Lizzy felt her blithe mood began to falter. “Of course, dearest. Now, let us bid each other good night. I woke earlier than usual and cannot wait for the Land of Nod to claim me. Go on then…out with you.” She picked up a pillow and playfully swatted Kitty with it.
“Very well, then. Goodnight, Lizzy.”
“Goodnight.”
“And Lizzy? I agree that Mr. Hamilton is not as handsome as Mr. Darcy, but he will make you a good husband, will he not?”
She smiled at the innocent question of her young sister who was more oblivious to the intricacies of marriage than her. “Yes, Kitty. I am sure he will.”
Chapter 23
December 20, 1810
Rosings
Life at Rosingshad remained constant in the three days since Lady Catherine had presented him with the amendments to the wedding contract. Although Darcy’s anger had subsided, his aunt’s had not. Instead of being met with criticisms and suggestions, he was ignored.No bother. This censure serves my purpose well as it saves me the need to speak at dinner.
Estate business had ruled his days and the library his nights. When he should have been doing more to secure his future happiness with his cousin, he had buried himself in the mundane running of Rosings, meeting with every tenant and the local magistrate.
He had determined to go through and recalculate the whole of the estate’s ledgers for the last ten years, when there was a knock at the door. “Sir, Mrs. Collins, the parson’s wife, has asked to speak with you.”
“With me and not Lady Catherine?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well. Give me a moment, then show her in.” Darcy stood and slipped his coat on.
The door opened again revealing the same footman and a very plain woman.
“Mrs. Collins,” he said bowing to her. “Please do be seated.”
“Thank you for seeing me.”
“How might I be of service to you today?” The lady sat in the soft leather chair opposite him and he had a niggling feeling he had seen her before. Although he had been in company with her husband more times than he cared to remember in the last three weeks, she had been away visiting family.
“I apologize for interrupting your day, sir. But I have just come from visiting my parents in Hertfordshire and a mutual friend asked me to pass a correspondence on to you.” She looked over her shoulder to confirm the door was closed before slipping the letter out of her reticule and passing it over the desk to him.
Darcy did not recognize the female script, but as he turned the letter over to inspect the seal, her delicate scent wafted up from the paper. For a moment, he felt his heart seize and then swallowed the lump in his throat. “Is this from Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“She was concerned others would misconstrue the meaning of a letter between two friends, so I told her I would deliver it. Apparently, she received a note from London and felt there was information she needed to pass on to you.”
He coolly accepted Mrs. Collins’ explanation, unable to remember anything she said, but knowing he could not open this letter in front of anyone. Standing, he bowed and set the letter down on the edge of his desk. “I thank you, Mrs. Collins. If I find there is need for a response, may I utilize your discretion?”
“Of course.”
“Until then, if you correspond with Miss Bennet, please convey my wishes for her health and happiness.”
“It would be my pleasure. Might I also convey my best wishes to you, sir?”
“I thank you, madam. Wilson will show you out.”
He waited until the door was closed behind her before breaking the wax seal.
Sir,
I hope this missive finds you well. I wanted to inform you I received word from my aunt this morning that Mrs. Worth’s grandmother, Mrs. Smith, had passed away while visiting relatives in Scotland. She was not lucid at the end, and her final moments of clarity had been indeed at Pemberley in Lady Anne’s room. I pray that her words brought you comfort and that you are joyfully preparing for your marriage with Miss de Bourgh.
I send you my deepest wishes for felicity and pray that God keeps you safe. I leave you with this quote from Wordsworth. “That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”
