Chapter 22
Elizabeth assumed her duties with no delay. As difficult as it might have been, she received instant gratification from witnessing how many lives she could touch and enhance.
She kept a close friendship with Georgiana and Anne, who visited her often. After his jealousy vanished, Philip was happy to befriend Colonel Fitzwilliam. As Lord Alveston could hardly leave his house, his new friends visited him often.
In November, Jane Bingley gave birth to her first child, a healthy boy who became the treasure of his parents and the joy of the family and friends around him.
Lord Alveston was kindly asked to become the godfather of the baby, Andrew Charles Bingley, a request accepted with delight and much gratitude.
The bond between Elizabeth and Philip grew and blossomed as they became more at ease with each other. As she had declared in Brighton, she established herself in the mistress’s apartment, and there were never locked doors between Lord and Lady Alveston.
She felt his love and gratitude for being at his side, and her genuine affection for him increased and deepened. She enjoyed his company and gladly spent hours every day with him, gifting him her daily care. She never left him, except when she attended her business with Lady Kendal.
Every meal was decided to please Philip’s tastes, though he always asked for her preferences.
He often ordered her presents to surprise her too.
They also shared small intimacies like kisses and caresses, as Elizabeth kept her promise and behaved like a dutiful wife in most aspects of their marriage.
By their four month anniversary, not a single evening had passed without Elizabeth enjoying a glass of wine with her husband in his chamber before he fell asleep as she had done on their wedding night, nor did she ever forget to embrace him and kiss him goodnight.
Although she loved Philip dearly, there was no thrill, no quivering touches, no burning passion. If she had not felt such desire once, she would have never imagined such sensations could exist—nor would she miss them.
As it was, her struggle to bury her memories that kept reappearing and invading her, never ceased. She prayed and made every effort to put the past aside and live in the present with an open heart—but that remained the most laborious task.
∞∞∞
There was not a single member of the ton who had not questioned Lord Alveston’s engagement to a certain Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country squire with little fortune, no connections, and no apparent skills suitable for the position of an earl’s wife.
Yet, six months into their marriage, everyone who had met Lady Elizabeth Alveston appreciated and approved of her.
There was rarely seen more loyalty or devotion displayed than by Lady Alveston to her husband and his grandmother, Lady Kendal.
And seldom seen was a young lady working so hard and involving herself so deeply in charity and business issues that were mostly meant for men.
She was first received with reluctance, since her situation in life did not recommend her as one who fitted amongst them.
Elizabeth gained people’s approbation with patience and diligence by proving herself worthy of their trust and esteem.
With Lady Kendal’s guidance, Elizabeth became acquainted with the most illustrious members of the ton, including several of Almack’s noble patronesses, as well as Darcy’s aunt, Lady Matlock.
Her ladyship was amused that at times Elizabeth called her ‘Grandmamma’ and other times ‘Lady Kendal’, but the affection in her voice and in her heart was always the same.
Lady Alveston’s time was divided between her duties to her husband and her charities.
She was never seen at parties since her husband could not attend.
Lord Alveston could not leave his house, but Elizabeth turned their home into a place of well-being.
She often organised delightful gatherings with people dear to them and with whom Lord Alveston could amuse himself.
Every activity Elizabeth planned was meant to please her husband.
Nothing was done to make Philip feel uncomfortable or powerless.
Lady Kendal told everyone who wished to listen how her new granddaughter had brought joy and liveliness to their family.
Mary and Kitty often visited Elizabeth and became engaged in her charities. Lord Alveston enjoyed their company, and he treated them like his sisters while they showed him care and affection.
Darcy was rarely seen in London. Through Georgiana, he contributed to Elizabeth’s charities but did not make any other attempt to approach her.
He visited his friend Bingley once to congratulate him on the birth of his first son.
On that occasion, as Lady Kendal had heard of Darcy’s presence in town and had asked Bingley about him, Darcy called on them.
It was a gesture of politeness that he could not refuse, but that brief encounter tormented Elizabeth for a long while after.
During Darcy’s absences, Elizabeth received news of him through his sister, Bingley, or the colonel. Lady Kendal and Philip often asked after him and speculated about the reason for him travelling so much.
∞∞∞
During the first six months of their marriage, Lord Alveston’s health remained reasonably stable.
The summer was approaching and they planned to return to Brighton for his treatment.
By that time, Elizabeth had managed to lock her thoughts and memories into a box deeply hidden within her heart and put the key away.
Her energies were dedicated to her husband, and nothing distracted her from her goal.
Despite his doctor’s efforts, against all their hopes, prayers, and treatments, Philip’s strength diminished during the spring, and by May, he could barely do anything but keep to his bed with only his wife’s conversation to maintain his humour.
Elizabeth could not ignore her husband’s failing strength, but she never allowed fear or sadness to overwhelm their family.
She spent most of her time with him, playing chess or cards, reading or performing at the pianoforte for him.
As he could not leave his apartment, neither did Elizabeth.
She asked for a bed to be placed near his, and she slept by his side, while Marlowe remained near.
Lady Kendal often accompanied them, but the pain of seeing her grandson slowly passing away was impossible to bear. Her own state worsened, and Elizabeth asked the family physician to remain in the house to watch over her.
At times, Philip seemed full of life, at other times he remained abed, feeble and ailing. Elizabeth was always there; she was the last person he saw when he fell asleep and the first who smiled at him when he woke up.
On a warm, bright day in May, nine months after their marriage, while holding his wife’s hand and listening to her sweet voice read to him, Lord Alveston’s soul peacefully rose to heaven, a deep sigh releasing his weak body from all suffering.
Although warned by the doctors, her husband’s passing caught Elizabeth unguarded and devastated her.
When she realised he was gone, the burden of the entire world fell on her shoulders.
She did not let go of his hand and remained, caressing his cold forehead.
She heard cries all around her, Lady Kendal’s wailing, then Mary and more servants arrived, all trying to pull her away.
But she refused to leave until someone managed to drag her to her own apartment so that Philip’s body could be prepared.
She did not remember how or who changed her gowns or much else of what happened in the days they mourned for Philip.
All she sensed was the smell of the candles and his white, tranquil face resting in peace.
Nothing had prepared Elizabeth for the excruciating grief that wrapped around her from the day of Philip’s death.
She had known from the beginning of their acquaintance that he was ill and that such a moment would come too soon.
But the knowledge meant nothing compared with the sorrow.
The days, weeks, and months of mourning that followed only increased her pain.
The company of her family and friends was no palliation, and the words of comfort annoyed her. What could be said when such a good man had gone so young, without even knowing the cause of his illness?
She allowed little company except Lady Kendal’s.
She sent Mary back to Longbourn and received no other calls, nor did she leave the house, except for visiting Philip’s grave together with Lady Kendal.
A month into her widowhood, her father came to visit and remained for a fortnight, but Mr Bennet’s presence did not change anything.
Then the summer came and passed, but Lady Alveston’s appearances remained scarce, and few people could claim they had seen her.
∞∞∞
The summer brought a time of feasting and joy across the whole of London, celebrating the victory over Napoleon as well as the anniversary of Hanoverian rule. There were three months of spectacular and lavish celebrations as the town had rarely seen.
Whilst it was customary for the members of the ton to move to the country for the summer, that year things were utterly different.
Some extraordinary events were organised by the Royal Family, and everyone of consequence in England was willing to attend.
Also, popular entertainments took place in Hyde Park, which was laid out with stalls and pavilions, taverns and military bands, acrobats, swings and roundabouts.
In addition, most of the shops and businesses rose to the patriotic occasion and decorated their premises too, spreading the exaltation all over the town.