My Cousin Caroline: The acclaimed Pride and Prejudice sequel series The Pemberley Chronicles Book 6

by Rebecca Ann Collins

  I am glad most of the campaign for the Reform Bill is complete. I shall now be able to concentrate my attention upon my darling children and Fitzy for a while. I think it may be another boy; but it does not signify, since we have dear Edward and Isabella. Pray only please, Emmy, that he or she will be healthy and strong…

  Emily Gardiner, who had been busy that year with her own interests, smiled as she read her sister's note.

  She knew her well; Caroline might withdraw from the fray awhile and enjoy the love and warmth of her family, especially with a new baby, but Emily knew it would not be long before her sister would be drawn back into the struggle.

  Single-minded and dedicated, her work would not be done, “not until we get the babes out of the mines and into school,” Caroline had once said, and Emily was certain she had meant every word.

  END OF PART ONE

  CAROLINE'S THIRD CHILD, DAVID, was born in the Summer of 1833. A solemn little boy with deep, serious eyes, he was the very opposite of his high-spirited brother Edward, whose energy and sense of fun made him a great favourite with everyone. Thoughtful and slight, David was said to take after the colonel in his youth. Mrs Reynolds remembered and remarked upon the likeness.

  “He'll be a gentle lad surely,” she said, “just like his father,” and his mother agreed.

  The family celebrated his christening at the village church, and the entire populace turned out to congratulate Colonel Fitzwilliam and his wife. They were proud of their new member and his young family; the colonel and Caroline had, by their sincerity and passion for reform and their ceaseless campaigns on behalf of the poor and needy, convinced many who were without the franchise that he would represent them well in the new Parliament. As for his wife, there was not a single voice in the village that would speak out except in praise of her.

  As the nation settled into a new era, with their new king, a new parliament, a new government, and promises of new laws to outlaw bad old practises, an air of optimism had replaced the earlier gloom. The nation basked in relatively favourable economic conditions resulting from prolific harvests, profitable trading contracts, and consequent high levels of employment. If there were impending problems, storm clouds gathering beyond the horizon, hardly anyone was aware of them.

  The Gardiners were visiting Colonel Fitzwilliam and Caroline.

  The topic of conversation turned, as it often did, upon the state of the nation.

  “Manufacturers, tradesmen, and businessmen are all prospering and seem quite content with their lot,” said Mr Gardiner to Fitzwilliam.

  “Do you not believe the working class wishes to improve its conditions or demand political rights?” the colonel asked and to his disappointment, his father-in-law replied, “Not now, while trade is good, business is doing well and paying good wages; however, should there be trouble overseas or a loss of trade, your friend Tom Attwood may well be proved right. A million or more unemployed men will soon make them change their tune.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam shook his head, “Why does it always have to be so? Must we wait to be pushed and shoved into reform? Can we not see that it is in all our interests to change when times are good, rather than wait for the lean years?”

  Mr Gardiner, by now well aware of the principled and idealistic philosophy his son-in-law espoused, smiled and said, not at all unkindly but with the sound knowledge of a practical businessman, “We shall have to change human nature first, Colonel Fitzwilliam, before we see such an attitude prevail; but if the radicals keep at it, their turn will come round again, perhaps sooner than we think.”

  The appearance of Caroline with Mrs Gardiner and the two older children brought their discussion to an end, not because they had exhausted their topic, but because the favourite pastime of all grandparents, that of indulging their grandchildren, could now begin. Both Edward and Isabella were learning to please their elders with songs and poems, and there was little chance, while this was in progress, that there would be any further serious conversation.

  When the children, having delighted them for almost half an hour, went upstairs to bed, however, Mrs Gardiner caught her daughter's eye and, as the gentlemen settled down with their drinks, followed Caroline out of the room.

  Caroline had felt a little anxious all evening, conscious of some disquiet in her mother. Mrs Gardiner was a calm, sensible woman, not easily discomposed, but this evening, she had a somewhat distracted air and Caroline knew her mother was not happy.

  They had barely reached the upstairs sitting room when Mrs Gardiner said in a rather tense voice, “Caroline my love, I fear we have had some bad news.”

  Even before she had finished speaking, Caroline swung round and grasped her mother's hand.

  “Mama, what is it? Is it Richard? Has something happened to Richard?”

  Mrs Gardiner was quick to reassure her, “Oh no, no, it is nothing like that. Richard is well and has settled into his new place in Birmingham with young Mr Antoine. No, Caroline, it is Robert who is in trouble!”

  “Robert's in trouble! Whatever has he done?” Caroline could not believe what she was hearing. Robert, quiet and compliant, what trouble could he possibly be in?

  Mrs Gardiner, having first begged her daughter to keep her voice low lest the servants should hear her and learn of their troubles, proceeded to explain.

  “Last week, your father received a letter from Mr Bartholomew, his manager in London, alerting him to the fact that Robert had disappeared from his lodgings. No, no, do not be alarmed, Caroline, it is not as bad as it sounds; your father and Mr Darcy went to London immediately and found Robert quite safe and well; he had only left his lodgings to avoid his creditors,” said Mrs Gardiner, throwing poor Caroline into even greater confusion.

  “His creditors? What creditors? Why was Robert borrowing money?” she asked, desperate for information.

  Mrs Gardiner then revealed a sad, foolish tale of a naïve young man and his high living, time serving city friends, who had enticed him with favours into borrowing money to pay their gambling debts and then left him to repay the entire loan.

  It was clear to Mrs Gardiner that Colonel Fitzwilliam, whose help Mr Gardiner had enlisted in London, had not, on his return, revealed any of these unhappy circumstances to Caroline, hoping no doubt to keep it from her until everything was settled.

  “Was it a great deal of money that was owed?” Caroline asked and her mother revealed reluctantly that the sum, though not vast, was nevertheless considerable and had meant that her father, in order to repay it, had to place some of his shares in the company with the bank as security against a loan.

  Seeing Caroline's ashen face, for she had never known her father to do such a thing, being a man of sound dealings and great common sense in money matters, Mrs Gardiner tried to assuage the shock and sorrow she clearly felt.

  “You must not worry, my dear. Mr Darcy has kindly offered to guarantee the loan, which is only for a very short term, though on a high rate of interest. Once your father repays the bank and the matter is settled, it will all be right again.”

  Caroline was incredulous. How could such a situation have come about? It seemed so unlikely. She was keen to discover the circumstances, and it was only the sound of David crying in the nursery that distracted her from further questioning her mother, who was not very forthcoming in the first place.

  However, after her parents had left, Colonel Fitzwilliam did not escape her attention quite as easily.

  Waiting only until the maid had left the room with the tea things, she quizzed him about Robert's predicament and demanded to be told everything. She was vexed about being kept in the dark for over a week, when he, being in London with Mr Darcy and her father, had had full knowledge of Robert's situation while she remained at home in ignorance.

  “Robert is my brother, Fitzy, do I not have the right to know if he is in trouble?” she asked and Fitzwilliam explained patiently, “We were all anxious not to alarm you, dearest. Your parents, your mama in particular, begged me
not to reveal the details of your brother's plight, at least until we had the matter satisfactorily settled. I believed, rightly as it turns out, that she intended to break it gently to you. Now she has done so, you may ask me anything you wish to know and I shall answer you.”

  “But, Fitzy, Robert is not as clever as Richard nor as industrious, but he is not a criminal. What was the need to hide it from me? He may have acted foolishly but he has not broken the law, surely?” she persisted.

  “Indeed, no, my love, he has not. But he has shown a lack of sound judgment and, it seems, he is unlikely to pursue his legal studies as had been hoped. But there is good news—your papa has told me just this evening that Robert will accept the position which has been offered to him, one that will enable…”

  Caroline interrupted him. “What position? Who has offered him a position?” she asked, curious and puzzled that her mother had made no mention of this.

  Fitzwilliam explained, at length, “A mercantile house in the colony of Ceylon, the very same firm with whom I worked for some years, has offered Robert a position…”

  “In Ceylon?” Caroline was disbelieving.

  “Indeed, yes,” he replied.

  “But why? Surely he has not done anything so disgraceful as to require banishment to the colonies?” she protested.

  Her husband was at pains to explain.

  “Certainly not. It is not a question of banishment. Robert is heartily sorry for what has happened—he realises that he has cost your papa a great deal of money and much grief. He has asked to be allowed to get away from London— from England, if possible, and the company of his irresponsible friends—for a few years. It was his choice.”

  “But it is so far away,” Caroline cried, still unwilling to accept his explanation.

  “Yes, but consider this, my dearest, Robert will be with an excellent British firm, with sound credentials, and he will gain training in the management of a business, so that on his return to England, he will be ready and able to assist your papa in his company. Think, my love, I went out to the colonies many years ago and had no regrets, save that I had left my dear friends behind, some of whom I missed very much.”

  Ignoring his attempts to divert her attention, she asked, “Will he be safe?” and Fitzwilliam was quick to reassure her.

  “It is a far more peaceful colony today than it was twenty years ago, with many opportunities for a young fellow like Robert. Do not fret, Caroline, it will do him much good, mark my words.”

  Caroline was not easily convinced and, despite his best efforts, she determined to see her father and discover his opinion on the matter.

  On the following day, she took advantage of an opportunity to visit her parents' home, taking her daughter Isabella with her. Mrs Gardiner was about to set off for the local church fair, and when Isabella attached herself to her grandmother and asked to accompany her, Caroline was more than pleased. It would give her all the time she needed. Mr Gardiner, she had been told, was in the study.

  Entering the room that was her father's domain, she found him looking seriously at pages of accounts, which he put down upon seeing her. Greeting her warmly, Mr Gardiner rose and moved to a couch beside the windows. Caroline was his favourite child and she was always welcome.

  They had a good understanding of one another, almost an ability to read each other's thoughts, and for all his good cheer, Caroline could see her father was troubled.

  She went straight to the matter that had occupied her thoughts.

  “Papa, Fitzy has told me everything. I am so sorry; is there not anything we can do to help Robert?” she asked, sitting down beside him.

  Mr Gardiner was touched and took her hand in his.

  “My dear Caroline, your husband has been a tower of strength. It was he helped us locate your brother in London and then found him proper lodgings until arrangements were made to release him from his debt. I could not have done it without Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy,” he said and she asked immediately, “And this debt you owe the bank, how is it to be repaid so you may reclaim your shares?”

  Mr Gardiner flinched and Caroline knew why he had appeared so troubled. She knew how much his company meant to him and how hard he had striven to acquire and develop it. She, as his eldest child, also appreciated how much of the present comfortable situation of their family was owed to the success of his work.

  She understood, above all, what a difficult decision it must have been for her father to place a portion of his shares as security with the bank in order to borrow the money to rescue Robert from the consequences of his indiscretion and naiveté.

  She saw plainly now the anxiety upon his countenance, as he clearly contemplated the loss he had suffered and the enormity of the debt that remained to be repaid. She was determined to know the whole truth.

  Mr Gardiner knew also that Caroline could not be deceived with platitudes and reassuring remarks. He would need to be open with her. She was too astute to be satisfied with some facile explanation.

  “Well, my dear, it is a considerable sum and it will have to be repaid and fairly soon, even if it means selling some of my shares.”

  “No, Papa!” she protested. “You shall not sell any of your shares. That is not fair—it is your life's work and I shall not stand by and let you do this.”

  “Caroline, my child, it may not be necessary, not unless we have a very poor season or business turns down unexpectedly.”

  But she would not let him continue.

  “Papa, please hear me out; I may have little knowledge of business matters, but I do know how very hard you have worked over many, many years, and if you sell any of those shares and subsequently lose control of the company, you will never forgive yourself, nor will you, in the end, forgive Robert for having been the cause of it.”

  Hearing her impassioned plea, Mr Gardiner was himself surprised, not at the intensity of feeling but at the clarity and depth of her understanding of his problem. Once some of his shares were in the hands of others, he could find himself under pressure to dispose of more and may well lose control of his business. He was sufficiently experienced in business to know that predatory buyers of profitable, well-run companies were legion and he had no desire to go down that route.

  Caroline went on, “Please, Papa, let me help. Fitzy has told me how much is owed to the bank; he says you would not let Mr Darcy contribute except to guarantee the loan, so it is entirely yours to repay. Now, I have as much or more in my own trust account and I should like, I would very much wish for you to take some of it, repay the bank, and reclaim the shares you have lodged with them.”

  Mr Gardiner was so astonished, he was speechless for a moment, before he said, “No, Caroline, I cannot take it; that money was placed in trust to give you an independent income, if ever you should need it. God forbid that it should ever come to that, but as in the case of poor Mrs Collins, we are none of us certain of the future and I will not deprive you of it.”

  But Caroline was adamant. “Papa, please believe me, I know what I am suggesting. It will not disadvantage me or my children in any way. We are well provided for and indeed, I should be proud to have been of help, knowing you have done so much for me.”

  Mr Gardiner's amazement was not at her generosity, for he knew her nature well, she was quite capable of such a gesture, but at the calm and collected way in which she appeared to have thought through the entire scheme and the sensible manner in which she had put it to him.

  “It was as if she was accustomed to engaging in this type of transaction every day of the week,” he told his wife later, when describing the events of the morning to her.

  Realising his daughter would not be refused, Mr Gardiner made a counter proposition, suggesting that the shares be redeemed and transferred formally to Caroline, in order that her money be thereafter invested in the company.

  Caroline, after a few moments' thought, agreed, making only one condition: that the matter be kept confidential, except from the partners and her mother.


  “I should not wish it to be common currency among our friends and neighbours. The fewer people who know of the arrangement, the better we shall all be,” she had said and her father agreed.

  Soon afterwards, she set about making the necessary arrangements to have the money made available to Mr Gardiner. Only Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy were privy to the transaction. Both men, like Mr Gardiner, were quite astonished at the remarkable good business sense Caroline had shown, though neither were surprised by the generous impulse that had prompted it. Many years would pass before other members of the family would become aware of her benevolent gesture and the consequences that were to flow from it.

  Quite unaware of all that had transpired to free him of his debt and assured of his family's support and affection, Robert Gardiner sailed for the eastern colonies, where he would work for the next few years.

  Mr Gardiner, buoyed by the ease with which he had solved what might have been a far more intractable financial problem, plunged back into the development of his company, taking it to even greater levels of profitability.