Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
As the summer moved into autumn, the Darcys began to plan for a trip to London.
Darcy delayed his business there as long as he could, but it was becoming imperative he visit town to deal with some investments and other items requiring his personal oversight.
The family prepared to depart early in October, shortly after the annual harvest celebration for the tenants and staff.
This year’s Harvest Celebration was as successful as the previous one.
The single ladies organised the events for the children of the estate while Elizabeth met with Mrs Reynolds to plan and make arrangements for the picnic lunch, the supper and the dancing that would occur in the evening.
Since Longbourn never hosted such an event, the Bennet girls found all of this fascinating and were slightly awed by their sister’s role.
Elizabeth encouraged all the girls to participate in learning how to run such a large household, and they were constantly amazed at what required Elizabeth’s time and attention.
When the celebration arrived, all were eagerly anticipating it.
Mary was the only one considered ‘out’, but all the girls would be permitted to dance since only the Pemberley ‘family’ would be in attendance.
They were high-spirited leading up to the celebration, but a warning from Elizabeth and the girls’ companion helped to settle them down.
All four girls helped with the children’s games during the afternoon while Mr and Mrs Darcy mingled with their guests and ensured everyone received the baskets intended for them.
Later that evening, when it was time for the dancing, Mr Darcy delivered his traditional address, thanking the tenants for their hard work, ending it with, “Ladies and gentlemen, please join us on the dance floor. Let us celebrate this harvest with joy and merriment.” With that, he offered his wife his hand and led her towards the dance floor to open the dancing.
After this first set, Darcy danced with each of his sisters before finally leading his wife back out. As they danced, Elizabeth smiled at her husband and said with her typical arch look, “It’s been such a wonderful day, has it not, Mr Darcy?”
He nodded, a contented expression on his face. “Indeed, it has, my love. I am continually impressed by your ability to manage such events with grace and poise. And I am always delighted to dance with you. I have danced with you and all my sisters; it is time for us to depart.”
She nodded her agreement and finished the dance before escorting their sisters back to the house.
While their servants and tenants respected the master and mistress, it was established custom for the residents of the manor to depart before supper while the celebration would last into the wee hours of the morning.
A few days later, Georgiana and the three remaining Bennet sisters travelled to London with the Darcys.
Georgiana was to be presented the following spring—her come out was delayed by a year in part due to Elizabeth’s confinement and because she wanted to wait.
Despite this, she and Mary would attend a few events while they were in town, which meant a visit to the modiste was high on the list of priorities for this trip.
Kitty would also occasionally attend events with the other two but would not attend dances, and Lydia was to attend school for one more year.
The Darcys and the Gardiners offered for Lydia to stay with them instead of returning to school, but Lydia asked to be permitted to return.
At the end of the previous term, she was asked to mentor some new students arriving that autumn and Lydia was looking forward to it.
It was such a change from Lydia’s previous attitude that everyone was surprised but agreed that one more year of schooling would benefit the girl.
Since befriending Georgiana Darcy and living apart from her mother, Mary was more willing to wear gowns that flattered her, something she was reluctant to do in Meryton.
This was partly because her mother tended to decry her as the least attractive Bennet daughter, as she sought to set herself apart by being severe and studious instead of ‘pretty.’ However, she learned to accentuate her best traits, and even her brother-in-law noticed the difference in her appearance.
Kitty and Lydia likewise helped her learn to trim her bonnets in more flattering colours and style her hair less severely.
The confidence this engendered in her added to her new appearance, and men in the village took notice.
One of these gentlemen was the vicar of Kympton, Samuel Kingsley, a gentleman in his late twenties who held the living for the last several years.
He was sufficiently dedicated to the responsibilities of his parish and was not yet concerned with pursuing a wife, but the eldest of his patron’s three sisters-in-law intrigued him.
During the summer, he frequently called on the family at Pemberley and spent hours in conversation with Miss Bennet.
Just before they left for London, Mr Kingsley spoke to Darcy about his desire to court Miss Bennet upon their return.
“Mr Darcy, I realise Miss Bennet could make a far better match than a simple rector, but I have come to admire her greatly. If she returns from London without her heart being touched by a man there, I would like your permission to begin to court her,” Kingsley said.
“Have you spoken to my sister about your desire to court her?” Darcy asked.
Kingsley hung his head. “I have not. I did not want to request it before she had an opportunity to see what men in London may have to offer. While I have a good living and enjoy what I do, I would not want to deprive Miss Bennet of the opportunity to visit London and possibly find someone more suited to her there,” he said quietly.
“I believe you undervalue yourself, Kingsley,” Darcy told him.
“But I will approve your request, pending Mary’s agreement.
When we return, if she is not engaged or courting another, I will allow you to make your request, and if she is amenable, you may court.
We will be in London for two months and will return before the Christmas holidays. ”
The two men spoke a bit longer about parish matters before Kingsley took his leave, briefly meeting with Mary as he departed. The two spoke for a few minutes, and Kingsley wished her well in London, missing the brief sadness that crossed her face when he departed.
The Darcy family arrived in London nearly a se’nnight later.
Alex travelled reasonably well, but his presence did extend their trip an extra day since he required more frequent stops than usual.
It took three carriages to convey all the people, family and servants, and the luggage required for the visit to London.
Alex frequently alternated between these to keep him happy and occupied and keep any adults from becoming too frustrated.
His aunts particularly enjoyed his company, and Darcy liked the rare opportunities he was provided to travel alone with his wife.
After visiting the modiste to obtain new dresses for all the ladies, Lydia was delivered to school, and Kitty returned to the Gardiners. Mary chose to remain with Georgiana since she would attend events along with Elizabeth and Darcy in preparation for Georgiana’s come out in the spring.
Mr and Mrs Darcy’s presence was noted amongst the ton as they had not been to town in over a year.
Many wanted to look again at the woman who captured Fitzwilliam Darcy’s hand and heart and, of course, to see the level of contentment between the couple.
Since they appeared just as happy, if not more so, as the previous spring, the reaction was similar—some were pleased to see that Darcy remained happy in his choice, although a few jealous harpies hoped he was unhappy so they might have a chance at him.
However, he was obviously content and happy with his wife and rebuffed any overtures from these women.
Darcy was busy during the days tending to his business concerns, which included meeting with Mr Gardiner about investments made on behalf of the Bennet daughters.
Mr Bennet was caught up on his missing payments from the previous autumn, and with the savings from not having his daughters at home, combined with his finally making efforts to improve the estate, he was able to get ahead.
With Mrs Bennet’s assistance, they were living on substantially less than ever before and could not only pay down the debt to Darcy but put aside funds to add to Mrs Bennet’s jointure and provide for their daughters’ dowries.
Mr Bennet was investing these small amounts with Mr Gardiner, surprising that man, given Bennet’s indolent nature.
While Darcy worked, the ladies shopped and visited.
In the evenings, the entire family attended the theatre, operas, musical evenings, and a few dinner parties.
Georgiana and Mary performed well at these events but, similar to Elizabeth and Darcy, found little to admire in the falseness of society.
While they enjoyed the events they attended, they found that often, those who attended did so to be seen rather than for the sake of the performances.
They enjoyed visiting with Lady Matlock and Mrs Gardiner and with a few ladies who were Elizabeth’s friends when she was in town following her wedding.
These ladies introduced Mary and Georgiana to girls near their ages, helping them form a few friendships with ladies in town.
However, Mary wondered if she would return often, much preferring to live in the country.
They also frequently visited with Jane, who was happy and content in her life after several months of marriage as the wife of a barrister.