Beginning, Previous Section, Section XIV
Jump to new as of July 24, 2003
Jump to new as of August 18, 2003
Jump to new as of August 22, 2003
Mrs. Annesley had only just arrived at Pemberley with Georgiana two days before the Bennet family was to depart for their return journey to their home of Longbourn, but she understood from her maid as the trunks were unpacked of the household being in uproar for past two weeks over the antics of the mistress's mother. And the intervening days were ample time for Mrs. Annesley to experience first hand what she had only heard of when dinner was announced and the family seated itself at the table. Again Darcy and Elizabeth were at one end with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet at the other. Mary chose to seat beside her mother with Mrs. Annesley next to her. Georgiana and Kitty sat opposite wishing to quietly continue their conversation from before the hour.
Mrs. Bennet began her litany again of Elizabeth's accomplishments in securing such an illustrious husband in her shrill voice that carried over all other talking. "Oh! Lizzy, you are so very fortunate to have acquired such an advantageous match. Indeed, we are all exceedingly happy for you."
All conversation ceased at this declaration and many stayed their movements in mid-motion to their mouths as did Darcy, his glass halfway up from the table. His other hand being occupied with holding Elizabeth's, he felt hers press into his, and smiled and replied before any others could respond. "Madam, I fear you are in error of your assessment as to Elizabeth's situation." Mrs. Bennet stared perplexed at her newest son-in-law until he continued his speech. "It is I who am the fortunate one to have found such a treasure to make my life complete."
With this he brought Elizabeth's hand to his lips and kissed it lovingly. Everyone at the table smiled, and Mr. Bennet raised his glass in salute. "Here! Here! To Lizzy and William. May they have long lives filled with happiness."
The entire party raised glasses in toast. This defused the awkwardness among the diners. But after all had completed the toast, Mrs. Bennet asked Mrs. Annesley as the first course of creamy garlic soup was being served, "how long have you been in Mr. Darcy's employee? A very long time, I am sure."
Mrs. Annesley began her soup and replied, "Actually, no, Mrs. Bennet. I have only been fortunate to be in this position for only the past two years."
"Oh?" Mrs. Bennet said, implying she wished to hear more of an explanation.
Darcy interjected, "Georgiana had other governesses and companions, Madam, but Mrs. Annesley came to fulfill all our expectation to satisfy Georgiana's needs."
Mrs. Annesley continued with, "My dear husband passed away not long before Mr. Darcy made a generous offer that I was able to accept." Georgiana took a large swallow from her water goblet, and couldn't take her eyes from her soup.
Mrs. Bennet, totally oblivious to the tension of three of the diners, however, continued with her conversation. "I daresay, Georgiana, you seem quite of an age now to be 'out' to have many young men court you. We must begin making plans for you."
The young girl's eyes jumped from her bowl to stare at Mrs. Bennet with a look of terror on her face. Elizabeth quickly stated, "Mama, Georgiana is only just eight and ten. She has a year or two yet to come 'out'. There is no need to rush."
Mrs. Bennet argued. "Eight and ten is a perfect time to begin, my dear. Mr. Darcy, have you begun making plans for Georgiana's 'coming out'?"
Darcy sipped his wine before he responded, giving Georgiana a chance to recover her composure. "Madam, you need not worry that plans are being made. When the time is right, we will have all set in motion for Georgiana's 'coming out', I assure you." And he motioned to the servants for the second course to be served.
"Oh! That is well, then," accepted Mrs. Bennet, beginning on the next course of the meal.
Darcy smiled at his younger sister, and she managed to return it knowing of her brother's turn of phrase that both satisfied Mrs. Bennet and remained non-committal as to the time frame in which her 'coming out' would occur.
Mr. Bennet raised his glass silently as salute to Darcy's dexterity of wit; Elizabeth's husband was daily growing in insight as to the managing of his mother-in-law. Darcy tried to acknowledge this exchange with a slight nod while the corners of his mouth curled upwards, fighting the urge to smile.
Mrs. Bennet's conversation turned back to Mrs. Annesley. "And before your present position, Mrs. Annesley, where did you reside?"
"I lived in London, madam, where my husband's family still abide."
"Oh! We have relations there as well in Cheapside. My brother and his wife and family have an exporting establishment in town. Perchance you have heard of him?"
With London being so large of populous no one at the table save Mrs. Bennet had any notion of the likelihood of Georgiana's companion actually knowing the close relation of the Bennets, but then Mrs. Annesley asked, "Is it Gardiner's Exports?"
"Why yes."
"Then, yes," said the now smiling Mrs. Annesley. "I do know him. He aided my daughter and her husband with some business whey they emigrated to America. He is such a dear man, so helpful and kind."
"Oh, James has always been so," remarked Mrs. Bennet in her shrill voice. "We often wondered when we were growing up how he would fair with being so generous and trusting. We worried that he would always be taken advantage of."
Mrs. Annesley did not know how to respond to such a statement that seemed to imply that her family was included in that grouping of dishonest persons, but then Mrs. Bennet finally finished her thought aloud. "But he became quite shrewd in his business sense, knowing who was trustworthy. And he has a way about him that could put anyone at ease with his mild manner. And no one to my knowledge has every shorted him. Is this not so, Mr. Bennet?"
"His honesty served him quite well," agreed Mr. Bennet adding, "Your brother's integrity in all dealings does him justice, my dear. I know not of any other I would trust with my business ventures or my daughters, for that matter. They had had many wonderful outings with their aunt and uncle Gardiner. Have you not, Mary, Kitty, Lizzy?" All his daughters present nodded in reply as the entrée of Chicken Marsala with tender carrots and asparagus in a cream sauce was served.
Darcy acknowledged of his acquaintance with Mrs. & Mrs. Gardiner when he stated, " Mr. Gardiner and his lovely wife were the first of your family to visit Pemberley with Elizabeth when they were on holiday in Lambton renewing acquaintances with friends and relatives there. "
"That was a year ago last summer, was it not?" asked Mrs. Bennet, taking a sip of wine and 'mmmmming' at its taste as she consumed more.
"Yes, Mama," replied Elizabeth. "You remember I wrote you of it?"
"That was about the same time as Lydia's wedding that Brother Gardiner attended," agreed Mrs. Bennet. Again the tension rose as Darcy and Elizabeth glanced at Georgiana, who knew whom Lydia had wed. She silently ate her chicken and waited to see if any more would be said on the topic.
"And now they are in Newcastle to stay for several more years, I suppose," finished Mrs. Bennet lamenting, "they were such a lively couple and he so charming. I miss them both!"
"Well," Mr. Bennet interceded. "They are where they can be happiest in their situation, I am sure. You may write to them all you wish, my dear."
"Yes, but it is not the same," pouted Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth responded, "Letters are a poor substitute, Mama. When I was touring with aunt and uncle Gardiner I anxiously awaited any news from you or Jane, but secretly wishing she were there beside me."
Mrs. Bennet's attention was turned now to her eldest daughter. "Oh! Yes, Lizzy! And now to have visited her and dear Mr. Bingley and little Beatrice! What a fine name for such a beautiful little daughter. She is the image of Jane, you know, and will be the beauty when she is of age to turn men's heads."
Elizabeth's eyebrows went up as she shook her head smiling at her mother's way of slighting one granddaughter with neglect while flattering the other with praise. At least Georgiana was no longer the object of conversation as the remaining course of the meal was served.
"And did you enjoy your visit with the Bingleys, Mama?" asked Mary, keeping to the present topic. She and Elizabeth smiled at one another.
"Oh! Yes, Mary. Her house is quite the equal of Pemberley though the grounds are not as extensive. Is the house as old, Mr. Darcy?"
"Smithson's mention the age of the house as being within twenty years as that of Pemberley, madam, relative contemporaries, I would say," he acknowledged.
"So the Smithson family is as historical as the Darcys then before they moved to America?" asked Kitty.
"I believe so, yes, Miss Catherine. They were at odds with the Darcys for the first hundred or so years, but a truce was formed and we have been at peace for nearly one hundred more years."
"I cannot understand the preference to leaving all behind to go to such an uncharted land as America," stated Mrs. Bennet.
Mr. Bennet replied, "But that is the challenge, my dear, to explore the unknown, conquer it, make it what you will of it. That is the life for the young men who so desire it."
"Mr. Grayson Smithson thought so as did his brother Mr. Bartholomew Smithson," answered Darcy.
"And it gives your brother Gardiner more revenue in his business as well, for those who accept the challenge will always have need of supplies in the new land. Or so he has acknowledged in his last missive, and that he had to hire three new clerks just to handle the added accounts."
"I suppose then for some travel to the new world is advantageous," added Mr. Bennet, and with that he placed his fork down and wiped his mouth on the napkin.
"Shall we adjourn then?" asked Darcy as the dinner concluded.
Having decided to forgo brandy in the library, the two gentlemen escorted the ladies to the music room as Elizabeth rang the bell to see to it that coffee was served there.
Georgiana, still somewhat disconcerted by the over-exuberant Mrs. Bennet, was to experience her further when the young woman was first asked to play the pianoforte in the music room. She began at the piano when the rest of the party found comfortable seating. Her selection was a Sonata in C-major by Haydn, one of her favorites, and then with encouragement from Elizabeth continued with Rondo by Beethoven, which she had previously learned.
Darcy smiled upon hearing the glorious music filling the room and filtering down the hallways and into the entire house once more. It had even inspired Mrs. Bennet to comment. As everyone clapped and Georgiana rose to give both Mary and Elizabeth a chance to perform, Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, " Oh, Georgiana, that was the most heavenly music I have ever heard!"
This brought to Georgiana's face an expression of surprise and astonishment. She had heard both Mary and Elizabeth play, and William had often commented on how he enjoyed hearing his wife especially. "I...thank you for the complement, Mrs. Bennet, but I am sure you are used to many such performances with all the talent in your house."
"Oh, they now are nothing compared to your abilities, my dear. And if they had but practiced more, I am sure they would have improved to come up at least partway to your considerable talents."
Mrs. Annesley with Mary seated on the couch both looked at Mrs. Bennet wondering at her incredible ability to flatter one and insult two others in one sentence, and stared at her gaping.
Mr. Bennet cleared his throat, and said, "Well, I for one have a need tonight for entertainment, and wished to hear Mary play a favorite of mine from Mozart which she executes exceeding well."
Mary rose from her place on the couch and settled herself onto the piano bench head bowed in mortification, as Elizabeth came along side her offering to turn the pages. Elizabeth gently placed her hand upon her sister's tense shoulder squeezing it in a comforting way, and she felt Mary relax and sigh, and began the piece with a more positive attitude.
In truth Elizabeth was not in any way upset. Rather she found it hard to only smile when a laugh was so close to the surface of her lips. She glanced at her husband who fought becoming incensed at Mrs. Bennet's audacity and her inclination to vulgar statements. However, when he ventured a glance toward Elizabeth while Mary played the Mozart's Sonata in C-major, Darcy was at first bewildered to see Elizabeth's dancing eyes and upturned lips staring back at him, telling him in her secret way that he should not react on her behalf.
It was then that he recalled a similar statement issued by his own aunt at Rosings Park regarding Elizabeth's abilities that were sure to improve practice. Elizabeth arched her brows while staring at him, which caused him to almost smile and nod, calming his inner turmoil. There was vulgarity in many families.
Georgiana accompanied Mary's next piece on the harp, with Mary beginning the music and Georgiana on the harp joining in after several measures. The surprise of the evening came when the two accompanying instruments reached the section of music where the aria would begin and although Elizabeth had not sung in such a venue for several months previous, she began to perform, her clear tones resounded in the room to captivate all except for one who were tempted to whisper.
Having frequently heard Elizabeth while growing up, Mrs. Bennet seemed immune to her daughter's capacity to enthrall, and began a remark to Darcy when she felt a touch on her hand by her husband seated beside her. Upon turning to him he then brought his finger up to his lips, and shook his head to silence her. Her mouth dropped open to object when he pointed to the master of Pemberley at rest in a chair directly in their sight. Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Annesley also turned to view Darcy's countenance while his wife continued her performance. In undisguised admiration of her, he sat entranced, unable to be distracted from her or to converse on any subject at present. Even Mrs. Annesley, who had never seen her employer so moved, could have no doubt Mr. Darcy's adoration for his wife. There was no longer a mask to hide beneath. Mr. Bennet smiled, now seeing the true felicity behind Darcy's words of endearment of Mr. Bennet's favorite daughter.
It was not until her last strains echoed in the room and the silence that had overtaken all present was followed by applause throughout that Darcy came back to earth from some heavenly plain where he was sure Elizabeth's voice had originated. He blinked and then cast down his eyes to revisit those last few measures of music once more in his mind. When he at last chanced to again look up he noticed that all eyes in the room were upon him, and his cheeks began to blush until he laid his eyes on Elizabeth. Her smile was enough to calm his embarrassment as he felt that all should know of his unbounded devotion to his lovely wife. He stood as she approached him, and sat down next to her upon the couch. As Georgiana continued to play another concerto on her harp, Darcy took Elizabeth's hand gently in his, both smiling at each other, letting her know how pleased he was to hear her sing once more, to know she now felt well enough to share that talent that he so enjoyed.
The evening continued to a pleasant end when Mary, Kitty, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley began to excuse themselves to retire. Mrs. Bennet, who had curtailed her most exuberant comments after Elizabeth's performance remarked, "Lizzy, I am glad you amused us this evening with song. Indeed, for in all the time here I had yet to hear you sing. At Longbourne you were ever humming and singing around the house. I suppose your home then was always a happy place to abide since singing reflects a happy situation."
At first Elizabeth was confused by her mother's statement, but Darcy was not. He surmised and quite correctly that Mrs. Bennet was implying that until tonight Elizabeth did not feel happy enough to sing, which caused him to sigh loudly to control his ire. Elizabeth's hand slid gently into his and squeezed as he heard her reply to her mother.
"Mother, I have been quite tired of late what with the children to care for-"
"Oh, I know, my dear," began her mother, adding, "and I have offered my services to you on many occasions to help you in several areas I am an expert in if you had only asked."
"And," Elizabeth continued her line of thought, not wishing to change the topic, "I have sung on many occasions during the weeks you have been in residence, but it was you who were not present at those times. On walks in the meadow, and in the nursery with the children, and in the arboretum late at night when alone-"
"Yes, yes, Lizzy," insisted her mother, "but never before an audience such as tonight."
"The point we are establishing is that I sing constantly because of my happy situation regardless of an audience, Mother. Truly, I could not be more content than here at Pemberley with my family."
"Well, if you say it is so, then I cannot but agree with you," Mrs. Bennet said, although not convincingly.
"And with that point being made, my dear, I think we should retire so that we may get an early start for Longbourne on the morrow," remarked Mr. Bennet to his wife to curtail her arguing of how happy Elizabeth was at present.
"Oh, very well, sir," replied Mrs. Bennet somewhat put out by his interference. "My nerves are beginning to cause my head to ache. Let us say good night then, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy."
"Good night, Mother," Elizabeth answered, and watched her parents ascend the stairs to the upper floor before she turned to her husband and allowed him to embrace her as she rested her head on his chest. They both sighed at the fact that soon the house would be relatively empty of guests once more.
He changed the topic when he whispered, "Have you any idea how elated it made me feel to know you felt the desire to sing? I so enjoy your lovely lilt that makes my spirits lift upwards as doves in the morning."
She lifted her chin to look directly into his eyes. "When I saw you seated there, your face gazing at me in expectation and love, I was filled with such joy I could not hold it in any longer."
He bent his head and kissed her most ardently there at the bottom of the stairs without regard to anyone. When he finally pulled his lips from hers, his voice was raspy as he replied, "Allow me to escort you to your chambers, my love, to ensure that you finally get some rest." She nodded and they too ascended the stairs to their chambers.
Posted on Thursday, 7 August 2003
The last morning of his visit Mr. Bennet had arisen early and was again perusing the shelves of Darcy's library when he noted Elizabeth walking determinedly pass the window toward the stables. Having as yet not been given the opportunity to view the horses of Pemberley, especially Lizzy's favorite, the one called Sampson whose exploits he had heard of from Mr. Gardiner's missives, Mr. Bennet decided to join his daughter. It was not long before he had overtaken her on the path and called out to her. "Lizzy, you are astir quite early this morning as is your habit still since childhood."
"Father! How wonderful to see you had also arisen so early as well. Yes, my habit to be awake before dawn has not altered much since then, except of course, now I have my two little clocks who never fail to roust me from slumber!"
"And how are my grandchildren this morning, Lizzy?"
"They are wonderfully robust and happy, Father."
"That is good to hear. And where are you bound for just now? An early morning ride perhaps with your husband?"
"No, father, although William has been at the stables most of the night. Sampson's dam was to foal this past month, and William has been waiting anxiously for the event. When he did not return until late, and was out early again this morning I had hoped this would be the day."
"And is it?"
"Yes, I was just informed by one of the stable hands of its impending occurrence. Would you care to join me?"
"Indeed I would, Lizzy. It has been a long while since I have witnessed such an event at Longbourne."
And he offered his arm to have them proceed more swiftly to the stables. Upon arriving, they quietly approached the stall, hearing the voices of the trainer and Darcy talking in low whispers. Then a third voice was then heard as Dr. White stated, "she is doing fine. Let us allow her to proceed at her own pace." The other men voiced agreement.
It wasn't long before Mr. Taylor was heard to say, "here it comes, sir," and the foal emerged with a final push from the mare. All the men busily wiped the young horse clean, examining it for markings or defects.
"Perfect, sir," replied Mr. Taylor.
"Yes," agreed Dr. White as he wiped the face of the little colt, and watched admiringly as it tried to stand up on wavering legs not ten minutes after its birth.
The mare then began giving signs again giving birth once more. Dr. White asked, "Mr. Taylor, is this a normal behavior?"
Mr. Taylor watched the mare closely, but was not overly upset with her movements, saying slowly, "not normally, sir, but sometimes it means a-"
"Second birthing?" asked Darcy, and they all stood back and waited for the mare. The second foal came out as easily as the first, and the face had a white blaze across a darker coat on its body and legs. All the men busily wiped the second foal and helped it to rise to stand beside its twin. Now the mare stood beside both and the little ones began taking nourishment from her.
Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet were the first to see Sampson's offspring while they stood silently at the stall door.
"Oh, William," Elizabeth cooed, gazing at the two baby horses. "They are so beautiful."
Darcy was rinsing his hands when he heard her voice, and turned to see both her and her father. He walked over to them and out of the stall. "They are nicely marked, are they not? See how his face is identical to Sampson's while hers more favors Simian? Dr. White had mentioned an interest in acquiring one of Sampson's offspring, but neither Mr. Taylor nor I suspected she would have two."
"I would be quite satisfied with a little filly, Mr. Darcy, if you have a mind to part with her," Dr. White replied.
"That seems fair," responded Darcy. "Mr. Taylor will have begun training them by six months, and will have them ready for carriage work within a year. If you require her to be saddle trained, it may take a bit longer."
"That will do nicely then," answered the doctor adding, "I have yet to see a horse as well trained as those from your stables, Mr. Darcy, especially Sampson."
"Nor I," added Elizabeth smiling at her husband.
"Ah, well, he is a special case, Dr. White," was Darcy's reply, his dimples showing as he gazed at his wife.
"And his offspring will have his same innate potential to uniqueness no doubt," was the doctors return.
"No doubt," agreed Darcy, still not taking his eyes from his wife's smiling face. She discreetly put her hand on his.
"That will do excellently, then. I thank you for this opportunity to witness the birth of my horse, and will call again to see how goes her training in the coming months." Then turning his attentions to the woman standing directly in front of him he asked, "Mrs. Darcy, how are you and the little ones faring? Any problems I should be aware of?"
"No, sir," she answered back forcing her eyes to focus on him now. "Not with the twins as such. However, I have begun to have headaches now and again due to the herbs Mrs. Knolls proscribed, as she warned me of. Having now informed her, she has recommended a variation in the form of milk thistle and marshmallow* which seemed to have eliminated the headaches completely."
"Excellent. Excellent, and I can see you are quite well recovered to no doubt renew your daily strolls."
"Yes, I feel my sojourns through our lovely grounds have helped more than anything else to relieve me of my aches and pains caused by my lying in."
Dr. White nodded saying, "perhaps if more women followed your regime, they too would be more quickly recovered. You do have a grand park in which to amble that gives one's spirit repose. 'Tis a wonderful place that captures my imagination each time I have the pleasure of a visit."*
"Dr. White," offered Darcy. "You are always welcome to come fish or to stroll whenever you choose."
"That is very generous of you, Mr. Darcy," the doctor gratefully said. "I may take you up on such a kind offer one day."
"And," added Mr. Bennet, "I can vouch for there being more fish than even I can catch!"
He smiled at his daughter as the doctor took his leave, and then averted his gaze from Elizabeth and Darcy who were staring longingly at each other. Darcy took her arm and they walked to the end of the barn's central pathway.
"You look very tired, William," she whispered adding, "I know you have had little sleep this night."
He pulled her to him, her head resting on his chest and closing his eyes, rested his own head upon hers and sighed. "Indeed, I have not, it is true, but the resulting event more than makes up for the lack of sleep. Imagine two foals! It seems history begins to repeat itself in Sampson."
"Yes, it seems so," Elizabeth acknowledged, and then with a mischievous grin she asked in a most innocent manner, "Does the well water for the main house have the same source as that of the horse barn?"
She could feel his body tense against hers at the suggestion that whenever she increased that she might also repeat the events of her own delivery due to some mysterious element in the water supply. He put both his hands upon her neck and pulled her head from his chest in order to look into her eyes. When he saw they were filled with mirth, he knew of her jest, and smiled down at his lovely wife, his arms embracing her, kissing her gently, and then hugging her tightly. He whispered in her ear, "I doubt there is anything unforeseen in the water to give the females of Pemberley the capacity to produce twins, but just as a precaution, perhaps henceforth we should have the house drinking water 'boiled' to ensure against a reoccurrence of that event."
She nodded silently and standing on tiptoes kissed his lips gently whispering, "and if the event reoccurs, we shall merely accept its inevitability, my husband."
"Yes, my love," he replied smiling.
"And now, it is my wish for you to forgo your meeting with the steward and your correspondence, and for you to rest for at least a few hours." He began to protest, but she insisted with, "You take such prodigious care of me, I have no alternative but to be required to do the same to you, for my desire is to have you with me for many years to come."
Darcy agreed for he couldn't argue with her reasoning, and with another gentle kiss he headed for the house while Elizabeth watched his departure. Mr. Bennet approached her and put his arm around her shoulder. She gazed into his smiling face and she smiled back as he asked, "now that I have viewed his offspring, am I at last to meet this Sampson that I have heard so much of?"
"Yes, Papa, this way." Elizabeth sighed having finally lost Darcy's retreating figure over the rise. She led her father to the far stall where a pleasant nose poked over the boards wanting to nuzzle Elizabeth's hand. She complied happily talking gently with the great horse. "Oh, you are such a proud papa, are you not dear Sampson?" She heard his soft whinny that sounded happy, like a cat's purr.
Mr. Bennet watched his daughter who had before been so frightened of just such an animal now gently patting the nose and bridge of the horse's head and massaging it's cheek as if they were old friends. "After your childhood experiences never did I think you would be so comfortable around horses, Lizzy. You astound me," he remarked, patting the gentle beast.
"I had a wonderful teacher, Father, who showed me that I should not always be frightened of them."
"Your William is a fine teacher, then to have given you all this confidence," he answered.
"Thank you, Father, for William has done much to aid me in conquering my fears, but it was not he to whom I was referring."
"Then who, pray tell?"
She smiled and her hand caresses his nose again saying, "Why Sampson, of course!" To this Mr. Bennet laughed heartily, and Sampson snorted.
But suddenly Sampson backed away from them to a far corner of the stall. Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet did not need much time to wonder at the friendly horse's odd behavior when they heard Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice penetrate the stable area heralding her approach. Both began to remove themselves from the stall area and walk toward the doorway to greet her and therefore to waylay her from entering too far into the area to frighten the foals and the mare.
They met her at the entrance, and she said, "Oh! There you both are! Your housekeeper was kind enough to tell me where you had gone off to and even showed me the way through the kitchen to lead me out of the house more quickly."
"No doubt," was her husband's reply. "And what brings you forth out of the house so early, Mrs. Bennet?"
"I could not sleep well in the bed provided and so was up early to see to the packing for our return home," Mrs. Bennet whined.
"That is most extraordinary as you had no trouble sleeping these past weeks in the very same bed, my dear. It is a shame the same could not be said of your last night here. But no matter, for you will be able to sleep in the carriage."
"Oh! Mr. Bennet! How can you say such foolishness! You know I can never sleep in a carriage!"
Mr. Bennet's eyebrows shot up at this remark for he had proof of her sleeping next to him in the carriage leaning against him heavily most of the way from London, which he decided very much preferred. Before he formed a retort to her statement, however, she had begun a new topic. "Why are the two of you in the stables at this hour?"
Elizabeth shook her head that she didn't wish the foals to be disturbed, and Mr. Bennet nodded saying, "Merely to see the horses that Lizzy has been riding. Her favorite is Sampson in the stall directly behind us."
"Oh!" Cried Mrs. Bennet loudly moving in that direction. "Where is he? I would see him!"
"Here, my dear," Mr. Bennet spoke softly and motioned her to the correct stall.
Mrs. Bennet was guided to the stall where Sampson stood in the furthermost corner watching and wondering who this loud person was that made him very uncomfortable.
"Why is he just standing there? Is there something amiss with him? Perhaps he is hungry!"
Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice carried throughout the entire barn, awakening an owl that flew directly out to find quieter accommodations. And before either Elizabeth or Mr. Bennet could stop her, Mrs. Bennet found a covered bucket with an entire bunch of carrots the stable hands had planned to distribute to all the horses for a treat. She held the bunch over the board in front of Sampson. "Here! Do you want a carrot? OH!"
Uncomfortable or not Sampson was never want to turn down such a wonderful treat, and was upon her in an instant biting at the entire bunch, pulling them from her hand. Frightened, she dropped them inside the stall where Sampson took no time to begin devouring them. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet each grabbed one of her arms and pulled her out of harm's way realizing that Mrs. Bennet had no idea of the ferocity of a horse when carrots were about.
"You see!" Mrs. Bennet was saying as they removed her from the barn. "You see!" she protested. "He was just hungry, and I fed him!"
"Yes, Mother," agreed Elizabeth, exchanging an exasperated look with her father.
"Yes, my dear, you certainly did. Now shall we remove ourselves to the house to finish preparations to depart?"
Mrs. Bennet forgot all about the horse then, and took her husband's arm. "Yes, Mr. Bennet. Let us go back to the house now as I need to have a word with the maid who is packing my trunks."
They were safely back inside when Griffin looked into the bucket where he had placed the vegetables, and asked the other stable boy, "Hey, Joe, where's them carrots the scullery maid brung down for the 'orses? I knowd I put 'em in here not ten minutes ago."
After partaking in a leisurely breakfast, the Bennets were finally ready to depart Pemberley, and gathered about the carriage awaiting it to be packed with all their trunks before entering.
Mr. Bennet took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it, and touched her chin. "Well, Lizzy, sadly I have to say good-bye to you once again. You have done well with your family. I know they will thrive under your gentle hand." Lowering his voice so his wife did not hear he added, "And although your mother will never admit to it, she agrees with you about the method you are using in handling your twins."
Astonished, Lizzy looked directly at him asking just as quietly, "She spoke to YOU of what we talked of?" Her cheeks blushed with embarrassment of his father's knowledge of it.
He patted her hand and answered. "Hardly, Lizzy, However, her voice does carry, and what with Pemberley's grand hallways, the walls fairly echo throughout, and I overheard as you and she were going down the hallways to the nursery that night."
"But then how do you know she agrees with me if you two did not speak of it?"
"By her silence on the subject, Lizzy," was his reply. He added, "Or have you yet to learn what took me but two and twenty years to know?" She smiled up to him then.
He added softly, "She must feel that had she had the courage to flaunt such an archaic socially biased notions that perhaps another child would be alive today."
When she looked in his eyes she knew to whom he was referring. "Oh, Father, do not let her suffer through that for long," she said hugging him. She felt him nod in her embrace.
Georgiana gave Mary a peek on the cheek, hugging the older sister tightly.
"Take care of my niece and nephew," Mary ordered.
"I shall," promised Georgiana. "When next you see them, they will be tall and fat!"
"When next you meet me I will be almost a married woman," she whispered not without a little trepidation in her voice.
"But you will very happy with Benjamin. He seems to be well suited to you from what your family has said of him."
"Yes," agreed Mary smiling. "We get on perfectly well. He also has a tolerance for silly women, which will be of a benefit to him." They both giggled softly, Georgiana blushing guiltily.
"You will write to me about the music, so I can get it for you when next I am in town."
"Georgiana, you are such a dear girl to take that worry from me. I thank you."
"I will see you by mid August. Until then..." and Georgiana hugged her once more.
Mary hugged Elizabeth, and whispered, "Your children are a delight, Lizzy. My only hope is to be blessed one day with equal delights."
"Thank you, and I am sure you shall, Mary. And we will be at Longbourne a fortnight prior to your wedding to help stave off any change of plans by Mother, as she was wont to do at my wedding."
"I depend on your support in that endeavor," Mary said earnestly, and then they both laughed.
Darcy next hugged Mary gently to him. "You will be a very happy woman, I am sure. Your father tells me your fiancé has wit and humor enough to carry you through any discomfiture."
"Let us hope that is so, William." She handed him the book she had completed. "You might enjoy the Monthly Review's collection critiquing Sterne."
"Was it not to your liking?"
"Oh I enjoyed reading their opinion. However, I prefer to make my own judgment on new writers. You will find it a pleasant pastime though you too may not totally agree with their assessment of him."
"Thank you, Mary. I am sure I shall."
She hugged him again, and whispered, "I am very happy you rectified Lizzy's initial objections so that she would condescend to marry you."
"As am I," was his laughing reply as he aided her into the carriage.
Lizzy hugged Kitty remarking, "you will come to visit as often as your art instructor allows."
To this Kitty smiled and answered, "I shall be happy to wander about in your lovely park, Lizzy. There is so much to see and sketch during all the wonderful seasons here. But I will only come if you give me leave to care for your two little angels."
"I give you leave, dear Kitty, to show them the wonders that are around us. Until then I shall miss you."
"And I you, but only until August when we shall meet again for Mary's wedding," and they hugged again.
Darcy hugged Kitty then saying, "I am glad you enjoyed your holiday with us, Miss Catherine."
"How could I not with your two tiny bundles to cuddle?"
Her arms were still tentative around his torso at first, and then with a sudden impulse she squeezed tighter. "I thank you for all the support you have given me this visit. I am sure my ease with strangers will one day rival that of Lizzy with both of you as my guides."
"You are a sweet young woman who will make some man the happiest of men one day," he whispered his hope as he hugged her tightly at first refusing to allow her release, thinking her as special to him now as his own sister. "In the meanwhile, please keep up with your artistic endeavors."
"I shall, I promise. Even mother will no longer detour me," she stated smiling. "You are the best of brothers I could ever have wished for."
He then kissed her forehead, and helped her into the carriage.
Mrs. Bennet stood beside Elizabeth waiting for the servants to finish packing the carriage when she spoke. "Well, Lizzy, you were never as beautiful as Jane, but I must say you have done well for yourself." She viewed the vast expanse of land that was a part of Pemberley, and added, "Yes, my dear, you have done quite well if I do say so. I always knew it would turn out for the best. It was my plan all along for Mr. Darcy to make you an offer."
"Indeed?" Elizabeth surprised by her mother's incredible statement.
"You are so well suited to one another, Lizzy. You have always wandered out of doors all your lifetime, and Mr. Darcy with such a wonderful park just for you to roam. Yes, quite suited are you two."
"You think it so?" Elizabeth responded trying not to laugh.
"Oh, yes, Lizzy. I know it is so. You will be a very happy woman here."
At least that statement Elizabeth could wholeheartedly agree with. She kissed and hugged her mother.
"Yes, I believe I shall," Elizabeth sighed as she saw her mother moving toward Georgiana.
"Oh, Georgiana dear, you simply must come with us for the ball at the Assembly a week after Mary's wedding. Perhaps we could even have you stand up with one of the gentlemen of the neighborhood for a turn on the dance floor. I am sure you and Kitty would have a wonderful time."
Kitty, who was already seated by the window of the carriage, and Georgiana exchanged frightened looks, but it was Mr. Bennet who smoothed the alarm of both by saying, "Of course, we could all just remain at Longbourne and have a lovely evening there if Georgiana would decide to play on our piano."
"I...I shall make a plan to do just that, Mr. Bennet," she smiled into his warm face, thankful that she would not be forced into society at the moment.
"There, you see. We have it all planned," Mrs. Bennet beamed, thinking it her idea. Then she looked up to her son-in-law and added, "You must keep care of your young charges now. I will not have any letters sent about any difficulties, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Madam," Darcy replied with a twinge of sarcasm as if she thought to give him orders. His glance to his wife's arched brows as she tried not to laugh, dispelling any vexation building up inside him.
"Very good." Here she paused, and then added, "Well, I suppose we are off then. Give us a kiss now."
Darcy allowed Mrs. Bennet to kiss his cheek, which flustered her to no end. Mr. Bennet and Darcy could not but smile at her fawning before they both helped her into the waiting carriage.
"You will be at Longbourne during Michaelmas, then?" asked Mr. Bennet, using his handkerchief to wipe perspiration from the inside band of his hat before donning it again.
"Without fail, sir," promised Darcy, noting the elder man's hands grasping his arm.
"I depend on it, son, to keep some sanity to these wedding preparations. Hopefully Kitty will wait before she ventures into the marriage state to give us time to recover."
"Indeed," Darcy replied in agreement as Mr. Bennet entered the carriage, slamming door behind him.
With Mrs. Bennet's handkerchief waving from the window, and Kitty hanging her head out smiling, the carriage jolted to a start down the graveled pathway toward the main drive that would take them onward south to Longbourne. Georgiana turned to the house, remarking that she wished to visit the new family members for a while, leaving Elizabeth and William to follow behind.
*for more information on herbs go to http://kellymom.com/herbal/herbal-rem_i.html
*Dr. Charles White(1728-1813) wrote 'A Treatise on the Management of Pregnant and Lying-In Women, and the Means of Curing...' as classic work in aseptic midwifery.
She realized when the change had begun. It had been when she returned to Pemberley a few weeks after William and Elizabeth's wedding. She realized at once the difference that had come to her home.
At one time Pemberley had been a sanctuary for her and her brother, a refuge from the world that had been cruel and unkind. But something had always been missing. Neither would discuss with the other their feelings, but each in their own way knew it was the lack of their parents' shared love.
After her brother's wedding and having Elizabeth residing at Pemberley but for a short duration, it seemed the place had begun to blossom with a renewed vigor that Georgiana could only attribute to the love Elizabeth shared with William.
Having for years witnessed many married relationships in her own family such as her aunt and uncle Matlock, and during this last visit even that of Mr. & Mrs. Bennet, she noted the difference between those who were long married but not of having as close a union as that of William and Elizabeth. Charles and Jane were devoted to each other as were Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner, but no other relationships seemed as intensely personal as that of William and Elizabeth's.
Georgiana observed how they were always smiling at each other in some secret gaze. Not a day went by without her witnessing the tenderness of his touch on her arm, or the way she smiled only at him, or the gentle way he caressed her cheek. They were never in her presence without one of them caressing the other, or holding hands. It seemed that every room they entered, their love filled that space and affected all those around them with a wonderful peacefulness.
She was present too to see even those few times when they didn't agree, and sometimes the discussions were so heated that made her feel quite uneasy. But then she would see them stare at each other afterwards. Her brother's rigid stance would ease. Elizabeth's eyebrows would arch. They would both smile as he would reach for her offered hand and kiss it lovingly, and whatever had caused their distress would be forgotten.
Georgiana knew they loved each other so dearly that even in the heated debate they never vilified the other, or ever tried to demean the other. They merely spoke their opinions and tried to understand the other.
Georgiana had always considered Elizabeth as a very wise older sister who could be called upon to answer any questions a young girl such as herself would have about life or relationships. And indeed Elizabeth had made that point clear early on that whatever the question, Georgiana could come to her and Elizabeth would try to answer it. Georgiana was grateful and had taken Elizabeth to task for many talks and discussions on matters she worried over or was confused about. It was so reassuring to have Elizabeth in her life now too, for she had always wished for a sister, and now had the best one imaginable.
But Georgiana began to fathom how even as strong as Elizabeth and William seemed, even as she had grown to rely on both for her own strength, that they were still human, and as such, they too had moments of sadness and despair. Georgiana witnessed how they handled the sad time of losing their first baby when they were newly married. Both of them seemed inconsolable at the time, and she didn't know how, but they seemed to get through it with his tender care of her, and with her gentle response to him.
As Georgiana rocked the baby she remembered later that same year Elizabeth experienced another sad time that at first Georgiana did not know the particulars of. In the music room looking over some new sheet music she had purchased lately in London, Georgiana became aware of a conversation ensuing from the balcony where the doors had been left opened. Elizabeth was with William standing just outside and she was crying. She heard Elizabeth speak.
"I am truly happy for Jane, William. She and Charles deserve every happiness," she sighed. "It's just...that...I wish-"
"I understand, Lizzy," he replied using her nickname to comfort her as he embraced her. "You must be patient. You know our vision will come to pass. We both have seen it."
"Yes, but sometimes, I dream about them, see them running and laughing, and I wish they would come soon."
Knowing that Jane was with child Georgiana then realized they were discussing their future children as if they already existed but just hadn't yet arrived. She listened more intently then.
Darcy sat down and pulled Elizabeth onto his lap. He held his lovely wife so tenderly, and merely said, "Cry all you wish. I am here."
And Elizabeth cried very gently against his chest while he held her. Finally, she quieted and hugged his neck, and kissed him tenderly.
"Thank you, William. You are always here for me. I love you so," she whispered.
"You are everything to me, Elizabeth, even in sadness. I will have all of you," he replied and both remained in that comforting pose for a long while.
As Georgiana rocked she remembered all she had witnessed, to give her insight into how a marriage ought to be in day-to-day life. She knew that one day she too would pattern her marriage after this one filled with such love and devotion. She looked down at the lovely little children that were the product of that love. They had finally come; she smiled, and she held now the other infant close as she rocked it tenderly. Yes, she thought, one day I will have this wonderful life too.
Elizabeth and Darcy were at the nursery door watching Georgiana revel in her own wonderment. His arms encircled Elizabeth from the back and he rested his head on her shoulder and sighed. He hugged her against him as she leaned her head back and smiled as she watched Georgiana rocking in the antique chair. Her expression of contentment and confidence made Elizabeth realize that Georgiana was finally healed of all her worry now, and she would be able to trust her own feelings once again to find someone to love.
Darcy whispered in her ear as he gazed at his children, "this was my vision of long ago, Lizzy, on the day you faced your fear with Sampson."
"Yes," she whispered back hugging his arms with her own. "I am so happy they are finally come."
They named their children for the people who had brought them together. Their son was named Richard Charles, while their daughter was Roberta. This Darcy had suggested when he told Elizabeth how thankful he had been to the young man who had brought she and her aunt and uncle to Pemberley that day along with Sampson's twin, Simian. She smiled, and agreed with only a slight modification.
"Could we add Anne to her name, for truly it was your mother who brought all of this about."
"How so?" asked Darcy.
"It was because of her that you held yourself in check for all those years-"
"Until I met you," he interrupted smiling as he kissed her neck where he knew she would respond and felt her gasp at his touch.
"If not for that, you would have been long married and happy," Elizabeth continued. She leaned her head against him, and her hand caressed his cheek.
As he reflected, he shook his head saying, "No, I do not believe that. Perhaps, I would not have been so reclusive and reserved, but even as a child I was discerning in my choice of friends. My head would not have been turned by any empty headed chit who came my way."
She turned her head to look at him with those arched eyebrows. "Do you mean that Miss Bingley would still not have had a chance with you?" she teased.
He smiled at her, but then his eyes became suddenly serious as he looked at her.
"Before all this sadness in my life," he explained, "I had my cousins as playmates, and knew from an early age the difference between right and wrong. My thought processes were such that I could tell about Wickham's duplicity when he was but seven. I could also discern how Richard could be trusted with any secret or pain I felt in my young life. No, I would have waited, would have found you somehow even if my mother had not left me so early."
His hand turned her head so he could kiss her fully and deeply as a proof to her of his unconditional love. Then his arms embraced her around her waist, and she reached her hands up holding onto his arms. She leaned her head back again onto his chest, and he felt that same wonderful feeling of contentment wash over him as he held her. He sighed with such peacefulness.
He glanced at their babies again, and he added softly, "I have never before told anyone...that for years I had felt a gentle peacefulness that seemed to linger about me, but I was only aware of it whenever a contentment came over me. I never thought that it could be my mother, not until that night when I was in such despair. Only then was she allowed to be recognized by me, to open my mind, that I might conquer my guilt, so to help you and our children," he sighed. "She has always been here, watching over me, knowing that I would need her again at their birth."
Elizabeth turned in his embrace, looking into his eyes so peaceful and calm, knowing he was at last at peace with his past, and she smiled in their happiness. He leaned down and kissed her and softly concluding, "So if you wish to honor my mother in our daughter's name, then I agree whole heartedly."
And so they did.
Posted on Monday, 11 August 2003
The Darcy brood expanded and grew to a total of five children within a span of seven years. The twins Richard Charles, Roberta Anne were later joined by Thomas Edward named for Grandfather Bennet, William James who was the image of Darcy, and Sarah Elizabeth, all of whose births were witnessed by their father.
Each had their own personalities, but all seemed to possess a loving demeanor toward one another that came from the example set by their parents who were never unkind or mean to anyone, but rather showed how to be charitable even in the competition that ensued from a multi-child household.
The oldest two children led the way on how to behave, and with the help of their older Gardiner cousins who were frequently welcomed at Pemberley, the siblings knew what was expected of them throughout their formative years. The message poured out of them extending to all their cousins too so that any who met them felt the love that the Pemberley household held in all their lives.
Their father and mother even began a tradition of sleeping for a few hours out in the back lawn upon blankets on certain summer nights stargazing and catching fireflies. And then their father would tell them all about a wayward owl who snatched ribbons out of little girl's hair, and how mommy had climbed trees to find its nest. This would make the children laugh at the thought of their mother in a tree.
On this particular early evening with the youngest of the children safely in bed in the nursery, the oldest four came out with their parents for the firefly chasing. Even Darcy's dogs had grown accustomed to being around children and had the disposition of caring for them. They joined the family to romped about happily, but not especially gracefully, and sometimes too exuberantly at these frequent summer events.
On this occasion the three-year-old youngster was racing to catch the fireflies when one of the dogs bolted, knocking him to the ground. The little boy was thrown down and lay there unmoving. Both parents came to the rescue in a nonchalant manner so as not to inflict more fright upon him.
"James, are you well?" asked Elizabeth in a sweet motherly way kneeling beside the near crying child who looked up to her smile, and then his little mind started to wonder what had actually just happened.
"Rollo push James," the young tot struggled with his words and decided not to cry as he heard his mother's gentle laughter, still not treating the event as anything frightening.
"Yes, he did. He is much larger than you, is he not, James, my love?" She said taking his hands and starting to help him back up to stand on his small legs. Just then the offending dog came up to the boy, and his teeth grabbed his clothing on the child's back also trying to help him to stand.
When the boy was righted once again the dog proceeded to give him a great big dog kiss across his face hoping all was forgiven. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at the faithful dog's caring of her young son who was laughing again and patting the beast's head. Darcy stood beside them smiling as he held his hands in a cupped manner, patiently awaiting the little scene to conclude. Elizabeth looked lovingly into her husband's face, and smiled.
"Come, James, let us sit on the blanket while your father places the fireflies in your hands."
"Me old now, mother?" asked the young child happy that they were to entrust him not to squash the insects.
"I think we can allow you to hold the small creatures safely now. Let us begin," his mother whispered, smiling into his face. He gave her the biggest hug his little arms could muster around her legs. She rubbed his back lovingly, and her eyes misted over at her own happiness.
She then helped him to sit down beside her and his father managed to sit on his other side and began instructing him on how to hold his hands. When the bugs were successfully safe in his young hands, he began to giggle at the feeling of them crawling within.
His parents looked at each other over his head. Darcy leaned in bestowing a lingering kiss to his wonderful wife that was only interrupted by James as he exclaimed,
"Look, Mother! Look, Father! Bugs glow in my hands! Bugs glow in my hands!"
"Yes, James. That is what they do when they feel safe that you will not harm them," his mother stated, both parents smiling at giving their young son this 'first time' experience.
"And when you find a girl who will let you put fireflies in her hands, then you will know you have found a wonderful friend," stated his father who was gazing at his wife. She smiled back remembering that fateful night on the Assembly balcony.
The three older children approached the blanket with the rest. Richard sat beside his mother who tussled his hair lovingly. William's strong but gentle hands aided both Roberta and Thomas to sit beside himself and James on the blanket. All the older children also had glowing hands full of fireflies casting a warm aura on each of their faces in the twilight.
"Are you all ready?" Asked their father as Elizabeth stared expectantly for an obvious surprise instigated by William. "All together." And with their father's help began to recite a poem about the fireflies, all except Richard and Roberta Anne stumbling over the words.
Fine animated gem, whose sparkling light,
As on the verdant bank thou liest reclined,
Spangles with gold the sable skirts of night,
Thy bright beams wake the traveller's sleeping mind.*
"That was wonderful," gushed Elizabeth, proud that all of their children were beginning early to appreciate poetry.
After a bit, Thomas looked up to his father and asked, "Is it time, father?"
Darcy smiled as he looked at his young son, who even at five years of age was already showing signs of his gentle caring for God's creatures that he would greater display in later years, and Darcy agreed saying, "It is time, children to free your captives so they may go back to their families."
"Already?" asked Richard.
"They are very delicate creatures, my son," agreed Elizabeth smiling at Thomas. "If we keep them too long they may become too weak to return home."
"We would like to keep them forever," stated Roberta, who then realized her error in judgment without her parent's intervention. "But if we let them go now, they will be healthy and grateful, and may allow us to catch them again. Is that not so, brothers?" She asked deferring to them for advice.
"Yes," Thomas said, agreeing with her assessment.
Richard was in consensus. "That is reasonable," he stated in his very manly almost seven-year-old voice.
"Me want keep them," James pouted. But his oldest brother already knew how to deal with his younger sibling.
"James," Richard reasoned. "We should ALL let them go at once, and see the glorious show they will give us when they are all freed. Would you like to see that?"
"Oh yes, brother," agreed James enthusiastically.
"On the count of three then," instructed Richard. "One, two, three!" And all the children opened their hands and the released fireflies took flight, glowing before their eyes in a spectacular show before retreating once again to the safety of the trees.
"That was glorious indeed!" exclaimed Roberta falling back on the blanket. Thomas came to lie beside her, content now that the fireflies were on their way home again. Then Roberta wondered. "Father, how do they make their bodies glow?"
Her father and the rest lay down on the blankets too as Darcy thought for a moment. "There is speculation that the creatures manufacture a chemical that has the ability to glow, but the scientists are not quite sure."
His daughter laughed at this. "Liquid light?" This seemed as far fetched to her as her mother climbing trees. "How funny, father." And all the children giggled in turn.
"As I said, it is only speculation thus far," her father stated knowing his daughter's mind was skeptical, but was already wondering about the possibilities. His oldest son interrupted his reverie with a question of his own.
"Look, father, there is the constellation Orion," he said pointing at the three stars of the belt of the hunter. "I wonder what the stars are made of."
"Liquid light!" teased Roberta, adding, "that swirls all around like orange juice in a glass when you stir it. That is what makes them twinkle."
They all laughed at her analysis thinking that was truly far fetched. All four children settled down about their parents to sleep under the 'liquid light' twinkling in the sky feeling the peace that had always been there, waiting to be of use again by to this new generation of Darcy's.
Darcy glanced over at Elizabeth after all the children had drifted off to sleep for a few hours before their parents carried them back into the house. He noticed how radiant she was as she gazed at him, and he smiled knowingly.
"When?" was all he needed to ask as he took her hand and kiss it.
"In May," she stated simply smiling back. They both sat up, and Darcy picked up their youngest son and placed him gently beside his sister, and then turned to Elizabeth as she caressed her husband's cheek.
"Do you have a preference?" He asked knowing what her answer would be. He touched her lovely face and kissed her cheek.
"No," she whispered back, but added, "But I have a feeling it will be a girl." She teased him as she looked at her loving husband smiling. "Shall we name her Jane?"
"Absolutely." He kissed her gently. "And let us hope she will be the same fine horsewoman as her namesake who braved the weather to ride to Netherfield that day," another gentle kiss, "only to be waylaid there to have her sister come afoot to nurse her back to health," again a kiss, "and have me fall more in love with her than I could admit then." He kissed her again.
"Yes," softly Elizabeth agreed, wondering how she could possibly be happier with her life as she settled down for a restful time under the stars in the security of Darcy's loving embrace.
*for the entire poem by Edmund Gardner's poem 'To a Glow-Worm' visit this site: http://members.aol.com/sonnetear/gardner.htm
Mary had returned home from Pemberley that first spring with a much better attitude to all around her, which did not go unnoticed by her father and even by her uncle Phillips. Many an evening was spent in the company of both men who realized that she indeed had sense and enjoyed conversing with her on topics that were normally relegated to men. Uncle Phillips even began allowing her to proofread briefs for his law office after she had expressed an interest in some of the cases he discussed when he visited at Longbourne. It was late in the summer when she was asked to help in the office of her Uncle Phillips where she met and became acquainted with the clerk there. Mr. Sheffield was destined to be a partner in the office and was being groomed by Mr. Phillips to take over when the older gentleman decided to retire. A growing attachment formed between Mary and Benjamin Sheffield, and they married and had 3 children, and resided in Meryton all their days, occasionally going on holiday to visit their cousins at Pemberley and Seraphim.
Through Lady Matlock's guidance Kitty began art instruction that summer when she was invited to the Matlock townhouse in London. After several years she had become quite proficient. Her paintings began to sell in some of the more fashionable galleries in London that Lady Matlock frequented. And being Kitty, she was never quite satisfied with her craft until she had worked at it for almost 25 years. However, she was proud of her landscapes, especially those of Pemberley, which elicited a view of the country that was more serene than the city life. She frequently visited both her sisters' homes to paint the wonderful vistas that the estates held. While visiting Pemberley about five years after her initial visit there, she was re-acquainted with the former owner of Seraphim, none other than Mr. Grayson Smithson, who had returned from America. He had been so amazed during his wanderings of the wonderful vastness of the new country that he took up photography as a career to preserve the wonderful landscapes on photographer's glass.* He and Kitty began an association whereby she would reproduce in oils the landscapes of his black and white photos, and from memory he would guide her through the pinks and reds that were the great deserts of the southwest, and the yellows and greens that made up the harsh frontier hills and mountains. Grayson soon realized he had fallen in love with this now grownup, serene woman that he had met years earlier. And so a more long lasting relationship formed when they married and traveled much of the world while still managing to produce 2 children who traveled with them.
*I am taking some poetic license, as the process of photography was not perfected until the mid 1800's. Although Daguerreotype process, and William Henry Fox Talbot's Calotype process were invented about the 1840's, it wasn't until 1851 Frederick Scott Archer shorten the exposure time to a few seconds using his Collodion process that photography began to come into its own as an art form. I just wanted Grayson Smithson to be out in the wilderness carting around a big cumbersome camera with determination and grit.
Caroline met her viscount, a friend of Charles and Jane, while they were in London at the theatre with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Lionel Dorset was the only son of an earl in Sussex before his father passed away. However, when Caroline met him, his title was not made known to her, and she simply fell in love with the man, two years her junior, but with a remarkable pair of blue eyes, and a devastating smile. Being slightly taller than she, Caroline had the good fortune to have to look up to him when speaking, and he likewise could view the green of her eyes that seemed to dance whenever she looked at him. He in turn absolutely adored her. When they married, they decided to live on his country estate, and had 2 children in quick succession. Always anxious when it came to her children, she made the common sense decision to correspond faithfully to her brother and his wife for much needed advice, and so her children became quite accomplished, but not vain or proud.
Louisa and Gilroy Hurst seemed to come to a closer understanding after Caroline's happy marriage, and with this renewal produced children of their own, managing 2 boys before both seemed too old to have more. And given the choice of imitating the parenting skills of her stern disciplinarian father, Louisa and Gilroy looked rather to the Bingleys and the Darcys for cues on childrearing, trying not to be "such a putz" as Gilroy put it remembering his father-in-law. He found that contrary to what people believed about him, Gilroy Hurst actually liked children, and enjoyed teaching them all manner of things. Louisa gave in to most of his teaching when it came to education such as reading, art, chess and music, but was understandably concerned with horse riding, sword fighting and various sport hunting which all three of her 'boys' seemed to enjoy. Sigh. (Thanks, Esther)
Lydia and Wickham stayed in Newcastle until his unit was reassigned to duty abroad. At first both thought it would be a grand adventure, and owing to the fact that Wickham had accrued more debts through his inability to know when to not bet against an inside flush, he was ready to leave for the ship before dawn. Lydia wondered about where they were going, and if any balls and theatre would be in their new station. Having heard many stories of hardship and neglect endured by the wives of the officers while on this assignment, she began to have second thoughts and somewhat selfishly decided that she would rather stay behind to visit her family while he was away. Now Lydia, never a very bright girl, had nonetheless become aware of her husband's indiscrete infidelity, and for the most part allowed it because she knew he would always return to her. But she soon realized that he would now be half a world away, and she would not be there for him to return to. Having become accepting of his lack of faithfulness to their wedding vows, she also accepted that he would be away probably never to return to her, and she no longer cared if he did not. But she then realized that since she could not marry another, she would have to find some means to sustain her. Mrs. Bennet would always be generous with her, but her father and her sisters were not quite as agreeable to simply giving her funds that they knew she would end up wasting.
Upon a trip to London to visit her aunt she stopped in a little millinery shop called Madame Withers Designs to view the new bonnets. In the back she noticed the owner and girl arguing about how to create some of the newer fashions to sell. The girl left in a huff and slammed the back door. Lydia had a most interesting talk with the owner about her business and how she came to own her shop, and how she decided which hats to decorate the window with to attract clients inside. That's when Lydia had her epiphany. She at last knew what her destiny was. After having convinced Madame Withers into hiring her, Lydia impressed the older lady with her designs, but had a more difficult time when she was asked to wait on clients. Lydia had to learn how not to state to the customers how they actually looked in some of her creations. When Madame Withers threatened to fire her for telling a large woman she looked like a cow with a crow on her head, Lydia decided that she must bite her tongue when addressing the clients. Having worked for a year in Madame Withers shop designing hats and window displays, and with her uncle's aid, Lydia opened her own shop in a not too expensive part of town, and became a successful milliner for the remainder of her life.
Georgiana wondered if she would ever find someone to love when quite by a turn of fate the owners of a nearby estate, the Blythes, returned from an extended stay abroad and renewed their acquaintance with the Darcys. Their son, Geoffrey, who had been a child when they had left the area, was not long in returning to the family estate after studying music in Austria for four years.
Both around the same age, Geoffrey and Georgiana were encouraged to share their musical talents of her piano and harp to his violin, and he in turn encouraged her to begin to even give concerts with him for the neighbors. She seemed to conquer her shyness whenever he played with her.
Geoffrey's desire to share more than just music with her became evident to Georgiana, and she felt happy whenever he was near, and she anticipated his visits and rehearsals. One evening in autumn after one of their concerts, he sat down beside her on the piano bench, and he took her hands. He told her how much she meant to him, how even as a child he had cared for her, and how devastated he had been when his family moved away. When he finally had the chance to move back, he said his dreams had come true when he found out that she was still at Pemberley that he might tell her how much he loved her, had always loved her, how more deeply he had fallen in love with her the more he was around her. Giving her a family ring he asked her to be his wife. She threw her arms around him, and simply said, "Yes." That was when he kissed her. And that was where Elizabeth found them a half hour later, still kissing, and hugging, and talking about if it was possible to fall in love as children with the person they were destined to be with.
Their marriage was a grand spring affair with relations and friends coming from all over to celebrate the happy event at Pemberley. Their lives were happy, marred only by the tragedy of having to endure three miscarriages before producing 2 wonderful children. Each time, Elizabeth was there to support Georgiana in her time of sorrow, caring for her, as Georgiana had done when the same sadness had been upon Elizabeth.
Mrs. Bennet's health began to decline, and she was impaired from traveling much, so Darcy found a tiny estate, which he managed for the Bennet's in Derbyshire that they may be closer to their family there. She had many grandchildren who visited her until her nerves finally give out and she died a happy woman.
Mr. Bennet decided to let Longbourne to the Collins, and stipulated that it be returned to the Mr. Bennet if he remained living should no male heir be produced by Mr. Collins. The sense of humor for which Mr. Bennet has been credited made his new tenant actually believe that the stipulation was legally binding without Mr. Bennet being unaware of the consequences of his jest. The clergyman was in his glory now as a landed gentleman at last, still sniveling over those above him, but now not as enamored with his benefactress, Lady Catherine. He went about his way to complete his mission of an heir, but try as they might, after three years Mr. Collins seemed unable to produce one offspring, let alone an heir to inherit Longbourne. After multiple miscarriages Charlotte had finally disallowed him into her bed citing health reasons. Mr. Collins, it would seem, did not accept the inevitable without despondency and bitterness, and began down a self-destructive pattern of behavior of not taking care of himself, and died of apoplexy* after their fifth year of marriage.
*Apoplexy is I think probably what we would consider a 'stroke' in today's terminology
Charlotte planned to mourn for the prescribed year while trying to envision what her life would now consist of, whether it would be as a governess or housekeeper or some other position she felt she was suited for. It was during this time of indecision several weeks after the funeral in which Elizabeth and William and their then eldest being three years of age, and one infant had visited her, filling Longbourne once again with the sounds of children's laughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had been on leave at the time to joined them soon after, and was re-introduced to the still lovely Charlotte. And even though she was considered past her prime, Richard, the confirmed bachelor found her irresistible, and before the six-week stay was up, he had proposed to her. Ever practical, Charlotte nonetheless felt a stirring in her heart as never before and fell in love with him, blushing like a young girl whenever he held her hand. This in turn made the stanch military man giddy as a schoolboy that she found him so attractive, and more than once the twins came running up to their mother with tales of the couple kissing in the nearby woods.
Needless to say, the couple broke with propriety and married well before the traditional year of mourning was up, citing that if they waited much longer perhaps one or the other would also be dead and need burying. Mr. Bennet allowed Longbourne to be let for their home for the time being, as Richard had at last retired from the military, and began his duties as a landed gentleman. He and Charlotte had thought they were too old to start a family, and were quite surprised when she became with child within the first half year of their marriage. Charlotte was very concerned all through her confinement because of her other miscarriages, but was delivered of a healthy boy who filled their lives with joy. Never had her practical side thought she could feel such bliss with her marriage and her child. And lo and behold they had a child every year without trouble for the next three years to find themselves quite surrounded by such a wonderful brood that their lives were completely happy.
Grandfather Bennet came frequently to visit his grandchildren at Pemberley and Seraphim because he said he actually missed all the chaos that lively children can make, especially boys that he now had become quite use to after a lifetime of raising girls. He said that when he had enough of them could always go back home to the serene modest estate. He even talked the three Darcy boys into building a fort in the house with a large sheet that had mysteriously disappeared from the clothesline that same day for the purpose. Hmmm. You would never guess where the fort building occurred, but there was a lot of shouting done that day by a certain formerly stern gentleman who usually kept impeccable rooms. The culprits, and there were actually 'four', were busy for several hours re-stacking the shelves afterwards.
Unlike his parents whose lives were cut short through sickness and despair, William had a wonderful long happy life together with Elizabeth and they die within 2 weeks of each other at the age of 80 and 72.
Pemberley was never inherited outside the family where many generations lived to appreciate it they way our lovers did, and where the scent of lavender always seemed to radiate in most of the rooms of the mansion to instill a peacefulness throughout.