Chapter 3
Maddie had been caught unawares by a letter she had just received from Adam, so she sat down to write a reply immediately.
London
Adam!
As happy as I am about the news in your letter, YOU are a sly one, and I wager you swore Papa to secrecy. I had not been told you were even courting! Hence, the announcement of you engagement was like a bolt of lightning striking me on a clear day, I was so surprised.
That being said, I wish you and Miss Worthington nothing but a loving and felicitous union.
I remember Papa writing about Mr Worthington often.
They have been good friends for many years, and now they will be family thanks to you marrying Miss Worthington.
I think that my new sister’s name of Eveline is perfect, especially as you said everyone calls her Eve.
Adam and Eve! How appropriate for a man who will be a rector one day.
And yes, Edward and I will arrive to attend the wedding to be held at her father’s church in Matlock.
It will be your chance to meet your newest nephew, Peter, who was 1 in January.
All three of the older children cannot wait until they see Grandpapa and Uncle Adam again.
Thanks to Papa having a curate, he was able to meet Peter in October of last year.
I think that Jane and Lizzy may accompany us as well, but we will see if Thomas will allow it; he is rather changeable at times.
It is my hope they will join us so you can finally meet some of my nieces. If it is Lizzy and Mary who are allowed to travel, you will see how exceptional they are.
I am sure you are pleased that Mr Darcy will stand up with you.
Will Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzwilliam be in attendance?
I understand he has advanced rapidly through his own merit, combined with some of the officers above him falling in battle.
I am sure his family is more than thankful for the fact that so far he has only suffered some minor wounds.
It seems that, to this point, the prayers on his behalf have been effective.
Have you seen Lord Hilldale since he married Lady Marie Russell from Woburn Abbey in October of the previous year?
It is hard for me to accept that my nieces are growing up so quickly.
In less than a sennight Jane will be 21, Lizzy was 18 in March past, Mary is already 16, Kitty is 13, and Lydia will be 12 in December.
Speaking of the youngest two, Lydia is a much more forceful character, and of late, she has begun to influence Kitty away from her studies, even her art, which we all know she loves.
As such, Kitty has begun to refuse to study with the art master any longer.
My brother-in-law made a grave error the day he did not oppose his wife’s permission for Lydia to cease her lessons.
At least, the three eldest will not give up on learning, even though it has been some years since they have needed a governess.
Did I tell you that Mrs Mulberry is back in London with us?
She is teaching Eddy and Bea. Lilly will begin her lessons with her soon.
As distasteful as it is to mention or refer to that miscreant, I am agog and aghast that Wicky, as you refer to him, had the temerity to come and demand the Kympton living when Mr Hamishson retired.
The man has no shame to try to extort more money from Mr Darcy because he lost everything he received inside of 4 years.
For many in this country, ?4,000 is far more than they will see in a lifetime.
I agree with your assessment that he only wanted more money. He has never taken orders and still had no intention to do so. And then when he was refused, he swore vengeance. The late Mr Darcy created a monster which his son now needs to stop.
I, for one, am pleased Mr Darcy refused his entreaties. Had he relented, that leech would have never ceased coming back with his hand out. Enough about that libertine.
Mr Darcy made a good decision awarding the Kympton living to you for the nonce. When Papa retires, as he plans to once he is 55, will you hold both livings?
With your upcoming wedding, I will understand if you decide you do not have time to write. I am looking forward to seeing you, my ‘little’ brother. We will arrive at least a sennight before your wedding.
With love and best wishes for your future,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
20 January 1810
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Adam and Eve,
My heart is rent from my chest. My blood turned cold when I saw the black edging on your letter. I felt as cold as the brutal winter you are having, which has stopped me coming to you.
I cannot believe that Papa has been called home and is now with Mama in heaven.
You wrote the very day he was taken, on the 13th of January, but the letter only arrived yester-evening.
The rider explained that he was delayed for some days due to the non-stop snow which had been falling for a fortnight.
Papa looked like he always did at your wedding.
He took so much pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren, and even more, his pride was palpable at being given the honour of conducting the wedding ceremony for you and my sister.
Mr Worthington could have had his own curate do the duty, but he knew how much Papa would love to be the one.
I was sorry not to meet Mr Darcy at your wedding, but I completely understand that the troubles at his estate in Scotland had to be seen to by himself.
It speaks well to his responsibility as a landowner.
Our father was only 54, not an old man by anyone’s measure. You said the doctor opined that his heart had given out. I saw no indication anything was wrong.
Even though we will never see him again in the mortal world, at least we all saw him fairly recently.
Thank goodness for your and Eve’s wedding, which made sure that all of my children got to spend time with him.
I was upset that Fanny and Thomas would not allow any of the girls to join us, but given this tragedy, that seems so trivial now.
Has your friend been standing by you like you did when his father was taken? With the deep friendship you share, I do not doubt it will be an affirmative reply.
As soon as you write and tell me that the roads are passable once more, we will be on our way.
In sorrow,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
16 February 1810
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Adam,
Even though it was promised to you and the sad circumstances which led to it being open now, I congratulate you on being awarded the All Saint’s living.
It is a little light in a very dark time with Papa having been called home just over a month past. One thing I am certain of is that Papa is very proud of you. You know it was a long-time dream of his to have you be preferred to the living after him.
Yes, performing your duties during your period of full mourning is not easy for you, but I remind you that after Mama passed away, Papa had to do exactly the same thing.
If you desire it, you may read the letter he wrote to me at the Bellamys,’ explaining how it was that he did not have the luxury to not fulfil his duties while observing 6 months of deep mourning.
By you not allowing the parish to suffer because of his passing, you are honouring Papa’s memory. It was very good of your father-in-law to conduct the services for Papa and to send his curate to you to assist you as needed.
After Mama was taken, Papa did not have a curate, so it will be somewhat easier for you.
Even more importantly, you have Eve with you.
She is a diamond of the first waters and will support you and the parish in any way she is able.
As the daughter of a clergyman, she is eminently suited to be the wife of one.
Lean on her. I am sure that like Edward and me, you two have a true partnership.
Unless we are able to before, we will visit you and Eve this summer as planned.
If you need me before then, all you need to do is write.
As much as I wanted to come to you as I stated I would in my previous letter, I took your advice and did not attempt to travel north while the winter grips the area.
I am very pleased that Mr Darcy and Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzwilliam have been making sure you are well.
I am sure that the latter’s family is happy that he is teaching at the training grounds for the foreseeable future.
From what I know, he has faced the enemy with valour repeatedly and lives to tell the tale.
Remember, Adam, write if you need me before the summer.
With our love to Eve and you,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
18 December 1810
Longbourn
Hertfordshire
Adam and Eve,
We are at Longbourn for our annual visit around Christmastide. Unless it is urgent, you may direct any letters to Gracechurch Street. We will be home by the 28th of January.
Now to your news. The letter was forwarded from our home. I was so excited to read that Eve felt the quickening about a sennight past. As much as I revel in being a mother, I am as excited that you will provide me with the first niece or nephew of my blood.
Do not misunderstand me; I love my Bennet nieces greatly, even Lydia, who recently turned 13 and is a trial to be around.
There are times when I wonder who is actually the child, between her and Fanny.
Your first child will in no way diminish the bond I have with the Bennet sisters, especially the 3 eldest, but it will be different because this will be your child.
I know that Papa would have been in raptures about you adding to his tally of grandchildren. It is hard to believe that in less than a month it will be one year since Papa was called home.
It seemed strange to me when I cast off the blacks and again at 6 months when my half-mourning was over.
There was a finality to it, but official mourning or not, I will never stop missing our father.
His sending me to our late aunt and uncle when I was 12 was what he needed to do, and it never made me love him less.
When you described the ‘Darcy Mask’ to me in your letter before Eve’s with her good news, I was intrigued.
I suppose I can understand why your friend feels like he must protect himself from the huntresses of the Ton in that way.
I too would hate being seen as a side of beef to be touched and prodded to go to the highest bidder.
That being said, I cannot help but feel there are better ways to let people know he is not interested than with an arrogant look of disgust and disdain.
If he does not watch himself, it will become too engrained.
Also, I do not think it wise that he singled Miss Bingley out to dance, especially with, as you have told me of, his refusal to ever tie himself to her.
In honouring his friendship with her brother, he is giving her expectations, whether he intends to or not.
You are close enough that you may advise him or speak to his cousin; I am sure he would be able to do so.
The way you have described Miss Bingley, if it is accurate, and I have no reason not to think so, it sounds like she is a shrew, harpy, harridan, termagant, and virago in one person.
I have no interest in meeting her to see if my guess is correct.
It is interesting that you opined that the older sister, Mrs Hurst is the one driving Miss Bingley’s ambitions.
I must end this here; Lizzy and Mary are calling me to come listen to the newest duet they have learnt.
I still cannot believe that Lizzy is 19 already, and soon she will be 20.
It seems like yesterday when I first met her.
Her mother’s ramblings about her not being as pretty as Jane notwithstanding, Lizzy is a beauty in her own right and has become prettier as she has matured.
As you will allow Eve to read this: Sister, I am overjoyed for you, and if you want me there, I will be at your side during your lying-in. We all wish you a wonderful Christmastide and look forward to seeing you in 1811.
I will wait to hear about your desire to have me with you.
With much love and hearty congratulations from all of us,
Madeline.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
4 April 1811
North Star House
Lambton
Edward, my beloved,
I am overjoyed to report that 2 days ago Eve delivered a healthy son. He is named Gerald Bernard Lambert after his late and living grandfathers.
Please inform our children that they have a new cousin.
Like many babes, Bea and Peter included, he is practically bald and has the deep blue eyes of most new-born babes. He is very much like his Cousin Peter was insofar as he has a very loud cry when he is hungry or has any other needs and will not settle until he has been sated.
Little Gerald’s father and Grandpapa Bernard are as proud as any father or grandfather can be.
Both have preached on the sins of excessive pride, but I think in this case, for a brief time, the two clergymen can be excused in ignoring their own words.
As happy as both are at the birth of the babe, they are pleased beyond measure that Eve is doing so well—as am I.
There were no complications, so it seems that she will recover well.
As soon as I am sure Eve no longer needs me, I will begin my journey home.
I did not meet with Adam’s friend, Mr Darcy of Pemberley, as he is in London for the season and is seeking a companion for his sister, who is now 15. According to our brother, his friend will make for Kent for Easter before returning to London for more of the season.
It seems that Mr Darcy is able to tolerate his aunt’s nonsense because she still rattles on about the phantom engagement, which is widely known to be a figment of her own imagination.
As much as I was pleased to be here for Gerald’s birth, I am in great anticipation of returning home to you and our children.
With all of my love,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On her arrival home, a thick letter was waiting for Maddie. She put it aside on the sideboard in her and Edward’s private sitting room for later perusal. It did not seem urgent, as she did not recognise the script and there was no return direction.
Soon enough she got lost in the routines of her house and forgot about the letter.