Bingley nodded his head. “I will do as Miss Jane wishes. If she chooses against me, I will leave as soon as possible, of that, I will promise you.”
~~ ** ~~ Mr Bennet and Bingley arrived in the music room to find Bingley’s relations missing. Seeing the puzzled look on his friend’s face, Darcy gave his friend a smile. “Hurst insisted your sisters retire early, Bingley. Come on in enjoy the music. We have been waiting for you both to arrive, so our song birds can perform the duet they have been practicing for me.”
“Wonderful.” Mr Bennet announced. “I have been waiting to hear this performance all week. It is the reason I have been delayed spending time in your delightful library.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That is saying a great deal, Papa, for we all know how much you enjoy Mr Darcy’s library. I am surprised you have not begun taking your meals in there.”
Jane joined the teasing. “I do believe I spotted a pillow and coverlet hidden away underneath the sofa near the north window. It is Papa’s favorite location in the library.”
“Yes, my dear girls, tease me all you wish. I admit that I have left a pillow and coverlet in the library, for some nights I am in there very late and wish some comfort. Mrs Reynolds is well aware of the items, and she has instructed the maids to leave the items there. And, to be honest, I have taken tea in the library.”
Everyone laughed. Darcy offered his sister an arm and his other arm was offered to Elizabeth. With the two holding on to him, he guided them to the pianoforte. “Now that we are all here, I insist on being tortured no longer. I wish to hear my song.”
Georgiana and Elizabeth sat down on the bench, side by side. They began to play the song, with Elizabeth adding her beautiful soprano voice. Darcy was hypnotized by the sight and sound. The two most important ladies in his life, side by side, delighted to be in each other’s company, and performing amazingly. Elizabeth’s voice was soothing and reached the depths of his soul. He knew he could be a very happy man having such pleasure for the rest of his life.
When the song ended, Elizabeth bid her family and friends good night and made her way to her bedchambers. She claimed she was fatigued, but her family and close friends knew she was nervous for the following day.
~~ ** ~~ Awakened after only a few hours of sleep, Elizabeth prepared for the day. It had been a long and restless night, tossing and turning in the bed, and she knew she would not be able to sleep any longer. Her stomach felt as if it were tied in knots. This would be the day she met her true mother’s family. This would be the day she would meet people who had loved her without even knowing her.
Elizabeth collected her usual treats to take on her morning walk. Like clockwork, Sadie joined Elizabeth as she neared their log. “Good morning, Miss Sadie. I hope you were able to sleep more than I did last night. My aunt is coming to meet me for the first time and I will look horrible from lack of sleep.”
Taking her seat, she pulled her treats from her pocket. She shared a muffin with Sadie, and some of the ham which the cook had prepared early, knowing of Elizabeth’s companion in the early mornings. Sadie smelled the meat and her tongue was dripping with saliva.
The pair enjoyed their repast before Elizabeth began speaking. It was of great pleasure to Elizabeth to be able to talk freely to the dog, and the loving attention Sadie gave her in return was of great comfort to the confused young lady.
“I have so many questions I wish to ask my aunt, so much I wish to know of my mother. All I know is what my father has told me. My mother was the love of his life. He was devastated when he was forced to give her up, and, he told me, he nearly died when he learned of her death. Papa said that the only thing that kept him going was having myself and Jane to love. He may not care for Fanny, but Jane has always been a blessing. As Papa has claimed, Jane was the best part of Fanny.” Elizabeth reached her hand over and scratched Sadie behind the ears, one of the dog’s favorite rewards. Sadie turned her face and licked Elizabeth’s hand in return.
“It is too bad you do not come to the house with me. I am certain Mr Darcy would allow you to come inside. Having you at my side would be a comfort to soothe my nerves.” Elizabeth continued to pet the dog, leaning over from time to time to place a kiss on her companion’s head.
The two remained at the log for another half hour, enjoying the peacefulness and each other. Finally, Elizabeth knew she should return to the house. Sadie usually walked to the outer area of the gardens, then returning to wherever it was she spent the rest of her time. No one was certain where the dog lived, or how the dog fed itself, as no one, other than Elizabeth, fed Sadie. It was a complete mystery to everyone at Pemberley.
When they reached the usual location where they would part ways, Elizabeth knelt down and embraced her beloved friend and placed a kiss on her face. “Thank you Sadie. Wish me luck.”
Elizabeth stood and began to walk towards the house. She had taken quite a few steps when she realized that Sadie was still at her side. “What are you doing, Sadie? You have never come this close to the house.”
Expecting the dog to turn and leave anytime, Elizabeth continued to walk to the house. Every once in a while, she would look down and find Sadie was still with her. It was highly unusual. But it was confusing when Elizabeth reached the house and found Sadie appeared not ready to leave. Opening the door, Elizabeth stepped to the side to see if the dog would enter the house. Without a moment’s hesitation, Sadie marched inside as if she had always lived there. The sight brought laughter from Elizabeth.
Darcy was just coming from his study as Elizabeth entered the house, with Sadie at her side. Hearing the laughter from Elizabeth made Darcy smile. “So, what have we here? Sadie has deemed the house a safe place to be?”
“I was telling her how much I wished she were willing to remain with me today, as I am quite nervous at meeting my aunt. You can imagine my astonishment when Sadie took my words to heart and came to be with me. Do you mind? I can take her outside, if you do not approve.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I am pleased to have Sadie join us. She is a member of the Pemberley family, and a very dear friend of yours, so she will always be welcome in my home.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am grateful, Mr Darcy. I promise, she will behave herself and not be a bother.” “I will inform Mrs Reynolds of our newest guest. And we will make certain that some of the bones and scrapes, which are fed to the hunting dogs, are saved for Miss Sadie.”
“You are extremely generous, Mr Darcy. I know Sadie is grateful for your kindness as well. Are you not, Sadie?”
Sadie walked over to Darcy, sniffing him, before she rubbed up against his leg. Darcy was pleased to see the acceptance Sadie had given him. “Shall we see you at breakfast, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, and I will inform Sadie that she should refrain from joining us in the dining areas. She will learn where she is allowed and where she is not to enter.”
“It is not a problem, Miss Elizabeth. If you will excuse me, I will find Mrs Reynolds. I will see you in the breakfast room.”
~~ ** ~~ By late afternoon, Elizabeth’s nerves were nearly frayed. Her aunt and cousins were to arrive anytime, and she both longed for their arrival and feared it. What if they do not like me? What if they are disappointed in me? Will they regret coming here? So many questions continued to run through her mind.
The Bingleys were still in the house, much to everyone’s disappointment. Hurst was adamant that they leave immediately, but, as he was demanding Caroline move so her maid could pack her belongings, Hurst tripped and fell over one of Caroline’s traveling bags. He required a physician to tend him and was diagnosed with a broken leg. The poor man was furious with his wife’s sister, and would have strangled her if she had come near him.
Though Hurst insisted on Bingley taking his sisters to Town and leaving the ladies there at Hurst’s townhouse, Bingley was reluctant to leave Pemberley, and Miss Jane Bennet.
None of the Bingleys’ party were aware of the identities of Darcy’s soon to arrive gues
ts. Darcy had insisted that Bingley keep his sisters away from the drawing room on the first floor, as he did not wish for Elizabeth to have to contend with Caroline Bingley’s sharp tongue. Nor did he wish to subject members of the royal family of Brunswick to the likes of Miss Bingley. Bingley promised to keep his sisters with him and away from the rest of the party.
The carriages arrived, bringing Margaret Walker and her children, Rosemary and Robert Jr, who was known to his family as Robbie. The guests were met at the front steps by Darcy, and he personally escorted them into the drawing room.
Elizabeth was standing beside her father, who had his arm wrapped around her waist. Mr Bennet had met Margaret twice before, and it was simple enough to recognize her, as she had not changed much in appearance. For Margaret, the moment her eyes took in the vision of her niece, she gasped. “You are the image of your mother. Oh, my dear sister’s very likeness.”
Mr Bennet smiled. He had thought the same as he watched Elizabeth grow. Seeing Constance in Elizabeth’s features had kept her alive for him, and kept his love for her alive. “I have had the same thoughts over the years.” He reached out his other hand to Margaret. “You have not aged at all. Have you found the fountain of youth in Scotland?”
Margaret smiled. “Thomas, it is a pleasure to finally meet with you again. Thank you for sending the invitation for us to come here.”
“The invitation was actually from our host. Mr Darcy has been gracious enough to welcome all of us as guests here. With all that has happened, we felt it was better for Lizzy to have some time here, away from Longbourn.”
“We can discuss all of that later. First, I wish for my children to finally meet their cousin. Rose, Robbie, this is my dearest sister’s only child. Miss Elizabeth, these are my two youngest children, Rosemary and Robert Jr. My older children are living in other areas of the world, including one daughter who is living in the Americas. She has yet to receive the letter I sent to her, but I know she will be excited.”
“If it is acceptable to you, I would prefer if you called me Elizabeth or Lizzy. I do not wish to be formal with you.” Elizabeth stated softly, hoping she did not offend her relations. She was uncertain if it were acceptable to refer to her aunt in such a manner.
“And you must refer to me as Aunt Maggie. Oh, how I have longed to hear you call me Aunt Maggie. Your mother teased me when we were young. Our brother was not as close to us, and I always told him that his children would have to call me Aunt Margaret, but Constance’s children were to call me by the informal term.”
Rosemary chuckled. “Fortunately, our Uncle Albert has never had children, so we need not fear for any hurt feelings. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. May I call you Lizzy?”
“Yes you may. And what would you prefer to be called?” Elizabeth asked. “My family call me Rose. Lizzy, I must say, you are as beautiful as your mother’s portrait. I have seen the image of your mother all of my life.”
“Rose, I was planning to surprise Lizzy.” Margaret stated as she swatted her daughter’s arm. “My parents had portraits made of all my siblings and myself every five years. When they died, our cousin, Charles, saw that the portraits were continued. After Constance died, I kept her portraits with me, in the hopes of one day delivering them to you. I had duplicates painted of them, so I would have them in my study in my home.”
Elizabeth’s eyes swam with unshed tears. She would be able to see likenesses of her mother, from her childhood until she was a young adult. “I look forward to seeing them.”
Margaret smiled. “I have other items which were your mother’s as well. I see that you wear her cross. It was her favorite since Charles gave it to her. Our grandfather had it made for our grandmother, but he died before Father’s birth, and she died during the birth. There were several pieces of jewelry that Grandfather had ordered made for Grandmother. Besides the cross, there was a pearl necklace with matching ear bobs, and a sapphire necklace with a matching bracelet. I have the pearl set, and Albert has the sapphire. There is a pair of garnet ear bobs to go with your cross, I brought them with me.”
Just then, the door to the drawing room opened and Caroline Bingley walked into the room as if she was the Mistress of the house. “I was unaware of more guests arriving, Mr Darcy. You should have informed me.”
“Miss Bingley, as you are also a guest, I felt no reason to inform you of private matters in my household.”
“How private could the matter be if the Bennets and their … relation are here? Shall I ask Mrs Reynolds to send refreshments?” Caroline asked as she stepped towards the pull cord.
Darcy walked quickly across the room and stopped between Caroline and the cord. “Miss Bingley, I must ask you to leave the room
immediately. This is a private matter, and has nothing to do with you. My sister is acting as hostess and has already spoken to Mrs Reynolds.”
An out of breath Bingley quickly entered the room. Darcy’s eyes rolled up, as the situation was becoming worse by the moment. Bingley approached his sister and took her by the arm. “Caroline, I told you not to leave my side. We were to keep Hurst company this afternoon, as he needs a distraction from his pain. As it was your bag which caused his accident, it would be fair for you to aid in cheering him.”
“Charles, there is no need for me to be there. Louisa and you are more than capable of tending to his needs and comfort. I was just about to take refreshments with Mr Darcy and his guests.” Caroline motioned towards the newcomers in the room.
Bingley leaned his head towards his sister, speaking to her in a harsh whisper. “Caroline, you will accompany me upstairs this moment. I will not tolerate any further refusal.”
Ignoring her brother, Caroline walked over to a chair near the sofa where Margaret was sitting. Elizabeth watched with a chuckle, finding the situation to be quite humorous. Seeing a perfect opportunity to put Caroline Bingley in her place, Elizabeth stood. “Miss Bingley, I wish to introduce you to Mrs Margaret Walker and her children, Rosemary and Robert Jr. Margaret, Rose, Robbie, this is Miss Caroline Bingley, sister of Mr Darcy’s dearest friend, Mr Charles Bingley.”
Caroline was surprised at Elizabeth making the introductions, but she tried to hide her contempt. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you friends of Mr Darcy’s?”
“Actually, no.” Margaret stated flatly. “We are here to see my niece, Elizabeth. She is the daughter of my late sister, Lady Constance of Brunswick. I rarely use my title these days, but it is Lady Margaret. Our grandfather was brother to Charles I, the late Duke of Brunswick, making our great grandfather, Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick.”
Caroline nearly fainted. “But it is not possible for Miss Elizabeth to be your niece. Her mother is Mrs Bennet. You are not telling me that such a foolish woman as she is royalty.”
“No, indeed she is not my sister. And Fanny Bennet is not Elizabeth’s natural mother. Mr Bennet and my sister were waiting for my brother to come to England, so Mr Bennet could properly ask for my sister’s hand in marriage. Before my brother arrived, Fanny Bennet purposely compromised Mr Bennet, forcing him into marriage. As my sister’s engagement was of such a nature that only a few knew of it, Mr Bennet was not in a position to announce it without approval of my brother or my cousin, Charles II, the current Duke of Brunswick. My niece should be referred to as Lady Elizabeth, as she has the blood line of Ferdinand and Antoinette.”
“And Miss Elizabeth is the natural child of Mr Bennet, with your sister?” Caroline asked, and everyone in the room could see the look in her eyes. Caroline looked as if she were a cat, licking cream from her fur. “I will be sure to keep your confidence, as I am certain you will not wish for anyone to know of this matter. It would be embarrassing to everyone, especially to the royal family, to have such a birth known.”
Margaret had dealt with plenty of people, the likes of Caroline Bingley. “Oh, that is not necessary. As a matter of fact, my cousin, Princess Augusta, has written a formal announcement which will be published in the papers next w
eek. We welcome Lady Elizabeth into the family with open arms and are pleased to have her with us.”
Elizabeth reached out her hand and took hold of her aunt’s hand. “Thank you, Aunt Maggie. I am grateful for the acceptance you have given me.”
“But…but…it would be deemed disgraceful to acknowledge such a relation.” Caroline was flustered. “For the likes of you, perhaps. But there are many of our station of life who accept such children as a fact of life. I would hazard to guess that you are from new money. Am I correct?”
Caroline blushed vividly. “My brother is in the process of purchasing an estate. Mr Darcy has been assisting him in finding the perfect place. And my brother is practically engaged to Miss Darcy.”
“Caroline, I am not planning to marry Miss Darcy.” Bingley declared. “You must keep such statements to yourself, as they are not true. Miss Darcy is like a much younger sister to me.”
“But it would be a brilliant match for you, Charles. And the connections we would have from such a marriage would be just what our parents had hoped for us.”
Bingley took hold of his sister’s arm and roughly pulled her from the chair. “Forgive us, ladies and gentlemen. I believe my sister is required upstairs.” He marched to the door of the drawing room, dragging a protesting Caroline behind him.
“My, my, she is quite interesting.” Margaret stated with a chuckle. “Is such entertainment readily available here at Pemberley?”
“The Bingley party only arrived yesterday, unannounced. They were supposed to leave this morning, but one of their party fell and broke his leg.” Darcy explained. “I beg your forgiveness for Miss Bingley’s rude behavior. She has high expectations of being a part of the highest circle of society.”
Margaret burst into peals of laughter. “I have to applaud her goal, though she does not stand a chance. She has no notion as to what the ladies of the first circle can be like. They would eat her for lunch without a second thought.”
A Royal Bennet Page 13