Chapter 14
3 rd June, 1812
Hurst House
Dear Louisa,
Dear God in Heaven, this cannot be happening!
And why must you be in Scarborough when I need you here so very much?!
Louisa, you will not believe…
Indeed, how could you? Such dreadful, horrible, disgusting news.
It is bad enough that Charles is now wed to Jane, but oh Louisa!
Darcy has married Elizabeth Bennet!
I truly would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. Louisa, it was in the Gazette this morning. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of Mr. Bennet of Longbourn, married to…
I cannot write the rest. Indeed, I wonder if you are able to read this letter with all the blotches from my tears.
Oh sister, how could this have happened to me? I was the one who was destined to be the mistress of Pemberley, and to have that lowborn hussy…
Do say you will come back to London soon. My companion, Mrs. Silver, is well enough, but I need my dear sister for comfort, not to mention that I must turn my attention on some other gentleman with excellent connections. I obviously wasted far too much time on Darcy, who must be either mad or bewitched, or perhaps both.
Pleadingly,
Caroline Bingley
***
Pemberley
8 th June, 1812
Dear Jane,
We arrived safely at Pemberley three days ago after two nights on the road. It was a peculiar experience to be Mrs. Darcy at the inns along the way. The landlords were tripping over themselves to serve us, and it has given me insight into my new life as Mrs. Darcy. The Darcy name is obviously a well-respected one, and Fitzwilliam clearly finds it uncomfortable when people fall over themselves as if he were the Prince Regent himself. In fact, Fitzwilliam has actually met the Prince once. His uncle, the Earl of Matlock, is highly regarded in the House of Lords, and there was some party somewhere that both Fitzwilliam and the Prince attended.
In any case, it is rather odd, and even uncomfortable, especially for Fitzwilliam, who finds such behavior annoying. I was more amused than anything else. Georgiana told me only this morning that she feels terribly awkward when people flatter and toadeat. I do not blame her, but I hope I can help both my husband and my new sister to be more comfortable in such circumstances.
Now, I simply must tell you about Pemberley. It is truly magnificent, Jane! The manor itself is enormous, more than twice the size of Netherfield. Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, is an intelligent, sensible, and very kind woman, who has already spent hours instructing me about the servants and the housekeeping and the like.
But it is not the house that so amazes me, dear sister; it is the land! Oh, trout streams and rose gardens and delightful walks here and there, and even a pen of peacocks behind the stables! Fitzwilliam and I take a walk every day and treasure our times together.
He is rather busy, by the by. There is a great deal of work to manage the fields and the Home Farm, and sometimes he must involve himself with tenant quarrels. I sometimes sit in his study with him and read or write while he works at his desk.
God has been so good to both of us, has he not? To think that a year ago, we had not yet met Fitzwilliam and Charles.
Well, I must dress for dinner. One of our neighbors, a couple who are master and mistress of a small estate on the northern edge of Pemberley, is coming for dinner.
With much love,
Elizabeth
***
Rosings
11 th June, 1812
Darcy,
I truly cannot believe that you married that strumpet instead of Anne! It is an utter outrage, completely beyond my capacity to understand. The former Elizabeth Bennet must be more witch than woman, to tempt you away from your true responsibilities.
Needless to say, the new ‘Mrs. Darcy’ will never be welcome at Rosings, nor will you until you send me a letter of apology for your sins against me and, more importantly, Anne.
With disgust,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
***
Hunsford
11 th June, 1812
Dearest Elizabeth,
I am writing in haste as Mr. Collins would be unhappy with our corresponding with one another.
Many congratulations to you, my dear, dear friend. I thought Mr. Darcy was in love with you while you were visiting Hunsford in the spring, and obviously I was correct!
Colonel Fitzwilliam is here at Rosings for a few days while on leave from his military duties and he visited me yesterday. Miss de Bourgh is currently staying in London, at Matlock House, and will soon be five and twenty, whereupon she will become mistress of Rosings. While the colonel did not provide details, there will be substantial changes here at Rosings, and I am certain for the better.
I will close this in haste, as Colonel Fitzwilliam has offered to post this letter for me on his way back to London.
Again, my most joyful congratulations,
Charlotte Collins
***
Blue Meadows
18 th June, 1812
Dear Caroline,
Hurst and I will not be returning to London. I am with child and not feeling well. The thought of journeying all the way to London in a carriage, even a well-sprung one, makes me feel genuinely ill.
I suggest that you come here to Blue Meadows. Mr. Hurst’s father is failing, and while his demise is not imminent, he is finally willing to hand over the reins of power of the estate to Hurst.
Caroline, I have always been afraid to speak to you truthfully because you yell and scream when you hear what you do not like. But you are across the country, and frankly, I am too focused on my husband and child to bother particularly with you.
You and I made a mistake in cutting off Jane Bennet. While it seemed a reasonable decision at the time, it is obvious to me now that Charles genuinely adores our new sister. While our brother is usually an amiable man, even he has his limits, and you have been pushing those limits your entire life. Our behavior toward Jane was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
And then! Oh Caroline, what possessed you to physically throw yourself at Darcy? Do you really know him so poorly as to imagine he would allow you to force his hand in such a way?
The situation is dire for all of us, in London, at least. I suggest that you order Hurst House closed up and journey here to Yorkshire. Perhaps you will find a good husband in Scarborough. At the very least, I think it advisable to leave Town until at least next Season so that any rumors regarding our quarrels with Charles and Darcy have time to dissipate.
With love,
Louisa
P.S. Hurst here. While I welcome you to Blue Meadows, I will not have you distressing Louisa while she is in a delicate situation. If you will not behave like a lady, you can live with your aunt Amelia in Scarborough, whom I have already spoken to on this matter. She would be pleased to house you in exchange for one hundred pounds a year.
***
Pemberley
19 th June, 1812
Lady Catherine,
Given your letter of a week ago, I have no intention of ever visiting you at Rosings again, nor are you permitted to visit Pemberley.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
Marshalsea
15 th July, 1812
Dorothea,
My darling, you simply must get me out of here. I have it all planned; if you will sell your boarding house, we will have enough money to purchase passage to somewhere in the Americas. Think of it, my dear, a whole new life, without the specter of the Darcys or the Fitzwilliams hanging over us!
I miss you so much, Dorothea. I long for nothing more than to take you in my arms again.
With enduring love,
George Wickham
***
30 th July, 1812
Longbourn
Dear Lizzy,
I would very much like to come to Pemberley. It is so dull here with the militia officers gone, and I missed my chance to go to Brighton because of Jane’s wedding and then yours.
Of course, you must have some parties and balls while I am there.
I must go as Mamma is calling me.
Love,
Lydia
***
Matlock House
London
2 nd August, 1812
Darcy,
Wickham has escaped Marshalsea and has boarded a ship for Boston.
He was helped by Dorothea Younge, our old enemy, who found the money to pay for their passage to the New World.
I am annoyed but not terribly concerned. According to one of the jailers, Wickham had a rather difficult time in Marshalsea and lost at least a few teeth in brawls with other inmates. Apparently he was sufficiently stupid to chase other men’s women. Thus, he no longer has the good looks, which caused so many women to fall at his metaphorical feet. I do not think he will cause much trouble in America.
I believe we are finally finished with George Wickham, which is a pleasing thought.
Sincerely,
Richard Fitzwilliam
***
16 th August, 1812
Pemberley
Bingley,
My apologies for the delay in responding to your last letter. It has been a busy season here at Pemberley, and I wish to spend all my leisure time with Elizabeth, so I have not been making time to write letters.
I am pleased that you are so happy in your marriage, though I am confident I am even more joyful than you are, if for no other reason than I had farther to go. By this I mean that you have always been a congenial, joyful man, whereas I was, until I met Elizabeth, often gloomy.
My dear bride has brought such joy to me, to Georgiana, to Pemberley! We are very dissimilar in personality, and we complement one another beautifully.
But enough raving about my darling Elizabeth. You asked about the southern field of Netherfield Park. I believe that it would be best for you to sow manglewurzels in the south field…
***
Pemberley
15 th September, 1812
Dear Kitty,
Pemberley is very grand, yes, and the food is marvelous, but I confess to being a little bored. Elizabeth and Darcy do not entertain even as much as Mamma does, which seems very odd to me. However, the house itself is very beautiful, and while I am not a great reader like Lizzy, I do find myself often in the library. Georgiana also likes Gothic novels, and we have spent many happy hours curled up on chairs reading together.
I do not think Georgiana is as handsome as I am, but she has the most delightful taste, and I have decided that in the future, I will have my dresses made up a little more simply.
Well, I had best go. I enjoy visiting the baby animals of the Home Farm, and Elizabeth promised to come with me to see the puppies and foals and even peachicks!
Love,
Lydia
***
15 th October, 1812
Dear Jane,
I am very much looking forward to Kitty and Mary visiting next week, and I am glad that you will be hosting Lydia in London for a month. She has, in my view, settled down substantially in the time she has been at Pemberley, more than I truly expected. She is still not a particularly serious young woman, but Georgiana has had a good effect on her, and I believe Lydia’s confidence and exuberance have helped my new sister as well.
The harvests are coming in, and it appears it will be a good year for the tenant farmers, which is a great reward for the hard work of many. Fitzwilliam is very busy. I know I have said this before, but I had no idea how much work is involved for a truly diligent landlord of such a great estate. I am thankful for Charles that Netherfield is half the size, because he is still learning, though my dear husband says that based on their correspondence, your husband is doing an excellent job.
We have another neighbor for dinner, and I need to check with our head cook to ensure that the preparations are complete.
With much love,
Elizabeth
***
17 th October, 1812
Netherfield Hall
Darcy,
I find myself rather weary today, but the harvests are in and we are thankful. I had no idea how much effort it would take to oversee Netherfield. I know that is no great surprise to you, my friend. Thank you for your many hours of explaining estate matters in such a way that they penetrated my thick head.
I cannot regret my pursuit of Jane a year ago – of course, I cannot! But this year I have entertained less and worked more. Indeed, like you, I find myself often enjoying quiet evenings with my wife, playing draughts or reading quietly or aloud. It is truly wonderful.
God bless,
Charles Bingley
***
13 th December, 1812
Pemberley
Dear Jane,
Oh my dear, I am so happy for you and Charles! What a kindness that God has blessed you with a child!
You are the first to know – aside from everyone here, of course – that I too am expecting the heir of Pemberley. Like you, I was ill for some weeks but am feeling substantially more energetic and well now. I did not wish to tell Mamma before the quickening, for fear that something would happen, but I did feel my baby’s kicks and squirms yesterday for the first time, which was one of the most incredible moments of my life.
I am deeply thankful for Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, who has been patiently instructing me on matters of the estate, and preparing dinner menus and purchases when I was too ill to manage. She is an extraordinarily competent woman.
You asked about Mary in your last letter. She is doing very well indeed. Georgiana and Mary are both quiet people, but their shared love of music continues to tighten the bond between them. I am ashamed that I did not realize how unhappy Mary was at Longbourn, though I should have understood that our mother’s constant discussion of beauty – or lack thereof – was damaging to Mary’s spirits. She has settled very nicely here at Pemberley and has even been convinced to read a few novels on occasion.
As for Kitty, she too is thriving. Our little sister has always been a follower, and does far, far better following me and Mary and even Georgiana than Lydia!
I am happy that you are happy, and I know that you are happy that I am happy!
With much love,
Elizabeth
***
Elizabeth Darcy’s Bedchamber
25 th December, 1812
Fitzwilliam Darcy opened the door from his shared sitting room, stepped into Elizabeth’s chamber, and looked around until his eyes settled on his wife, who was looking out the window facing east. Night had fallen an hour previously, and the room was softly lit by the flames in the fireplace and some three wax candles distributed here and there in the room. She could, of course, have dozens of candles lit, but his dear Elizabeth, while mistress of a great estate with an enormous income, was not extravagant.
He knew, from her posture, that she was aware of his presence, but she remained in her position near the window, staring out into the darkness. He walked up behind her and placed his arms around her, relishing the feeling of her slightly rounded form, which held their unborn child.
“Is it not beautiful, darling?” she asked softly, and he obediently looked out the window, which was indeed lovely, with two inches of fresh snow from the morning glittering and glistening in the light of the half moon.
“It is,” he agreed and kissed her nightcapped head. “How are you, Elizabeth?”
She leaned against him and said, “I am tired, but well enough. It was a busy day, and tomorrow will be busier.”
“You know that you need not do anything tomorrow, my dear.”
She chuckled and pushed back a little, and he released her.
“Do come and sit down by the fire,” she invited. “It is cold tonight.”
It was cold, even though the windows were of the highest quality and the winds from the west. He gladly accompanied her to the loveseat near the fire, where they sat down as close as possible, and he wrapped his arms around her petite form.
“I will be careful tomorrow,” Elizabeth said, continuing their earlier conversation, “but I do wish to give out gifts for the indoor servants, at least.”
Darcy considered this for a few seconds and nodded. “I am certain you and the servants will enjoy that, so long as you do not try to lift anything heavy.”
Elizabeth laughed at him, and he laughed back at her, though on his part, rather ruefully. He knew that he was, at times, overly protective of his Elizabeth and could only be thankful that she willingly put up with his anxiety over the pregnancy.
“I will not lift anything heavy,” she promised a moment later, “and our sisters will help with distributing Boxing Day gifts to the tenants. Mr. Jackson says that the sleigh should ride well on the snow.”
“Indeed,” he acknowledged and pulled her a little closer still.
He was tired but could not bring himself to climb into bed quite yet. It had been a hectic day, with church services, Christmas dinner, the arrangements for Boxing Day, conversations with his steward, this and that and the other…
For the first time this Holy Day, he and Elizabeth had time alone, and he could not bear to go to sleep, not yet, as he contemplated the joy of that little child born long ago in Bethlehem and, in the here and now, his little one who would enter the world in a few months.
He kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and said, “I love you, my dear.”
“I love you too, Fitzwilliam.”