Page 61 of The Winter of Our Discontent
“I believe the mistresses of the honks and waddles have become a burden on my purse. I will issue them theircongéin the morning.”
“And your other plump lady geese?”
“My dumplings? No, madam. You will not induce me to let them go. Now, will you not crawl into bed, my love? You can barely keep your eyes open.”
Wilson came in from the dressing room, brushed my hair and plaited it while my husband sipped brandy by the fire. He tucked me in, kissed my forehead, and ordered me not to have any disturbing dreams. I hadsuffered a few since my illness, and he left his door ajar, so he could sit with me until I settled after a terror.
I sleepily considered telling him how much I loved him, but I felt shy of saying so and only managed to reach for his hand and clumsily begin. “I-I…”
Perhaps because Wilson was still in the dressing room, he interrupted me in a low voice so as not to be overheard. “And I you, Elizabeth. When next we are alone, I will tell you how much.”
56
FITZWILLIAM DARCY
Late spring brought Richard to Pemberley, returned from Belgium unexpectedly, supported by his batman, Sergeant Donaldson.
“Do not be alarmed,” he exclaimed upon entering the music room unannounced. He used both a cane and Donaldson for support, and we saw instantly that his leg was bound in a heavy bandage. After many gasps and exclamations, he said, “Now, Porge, stop whimpering. I was struck clean through the leg by a little lead, that is all, and I will be healed in no time.”
“I thought your mission was diplomatic,” I said, looking at him closely.
“And so it was. But there is no accounting for French loyalists who like to pick us off. Why we wear red has never made the least sense, except to show off our complete indifference to danger. The excellent news is that I am on an extended leave, my mother knows nothing about my return tohome soil, and I see that this house is full of lively company. If Mrs Darcy will have me, I will settle here to convalesce.”
“That is just as well, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she said, “because I do not believe we would allow you to leave. May I introduce you to my sisters?”
My cousin looked about him with a jovial expression. He had an ability to appear nonchalant while in close observation, and I saw him take in every detail of our domestic situation with a critical eye. Elizabeth saw him and his batman settled, and I waited in expectation of a summons. When it came, I went to his room where he reclined against a bank of pillows with his leg elevated.
“You had best account for yourself,” I said. “Were you duelling? I know how you soldiers love to meet at dawn.”
“I was not, but I was serving as second. Dashed stupid accident. I say, Darcy, what is to do here? I never thought in a hundred years to see you offering to shelter Mrs Darcy’s relations.”
“I suppose the old riding crop has been successfully removed, and I am now quite intent on filling my nursery. Was that not your advice?”
“Your wife looks well.”
“No, she does not. She nearly died of a fever and is only just regaining her strength. Her bloom will return soon enough, I think.”
“Perhaps I should have said your wife looks happy. You seem disposed to tolerate her, I see.”
Having no intention of being goaded into an explanation, I replied upon my dignity, “I have begun to find her quite tolerable, and I hope you will find her so as well.”
Another day, perhaps, I would unbend enough to explain that my wife and I had been the victims of a childish prank,and that she had no schemes of setting a parson’s trap. As to how much I had come to love her, he would be able to observe for himself.
My ponderings must have summoned their subject, for a knock on the door brought Elizabeth into the room.
“Colonel, are you comfortable? Might I bring Mr Yardley to you?”
“I do not suppose you will allow me to say no?”
“Of course not. He is invited to dinner, and if he discovers you have been shot and I have not called for him, he would likely take offence.”
“Very well, madam. What else do you have in mind for me?” Richard jauntily locked his hands behind his head and looked bemusedly at her.
“How astute you are to ask! Mrs Reynolds says you are to have a tray in your room, and there will be no arguing her out of that opinion. Upon hearing this, Georgiana said you should not be allowed to eat alone, and so she will have a tray, too, while she sits with you.”
Richard groaned.
“And since she is determined you are not to be allowed to fall into melancholy, she plans to invite my sisters Jane and Kitty to come after dinner to play cards.”
