Prologue
Baltimore, Maryland, 1886.
The Darcy Manor.
Lizzy paused when the butler approached.
As she watched, she noticed the gentleman's expression was firm. Lizzy, along with the family members and friends, were too occupied to notice the taller man enter and approach Fitzwilliam Darcy. As she knew it, he was Ignatius Darcy's best man and his wife, Deborah Otters, was the lady he was married to. But Lizzy was quiet for a moment; she was seated beside Fitzwilliam at the table but she felt something about this wasn't right.
She offered a quiet prayer but didn't let the others see as the butler came by. When he was standing by, Lizzy heard him say.
"Mr. Darcy? Your brother wants to see you outside."
"Indeed." Fitzwilliam answered. He was tall and when he rose, he turned to Ignatius as he added. "Do excuse me, brother; I'm needed outside."
"You're excused." Ignatius Darcy responded.
Lizzy noticed the married brother wasn't paying attention.
"Miss Watson? Do join me." Fitzwilliam put in. Lizzy paused when she heard this; she didn't realize Fitzwilliam wanted her to accompany him with his brother? She finished her prayer before she nodded. Then when extended his hand, she placed it in his before she rose. She kept her eyes on him as he aided her from the table then out towards the main lobby. As this occurred, Lizzy felt frustration enter when she realized Fitzwilliam was holding her hand a little tighter than usual.
"Do take care and not do that." She said; she wanted to feel a least at peace when she interacted with his brother. Fitzwilliam merely narrowed his eyes before he gently eased his hand. She thanked him but Fitzwilliam kept his focus forward. It was as if he was ignoring her and Lizzy noticed Fitzwilliam showed a bit of pride. She didn't like this about him but she didn't voice
this.
She was courting him and she knew if she fought back, she would get in trouble and she didn't want that. She offered her ache in prayer as the couple entered the main lobby. When this occurred, both of them looked and Lizzy felt her annoyance when she realized Miss Martha
Vitals was beside Newman Darcy.
"Brother. There is a letter in the mail for you." Newman said.
"Miss Watson." Miss Vitals greeted.
Even from where Lizzy was, she could tell Miss Vitals didn't like her. Likewise, Lizzy didn't either. She was for once thankful Fitzwilliam
Darcy was beside her; as if he were a knight protecting his princess. But when she looked at the couple, Lizzy felt this wasn't the best time to talk about how they liked each other or didn't at all. She offered this in prayer as Fitzwilliam looked at Newman; he was quiet for a moment but when his brother exchanged an envelope to him, Fitzwilliam nodded before he thanked him.
"And the infant was found outside, sir." Another voice from behind added.
"What baby?" Fitzwilliam inquired.
Lizzy watched as Fitzwilliam turned around and when she did too, the butler was approaching the group. She found it peculiar he was there; perhaps there was something she didn't know about. She hoped she would in time but as he came over, Lizzy realized Fitzwilliam was extremely tense. Perhaps it was because of the wedding or him being best man. "Well he's in with the other ladies. We will check him; in the meantime, that letter is addressed to you, Mr. Darcy." The house keeper added.
She was with the couple and Lizzy turned and her suspicion that something was amiss was right. She offered another prayer as she waited; she noticed Miss Vitals was quiet but then she turned to the butler as she said. "I will check him; he is in the kitchen?"
"Yes, Miss Vitals; follow me." The butler answered.
A few things weren't adding up but Lizzy kept her calm. She figured that when the butler informed Fitzwilliam Newman wanted to talk with him, it was important. What was puzzling was how Fitzwilliam was taking this. She knew he would tell her things but in this circumstance? He'd been quiet; perhaps she would find out about it later. She offered a prayer for him as she wondered what she would do in the meantime. The butler joined Miss Vitals and as Lizzy watched, the house keeper accompanied them too. Before long, the only person she was with was
Fitzwilliam Darcy. When she noticed he was staring at the envelope,
Lizzy turned and waited to know what he was going to say.
The awkward pause wasn't something she liked but Lizzy offered this in prayer instead. After a moment, Fitzwilliam Darcy turned to her and when he did, his features were firm before he said.
"I will be reading this in the office, Miss Watson. If my Papa inquires where I am, let him know I am in the office."
Lizzy placed her hands on her hips the moment he said this.
She finished her prayer but watched as Fitzwilliam turned and without looking back, he made his way over towards another room and before she realized it, he entered and soon closed the door behind him. She wasn't the only one who felt this was odd behavior as Fitzwilliam exited and the door closed behind him. Lizzy wondered what he was going to read as another voice inquired.
"That most certainly was a peculiar way of excusing himself." Lizzy nodded when she turned and smiled at the older Mr. Darcy. He exited from the dining room; she realized he'd watched the group as he stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and a brow raised. Lizzy agreed as she waited to know what Fitzwilliam was going to read about; at the same time, his Papa turned and made his way towards the office too. Lizzy was thankful she didn't have to inform Mr. Darcy where Fitzwilliam was; but she wondered how it was he was there, listening to them as they talked about the infant and the letter. Lizzy offered another prayer as Mr. Darcy joined his son. Then she turned and realizing the piano forte was in the parlor, Lizzy made her way over there so she could keep herself occupied while she waited for the gentlemen. It was the day of Ignatius and Deborah Darcy's marriage and mystery arrived that day of their marriage! She wondered what was going to occur as she entered the parlor and then approached the instrument. After she was seated, Lizzy placed her hands on the keys and began to play.