‘Yes, I suppose it is wrong to count the days until we return to Danson Park,’ said Georgiana, ‘but I cannot help it.’
‘You prefer Freddie Fanshawe to his brother, I think?’
Georgiana coloured and was about to protest no partiality but Kitty held her gaze. ‘I do, but pray do not ask me why, for I have no explanation except that he is perfectly pleasant and of good family and’ – she stopped to hide her smile with her hand – ‘he is very handsome.’
‘Well that is the beginning of an explanation,’ teased Kitty. ‘It will do for now.’
Georgiana, unsure if Kitty approved or not, did not ask for her opinions on either brother. Instead, she picked up the Shakespeare and started to read aloud from it. Kitty, for her part, resolved to keep a close eye on this incipient friendship with Frederick Fanshawe. It was her duty as the elder sister; a duty she would never have presumed in regard to Lydia.
Nearly a year had passed since she had seen Lydia. As Georgiana read, Kitty wondered what life was really like for Mrs Wickham, captain’s wife. She found she did not envy her younger sister, which was something of a revelation. She remembered how very peeved she had been when Lydia went to Brighton; how she had railed against the unfairness of it all and cried and sulked. How she had been so jealous. ‘I am no longer that girl,’ Kitty noted, not without pride. ‘I am content to be exactly where I am.’ She wondered afresh at Mr Darcy’s involvement in bringing about Lydia’s marriage and how lucky it was for them all.
When they returned to the house, they found Elizabeth seated at a table in the drawing room, immersed in plans for the summer ball. ‘An invitation list,’ she said, handing it over for perusal.
‘You have crossed out Lady Catherine and her daughter?’
‘Darcy and I are still discussing it. I am all for a rapprochement, at the right time, but we feel this may not be the occasion.’
Kitty scanned the list for Mr and Mrs Wickham, but was not surprised to find the names absent. That reconciliation, if it ever took place, would also be at another time, and was unlikely to be at Pemberley. Among the names she recognised were those of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s older brother, Viscount Mortlake, and his wife; Miss Bingley; Mr and Mrs Bridgwater; Mr and Mrs Hurst; the Fothergills; the Catchpoles; the Wintersons; Sir Edward and the Fanshawes.
‘In the past, the summer ball has been attended largely by families from hereabouts,’ said Elizabeth. ‘It will be an opportunity to meet more of my neighbours.’
‘Miss Bingley?’ questioned Kitty.
‘We expect her, the Hursts and the Bridgwaters at the end of this month. Apparently, it is another tradition – or has been for a few years past – that they stay here at this time of the year. I would not wish to overturn all Pemberley’s traditions.’ She made a face that only Kitty could see, and added, ‘Not immediately.’
‘We will have a house party then.’
‘We will. Colonel Fitzwilliam has invited one of his fellow officers and the viscount and his lady are also likely to be with us,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I am minded to invite the Fanshawes, if your week with them goes well. And Georgiana, you must tell me if there are omissions, any friends of yours we have overlooked. The invitations will go out next week.’
‘Pemberley will be so full of people,’ said Kitty, as she passed the invitation list to Georgiana. She was imagining a moonlit night, windows ablaze with light, music playing, carriages and costumes, fashionable ladies and handsome young men. Perhaps Henry Adams would be among the musicians invited to play! An image flitted across her mind of him playing the violin, so intent and serious when he was performing. He would not be wearing that silly wig though; his hair would fall down over his forehead. Of course, if he were one of the musicians then he would be unable to ask her to dance, which rather dashed her reverie. As an alternative, she saw herself going down the room with William Fanshawe – he would be but one of many young gentlemen who would have asked her to dance – and wondered what she would wear.
‘We will have formal dress?’ she wondered aloud.
‘Yes, it will be a fine excuse to wear my London gowns again. Georgiana,’ continued Elizabeth, ‘I hope you will forgive me but I have spoken with Fitzwilliam and my idea about this occasion signifying a coming-out ball for you now seems entirely wrong. Your brother thinks that should happen next year, and in London. Has he mentioned this to you yet?’
‘No,’ said Georgiana, ‘but of course I agree.’ Her relief was evident; the event was postponed and for that she was grateful enough.
Elizabeth made space for them at the table, interrupting Kitty’s fantasies about summer balls and Georgiana’s altogether less positive thoughts on coming-out balls, with more prosaic and practical questions. ‘What do you think about flowers? And these supper dishes? We need to think about musicians. We need to think about a lot of things! We must arrange some baskets of provisions for the tenants too, I think, so they can have their own celebration. I saw Mrs Moore again yesterday – they are in their new house now – they all know about the ball. News spreads quickly!’
Kitty and Georgiana arranged themselves either side of Elizabeth and the three spent the next two hours discussing ways to re-establish Pemberley’s summer ball as the ball of the county.
CHAPTER 39
Three things had become clear to Kitty after only three days at Danson Park: Georgiana evidently thought Freddie Fanshawe the most delightful man she had ever met (and he was happy to let her think this, behaving as a perfect gentleman should in the presence of a demure and handsome and – let us not forget – handsomely endowed young woman); Colonel Fitzwilliam very much admired Felicia Fanshawe’s intelligence, candour and beauty, and this admiration was reciprocated by the young lady (whose own eligibility was in no doubt; what her personal fortune might be was unknown to Kitty but there was every reason to believe it was substantial); and that Freddie Fanshawe was quite an arrogant character, and possibly shallow, which was nothing so very out of the ordinary considering he was an eldest son and likely to inherit a large estate.
Kitty’s dismissal of the elder Fanshawe did not affect her appreciation of the younger. Given the predilections noted above, William Fanshawe and Kitty often found themselves paired and, as each found the other good company and each approved the other’s appearance and demeanour, a mutual affection would have been excusable. Kitty found him interesting and well informed, if sometimes a little too formed in his opinions and in no doubt those opinions were right. In this, he was like his elder brother, usually his chief combatant in verbal sparring – as long as the subject was not sport or hunting. The younger brother professed little interest in these pursuits, while the older thought them of paramount importance and this difference had been noted and needed no further discussion. In Kitty’s company, however, William Fanshawe usually softened his stance and they could happily discourse on music and books; the decline in popularity of the minuet; the advantages and disadvantages of the phaeton; and the galleries in London; as well as discover a mutual interest in Tudor history.
This latter topic was under discussion as Kitty and he stood atop the hill, among the ancient stone walls of Conisbrough Castle, looking down at the tiny hamlets that dotted the fields, green meadows and darker woodlands. With the sky above blue and the breeze refreshing rather than robust, it was a scene straight out of a romantic novel mused Kitty. A short distance away, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Fanshawe were examining the massive Norman keep that had survived six centuries of neglect, and Freddie Fanshawe and Georgiana were farther off, strolling alongside the castle’s perimeter walls.
Kitty had found a book in the Danson House library that gave a history of Conisbrough. ‘It was given to Edmund of Langley, first Duke of York, in the fourteenth century,’ she told William Fanshawe, ‘and it was through his son, who married Anne de Mortimer, that the Yorkists had a claim to the throne. Have you heard of the Southampton Plot?’ He shook his head.
‘Nor had I,’ said Kitty, ‘but this same son, Rich
ard, who was the Earl of Cambridge by then, plotted to assassinate Henry V at this very castle and supplant him with one of the Mortimer relations. I forget which one, a brother-in-law, I think. At any rate, the plot was discovered and Richard was executed.
‘They called it the Cousins’ War, you know,’ she continued, carried along by her enthusiasm. ‘It lasted more than thirty years, before Henry Tudor took the throne. His claim was weak but nearly everyone else was dead by then.’
‘My word, Miss Bennet, how very learned you are.’
Kitty stopped; she wondered if this was a criticism (she hoped she was not sounding too clever, behaving like Mary; it did not behove young ladies to be too knowledgeable, especially if male pride was at stake) and changed the subject. ‘You were at Cambridge, were you not?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I followed in my brother’s footsteps. As younger sons are wont to do, at least up to a point.’
‘Did you like Cambridge?’
William Fanshawe shrugged. ‘I enjoyed the camaraderie most, I think. I neglected my studies somewhat, although I applied myself more rigorously than my brother. My Roman and Greek history improved, as did my knowledge of Milton and Pope, though I have little use for any of it. Education is overrated in my opinion.’ He noted Kitty’s surprise.
‘Perhaps you are one of those young ladies, like my sister, who disagrees? Felicia would have gone to Cambridge happily, or so she tells me. A ridiculous notion, of course.’
Kitty did disagree with Fanshawe’s views on education in general but kept her views to herself. She had, more than once in the past few months, wished she had paid more attention to the masters who had been at her disposal as a child. As she tried to imagine Miss Fanshawe at Cambridge, a quote from the Rights of Women floated into her mind: ‘…both sexes ought, not only in private families, but in public schools, be educated together’. Is that what Miss Fanshawe thought? If so, she liked her better for it.
She looked back at her companion, who was himself deep in thought. ‘Did your sister attend school?’ she asked him.
‘She did. In London. She went to a Miss Someone or Other’s Academy in Kensington for a couple of years. Not sure it did any good, but Felicia was adamant she would go.’
Kitty was about to ask if he disapproved of schooling girls but decided against it; she thought she knew the answer. She reverted to a safer enquiry. ‘Cambridge is a charming city, I believe. I imagine university life would have been an enriching experience?’
‘It proved my ineptitude for law, and ensured my candidature for ordination,’ returned the young man, somewhat dismissively. ‘The racing at Newmarket was conveniently close.’
‘Do you think of the Church, then?’
‘Only as a last resort, I can assure you,’ said Mr Fanshawe, turning to look at the view. He sounded bitter. ‘I have no stomach for the Army or the Navy. Perhaps I may become a gentleman farmer. Who can tell?’
Or find an heiress, thought Kitty, who didn’t think the fate of a gentleman farmer so very terrible. Mr Fanshawe turned back to her, an apologetic smile on his face. ‘Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I am becoming a bore. Inexcusable.’
She smiled back. ‘You only speak your mind, Mr Fanshawe. I am happy to listen.’
His attention was caught by Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was waving and beckoning them over. ‘What are those two about?’ he wondered aloud, as they drew near, nodding towards Georgiana and Freddie Fanshawe who were retracing their steps up the hill, their heads down as they studied the ground.
‘They must have lost something,’ said Kitty, and she started down to join them, the others following.
‘My cameo has gone,’ said Georgiana, her hand going to her throat. ‘The clasp must have broken.’ She looked most upset.
Kitty knew the pretty oval cameo had belonged to her mother. Lady Anne had worn it every day and Georgiana treasured it for that reason, not because it was rimmed with gold and diamonds. It was nearly always about her neck; Kitty had rarely seen her without it.
‘It must be somewhere close by,’ she said to Georgiana, who was now close to tears. ‘Don’t worry. We will find it.’
They all joined in the search, fanning out along the pathway, heads bent as they scanned the patchy grass. Georgiana continued to be anxious but everyone else was optimistic, reasoning rightly that the necklace could not be far, but a half hour passed without any success and the searchers began again, tracing a slightly different route. They ascended the hill once more, with no success, and sat down on the walls to rest. The afternoon was very warm and the conditions not optimal for climbing up and down hills. The ladies sat closely grouped on part of an old stone wall that was in shade.
‘You’re certain you were wearing it?’ asked Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana nodded.
‘Then we will keep searching.’ He went back to the keep and studied the ground at its base, walking around it in ever-larger arcs as he looked.
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Georgiana, pathetically. ‘This is so much trouble.’
‘My dear Miss Darcy. It will be our mission to find this heirloom,’ declared William Fanshawe, placing his hand upon his heart. ‘You must stay here with the ladies and allow us to reunite the necklace with its rightful owner. We shall not give up!’ His theatricals produced a weak smile from Georgiana and the three gallants set off again. Miss Fanshawe began relating an anecdote about how once the nursery had been turned upside down when her elder brother, then about ten, had mislaid his favourite soldier, aptly a figurine of Frederick the Great.
‘Was it found?’ asked Kitty, hoping it was and that a similar outcome would be achieved today.
‘It was indeed. One of the nursery maids found it inside one of Freddie’s toy drums. He said he hadn’t put it there of course, but no one believed him!
‘Oh!’ cried Miss Fanshawe, turning to Georgiana. ‘I do not mean to imply that you had mislaid your cameo! Forgive me. I was telling the story only because it had a happy ending.’
Georgiana nodded her understanding.
They watched the gentlemen for a few minutes more. At one point, the colonel bent down suddenly to look at something on the ground and Georgiana stood up in nervous anticipation, but he straightened up again and, seeing them look across at him, shook his head.
Kitty regarded her friend anxiously, trying hard to remember when she had last seen the cameo. She was sure Georgiana had been wearing it when they left Danson Park that morning, and she thought it had been about her neck when they were in the carriage.
‘We should help them,’ said Georgiana, who was too fretful to remain seated, so the three started down the hill again, their eyes on the ground.
‘Let us ask one of the gentlemen to go down to the carriage and see if it is inside?’ suggested Kitty. ‘Perhaps it fell off when we were travelling.’
‘Good idea,’ said Felicia. ‘I will tell Freddie to go.’ She strode off to give her brother this task, leaving Kitty and Georgiana together.
The afternoon wore on, but without trace of the cameo and, to everyone’s surprise and regret, they had to admit defeat. Well aware of Georgiana’s distress, Colonel Fitzwilliam took charge and declared they must all return to Danson Park, that the ladies needed rest and refreshment, and that he would organise a party of the groundsmen to come back and search the area before nightfall.
The return journey was a sombre affair. Everyone’s sympathy was with Georgiana, of course (even if some thought and hoped that the cameo would be found safely in her bedroom at Danson House, or in the pocket of a dress, and there was indeed that possibility). Freddie Fanshawe was particularly solicitous, Kitty noted. He is quite the epitome of the knight helping the damsel in distress, she thought, and then scolded herself for being so uncharitable.
On reaching the house, Georgiana ran up to her bedroom, closely followed by Kitty, in the uncertain hope of finding the beloved cameo atop her dressing table. It was not there.
‘Oh Kitty!’ she sobbed. ‘How could I have be
en so careless! My mother had it all her life, and now I have lost it!’
‘You did not do it on purpose. As you said, the clasp must have broken. It is sad, I know, but it is not your fault.’ Kitty held Georgiana while she calmed herself, wondering how she would feel in the circumstances. She wanted to say that there were other tangible reminders of Lady Anne’s presence but knew that it was not the right time. She had not had to bear the loss of a parent and she felt ill-equipped to say anything.
When the pair went back downstairs they found Lady Fanshawe telling her brother of the day’s turn of events. Sir Edward expressed his concern. ‘Noticed it this morning, Miss Darcy,’ he said. ‘Thought how it became you. I do hope it comes to light. Lady Fanshawe has just been telling me that she has given orders for the house to be thoroughly searched.’
‘Indeed I have, my dear,’ said that lady, taking Georgiana’s hand, ‘and I have promised a handsome reward to the one who finds it. Not that they need one of course, but it may make their eyesight sharper!’ She smiled, and bade them sit and have a glass of wine.
‘Now,’ she commanded Georgiana. ‘Tell me about your mother; I hear she was a remarkable lady.’
Kitty was startled, fearing this would cause fresh pain, but then realised that Lady Fanshawe knew what she was about. As she spoke of her mother and recalled what memories she had, Georgiana’s face softened and her manner became less agitated. Lady Fanshawe let her talk and when she eventually fell silent, patted her hand.
‘Your mother will always be with you, dear,’ she said. ‘Pretty things are all very well, but their loss cannot take away Lady Anne’s love for you.’ Sir Edward nodded his head in corroboration.
Kitty looked at Georgiana, who was smiling at Lady Fanshawe. She wished she had known to say those words to her friend.
CHAPTER 40
Despite the best endeavours, the cameo remained lost. Colonel Fitzwilliam had reported that every inch of grass around Conisbrough Castle had been scoured but to no effect, and that searches had also been conducted along the road they had taken. Lady Fanshawe’s housekeeper had informed her mistress that the house had been thoroughly searched but to no avail, excepting that everything was even cleaner and tidier than it was before.
What Kitty Did Next Page 17