“When I realized I was falling, I tried to protect the child. I grabbed at every rock and branch to slow down my descent. Please tell me I have not hurt it.”
“The three days we waited should be enough time for the injury to show if the fall hurt the child, but I would like to wait at least two more weeks before we can be sure.These types of injuries are sometimes slow to surface.”
“I do not want Mr. Darcy to know until we are sure, Mr. Spencer. If there is a chance I will lose this child as a result of my fall, I wish to spare him knowledge of wanting it and then losing it. It would be best he had no time to dream of its life here at Pemberley. His nature is not one to forgive his part in my accident; you must know of his self-reproach.”The doctor nodded his head.“My husband plans a New Year’s celebration with family and friends. I wish to tell him then.We will be married two months by that time. From my last catamenia, I suspect the child came from our first few nights together. Is that possible, Mr. Spencer?”
“It is quite common, Mrs. Darcy, especially for young, healthy girls as yourself.Would you allow me to examine you now, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Could we pretend you need to check my injuries again in two weeks, Mr. Spencer?” She asked in a conspiratorial tone.
“I delivered both Mr. Darcy and his sister; that was the last of the joy this house saw. After Lady Anne’s death, a veil hung over Pemberley; both husband and son loved her too much to let joyback into their lives. There has been too much death and not enough life in this house; I will help you keep your secret, Mrs. Darcy, until the new year if you promise to limit your walks to the flat land for the time being.”
“Gladly, Mr. Spencer—gladly.” Elizabeth’s hand instinctively rested on her stomach. After Mr. Spencer left, Elizabeth wondered at his words. Obviously, what she once thought to be Darcy’s contempt for others was, actually, his sorrow at having no one to whom to turn to for love. Georgiana was too young, and Mr. Darcy grieved for his wife. No one helped Fitzwilliam to deal with his own pain. As she lay back across the bed, nursing her wounds, she rued the day she thought him to have improper pride. She would make sure he never felt alone again; Elizabeth would always be there for him.
Since the time Elizabeth swore Mr. Spencer to secrecy a week passed; everything turned snowy and white at Pemberley, and a level of normalcy returned to its halls. She walked carefully, avoiding slippery paths; Darcy guarded every move she made, but she enjoyed the extra attention and allowed him to indulge his concerns. There were still eleven days to the celebration she and Georgiana planned, and many little details needed addressing. She was at the desk in Darcy’s study when Mrs. Reynolds entered.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Darcy, a Mr. Chadwick Harrison is asking for Mr. Darcy.”
“Show him in, Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Mrs. Darcy, thank you for seeing me.” He made the obligatory bow. Elizabeth automatically sized him up—proper gentleman in dress—too young to look so serious—pleasant countenance otherwise—a bit unsure of his welcome at Pemberley—old money but new ideas.
“Mr. Harrison, you must excuse my manners. I had a nasty fall last week, and my ankle will not support my weight for more than a few minutes at a time. I just returned from a short walk, and myankle will not tolerate my rising to my feet again so soon.”
“That is quite all right, Mrs. Darcy,” he nodded to her.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Harrison. My husband will return shortly. May I be of service to you in the meantime?”
He took the seat she offered. “I heard Mr. Darcy recently married. May I offer my congratulations?”
“Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Do you know my husband well?”
“In reality, I have not seen Mr. Darcy since I was about the age of three and ten; Mr. Darcy, I believe, was off at the university in those days. My late father owns an estate in Dove Dale; I recently returned from the Americas to assume my rightful position as his heir.”
“Were you in the Americas for an extended time, Mr. Harrison?”
“For a little over a year, Mrs. Darcy—we had property in sugar-cane, but my family and I objected to the conditions of the workers. I sold the property to small farmers to break up the slave trade.”
Speaking his political stance to a perfect stranger shocked Elizabeth, but before she had a chance to respond, Georgiana entered the room. “Elizabeth, the baskets for the meals arrived,” she stopped short when she saw the stranger in her brother’s study.
Georgiana blushed, and her beauty froze Mr. Harrison in place. Elizabeth took in their first impressions with great interest before she made the proper introductions. “Mr. Harrison, may I present my husband’s sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
Harrison bowed to her, but his eyes never left Georgiana’s face. “Miss Darcy, it is good to see you again.”
“I am afraid, Mr. Harrison, you have the advantage. I do not recall our meeting before today.”
Harrison chuckled. “I do not doubt it, Miss Darcy, you were a precocious child of seven or eight years, and I came to Pemberley with my parents Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison.” Harrison felt a strange sensual awareness as he looked at Georgiana Darcy, and he could not force his eyes from her countenance.
Georgiana blushed and did not answer so Elizabeth added her insights.“As you can easily see, Mr. Harrison, my sister is no longer precocious or a child.”
Harrison realized his impropriety. “Forgive me, Miss Darcy, although I am no longer that skinny youth, it did not occur to me you would change so much.”
Recovering graciously, Georgiana said, “Have a seat, Mr. Harrison,” she came to join them.“You say our parents were acquaintances? How well do you remember my parents?”
“I am afraid I have only childhood memories of coming to Pemberley. It overwhelmed me then as I must admit it does now.” His words talked of the house, but Elizabeth suspected his eyes spoke only of Georgiana.
If Georgiana realized the implications of his words, she did not indicate it in her demeanor. Of course, Elizabeth was aware of how easily the Darcys hid their true feelings so she watched this scene play out with interest.
“May I have some tea brought in?” Georgiana offered.
