Chapter Forty-Nine
MONDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1812
Darcy and Elizabeth remained at Rosings for a full week, offering their time and support to both Anne and Hargrove. They spent the days in quiet companionship, lending whatever assistance they could to the estate’s master and mistress. During that time, Elizabeth and Anne found several opportunities to converse in private, and it was in these moments that Elizabeth, with careful consideration, confided her suspicions about her own condition. Anne was delighted with the news.
While Anne initially married her husband for safety and security, in the months they had been together, they had developed a growing closeness and affection for one another. It was this bond that led the couple to desire to consummate their vows, along with Lord Hargrove’s easy acceptance of their marriage. Young Hargrove had not expected his father to support the union. However, had he spoken to him directly, he would have realised his father would have done everything possible to assist the couple, especially since the baron did not think well of Lady Catherine, though he had been friends with the lady’s husband.
Their fears were alleviated after a candid conversation with his father, during which Hargrove learned that his father had always hoped the family estate would pass to him, rather than to his sister’s child. He also discovered that his father did not disdain his interests in botany. A frank conversation between the men, facilitated by Anne, led to this new understandingwhich eased his worries and revealed a willingness of his father to support him that he had not seen before. The conversation was a revelation, shifting his perspective on both family duty and personal ambition, and it strengthened his resolve to build a future with Anne, grounded in mutual respect and shared aspirations.
The couple shared this information separately with Darcy and Elizabeth, who discussed it in their bed at night.
“Hargrove is a bit embarrassed for having assumed so much about his father’s intentions,” Darcy explained. “His elder sister’s son is a young man, soon to attend school. After the boy’s own father died, the grandfather stepped in to help his daughter’s family as best he could. However, after a candid conversation, their relationship has improved significantly.”
“Anne told me that the baron and Sir Lewis were good friends,” Elizabeth replied. “That reassured Anne of the wisdom in her original plan when she suggested the marriage months ago. I am glad they have found happiness with each other.” She snuggled deeper into her husband’s warmth, feeling content.
Darcy kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head, his voice soft as he spoke. “It is good to see Anne so content. She deserves peace after all the uncertainty she has endured. It seems Hargrove is growing up as well. Both are immature, I believe, but they are quickly growing and learning. The baron will help them as they learn to manage Rosings together. Hargrove encouraged me to write to his father as well, so we do not give them contrary advice.”
Elizabeth nodded, her thoughts drifting. “It is a relief, is it not? To see them find their way. It gives me hope for all of us that even when things seem uncertain, they can still work outin the end. We still have all of our sisters to get settled, and perhaps Jane will be happy soon. Do you think that Richard will approach her now?”
Chuckling, Darcy tightened his hold on Elizabeth. “It is too soon, Elizabeth. Richard is still in mourning, and we are uncertain about what will become of his father. There is also the matter of Matlock to resolve, and decisions need to be made regarding Ashburn. Moreover, we must be absolutely certain that no further complications arise from Lord Matlock’s schemes. Though his would-be debtors are now imprisoned, I wonder if others were involved in carrying out their threats. Richard is formidable, and I doubt many would dare to harm him, but we should ensure that no further harm comes to anyone because of my uncle’s actions.”
Elizabeth turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes full of concern. “Do you think there is still a danger?”
“I cannot be entirely certain,” Darcy said. “As I mentioned, Richard has been a soldier for many years, and I believe most would be wary of him. He claims to have quite a reputation in certain circles, but it is hard to know how much of that is truth and how much is mere bluster. My cousin has a knack for spinning tales in such a way that they could easily be believed, but one is never entirely sure.”
Laughing softly, Elizabeth trailed her fingers gently up the arms that held her. The movements paused a moment later, and Darcy thought she was lost in thought, but then he noticed her steady breathing. He smiled to himself, realising she had fallen asleep.
At the beginning of the following week, Darcy and Elizabeth prepared to depart for Pemberley, leaving Anne and Hargrovewith promises to return when their obligations permitted and inviting the couple to visit them at Pemberley that autumn.
They travelled to Pemberley slowly,spending nearly a week at Darcy House in London, rarely leaving the house. So many matters had kept them occupied in the brief months of their marriage, and they enjoyed a few days of isolation in the middle of the season.
The knocker was kept off the door, and they spent most of their time between their bedchambers, the library, and the study. They took their meals either in their private sitting room or in the library and relished this time together before they returned to their responsibilities at Pemberley.
One afternoon late in the week, they ventured out for a short visit to the shops in a less fashionable area of town and paid a short call on the Gardiners. That couple was invited to Darcy House on Saturday evening for a meal which turned in to a delightful evening.
“Aunt,” Elizabeth said when the ladies had separated from the gentleman, “do you recall what we spoke of before Christmas?”
Tilting her head, Mrs. Gardiner thought about what they had shared. “Is it confirmed?” she asked, her eyes lighting as she recalled the conversation.
“I do not think I have felt the quickening yet but believe it will happen soon. I have not had my courses since just before wewere wed. I… Mama has been staying at Pemberley, and I have not said anything to her about it yet. I… well, Aunt, is it terrible that I wish to send Mama home before she learns that I am with child? I am not certain that I want her with me when I give birth. She… just before we left, we sent her, with all my sisters, to the dower house. Of course, it was for their safety, for it was easier to arrange for protection of the smaller dwelling, but Mama is struggling with not being the mistress. She needs to be in her own home, and while I understand her reasons for not wanting to be at Longbourn, I am afraid she will drive me mad if I continue to be forced to share a house with her,” Elizabeth let out in an exasperated huff.
Her aunt laughed. “Truly, Lizzy, I do not think I have ever heard you sound so flustered. Your first months of marriage have been eventful, and you are now with child, so it is expected that you are unsettled. That is why you and your husband have hidden away here in London for a brief stay before returning home, is it not? Why do you not stay in town another week or two and enjoy a respite from all of it?”
Elizabeth let out a sigh. “Wehaveenjoyed this last week. Do not get me wrong, I adore Pemberley and would much prefer to be there than in London, but it has been lovely not having any houseguests to attend to. My sisters would keep each other occupied, but I am afraid that Mama needs something to occupy her.”
“Now that the colonel has resigned his commission and is taking his place as the viscount, do you think it is possible he will court Jane?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“There seems to be interest on both sides, and while the funds Anne gave to Richard have alleviated many of his concerns, he is still in mourning for his brother. He has said nothing to myhusband about the matter either, so we are uncertain,” Elizabeth replied. “He should have reached his family’s estate by now, and he will need to decide what to do about his father.”
“Well, if Jane were engaged, that would give your mother something to focus her attention upon. But the viscount has had to deal with many troubling matters of late, and I understand that he will need some time to focus on those before he considers courting or marriage,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.
Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “I will speak to Fitzwilliam and perhaps we might remain another se’nnight in town. I would not mind attending the theatre, but part of our enjoyment has been in our anonymity. You are the only ones whom we have seen, and that has been deliberate.”
“Your mother is trying to do better, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner told her. “I have had a letter from her where she expressed her regrets for throwing your household into disarray. She indicated she wrote to you as well.”
“It is possible. It is likely it was sent to Rosings since we told no one we were to remain in town, and it was probably returned to Pemberley,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “I will speak to Mama when we get home.”
“You will tell her your suspicions?” she enquired.
