Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott Page B

who always do everything their wives tell them. You're obviously much better at all this sort of thing than I am."
    He was smiling, but the furrow between his brows hadn't entirely smoothed out. "Edward, are you ... all right?" I asked after a moment's hesitation.
    "Yes ... no." Edward rubbed his forehead again. "Just a headache, that's all." And then he saw my hand and reached down to lift it in his. He smiled again--a quick, flashing smile. "You're wearing the ring."
    I was, of course. The heart-shaped emerald of the claddaugh ring flashed deep green fire in the morning light. I tugged Edward's head down and kissed him. That's really why I'm so sorry for Kitty. Because she hasn't found her own Edward--and probably never will, if she keeps on the way she's begun.
    "I never took it off last night," I whispered against Edward's lips. "I'm not going to take it off--not ever."
     
     
    Later ...
     
    Kitty is gone.
    I did speak to Kitty her about Captain Ayres, as I promised Edward. I told her that Edward had agreed not to mention anything of Lord Carmichael to John Ayres. But that she really ought to end the engagement.
    I felt more than awkward, saying such a thing to her. Because we are the same age, and it isn't in any way my business to dictate to her. But she didn't argue, just nodded and said, "You're right. I know you're right." Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away and swallowed. "I'll write to him as soon as I get back to London. Poor John. He'll be so upset. But he doesn't deserve to be married to me. And I ought to let him know as soon as possible, so that he's spared the trouble of coming to Longbourn to see me when next he gets leave."
    By now she'll be well on her way back to her parents' home at Longbourn. Though she departed a little later than was planned. First thing this morning she came to Elizabeth and asked whether she could take Thomas and Jack with her. The boys would be perfectly welcome at Longbourn. And, Kitty said, it had been her responsibility to look after the boys, and it wasn't fair that Elizabeth should have to take them on instead because Kitty herself had misbehaved.
    She looked ... not exactly defeated. But at least more subdued and sad than I've ever seen her. Her eyes looked red and swollen, still, and beneath the brim of her travelling bonnet, she'd pulled her hair back into a plain, simple knot without any of the usual curls.
    Elizabeth's eyes were red-rimmed as well. And she looked as though she couldn't decide whether to comfort Kitty or shake her. But in the end Elizabeth kissed her cheek and said that of course she could take Thomas and Jack--that they were welcome at Pemberley, but they'd break their hearts missing Kitty after she was gone and would do better with her back at Longbourn.

Friday 30 December 1814
    Today was our annual open house for my brother's tenants, and we were busy all day with the families coming to pay the rents and bring apples and hams and other gifts of the season.
    I offered to take Elizabeth's place as hostess--she was looking tired, especially after all that had happened with Kitty. But she wouldn't hear of it, and took her place among the proceedings as usual, greeting the tenants and their wives and children and helping Mrs. Reynolds with seeing that the supplies of cakes and spiced wine didn't run out.
    Towards the late afternoon, though, I noticed Elizabeth was sitting down on one of the sofas. Her face looked pale and her breathing was a little quicker than usual. I sat down next to her and asked, "Are you--"
    Elizabeth stopped me, resting her head against the cushions, her eyes sliding briefly closed. "If you succeed in being the fiftieth person to ask me today whether I think the baby will be coming soon, I will be obliged to murder you." She opened her eyes and smiled. "And that would be a shame, because you happen to be my favourite sister-in-law."
    I laughed. "I'm sorry. I suppose it must get very tedious--especially in a group