Fitzwilliam Darcy breathed out, a puff of smoke billowing in front of him like a cloud. There was a sharp giggle from the floor directly behind him. Anna was still playing with the new doll he had purchased for her upon his last trip to London this past Autumn. She had made a similar sound when he had produced it from his coat, jumping up and down and thanking him profusely.
Elizabeth had admonished her for the outburst, which prompted their eight-year-old daughter to stop, dip down deep in a curtsey, and thank him again in a much more sombre tone. And then, she had turned on her heel and scampered down the hall, new doll in tow.
She had not left it alone since then. He rather enjoyed it when his children enjoyed the gifts he got for them, and this was no exception.
He glanced across the room at his wife, currently hugging their three-year-old son, Bennet, close and wiping tears from his eyes. He had fallen whilst running even though his mother had clearly warned him against it.
That was one of Fitz's favourite things about his wife: how patient she was with their children. How she never seemed to tire of laughing at their jokes or telling them the same things over and over again. Of course, they had a governess, but Elizabeth spent a lot of her time with the children. Fitz thought they were better for it.
Elizabeth seemed to sense his attention and looked up, locking eyes with him. His smile deepened and she kissed Ben on the head and bid him go play with his sister. She rose and strode over to him. "Have you something on your mind, husband?"
"You are always on my mind, all the more when I have the pleasure of watching you."
"Oh?" she asked, smiling.
"Yes. I find I adore watching you with the children. You are such a lovely mother."
"Thank you, Fitz. You, I could point out as well, are a wonderful father."
"No, I must thank you, as I marvel every day at how I became so fortunate as to find such a wonderful woman to mother my children," he said, reaching for her hand and kissing it.
"Is that all you see when you watch me now, Fitz?"
"At the present, yes."
Her smile became smaller than it had been, but it remained. And since it remained, Fitz didn't bother himself with it other than to note it. "Are you well, this night?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"Indeed, I am. I think I may just rise early in the morning and go out riding. It has been so long since I have done that. I am sure Polonius misses me."
"I am certain that is true, Fitz, but your wife also misses you."
He chuckled and kissed her hand again. "Surely, you will not want me underfoot for the entirety of my time home?"
"Perhaps not the entirety, but for a portion of it, of course, I would love to have you underfoot."
"You jest, Lizzy. I do love that about you. What plans do you have for the children for this week? I am sure they are excited about Christmas."
"Indeed, we are leaving on Christmas morning to go see my family," she said with a smile. "They do so enjoy seeing their cousins."
"I am sure they do," Fitz said, taking another puff from his pipe. "You will give Jane and Charles my regards, will you not?"
She did not respond for a long moment. When he looked up at her, ready to inquire as to why silence was her only answer, she smiled quickly and nodded. "Of course, Fitz. I am sure they will cherish the message."
"And you, dear wife? What are your plans for the upcoming days leading to your trip to Longbourn?"
"I will be finishing the last of the plans for our Winter Ball, I must approve a menu with Cook and see to airing out the main ballroom."
"Of course. Do let me know if there is anything you need from me."
She paused once again before shaking her head in the negative. "No, Fitz. I am certain I will be able to manage."
He smiled again, gazing back into the fire.
She remained, lingering by his side. "Do you know whether or not you will remain here at Pemberley for the Ball? Your sister has asked me…"
"I was not planning on it, no. I will be certain to call on Georgie, however, when I return to London."
It was only then that Fitz caught something on Lizzy's face. Something akin to sadness. But, in a flash, it was gone, replaced by another one of her smiles. Smiles that now seemed to have a tinge of the same sadness in them.
"I am certain she will like that, Fitz. She misses you."
There was something a bit melancholy about her tone, but it felt as soon as he had become perceptive to it, Lizzy was leaving. She bid him good night and gathered up the children to lead them upstairs and put them to bed.
Had there been something in her demeanour he had missed? Perhaps a sullen look or two? He usually prided himself on being able to ascertain his wife's moods, but this one was eluding him. In fact, she had seemed rather jolly for a while now. He had not noticed any melancholy coming from her at all earlier, not until he had noticed just now.
Surely it must be a new development, then.
He turned to watch her as she left the room. She paused at the door, gazing back at him tentatively before continuing on and leaving with the children.
Perhaps something had happened? Had she received bad news? News she could not share with him, for some reason? What might that be?
The only thing his mind could muster up was an image of Wickham: Wickham and Lizzy's sister, Lydia, in fact, They'd come only just that very summer to beg for money. Funds enough to pay off some of Wickham's ever-growing debts and to buy fabric for new clothes for the children. Perhaps they had written to Lizzy again, asking for something more. That seemed something she would not like to mention in front of the children.
He opted to wait for a while and finish his pipe, and go at once afterwards to knock on her door and find out for certain if that was indeed what was troubling her. If it was, he had half a mind to tell them to stop writing. It always upset Elizabeth when her younger sister asked for things.
Yes. That was indeed what he would do.
He finished his pipe whilst mulling over what to say once he reached his wife's chambers. If only there was a way to arrange funds for Lydia only. A trust, out of the control of her husband. Of course, that wasn't possible. Perhaps he should arrange something regardless. He would honestly do anything to keep that worried look from his wife's face, even if it meant Wickham would benefit.
He sucked on the end of his pipe well past the time when the embers had ceased to glow, pondering every single possibility so he could approach Lizzy with a well-thought-out plan.
He so enjoyed solving her problems for her.
As he rose from his chair and turned to leave the sitting room, a maid approached to clean and tidy the room for the next day. He nodded to her before moving to leave the room.
"Mr Darcy, sir?" The maid asked timidly.
"Yes?" he asked, turning back to face the woman.
"Mrs Darcy has requested your presence in her chambers. Before you turn in for the night, sir, by your leave."
"Indeed, I have headed there just now anyway."
"Very good, sir."
The maid seemed to relax a bit, then went back to her tidying. Fitz walked with purpose out into the hallway.
It must be as he thought. She was worried about her relations and wanted to request his help in the matter, in a more private setting. He smiled as he strode down the corridor. He got a warm feeling in his belly when he was able to help his wife with anything, let alone a large problem such as this.
The warmth in his belly put a spring in his step as he made his way to his wife's chambers.
He had only knocked upon the door once when it opened. She was standing there in her dressing gown, her hair down for the night, silky and smooth and gathered over one shoulder.
"Fitz."
"Darling Lizzy," he said, reaching for her hands and leaning in to kiss her softly on the cheek. "May I enter?"
"Of course," she said, standing to the side to allow him entrance.
She closed and locked the door behind them, turning to face him expectantly.
"I noted your melancholy after dinner this evening…"
"Fitz, it is not anything to worry about, I assure you."
"Indeed, it is not, I only wish to be at your service, dearest wife."
"Oh?" She asked, her eyebrows raising slightly, as she was surprised to hear it!
"Of course, Elizabeth. As your husband, it is my duty and my pleasure to attend to your every need, spoken or not."
She smiled, and Fitz had really grown to love it when he was the one to inspire one out of his wife. She was truly a beauty to behold. She took a step forward and rose on her toes to kiss him.
A bold move if there ever was one, but his wife was nothing if not bold in her movements.
He returned the kiss, and she began to speak again. "I had worried that you would not come, I was not certain whether I should send someone."
"While it was a welcome invitation, you need not have bothered. I was already on my way here to speak with you."
She kissed him again with a deepness that threatened to derail his proclamation, so he ended the embrace and placed both hands on her shoulders. "Lizzy, I want to set up a trust of some sort for your sister."
Her eyes widened for a split second before she replied. "My sister?"
"Yes. Mrs Wickham, as it were. I know her trials and tribulations bring you nought but stress and strife, so I wanted to ease your troubled mind on the matter once and for all. I shall set up a spending account in trust for the Wickhams, then she will not have to write to ask for loans any longer."
"I am sure that will be very well received, Fitz…"
"I could tell you were troubled before, my love. And now you can sleep in comfort knowing your sister will be taken care of, even if her husband finds it necessary to squander his allotment. The children will be cared for as well."
She smiled, but Fitz could tell it was not a true one. It did not reach her eyes.
It puzzled him. Was this not what she wanted to hear from him? Perhaps she might not fully realise the extent to which he intended to make the gift.
"Thank you so much, dear husband. That is certainly a weight off my shoulders."
He beamed at her. "I am thrilled to hear it. I hope this will ease your mind and allow you to rest unencumbered, my dear."
He turned to go, his hand on the door when she spoke once more.
"You are going back to your chambers, sir?"
"Indeed. I have an early morning tomorrow and I do not wish to bother you for longer than is strictly necessary."
"I assure you, it would not be a bother for you to spend a bit more time with me."
"Then, we shall have lunch together tomorrow. The children as well."
Lizzy smiled again, this one a bit more animated than before. It put his mind at ease. It was assuredly her surprise at his forethought that had garnered such a lukewarm response earlier. Or perhaps she was simply tired. Best to leave her to her rest, then.
"Have a pleasant night, Mr Darcy."
"And you as well, Mrs Darcy."
He left with a smile on his face, his spring still in his step as he made his way back to his bedchamber to ready himself for bed so he could best start the new day when he awoke on the morrow.
His valet was there, unfolding his sleeping attire to drape over the bottom of his bed. "Good evening, Mr Darcy."
"I told you, Archie… call me Fitz. We have known each other for years, it is silly to keep up the formalities."
"I am well aware, sir, I simply have a difficult time dropping the niceties," Archie replied. "I beg your pardon… Fitz."
Darcy grinned and shrugged off his jacket, allowing Archie to take it and brush it off before placing it on a hanger and hanging it up in the wardrobe. He returned to help him remove the rest of his clothing.
"I had assumed you would be spending the night in Mrs Darcy's chamber. You very nearly got here before I did."
"Oh no, not tonight. Mrs Darcy simply wanted to speak about a family matter."
"Should I wish you congratulations, sir?"
"What?" Darcy asked, frowning slightly. "Oh, no, not that. No, I simply mean, it was pertaining to Mrs Darcy's relations."
"Oh, I see," Archie pressed his lips together and nodded, having certainly guessed to which relations this might refer. "I hope the talk went well, sir."
"Indeed, I believe I may have solved her problem yet," Darcy said, beaming as Archie went to unbutton his shirt.
"Perhaps I should give my congratulations after all," his valet replied, smiling tightly.
"It is something that has been weighing heavily on her mind, and while I am pleased to be able to help her in any way, I daresay, I have done more than help this time."
"That is happy news indeed," Archie said, removing Darcy's shirt and placing it on a hanger as well. "Have you any plans for tomorrow?"
"Indeed, I am going to go out riding, I believe. Polonius has missed me."
"I am sure he has. Has not Mrs Darcy missed you as well?"
"Ah, well, I will be seeing her for lunch. I will be dining with her and the children."
"A fortuitous event it will be," Archie proclaimed. He helped Darcy into his sleep clothes and left the room with the clothing he had just taken off. When he returned, he had Darcy's sleep cap, which he handed over promptly before tending to the fire.
The maids normally did this, but Archie always insisted upon making absolutely certain that everything was as perfect as could be before he left him for the night.
"Will you be staying with Mrs Darcy tomorrow night, sir?" he asked cautiously.
"I know not, why do you ask?" Darcy asked, mischief glinting in his eye. "Have you plans, Archie?"
"No, sir," Archie laughed. "I simply wished to know so I can plan accordingly. I had assumed you would be spending at least one night with Mrs Darcy, and I can finish up my other tasks if that is the case."
"I will let you know promptly if I make such a decision," Darcy replied. "I am sure it depends on Mrs Darcy. She seems so piqued lately. I think rearing these children might be tiring for her."
"If that is true, it never shows," Archie replied.
"Ah, you see, that is why a husband knows more than others. He knows his wife best of anyone."
Archie smiled. "Indeed, sir. You do know her, indeed."
"Have an excellent night, Arch."
"And you as well, Fitz."
Hello, everyone! I've got a new short story out wherever ebooks are sold! I hope you enjoy this little teaser, if you like it and want more, just search me, "grace reeve miracle" on Amazon or anywhere ebooks are sold to find my newest release! Have a great one!
