Following behind, a cluster of women and children were whispering to each other in their impossible language.
“Ellie, stay close to me. We’ll see how they treat the wife of a lieutenant governor.”
Of course, none knew of her rank and consequence. Forthe boy, for that is how she saw him, came very close and began jabbing his spear at her. She laughed.
“Oh my, you’re a brave one to come up to a pregnant woman and small child, gesticulating, poking me with your lance.” Contempt and disdain were clearly universal concepts—for he became very angry, humiliated by a woman displaying such scorn.
He spat. Oh, whatever does he want? She was an unprotected woman, but surely, he would respect her as a mother? But there was no man accompanying her—he may have thought her a widow, no longer married. Perhaps he wished to abduct her as his wife; she had heard of the practice,ukuthwala, when at the Cape.
He became more agitated. She continued to stand firm, gazing at him with derision. Should a woman stare so brazenly at a man? He grabbed her arm. A great cry came up from the women and children; clearly, some line had been crossed. Perhaps he was laying some claim to her—this could go very badly. She beat his hand away, stepped forward, and crossed her arms across her chest. The bead necklace rattled, and another cry arose from the women, who pressed closer.
“You don’t understand, boy. I am no man’s woman save William’s—it was to him I gave my vows. I say, Begone!” She spat on the ground, just as he.
Mayhap, she’d gone too far. The boy’s complexion darkened further, the disturbance of his mind visible in every feature. He raised his spear, thrust it at her, striking her rounded belly, perhaps by mischance. She shuddered, placed her hand where the tip of the weapon had pierced the skin—it came away bloody.
It was hard to piece together the events that followed. There was a terrifying growl, primeval, unrestrained. The boy lay on the ground, a large black dog straddled him, its teeth bared,a white streak on its neck standing proud, the dog’s hackles raised. His companions stepped back, then moved forward, spears raised.
“Bumper, to me!” Her command peremptory, he looked to her. She could see he wished to rip out the youth’s throat. But he backed off, growling at anyone who thought to come near. The spear had fallen to the ground, alongside the red blanket. She took them up.
The shaft of the spear was fire-hardened, polished, and smoothed. Laying it over two stones, she stamped down hard; it snapped in two. Contemptuously, she threw them at the boy still prone on the ground. Holding Ellie’s hand, she turned and walked away, taking the blanket with her. Behind, the women set up a loud keening.
Ellie looked at her in awe. “Lizzie, you’re so brave. He could have killed you.”
“Oh, I think any vice-regal lady would have done the same. But I have a secret that you must never tell—I was terrified, and it was Bumper who rescued us.”
The dog, upon hearing his name, jumped up and nuzzled her face. “Oh, Bumper, I’ve missed you so much. I thought you’d been swept off theGrosvenor. But you’re safe—quelle joie!”
The tears and shakes would come later, just as they had at the Cowpastures. But, for now, she and Ellie were safe. They walked the few miles to where the ship had beached. Perchance, there was something of use left behind.
That night, they slept wrapped in the blanket; occasionally, she heard Bumper growl, but he remained by her side. Exhausted, she slept until Bumper woke her, licking her face, the sun just clearing the horizon.
Nearby, on the ground, lay a mat of woven reeds, upon which were several covered wooden bowls.Breakfast—fresh milk, millet bread, and a bowl of soft mealie-meal porridge, together with two blue-beaded necklaces.
Chapter 38
Pemberley, October 2, 1813
“Fitzwilliam, George Darcy!” Lady Catherine’s imperious voice filled the entrance hall to Pemberley.
“They are not yet returned from the estate, my lady. Can I offer you refreshments in the drawing-room?”
She grunted, a most unladylike sound. “I am most seriously displeased. Miss de Bourgh and I travelled a great distance from Kent… and not to be welcomed… it is shameful. I would expect such of George Darcy, who has no noble blood, but not of my nephew, the grandson of an earl. This is not to be borne. Very well, we shall wait in the blue drawing-room.”
“Lady Catherine, if we had received a note, both Father and I would have welcomed you. Our apologies, but a bridge on the western boundary is unsafe, and we sought to know whether to rebuild completely or to repair it.”
“I care little for your bridges!” Lady Catherine remained seated, making no attempt to rise at their entry. “You knew I would come. Particularly because you, Fitzwilliam, made no effort to visit me at Rosings.”
“Welcome to Pemberley, Aunt, and you, Anne. I trust the journey was not too arduous.” Darcy was all that was obsequious—her former rector, Mr. Collins, would have been proud—but rather than seeing him as mocking, which he was, Lady Catherine took his deference as her due.
“Indeed it was. Anne’s health has been seriously compromised. And ‘tis all your fault and that of your father.” She cast George Darcy a disparaging look. “Why my sister ever thought to marry so far beneathher, I do not know.”
Darcy stepped further into the room, towering over his aunt; against his bulk she appeared diminutive even though she was a large woman and seated upright in a stiff-backed chair. Now, no humour lightened his tone.
“If you wish to stay the night, Lady Catherine, I suggest you refrain from insulting both my Father and my Mother.” He paused, glaring at her such as to make Anne, who was sitting near her mother, shrink into her seat. “We Darcys are accustomed to a little more respect, though I doubt you know the meaning of the word.”
“Impertinent, disrespectful! Must I remind you that I am the daughter of an earl?”
“Indeed, you must,” said George Darcy, coldly, “for you are behaving like a harridan.” He paused. “And why are you here, Catherine? As you said, it is a long journey from Kent to Derbyshire. And expensive, since you live off Darcy charity.”
