“I should dearly love to hear you play. I have not had the luxury these many months.”
“Do you play?”
“A little, and very ill. I never practiced as much as I ought. I loved being out of doors too much, and I rather cultivated a talent in drawing. It pleased me to draw the flowers, and views I saw during my walks on my father’s estate. Though it had been manyyears, I recently picked it up again. It helped pass the time during these past long winter months. It was either that, or reading, and books were not easily found near where we were dwelling.”
“You like to read then? Brother and I do, as well. The library at Pemberley has something for everyone. It is the work of many generations, as my brother likes to say. But he and I enjoy spending quiet evenings there.”
“It sounds lovely, Georgiana. I am sure it is a sight to behold.” Elizabeth folded her arms in front of her, “I think I must be getting back. I do not wish to be away too long.”
“May I visit with Alex?
“We shall see if he is awake and what his needs are when we return.” Elizabeth had not completely shaken off her dark mood from the morning. All the talk of a peaceful home with a grand library edged her back towards melancholy.
~ / ~
Seeing her son was still asleep, Elizabeth asked Georgiana to come back in a little while and could only be grateful the young lady quickly acquiesced. She then excused Hannah, telling her to rest and not return until she had.
A quiet settled on her once the door closed behind the maid, the small sounds her son made hardly filling the void. She began to pace the floor, mindful of making as little noise as possible. The tumultuous events of the past several days had caught up to her and the urge to scream filled her head.I will not let these thoughts overwhelm me. I will not give in to melancholy or rage. I live, my son lives, and whilst I have breath in my body, I shall make a good life for us.
Elizabeth continued pacing, mentally ticking off the tasks imperative for her to create a stable life for her son.
First, I must return to Longbourn as soon as possible. I am stronger and can only hope the trip will not be difficult for my son.
Second, I shall write to my uncle and describe in detail the issues which have held up my inheritance from Gregory. If necessary, I shall travel to London myself.
Third, depending on how much is put aside for us, I shall decide where and how we shall be able to live.
Having made a tentative plan, she resolved to make a beginning of it that very day.
Chapter 8
Georgiana returned to find her friend in a very altered mood. The infant was fed, cleaned and changed and Georgiana was happy to hold him. Settled with him in her arms, it took her little time to notice her friend was moving about the room with purpose. Slowly, piles of Elizabeth’s possessions were being folded and collected on the bed.
“Elizabeth, may I inquire into what you are doing?”
“I am packing, Georgiana. I shall continue my journey tomorrow, or at the earliest arrival of the next post coach.”
Shocked and appalled, Georgiana exclaimed, “No! Are you sure you are strong enough? Or Alex? How might he endure riding in such a way? He is but days old!”
Elizabeth closed her eyes, seeking her resolve from earlier. “Georgiana, I am well. The time has come for me to return to my family. My son will be with me, and I will keep him safe.”
Georgiana rose from her seat and carefully placed the babe in the middle of the mattress, as she had seen Elizabeth do. Then, without saying a word she departed, closing the door behind her.
Pinching two fingers over the bridge of her nose, Elizabeth barely had time to heave a sigh of frustration, before the door was flung back open startling Elizabeth and the babe, who began towail, shaking his little fists above him in the air. Georgiana rushed in to pick him up and gently swayed to sooth him. Behind her entered Darcy, his face bereft of expression.
He bowed, “Mrs Carrington.”
“Mr Darcy. I gather Georgiana has raised a ‘hue and cry’?”
His lips twitched, and his eyes cut to his sister, still calming the bundle in her arms. “Indeed. I gather you feel it is time to return to your family?”
Her chin raised, “I do. There are things I must tend to.”
“I see.” He rested his gaze on her in a contemplating manner. “Far be it for me to tell you what you may or may not do. I shall, however, offer my coach as a safer way for you to journey with your son. If you plan on leaving, so shall we. As we are travelling to London in the same direction you intend to take, it behoves me to offer you a comfortable ride to your father’s door.”
Georgiana held her breath as she watched several emotions cross her friend’s face. She could not read them all, but there is no doubt Elizabeth was going to say no. Her brother obviously perceived this as well.
“Think of it this way, Madam. I did not invest in your wellbeing, as well as your son’s, to see it placed in potential danger. Georgiana and I only wish to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.”
