She wondered. She found Darcy in the study.

Without wasting time, she addressed the matter.

"I know, Fitzwilliam." She said, placing Charlotte's letter on his desk.

Darcy knew he could not conceal the matter from her for long.

"I am sorry, Elizabeth. I did not want to trouble you. That is why I kept this away from you. Are you angry at me?"

"No. I understand how things have been in the past month with Emma's adoption. I do not blame you. But what do you make of the situation? Do you think Lady Catherine has changed?"

"Honestly, I do not think so."

"So why does she suddenly want to see Emma."

"I do not know. Uncle Robert says that her illness made her think about the past. Maybe she thinks she is going to die and wants to see Emma before something happens."

"Charlotte states that she is better now. But still in bed."

"Yes, nothing is alarming with her health. She is getting old." He paused. "What are your thoughts?"

"I don't believe her, Fitzwilliam. I may have spent just a few minutes alone with her. But what I saw in her eyes was pure rage and hatred against her grandchild. I cannot fathom how that could change."

Darcy was silent.

"Why are you silent? Please do not tell me you are going to take Emma to see her."

"I don't." Darcy said dryly.

"I am scared. I do not know. I suddenly started feeling anxious about Emma. Now, lady Catherine wants to see her. We cannot allow that."

"Elizabeth, we are not going to. Do not worry. Come here." He pulled her into an embrace.

Both of them were uncertain about what was in store for their family in the future. They stood there silently, both minds in turmoil. Their only comfort was that they had each other to face any battle that would come their way.