Epilogue
Maddie and Edward Gardiner were surprised to find several letters waiting for them on returning home from the double wedding. Maddie recognised the script and could not fathom why her newlywed nieces had written to her so soon after their being married.
As was her wont, Maddie read to her beloved husband.
Darcy House
To my Dearest Aunt and Uncle,
I could not allow this day to pass without conveying my everlasting gratitude to both of you. Hence, I am sitting at the desk William placed in his study for me, putting my quill to paper.
Thank you for loving me enough to make me see my faults. Without that, I do not believe that William and I would be married today. You saw through my stubborn veneer and forced me to evaluate all of my wrongheaded ideas. I owe you everything.
Seeing you first in church and then at the wedding breakfast (many thanks for making Netherfield Park available for the celebratory meal) was as valuable to me as it was to see my own parents in attendance.
I hope you know I see you two as more than aunt and uncle, but as a second set of parents.
Before I go, was Charlotte Forster not glowing? Marriage seems to agree with her. I am happy we married before she moves to Brighton with her husband in March.
We leave for Seaview House near Brighton in the morning, and we will be on our way to Pemberley before Charlotte and the Regiment arrive at their summer quarters.
And yes, like Mama and Papa, you and my cousins are invited to our estate any time you are able to visit.
William seconds that, and I am sure Anna will third it.
Thank you for the most informative and reassuring talk the night before the wedding; I hope to discover all about the subject in a short amount of time.
With love, your blushing niece,
Elizabeth Darcy (How well that sounds!)
Gardiner raised his eyebrows but did not comment at the reference to the talk Maddie gave the girls. She did so after Fanny. Even with all the changes his sister had made, according to Maddie, Fanny had not imparted accurate information. He waited for Maddie to begin reading Jane’s epistle.
1 February 1812
Netherfield Park
Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward,
Richard and I know not how to thank you. That was some wedding gift for us to live at Netherfield Park until I inherit Longbourn. I pray that it will be many years in the future. It was neatly done as a wedding gift so that we could not argue that we should pay you rent.
Thank you both for forcing me to see the world as it is and not as I used to in an almost childlike fashion. If it were not for you, I would have been pining for a man who was wholly unworthy of my love and never been open to accepting Richard’s love.
We leave on the morrow for the north to enjoy a month at the lakes in Mother’s and Father’s house, Lake Vista House, which overlooks Lake Windermere.
Again, thank you for your overly generous gift, we do not deserve such kindness! With our love and appreciation,
Jane Fitzwilliam
With the money they had amassed, Gardiner intended to purchase an estate near Lambton. In twenty years or so, Netherfield Park would become Peter’s.
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27 October 1812
North Star House
Lambton
Maddie and Edward,
As sorry as we were, you could not attend us for the birth of our daughter. It is my pleasure to let you know that Madeline Beatrice Lambert was born yesterday.
Both Jane and Lizzy were with Eve while Fitzwilliam and Darcy kept me company.
As you know, Lizzy is about six months along.
What you are not aware of, however, is that Jane just felt the quickening.
It is a very good thing that everyone will be at Pemberley for Christmastide, as Lizzy’s time will be close.
I look forward to you meeting your namesake. Mr Worthington, Eve’s father is ecstatic that he now has a granddaughter as well as a grandson.
Speaking of Gerald, you were correct when you told me I would not be so sanguine with him walking, or in his case running, whenever he was able. It is the same with talking. We could not wait; now we enjoy the times he is asleep and does not talk.
We are sure that little Maddie will be as much of a blessing as Gerald is.
I will pray for your safe travels,
Adam
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
23 February 1814
Longbourn
My dear Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward,
I am engaged! Can you believe that this would happen? ‘Tis too much! By far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! Why cannot everybody be as happy?
Francis and I had been courting for over a year, and I was beginning to think that he wanted to find an honourable way to withdraw, but no, that was not it at all. His unstated plan was to wait until I was past the age of 20 and he reached 27.
When he proposed yester-morning, I burst into tears and told him of my doubts. He was so gentle and apologised for not being more explicit with me regarding his intentions. We pledged that we will be very careful to be open with our communication as we go forward together.
The Duke and Duchess are sanguine with us marrying from Longbourn, so we do not need to marry from St George’s or St Paul’s, even though they had the blessing of the Regent to use the latter church.
Kitty and Lydia will both be my bridesmaids.
With Kitty turning 18 soon, she will be the maid of honour.
Can you believe that Lyddie will be 17 in December?
She is holding fast to her resolve to only come out at 18, even after the wonderful work Mrs Mulberry has done with her.
Ever since that visit when you both took charge of everything, I have not recognised Lyddie as the brash, flirtatious girl she once was.
We will live at Francis’s house at Woburn Abbey when in the country and at Tavistock House on Russell Square when we are in Town. I hope we see you both and my cousins regularly when we are in London, and you must, of course, visit us at Woburn Abbey.
I will never be able to thank you, Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward, for all you did to help shape the woman I have become. Who knows what my playing at the pianoforte would be like had you not employed a master for me when you did?
Speaking of the instrument, Anna tried to claim she is not my equal in playing, but she is and will soon be better than me.
Francis and I will marry on the 15th day of April of this year.
I am greatly pleased that Lizzy, William, Anna and Ben will be in attendance.
As you know, Lizzy did not want to travel before little Bennet was at least 6 months of age, but as he will be close to 5 months by the time they come, she has relented and they will bring him.
It is well that Jane and Richard live at Netherfield Park (thanks to you two) because Jane would not travel, as she is so close to her lying-in now.
If we do not see all of you before, I am looking forward to welcoming you to my wedding.
With my warmest regards, your loving niece,
Mary
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16 May 1816
Rosings Park
Kent
My dear Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward,
We had planned to depart the above estate for London and visit with you in Gracechurch Street on our way back to Netherfield Park for Jane’s lying-in, but a day ago, the Monday after Easter, Lady Catherine de Bourgh passed away.
As you know, our cousin Anne has been the mistress here since Uncle Reggie forced her mother to the dower house.
As you are also aware, Lady Catherine thought she was punishing all of us by severing contact with all of her family.
I think she truly believed that everyone lived to hear her pronouncements.
The funeral will be in two days, so William, Anna, Ben, Alexander and I will remain with the Wilsons for another sennight or so.
Anne is so happy with her Mr Wilson. If you recall, they married about 18 months ago. She is with child, and the local doctor (not the quack Lady Catherine used to force on Anne) is confident she is healthy enough to bear this child and others.
We will, I am sure, see you, Aunt Maddie, at Netherfield Park with Janey. As happy as she is with little Bethie, she is hoping to deliver a son who will be the heir to Longbourn one day.
Speaking of Longbourn, it was very generous to sell the land back to Longbourn, which had been purchased by Netherfield Park when Papa’s ancestor gambled it away.
Thanks to you two, the estate Jane and Richard will inherit is restored to its original glory.
Papa had already brought the income to close to ?4,000 per annum.
Now, with the added land and tenants, it will be at or above ?6,000!
You have been too good to us over the years. I know you are very wealthy, but it is still above and beyond anything you needed to do.
I am still in awe that Mary is a marchioness. She and Francis (not to mention his parents) were so happy when John Russell was born 8 months past. His Grace was very proud that his grandson and the future duke after Francis bears his familiar name.
Did you know that Kitty is being courted by Lord Jamie Carrington, Viscount Hadlock? They met at Mary’s wedding and have seen one another in London during the season. Anna told us that Kitty did not seem to like him very much, but it seems she was wrong.
At least Mama and Papa will still have Lyddie at home.
This is her first season, and she does not seem to be in a hurry to leave her life as a single lady behind her yet.
We were so happy to be able to host her coming-out ball at Darcy House with Anna’s this January past. Aunt Elaine and Mary both sponsored them for their curtsies.
Like Lyddie, Anna does not seem to be in a hurry to tie her life to a man’s. At least you still have 3 or 4 years before you need to worry about launching Bea into society.
Until I see you at Netherfield Park, much love and the warmest regards,
Lizzy
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
17 March 1817
Longbourn
Maddie and Edward,