The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

21. Arthur Darcy

Chapter 21

Arthur Darcy

F or many miles, Darcy rode slowly toward his aunt’s home, Rosings Park, his mount restlessly trying to move faster than a slow walk, but with Darcy holding him back. Both rider and mount were unhappy with the situation. The carriage followed at whatever pace he set. Darcy did a lot of things he did not want to do. He was always putting duty before just about everything in his life. So why was this redirection to his aunt’s house in Kent such an inconvenience to him? Not just an inconvenience; he was dreading it. He pressed a thumb on the bridge of his nose. Why could his brother not simply do what he was asked? Darcy’s lip twitched. Because it was not Arthur’s place to be telling the heir of Pemberley how to behave. How many hours had he spent wishing his brother would simply take over and fulfill his responsibilities well? And now that he was wishing to be home—and hopefully taking an interest—Arthur should be celebrating.

But it didn’t feel quite like Fitz was taking it all on. He felt more like Fitz was sloughing off what seemed unpleasant to him for his brother to handle. And that was the problem. For one of the few moments in Arthur’s life, he seriously considered going to Pemberley anyway. His aunt would be just fine. She had a capable steward. And last he heard, his cousin Anne was in moderately good health. He pulled up on the reins. There was quite a long list of things Darcy would rather do than his brother’s bidding at Rosings. Miss Elizabeth’s smiling mouth came into his mind unbidden. He would very much like to pay a visit to the beautiful Miss Elizabeth. He’d like to stay at his own estate. Since meeting Miss Elizabeth, he was more and more restless about Pemberley and more desirous to spend time where he would be building his own legacy, where he would be building a family, where his wife would be. Again, Miss Elizabeth overtook his thoughts. He was certainly not finished with her. He wasn’t certain he ever would be. She had overtaken his thoughts, his heart function, and had seized full control of his ability to smile.

Without bidding, his lips curled up. He shook his head. She had bewitched him. And he wasn’t certain what to do about it.

Should he turn and head to Longbourne?

He was itching to do so. His feet were about ready to urge his horse exactly there when he heard the galloping of hooves coming toward him.

Instinctively, he moved to the side but sat tall in his seat.

The rider pulled up. “I’m looking for a gentleman, Mr. Darcy.”

“You have found me.”

The man reached in his pocket to hand Arthur a note, with the Darcy family seal. “Are you awaiting a response?”

“Yes, sir, I am.” He dipped his head.

Darcy broke the seal and scanned the letter quickly. “No need to respond. I suspect I’ll ride faster than you. Take a break, man.” He reached for coins to give to the man.

He smiled. “My thanks to you then.”

“Certainly.” His brother was now summoning him back to Pemberley. He would be annoyed but instead the smile that filled his face might have cracked it. He was heading home. And from there, he could then visit Longbourne. And what was more? His brother mentioned a lady. Could it be that he was at last attempting to settle down? The fact that he’d written of tenant difficulties was encouraging. He’d never showed an interest in them before, even though they were the greatest source of the Darcy income.

He raced back in the direction of Pemberley. He’d need to head straight for the families involved. There had been flooding and a small dispute between residents as well as some family need, sickness. He’d care for them first and then find his way to a hot bath.

While he raced along the mostly deserted roads to Pemberley, the rhythm of his horse beneath him felt calming. It was the only sound he could hear, and his breathing matched every second set of feet falling on the earth. Things began to feel more clear. He would move into his own estate. He’d set up his rooms there. He would finish the renovations while living there himself. It was time to tell his brother that Pemberley was his.

Thoughts of the tenant families came immediately to mind. But Darcy nodded to himself. Fitz could take care of it. If he knew he was the only hope for someone, he would rise to the occasion. Look what happened with the Wickham situation. He had notion of Arthur’s prior involvement and took matters into his capable hands. Wickham was now shipped off to Australia. Fitz was ready.

This woman he mentioned briefly showed promise. He had said something about her not being easily swayed. That he would need to work for her good will.

Darcy grinned. “Good show, woman, whoever you are.”

His horse snorted.

He patted his neck. “Good show to you as well. We’ll be home soon, old boy.”

Racing through the fields and on the roads to his childhood home, he knew that if Miss Elizabeth would have him, she too would not be easily swayed. He wasn’t certain exactly why she had been so resistant to him, why she thought he’d ruined a sister’s happiness. But she was not one to fawn or swoon over a man, he presumed, and certainly not over him. But perhaps there was something he could do to win that heart of hers, something that would prove he was not whatever she dreaded she might find in a man.

He was soon riding through the back lands of his estate. There was indeed mud everywhere and signs of flooding, when he rounded the bend; the devastation in front of him stole his breath.

Had his brother gone to assess the damage himself? Did he know the situation? He guessed not, else servants from the household, people from town, any others, the vicar himself would surely be in attendance.

He leapt off his horse, his boots sinking a bit in the mud. “Stay close, old boy.” He patted Samson. The first house, the home of the Gallaghers, had mud piled up at the door, basically trapping them inside. He could hear the sounds of people. The windows might have offered an escape, but from the sounds, there were still some inside. “Hello in the house. Hello.”

A haggard, mud-streaked face appeared in the window. “Oh, is it you, Mr. Darcy?”

“It is I, Mrs. Gallagher. I do believe we need to get you out of there.”

She looked down at the ground beneath her. “Has the water subsided, then?”

“It has, but the mud has not. It is certainly not an easy passage. But I can carry you to the rise over there?” He pointed up the road to the top of the bend.

She nodded. “And where shall we go?” A shaking hand brushed the hair from her face. “I think there are folks worse off than we. Should we stay put, then?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think instead we might be having many more guests looking for a bit of floor and a dry place to be? We don’t have beds for one and all but we do have space.”

“Oh dear me no, we can’t be staying at the great house. We will find a spot at the church, surely.”

“Why don’t we discover the situations of all and see what would be best?”

She nodded.

“And how are your young ones?”

“They’re cold. But we are huddling together in the blankets.”

“Do you have a shovel or a bit of wood or something I can use to scrape away this mud?”

“David took that with him to help up the road. Hours ago.” A child started whimpering in the background. She hesitated.

“Go help your child. Maybe you will all pass through the window here. Do you think you can manage if I help you on this side?”

She looked behind her, seemingly assessing. Then she nodded. “I think so. It would be nice to get warm.” She rubbed her arms. “But, Mr. Darcy, you’re going to be covered in mud! Surely the servants have been alerted.” She looked past him as if someone else might be coming to assist as well.

“I don’t know if anyone else has been alerted. I came straight here. But we shall free you of your cold, wet prison, shall we?”

She nodded. “Thank you. Thank you with all our hearts.”

Darcy found a bit of an old tree and started pulling away at the dirt at their front door. It was cold and thick, like clay, up against the wood. The walls seemed thin. The wood was solid, there were no holes, but at the same time, he wondered if he had been neglecting the tenants even while thinking he’d taken such good care. They were cold without a fire and easily trapped inside from the mud.

Mrs. Gallagher reappeared at the window, the top part of her oldest lad’s head visible next to her. “I have Leroy here. He can help with the young’uns out there.”

“He’s a hefty lad, if I remember, but I can get him if you give a little boost from your side.”

She tried to grab him round the middle but he shook his head. “No, Mama. You cup your hands like Pa. I’ll stand on them and then Mr. Darcy, beggin’ your pardon, sir, but he will catch me on the outside.”

“He’s exactly right and no apologies. We are all working together here. And there are more to help down the lane, I gather.”

“We think so, Mr. Darcy, sir.” His little head bobbed as though nodding yes. Soon he was fully visible and starting to climb out the window. Darcy reached for him and pulled him through.

Soon they were each out and standing slightly up the road on a dry spot. But now what to do with them? No cart would be able to navigate these roads and paths very well. And from the looks of things, many more would need assistance. He’d best be walking back toward the house and then enlisting the servants and sending word to the town and the vicar.

He whistled for his horse who had not gone far. But when he approached the small family with Samson at his side, they all crouched away in fear.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy. I don’t know about him.” Mrs. Gallagher clutched her baby to her. The younger one clung to her skirts, and Leroy stood close by. He seemed the least worried but was still not comfortable by any stretch.

“He’s very obedient.” He patted his side. “Would you like to touch him?”

The horse shuffled his feet right then, likely a bit unnerved by their fear.

“Whoa, boy.” He rubbed his nose. But the horse seemed unsettled.

He nodded. “Looks like we might be walking.” He turned to Mrs. Gallagher. “Can you do so?”

“We can try.” She looked back to her home. “Should we try to send word to David?”

“We should. But let’s get you back first and I’ll send a lot more than word.”

She paused a moment more and then nodded. “Let’s be off, then. Children. Be strong. We have a lot of walking to do with good Mr. Darcy.”

He crouched down to the little one at her skirts. “Could I put you on my shoulders, little one?”

Leroy nodded. “Yes, Frankie. Mr. Darcy is a real good one.”

Frankie hesitated a moment but then smiled and nodded.

Within moments Darcy and Frankie, Mrs. Gallagher and the baby, and Leroy were walking the path back to the house with Samson following a short distance behind. It was not going to be the shortest walk of their lives but at least they weren’t miles and miles away.

When they at last approached the house, Darcy had the baby in his arms as well as Frankie on his shoulders. The lad was clutching his hair in handfuls. Mrs. Gallagher had a good hold of Leroy’s hand and steadied herself on his shoulder now and again. “We are at last approaching.” He breathed out some of his worry in a great sense of relief. The back doors opened and servants came flooding out.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy!” Their housekeeper was a gem of a woman, and she immediately reached for the baby. “Mrs. Gallagher, come inside. You all must warm yourselves.”

Darcy thanked her and then asked, “Please. Where is my brother?”

“In the main dining room, if it please you.” The maid who answered bobbed a curtsey and took Frankie into her arms.

He made his way directly to the dining room. Perhaps more care could be taken with the floors and the mud that undeniably made its way into the house, but he was in a hurry and he needed to get things moving…and he wished to share a few words with his brother who was apparently at dinner.

He waved away the footmen who moved as though to open doors and announce him. But as soon as he stepped into the room, he could see why they were standing on formality that evening.

Everyone in the room stood.

And everyone looked quite amazed as they stared at him.

Miss Elizabeth was perhaps more stunning than he had yet seen her. And he couldn’t account for her presence, nor for her seat to the right of his brother, nor for the presence of all her sisters. He opened his mouth and then closed it twice before shaking his head. “Brother?”

Miss Elizabeth looked from one to the other in great confusion.

Georgiana’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she brought a hand to her mouth. “Arthur…” She pointed up to his hair. He belatedly remembered Frankie’s fistfuls of hair surely restyling his in an unrecognizable manner.

“Arthur?” Miss Elizabeth turned to his brother. “And forgive me. You’re Fitzwilliam?”

“I am.” He dipped his head. “I should introduce you to the final Darcy sibling. This is my brother Arthur.”

She nodded, swallowed once and then curtseyed. “You’re twins.”

“Yes, we are. I…” Fitz looked from Miss Elizabeth to Arthur and back. “Are you two acquainted?”

She gripped her hands together at her front and exchanged a look with Miss Mary then she turned to Georgiana. She pointed to Fitz. “The spontaneous one?”

She nodded.

Fitz tilted his head as if to ask something of Georgiana but paused.

Arthur cleared his throat. “I would love to join you.” He held out his hands at the delicious spread. “And please forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Lydia, and the other sisters whom I have not met. But we are having a dire situation with the tenants. Fitz. This is hardly the time for you to be so inclined…” He turned to Miss Elizabeth again. “Please forgive my abrupt entrance and now exit.” He turned to leave. “Brother.”

But Miss Elizabeth hurried toward him from the table. “Please no. We can help. What is the dire situation? There is no need for us to be sitting at dinner when others are in need.”

“Are you quite certain? I must look a sight. There is mud, and very few solutions besides walking through it.”

“I am certain, of course. Have you boots in the barn?”

His mouth lifted of its own volition and he chuckled. “We do indeed.”

“Then I shall try to be of assistance.” Miss Elizabeth’s eyes shone with a fire he could hardly resist. He stepped closer, her gaze nearly swallowing him whole.

Her expression softened and she whispered, “It is the least I can do after you have done so much.”

“I know you did not ask for assistance, but I suspected I knew where they’d gone. I had to help. I hope…you were not? Offended?”

She shook her head.

They were close now, closer than he intended but he could not resist her nearness. Her lovely smell of mint and cloves and lavender, the softness and fullness of her lips. She was so much more than he even remembered, and to see her in his childhood home, hear her so willing to assist in a task very much unlike anything most ladies were accustomed… He raised his hand as though to touch her face.

Fitz cleared his throat.

Arthur all but jumped back. She’d been sitting by his brother. He’d mentioned a young lady… His heart filled with dread.

But Miss Elizabeth did not seem at all uncomfortable with him. She turned. “We shall discuss later why no one mentioned you were a twin? And I would be most interested to know with whom I have been conversing and when…though now that I see you together, I have my guesses.”

Miss Mary’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as did Georgiana’s. He shook his head. “It promises to be very diverting, at the least. Now, if you’ll come with me to the kitchen. I’ve asked the servants to gather.” He paused and turned to his sister. “Could you please coordinate the help here with the others? We will have great need. Many will come to spend the night. Perhaps in the great hall? We need fires roaring. Food from the kitchen, blankets…”

Georgiana waved him off. “I understand, brother. We will handle things from here. I’m certain with Mrs. Gardiner and the Bennet sisters, as well as our own capable staff, we will have things well in line. If anyone comes looking for news, what shall I direct them to do?”

“Like the vicar? Please send any capable hands to the tenant farmers, particularly the row off Periwinkle Lane.”

She nodded. The other Bennet sisters stepped forward along with their aunt. He smiled. “Thank you. There is much good we can do. And you are helping me save the estate. What are we without the tenants?” He waited for his brother and Miss Elizabeth to join him and then he made his way toward the barn. His conversation with Fitz about many things would have to wait until later. Miss Elizabeth moved to walk beside him but Fitz stepped between them.

Yes, they had much to discuss, indeed.