Desire and Duty: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

by Ted Bader

  “I feel good about our apology having been received and that Juliet turned out to be a lovely dog. I do not know whether the illness of Sir William Staley is restraining him or what the effect of our proposal was; still, at least he is cognizant of your feelings.”

  Georgiana stood and hugged her brother’s head and neck while he remained seated. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for your effort tonight. The outcome is now in the hands of the Almighty.”

  So saying, she ascended the stairs to her room. She slept better this night than any other, since Thomas left Pemberley.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The following day, Georgiana avoided pacing in front of the parlor window. She tried to practice her pianoforte and harp, but her effort was listless. Her best diversion turned out to be playing with Andrew, John and Maria in the south garden; however, she found herself involuntarily looking up at the bridge and the road beyond it—hoping for signs of Thomas. The day dragged by. She slept restlessly that night and in the morning, after breakfast, found herself pacing in front of the window she had tried to avoid the day before. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and the entire household watched her, with concern for her well-being. She, who had been so gracious and loving to them as family members and servants, was now in deep distress and anxiety.

  Finally, after two hours of watching, Georgiana said to Elizabeth, “I am going up to Becker’s point. There, at least, I can see Staley Hall. Staring at the road and bridge only causes me distress.”

  She was thinking absent-mindedly as she approached the last portion of the ascent, where it began to flatten out. She stopped. A man was sitting on a rock looking towards Staley Hall. Was it Thomas? She was certain it was; but, she had the uncertainty of one who has wished for a sight so long that, when it comes, they disbelieve their senses. He turned, apparently at the sound of the rustle of her dress. He stood. His face showed surprise and a slight smile. She approached him tentatively and stood about six feet away.

  “Thomas, it is good to see you,” she said.

  She felt a little awkward as he said, “Georgiana, it is good to see you.”

  Her previous resolve for courage began to melt away. She wanted to speak before it was gone entirely. “Do you understand what my brother told you two days ago?”

  He looked to the ground and said, “Yes, but my lady, I have so little to offer you. Staley Hall is nearly in ruins.”

  “Thomas,” she said softly, “I am not interested in the character of your wealth, but the wealth of your character.”

  In disbelief, he asked, “Would you condescend to marry me, the son of a poor baronet?”

  “Au contraire, mon amour, it is you who condescends to marry me. My heart. . . my heart is all yours, if you will have me.”

  She saw his face turn to joy. “I never stopped loving you,” he said, as he came and took her hand. They began walking towards Pemberly Hall. She took his arm and, sensing his physical strength, felt her heart well up with love. Every look between them became a smile, every step a spring, every feeling a joy!

  As they began the descent, Georgiana espied Andrew down by the lake. He looked as if he spotted them and ran into Pemberley Hall. From a distance, she could see the front steps of the hall begin filling with servants and family. The boys and Maria ran up the trail to meet the young couple at the lake, happily exclaiming, “Thomas is back! Thomas is back!”

  When they reached the couple, Thomas took Maria into his arms, as the two boys walked on each side of Thomas and Georgiana for the remaining distance to the front of the hall. While there was a joyous clapping of the household, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy hugged Georgiana and Thomas. Georgiana noted the wide smile and look of approval on Mrs. Reynold’s face.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  After an hour or so of celebration and recapitulation of their journeys to this point, Thomas asked Georgiana to return to Staley Hall with him to share the news with his ill father. She readily assented and Mr. Darcy instructed the carriage be brought about for them.

  Arriving at Staley Hall a half-hour later, they were ushered into the bedroom of Sir William Staley. It was a large room with dark paneling. Two medium-sized windows admitted a good amount of daytime light. Sir William was propped up on many pillows in his four-poster bed, with the curtains drawn back. He instantly guessed what the sounds of many steps coming towards his room represented and was smiling as the door opened. Georgiana entered, followed by Thomas.

  “Father, my greatest dream has come true. I wish to introduce Georgiana, the woman who has consented to make me happy the rest of my life.”

  Sir William replied, “Georgiana, what do you have to say about this?”

  “I am thrilled that Thomas has asked me to be his wife.”

  Sir William coughed and said, after a moment, “Excellent! This is exactly what your mothers wanted.”

  “What do you mean, father?” Thomas queried.

  “Neither of you know this, but I recall the day your mother and I took you, Thomas, as a two year old to visit Lady Anne after Georgiana’s birth. Lady Marilyn and Lady Anne expressed their wishes that you two might eventually marry.”

  “Why did you not tell us this sooner?” Thomas asked.

  “Your mothers realized that if they proposed your union, you would surely oppose it. They were wise enough to take the secret to their graves. I have been sorely tempted to mention it at times, but I am glad I held my tongue. After Lady Anne passed away, your mother, Thomas, rejoiced to teach Georgiana music and French until she died three years later. What you may not know Georgiana, is that she considered you as the daughter she was never able to have.”

  Georgiana replied, “Oh, what solace Lady Marilyn was to my heart after my own mother died. I wanted so much to imitate her elegance and love of music.”

  “Now, I can die in peace,” Sir William replied.

  “Father, do not say so. You must live to attend our wedding.”

  “I do not think I am going to live much longer. I believe the doctors gave me a much too optimistic outlook.” He coughed again and took a few moments to recuperate. He continued, “Please do not wait for the completion of the mourning period for me before you marry. You have my permission to get married by special license as soon as possible. . . . I go to my grave a contented and blessed man to have my son forgive me, and to see Staley Hall in the hands of my son and daughter who love it. I prophesy Staley Hall will once again achieve the glory it had generations ago. I am sorry I have handed it to you in such decrepit condition.”

  “Pray, Father, do not exert yourself any longer.”

  “Go now, my son and daughter, in the knowledge that you have given the greatest blessing a father can have--the expectation of felicity in marriage for his only heir.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  On her wedding day, Georgiana arose early and, once again, went to sit before the portrait of her mother. While holding her beloved Phillip in her lap, she spoke softly to the picture, “I now understand what you have been trying to tell me. I am glad I was able to discover it for myself. . . . You would be proud of the man Thomas has become. I hope I can love him as much as you loved father. . . .I wish you could be here today. At times like this, I especially miss you. . . . Wearing your wedding dress will remind me of you.” With a great sense of peace, she returned to her rooms to finish preparing herself for the wedding.

  As he predicted, Sir William Staley passed on two weeks before. Reverend Henry Westbrook had given the eulogy at the funeral and now joyously led the wedding ceremony. In discussions with the couple, he had expressed his increasing approval that the relationship in Christianity should mirror the union of man and wife. That is, it should be felt as a desire as well as a duty. Reverend Westbrook thanked Thomas for earlier discussions which had served to enlighten him.

  Georgiana walked into the back of the chapel with he
r brother at her side. Her heart began to fail her as she saw many people she knew, but many she did not. This was so much different from playing a pianoforte for a group she did not have to look at. She began to tremble, until she saw Thomas at the end of the aisle. How she loved him! His masculine strength gave her renewed courage as she approached him. She would now have refuge and security in him. To marry an honest and kind man had been the hope of her heart all along. Her desire to never leave Pemberley was also fulfilled, since she could look upon the grounds of Pemberley Manor every day of her life through the windows of Staley Hall. She could walk to Pemberley House anytime she chose to do so.

  Soon, she was hearing, “Georgiana, will you take this man to be your lawful husband? To stand by him for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer? If so, say, ‘I do’.”

  The wedding present of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy was to refurbish the inside and outside of Staley Hall. The workmen had finished the main rooms of the hall under the careful eyes of Elizabeth, Georgiana and Thomas. Much work remained on the guest rooms and the bedchambers. As the couple returned after their wedding, the outside of the hall and the two entry gardens were still being worked on.

  Our story ends as the Darcy family is visiting Staley Hall a month later, after the workmen were done. They were seated in the front parlor with Thomas. Georgiana is singing, “Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, and playing her pianoforte. Our viewpoint exits the front door of a revived house, into a beautiful garden, listening to the sounds of a melodious voice once again overflowing Staley Hall.

  Epilogue

  “No legacy is so rich as honesty”

  Shakespeare

  In the year following the marriage of Thomas and Georgiana, Mrs. Bennet suddenly took ill and died. Mr. Bennet, now alone at home after the marriage of his daughter, Mary, elected to relieve the distress of Mr. Collins by ceding Longbourn to him and dividing his time among the households of his three daughters in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

  Mr. Collins, though he never became a perfect conversationalist, was much improved after his humbling experience in losing his position as rector of Hunsford Park. He sensed the charity of Mr. Bennet and thrived in the knowledge that Longbourn could not be taken from him. He even helped the vicar of Longbourn in visiting the parish of Meryton, in contrast to his former ways of only worrying about his sermon.

  Social intercourse between Pemberley House and Staley Hall became very frequent. All members moved back and forth, but Maria came most frequently for music lessons and continuation in French by her aunt. Maria felt, not without basis, that she had helped her aunt and new uncle unite in love.

  Staley Hall thrived. More domestic help was hired. Part of Georgiana’s dowry was used to widen and lengthen the small road which wound through the manor. Due to the economic downturn in the cotton mills of nearby Ashton, several families returned to rebuilt and expanded cottages. Soon the manor of Staley Hall was producing income again, so that Thomas was encouraged about the long-term outlook.

  Sir Thomas and Lady Georgiana Staley were to remain at Staley Hall for the remainder of their lives; except, for a four year period, when they responded to a call of the French and His Majesty’s government to serve as ambassadors to France for England.

  The request originated from the newly appointed minister of foreign affairs, General D’arbley. After a few meetings with the gracious Lady Georgiana, he dropped all resentment of the Darcys. He was certain to introduce the Staleys to any domestic or foreign dignitary with enthusiasm.

  Did Georgiana always remain shy? No. While preferring to be a private person, her social abilities blossomed in the security of the love Thomas gave. Indeed, the French court boasted the Staleys as the most delightful English ambassadors in memory. Sir Thomas was esteemed as a man of wit and honesty. Lady Georgiana was often requested to play the harp at embassy dinners. The calmness and peace, which ensued after her performances, created a perfect atmosphere for the international negotiations which followed. After four years, they returned to Derbyshire elevated in all the eyes of that district.

  While history tells us that much of Derbyshire was affected by unrest, the manors of Pemberley House and Staley Hall were untouched, since their tenants reckoned their squires just and generous. What happened to the Darcy children? Andrew had to overcome . . . and eventually married. . . . John underwent great adventures as a . . . Maria grew to be a . . . and ended up . . . . These stories about the family of Elizabeth Bennet Darcy are continued in another book.

  Historical Notes

  Chapter One

  In attempting to recreate language of nearly two hundred years ago, writers are faced with an immediate problem: Are words to be understood in their early nineteenth century context or late twentieth century usage? Since we are conveying a story, rather than playing a philological game, the authors elected the latter approach of current usage.

  Words which now have different connotations (e.g., chatty, genteel, inmate) are avoided. Words that were commonly used by Jane Austen, and which still have the same meaning (e.g., wretched, mortify, amiable), are used liberally. Words not introduced until after the year 1815 are excluded (We had to discard “girlfriend” [1859] and “sleuthing”. [1872]).

  The authors do not claim to have perfectly imitated Jane Austen’s syntax. In Jane Austen’s English, by K.C. Phillips, the sentence structuring of the famous author is analyzed in detail.1 While minute details of her language exist, the most helpful generalization is that her sentence structure reflects the King James Bible (without the archaic vocabulary). The authors grew up immersed in this type of ‘high English” and thus have some understanding in its composition.

  The reader should note, when direct action is contemplated, Jane Austen preferred using the words “shall” and “should” to our current “will” and “would”.

  Servants say very little in Jane Austen’s novels. The greatest exception, however, is Mrs. Reynolds in Pride and Prejudice, who offers many lines. The tradition of Mrs. Reynolds having a major conversational role will be continued.

  Jane Austen notes the relationship between Elizabeth and Georgiana as:

  “The attachment of the [new] sisters was exactly what Darcy

  had hoped to see. They were able to love each other, even as

  well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion

  in the world of Elizabeth. . .” (chapter 61, Pride and Prejudice).

  Chapter Two

  The first interaction here between Mr. and Mrs. Darcy has been presaged in Jane Austen’s chapter 50 and 60.

  The Josiah Wedgewood china company began in 1769 and was very well known. An early company design consisted of a green and gold pattern.

  Pemberley Hall is a mythical estate, the location of which, in Derbyshire, has perplexed many Austenites. Many critics feel Jane Austen based it upon Chatsworth. It is the only estate of sufficient grandeur in Derbyshire to match Pemberley.2 In Pride and Prejudice, she mentions Chatsworth on the way to Pemberley; however, this may be a deliberate red herring. The similarities are many, but the item that clinches the identity (for the authors) is that Gainsborough’s famous painting of “Lady Georgiana” was present at Chatsworth in 17903 and Jane Austen undoubtably visited Chatsworth in 1806.4 Interestingly, when the painting of Lady Georgiana sold in 1876, for 10,100 guineas, it was the highest price ever paid for any painting in the world up to that time.3 Our description of Pemberley, as with Jane Austen, only vaguely resembles Chatsworth. The geography of the area does match the Peak district in England.

  The appearance of our heroine matches Jane Austen’s description of Georgiana, rather than the painting.

  Westbrook Hall is also mythical. Staley Hall actually exists in ruins on the edge of Derbyshire in Cheshire (now Manchester). My (TFB) great grandmother, Leah Belle Staley, was a descendent of Staley Hall. We have nudged
Staley Hall a little distance into Derbyshire to be north of Pemberley Hall for the story.

  The spaniel breed of dog was the companion of the most aristocratic members of society. These dogs were frequently included in family portraits.5

  The comments concerning Fanny Burney were taken from Elizabeth Jenkins.6 It is well known that Fanny Burney influenced Jane Austen. Camilla was published in 1796 by subscription and Jane Austen’s name is on the list of subscribers. Further, it is likely Jane Austen took the title of Pride and Prejudice from the last chapter of Miss Burney’s Cecilia, where this phrase is mentioned three times. William Cowper was one of Jane Austen’s favorite poets.4 Thus, it seems very appropriate to introduce references to Jane Austen’s favorite authors.

  Chapter Three

  We are now assembling our characters as Jane Austen would have wanted. Her oft quoted statement to a young author, “You are now collecting your people delightfully, getting them exactly into a spot as is the delight of my life; three or four families in a country village is the very thing to work on. . . .”

  Chapter Four

  The letter from Elizabeth’s Aunt Gardiner is previewed in Pride and Prejudice, where Mrs. Gardiner asks for a ride “round the park [of Pemberley in a] low phaeton, with a nice little pair of ponies”. A phaeton was a light, four-wheel carriage with open sides drawn by one or two horses. It sometimes applied to a carriage driven by its owner rather than a coachman.7

  Seating guests for a large dinner party was an ordeal for any hostess. Social rank was the most important determinate in seating and a mistake here was cause for alarm. Daniel Pool’s reference7 tells us that Burke’s Peerage could be consulted to get social ranks correct.