Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (16 page)

Anne chuckled at a memory from her youth. “According to my mother, Lady Anne enjoyed being in company with Mr Darcy because they shared similar interests. They were both great readers, they were passionate about the theatre and they loved to ride. But, that did not stop her from refusing him. She was prejudiced and believed no friend of her brother could be honourable. Lady Anne never disclosed to Mr Darcy the source of her reluctance, so he just kept proposing. Each attempt was different.”

Anne got a sort of a dreamy look as she told the tale of her father-in-law’s success. “Finally Uncle George won her over with his fourth proposal. He recited a detailed list of everything he loved about her. I think there were at least twenty points mentioned. I do not remember all of them, but I remember several that she particularly liked. She loved to tell the story, and her eyes would twinkle as though there was something naughty about it. He told her he loved that she never came late to the theatre, and when there, she paid attention to the players and was not afraid to laugh out loud. He told her he loved the way she sipped her tea and he loved that she refused to bother with people of her sphere she did not find worthy. Her favourite one was, and she really twinkled when she related it, that he loved her excellent seat. He won her because not once on the list did he mention how beautiful she was. He had waxed poetic on her beauty numerous times in the other three proposals. It all seemed very romantic to me.”

Elizabeth thought the tale of Mr Darcy’s parents interesting; but she was anxious to hear about Anne’s husband, so she decided to try humour to hurry her along. “Mrs Darcy, this is all very interesting, but you told me you were going to tell me why Mr Darcy is a good man, and why he would be an excellent parent. So far all you have told me about are his parents, your mother and the Earl.” With a quirk of her eyebrow and a hint of a grin she added, “Are you hoping my desire to silence you will force me to accede to your demands?”

Anne could not help herself and laughed at Elizabeth. “I apologize for the delay, but Mr Darcy’s parents influenced his character just as my mother bears responsibility for many of my failings.”

Clearing her throat, she began her tale again. “I told you earlier that I spent two magical summers at Pemberley. It was glorious because my mother was not there either summer, nor was the Earl; but my Aunt Cassandra, the Countess, came with Edmund and Richard. Those summers I got a glimpse at what family life could be like. The Darcy family was truly like the Gainsborough painting. They were happy. They rode together every morning and they took long walks together with their dogs. Lady Anne played every evening, and we all sang. My aunt and uncle would read to us, and they made the stories come to life by portraying the different characters. Fitzwilliam started reading with them when he was very young; and he would sometimes be a part of the story. Both summers we had a Midsummer picnic. My aunt and uncle would be Titania and Oberon and the rest of us would be their fairy subjects. Friends and neighbours from all over Derbyshire came to the celebration. My husband let Edmund be Puck to get him to participate, but even with that plum role as an inducement, by the second summer he thought it unseemly for him to be a fairy. My cousin Richard and I thought it glorious; especially since my Aunt Cassandra made sparkly wings for us to wear.”

Anne noticed that Elizabeth was enjoying the depiction of the scene she had painted of their idyllic summer. She smiled at Elizabeth as she continued. “Mr Darcy still grieves for his parents. I barely remember my father, so I have no idea what he feels. I do know if my mother died tomorrow, I would probably feel some sadness because she was my mother, but it would not last long. Mr Darcy’s sadness is magnified by the extent of his loss. His longing to get back the joy he once felt consumes him at times.”

Anne made very certain she kept Elizabeth’s eyes focused on her as she continued. “He has tried to recreate that kind of life for Georgiana, but he has not been altogether successful. His wounds have not healed, so he walks around with a face of stone. Others often mistake that look for arrogance. Both Georgiana and Fitzwilliam need someone who could join them in their Darcy rituals of playing chess, reading Shakespeare, telling stories, enjoying music, walking and riding. A baby would be both an obligation and a source of contentment for Fitzwilliam. He is a man who rigidly honours his obligations; and I have seen him when he is joyful. I know he wants to be that way again. Remember back to the night he met you. That was the Fitzwilliam Darcy I knew before his mother died. He so dearly loved to laugh.”

Elizabeth prayed she was making the right decision. Her head told her she was, even though her heart rebelled against the thought that the child would not be in her life as it would have been had the Gardiners raised it. All she had heard told her, Mr Darcy was a good man. He would both provide for her baby; and more important—he would love it. Still, the pang of regret was distressing, but she assumed her anguish would decrease… out of sight, out of mind… or at least she hoped that would be the case. Her family needed this money. It was an enormous sum and would solve all their financial dilemmas. She had to be practical. Twenty three thousand pounds would allow her to both take care of her mother and increase her sister’s dowries… and their chances of marrying well.

Fitzwilliam Darcy left Mr Gardiner in the solarium to await the result of the conference between Anne and his niece. He had pressing business to attend to with Lord Wolfbridge.

His cousin had obviously been expecting his demand to vacate Darcy House. He found him in his sitting room giving instructions to his valet to prepare his things for a move to Elderton House across the square.

Once his cousin’s man had left the room, Darcy began berating Edmund for his despicable behaviour. “You dared to compromise a young woman in my home!” Despite his vehemence, his cousin had greeted the censure with complete disinterest. Instead Lord Wolfbridge sat as his character was being impugned, and with a smile on his face, he casually took a sip of port and proceeded to light his pipe. His scornful action reminded Darcy of their argument in February regarding tobacco. Immediately upon joining them at the townhouse, Edmund had presumed the right to smoke his foul smelling cigars. As master of Darcy House, he had denied his older, titled cousin the privilege. Anne had intervened between the two—arguing like little boys the weighty concepts of social precedence versus property rights—and a pipe had been the compromise. As smoke swirled about Lord Wolfbridge’s smirking countenance, the hated image of that haunted Little Red Riding Hood came to him with a whimper that he must keep his distance because she reeked.

With a supercilious sneer, His Lordship informed Darcy that their disagreement came at a most fortuitous juncture. He had heard from his father that his parents were due to arrive in London within the week, and he had been asked to oversee the opening of their town house in preparation. The Earl and Countess would be holding a ball in a month’s time to announce his engagement to Miss Eleanor Harding.

Darcy could not believe the Viscount’s callous lack of concern that his actions had left a fifteen-year-old with child. He composed himself and spoke forcefully. “Anne is attempting to persuade Miss Elizabeth to allow us to raise the baby as our own. Regardless of the outcome of their conference, you will be expected to pay three thousand pounds as part of this bargain.”

Lord Wolfbridge chuckled at Darcy’s words but said nothing in reply.

Darcy waited for his cousin to express his agreement to his demand, or at the very least his reaction to his cousins’ bold plan. When he realized Edmund’s ploy was to refuse comment, he upped the ante in their contest of wills. He took his next gambit from Miss Elizabeth’s arsenal. “Edmund, you will come up with the funds! You will soon have Miss Harding’s fifty thousand in your possession. I will remember to remind you that you can afford this pittance to keep her, her father and your parents from finding out the content of your character.”

Lord Wolfbridge seemed slightly discomforted by his cousin’s subtle threat, but not enough to concede. He just stared defiantly and took another sip of port. Finally, Darcy decided to put forward his most important demand. “You seem very adept at silence, Your Lordship. I expect you to employ that skill in the future. You will never speak of the negotiations that have taken place today. If you are the cause of anyone finding out the true parentage of this baby, I will make certain the particulars of your foul deed become known to those parties that would be most interested.”

Their audience had resulted in a stalemate. Darcy was left to hope he could count on his cousin’s discretion, but an actual agreement had not been reached. Both he and Lord Wolfbridge would appear very foolish, for materially different reasons, if their actions became known to family and the
ton.

Darcy arrived back in the solarium, just ahead of Anne and Miss Elizabeth. As they entered the room, he could tell from the smile on Anne’s face that she had been successful. Miss Elizabeth was more difficult to read. She was to be given an unprecedented amount of money, but he saw no evidence of joy or even contentment. He watched as she walked to her uncle, and her hand crept into his as she gave him the barest nod to indicate the result of their conference. The audacious young woman was gone, and Miss Elizabeth appeared to him as a child seeking comfort. Georgiana often held on to him in such a fashion. He searched her eyes for understanding. They no longer glittered the way they had, as she had boldly negotiated. Instead they were now murky pools that completely concealed what lay beneath.

13 THE UNSINKABLE ELIZABETH BENNET

The plot was set in motion when Mr Gardiner wrote to Mr Bennet, to inform him of an opportunity for Elizabeth in Derbyshire. An elderly widow friend of Mrs Gardiner’s father and aunt, one Mrs Thomas, needed a lively companion to read to her and write letters. Mr Davies had told his friend of Elizabeth’s talent for telling stories using voices as attested to by his daughter and grandchildren. After hearing of her abilities, Mrs Thomas had been determined to have no other. Elizabeth would be paid a thousand pounds to be her companion. The widow Thomas had no family and was quite wealthy, and Mrs Gardiner’s cousin was her physician. She had a chronic and degenerative illness and was not expected to live long. The unprecedented sum Elizabeth was to be paid was due to the finality of her circumstances and a desire to enjoy her last days. Mr and Mrs Bennet need not fear for their daughter’s reputation for she would be in a remote area of Derbyshire and would not be in any company but that of Mrs Thomas and Mrs Gardiner’s family. They had been assured several times that the opportunity would not leave the unseemly stigma of service as it was much more like an act of Christian charity than work.

This elaborate charade would also lay the basis for explaining the huge amount of money Elizabeth would receive from the Darcys and Lord Wolfbridge. The widow Thomas would be so taken with Lizzy that she would leave her a significant sum and instructions that Mr Gardiner should invest the amount for his under-age niece. The specifics, though never divulged in detail to her parents, would be oft-mentioned as being enough for the provision of Mr Bennet’s wife and children in the event of his untimely passing.

Mr Bennet had replied to Mr Gardiner’s proposal to allow Lizzy to spend months in Derbyshire with doubts, but grudgingly agreed to let his favourite daughter, right arm and eyes delay her return to Longbourn. The compensation was too great to be ignored. Elizabeth, sensing his displeasure, had written to her parents before leaving with the hopes of assuring them they had made the right decision.

July 14, 1806 - London

Dearest Mama and Papa,

I have heard from my aunt and uncle with regard your concern about my taking this position with the widow Thomas. Though I miss you and my sisters, I am of the opinion this opportunity is fortuitous.

Mama, I know you will be irritated with me, but I still have trepidations about being out. London taught me that I am not yet comfortable in the presence of male strangers. If I were home now, I would be a disappointment to you. As Mrs Thomas’ companion, I will be paid handsomely. The one thousand pounds in compensation will be a welcome addition to Jane’s dowry. She deserves to make a great match because, unlike me, she is both good and lovely.

I am looking forward to seeing the peaks. Aunt Gardiner has promised me that her family will ensure I see some of the spectacular views in this country. You know how I love looking out from a high prospect. It always makes me wish I had learned to draw. If I had Kitty’s talent, I would be able to share the sights with you when I return for Christmas.

Papa, I am pleased to hear Mary is such a success as a substitute for me. I am suspicious though, since I believe she wrote your letter and is reading you mine. How am I to trust those are your true feelings? Please, for the good of the estate, limit the time you spend
arguing theology. I am positive she is even better at accounts than I was. She has always been able to add things quickly in her head, and as you know I must do my sums on paper.