Matchmaking at Pemberley Read online

  ~THIRTY-ONE~

  After Georgiana’s departure, Elizabeth did her best to salvage the rest of the evening and suggested they adjourn to the small family parlor for a game of whist. However, after only one hand, everyone’s thoughts were far from the cards they held and conversation soon turned towards Georgiana.

  “It is all my fault. I never should have listened to Caroline. What was I thinking to believe for one moment that Georgiana had been compromised?” Agnes announced with frustration.

  Although Darcy had been aware of what had caused the falling out between Robbie and Georgiana, it still galled him that such slander was being made against his sister.

  “No, the fault is mine for trusting George Wickham in the first place. Besides, Robbie only asked her to tell her story. There should not be secrets between married persons. It is best he knew before any offer had been considered. I have a feeling that my sister has been struggling with trust for a long time. It was only the possibility of marrying that brought it to the surface. Perhaps some time away is best.” Darcy agreed.

  “I hope she does not stay away too long. Poor Robbie has been a bear ever since, but he insists that Georgiana must be the one to make the first move. He does not want to pressure her into making any hasty decisions,” Agnes added.

  “Nor should she, but time apart can be a mixed blessing and curse. I should know,” Gideon said quietly.

  An awkward silence settled on the room as Elizabeth and Darcy watched Agnes’ reaction to this declaration. Tears filled her eyes, but pride forbid them from falling. Only her hand, slender and pale, reached out to take one of Gideons’ briefly before releasing it. The gesture, so gentle, yet powerful, filled him with hope. He must speak with her, but not here… not in front of the Darcys. Clearing his throat, he rose and bowed stiffly to his hosts. The flakes of snow that had barely whispered on his skin now flew with a fierceness outside the windows

  “I thank you for dinner, but I fear that I must be going soon. The weather was quite forbidding when I arrived and it is some miles back to Piper’s Bend…”

  “Oh? I had rather hoped you would stay for the night. A chamber has already been prepared. It would be a shame to take a horse out in such damp. Surely Agnes would not mind your company tomorrow in the carriage?” Elizabeth insisted.

  “Of course not. It will make for a pleasant journey,” Agnes agreed, but as soon as the words were spoken, wished she could recant. How could she spend two hours confined with Gideon and not break her silence?

  But it was as if his earlier prayer had been answered and he nodded his grateful acceptance. Tonight, he would have his answer from Agnes.

  *****

  The next few hours were spent in idle pursuits and relative enjoyment was had by all present, despite the underlying tension brought on by Georgiana’s declaration as well as the close proximity of Gideon and Agnes. As the hall clock eventually struck the late hour of eleven, Darcy nodded to Elizabeth and she rose, pulling the rope bell to suggest they call an end to the evening.

  “I believe it is time for me to take to my bed. This little one tires me more than the others,” she said patting the telltale bump under her skirt.

  “We should not have kept you up,” Agnes apologized, also rising.

  “Indeed, how selfish,” Gideon agreed, but stood apart from the ladies as they made to exit.

  “Nonsense, the time flies by when one is in the best of company.”

  A slight rap at the door announced the sole servant still awake.

  “Amelia, please escort Lady Agnes and Mrs. Darcy to their chambers. I shall see Reverend Lawlor to his shortly, there is a business matter I should like to discuss with him.”

  Elizabeth eyed her husband curiously. There had never been secrets between, and she was keenly aware of all Pemberley business. If Georgiana had not made her announcement as promised, she would have told Darcy herself. Perhaps it was just word of caution he whished to express. They had both watched the exchanges between Agnes and Gideon with a mixture of apprehension. It was like two opposing fires, just waiting for an opportunity to ignite into one consuming blaze. She only hoped it would end agreeably. After witnessing Ned and Caroline’s near scandal, Elizabeth did not want a repeat performance. Nodding, she accepted a peck on her cheek and a promise to be above soon and joined Agnes and the waiting servant.

  “I think they simply want another brandy without our censure,” Elizabeth said lightly and linked her arm with Agnes.

  The beautiful blonde woman agreed and forced a smile, but something told her that her night was far from over. As the door closed behind the ladies, Darcy did indulge in another drink, pouring a generous measure for both himself and Gideon. But it was not idle talk or clerical counsel that he sought. If his sister was to embark on what he believed to be a fools’ quest, he would not allow her to do it alone. The living at Edlesmere was only twelve miles or so from St. Columba’s. If there was the remotest chance that Georgiana changed her mind or wanted to leave quickly, she must have the opportunity to do so. Surely all this talk of wanting solitude and the wearing of coarse garments was but a fleeting emotion. Georgiana, despite her demure disposition, did not have the makings of a nun.

  ~THIRTY-ONE~

  Less than a quarter of an hour later, as he bid his host good night and turned down the quiet hall to his own chamber, Gideon felt a twinge of guilt. However, he could not deny Darcy’s request. Ever since he had refused to marry his young sister to George Wickham so many years ago, his friendship with Darcy had been the best a man could hope for. It had been Darcy that had arranged for his living at Edlesmere when old Lord Brackleburn had wanted to have him defrocked from the church completely. No other had come to his defense, yet Darcy had somehow talked the old man out of it. The only sin he had committed was loving a woman out of his reach. But now, she was so close, and there was no one to prevent their union. All he needed was for Agnes to accept him. He even had to give Darcy credit for that. As St. Columba’s was within his parish area, it would be easy to volunteer and extra ecclesiastical visit. As it was, he regularly ministered to the nuns once a month, as was his turn. The other vicars would gladly give up that obligation to have a free Saturday, it was only the aspect of reporting her status that gave him pause. Georgiana was a grown woman, but also quite fragile, and Darcy was quite insistent. After agreeing to keep an eye on Georgiana, Darcy admitted that Elizabeth had given him the guest room next to Agnes.

  “They share a common sitting room. The suite was designed for married visitors.”

  “I assure you, I have no plans to do anything inappropriate.”

  “No, of course not, and that may be the problem. Perhaps a bit of inappropriate is needed.”

  To this unexpected assessment, Gideon did not know how to respond and quietly drained his glass, hoping the spirits would provide a bit of fortification. Unfortunately, the brandy only furthered his anxiety as Darcy continued.

  “My apologies if that was out of order, but it is high time that you and Agnes settled what is between you.’

  “I am not sure that anything remains between us.”

  “Then you are blind as well as foolish. It is obvious to everyone that she still has feelings for you.”

  Gideon had not replied, but hoped with all his heart that Darcy was right, so much so that his hand trembled slightly as he turned the doorknob to the sitting room and entered the sitting room. It was dark and deathly silent. His small hand lamp flickered only enough light to keep him from bumping into the furnishings. Perhaps she was already asleep in the lady’s chamber. Did he dare wake her? Lit only by the embers of a fire, the space was filled with shadows and he nearly did not see Agnes curled up on a velvet divan. Had she been waiting for him? Making no move to disturb her, Gideon pretended he did not see her, but froze at the sound of his name.

  “Gideon… it is long past time we spoke.”

  Sighing, he nodded in the darkness and placed the lamp on a table, allowing its glow to illumi
nate her face. She was still as beautiful as the day he met her, but the underlying sadness was evident.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then just listen.”

  Taking the space next to her, he allowed Agnes to thread one of her slim hands in his. The cool soft fingers wrapped easily in his palm as if meant to remain there forever.

  “Why could you not stand up to my father? … just tell me why? You left without a single word. It was nearly a week before I discovered where you went. How could you do that to me?”

  “What was I supposed to do? A peer of the realm threatened to have me imprisoned for improprieties against his daughter! It was only Darcy’s intervention that prevented my arrest. Why couldn’t YOU stand up to him? I sent you at least a dozen letters trying to explain, but you never replied.”

  “How could I explain anything when you never mentioned marriage? Not once did you offer for me, and I never made any claim against you.”

  “What could I have to offer of value? I only had myself. That is hardly equal to the hand of an Earl’s daughter.”

  “It was enough.”

  Agnes stared at him in the darkness. How was this her fault? She hoped that the tears in her eyes were hidden in the shadows as she tried to reclaim her hand from his, but he would not let go.

  “All I ever did was love you, and for that I have been punished.”

  “We have both been punished, and have served penance for it long enough. But I will ask you now, and if your answer is not agreeable, I shall remove myself from your presence forever…. Agnes Brackleburn, will you accept a poor vicar as your husband?”

  “I would have accepted a poor curate… had he asked.”

  “He’s asking now.”

  Agnes did not utter a reply, but pressed her lips against his with an urgency pent up from a decade of repression. Never again would she allow the dictates of family or society to rule her heart. The price was too great.

  Gideon, whose own heart was now a living, beating entity, replacing the stone that it had become, eventually forced them apart. He would not take in haste that which had been denied for so long.

  “We shall marry immediately. My bishop can perform the ceremony and procure the license. He has been hounding me to marry for quite some time. If you are willing to forgo a formal celebration, we can stop there on the way back to Edlesmere.”

  Agnes smiled and nodded. The realization of leaving a home such as Piper’s Bend for a small vicarage was oddly refreshing. Since the death of her mother, the old fortress had been more of a prison than home. It would be good to leave it and start anew with Gideon. A strange fluttering filled her as thoughts of the future danced through her mind and she wondered if this was what it felt like to be truly happy. Never before had she looked to the future, but this was hope and it was a beautiful thing.

  ******

  The next morning at breakfast, the Darcy’s eyed their guests curiously as they recognized the shy exchanges made only by those deeply in love. Whatever had transpired between the two had a definite positive effect. Elizabeth only wished the same could be said of her appetite. Staring down at the dry toast and tea before her, she wished for something more fortifying, but feared keeping it down. It was strange to still be queasy this far along in her pregnancy. The others had caused only the mildest nausea, replaced by a voracious appetite. Something was definitely different this time. Forcing a smile, she pushed aside her thoughts and queried as to the sudden change in Agnes and Gideon.

  “You two are acting as if there is some great secret to be told. Is there something hiding in the buffet that is amusing?”

  “I suppose we must make an announcement of some sort,” Agnes replied with uncharacteristic shyness.

  “Yes, indeed. It is only appropriate that the Darcys be the first to know. In many ways, they are partly responsible… Agnes has accepted my offer of marriage.”

  Elizabeth smiled as the child inside her gave a sound kick in agreement. While she could not say that the credit was entirely hers, the outcome was definitely pleasing.

  “Congratulations to you both, and long overdue,” Darcy said and winked across the table at his own wife. Now, if only Georgiana was so well settled, but that was another matter entirely. As of yet, despite the late morning hour, his sister had yet to make an appearance. Would she avoid him completely until then? With only a fortnight before her scheduled departure, time was running out to hope for a change of mind.

  ~THIRTY-TWO~

  By the following week, Agnes and Gideon, with the blessings of all, would be on their way to Edlesmere after a small private wedding. It was to their great fortune that Bishop Andrews had already been planning a short visit to Lambton and was happy to perform the service at Pemberley. Gideon had remained a guest of the Darcy’s while Agnes returned to Piper’s Bend until the wedding, allowing for the collection of her personal items and an overdue conversation with her sulking brother. At first, Agnes had thought to just leave him be, but after numerous complaints from the servants, she feared they would revolt.

  “Robbie, you really must take hold of yourself. It is only the reality of never being able to consume spirits that has kept you from becoming a raging drunkard. However, it is quite rude to require the poor maids to clean up after your failed attempts. This place positively reeks of vomit. I will not have my only brother showing up to my wedding in such a state!”

  “What do you care? You have what you want… just go!”

  Agnes had not mentioned Georgiana since her return. She had promised not to reveal Miss Darcy’s intentions until after she had departed, but as Agnes herself would be gone as well, it was not fair to keep her brother unaware. Perhaps a bit of creative language was also necessary. Not quite a lie, but if there was a possibility that Georgiana would take holy vows, it might prod Robbie into action. Her heart pained to think he might suffer from the same loneliness she had endured for over a decade.

  “I will go, but not until you hear me out. While you sit here terrorizing the servants and wallowing in self-pity, Georgiana Darcy is planning on entering a convent. What have you to say about that?”

  For a brief moment, Agnes thought she saw surprise register on his features, but it was quickly replaced by a smug derision.

  “So, what? If that is what she wants so be it. Perhaps she has a bit of atoning to do?”

  “You are insufferable! Georgiana has never done anything wrong but place her trust in the worst of men. And now I can see that you are among them!”

  Agnes had stormed out afterwards. The next few days were spent in mutual avoidance as she arranged for select items of furniture to be transported to the vicarage at Edlesmere. Her new home… it was still difficult to believe that it was soon to be so. The days alone, gave her much time to contemplate not only her future, but also the present. Perhaps Georgiana and Robbie were not well suited after all?

  ******

  Pemberley, once again the site of nuptial festivities, was obscured by its own mixture of happiness and worry. Elizabeth, exhausted by the preparations, had experienced a most concerning episode. Dizziness, combined with waves of nausea had forced her to concede to Darcy’s demand she see Dr. Abernathy. After a careful examination filled with mumbling and a creased brow of concentration, the grey-haired physician ordered her off her feet.

  “Mrs. Darcy, I believe that there is more than one child this time. And from what your husband reports, you have been overdoing it. Now there is no need to be overly concerned, but I insist that you take your rest and not be unduly taxed. Those babies need serenity to grow properly.”

  “Babies? There is no history of twins in my family… or the Darcy line.”

  “There is always a first time for everything, and it requires extra precautions if they are not to make an early appearance. I am not confining you to your bed…at least not yet, but that is only if you promise to take care.”

  Elizabeth sighed, but nodded her agreement. She had been feeling a bit
poorly, but soon, Pemberley would again be quiet, although she would miss Georgiana’s company. Perhaps she could write and have one of her unmarried sisters come for a time. Surely, Kitty or Mary would want to escape her mother’s constant demands. Mary’s reserved practicality would be better than Kitty’s chatter, but how to invite one without insulting the other? She would discuss it with Darcy once Georgiana was gone.

  “Well then, if there is no further need of my services, I must be going, but I shall stop in after the new year to check on your progress.”

  Giving her thanks again, Elizabeth was left to rest as Darcy showed the doctor out. Patting her growing abdomen, she smiled to herself. Two babies? What a blessing, if only those around her could be so fortunate. With the wedding of Agnes and Gideon on the morrow, there would be plenty of time to rest afterwards.

  *****

  When Agnes’ wedding day arrived, bright and cold with the sun shining on a new layer of snow, all appeared fresh and new. Even Robbie had managed to pull himself together and sat sulking across from her in the carriage as it traveled to Pemberley and Gideon. He wore the most severe of attire, more appropriate to a funeral than wedding, but Agnes cared not. Although Georgiana would definitely be present, she knew her brother would not dare make a scene. Even if he desired, there simply would not be time. In consideration of Elizabeth Darcy’s delicate health, they had forgone a celebratory brunch and would depart immediately following the ceremony. Had Gideon not been a minister himself, Agnes would have gladly eloped to Gretna Green. As this fact could not be altered, proprieties must be followed, but the end result would be the same. Within the hour, she would be Mrs. Gideon Lawlor.

  ~THIRTY-THREE~

  Two weeks later….

  Elizabeth moved slowly as she dressed for the day. It was hard to believe that her abdomen could grow so large in such a short period of time. Stretching her limbs, the babies moved with her efforts. Just yesterday, Dr. Abernathy confirmed his suspicions that she was carrying twins. Using a strange object that resembled a horn with two sides, he placed it methodically on her bulging form and listened carefully.