Chapter 1
Spring had arrived later in the North, as it usually did.
Deep in thought, Fitzwilliam Darcy looked out of the open window of the library.
The lake was still, like a mirror, the gardens were beginning to wear their accustomed pale green, and the trees showed their first signs of colour.
A gentle breeze brought with it fresh air, filled with subtle fragrances.
“I would gladly offer a half a crown for a glimpse of your thoughts, Darcy.”
Colonel Geoffrey Fitzwilliam, his cousin, was absently holding a glass of brandy, despite the fact that the early hour was rather unsuited to such a strong drink. ‘A small weakness for a great man’, as he occasionally proffered as an excuse.
“I was simply contemplating the fact that I have not been at Pemberley at this time of year for quite a while. It seems to me that I have almost forgotten how simply beautiful these grounds are in spring.”
“Yes, we are usually visiting Aunt Catherine this month. Not that I am complaining about this sudden change of plans. So, what should we do today?”
“I must visit the rest of the tenants that I did not see yesterday. Then I will speak to Doctor Linfield and see if there are still signs of illness in Lambton. I will then visit some of the tradesmen and discuss how I might help them—Lambton has been almost like a ghost town this last month.”
“I cannot understand what sort of disease it can have been. I have never seen such a thing with the influenza. My elder brother Malcolm is so scared, that he stubbornly remains in his rooms, regardless of who is paying a visit to my father, Lord Matlock. I mean, army men fall ill quite often but I do not remember an illness that put so many young and strong people in bed.”
“And even one so severe as to last from January to March,” Darcy added. “It is no wonder that several families decided to leave the county.”
“I doubt you have ever lost eleven of your employees in just one month,” the colonel said.
“I do not remember anyone leaving the Pemberley household in the last fifteen years. But these eleven people actually belonged to only three families: the Johnsons, the Gilberts and the Dunns. They left to stay with other siblings. All have small children they wish to protect. I cannot blame them.”
“Well, any other master would blame them for abandoning their duties so unexpectedly. You have every reason to be angry with them. Even more so as the children were strangely not affected by this illness, were they?”
“Not yet—thank God. But one cannot be too careful when it comes to children. I hope they will return one day; if not, may the Lord take care of them all. I would be out of my mind to be angry with any of them.”
“Well, then you must deal with the consequences. With so many sick people, I truly doubt the lands will be worked properly. And you are not just lacking in servants, stable boys and gardeners, but as you see, you can hardly find skilled people in the neighbourhood to hire. You will have to face a rather poor financial year.”
“That is my last concern, Geoffrey. I can easily support all the tenants and probably Lambton too for several years, if necessary. But yes, the lack of staff is a quite a problem, as Pemberley cannot be easily maintained.”
“Of course you can support everyone. This is why everybody says you are the best master and the best landlord,” the colonel said with a fine touch of mockery, to which Darcy only frowned.
“Come, Darcy, try to cheer up a little. All will be well; you just need to see the bright side of things. Mrs. Reynolds is improving, I hear. That is what the doctor said yesterday, did he not?”
“Fortunately, yes. But I am very worried about her. She has been with us since I was four years old. I cannot think of Pemberley without Mrs. Reynolds being here. She is my last bond with the past, Geoffrey.”
“Yes, I know that. She is very dear to me and my family too. But she does not suffer from this unknown disease, does she?”
“No. Doctor Linfield said absolutely not. She likely suffered a stroke from which she will need time and rest to recover. Therefore, I must find someone to help her. That is what worries me the most.”
“Where on earth to do you expect to find someone as trustworthy, as clever and knowledgeable, or at least as loyal as Mrs. Reynolds, to gain your approval and hers and to be willing to move to the North?”
“Yes, Geoffrey, I am aware of all these considerations. That is why I have written ten letters in the last three days, to all my acquaintances. My butler Farrell has a cousin who is the housekeeper in Lord Redcliff’s house. He wrote to her, perhaps she has a recommendation.”
The colonel laughed. “I hope you are also aware that, if someone has such a person in their household, he will do anything within his means to keep her. But it is also true that, for the amount of money you are willing to pay that person for three months, I would do it myself. Are you sure Mrs. Reynolds will be fully recovered in three months?”
“I do hope so, Geoffrey. That is why we must choose carefully. Mrs. Reynolds insists she must trust this person implicitly, since she will have access to the whole of Pemberley.”
“Mrs. Reynolds is right you know, as always.”
“She is, Geoffrey. I suggest we have breakfast; this is going to be a very busy day for me.”
“I will join you and help you with everything I can, at least until I must return to my regiment.”
***
London, early April, 1811
Mrs. Gardiner watched her niece Elizabeth—her favourite niece of the five Bennet daughters—and her husband studying the papers on the large wooden desk. They were both so preoccupied that they were oblivious to her entrance.
“I brought you some refreshments, my dears. You have been locked in here for three hours now,” she said reproachfully.
The two raised their eyes to her and Mr. Gardiner tenderly kissed her hand in thanks.
“My dear, we are almost finished. I am quite excited by this opportunity and I trust the publishing business will be successful. I will meet Mr. Talbot today and let him know that I have decided to accept his kind offer.”
“I confess I am excited too, but also a bit frightened. You have been successful both as a lawyer and as a tradesman, but publishing seems quite risky to me,” Mrs. Gardiner replied with concern.
“It is indeed, I shall not deny that. But I have been fortunate enough to save some money which I can afford to lose if necessary. If we succeed, I will be able to help my brother-in-law Bennet. Especially since Lizzy has been such a great help to me,” Mr. Gardiner said with a loving glance at his niece.
Elizabeth quickly rejected such praise.
“My dear uncle, I feel embarrassed hearing you say that. After all that you and my aunt have done for us all these years, after the lifesaving loan you offered to Papa, my help truly means nothing. I would do anything to repay your kindness, as well as your money—and to find a way to help Papa more. But I am only a woman with limited means and no connections. I have no power and not much hope either.”
Her voice was filled with sadness and her aunt quickly embraced her.
“Lizzy dear, you are speaking nonsense, despite being the cleverest woman of my acquaintance. Brother Bennet has made some ill-considered investments, but as your uncle said, it happens to many people.”
“I know, Aunt. I cannot blame him—I know he was desperately trying to increase his earnings, as he can barely support Longbourn and all our frivolous expenses. Lydia and Kitty and even Mother are so careless when it comes to money that it is no wonder Papa has been exceeding his income for many years.”
“Yes. And, as much as I love and admire my dear Mr. Bennet, we must admit he is not a skilful businessman either,” Mr. Gardiner joked. “Not because he lacks the ability, but because he completely lacks interest in it.”
“I cannot deny that. As much as I love Papa, I am not blind to his flaws, especially in his relationship with Mama and my sisters, and in managing Longbourn, which had caused us all many inconveniences and affected his health lately,” Elizabeth agreed, distressed and pained.
Mrs. Gardiner stroked her hair.
“We shall work everything out, Lizzy. Let us pray that he is well enough now—his fainting was apparently more frightening for you all than dangerous for him.”
“Especially for my sister, who already imagined herself thrown out of the house by Mr. Collins,” Mr. Gardiner added. “My dear sister’s nerves were heavily tested. Thank God she has Jane there, to keep her calm and reasonable.”
“Edward, please do not joke about such things,” Mrs. Gardiner scolded him. “I will leave you now—finish your refreshments and your papers, and then I will take Lizzy for a walk in the park with the children.”
***
Later that day, before dinner, Lizzy wrote a letter to her sister Jane. She had been in town for a month, helping her uncle with his new business and her aunt with her four children—the least she could do to compensate the Gardiners for their generosity and kindness towards them.
Jane and her other three sisters were at Longbourn, taking care of Mr. Bennet, who had suffered a minor stroke three months ago, after he had lost the important sum of two thousand pounds—a significant amount for a small country gentleman—in an unwise investment.
Except for Elizabeth and Jane, none of the Bennets knew about the failed business.
Mr. Bennet begged them to keep the secret from their mother and younger sisters, hoping he could eventually recover the loss with the help of his brother-in-law Gardiner.
As worried as she was for her father, Elizabeth offered to join the Gardiners in London. They were ready to hire some help and she was ready to do everything in her power to save them from more expenses.
At dinner, the Gardiners’ spirits were quite high; Elizabeth could still not abandon her concerns so she was in a rather low disposition.