Page 51 of Through the Eyes of Love

One afternoon,when Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were reading in the library, she put down her book and cleared her throat to get his attention. He lowered his book to his lap.

“When there is a guest room ready in the manor house, would you allow me to invite Jane to stay with us?” She smiled at the idea. “She is the kindest and loveliest of my sisters, and I know you will come to love her as I do. In the letter I received today, she said she is very lonely and, though she is still in half mourning, my mother does not cease urging her to marry again ‘before her beauty fades.’ My sister has suffered so much loss, so I hope she can find peace and quiet in Derbyshire and not be forced to make any decisions about her future until she is ready.”

“You need not ask for my permission—Pemberley isyourhome as well as mine.” He paused in thought. “There is an unoccupied estate I—we own not five miles from here where she can live if she wishes. Later, when our family wing is rebuilt at Pemberley, she can have her own suite of rooms.”

Elizabeth was reminded again of how kind and generous her husband was. “Thank you, dearest. That sounds like just what Jane needs—close enough if she needs us and far enough away that she can be alone when she so desires. How I wish she would accompany my aunt and uncle when they travel north next month.”

“In the meantime, I shall ask Bethel to ride over to the other property and arrange for any repairs. We have so many unused carriages, we can certainly provide one for her use. I know how delighted you would be to have Jane close by, so I hope she will accept our offer. Stockton Hall is not too large for one person. When the time comes for her to move in, Mrs. Reynolds can hirethe necessary household servants and have everything prepared. I shall obtain a few footmen to ensure her safety.”

“Thank you, my sweet husband, from the bottom of my heart. How can I show you how much I appreciate your generosity?”

Her husband placed a lingering kiss in her hair. “Come with me and we can discuss it.” She smiled as she followed him up the stairs and into their chambers.

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It took longerthan he expected for her to learn of his marriage, but Darcy eventually received the letter he was dreading from Lady Catherine.

Rosings Park, Kent, 8 August 1812

Darcy,

How dare you ignore your obligations to Anne and marry a person so far beneath the Fitzwilliam family’s station in society! You and Anne were formed for each other in your cradles and would have already been wed for years if your father had not foolishly betrothed you to Markham’s promiscuous daughter. I assure youthatwoman will be censured, slighted, and despised by the ton and her name will never be spoken by anyone of worth. And how could my sister’s son marry someone who bears the sign of the devil? I am most displeased and will have my satisfaction! You havenotheard the last from me on this matter. If that country upstart has fallen with child to trap you into this fraudulent marriage, it is a matter easily dealt with.

He stopped reading and threw her vitriolic words into the fire since he had no reason to respond. His aunt would by nomeans be satisfied unless she had total control of the lives of others.I shall never allow her to hurt the woman I love. If he and Elizabeth never encountered his aunt again, he would live a fortunate life.

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September1812

Darcy and Elizabeth were seated on a settee with their faces close together when the door of the drawing room opened and someone cleared his throat. The lovers startled and looked up. Somehow, Colonel Fitzwilliam had come in without being announced. Darcy rushed forward to greet him. He was more than pleased to see the colonel again!

“We had no idea you were coming. Welcome back!” Darcy was grabbed and hugged by his cousin who then bowed over Elizabeth’s hand.

“I can see everything here is as it should be. I must tell you I was disturbed about you two after the wedding, but I am delighted to see that things have greatly improved. I was needed at my parents’ estate and decided to pay you a visit on my way back to town. I must say, Elizabeth, you look lovelier every time I see you.”

“Sir, you are very kind, but what you see is nothing more than a reflection of my joy. It turns out your cousin is not the tyrant some people thought he was.” Richard laughed at her words. “He has told me how close you are and that he considers you a brother, and so shall I. Unfortunately, until the rebuilding progresses further, we cannot offer you a room, but we would be delighted if you would join us for dinner tonight.”

“I stopped in Lambton on my way here and secured lodgings for the next few nights. I would be pleased to join you for dinner; we have much to discuss.”

“Are your parents well?” Richard’s statement agitated Darcy.

“Oh, yes, indeed. They are anxious for me to sell my commission and become a landed gentleman, and I am giving the idea fair thought. I have grown weary of training recruits in London, which is the only role they will allow me to perform after the injuries I incurred on the Peninsula. Someone once said, ‘suffering brings experience,’ and I believe I have gained enough experience suffering on behalf of my King and country.

“My grandmother Hamilton left me a small estate located between here and Matlock. Let us discuss this further tonight. For now, I brought a few things I believe will fill you both with cheer.” He walked back to the entry hall and returned with his hands full of small pouches. Darcy gave him a questioning look, and he responded with a wink—that was the signal that raised his awareness as to what Richard had brought. He set the bags on the low table in front of where they were seated. “There are more of these in my other satchel. Darcy, show your lovely wife what those contain, and I shall bring you the rest.”

His wife raised her brows and slightly parted her lips—she was curious. He took one of the bags and held it towards her. “Open your hands.” She did as he asked and soon, she was holding dozens of bejewelled rings, necklaces, and bracelets. “These gems have been passed down for generations and now, as Mrs. Darcy, they are yours. I would have liked to have presented these to you in a more dignified manner, but here they are.”

Her eyes were wide and sparkled like the precious stones. “I hardly know where to look first—one piece is more exquisite than the next.”

When Richard returned with more pouches, he grinned at Elizabeth’s hands filled with jewels. “When Darcy and I entered the study for the first time, we saw the jewellery trays were empty. Now you can organize these treasures any way you like.” He placed the remainder of what he carried on the table.

“I have no idea how to sort through these. More importantly, is there a place in the cottage to keep them safe? I meanabsolutelysafe! Now that I have seen them, I would be sad about losing them!” Both he and Richard laughed at her last statement. She was so endearing in her concern.

“There is a safe hidden in the library. I came across it by accident, and Mrs. Reynolds found the key. I placed all my deeds there when the courier delivered them from my solicitors. The jewels will be well protected until we replace the large safe in the manor house. Richard, I am relieved beyond measure that everything stolen has been returned. How can we ever thank you?”

“The look on your face and on that of your wife tells me what I need to know about your appreciation.”

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