Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (35 page)

“No.  Do not even try.”

“Now that is a challenge worth taking.”  He smiled.

“Not tonight.”  Sophie smiled in return.  “Tonight is about you.”

“How can it be about me if you limit my conversation?”

“Mr. Fitzwilliam . . .” Sophie shook her head.  “I think that I liked you better when you were nervous.”  His blush deepened and she felt her cheeks warming in response.  Their gazes held again for a moment before he looked away to answer a question from Adam.  She felt her blush travelling from her cheeks to her toes. 
I think that I would like you if you said nothing at all.

“WHAT IS THIS?”  Elizabeth had returned from her walk and upon learning that her husband had left with Georgiana, walked up to her bedchambers and spotted the flower and the note.  Twirling the stem in her fingers, she opened the page.

Dearest Elizabeth,

Thank you for saving me once again.  How?   It does not matter, just know that you have.  You always appear when I need you the most.  While you were out, I sat down with Georgiana and after talking for a while, I decided that she could use a little peace, and have taken her for a drive to the sea.  I thought that as difficult as I find being alone with her for very long, it is high time that I make the effort.  I have a feeling that we will have a largely silent excursion, but at least we are going.  Enjoy your quiet, love.  Just be prepared, when I return I will assuredly not leave you alone.

I love you, my Elizabeth Rose,

Fitzwilliam

“Dear man.”  She looked out of the window towards the distant sea and felt pride welling up in her heart.  “I know how hard this is for you.”

“Mrs. Darcy?”  There was a soft knock and Jennifer looked in.  “Mrs. Darcy, may I speak with you?”

“Of course.”  Elizabeth smiled.  “I suppose that you are enjoying your respite from looking after Georgiana?”

“Oh, she is no trouble; she sleeps a great deal, after all.”  Jennifer bit her lip.  “Actually, that is what I would like to speak to you about.”

“Her sleeping?  Is that not common?”

“Yes, of course, but . . . it is her quantity of sleep that concerns me.”

“I am afraid that I do not understand.” 

“Mrs. Darcy, I hope that I do not shock you, but . . . I believe that the child is due to be born much sooner than we expected.  I feel that it is only weeks away, not months.” 

“Weeks!  My husband and I suspected it would be sooner, but not that soon.  How could we be so wrong?”  Elizabeth sank down onto a chair.  “Her aunt had multiple successful pregnancies, surely she could estimate when the baby is due?”

“Yes, madam, but . . . she was estimating based on the information that Miss Dar . . . Miss Cargill gave her.  I have had my suspicions for some time, even when I first came to be with her, I wondered at her being so large already.”

“Large?  But we could see nothing beneath her gown!”

“Not all women show the same way, Mrs. Darcy.  I have served several ladies who were with child and they were all unique.” 

 “I am certain that her aunt asked about her courses.  Would that not settle the question?” 

“Ordinarily, I would say yes . . .”

“Ordinarily?” Elizabeth, considered everything she had ever read about conception and childbirth, “I understand that she only just began  this past summer. I remember my start  was hardly with regularity.”

“Yes, madam.”  Jennifer was relieved how Elizabeth understood so quickly.  “She did not have the experience to know what was normal.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes as she thought of her own hopes being dashed only days earlier, “I have heard of women bleeding slightly, even in the early weeks or months of their pregnancy?  But they go on to deliver healthy children . . .  This might have been the case for Georgiana and she might have mistaken it for her courses?”

“That is precisely what I was thinking, Mrs. Darcy.” 

Remembering the defiant, terrified girl she met in December who was in absolute denial of her situation, Elizabeth thought out loud, “But she did not feel the baby?  How can that be?   She either did not recognize it, or refused to acknowledge what she was feeling.”  Looking up to Jennifer she asked helplessly, “Do you have any idea when she might give birth?”

“I am sorry, madam.  I have come to the limit of my knowledge.” 

“Have you been present at a birth?”

“Yes, I was just standing at the side . . .”

“I know; you are not a midwife.”  Elizabeth drew a breath and let it go.  “Thank you for telling me your suspicions.  And I . . . will see what we can do for her.”  The maid left, closing the door behind her.

Elizabeth fingered the ruby encrusted watch pinned to her gown, and then coming to a decision, jumped up to call for the carriage to be prepared, but stopped before she reached the doorway.  She returned to the bed and picked up the note, and read Darcy’s words of love.  “The day that you asked me to love you, you asked that we do everything together.  We have not always done that, have we?”  She smiled and looked down at the flower.  “So much has changed since that day, and yet so much is the same.  But this time, I will wait for you. We
will
face everything together.”   Elizabeth looked out in the direction of the sea, “Hurry home, Will.  I need you.” 

Chapter 14

R
ichard sat atop his snorting horse and rubbed her throat, “That’s a good girl.  Take a rest; you deserve it after that mad dash.”  He drew in a deep breath of the clean air and smiled at the fine view of the rolling green hills.  “A man could grow used to this.  If only it was just a touch warmer.”  He shivered a little and reached into his waistcoat.   “I suppose you would grow used to that as well.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, good morning!” 

Turning in his saddle, Richard beamed.  Approaching from behind he saw Sophie and Robert.  “Good morning, Miss Kelly, Mr. Kelly.  This is quite a surprise!”

“We ride out every morning in fine weather, sir.”  Sophie smiled widely.  “I see that you do as well?”

“It is too ingrained in me not to go.  Besides, it gets me out of my cousins’ hair for an hour or so.”  He laughed.  “I am glad to have your company.”

“I do not know, Sophie.  I do not know if I can trust you in such close quarters to a man who is holding such an offensive article in his palm.  By the way, well done, sir.”  They looked at the snuff box and Sophie blushed as Richard hurriedly put it away. 

“Is that always in your hand?”  She demanded.

“Seemingly it is, at least when you are about.”  He paused and tilted his head, “I could have it melted down and the jewels made into something else.” 

“Why would you do that?  It was a gift, was it not?  It would ruin the memory and offend the one who gave it to you.” 

“I would not wish to offend you, Miss Kelly.”  Her head shook and she laughed. 
Marry the girl who laughs at your fancy
. 

“Did I say that I was offended?” 

“She will tell you if she is, trust me.”  Robert laughed and held up his hand before walking his horse away.  “I am not here, you do not see me.” 

“Why would you go?”  Richard asked curiously.

“My sister has a bee in her bonnet, and I think that she should let it go now that she has the chance.”  Both men looked to Sophie who was blushing furiously. 

“A bee in your bonnet, Miss Kelly?  I am intrigued.”  Richard clasped his hands over his reins and smiled.  “What could it be?”

She looked to her brother and turning to Richard, spoke in a low whisper.  “I was ashamed of the inquisition you faced last night and I wished to apologize, and assure you that this is not the normal behaviour of my family.  They took undue amusement in my . . .” Her eyes closed. 

“You are unfamiliar with this situation, having to present yourself and your family at your very best?  Miss Kelly, may I tell you that it would give me the greatest relief in the world to simply feel at ease with you
and
your family.  I am not eloquent; I am rather too plainspoken for my own good.”

“It sounds as if you need someone to help you with that sort of thing.” 

“I do.  More than I can say.”  He smiled and she laughed softly.  “Miss Kelly, I promise you, I did not feel in the least upset by your brothers and father, it was a very familiar situation.  While another man might have been offended, I promise you, I felt quite comfortable by the end.”

“But it was rude.  You were a guest.”

“I am an interloper who is hoping to steal away a precious jewel from the Kelly home.” 

“Mr. Fitzwilliam!”  Her blush heightened even more. 

“Your father asked me to come and meet him tomorrow morning.  We are to speak privately, away from the male posturing that tires you.” 

Her head shot up and she stared, “You are?  Why did he not tell me?” 

“Perhaps because he felt you did not need to know.”  Smiling at her frown, he shrugged.  “I do not know.”

“No brothers?”

“Just your father and me.” 

“And what will you speak about?” 

Richard smiled.  “Guess.”

“It is a little too quiet over there.”  Robert called.

“Just wait until he is courting someone.”  Sophie hissed.

“Perhaps you will not be present then.”  Richard suggested and looked out over the view. 

Sophie considered his weathered face and smiling eyes as Robert joined them again.  “Perhaps not.” 

“THAT IS ALL OF THEM, Mrs. Darcy.”  Mrs. Shaw took the four hot water bottles out of the basket she was carrying.  “I will have Amy bring up a kettle to keep warm in the fire.” 

“Thank you, Mrs. Shaw.”  Elizabeth took the bottles and laid them on the bed. 

“Jennifer should be up soon with the chamomile tea.” 

“We look forward to it.”  She followed her gaze to Georgiana.  “Is there anything else?” 

Starting, the housekeeper straightened.  “No, madam.”  She turned and was stopped by Elizabeth’s voice.

“I would like to speak to you when I am finished here, Mrs. Shaw.” 

“Yes, madam.”  She nodded and quickly departed. 

Picking up a bottle, she slipped it behind Georgiana’s back.  “I will get to the bottom of this.” 

“Fitzwilliam told you what I said.” 

“Of course he did.”  Elizabeth helped her to settle on her side.  “You did not think he would keep that to himself, did you?  He is quite happy to leave staff issues to me.”  Picking up another bottle, she tucked it next to her hip.  “And I do not like her treating you with anything but the utmost respect.”

“She was not disrespectful.  It is nothing more than the stares I would receive outside of this estate.” 

Elizabeth sat down beside her.  “That is not the point.  Mrs. Shaw is employed by your brother.  She has a very desirable and powerful position and it is essential that she is loyal to him.  I will not tolerate anything less from someone who is so integral to this household.  In fact, it is her position to enforce such things with those below her.  I think that is part of the problem, the only one here below her is Amy.  She is used to having a full complement of lower staff when the Walkers are in residence.”

“Jennifer, Judy and Parker are her equals?”

“As is Mrs. Duncan.”  She nodded.  “However that does not excuse any animosity she holds for you.”  Georgiana said nothing and Elizabeth arranged the last bottles around her.  “There, that should relieve some of the discomfort.”

“It feels better already.  It only started this morning.” 

“Maybe the ride to the sea was ill-advised since you ache so much today?”  She tilted her head. 

“Oh no, it was . . . it was bumpy and uncomfortable, but . . . it was very nice.  We were both very quiet, but . . . it was nice.”

“Fitzwilliam?  Quiet?  I cannot imagine!”  Elizabeth laughed and stood up to fold a blanket and placed it over a chair.  “When we first met, oh to hear the sound of his voice was something.”  Shaking her head, she smiled.  “I love his voice.” 

“Why?”  Georgiana watched her.

“Ohh.” She bit her lip and glanced at the door, then whispered, “It makes me feel warm all over.”    Georgiana giggled and put her hand to her mouth.  Elizabeth blushed and shrugged.  “Obviously it is a good thing he does not have such an effect upon you.”

“No, he just sounds like Papa to me.” 

“Does he?”  Elizabeth smiled.  “I wonder if you sound like your mother to him?” 

“I will have to ask him.  It will give us something to talk about.”  She sighed and ran her hand over her belly.  “Maybe when this is over.” 

Elizabeth sat down and took Georgiana’s hand to squeeze.  “What do you think?  Is it possible?  Could you have been pregnant in August?”

“I . . . I do not know.”  She stared at Elizabeth but she was not seeing her.  Instead she was lost in a memory of Wickham.   Another squeeze on her hand, and she blinked.  “I remember feeling ill in September.  George said I must have caught a cold, but I remember how worried he was.  We . . . we were not eating as well then and had moved . . . the places we went were increasingly poor.” 

Elizabeth tried valiantly not to speak her mind on Wickham’s capacity for worry.   “This is when he was selling your things?” 

“That was not until almost the end.”  She whispered and wiping her eyes, focussed back on Elizabeth.  “Oh, I am so tired of crying all of the time!” 

“I imagine you are tired of a great many things.”  Elizabeth let go of her hand and sat up.  “Well, there is no way to know for certain unless you have an examination by someone with far more knowledge than anyone else in this home.”

“When will they be here?” 

Elizabeth looked at her watch.  “I imagine in an hour or so, depending on how much persuasion his sister requires to leave home.  Be grateful that Mr. Campbell agreed to help us.  This is quite a secret for him to keep, but we need a midwife.  I am willing, my Aunt Gardiner has been present at many births and told me everything that happens, and I have read every book and journal I could in your brother’s libraries.”  She shook her head.  “In a pinch, I . . . I hope I could care for you.  Your brother has read everything that I showed him as well.”  Georgiana’s eyes widened.  Elizabeth smiled, “Oh no, can you imagine your poor brother delivering you?  He would be a wreck.”