Page 39 of Through the Eyes of Love

“Thank you, sir! Your mother has always spoken highly of you as well. I hope to meet the rest of your family the next time you are in Lambton.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “Sir, I hope it is not an imposition, but I wonder if you would look at a legal document for me.”

They walked to the small library and sat opposite each other. “How can I help you?” he asked.

“Mr. Hopkins, I hope I am not asking too much, but I need legal advice.”

“I shall do my best, but you should know my family is returning to Leicester in the morning.”

“I am betrothed to Fitzwilliam Darcy, and this is the marriage settlement. My father is dead, and my closest relatives are in London. I have no one else to ask. As Mrs. Hopkins’s son, I know I can trust you.”

“Darcy, you say? The master of Pemberley?” Elizabeth nodded. “Let me read it and I shall give you my best counsel.” He looked through every page of the document with great care. “The terms of the settlement are quite straight forward, and I can see no reason you would not sign. Mr. Darcy has been more than generous to you and any children you might have.”

“Thank you, sir. Those were my thoughts as well, but I wished to have someone else’s opinion. I am reassured that I can sign without hesitation.”

“I was happy to be of help. Mother wrote of your time together, and we were delighted the Gardiners travelled here for my wedding. If there is nothing else, I would like to spend the rest of my time in Lambton with my mother.”

“I appreciate your assistance more than I can say. I shall slip out the side door and detain you no longer. Pray, give my warmest regards to your mother and tell her I shall visit her soon.”

“Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage. I wish you both every happiness.”

Cheapside, London, 8June

Dear Lizzy,

Your uncle and I send our very best wishes to you and Mr. Darcy. Having grown up just five miles from Pemberley, I know the Darcy name is well respected throughout the county. He is the son of two people who were nothing but generous and honourable. If your betrothed is anything like his father, we are assured you are marrying the best of men.

We regret we cannot be with you on your wedding day. Your uncle is too busy at his new firm to take any time away at present. We hope to travel to Derbyshire in a few months and look forward to seeing you and your husband then.

I recently heard from Jane, and I am sad to report she is forlorn. Your mother’s tedious lamentations and insistence Jane marry again have only served to increase her misery. I shall do my best to encourage my dear niece to join us when we travel north. I pray a change of scenery will cheer her up and allow her time away from Meryton, and your Mama, to decide for herself what she wishes to do. Just seeing you will undoubtedly lift her spirits.

We are sending you our love and best wishes,

Your aunt,

M. Gardiner

Elizabeth’s heart fell.The Gardiners would not be able to attend her wedding! Oh, she understood their reasoning, but she was disappointed, even so. Poor Jane! Losing her husband and baby and then having to listen to her mother’s daily harangues. No one from her family would be at the wedding, and that upset her, but she would not dwell on her setback—she had their visit to look forward to.

* * *

Pembrook Cottage

“Mr. Hopkins reviewed the marriage settlement and advised me to rest easy about signing it,” said Elizabeth. She seemed pleased, and Darcy was relieved after their earlier time when she had not been so comfortable with him.

“I am glad to hear it. Shall we walk in the gardens? It is a beautiful day.” They reached their destination and enjoyed the sight of the many plants beginning to recover from the fire. Darcy brought up a subject that had been on his mind for quite a while. “The Fitzwilliams and Georgiana will be at our wedding, and I wonder if you will have someone there supporting you.”

“Will you tell me more about Georgiana? I know so little about her, and we shall soon be sisters.” He raised his brows at the change of topic but nonetheless chose to spend some time in answering her question.

“My mother died shortly before my sister’s first birthday; I was but twelve years of age. My father was devastated by her death and locked himself in his study while my baby sister was left in the care of nurses, governesses, tutors, and then companions. When I was home from school and university during breaks, I doted on her. She is everything you could ask for in a sister: caring, intelligent, and devoted to music.

“When I became master of the estate, I confess I was overwhelmed by my new responsibilities. Several months after my father’s death, the Matlocks took her to town and tried to keep her mind occupied by continuing her education and entertaining her with trips to art museums, music exhibitions, and the theatre. Georgiana devoted herself to playing the harp and pianoforte, and her dedication to music has resulted in her becoming a talented musician. When I was in London, I spent asmuch time with her as possible, but she refused to stay with me at Darcy House. Too many memories of my father remained for her there. Georgiana has suffered so much in her young life.”

“How I wish I could erase everything she has been through. I hope having an older sister will be good for her.”

Darcy did not respond to her comment about them all living together after the wedding. There would be time to discuss that at a later date. Instead, he chose to tell her more. Where to start? “While I was growing up, Pemberley had an excellent steward, Henry Wickham, whose wife gave birth to a son shortly before I was born. The boy grew up mean spirited and jealous of what I had. He struck me often and repeatedly told me my father loved him more than me. As my good father’s godson, George Wickham was sent to school and to university with me, and my father paid all his expenses. As we got older, I never told my father about how George’s boyhood pranks developed into a life of greedy degeneracy. George was careful to hide his vicious propensities and want of principle from my father.”

“Did he ever learn of his godson’s behaviour?”

“George is a persuasive liar, and I could not bear to hurt Father by telling him the truth. Rather than take advantage of the opportunities my father afforded him, he never bothered to open a book, preferring to cheat and gamble, and eventually left Cambridge before completing his studies.