Chapter 2.18
The week following the Almack’s ball was more animated than ever in Darcy’s house. The long-awaited journey to Pemberley was carefully prepared by Darcy, and Elizabeth’s enthusiasm grew with every day, happily shared with Georgiana.
Elizabeth was sad to separate from her relatives, but it was a comfort to know they would all reunite at Pemberley in six weeks.
She knew she had no reason to worry: her sister Jane was as happy as one could hope for and she seemed more in love with her husband than ever.
Her aunt, uncle, and cousins were all in excellent health, and Mr Gardiner’s business had improved due to his connections with Darcy and the Matlocks.
Her only reason for slight concern was Lady Matlock, whose strength and spirits still seemed lower than usual.
It was clear that her ladyship was affected by the last week’s events more than the other members of her family were.
Elizabeth’s suspicions were strengthened when, one morning very early, Maud returned from church in a great disturbance; at her mistress’s insistent inquiry, the maid confessed that she had happened upon Lady Matlock at her son’s grave.
Maud and Elizabeth found this so astonishing that they did not even dare to discuss it.
Elizabeth shared her thoughts with Darcy, and both felt helpless about how to proceed further. There was nothing they could do except wait for time to heal the wounds that had proved to be deeper than they seemed.
Lady Matlock appeared to find great comfort in the presence of the two Gardiner girls.
Margaret’s elegant beauty and perfect manners delighted her ladyship, and Becky’s wit and boldness raised her spirits and made her smile constantly.
Therefore, she was quite frequently in the company of the Gardiners, even more so since Lord Matlock and the colonel also approved of Mr Gardiner.
Elizabeth was exceedingly content and proud to see the growing relationship between her different relatives.
The notion that such illustrious and fastidious people as the Fitzwilliams admitted a close connection to the family of a gentleman who was in trade was astonishing and could only be explained by the Gardiners’ worthiness.
For the summer, Lord and Lady Matlock decided to retire to the Matlock estate in the last week of May. It was expected that the colonel would join them for a short while, and since Matlock was only twenty miles from Pemberley, regular visits between the two estates were eagerly anticipated.
The Gardiners, together with the Bennets and the Bingleys, planned to travel to Derbyshire at the beginning of June.
Becky promised Lady Matlock that she would visit her from Pemberley “on the pony Mr Darcy will give me as soon as I learn to ride.” Lady Matlock suggested that, in the meantime, she should come by carriage; after a short consideration, Becky accepted the wise proposal.
Among the joyful plans for the journey, Elizabeth had two reasons for uneasiness.
The first was her rather frequent bouts of illness and lack of appetite.
Almost daily, she felt dizzy and tired, and food made her nauseous.
As she did not remember ever having felt that way in her life, she was certain it would soon pass.
She was not so preoccupied with the sickness itself but rather with the distress and worry her husband would feel if he discovered it, so she decided to keep it secret.
Surely, all would be fine once they arrived at Pemberley.
The second concern was her sister Lydia, who was writing her weekly, complaining that “her dear Wickham was not earning enough to cover all their expenses,” and that life in a town full of soldiers was not as entertaining as she expected.
Lydia even dared to suggest that Elizabeth should make her husband find Mr Wickham a less demanding and more generously paid living.
Elizabeth did not even consider opening the subject with Darcy, but she asked his opinion about ordering some gowns and having them delivered to Lydia.
“Georgiana suggested I should send my sister what she needs rather than providing her any monetary help.”
“I agree, it is a wise idea. I thank you for informing me, but please do not forget that the pin money is yours to use as you want.”
“I know that, William, but I could not possibly waste it carelessly. You already offered Mr Wickham much more than he deserves, and you saved my sister’s tranquillity.”
Darcy gently kissed her. “Let us not talk about the past. I only did what needed to be done at the time. The only thing of which I will never approve is Wickham’s presence at Pemberley.
Besides, I was informed that his colonel is diligent in supervising Wickham carefully.
It is likely that he will have several important responsibilities to keep him in his regiment for at least half a year.
If your sister wishes to visit us alone, she would be welcome. ”
Elizabeth returned the kiss, caressing her husband’s hand, and he needed nothing more to feel her gratitude.
On the day of Lydia’s marriage to Wickham, he had promised Elizabeth that he would continue to oversee Wickham even from afar and to protect Lydia as needed.
And there he was—keeping his promise just as he always did.
After further consideration and a private council with her aunt and elder sister, Elizabeth decided not to suggest that Lydia visit them at Pemberley.
After all, she was newly married, and she needed to spend at least one year at her husband’s side and learn what marriage truly means.
However, a large box with five dresses and matching bonnets was sent to Mrs Wickham before summer began.
Three days before their departure, the Darcys hosted an informal dinner for the Bingleys and the Gardiners—a joyful time spent in the family with no distress or special arrangements. All four Gardiner children attended, bringing a breeze of joy to an already delightful evening.
“Mr Darcy, we thank you again for your kind invitation. I still cannot believe that we will spend the summer at Pemberley. It sounds like a dream,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“And I am afraid you will change your mind in future years once you have to bear the Bennet and Gardiner families for three entire months,” Mr Gardiner said, attempting to joke.
“I am sure we will have a wonderful time together and repeat it as often as possible,” Darcy answered, and Elizabeth rewarded him with a warm smile.
“Oh, I am sure it will be a lovely summer,” Georgiana intervened. “Pemberley has not hosted such a large party in a long time. I believe I was very young because I can hardly remember it. I know my mother was still with us. I must have been Becky’s age.”
Miss Darcy’s eyes moistened from sorrow, and she smiled to conceal her sadness.
“I will be five years old in August,” Becky said enthusiastically.
“And I just turned eight,” Henry Gardiner added.
“Truly? My birthday will be in June,” Miss Darcy said.
“Well, well—it looks as though we will have many reasons to celebrate. And we must prepare many gifts, I imagine,” Darcy concluded.
“I believe being at Pemberley is enough of a gift,” Mrs Gardiner intervened.
“But can I still have a pony?” Becky inquired, her eyes full of hope.
Darcy laughed. “Of course. A promise is a promise. Have any of you ridden before?” Darcy addressed the four children.
“Yes, I have,” Thomas answered in haste, pleased that he found something to single him out from his siblings.
“And I rode with Papa,” Henry said.
“Very well, I am sure you will all be excellent riders by the end of the summer. And you can also swim or fish if you like.”
“I am very good at fishing too,” Thomas replied, and Becky looked at her elder brother with apparent envy.
“I would be very good at fishing if Papa ever took me with him,” Becky said.
“You will have a chance at Pemberley,” Elizabeth intervened. “And I am sure Thomas will help you. Mr Darcy will certainly be very pleased to see you all well behaved, kind, and helpful to each other. That is what brothers and sisters do. Mr Darcy is an exemplary elder brother for Miss Darcy.”
All four children glanced at Darcy then at each other.
Except for Margaret, none of them could say they behaved in an “exemplary” manner, and they suddenly worried about what the gentleman might say of their behaviour.
Their concern increased when Miss Darcy related some past stories from her childhood, praising her brother’s kindness.
Both Thomas and Henry admitted to themselves that they needed to improve their manners toward their sisters if they ever wanted to be like Mr Darcy.
“Well, I remember being rather naughty when I was a young boy,” Bingley confessed. “I used to upset my sisters quite often.”
Becky looked at him, shook her head in disapproval, then looked from him to her brothers.
“I could tell that all the boys with blond hair are nasty. This is why I like Mr Darcy better.”
Her mother almost choked on her food, red with embarrassment, and she attempted to scold her younger daughter; however, Bingley started to laugh.
“Well, Becky, I am pleased to tell you that things changed when I grew up. I rarely upset anyone now.”
“I know you do not; otherwise, Jane would not marry you,” Becky replied wisely.
Bingley glanced with adoration toward his wife. “That is true—so very true.”
After dinner, the gentlemen retired to the library for a drink and further discussion about their travel arrangements.
Although Charles Bingley had taken that trip at least four times in the past, he did not even remember the names of the inns where they were supposed to change horses or to rest for the night.
So Darcy insisted on writing down all the necessary details, counting more on the attention of Mr Gardiner than that of his friend.
In the drawing room, the ladies and the children remained to amuse themselves, the main subject still being Pemberley and the journey toward it.