Chapter 16. The Summons to Pemberley
It was summer again and Longbourn overflowed with noise of pianoforte lessons, singing, and occasional sibling bickering.
There were the shouts of a young boy as he ran about the yard with boys from the tenant farms, and girls calling for their sisters to help with hems and bonnets.
Mr Bennet spent many hours with his tenants and neighbours seeing to the many tasks of the estate while Mrs Bennet managed the house and gardens.
The housekeeper was busy with the chores and the maids who diligently laboured to clean and care for the house.
Nanny Brice, resident at Longbourn for two years as the nanny for Kitty, Lydia and young Thomas, kept her charges occupied with lessons before their time for walks and adventures into the fields and meadows.
When Mr Darcy decided that his sister was in need of a lady’s companion for additional lessons instead of a nanny, the Bennet family hired Nanny Brice for the young children.
Master Thomas, now four years, was full of energy and adventures that kept his older sisters busy chasing him.
“Who has written, Lizzy?” Mrs Bennet asked Elizabeth as her second daughter read a letter delivered with the morning post.
“This is from my Aunt Gardiner in town. Her youngest has colic and keeps her awake at night so she is writing long letters.”
“We must send her that receipt for the treatment Mrs Hill provided for Thomas when he was young,” Mrs Bennet said in passing.
“I shall speak with Mrs Hill and get the receipt this day to send to my aunt,” Elizabeth agreed. “I remember it did ease him.”
“Has Mary returned from Netherfield?”
“Not yet Mamma,” Elizabeth replied. “This is the day for new music on the pianoforte with Georgiana. Mrs Annesley is an excellent instructor, but she is demanding. After their performance last week for the neighbours at Lucas Lodge, I believe Mary will return home with a new piece of music.”
Nanny Brice came into the parlour with her sewing. “Master Thomas has gone to the stables to search out new kittens with Lydia and Kitty.”
Mrs Bennet laughed. “I hope they are careful climbing into the hayloft! They will all need baths before supper if they climb through the hay this afternoon.”
“Master Thomas will resist bathing until the day he wants to impress a young lady,” observed Nanny Brice.
“Has Miss Georgie managed her French verbs?” asked Mrs Bennet.
“We are speaking French during our lessons and at tea, Mamma,” Elizabeth replied. “Georgie’s French has improved greatly this summer.”
“Miss Darcy is a very talented young woman and Mrs Annesley is determined that her pupil will have all of the accomplishments of the Bennet sisters. She will sing as beautifully as Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, play as divinely as Miss Mary, have the gentle disposition of Miss Jane, and have the wit of Miss Elizabeth,” said Nanny Brice.
Elizabeth laughed. “Surely Georgie will not have to complete all of those accomplishments to satisfy Mrs Annesley. I shall ask Mr Darcy for his definition of an accomplished woman next time we dine at Netherfield and that will guide Mrs Annesley’s course of study.”
Mrs Bennet and Nanny Brice exchanged glances when Elizabeth mentioned Mr Darcy–though she denied it when teased by her father or eldest sister–Elizabeth Bennet was excessively fond of the master of the neighbouring estate.
They rode side by side when the neighbourhood attended gatherings that allowed Elizabeth to ride side saddle and always sat together at family dinner.
“Mamma, did Lady Lucas mention if Mrs Goulding would invite everyone to supper this week?”
“She did not mention...” Mrs Bennet began to answer when the parlour door abruptly opened, and Mary ran inside.
“Mamma! There is the most dreadful news from Netherfield,” the middle daughter announced.
With the close connection of friendship between the two houses, everyone in the room paid close attention to Mary’s announcement.
“Mr George Darcy has summoned Mr and Miss Darcy to Derbyshire. Mrs Hobbes understands the gentleman has only a short time to live.”
“Oh dear!” Mrs Bennet rose from her chair, hurried to her husband’s library and entered without knocking.
In the midst of composing a letter to his solicitor, when his wife interrupted his concentration Mr Bennet looked up with surprise.
After she related her news, he rose from his desk and called for his coat and horse.
At the front door he found Elizabeth with her bonnet and parasol waiting. “I asked Mr Hill to have the carriage brought round with all speed Papa,” she informed him.
“And will you accompany me?” he asked gently.
Elizabeth blushed and admitted, “I hoped you would allow me to go with you, sir.”
Mr Bennet took his daughter’s hand and assured her, “I am certain they will be glad to see you.”
**++**
The footman answered the knock on the front door and directed Mr Bennet and Elizabeth to the library. They found Mr Darcy in consultation with his secretary and his steward.
“Lynton, I depend on you to handle what you can in the correspondence while I am travelling north. I think Jefferson and Harris will make good riders to go back and forth from Netherfield to Pemberley with packets of letters and there are good horses in the stables.”
“How is the stable at Farthing?” asked the steward referring to the tavern that William had purchased two years before.
William nodded. “The ‘Halfway Inn’ has room for two mounts reserved for Darcy riders. I shall take two extra horses with me and leave them there.”
Noticing his guests, William came around the desk to shake hands with Mr Bennet and bow to Elizabeth.
“You find me most disadvantaged, sir.”
“We have come to help,” Bennet replied. “Mary brought news of your father’s illness and Mrs Bennet insisted that Elizabeth and I come to assist you.”
William’s face relaxed slightly. “I fear my sister is much affected. Miss Elizabeth if you could comfort Georgiana, I would be in your debt.”
“I shall go to her immediately Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth replied. “Papa will take care of you!”
There were smiles on the faces of the steward and the secretary at the young lady’s words, though the master of Netherfield did not notice.
“What are your plans?” asked Mr Bennet.
“We shall leave at first light tomorrow morning. With the coach and four and the full moon, I intend to press the full distance to Farthing in a single day.”
Bennet nodded. “But leave the team there to rest for few days. Do you have a full team of four there?”
“Not from my stable but I shall requisition the best teams in the stable and continue my travels at the normal pace. At Chesterfield on Saturday, I shall leave my sister with Mrs Annesley and escorts with the carriage while my man and I ride ahead. I can be at Pemberley by early afternoon of the third day with my sister safely arriving that evening.”
“The long days will allow for late travel,” Bennet agreed. “And you have good steeds.”
“My worry is for the harvest that is to begin in two weeks.”
Bennet nodded. “Netherfield is well-run Darcy. Mr Howard and I shall manage everything.”
“But you have the harvest at Longbourn to oversee?”
“A harvest that has increased because of the fertilizers and methods you encouraged me to put into use. Darcy, I am a richer man today because of you–do you think I should be denied the opportunity to repay the kindness you have shown me?”
“Hall thinks we shall have the largest harvest of wheat and oats ever this year,” Darcy said proudly. “His son Davie is to drive a team from the fields, and I think the boy will have the horses in harness the night before he is so excited.”
When they settled matters for the harvest, reviewed the pay ledger with Mr Howard and Mr Lynton for the labourers, Mr Darcy sent for Mrs Hobbes. As they waited for Mrs Hobbes to arrive, Darcy told Mr Bennet of the letter.
“I received an express from the housekeeper at Pemberley. It seems my father suffered an attack Monday afternoon. The doctor was summoned and remained through the night. Tuesday morning my father was able to speak again but the doctor fears his heart will not last long. Mrs Reynolds sent a rider that noon and it took the man two days to reach Hertfordshire.”
Bennet paused only a moment before he said, “Darcy, if your man packed your bags now, you and he could be to Buckwheat tonight and then arrive at Pemberley Saturday.”
“But my sister...”
“I shall escort your sister to Derbyshire for you. We shall not travel as hard as you anticipated. Our journey will require the full four days, and I plan to scandalize society by travelling on Sunday.”
He thought a moment before he added, “And I shall ask Elizabeth to accompany me to comfort Miss Georgie.”
Darcy’s face completely relaxed. He could be with his father a day sooner with this plan and he knew his sister would be safe with his friend Bennet.
“I have sent word to my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who is in London. But I shall barricade the house from all other relatives.”
The young man reviewed his plans and options before reaching out his hand and thanking Mr Bennet.
Upon arrival in the library, Mrs Hobbes received her orders; Netherfield was to be closed with Holland cloth placed over all the furniture and the front door barred.
Business would be conducted from the house Mr Lynton shared with his wife and three children at the edge of the gardens.
Any visitors coming to the front of the great house would find it empty of the family.
**++**
Above stairs, Elizabeth found Georgiana tearful but sorting through her dresses with a maid.
“Lizzy, I am so glad you came!” Georgiana said as she embraced her friend.
Now fourteen, Georgiana was tall but remained slender.
Mrs Annesley came into the room with footmen bringing two empty trunks for the maids to fill with gowns, shoes, coats, undergarments, nightgowns, and a dozen other items.
“Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth,” greeted Mrs Annesley.
“Good afternoon, madam,” Elizabeth replied. The hired companion for Georgiana was strict with all of the young ladies concerning protocols and behaviours but this afternoon she allowed Miss Georgiana to be tearful and for Miss Elizabeth to comfort her charge.
A few minutes later, she was slightly surprised by the sudden appearance of Mr Darcy and his guest in his sister’s rooms; Mrs Annesley had learned during her first year at Netherfield that the neighbouring Bennet family was closer to the brother and sister than any of their own family.
There was one cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who came for Christmas but otherwise they had not had any family visit, nor had they travelled to visit any family except for their father, and then only in town once a year during the height of the season.
“Georgie, I have news,” William said.
Looking up from beside Elizabeth on a sofa, Georgiana nodded her head before her brother continued. “I should like to ride ahead to Pemberley. My valet and I shall leave within the hour.”
“But...”
“And tomorrow morning, you and Mrs Annesley shall leave with Mr Bennet and Elizabeth to travel to Derbyshire. Your trip will take four days so pack several books to read and discuss.”
Elizabeth’s face brightened and she hugged Georgiana before her father collected her. “Come Lizzy, we need to return to Longbourn and pack our trunks–only one trunk now girl!”
“Yes, Papa,” Elizabeth agreed.
Darcy and Georgiana escorted the Bennets from the house and before they reached the door, Elizabeth’s hand reached up to touch Mr Darcy’s sleeve. He stopped and turned to the young woman, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am sorry to hear of your father’s state sir.”
He smiled, grateful for sincerity in her voice.
Then she handed him a small book. “I brought this book of poetry for your journey. Travelling on horseback you must pack light; as it will fit into your coat pocket, I hope it will afford you some distraction.”
He recognized the book–the same one from the forest from several years before with the mended page inside.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I shall enjoy the verse by candlelight on my journey.”
Mr Bennet cleared his throat. “Lizzy, let us be gone. I shall have to tell your Mamma of our plans and set my steward to his duties.”
As their carriage pulled away, Elizabeth turned back to watch the brother and sister wait at the steps for a long minute before turning back inside Netherfield.
“Lizzy.”
“Yes Papa.”
“Mr Darcy is to be a great man, very rich and very powerful. When his father passes, young William will be one of the richest men in all Britain. I believe he will have four seats in the House to dispose of as he chooses.”
Elizabeth nodded. “He shall be very lonely again then sir.”
Mr Bennet sighed and took his daughter’s hand. “It will not be long after coming into his inheritance that numerous lords and other rich men will show up at his door with their daughters. I believe Mr Darcy will marry a rich woman, perhaps even one with a title, as his wife.”
He squeezed her hand gently. “Do not give your whole heart to him–I fear it will be broken.”
Elizabeth did not reply but she did lay her head on her father’s shoulder.
**++**