“Surely if your wife has concerns for the future, her knowing what you are planning would ease her worries?” Harold challenged.
Before Bennet could respond, the door to Gardiner’s office opened. “And you, Bennet, are no saint,” Gardiner said as he exited his office. “Mr Hurst, I see you have met my brother-in-law.” He was glad that the younger Hurst had posed the question he did. Gardiner had tried to tell Bennet the same and had been ignored. Perhaps it coming from another would make his brother-in-law think about the suggestion seriously.
“That is correct. May I present my wife to you?” Upon seeing Gardiner’s nod, Harold did the honours. “If you need to see Mr Bennet first, we are in no hurry, and we will be more than happy to wait in the company of this very pretty young lady.”
“No need to wait; I will see you now,” Gardiner assured his investor’s son.
“As soon as Lizzy finishes her review of the ledger, we will go to the teahouse to acquire some iced buns and return to Maddie and the children at your house,” Bennet related.
As Gardiner showed the Hursts into his office, he noted the questioning look from the younger Mr Hurst. “I mentioned I was married when we first met, but I do not think I spoke of any children.” Gardiner saw a nod. “My Maddie is from Lambton in Derbyshire. We have been twice blessed so far. Lillian, who we call Lilly, is three, and Eddy is all of three months of age.”
“Congratulations on the birth of your two children,” Louisa wished, all the while longing for the day she would be able to tell Harold she was with child.
“Papa, may I challenge Mr or Mrs Hurst to a game of chess?” Elizabeth wondered.
“We do not have time now, Miss Elizabeth. However, as both my wife and I play chess, we would be willing to school you the next time we meet,” Harold promised.
Bennet shook his head. “She will never forget that.” He grinned.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The second Tuesday of November, Louisa and Harold were preparing for a visit to Montague House, the home of the British Museum, when the butler showed Fitzwilliam in.
Harold did not miss the sadness in his friend’s look. “What is it, Fitzwilliam?”
“My uncle, Robert Darcy, was called home to God on Sunday past. My father’s courier arrived before midnight yester-night with the notice,” Fitzwilliam shared. “I intend to ask for leave, and if you want to join me, I know my cousin will need as much support as possible. To have all of the responsibilities of the estate and all that entails fall to him at such a young age will be difficult for him. He is only one and twenty! He will be two and twenty in a few months, but that is not any better.”
“You know my father will grant you as much time as you need, do you not?” Harold assured his friend. He did not miss the raised eyebrows and the way Fitzwilliam’s eyes moved to Louisa. “Like my father, I keep no secrets from my wife; she knows what we do.”
“Captain, we are very sorry for the loss of your uncle. We stopped at Pemberley a few weeks past, and it was not difficult to see that the late Mr Darcy was not in a good way,” Louisa recalled.
“We have known this day was coming, but we all hoped that at the very least, it would not be for a year or two.” Fitzwilliam inclined his head to Mrs Hurst.
“Unless my father objects, Louisa and I will travel north and offer you a seat in the coach,” Harold said after seeing a nod from his wife. “Come, let us away to Somerset House. My mother is with Father today so we will be able to tell them bothtogether.” He turned to his wife. “Louisa dear, will you have the trunks packed while I am away with Fitzwilliam?”
“Of course. I will have them ready by the time you two return. Will you collect the Captain’s trunk on your return?” Louisa queried.
“We will.” Hurst kissed his wife on the forehead and then the two men left.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As had been predicted, the Hurst patriarch granted Fitzwilliam all the leave he needed and had no objection to Louisa and Harold travelling north to offer succour to the new Mr Darcy.
They travelled fast, but with some inclement weather and shorter days, it took the rest of Tuesday plus three full days to reach Pemberley. Like they had when they travelled from Winsdale, a second carriage followed the coach carrying their personal servants and some of the footmen-guards.
The tall gateposts had black fabric draped over them. The shot the gatekeeper fired was heard after they passed the gatehouse. Louisa and Harold had heard that before. The late Mr Darcy had explained it was how it was known someone was approaching the house. It was a sombre group who traversed the last few miles of the long, gravel-covered drive.
When they crested the hill, none of them took the time to appreciate the view which was before them. The coachman guided his team under theporte cochèreand into the enclosed courtyard rather than continuing on to halt next to the broad set of stone steps which led to the tall double front doors.
As Fitzwilliam had sent an express to tell his cousin he and the younger Hursts were on the way; hence, when the coach was brought to a halt, their arrival was expected.
Seeing his Cousin William approaching the conveyance, Fitzwilliam fairly jumped out as soon as a footman swung the door open. He pulled William into a hug as he nodded greetings to his father and brother. He was very grateful they had been at Snowhaven and Hilldale respectively and had been here to comfort William and Gigi as Uncle Robert left the mortal world.
Louisa and Harold stood back respectfully, allowing the family members to greet one another first. Hilldale was the first to approach them.
“Harry, Mrs Hurst. It is good to see you so soon again, but I would have rather it had not been under such circumstances,” Hilldale said in greeting. “At least, Uncle Robert is no longer suffering, and he is with his beloved wife once again.”
“It is sad that it took the end of his life to take his pain away,” Louisa responded. “When Harold and I saw him before we came to see you, it was not hard to see that the end was not far off. However, I am sure that regardless of how expected his passing was, it is not easier on his son and daughter. How is Miss Darcy doing?”
