Mrs Darcy (Complete)

Chapter 2

After leaving my gardening things with a footman, and changing out of my thin coat and bonnet hat, I joined the two families for tea in the east wing dining room. It was a large room decorated with pieces of art of Lady Catherine as a warrior as well as some nice family portraits. Mr Darcy and his son were in a portrait of their own near the door and I was quite in awe every time I looked at it. There was no dirt on my dress which was nice so there was no need for me to change into something clean.

I was about to enter the dining room and the footman's arm had almost reached the door handle when I heard someone  call my name from behind me. "Miss Baasch? May I have a private word please" The distinct tone of the younger Mr Darcy said to me.

I nodded and went away with him into the corner of the room where our voices may not have been so easily heard in the next room. "What is it, Mr Darcy? I am already quite late for your aunt's tea" I told him as I followed him and stood opposite him, my hands clasped over my stomach.

"This will only take a moment, Miss Baasch. I trust you and your sister are in good health" He said, glancing out of the window beside us, although he were nervous.

I was taken aback a little as I didn't expect such a forward statement, "Yes, we are. Thank you, Mr Darcy" I replied.

"I asked you earlier what was your most favourable flower, but you didn't give me an answer" He told me.

"Well, I suppose out of all the flowers I have planet in my time here, I would say that the yellow daffodils are my favourites" I replied and watched his face expression turn from one of nervousness. "If you'll excuse me, sir, I am quite late" I started to turn and go back toward the dining room.

Fitzwilliam leaped in front of me and stopped me in my tracks. "And if I were to ask you something very personal which would require a one word answer, what would you say?" He interrogated.

I furrowed my brows, having absolutely no clue what he was saying. "That would depend entirely on the question, Mr Darcy" I replied. "Good day, sir" I walked around him and nodded to the footman so he could open the door and announce me.

"Miss Eve Baasch" The footman said aloud to the room and upon hearing my name, the elder Mr Darcy and another gentleman at the table stood up in respect. "And Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy" The footman said with a long pause between the names.

I only glanced behind me at Fitzwilliam, but addressed Lady Catherine. "I apologise for how late I am, Ma'am" I said and curtsied as I approached the head of the table where my father was standing.

"Oh no, my dear, you are quite alright" The terrifying woman replied at the other end of the small rectangle table. "We were just speaking of your sister's engagement" She told me as I approached an empty seat beside the stranger who was still standing.

Annabelle's fiancé, Cedric Flynn was ever the gentleman my sister deserved. He took my hand and kissed it before tucking my chair in as I sat down. "Charming, Mr Flynn. Thank you" I said to Cedric.

"I hear Hingham bridge is due for its annual repairs, Mr Darcy. Will you be carrying out these inspections yourself?" Lady Catherine spoke and made me look to see Fitzwilliam sitting down opposite me at the table.

"Yes, Ma'am" Darcy replied to his aunt. "Mr Flynn, what line of work did you say your family were in to have been given such a large sum of money?" He interrogated rather forcefully as I glared at him from across the table.

Flynn hesitated beside me, but chuckled non the less. "Fitz, I've already told you several times" He began. "My father was ten years old when King George accented to the throne of England and they were good friends for over forty years. The king gives my father monthly incomes on his land and money which has now become my inheritance"

Fitzwilliam nodded, but he was unconvinced. "How nice for you" He lowered his eyes, but looked up at me before his eyes trailed away again, as if ashamed of himself.

"Darcy, are you going to tell Eve and Annabelle about their living arrangements at Pemberley? I think they will quite enjoy a visit" Lady Catherine said, which seemed to brighten the atmosphere in the room a little. I looked expectantly at the elder Mr Darcy and my eyes flitted between him and his son, both of them seeming to know nothing about the visit.

"We're going back to Pemberley?!" Annabelle questioned rather excitedly. "Mr Darcy please say it is true. We haven't been to your estate for years"

"Annabelle" Mother spoke.

I glanced over to the younger Mr Darcey who was taking a sip of his tea while looking in another direction, probably at Mr Flynn and making a spectacle of him. "Mr Darcy, please enlighten us" I said to the elder Mr Darcey, and felt Firzwilliam's eyes fall upon me.

"Yes, ladies. Your living arrangements have been changed, but only because your apartments have been renovated and modernised. You can now see further down the gardens than ever before and there are new mattresses in all the beds so comfortable night sleeps are guaranteed"

I felt a knot in my throat suddenly and put my hand to my mouth as I coughed a few times. "Excuse me" I muttered and placed my hand on my chest momentarily. I hadn't realised I had drawn the attention of my mother, Lady Catherine and Fitzwilliam, who all looked alarmed at my sudden outburst. They must have worried that I was infected. "Please excuse me, I'm afraid the sun on my back all afternoon is forcing me to retire early" I stood up from the table and forced all four men at the table to do so too in my respect. "Perhaps a walk outside will clear my throat" I said and left the table.