Elizabeth’s hands trembled as she traced the leaf pattern on the door knocker of Fitzwilliam House. This would be her home with young Richard and yet, it seemed a hollow victory. How might she remain in London alone when Jane and Charles returned to Netherfield? Their home in Hertfordshire was her home as much as Longbourn had been.
Perhaps her younger sisters might come and help fill the empty rooms with the distinct noise of a larger family. A wry smile moved her lips at the very idea of welcoming her troublesome sisters. She was indeed lonely in London to think of such a thing!
The door opened suddenly and Elizabeth gasped. Of course her keys would be of little use. Mr. Harley greeted her warmly and took her spencer with great care. “Welcome home, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”
The Darcys entered behind Elizabeth and Miss Darcy placed an arm about her shoulders. “It is your home Elizabeth, as Richard would have wished. Come, I will show you around though it is arranged in the same manner as most townhomes in Grosvenor. Will you open the nursery for the Bingley children?”
Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded at the young lady. Her love of all that was true and honest pricked her conscience as she allowed Miss Darcy to continue to believe Richard was Jane and Charles’s son. “I must, you know, for I love them as if they were my own.”
Georgiana nodded. “I know of the most precious shop in Mayfair we must visit to fill the nursery with their favorite things.”
The young lady’s enthusiasm for such a task surprised Elizabeth and Miss Darcy’s suggestion made it easier to explain away the presence of her son should anyone inquire.
“Perhaps we might go there and have tea afterwards? My aunt has a favorite tea shop in Mayfair we would always visit whenever Jane and I came to Town as girls.”
“I wonder,” Miss Darcy said, tapping her fingers on the stair railing, “is it The Pot and Pineapple? We must go if it is for I do adore their sweets.”
Mr. Darcy allowed his sister to lead Elizabeth up the stairs to the first floor of the townhome before speaking his mind on the matter. “Georgie, you must invite Aunt Margaret along. It would be beneficial for her to meet with Elizabeth in such a setting.”
Elizabeth could not believe her ears! After the woman’s ghastly behavior during their first meeting, it seemed wiser to avoid further meetings. But you cannot, her mind whispered before she might object.
“Oh William, after her horrid abuse of Elizabeth I had thought you would not wish for them to meet again.”
The revelation that Mr. Darcy had shared news of Lady Matlock’s tirade with his sister intrigued Elizabeth. She turned to face him after gaining the first floor landing.
“Mr. Darcy, I am quite surprised you would speak of that day to your sister. It was most embarrassing for your aunt. I have forgiven her as the grief of a mother must be a terrible burden, but I do not think meeting her again so soon would be prudent.”
Miss Darcy spoke up before her brother might. “Aunt Margaret will come to love you, Elizabeth, and welcome you to the family. You cannot avoid her in London, for there are already ladies waiting to meet Richard’s widow. Though he was the second son of an earl, his good looks and skill as a soldier set many hearts aflutter about Town.”
Mr. Darcy took his sister to task and her countenance changed from youthful glee to immediate regret. “Georgie, such gossip is beneath you. I am surprised you would speak in such a manner to Richard’s widow, of all people. You will wait in the carriage, young lady.”
Elizabeth was sorry to see Miss Darcy chastised so but she could not interfere. Mr. Darcy was right to correct his sister, a task Elizabeth’s own father failed many times with her younger sisters when they spread gossip without a care.
He offered Elizabeth his arm after his sister had left them and gave his sincere apologies. “You must not think ill of my sister for she is only happy to know you. Still, she ought not to have said such things. It will be difficult enough for you with all the gossip. You must forget all that and simply show grace and forbearance in the face of scrutiny.”
His words alarmed Elizabeth. “You act as though my presence shall draw gawkers like the exotic exhibits along the Strand, Mr. Darcy. I promise I shall keep to this townhome or those of my family.”
Mr. Darcy led Elizabeth along the first floor while he broke the news of how her days as Richard’s widow would play out.
“Aunt Margaret must introduce you to all her friends. The gossip of your existence spread well before you came to London. There is not a polite way for you to refuse her now. It is quite impossible. Georgiana, young as she may be, will be your champion. There are not many who will stand against her as she will be the most sought after next April.”
They walked on in silence as Elizabeth took in Mr. Darcy’s words. She hardly paid attention to the paintings in the hallways and fought the urge to turn and flee as Mr. Darcy showed her room after room of her new home.
Why had she not thought the Matlocks might be forced by society to present her as their daughter? It was likely another reason Lady Matlock was incensed that day they first met.
Richard had been right about his mother. She had gained a daughter she could never accept and must pretend before her friends that a country miss from Hertfordshire was welcomed into the Fitzwilliam family.
“Would you care to see the upper floor? It is only bedrooms and a lovely sitting room for your private use.”
Mr. Darcy’s words pulled Elizabeth from her thoughts. “I would prefer to return to Bingley House, sir. I thank you for your kindness. Have you many happy memories of Richard here?”
A shadow darkened his countenance and Elizabeth was sorry for him, for all he had lost. Richard had been his friend and confidante yet in his final years had been cut off from the cousins he loved.
Mr. Darcy led her to the entry in silence and Elizabeth worried she had only added to his grief.
“Richard was like a brother to me. I regret so many things, Elizabeth. But I do not regret coming here today with you. He loved us both and I find comfort in your presence.”
He fell silent of a sudden and as they stepped outside, the wind gusted along the street. Trembling at the cold, Elizabeth leaned closer to Mr. Darcy and he placed an arm about her as they walked slowly down the steps to the waiting conveyance.
Miss Darcy had recovered from her banishment to the carriage and carried the conversation all the way back to Bingley House. Elizabeth was grateful for the constant chatter but her lingering doubts about the Matlocks crept into her mind once more. A great sigh escaped her as she interrupted Miss Darcy.
“When should I expect Lady Matlock to present me to her friends, Mr. Darcy? I must look the part, I suppose. None of my trunks hold a suitable dress for such an occasion.”
Mr. Darcy patted his greatcoat on the left side over his heart. “That reminds me, I have papers for you regarding Richard’s accounts in London. You shall be able to buy whatever you wish, wherever you wish, once all is settled. My solicitors are hard at work on that matter.”
Miss Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand. “You shall certainly use my modiste, Elizabeth. I will make an appointment for her to come to Fitzwilliam House as soon as she may, perhaps tomorrow?”
Elizabeth knew she must have her trunks delivered to the home but the idea of living alone did not appeal to her. “Perhaps she might come to Bingley House? I would like to write my father and ask for my sisters to come to London and stay at Fitzwilliam House. It is much too large for one person alone.”
Clapping her hands in delight, Miss Darcy demanded her brother take her to the modiste’s shop before they returned home to make the arrangements. “I do hope your father allows your sisters to come to London for I would dearly love to meet them. I do not have many friends in London save for the Bingley sisters.”
The mention of Mr. Bingley’s sisters only added to Elizabeth’s growing fear. They knew Jane and Charles had only one child at present. They had not come to call at Bingley House as yet and Elizabeth knew it was because they did not approve of his marriage to Jane.
The Darcys left Elizabeth on the steps of Bingley House only moments later. Miss Darcy had been made to wait again in the carriage while Mr. Darcy saw Elizabeth to the door.
“It has been a great honor to share a part of my day with you, Elizabeth. You must visit us at Darcy House whenever you wish.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes softened as he gave a playful bow and Elizabeth graced him with a rare smile. She was surprised at how her heart lifted in his presence. It had been some time since she had enjoyed the attention of a gentleman.
“I like that you use my Christian name, Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Fitzwilliam seems much too formal coming from my late husband’s cousins. Your sister will become a fixture at Fitzwilliam House once my sisters and I have made it our home, but I would love to see Darcy House.”
Elizabeth bit her lip and ceased her polite speech when she saw the man was not attending. Mr. Darcy startled from his inspection of her lips when his sister called out to them.
He nodded to her and left reluctantly. Elizabeth watched their carriage roll away from Bingley House with a strange weight on her heart. Mr. Darcy had been a very different man in Meryton at the Assembly. And she had been a very different young lady.
The wind picked up and a cold drizzle of rain swept down the street. Hurrying inside, she tugged off her spencer and dashed upstairs to see her son.
London had already come between them and she determined to have her dinner in the nursery with the children. His warm and wiggly presence would soothe her spirits and the only conversation he required were the tales of brave knights.