“The master’s instructions, ma’am,” he said with some embarrassment.
She smiled wryly and draped it over her arm.
“Might I enquire where you intend to walk, ma’am?” he said as he opened the front door for her.
She looked at him slyly. “Also the master’s instructions?”
He inclined his head.
Grinning at the very great pleasure of being cherished thus, even in Darcy’s absence, she informed Maltravers of her destination and stepped out onto the front steps. Only then did she look at her letter.She was alarmed to see Lady Ashby’s seal, for they had never corresponded. She tore it open, fearing instantly for Darcy’s safety. Alarm turned to shock and shock to fury as she read of Bingley’s intentions to leave the country after all and to take a mistress and natural child with him.
With an angry growl, she whirled about to go back into the house, but the shawl had tangled about her legs. The world tilted. She saw Maltraver’s horrified expression, then she saw the music room window, then the sky. She flung her arms wide, banging her wrist painfully on the balustrade. She grabbed it and cried out at the fire that burst through her shoulder as momentum wrenched her to face the other way. Her grip on the rail held, but her feet were gone from under her, and she slammed down heavily onto a step, knocking all the air from her lungs.
Maltravers appeared in front of her and soon after Mrs Reynolds, both enquiring urgently whether she were hurt. She was not sure. Upon reflection, her wrist and shoulder both throbbed abominably, yet they were the least of her concerns. She waited, caught her breath and prayed until, with the most profound relief, she felt her baby wriggle its protest at being so violently flung about. What little air remained to her escaped in a shaky laugh. “I am well,” she whispered.
She was led, gingerly, back inside to a chair where Mrs Sinclair met them. “What has happened, Lizzy?”
Satisfied she had done herself no serious harm, Elizabeth’s mind jumped directly beyond her fall to that which pained her most. “Mr Bingley has been unfaithful to my sister!”
“We already knew that.”
“No, he has a mistress! She is with child! He is taking her abroad. He lied! He was to go home to Jane, yet all the while, he was planning to go away with this…this woman!”
Mrs Sinclair pulled an incredulous face. “The man is incapable of resolving on anything. Two weeks ago, it was you with whom he wished to go away. Before that, he planned to go alone. At some point, I suppose, he must have wanted your sister. I am beginning to feel quite put out that he has never wanted to go anywhere with me.”
“Poor, poor Jane!”
Mrs Sinclair looked distinctly sceptical but did not argue and instead enquired how Elizabeth had come to discover this news on the front steps of Pemberley.
“Lady Ashby has written, asking that I prevent him from leaving. They must all think he is still here. I must write to Jane.” She shuffled to the edge of her seat. Mrs Reynolds, hovering fretfully nearby, stepped forward to offer her assistance. Elizabeth was glad of it, for upon standing, she experienced a most shocking expulsion of fluids that rendered her faint with alarm. “Oh God, what is it?”
“’Tis the baby, ma’am,” Mrs Reynolds replied, looking disconcertingly troubled.
“Oh no! ’Tis too soon, is it not?”
“You tell us, my dear,” Mrs Sinclair said with a knowing look.
“Try not to worry, Mrs Darcy,” Mrs Reynolds said more helpfully. “It is earlier than expected, but there is no sense in giving yourself any more to be anxious about than necessary.”
Never had Elizabeth wanted Darcy more. The prospect of birthing a child was terrifying enough, without fearing that it was not fit to be born. She sat down again. “I am not ready. It will have to wait.” She ignored the look that passed between the two ladies. “My aunt is not yet here,” she said, failing to keep her voice from trembling. “Who will attend me?”
“I shall, if you wish it,” Mrs Reynolds offered.
“I shall, even if you do not wish it,” said Mrs Sinclair.
Elizabeth would have continued to object had a sharp pain not frightened her into silence. “I think I would prefer to go back to waiting,” she said quietly once it had passed.
“I fear young Master or Miss Darcy has other ideas, ma’am,” Mrs Reynolds replied.
Shaking with apprehension, Elizabeth allowed herself to be led upstairs to embark upon a wholly different exercise than she had thought to enjoy that day.
Even in the pallid light of late afternoon, Pemberley was magnificent. Jane regretted not having told Elizabeth how very well she liked it on her last visit. It was but one of innumerable things she regretted. She turned away from the window, her palm burning from the memory of striking Elizabeth’s cheek. She had no notion of what she would say to her sister, or indeed if she would even be received given Mr Darcy’s unequivocal exclusion. Yet, there had been no alternative butto come. There was too much to be said between her and Bingley to stay away.
“Mr Bingley left Pemberley above a se’ennight ago, madam,” she was informed upon reaching the house.
She stared at the butler in mute dismay, all her carefully prepared words rendered useless. There was nothing more she could do. He was gone. What would become of her now?
Maltravers cleared his throat.
