“Come,” the voice of her father answered, her throat tightening as she opened the door. “Ah. Lizzy. Just in time, I asked Mrs. Hill to send someone for that book of poems we spoke of, and it just arrived. Pick your favourites and perhaps tonight you might read them for us?”
“Perhaps,” she replied, her voice stilted as she sought some easy way to broach the subject, none making itself known to her.
She would have to be direct.
“PaPa, I have something to ask you, and I want you to know I do not do so to injure you in any way.”
“This does sound serious,” he said, the teasing words mingled with uncertainty as he motioned to her favourite seat. “Ask what you will.”
Taking her seat, Elizabeth settled deep within the plush cushions, her lips pulling inward as she sought resolve. “I have heard rumour that Mother has an uncle and cousin. Well, not exactly rumours, since I heard you confirm it, however… Kitty and I were in Mother’s sewing box and she happened upon some hidden cubby. In it there was a silhouette of you, five locks of hair, and a letter, signed only withC. It likely was from this unknown cousin,Cperhaps standing for that or a name? What I would like to know is, who exactly are Mother’s cousin and uncle. Why no mention of it to any of us? And why the strange divide between them?”
“That is all you wish to know,” he laughed lightly. “It is a great deal more than you think… and as much as I wish to tell you, I made a promise a long time ago.”
“A promise? To whom?” Elizabeth questioned incredulously, the familiar seat no longer comforting.
“Your mother,” he answered simply. “When Jane was born she swore all who knew to silence. Not only to whatever children we might have, but any who might ask. I know it is not fair, and a time will come when I can tell you all the secret–after some future events take place–but I cannot now.” Eyes glistening as he gazed up at her, he gave a sad smile, “Your mother; I know I never did enough for her, never gave her the affection and respect she deserved. It may feel a slight against you, but I swear it is not. I have to keep this last promise to her. It is a small atonement, but it is all I can do to show her my respect… to honour this wish of hers, the oath I gave. Please, accept it. For my sake, and for hers.”
Resting her head on her hand, Elizabeth’s eyes drifted to the worn carpeting.She understood that Mother wanted it kept secret, or else she would have told… Swearing Father and who knows how many other people to secrecy she had not expected.
Over two years she had known of this secret–rather, its existence–but for the sake of Jane, her sisters, Father, and who knows who else, she had kept the questions at bay. Now. Now, when it came to light again, she–and her sisters–would be expected to let it be? Even if Jane might bear the truth as she could not before?
Hands clenching, the words of her father echoed through her mind,‘Please, accept it. For my sake, and for hers.’
Father had all but begged her to let it be–if Jane was now ready for the truth, Father certainly was not. She could not press it. Not when he had worked so hard to return to them. But she would show the letter to all of her sisters, and explain all this, and, well, hope they might understand.
Nodding, Elizabeth sat back in the chair, her father’s face easing as he viewed her.
She would leave it be.
For a time.
Chapter 7
Pemberley in Derbyshire, England – 1812
Seated in his study, Darcy rubbed his eyes wearily.His new steward would be a fine addition to the estate. Another few days and he would be able to run things should he and his sisters ever travel. As unlikely as that would be considering Darcy House in London had been let for the year. Even so, it would prove a welcome thing to share certain duties with another.
“William,” Georgie said as she knocked on his opened door, Cathy only steps behind. “May we come in?”
“Of course,” he smiled as he stood, motioning to the two most comfortable chairs in the room.
“You were not working, were you?” Georgie questioned, brows pulled as she studied her brother.
“I have been, but not at this moment, no.”
“You look tired,” Cathy stated matter-of-factly as she took her seat, before frowning up at her brother, “You ought to get more sleep.”
Sleep?
Glancing toward the clock then the night attire of his sisters, he sighed. “Why are you two not asleep? Mrs. Reed must already be abed, and chances are, she assumed you two to be so as well.”
“We were worried,” Georgie said as she pulled her slippered feet under her.
“Worried?”
“About you,” Cathy added, arms pulled close to her body as she rubbed her hands over them.
Removing his coat, Fitzwilliam draped it over Cathy’s shoulders.
