Elizabeth smiled. “She has always thought herself above our family. Only last night, Miss Bingley was appalled at my aunt, Mrs Gardiner, being here when she is the wife of a tradesman.”
“I may be married to a tradesman, but I have far better manners than the likes of Miss Bingley.” Mrs Gardiner stated with a smile. “I wonder what she would say if she knew my father had been a tradesman in Lambton, which is the village near here. My father knew both Mr Darcy and his father.”
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 13 Margaret spent the following two days mainly with Elizabeth, telling her niece stories of Constance and their childhood. Elizabeth relished these stories, enjoying each and every one of them. But it was when she saw the paintings of her mother that made Constance a real person to her.
Tears streamed as Elizabeth reached out her fingers, lightly brushing the paint on the canvas. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth felt a connection to her mother. It was at that moment that Elizabeth knew that she had always felt no bond with Fanny, as if a part of her had always known the truth of their relationship. “My mother was beautiful. And, from all that Papa and you have told me, she was kind and caring.” Elizabeth stated to her aunt. “I wish I could have had some time with her.”
“We have all wished you would have had time with her, Lizzy. It broke my heart to hold you in my arms, knowing Constance would never be able to do so. She loved you dearly. Every day, she sang to you, while you were inside her. She would rub her hands over her belly and hum, or sing, saying you could hear her. And every day, she would read to you. She was of the opinion that you were going to be born with a book in your hands, reading from the first moment of life.”
Elizabeth smiled at such an image of her mother. Seeing the paintings, Elizabeth was better able to imagine her mother reading a book, curled up on a sofa, with her feet pulled up so her dress hem covered them. She could picture her mother playing the pianoforte, singing. And Elizabeth could almost feel the touch of her mother’s fingers caressing her belly, where Elizabeth was growing inside.
Margaret had encouraged her brother to write down his memories of their sister, and he had sent the pages to her just the year before. Their cousin, Princess Augusta, had also written down memories of Constance, and she had sent them to Margaret to present to Elizabeth one day. Seeing the look on Elizabeth’s face when she read the treasured pages, Margaret was grateful she had thought to have her relations write the memories down.
~~ ** ~~ Caroline Bingley was determined to find a way of sending Elizabeth Bennet from Pemberley. Now that the country chit was being accepted as a member of royalty, Mr Darcy would find it easier to accept the nobody from Hertfordshire as someone he could align with himself.
Charles had insisted he would take Caroline to Town and leave her there alone, if she did not behave herself. Louisa was attempting to behave as Charles and Hurst demanded, but she was seething with fury at the treatment. Louisa knew the benefits of her sister marrying the likes of Fitzwilliam Darcy, but she did not wish to cause her own husband to take out his anger for her disobeying his orders.
So Louisa made it clear to Caroline that she would only help her sister in secret. But what could she do? Cause a compromise? Send information to Town which would discredit Elizabeth Bennet? Caroline had to determine some way of eliminating her rival. She was certain that, once Elizabeth was out of the way, Darcy would ask for Caroline’s hand. Then she would be Mistress of Pemberley. The first thing she would do was to improve the decorations of both the houses, at Pemberley and Darcy House in London. The second was to find a good boarding school to send Georgiana, giving Caroline more privacy with her husband. She was determined to become with child within the first months of her marriage, giving Darcy an heir within the first year of their marriage. Then their marriage would be secure.
At least that is what Caroline Bingley had convinced herself. She was fully delusional in her beliefs.
~~ ** ~~ Elizabeth had left her rooms to practice on the pianoforte in the music room. Seeing this as her opportunity to search Elizabeth’s rooms for some information she could use to ruin the country nobody, Caroline made her way into the bedchamber. As she began rummaging through the drawers, Caroline heard a low, menacing growl from behind her. Turning around, she spied the dog she had seen at Elizabeth’s side the day the Bingleys’ party arrived.
“What are you doing in here?” Caroline could not hide her distaste for the animal. “You belong outside, with the other mutts.”
Sadie moved towards Caroline, her fur standing on end and bearing her teeth. Her growl was low, but it was clear she did not approve of this woman in Elizabeth’s rooms.
“Go away, you mangy animal. You do not belong in such a fine house. You should be outside, in the barn. Now go. Or I will inform Mr Darcy and he will have you removed. Perhaps he will go so far as to have you put down. Who knows what sort of diseases you carry?”
Sadie slowly moved to circle the person she deemed dangerous. The dog was devoted to Elizabeth, and would protect the young lady, even if it meant her death.
Finally realizing that the dog meant business, Caroline Bingley made the wisest decision in her life…she moved slowly and cautiously to the door and removed herself from her nemesis’ rooms.
~~ ** ~~
“Mr Darcy, I must have a word with you.” Caroline said as she encountered him downstairs. Frustrated, for he wished to be in the music room and Caroline was preventing him, Darcy turned his attention to her. “What is it Miss Bingley?”
“There is a scraggly mutt roaming the house. It growled at me, and approached me as if it was planning to attack. It is a miracle I was able to escape being injured by that beast.”
A frown was on Darcy’s brow. He was certain that the dog was Sadie, and that the dog was inside Elizabeth’s rooms. He wondered how the dog had managed to leave the bedchamber, as she normally waited for Elizabeth in the room. Other than going for walks in the park or being at Elizabeth’s side, Sadie was rarely seen elsewhere.
“And where is the dog now? I will see that the dog is secured.” “Oh, well, I, um…I happened to be near Miss Eliza’s rooms and was able to contain the dog inside there. Perhaps you should have it put down, as its behavior made it appear that it might be rabid.”
Darcy was not fooled. It was obvious to him that Caroline had entered Elizabeth’s chambers and Sadie was protecting the rooms for her “mistress”. “I will see to the dog, though there is no need to have the dog put down. She is loyal to Miss Elizabeth, and was most likely protecting the area near her quarters.”
“But…but I could have been injured, or even killed, by that animal.” Caroline attempted to garner some sympathy.
“Sadie would not harm you, I am certain of it. She is a gentle dog.”
“Then she must be rabid, for her to change her nature so drastically.” “Miss Bingley, I suggest you go to your rooms and rest. Your sister might require your company later.” Darcy said as he headed towards the music room.
~~ ** ~~ When Elizabeth, Darcy and Georgiana entered Elizabeth’s bedchamber, they found Sadie laying on the rug before the fireplace. She saw who had entered and ran to Elizabeth, nudging her hand to pet the dog.
“Well, Sadie, I have to thank you for keeping Miss Bingley from disturbing my rooms too much. What a good girl you are.” Elizabeth said as she knelt down and wrapped an arm about the dog. “I will speak to Cook about a bone for you to chew on, since you were denied chewing on one of Miss Bingley’s.”
Darcy chuckled. “Good girl, Sadie. You did a great job.” He reached his hand over and scratched Sadie behind the ears. “And to think, Miss Bingley declared Sadie to be rabid and in need of being put down.”
Georgiana gasped. “We must keep Sadie away from her, or Miss Bingley might take it in her mind to carry out such a plan.”
“Do not fret, Georgiana.” Elizabeth stated. “Sadie is safe with me, and the staff here all know her. I cannot imagine Miss Bingley being m
uch of a marksman with firearms.”
“Indeed, not.” Darcy responded. “She cannot stand the sight of blood either. When Charles fell a few years ago, and cut his forehead, Miss Bingley fainted from the sight of all the blood running down his face.”
~~ ** ~~ Mr Gardiner arrived at Longbourn, bringing with him his children. The Darcys were pleased to welcome the children, as were the Bennets. Mr Bingley found it pleasing, as the children were thrilled with Colonel Fitzwilliam and begged the seasoned officer for stories. This gave Bingley more time with Jane, time he desperately needed in order to convince the young lady of his heart’s desire.
Margaret and her children prepared to return home the week after the Gardiner family arrived, though they enjoyed the young ones very much. With her two youngest nearing adulthood, Margaret missed having small children in her home.
The only people at Pemberley who did not enjoy the Gardiner children were Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. The sound of the children laughing and playing was grating on Caroline’s nerves, and she constantly spoke of her displeasure with them. “How long are we to endure the noise of these children?” She asked nearly daily. “They are making such a mess in your home, Mr Darcy. I am certain they will break some precious family heirloom or some expensive piece of furniture. It would be better if they were kept in the nursery, with servants to watch over them.”
“The children are not causing any problems, Miss Bingley. Even Mrs Reynolds told me how much enjoyment the staff is having with the sound of the children in the house.” Georgiana stated in defense.
“My dear girl, you cannot understand how inappropriate it is for children to behave so. It is obvious that they are the children of someone in trade, for someone of our society would never allow their children to behave in such a manner.” Caroline stuck her nose up as she attempted to be superior.
“Our parents enjoyed having Georgiana and myself, along with our cousins, free to be where we wished in the house. Our mother was not fond of keeping children locked away in the nursery.” Mr Darcy had stated in a cold voice. “And, when I am fortunate enough to become a parent, I will follow their example.”
Caroline realized too late that she should have kept her comments to herself. She had no escape from her harsh words, and they made her appear heartless and cruel. She was aggravated that she was unable to convince Darcy and Georgiana that the Bennets and Gardiners were inappropriate with whom to socialize.
~~ ** ~~ The following morning, Elizabeth and Sadie went for their usual early morning walk. It did not come as a surprise that Darcy soon joined them, as he had been out for his customary morning ride on his favorite horse.
“You have chosen a different path today, Lady Elizabeth.” Darcy stated as he dismounted his horse. He had come to call her by her title shortly after Lady Margaret had arrived. Elizabeth found it humorous to hear herself referred to in such a manner.
“Sadie and I decided the view from this prospect to be breathtaking this morning. How could we not come here?”
“It is one of my favorite places to take in the sunrise, as the sun brings everything alive in its light. But I should warn you, there are two areas over there, near the bottom of the mountain, where you should refrain from wandering. There are some
underground caverns and there have been sink holes in the area. We lost a horse and rider in the area two years ago, as they fell to their deaths.”
“How dreadful. My aunt commented on a location near Lambton where her cousin fell from the dirt giving away under her feet as she was picking berries. Fortunately, her cousin did not fall far and only sustained minor injuries.”
“I remember the girl falling. It was when I was a young lad, perhaps nine. The girl was several years older than me. My father sent some food to her family after the incident. Father stated it was a miracle she was not injured worse. I had no notion that the girl was related to your aunt. Mrs Gardiner is cousin to Emmy Barnard, nee Jolston. Interesting. Mrs Barnard was the cousin of Mrs Reynolds’ late husband. If memory serves me correctly, Mrs Barnard and her son moved to Yorkshire to live, after her husband died.”
Elizabeth was amazed with Darcy’s memory, especially since the Jolston and the Barnard families did not work for Pemberley. “Do you remember everyone who has lived in this area?” She teased.
“Most. I am the master of this estate, and therefore, I am responsible to all those who live and work here. Many of my servants and tenants have family in the nearby villages. So I am familiar with most of the families in Lambton, Kympton, and a few other nearby villages.” Darcy smiled.
Seeing the dimple shining on his cheeks, Elizabeth was caught dumbstruck. Determined to move into a safer conversation, she inquired of the dangerous areas at Pemberley.
“Do you see the large pine tree with the piece of faded fabric tied about the trunk?” Elizabeth nodded her head to his question. “If you follow the stones which have been placed in a pattern from that tree, it surrounds the most dangerous area. But I would suggest you use caution anywhere in that area.”
“Do you hear Mr Darcy’s words, Miss Sadie? You are not to go near that area, for I could not tolerate your being injured.” Elizabeth scratched the dog’s favorite spot, just behind her ears. Sadie leaned into Elizabeth’s thigh, resting her head on the young lady’s knee.
Darcy chuckled. “Well, I believe she will agree with you as long so you keep giving her such attention.”
~~ ** ~~ The day after arriving at Pemberley, Mr Gardiner requested a chance to speak privately with Mr Bennet. “Thomas, I must speak with you of Fanny. She thought I would allow her to stay at my home, and was furious when I refused to do so. Fanny then stated she would make the journey to Longbourn, as you are not currently in residence.”
“You explained her options and the choice she made.” Mr Bennet stated. “Why can she not understand that she has done this to herself?”
“My sister is not one to think of consequences for her actions. But I told her that she would be tossed from Longbourn if she tried to enter it.” Mr Gardiner then turned his head and looked away from Mr Bennet. “Just before I left to journey here, I discovered the employment my sister has found.”
Mr Bennet shook his head. After learning of his wife’s extramarital affairs, he should not be shocked to learn anything of Fanny. “As you are clearly ashamed of it, I can only guess that Fanny has taken employment using her arts and allurements. I must admit that she is attractive, and she has always kept her appearance up. She just was not attractive enough to me to desire her. The few times we were together, I was usually intoxicated or my body just took control of me. It was never from desiring her.”
“Well, she seems to be making ample funds to support herself. And…”
“Lydia has run away from the school to be with her mother.” Mr Gardiner nodded his head. “I was not surprised to learn the girl was living with Fanny. I do not approve of her living in a house of ill repute, but there was nothing I could do to stop her. No matter how hard I tried, she would not return to the school. It was clear to see that she would have only run away as soon as I left. Nothing short of shackling her to the classroom would have kept Lydia there.”
“To be honest, Gardiner, if I were to learn that Lydia was not my child, I would not be shocked. Fanny never loved Jane as dearly as she did Lydia. Perhaps it is due to Fanny loving Lydia’s father. Unfortunately, the girl behaves more and more like her mother. Very well, I will wash my hands of both of them. And I will make sure that I change my will as soon as possible, cutting both Fanny and Lydia. If necessary, I will file for a divorce.”
“Divorces are difficult to achieve, and are expensive. Will you disinherit Lydia?” Mr Bennet picked up a glass of port he had poured and took a sip. “Yes, I believe I shall. I will not allow Lydia and Fanny to cause Jane and Elizabeth any harm, even by association.”
~~ ** ~~ Margaret prepared to leave for her home in Scotland. “My husband will be returning home soon from the sea, and I look forwar
d to telling him of what has happened. He will be anxious to meet you too, Lizzy.”
“Does he travel often?” Elizabeth asked. As her aunt had rarely discussed her marriage, Elizabeth did not wish to push the matter.
“He is gone most of the time. I used to tease him that I knew when he was home, as I would learn I was with child after he returned to the sea. Then, after Robbie, I could have no more children. But I still enjoy what time I have with my husband. We have near two months a year together, before he begins sailing again. He usually comes home when the weather is cold, and we snuggle into our home for weeks on end.”
Robbie chuckled. “Where we live, winters are brutal, so there are weeks we do not get out of the house. You learn to accept it after a few years, and now I look forward to spending time at home with no company. I almost become disappointed when there is a mild winter.”
“Well, I look forward to meeting my uncle as well. If he is anything like Uncle Edward, it will be a blessing to have him in my life.” Elizabeth stated. For her, it was more difficult to realize that the Gardiners were not really her relations. Helen and Edward Gardiner had informed Elizabeth that they did not feel differently towards her, they thought of her as their niece and always would. Having known the secret of Elizabeth’s birth for years, it was clear that they had not changed towards her due to the nature of her birth.”
~~ ** ~~ Margaret and her children left Pemberley, leaving behind them a weeping Elizabeth. In the short time they had spent together, Elizabeth had developed a deep bond with her mother’s relations. They promised to write often, and that Elizabeth would make the journey to Scotland in the year to come.
Mr Bennet placed a kiss on Margaret’s cheek as he bid her goodbye. “Constance would be pleased to know how close you and Lizzy have become. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for my dear girl.”
A Royal Bennet Page 14