The Ashes of Longbourn (35 page)

             
“It is my pleasure to be of service to my charming wife.” Darcy took hold of her hand and lifted it up to his lips.  “And I plan on being of service to you, my dearest, for the rest of the day.  I have already informed our staff and our guests that we will be unavailable unless Napoleon invades London and we must evacuate.”

             
“In the middle of the day, with everyone in the house knowing what we will be doing all day, William, I would be mortified to see anyone again.”

             
A very wicked expression graced Darcy’s face.  “Very well, my most beloved, we will remain here and never venture from out suite of rooms.  Does that meet with your approval?”

             
Elizabeth nodded her head as she embraced her husband.  “I do, William, I approve wholeheartedly.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
While the Darcys were hidden away in their own little world, Lord and Lady Matlock had other matters to contend with, besides the upcoming ball and wedding of their second son. 

             
Lord Matlock met daily with his solicitors, sorting out the mess that had become of the books of Rosings Park.  It would take some time to determine what Anne and Mr Storm had done to the once rich estate.

             
There was also the matter of seeing to Anne’s medical care at the sanitarium, as she increased in size as the babe inside her grew.  It would not be much longer before the birth.  And Lord Matlock had to see to the care of his sister.  Lady Catherine had been in a near catatonic state since all of the information of her daughter’s ruined life and her deplorable financial conditions.  The physician came daily to check on her condition, though it never changed. A nurse was hired to tend to the former Mistress of Rosings Park, spooning broth to her when she could get Lady Catherine to open her lips, and taking care of her necessities.  There was no hope for Lady Catherine to regain herself, but Lord Matlock refused to put his sister in a sanitarium.  No matter what she had done in the past, he would now see to her care.

             
The missing money was still causing Lord Matlock some hope that it could be restored and that his sister could recover even the slightest bit of herself.  If that were possible, he would see that she had a proper home of her own in Town. 

             
Lady Matlock supported her husband’s decision to keep Lady Catherine in their home.  As their townhouse was very large, it was not difficult for them to place the elder woman in a suite of rooms that was far away from the daily comings and goings of the others.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Caroline Bingley was sitting in the window seat of her aunt’s drawing room when the housekeeper announced Mr Jamison.  “Sir, it is a pleasure to see you here, though I thought you stated yesterday that you were leaving for London.”

             
“I was planning to do so, but I talked my brother into making the trip for me.  Tomorrow night is the annual assembly here in Scarborough and I could not imagine not being able to claim a dance with you.”

             
“My aunt and I had not planned to attend the assembly, Mr Jamison.  We will remain here, as my aunt has sprained her ankle”

             
Mr Jamison was disappointed.  “I had not heard, Miss Bingley. I pray it is nothing too serious.”

             
Smiling, Caroline shook her head.  “Nothing serious, though she has to stay off it for several days at least.  I had thought of reading the book that you gave me during your last visit.”

             
“It pleases me that you accepted the book.  It was one of my sister’s favorites.”  Mr Jamison said.  “I am sad that you will be unable to attend the assembly though.  There will be no one nearly as beautiful or talented as you, which will make the event quite dull.  Perhaps the housekeeper could tend to your aunt, allowing you to be able to attend.”

             
“I will speak with her and send a message to you with her answer.”

             
Mr Jamison took hold of Caroline’s hand, bowing over it as he brought the hand to his lips.  A thrill coursed through her body, unlike anything she had ever known.  This man was handsome, more so than she thought Mr Darcy was.  And he was treating her so nicely, complimenting her and being kind.  No man had ever treated her so. 

             
After Mr Jamison left, Caroline sat alone, wondering about what was happening.  Never in her life had she been treated so kindly by a man.  She had already had three seasons and still was unmarried with no possibilities.  The feelings that had coursed through her when Mr Jamison kissed her hand were unlike anything she had ever experienced.  Was this what it felt like to have tender feelings for someone? 

             
Caroline took stock of her own family.  Her parents were most definitely a marriage of convenience.  Her father was in trade, as was her mother’s father. The marriage merged a great deal of money, which made it possible to raise her generation a step away from trade and closer to becoming landed gentry.  Louisa married a gentleman; his family’s estate was near the size of Netherfield Park.  There was affection between Louisa and Gilbert Hurst, perhaps not love, but they cared for each other far more than Caroline’s parents had.  Now Charles had married Jane Bennet, a most definite love match. 

             
Thinking of how they had been raised, their mother had always instilled in Caroline that she was worthy of being amongst the highest circle of society.  So when Caroline met her brother’s friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, she could not help but think that he would instantly wish to align with her family.  His circle rarely ever married for love, they married for titles and lands and money.  She had a dowry of twenty thousand, which would be useful to the Darcy estate; and Darcy was Charles’ best friend.  What could be better than becoming brothers by marriage?

             
But then, Darcy fell for Elizabeth Bennet’s whiles.  She wrapped him around her little finger and made him believe he was in love with her.  Caroline had lifted some of her aunt’s letters from Netherfield and had learned that Elizabeth was growing stronger and would not die immediately.  Caroline was crushed to learn that her chance of marrying Darcy after he became a widower were for naught.

             
Now she was left with determining what was best for her.  A part of her still desired to find a way to capture Darcy for herself.  The thought of becoming Mrs Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House, a member of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in all of England was still pleasant.  But after feeling the tingling that was left by a simple kiss on her hand by Mr Jamison, Caroline Bingley wished to know more.  She wished to learn just what it would be like to have someone care for her and desire her.  She wondered what it would be like to finally find someone to love her.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 27

             
The night of the ball arrived and the ladies had spent the afternoon preparing for the evening.  Darcy insisted that his wife rest as much as possible, as she had appeared to be fatigued earlier in the day.  Teasing him, Elizabeth stated that it was due to her husband’s attention throughout the night that had worn her out.

             
When she came to the top of the stairs to meet him, Elizabeth was stunning. The wine colored silk gown was exquisite, showing all of her curves.  The low cut of the bodice nearly caused Darcy to march his wife back to their rooms and refuse to allow her to leave, wishing he could ravage her completely.  The pearl and diamond choker that she wore had a teardrop design pendant which lay in between the top of her swells, calling more attention to his wife’s ample bosom.

             
Betsy had worked her magic in the styling of Elizabeth’s hair.  The curls were piled high on her head, with a beautiful silver vine with pearls attached, wound about. 

             
“Elizabeth, my dearest, I do not think it is wise for me to allow you to be in public tonight.  You are breathtaking and I do not know if I could tolerate any other man looking upon you.”

             
“And how do you think I feel about any other woman seeing how handsome my husband is?  I know that I will be quite envied.” Elizabeth said as she reached up to kiss her husband’s cheek.

             
“If we are to go, we had best do so now before I change my mind and lock you in our rooms.” Darcy said, claiming her lips with passion, before scooping her into his arms and carrying her down the stairs. 

             
“William, I told you I could manage the stairs.” She squealed.

             
Darcy sat her down on her feet at the bottom of the steps.  “If you are to do any dancing tonight, then I insist that you allow me to take whatever caution I can to make things less difficult.  I will not have you wear yourself out on the stairs and then cause yourself harm trying to dance with me.”

             
Smiling, Elizabeth shook her head.  “You are incorrigible William.” Elizabeth turned her attention to their guests who had been waiting for them to arrive.  “Jane, you look simply beautiful.  That shade of blue is perfect for you.”

             
Bingley smiled with pride.  “I just told her that before your arrival.  I am quite the fortunate man.”

             
“We both are, Charles.” Darcy corrected him.

             
John and Maria Lucas were chuckling behind their hands.  John finally spoke. “Shall we be off?  Lady Matlock said we were to be there early, seeing how the Darcys are also to be honored tonight.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Elizabeth and Darcy were placed in the receiving line after Richard and Charlotte.  Darcy insisted that Elizabeth have a chair and sit to receive people.  When Elizabeth tried to refuse, stating it would be improper, Darcy insisted.  He stated that all anyone needed to know was she was still recovering from an accident and he wished her to not overtax herself.

             
Lady Matlock agreed with her nephew, and decided to support his decision.  “Lizzy, if you do not comply with our decision, you will not be allowed to dance the waltz with your husband.  I know that you have been looking forward to dancing the waltz, so do not fuss.”

             
“Very well, I will be the good girl so I may have my sweet treat.” Elizabeth said as she giggled.

             
It was one of the rare times that Fitzwilliam Darcy was seen blushing vividly.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Elizabeth could not believe how long the line was of guests arriving for the ball.  She thought it would never come to an end.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last of the guests had arrived and the music was beginning to play, signifying the need for those participating in the dancing to take their place.  Darcy led his wife to their place in the line, standing across from each other.  It had been quite some time since either of them had danced in this manner, and Darcy was concerned for his wife’s strength.  He knew that later, when she danced with his hands on her, holding her in the intimate way of the waltz, he would feel more secure in her dancing. 

             
Concentrating on keeping her feet moving in the correct pattern, Elizabeth was nervous of making a fool of her.  She did not want to embarrass her husband in front of all the people who were there; it would give gossips of the
ton
a reason to discredit her as the Mistress of Pemberley.  When she looked into her husband’s eyes, she found the courage that she needed to relax and enjoy the dance.  Rather than dancing the entire set, Darcy escorted her from the floor and to a set of chairs where she could watch the dancers.  Darcy then brought a cup of punch for her to drink.

             
After the set was finished, Richard and Charlotte made their way to where Darcy and Elizabeth were seated.  “Eliza, I had a difficult time believing it was you when I first saw you tonight.  You are not the same girl I knew from our youth.  What a remarkably beautiful woman you have grown into.”

             
“Thank you Charlotte.  And how are all the plans for the wedding coming together?”

             
“I am surprised that there are so many details that need to be taken into consideration when marrying an earl’s son, even if he is the second son.”

             
“Am I worth all the work?” Richard asked. 

             
Laughing, Charlotte nodded her head.  “Indeed, Mr Fitzwilliam. I am pleased to have you as my betrothed.  Though I may change my mind in the coming weeks and beg you to steal me away to Gretna Green.”