Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Though she believed the resolution of her work was soon to come, Elizabeth welcomed the days of respite.
She did not take up her early morning walks again, having walked quite a lot between Longbourn and Meryton for several weeks.
She was also weary of being stared at and whispered about; another reason to stay close to home.
At first Elizabeth thought to spend time practising the pianoforte.
She had not so much as touched it in weeks.
Since her accomplishments were few and haphazard, she promised herself to make improvements in the one she could perhaps boast of.
However, when she sat at the antiquated instrument wedged into the tiny chamber they grandly called the music room, her thoughts travelled to another more excellent instrument in a large, opulent drawing room.
She had been sitting with Colonel Fitzwilliam, her fingers resting lightly on the keys as they spoke and laughed together.
Mr Darcy had risen from where he had been ordered to sit by Lady Catherine and walked towards them, his enigmatic eyes fixed upon her, but occasionally moving between herself and the colonel.
She had caught her breath, noticing how handsome he was, which had irritated her no end.
And then he had smiled. Oh, how had she managed to hold on to her dislike after that?
After several attempts to discipline her mind enough to practise, she threw up her hands in surrender and spent more time in the garden, busying herself with harvesting herbs and flower petals for the stillroom.
She wondered about Mr Darcy. Where had he gone after Rosings?
She thought he was most likely at his estate.
Pemberley. Miss Bingley had certainly cooed the name enough for her to remember it.
When that lady had repeated the name, his countenance had hardened and grown distant.
When his cousin the colonel had referred to it, both his expression and his voice had warmed. He must love his home very much.
While she had been preoccupied with other things, Mr Bingley had been true to his word, courting Jane assiduously.
He had been cautious, taking pains to ensure that Jane understood his devotion, but allowing her to determine their future together.
Elizabeth’s opinion of him improved daily, and when Jane had finally accepted Mr Bingley’s proposal, she rejoiced in their happiness.
During this time of rest, Mr Bennet received a reply from Mrs Gardiner.
Mr Bennet,
I have taken your request under advisement.
I have spoken with a number of friends who are familiar with various theories of the education of young ladies.
A few of them attended seminaries for girls, some had governesses, and some were taught at home with the aid of masters; all have their own daughters to educate.
I have concluded that Lydia would not be a good candidate for school. At sixteen, she would be much older than other new students at such an establishment and would have difficulty adjusting to a life there. I have sought another way.
There is a widowed lady who attends church in our parish who, before she married, was a finishing governess. That is to say, a governess who is hired to prepare young ladies for coming out into society while also remediating any faults or gaps in their basic education. Her name is Mrs John Worley.
Edward and I have approached her with the idea of taking on a student in her own home, and she is amenable to it. We have described Lydia’s situation, and we are agreed that it would be for the best if Lydia was away from Longbourn.
Mrs Worley has requested letters of character from her former employers, and we expect them soon. She is a woman of education who will be firm and tolerate no nonsense yet is also fair. I will forward her character references to you when I receive them.
Your sister,
Madeline Gardiner
Elizabeth could see that her father was pleased by the notion.
The decision about Lydia’s future was made with comparatively little expense and no effort of his own.
He promptly wrote to the Gardiners, waiving the need to see character references if they were confident in Mrs Worley.
A few short days later, he accompanied Lydia to London.
Elizabeth had been sitting with Jane and Mr Bingley when Mr Bennet announced his decision to engage the services of Mrs Worley.
She saw Mr Bingley’s brows raise at her father’s lack of curiosity about the woman who would be in charge of his youngest daughter’s future and well-being.
Mr Bingley turned to Elizabeth and Jane and asked quietly, “Does it not seem remiss not to enquire further into this Mrs Worley? Mrs Gardiner said she would ensure that he received references for her. Your father need not go to any trouble to obtain them. My father personally visited schools for my sisters before he chose the seminary they attended.”
The sisters exchanged a glance. “We agree, sir, but Lizzy and I have learnt that urging any action on his part that he does not wish to do will not succeed,” said Jane. “We must put our trust in the Gardiners. They have already done the due diligence required.”
“I very much look forward to meeting your aunt and uncle,” said Mr Bingley. Then his face fell. “Mrs Gardiner has met my sisters, has she not? They did not comport themselves well. I suppose that your relations have not heard anything good of me either.”
“They know you have sought out Jane’s forgiveness, and now that you are betrothed, I daresay you have secured their good opinion,” Elizabeth reassured him.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Philips’s carriage pulled up in front of Longbourn house promptly at half past the hour of nine. Elizabeth was waiting at the door, and within minutes they were on their way to Haye-Park to meet Mr Hargrove.
“Today we will speak with Mr Hargrove about opening a bank account in the name of the charity, and how the income from Haye-Park will be deposited there under the society’s name, is that correct?
” asked Elizabeth. “We will need to choose an official name for the charity soon, before the announcement is made. We cannot keep calling it ‘the charity’ or ‘the society’”.
Mr Philips nodded. “We will speak of that, but the matter of the trustees must be established first. Sir William has accepted our invitation, as has Mr Pym. Mr Jones has not accepted yet, but I believe he will. Your father has not accepted, though he has not refused it either. To be truly representative of the community, we should add a farmer for expertise on agricultural needs, a merchant to represent businesses, and a manufacturer to represent industrial concerns. Your thought about appointing an odd number of trustees has merit, for it would prevent a draw when any matter is debated.”
Elizabeth was pleased with her uncle’s praise.
Only weeks before, she had had no notion of how charitable organisations were structured, little knowledge of the law or banking.
She had long admired Aunt Gardiner’s work with charities but had no idea how they were governed.
Would she have agreed to carry out Mr Goulding’s wishes if she had realised how little she had known of the problems she would encounter along the way?
Would her godfather have given her the responsibility if he had had any idea of the consequences—the spite and jealousy from those she had considered, if not friends, then friendly acquaintances?
She leant back into the squabs and watched the scenery go by through the window. She wished Mr Darcy could see her now, not as a raving harridan but as a grown lady who could be trusted with business affairs. He must be excessively relieved that she did not accept him.
He had never spoken of his charitable endeavours. Knowing what she now did of his character, Elizabeth suspected he was a beneficent man, supportive of philanthropical societies. He could have advised her.
It hurt to be constantly confronted with her many misconceptions and errors where that man was concerned. On this subject, she found it impossible to abide by her own dictum, to only remember the past as it gives pleasure. There was no pleasure there, only regret and shame.
She tore her thoughts away. “Uncle, have you been able to determine whether funds from the estate can be used to purchase Mr Wickham’s debts?” Elizabeth asked hopefully.
Mr Philips sighed and shook his head. “I understand how it might be considered, but the monies from Goulding’s estate are for the charity.
While you are the organiser of the charity, Wickham is not intent on causing trouble for the estate or the charity; he wants to cause trouble for you as an individual person. ”
At Elizabeth’s downcast face, he leant across the carriage and patted her hand.
“This has all happened so fast, one astonishing thing after another, but we will get through this. You will be protected. Perhaps when we are finished, you could go to London and assist your aunt. Do a little shopping or attend some musical performances.”
“That would be lovely, especially since we were unable to travel this summer.”