spoke, Elizabeth kept an eye on the mantel’s clock. Spotting the curious rise of Mary’s eyebrow, Elizabeth nodded. “It’s true: I tried desperately to dislike the man.”
“A man of Mr. Darcy’s consequence?” Mr. Joseph asked as he adjusted his wife’s position.
“Oh, quite so,” Elizabeth said playfully. “My father’s a gentleman; I’m a gentleman’s daughter; in that respect, Mr. Darcy and I are equals. But where the late Lady Anne Darcy was an Earl’s youngest child, my maternal aunts and uncles are country lawyers and clergymen. Our consequence is quite below that of Mr. Darcy’s family, and I allowed my own insecurities to blind me to my husband’s goodness. In those early days, with conceit, I thought my judgment impeccable.” Elizabeth paused to observe Mary’s reaction to her latest contractions.
“Go on,” the woman gasped and clung tightly to her husband’s hand. “Tell us more.”
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip and went through a mental list of what to expect next. She tried to remember all the details of Jane’s delivery. “I shan’t bore you with the specifics of our coming together,” she began before adjusting Mary’s position again. “Let’s say there was a great deal of drama, as well as some laughable moments.” Elizabeth continued her recitation to distract Mary from the current situation’s dire possibilities. “But you didn’t ask how we found each other. You asked how I knew that Mr. Darcy owned my heart. It was my husband’s sense of honor that solidified my admiration.”
“I would expect nothing less,” Joseph said breathily as his wife jabbed him in the ribs.
Elizabeth thought this the most bizarre conversation of her memory, but she did not hesitate to keep it going. “Please don’t confuse honor with respect. Respect is given because we like a person, and we can withhold it from someone who displeases us, but that’s not what the
“Honor thy mother and thy father,” Mr. Joseph stated.
“Exactly,” Elizabeth declared. “That’s how I knew Mr. Darcy would be a wonderful husband and father. I witnessed how my dear Fitzwilliam has devoted his life to honoring his own parents.” She shot a quick glance toward the room’s door. She had no doubt that Darcy remained outside in the darkened hallway. He considered it his province to protect those he loved. “And Mr. Darcy has served as his sister’s guardian for the last eight years. Miss Darcy blossoms under her brother’s administrations.You should hear him praise Georgiana’s potential.”
Mary grimaced, but she managed to say, “Honor has a… a language all its own.”
They all paused to allow Mary to work her way through another spasm. “That’s good, Mary,” Elizabeth encouraged. She handed Mr. Joseph a damp cloth to wipe his wife’s face. With everything settled again, Elizabeth returned to her story. Everything was coming together. From the beginning, she had found Mary to be a woman who loved a good tale. That’s why Elizabeth had asked her husband to read to the woman earlier. During that time, Mrs. Joseph had progressed through the stages of her delivery in a relaxed atmosphere. Now, this discussion on honor served the same purpose. Instead of fighting the pain, Mary embraced it. Elizabeth actually began to believe that together they would see this child to a healthy entrance.
“When Mr. Darcy speaks, my husband speaks honorably. His servants and his tenants accept the honor he freely gives them, and they respond with a sincere desire to help Mr. Darcy achieve his vision. My husband is the type of man who speaks
“Honor is God’s greatest gift,” Mr. Joseph observed.
“Honor elevates,” Elizabeth whispered as she turned her gaze toward the door. “It speaks with affection.”
“Lieutenant, do you have a moment?” The colonel had found his aide in the billiards room playing a solitary game.
The officer had come to attention. “I’m at your service, Sir.”
“No need for military protocol, Southland.” Edward chose a cue stick from those displayed. “How about a game?”
“Of course, Sir.” The lieutenant gathered the balls and placed them in the rack. “Have I done something to displease you, Sir? Your expression says you’re troubled.”
Edward laughed uncomfortably. “I’m not a man who easily expresses his chagrin.” He chalked his stick. Taking a deep breath to steady his strike and his resolve, he said, “I came to apologize for my earlier remarks.” The balls scattered to the table’s four corners, and Edward moved to line up his second shot.
“There’s no need, Colonel.” Southland waited patiently for his commanding officer to miss. “You spoke from regard for your family. I cannot fault that notion. I should’ve practiced more restraint. Call it my overwhelming joy at being home again. There was nothing about America that I found comfortable: not the society, and not the conflict. I’ve thought of England and Lewes every day for over a year; then we arrived in Liverpool, and within hours I was speaking to someone who held similar experiences. It’s a poor excuse, Colonel, and I’ll refrain from anything beyond polite conversation with Miss De Bourgh.”
Edward finished his third shot. “So you don’t find my cousin attractive?” he asked tentatively.
The lieutenant leaned against the wall. “That’s a loaded question, Colonel.” His voice held his suspicion. “If I say that Miss De Bourgh offers no allure, you’ll wonder how a man could fail to see your cousin’s merits. And if I speak openly of Miss De Bourgh’s appeal, then you’ll choose another reprimand.”
Edward straightened and took a close look at his subordinate. “You have good reason to be cautious, Southland. I’m unsure of my own motives.” The colonel paused to gather his thoughts. “I’d take it as a personal offense if someone trifled with Anne’s affections, but a part of me would like to see my cousin know a flirtation’s pleasure. However, a person participating in such a dalliance must be aware that my aunt has denied Anne many of the events in which my cousin could develop into a sophisticated young woman. Does any of this make sense, Lieutenant?”
Southland stepped away from the wall. “Admittedly, Sir, your message is garbled. It appears you’re extending your permission for me to further a relationship with Miss De Bourgh.”
“But I’m not encouraging you to give Anne false hopes,” Edward clarified. “I’ll be brutally honest, Southland. Anne is of a gentle nature, and I suspect she’ll take the slightest of attentions as a serious plight, which means my cousin is very susceptible to heartbreak. Therefore, although I truly believe Anne needs to know a man’s regard, I wouldn’t wish her to suffer. My feelings in this matter are mixed.”
The lieutenant placed his stick on the table. “I’d enjoy the opportunity to know Miss De Bourgh better.” His gaze met Edward’s. “You do realize, Sir, that I’ve no title and no profession beyond my service to my country.”
“I understand perfectly, Southland.” Edward squeezed the man’s shoulder. “You must decide whether to pursue the connection. It’ll not affect our relationship unless you purposely hurt Anne.”
“Mr. Bennet, might I request a few moments of your time?” Winkler asked as the guests gathered for afternoon tea. When Mr. Bennet’s eyebrow rose in curiosity, Winkler quickly added, “Privately.”
Mr. Bennet nodded his agreement. “This way, Winkler.” He led the clergyman across the hall. “Will this do?” They had stepped into an empty drawing room.
The man glanced about nervously. “Yes, thank you, Sir.” He paused awkwardly. “Perhaps we might sit.”
“Of course.” Mr. Bennet led the way to a cluster of chairs. Once they settled themselves comfortably, Bennet asked, “What might I do for you, young man?”
Winkler nervously cleared his throat. “I wished to speak to you, Sir, regarding your daughter Catherine. Miss Catherine and I have become acquainted over the past two years; with each of her Pemberley visits, I’ve found my affections for your daughter have increased. I’d like your permission, Sir, to court Miss Catherine with the hopes of making her my wife.”
“You hold a
“Yes, Sir.”
