Darcy escorted Elizabeth upstairs and left her in Ellis’s care. The maid began to undress her mistress so she might rest a couple of hours before dinner.
Downstairs, Darcy found Richard in his study. He paused by the window, staring out across the park.
“Elizabeth fears an unexpected visit from Caroline,” Darcy said at last. “All travelers to Pemberley must pass through Lambton, which lies five miles from here, and then through the gatehouse, which is three miles away. There is no reason we should be taken unawares. I could station a footman at the Red Lion in Lambton;there’s a fine view of the road from the tavern, and another at the gatehouse.”
Richard looked grim. “A sound idea. Bingley brought several of his servants with him, and they all know Caroline. It is only fair that he offer two of his men to stand watch with yours. If they spot her carriage in Lambton, they can stop her at the gatehouse and send word to you for help. Or, between the four of them, they can turn her carriage about and see her safely back to the Great North Road, and all the way to Yorkshire, if need be.”
Darcy nodded, satisfied. He rang for a servant and sent for Bingley. The three men soon settled the details of the plan, and when all was arranged, Darcy excused himself and went upstairs.
He knocked softly at his wife’s door. There was no answer. Assuming Ellis was out and Elizabeth asleep, he let himself in. She lay nestled beneath the coverlet, fast asleep. He took his accustomed chair by her bedside, the one he used each night for their readings, and sat quietly watching her. Her beauty struck him anew: the delicate complexion, the long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, the wild tumble of curls strewn across the pillow. Her lips were parted slightly, soft and pink. The sight stirred him, and he closed his eyes, willing his thoughts elsewhere.
He reached for the book of poetry they had been reading, and he perused it until she stirred half an hour later.
“Fitzwilliam,” she said softly, rubbing her eyes, “is everything well? Why are you here?”
He rose and sat at the edge of her bed. “Elizabeth, Richard, Charles, and I have devised a plan, one that I hope will ease your fears. There is no reason to wait for Caroline to present herself atour door. We will post two men at the Red Lion and two more at the gatehouse. If she is seen, they will not allow her carriage onto the drive. It is three miles long, my dear; she will be quite unseen from the house. Once stopped, the men will escort her carriage back to the Great North Road, and all the way to Yorkshire, should it prove necessary.”
Elizabeth listened, relief dawning across her face. “What think you, Elizabeth? Does that make you feel more at ease?”
“It does, Fitzwilliam,” she said, “but will the people of Lambton not talk? Will it not seem odd to have two of Pemberley’s footmen whiling away their hours at the tavern?”
He laughed. “Perhaps. I had not thought that far ahead. We must invent a reason for their presence.”
Elizabeth tilted her head, thinking. “Do your footmen read and write?”
“They do,” he replied, curious.
“Then perhaps it could be made known that they are available during the day to read or write letters for those who cannot. It would appear charitable and useful, and no one would question their presence.”
Darcy laughed again. “That is a worthy plan, Elizabeth. I shall ask the rector to make the announcement at church tomorrow.”
Elizabeth threw back the blankets and swung her legs over the side of the bed, smiling as she rose. Her gown had slipped up to her knees, revealing her shapely legs. Darcy turned away, granting her privacy, though his heart quickened at the sight. She seemed entirely unconscious of her state, too pleased with their success to notice. He was not prepared for her embrace, yethe welcomed it. Rising on tiptoe, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his chest.
“Thank you for doing this for me,” she murmured. “I did not know how I would go on, with guests in the house and wondering when that sour-faced harpy would present herself.”
She released him as suddenly as she had embraced him. When she stepped away, he moved to the door. “Shall I ring for Ellis?”
“Yes, please. And thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
He inclined his head. “I will be in my study if you need anything.”
Closing the door quietly behind him, Darcy lingered a moment in the corridor, gratified. His wife was growing easier in his presence, her rigid walls of propriety softening, little by little. He wished the embrace had been intended as a gesture of love rather than gratitude. He imagined that in her mind the gesture to him was similar to what she would have bestowed on her father, but he would not complain. She was finding it easier to touch him, and he hoped that soon she would touch him with intention.
Chapter 32: Sunday
On Saturday afternoon, before dinner, Darcy sent Peter and Robert to wait at the gatehouse. He gave them a box of cards and some money to help pass the time while they waited to see if Miss Bingley would appear. For the first time in Fitzwilliam’s memory, the gate was locked that night, and the chains were not removed until the following morning, when the carriages were made ready to travel to church.
The three Bennet sisters were attired in their new gowns, their hair freshly arranged by Ellis, each adorned with a new bonnet. As they waited to be handed up into the carriages, Elizabeth studied her sisters and realized that, for the first time, they were dressed as well as Georgiana.
When her husband, impeccably dressed as always, entered the carriage and took his seat beside her, Elizabeth felt, perhaps for the first time, that she truly belonged in his magnificent home and in his life.
The colonel sat opposite with Georgiana and Mary, while Jane travelled with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts. It occurred to Elizabeth then that Mr. Darcy was quietly furthering that connection, and a rush of affection for him filled her heart.
When they entered the church, every head turned, and a hush spread through the pews as the congregation took in the sight of Mr. Darcy and his party. He thought wryly,It is no wonder they regard me and my party with open curiosity. I never worship here if I can help it. Usually, he and Georgiana worshiped in the Kimpton church, but today, he led his party to the front, to the Darcy family box. He opened the door and gestured forthe others to enter, then took his place beside his wife. Darcy was gratified that the rector preached an engaging sermon, and afterwards he invited the young man to Pemberley for the noon meal.
Elizabeth had prepared one of the larger salons, fitting it with an extended table for breakfast and luncheon while Pemberley hosted guests. It was the first time the family had used the room, and Darcy thought it exceedingly well arranged.
His wife stood at the sideboard, which ran the length of the wall. Sunlight filtered through the beveled windows, gilding her hair with bronze and illuminating the delicate grace of her face. Her beauty, her innocence, those fine eyes, smote him utterly.
