“Let us retrieve everyone’s luggage, Elizabeth? We must return to our home.”
She released his arm. “I will ask Mr. Lawill’s man to help with the trunks. Might Mr.Worth ride with Viscount Stafford? It would make things more comfortable.”
“I will speak to His Lordship.” Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hand before walking away. His wife—his incomparable Elizabeth—a woman he had once thought beneath him—inferior in her connection—she understood him and protected him. Now, he too comprehended: From the first moment he had laid eyes on her at the Hertfordshire assembly hall, Fitzwilliam Darcy had thought of no one but her. She consumed him, and he loved her with a passion that surprised even him. Elizabeth would understand and would even find the mix of people about to inundate Pemberley as amusing as would he.
Within twenty minutes, the inn’s staff had loaded the trunks onto Darcy’s large coach, and both carriages had set out for Pemberley. For his own reasons, Darcy purposely had placed all the ladies, except the viscount’s mistress, in his coach. He would not subject Mrs. Williams—or even his wife’s sister, who had acted quite shamelessly with George Wickham—to Miss Donnel. He would tell Elizabeth of the lady’s true nature so that his wife could help him keep Georgiana apart from Cathleen Donnel.
The icy rain continued, but feathery flakes of snow also appeared. Darcy knew that Mr. Stalling was fighting the elements from his perch on the box.The ice pelted the carriage’s sides and roof, while the snow thickened, covering the layer of ice and making the road slick.The horses wanted to bolt—to escape the dampness—but Stalling held them in check, making the animals walk rather than giving them their heads. Each time Darcy looked, it seemed that the snow grew in its intensity—blinding his view. It came—part icy rain and part snow—covering the trees and the ground in a crusty frost.
“We will arrive soon,” he told them, although he knew that there were more than two miles to the house. At the moment, he
wished that the drive from the gatehouse to the front circular drive were shorter.
“It seems that many of our guests travel to Cheshire, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth said out of nowhere. When she was nervous, silence drove her to distraction; Darcy realized that his wife’s fears had increased, so despite propriety, he slid his arm around her, resting it easily against the back of the seat, while the tips of his fingers touched her shoulder in a gentle caress.
“Unfortunately, my Dear, Lady Catherine says the storm followed her from Manchester. I suspect Cheshire is not the place to be at the moment.”
“Lady Catherine?” Lydia gasped.“Is Her Ladyship at Pemberley also? Why did you not tell me, Lizzy?”
“Lady Catherine pays us an unexpected visit, but we are pleased to receive her and Miss de Bourgh.”
“Oh, my,” Mrs. Williams looked around frantically, giving the appearance that she had suddenly changed her mind about accepting the invitation. In the pale light of the afternoon, her eyes darted from side to side, as if looking for an escape. “I do so appreciate Mrs.Wickham’s kindness, but I feel that we have thrust undue obligations on you, Mr. Darcy.”
“Nonsense, Mrs.Williams,” Darcy assured her.“Pemberley is capable of hosting a large number of people, and it is only for a few days, until the roads improve.”
His mention of the roads drew everyone’s attention to conditions outside the coach. “I worry so for Mr. Stalling,” Elizabeth remarked as she stared at the falling snow.
Darcy patted her hand. “That is because you have a kind heart, my Dear. We will insist that Mrs. Jennings fix our Stalling and the viscount’s driver some hot soup and then see them both to bed.We would not want either man to catch an ague.”
To pass the time, Elizabeth told Lydia and Mrs. Williams about the first time she had seen Pemberley, when she had come to Derbyshire
on holiday with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Her relatives had insisted on seeing Pemberley. She explained, “I was apprehensive about the possibility of seeing Mr. Darcy again. As Lydia knows, early in our acquaintance, I misjudged my dear husband. However, at Pemberley, I suddenly considered how as a brother, a landlord, a master, how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship; how much of pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow; how much good or evil must be done by him, and I began to think of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before.”
Darcy listened in amazement. Elizabeth had never spoken of this previously. She had shared her first thoughts of his home and of how Mrs. Reynolds’s praise had opened her mind, but his wife had never confessed how her opinion of him had changed once she had seen for herself all his responsibilities.
“I understand, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Williams said. “I would watch the admiral right before a battle and realize how much of the world depended on him—on his decisions. At such times, I would feel an overwhelming love for my husband.”
A long silence followed Mrs. Williams’s declaration. Her words had been pretty, yet something about her speech bothered Elizabeth. It sounded rehearsed. Often women professed their love for a husband who was tyrannical.
Is the widow trying to preserve the late admiral’s reputation?
Elizabeth wondered.
“Well, I am sure that my dear Wickham would be a fine leader,” Lydia asserted.
Elizabeth started to point out to her sister Wickham’s shortcomings, but a squeeze of Darcy’s hand reminded his wife of Mrs. Williams’s presence in the coach. Besides, Murray was pulling open the door to let down the steps. “We are pleased that you returned safely, Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you, Murray. I will see to the ladies. Have someone help Viscount Stafford’s party. Unload the trunks as quickly as possible. I want everyone inside.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy turned to those disengaging from Stafford’s coach. “Everyone into the house. My staff will see to the belongings and the horses.” With a flick of his wrist, he directed footmen to support the ladies on the icy steps leading to the main door, while other members of his staff hurried to bring umbrellas, which offered some protection from the elements.
“It certainly is miserable,” Adam Lawrence remarked before following the women up the steps.
Darcy glanced back to make sure that everything was as he had instructed.Assured that all was well in hand, he turned his attention to the house and the open door.Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw him, standing partially behind a drawn drapery in the east wing, in a room not currently occupied, one under remodeling. For a split second their eyes met, but then the figure disappeared, almost as if it had never been there. The drape did not move, but the shadowy image withdrew. Darcy shook his head to clear it. Had his eyes, blinded by the rain and the snow, played a trick on him? Of course, even if someone was truly there, it could easily be one of his staff checking on the rooms, making sure things remained secure. Yet none of those explanations gave him any comfort. Instead, a shiver ran up his spine, and Darcy found his eyes searching the window once more.
“Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth’s voice called from the open door. “Murray has control of everything. Come before you find yourself soaked to the bone.”
Closing the carriage door, Darcy quickly followed the rest of his party up the steps. He stamped his feet to remove the mud clinging to his boots. Then he handed Mr. Baldwin his greatcoat. “Have someone bring us tea in the green room, Mr. Baldwin,” Darcy ordered.
“Both Miss Darcy and the Mistress have placed like orders, sir.” The man smiled slightly.
Darcy chuckled. “I suppose I must abdicate some duties to the women in my life,” he whispered.
“It seems a wise decision, sir.”
“Obviously, we will need additional rooms available. Besides a room for Mrs. Wickham, another four rooms should be readied. Place the women in proximity to one another and the men likewise.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
“And have Mrs. Jennings prepare—”
“Mrs. Darcy again, sir,” his man interrupted him.
Darcy smiled at the man who had served the family since Darcy was a boy. “I will leave you to do your job, Mr. Baldwin.You know it better than I do.”With that, he followed his party to the drawing room—to the warmth of the fireplace and hot tea.
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, I was so worried.” Georgiana greeted him as he stepped into the room.
Darcy slid his arm about her waist.“As you see, other than a bit chilled, we are all safe.” He glanced toward the hearth where Elizabeth stood. “Did Elizabeth introduce you to everyone?”
“Yes, Brother.” Georgiana, who was always a bit shy, clung to his hand. “It was kind of you and Elizabeth to bring the others to Pemberley.”
“It is only for a few days.” Then he whispered in her ear. “At least with the others here, Lady Catherine will not offer you her usual caustic censure.”
Georgiana smiled at that idea. “Let me help Elizabeth with the tea service.” She moved away from him. The absence of his aunt and the influence of his new wife had given Georgiana a large dose of confidence this past year, but he feared that the appearance of Lydia Wickham at Pemberley might be a setback. At age fifteen, Georgiana had aligned herself with George Wickham, a man with whom she shared a familiarity. He, in turn, had claimed to love her, but as it played out, her dowry of thirty thousand pounds and possible revenge on Darcy had interested the man more. Darcy had learned of Wickham’s planned elopement and arrived in time to send the man packing.The effect of this disappointment on Georgiana persisted. She lacked confidence in social situations, always wondering if people liked her for herself or for her wealth. Having
Lydia as a reminder of her mistake could prove detrimental. Darcy would guard against that happening. He would not deny Elizabeth her sister’s company, but he also would not allow Lydia Bennet Wickham’s presence to hurt his sister.
At the moment, even with Anne’s situation with Lieutenant Harwood, Darcy was thankful for his cousin’s presence at Pemberley. Anne always catered to Georgiana, and his sister could keep company with Anne and her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson.That way, Lydia would scarcely notice Georgiana.
Thirty minutes later, Mr. Baldwin appeared at the door. Darcy met him there and then turned to the group. “Mr. Baldwin assures me that your rooms are prepared with comfortable fires burning in each. I am sure most of you would like time to freshen your things after such a harrowing day. Your trunks are in your chambers. If you are in need of anything, please do not hesitate to ask any of my staff. I am afraid we keep country hours. Supper will be served at half past five.”
“If you will follow me,” Mr. Baldwin instructed the guests.
The guests rose and made their way to the door. As each one passed Darcy, he or she murmured words of gratitude once again—everyone except Lydia, who seemed to think of herself as more than a guest. “You will have someone bring me water for a bath, Mr. Darcy?” She offered her most beguiling smile.
“Certainly, Mrs.Wickham.”
With everyone’s departure, Georgiana excused herself to practice her music. Finally, it was just he and Elizabeth. Immediately, she moved into his embrace. For several moments, they simply held each other. “I suspect after this week, we will be more than happy to isolate ourselves at Pemberley once again,” Darcy said.
Elizabeth rested her head on his chest.“I am sorry for my sister’s impudence,” she said, near tears.
“None of that, Elizabeth,” he warned her. “I have known no greater joy than I have found with you this past year. Have you not realized that I would move mountains to make you happy? I can
tolerate the inconvenience of a few extra people for the pleasure of seeing you enjoying your family.”
“But Lydia is so uncontrollable,” she protested.
He countered, “And Lady Catherine is not?”
She wound her arms about his neck as she confessed, “Well, perhaps we are even.” Elizabeth lifted her chin to look at him. Darcy tightened his hold on her, drawing Elizabeth closer to him. “You are my heart,” she whispered as her lips parted in anticipation of his kiss.
“No, Mrs. Darcy. I never found the candleholder,” Megs reported. “I searched all the nearby rooms to be seein’ if it be there, and I askt’ Margie and Lilly to be checkin’ Her Ladyship’s room like ye be sayin’, but it be not there either.” She appeared more than a bit upset.
Elizabeth puzzled over this mystery. “It certainly makes no sense,” she muttered. “I thought surely it would turn up by now.”
“I be sorry, Mrs. Darcy.”Tears began to fill the woman’s eyes.
Elizabeth heard the trembling in the maid’s voice. “My goodness, Megs. Do not do that. No one is blaming you.The candelabra will reappear, just as I said this morning.”
“I would not want ye to be thinkin’ poorly of me, ma’am—like me did not do me job. I like it at Pemberley. So much better than at the Johnsons’.” She blurted out the words in a rush of emotions.
“I assure you, Megs,” Elizabeth said calmly, “that we have no complaints regarding your work. The holder will reappear. In a house the size of Pemberley, it could be anywhere. We will continue to search for it.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank ye, Mistress.” The woman bobbed a curtsy before leaving to do her duties.
Without thinking about what she did, Elizabeth began to search the rooms along the hallway leading to Georgiana’s private chambers. Even as a child, Elizabeth had hated an unsolved puzzle, and although she knew it would reappear, she wanted to find the
candleholder to solve this particular mystery. However, after thoroughly going through three bedchambers, she realized the futility of such a search. There were just too many places at Pemberley to look. She would alert Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Baldwin—have everyone on the lookout for the missing item.
“Mr. Baldwin, I was wondering if we had men working in the east wing today?” Darcy, as he always did when he hosted guests at Pemberley, was double-checking all the details for the evening’s entertainment.