Not long after, Anna asked if she could perform the lullaby Elizabeth had taught her. Following her song, Elizabeth continued to play some soothing music at the pianoforte for a time while the others chatted. Richard took it upon himself to keep Anna entertained so that William and Georgiana could speak more privately.
Taking a seat next to Georgiana on the sofa and holding her hand, William said, “Seeing you wear the necklace reminds me of our mother. Though she had many jewels from the Darcy collection, she said she treasured this simple pendant since it was a gift from her mother on her sixteenth birthday. My only regret is that she is not here to give it to you herself.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
“You are very much like her. You have her eyes. We both do, but when I look into yours, I can see her. You have her expression. Our mother was a kind and loving woman, just as you are. Before she died, Mama said to me, ‘Fitzwilliam, when I am gone, you will always have your sister, and for that I am grateful.’ I, too, am grateful, Georgie. Without you and Anna and now Elizabeth, I would be lost.”
“Oh, William, you are the best of brothers and I would have no other.”
He kissed her forehead. Changing the subject so as not to become too maudlin, he then said, “It is good to see you are feeling better tonight. For my part, I cannot abide a headache.”
“I am much better. I think it was just the carriage ride which brought on the headache today. Had it not been for Elizabeth, I might still have it.”
“Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Brother. When I was resting, she came to my room to check on my comfort. She told me her sister, Jane, often has headaches, and although mine was from an injury, she wished to help.”
“I am not surprised.” He smiled. “It is her way.”
“I should like to tell you what she did. First she took one of my handkerchiefs and, removing a small vial from her pocket, placed a few drops of lavender oil on the cloth. Then she asked me if I would mind her joining me on the bed. As I held the cloth, she cradled my head in her lap and began to gently massage my forehead and temples. And as she lightly ran her fingers along the top of my head and through my hair, she hummed the loveliest melody. Elizabeth said she would be happy to share her song collection with me.”
“I have no doubt her songs will give you great pleasure.”
“I know not when I fell asleep, but later when I awoke and she was gone, I was refreshed. William, she was so kind, so unlike … forgive me. I did not mean….”
“‘Tis nothing, Georgiana,” he said. “In some ways Anne could not help being who she was. On occasion I have wondered what she might have been like had she had not been raised by Lady Catherine. Neither Anne nor her mother has ever shown us the kind of selfless love we received from our mother and now from Elizabeth. Sister, we are blessed.”
“Yes, I know, and like Anna, I must tell you that I love her.”
“It warms my heart to hear you say so, Georgie.”
“I promise you, Brother, I will do all I can to help Elizabeth in return.”
“Thank you, Georgie. She will have many challenges over the coming months and I know you will be very helpful.”
William’s Bedchamber
Much later
It was close to midnight by the time William and Elizabeth retired to their rooms. All were in bed and the house was finally quiet. Following their lovemaking, the happy couple lay in each other’s arms, but not quite ready for sleep.
“The day ended well, husband,” Elizabeth said, lightly rubbing her hand across his chest.”
“Yes, it did. Having gone to the gaol, I had not expected it to. Nevertheless, things turned out far better than I anticipated and that was because of you, Elizabeth.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You bring something to our family which Georgiana, Anna, and I have been lacking these past few years. You bring light and warmth. You make us feel loved and wanted. For that there will never be enough words to express our gratitude.”
“William, you are embarrassing me. I am no one special. In fact, you may regret your words when we have had our first real disagreement and I win the battle,” she teased.
“We shall see,” he chuckled.
“Anna and Georgiana, even Richard, and of course you, dear William, are my family now. I cannot help but love all of you and want to do for you as I have always done. Together we shall continue to make our way, and if we falter now and then, our love will sustain us. I would have it no other way.”
“Nor would I.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
