Chapter 5
The preceding months had not been without their challenges.
As much as Lizzy understood the need for the restrictions on her movement, she chaffed against them.
She was splint free and could not accept that she was not free to run or return to the same level of activity that she was used to before the attack.
She had a hard time accepting that, after so many months of not using her arm or leg, it would take time and exercise before her muscles were once again able to support the activity that she desired.
After so many months at Pemberley, the Fitzwilliams had returned to Snowhaven in the middle of November.
The outpouring of concern and well wishes from the Queen on down was heart-warming, but all four were pleased to be in their own home once again.
They had celebrated Anne’s thirteenth birthday at Pemberley and Georgie had cried many tears at Lizzy and Anne’s departure, as she has become so used to her ‘older sisters’ being in residence.
She had been placated by the promise that they would all see one another soon when the family met at Snowhaven for Christmastide.
The three young men had to be ordered to return to their schools, William the only one left at Eton as Richard joined Andrew at Cambridge.
None of them wanted to leave Lizzy until she was, in their minds, completely back to her normal self.
Both fathers had brooked no opposition; they stood fast that their sons would depart for school on time at the end of August and, with many mumbled complaints, it had been so.
All three had been to Pemberley for a four-day break together and had reluctantly departed at the end of it.
They would be returning within a week for the end-of-year break, accompanied by Master Charles Bingley, Lord Wesley De Melville, Ian Ashby, and Lord Perry Rhys-Davies.
Andrew and the younger Ashby son had met at Cambridge and become good friends.
Mr Finch had prescribed a regimen of exercise that Elizabeth followed religiously.
She no longer spent most of her time in the bath chair but walked with the aid of crutches.
She refused to be coddled, as she was well aware that the more she exercised, the faster the time would arrive when she no longer needed assistance in walking.
One thing that her mother and father had struggled with was a replacement for her beloved cob Astraea.
She had been buried near the spot where she fell, and Elizabeth had been carried to her grave to visit a few times before they departed Pemberley.
They knew that Lizzy wanted to ride again but until her leg and arm were again at full strength, she would not be able to.
Given how sad she had been when informed of Astraea’s death, or murder as she termed it, they did not want to push her on the subject of a new mount.
Reggie did decide that when she was ready, he would find a mare for his daughter.
Not a few times, Elizabeth had taken a walk with one of her parents to Astraea’s stall, left unused after the attack.
She would ask cook for an apple and carrot and leave them on the low wall at the front of the stall.
Her parents would feel for their daughter as she would get melancholy each time that she brought the tribute for the fallen cob.
Over the period of her convalescence, both at Pemberley and since the return to their own estate, Elizabeth and Anne de Bourgh became closer than they were before.
While her cousin was bed-bound, Anne was with her every day and acted as her legs, making sure that she fetched anything that Elizabeth needed.
It made Anne feel good to be able to be of use in that way.
Her Aunt Anne would come visit her niece with Georgiana and Alex for a little while each day; though she would never leave Alex in the chamber once she left, Georgie would remain and visit with her older cousin for as long as she was allowed to.
“Mama,” Elizabeth got her mother’s attention as they were sitting in the drawing room one day, “will I ever be able to ride again?”
“We believe so, Lizzy. You have heard Mr Finch say that he believes you will make a complete recovery; I assume that will mean riding as well, my dear daughter,” her mother explained.
“I think that it will be hard to ride another horse. I miss Astraea every day!” Elizabeth choked up.
“It is like anyone or anything that we truly love when they are no longer with us, Lizzy,” her mother sat next to her on the settee, taking her small hands in her own.
“It is a sad truism sweet girl, but life does go on, and moving forward in no way diminishes the role that ones who are no longer with us played in our life. When you are ready, your papa will acquire a horse for you. You will always remember Astraea and in time you will be left with the pleasant memories and the ache you are still feeling will no longer be your constant companion. It speaks well of you that you love so deeply and are not fickle; I am sure that she knew how much you loved and cared for her.”
“Do you think that there is a heaven for horses, Mama?” Lizzy asked in all seriousness.
“I know not Lizzy, but if there is, I am sure that Astraea is there, and she has all the apples and carrots she wants.” The answer achieved its aim, it gave the grieving girl some comfort.
That day was the last day that Elizabeth left a tribute at Astraea’s empty stall, and it was not long after that the stall was put to use.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Caroline Bingley thought that she was fooling everyone at her school, not realizing that Mrs Gilbert and her chamber mate saw though her ruse.
The month in the scullery wearing the scratchy burlap dress had dragged by slowly.
The flighty Lydia had completed her month a sennight before Caroline’s time was over.
Caroline did not repine the girl’s absence as she had heard enough about the ‘wonderful’ Denny to last a lifetime.
A penniless officer would not be her lot in life, of that, she was sure.
Caroline all but ignored Miss Helen Jacobson and did not limit her muttering about how she hated having to play a role and how she would get even with her family.
Miss Jacobson had never believed that the haughty girl had suddenly had an epiphany, a belief echoed by Mrs Gilbert.
Once she had heard the mutterings for a number of evenings in a row, she had her weekly meeting with the headmistress and when asked if she felt that Miss Bingley’s change was genuine, Helen had relayed what she heard in their shared chambers when the other did not pay attention or consider that she was awake as she talked to herself.
Caroline Bingley was congratulating herself on her masterful performance, expecting that she had achieved her aim, a trip back to Netherfield Park for Christmas.
She had confidence in her powers of manipulation and persuasion, so she had no doubt that she would not be returning to this horrendous place.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Oscar Bingley was sitting in the study at Netherfield going over the latest reports from the business.
Since they had sold twenty percent to Gardiner and Associates, more custom had been brought in and the profits had expanded, and now they were looking at opening a second location close to Tattersalls, which Oscar agreed would be a prime location.
Gardiner owned the land that they would use, so it would mean that he, Gardiner, and his brother would each own one third of the business.
With the expected expanded income, his smaller stake would recoup more income each year, once the infrastructure costs for the new location were taken out of the initial profits.
Nichols knocked, and was asked to enter; he brought a salver with Mr Bingley’s incoming correspondence.
There was one letter that he was particular interested in reading, the one from the headmistress of Caroline’s school.
Like the headmistress, Oscar was sceptical of the nearly-instant change that his youngest appeared to have made, especially given that she had never previously apologised for any of her outrageous behaviours.
2 December 1799
Dark Hollow School for Girls
Wiltshire
Mr Bingley,
It saddens me to report that we were all correct in our estimation that your daughter was acting the part that she thought that we wanted to see.
I have had confirmation, as in unguarded moments, she talks about her plans in front of the young lady that shares her bedchamber.
Based on the revenge that she continues to promise against you and the other members of your family, and especially Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, I do not know if she actually is dangerous or if it is merely a fantasy.
As I wrote previously, her sudden appearance of contrition was very suspect.
My belief is that she is one who thinks that her own will is enough to make things the way that she wants them to be.
I can offer no opinion as to why, after the demonstrations of your will, that she still thinks that she can hoodwink you; that part is a mystery to me.
As much as I hate to fail, you may need to consider placing her in a school stricter than even mine.
Failing that, I have no idea what will affect any change in her behaviour and attitude.
We can try the term after Christmas, but if there is no genuine change, I would recommend that you look at what your next step will be.
Sincerely,
Mrs Hesperia Gilbert
Headmistress
Oscar rang the bell for the butler and asked him to find Mrs Bingley and inform her that she was needed in the study.
It was not too many minutes later that Martha entered the study.
She stopped at the door with a questioning look after seeing the grim mien of her husband.
He beckoned her to enter and close the door, and wordlessly handed her the missive.