The Earl and Countess were meeting with their brother and sister in the Darcy’s private sitting room. “What will we do if the Duchess attends Kympton?” Lady Anne asked her husband. “We cannot ignore her because we all disdain the man she is shackled to.”
“From what Wickham, he and the steward at Castlemere are very good friends, told me, she did not attend either Lambton or Kympton churches last week,” Darcy informed his family.
“It is no wonder,” Lord Matlock spat out. “From what is known of the dastard, I would not be surprised if he had her locked away at that estate of his.”
“It is all speculation,” Lady Matlock stated. “I, like Anne, do not think we should be shunning her because ofthatman. Do not forget the approval of her the Queen demonstrated so very clearly.”
“It could be I am being overly cautious,” Darcy admitted. “Anne and Elaine, mayhap you can call on her during the next fortnight?”
“We have plans on Monday, but both Tuesday and Wednesday are available for calls,” Lady Anne averred.
“Do you not want to wait until the following week, after Easter?” Darcy suggested.
“I think not, Robert,” Lady Anne replied firmly, “We have allowed for enough time to pass already.”
Robert Darcy knew when to withdraw from the field of battle, and the look his beloved wife was giving him informedhim that the time was now. He simply raised his hands in surrender.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Those congregants who had not taken up their seats in their pews inside yet were standing about speaking to one another in front of the Lambton church. All were greatly surprised to see the large coach with a coat of arms on the door none recognised pulled to a halt.
As the Darcys and Fitzwilliams had attended the week before, it was known it would not be them, and besides, their coats of arms were known by the locals.
Those watching observed two mountainous men alight, one from the bench next to the driver, and the other from the back bench, one of whom opened the door. He handed a young lady out, one who was perhaps fifteen or so years of age. She was followed by a maid. Based on the quality of her clothing, she was clearly wealthy.
The enormous man who had offered the young lady his arm, guided her to the outer vestibule door and then stepped back. The maid followed her mistress inside while one of the men stood on one side of the doors leading into the vestibule and the nave of the church beyond. The other seemed to be walking around the church for some reason.
Elizabeth had to remind herself to breathe. She turned to Loretta and nodded to a pew near the rear of the church. The maid slid in and took her seat. She faced forward again allowing her eyes to sweep left to right to spot her family and friends.
The first she noticed in the second pew from the front on the left of the aisle was the balding head of Sir William, next to him was Lady Lucas, and then, Elizabeth had to fight to keepher equanimity, was Charlotte. Aunt Hattie was next to her best friend with Uncle Frank just beyond her.
Her eyes looked to the first pew. There was a lady Elizabeth did not recognise in the first seat of the front pew. Next to her was Jane, then an open place, followed by Aunt Maddie, Uncle Edward, her three younger sisters, Maria Lucas, and Lilly. She assumed at five years of age, Eddy, was at the parsonage where the Gardiners were being hosted.
She fought her inclination to run up the aisle and fling herself into the arms of her loved ones. Rather, Elizabeth walked sedately and as she approached the front pew, the lady she knew not, stood to allow her to enter.
Like all of those there to see Lizzy, Jane had kept her eyes trained steadfastly on the pulpit where Uncle Adam was waiting. They did not want to give the impression they were waiting for Lizzy in case one of his watchers was present.
As soon as Jane saw Lizzy, her first instinct was to jump up and wrap her much loved sister in her arms. She tamped down the burning inclination and when Aunt Eve stood to allow Lizzy to join them in the pew, Jane stood as well, still looking to the front.
The three youngest Bennets wanted nothing more than to pull Lizzy into hugs, but the necessity of not showing any emotion and recognition had been impressed upon them, a lesson they had taken to heart. All three kept their eyes forward—for the most part—stealing sideways glances as Lizzy entered the pew. Maria and Lilly followed their lead.
No sooner had Elizabeth sat than her hand on each side sought that of Jane and Aunt Maddie. Hard squeezes were exchanged while all three looked, as nonchalantly as they were able, to where Adam stood.
It did not take long before opinion the unknown young lady was none other than the new Duchess of Hertfordshire began to circulate among those seated in the nave of the church. It was only the parson’s clearing of his throat and his signal for everyone to stand that quelled the talk and blatant staring.
After the opening prayer, the clergyman signalled his congregation to be seated. As soon as she sat, Elizabeth’s hands again sought those of her sister and aunt. All three ladies had a few tears rolling down their cheeks, but due to where they were seated and the bonnets they were wearing, that fact was not visible to the rest of the congregation.
Jane lifted her prayer book to shield her mouth. “The lady you do not know is Uncle Adam’s wife, Evangeline, we all call her Eve,” Jane told her younger sister insotto voce.
At the thought of the couple being known as Adam and Eve, Elizabeth had to fight not to giggle.
“It is beyond the best thing to see all of you again,” Elizabeth responded softly so only Jane and their aunt could hear.
“You are looking well, Lizzy,” Aunt Maddie quietly added as she assiduouslyconcentratedon her prayer book. “You have not been harmed, at least not physically, have you?”
“No, Aunt, not physically,” Elizabeth confirmed.
When they next stood, Elizabeth felt some pressure on her arm from behind her. Charlotte wanted to speak to and hug her friend, but she had to be satisfied with some brief comfort as everyone stood.
