Hi everyone. Sorry for being so long since posted last. Life got a bit on a busy side and I spent a lot of time being creative in different ways. Crocheting and making jewelry. Now I am back to working on the story. And what perfect timing, with Valentine’s Day a few hours away.

Chapter 5

            Elizabeth woke with a jolt of pain coursing through her body. Her left arm felt as if it knives piercing it and any movement nearly caused her to cast up anything that had been on her stomach. When her eyes opened, Elizabeth could not recall where she was. The country miss could not imagine such a grand bedchamber.

            “Calm yourself, Lizzy. All will be well.”

            Knowing that voice, Elizabeth turned her head to see the face of her most cherished aunt.

            “Aunt Helen, where are we?”

            Mrs Gardiner smiled sweetly. “We are at Darcy House, in London. It is the home of Miss Darcy’s brother. They have been generous and kind in everything. Anything that is required for your care is done. They also invited me to remain here to aid in tending you.”

            “How long have I been here?”

            “Since yesterday afternoon.” Mrs Gardiner sat on the side of the bed, holding a glass of cool water. “Drink some water and I will send for some tea and toast. Is there anything else you would like to eat?”

            “No. Nothing sounds tempting. All I can think of right now is how much pain I am feeling.”

            “Mr Wickham was determined to punish you for interfering in his goal. If not for your kicking him, he might have killed you. Miss Darcy informed us of what he did to you. I am proud of you for defending Miss Darcy, though it would have broken our hearts if you had been killed.”

            “After hearing her story, I could do no less. She is only a month older than Lydia. Though my youngest sister believes she is old enough to be married, in truth, she is not prepared to be out of the nursery. Mama is foolish in allowing Kitty and Lydia out in society at such young ages. Mary is barely old enough and she does not care to be out.”

            “That stage of life is difficult. You want to believe you are mature and ready to be an adult. Yet you are barely knowledgeable of the simplest things. Running a home, having marital relations, birthing children, and so many other important issues are far more than your sisters have learned. Fanny Bennet only concerns herself in ribbons, lace, new dresses, and marrying her daughters off to eligible young men.”

            “I am grateful Jane and I were able to visit you and uncle so much. We learned much more from your home than from home.” Elizabeth was weary, her eyes becoming heavy.

            “Sweet girl, rest. You will need your strength We will speak more later.” Mrs Gardiner placed a gentle kiss on her niece’s forehead.

            Leaving the room as silently as possible, Mrs Gardiner made her way to the sitting room, where her husband was found chatting with Mr Darcy.

            Both men stood when she entered to room. Mr Gardiner stepped to his wife, taking hold of her hand. “How is Lizzy?”

            “She is in severe pain. It breaks my heart to see her in such a way. Lizzy is always so full of life, not fragile and appearing as if she would shatter at any moment.” Mrs Gardiner wiped a tear from rolling down her cheek.

            “Please know that we will do all we can to care for your niece, Mrs Gardiner. I informed our physician that money is not an issue, whatever is needed for her recovery will be done. My staff here will also see to tending Miss Bennet. Mrs Oaks has already assigned three maids who will take turns remaining with Miss Bennet. I was just informing your husband that you are welcome to stay here as well, as I am certain you will wish to be with her. Your children can installed in the nursery and have maids tend them.”

            “That is far too kind of you to make such an offer.”

            “It is nothing in comparison to what your niece has done for my sister. If not for Miss Bennet, my sister would be lost to me. To have her safe, in my home, means everything to me. I would give all I own to for what your niece did for us.”

            Mr Gardiner smiled. “Lizzy would not want your wealth. If I know her, she has saved nearly all her pin money for the year. Our dear girl prefers books to ribbons.”

            “Well, this is a discussion for another day.”

            “Mr Darcy, do we know what happened to Mr Wickham? I assume that he knows where your townhouse is located. Do you fear him showing up on your doorstep?” Mrs Gardiner inquired.

            “I sent someone to make inquiries of the man, It may be several days until I hear from the men, they are to check along the entire route from where Miss Bennet boarded the coach to the stop where the ladies disembarked.”

            “From what I know of the man, I would be afraid of what he might do in retribution. When he learned of my father warning others of his behavior, Mr Wickham threatened Father. He was unable to intimidate Father, as Father had spent time in the regulars and had seen battle.”

            “I never knew your father was a soldier. He had been a pastor all of my life.” Darcy was surprised.

            “It was before my mother and he married. They met when he and my uncle were on leave after they had been injured. Did you ever notice his limp?”

            With a nod from his head, Mrs Gardiner gave a soft chuckle. “Father always teased that his injury was from a contrary horse throwing him. What he did not say was it was on the battlefield, and he had been shot. The bullet went through his leg and into the side of the horse. It saddened Father that the horse did not survive, as he claimed it was the best horse he had ever known.”

            “Your father was always fond of good horse flesh. He aided me in finding a fine set for our carriage.” Gardiner spoke. “I have written a letter to Thomas. I cannot think for the life of me why he would demand Lizzy to marry Collins, and give in to my foolish sister in deciding Lizzy should be forced to leave her home. My sister will never approve of her second born, as she blames Lizzy for not being a son.”

            “Why would she blame her child for not being born a son? It is not like the child has any control over being a boy or girl.”

            “Mr Darcy, if we were talking about a rational woman, I would agree. My sister is far from being a rational woman.”

Chapter 6

            The frown on Darcy’s face spoke volumes of his lack of understanding, so Gardiner continued.

            “My brother in law’s estate, Longbourn, is located near the market village of Meryton, in Hertfordshire. Thomas’ family has overseen Longbourn for nearly two hundred years.  His grandfather put an entail on the estate, making only males could inherit. My sister, Fanny, was not concerned when her first child was a girl. Jane has always been a pretty and sweet natured girl, never allowing a cross word to escape her lips. When Fanny was with child the second time, she was certain that it would be the heir that was required. Unfortunately, it was not. For weeks, my sister refused to even hold or look upon her second daughter. The third child was a son, though he was stillborn. Then came three more daughters. Believing Lizzy had cursed her, Fanny has always despised the girl, which is why Lizzy spent much time with us.”

            “What a foolish woman. Believing a child could curse the family so there was no son is beyond the pale.”

            Mrs Gardiner nodded her head. “She is missing out on the beautiful young lady Lizzy is. Our dear girl is loyal to those she loves, independent, intelligent, and has a heart of gold. When Fanny refused to visit the tenants at Longbourn, then refused to allow Jane to make the visits, Lizzy took up the task, when she was only ten years old. The tenants and their families adore Lizzy. When the children see her coming towards their homes, they jump up and down, calling out ‘Miss Lizzy, Miss Lizzy’. She always has some little treat for them.”

            “My sister is always vexed with Lizzy. It infuriates Fanny that Lizzy is Thomas’ favorite of the girls. He has indulged our niece’s passion for reading, allowing her access to his library. Fanny demands he refuse Lizzy to read so much, as my sister claims that no man wishes for an intelligent wife who does not know her place.” Mr Gardiner could not understand his eldest sister and her hatred of Elizabeth.

            “Well, Miss Bennet is welcome here and is to be praised for who she is. If she had not stood her ground, refusing to marry the bumbling fool who is my aunt’s parson, my life would be extremely different right now. Miss Bennet is welcome to use my library as well. If you will excuse me, I will ask Mrs Oaks to prepare chambers for you and the children.”

            “I will return to our home and collect the children and have our trunks packed. Our nursemaid will tend to the children, there is no need for your staff to take on that task as well as all the others being done for our family.”

            “Mr Gardiner, our staff will be pleased to have the children in residence. It has been many years since the voices of youth were heard inside these walls.”

            Mrs Gardiner moved to sit beside her husband, lifting his hand in her own. “What did you tell Thomas?”

            “I told him he is a daft stupid man. He knows that marriage to Collins would destroy Elizabeth. For someone who claims his love of his daughter, he is an idiot when it comes to doing Fanny’s bidding. Why would he give into her demands now, after all these years? Thomas has always ignored her foolishness when it came to Lizzy, why now?”

            “Something must have changed or Thomas would never have treated Lizzy in such a manner.”

            “I am not sure what, but I agree, something has changed and forced his hand. I have not told him the details, but I wrote that Lizzy was injured on her journey to town, and will be recovering for some time to come. He should know that he put her in danger.”

            “You did not tell him of the Darcys?”

            “No, my dearest. If for some reason the letter fall into my sister’s hands, she would have the carriage prepared immediately and drag all of her daughters here in an attempt to snare a wealthy husband. We cannot repay Mr Darcy’s kindness with such cruelty.”

            “Knowing Fanny, she would attempt to hoist Lydia on the poor man. Can you imagine the young man, who is being so kind to us, saddled with such a silly child as Lydia as a wife? Heaven help us if that was ever to happen.”

            Giving his wife a peck on the forehead, he smiled. “I will return soon with our children. The most difficult challenge will be to keep them from wanting to climb on the bed with Lizzy and wish to play with her.”

            “You should explain to them on your way here, then bring them so they can see for themselves that their favorite cousin is in need of rest and calmness. Once they see our poor girl, they will be on their best behavior.” Mrs Gardiner knew her children loved Elizabeth, but they would do whatever was needed to see her recovered.

            Georgiana entered the sitting room shortly after Mr Gardiner left. “Mrs Oaks informed me that our cook has fresh biscuits out of the oven. Would you care to have some with tea?”

            “Miss Darcy, that would be pleasant. It will fortify me for the coming whirlwind that are my children.” Mrs Gardiner chuckled. Seeing the girl’s expression questioning, she continued. “My children are beautiful and well behaved, except when it comes to their enthusiasm with seeing their cousin. My husband is planning to speak with them on their way here, but it will not be until they see that Lizzy is unable to play with them or read to them, that they will understand what their father says. I beg your forgiveness in advance, as they are but eight, five, three, and two. We will make every effort possible to keep them quiet, though there are times they forget their manners.”

            “It will be nice to have children here. I have never lived in a house where there were children so young. My greatest dream was to have a sister, as I have the best of brothers. When I was a little girl, if I said such to my father, tears would well up in his eyes. It was not until I was older that my mother had tried many times to have another child, yet they were not to be. He would never father another child after she was gone.”

            “They had a love match. I remember them from my youth. Many times I told my mother that I wished for a marriage such as theirs.”

            “I wish I had known my mother. William has told me about her, and Father did what he could. When Father looked at me, there were times he would say that I looked so much like Mother.”

            “You do. She was a beautiful lady. Your brother is most definitely Darcy. His height, hair, face, all are your father and his father. If I were to guess, I would say he has a dimple in his right cheek when he smiles.”

            Georgiana gasped. “He does. How could you know such?”

            “Your father and grandfather had the same.”

            “Thank you, Mrs Gardiner. It is joyful to hear stories of my parents. I am grateful to know more of them.”

            “It is a pleasure to speak of them. They did so much for Lambton and the surrounding area. Many lives were touched by their kindness and caring of others, no matter their station in life.

                                                            ~~ ** ~~

            Mr Gardiner returned to Darcy House with his children. When they entered the sitting room where their mother was, the eldest two children ran to her and enjoyed her embrace.

            “Did Papa explain to you why we are here?” Mrs Gardiner asked.

            Lucy, the eldest of the Gardiner children, nodded her head. “Papa said that Lizzy was hurt and we are here to help take care of her. We brought some books that she has read to us when we are sick. I can read them to Lizzy to help her feel better.”

            “I am certain she would enjoy hearing you read to her. You will not be able to climb on the bed, as she has a broken arm and some other injuries.”

            Looking her mother in the eye, Lucy searched her mother for the truth. “Mamma, did a bad man hurt our Lizzy?”

            Mrs Gardiner had always been amazed at how mature her eight year old daughter could be. Lucy had been able to garner information from those around her by simply watching their expression. How the mother thought she could fool her daughter made Mrs Gardiner realize that Lucy would be much like Elizabeth when she grew older.

            “Yes, my dear girl. A very bad man tried to force Miss Darcy, the sister of our host, to leave with him. Lizzy protected Miss Darcy, which made the man mad, and he injured your cousin.”

            “Is Miss Darcy a nice lady?”

            “She is, as is her brother, Mr Darcy. They are from Pemberley, in Derbyshire, which is only five miles from Lambton.”

            “Where you grew up?” Lucy’s eyes became round with surprise.

            “Indeed. I knew their parents and their grandparents when I was a child. They are some of the nicest people you could ever meet.”

            “I am proud of Lizzy for protecting Miss Darcy. I will do my best to read to Lizzy and maybe I can make up stories like she does for us when we are ill.”

            “It would bring Lizzy the greatest pleasure. Thank you for thinking of such a kind treat for your cousin.” Mrs Gardiner hugged Lucy. “Now, go with Nanny to the nursery. When Lizzy wakes later, I will send for you.”

            Lucy placed a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “I will not tell the little ones what happened, as I do not wish to frighten them.” With that, the girl left the room, not knowing her mother was struggling not to laugh.