“There’s something I’ve forgotten to say; ‘tis most important.”
“Yes, my Lizzie, my attention is all yours.”
“As I’m yours, dear man. But let me tell you—I had forgot, because every day I felt the same, and it had become so ubiquitous, so commonplace, so normal but never mundane, so familiar but never banal. I’ve not told you before, but Iloveyou, William. You are my heart. Not only do you make me safe, you make me happy, you make me complete. Without you, I’m but half a person.”
As Elizabeth searched his face, she saw how well the expression of heartfelt delight thatdiffused over his countenance became him. He was the most handsome man and the dearest in the whole world. Her lips searched for his, and their joining together was so intense in its passion there was naught else to do but for them to retire to their bed and enjoy the love of two persons intertwined, becoming one flesh in body, mind, heart, and soul.
Chapter 27
Government House, October 1, 1811
For Elizabeth and Darcy, life in New South Wales became a routine that was never boring; in fact, both would say theirs was a full life of duty, endeavour, and active involvement with the growing colony. The Macquaries were true to their word, and with their condescension, kindness, and approbation, Elizabeth regained her proper place in society, while Mrs. O’Connell was discovered by all to be a spiteful lady of little charm or character. Her only consequence arose from being the wife of Colonel O’Connell, respected for his affable nature and effective command of the regiment. But there was no great sorrow when, in September of ‘11, he was ordered to Ceylon to prepare for the arrival of the 73rd, and its departure from New South Wales following the arrival of the 46th.
***
“Darcy, could you bring Mrs. Darcy to attend Mrs. Macquarie and me on the morrow, perhaps for nuncheon?” Governor Macquarie entered Darcy’s courtroom, where the latter sat with two clerks attending to the business of the day. He put aside the warrant he was preparing. “Of course, sir, is there something that I should be aware of?”
“All in good time. There’s naught to be worried about. But it’s important, and I would hear both your and Mrs. Darcy’s views on the matter.”
Later that evening, Darcy told Elizabeth of the meeting. Thus they were all anticipation when they entered Government House and were shown to the day parlour, overlooking thepark and, beyond, to Sydney Cove.
“It’s a fine day, so I thought to sit on the verandah. Does that suit?” Mrs. Macquarie greeted them most cordially.
“Certainly,” replied Elizabeth, “spring here, perforce, is warmer than summer in England. And there, we often sat outside from June to August.”
“You’re more fortunate than the colonel and I. Our home is the Isle of Mull, which is not so temperate as Hertfordshire, and once his governorship is complete, there is where we shall return. But the compensations are many—I’ll not repine.”
“There are two issues on which I seek your opinion.” Macquarie took his seat at the table, placing several items from the cold selection onto his plate. “I find the appellationNew Hollandnot suited to this land. ‘Tis a Dutch name; and, as such, I find it offensive given the French control the Netherlands. I’ve suggested to the Colonial Office, therefore, that our great continent be calledAustralia, as did the explorer, Mathew Flinders, on his map of ‘03. Darcy, what say you—are there points of law of which I’m unaware?”
Darcy considered the matter, but he could find no fault with the proposal. Making such a change could only be of interest to cartographers—clearly minor, of secondary importance. Readily assenting to Macquarie’s proposal, for there was really no need forhisapproval, he gave the governor an inquiring look. Undoubtedly, Macquarie was uncomfortable and was hesitant in his response.
“Now that Colonel O’Connell has left for Ceylon, I’m in a quandary.”
“How so?” said Darcy, reflecting on the swiftness with which Lord Bathurst had responded to Macquarie and his father requesting the withdrawal of the colonel from the colony and, more importantly, the colonel’s wife.
“The ministers are dilly-dallying, as they often do. Theycannot decide who will be the next lieutenant governor. I suggested my brother, Colonel Charles Macquarie, who is eminently suited for the role, but they wish for someone unrelated. In the meantime, until they come to a decision, I am authorised to make a temporary appointment.”
Darcy glared at Macquarie. “Surely, sir, you are not considering me for the role. My time is already taken up more than I enjoy with my being judge-advocate. I understand the office of lieutenant governor was vacant in the past; why not let it remain so now?”
“And there’s the rub. For Mrs. Macquarie and I intend to take a tour of our dominion: Newcastle, Norfolk Island, Van Diemen’s Land, and perhaps visit Otaheite, for I have an invitation from Chief Pomare. The trip was planned for this year but we felt unease at leaving Sydney with the O’Connells in Government House—most likely, another rebellion would have welcomed our return. With us gone out of the colony, there are still orders to be made, grants to new settlers, petitions, accounts to be certified, entertainments, overseeing the good order of the colony.”
“But what of my duties—I am, after all, the principal law officer. Can I also occupy the governorship—is there not some conflict between the roles?”
Macquarie grinned smugly. “The vessel,Francis & Eliza, soon to arrive, God willing, brings two qualified attorneys to the colony. They should take over much of your work in preparing cases and bringing them to the military tribunals and civil and criminal courts. You shall be judge only, Darcy. If there are appeals, they can wait until I return.”
Darcy knew he was defeated. Macquarie wished him to be lieutenant governor, and so he would. “But what of Mrs. Darcy? She cannot act as matron to the orphanage, warden of the female school, and midwife—she has little enough time to perform those duties now, but also those of Mrs. Macquarie?Impossible!”
“But surely, if they are evening entertainments, my role as matron will be unaffected?” interposed Elizabeth. She paused… “But I suppose a full day or more assisting a woman’s travail may be difficult to accommodate.”
An unsettling ache overtook her. She looked to Mrs. Macquarie with disquiet, then hurriedly turned away. Her vision blurred.
“Colonel, could you take Mr. Darcy to read the correspondence from Lord Bathurst pertaining to the attorneys and the appointment of lieutenant governor?” Mrs. Macquarie turned pointedly to her husband. “I’ll attend to Mrs. Darcy, for she’s a little overcome.” Darcy, who was occupied thinking of the role of lieutenant governor, now observed the distressed demeanour of Elizabeth.
“No, Mr. Darcy, please accompany the colonel. It’s for me to speak with your wife.”
Elizabeth was struggling to account for her distress. She was so pleased with the honour that Colonel Macquarie bestowed on Darcy—to be lieutenant governor. With what esteem he must be held within the colony—but such was only his due. But for herself, as she readily acknowledged, she was not made for drawing-rooms, for taking tea with officers wives, for entertaining the wives of settlers and merchants. And what of the school? And the orphanage? And the womenenceinte? She awoke from her meditations when Mrs. Macquarie addressed her.
“Mrs. Darcy, for how long have we been acquainted?”
