Chapter Twenty-One #2
Lagging behind, William was happy to watch Elizabeth with her arms linked through Jane’s and Georgiana’s.
Although Georgiana seemed eager to meet her new sisters, he had also sensed she was a bit apprehensive because of her shyness.
With this small gesture, Elizabeth had already done much to alleviate her fears.
Before entering the house, his wife quickly turned her head back in his direction.
Giving him a look of complete happiness, she mouthed, “I love you.” What more could he possibly need?
Elizabeth was his wife, and the light that shone in her eyes as she said those words was a gift he would forever treasure.
Later in the afternoon Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Anna joined the sisters in Jane’s room, where they all exchanged gifts and caught up on what was happening in the neighbourhood.
After a time Anna was sent to the nursery with Mrs. Potter to take a short rest before dinner.
Bingley had since arrived with Mr. Wallace, prompting the gentlemen to converge for a brief discussion in the drawing room while the rest of the women were occupied and Mr. Bennet was resting.
Following the recovery of Elizabeth and Anna, Bingley had asked Jane for a courtship and was in the process of finalising the formalities on the lease of Netherfield Park, a sizeable estate near Longbourn.
The three men exchanged ideas about Bingley’s property, as well as one smaller estate which Sir William had suggested for William and Mr. Wallace to peruse.
The Willows was not as large as it once was since much of the land had been sold off by the previous owner.
Still, it had five active tenants which could provide a bit of income for Mrs. Bennet and the Bartons, and the manor house was conveniently located less than a mile from Meryton.
While Mr. Barton, Mary’s intended, was a third son, he had learned quite a bit about estate management from his father.
In speaking with William, he had previously assured his future brother-in-law that should he choose a small estate for the remaining Bennet family once Mr. Bennet passed, he would be capable of managing the property and looking after the women while maintaining his post as clerk for Mr. Phillips.
Mr. Barton would become a permanent resident at Longbourn after his marriage to Miss Mary and planned to take a more active part assisting the Bennet family at that time.
Despite the physician’s prediction of Bennet’s short life expectancy, William hoped that his father-in-law would outlive that forecast. Nevertheless, if he approved of the property, he would lease it with Bennet’s approval.
Until such time as the property would be needed, he would appoint the Bartons as his agents and allow them to oversee the estate by following through with the suggestions made by Mr. Wallace and himself.
During the next day or so, all of the gentlemen, including Barton, would tour The Willows and make a recommendation to Bennet should that prove to be a good choice.
Meanwhile, back in the nursery, a different scenario was playing out.
Although usually very attentive, Mrs. Potter was quite tired following their journey from Town and fell into a deep sleep, reclining in her chair shortly after putting Anna down for a nap.
Anna’s nap was not restful, and in less than a half an hour later she was wide awake.
Quietly putting on her shoes and picking up her dolls, she left the nursery and tiptoed down the stairs to where she heard her father speaking with the other gentlemen.
This was not her destination, however, as she was determined to find her new grandpapa.
He had been in the parlour when refreshments were served, but did not stay long.
Continuing to tiptoe past the parlour and going on to the room she had seen him enter, Anna tapped lightly on the wooden door while softly saying, “Grandpapa, may we come in?”
Hearing Anna’s voice, Mr. Bennet chuckled to himself and gingerly rose from his chair. “Just like my little Lizzy,” he murmured to himself before opening the door.
“Ah, I see it is Miss Anna Darcy and her two dolls standing before me. Are you not supposed to be taking a nap, child?”
“Yes, Grandpapa, but Dolly and Janie and I could not sleep. We wanted to come and cheer you.”
“To cheer me?”
“Yes, Grandpapa.” She smiled sweetly with anticipation. “May we please come in?”
He smiled appreciatively. “You may. I shall welcome your visit.” He motioned to the empty chair next to where he had been sitting. “Now, Miss Anna, pray tell me, why is it you think I am in need of cheering? Am I such a dour old fellow?”
“No, Grandpapa.” Anna slid off the chair, leaving her dolls, and stood next to Bennet, taking his hand. “I heard Mama say that you were feeling poorly and we wanted to help.”
“Hmmm…. Well, come sit here on my lap. I have an assortment of books on the table, and if you like, perhaps we shall read together. Your Mama and I often read together when she was your age.”
“Yes, I know. Mama told me. Papa and Mama are teaching me to read,” she proudly said. “I know all of my letters and can read many words. And Mama says that we shall make some reading books like the one she and our aunts made about Patches.”
“Ah, Patches,” he chuckled. “Now our old Patches was probably one of the best mousers we ever had. Do you see that lazy fat cat sunning herself near my window?”
“Yes, Grandpapa, she is very pretty and she looks like the picture Aunt Kitty drew in my story book. Is she Patches?”
Just then the cat stretched and let out a meow, causing Anna to giggle.
“Patches was her mother. We call this cat Lady because she has a mind of her own and acts as though she were a queen. Let us see if Her Highness will condescend to join us.”
“Come, Lady,” Anna said, holding out her little hand. “Grandpapa and I would like to pet you.”
After another lazy ‘meow,’ Lady slid from the window seat and sauntered to the chair where she nuzzled Bennet’s leg before effortlessly jumping up into Anna’s lap. As Anna began to stroke her back and Mr. Bennet rubbed her behind the ears, the cat began to purr and quickly fell asleep.
“She is so soft,” Anna whispered. “My Papa said I could have a kitty when we go home to Pemberley.” Anna was entranced by the sleeping feline and began to hum one of the folk songs Elizabeth had taught her.
Looking up at Bennet, she smiled sweetly saying, “Lady likes my song. Would you like me to sing to you, Grandpapa?” Her face was endearing.
“When I am feeling poorly, Mama and Papa always sing to me.”
“Yes, Anna, I should like that very much.”
With one hand resting on Lady and the other holding her grandfather’s hand, Anna leaned back into Bennet and began her little song. The song was not long, but before she reached the end, both Anna and Bennet had joined Lady in slumber.
A half an hour later, Elizabeth entered the parlour where the three men were conversing.
“I am sorry to disturb all of you. My sisters have gone for a turn in the garden, and when I went to check on Anna, she was not in the nursery. I sent her in to take a nap, and to my surprise found only Mrs. Potter asleep in the chair. William, it seems to me our daughter has gone exploring.”
“Gentlemen, please excuse me while I help Elizabeth look for Anna.”
“Certainly,” Bingley answered. “You go ahead. I believe I should like to join the ladies in the garden. Come along, Mr. Wallace. Darcy, if we see your daughter, I shall let you know.”
”Thank you, Bingley.” Leaving the room, William said, “Elizabeth is it possible she may have gone to your father’s room? Never having known a grandfather, she may have decided to seek him out.”
“Yes, you could be right. Let us take a look.”
When Elizabeth and William reached Bennet’s room, there was no sound. Quietly opening the door a crack so as not to wake the man if he slept, they were greeted by an endearing sight. There in Bennet’s chair sat Elizabeth’s father holding Anna and Lady, all three asleep.
Quietly closing the door, Elizabeth took William’s hand and led him down the hall, saying, “I used to do the same thing when I was her age. I cannot tell you how many times I snuck out of the nursery and into his study so he could read to me. How I love that little girl.” She looked up and kissed him on the cheek.
“She is precious, to be sure,” he said, kissing her back. “Will he be alright? Anna is small, but I would not want her weight to put a strain on your father’s heart.”
“I think we need not worry. Come, let us join the others in the garden for a bit, and I shall go back and wake her in another half an hour.”
“As you wish.”
Moments later Elizabeth stayed her walk and looked up at William with tears misting in her eyes. “What is it, my love,” he said with concern.
“It is Papa. Since we do not know how long my father has, I am glad that he will have this time with Anna.”
“Elizabeth,” William said, tenderly pulling her into his embrace. “I am so sorry that your father is not doing as well as we might hope for. Still, I suspect our sweet child will be good for him and in the end she is a far better remedy than any doctor could ever provide.”
“I know. Anna is a special child and very perceptive, like her Papa.” She lovingly touched his face. “Do not mind me, I will be fine, I promise.”
“We shall do our best Elizabeth, and although we only have ten days now, we will be back at the end of September for Mary’s wedding. The time will pass quickly, and if I thought he could make the trip, I would gladly have him come with us to Pemberley so that you need not be parted.
“That would be my wish if it were feasible.”
Wiping the tears from her cheeks, he continued, “As it is, I believe I shall have to send your father many books from our collection to enjoy in our absence.”
“Papa will appreciate your generosity. As you know, he lives for knowledge.”