Chapter 15: April 1815
Lizzy knocked at the door of her husband's study. A curt "Come in," issued from within. She pushed open the door. Darcy looked up with a scowl which changed to a smile as he saw his wife. He held out a hand to her.
"Is anything wrong?" Lizzy asked, noticing the frown still lingering about his fine forehead.
He pulled her down on to his lap as he replied, "Yes, and something rather serious my love. Many women wouldn't care, but I know you like to know what is going in the world. I am afraid that Napoleon has escaped from Elba. I had a letter from Richard this morning," motioning to a paper on the desk before him. "He has just been transferred to Belgium where our troops are to be headquartered. The fighting will be heavy for some time now I fear."
"I'm so sorry… but I am sure he will come through alright. Tell him that if he gets wounded and sent home he must come to Pemberley. I know that his brother does not make his home exactly comfortable. And as for Napoleon, surely his day is over."
Darcy squeezed her hand. "Perhaps." Then, more cheerfully, "I daresay the Colonel will be as lucky as usual. Now, what did you come in to see me about?"
"Need I have a reason to come visit my husband when he has been shut up with paperwork all day?" she asked in mock indignation while running her fingers through his hair and over his tired forehead.
"I know you too well not to know that you had something on your mind."
Lizzy laughed. "You are quite right. I wanted to ask you if Kitty could come and stay with us for a time. I think it would be good for her and she could travel up with Charles and Jane. Otherwise she will be quite lonely with Maria Lucas in Kent and Jane and I moved here." Lizzy would have added Lydia's name, but she still hesitated to mention the Wickhams in Darcy's presence.
"Of course Kitty may come. Why should I object?" Darcy replied as he reached for another business letter and began opening it.
"I know your opinion of my family," Lizzy said quietly, turning her head away from him a little.
He raised a hand to her cheek and drew her gaze back to him.
"Lizzy, your family is no worse than mine as I recall. And Kitty seemed improved by her time with Jane when last I saw her. She is welcome."
"Thank you!" She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. He kissed her cheek in return and then moved on to her forehead and mouth. There was a breathless pause before Lizzy heard Georgiana's voice calling her.
"Oh dear," Lizzy cried jumping up. "William must need me. I left him with her for a few minutes."
"I never have you to myself anymore," Darcy grumbled. Lizzy placed another light kiss on his lips and then was gone.
"Are you ready ladies?" asked Darcy, as he approached Elizabeth and Georgiana a few days later.
"Yes, I can hardly wait to see Jane's new home," Lizzy said brightly.
"And I am looking forward to seeing Kitty again," added Georgiana eagerly.
Darcy smiled and followed Elizabeth into the nursery where she bent over her son, who was sitting up precariously with steady Rosa beside him.
"You be a good boy now William," Lizzy cooed. "Mama has to go to Auntie Jane's for a few hours, but she'll be back soon. Mama knows you'll be a good baby for Rosa." She kissed the little boy and then left, not without fond glances back.
"We could bring him," Darcy suggested.
"Three hours is a long time to be in a carriage for a baby his age. We shall bring him next time, when we know better what to expect of the trip and visit."
The drive was lengthy but not unpleasant. They took the open carriage and, though the sun shone brightly, the breeze was cool as it blew against them. By late morning they were turning up the drive with the stately oak trees, now covered in light green leaves.
"Oh, how perfect!" cried Lizzy, as she beheld Jane's new home for the first time.
"It is lovely," Jane agreed. "And my favorite thing about it is how close you are."
"Welcome to Highwood Manor Darcy," said Bingley cheerfully as his friend came up the steps.
"I recall seeing it at some point in the past Bingley," said Darcy, rather amused at Bingley's tone. "However, you have done wonders to the inside of the house," he added as he inspected the hall which the party had just entered.
"Kitty!" cried Georgiana, hurrying forward to take her friend's hands.
Kitty was very happy to see Georgiana as well. Lizzy thought she looked taller and more mature than when she had seen her last. London had made a difference on Kitty. She carried herself with a more womanly attitude and walked instead of ran. Lizzy frowned at this, as the group strolled down to the lake and up to the wooded hill which gave the place its name. Lizzy saw no harm in running and disliked the idea of Kitty's losing all her girlish habits at only eighteen.
The day was so fair that much of it was spent out of doors, the ladies sitting and chatting while the two gentlemen rode over the estate and Darcy advised his friend as to its care.
"How are you Jane?" asked Lizzy, in a quiet moment while the younger girls were in a nearby meadow, picking the spring wildflowers.
"I am quite well Lizzy, and so happy to be here. Mama was getting truly insufferable."
"Tell me about it," said Lizzy concernedly.
Jane blushed. "She constantly worries about… how I have yet to become with child. I am beginning to fear myself sometimes…"
"Jane, it is too soon to worry."
"I have been married over a year now Lizzy. And you have a child four months old already."
Elizabeth was taken aback. She had never thought that Jane might be jealous of William. She tried to think of what would best soothe her gentle sister. "Jane, you have been listening to Mama for too long and it has distressed you. Not all women conceive right away."
"You did, and Mama and Lydia too," Jane whispered ashamedly.
"But Fitzwilliam's mother did not have Georgiana until twelve years after he was born. Everyone is different." Lizzy spoke earnestly.
Jane smiled a little. "Thank you, Lizzy, for trying to reassure me. I am grateful."
Lizzy's next question was a delicate one and she voiced it after a moment of silence. "Have you and Charles talked it over?"
"Yes," said Jane quietly. "He has assured me that nothing will alter his love for me, and he still hopes for children soon. He would be such a good father Lizzy."
"I know," agreed Elizabeth. "And he will be one yet, so don't let it trouble you Jane. Enjoy your new home and the ability to give Charles your undivided attention."
"Now you sound like Aunt Gardener," Jane said with a faint smile. "And Lizzy, don't think that I resent you for having William. I could never be so mean, and I love my nephew dearly."
In reply Lizzy did not speak, but instead reached for her sister's hand and pressed it warmly.
Kitty stood in the middle of her new room at Pemberley and looked around her curiously. Her clothes had already been laid away by a maid and she crossed to the closet and hung up her pelisse and bonnet beside her three best gowns that she had brought from home, and the two new ones that Jane had made up for her in Town.
This done, she crossed to the writing desk under the window and examined the books which were arranged on it. There was a variety, including works of Shakespeare and other classics, a few books in French, which Kitty had only a very vague knowledge of, and various other books of educational value. When she came to Fordyce's sermons she knew who put the books there. She smiled as she recalled the tortuous evening when Mr. Collins had read to them from this book in his stumbling, insipid voice.
A knock sounded on the door and Lizzy came in with William in her arms.
"How do you like your room Kitty?" she asked with a cheerful smile.
"Very much, thank you Lizzy," responded her sister, stroking the baby's downy head.
"Well I hope you will be happy in it, especially as you may stay for quite some time."
"You chose the books over there didn't you?" Kitty asked, almost accusingly.
Lizzy's eyes twinkled merrily. "Yes, I thought that you might find them entertaining and useful at the same time."
"You know I cannot read French, Lizzy."
"I believe it is never too late to learn."
"Do you think I could?" Kitty asked eagerly.
"Of course."
"When I was in Town I felt so lacking in education and manners. And… sometimes, although I like her very much, being around Georgiana makes me uncomfortable because she is so extremely accomplished," confessed Kitty, relieved to be able to disclose her feelings.
"I often feel inadequate beside her as well," whispered Lizzy confidentially, and still with her lively smile. "But she is so sweet and has such a humble opinion of her own merits that one cannot help but love her."
"I could never learn to play like her in a million years."
"You seem like a much faster learner than that to me. Already, after a few short weeks in London, you hold yourself in a much more graceful way and speak with more elegance and forethought."
Kitty blushed. "Do you really think so Lizzy?'"
"Yes, and I don't see why you shouldn't improve your mind as easily as your deportment."
"Could I, that is, might I take music lessons Lizzy?"
"I think that could be arranged," said Lizzy, glad that the request had come from her sister voluntarily.
"Oh, thank you Lizzy! And I will read the French books," Kitty promised.
"Very good," said Lizzy approvingly.
Kitty thought her sister looked lovelier and womanlier than ever before, in her soft yellow dress, holding her little son, while her dark eyes sparkled brightly like two stars. In that moment, Kitty knew that she wanted to be just like Lizzy. Not like dear Jane, nor even Georgiana and certainly not Lydia. Lizzy.