Mr. Darcy's Daughter (16 page)

"And
are they all Julian's friends, too?" Elizabeth enquired.

"I
do not think so," Cassy replied. "Lizzie gave me the impression that
Julian was usually at his laboratory when they arrived to read poetry and take
coffee, while she was often sent away to play with Anthony."

Elizabeth
looked surprised and was about to ask another question, but they were
interrupted by some applause for the bride and groom, who had been persuaded to
join in the dancing. As other guests joined them, they could no longer continue
their conversation. Cassy was claimed by her husband, who wanted to dance, and
went away leaving her mother seriously concerned. Her conversation with Cassy
had served only to increase her apprehensions, which now bordered upon alarm.

That
night, as they retired to their room, Elizabeth was eager to tell her husband
what she had learned from their daughter. When Jane had hinted that marital
troubles may lie at the heart of Julian and Josie's problems, Elizabeth had
been unwilling to credit it. She had felt she knew them well enough to set
aside such concerns.

Her
son was a serious and honest young man and Josie had given every indication of
being the kind of intelligent young woman who would suit him well. That they
had loved each other, she had never doubted.

Yet
now, since Cassy had told her of the groups of friends who frequented the
house, men and women who were not also friends of Julian, attending poetry
readings and taking tea and coffee while Julian was away at work, Elizabeth had
begun to have niggling doubts in her mind. While she was reluctant to encumber
her husband with what might turn out to be a false alarm, nevertheless, she
felt the need to confide in him as she had always done, if only to have him
laugh at her fears and dismiss them out of hand.

Mr.
Darcy had hidden his disappointment at Josie's absence well. During the wedding
party he had pleased his hosts with his good humour and a brief speech
complimenting the happy pair, which was exceedingly well received.

Indeed,
as they retired upstairs, he was feeling reasonably content, if a little weary,
after a long day. Elizabeth was loathe to spoil the moment, yet as she told him
what she had heard, she knew he was not going to dismiss it as far-fetched and
silly, as she had hoped he would.

He
remained grave and silent as she spoke, and when she asked, "Darcy, is
there nothing we can do to help them?" he seemed to her, for the first
time in their life together, uncertain of how to answer.

When
he did speak, he was very solemn. "Lizzie, my dear, if this is true, I am
deeply concerned, for it does seem as though Julian has a graver problem on his
hands than any of us imagined. A young woman of Josie's character and
intelligence will not indulge in this type of behaviour, unless there is
something seriously wrong with her marriage."

Elizabeth
was astounded. "Are you suggesting that Julian is to blame? Do you not see
that it is Josie who is making a fool of him, and of herself, by entertaining
these gentlemen, if that is who they are, in her home, when her husband is at
work?"

Darcy
took her hands in his. "Hush, my dear, I am not suggesting that anyone is
to blame. I am only pointing out the fact that an amiable and intelligent woman
would not, if she is happy and content, feel the need to do as you have
described. Now, there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation. Perhaps,
little Lizzie does not know it, but Julian may have been quite happy for these
poetry readings to be conducted in his absence. No one has suggested otherwise,
certainly not Julian. Yet, I must admit, he does not seem as cheerful as a man
who has been invited to address a convocation of scientists in Paris is
entitled to be."

"Address
a convocation in Paris? When?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.

"In
the Spring, I believe. He told me of it and asked if we would have Anthony and
Josie over to stay at Pemberley while he went away. I said, of course we would,
with pleasure. But I did not know then what you have told me."

Darcy
sounded depressed, but his wife was more cheerful now. What her husband had
just revealed had put quite a different complexion upon her view of the
situation.

"Well
then, it cannot be so bad after all; perhaps we are reading too much into these
meetings. They may well be harmless and genuine poetry readings.

If
Josie is planning to come to us in Spring, it must mean they are quite happy
together. Do you not think so?" she asked, longing to be told her fears
were groundless.

Her
husband would have liked to oblige, but her earlier words had sown a seed of
doubt in his own mind. While he was unwilling to believe that Josie was
deceiving her husband or indulging in some clandestine liaison, he did feel the
need to make some enquiries, to ascertain if matters were as they should be,
for there was no doubt in Mr. Darcy's mind that something was amiss.

"I
would not want to intrude myself into their situation, Lizzie, but perhaps
Richard may be willing, as their physician, to talk to Julian. If there is a
problem, he is far more likely to confide in Richard," he said and, seeing
her anxious countenance, tried to reassure her.

"I
shall speak with Richard tomorrow morning at breakfast. There, you can rest
assured; if there is a problem, he will discover it and do whatever needs to be
done."

It
was not much consolation, but with the lateness of the hour, there was no more
anyone could do.

*

Elizabeth
did not sleep well and was awake with the first streaks of dawn light in the
sky, looking out on the familiar grounds of Netherfield Park, recalling her
first visit here, and wondering at the manner in which their lives had changed
over the years. Mr. Darcy dressed and went downstairs early, hoping to speak
with his son-in-law before too many of the family were about.

He
found Richard in the dining room, reading the newspaper, and discovered to his
surprise that Julian had already breakfasted and left.

Richard
conveyed his apologies. "He was eager to get the coach which goes from
Meryton to Hertford, where he will change to the post. He asked me to convey
his love and regards and says he hopes to see you at Christmas."

Richard
could not fail to notice the look of exasperation that crossed his
father-in-law's face at this news. "Were you hoping to see him, sir? Was
it about something in particular?" he asked.

"Indeed,
I was; but it was my hope, also, to ask you to counsel him, as his doctor as
well as his brother-in-law," Mr. Darcy said and proceeded to tell Richard
of the anxieties that had assailed both him and Elizabeth about Julian's
marriage.

Richard
Gardiner listened, his countenance darkening as he heard the details of Mr.
Darcy's concerns. He had heard none of this. Perhaps, Lizzie had urged her
mother not to speak of it to anyone. Cassy must have had a very good reason, he
thought, for keeping it from him; they had few secrets from one another.

Understanding
the gravity of Mr. Darcy's concerns, he promised to consider carefully what
might be done, without offending either Julian or his wife by appearing to pry
into their lives. As their doctor, he knew he had a responsibility towards them
but was wary of intruding.

"I
shall do my best, sir, to discover if there is or is not a serious problem. I
have seen no evidence of it myself, but I shall try to ascertain the truth. I
am reluctant to interfere in their lives, but if Julian will confide in me, I
shall be happy to listen and offer what advice I can.

"I
do have an opportunity to visit him in Cambridge in the New Year, before he
goes to Europe for the convention; if I do not succeed in seeing him privately
at Christmas, I shall speak with him then."

It
was the best he could do and while both Darcy and Elizabeth were appreciative
of his promised efforts, they feared he might be too late.

Somewhat
better was the news that Julian had said he would see his parents at Christmas.
For Elizabeth, it was at least something to look forward to with pleasure.

*

Christmas
at Pemberley was always a big family occasion.

As
the staff made preparations for the season, airing rooms and making up beds for
the guests who were expected to stay, and planning menus for the festive meals,
Elizabeth, with Cassandra's help, made arrangements for the seasonal
entertainment.

In
recent years, a new tradition, inspired by the German antecedents of the late
Prince Consort, had been adopted. To the delight of the children, a great tree,
usually one of the dark spruces from the woods above the house, was brought in
and placed in a large container in the centre of the saloon. It was then the
joyous task of the family to dress the graceful tree with ornaments, candles,
glass baubles, and garlands of holly and ivy, transforming it into a magical
Christmas tree.

There
was a sense of quiet excitement around the house; everyone knew Master Julian
and his family were expected and something special was being planned. There was
no mistaking the pleasure with which the master and mistress looked forward to
the occasion.

There
was much to be done. The choir of children from the estate had to be taken
through their paces, practising their Christmas program and, while Cassy did
her best, they missed Kitty and her husband Dr Jenkins. They had moved to Wales
less than a year ago, where Dr Jenkins had been offered a larger, more needy
parish in one of the new coal mining communities, where he was also closer to
his own widowed mother.

For
Elizabeth, it was the first Christmas without her younger sister at hand to
help and she missed her far more than she had expected she would. Though a new
young rector had taken over at the Pemberley church, he did not have the same
talent for music and certainly not the fine Welsh tenor that Dr Jenkins had
brought to the choir.

For
all that, Elizabeth could not hide her eagerness, anticipating the arrival of
Julian and Josie with little Anthony. It had been several months since she had
seen her grandson and almost a year since Josie had visited Pemberley.

Seeing
her mother's elation as the day approached for their arrival, Cassy prayed she
would not be disappointed yet again.

If
the weather turned bitter, as it so often did in the Midlands, might not Julian
arrive alone as before or, worse, not come at all? She shuddered at the
thought. But the weather gods were kind and, apart from a dusting of light
snow, it looked to be a fine, crisp season.

When,
on Christmas Eve, an unfamiliar vehicle was seen driving down into the park and
crossing the bridge, Elizabeth's maid rushed to summon her mistress. By the
time she had been found and alerted to their arrival, the carriage was at the
door and Julian, having alighted, was helping his wife out.

Behind
came her maid Susan and young Anthony.

Elizabeth's
anxious, loving eyes could find nothing at all amiss with the seemingly perfect
little family that stood in the hall before being ushered into the saloon,
there to be welcomed with hugs and kisses and greeted with all sorts of festive
acclamations.

Soon
Mr. Darcy, hearing the happy commotion downstairs, joined them as they were
plied with food and drink, while Anthony, who had always been a favourite with
his grandfather, kept them all entertained.

He
was a playful, pretty child and, except for a tendency towards thinness, he
looked very well and earned his parents many compliments for his behaviour,
which was exemplary.

"Josie
refuses to spoil him, though I think Susan would, if she could," said
Julian and everyone was full of praise for both mother and son.

Later
after they had had their fill of refreshments, they were shown upstairs to
their rooms. Jenny Grantham, the housekeeper, had arranged for them to have the
suite of rooms that had been Julian's, but Elizabeth offered them a choice of
any other suite they might prefer.

"We
are not expecting a large number of guests to stay this year--Aunt Jane and Mr.
Bingley, your cousin Sophie and her family, and Aunt Gardiner, who has promised
to come if the weather holds.

"The
Grantleys have gone to Kent this year, so if you prefer it, you can have the
suite that is usually theirs. It is larger and overlooks the park," she
suggested, but Josie smiled, "No indeed, Mrs. Darcy, these rooms are
perfect. I recall you showed them to me when they were refurbished for
Julian," she said.

Elizabeth
smiled, recalling the day she had first shown her future daughter-in-law around
Pemberley. It seemed a very long time ago, yet it was but a few years. She was
pleased that Josie had remembered.

When
they met again before dinner that night, she thought Josie looked very well in
a fashionable new gown with her hair swept up into an elegant style that was
favoured by the society ladies of London.

She
did not look at all pale or sickly, as she had looked in Cambridge earlier that
year; rather she appeared bright and cheerful throughout the party for the
children of the estate and, when it was time to go in to dinner, she
accompanied her husband into the room and made a point of sitting beside her
mother-in-law.