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Elizabeth stood at the window, resting her head against the pane as she glanced across the courtyard. It was a particularly beautiful morning; one of the atypical January days in which the sun would make a rare appearance. The fresh, pure white snow glistened under the rays of sunlight. The lake was frozen over, a thick sheet of ice in its place. The entirety of the scene was reminiscent of an oil painting. Sighing, she placed a hand on her stomach where the child inside her grew. How she longed to take a walk. She craved the exhilaration of breathing in the crisp air and feeling herself wrapped in the warm blanket of the sun. However, both fortunately and unfortunately, she was to receive her dearest friend in half an hour, leaving no time for a stroll.
How lovely it would be to see Charlotte again. A month had past since they had last met. Her visit would be a very pleasing distraction. The few weeks had been ever so turbulent. It all had started when she allowed Lady Harrington to talk her into hosting the annual Mid-Winter ball at Pemberley. It was a well-known verity that the Darcy family held the ball each year in the second week of January. Even so, Elizabeth had hoped that she personally would have been able to escape such an event this year. She and Fitzwilliam had not been married but four months. The two of them together were still adjusting to life as a married couple, while Elizabeth herself was struggling to adapt to a higher rank of society.
It was a hard struggle to say the least. Many individuals admired the new Mrs. Darcy for her charming demeanor and quick-wit. Nonetheless, they still held a bit of disapproval for the young bride. Some called her a social-climber, while others claimed her desperate. And there was a small handful who regarded her with deep scorn for even attempting to make a place for herself in a class where she did not belong.
Those were among the reasons that Elizabeth agreed to the ball. She knew that if she had so desired, she could have refused such prodding from Lady Harrington and those like her. It wasn't entirely necessary, as the ball was cancelled during the winter that Darcy’s mother married his father. Such a large task was too much for a young bride, especially one in such a delicate condition as hers. That was why Darcy had severely objected her involvement. On the contrary, Elizabeth was quite up to the challenge. It was important for her to demonstrate her ability to hold her own in society. He reluctantly gave in when he learned that Mrs. Reynolds would be abetting her. She had hoped that would at least put her husband at ease.
By all means, the past months were wonderful. Never in their lives had they imagined being so happy. Regrettably, Lady Catherine sought to dampen the joyful atmosphere of the blissful couple. A month had passed since their wedding when Darcy received a letter from his aunt. It was rather lengthy and tremendously abusive towards Elizabeth. It was so upsetting that he discontinued all communication with his aunt. Afterwards, he still poised the same exultant attitude, but Elizabeth could tell that the entire situation greatly troubled him. Despite her arrogant and haughty nature, Lady Catherine served as a second mother to Darcy. It was Elizabeth’s hope that the ball could serve as a catalyst for a reconciliation between the two. She knew that no matter how livid Lady Catherine was, she would not miss one of the largest and most important social events of the season.
Elizabeth’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door, causing her to whip around. “Come in”, she answered, her voice containing a small minuscule of surprise.
Mrs. Reynolds entered, bowing her head while her left hand carried a small, black leather blotter. ‘Good morning Madam. I trust you slept well.”
Elizabeth smiled sincerely and lied, “Very well, thank you.” In truth, her sleep had been disturbed all week, ever since Darcy’s departure to London.
Sensing the mistress’s tension, Mrs. Reynolds sought to busy her mind by opening the blotter and beginning, “Madam, I have spoken to the chef about the menu. For a starting course, there I suggested be creamed oysters and finger rolls, then consommé, Lobster a la Newburg, a course of ices, with a final course of fruit and pastries. Does this meet with your approval?"
“That sounds wonderful.” The old woman had been a blessing for Elizabeth. Having resided at Pemberley for 35 years, and aiding in as many formal balls, her assistance was greatly appreciated.
“I also spoke to Jeffries, he will make sure that the torches are lit a quarter before the ninth hour and-
Mrs. Reynolds was cut off as Jamison, the butler entered the room. “Pardon me Madame; a Mrs. Collins is waiting for you in the north parlor.”
As they pulled apart, Elizabeth could see anguish in her friend’s eyes.
It was apparent that dreadful news was to follow, perhaps an illness, or Heaven forbid, a death. Elizabeth placed her right hand gently over her stomach, believing that in some way she could soothe the butterflies that were starting to flutter. Finally gaining the courage, she spoke up.
“Please tell me; what is the matter?”
Charlotte sadly lowered her head, slowly shaking it back and forth. “Oh Lizzie, I’m so dreadfully sorry.”
Thoughts instantly flooded Elizabeth’s mind. What if something happened to one of the Lucases, or her own family? Even possibly, God help her, her father. She took a deep breath and decided not to jump to conclusions. If something of such a nature occurred, she would have already heard about it from her mother, or Jane, who kept in the closest contact with their parents.
“Charlotte please, sit down and tell me what has happened.” The two women occupied on the small couch on the far side of the room, next to the window. Elizabeth ever so slighty glanced towards the tranquil scene outside, It was a feeble effort to calm her nerves; one that failed miserably.
Elizabeth was terrified to go on, but she couldn’t wait in suspense any longer. “Has something happened to your father? To my father?”
Charlotte placed her hand over Elizabeth’s, attempting to set her at ease. “Oh no Lizzie, it is nothing of that sort. Elizabeth released relieved breath before Charlotte continued.
“Mr. Collins and I just returned from London.” Elizabeth nodded her head knowingly. Mr. Collins made several recent trips to London with his wife, at the behest of Lady Catherine.
In the first months that the Collins occupied the small estate on her land, her Ladyship studied Mrs. Collins with a close scrutiny. Once she had determined that the younger woman had no impressive artistic talents or cultural knowledge, she recommended that they journey to London for the season, to benefit Charlotte. When it came to finding and exploiting the imperfections in an individual, she was a virtual artist. Elizabeth recalled the stinging memory of her own first visit to Rosings. She shook her head, trying not to lose focus on the troubling news that was to come.
Charlotte clutched a white lace handkerchief in her hand as she continued. “Lizzie, might I ask you where Mr. Darcy is?”
Elizabeth’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “He departed for London three days past. He meant to visit Georgiana at school.”
“Does he make many of these trips?”
“I suppose so. Shortly after we returned from our wedding trip, he journeyed to London at least once a month, but over the past two months, his trips became more frequent, and now he is there at least three days out of the week, sometimes the entire week. When he’s not visiting his sister, he is attending to affairs of the estate.”
Elizabeth paused when she saw the color drain from Charlotte’s face, leaving her frighteningly pale. “This does not seem strange to you?”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose, this conversation was becoming more and more quizzical. “I only assumed that this was his normal routine before we married. He has much business to attend to. Why are you asking such questions?”
“I have heard something of a most disturbing sort.” Charlotte briefly placed the handkerchief to her lips, before resuming. “On our way back to Rosings, we stopped in Kingston, where I was had tea with an acquaintance I made in August, a Mrs. Chelsea. In the middle of our conversation, your name came up. What initiated the subject, I do not remember, but she mentioned having seen Darcy several times in Kingston.”
Elizabeth turned away for a minute to ponder the statement. Her confusion was growing rapidly. “Charlotte, Mrs. Chelsea must have been mistaken. Georgiana is in Camden and Fitzwilliam’s solicitor is in the city. He would have no reason to be in that area.”
“She is sure that it was him, for he let a small flat there. It sits across from the Chelseas’ on Stratford Court.”
“Well I suppose that of course he would feel the need to retain a residence; he is in London so often that-
“It wasn’t for him,” Charlotte cried out. “A woman named Miss Granville occupies the flat.”
Elizabeth stood and looked down at her friend, eyes narrowing, “Charlotte, what are you trying to say?”
“Mrs. Chelsea told me that Darcy visits Miss Granville three times a week. He stays for hours at a time, and when he is there, she does not receive any callers.”
Elizabeth felt her legs grow weak, almost as if they were made of cotton; she gripped the arm of the couch and slowly lowered herself down again. She didn’t believe what was being implied, not for one second. What truly vexed her was the thought of such gossip was being spread about her beloved husband.
“I hope you set that horrid Mrs. Chelsea on a straight path Charlotte.” Elizabeth’s voice was very low and cool.
“Oh Lizzy, I’m so sorry to have told you. I just didn’t want you to hear it from an outside source.”
Elizabeth managed a weak, mirthless smile. “I appreciate your concern, but this is a vast falsity.”
“Mrs. Chelsea saw him, she is sure of it. And apparently, their relationship is knowledge from Kingston all the way to Bromely.”
An annoying bitterness began to rise in Elizabeth's voice “And there is not but one person who has the time for anything besides meddling in private affairs, and spreading such scandalous lies about respectable men.”
“Believe me Lizzie, if I suspected any discrepancy in Mrs. Chelsea’s words, I wouldn’t have dared mention any of this to you.”
“It is simply not true. Fitzwilliam and I have been married barely four months. I am not two months with child. He would never commit such an act of betrayal against me.”
Once more, Charlotte reached out and gave a sympathetic clinch. “I want you to know that I will be here for you if you feel the need for a friend.”
Elizabeth was about to open her mouth in defense again, when Jamison entered the parlor. “Madame, Miss Georgiana’s carriage has arrived.”
The butler was met with a bewildering and an ominous glance respectively. When they both rose from their seats, Elizabeth mused over this for a minute then her confidence rose. “Fitzwilliam must have brought his sister back with him, for the ball.”
She was met by a cheerful Georgiana, who rushed to embrace her. “My dear Eliza, how are you feeling?”
“Most excellent now that you are here. But I must admit, it is very surprising to see you home.”
The young girl removed her black coat and her gray wool scarf, and then preceded to hand it to Bess, the downstairs maid. “Fitzwilliam requested that I take a two week vacation, so that I may attend the ball.”
“That makes me so happy to hear, and speaking of which, where is he”, Elizabeth looked around for Darcy was no where in sight.
Georgiana answered with great question, “I assumed that he was here. I only received a telegram from him three days past.”
Confusion once again dominated the atmosphere, “Georgiana, I’m not quite sure what you mean, he has embarked to London on the purpose of visiting you.”
“Eliza, there must have been some sort of misunderstanding. I receive a letter from my brother each week, but I haven’t seen him personally for two months.”
“Are you sure?”
Georgiana merely giggled, “Why of course I am sure Eliza.”
At a loss for what to do, she focused her attention to her sister-in-law, “My dear, you must be greatly fatigued from your journey, you should go upstairs and rest. I’ll have Mrs. Reynolds unpack your things.”
“Thank you ever so much Eliza. You should probably consider resting also. You seem very agitated.”
“Thank you, but I am confident that I shall be well in a very short time.”
Georgiana ascended the steps as Elizabeth turned to see Charlotte in the doorway of the parlor, attempting not to meet her gaze. “I must take my leave now, but remember that I’ll be here if you need me.”
Once she left, Elizabeth spent a few minutes reeling from the news, when suddenly a wave of dizziness and nausea came upon her. She had to clutch onto the back of a nearby chair for support. Unsure whether her physical condition, emotional state, or both were the cause, she called for Mrs. Reynolds.
Within minutes, the housekeeper entered the foyer. “You called Madame?”
“Yes, I am feeling very ill, I think that I might go lie down.”
A concerned expression crossed the older woman’s face, “Do you need me to send for a doctor?”
“No, no, it is nothing like that. I just wanted to let you know that Miss Darcy has returned from school; if you would help her get settled.”
“Of course Madame.”
Elizabeth nodded, and lethargically walked up to her chambers. After closing the door behind her, she sank down onto her bed. Deep down, she knew that there must have been some kind of miscommunication between herself and her husband. He probably was leaving on business, and was his intention to simply send word to Georgiana.
As certain as she was of Darcy’s innocence, she could not purge the disgusting thoughts that were situated in her mind by that dreadful Mrs. Chelsea’s gossip. She continued to allow the conflict to fight within her, until sleep finally claimed her.