Tom O’Connor was beaming, clearly overjoyed. “I can see no objection at all, Mrs Fitzwilliam; it is such a simple device and perfectly legal, too,” he said.
Laura Ann could not help smiling at his joy. She had seated herself beside her mother, keen to observe her responses to the discussion, and she had not been disappointed. Cassandra had been clearly impressed with Caroline’s plan.
“I cannot see anything wrong with the scheme; we shall ask the attorneys to draw up the documents for signing, and I think after that, you need no longer worry about Mr Barwick,” she said, and Tom O’Connor, delighted with this new plan, shook hands with everyone, thanking them for their help, while his sister Marguerite had tears in her eyes and had to leave the room in order to compose herself. She had borne the weight of their fears ever since the letter had arrived, but Tom spoke for all of them. “I have no words to tell you how grateful I am; my sister Marguerite and I were terrified at having to tell my mother of the predicament in which we were placed. We had no idea how we could extricate ourselves from this dreadful situation.”
“It is in our interest too, Mr O’Connor,” said Julian. “I think, had my father been here today, he would have approved of this action totally. We are happy to help you, of course, but the prevention of this type of piecemeal development is very much to the advantage of the Pemberley Estate.”
“It is kind of you to say so, Mr Darcy, and I accept what you say, but I know it has been the means of saving our family from certain ruin.”
As they were dispersing to take tea and refreshments, which had been brought in and laid upon the table by the window, Jessica said quietly, “I think I shall still visit Miss Clarke at Trantford tomorrow. I cannot bear the thought of all those Roman villas dotted around the dales, and even less can I contemplate the felling of those beautiful birches.”
* * *
A few days later, they met again, with Julian, Cassy, and Darcy Gardiner representing the Pemberley Estate, and Tom O’Connor and his sister Marguerite acting for their mother. In the presence of their lawyers, a cheque for one hundred pounds was passed to Tom and his sister and immediately deposited with their attorney for safe keeping, while the title deeds for Willowdale Farm were placed in the hands of Mr Darcy’s attorney. Confidential letters were exchanged which set out the reasons for the arrangement.
Subsequently, a letter sent from the lawyers representing the Pemberley Trust to the Barwick’s agents made it clear that Willowdale Farm was not available for sale. Whether this alone was sufficient to discourage Mr Barwick would never be known, for some weeks later, his agents were informed by attorneys for the Clarke family that Trantford Manor was no longer available for sale to Mr Barwick. In fact, they claimed that they had had a better offer, which they were inclined to accept, although they did not reveal from whom the offer had been received.
At the site of the old workhouse, however, demolition and construction went on apace, and as the weeks passed, a strange dwelling, more suited to accommodate an ancient Roman dignitary and his entourage than the family of a hardware manufacturer from Birmingham, rose higher every day. As it neared completion, assisted by a veritable army of workmen, the Barwick family were seen visiting the site, and the ladies, all fashionably attired and coiffured, as described by their neighbours, seemed almost as grotesque as the building they expected to inhabit.
Tom O’Connor saw and loathed every brick and stone in the wretched edifice and thanked Laura Ann, God, and Caroline, in that order, every day that Willowdale Farm had been spared a similar fate.
* * *
Freed from the dullness of his job as an inventory clerk and admitted to the hallowed offices of the Matlock Review, Tom O’Connor seemed to gain a new sense of confidence and appeared altogether more cheerful than before, which pleased Laura Ann.
Their friendship deepened quickly, as each admitted their interest, first to themselves and then to each other. By the end of Autumn, it was becoming increasingly obvious to those who knew and saw them together often that their feelings were deeply engaged.
He was clearly enchanted by her, never having known a young woman of such thoughtfulness and charm, who was blessed also with a delicate beauty that quite belied her determination and strength. As he became better acquainted with her family, most particularly her mother, Tom O’Connor saw that these were attributes they shared. Cassandra Gardiner was without any doubt one of the most remarkable women he had ever had the good fortune to meet, and her delightful daughter had clearly inherited many of her qualities, together with a disarming openness of disposition that he had never encountered in a young lady before.
When his sister Marguerite teased him about Laura Ann, he had admitted that he loved her, but when she had asked whether he intended to propose to her, he had replied, “If only I had been in Ireland and Laura Ann had been the girl next door, I should have proposed already. But, my dear sister, I am sure you will agree that I have far too little to offer her at this time. Can you imagine what her family will say to an offer from me? I shall have to earn myself a reasonable promotion at the Review before I can even contemplate such a possibility.”
Marguerite O’Connor urged her brother not to undervalue himself. “You do realise, do you not, Tom, that many girls do not regard money as the most important requirement for happiness? I believe Laura Ann would agree with me that love and nobility of character are of much greater consequence. While she may make her own judgment regarding your character, she cannot know that you love her unless you tell her so. Have you told her yet that you love her?” she asked.
Her brother coloured and replied, “I have not, but I am quite sure she must know how I feel. She is so exceptional, so enchanting, I doubt that I have been able to conceal my feelings for her, even though I have not told her in so many words.”
Marguerite’s counsel was succinct. “My dear brother,” she said, “I would strongly advise you to do so at the earliest opportunity, even if you must explain that for practical reasons, you feel unable to make an offer of marriage now. A lady likes to know she is loved and will make allowance for the fact that a man must sometimes delay a formal offer until his financial circumstances permit him to do so. If she knows how you feel, she may be willing to wait, but not if she has no notion at all of your feelings for her.”
“Do you really think so?” asked Tom, not entirely convinced.
She nodded. “I do, and what is more, I believe that there is a good chance that Laura Ann may well return your affection. I have observed her closely when we are all together, and I think I have seen the signs,” she said, and placing a hand upon his arm, she wished him luck in his quest.
* * *
Miss O’Connor was almost correct in her assessment of Miss Gardiner’s state of mind, for Laura Ann was so completely fascinated by everything about Tom O’Connor, she had already confessed to her sister, Lizzie, that she did not think anyone else would ever measure up to him in her estimation.
“Lizzie, I think I have not met any other person, neither man nor woman, who can so utterly and delightfully hold my attention. When he speaks, it is clear that he has the eyes and soul of a poet, which is apparent even if he is only talking about the most ordinary things,” she declared, and when her sister asked for an illustration of this extraordinary quality, she’d said, “Just the other day, we were discussing clouds.”
“Clouds?” Lizzie repeated, wishing to be clear she had heard right.
“Hmmm. I said I had always thought of clouds as great mounds of cotton wool filled with rain, being pushed around the sky by the wind.”
“And what did Tom say?”
“He agreed; he said they might look like that sometimes, perhaps before a shower of rain, but he said that was just a perception and we ought not see them only in that light. He said clouds could also be light and fanciful and full of sunlight; wisps of cloud could often be seen on a Summer’s day, flying like flocks of white birds or floating like butterflies across the sky, a
nd before a storm, great towering clouds might look like mountains rising above an angry sea. Clouds, he said, could do all sorts of amazing things. It was only a matter of catching them when they were doing it, he said.”
“And have you? Caught them looking like that, I mean,” asked Lizzie, quite astonished at this poetic streak in her young sister.
Laura Ann laughed. “Indeed I have, I went out very early one morning before breakfast and lay on the little lawn behind the conservatory so the maids could not see me and think I was mad! I looked up at the sky and there, exactly as Tom had said, were flocks of little light clouds, floating very gently across the sky. They could quite easily have been white birds or butterflies. It was beautiful, Lizzie. I had never thought to look at clouds that way before. When I told Tom about it, I thought he would laugh and tease me, but he smiled and said, ‘You must do more such observing, Laura Ann; if you do, you will see many more wonderful things that are often hidden from us as we walk upright, never noticing what flies above us or lies below at our feet.’
Lizzie laughed and said she would look out for her sister next time she went into the woods. “I expect to see you, lying prone in the grass, looking at the ladybirds and caterpillars as well as the clouds.” Then in a more serious voice she looked directly at Laura Ann and asked, “And when you have had your fill of lying in the meadows and looking at clouds and butterflies and birds, Laurie dear, what do you think you are going to do about Mr Tom O’Connor?”
She was teasing her young sister and did not expect the response she received. “I believe I am going to marry him, Lizzie,” she said.
Lizzie was speechless, not so much at the content of her answer but the calm insouciance of her manner.“Are you sure?” she asked.
Laura Ann answered candidly, “I am.”
“And has he proposed to you?”
“Not yet, but he will, I think, when he is ready.”
“And do you know if he loves you, Laurie?” Lizzie persisted, a little concerned at her young sister’s absolute certainty.
“I know he does, but I don’t know if he knows it yet. But I am sure he will quite soon,” Laura Ann replied.
Lizzie knew better than to probe further, but it was quite clear to her that young Laura Ann had made her decision and it was unlikely that anything anyone could say would change her mind.
* * *
Richard Gardiner had travelled to London to attend a conference of physicians when Caroline came to visit Cassandra, ostensibly to report the glad tidings that the council had refused approval for the Barwicks to build three more mansions at the farm he had acquired outside of Matlock. “I received the information just last afternoon; I understand that the councillor who originally promised to ensure that it would all be approved is assisting the constabulary with their enquiries,” she declared, clearly gloating.
“Oh Caroline, that is such good news! Laura Ann will be so pleased,” said Cassy.
They moved into the sitting room where tea was served, and as the maid departed, Caroline said, “Speaking of Laura Ann, Cassy, you cannot be unaware that she and young Tom O’Connor are…”
“Falling in love?” Cassy completed her question.
“Yes, or at least are very close to it. I am not putting this to you as something that must cause consternation, Cassy; in truth, they are both such attractive young persons that I take some delight in seeing them together, knowing they will inevitably fall in love. Nor am I attempting to interfere in matters concerning your family; I accept it is entirely something that you and Richard must resolve,” she said.
Cassandra smiled, knowing how well Caroline loved her young niece. “But I could not help wondering how you would both respond to a proposal of marriage from Mr O’Connor. You see, Cassy, if you are not well disposed towards it, I fear that permitting Laura Ann to continue the association with Tom is likely to result in a great deal of unhappiness.”
Cassandra was silent for a few minutes, as though composing her thoughts before she spoke. “I must thank you, Caroline, for your concern, especially since I know that it stems from your affection for Laura Ann. I have, for some weeks now, been contemplating the same question. Like you, I have observed them together and concluded that they are well on the way to being in love. Considering that Laura Ann is nineteen and has never shown an interest in any young man before, it is quite delightful to see how spontaneously and honestly she expresses her feelings; it is as though she cannot hide them, nor does she wish to do so,” she said.
“And how do Richard and you feel about it?” asked Caroline.
“While I cannot say for certain how Richard would feel about an offer from Mr O’Connor, particularly in view of his lack of any fortune or profession, I know he likes him well enough and I know also that Richard would never do or say anything that would hurt Laura Ann in any way and neither would I. By that I do not mean to imply that he would readily agree to a marriage between them, but if she were to ask her father, it is inconceivable that he would refuse her permission to become engaged.”
Caroline, uncertain as to the reason for this categorical statement, asked, “Are you saying she is his favourite child and so will not be refused?”
Cassy shook her head. “No, not at all, Richard has no favourites. He has always treated all the children alike, even though it has been a little difficult recently with Edward’s wife being rather tiresome,” she explained.
“What then?” asked Caroline.
“Well, there is with Laura Ann another matter that must affect the way we deal with this situation. As you would know, Caroline, she does not have a very strong constitution. As a child, she was always falling ill with respiratory infections and bronchitis, which have left her with a weakened heart and lungs. While I have been concerned with her day-to-day health, my husband has made investigations, studied the condition, and consulted colleagues who have specialised in treating such conditions. It seems Laura Ann has developed a weakness of the heart that is common among young children who suffer from such illnesses at an early age. It has left her with a serious infirmity of both the heart and lungs. Consequently, he is of the opinion that Laura, while she is in no immediate danger, is unlikely to live beyond her thirties.”
Caroline gasped. “Oh my God, Cassy, what are you saying?” she cried.
Cassandra’s voice was very low and near to breaking, and Caroline moved to sit beside her on the sofa and hold her hand. “I am saying that Laura Ann may not live into middle age, unless her condition improves considerably or some new treatment is discovered to treat and strengthen her heart. In view of this, were Tom O’Connor to propose and Laura to accept him, neither Richard nor I will refuse them permission to marry,” she said. “If it is going to make her happy, what right have we to prevent it when she may have so little time left to enjoy that happiness?”
Caroline held her hands tight as tears filled Cassy’s eyes. “Does Laura Ann know?” she asked.
Cassy shook her head. “She does not, nor do we intend to tell her. Richard believes it would impose an unconscionable strain upon her and probably destroy any prospect of her leading a normal life. Only my parents know and now you do too. If Tom O’Connor does propose and asks her father for her hand, then Richard will take him into our confidence, because he would have a right to know.”
Caroline was thoroughly contrite, feeling she had intruded cruelly upon the agony her brother’s family had borne alone for years.
“Cassy, I am sorry I questioned you and needlessly caused you the pain of telling me all of this. I would have understood if you had told me to mind my own business.”
“Why should I have done that, Caroline? All you did was to express a very genuine concern for Laura Ann; you were not to know the circumstances. We have chosen not to speak more generally of it. But I am happy that I have told you; it will help you understand what we have had to live with for some years now. We felt it would have been unfair to cripple her with the knowledge and even worse to have other
s know and pity her when she is such a bright spirit and enjoys life so much,” Cassandra explained. “Oh Caroline, when I look at her, she is lovelier than Lizzie was at her age; there is something quite remarkable about her delicacy and freshness, and yet I know that she may not be with us very long. Richard says there is always hope; medical science is developing new cures, and if we are very fortunate, she may well live a lot longer, but it is very much in the lap of the gods and the scientists, I fear.”
Caroline embraced her as she wept. Having known the agony of losing a son, a loss the passage of years had done nothing to assuage, Caroline could feel Cassy’s pain, exacerbated as it was by her inability to share it with all but a few members of her family. By sheer mischance, Caroline had become one of those.
* * *
Unbeknownst to either of them, Laura Ann and Tom had met that afternoon in a quiet part of the woods around Camden Park, and among other things, they had admitted to one another what they had both known and could no longer pretend to ignore.
Following Marguerite’s wise counsel, Tom had told Laura in the warmest, most tender words he could conjure up that he loved her, but before he had reached the point at which he intended to confess that he was as yet unable to make an offer for her hand, being only a lowly under-manager at the Matlock Review, Laura had smiled like an angel and said, “Now, that is so very agreeable, Tom, because I do believe I love you too.”
Surprised and delighted by her openness and honesty, he had added, “Then will you marry me, Laura Ann, not right away, but soon?”
Her response that she would certainly marry him whenever he wished it had left him speechless, but speech was not a necessity, as they fondly embraced and confirmed their love.
Laura Ann had observed her sister, Lizzie, fall in love and seen her blossom into womanhood after her marriage to Mr Carr. Recalling her promise that when it was right, she would know, Laura Ann knew, with the sunlight falling on their faces as they kissed, that what she was feeling now was right.
Legacy of Pemberley (The Pemberley Chronicles; Pride and Prejudice Sequel Series) Page 36