Nathan scratched a few words on the paper before him, checking his Bible to assure himself he’d quoted the Scripture correctly.
“Is this where one comes to save his soul from eternal damnation?”
Nathan glanced up from his sermon making, a joyous smile creasing his face at the sound of a familiar voice.
“Maxwell!” He rose to his feet, skirted around the desk and clasped his eldest brother’s outstretched hand. Before he could utter another word his brother pulled him in for a hard hug. With enthusiasm, he returned the heart felt gesture. Although only a couple of weeks had passed since he last saw his brother, it felt like ages past. “What brings you to Derbyshire so early?”
“My affairs in London concluded sooner than expected, and Darcy invited me to shoot with him and other guests. As you know, I’m not one for the social rounds and this came as a welcome reprieve.” His brother stepped away and sat in the chair placed next to the crackling fireplace, comfortably crossing one leg over his knee. Nathan pulled the cord to ring his housekeeper for tea and then sat across from Max. “When we last met in London, you didn’t tell me you are to preside over the ceremony.”
“Although it is his due, given his family connections, Darcy didn’t want the officiousness that comes with the Archbishop blessing his union. It would entail the whole wedding party to attend London and he greatly desired to get married at Pemberley. I gladly accepted the honor.”
“You will officiate most admirably. I am curious about the woman who managed to bring our proud Mr. Darcy to one knee. Have you met Miss Bennet?”
“I have. She is a delightful young woman. Most amiable, full of extreme wit and charm. I suspect she will keep Darcy quite entertained. There will never be a dull moment over soup at any of their dinner parties.”
The housekeeper appeared at the door. “Ye were wantin’ something, Lord Reverend Kerr?”
“Yes, Mrs. Crenshaw. Could my brother and I have a spot of tea and some of your mouth watering biscuits?”
“Right away, Lord Reverend Kerr sir, Your Grace.” With much bobbing of her head she backed out of the room and disappeared down the hall toward the kitchen.
“That’s quite the title you have there, brother.”
“I know,” Nathan sighed out. “I’ve attempted many times to persuade her to simply call me Mr. Kerr, and we’ve had some success. I think today she’s a little discomposed over having a Duke in the parsonage. We’ll start again tomorrow.”
He noted his brother’s intent perusal.
“What? Have I got a blotch of ink on my shirt again?” He glanced down, moving his outer coat aside to inspect his chest. Mrs. Crenshaw was forever scolding him about the amount of ink that didn’t make it onto the paper. She threatened to make him wear a black or dark blue over-shirt whenever he prepared sermons.
“No,” Max said carefully. “I’ve come to the realization you are quite content, here in Kympton, away from the hustle and bustle of London.”
“I am.” Nathan leaned forward. “I know Mother worried I would crawl into a northern corner of England, never to surface again after Miss Tottingham refused my proposal—”
“She was a fool,” Maxwell interrupted with an indignant huff.
“Be that as it may, she was unwilling to move from London to Derbyshire and leave her family behind.”
He waited for the familiar ache to rumble across his chest at the thought of Miss Tottingham, with her golden curls and liquid brown eyes, but nothing happened. His heart lifted at the realization that he could think of her without sorrow, or a feeling of loss. Immediately his consciousness breathed a quiet prayer. Thank you, Lord for healing my heart.
That was how Nathan lived his life. Seeking to do the Lord’s will and giving Him thanks for all mercies bestowed upon him, great or small. He was most appreciative of being released from that period of his life.
“She wanted a titled family and elegant parties in London, Nathan. Don’t try to make her into a saint when she was not.”
Max stopped speaking when Mrs. Crenshaw arrived with a tray. They both waited as she poured them a cup of tea, and with a curtsy and more bobbing of the head, left the room.
“We will not speak of Miss Tottingham again. She is in the past and shall stay there. When and if the Lord sees fit to bring me a wife, she will be someone who has a heart for the downcast and doesn’t mind mending her own stockings.”
“Then don’t set your cap for any of Darcy’s guests,” Max said with a laugh. “Most of his family are Lord this and Lady that. There will be so much blue blood in attendance the King himself might think it’s a royal coronation and show up.”
Both brothers laughed and then settled in to discuss family happenings and enjoy their tea. After catching up on what their mother was keeping busy with and how George was breaking many hearts in London, Nathan pressed deeper.
“Is there any young lady who has captured your interest this Season, brother?”
“Not you too.” Max set his cup onto the table with a bang. Immediately he grimaced. “Sorry, old chap. I don’t mean to break your tea service, but that question has dogged me for over two years and I’m dashed tired of it. It was annoying when I was just the heir, but now that I’ve got the title, the sharks have my scent in the water.”
“You will be nine and twenty on your next birthday, and if you wish to marry and have children at an age where you can actually enjoy them...” He trailed off and waited in silence.
“There is one—”
“Ha! I knew it. I knew there was someone. My left eyebrow twitches whenever you have a secret.”
“That’s an old wives tale and I’m surprised you even adhere to that hobble-dee-hoy.” Max flicked an imaginary speck of dust from his leg, a frown marring his elegant brow.
“Protest if you must, but I knew there was something. Your letters have been most melancholy and we didn’t have time to really discuss anything of import when I was last in London. I’ve prayed you would find whatever it was you were searching for.”
“She’s too young for me.”
“How young is too young? Please tell me she’s at least out of the nursery.”
“Next year will be her first Season.”
Nathan did the mental calculation as to how old the girl in question. “She is about ten and seven. How can that be too young? Mother was ten and six when she wed Father.”
“She will be ten and eight at the end of this month and does have a maturity far beyond her years. It’s as though she’s had great sorrow in her life and from that sorrow she sees the world for what it is. Not all rose gardens and parties.”
“Does she view you in the same light?”
“I don’t know.” Max sighed deeply. “I’ve been careful in my dealings with her. I love her without question, but she hasn’t really experienced anything beyond her home. I don’t want to stand in the way of her finding happiness or love elsewhere.”
“As your brother I wish you to find contentment. As a minister with the Church of England, I would advise you to continue to exercise caution. Once you are married, it is until death do you part. Don’t make the same mistake our uncle made with the hoyden he tied his anchor to.”
“Ah, yes, Uncle Moreland. He did grab a tiger by the tail with Millicent, more than twenty years his junior.” Max stroked his chin as he continued in remembrance. “Who knew someone who sang like an angel with the most innocent of expressions would have no less than three lovers on the go?”
“It was not three, Max. There was only one and that was enough to ruin their good names.”
Nathan rang the bell for Mrs. Crenshaw to clear away the tea service. “This is your first time here. Would you care to see the rest of the house and garden?”
“I would. This is an extremely good living Darcy had available. The house is quite large.”
Both men stood and walked toward the front foyer. Nathan started the tour by pointing out the generous music room with an attached library.
“The library is nothing compared to our ancestral home or that of Pemberley, but there are enough tomes here to keep me entertained for a few years. Come this way to the dining room.”
The tour didn’t take too long. The vicarage boasted a dining room large enough to entertain twelve guests comfortably and the kitchen had a well-stocked larder. In the back, Mrs. Crenshaw had a garden as well as a hot house for growing food during the winter months. Upstairs, there were eight bedrooms, four of which had attached bathing chambers. The third level had enough rooms for at least five servants, but as Nathan was a single man, he only needed two.
At the end of the tour Nathan escorted his brother down to the stables. There he housed three horses, two that Darcy provided for his modest carriage and his own stallion, Thunder, for riding. He found he needed his trusty steed to travel about the estate looking after his parishioners while keeping the carriage for more formal affairs or inclement weather.
“I’m pleased for you, Nathan. I will assure Mother you have landed on your feet and are content with life after serving in the military for so long.”
Nathan’s stable master brought Max’s horse over to where they stood talking.
“Thank you, Peter.”
Peter touched the brim of his hat and turned back toward the stable. Nathan noted the horse had only a saddle. No saddle bags with extra clothing attached, at all.
“Did you not bring a change of clothes?”
“I had my valet go on ahead with the carriage,” Max chuckled. “I was anxious to see you again. This upcoming week will be busy for both of us.”
Nathan clasped his brother’s outstretched hand. “I wish you would stay here, but I understand that Mr. Darcy wants all the guests to partake in activities at the main house.”
“True, plus the ball this coming Thursday. It’s so much easier to find one’s bed when it’s in the same house.”
“The ball. I’d forgotten.”
“You’re invited?”
“Of course. I may be his vicar, but I’m also Lord Nathan. Mr. Darcy was most insistent I attend. Who am I to say ‘no’ at the chance to see old friends and acquaintances?”
“And the beautiful Miss Bingley again.”
“She is beautiful, there is no argument there, however, I have some concerns to her character.”
“How is that? You had no great discussion with her at the play. In fact you retreated back into what I called your solitude man. The one who held many in disdain before coming to know the Lord.”
“I haven’t had any amount of conversation with her, but when I conducted my interview with the Bennet sisters last week, some things arose that gave me pause.”
“I wouldn’t listen to idle gossip, brother. Make your own decisions.”
“Don’t misunderstand. The Bennet sisters were charming and are the souls of discretion. When we spoke of Charles Bingley’s family, they demurred when discussing Miss Bingley. It wasn’t what they said, but what they didn’t say.”
He stepped back as Max mounted his large bay horse.
“Nathan, you have never judged someone by the opinions of others. Their view is skewered by their own prejudices. Give the lady a chance to prove herself. You may be pleasantly surprised.”
“You’re right as always, but it would be a shame if such a lovely package held nothing good inside.”
The stallion sidestepped and huffed, anxious to be off.
“I must go before Pericles misbehaves and attempts to unseat me. I shall see you tonight at Pemberley.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes, I forgot to tell you. We’ve been invited by Darcy to dine there this evening.” Max dug his heels into the sides of the stallion and took off at a fast pace. “Until tonight,” he called over his shoulder.
Nathan waved a salute goodbye and stood at the end of his walk watching until his eldest brother was out of sight. A smile creased his face at the thought of seeing the lovely Caroline Bingley at Pemberley this evening. Already he looked forward to speaking with her further and determine for himself what type of woman she truly was.
~~~ooo0ooo~~~
Caroline, Louise, Mr. Hurst, Charles and Darcy gathered in the drawing room and listened to Georgiana play the small pianoforte located there. Darcy informed them they were waiting for two more guests to join them and then they would proceed into the dining room for their evening meal.
“Who do you think the other guests are?” Louisa whispered, apparently not noticing the annoyed look Darcy shot toward them from where he stood by the fireplace. Caroline didn’t blame him. Georgiana was such a talented pianist and she executed the intricate piece written by Beethoven like a master. She could listen to the young girl play all night, but Louisa kept interrupting with hushed murmurs.
About to chastise her sister for being rude, the door to the drawing room opened and Grieves announced the next guest.
“His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.”
Both she and Louisa turned at the name and to her surprise, two gentlemen entered the room. Her breath caught as she watched Lord Nathan and his brother the Duke approach a smiling Darcy.
Lord Nathan was here! Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her ribs and her breath came in quick, short bursts. Never in her dreams had she thought to see him again. After many days of no calling cards or visits she’d assumed he was still the Rake society wanted to brand him as, and his light flirtation, although exciting had meant nothing to him.
Quickly and without a lot of fanfare, Darcy introduced the Duke to Charles. For some odd reason he didn’t introduce the Duke’s brother, Lord Nathan, and Charles behaved as though they were acquainted already. She found it quite confusing. When Darcy turned to reference the Hurst’s and Caroline, the Duke nodded at them politely.
“Good evening.”
Caroline heard the frosty tone the Duke of Adborough used. He didn’t even tell Darcy they’d been introduced once before. Louisa had not made a favorable impression that evening at the theatre, but there wasn’t much she could do about that now. As grandmamma would say – that horse left the barn already.
“Shall we proceed to the dining room? My cook, Mrs. Pike has outdone herself today.”
“If I remember correctly,” the Duke teased in a familiar way. “I tried to entice your cook away from you. I’m most envious of you, Darcy.”
She was struck how at ease Darcy seemed with him. A gentle reminder of what a noble heritage Darcy came from.
“I’m very humbled by the fidelity my staff bestow me on a daily basis. Most of them have been at Pemberley since I was a child. I’d become bereft if any of them left.”
“That is true. Your Mrs. Reynolds is a treasure. She keeps this house running like a well-oiled carriage.”
She gave a start at the mention of Mrs. Reynolds, the woman she would have replaced without one thought or remorse. Another reminder of her arrogance, thinking she could usurp Darcy’s long time servants if she’d been mistress of Pemberley. How blind she’d been to so many things with regard to Darcy, Georgiana and Pemberley and the realization settled about her shoulders like an itchy shawl.
There wasn’t much time to ponder these truths as they proceeded to the dining room without further delay. Darcy took his place at the head of the table, with the Duke on his right, Georgiana on his left with Charles and then Louisa seated next. Much to Caroline’s consternation she was seated between Mr. Hurst and Lord Nathan. Beneath the table she fidgeted with her gloves, not knowing what to say or do. The last time she’d been in Lord Nathan’s company, he’d held her hand, given her a most intense look and spent an inordinate amount of time watching her at the opera. At least that was her impression as every time she’d sent a covert glance in his direction, he’d been watching their box.
“You are a long way from London, Miss Bingley.”
Lost in her thoughts, she gave a small start when Lord Nathan addressed her.
“As are you, Lord Nathan.”
To calm her nerves, she removed her gloves and laid them across her lap. Mr. Hurst picked up his linen napkin and tucked it into his cravat. Oh dear, she’d forgotten what a messy eater he could be and hoped none would spatter its way onto her new dress.
“Do you have any hobbies, Miss Bingley?”
“I play the pianoforte and stitch embroidery.”
“How industrious.”
She snapped her attention to him more closely. Although his countenance was serene, she caught a glint of mischief in his surprisingly grey eyes. She picked up her napkin and settled it on her lap, ever mindful to make sure a majority of the cloth covered her skirt nearest to Mr. Hurst.
“And what other activities do you pursue in your spare time?” His questions continued.
“Well, I...There is much to do in Town.” She cast about trying frantically to think of what she did to fill her spare time. “I visit with friends and shop—”
“All very interesting, and London is diverting, but what do you do?”
“Do?”
“Yes. Do. Such as visit the infirm, or take baskets of food to those in need. What do you do?”
Flummoxed, she sat in total silence for what felt like forever. Whatever did she do with her time? Surely she could come up with one good deed and when was that footman going to arrive with her soup?
“I spend a lot of time writing correspondence. I have a great many friends I stay in touch with from my school years.”
She stopped herself from crossing her fingers as she stated an outright lie. If truth be told, she rarely wrote because she had very few friends to correspond with. She had a beautiful escritoire with a stack of personalized stationary and a full ink pot. In contrast, when Miss Elizabeth Bennet stayed at Netherfield to care for Jane, she’d written four letters that she knew of, maybe more in those few short days.
“Did you enjoy the remainder of the play, Miss Bingley?”
“Yes, very much.” She grasped at the new conversational straw Lord Nathan provided. “And you?”
“The play was acceptable, but I found my attention diverted.”
Her mouth went dry at his flirtatious tone.
“I’m not sure what would have diverted your attention, Lord Nathan. I found the play riveting.” She picked up her water glass and quenched her pesky dry mouth.
“Then you must have found humor in Bertrand’s entrance.”
“Who is Bertrand?”
She tried in vain to remember to whom he referred. The knowing smile Lord Nathan bestowed on her caused her stomach do a traitorous flip.
“Bertrand was the main character and as he declared his love to Rosamund, he tripped on a cushion and fell into her lap.”
Surely he jested. No such thing happened, but then again, she’d spent the better part of the play casting furtive glances toward his private box, only to find his gaze fixed firmly on her. It was one of the main reasons she’d been assured he would place a social call in the days following.
“I may have been concerned about my sister during that portion of the play. She has not been feeling well of late.” She paused as a footman finally placed a bowl of soup in front of her. Once the footman was out of ear-shot, Lord Nathan resumed their conversation.
“Are you pleased about your brother’s upcoming nuptials?”
“Yes. Charles is very happy.”
“And you? Do you support his choice of bride?”
She paused, her brow furrowing. Lord Nathan showed uncommon concern about whom Charles married. Did he not approve of Charles marrying someone of such low consequence and by proxy, disapprove of Darcy’s choice as well? There was a time she’d have danced with glee that someone of nobility and rank saw the disparity between the two families, but that was before her eyes were opened as to why Charles and Darcy released their hearts to the Bennet sisters.
The rolling anger she’d experience earlier threatened to raise its ugly head again. Although she may have not been happy with Charles’ choice at first, she’d come to the realization that Jane made her brother exquisitely happy and he, her. It really was no one else’s business who arrived at the altar beside him.
“Miss Jane Bennet is a lovely girl and I am proud to call her sister.” The minute she said the words, she knew without a doubt she meant them. “She is uncommonly genteel and Charles is ecstatic at the thought of their future lives together.”
She cut off further attempts at conversation by picking up her spoon and eating. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought she heard him murmur, ‘Well done’.