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As she talked, a maid entered with a tray of tea and refreshments and set it down on the small table her mistress motioned to. “I shall not need you to pour, Sally,” Jane said, “so go upstairs and tell the nursemaid to bring David down.” Belatedly recalling he was not the only child in the nursery, she added, “If Alice and Emma are awake now, have their maids bring them as well.”
“I shall fetch Emma myself, even if I must wake her up! I cannot wait another second to see her!” Lydia cried as she ran from the room.
“I should dearly love to see all the babies,” Elizabeth interjected.
“I would, too,” Mrs. Annesley declared. “I so enjoy having a child snuggled in my arms.”
Jane stared at William as though willing him to say something; subsequently, he obliged. “I have not held a baby since Georgiana was an infant.”
Suddenly, from somewhere upstairs, Mrs. Bennet’s voice could be heard. “Jane!” she cried. “Where are the servants? I have rung for a maid three times, and not one has answered!”
Startled, Elizabeth’s smile changed into a frown. “Jane, why did you not inform me that Mama is here? You know we cannot reside under the same roof without her getting upset!”
“I-I had forgotten she was here. When Mary got my letter saying David was born, she insisted on coming to see him. They arrived yesterday.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sought William’s. “Will you please escort me to an inn where I may stay until I am no longer needed by General Lassiter? After that, I will hire a coach to take Lydia, Emma and me back to Lambton so that she may assume management of the bakery.”
Believing that Elizabeth might be using her current situation with their mother to curry favour with William, Jane’s resentment grew worse. “To allow Mama to frighten you away is nonsense, Lizzy. You can always stay in the servants’ quarters as you did at Netherfield. Most are empty, and I shall make certain Mary keeps Mama in her rooms so she cannot cause you any distress.”
Attempting to regain her composure, Elizabeth took several deep breaths before answering. “I am too weary to deal with her should she learn that I am here; besides, I do not wish to stay where I am not accepted by all those in the household.”
Though William despised that Mrs. Bennet’s presence had upset Elizabeth, her reaction was the answer to his prayers. After their meeting on the balcony, he had longed to speak to her again privately, but the opportunity had not presented itself. The notion that she could reside under his roof now, giving them ample opportunities to speak, made his heart race.
“There is no need to stay here or at an inn,” William declared. “I intend for Georgiana to return to Darcy House tomorrow to spend time with Mrs. Annesley. I shall have my aunt spread the word that Miss Elizabeth is a friend of Georgiana’s, and Mrs. Annesley accompanied her to London as her chaperone. No one will be the wiser.”
Elizabeth murmured, “I-I thank you.” Just then Lydia returned with Emma causing Elizabeth to walk over to inspect the baby. “She is so beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Lydia replied.
Suddenly remembering, Elizabeth asked, “Do you intend to stay here, Lydia? I fear what Mama may say when she sees you, as well, if she recalls the circumstances surrounding your ... your departure.”
“I shall take my chances, but if Mama treats me, or Emma, cruelly, I shall be glad to join you at Darcy House.” She turned to address William. “That is, if we are welcome.”
“You are always welcome at Darcy House,” he replied.
Without waiting to see the newborn heir, William offered one arm to Mrs. Annesley and the other to Elizabeth and began to escort them from the room—a development that upset Jane enormously.
“But-but none of you have seen David!” Jane cried. “It will not take too much of your time!”
“We should leave before your mother discovers Miss Elizabeth is here. I suggest you bring David to Darcy House,” Willian replied. “Only be certain to leave Mrs. Bennet behind.”
As they proceeded out of the parlour and towards the front door, Mrs. Bennet’s rants began anew, and this time they seemed much closer to the landing than before. Thus, Jane ordered a nearby footman, “Go upstairs and locate my sister Catherine. Tell her to make certain Mama stays in her room! Then, find out why the nursemaids have not brought David and Alice downstairs yet. I wish Lydia to see them whilst she has the opportunity.”
Whilst Lydia was busy choosing which cakes Emma might be able to eat, Jane moved to one of the taller windows where she watched Mr. Darcy, her sister Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley go down the front steps to Darcy’s carriage. Suddenly recalling the scheme she had dreamt up as means to promote her marriage to Mr. Darcy, her smile returned.
I have no idea why you are trying to win Mr. Darcy’s approbation, Lizzy, but it will not work! I do not intend to let you ruin my hopes for the future as his wife when you do not even like the man!
Darcy House
That night
If William believed he would have a chance to speak privately with Elizabeth that day, he was sadly mistaken. She and Mrs. Annesley were both too tired to do anything other than enjoy a hot bath, have a dinner tray sent to their rooms, and retire early. He had already decided to call on Georgiana the next day, which would allow him time to think of how to approach the subject of Elizabeth being under his roof and to convince his sister to pretend that she and the woman he loved were great friends.
At this point, William was so weary that he wished he could postpone his talk with Richard and follow his guests’ example of retiring early. Instead, after instructing Mr. Barnes to show Richard to the study the instant he arrived, William leaned back in his huge chair with his feet propped upon his desk and closed his eyes.
Sometime later, a loud knock on the door awakened William from where he had fallen asleep. Rubbing his eyes, he put both feet back on the floor and called, “Come!”
The door opened, and Barnes announced, “Colonel Fitzwilliam, sir.”
