Chapter 2
Edward could not be away from his business for two months complete, hence, the plan was for him to remain for a fortnight before returning to London, and he would arrive a fortnight before they were to depart so that he would be able to escort Maddie, Eddy, and Bea back to Town.
Maddie was sorry they had not been able to attend Adam’s graduation from the School of Divinity at Cambridge at the end of April past. She was very proud of her ‘little’ brother—who towered over her now—and was aware how pleased Papa was that Adam had decided to go into the church following in his footsteps.
Her brother was serving as the curate at All Saint’s Church in the parish of Lambton, fulfilling one of their father’s dreams that he and Adam would work together.
In a letter written just after they returned home from Cambridge, Papa had told them that Mr Darcy had pledged the living would go to Adam as long as he had taken holy orders before the retirement of the incumbent.
What would have made Papa’s joy complete was if Mama had lived to see all the changes in their family.
Maddie knew that the reason her father steadfastly refused to consider a new wife was that his love for Mama was too strong, and until Adam married, he could never see another as mistress of North Star House.
When the Gardiners arrived, Lambert and Adam were keenly waiting for them. After brief greetings to his daughter and son-in-law, Lambert took Bea, who would be one in two days, into his arms.
Being a good-natured child, Bea was happy to be with grandpapa, and she used some of the few words she had begun to master to ‘talk’ to him.
Eddy, who would be four in September, took Grandpapa’s offered hand as the latter walked into the house with his grandson babbling about nothing and everything as a boy his age was wont to do.
Gardiner followed his father-in-law and children into the house.
Just before she was about to enter herself, Maddie saw that Adam looked a little perturbed. “Adam, what ails you?” she asked.
“Nothing, Maddie, I am well,” Adam obfuscated.
“Come now, Adam, you know that I am very familiar with your moods and the signs that you are discomposed about something. I can see that you are not easy about some subject; you know if you share what is disquieting you, the burden will seem less,” Maddie cajoled.
“Will you take a turn around the garden with me?” Adam requested.
Maddie nodded and accepted her brother’s arm when he offered it. She remained silent as they walked, knowing Adam would speak when he was ready.
Adam led Maddie to a bench under some verdant elm trees.
“You know that in addition to William Darcy, I became close to his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam, do you not?” He saw Maddie nod.
“Fitzwilliam graduated a year ahead of Darcy and me. As he is a second son, he needed a profession and went into the regular army, the Royal Dragoons. When we asked him why the army, he claimed that although I am suited to delivering sermons, he is not. He also had no interest in the law.”
“It is not unheard of for second sons to go into the army,” Maddie reasoned.
“True, but most allow their highly placed fathers to ensure they will not be posted to a battlefield. Fitzwilliam allowed his father to purchase him the rank of second lieutenant, the lowest officer rank available in the regulars, and was adamant that the Earl not use his influence to keep him from the war. Lord Matlock eventually, against his better judgement, promised not to intercede. Since he became an officer in June of ’03, he was at the training grounds.
Just two days previously, I received a letter, as did William, telling me that he and his regiment are on their way to the Peninsula.
I would hate to think of him losing his life, but it is a risk any soldier takes when they go to war.
Why did Fitzwilliam have to be so stubborn? ”
“I know you worry for your friend, but could it be that, like you felt a calling to the church, he felt the army was what he was being called to do?” Maddie suggested.
“I suppose,” Adam admitted. “Since before he began at Cambridge, Fitzwilliam spoke of joining the regulars. We thought it was something he was just saying. It was not the case.”
“You wrote that he and the younger Mr Darcy are more brothers than cousins; so how is your friend taking the news that his cousin is going to a place where he may be thrust into battle?” Maddie enquired.
“I am sure it is very hard on your friend’s parents and his older brother as well. What happens is beyond their control.”
“The ‘not knowing’ is very hard on everyone who knows Fitzwilliam. I offer a daily prayer for his safety.”
“What of that fellow you and young Mr Darcy befriended at Cambridge?”
“Ah yes. His name is Charles Bingley. We met him in our final year, so he has two more years before he finishes.
Very affable fellow. His father is a wealthy tradesman, and he has two sisters; they are both, unfortunately, social climbers and fortune hunters.
Poor Darcy rues the day he allowed himself to be introduced to them.
The younger one, who is even worse than the older is, I believe, only sixteen but has been thoroughly overindulged by her mother.
She thinks she should be treated like a duchess, which shows just how high in the instep she is.
In her mind, she will be the next Mrs Darcy, even though she is not out yet.
“I am surprised Darcy accepted Bingley as a friend. In the last few years, he has become much more class conscious. Do not mistake that as disapproval of Bingley; it is not. He is a very affable fellow, keen to please, but is easily led. He is not twenty yet, so I am sure he will change as he gets older.”
“What of Mr Darcy’s godson, the son of his late steward?”
“Are you referring to George Wickham?” Adam verified.
His sister nodded.
“He is much worse now, especially after he began at Cambridge. Did I not tell you that he was almost sent down at Eton, but Mr Darcy saved him?”
“No, you did not. So, his godfather is still blind to his faults?”
“He is. Darcy has given up trying to make his father see the truth. Wicky, as we call him, has all of the vices of a rich gentleman, just not the wealth to pay for them. He carouses with women, runs up debts in the Darcy name, and gambles with abandon. Rather than hurt his father, who dismisses anything regarding his godson as ‘youthful exuberance,’ Darcy quietly pays the debts and cleans up after Wicky so his father will not hear about the indiscretions.”
“I have a harder question,” Maddie stated. Her brother told her to proceed. “Do you know who was responsible for Veronica’s ruination and descent?”
“I have no more information than you. I went to see her when she was with child to ask her who had done that to her, but she refused to see me as she was too ashamed to face any of us in the family. She would not even see our late aunt and uncle when they came to be with her.” Adam paused.
“The only one she allowed to see her was Lucy Carlyle.”
“I was sure Lucy would be the one to ask. Do they still live in the same house?” Maddie queried. She meant to visit Veronica’s friend.
“No, they moved away some months after Veronica was called home. I am not sure if anyone in Lambton knows where they are now. It is very sad that our cousin felt all the shame while the man who took advantage of a girl of not yet fifteen felt no repercussions, and worse, he is unknown.” Adam did not mention his suspicions based on the behaviour of a certain libertine.
Although she was disappointed that she would not be able to see Lucy Carlyle, with a smile, Maddie took her brother’s arm and led him into the parsonage.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
20 December 1804
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Papa and Adam,
I am with child again. Edward and I feel very blessed and could not be more pleased that, by His will, our family is to expand once again.
The early Christmas present was my feeling the quickening. According to the midwife, we can expect our child to be born in May or June, so it seems we will not be visiting Derbyshire this summer.
Papa, do you remember in one of my previous letters I mentioned that Fanny Bennet wanted to force Jane into society at the age of 15?
I also mentioned Edward and I speaking to Thomas.
It worked! None of our nieces will be put out before they are 17.
Lydia, who was 7 a few days past, is most indignant about it, as it means she has ten years still to wait before she is out.
The rest of my nieces are very happy their father took a firm position on this subject.
None are happier than Jane, who has a few months remaining before she turns 17.
Did I mention that Kitty, who turned 8 this past May, came to stay with us at Gracechurch Street for the first time this year? She worked with an art master here, and the man says she has more natural talent than any others he has tutored.
Jane is doing well on the harp with the music master as are Lizzy and Mary on the pianoforte.
Lizzy, who you know excels in her studies, has agreed to be more consistent in her practice on the instrument, albeit reluctantly.
Mary needs no cajoling to do so. She would spend all day at the keys if she were permitted.
She is also very intelligent and almost as proficient with languages as Lizzy is.
What is sad is that Thomas, after he stood up to Fanny regarding the age his daughters would be out, did not put up any resistance when Fanny decreed that Lydia did not need to join Mrs Mulberry’s lessons if she did not want to do so.
Of course, she does not, so Lydia is not attending any longer.
I fear that by the time Fanny and Lydia see the error of their ways; it will be too late.