Chapter 16

The next two months passed slowly for Elizabeth. By early March, Sarah had had to take out the seam in her dresses because of the bulge in her middle.

It had also been almost a week with no letter from Darcy, and she was feeling the loss. He had never gone so long without writing before. She was worried that something might have happened to him.

That morning during visiting hours, however, she saw the Landsdowne carriage arrive, and looked forward to a visit with Rosamond. They only lived a few miles away, after all. It was to her surprise, however, that she saw not only the Landsdownes emerge from the carriage, but also Mr. Darcy!


Darcy's first sight of Elizabeth in three months was one of delight and joy. She looked beautiful, her colour high and her smile beaming as she saw him. "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Landsdowne, Mr. Darcy. I had no notion you were coming visiting today," she said, but her eyes were bright as she gazed at Darcy.

"We thought to surprise you," said Rosamond.

"It is a lovely surprise, indeed," said Elizabeth. "Please, do come in. How do you do, Mr. Darcy?"

"I am very well, thank you, Lady Carlisle. I hope you are well?"

"I am excellent, Mr. Darcy," she said with a shining smile.

Darcy had been starved for the sight of her. It had been so hard to stay away, to remain at Pemberley while he knew she was alone here in Gloucestershire. It had assuaged his anguish somewhat to know that the Gardiners and Jane were with her for Christmas, but once they left, he could tell from her letters how lonely she was. He had written a letter to Freddie Landsdowne, craftily making references to his wish for an invitation. Freddie had always been a good friend, and eagerly extended an invite for Darcy to stay as long as he wished.

Darcy had situated Georgiana with the Matlocks, and made his way eagerly to Gloucestershire. He had arrived the day before, and made some hints that he wished to visit Campton Manor, to see how Lady Carlisle fared. Freddie and Rosamond had exchanged a look, but had agreed. He wondered how much they knew, or thought they knew, about his private feelings.

Elizabeth looked very well, the sorrow erased from her countenance, attired in a dress that for once flattered her figure and reflected her personality. She was in a soft pink muslin dress with no jewelry except for her wedding ring. He hated the sight of it, and looked away, back to her smiling face.

Elizabeth ordered tea for all of them, and they sat down for a pleasant half hour of conversation. Darcy burned with all he wished to say; but he had written her a letter that he hoped to be able to give her before they left; he knew he would have no opportunity to speak with her privately on this visit.

As they rose to depart, Darcy took her hand and bowed over it. As he did so, he passed the small, folded paper into her hand, and knew she had received it when her palm closed about it and she blinked at him with comprehension. Then he turned and left with the others.


Dear Elizabeth,

I hope you are well and that your confinement is passing safely. I hope you forgive the presumption that led me to come to Gloucestershire. The Landsdownes have extended the invitation for me to stay for a few weeks, and I hope to visit with you for teas and dinners, and maybe even some private conversation, if I may be so bold. Have you finished the Sir Walter Scott book I recommended? I look forward to discussing it with you.

Georgiana misses you. She sends her regards.

Your servant,

F. D.

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears of joy as she read Darcy's letter. She had never imagined that he would find a way to be with her while she was stuck at Campton Manor.

Elizabeth wrote back a letter to Darcy that night.

Dear Fitzwilliam,

I would never think you presumptuous. I have missed both you and Georgiana very much over the last three months.

I want to thank you again most fervently for finding a way to bring my family to me for Christmas. It made for the happiest holiday I have spent in years.

I have in fact finished the Scott book. I cannot wait to hear what you think of the villain's redemption.

I look forward to seeing you with the Landsdownes whenever you are next able to visit.

E

She sanded and sealed the letter, then gave it to Sarah to deliver.

She could not wait to see him again.


The next day, Elizabeth called on the Landsdownes and was warmly welcomed by her friends. She was happy to see Mr. Darcy smiling at her as he came forward to greet her.

They sat down to tea, but after about ten minutes, Rosamund called her husband away for some unnamed purpose, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone. Darcy looked at Elizabeth a bit chagrined. "I suppose they guessed that I wanted some private conversation."

"Or Rosamund did." Elizabeth's eyes twinkled. "She is very perceptive."

His eyes softened as he gazed at her, and she could see the love shining in them, though he had never said the words. She knew the same look was in her eyes, also unspoken.

Elizabeth was distracted for a moment. "Oh!" she cried, moving her hand to her stomach.

"What is it?" asked Darcy in concern.

"It is the child," said Elizabeth with a smile. "I felt him move."

Darcy smiled, looking relieved. "I did not know you could feel them so early. How many months more do you have to go?" he asked.

"Five months, I think. I am just so thankful that Vincent sent me here for the confinement, even if it meant leaving – leaving you and Georgiana. But it is safer for the child if Vincent is elsewhere while I nurture it."

Darcy frowned. "Where is Carlisle?"

"Last I heard, he was in Bath. He has not written to me since I got here. He said he was going to Bath for the Christmas season. He was only going to return once I sent him word that the child was born. Now I only have to worry about how he will treat the child once it is born safely away from him."

Darcy frowned, but decided not to comment on that which grieved them and neither of them could change. "Have you seen a doctor or a midwife?" he asked instead in concern.

"Yes, there is no need to worry about that. Vincent's doctor has been to see me twice since I arrived, and he said everything is progressing well. You might remember him. Dr. Thomas. The Landsdownes also employ his services and he was there at the house party," she finished in a low voice, as if ashamed to remember the instance of her broken ribs.

"Yes, I remember him," said Darcy in a low tone. "You have no need to be ashamed, Elizabeth. None of this has been your fault."

She only realized she had been inching closer to him when Rosamund made a loud noise outside the door to announce their imminent entry. Glad for their return to save her from doing something she shouldn't, she smiled at her friend as Rosamund sat back down beside her.


The next three weeks were happy for both Darcy and Elizabeth. They saw each other almost every day, either at Campton Manor or the Landsdowne's estate. They had some opportunities for private conversation on visits with Freddie and Rosamund. Rosamund had clearly guessed their feelings for each other, and was attempting to give them as much discreet time alone as was proper.

Darcy tried not to think about Carlisle, and that the man would arrive in a little over four months to see his heir. Elizabeth had had a terse letter from him a couple weeks ago, telling her that he had gone back to London for the season. It had been in answer to a letter from Elizabeth, asking for more funds in order to set up the nursery.

Eventually he had to admit to himself that he had been gone from Pemberley and Georgiana for too long. He wanted to come back again before Carlisle returned for his child's birth, but he was not yet sure when that would be. When he bade farewell to Elizabeth, in the presence of the Landsdownes, he could see the sheen of tears in her eyes, and felt them in his own.


Elizabeth had been so used to seeing Darcy everyday that she felt bereft once he was gone. She hated that he had to leave Pemberley just to spend time with her. She knew how much he loved his ancestral home. She had never seen it, but he had told her all about it. She longed to traverse its paths, to walk its halls, as Darcy's wife. She cast that thought aside, as she always did when she thought of her future. Her main goal now must be to protect her child from her husband as well as she could. She hoped that once his heir was born, he would leave her and the child alone in the country while he went to live in London or some other fashionable center most of the year. Unspoken in her mind was the knowledge that if she had a girl, Vincent would eventually want to try for a boy to pass on his title to.

The next three months passed slowly, with letters from Darcy and her family two or three times a week. She had learned that Mary was to be married next month, but she had no hope that Vincent would allow her to attend. Besides, she would be nearing her confinement then, and it would not be safe for her or the child to travel at such a time.

She had celebrated her 21st birthday two weeks after Darcy left. She had a small celebration, with the Landsdownes coming for dinner. She was truly grateful for their friendship. They never gave any sign that they guessed the depth of her and Darcy's feelings for each other.

It was in the middle of August, when she finally received Darcy's note saying that he had returned to the Landesdownes, that she fairly wept with the relief of it. This time, he said, he had brought Georgiana with him, and Elizabeth was eager to see the young lady again too.

Georgiana's eyes widened when she first laid eyes on Elizabeth. "My goodness! You have grown so big, Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth laughed. "You should never tell a woman how big she had grown, Georgiana!" she said with a twinkle in her eyes

"Forgive me, Elizabeth. You are as pretty as ever. In fact, you are glowing!"

Elizabeth mainly had eyes for Darcy, however, who was watching with deep emotion in his eyes. "You are, indeed, looking well, Lady Carlisle," he said.

Elizabeth poured tea for all four of her guests, and they spent a pleasant hour talking. When the Landsdownes and Darcys rose to take their leave, Elizabeth expressed the wish of her heart. "I would be delighted if you would consent to stay with me while you are in Gloucestershire, Georgiana. I do not know how long you and your brother are going to remain, but I have been lonely here by myself. I would welcome your company."

"I would be delighted to! That is, if my brother approves." Georgiana looked over at Darcy with desperate hope.

Darcy gave her an indulgent smile. "Of course you may, if it would give you pleasure."

"Oh, thank you, brother! I will just go back to pack my things and then return this evening."

"That suits me perfectly," Elizabeth said. "I will have the housekeeper prepare a room for you."

Minutes later they were saying farewell, Darcy looking back at her over his shoulder until they disappeared out the door.


The next three weeks were pure joy. Elizabeth found diversion and happiness in Georgiana's constant company; and, since his sister was living there, Elizabeth got to see Darcy more often than she would have otherwise.

She loved him more now than she ever had before. She had not thought that her love could grow to such a degree. He was everything to her. She lived for the sight of his smile and the sound of his voice, the resonance of his laughter. As her due date came closer, she had only to dread the moment when Vincent would arrive.


Caroline Bingley was angry.

She was twenty-seven years old, and, as Charles said, firmly on the shelf. Five years ago, her brother had introduced her to his friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He had the splendid estate of Pemberley, and a pristine lineage, with even an earl as an uncle. Caroline had immediately set her cap at him.

She had tried to be in his presence whenever possible. She curried his favour, she agreed with everything he said, she displayed her accomplishments. But even after five years, she still was not his wife.

She was wondering what Darcy did not see in her. She was attractive, elegant, and accomplished. Her large fortune had not been closely connected to trade. Why was he so blind that he could not see that she would be the perfect hostess and mistress of his homes? Had she not spent years flattering Mr. Darcy and making up to his pathetic sister? She had even feigned a friendship for the meek and mousy girl in order to get on Mr. Darcy's good side. But nothing she did had helped.

Charles was getting impatient with her. He had said that if she had not accepted a marriage proposal by the end of this year, he would release her dowry to her and she would have to set up her own establishment. He and Mr. Hurst had grown weary of having her in their homes. Caroline was growing frantic. She had to get Mr. Darcy to propose.

She knew what the problem was now. It was Lady Carlisle. Ever since that wretched house party last summer, when Caroline had thought she would finally catch him, Mr. Darcy had been paying an inordinate amount attention to the viscountess – a married lady! When they had been in London over the winter, every time she ran into Darcy or Georgiana, Lady Carlisle was always with them.

And now, Charles had said that Darcy was in Gloucestershire, had been there for weeks. She knew that Lady Carlisle had retired to her husband's estate there for her confinement. She had glimpsed Lord Carlisle in town this summer, but his wife was not with him. No, she was apparently with Darcy, who was staying with the Landsdownes only a few miles away from her.

It was not to be borne. Caroline did not care if Darcy kept a mistress – it would at least spare her the unpleasant task of enduring his attentions – but he would marry Caroline first. That uppity strumpet would not keep Darcy away from her.

So she formulated a plan. She would write to Lord Carlisle, telling him of his wife's affair. Now, Caroline was not completely certain that she was having an affair, but Carlisle need not know that. It was important to leave Darcy's name out of it. She did not want Carlisle challenging him to a duel. If he were killed, then Pemberley would never be hers.

But if Carlisle raced back to Gloucestershire to confront his wife, Darcy would be forced to retreat. He would come back to London and finally ask Caroline to marry him.

She rubbed her hands together in glee. Yes, that is exactly what she must do. She reached for a pen and some paper.