Chapter 7 #4
“Rebuilding the north side of the house should come first, that is, the family wing, a small drawing and dining room, the kitchen, and the servants’ quarters.
Parts of the old house were always dark, so the number of windows must be increased to allow for as much natural light as possible.
I have drawn out a few ideas of how I would like the new Pemberley to look.
” After he finished showing Bethel his plans, he asked, “How long do you think it will take?”
“It all depends on how many men we can hire and how soon we can acquire all the lumber, tools, and furnishings. Before we do anything else, we must repair the stone walls, damage to the roof, and build a temporary staircase in order to make the floors on the first storey safe for the builders.”
“I plan to be married before long and would like to move into the manor house as soon as possible. I shall give you as much money as you need to accomplish the job. The future Mrs. Darcy, with the assistance of Mrs. Reynolds, will order the furnishings as soon as the framing of the rooms is completed.”
Bethel shook Darcy’s hand. “I congratulate you on your forthcoming nuptials, sir. If you will excuse me, I shall ride to Lambton and see where we stand with building supplies, as well as hiring the right men to do the work.”
“Thank you, Bethel. Spare no expense, I want the job done well.” As Bethel left the room, Darcy contemplated their conversation. Elizabeth Bennet as mistress of Pemberley! Had he done the right thing when he proposed?
* * *
Darcy wished to be generous, but these nagging doubts about his engagement caused him to hesitate in deciding the terms of the marriage settlement.
Would it make sense to do so if he was not certain of the marriage itself?
Shortly after asking for her hand, he and Elizabeth had decided to marry at the end of June.
He needed to ask Mr. Hartford to prepare the marriage contract but he was unwilling to travel to town.
Perhaps the new young solicitor in Lambton could help.
Darcy planned to call on him soon. Perhaps this would help solidify his intensions.
* * *
“Will you describe what one would see when they entered the original house? Judging from the brick and stone that remain, it was quite a large structure.”
As they entered through the charred front door, Darcy pointed out different areas to Elizabeth.
“This was the entry hall, and as you can see, the towering ceiling was adorned by a magnificent fresco which I hope can be restored or repainted one day. Lady Beatrice told me she planned to have it painted over because ‘frescoes were so passe’.” They shook their heads at the absurdity of her comment.
“When we were not in residence, visitors were welcome to tour the gardens and several of the public rooms of the house.” Darcy pointed to the charred remains on one side of the entrance.
“There was, and will be again, a grand staircase leading to the upper floors. If you look down through the soot, you can see the pattern of black and white marble tiles which remain and I hope can be brought back to the way they were. The furniture and other artwork were chosen by my mother. I remember her chambers had lovely lace draperies and beautiful wallpaper replicating the colours of her garden. When the rebuilding is complete, you can decorate your rooms to your liking. However, until the floors above us are no longer in danger of collapse, this is as far as we can go.”
“You have lost so much for one so young.”
He placed his hand over hers, “Yes, but since I met you, look how much I have gained.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, I knew you could be romantic if you tried.”
“I can be charming at times,” he replied. “Until now, I never met anyone I wished to charm.” Why did he regret his words as soon as they left his lips? Was he acting a part? Not speaking the truth about his sentiments but rather, in his opinion, what Elizabeth probably wished to hear?
“When my younger sisters described a handsome young man as charming, my father always said, ‘there is no charm equal to the tenderness of the heart’.”
“Your father sounds like a wise man.” More than anything, he would have liked to experience some tenderness for the woman beside him.
“Yes, he was wise and intelligent and a scholar. However, both he and my mother are responsible for what happened to my family,”
“How so?”
“She should have demanded my father make provisions for his family after his death. She never thought about the future, though. Instead, she was too busy gossiping and finding husbands for her daughters to think beyond what her girls would wear to the next assembly.”
“Your family has been resourceful since your father’s death: no one is starving or sleeping in a barn.”
“Yes, I suppose you are correct. I loved my father, but I shall always be disappointed in his indolence. After their weddings, I was looking forward to being a loving aunt to Jane and Mary’s children.
” Tears filled her eyes. “I was the Bennet sister forced to go into service, and that disgrace will never leave me.” They walked in silence until she regained her composure.
“On a better note, I would never have met you if I had not been forced to move to Lambton.” Darcy did not reply but patted the hand that rested on his arm.