Elizabeth hesitated, but seeing Georgiana was holding her hands out for Alex, she handed him in. Raising her eyes to meet Mr Darcy’s, she offered him a smile and heartfelt words. “I shall never forget your goodness to a complete stranger. You and Georgiana are both so very kind.”
Then with the assistance of the nearby footman, she climbed inside and settled beside Georgiana, taking Alex back.
Darcy stood frozen. The sunlight had dappled over the young widow’s face when she smiled at him so sweetly. Still fresh from his conversation with Georgiana, it was her expression, bereft of guile or calculation which struck him and made his breath catch.The goodness of people, no matter their status… Perhaps Georgiana has the right of it.
Luckily, his sister and Mrs Carrington were engaged with Alex and neither noticed his distraction. Darcy pulled at the hem of his waistcoat and climbed in to join them.
“Elizabeth, my brother and I are happy we could be of service.” She shivered, “Imagine if we had not been there.”
“But you were, and we are both truly grateful.” Elizabeth huffed out a laugh, “I am normally quite a courageous person. Not prone to the fits of nerves as I have displayed over these past days.”
Darcy had settled in the backward facing seat, across from them. He cleared his throat. “You have been through an ordeal and without the comfort of your own family to assist. It is understandable if you do not retain your usual fortitude.”
Raising an arm Darcy thumped his cane against the roof of the carriage. With a jerk the vehicle began moving, slowly picking up speed after turning onto the road.
Alex began to fuss, and she rocked him back to sleep. “He may need to eat again soon.” She motioned to the dress she wore. “Mrs Hobbs gave me this dress; it seems most practical.” A blush was creeping up her neck suffusing her cheeks.
Only then did Darcy realise why she appeared different. Her ensemble was not the unrelieved black of mourning. The dark green certainly did something pleasing for her complexion and brightened her eyes. “Let me know when you wish it and we shall stop either at an inn, or I shall ride in the servant carriage.” Darcy blushed to the tips of his ears.
“Oh, no. I should be the one who-”
“I prefer it this way. I can confer with my valet, and Georgiana and the maids may keep you company.”
Elizabeth was too embarrassed to do more than nod.
When everyone’s emotions had time to settle, the passengers quieted down to their own contemplations. The slight rocking ofthe carriage soothed Alex into slumber. Darcy was watching Mrs Carrington as she and Georgiana’s attention remained affixed on Alex. It was the first time he was spending more than a few minutes in her company, since the night of their meal and her confessions regarding her family.
His musings wove a thread from the history she shared of the Bennets to the man she married, and it raised a thought to the forefront of his mind. One which had been niggling at him like an irritating gnat. “Carrington…” he murmured to himself. Then raised his voice, “I knew a Carrington in Cambridge - eldest son of the Earl of Carrington. I believe they hold an estate near Nottingham. He was a few years above my year, and I did not know him well. He… ran with a very different crowd.”
“My husband’s eldest brother, I believe. Gregory was the third son, the youngest. He joined the navy after attending Eton and did not have much to do with his family afterwards. His world view was very different from theirs, I understand.”
Darcy was not surprised. He knew very little of the young widow seated across from him but his impression of her was one of a kind and intelligent woman. He did not think she could marry a man such as he had been at Cambridge with. That man’s reputation was on par with Wickham’s.
“I already shared this information with Georgiana, but I met Gregory in London when I was staying with my uncle and aunt Gardiner.” She chuckled, “We met at an assembly in June, and he called the very next day and each day following. He was not at all bothered with… Well, he accepted me for who I was. It was rather a whirlwind courtship. He had an aura quite similar to yours, Mr Darcy. Strong and confident - like he could fix all the ills of the world.” A sparkle glimmered in her eyes, “Although, he had a much livelier disposition.”
Both Darcy siblings smiled at that, and Georgiana reminded Elizabeth, “I did tell you we Darcys are reticent, no matter the society.”
“You did, indeed, Georgiana.” Elizabeth continued, “He too, was a man used to giving orders and being obeyed. His career advancedhim to a captaincy at quite a young age. He dreamt of making admiral, one day.”
She sighed and looked out the window. “We married in July, settled our dwellings in Portsmouth, and he sailed out on his ship in October. I knew his position came with risks, but I never believed our path would lead here. I wrote to him in November of our expectation, but I do not know if he received my letter.”
No one else spoke and the only sounds were the horses’ hooves and the turning of the carriage wheels on the road.
Wishing to change the topic and to bring up one which perturbed him for some time, Darcy spoke, “I understood from Mrs Hobbs there were some issues with finances. Did you not contact the Carringtons? After all, Alex is their grandson.”
Elizabeth huffed, “The Carringtons? They are the ones behind my financial troubles!”
Chapter 9
Startled expressions and sounds of disbelief met her statement.
“When Gregory and I wed, his father made his opinion of me quite clear. Only later did my husband reveal the ongoing negotiations the earl had been brokering, for a marriage between Gregory and the daughter of one of his political cronies. I was never privy to the specific details, but my husband explained all ties with his family were severed.
“Gregory was his own man.” She looked down at her son. “I hope my boy will be as courageous and honourable as his father. When the notification of his death reached me, out of respect I sent a letter to his family. I never received a reply. ’Tis just as well. I fear the earl might try and take my baby away, especially now that I have given birth to a son. At the time of our wedding the viscount and his wife had two children. Both were daughters.”
“Was there…?” Darcy coughed, “I apologise for the unseemly question. But did your husband have any funds from prize money?”
“Yes.” Elizabeth leant forward in her seat. “And I know he made arrangements for me in his will, but my access to them has been thwarted. I contacted my husband’s lawyer, but no response came from him either. My uncle is attempting to assist with this matter,but so far, he has had no success. We thought I might travel to Town in preparation for my confinement, at which time I could present myself to the attorney and make him do his duty.” She shrugged one shoulder, “Those plans did not exactly work out.”
