Jane smiled, “I believe you are right,” she whispered back.
Mary felt completely at ease with Jonathan. Gone were the feelings of doubt and fear about meeting his family. When she looked into Jonathan’s eyes, she could see how deeply he loved her, and she counted herself blessed. “I am very much looking forward to meeting your family,” she told him as they walked up the stairs. “Will your brother be here as well?”
“No, my brother is not here,” he told her. “Thomas followed my father’s leading and joined the navy as soon as he finished his studies at Oxford. He is a lieutenant on board the Alexandria.”
“Oh, you did not tell me that,” Mary remarked.
Mr. Godwin stopped for a moment and turned to her. “Mary, if my father seems distant or agitated, do not let it concern you. It is only his way,” he cautioned her.
Mary smiled. “As long as I am with you, I will be fine.”
Jonathan smiled. “Shall we go in?” he asked her.
Mary nodded her head. “Yes,” she whispered softly.
Jonathan led the way into the house. He let go of Mary’s arm, “My mother will be expecting us. It is very likely that my father may not come in for some time; do not let that cause you to think he disapproves of you,” he assured her. “As I said, he is a rather distant man.
Mary nodded her head, “I understand,” she whispered softly as he escorted her into the parlor. Mary’s eye’s opened wider as she took in her surroundings. The house was so beautiful; it was so much more than what she expected it would be. She swallowed hard as her nerves suddenly got the better of her. She looked over and saw Jonathan’s mother sitting across the room from them. Mary thought she looked to be about her own mother’s age, but perhaps a little more frail looking. She had soft brown hair with just a bit of gray near the temple, and warm, brown eyes.
“Mother, I would like to introduce you to my betrothed, Miss Mary Bennet,” Jonathan said as he presented her to his mother. “And these are her sisters, Mrs. Jane Bingley, and Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”
The older woman stood up and carefully walked the short distance to greet them. “Oh, I am so delighted to meet you all,” she said as she motioned for them to come in and sit down. She took Mary’s hand in hers and walked with her back to the sofa, “Especially you, my dear girl. My Jonathan has told me a great deal about you. You are every bit as lovely as he said you are,” she commented.
Mary felt instantly at ease with Mrs. Godwin. She smiled, “Thank you for saying so, Mrs. Godwin,” she told her. “I am very happy to meet you as well, although I was sorry to hear you have been unwell. I do hope you are feeling better now.”
The older woman smiled, “I am feeling much better, my dear,” she told her. “I promise you, the news of your upcoming marriage has greatly aided in my recovery,” she said as she motioned for the servant to pour them all tea. Mrs. Godwin turned to her son, “Jonathan, I would like to spend some time getting to know your Mary and her sisters,” she began to say. “I think your father is in his study with your uncle, go and say hello.”
Jonathan looked over at his mother and smiled, “I believe that is your way of asking me to leave, Mama,” he teased her.
“You were always such a clever boy,” Mrs. Godwin teased him back.
Jonathan walked over and kissed the older woman on the cheek. “Be a good girl, Mama, and do not tire yourself out,” he said softly to her. As he stood up he looked at Mary, “I will not be long.”
Once Jonathan was gone, Mrs. Godwin turned to her guests and said, “He can be a bit overprotective of me,” she told them. “I am not so very weak or so ill as he makes me out to be. But then, I do not mind how attentive he is either,” she laughed.
“An ideal son, I think,” Elizabeth commented.
Mrs. Godwin nodded her head. “Yes, I believe so. But then I suppose, being his mother, it would be odd for me to say anything else,” she laughed again. “Now tell me all about yourself,” she said to Mary.
Mary took in a small breath and searched for what to say. She was not sure where to begin. “Well, I…” she stumbled around for something to say. “I…”
Elizabeth could see her sister’s nerves were getting the better of her. “I think what Mary means to say is we are from Meryton,” she said to help get her sister started.
Mary smiled, “Yes, that is what I was trying to say. I still live at home with my mother and father at Longbourn, as does my younger sister Kitty. But my other sisters are all married as you know.”
Jane smiled, “I still reside near Meryton, Mrs. Godwin. My husband and I live at Netherfield estate, which is not far from Longbourn.”
“And you, Mrs. Darcy, I think you must live at Pemberley. Which I believe is near Lambton, is that correct?” Mrs. Godwin asked.
“Yes, it is,” Elizabeth told her. “Do you know the Darcy family, Mrs. Godwin?”
“No, I am however acquainted with Lady Fitzwilliam. She has become a dear friend of mine over the past few years,” she told her. “In fact, she has invited us to join you for a dinner party tomorrow evening at Hallowell.”
Elizabeth thought for a moment before responding. “Oh yes, I am looking forward to it,” she told her although she could not remember William mentioning anything to her about attending a dinner party at his aunt and uncle’s house.
“I believe Lady Fitzwilliam mentioned that she has not yet met you, is that right?” Mrs. Godwin asked.
“Yes, that is true, we have not yet met. Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam along with their eldest son, Owen were unable to attend my wedding. Although I very much look forward to meeting her and Lord Fitzwilliam now they have returned from their trip,” she said trying not to show how anxious she was about meeting William’s aunt and uncle for the first time.
Mrs. Godwin smiled, “Oh, do not be nervous about meeting Lady Abigail. She is nothing like her sister-in-law, Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she commented. “You will do very well with Lady Abigail; she is a very amiable gentlelady who likes to chat. She loves good conversation, but sometimes will even make do with not so good conversation as well,” she laughed.
“I look forward to meeting her,” Elizabeth said.
Mrs. Godwin turned her attention back to Mary. “Now, tell me, Miss Bennet, how do you like being in London?” she asked her. “Have you been to the theater or to the shops?”
“I have been shopping with my aunt,” she said then added, “and my sisters, of course. We have gone to the theater; we went to see a performance of Hamlet at the Covent Theater.”
“Oh, now that is a very lovely theater,” she said enthusiastically. “Tell me, did you enjoy the performance?”
“I did enjoy it very much,” she told her.
Mrs. Godwin sipped her tea. “It has been some time since I last went to the theater, but once I am well, we shall go.”
“I think I should like that very much,” Mary told her.
“Now tell me, where have you been shopping?” she asked just as a coughing fit came on.
“Are you well, Mrs. Godwin?” Mary asked her. “Would you like me to get you some water or…” she said without thinking.
Mrs. Godwin smiled as the coughing fit passed. She shook her head as she sipped more of her tea. “No, I am well, my dear child,” she assured her. “Trust me, my illness has been grossly exaggerated,” she smiled. “Now, you were just about to tell me all about your shopping in London.”
Mary looked over at Elizabeth and Jane, “Well, we have been to the shops around Gracechurch street,” she began to say.
Jane took a bite of her biscuit. “Our aunt and uncle live on Gracechurch street, Mrs. Godwin. It was our Aunt Gardiner who took us to help Mary with choosing her dresses for the wedding.”
Mrs. Godwin hesitated for a moment, she looked Mary over then said, “There are some very lovely shops in that area,” she began to say. “I suspect the gown you are wearing today is made by Mr. Higgins’ shop,” she said. “Am I right?”
Elizabeth
was not sure where Mrs. Godwin was going with her line of inquiry. She hoped she would not disapprove of where they shopped for Mary’s wedding clothes. “Yes, that is where Mary got her dress as well as where I got the one I am wearing.”
Mrs. Godwin smiled, “I thought so. You can see the fine care and detail in the work Mr. Higgins does. He runs one of the best warehouses in all of London. It is my thinking that none is better than Higgins. He has such an understanding of fabric. When you go back, tell him of our acquaintance, and he will give you a discount on the best muslin fabrics,” she informed them. “Tell your aunt to use my name as well,” she told them. “Mr. Higgins was once an admirer of mine. I think he still fancies me and so he always gives me the best prices. I tell many of my friends to visit him.”
Mary smiled, as she sipped her tea. She found herself liking this woman very much. She could see where Jonathan got his charm from. The more they talked, the more at ease she felt. The ladies spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Mary’s wedding plans, which dinner parties they should attend, and what plays to see. After some time, Jonathan came into the room with his father.
“Miss Bennet, this is my father, Admiral Godwin,” he told her as he walked over to help her up.
Mary walked over with Jonathan towards his father. She smiled and curtsied. She tried not to be too nervous, “I am very happy to make your acquaintance, Admiral Godwin,” she told him.
“As am I to meet you, my dear,” he said as he looked at her intently. He looked over at his son. “Now, I must take issue with you, Jonathan, for what you have told me about Miss Mary Bennet.”
Mary’s eyes opened wider as she looked from the admiral to Jonathan. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she stammered a little, “I hope I have not done anything to offend you, Admiral.”
He laughed, “No, not at all,” he assured her. “But rather, it is Jonathan who has done you a disservice and must be chastised for it,” he teased. “Now then, Jonathan, you must not be so reserved with your compliments in the future,” he said.
“I am afraid I do not understand your meaning, sir?” Jonathan said.
“You did not tell me how very beautiful Miss Mary Bennet is,” Admiral Godwin said with a smile on his face. “I think you very remiss in that, sir.”
Jonathan smiled, feeling a bit relieved himself, “You are quite right sir, I should have said how very beautiful and charming she is.”
Mary breathed easier, “I thank you for the compliment, Admiral Godwin,” she said.
He took Mary’s arm in his and shook his head, “Now, there will be no more of that,” he told her. “We will soon be family; you are to call me Father, or Papa if you like,” he suggested.
Mary looked over at Elizabeth who quickly nodded her head and smiled. “I should like that very much,” she said sounding just a little shaky. “Father.”
Admiral Godwin escorted Mary over to join his wife and the others. “Now, will you do me the honor of introducing me to your very lovely sisters?”
Mary smiled, “These are my sisters, Mrs. Jane Bingley, and Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy,” she said.
He looked at his wife and smiled, “Well my dear, I do not think we have ever been graced with such charming guests as our dear son has brought for us today,” he said as he walked over and helped her to her feet.
“I think you are quite right,” Mrs. Godwin said.
He looked over to Elizabeth and Jane. “What say you ladies, would you care to take a turn through our gardens?” he suggested. “Mrs. Godwin must keep up her exercise. The doctor says a daily walk is best for her constitution. And we have both become very fond of walking through the gardens, have we not, my dear?”
“We have indeed, Admiral,” Mrs. Godwin agreed with him.
Elizabeth smiled, “That would be wonderful, Admiral.” Both she and Jane stood up and followed the Admiral and Mrs. Godwin out to the terrace.
Jane commented, “You have a very lovely home.”
Before leaving the parlor, Admiral Godwin called out to Mary and Jonathan, “Now Jonathan, do not delay in joining us. I have some very wonderful tales to regale your lovely fiancée with, and I will not be cheated out of bragging about my heroics in the wars.”
“I should love to hear about all your time as an admiral,” Mary said.
He laughed, “Oh my dear Mary, I was not speaking of my time as an admiral in his majesty’s navy, but rather my battles with young Jonathan here. I have a tale or two, to tell you that may just shock you. There is one particular story of him as a young lad of no more than six when he and his brother got into my pipe and nearly burned down the entire house.”
Mary laughed, “Oh, you did not do such a thing, did you?” she looked at Jonathan.
He furrowed his brow as he blushed just a little. “There is, perhaps, some truth in what he says, but I expect when he tells it, it will be excessively exaggerated,” he said as he extended his arm to Mary so they might join the others on his mother’s daily walk.
Mary leaned over and whispered to Jonathan, “Your mother and father are so very agreeable. I like them very much.”
Jonathan patted her hand tenderly, “I cannot say what has come over my father today,” he said. “It must be your charms that have soothed his usual temper, for I promise you, he is not always so agreeable.”
Mary blushed a little at the compliment, “Perhaps he is just pleased for you and me, Jonathan,” she suggested.
Jonathan took in a small breath and considered this change in his father, “Perhaps that is it.”
Darcy sat near the back of the room, in the corner near the fire. He sipped his brandy as Charles puffed on a cigar. The room was filled with smoke and the sound of men discussing politics, the ongoing war, and business affairs. He took in a long, deep breath and smiled.
“I must say, Darcy, you look rather pleased with yourself,” Charles commented as he drank his ale.
Darcy laughed, “I am merely enjoying my surroundings,” he retorted back. “There is not a female in sight and no talk of lace or flowers.”
Charles laughed, “Yes, I dare say all this talk of wedding breakfasts and gowns has me longing to go out hunting or shooting again.”
“I think we should go riding at least,” Darcy commented. “I believe we should do so the day after tomorrow if the weather holds. I plan to meet with Banes to practice my fencing in three days’ time. I suggest as the wedding day draws near you make plans to be away as much as possible as well.”
Charles smiled, “I have done so,” he admitted. “Although Jane said that once her mother and father arrive, she believes they will spend more time at her aunt and uncles house.”
“Yes, I will admit I asked Elizabeth to visit with her mother and father at Cheapside as much as she possibly can,” he said as he drank his port. “While I do not mind the company of my father-in-law, I can only tolerate so much time spent with Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Wickham.”
Charles nodded his head in agreement, “I dare say, it has been nice to be away from Mrs. Bennet these past several days. I had quite forgotten how blissfully quiet my day could be without my mother-in-law paying us daily calls.”
Darcy laughed, “You must take a house further from Longbourn. That way, visits will be few and farther between.”
“I have considered that,” Charles told him. “I have even spoken with Jane about it. She does so miss Mrs. Darcy that I believe I almost have her persuaded that we should move closer to Pemberley. I have suggested perhaps someplace in between would be acceptable.”
Darcy finished his port and sat back in his chair. “I spoke with Mr. Fletcher only yesterday, and he has suggested several new investment opportunities for me, including some in real estate,” he said changing the subject.
“Will you consider such a thing?” Charles asked him.
“I think so, yes,” he commented. “Mr. Fletcher has persuaded me that there is wisdom in using my wealth to secure the future for Elizabeth and myself, as well as any
children that God sees fit to bless us with.”
Before Charles could respond to Darcy, Richard came over to join them. “Darcy, I have just been speaking with Lieutenant Maines from my regiment. Apparently, he was recently visiting a local tavern where he and Captain John Hathaway stopped to have a pint. He said that he was astonished that he should see none other than George Wickham sitting at a corner table.”
Darcy furrowed his brow, “Was Lieutenant Maines sure that it was Wickham?”
Richard nodded his head. “Yes, apparently Captain Hathaway confirmed that it was in fact, Wickham. Hathaway would know Wickham as well as you or I would, so I trust that it was him.”
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