Beginning, Previous Section, Section VIII
Jump to new as of March 26, 2006
Posted on Thursday, 10 November 2005
Lawks, you will never guess what I just saw now! It shall be soon all over the village, I dare say! Kitty Bennet just now almost fell off her horse, but she was rescued in such a dramatic fashion by….you will not believe it I am sure, but it is true, she was rescued by Mr Darcy! Mr Darcy of whom none of us had any expectations! They stood there quite riveted by each other –
Mrs Phillips had no chance to write more as her sister whisked the note out of her hands, causing the pen to leave a trail of ink quite spoiling it all.
“Sister!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet who had surprisingly not, as Mrs Phillips expected, fallen into the vapours. “You would slander my dear girl?!”
“Well, it is not slander! We saw it with our own eyes and you know the outcome! The inevitable outcome!”
Mrs Bennet ignored her sister and swept up the staircase.
Her penultimate daughter had stayed silent in the carriage ride home, and it was only Clara’s stern glare that had kept Mrs Bennet from questioning her daughter there and then. But nothing could stop her now!
Kitty had changed out of her riding habit and was calmly brushing her hair. Three of her sisters had joined her and only Lydia looked unconcerned.
Mrs Bennet had been too late; both Jane and Lizzy were remonstrating with Kitty.
“Kitty, you must understand it was most improper of you!” said Jane firmly.
“I do not understand it,” replied Kitty.
“But you must! You were alone – “ Lizzy, to her mother’s ear sounded rather emotional.”
“We were not alone!”
“You acted as if you were!” Lizzy paced up the room. “To be allowing any man such liberties!”
Mrs Bennet saw Kitty give a small smile, and Mrs Bennet recognised that smile, she was not her daughters’ mother for nothing, it said that Kitty had more than likely allowed such liberties before!
“There is nothing for it!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet. “You must marry!”
“Mama!” cried Lizzy. “I do not think – no it is not – no!”
Even Mrs Bennet was taken back at Lizzy’s forcefulness; she would have thought Lizzy would be the one insisting on such a course taken to protect their reputation as a family.
“There is nothing to be done, Lizzy; I will not have my family – “
“But Mr Darcy does not want to marry Kitty!” exclaimed Lizzy, causing her sisters and mother to stare at her.
With a smile Kitty rescued her, “Mama, I am to be Mr Darcy’s cousin. He was merely offering his congratulations on my engagement and ensuring that I was perfectly safe; after all I am to be a member of his family.”
“Of what are you talking child!? I do not have the pleasure of understanding you!?” Mrs Bennet sat down on Lydia’s bed.
“Lord Ashbourne,” replied Kitty. “Lord Ashbourne proposed to me on Thursday and I accepted him. Papa gave his permission and I was just trying to find the right moment to tell you. Of course, Mr Darcy has already been told and he had not found the moment to offer his sincere congratulations.”
Mrs Bennet was, for once in her life, speechless.
“Oh I am so happy…” cried Lizzy, “…for you!”
“How wonderful!” said Jane, so happy that the misunderstanding had been so neatly solved.
Kitty laughed. “Thank you. I already know how Lydia feels on the subject.”
Lydia rolled her eyes, “I expect an invitation to London!”
“But Mama? Are you happy?”
Mrs Bennet blinked at her daughter. “Happy? Happy? Good gracious! How could I not be happy! ? Lord bless me! Only think! Who would have thought it! And is it really true? Oh my dearest girl! How rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! He will be an Earl! I am sure his father’s life is not worth much purchase – Oh Mr Bingley is nothing to him -- nothing at all. I am so pleased -- so happy. Such a charming man! -- so handsome! so tall! -- A house in town! Everything that is charming!” 1
“Mama, you should not speak so of Lord Matlock!” admonished Kitty.
“No, no, you are quite right, being a viscount is nothing to sneeze at, and I am only assuming he is rich, after all these titled people sometimes run through all their money, though I am sure your father would have checked such a thing!”
“Mama, I am sure that…” Jane’s calm words were cut off.
“He does know how we are situated, does he not?” said Lizzy still sounding quite distant.
“And how are we situated?” asked a new voice. Clara had, after disposing of the gentlemen and Miss Darcy in the parlour, and ensuring Mrs Phillips and Mrs Long were confined to another room, come up to see her nieces and sister-in-law
“£1000 pounds in 4 per cents is all we can ever aspire to! Is that something an Earl’s family would accept?” said Lizzy.
“Well, my dear,” smiled Clara, “you do have a wealthy aunt with neither chick nor child of her own, where do you think she will leave her money?”
Everyone stared at Clara.
“You expected me not to share my fortune with you all? Of course I understand bequeathing you £10 000 each is not considered a great deal and I do hope you will forgive me that – “
“Aunt!” said Jane, voicing the astonishment in the room.
“Clara, I had no notion you were worth quite so much…” said Mrs Bennet looking faint.
“I have had little to do with my money these ten years, so it has accumulated; it is certainly not a paltry sum and would be quite acceptable to most,” replied Clara calmly.
“Lord!” exclaimed Lydia, “Wait until I tell the officers that I am worth £10 000!”
“Of course, I should not count on it; I would have to approve of your suitors. So do not think you can throw yourself away on some lowly officer, Miss Lydia!”
“Oh, nothing but a Marquis will suit me now!” cried Lydia.
Mrs Bennet cried with happiness before racing downstairs. Her daughters made to follow but Kitty, who had finished tidying her hair, stopped by her aunt.
“Aunt, I am so very grateful.”
“Hush, there is nothing to be grateful about! You are my family and of course I wish to see you happy.”
“It is just that I hope that – “
Clara guessed what Kitty was thinking. “The man was in love with you from almost the first, and you know him too well to think any amount of money or lack thereof would have stopped him having what he wanted!”
Kitty smiled and kissed her aunt.
Mr Bennet was attempting to make conversation with his guests, but the conversation was stilted as he was consumed by curiosity with what was happening upstairs.
“I am very glad that Kitty sustained no injury! I should of course have realised that Phoebe was far too fidgety to be anything but a farm horse!”
“Yes, I am so glad that Fitzwilliam was with us!” said Georgiana.
“Yes, Mr Darcy, I am very grateful,” echoed Mr Bennet.
The object of their praise looked very embarrassed. “She was really in no danger. If you do not mind, Mr Bennet, I shall see what is keeping my cousin with that drink.”
Darcy slipped out of the room and made off in what he hoped was the direction of the library. He certainly hoped he would not run into Mrs Phillips who had spent the ride back to Longbourn staring at him. He knew that stare and it was an unwelcome one unless of course it related to Lizzy and himself.
Ash had volunteered to fetch them all a drink upon returning and had not been seen since. Perhaps he had fallen into the clutches of Mrs Phillips or, worse, Mrs Long!
But he was safe, merely browsing Mr Bennet’s eclectic library.
“Ash.”
“That would be my name.”
“I must apologise.”
Ash turned at that – “For?”
“For?” Darcy looked startled; was there more than one thing to apologise for?
Ash sighed. “I should not play games with you, should I? But you will have to be more specific.”
“You mean I shall have to own more fully to my mistakes? Very well. I apologise for my insupportable behaviour towards yourself and Kitty.”
“Kitty?” Ash raised an eyebrow.
“I have already apologised to her.”
“So I gathered. I did not really expect you were making advances to her in a field. Although you do have a habit of doing so with Bennet girls.” Ash put down his glass, “Did she accept your apology?”
“Yes.”
“Am I to assume it was a longer apology than the one you just offered me?”
Darcy felt like loosening his cravat, “Yes it was, and I shall not repeat it to you.”
“I do not need it repeated.”
“Then I do ask you forgive me. I have behaved appallingly for quite some time.”
Ash looked startled at Darcy’s speech. Darcy continued, “Indeed for all of my life!”
“I should of course have forgiven you long before this and I would have if the insult had just been directed at myself. But I expect that is my fault. We do all have them, Darcy.” Ash paused, “And you have not behaved appallingly for all of your life, there was that one time you stole my toy soldiers, but apart from that you led an exemplary childhood.”
Ash looked so earnest indeed that Darcy laughed. “I am truly very sorry.” There was a pause. “But I have not expressed to you properly my regret. I did not explain this to Kitty not because I do not think she would understand, but because it should have been said to you first. I was very angry with myself for saying such things. But you did not make it any better, especially since your words to be about Georgiana were so true. I did not protect her as I should. I did conceal from her family what had happened because I was ashamed that I could not protect her! I should have of course told you about it.”
“No, you should not have.”
Darcy frowned, “But was this not what the argument was about?”
“Darcy, I was angry that I was not consulted. Again, my besetting sin! But I was more worried about your pride affecting Georgiana, and if you had acted solely for her best interest then no, you should not have consulted me!”
“You trust my judgement then?”
“Yes. I do trust your judgement; I always have. Apart from that situation and the last months, you have had impeccable judgement. Wickham, and I believe he was part and parcel of this situation also, is an irritant to your character Darcy and you should not let him be so.”
Darcy allowed his cousin to pour him a glass of brandy. “Believe me when I tell you that if I was ever brought to point non plus, I would certainly turn to you.”
“I should hope you would before you came to an untenable situation; after all I would not rely on me to bring you about – but you are a Darcy I suppose you would not ask for help until you had to.”
Darcy sat down on the sofa, sighing with relief. “I am so very glad that you have forgiven me, and Kitty has forgiven me and Georgiana has forgiven me and Bingley has forgiven me…now if only….”
Ash blinked at the amount of people Darcy had been requiring forgiveness from. “Well, with all that practice how could it be otherwise?”
Darcy laughed. “From your lips to God’s ears!”
“My lord!” Mrs Bennet burst through the door. “My lord!”
“Mrs Bennet!”
“Oh!” Mrs Bennet did not quite know what to say. Luckily her husband arrived.
“I think what my wife means to say is she is very happy to welcome you to the family!”
“Indeed, I am, sir! Indeed, I am!”
“It is I who should be happy at joining your family.”
“Oh no, you are too kind!” Then Mrs Bennet broke off and seemed to recollect something! “Oh gracious, it is such a pity that it is Sunday, otherwise of course you would stay for dinner!”
“I am sure – “ started Darcy, earning him a surprised look from Mr Bennet, but Mrs Bennet cut him off.
“Oh it is for the best for there is not a bit of fish to be got!”
“Indeed, ma’am, and I believe Mr Bingley has invited you all for dinner tomorrow night. I am sure it would be much pleasanter for you not to have to be thinking about planning, instead being able to enjoy the evening.”
Mrs Bennet beamed at her future son-in-law. “Oh it would! Plus it is so much nicer at my sister’s house!”
Clara entered the room to be surprised at being hailed as a sister. “Mr Bingley’s house, sister,” she corrected.
“Well it is not Mr Bingley’s house! He has only leased it!”
Mr Bingley walked in to hear this and looked in some confusion as to how he had become the centre of the conversation.
Mrs Bennet did not look mortified that Mr Bingley had heard her, for that good lady had probably never felt true mortification in her life, but she certainly felt flustered. How would Jane catch him? But then, with Jane’s £10 000 she could do better than Mr Bingley’s £5000 per annum! Then Mrs Bennet reflected on how much time and effort she had put into promoting the match with Mr Bingley and how taken Jane was and realised it was better to put the effort into finding good matches for her other girls.
“We are so glad that you have invited us for dinner tomorrow, Mr Bingley, especially now that we have such an event to celebrate!”
“A celebration?”
“Yes, did you not know? My dear Lord Ashbourne has offered for Kitty!”
Mr Bingley could not have been happier if it were he that was to be married and offered his congratulations and offered his condolences that it was a Sunday and no fish was to be got.
The party left shortly afterwards, but not before Mrs Bennet insisted on the engaged couple being left alone in the library.
Kitty threw her arms around Ash. “How I could kiss Darcy!”
Ash laughed. “Should I be jealous?”
“If not for him being absurd and hateful I should never have been able to tell my mother, and be able to be alone with you in this way!”
With that they both found something more agreeable to be doing than talking of Darcy.
“Brother! Miss Darcy! Gentlemen! Where have you been?” Caroline Bingley’s voice pierced through the conversation in the entrance hall.
“Where is Mrs Sutton?” asked Louisa as she entered the room.
“Mrs Sutton chose to remain at Longbourn, after all they will be coming to dinner tomorrow.”
“Oh,” was all Caroline could bear to say on that subject. “But this does not explain where you have been practically all day!”
“We went for a ride with the young ladies from Longbourn, “ replied the Colonel.
“Oh and there is such news!” exclaimed Bingley.
“News, brother?” asked Louisa as she helped shepherd the group from the hall.
“We shall be celebrating a wedding tomorrow!”
Caroline froze. Charles had proposed?
“Well not the actual wedding,” continued Charles, “but the announcement of such! I could not be more delighted if it were my own.”
Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. Charles had not proposed. So who had? Darcy? No he was still looking as stern as ever surely he would not look like that if he had proposed – unless he realised what a mistake he had made – but who on earth would he propose to?
No. It must be some man – Caroline hesitated to say gentleman – who had proposed to one of the younger Miss Bennets. Kitty Bennet had thrown herself at enough men in town for it to be her.
“I look forward to wishing them very happy!” Caroline smiled.
“Well you can wish Lord Ashbourne happy now if you like!” cried Charles.
“Lord Ashbourne?” said Caroline faintly. She of course never really expected Lord Ashbourne to ever look her way, but it was still a blow to hear that he was engaged but – Caroline paused her train of thought, but, but….he could not have offered for one of the Bennet girls? Could he?
“My rogue of a brother has marched before everyone and snatched Miss Catherine Bennet away from, I dare say, a score of disappointed gentlemen!”
Caroline felt the blood drain out of her face. “Miss Catherine Bennet?”
“Indeed, Miss Bingley,” said Mr Darcy. “Perhaps you would like to call for some refreshments so we could make a toast.”
“You are – happy with this news, Mr Darcy?” asked Louisa.
“Of course I am. He is the best of cousins and she is the best of women.”
At this pronouncement Caroline Bingley did the only thing she could think to do in such a situation. She fainted.
1 Mainly Austen’s words. Mrs Bennet is so hard to write without going too far to one side of the pendulum that I had to resort to the master’s hand.
My dear Lydia! I have heard the news; it is swirling around Meryton as we speak! £10 000! I wish someone would have died and left me £10 000! All the officers are violently in love with you! Not that they weren’t before, my dear, but now of course they speak of it openly. Wickham has quite cast off Mary King, because who could like such a nasty freckled thing when you have money, my dear? I do hope that you shall come to Meryton and satisfy the officers, they have been bemoaning your loss! And do pass on my sincere congratulations to your sister! To catch a viscount would have taken work indeed. The officers have all claimed they are violently in love with her too, and I dare say would offer her some distraction if marriage is found to be too boring…
“What a hateful woman!” cried Kitty, reading Mrs Forster’s letter over Lydia’s shoulder.
“Well, she hasn’t seen your viscount, otherwise she could hardly suppose you would ever be bored with him!” replied Lydia.
“But to write such things to you! It’s grossly improper!”
Lydia looked at her sister, “Are you going to forbid me to speak to her again?”
“I should!”
“Well I shouldn’t listen!”
“You would if you thought a trip to London was at stake!”
“No, I wouldn’t!” retorted Lydia. “Besides, I am sure following your lead, Jane will soon announce her engagement and she is too kind to refuse to invite me to London!”
Kitty sat down on her bed; the previous night she had no chance to talk to any of her sisters as her mother had babbled at her right until the moment Kitty fell asleep and that moment came sometime after Kitty had feigned sleep.
“Do you think Mr Bingley will propose?”
“Why would he not? He has no reason not to propose?”
“Then why has he not proposed!” exclaimed Kitty.
Any response Lydia might have had was not uttered as one of the subjects of their conversation entered the room.
Jane smiled at Kitty. “Mama gave me no chance last night to truly congratulate you! You will be very happy!”
“I am very happy!” laughed Kitty.
Jane sat down on Lydia’s bed and looked at her sister complacently. She was very happy for Kitty. She had always wondered if Kitty had always preferred Lord Ashbourne, and for Jane there was no wondering at any one admiring Kitty!
Lizzy sat down next to Jane. “But Kitty you must tell us all about it, after all I had no notion –“
“Lord, Lizzy, no notion? She could speak of nothing but the man!” cried Lydia. “But perhaps that was only in her letters to me.”
Kitty frowned at Lydia’s clear attempt to ensure her elder sisters knew that they had not been part of her confidence. “I did not write of nothing else in my letters!”
“I am sure you think that you did not!” replied Lydia.
“Well, it would hardly be surprising if you did!” said Jane smiling.
“Are you quite sure you have accepted him for the right reasons, Kitty?” said Lizzy suddenly.
Kitty could sense that Lizzy was comparing her strength in refusing Darcy despite his wealth, or possibly thinking she had made a mistake in not accepting Darcy!
“What are the right reasons, Lizzy?”
“That he will make you happy, that you love him?” replied Lizzy.
“Well, I can certainly say I have accepted Ash for the right reasons.” Kitty could have gone on to explain her courtship in more detail, but that was private and since Lizzy had not shared hers then Kitty saw no reason to do the same.
Lizzy gave a wan smile.
Ash sat at the breakfast table, and politely inquired of Bingley whether his sister had recovered.
It had been his brother’s unenviable duty, as the closest gentleman, to catch Miss Bingley as she fell and to carry her to her bedchamber.
“Yes, her maid and Louisa tell me she is quite recovered. I have never seen a ball knock her up so!”
Richard coughed, earning him an amused glance from Ash and a confused one from Bingley.
“You think my sister’s indisposition was not a result of the ball?” queried Bingley.
Darcy entered the room on this question and looked enquiringly at Richard to see how he was going to answer such a question, a question that Bingley thought was completely innocent.
Richard’s response was to look pleadingly at Ash.
“My brother, I believe, thinks… as I think ... that your sister was more likely to be overwhelmed by my graceless brother’s announcement last night of my engagement to Catherine Bennet than the ball.”
“You think Caroline is displeased that you are engaged?”
Ash paused before answering, so Darcy answered for him with a blunt – “Yes!”
“You do? I would understand if it was Darcy, after all I believe she – esteems him.”
Darcy looked uncomfortable at the idea of Miss Bingley esteeming him but remained silent.
Indeed, none of the party wished to open Bingley’s eyes to his sister’s character. She could hardly be unmoved by the fact that a person she had been slandering all over London would be advantageously married and would be in a close familiar relationship to Darcy though not the one that she hoped to attain herself.
“To change the subject slightly, speaking from my new position, I must ask you, Bingley, what your intentions are towards Jane Bennet.”
Bingley blinked and coloured. “My intentions?”
“Your intentions, sir, are we to become brothers-in-law?”
Bingley was rendered speechless for a moment but then recovered, “I am not sure that it is your right to ask such a question….my lord.”
“You doubt it is my right?” replied Ash recovering his military command voice that he had resigned some time ago.
“W-w-well, I fully intend to marry Jane!”
Darcy sighed. “I do not think we ever doubted that, Charles! Well perhaps recently we may have, considering your very odd behaviour!”
“Odd?”
“Sir Christian!” exclaimed Richard.
“Sir Christian is not odd!” said Bingley defensively.
“There are many who would disagree with you!” shot back Darcy, enjoying having Bingley being the one cross-examined for once.
“Discounting your strange behaviour with Sir Christian, you have had ample opportunity to secure your interest with the young lady! Or were you perhaps waiting for an announcement from her aunt regarding her fortune?” Ash wiped his fingers on a cloth napkin and calmly looked at Bingley.
He made a direct hit, Bingley’s spine stiffened and he looked outraged. “Are you implying that I am only interested in whatever Mrs Sutton chooses to leave Jane?”
“Are you denying it?” Ash asked smoothly.
“Not only am I denying it; I am within an ames-ace of calling you out!” Bingley had gone red in the face.
“Pistols or swords?” responded Ash blithely.
Bingley who had risen from the table, looked startled and then gave a laugh, “Neither, I know your reputation too well.”
“Oh I assure you Darcy is a better fencer than I!”
“I shall not risk it!” Bingley sat back down, “But that was offensive!”
“Of course it was; at least now I know you do intend at some point to come up to scratch, and that you do not covet wealth, now I just have to discover what precisely is keeping you.”
Bingley looked at his hands.
Darcy looked at Bingley, “Well it is not the result of my former opinion!”
“No, no!” cried Bingley.
“Then what is it?” asked Richard.
Bingley looked as though he was going to confess, when the ladies joined them.
There was a flurry of activity as everyone asked after their health, especially Miss Bingley’s.
“Thank you for your concern, there is no need I am feeling much better this morning!” said Miss Bingley, with a note of falseness in her gaiety.
Ash noticed the smile threatened to fall off her face when Georgiana asked him if they would be going to Longbourn that morning.
“Oh but they are coming here this evening!” said Miss Bingley.
“And they are coming quite early!” said Bingley, “I insisted upon it!”
Ash did not miss the defiant note in Bingley’s voice or the look that accompanied it. He smiled.
“I think you have your answer, Georgie!” he said lightly.
“Well, if they are coming early then that is acceptable!” she replied smiling.
“I hope you are not regretting your decision,” said Miss Bingley suddenly.
Ash’s forehead creased. “Regretting my decision?”
“Mrs Bennet is very effusive.” Miss Bingley sipped her tea. “She has probably informed the entire village of her very good fortune! In fact she has probably informed them twice, and will not scruple to speak of all the intimate details.”
“I hope she speaks ofmy very good fortune,” smiled Ash.
“Your good fortune?” Miss Bingley attempted to give a look of artless confusion, “She is, I daresay, a very good sort of girl, but well for a young lady of her condition to be marrying you – I am quite sure her mother and herself hold themselves very lucky.”
Ash formulated a very cutting response in his head, but again Darcy interceded.
“But, Miss Bingley, I know you consider £10 000 an acceptable fortune for a gentleman of my, or my cousin’s, position. You have told me so often.”
Miss Bingley choked on her tea. “£10 000!?”
“Miss Bingley, it was you who told me of Mrs Sutton’s owning Netherfield; surely you must have expected such a thing?” Darcy, in Ash’s opinion, looked extremely smug.
“But it is entailed!? In use for her own lifetime!”
“No such thing!” responded Bingley.
“She is in debt! I saw her books!”
Bingley looked sharply at his sister. “Caroline, what do you know about reading estate books? And it is very improper to read private papers!”
Ash buttered his toast. “I have seen her estate books, and she is not in debt, far from it. I do hope you take my word for that, Miss Bingley. I hope you do not think I do not know how to read estate papers?”
Miss Bingley at this state had turned red – “But – But – I – “
“You what, Caroline? You have not shared this faulty information with others, have you?” Bingley might be naïve, but he did know his sister well.
Miss Bingley turned white. “I – I – I have £20 000! I told you £20 000 was an acceptable sum for a gentleman of your position.”
The rest of the table stared at Miss Bingley, including her sister who looked alarmed at her indiscretion.
Darcy smiled. “I forgot, I apologise, but I have rarely considered your financial situation. And what is half such a sum when a man makes such a cake of himself over the young lady he loves?”
Miss Bingley turned to stare at Darcy in horror, she was not a fool either; that statement was not restrictive to Ash, indeed it could apply to three of the gentlemen sitting at the table in relation to Bennet sisters.
It was no surprise that Miss Bingley unsteadily excused herself from the table, her sister rapidly following her lead.
When they had departed, Darcy turned to his friend, “I apologise, Bingley, that was uncalled for.”
“No, I do not think it was!” responded Bingley. “I think she has been spreading malicious gossip! It is all her friends ever speak of; they come to my town house and sit around slandering people, and when one of them fails to show, they slander her!!”
“Excuse me!” said Georgiana looked affronted.
Darcy started, having apparently forgotten his sister was present, then recovered himself enough to smile, “Are you implying, Georgie, that you are Miss Bingley’s friend?”
The affronted look did not leave Georgiana’s face, but she was forced to laugh after a moment or two.
Miss Bingley unsurprisingly chose not to grace anyone with her presence that evening, until absolutely necessary and was so unfailingly polite to everyone that Lizzy was forced to whisper to Jane that Miss Bingley was clearly ill.
Fortunately this had been during one of Mary’s concertos, so Jane’s giggle had been obscured.
“That was excellent, Mary!” cried Mrs Bennet, when it was over. “It is such a pity that Lydia was feeling poorly this evening, otherwise I dare say she could have given us a performance, too! Indeed it is funny that I mention Lydia, because, my lord, you may not have noticed, but I did think perhaps she would please you! I did not know then that you had your eye on quite my favourite child!”
Kitty stared at her mother, quite taken back at this sudden elevation in the family pecking order. Jane did not look as if she minded her descent.
“In fact, I must be persuaded that you are good enough for my darling girl! Do come sit by me and tell me all about your family!”
Jane hid a smile at Kitty’s look of horror as Mrs Bennet proceeded to interrogate Lord Ashbourne. She also had to hide another look of amusement when Mr Darcy kept interrupting to tell their mother of some exploit or other of his cousin, Lizzy’s eyes had practically leapt out of their sockets! Lizzy even moved closer to the group to watch him!
Mr Bingley had been called away from the room for a moment and when he returned he had with him Sir Christian Montgomery.
“Er – “ Mr Bingley looked as though he would rather be somewhere else.
“Good evening! When Bingles – you don’t mind if I call you Bingles? – said he was having a dinner tonight, and that my dear singing partner was to be the guest of honour after announcing her engagement to the viscount here, how could I not attend?”
Kitty stood to greet Sir Christian. “Indeed how could you not? I am sorry I had no chance to speak to you at the Assembly the other night!”
Sir Christian glanced at Bingley, “Well I could tell when I was not wanted!” This brought a snort from the direction of the piano! “Ah if it isn’t my favourite Bennet sister! Though you were quite naughty not to tell me your name after hitting me with that book, though you see I have discovered it!”
Everyone stared at Mary, who for the first time in her life went a shade of crimson.
“Sir Christian,” said Darcy in an exasperated tone, “what are you doing here?”
“Attending Bingles’ excellent party! I missed the dinner on purpose as to not put his cook out!” Sir Christian paused, “Or do you mean what are we doing here? In which case I cannot help you as I did not pay attention to philosophy at Cambridge – I was too busy with – “
“Yes, yes!” injected Mrs Sutton. “Only a fool could think Darcy wished to engage in a theological and philosophical debate with you!”
“Well, Bingles invited me! He wished to take more control of his business affairs don’t-you-know! Organise things…for when a certain desirable event takes place.”
Sir Christian turned to kiss his hand at Jane, who tried not to burst out laughing at the chagrined look on Mr Bingley’s face.
“Sir Christian – I had not – I have not – “
“You have not asked her? What are you waiting for?” cried Sir Christian. “We have worked everything out perfectly! Even found someone upon which to turf those lamentable siste’s of yours – good evening, Miss Bingley! Mrs Hurst! – so your angel would not be upset by their behaviour!”
“Sir Christian please!” cried Bingley before turning to Jane. “Miss Bennet may I beg a moment of your time, if that would be acceptable, Mr Bennet?”
Mr Bennet gave so sign of disapproval, in fact Jane thought her father looked as though he had never had so much fun in his life.
Jane calmly stood and followed Mr Bingley out of the room, but not before catching Mr Darcy whispering to Lord Ashbourne – “Was this your idea?”
To which Lord Ashbourne replied – “My idea? I have no idea of what you speak, my stroll this afternoon definitely did not take me anywhere near the inn!”
Bingley had never felt so nervous in his life. “Jane?”
“Yes, Charles,” replied Jane sitting on the sofa in his library. She had her hands folded primly on her lap and was giving him the most searching look.
“I – I –I….”
“Was what Sir Christian implied untrue?”
She sounded so calm, but it did little for Bingley’s nerves.
“No! Of course – I have admired you from the moment we first met – I – er – “
“Do you not want to marry me, Charles?”
Bingley’s voice stuck in his throat.
“I would very much like to marry you!” Jane looked at him directly
“Would you by jove? I would very much like to marry you? Will you be my wife, Jane?” Bingley sank onto the sofa next to Jane and unclasped her hands to clasp them himself.
Jane looked down at her lap and then back at Bingley. “Yes, I will be your wife.”
Bingley took this as his cue to kiss her, something he had wanted to do from the moment he first laid eyes on such a serene and beautiful angel.
“Charles?” Jane asked softly when she felt that if she kissed Bingley any more she would really be breaking the rules of propriety. “Can you explain what Sir Christian meant when he was talking of you?”
Bingley sighed. “Darcy tried to tell me that you did not care for me, and I believed him! I was weak and allowed myself to be persuaded away. Do not think too badly of him because he was trying to persuade himself away from your sister, and when I discovered his behaviour I realised just how…weak I had been. I decided I needed to take control of my fortune, my business and my life.”
Bingley took a breath. “I realised what Darcy had done and why he had done it after he spoke ill of – well I shall not repeat what occurred – but it was at Whites and I bespoke myself a glass of port and took a seat near Sir Christian. I may have had too many glasses of port and before I knew it I was pouring out my story to him. So he decided to help me after I decided I could not ask you to marry me until I had straightened myself out! “
“I see, “said Jane, “But why were you so secretive of it?”
“Well, Sir Christian for one! I own he is a very good sort of man, indeed I would say bar one thing, the very best of men, but I will admit he is not a person one should introduce to ladies! I could hardly claim an acquaintance with him and not introduce him to you – or my sisters! My sisters were my other reason for not wishing to speak until everything was a fait accompli. I think they like me to be beholden to Darcy, not to mention I do not think Caroline, or Louisa for that matter, will like the idea of having to set up their own establishment and not rely upon me. I know it is my duty as their brother, but I cannot allow myself to be – “
“I understand Charles,” said Jane quietly, “But I do wish for you to know how worried I was that – “
“Worried?” Bingley looked upset.
“I thought perhaps I had upset you? That I had flirted too much or…”
“Jane, no! You could never upset me!” Bingley took a deep breath, “I am so sorry, Jane! It is just I could not ask you to marry me, after I had been so easily persuaded, if I had not convinced myself I was worthy of you, that I would be able to support you, that I would not expose you to – “
Jane squeezed Bingley’s hands. “I understand. You wished to make things perfect, but Charles…you forgot one thing?”
Bingley looked curious.
“I only need one thing for my life to be perfect; you!”
Jane might think that kissing Bingley any more tonight would constitute a grave breech of societal mores, but it was clear Bingley did not have such scruples!
With the exception of Bingley’s sisters, and they were far too shocked by recent events to say little more than whispered congratulations, everyone was delighted with Jane and Bingley’s engagement.
It added the celebratory feel to the night, and it was well into the morning before any of Longbourn’s residents found their beds. Indeed, Kitty stumbled into room without so much as a candle and barely undressed before falling into a deep sleep. After all, she had promised to accompany Ash on a walk the next day.
It was barely still morning when Kitty awoke to an empty room, Lydia having most likely gone into Meryton, or was with Mrs Bennet, who no doubt was keeping to her room and acting with all the pride and pomp of a lady with two daughters very well engaged. As Kitty went downstairs it looked as if only the servants were awake, which was understandable: if Kitty had not made a promise, she would still be abed!
Kitty enjoyed a long ramble, laughing as Ash, now that they were alone, divulged what had occurred at the breakfast table the previous day to make Miss Bingley so very quiet and red-faced.
She had never felt quite so happy before in her life. It was well into the afternoon before they pair made their way back to Longbourn, only to be greeted by a distressed Hill.
“Oh miss!” cried Hill.
“Hill, what is it? Is my mother ill?”
“Oh…” Hill looked cautiously at Ash. “I think you had better come in, Miss.”
Ash frowned as he followed Kitty into the parlour.
Most of the family was gathered there, including Bingley, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Strangely, to Kitty, Colonel Forster was also standing by one of windows. Mrs Bennet had sunk onto one of the couches.
“It is all your fault!” she gasped glaring at her sister-in-law, who must have arrived with the gentlemen from Netherfield.
“My fault?”
“You teased my poor girl with your money! Teased her! She would never have done such a thing if she did not think she would ….”
Kitty looked confused. “Mama? Aunt Clara? Poor girl?”
Mrs Bennet merely began to sob.
As Mr Bennet looked grave, Kitty turned to her sisters, “Lizzy, Jane? What has happened.”
“Lydia,” said Lizzy looking devastated, “has eloped with Mr Wickham.”
Posted on Thursday, 17 November 2005
Denny,
I do dislike to leave in such a rush, but certain circumstances beyond my control have arisen. Some person, no doubt some gentleman upset with my talents with the ladies, has informed on me to the Colonel. Colonel F has been watching my every move over the last week, and I do not doubt he has discovered actions, while perfectly acceptable you understand, that he feels might undermine the position of the regiment. I will of course reimburse you for the money I borrowed from you. Adieu until some later date, my dear friend.
Wickham
P.S Do not fear that I shall be lonely on the journey I have amply provided for that eventuality.
“But it is impossible!” exclaimed Kitty clutching the note that Colonel Forster had either found before Lieutenant Denny, or that gentleman had handed it over to his commanding officer.
“My dear girl would never have acted in such a way if she had not been provoked!” wailed Mrs Bennet.
“Mama, please!” cried Kitty looking at Ash who looked equally confused. “I would like to hear the particulars! Why does this note mean that Lydia has eloped?”
“She is not in the house,” replied Jane, sounding more distressed than Kitty had ever seen her.
“She is never in the house! She is most likely in Meryton buying the most outrageous puce bonnet to wear at our weddings!”
“No, Kitty. She went off to Meryton yesterday, and was gone for most of the day, did you not find that strange?”
“She had a letter from Mrs Forster! A grossly impertinent and rude letter, but when has Lydia ever minded that!” Kitty then realised she had spoken so in front of the grossly impertinent and rude letter writer’s husband. “I do apologise Colonel, but it was an exceptionally impertinent letter!”
“Please do not apologise, I have no doubt that it was,” replied Colonel Forster in the tone of a man who has long realised he married a stupid woman. “However, my wife says she did not see Miss Lydia yesterday.”
Kitty blinked. “Well that does not mean – “
“I must say I found it strange that Lydia did not wish to come to Netherfield,“ commented Bingley. “I always thought she enjoyed parties immensely.”
“She had the headache!” replied Kitty.
“Lydia never has the headache,” injected Mary in a moralising tone.
“I am afraid Kitty that Wickham was seen departing, in the middle of the night, with a female companion,” said Darcy gravely; looking grateful he had left Georgiana still asleep at Netherfield.
“Who says it was Lydia!” replied Kitty heatedly. Lydia would not elope with Wickham; she knew what kind of man he was! She knew! Lydia had her sights set on a lord – a marquis! – and Lydia never lowered her standards!
“I am afraid, Kitty, that she does.” Mr Bennet handed to Kitty a note that was clearly written in her sister’s hand.
At any other moment, Kitty would have been overjoyed that she was so trusted and included in family affairs. Before her engagement, no perhaps it was more before her visit to her aunt, she would have been considered too childish and silly to be included in such discussions.
Kitty sank down on an unoccupied sofa, not before shooting a desperate look at Ash, who had walked over to confer with the gentlemen.
She turned her attention to the note.
My dearest sister, you will laugh when you read this! This morning my darling hero, darling, darling Wickham, he is so handsome in his red coat, you know how I admire it so! I also love his way with ladies. He is so thoughtful and kind, always thinking of others and how to divest them of worries that weigh so heavily upon them. But I digress, my darling hero, while I was calling on the officers, dragged me into a linen closet. Upon this action I fainted, to receive such harsh and firm treatment from my love! Once I revived he begged me, for the sake of his life, to fly to the border, in the wee hours of the morning, where we would throw ourselves over the anvil and be wed! To be blunt, we would become man and wife and live in a cottage and raise pigs. (which I of course would name after my dear brothers-in-law!) Wickham assured me, he had always felt me quite above his touch, and he was cast into agony upon hearing of my Aunt’s bequest, but he realised then that he had always loved me and he did not care tuppence about the difference in our station. You can imagine what I felt on such an occasion! I felt quite faint, but I rallied my spirits and asked him – why be married? Mary Wollstonecraft did not feel bound by such archaic institutions with Gilbert Imlay! And so I told Wickham, if we love each other, we need only ourselves and the pigs to be truly happy! He shall farm the land and I shall wander through the forest, randomly reciting poetry to the small fawns that shall follow me everywhere!
The note was incomplete. Kitty stared at it for a moment. “Of all the fustian nonsense! You did not take this seriously?”
“Seriously? Our sister has eloped!” cried Lizzy.
“She has not eloped!”
“Well where is she?” said Colonel Fitzwilliam reasonably.
“I do not know, but she has not run off with Wickham! Why would she do that?”
“She is a foolish, foolish girl.I who might have prevented it!” Lizzy strode to the window hugging herself.
“Oh, who will stand by my girls now!” cried Mrs Bennet, who had been rendered almost inanimate, and was only Mary’s waving harts-horn under her nose. Mrs Bennet sat up only to grasp Bingley and Ash’s hand looking at them imploringly.
Both of the gentlemen immediately reassured their future mother-in-law.
“This has not been broadcast further than the occupants of this room, I trust?” said Ash calmly.
“Lieutenant Denny knows of Wickham’s flight, and I daresay a dozen or so others of the officers, but none of them knew the identity of the lady, not knowing that Wickham was even to fly until the deed was done,” replied Colonel Forster.
“Your servants are to be trusted, I assume, Mr Bennet?”
Her father looked pale and old and Kitty’s’ heart went out to him. “I believe only Hill knows our sad news. The rest of the servants think Lydia is out walking.”
“I should keep it that way if I were you, Mr Bennet,” replied Ash.
Lizzy looked out of the window, wishing the awful feeling pooling in her stomach would disappear but it would not.
She had barely, the night before, come to terms with the fact that so far from disliking Mr Darcy that instead her feelings – she did not quite know when but they had undergone some change.
All she knew was the feeling of jealous that occurred when Darcy had lifted Kitty from her horse and stood there for quite some time in close conversation with her. And the, at the time, unidentifiable and uncontrollable feeling that had overcome her when her mother had insisted that Kitty marry Darcy!
She had not been able to stem her words, so insistent was she that Kitty should not marry Darcy!
Lizzy did not know precisely what it was that had changed her opinion of the man, it was so subtle. The discovery of the fact that she had wronged him, the fact that he was a good brother, seeing him in the company of his family, his friends! Even seeing his discomfort here at the Longbourn dinner and seeing his constant glances at her, and knowing his discomfort was more to do with her presence than any feelings of disgust he had for her family. His actions last night in teasing his cousin and willingly conversing with her mother!
More so, even though she had had the irrational urge to charge down the hill and pull Kitty away from him, the way Darcy had clearly treated Kitty like any member of his family.
However, it was not as though if Darcy threw himself prostrate on the floor, telling her once again of his ardent love and emotion that she would accept his advances. Lizzy was still unsure of that. It was that she wished to know him better. By being better acquainted with him she felt she had grown to know him better, and she had no desire for that to stop.
But now it would inevitably stop. How could she expect him to continue a courtship with a lady when first he did not know she would now welcome the courtship and second that lady’s family was suffering under a grievous reverse of fortune. Stupid, stupid Lydia!
Lizzy turned to look at the room. Mary and Jane were hovering over Mrs Bennet, who while not loud managed to fill the room with her murmured fears. Her father sat in a chair looking as if he did not see what was in front of him. The gentlemen were conversing in low tones, no doubt about the situation and what was to be done.
Kitty was sitting staring at her sister’s letter, and their aunt was examining it over her shoulder.
Kitty! Jane! Oh selfish Lydia, she had ruined more than her own reputation! She had heard the gentlemen’s reassurance to her mother, but she could not hope to believe it.
Bingley was not likely to abandon Jane, but she did not know Lord Ashbourne; she had met him at the picnic, and now that he had come to Longbourn. An acquaintance of four days! While she prided herself on first impressions, a talent that had been severely rocked by both Wickham and Darcy, she had not the least notion of Lord Ashbourne’s character.
He was a nobleman and a gentleman. Lizzy would not dispute that, but he was also the heir to a title and a position in society. Kitty was a gentleman’s daughter, she was not a nobleman’s daughter, did that constitute quitting her sphere? Lizzy did not know. A couple of months ago she would have had difficulty imagining Kitty as the mistress of any household, but now she thought Kitty would manage, but to manage such a large household?
Would he marry her if her family was ruined, which indubitably it was?
Kitty brow furrowed looked up from the note, and rushed out of the room. Lord Ashbourne followed her and Lizzy looked away out of the window.
She was sure wherever Kitty had gone, it would be a painful scene, and she who could have prevented it! She who knew Wickham’s character, knew that he was in Meryton spreading the most vicious gossip about Darcy’s character! She knew he was a fortune hunter! She knew!
Lydia who had nothing but love, flirtation, and officers in her head! How could Lizzy blame her for for falling for his charm and seductions when she herself could not see his true character! She who prided herself on such things!
It was too much to be borne. Lizzy had to leave the room which had become too stifling.
Kitty looked around her bedchamber. She threw upon the closet and opened the trunks. Nothing had been taken.
Lydia would not elope with nothing. She might think she could buy better clothes once married, but she was not so featherheaded as wish to make a flight to Scotland, or wherever, uncomfortable by having no change of clothes. And she would hardly trust a gentleman to provide her with clothes. Lydia did not think highly of anybody else’s sense of fashion – man or woman!
“Kitty.”
Kitty turned to see Ash. “She has not eloped!”
“You are certain of that?”
“She is my sister! I told her Wickham’s character. She would not! She has not taken anything but left this letter!”
Ash took the letter from Kitty and glanced at it. “I can see why you think this is a faradiddle! Pray why is your sister the heroine of one of Radcliffe’s novels? That one with the forest and the tedious fainting female? She randomly sang to fawns…”
“Adeline? Romance of the Forest,” replied Kitty.
“She really is a tiresome girl.”
“Adeline or my sister?”
“Both!” replied Ash.
“Well I am afraid that letter is my fault! I started it!”
Ash looked quizzical, so Kitty went to her trunk and pulled out Lydia’s letters to her, and found in Lydia’s dresser Kitty’s letters to her.
Leafing through them, Ash raised his eyebrows. “I think you both have a talent, one I am afraid you will waste as my wife. I really cannot have my wife writing gothic romance novels!”
“Would you forbid me?” Kitty challenged him.
“Once we are married you will have to obey my every command,” replied Ash. Ash expected a sharp retort to this; instead he got an armful of Kitty. “What is all this?”
Kitty mumbled into his coat, but Ash could make out the sentiment. He made her look at him while keeping one arm around her, “Do you think I would not marry you even if your sister had eloped? I would not care if your entire family suddenly became traitorous spies for the French!”
Ash idly looked at one of the letters more closely as he held Kitty close. “ His magnificent steed mounted the Pyrenees with ease. His hair flowed in the moonlight - What the devil? I was never near the Pyrenees…especially at night!”
Kitty giggled, wisely not remarking on Ash’s assumption she had been speaking of him. “Lydia said my letters were boring, so I made them more interesting!”
“Are you implying my Army tales bored you? They bored your officer loving sister?” Ash was outraged.
Kitty giggled into his shoulder.
“What else have you written in here?”
There was a knock at the door; it was Darcy. “Ash.”
Ash released Kitty and followed Darcy into the hallway. “You were right. I handled Wickham incredibly ill, and now the Bennet family is paying for my mistakes.”
“Kitty does not think Lydia has eloped, indeed Kitty told her of Wickham’s character and while she is a shameless minx, I am unsure she is that much of a shameless minx!”
“Well where the deuce is she if she has not eloped? She was most certainly not here last night! Hill assured us her bed had not been slept in!”
“Clearly we must look for her then.” Ash paused. “Were you asking for my help?”
“You have more right in this situation than I!” replied Darcy. “But yes, I was asking for your help.”
Ash smiled.
Darcy returned the smile, glad that he had truly made peace with his cousin. “But I have been such a fool!”
“I have known you for a fool these past twenty-eight years!” Ash laughed, “It is not I you should be confessing this to!”
Darcy rolled his eyes, but allowed his cousin to lead him downstairs to consult with the other gentlemen.
Her father’s library was empty and cool. There Lizzy could sit and reflect. But it was not to be, she did not know how long she sat there before someone knocked and entered.
“Miss Bennet?”
Lizzy looked up. “Have the gentlemen decided upon a course of action?”
Darcy closed the door behind him. “Apart from shooting Wickham on sight? No, there has been no positive witness to your sister eloping with him, so we are to look for her.”
“No witness? Her own words!” Lizzy tried to hold back a sob. “I who could have prevented it! Wretched! Wretched mistake.”
“No, Miss Bennet!” said Darcy forcefully. “It was my mistake. I wished to conceal my failings as a brother, as a man! I told myself I wished to protect my sister, but I protected her above all other costs when there certainly were ways of exposing Wickham’s character to the world. This is my wretched mistake!”
Lizzy looked at Darcy with some surprise. She had never expected him to speak so openly on such a subject.
“You are surprised at my candour?”
“No, I – “ Lizzy found she had not the words.
“No, you are surprised at my candour and I can hardly find it within myself to blame you. I have made many mistakes. I was brought up with so much love, but with so much pride also! I was a conceited fool and you do not know half of the abominable things I have said and done! You are not to blame for Wickham’s actions and you are not to blame for mine! There is one thing Wickham and I have in common – “
“No!” exclaimed Lizzy. That any gentleman should compare themselves to Wickham was repugnant! That Darcy should compare himself was even more so!
“It is true, Miss Bennet. We both have the incredible power to be our own enemies, destroying our lives with our own actions.”
Lizzy turned away from Darcy. He was being so open to her when now she would most likely never see him again!
“Miss Bennet, please look at me!”
“I cannot, sir!”
“Why not?” Darcy sounded pained.
Lizzy stood, unsteadily, “Sir, my sister has most likely eloped, and Wickham cannot be trusted to actually marry her, my aunt’s fortune or not! Indeed Aunt Clara has made it clear she will not bestow her money on the unworthy! My family is ruined! You do not want to ally yourself with a family of which Wickham, if found, will have to be a part!” Lizzy paced around the room.
“Are you – You are too generous to trifle with me. Would you accept my feelings now? Elizabeth speak to me!”
Lizzy turned to him. “I cannot – my feelings are quite the reverse – but I cannot! In this situation how could you – “
Lizzy got no further before she was caught up in a highly improper embrace. It was some moments before Darcy released her saying thickly, “I love you! I have loved you from – almost – the first moment I saw you! A hundred Wickhams would not prevent me from loving you if you felt the same way!”
Lizzy laughed. “This is an unexpected side of you, sir.”
Darcy made no response but to kiss her again. Neither noticed the door opening.
“Mr Darcy! Lizzy!”
The couple broke apart in confusion. Mr Bennet looked as though someone could have knocked him over with a feather. Mrs Bennet, who had followed her husband, shrieked.
“If it is not enough that Lydia has run away, but that you Lizzy should be kissing a man in my library! My nerves!”
Lizzy flushed a deeper red than she had ever had in her life as everyone, following her mother’s voice, walked into the library to stare at her and Darcy.
“Darcy?” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, sounding amused.
Lizzy was sure Lord Ashbourne was stifling laughter as well.
They all stood frozen in tableau until a voice broke through the silence.
“What is happening? Did I miss something?”
They turned. Lydia stood in the door way looked upset. “Why do I always miss the interesting events?”
“Lydia! Where have you been?” said Mr Bennet sternly.
“Mr Sacking’s daughter-in-law gave birth last night! I went to mind her sons and to keep Mr Sacking entertained! He is so happy that he has a granddaughter again!”
“But you wrote a note saying Mr Wickham… proposed… to you!” said Jane.
“Oh yes, what a joke, Wickham asked me to elope! When he found out about Aunt Clara’s money, of course! I told him I would meet him, so I sent Chamberlayne in a dress! What a laugh! I should have loved to see Wickham’s face when he realised what had happened!”
It was too much for Kitty, she burst out laughing and hugged her sister close.
Posted on Monday, 28 November 2005
I understand your betrothed’s family have a very small park. Indeed Mrs Collins describes it as a prettyish kind of a little wilderness. But this is not the subject of my letter. As you know my character is celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, so I shall be frank with you. This report, one of a most alarming nature, reached me two days ago when your father gave me some hint of it in his last note, but he is such an appalling correspondent that I was for some hours under the impression you had offered for Clara Sutton! I knew of course that must be a scandalous falsehood, so I instantly resolved on setting off for London to make my sentiments on that score known!
I may tell you frankly that Catherine Bennet is a much better choice! I have it on good report that she is not as impertinent as her sister, and indeed is a great favourite with your mother which is always a good thing for a girl to be! Of course if you do marry this girl, you will have to be censured and slightly by Clara Sutton, indeed she knows no other manner of action! I remember our last meeting and am sorry that you, my nephew, will have to be subject to such overbearing behaviour.
Yet Clara Sutton is of a good family and any smell of the shop died with her husband, god rest his soul I sincerely pitied the man to have to live with such a controlling creature! Back to Miss Bennet, I will admit that a man of your noble line could have looked as high as you liked for a bride, if your father does not object then I can have no say in the matter. It will not disgrace you, and if the dear girl needs advice with running a household she need only apply to me. …”
Ash entertained the family party by reading out the letter his aunt had sent him.
He looked at Clara amused, “Your last meeting with Lady Catherine?”
“But Aunt, when I mentioned Lady Catherine all those months ago you barely remembered her name!” exclaimed Kitty.
Clara smiled, “I did barely remember her name and I have no notion of what meeting she means! I did forget she married Sir Louis de Bourgh and it did not help that I knew her as my Lady Disdain! My private name for her you understand!”
Darcy looked amused that someone could forget anything about his formidable Aunt, much less that his formidable Aunt could find someone else controlling and overbearing!
It had been a week since Miss Lydia’s ’ elopement’ and the only scandal to arise out of it was Darcy’s behaviour with Elizabeth.
Since only the family had witnessed such actions, luckily Colonel Forster had been slow to arrive, it had been decided by an equally angry and amused Mr Bennet that no forced engagement would take place, as long as the understanding was an engagement would occur some time in the future.
Darcy was content with this, he was fully aware that he would not have made such overtures or declarations and that Elizabeth would not have welcomed them without the emotional atmosphere of fear for Lydia’s virtue. Elizabeth assured him that she would accept them, but would prefer a more lengthy courtship and acquaintance.
He also had a feeling Lady Catherine might be less accepting of the announcement of his engagement, after all she had never planned Ash’s engagement to anyone. Lady Catherine was still, Darcy was sure, planning a wedding between Anne and himself, despite neither being so inclined.
All in all Darcy was a happy man. Apart from Sir Christian; since his helping Bingley had been revealed he had decamped to Netherfield and drove Darcy to distraction by flirting shamelessly with every woman in sight.
Ash and Fitzwilliam told him that he only did so when Darcy was around, but since Darcy could not, not be around himself, he had to witness such actions!
Lizzy helped Jane cut some lavender. Everyone else was inside, still discussing Lady Catherine’s letter, but Jane had seemed to wish to talk privately.
“Jane? Is there something wrong?”
“Not with me,” replied Jane.
“Then with who?”
“You,” said Jane firmly.
“Me?” Lizzy looked surprised, “But Jane there is nothing wrong…do you mean Mr Darcy?”
Lizzy would later swear she saw Jane roll her eyes. “Yes, Lizzy, Mr Darcy. I had no notion you liked the man so much! Indeed I had no notion you liked him at all!”
Lizzy re-arranged the cuttings before looking at her sister. “I confess my feelings changed so slowly. It first began with his letter, and then seeing him in London with his family, and seeing him here in Mertyon and his actions when we thought Lydia had…I cannot explain it at all well! Cannot my feelings change?”
“Of course they can Lizzy, but the situation – I do not understand at all how you came to ….”
Lizzy had wondered why Jane had discussed this with her earlier but the house had been all in uproar due to three daughters being engaged or so close to being engaged that Mrs Bennet saw no difference. Of course Jane had more likely been waiting for Lizzy herself to discuss it, but Lizzy still did not know quite how to put her feelings into words, and she felt so protective of them even with her sister.
“I do not know Jane, but I do not regret it! I regret a great deal of things but not that! And you Jane?”
“Do I regret anything?” Jane smiled, “No, I know what you mean Lizzy and I am the happiest woman in the world! Even happier since Aunt Clara has said she would like to reclaim Netherfield at some stage!”
Lizzy’s brow furrowed.
“Oh Lizzy has love dulled your senses? If Aunt wishes to have her house back, Charles and I shall have to move elsewhere…perhaps somewhere near Pemberley…close to you and far away from mother!” Jane looked contrite. “Not that I shall want to be far away from Mama, but at least in Derbyshire she will have three daughters she can visit!”
Lizzy smiled, “Yes I am stupid today! Do you think Kitty is also the happiest woman in the world?”
They had finished filling the baskets so turned to walk back to the house. “I had much more time to observe Kitty, Lizzy, and while I was distracted with my own wishes, I did always think she preferred his lordship over every man, including those with red coats and he was always so solicitous of her. So I am sure they will be very happy.”
“Ah yes, and she has the approval of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I dare not imagine how Kitty will go on when she meets her! No doubt she will create a better impression than I!”
Mrs Bennet had wished for a day where she could give three of her daughters away in one lavish ceremony to show every mother in the village just how accomplished Mrs Bennet was! That was until Mr Bennet pointed out that why have one lavish ceremony, if you could have three?
But Mrs Phillips very unwisely commented that it was very commonplace to have one wedding per daughter, to rectify this Mrs Bennet broke with convention and decided to marry her daughters in order of their engagements. With three daughters engaged so close together they should have been married according the precedence of the daughters, but this way Mrs Bennet could sandwich the lesser wedding between the two greater ones.
Jane suffered with complacency the fact her marriage, which would have been, less than a year ago, the grandest wedding and feat her mother could dream of accomplishing, was now deemed a lesser event. It meant at least she was not being hurried and harried by her mother every moment of the day.
Jane wished Lizzy would follow Kitty’s lead and be supremely unruffled in the face of such vigorous assault, but Jane suspected Kitty’s calm stemmed partly from the fact she had a fiancé that could say ‘yes’ with ease to everything Mrs Bennet suggested, yet still have everything planned exactly how he and Kitty would like. Mr Darcy had not quite mastered that social art, but he was learning.
Not that Mr Darcy had actually proposed, Mrs Bennet was taking it as a given. When Jane could forget that she was Jane, and thus not likely to laugh openly at anyone else’s misfortune, she was always tempted to giggle at Mr Darcy’s chagrined face. It was if he was torn between disliking Mrs Bennet’s easy assumptions and at the same time liking the assumption he was already part of the Bennet clan.
Jane looked out at the bright morning, it was exactly a month since Lord Ashbourne had proposed and now Kitty’s wedding day looked to be perfect, as far as the weather was concerned at least!
Mrs Bennet had been concerned when the Prime Minister had got himself so foolishly assassinated, but the speedy trial and execution of the assassin almost before the week was out, meant as far as Mrs Bennet was concerned the wedding of her daughter and the heir of Matlock would serve as an event to put that shocking one out of everyone’s mind.
Georgiana was practically hopping with delight.
“Oh how pretty you look, Kitty! I hope I shall look as pretty on my wedding day!”
“I am sure you shall,” replied Lizzy who was helping the maid arrange the flowers Kitty would carry.
“How pretty you shall look, Lizzy!” smiled Georgiana.
Georgiana had been upset that everyone had kept Wickham’s misdeed from her; indeed she had had words with Fitzwilliam, both of them, about it. But she did understand it stemmed more from the speed of the incident rather than any thought she would be too young or fragile to cope.
After all, Georgiana would have told them that Lydia knew of Wickham’s perfidy.
But if they had not thought Lydia had run away then Fitzwilliam would have never expressed himself so candidly to Elizabeth and she to him, so it turned out to be a good thing in the end.
Georgiana was to get a sister, who was not Caroline Bingley, a new cousin and a reprieve from matchmaking – that is matchmaking that involved her! She would not have to suffer through the Bingley sister’s attempts to pair her with Bingley, nor would she have to see her brother’s looks when he too thought nothing could be better than to pair his sister with his best friend.
Georgiana could have not thought of anything worse!
Not, she reflected, that there was anything wrong with Bingley it was just however rather trite, to marry your sister to your best friend.
But why was she thinking of such things!
“Georgiana?” Kitty’s voice broke into her thoughts, “You look as if you were a million miles away!”
Georgiana shook her head, “I am back now!”
Kitty squeezed her hand, “I am sure we shall be celebrating your wedding soon enough.”
How like Kitty thought Georgiana as she smiled at her friend. Such moments did make her wish that she was the one to walk down the aisle.
“Kitty! Georgiana is not yet out!” said Lizzy with a laugh.
“I am afraid they will not like me!” said Georgiana.
Lizzy gave her a quick hug. “Do not speak nonsense!”
“Indeed,” smiled Kitty. “After all you have 30 000 pounds, I am afraid they shall like you too much.”
Lizzy stiffened at this allusion to fortune hunters and therefore Wickham but Georgiana smiled. “Lucky then I know how to spot a dishonest man from 100 paces!”
“And that you shall have three formidable young matrons looking after you.”
“Do you count Jane as formidable?” said Lizzy finishing the bouquet.
“Oh yes,” said Kitty, “Any man who could do wrong in front of her risking upsetting that rose-coloured vision of hers would have to be very brave!”
“Or very foolish.” Mary had entered the room. “You look very nice, Kitty.” Mary paused. “I brought you a present.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Kitty took the present from her elder sister and looked at it. It appeared to be a box.
“I helped Mary with it!” came an imperious voice as Lydia flounced into the room. “I told you that material would look very well on you Kitty, not as well as me of course, but you do look very well!”
“Is the fashion for everyone to tell a bride how pretty, nice or well she looks?”
“Well you have to say it to a bride, even if she has buck teeth and spots,” replied Lydia sitting on the bed. “Not that you have buck teeth or spots,” she said generously.
Kitty rolled her eyes and made no comment.
The sisterly meeting was made complete as Jane entered to say the carriage was to be brought round to the door in a matter of moments.
“Hurry up and open our present!” said Lydia.
“Lydia, let Kitty open our present as she chooses,” admonished Jane.
“Oh did you all have some part in this?” replied Kitty looking at Lizzy.
“A small part each yes.”
Kitty undid the ribbon that held the box closed. She opened the lid with some trepidation, anything that Lydia had been involved with required some degree of caution.
What was inside the box caused Kitty to feel the pricking of tears. “Oh, it’s lovely.”
Anyone else looking at the small box would have seen nonsense – items worth nothing but to be put on the scrap heap, but to Kitty and her sisters it meant more.
There was the soft rag doll that Kitty had always envied Jane and they had played with together even when Jane had been a grown up young lady of twelve. The book Mary had used to read to her when Mary had known how to read and she had not, was nestled with the apron she and Lydia had played house with. Lastly the mask that Lizzy had worn when imitating all the gentlemen in the district to her sisters after Jane and herself had been out, and able to meet such gentlemen.
Kitty did not know what to say so she simply hugged each of her sisters in turn and begged them to visit her as soon as possible.
“We gave this to you before the wedding instead of at the breakfast because I knew you would be upset to part with me as it was, so we shall say our goodbyes now,” said Lydia as Kitty gave her a fierce hug. Kitty giggled in her ear. “Yes Lydia it will be very difficult to part with you, but I shall write to you, but you must promise not to let your letters fall into the wrong hands again.”
Lydia clutched at Kitty’s back, and Kitty knew she was trying not to cry. “I promise.”
Kitty waited patiently in the carriage. They had ordered it early but Mrs Bennet refused to have the party arrive early in case it threw off all her plans.
Everyone else had been permitted to get out and walk into the church, but Kitty had been informed that her mother would never speak to her again if she let anyone catch sight of her before her walk up the aisle. So Kitty was trapped in the carriage.
She did not notice anyone walking up to the carriage so the sound of the door opening made her start.
“Mama said she would never speak to me again if I let anyone see me, and I have a feeling that that counts for double if I let you see me.”
“But you are not letting me do anything. If your mother discovers us I will assure her that I overrode your most fervent attempts at repulsing me.”
Kitty smiled as Ash sat next to her on the small carriage seat.
“Lady Ashbourne, “said Ash looking at her in a way that always melted her heart.
“Not yet.”
“Are you intending on leaving me at the altar?”
Kitty pretended to think about it before grasping his hand and kissing it, “No.”
“Good because if you had said yes I would have had to abduct you.” Ash paused and brought his face closer to hers so their foreheads touched. “Thinking about it, we are both in a carriage it is not too late to elope,” he whispered.
“My mother would catch us before we left the village, and then you would sincerely be sorry.”
“When are you going to believe, while I respect your family, nothing they can do or say will ever prevent me from doing what is best for you.”
Kitty craned her neck, “then believe me I do not wish to elope.”
“Good thing, since I do not have enough money on me to get us further than Grantham.”
“I think Grantham would be far enough,” smiled Kitty.
There were a few moments of companionable silence.
“I love you, “said Kitty, moving closer to him. “I always will.”
Ash kissed her then pulled back, “I think I have always loved you.”
“Always?” Kitty laughed.
“Always,” repeated Ash emphatically.
It was definitely one of the weddings of the season. The day which promised such beautiful weather delivered. The guests were all well behaved and nothing untoward spoiled the ceremony. Not that either Miss Catherine Bennet or Lord Ashbourne would have noticed as they only had eyes for each other.
Posted on Monday, 28 November 2005
….. I am very glad that you are happy with the governess I sent you, though how could it be otherwise? I am particularly proficient in picking governesses, and so too would Anne if her health had permitted. I have allowed Anne to have the little season in town with her cousins, Lady Ashbourne assures me nothing untoward shall happen and I believe her. After all she has managed to cure my nephew of whatever was keeping him from making his proper visits to me. Although he seemed particularly taken with visiting the parsonage for some unknown reason. Lady A and Richard said it would be best not to inquire, so I shall not. Speaking of nephews, thank you for telling me of Mrs Darcy’s ball. It sounded very respectable, though why he had to marry such a woman when my Anne was waiting for him, I shall never know, but she shall catch a very eligible parti in no time; she is not my daughter for nothing…
…..I hope she is happy with him. I dare only hope; after all, he is such a man! I write to you to warn you of his treachery. After all, a man that can refuse his father’s dying wish is not a man to be trifled with! I only ask you to put in a word with the Colonel so I can return to the regiment. I find that Darcy’s lies have spread far and I cannot gain access to any creditable employment! Although, I daresay you might be in disgrace with the Colonel as well, for attending me on my journey. Lydia Bennet’s duplicity did shock me, I own, but now I reflect, I must congratulate her on her choice, my dear Chamberlayne…
….. Lydia Bennet, I am sure, is rueing the day she turned down my offer to come to Brighton! I hear she is confined to her bedroom and her aunt makes her read Fordyce’s sermons every night! Whereas as we dance and be merry every night with as many officers as we please! It is a pity that Wickham is no longer with the regiment for he would have made everything far more jolly; I hear he has gone to try his luck in America and I wish him joy of it. But as for L, did you hear that even her sister, the plain one, you remember she sang most exceedingly ill, has a suitor. You see, she has been allowed a season, well the little season at least, and to everyone’s surprise is making the most of it! A handsome gentleman I hear, a little wild even! But of course she does have £10 000. I hope she does not marry him only to have him leave her within the month! But it is all too likely to happen with her Friday-face…..
…I have heard from my brother. He and his wife had some silly notion that my niece could not really love her husband! What a joke, as if it would matter! She is a lady now – Lady Ashbourne. But apparently they are satisfied now that nothing is amiss and indeed fill quite the letter with their satisfaction. Indeed, three of my nieces are mistresses of fine establishments, and Phillips and I, of course, intend to visit in the near future. Especially as a certain desirable event for my niece Ashbourne draws closer. I do hope it is an heir…
… the neighbourhood has been ripped of all its jewels! None of the Miss Bennets are at home; I speak of the Miss Bennets as including those who have just left behind that name. I do hope to see all of them at St James, indeed I do believe Lady A, Mrs B and Mrs D will be presented at court quite soon. Indeed I believe Lady A has recovered well from presenting her lord with two pledges of her affection, an heir and a daughter. Mrs S makes plans to return to Netherfield as soon as Mr B will resign it and Miss Lydia will be her chosen companion. Miss Bennet, it is believed, will soon be engaged…
… Mrs Bennet is intolerable. She has quitted the neighbourhood to fuss over her daughters but all that brings is letters. She takes no notice of the fact my Charlotte is a proud mother, and shall soon be so again! It is of course quite natural that she should be so giddy of the fact that one of her daughters has done what she could never do – deliver an heir – but to talk of it incessantly! It is not to be hoped that Mrs B and Mrs D will not soon be in the family way! And when such events occur there shall be no bearing the woman. Mr Collins counsels me often not to feel such spite, which only makes me wish my daughter had not married such an imbecile…
….. I do beg you to bring more port from town, it shall be most welcome. Perhaps one of your many sons-in-law could find an acceptable drop in their cellars? It is very comforting that I can watch my nieces’ progress in the newspapers now! I do not have to pay for the convenience of a letter, although of course I expect they could find someone to frank it for them! Mrs P is most excited to hear that Miss de Bourgh has become engaged to a mere Mr. Maynard! She does worry that that name sounds vaguely French and hopes that he is not a spy…
…..yes, Mrs F is doing exceedingly well, a fine son we have and of course I find him the finest and stoutest child that ever lived. I have not heard from Mr Wickham since his letter to me informing me of his departure for the America. I believed he hoped that I should offer him an out, so he could avoid such a perilous journey. We have however here in our encampment been much amused by the arrival of a party from London. Our little encampment here is not very fashionable, far removed from Brighton and more like our former station at Meryton. Indeed the party contains some of those we did meet at Meryton. I speak of Miss Bingley with Mr and Mrs Hurst. I understand that during the little season in London Miss Bingley found herself quite without friends, the gossip she spread being proved false and nothing but her own malicious tongue. Apparently the fine ladies do not like being laughed at, and so have come here…
…. I know how improper it was of me, Kitty, but I assure you I could not help it! I was abducted! In broad daylight! I understand now why you tried to ensure that I read from the circular library. If I had read such novels, which I previously thought to not contain anything for the edification of the mind, I should have known how to act and should not have found myself married with a false license! I have attempted to impress upon the mind of Sir C the wrongness of his actions by reading to him from Fordyce, but he threw it out the window! But Kitty, I cannot believe you did not tell me how agreeable it is to be married; I do not have to answer to anyone and can do as I please! I do not count my husband for I find I can manage him quite well, though do not ask me how I achieve that, it may make you blush…
…of course, Clara, I have smoothed over as best I can the uproar of Miss Bennet and Sir Christian Montgomery’s elopement. Not that there was much uproar, we have expected something like this from the young man for some years now. It is to be congratulated that he was so circumspect about it and the choice of his bride proves his interest in the matter; she is not what any of us expected. Everyone, bar some parties of course, will fully accept the story that it was a quick but completely approved marriage. I believe, anyway, that, as much as the young man would wish it otherwise in order to keep his reputation that was actually the case! The only person I would not wish it to come to the ears of would be Lady C., and I know how much you care for her opinion! Not to mention she is busy trying to convince her daughter not to marry a mere gentleman!...
…I beg you, my dear brother-in-law, to send me some port. To be abandoned in the backwaters is tiresome. To be here with no decent wine is hell. I would have thought The Gentlemen would have managed to get some decent bottles ashore, but I suppose not with the militia about. Caroline and Louisa wish to quit this place due to the militia’s presence, but I have told them that it’s either here or London. You see, I too am capable of taking a stand, though I did hope they would pick London! Widgeons the pair of them! If they could dish out such unsavoury gossip they should be able to reap the rewards! And surely by now some other popinjay is the centre of London’s derision! You have found your estate, I hear; surely an invitation to your sisters is not out of the question? If it could be seen that you and your dear wife have forgiven them, as well as Mr & Mrs D and so forth, then I could at last have some peace…
… I hear Lady Upton’s ball is likely to be the ball of the season! Kitty invited me to stay, but Mama was of two minds about it. On the one hand London is where all the young men are to be, but while Kitty is back in society, Mama says she is unlikely to be able to take the time to properly find me a proper young man. I did think that Mr Fancot who came to Lizzy’s wedding was a proper young man and he seemed more the particular friend of Kitty’s than Lizzy’s! Now that I say that, I wonder why he did not come to Kitty’s wedding? Anyhow if Mr Fancot is any indication, Kitty does know proper gentlemen. I think Mama is jealous that Mrs Bennet now has two fine gentlemen and two noblemen as sons-in-law. I think a baronet counts as being a nobleman but I am not sure. Sir Christian is, however, a prime example of perhaps why Mama would think that Kitty would not know proper gentlemen. But I thought he was very handsome. In fact all of the gentlemen are very handsome! I wish I could marry a handsome man, but I have no aunt who will leave me £10 000 when they die! Oh I did not get to the other hand! The other hand is that Mama does not wish to be beholden to Mrs Bennet in my getting a husband. So I am to go to the Ashbournes in the summer, after I attend Charlotte, I shall just have to hope that handsome young men are of the party!...
…My darling Charlotte is bearing up quite wel; the visit from her sister soothed her agitated nerves. I do not know why but with this olive branch she has become most vexed. I attempt to distract her by asking what should I do now that Lady Catherine has been robbed of her brightest ornament? I shall not repeat, dear sir, the remarks your daughter made – I do not think that Lady Catherine would know of such a place let alone enter it. But Miss de Bourgh has left us forever; her mother became reconciled to the marriage only after realising to hold out against the wishes of a most beloved daughter would be unchristian. Colonel Fitzwilliam came to take his leave, he has been called to serve either in our gallant attempts against Napoleon or the Americans, I cannot remember which. Lady C is devastated; she feels the likelihood the Colonel will find a proper bride in either place is very slim…
…Caroline, I do feel you should have journeyed to Oakenthorpe. Charles and Jane are as welcoming as ever. Indeed, there is no mention here of any of Charles’ and that awful Sir Christian’s plans to banish us! Nor is there any mention of why we were shunned so last year. I do believe it has all been forgot or felt that least said best mended! Little Frances is only some weeks old yet but I see a resemblance to Mama, though she has Jane’s placid nature. It makes me quite yearn for my own child. You cannot stay in the wilderness forever! Any husband you find there would be most unsuitable. You cannot still be pining for the loss of Darcy. Mrs Darcy is in her confinement, but Darcy has ridden over twice during my stay here and he looks well. (Mrs Bennet stays, praise the Lord, with her daughter; this may explain Darcy’s visits!) Georgiana was all talk of her season in town. She was not a hit, sadly, but certainly far from a failure – if you come back for the little season I am sure Georgiana would happily see you invited about. Better than that, Lady Ashbourne graciously asked if I would be available for her drum party. See, if the injured party in our gossip asks us to call, I do not see what anyone else can say!…
… I see Robert Southey has been named Poet Laureate. My husband, oh how I like saying that, is very fond of his work. Mama however thinks lowly of him for condemning flogging, or whatever he was expelled from Westminister for. It is one of the many thinks my husband disagrees with Mama on; it is quite refreshing to see them argue. We have returned to Rosings, quite sooner than we expected because I realised that I did not pay Mama the respect she deserves. I feel once she knows my dearest Maynard she could not help but love him. It is also my duty to ensure that no blame rests on Cousin Kitty for introducing me to him! Mama was so hoping for a marriage between Cousin Richard and myself, after Darcy so disobligingly married Cousin Elizabeth…
….Lady Catherine claims it is not to appear unchristian, but I think it has more to do with the fact she had Mr Maynard followed for some months and came to the conclusion that he is either an exemplary figure or a very good actor. I think he has to be both to wish for such a harpy for a mother-in-law. Both he and the charming Mrs Maynard are at Rosings, perhaps having realised that Lady C could leave the estate as she chose! Though Lady C would leave her property to none but family and who does that leave? She tolerates Darcy’s wife, meaning she would hardly leave it to Darcy to benefit her. She thinks Lady Upton flighty (though I understand the doctor has ordered complete bed rest so where she would fly to…!), and Lord Ashbourne has never sought to ingratiate himself with her. Though considering the actions of those of her family that have bowed to her wishes perhaps that would be seen by her, now, as a positive! No, it would have to be the Colonel. I do hope the war ends soon so such a charming man could be restored to our society! Oh by the by did you hear the charming Lady Montgomery has become quite a toast? The Gunn sisters have nothing on the Bennet sisters and there is still another one unaccounted for. That blasted Roche woman has written another ghastly book….
… I have as requested been thinking on the state of Netherfield, or rather the question of Netherfield. One solution would, of course, be to sell Netherfield and thus divide the profits or indeed to give Netherfield to one deserving member of your family. The first solution brings the problem of where you should reside during the summer months when London is inhospitable but your married nieces could amply provide for you. The second requires choosing one of your family above the others. You could of course, if you feel you will predecease her, leave Netherfield to Mrs Bennet. I understand, ma’am, the amusement of thinking of Mrs Bennet lording it over her neighbours but I cannot think you would think this would outweigh the idea of Mrs Bennet as proprietor of Netherfield. I cannot, you see, provide you with a definitive answer, except to say that the alterations you requested made to the house in Cavendish Square have been made, and all the preparations for your and Miss Bennet’s season are well in train…
… her name is Sophia. She is a school friend of Arabella and Susan. I met her first in May of last year, but I was in no condition to see her worth, though I do see it now. She is a princess amongst women. If I were a better man I could say that I had not truly loved anybody but her, but that would be a lie. Not to mention degradation of my prior attachment who is also the best of women. It is base to rank one’s loves when they are all so different and have so different a purpose! Sophia is to be my wife and with her by my side my life will have meaning and purpose! Her counsel is as wise as her face is fair. I shall not bore you with my raptures. You shall meet her when we come to London in April; I believe you did not cross paths last season. I sensed in your last letter you were hesitating to accept an invitation to the Ashbournes’ ball. I do hope that is not on my account. His lordship meant no disrespect in calling me a fool last November. It was foolish of me to think of allowing Sophia to brave her second London Season without being sure of my affection! Not that she needs my protection, it is I who need hers…
…I do not think the Duke would say Napoleon winning all these battles was vexing. I think he would use rather stronger language. There is some word that the Prussians are nearing Paris, but here we remain in the south of France. I am happy to hear that little Charles Darcy is such a stout little boy. I do declare however that Darcy’s letters of his exploits at such a young age are flights of fancy. Although I will credit him with the name; Charles is a good name, much better than the mouthful of Fitzwilliam the Second! I shall pretend to be deaf to the entreaties of your last letter that it is your only wish to see your last son married with children. Cannot you satisfy yourself with Annabelle’s confinement and little Max and Cathy? I could of course marry a gypsy woman? Would that satisfy you? I should not provoke you so for your letters always provide me much amusement and comfort! I am sad to hear that Anne’s marriage may not be prospering; I wonder at their keeping to Rosings. My aunt’s dictums on the marriage state would drive any man to distraction, they would be better to hire a house for the season…
… I am kept busy here, Lizzy, with my two darling boys. With Ralph and Charles of an age we must make sure we do not become competitive mothers! At least we cannot match them in their cradles! I find I am calmer with Ralph than I was with William! With William, I was mortally afraid the maid would drop him! Or that Mr Collins would! Speaking of my husband, he is often at Rosings attending to Lady C and Mrs Maynard, although I believe both ladies will leave soon for London. Maria has contracted a most eligible engagement with a Mr Warboys, a parson who was visiting with Lady A’s parson when Maria visited. Kitty is a most accomplished matchmaker! I hope that your mother’s presence, despite your reservations, is soothing. I found myself even this time wishing that Mama could have attended me…
…I am so very glad we decided to remain in the {blot}; there is nothing more charming than the country. Oaken{smudge} is exactly as we should wish and our {blot} can visit us here if they so choose! I am no Darcy or Ashbourne that my presence is required in the {smudge} I find being the master of a country estate just to my liking. Everyone is so amiable and {blot}! I do not find at all that we are behind in the {smudge} Indeed I heard quite before Mrs {splutter} that Lady Upton had been delievered of a {blot}. Mrs D intends to remain in London until after the season as she and Darcy have high hopes of Georgi{spot} becoming {smudge}ed. Not that they would wish to part from her! Mrs Bennet of course writes to us of her wish that Lydia will fulfil her last earthly desire. Jane and I hope that Mrs B is {blot} speaking literally and will {spot} leave this world the minute Lydia becomes engaged!...
… Lady Harriet is, like her grandmother, a formidable character! From her crying I can assure you that she received the strength of voice from her mother! Belle is recovering but there is to be no trip to Town this year, which means, on her orders, she begs me to write to her dearest brother (by that you can tell the depths of Belle’s despair) that he must relieve her with all the news from town. I have already told her of Mr Maynard’s flight back to France now that Boney has abdicated. Will Richard make one of those remaining to see order restored in France, or is he returning to our shores? Lady Catherine, I believe, hopes he shall find Mr M in Paris and make him return. I shall now spend the rest of my letter comparing my daughter very favourably, as she is clearly a genius, to your children…
…Mrs Bennet has been busy this last year and has left us to attend to Mary. Mr Bennet remains with us and, while he would deny it vehemently, I believe he is more the proud grandparent than his wife. I do not think anyone whose name is not Maximilien, Catherine, Frances or Charles registers with him! Georgiana we are happy to say is engaged to Sir Thomas Carbury from Somerset. I could list his faults meticulously, but they are only those that could be found by an overprotective brother. He makes her happy and while I feel she is still my baby sister and therefore too young to me marrying anyone she assures me that she is not and I must believer her! Lydia I believe will not be long single, she has much improved these past two years and despite her avowed determination to marry a Marquis is apparently much taken with the younger son of Lord Wettenhall, a Mr Oliver Yeates. Mr Yeates, a sober man, is recently returned from India and quite a painter. I do not pretend to understand the whims of my sister, but as long as she does not elope as Mary did (though even I have to admit the benefits of that relationship) she heartily has my blessing. Of course she would retort she did not need my blessing! I know the temper of a Bennet!...
…If I do not find a husband this season, my mother will quite despair of me! She is disheartened by the steady stream of gentlemen that have this season called upon Mrs Sutton. They have of course called upon Miss Bennet; I do not pretend to see the charms in her! At least, Lady Ashbourne was never brash and brassy! Mr Bradford is married and so now too is Mr Fancot! The others have sworn off the married state! Lady and Lord A attended Mr F’s wedding – you could have knocked me over with a feather – no one seemed to think it at all amiss! Miss Bingley has returned to society, of course her family and that set have treated her with all courtesy, no mention of those vicious rumours! Indeed the way she talks of her dear sister Jane, dear Mrs Darcy and dear Lady A., you would think she had never spoken an ill word of them! She has high hopes of Sir Horace Warbleblatt. He is a corpulent, older man, who has been through two wives already; it shows her desperation! Although I was sure Sir Horace thought me quite pretty ….
…Lady M. is delivered of a girl, Clarissa. Richard writes that he is returning with a surprise. Harriet is fearful that Richard will make true his promise of a gypsy wife; my sister is convinced it is Mr Maynard, hopefully in some torture device. Anne seems calm about the possible return of her husband, in fact she appeared sanguine in the face of her husband’s desertion. If I was a betting man, and you know of course that I am not, (My wife does read my letters, you know!) I would lay you odds that Anne was behind her husband’s ‘desertion’, after all my sister is promising to never interfere in their marriage again, if only Mr M would return and stop the scandal! We had assumed that Georgiana would be the next of our circle to marry but Lydia Bennet dragged her young man to the altar with unseemly haste! Apparently she discovered that his small estate in the country was quite cottage-like and pigs were involved. This caused great hilarity amongst the younger members of our family and I sense some backstory I do not know!...
…Georgiana wishes to be married from Pemberley. I cannot disagree with her when she says she has never seen a place so happily situated. My aunt and uncle Gardiner spent August touring the grounds in a little phaeton drawn by ponies; G. has decided she wishes that to be her wedding carriage. Fitzwilliam jokes that this is so she can soothe his nerves by making a very slow departure! He has also been studying the roads between here and Somerset and I have told him that I shall start to worry he thinks more of his sister than of me! It shall be nice to have Pemberley to ourselves. Although with my father’s constant visits and Kitty, Jane and the Matlocks living so close by, we shall hardly be lonely! I do believe, my dear Mary, that I am the happiest woman in the world, and I say so to allow you contradict me by declaring yourself so! Though I suspect the happiest woman in the world is truly our mother, who has lived to see all her five daughters so happily married…
…My dear Thomas grows dearer to me everyday! I know my brother was horrified to hear that he intended to take me to Paris for our honeymoon, but he had business and I should not like to have left him! We shall be here for some months and I know no one but it gives me an opportunity to practice my French! I find myself quite capable of standing on my own two feet, and welcome the challenge! I am so glad to hear that Kitty is safely delievered, although I know you are funning in your outrage that she called the little girl Clara instead of Harriet! I might as well be offended that she did not call her child Georgiana! What though shall we do now that we are all married? We shall have nothing to do but talk of children! Indeed, you did not mention it in your letter, but Jane did in hers to me that Louisa Hurst has had a boy! I should dearly like to see Mr Hurst as a father! Is that wicked of me? Caroline Bingley, I understand, is planning a November wedding for Sir Horace? Sir Horace is a native of Northumberland, I believe, and the possessor of a ‘drafty old pile’? That is what Thomas tells me at least! I do not believe he likes Sir Horace! I hope however for Caroline’s sake that he makes her a good husband! No matter her previous sins she deserves that much!...
…I believe I should simply ask Mr Collins and his many progeny (I believe there is a third in as many years, I would not believe it of Mr Collins) to move into Longbourn! I spend so little of my year there anymore! Clara’s Mr Morris is an excellent organiser of a great many things; indeed his choice of Mr Thadds is far more interested in the workings of Longbourn than I ever was! I am now, after cooing at my latest little granddaughter, off to see what shall henceforth be known as The Cottage in Norfolk. It seems ironic to me that my son-in-law the artist should reside in a country famed for its miles of unvarying undulating hills. Though Lydia has admonished me and claims that the countryside is quite varied. Indeed that that she has more than four-and-twenty different views from her house! Col F has provided me with some amusement on this stay with Kitty, having brought his French bride home. Miss Clemence D'Angerville as was. I am not sure what offended Lady Matlock most, that her son married without her presence, without her knowledge or that he married a French lady who seems to have inherited a temper to equal her fiery hair! Though the new Mrs Fitzwilliam seems quite at home stirring up all her new relations, I have no fear that Ash will ensure that Mrs F. does not upset Kitty…
…My brother has been bewitched by a French harpy! At least Mr Maynard is a gentleman! Miles says that I am just annoyed that I am no longer the Fitzwilliam with the shrillest voice! But I dare say she would throw a tantrum, unlike myself, if she did not get her way! How we shall celebrate Christmas together I do not know! My only comfort is that Richard does seem to love her; I only wish I could see what he sees in her! Perhaps she is already with child? That would explain it. My only other comfort is that she is more than a match for Aunt Catherine, who is most disappointed to see Mr M return. I believe she had suddenly formulated some plan for his death allowing Anne to marry Richard, but of course she did not expect his marriage! …
…Pickering Manor is not exactly as I hoped. Sir Horace bought the place from the Pickerings, and I am sure I do not need to tell you why he did not remain it Warbleblatt Manor! So Pickering Manor it remains. It requires extensive renovations, and I am quite up to the task of organising them, as funds permit. What I did not realise was that Sir Horace would require me to remain here in the wilds of Northumberland to oversee the work until it was done! I shall die here in the North! So I expect a steady correspondence of all the doings of his season, not that I believe we know any of the young ladies making their come out! I feel quite old; it is very disheartening. Louisa, I should not be the lady of Pickering Manor! No, I am not harbouring murderous intentions towards Mrs Darcy, but I should not be here! You may remember I once made comment about Mrs Collins and her choice of husband; I now understand such a choice, but I do not have her character to bear it…
… Last Christmas was spent surrounded by all my dear daughters, but this Christmas we decided to spend it with all our old friends in Meryton. After all, it does not do to look as though one is above one’s former company! Lady Lucas may have two master Collins and one Miss Collins, but I have a future earl, two ladies, the heir of Pemberley, a daughter of Oakenhurst and a daughter of Montgomery! Little Master Fitzwilliam, sadly he does not get a title, should marry little Clarissa! Little Master Darcy should of course marry my dear Frances! I am sure it would be the wish of their mothers in that case! And I know that secretly Mr Darcy wished for his family to be joined with that of Bingley’s! Of course I do not know who would be good enough for my Cathy and Clara. Certainly not the Collinses! Clara, not the little one sadly, is in residence at Netherfield and has thrown a ball for all the young misses of the neighbourhood. It is most kind of her, and of course I attract some attention for being the mother of such fine girls and my advice is sought on so many matters by the hopeful mothers and daughters!...
…I apologise, Miles, for the jam that appears to have seeped onto this letter. I am afraid that while I was convinced that the door handles were high enough apparently I was wrong. While I would rhapsodise over the intelligence of my son and eldest daughter in finding ways around obstacles, jam is currently all over my estate books! I can send you a jammy letter, my agent would not, no actually he is besotted by Cathy so perhaps he would not mind jammy estate papers? I believe you and Belle have some plans of joining Georgiana in Paris? If you do, do not leave without Kitty’s requests! Harriet will of course go with you? Have you engaged a nurse with able sea-legs? I do not envy you Belle’s seasickness and an infant’s! Belle will deny that boats make her ill, but I assure you…wait, no need to assure you: I am sure it was you in that boat on the river near Matlock! We expect two new French additions in the coming months, it is still too early to predict when! I know there are some who find my brother’s wife a tad abrasive but I think there are hidden depths, (indeed their have been worse matches made recently – I allude of course to the poet!) and Lady Catherine will be an exemplary grandmother to a little Maynard…
…Charles tells me not to worry but I cannot help it! That beast has escaped from Elba and marched into Paris! I am sure that even you, Lydia, have heard the news. Georgiana is still in Paris with her husband! Well I am sure that they fled Paris when they heard Napoleon was advancing, but with Georgiana’s condition! Oh I should not be alarming you, my dear sister, in your condition either! But I do not wish to alarm Lizzy with my fears. Not that I expect they would have treated English in Paris so very bad. And Richard must return to fight, and his wife insists upon going with him! I believe it is my condition that is making me so nervous! So many of us in an interesting condition and the state of England in such an interesting condition! My dear Lydia, pray write to me of some good news, I do long to hear it!...
…I shall take back everything I ever said about Clemence. She is an angel. I did not believe that she loved my Richard, but she must! We have finally heard news from Brussels! Napoleon has been defeated, but with such a loss of life and the news that poured into London! And in such a way! A loss! A victory! A loss! I hear more than one person withdrew their fortune to save it only to realise that leaving their money where it was would have gained them their fortune twice over! But my Richard, we believe, was injured at Waterloo. Not severely, but that does not matter to my heart! But Clemence assures me in her letter that she will engage to bring him back to me, whole and safe! As well as shepherding Georgiana, Sir Thomas and little Fitzwilliam back to us! Of course they should have left Brussels as soon as they arrived there but Sir Thomas did not think it safe for Georgiana to travel and she has always been delicate, the poor dear. Now if only Clemence would attend to her own health…
…Your wife is quite my favourite sister! She allowed me to throw things at my husband at the crucial moment! I would write to you of his magnificence and so forth, and my son’s lustiness, but I do find myself quite tired, I do hope you are not disappointed that I leave off my gothic tendencies. Of course I have nothing much to do because I am a married lady now! A mother too! We have called him Oliver after his father who despite my displeasure that it is not he who, has to go through so much pain, is quite, I find, the love of my life. I cannot make fun of that! I am glad to hear that your brother is recovering, it is a pity that his wife bore a little son otherwise since they are of an age – some days apart I believe - I would be quite tempted to say they were made for one another. See, is that not gothic? Planning unions in their cradles!? If I look out my window and see fawns I shall take it as a sign that I should be so controlling of my son’s life, but I fear the pigs would take offence, what a lot is mine! I should never have thought it to be so when I was but fifteen and thought of nothing but officers! Now I have to care about Olivers and pigs!....
…Mrs Maynard had a little daughter, Anne, and is still quite poorly. The doctors are quite sure she will recover but it would not be wise for her to have another child. Mr M is quite distressed that his wife had to go through so much pain! I am so glad that you did not suffer any permanent ill, Georgie, from your adventure! See, if I allow you to step foot out of the country again! I can be just as protective as your brother. Aunt Clara has told me in her last letter she has almost decided what to do with Netherfield! I cannot help but wonder if it has anything to do with her recent visit with my Brompton cousins? Or perhaps due to the charms of a certain gentleman! But I shall have to wait until she chooses to reveal all to me! I do hope her revelation is not solely about Netherfield. I cannot help but think that perhaps my Aunt is an angel, for I wonder what my life, indeed what all of our lives would have been if she hadn’t quarrelled with Aunt Elizabeth and sent for me? I should probably not have my own comfortable home, my many, many friends (by the by, Giles has had a daughter and scolded me for my choice of book that I sent little Sophie!), my three dear children and my husband…although considering he is currently being a bear to scare the children I should like to return him! He is quite ruining the rug! Though it really is an ugly rug, yet it was a Wedding gift from Lady Catherine… Georgiana I must go, I attempted to scold him for destroying our furnishings and the result is that I am being attacked by a bear!...
…Fanny may never forgive me, but I could not choose one of my family to leave Netherfield to and it is really too large for me. Mr Morris is quite right, it would be possible to live in Cavendish Square and then impose myself on my relatives. So I have decided to set up some sort of school or charity at Netherfield. I expect Fanny should like a school for girls to allow her some scope for her matchmaking ways, but this would mean I would inflict such girls at some point to the preaching of Mr Collins! Not that I expect my brother to leave us at any moment. So my dear, Kitty, I have quite decided to impose myself upon you! After all, I quite planned your marriage! Indeed I should like to take credit for all your marriages! I engineered yours quite easily, and quite obliquely I will take some credit for Jane and Lizzy’s! I see your face, Kitty! You should believe your aunt! After all, who did you think introduced Sir Christian to that Bishop? Who promoted Mr Yeates to continue with his intriguing poor painter routine? Or did I mistake that face, Kitty? I quite believe that you are just as skilled as I am. Mr John Tremore did not appear in my life for no reason! I did not understand the reason for your looks this season until he arrived in Worthing this summer! My sister Elizabeth was quite shocked that I should have a gentleman caller! I told her that quite my favourite niece told me that age is no barrier to happiness. So I do hope that you are up to the task of arranging a final wedding in our little family circle…although I am not sure Mrs John Tremore is very exotic. I will probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment’s solitude, but I shall be happy, Kitty. Adieu, Clara.