Page 58 of Through the Eyes of Love
“Due to my injuries and losses, I had a great deal of rage and guilt after the fire, which prevented me from expressing my love for Elizabeth. I feared she would reject me and wished to spare myself the humiliation. Looking back, I cannot understand how I did not see how beautiful my wife was until after we were married. My scars are gone, and my leg no longer pains me.”
“I grew up in Lambton, and while I lived there, I often heard stories about the enchanted cottage on the Darcy estate. It was said that anyone who entered the cottage in love would findpleasure and beauty within. I can see those stories are true—you see each other through the eyes of love.”
“Mrs. Reynolds told us the same thing. As a rational man, I do not understand it, but we are too ecstatic to question it.”
“My dear man, there is no need to make sense of it—just enjoy it every day. As a child, I knew of your family. Before your wedding, I assured Lizzy that if you are anything like your parents, she was marrying the son of very kind and generous people.”
“Thank you, Aunt Gardiner. To be compared to my parents is the highest compliment anyone can give me.” He would love the Gardiners as his wife did.
“I am being sincere, Darcy.” After a pause, she continued, “Lizzy wrote to me and told me how severe the damage to the manor was. Do you know how the fire started? If it is too difficult to speak of, I shall understand.”
“Until recently, I was in so much pain both physically and emotionally, I couldnottalk about it. Since I have found such happiness with your niece, everything before our marriage seems like a terrible nightmare. We have learnt that the fire was intentionally set by a man named George Wickham, the son of my father’s steward. The fire was a distraction—he stole everything from the safe to make himself rich and wreak revenge on me after I foiled his plot to elope with an innocent young woman. After a long search, he was apprehended in London and confessed to his crimes. Through my uncle’s intervention, he was spared the noose and transported to Australia. He died in a fight on the ship and was buried at sea.”
Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “I heard many stories of George Wickham when I lived in Lambton. He was caught by almost every merchant in town trying to steal something or the other. I remember while still quite young, he was discovered being inappropriate with young maids on several occasions.”
“As Lizzy said when she heard his fate, ‘such is the unfortunate ending of the wretched life of Mr. Wickham.’” They were both quiet for a moment. “Shall we join the others? My wife is quite proud of her garden.” Darcy stood and helped her rise. He took Mrs. Gardiner’s hand and kissed it before placing it on his arm.
CHAPTER 14
Stockton Hall
“The house is just charming. I hope you will enjoy living here, Jane.”
Before the Gardiners were scheduled to leave Derbyshire, Elizabeth and their aunt had helped Jane settle into Stockton Hall. Jane had naught but the clothes she had travelled with along with her, but the ladies were eager to arrive together and help Jane decide if the house suited her. Elizabeth was eager to determine what, if anything, was lacking and see to it being taken care of. After all, she had invited her sister to live at Stockton Hall and was expected to be a help. Her heart was bound and determined that her sister find a cosy home. She would do her best for dear Jane!
They had been pleasantly greeted by Mrs. Bean, the new housekeeper, and Hannah, Jane’s new personal maid. After touring the small, tastefully decorated house they all agreed it was the perfect place for Jane to recover her peace of mind— her composed expression had already returned. This was of certain relief to Elizabeth, who discovered she had been a little tense whilst they all had perused the manor to ensure it suited.
“My dear, I must return to Lambton and help your uncle finish our packing. Stockton Hall is lovely, and I believe you will be very comfortable here. What could be better than having your sister but a few miles away?”
“I would not have accepted the offer if Pemberley were not nearby. Living here will provide me with the time to think about all the painful things in my past and focus on where I wish to go from here.”
“Promise me you will come to Pemberley as often as you wish. It is a dream having you living in Derbyshire.”
* * *
While they travelled backto Lambton, Elizabeth took her aunt’s hand. “I need to speak to you about a matter I hope you can help me with.”
“My dear child, whatever is wrong?”
“Actually, I think it is something very good. I believe I could be increasing.”
“How wonderful! Have you told Darcy yet?”
“I did not wish to say anything until I was certain. I have not had my courses since shortly after the wedding, and now I am sick most mornings after breakfast, and I fall asleep every time I sit down with a book or my sewing.”
Her aunt asked her a few questions before stating, “I am not a physician, but Ihavegiven birth three times. I have no reason to doubt you are with child! You should be examined by a midwife to be certain, and she can tell you when the babe is expected—although there is no way to be truly accurate.” The ladies embraced, both with happy tears in their eyes. “When will you tell your husband?”
“It happened so shortly after our wedding I think the news will come as a surprize. I shall tell him when I believe it is theperfect time. Thank you for reassuring me—I shall miss you and uncle so much when you leave tomorrow.”
“We shall miss you and Jane and your dear Darcy, but your uncle must return to his business, and I am eager to see my children. We shall stop at the cottage and Stockton Hall before we depart.”
* * *
Pembrook Cottage
The following day was sad for everyone. “Next year we insist you and your children return to Pemberley,” said Fitzwilliam. “By then, several of the guest rooms should be completed. I am certain Aunt Gardiner would agree that Derbyshire is the most beautiful place to spend the summertime.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam, we would be thrilled to accept your offer!”
