A Constant Love: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation, page 20
“Thank you,” she said softly. “That does sound like just the thing I need, right now.”
“Then you must tell me what you need more often, and I must think to ask you, if you do not,” he said.
She responded simply by seeking his embrace, feeling greatly relieved, and soothed, to stand there and be held tight for a little while, to feel him kiss her forehead. After such a night, there was no greater peace than this.
The delay in Mr. Darcy’s departure to Pemberley and the sudden Richmond scheme were explained at breakfast as being for Elizabeth’s health; she was not feeling well, and in need of fresh air. She did not look well at all to anyone at the table, and Georgiana assured them she was feeling quite fine aside from the lingering pain in her wrist, encouraging them to go. Catherine told them that she, Mary, and Mrs. Annesley should have no trouble coming up with diversions for Georgiana, who would not be able to play the pianoforte or the harp, or even attempt any needlework so long as her wrist was still in pain.
Darcy made a few quick calls to his closest Curzon Street neighbours, and dashed off notes to a few others elsewhere in Mayfair, asking discreetly if they had heard of any crimes within the neighbourhood. This took little more than an hour and a half, and allowed Mrs. Wright to have the kitchen pack them some cold meats, pastries and other delicacies by way of a picnic, so that by the time Darcy’s correspondence was completed, the food was ready, and the phaeton waiting outside.
Darcy helped Elizabeth up into the phaeton, and took up the ribbons, looking back and nodding at the groom who was to ride behind them on horseback, and saying: “Today I want you to be just Elizabeth, my Elizabeth – not Mrs. Darcy.”
“I will do my best,” said Elizabeth, already feeling much better, and certain she would be even more so when they had left the thick air of the city behind.
In the house, Catherine and the other ladies had very little to do to entertain Georgiana, for soon after Mary had played a few of her friend’s favourite songs on the pianoforte, Captains Stanton and Ramsey arrived. The latter expressed his concern, having heard of the previous night’s events from his friend, while the former was relieved to learn Georgiana was feeling better.
“I fear this will have to delay everyone’s hearing the Fandango,” Georgiana said. “Perhaps I should give it over to Lady Julia, to play.”
“Absolutely not – we will wait until you are better,” Captain Stanton said. “It was your idea, and you must play it, whenever you are well enough to do so.”
“Do you think you will at least be able to dance at Lady Tonbridge’s ball?” Captain Ramsey asked, with a private smile to Catherine, who had already promised him the first set, the supper set, and the waltz. “If so I must ask you for a dance.”
“I had not thought of it,” Georgiana said. “It does feel better today, so I hope it should be well enough by Thursday. It might still be bruised, but my gloves will cover it.”
“Might I engage you for the second dance, then? Miss Catherine has already promised me the first.”
“Yes, thank you, I would like that very much,” Georgiana said, wanting to look at Captain Stanton, but unable to, for she wished deeply he would ask her for the first dance.
“If you are unengaged for the first set, I would appreciate it if you would oblige me, Miss Darcy,” Captain Stanton said.
“Oh, do dance the supper set with her as well,” said Catherine. “Then we all might sit together at supper.”
“Very well then – Miss Darcy, might I dance the first set and the supper set with you?”
“Yes, I would like that very much.”
He then asked Catherine if he might also dance with her, and both captains applied to Mary for her hand in a set. They spoke for some time about their excitement for the ball, until they had exhausted the topic.
“We do have a new invitation to make to you and the rest of your family,” Captain Ramsey said. “A friend of ours, Captain Shaw, of the Daphne sloop, came in last week up the Thames – he is to take a few government men to France at the end of the month. He has offered us the use of his cutter, and so we wish to know if your family would like to go sailing up the river.”
“Sailing! I have never been sailing!” Catherine said, in a tone that clearly indicated her enthusiasm for the scheme.
“Nor have I,” Georgiana said, looking over to Mrs. Annesley to see if she indicated any issues with the idea. Mrs. Annesley gave her a slight nod and said she also had never been sailing, and thought it would be quite an interesting diversion. Mary was less enthusiastic, but still agreed to go, and the group fixed upon Saturday as the day they should plan for, although Mr. and Mrs. Darcy should of course be consulted before then. The captains took their leave, and the viscountess’s ball was nearly forgotten in excitement over the sailing outing.
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Elizabeth was enchanted by Richmond. She had certainly seen more extensive grounds and more beautiful vistas, even so little travelled as she was, but to encounter them after so long in town was a revelation. They saw a few riders and another phaeton as they entered the grounds, but it was quite peaceful, and a balm to her soul.
Generally, she preferred walking above all else, if she had a choice in how she was to enjoy the countryside. As they took up one of the paths here, however, she realised she had never been out with such a skilled whip before – for skilled her husband most certainly was – and there was a new sort of enjoyment to this, to covering the park at such a rapid pace, but with the crisp air in her face. There being so much less traffic than at Hyde Park, Darcy did not need to focus all of his attention on the horses, and so they were able to comment on all they saw as they rode along: the herd of grazing deer, the stark bare trees, the vast open fields, and the gentleman accompanying a lady who wore the most ridiculous red riding habit with a green hat, which they both agreed made the lady look rather like a strawberry from their vantage.
They made a whole circuit of the park before cutting down one of the lanes that led to the lake, where the groom took up the horses and led them to the water to drink, while Darcy and Elizabeth walked some way down the shore so they might spread out their blanket and picnic in some privacy.
“We must come here much more often,” Elizabeth said, once they had laid out the contents of the basket. “At least once a week.”
“I would be for this plan,” Darcy said, looking closely at her. Although she still appeared tired, there was a light in her eyes and a freshness to her complexion that had been increasingly absent over the past few months. “You do seem much improved.”
“I feel much improved,” she said, smilingly. “Perhaps all I needed was a little fresh air. I will be quite jealous of you when you go to Pemberley.”
“I have been thinking that I should not go. I hate to leave you so soon after – after everything.”
“Darcy, you told me that I must tell you of what I needed, but you must admit that this is what you need,” she said. “I know how important it is for you to look in on the estate, and how concerned you have been over the Corn Bill.”
“There is nothing more important than your well-being, Elizabeth. Even now, you will not stop putting everyone else ahead of yourself. I must go because it is what I need; you must stay because Georgiana and Kitty are receiving suitors.”
Elizabeth took some time to order her thoughts, for she was not quite certain how to explain what she wished to explain. “Darcy, I do not know that you can understand how impossible it seemed two years ago that Jane and I should both marry for love, and also be able to live comfortably, much less well. We may not have fretted about it so vocally as our mama, but I assure you, each of us sisters felt it, although perhaps Jane most of all, as the eldest. It is too late for Lydia, but if I am in a position to help Kitty and Georgiana do the same, it is my due. It is what I owe them as a married sister.”
“I cannot say that I understand, without having been in your situation, although I may sympathise, and I do,” he said. “But you must not neglect yourself at their expense – they would not want it, either. Jane, perhaps, could assist with Kitty and Mary, and attend them to some events.”
Jane would be planning for her own family, and should not be exerting herself frequently, Elizabeth thought, but would not say. She was not yet ready to open that topic today, not when she was feeling so much improved, and knew it could not help but upset her, so she only said:
“Perhaps she may assist more, but I do assure you, my well-being is much better than it was yesterday. Go on the morrow as you had planned, stay for a little while, and then to make up for it you may take me here very frequently when you return.”
“You are quite certain?”
She assured him she was, and then they fully availed themselves of the picnic. For once, Elizabeth found herself fully relaxed, and quite hungry, although the kitchen had prepared far more food than the two of them could ever eat. She could not stop eating for long before he was suggesting she try one of the tarts, or some other kickshaw, and although she was by now familiar with almost all of Cook’s work, she still appreciated how attentive he was.
They offered the quite-substantial remains of their picnic to the groom, and took a little walk further down the lake while he ate. Elizabeth sensed Darcy would stay as long as she wished to, and so finally she drew herself even closer to his arm, and said that she was ready to return if he was.
They made the ride back in streets thickening with carriage traffic as evening came on. Over dinner at Curzon Street, they were acquainted all in a rush with the sailing scheme, which was readily approved by both Elizabeth and Darcy. Although Darcy would still be at Pemberley on Saturday, he saw no issues with the outing so long as Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley went. Elizabeth herself was quite excited by the idea of sailing – it was something new, perhaps the marine equivalent of their ride through the park, and it gave her something to look forward to until her husband should return, and they could have another outing to Richmond.
Chapter 29
Elizabeth found herself being wakened most reluctantly, far too early in the morning. She waved her arm languidly at her awakener for some time before remembering that it was her husband, rousing her at her own request, and then groaned, opening her eyes. He was already dressed for travelling, and smiling at her fondly in the candlelight and what faint grey of the morning was coming through the windows.
“I hope whenever we all remove to Pemberley, you do not expect us to leave at such an hour,” she said, sleepily. “I am glad to see you off, but I must admit I did not have a notion of your leaving this early.
“I have no such expectations, and anyway, I expect we shall overnight at Longbourn then, so we may leave at a leisurely pace,” he said. “However, I am hoping to arrive by tomorrow noon, so that Richardson and I may start our tour of the farms. I wish to see the state of the farms before we discuss contingencies, although we are still well off of the spring planting.”
“How long will it take you, to do your tour of the farms?”
“Three to four days, I expect. After so long away, I wish to give every tenant as much time as he needs to discuss any concerns with me, although it sounds as though all has been well during our absence.”
“Please give my greetings to them, and to all of the staff, and let them know I am looking forward to when I may finally meet them all.”
“I shall. I expect I will be met with more disappointment and curiosity, particularly from the staff,” he said. “I think they begin to feel slighted by our extended absence; I know Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Reynolds correspond frequently, so I expect not a dinner has gone off without Mrs. Reynolds being informed of what a success it was.”
Elizabeth smiled at the thought of Mrs. Wright’s writing to crow to Pemberley’s housekeeper. Mrs. Wright certainly seemed to be enjoying having the family in residence for such an extended period of time; she got a certain light in her eyes whenever Elizabeth informed her they were having guests to dine, and had made her way about the house with a triumphant look for a full week after Georgiana’s coming-out ball.
“I hope they do not feel too slighted. I am sure there will come a time when we are there more often than we are anywhere else.”
“I certainly hope so. I will explain to Mrs. Reynolds that we stay for the benefit of your sisters; she is very fond of Georgiana, so I am sure the notion of this being for Georgiana’s sake shall make her more supportive, and the rest of the staff will follow.”
“That is a fine plan,” Elizabeth said. “Now, I have been tarrying you far too long. You should go.”
“You are quite certain that you are good with my absence? I may still cancel the trip.”
“I would not say I am good with your absence, but I am fine to bear it,” Elizabeth said. “I am feeling much refreshed today, even with waking at this horrid hour. We only have Lady Tonbridge’s ball, our sailing outing, and a few other minor engagements – it should be a fine week. But you must write to me; that is my requirement. Nothing but a letter so fine as your last shall do.”
“Very well, then, I shall write to you,” he said, leaning down to kiss her good-bye before he slipped out of the room.
Elizabeth smiled against her pillow long after he had gone, unable to go back to sleep despite a certain aching tiredness brought on from having woke so early. As miserable as she had been, two nights ago, she felt the good that had come out of it – a new openness between them, and the realisation that he was right, she should be more thoughtful about her own needs.
It troubled her to think about the one thing they had not yet been open about – it would be her topic to raise, when the time came, but once again she pushed it from her mind.
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The time leading up to Lady Tonbridge’s ball passed as pleasantly as it could for Georgiana, given that she was still unable to practise either of her instruments. Her wrist did feel increasingly better, and by the time she woke the morning of the ball, she felt certain that she would be able to dance. Her wrist might still hurt a bit, but it should be bearable. Georgiana flushed as she thought of her partner for the first dance; she had spent quite a bit of time in company with Captain Stanton, but now finally would come her first opportunity to dance with him.
Georgiana’s only cause for concern came after Hughes helped her into her dress, and they attempted to put on her gloves. She had thought her glove might go over the wrap on her wrist, which Hughes had been faithfully applying every morning on the surgeon’s instructions, but it did not. She could hardly go to the ball without gloves, particularly with her wrist wrapped, and so she asked Hughes to remove the wrap, once again exposing a wrist that had turned very ugly colours in its bruising, and was still swollen. Georgiana’s glove did fit without the wrap, but she found her wrist hurt a little more in its absence.
She was determined to enjoy herself, however, and spent the short carriage ride there in a state of increasing anticipation. The viscountess was as cheerful as ever, and many of their acquaintances from the musical club were there, greeting the family as they made their way in. Georgiana could not attend their conversations as she would have liked to, however; she was too distracted, looking out for Captain Stanton. She finally saw him enter along with Captain Ramsey, both of them dressed fashionably, but not flashy. Georgiana knew Kitty would be disappointed that they were not in uniform, but for her own part Georgiana did not mind; she thought Captain Stanton looked very well this evening.
The captains made their way over to the family, exchanged greetings, and inquired as to the absence of Mr. Darcy. His having gone to Pemberley was explained, and Georgiana and Elizabeth were applied to for their description of Derbyshire and the estate, so that the time leading up to the first set went quickly.
When the viscountess called for the dance to begin, Captain Stanton offered Georgiana his arm to escort her to the floor, and said, softly: “Miss Darcy, do let me know if your wrist hurts at all during the course of the set, and we may step out.”
“I will, thank you.”
Georgiana need not have worried at all about her wrist while she was dancing with him, however. Any time the dance caused his hand to touch hers on that side, he gave her just the slightest of touches, and it became clear that he was doing so deliberately, as his contact with her other hand was more natural. He was a good dancer, though perhaps not so good as Lord Alfred, and fairly quiet through the course of the dance, although she found it to be a comfortable sort of quiet. One of them would occasionally remark on something, and they would exchange a few comments, and then return to silence. She felt no urgency to be talking while it was silent, she simply enjoyed the dance.
Captain Ramsey was not quite so careful with her wrist, and far more talkative, so that what little time Georgiana had for reflection during their set was spent in thinking what a good match he was for Kitty. She danced the next few sets with gentlemen from the musical club, glad to not have any partners she did not know, and common topics for conversation. Her poor wrist, however, continued to take the abuse of hand after hand catching hers, and she was very glad when the viscountess announced the supper set, and she was returned to the gentle touches of Captain Stanton.
“How is your wrist holding up?” he asked her, a bit into the dance.
“It hurts a little,” she admitted.
“Do you wish to stop?”
“Oh no, it is nothing I cannot bear. And you are very careful,” she noted, in a tone of some embarrassment.
They had begun the set next to Captain Ramsey and Catherine, so that they might all go into supper together, and they all conversed like old friends throughout the meal. Sitting with two people so convivial as Catherine and Captain Ramsey ensured that they never lacked for a subject, and the only difficulty for Georgiana was that she must take care to only request servings of food she could eat with one hand. If anyone at the table who was unacquainted with her injury noticed she was doing so, however, they did not say anything.
