Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice)

by Wells, Linda

  “Mr. Bingley!” Jane smiled and turned as they dismounted. “What a pleasant surprise! And Mr. Hurst!”

  “Good morning Mrs. Lucas. I hope that you are feeling well?”

  “Quite well, sir. I understand that Mrs. Hurst is in the family way?”

  “She is, and is as blooming as yourself.” He chuckled and bowed, then looked at Bingley, who had become completely silent. Following his gaze, he saw where his eyes had fixed. “Miss Martin.”

  “Miss Martin.” Bingley echoed, and watched as she climbed into a carriage. “Where is she going?” He swallowed and licked his lips, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart, then startled with the sound of a cough and an oily voice at his elbow.

  “Mr. Bingley! Well this is an honour, sir! My cousin, Mrs. Lucas, is sister to Mrs. Darcy, and I understand from Mrs. Bennet that Mr. Darcy is your very great friend!” Bingley glanced away from Abbey in genuine confusion.

  “I am sorry, sir, I did not catch your name?”

  “Collins, William Collins, I am curate at this fine church,” he waved his hand down the street. “I was most anxious to pay my respects to you at Netherfield, but I was waiting for my Cousin Darcy’s arrival.”

  “Cousin to Darcy?” Bingley’s brow furrowed. “By marriage? I imagine that they will be …” He looked to Jane who was shaking her head with wide eyes. “They will be happy to greet you on Sunday at church.” Seeing her smile, he smiled in return and turned back to speak to Collins only to see the carriage rolling away. “Damn.” He whispered.

  “Mr. Bingley?” Jane’s soft voice entered his ear. “Is something amiss?”

  Bingley sighed and looked back into Jane’s blue eyes. “My brother was correct, Mrs. Lucas, you are blooming.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled and followed his gaze. “I think that is the Long’s carriage.”

  “I thought as much.”

  “If you just go straight down that road for a half mile, you will see a little lane on the left, their home is just there.” Jane tilted her head and watched him. “Perhaps what you seek is there as well?”

  Staring after it, he spoke quietly, “Do you ever wonder what might have been?”

  “Do you?”

  He smiled and looked at his boots, and back up to her. “Not fair. Very well then, no, I do not.”

  “Neither do I.” She smiled and looked around. “Now, you are attracting the attention of the matrons, and my cousin seems to be preparing for a new conversation, I suggest that you get on your way before you are interrogated until dusk.”

  “Excellent idea.” Bingley bowed to her and nudged Hurst. “Come on, I know where we are going.”

  “Well I am glad that at least you do.” He climbed up on his horse and waited for Bingley to mount his. “Where?”

  Bingley pointed in the direction of the Long’s home. “That way.”

  LADY CATHERINE SNIFFED and set down her cup. “Lord Matlock tells me that my niece has returned to school.”

  Mary nodded. “Yes, she should have started this week. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy delivered her, but will be leaving any day now.”

  “I am surprised that he would not employ a companion for her. She has been in school quite long enough. I suppose that she is in Mrs. Darcy’s way and she does not want her underfoot.”

  Mary bristled. “I do not believe that at all, Lady Catherine. My sister was very glad to have Georgiana at home, but since my sister Kit … Catherine has decided to return to our parents’ home, Georgiana thought that she would be happier with girls her own age.”

  “Girls of her circle are educated at home. Mrs. Darcy does not want to spend time with her husband’s sister. I thought as much. Selfish girl.” She reached forward to pick up a piece of cake and rejecting it, set it down.

  “I did not say that, madam.”

  “Mary, she will twist your words to suit her notions, do not give her the pleasure of arguing with you.” Mrs. de Bourgh’s sharp eye met Lady Catherine’s. “Was not Mrs. Jenkinson in your employ to keep Miss de Bourgh out of your way?”

  “What have you done with her?” She snapped.

  “Done?” Mrs. de Bourgh laughed. “Nothing. She has found a comfortable situation with a new family.”

  “When will you begin your family Mrs. de Bourgh?” Lady Catherine turned to Mary. “Rosings should be secured by an heir and not left to be inherited by some distant relative.”

  Mary blushed. “We have only been married a short time, madam. I am sure that one day we will be blessed …”

  “It will not happen unless you work at it, Mrs. de Bourgh. I know many a young wife who left it to the blessings of heaven but that is not what makes babies. I have told Mrs. Michael de Bourgh this.” She looked at Mrs. de Bourgh. “I have told her that as in anything, practice is the key.”

  “Which explains why you were so successful!” Mary said angrily. “I understand that it is not unusual for married women to speak of such subjects, but I will not share the most intimate details of my marriage with you, madam. Please choose another topic.”

  Lady Catherine kept prodding. “Securing an heir for your husband is your most important duty.”

  Mary stood and Mrs. de Bourgh joined her. “I see that you are implacable.”

  “Where are you going?” Lady Catherine demanded. “Sit down!”

  “I will not discuss this subject with a woman who so clearly disliked her own daughter.” She curtsied. “Good morning, Lady Catherine.”

  Mrs. de Bourgh smiled as she watched Mary leave. “Lady Catherine, you have met three of the Bennet girls, they grew up with a terrible mother. None of them will tolerate you, least of all the mistress of Rosings.” She picked up her reticule. “Good day.”

  “Will you return?” Lady Catherine asked. “Alone?”

  “Perhaps.” Mrs. de Bourgh smiled.

  “I understand that you have two grandsons, congratulations.” She added grudgingly.

  “Thank you; it is a great joy to see my daughters happy.” Nodding, she left the room and went to join Mary in the barouche.

  Dabbing her eyes, Mary glanced at her motherin-law. “I am sorry; I just could not remain with her.”

  “I understand, but you will have to learn how to tolerate her. She was working to see you react, and you played right into her hands, until you ended her game and left, of course. That quieted her. Unfortunately, she is your responsibility for the rest of her life.”

  “I know.” Mary sighed. “Lizzy would have remained and argued with her.”

  “I think that is what she was hoping you would do.” Mrs. de Bourgh smiled and patted her arm. “You are young, yet dear. She is lonely.”

  “Oh.”

  “Peter was telling me how happy he is.”

  “He did?” Mary blushed. “That … he does not speak so plainly. I am surprised.”

  “Oh, he did not come out and say it with so many words. But a mother knows her child, at least a mother who takes the time to know her child does. I can tell just by looking at him that he is happy, but he does leave clues.”

  “Clues?”

  “Yes.” Mrs. de Bourgh laughed. “Oh I cannot begin to describe it, in time you will learn his secrets, too.” Tilting her head, she studied Mary, clearly lost in thought. “Are you thinking of Lady Catherine? You did not fail dear, the time had come to face the dragon, and as she is fond of saying, you will improve with practice.”

  “I have seen her.” Mary admitted. “I have not gone out of my way to encounter her, but we did stop at the house if we happened to be passing, but she never really received us properly. She does not frighten me, why should she?”

  “No reason at all. I am pleased that you did try to visit her on your own. I cannot get over her behaviour today.” Mrs. de Bourgh sighed and slapping the reins on the barouche, they set off at a fast trot. “I missed this little conveyance in Portsmouth.”

  “Will you teach me to drive?” Mary watched her with admiration. “Peter would not be a good teacher, I thin
k.”

  “Really?” She smiled and looked over to her. “Why do you think that?”

  “Oh, his captain tendencies come out.” She laughed. “He was trying to teach me to tie some horribly complicated knot and in the end he wound up doing it himself.”

  “Knots are a particular favourite of his; do not give up on him as a teacher so quickly. He taught many a young lad how to survive on a ship. It is a terribly frightening place when you first join up.”

  “Yes, Charlotte was telling me how happy she was that her younger brothers were able to be apprenticed to businessmen instead of having to join the navy. She was so afraid for them, especially after knowing Peter. She questioned him very thoroughly and talked to her parents.”

  “I do like my daughters-in-law.” Mrs. de Bourgh said proudly. “Neither of you is shy to take care of those you love.”

  Mary blushed at her hands. “Thank you.”

  “My dear, you must stop looking down when you are praised!”

  “Oh, you can tell that you are Peter’s mother.” She smiled and looked up to Mrs. de Bourgh who laughed.

  “Are your daughters like you?”

  “You have met them.”

  “But we were all on our best behaviour.” Mary smiled again when she laughed and looked ahead. “They seemed different.”

  “They are their father’s girls.” She sighed. “I look at them and I see and hear him. It is fascinating since he saw so little of them. They were a comfort when he was gone. Someday you will understand when you have your own.” Looking over to Mary she squeezed her hand and returned to holding the reins. “Lady Catherine is very unhappy with your marriage to my son.”

  “Why? She seemed to accept Peter and you.”

  “I was not mistress of Rosings; I was just looking after the house in her absence. Your taking the role has effectively put the nail in the coffin of everything she ever dreamed about. And no, her daughter’s death did not change her wishes.”

  “She is so bitter. And now she feels the loneliness she created.” They pulled up to the house and Peter appeared.

  “You survived!” He grinned and came to help his mother and Mary down. “How was it?”

  “She expressed surprise that you have pursuits beyond your wife.” Mrs. de Bourgh laughed.

  “She does not understand pursuits of work and pursuits of the heart.” He smiled and kissed Mary’s cheek. “Any other pearls of observation?”

  “Nothing any different from the usual.” She pointed at the back of the barouche. “She did present us with a gift.”

  Curiously, he lifted out a portrait. “This is Anne.” He looked up. “Why would she want to be rid of it?”

  “She said that it belongs in Rosings.”

  Mrs. de Bourgh sighed and looked at the image of the sickly woman. “I have a suspicion. Mary, would your mother treasure a portrait of you or Elizabeth?”

  “Treasure?” Mary looked confused. “No. But she might brag about us to guests for our successful marriages.”

  “Ah that is it. She no longer wishes to look upon her daughter; it reminds her of the girl who died before achieving her goal to remain mistress.”

  “Perhaps she feels guilt for how she neglected her.” Peter suggested.

  Mary glared. “Anne should stay with her, to remind her of how she died!”

  “And she would respond that if she had not died, your husband would not be the master, he would still be on a ship somewhere, and you would be a spinster.” Mrs. de Bourgh looked at the portrait sadly.

  “Well, I am the master, and this was once the mistress. Let’s give her a place of honour in our home. She belongs here.” He smiled at Mary. “This will be a reminder to us how to care for our children one day.”

  “I did not need Lady Catherine to remind me of that.” She hurried ahead of him and opened the front door. “I had my own to teach me that.”

  “DO NOT BE RIDICULOUS, LIZZY!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Of course you are staying here! We have all the room in the world! You can take your old chamber and Mr. Darcy may have Jane’s, and of course Kitty will be in her old room. I suppose we have a place for your maid in the cellar.”

  “Mrs. Annesley is not a maid, Mama. She is Kitty’s companion. It is a mark of her,” Elizabeth thought quickly, “standing that she has a companion to guide her through her coming out.”

  “Her standing!” Mrs. Bennet preened.

  “Yes, Mama.” Elizabeth glanced at Darcy who turned away to hide his expression, and noticed Lucas shaking his head. “After all, she did attend one of the most fashionable schools for girls in London; it would not do for her to lose all the good of that education by not having it reinforced now that she is out. Mrs. Annesley will make sure that she is well-versed in what is required to make a very successful match. So you must be sure to let her do her job, she knows what is required to prepare Kitty for her future life.”

  “Kitty is so fortunate to have these opportunities, Mama.” Jane added.

  “Yes! And with your connections you will put her in the way of rich men! Just imagine what my granddaughter will have!” Mrs. Bennet said eagerly and bending towards Rosalie stood up in surprise when the baby squealed and ran blindly into Jane’s legs. She lifted her up and cooed, swaying back and forth, then meeting Elizabeth’s eye, walked out of the room and outside. Lucas followed after her. Mrs. Bennet recovered herself. “Well. She may stay in the attic.”

  “I was thinking of the small chamber by Kitty’s, Mama.” Elizabeth said quietly.

  “That seems appropriate.” Mr. Bennet spoke up.

  “Oh. Very well then. I suppose that is fine. Now then, Mrs. Darcy, you will be staying …”

  “Mrs. Bennet, we are guests of Mr. Bingley. We will be departing for Netherfield directly.” Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Clearly our daughter is in need of rest.”

  “But Mr. Darcy, I have never hosted you!” She protested then stopped. “But since you are to be in residence there, we will have to call upon Netherfield to see you.” Everyone could almost see the gears turning in her mind. “And then Kitty may meet him!”

  “I have already met him, Mama.” Kitty said with a sigh. “Many times.”

  “That is not what I meant.” Mrs. Bennet said sharply.

  “No, it is not, Mrs. Bennet, but fortunately, I did understand your meaning. Leave the man be. He will have every other mother of the neighbourhood hounding him. He does not need you adding to his burden.” Mr. Bennet spoke decisively and when he looked away he caught Darcy giving him an approving nod. “If he is attracted to our daughter, he will have ample opportunity to make that known, but we will not chase him like some prize turkey.”

  “Goose.” Elizabeth said softly. “Mr. Bingley is too handsome to be a turkey.”

  “A truly noble bird.” Darcy’s lips twitched and he saw her eyes light up.

  “But he is silly enough to be a goose?”

  “A gander, love.” He whispered. “Do not emasculate the poor man.”

  “I would not think of it.”

  “Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “What on earth are you doing, talking of birds! Mr. Darcy, how you manage to tolerate this girl running on as she does; I will never know!”

  Darcy’s hand squeezed Elizabeth’s. “Mrs. Darcy is the most intelligent and fascinating woman I have ever known madam, to apply the measure of tolerability to her is an insult to her worth.”

  “Did I insult you, Lizzy?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.

  She sighed. “Not directly, Mama.”

  Lucas stuck his head in the door. “Rosalie is becoming quite restive.”

  “Yes, she has had a disruption to her routine.” Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “We really must go.”

  “That child does not travel well.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed. “As soon as she saw me she began to cry.”

  “She is tired, Mama.” Elizabeth murmured. They began to leave and Mrs. Bennet caught Elizabeth’s arm. She let go of Darcy and he reluct
antly continued out with the rest of the family. “Yes, Mama?”

  “Lizzy, I did not want to say this in front of Mr. Darcy, but,” she glanced around, “you must watch what you eat.”

  “Pardon?”

  “I know that you live the high life with him, but you are looking quite round in the face, Miss Lizzy. And your middle is thickening. You do not want to drive Mr. Darcy away! You must give him a son, but it will not do for him to have to lie with an unappealing wife. I suppose all that walking you used to do had some usefulness, but now you are getting fat and lazy!”

  Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. “Fat and lazy?”

  “You said that he will never take a mistress, but if you continue to widen as you are, he will surely be driven to take one to satisfy his carnal desires. No man wants to visit an ugly woman, and he should not have to work so hard to do his duty.”

  “I … Work hard?”

  “Well to ignore your looks, of course, and as you grow, it will only become more difficult to … you know.” She nodded knowingly. “You might have to lay in undignified ways!”

  “Undignified?” She blinked and tried to wrap her mind around the visions her mother inspired.

  Nodding vigorously, she continued, “Now dear Jane is doing her duty by Mr. Lucas, and I am certain that she will give him a son, just look at how pregnancy suits her! She simply glows as she increases! But she is so beautiful, how can she not? I knew right away that she was with child.” She watched from the window as Jane handed Rosalie over to Darcy. “My baby holding a baby, it makes one quite emotional. She will be a wonderful mother.”

  “Rosalie is my baby.” Elizabeth said softly, passing her hand over the one she carried. Looking around the familiar environment of her childhood, she felt very much like the little girl being found wanting once again.

  Mrs. Bennet continued her scolding. “Yes, and you will never have another if you continue to let yourself go! Mr. Darcy should not have to swallow his disgust to get his son!”

  Elizabeth snapped out of her reverie, “Enough, Mama. You have absolutely no idea of what you speak, and I have no intention of listening to more of this balderdash. I am leaving now before I say something I will undoubtedly not regret.” She spun on her heel and headed straight for the carriage. “Good night, Papa.” She nodded to him. “Kitty, bless you for staying here, you know that we will come to your rescue if needed.” She took Rosalie right out of Darcy’s arms and hugged her fiercely. “Come, sweetheart.”