Mr Darcy's Legacy, page 5
“It is the Duke of Blandford,” he said wholly astonished, then turned only to see on the opposite wall their mother’s portrait facing the Duke.
Chapter 6
They were living a mystery!
“A maddening mystery” Darcy said, “as no one can tell us the story behind the painting. Maybe the Duke of Blandford! But I do not have the audacity to ask him what his portrait is doing, well hidden, in our mother’s parlour”.
“But,” Elizabeth asked, “how did you know how to unveil the portrait?”
It was a good question, yet Darcy did not respond as he spotted his butler in the doorframe.
“Parker!” Darcy shouted in an unusually harsh voice.
The man stepped in, apparently averting his eyes from the painting, which was rather impossible as it was placed in the centre of the wall.
Darcy approached the painting brushing the frame with a finger, then showed the finger to Parker:
“It doesn’t seem to me it was not dusted for 10 years!”
Parker continued to be silent.
“Please, speak, Parker, tell me the meaning of this, if you know…”
Darcy was so upset that he could hardly find his words; he wanted answers, yet Parker was still silent.
“If the maids dusted the painting it is because someone told them to. You are the only one here and at Pemberley to give orders to the servants, so…?”
Hesitant, like carrying a burden on his shoulders, the butler eventually replied, “Master, her Ladyship, Lady Anne, used to let you see the painting. I did not imagine you forgot, I only thought you did not want to speak about it.”
That was true, Darcy finally realised. He had known about the painting since he was a toddler, but he forgot! He could not understand how it was possible.
“We need to know why this painting hangs in mama’s room,” Georgiana said, “do you know something about it?”
“Of course, he does!” Darcy shouted, and after a moment he spoke again, in a calmer way, addressing Parker directly:
“I thought there were no secrets between us, after all the years you have been in my service. You know all my secrets; I never imagined you have some hidden from me!”
Parker looked devastated by the harsh reproach coming from the most important person in his life.
“I am sorry, sir, I do not have personal secrets from you, but this was not my secret. I cannot tell you more unless her Ladyship left some instructions about this matter.”
At his butler’s words, Darcy remembered the second letter in the package he received from the solicitor. It was on the sofa, where he had thrown it when he entered the room.
Parker was right; he had not the permission to talk even if he knew all the story; as it was clear to all three of them that there was a story behind the painting.
“Thank you, Parker!” Darcy said. “You may retire now!” His voice was calm again.
The butler headed towards the hall, but as he stepped out of the room, he turned and said:
“Maybe you could ask Lady Edwina about the painting!”
With his mother’s letter in his hands, Darcy looked at Parker in wild astonishment, ‘Of course, − he thought, − Edwina, I must have her in London, at once!’
Lady Edwina was his mother’s best friend; his and Georgiana’s godmother; it was Lady Edwina who stayed with his mother in her last moments of life and stood near them when their father unexpectedly died; if there was a person close to them it was, no doubt, Lady Edwina.
Parker finally shut the door, leaving the three of them alone.
Darcy sat on the sofa looking at Georgiana while Elizabeth came to sit near him.
“I am sorry,” he said, “I need a few moments to calm down”.
Elizabeth took his hand with a delicate and loving gesture. Georgina who was following their movements and tender gesture wanted to leave, but Darcy said in a tired voice:
“Stay, my dear, please stay, it is about our dear mother and you are no longer a child. You can hear the truth, any truth, about her.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to ask if she should stay; she asked Darcy with her eyes only, as they succeeded so many times in understanding each other silently. Darcy smiled at her and said:
“You are soon to be my wife, my love, and this letter is also about you and for you!” And he showed her the letter in his hand.
They did not look any more at the paintings; now all their interest turned to the package he brought and the letters inside. Darcy gave Georgina the package and the ribbon watching how her eyes filled with tears. She was only 10 years old when their mother died, but she remembered so much about her. She spoiled and loved them, and only the illness prevented her from being close to them in her last two years of life.
“She was beautiful and elegant and full of life,” Georgiana sadly smiled, remembering her mother. “When I was five years old, I received a pony while my mother had a stunning white stallion; one day she proposed we race and the stallion, as if he understood my mother’s intention, let me win the race on my tiny pony!”
Darcy nodded, now that his sister told the story he remembered that scene, forgotten a long time ago. He realised that it was the same as the painting. A hidden memory that needed a clue to burst into reality. And in that case, the evidence was the Duke himself.
They hesitated to read Lady Anne’s letter; despite their shared curiosity, there was a certain embarrassment, for no matter their age, Georgiana and Darcy would be forever her children.
“In the package I received from the solicitor there were two papers, a codicil to her testament and a letter for me.”
He was silent again. They were in her rooms, near the secretaire where she used to pass all her mornings, and both Georgiana and Darcy had the impression they were children again disobeying their mother. But Anne Darcy had died a long time ago, both her children were adults, and the letter she left Darcy had been written from her conscience and by her own will.
Darcy had the two papers in his hand while Georgiana held the package and the ribbon tightly to her chest.
Darcy pulled a key out of his coat pocket and looking at Georgiana said:
“In mama’s message I also found this key.”
Georgiana took the key with the same wariness she had when she took the package as if she was not entitled to touch the object. Elizabeth had to admit she was from a very different family, and it was not a question of wealth or power but the intimate relationship that existed in families. Darcy and Georgiana were approaching those objects from the past as if they were holy relics and not some memories from their parents. In her family those letters would have been read in no time and followed by a lot of discussion and arguments. She and her sisters dearly loved their parents, but the respect was at the same level as the love. In Lady Anne’s parlour her children, who were by now adults, treated the memories with a solemnity that made Elizabeth wonder how a usual day looked in the Darcy family at the time both parents were alive. She reflected that, regardless what Darcy’s notions about children’s education might be, she would also impose her rules based on joyfulness and all contributing to the general good of the family.
Darcy moved his hands towards Georgiana as an invitation to join them on the sofa and in a familiar gesture they made room for the girl to sit between them, then both embraced her.
It seemed that Elizabeth was more curious about those letters then the two siblings themselves.
“I will invite Lady Edwina to London,” said Darcy. “Parker will send a carriage to bring her.”
Elizabeth was again unable to understand; how could they imagine that a Lady would just jump in a carriage and come. Even the Bennet girls needed at least one day to prepare for a trip.
Again, Darcy read her questions on her face.
“Lady Edwina has her estate 20 miles from here; she does not have a house in London but she has an apartment here with us, it was our mother’s wish to have Edwina with us every time we were in London. That was a long time ago when Georgiana was still a young girl and she missed her mother.”
“I still do!” Georgiana said, “Edwina was always near me when I needed my mother.”
But instead of being happy for them at the prospect of seeing such a dear person, Elizabeth was afraid; the well-known sentiment, a combination, in fact, of fear and cautiousness as her past experience with Lady Catherine made her extremely sensitive regarding Darcy’s relatives.
“Edwina is a special woman, you will adore her,” Georgiana said. “She is very close to us and not at all led by any form of etiquette. She is spontaneous and very intelligent. You will see.”
“Yes, my dear,” Darcy said, looking at Elizabeth over Georgiana’s head, “if she were 20 years younger, I would have married her!” His voice was slightly mocking but much less than a night before, as he was still dominated by a powerful emotion. So, Elizabeth looked at them both and said in a deliberately joyful tone:
“Do you want me to read the letter?”
If she had been looking at Darcy, she would have seen pride, but not that insolent pride from other times but pure enchantment with her, but Elizabeth was looking at Georgiana who needed her attention much more than Darcy did at that moment.
***
With every passing day, even in those instants of intense emotion for his mother, Darcy realised that Elizabeth would bring to their family a fresh breeze that would change the relationships they had in a positive way. She was spontaneous and cheerful, and her devotion was so genuine and caring that she did not impose on the other but offered her help with a kind heart, ready to commit herself without any reword.
“Yes, my dearest!” Darcy said. “We will not wait for Lady Edwina to read the letter; I want to know its contents now!”
“As you can see,” he said looking at Elizabeth, “I have lost my propriety in favour of this new spontaneity…” He was mocking Elizabeth who only smiled at his tone that made her imagine the little master Darcy, 10 years old, who thought he was the head of the world.
“But first,” he continued, “I will read mother’s codicil, or at least unveil its contents as it is written in a language only solicitors understand.”
He rang for Parker, as he needed a glass of brandy; however, in truth, he wanted to show his butler he was sorry for his former anger. That man had been a father and a friend to him since he was born; Darcy hardly remembered his governesses as almost all his time was passed with Parker. He had to admit he found himself envious that Parker was so dedicated to his mother, too. Like a selfish child he would have wanted Parker only for himself; but his dedication to his mother, the perfect way he kept her secrets over the years, was one of his noble character traits.
The girls were waiting rather impatiently. Darcy was too restrained for Elisabeth’s taste, but she had to learn to adapt to his rhythms as sometimes his way of considering before acting was a perfect way to avoid mistakes. But not always as the past showed; sometimes his very stiffness caused him to make mistakes.
Parker entered the room with the glass of brandy on a tray; still, both men knew it was only an excuse, Darcy was sorry. The butler nodded with a smile while offering his master the glass and all bad feelings between them were forgotten.
“Mama,” Darcy said rather brusquely, “left my future wife a yearly income of 1500”.
Elizabeth was so surprised that she could not speak. 1500 pounds a year was a huge income, especially considering that she would live at Pemberley. She looked from Darcy to Georgiana not knowing precisely what to do. She was tempted to refuse; after all Darcy’s mother was a stranger to her. However, those matters were established with the family solicitors and the old Mr Darcy certainly was present when his wife signed the documents, as customary when it was about money and incomes and estates, so it was not easy to refuse. But then she realised how selfish on her part it would be to refuse when her father’s death might plunge her mother and unmarried sisters into a state of near poverty. Having a personal income would give her the possibility to help them. Suddenly, Anne Darcy was no longer a stranger but an angel who looked equally upon her as she did her children.
“This money” Darcy said, “is yours; you can dispose of it exactly as you wish; you understand that the codicil is a moral duty for me for as long as you shall live.”
“I accept it!” Elizabeth said with a shy smile.
Darcy knew her thoughts just from looking at her. That money would be spent on good causes and not on frivolities.
Unfortunately for her, Elizabeth could not read her future husband’s mind, as he was thinking that regarding the frivolities he would attentively take care to provide them, all. He had only a half-smile on his face imagining some of his gifts.
Only then Elizabeth remembered Georgiana and turned to her in haste. She was curious about her reaction, but instead, it was her future husband who responded to her silent question.
“Georgiana is an heiress, our parents were very careful in providing for both of us, and now, we find out, they also thought about my future wife!”
Georgiana was smiling; she was in so many ways like Elizabeth, unselfish and considerate.
“I am so amazed by mama,” Darcy said mostly to Georgiana, “how well she knew me! She spoiled us every moment of our childhood, but she was certain I would choose my wife on her personal qualities. Mama knew our inner essence and never doubted that. I hope I have grown-up to achieve her trust and expectations.”
“Now,” Elizabeth said to overcome her emotion, “let us read the letter unless you decide otherwise”.
Elizabeth and Darcy were looking at Anne’s portrait; placed on a wall opposite the Duke’s portrait as if they were intended, forever, to look at each other.
Anne Darcy was dressed in an elaborate court dress with panniers, corset and a weighty blue silk material that constructed her gown in style à l’anglaise. Elizabeth wondered how much fashion had changed in only 30 years and how happy she was about that change. Just Anne’s hair was natural, dressed merely in a mass of curls that gave her a delightful appearance. In the portrait Anne was happy; she had a glow around her that Darcy recognised as love. He had seen that portrait so many times in the past but now, as an adult, he could discern between emotions.
It was so difficult to admit that the portrait was placed in front of the Duke and not his father. Maybe Georgiana still did not understand but he was a grown-up man who had seen love in all circumstances. He wondered if he had the right to shatter his mother’s image in front of Georgiana. In fact, the letter was for himself; but then more than 30 years had passed since that portrait had been painted and not only the fashion had changed but also the people.
“Good,” Darcy said, “enough hesitations, my only doubt is regarding you, little sister; I have the feeling that after this letter we will look differently at our past. It is my decision to get you involved in these disclosures, as I am almost sure the letter is a confession of a kind.”
Darcy had been wrong. The letter was not a confession, at least not a direct one.
Elizabeth was reading in a steady voice; for she did not want to create more emotions:
‘My dear,
In the package, besides this letter, you will find a codicil to my testament that entitles your future wife to a comfortable income. I want her to love you for all your qualities and not for the wealth you will bring into the marriage. The codicil is signed by your father as the law asks, but he has been so gracious to accept any of my wishes about your inheritance.
I would have loved to know your wife, but I am sure you chose appropriately and will marry a worthy, strong and independent woman, the way I had never been.
I cannot be ungrateful, as my destiny blessed me with an understanding husband and, most of all, with two beautiful children who are my unique gifts.
In the package you will also find a key. It guards a long-kept secret, my life’s secret, and it is up to you if you decide to unveil it or not. In any circumstance, I approve of your decision.
If you decide to find my secret, that will be possible only after your father’s death. Lady Edwina will guide you in the use of the key.
It is also entirely up to you if you decide to include dear little Georgina in this secret, but no sooner than her 21st birthday.
I hope both you and Georgiana will have splendid lives and please, both of you, heed this advice: never marry without love.
Your mother who loves you,
Anne Darcy’
Chapter 7
It was decided that Georgiana and Mr Acton would accept an invitation for dinner that evening sent by Mrs Louisa Hurst. The young Acton had the secret mission to sneak into their casual conversation a word about Darcy having a one-hour encounter with the Duke of Blandford at the Club, and Georgina the news regarding a party the Duke would have in Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s honour. It was such a privilege that, Darcy was sure, the two Bingley sisters would change their attitude towards Elizabeth forever. If Elizabeth were received at the Duke’s party as a guest of honour, nobody in London would dare speak of her but with respect and reverence.
“It is not so important how they treat me,” said Elizabeth to Darcy and Georgiana.
They were in the music room where Georgiana was playing the piano, all three of them trying to act normally, to calm the tension that Lady Anne’s letter provoked. Darcy wanted more than anything else to be alone with Elizabeth and the dinner invitations to the Hursts came at the right time. With Georgiana and Mr Acton gone they would be alone in the evening.
Georgiana and Mr Acton – who was entirely on their side, of regardless his kinship with the Bingleys – had to use the new relationship with the Duke of Blandford to make the two sisters understand that an unfriendly attitude towards Elizabeth was not to their advantage. Darcy knew too well that in many circles, in London or elsewhere, friendship and a benevolent attitude were obtained with ruse and privileges and not through a natural admiration, truth, or respect. In the past, he had little regard for those aspects; but when Elizabeth became his wife, he wanted only goodwill and kindness around her, no matter how those attitudes would be obtained. Elizabeth would naturally enchant persons of goodwill by her wit and her presence, as for the other he would vanquish them by his influence and this new protection from the Duke of Blandford. He was not going to tell the truth to Elizabeth because it was not a vital matter between them. He was glad Georgiana correctly understood his plans and was cunningly playing her part. Not that he wanted to continue a close relationship with Bingley’s sisters in the future, but they were important in a particular circle they would attend from time to time. He intended to take his wife and be gone for Pemberley ten minutes after their wedding and pass a quiet winter only with Georgiana and Edwina, who would eventually join them.
