Page 85 of Through the Eyes of Love

Lady Matlock swept in and kissed her niece and nephew before she asked, “Where is my sweet baby? Is this not our regular play time?”

“She is in the nursery. We had an unexpected caller.” Their aunt turned to see who was intruding on their special family time. “My lady, this is Mrs. Roberts. Perhaps you remember her as Caroline Bingley.”

Caroline curtseyed so deeply, Elizabeth feared she might lose her balance. “My lady, I am so honoured to be in your august presence once again. I have not had the pleasure of your company since the Duke of Twinings’ ball.”

“Once again? You are mistaken—I have never seen you before, but allow me to give you some advice. No one likes a social climbing parvenu who drops names without a reason. Your behaviour is just as inappropriate today as I have heard it was before your marriage. You must think me a fool to believe I would ever fall for your ingratiating schemes. Madam, your visit has come to an end.” The lady’s tone indicated she would brook no objection. Caroline’s face was crimson as she curtseyed to Lady Matlock and quit the room without acknowledging the Darcys. Their aunt returned a softened gaze to the Darcys. “That woman will never learn. Now, I should like to see my beautiful little niece.”

* * *

“Harris, where is Mrs. Darcy?”Darcy asked when he entered his home.

“I believe she is upstairs packing, sir.” It was several days before the family’s removal to Pemberley and the house was at sixes and sevens preparing for the journey.

When he entered Elizabeth’s chambers, he found her and her maid placing gowns in a trunk. She looked up at his expressionless face and said, “Perkins, we can finish this later.”

“Yes, madam. Sir.” The maid bobbed a curtsey and left the room.

“Fitzwilliam, what is it? You look as if you are about to cry.”

“I hardly know where to start. I had lunch with Lord Matlock at White’s today and as I was leaving, I stopped to greet an old friend from Cambridge.” He paused, gathering his thoughts.

“Yes, and. . .”

“He clapped me on the back and said, ‘you have had a very narrow escape, my friend.’ I had no idea to what he was referring, and he asked me if I truly did not know.”

“Did not know what? My dear, you are frightening me.” Elizabeth’s hands were clutched together.

“Lady Beatrice has the French disease.”

“Oh, heaven help her!”

“I told you she was with child when she came to the cottage to end our marriage agreement.” She nodded. “Beatrice had more than one paramour and her most frequent partner, Lord Bertram, is also sick. She has infected her husband, Lord Palmerston, as well. When I asked about her baby, my friend told me the baby was stillborn.” Elizabeth shook her head and tears began to run down her cheeks. He took her in his arms and held her tight and they were silent for several moments.“Her father, Lord Markham, is caring for her, but it seems she does not have much time left.” He looked into her eyes. “Lizzy, it could have been me! Every day, I am more convinced that the fire that nearly took my life, in realitysavedmy life.”

“What do you mean, my love?”

“If Beatrice had not been disgusted by my face, I might have been forced to marry her and then who knows what would have happened.” He kissed his wife’s hair. “If there had been no fire, I would never have met you—my brilliant, beautiful wife who I love with my whole heart. I was living a life of despair until your love showed me the splendour of everything around me.”

Elizabeth took his hand and led Darcy to the settee. “You are right to be upset by what you learnt today, but that woman is a very small part of your past. Anna and I are your future and a very wonderful future it will be.”

“You are too good for me, my Lizzy. How do you always know how to take away my pain?”

“That is simple—I ease your hurt by replacing it with my love.” She caressed his face and kissed him until his overwhelming adoration of her prevailed over his wounded emotions and left him fully content.

* * *

Through correspondence with Fitzwilliam,the Darcys learnt that Charles Bingley had returned to London after a year in Scarborough. Her husband’s friend immersed himself in the social scene of thetonbut remembered the high cost he paid for his prior inappropriate behaviour. Thus, the gentleman was exceedingly respectful of every woman he met—and in her opinion, he should be, even if it was a lesson learned too late. In time, he asked for the hand of a wealthy man of trade’s daughter, and they lived happily at their small estate in Hampshire andnever travelled to London. He reported that his sister Caroline was so disappointed in his choice of wife, she never spoke to Charles again. Elizabeth was not sorry for Mrs. Roberts; indeed, it was of benefit to Mr. Bingley to not have to deal with his unpleasant sister any more. Caroline’s choice amused Elizabeth a great deal.

* * *

When Fitzwilliamand Elizabeth returned to Derbyshire after Georgiana’s first Season, Elizabeth was overjoyed to welcome her aunt and uncle Gardiner and their family for their first summer at Pemberley. Everyone had such a fine time being together, it became an annual tradition which continued even after the Gardiner children were grown and had families of their own. Mrs. Gardiner remained Elizabeth’s treasured confidante and adviser. Fitzwilliam and Mr. Gardiner expanded their business partnerships to the financial benefit of both. Their closeness exceeded most others in their families, making Elizabeth proud of her London relatives.

* * *

With the aidof an excellent new steward and her special tonic, Anne DeBourgh was able to report success in her role as mistress of Rosings Park. Most importantly, her health improved with every passing day. Elizabeth was delighted to learn from Anne’s letters that Mr. Gilroy was a frequent caller and not unexpectedly, their professional relationship turned into a romance, and the Darcys attended their wedding. Sadly, Mr. Gilroy knew that Anne’s previous poor health made childbearingunsafe, but they were both content with the life they made together.

Not six months after their wedding, one of Rosings’ widowed tenants died and left her two young sons orphaned. Having good hearts, Anne and John took them in until a family member could come for the boys. For two years, no one claimed the children, and in time Samuel and Roger were made a part of the Gilroy family. They were loving parents and left Rosings to Samuel, and the living at Hunsford was gifted to Roger. Anne and John lived a long and full life together—a life her mother had been bitterly determined to deny her.

As the Gilroys shared their good fortune with each other and their children, Lady Catherine died alone not long after she learnt Anne and John had made the children of tenants permanent residents of Rosings Park. Fitzwilliam attended the funeral, but there were few at hand. Lady Catherine had not made many friends in her life.