It was decided—they would remain and becomeAustralian.As their children would be.
***
Thus, their distress was overwhelming when, on the day after the celebration of Queen Charlotte’s birthday on the 18th of January ’13, Darcy received a black-edged letter delivered by the packetSwiftsurefrom London. He read in silence, his faceblanching, lips pressed tight. At last, unable to contain himself, he turned to Elizabeth, eyes shining with unshed tears—
“Frederick,” he whispered, voice rough and barely audible as he sought comfort in her arms. “Frederick is dead—struck down by none other than George Wickham, God curse his soul!”
Volume 3
Return to Pemberley
Chapter 28
Sydney,January 19, 1813
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth, a sob catching in her throat. “Oh, William—surely not, it cannot be true!”
“There is little more—the letter was written in haste. The scrawl almost unintelligible; half the words missing. But how did Frederick come to challenge that miscreant? And then to be shot,in the back!” Darcy looked up from the letter, a single page, so very ill-written. Anguish clouded his countenance. “My father begs my return to England. He is gravely ill—the ague saps his strength—and with Frederick gone, he fears for Georgiana, and for Pemberley itself. Oh, Lizzie, what are we to do?”
There was nothing to discuss. William was now heir to Pemberley, a great estate, the largest in Derbyshire, seat of the Darcys for over two hundred and fifty years. Certainly it could not be given up. Their dream of being Australian was just that—a dream.
Could there be a greater cruelty? Together they had established a good life in the colony through hard work, their diligence, and gaining the respect of all who met them. And now, to be torn from the place they had come to love, their endeavours rent asunder. But Elizabeth knew but one course of action—
“You must return, William.”
The torment in Darcy’s eyes was palpable, his jaw clenched tight. He fought to keep his composure.
“But Lizzie, if I were to embark on theSwiftsure, then it departs in only ten days. For sure, it will take the quickest route back to England, for it travels via Cape Horn. But we haven’t time enough to settle our affairs, to appoint a deputy for myself, or to hand over your responsibilities. And what of St. Andrews? And Boondi? We cannot depart without seeing to all these things.”
They had been married two years and one half. Since Cape Town, Elizabeth had seen William every day for some one thousand two hundred days—in his company longer than Anne Boleyn was married to Henry VIII. It would break her heart, but what else to do? His father and sister needed him, at this moment of loss and pain, more than she—ifthatwere possible!
“You shall go, and I’ll remain to settle our affairs, and thence to follow. You know in your heart, such is the truth of it.”
Elizabeth leant into Darcy’s chest, her arms wrapped about him. Such misery—firstly, the grief of Frederick’s dying; and now, that magnified a thousandfold by her being separated from him, that half of her which would become a dark pit, an empty void longing to be refilled with his presence and love.
Could she feel safe without him? Could she shutter their life here in New South Wales without his strength and support, knowing he was making the treacherous passage around the southern tip of the Americas? But ifhecouldround the Horn, then so couldshe: La force ne vient pas des capacités physiques, elle vient d'une volonté indomptable—strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
***
Reluctantly, Darcy made his way to Government House. “My apologies, sir, but I’ve some unfortunate news that will affect you and the colony.” He gave a heavy sigh, thenstraightened—he was judge-advocate; he would be in command of himself.
“Indeed, Darcy, what has you so discomfited? I’ve never seen you thus.”
“Sadly, you’ve the right of it. I received yesterday a letter carried by theSwiftsure;its content was most distressing. My older brother, Frederick, died—was murdered—some four months ago.”
“Murdered! That is grave indeed. And the remainder of your family—are they safe?”
“My younger sister is as well as may be, but my father is ailing. He was unwell before this event, but he’s devastated and may already have passed.”
Macquarie looked at the younger man, whose features were etched with grief and distress. “I’m so sorry, Darcy… I see your dilemma. You’re the heir, are you not?”
“Yes, Pemberley is a large estate. My sister, at sixteen years, is too young to manage it. There’s no other whom I could trust. You’ve guessed my intent, sir; I must resign my commission and return directly to England.”
“I, too, have received some letters from London. No! Not with news as grievous as yours. But they are extremely relevant to your situation.” Macquarie retrieved a paper on his desk. “A new lieutenant governor has been appointed—Colonel George Molle will take up the role from August ‘14, some eighteen months from now. Twelve months are remaining in his current posting, plus time to journey here. He has served with me—but he is not my choice. Nevertheless, some eighteen months before he arrives; during which time, by my appointment, you are still lieutenant governor. Also, Lord Bathurst has informed me that the Court of Civil Jurisdiction is to be abolished and replaced by a Supreme Court and a Governor’s Court to be established dealing with civil disputes. These will be promulgated by letters patent also in the August following.”
“I cannot delay my return by eighteen months!”
“Certainly not!But if you can agree to it, I ask you not to resign your positions but to represent me in London, for there I dearly need an ally. I feel storm clouds gathering; and until the new system of justice is established, my policies require a strong advocate close to the centre of government. Many in London don’t understand that Sydney and Hobart Town are no longer penal settlements—we are growing civilian towns, increasingly open to free settlers who seek a better life than in England. Moreover, as you know, skilled convicts rapidly assimilate into the workplace and often create much wealth for themselves by diligence and hard work.
