The Ashes of Longbourn

by Schertz, Melanie

  Chapter 26

  The following morning, Mrs Lane met with the new Mistress. “All is being made ready for the dinner tonight. Cook is preparing three courses, with many of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s favorites. If you know of any of Miss Lucas’s favorite dishes, I can relay them to Cook.”

  “I wrote some of them down, as I had thought to ask you if it would be possible. If possible, could you send someone to the confectionary shop to purchase some items that I know will be enjoyed by everyone?”

  “My assistant, Marybeth, would be perfect to perform this task. She is being trained to one day take over for me.”

  “Very good, Mrs Lane. Now, we will be discussing with Lady Matlock and Lady Lucas the plans for the wedding and wedding breakfast. I would like to offer to host the wedding breakfast, though I doubt that Lady Matlock will allow it to be held anywhere other than Matlock House.”

  “From what I know of the lady, she must be thrilled to have a new daughter, even if it is by marriage. She has doted on Miss Darcy since Lady Anne died, caring for the girl as if she were her own.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I know that you and Mrs Reynolds have been very important in Georgiana’s upbringing as well. I must thank you for taking such good care of her and my husband. You are respected by both of them and I pray that you will be kind as I learn my position here.”

  “Mistress, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. When Master William asked for his mother’s former rooms to be redone, Mrs Reynolds and I were thrilled. Then, when all was believed lost for him, our hearts broke. Receiving the news of your marriage, and how happy Master William was, has made us so very pleased. His happiness counts far more with Mrs Reynolds and me than your knowledge of running a townhouse or an estate. Especially seeing his smile, it has been an age since we had last seen his dimples. Since you entered this house yesterday, I do not believe he has not worn his beautiful smile. It does my heart good to see such a love match.”

  “I do love him, Mrs Lane. He is the best of men. Now, when would you like to begin teaching me my duties?”

  Mrs Lane smiled. She knew that this young lady was not a fortune hunter from the moment she entered the house. “Mistress, you are in charge of the house. It is your decision as to when we begin your lessons. And you only need to take on the duties that you wish, as per your husband. Mrs Reynolds and I have been running the houses for more than ten years, so do not think that you need to take on the entire load until you are ready. Master William insists that you not overwhelm yourself, as he says you are still recovering. He does not wish you to be over taxed.”

  “My husband is quite protective of me.” Elizabeth said with a smile. “I will take on a few tasks to begin with, and then add more as I feel confident. I appreciate your patience with me.”

  “Tis no trouble, ma’am, as you have brought joy into this house. Now, I should tell you that there are two maids that have taken ill. I sent for the apothecary to see them. They are normally assigned to the guest wing, so I have asked Marybeth to see that all is taken care of while the maids are in their sickbeds.”

  “Thank you for the information. If they become worse, be sure to send for the physician. I believe that I am to meet the physician later today, so that my husband is satisfied that the journey here has not caused me harm. And if anyone else takes ill, make sure to inform me.”

  “Yes, Mistress. Now, I will leave the post that has arrived for you since your wedding. Mostly people wishing to meet the unknown woman who was successful in capturing the heart and hand of one of England’s most desired bachelors. I am sure that Lady Matlock will wish to sit down with you and go over the list of ladies to meet and the invitations to accept.”

  “My goodness, all of these people wish to meet me? I cannot believe so many cards and invitations have come.” Elizabeth’s expression showed signs of intimidation.

  “Have no fear, Mistress. You have succeeded where none of them were good enough. You are the one who made Master William come to life. Keep loving our boy and you will have nothing to fear.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  Hosting her first dinner in her own home, Elizabeth was quite nervous. She would be meeting Matthew and Francine Fitzwilliam for the first time, as well as seeing to it that the dinner was successful. Darcy smiled as he watched his wife giving directions to Mrs Lane as to her preferences. When Mrs Lane smiled and nodded her head, she gave Darcy a look of approval.

  “William, I have missed you this morning. There is so much to do for tonight and I could not believe the invitations that have been sent to us for parties and balls. I cannot believe the number of people who wish to have us at their gatherings.”

  “We can separate the pile later in the week, if you would like my assistance. I can tell you who are friends, business acquaintances, and who are just itching to have a chance to see you fall flat on your face. There are a great many matchmaking mammas who are not pleased that you captured my heart and took me from being eligible for their daughters.”

  “That is what Mrs Lane stated as well. She said that you were the most eligible and sought after bachelor in England. I know there will be a great many jealous women out there.” Elizabeth said as she smiled at her husband.

  “I believe Mrs Lane has exaggerated the situation, though I did feel as if I were a prime steer being bid on. I am pleased that I have you as my wife. You make me happy, my dearest Lizzy. No one else has ever touched my heart as you have.” Darcy leaned over his wife’s desk and placed a kiss on her lips. “Now, I believe you have worked long enough for today. Let us go to your rooms so that you may rest.”

  A wicked smile graced his wife’s lips. “Ah, now will that be resting as we did yesterday, or resting as we were supposed to do yesterday?”

  “Preferably as we did yesterday.” Darcy said. “I plan to spend many afternoons resting in such a manner with you.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  The dinner party was a success, as Darcy knew it would be. Lord and Lady Matlock were thrilled to see Elizabeth standing, it was the first time they had seen her on her own two feet. The introduction of Matthew and Frannie Fitzwilliam to the family at Darcy House was pleasant to all, with Frannie wishing to join the other ladies when they made their shopping trips.

  The wedding date was set for the fourteenth of February. That would give plenty of time for Charlotte’s wedding gown to be made as well as her trousseau. The new house was supposed to be finished by the first of April, which meant that the newlyweds would only have to stay in the dower cottage for a month and a half.

  It was decided that the wedding would be held in Town. Sir William and Lady Lucas were overwhelmed with the society into which their daughter would be marrying. Like Elizabeth, it would be a tremendous difference in social circles. Unlike Elizabeth, Charlotte would only need to deal with it when visiting Town or Matlock; otherwise, she would be living just a few miles from where she had grown up.

  Lady Matlock had already decided that she should host a ball to introduce not only her future daughter in law, but her new niece as well. Darcy was not eager about his wife’s endurance for such an event.

  “Aunt, would it not be better for a dinner party? Elizabeth has only just begun to get the strength in her legs; she is not quite ready for dancing at a ball.” Darcy inquired.

  “Forgive me, Lizzy, I have been so excited over my son’s engagement that it did not dawn on me that it would not be the best suited. A dinner party would be much more advisable. We can invite all of the more prominent people of town.”

  Elizabeth did not wish to draw attention to her condition when it came to society. She did not wish to give anyone the idea that her husband married her out of pity. “No, Aunt, I believe your first suggestion was better. I am growing stronger, and if I only dance once or twice with William, all should be well.”

  Lady Matlock turned her eyes cautiously towards her nephew. She could see the dilemma that was running through Darcy’s mind. Finally, he spoke.

  “Very well, Li
zzy, if that is your choice, though you will dance with me alone. I do not wish to cause you a set back from overtaxing your strength.” Darcy lifted his wife’s hand to his lips as he finished speaking.

  Seeing the couple striving to build a normal life together, Lady Matlock smiled. “Then it is settled. Perhaps I can arrange a waltz or two for the two of you, as that will not be as harsh as some of the dances.”

  “That would be perfect, as I long to dance the waltz with my wife.” Darcy said as his eyes smoldered, looking directly into his wife’s eyes. “Being able to hold you so and float around the dance floor would be magical.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  Fittings for gowns, searching for the perfect cloth and style, the perfect accoutrements, all of these items kept the ladies filled with activities while the men were grateful for their club to avoid the insanity of it all. The ball was to be a week after arriving in Town, and Charlotte and Elizabeth were frantic at what they would need, according to Lady Matlock’s list. Darcy refused to allow his wife to travel too far from their home, as he did not wish for her to overexert herself. So he would send Betsy to purchase items if she was able to choose, or have the owners of different businesses come to Darcy House to wait upon his beloved. Though she felt that this was unnecessary, Elizabeth allowed her husband to pamper her somewhat.

  One afternoon, Darcy insisted that she and Georgiana make their way to the music room and remain there, without peeking out of the room, until he told them otherwise. At first, Elizabeth was not in the mood to be treated so. But she relented and allowed his behavior for the time being.

  Nearly two hours later, Darcy came to his wife. “I have a gift for you, my love.”

  “William, what have you done? I am a little concerned by your behavior.” Elizabeth watched him closely.

  “You will have to come with me and see for yourself.” He said with a smile on his face. Just outside their bedchamber, Darcy reached around from behind his wife and covered her eyes with his hands. “No peeking, Lizzy.”

  Once inside the rooms that were attached to the Mistress’s chambers, which were normally used as the birthing chambers when the Mistress was with child, Darcy removed his hands from his wife’s eyes. She opened her eyes to see the largest bathing tub that she had ever seen.

  “William, where in the world did this come from?”

  “I had heard of them, large enough for two people to bathe together. So when your uncle came to Town before the holidays, I sent an order with him to makers to have one made for here and one for our home at Pemberley. Do you like it?”

  A mischievous grin grew on Elizabeth’s face. “It is very nice, and I must admit, the sight of it brings to mind many enjoyable baths in which I may partake. It is a wonderful gift, William.”

  A knock on the door announced Betsy. “Master Darcy, the water is being brought up now.”

  Elizabeth looked at her husband in surprise. “We are preparing to bathe, now?”

  Darcy nodded, his dimples showing as he smiled. “I thought we should make certain that there are no leaks and that it is comfortable.”

  “You, Mr Darcy, are the wickedest husband I know.” Elizabeth tried to feign displeasure, thought the corners of her lips curled up slightly. “I cannot wait to enjoy our bath, my husband. It will be the most enjoyable one I have ever known.”

  “It is my pleasure to be of service to my charming wife.” Darcy took hold of her hand and lifted it up to his lips. “And I plan on being of service to you, my dearest, for the rest of the day. I have already informed our staff and our guests that we will be unavailable unless Napoleon invades London and we must evacuate.”

  “In the middle of the day, with everyone in the house knowing what we will be doing all day, William, I would be mortified to see anyone again.”

  A very wicked expression graced Darcy’s face. “Very well, my most beloved, we will remain here and never venture from out suite of rooms. Does that meet with your approval?”

  Elizabeth nodded her head as she embraced her husband. “I do, William, I approve wholeheartedly.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  While the Darcys were hidden away in their own little world, Lord and Lady Matlock had other matters to contend with, besides the upcoming ball and wedding of their second son.

  Lord Matlock met daily with his solicitors, sorting out the mess that had become of the books of Rosings Park. It would take some time to determine what Anne and Mr Storm had done to the once rich estate.

  There was also the matter of seeing to Anne’s medical care at the sanitarium, as she increased in size as the babe inside her grew. It would not be much longer before the birth. And Lord Matlock had to see to the care of his sister. Lady Catherine had been in a near catatonic state since all of the information of her daughter’s ruined life and her deplorable financial conditions. The physician came daily to check on her condition, though it never changed. A nurse was hired to tend to the former Mistress of Rosings Park, spooning broth to her when she could get Lady Catherine to open her lips, and taking care of her necessities. There was no hope for Lady Catherine to regain herself, but Lord Matlock refused to put his sister in a sanitarium. No matter what she had done in the past, he would now see to her care.

  The missing money was still causing Lord Matlock some hope that it could be restored and that his sister could recover even the slightest bit of herself. If that were possible, he would see that she had a proper home of her own in Town.

  Lady Matlock supported her husband’s decision to keep Lady Catherine in their home. As their townhouse was very large, it was not difficult for them to place the elder woman in a suite of rooms that was far away from the daily comings and goings of the others.

  ~~ ** ~~

  Caroline Bingley was sitting in the window seat of her aunt’s drawing room when the housekeeper announced Mr Jamison. “Sir, it is a pleasure to see you here, though I thought you stated yesterday that you were leaving for London.”

  “I was planning to do so, but I talked my brother into making the trip for me. Tomorrow night is the annual assembly here in Scarborough and I could not imagine not being able to claim a dance with you.”

  “My aunt and I had not planned to attend the assembly, Mr Jamison. We will remain here, as my aunt has sprained her ankle”

  Mr Jamison was disappointed. “I had not heard, Miss Bingley. I pray it is nothing too serious.”

  Smiling, Caroline shook her head. “Nothing serious, though she has to stay off it for several days at least. I had thought of reading the book that you gave me during your last visit.”

  “It pleases me that you accepted the book. It was one of my sister’s favorites.” Mr Jamison said. “I am sad that you will be unable to attend the assembly though. There will be no one nearly as beautiful or talented as you, which will make the event quite dull. Perhaps the housekeeper could tend to your aunt, allowing you to be able to attend.”

  “I will speak with her and send a message to you with her answer.”

  Mr Jamison took hold of Caroline’s hand, bowing over it as he brought the hand to his lips. A thrill coursed through her body, unlike anything she had ever known. This man was handsome, more so than she thought Mr Darcy was. And he was treating her so nicely, complimenting her and being kind. No man had ever treated her so.

  After Mr Jamison left, Caroline sat alone, wondering about what was happening. Never in her life had she been treated so kindly by a man. She had already had three seasons and still was unmarried with no possibilities. The feelings that had coursed through her when Mr Jamison kissed her hand were unlike anything she had ever experienced. Was this what it felt like to have tender feelings for someone?

  Caroline took stock of her own family. Her parents were most definitely a marriage of convenience. Her father was in trade, as was her mother’s father. The marriage merged a great deal of money, which made it possible to raise her generation a step away from trade and closer to becoming landed gentry. Louisa married a gentleman; his fam
ily’s estate was near the size of Netherfield Park. There was affection between Louisa and Gilbert Hurst, perhaps not love, but they cared for each other far more than Caroline’s parents had. Now Charles had married Jane Bennet, a most definite love match.

  Thinking of how they had been raised, their mother had always instilled in Caroline that she was worthy of being amongst the highest circle of society. So when Caroline met her brother’s friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, she could not help but think that he would instantly wish to align with her family. His circle rarely ever married for love, they married for titles and lands and money. She had a dowry of twenty thousand, which would be useful to the Darcy estate; and Darcy was Charles’ best friend. What could be better than becoming brothers by marriage?

  But then, Darcy fell for Elizabeth Bennet’s whiles. She wrapped him around her little finger and made him believe he was in love with her. Caroline had lifted some of her aunt’s letters from Netherfield and had learned that Elizabeth was growing stronger and would not die immediately. Caroline was crushed to learn that her chance of marrying Darcy after he became a widower were for naught.

  Now she was left with determining what was best for her. A part of her still desired to find a way to capture Darcy for herself. The thought of becoming Mrs Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House, a member of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in all of England was still pleasant. But after feeling the tingling that was left by a simple kiss on her hand by Mr Jamison, Caroline Bingley wished to know more. She wished to learn just what it would be like to have someone care for her and desire her. She wondered what it would be like to finally find someone to love her.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 27

  The night of the ball arrived and the ladies had spent the afternoon preparing for the evening. Darcy insisted that his wife rest as much as possible, as she had appeared to be fatigued earlier in the day. Teasing him, Elizabeth stated that it was due to her husband’s attention throughout the night that had worn her out.