relationships between the two formerly warring countries. He’d already fought in the Peninsular Wars in Spain and was battle weary and had been homesick for some time. “Hopefully with Napoleon’s abdication, there will be peace in Europe once more, but this time, of the long-lasting kind.”
“It is time for you to enjoy some entertainments,” Elizabeth said. “And to have some sustaining food. You have lost weight since we saw you last.”
“There wasn’t enough food to feed two warring armies. Then there was a poor harvest, so they are still struggling,” Fitzwilliam said of the hardships they’d suffered. He didn’t want to dwell on his time abroad, so he quickly changed the subject. “Unfortunately, there will be no joviality around town for me. Our aunt’s letter and Darcy’s need to get you to Pemberley in good time for the arrival of the baby means I shall be heading to Rosings for the foreseeable future,” Fitzwilliam said. “I do think it’s unkind of you to abandon me to a trip to Rosings alone.”
Darcy smiled. They’d always gone together on trips to their aunt. Lady Catherine De Bourgh was a force indeed, and her instructions, opinions, and directions were always given expecting no argument. That Darcy very often did meant Fitzwilliam was needed to smooth the waters between the pair. Lady Catherine had been determined that Darcy would marry her only daughter, a sickly creature who always looked terrified in Darcy’s presence, but that had been of no concern to her mother. Darcy’s falling in love with Elizabeth had brought the wrath of Lady Catherine on both Darcy and Elizabeth as never before, and as a result, there was a breach between them that had not been completely healed.
“As you are her favourite nephew, it is your task to try to glean what has been happening at Rosings. She would have a spasm if she saw Elizabeth increasing for a second time,” Darcy said.
“Spasm indeed! That woman has never had a day’s illness in her life! Although, I admit she wouldn’t be a doting great aunt,” Fitzwilliam said. “I must confess, I had to sit down when I read her letter. Had you any idea of our secret relatives?”
Darcy shook his head. “No. Absolutely nothing. Another aunt. I was always told that there were three sisters: your mother, mine, and Aunt Catherine. How could we have not known that there was a fourth?”
“It did make me chuckle to read her words, ‘I thought while we had to accept the Bennet family into our midst, it was time to invite our youngest sister’s child into the family. She has been motherless these last ten years and has the misfortune to have a cotton worker as a father. My own dear father, quite rightly, forbad the match, but there was a dash to the border, and the deed was done. She was cast off from that day to the grime of Manchester and wasn’t allowed into the family crypt when she died.’ The poor woman had a lucky escape. Could you imagine being forced to lie beside Aunt Catherine for eternity when she eventually passes? Please do not inflict that fate on me, Darcy,” Fitzwilliam appealed.
“You are a cad,” Darcy said in answer to the request.
“I am being perfectly serious.”
“What else does she write about your cousin? Is it not an odd thing to do, to invite her to Rosings? She clearly has no affection for the girl,” Elizabeth said, not wishing the strained atmosphere of that house on anyone, least of all a girl who must be completely out of her social circle.
“She goes on to mention that Mrs. Jenkinson, Cousin Anne’s companion, has hurt her back and has been shipped off to her sister’s home for the foreseeable future. I think a free substitute for Mrs. Jenkinson was our aunt’s motivation rather than any benevolent feelings towards this unknown cousin of ours,” Fitzwilliam explained.
“Ah, I now understand completely,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “The poor girl. I do not envy her position or the welcome she will receive. I wonder if she realises she is to be companion to Anne,” Elizabeth said of Lady Catherine’s only daughter.
“Exactly my sentiments. Which is why I have to fall on my sword and attend Rosings without the support of Darcy,” Fitzwilliam said. “She is five and twenty, apparently an only child, and her father still works in Manchester.”
“Strange that he should agree to allow her to come for a visit after all this time. He must