by Kate Speck
Mr. Wickham softly smiled, “I have lived a good life, sir, and after my dear Gwendolyn passed, I dedicated my time to serving the people here and working hard to be a respectable man and I have achieved it. My only regret is that my son has been unhappy with the choices before him and he does not wish to be a steward to follow in my footsteps. He is nearly twenty years old and still has no direction, no ambition to make something of himself. I am afraid that the close association with Pemberley has disillusioned him that he thinks himself a gentleman like Master Darcy instead of a son of a humble steward.” He shook his head. “I fear for his future, Mr. Darcy. He has received enough education to apply himself but has little prospect of a career and I fear he will be lost once I am gone.”
“I will take care of him, Wickham. Have no fear for his future and if George is willing, I will send him to Cambridge to receive further education with Fitzwilliam.” Mr. Darcy smiled to see Mr. Wickham’s shocked face. “Parson Johnson is due to retire in five or so years and if George decides to take it, I will present to him the living at Kympton. He will be comfortable for the rest of his life with an occupation and I will ensure he has something to live on until he comes of age.”
Mr. Wickham nodded and bowed his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. You have been the best master all these years and I am truly grateful. Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Darcy comforted his steward of many years, “We will have you rest and care for yourself as much as possible. I know your understeward has been proficient and under your excellent tutelage, Mr. Thomason will manage everything well. Anything you need, Wickham, you only need to let me know.”
Mr. Wickham stood and bowed. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Knowing that George is in good hands gives me peace and I will ensure Mr. Thomason is up to speed on the minute details of the estate. I plan on being as active as possible and perhaps defy the doctor’s prognosis.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and watched his frail steward leave. The difference of his body was an absolute shock from last year when he had seen him last. He wrote several lines in his diary and went to find his wife to alert her of Mr. Wickham’s illness and plans for George Wickham.
~*~
“Of course, I will do what I can, if only for Mr. Wickham’s sake, father.” William concurred. “George and I were good friends but we had drifted apart during the last few of years while I was at Eton and I have not seen him for over two years. I am very saddened to hear of Mr. Wickham’s illness. He is a good man.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” Mr. Darcy patted his son's shoulder. “I know George is older by a year but he will be initiating in his studies late and he will need your guidance, at least in the beginning. He makes friends easily so I doubt he will be much trouble to you. You will have your own set of friends and he will find his own. Even if your university gowns differ due to your rank, I hope you will treat him with respect in honour of his father’s memory.”
William nodded, “But of course, father. I will do all I can to make him feel accepted and see to his comforts at school. Where is he now? I thought I would see him here assisting his father but I have yet to see him.”
Mr. Darcy responded, “Mr. Wickham said George became quite distraught at the idea of his father’s passing and has gone to London to seek advices of several doctors in his behalf. He told his father he was determined to find a cure and would consult with the best in the field and took his own inheritance to find the best medical treatment. He has been gone these past two months on his quest.”
“An ideal son, then.” William rubbed his chin. “Would you have wished I did the same if you were ill?”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “No, son. I would wish you by my side so we could spend my last precious days together. George was a very good boy, and while you were away at Eton and your mama was ill, he made me laugh and always amused me with his stories. I suppose that is the reason for my wishing for him to have Kympton should he pursue a study in religion. That, and the fact that Mr. Wickham has been a faithful steward all these years.”
“I have always been a solemn boy, even as a child, but I know you and mama always wished for me to behave better than others; to think highly of our family name and status so that we are always respectable.” William stated. “I am sorry I could not be a more open and cheerful son for you.”
Mr. Darcy turned his son to meet his eyes. “You have made me prodigiously proud, Fitzwilliam, and I could not have asked for a better son. I was wrong to think little of those outside our circle and after meeting the kind folks of Hertfordshire, after seeing the joy that little Lizzy brought into our lives, I now believe that we must remain humble and kind, to see the good in people and think well of all those around us. We have our family reputation and pride to consider, most certainly, but you and I must be temperate as the master and the future master of our homes and provide what we can to the good people in our care.”
William smiled, “I will do all I can to be a good master, father. I am still in shock of what Uncle Lewis will gift me in his will and I only hope he lives a long time. I am most appreciative of having your wisdom to help me through university and planning for my future. With you and my uncles and even Mr. Bennet, I feel I have a list of good advisors who will assist me in my time of need.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled, “And do not forget our Lizzy. She may be young but she will keep you on your toes and give you an earful if she believes you are in the wrong. She is as honest as a child should be and having the counsel of one candid friend is more valuable than a hundred sycophants who speak only agreeable untruths. Has she written you yet?”
“Yes,” William answered. “She was full of excitement to tell me of Ghost and Honey, and how she had been able to convince Jane to ride with her. It seems her sister finally developed enough courage to ride and she has been doing well. She also sent me a drawing of Ghost for my birthday. Well,” he chuckled, “what she says is the drawing of her pony. It is quite terrible but I will have it framed still. It makes me smile every time I look at it.”
“I am glad. Show me the drawing when you have a chance and your mother will be happy to see it as well. That little girl brings such a smile to us all. She wrote to your mother as well and included as much of the gossips as she could remember and it was quite entertaining. She is a wonderful girl.” Mr. Darcy laughed.
“Shall we tour the grounds together, father? It has been a long time since we rode out at Pemberley and if you would like, we can ride to the pond for a swim. We have not done that since I was ten years old.” William asked with a gleam in his eye.
Mr. Darcy laughed, “That is a wonderful idea, son. Even if you will be making wind under the water like you used to do, it will be a great amusement. Let us go after I tell your mother. See you in ten minutes.”
William left cheerfully and walked the hallway where he saw the miniature painting of himself and George Wickham, which had been drawn when they were twelve and thirteen, respectively. Mrs. Wickham had died only three months prior to the painting and Mr. Darcy had allowed George’s portrait to be drawn to cheer up the young man during his grief. William wondered how George had turned out, having spent many years as children, playing together and as close as brothers until he had gone away to Eton for school at thirteen and their interactions had become less frequent during the years following.
William thought of Lizzy and wondered if he could have someone draw a portrait of her so he could keep it in the display box at Pemberley. It felt right to have a part of her be present at his favourite home.
He took a more recent portrait of himself out from the box and took it to his room. He intended to have a copy made by the local artist so he could send it to Lizzy so she would never forget her blood-brother.
~*~
September 1804
“How wonderful that my dear Jane has become so accomplished, Mr. Bennet!” His wife expressed. “She draws beautifully and is a fine horsewoman and so elegant in her manners. You must agree with me that she is pre
pared to come out in society earlier than later.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “We shall see, Mrs. Bennet. I know you had your coming out at fifteen but I have not yet made up my mind and I certainly will not allow it one day before she turns sixteen, if I approve of it any earlier than seventeen. I shall seek her opinion on it as well and we have time. We have done well to increase her portion but have a long way to go yet, Fanny, and I will not rush our daughters to find husbands earlier than they are ready. I want worthy men who will treat them well and if at all possible, ones whom our daughters will love with the deepest of affections.”
“Oh, Thomas, I do wish for the same. I do hope for handsome husbands for our daughters, though.” Mrs. Bennet agreed with a gleam in her eyes. “Charlotte Lucas is plain enough but she is engaged to an awfully old man and he is not at all pleasant in his appearances. I fear their children will be quite ugly.”
Mr. Bennet could not help but laugh. “That is terribly unkind, Fanny, and Charlotte may not be as beautiful as our daughters but she is appealing enough. But I will agree with you that Mr. Robinson is not what one would call ‘handsome’ and I would pray for their children to take after Charlotte’s side. I hope you have not been sharing that opinion with anyone else.”
Mrs. Bennet giggled, “Of course not, Thomas. Lady Lucas is one of my dearest friends and I would never wound her with such an opinion. Yes, Charlotte is pretty in her own way and I suppose I am arrogant about the fact that our girls are so beautiful. Jane is the most beautiful with her fair colouring and mild manners, and will capture the best of husbands. Mary will find a parson or a curate to marry and Kitty and Lydia will both find handsome gentlemen for themselves. I fear Lizzy will be a bluestocking and if you did not tell me she had a future secured away with the Darcys being her benefactors, I should have fainted dead away to see that girl with her torn dresses and petticoats six inches deep in mud.” She smiled, “But she is a favourite of many and I am beginning to appreciate her for her intelligence and wit. She loves her sisters and will be good to them.”
“I know it, Fanny.” Mr. Bennet concurred. “I appreciate that you have given up your comforts to economise and our income has been slowly increasing. If we can continue so for only several more years, we will have enough to double our daughters’ dowries and I promise to reward your efforts. Thank you for supporting me through this, my dear wife.” He kissed her hand.
Mrs. Bennet blushed, “It is no trouble, Thomas. We have had many changes but it has been all for our future and I am very happy. Very happy indeed.”
Mr. Bennet kissed his wife’s lips, “I love you, Fanny. Enjoy your visit with the tenants and please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of them.”
“I love you, too.” Mrs. Bennet rose. “See you soon.”
Mr. Bennet walked to the stables and saw that Jane and Lizzy were putting the Shetland ponies back in to the stables after their exercise for the day. Their stablehand had been chaperoning them daily and both girls had become efficient riders.
“Jane,” Mr. Bennet called out his first daughter to his side. “I have a task for you today.”
“Of course, papa,” Jane answered. “What can I do for you?”
He looked at Lizzy who was feeding Ghost a carrot, “I know your sister is impossible to sit down for more than half an hour at a time, but I left a copy of Mary Wollstonecraft for her in my study. While she reads, will you draw a portrait of her? It has been specially commissioned by Master Darcy and you will be paid for the artwork. A small drawing of her likeness should suffice.”
Jane beamed, “Certainly, papa! I shall begin today. Thank you!” She excitedly went to Lizzy to tell her of the assignment and both girls ran back to hug their father.
“Thank you for the task, papa. We will go now.” Jane smiled.
Lizzy kissed her father’s cheek. “Thank you, papa. Now I will be able to send Will a portrait but I’m happier to read A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and see if I agree with her views. I was surprised that there are so many female authors and philosophers and am eager to become an author myself. I’ve been taking many notes in my journal and I hope someday, I’ll be able to put it all together and make something of myself.”
“I am proud of you no matter what path you choose, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet kissed her head. “Run along now. Go and learn and grow your mind.”
The girls merrily ran indoors and Mr. Bennet smiled as he turned to his tasks with the steward. He thanked the heavens that he had made the decision to make the many changes in his household and the results could not have been better imagined, even better than in Lizzy’s incredible mind. He was eager for the Darcys to return to Netherfield soon, as he missed his chess partner and the advices of his dear friend. He sent a quick prayer that all was going well for them then discussed the management of his prosperous estate with his steward.
Chapter 20
November 1804
Mrs. Bennet held on to Lizzy while her daughter cried and gently rubbed her back. “I am sorry for your sadness, child.” She wiped her own tears. “I know I had teased poor Charlotte of marrying such an old man but she must be devastated with her loss.”
“I don’t understand why she has to go through the hardship, mama. She waited for months to finally marry and then he travelled to London to make the final arrangements, only to die in a carriage accident; it’s not fair, mama. Charlotte is hurting and I hurt for my friend.” Lizzy sobbed.
Mrs. Bennet held on to her second daughter and comforted her. “I know it hurts but life is full of pains that we must endure. There is a season for everything and a time to every purpose under heaven, Lizzy. It is time to mourn right now but soon, there will be time to dance. God never promises that things are going to be fair in life and you must remember that.” She sighed, “We all grow through troubles and some must bear more than others, but we are to remember the blessings in our lives and do the best as we can while we are here. If we were all promised fairness, I would have had a son. If things were supposed to be fair, there would be no poverty or illnesses for many of the people in England. Had you not asked me the same question before when you bemoaned that you were not born a boy to be able to wear trousers last year?” She smiled.
Lizzy lifted up her head and looked at her mother, “You are very wise, mama. I suppose there is a bigger plan that we cannot see and we must have faith that good will come of every pain. Mr. Darcy said that he grew to appreciate Lady Anne more because of her illness and that even with the difficulties, that life is precious and we should not take our time on earth for granted. There is a war going on and there will soon be time for peace. Charlotte is sad and crying now but there will be a time to laugh soon.”
“That is exactly right, Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet responded. “You may assist Charlotte however you feel appropriate but allow her to grieve. She is looking at what she has lost but I understand she was not in love with him. She is only seventeen and she will rally.”
Lizzy wiped her face and kissed her mother’s cheek. “She wished to be married so she would not be a burden to her family, mama. She cared for security and comfort but she did not love him. He was nearer to your age and was not pleasant to look at, but she was willing to marry him and she mourns for the loss of her future but that is all, I think. I would like to take some of Mrs. Hill’s lemon tart for her and sit with her. She might be in mourning for a few weeks but she will rise again and find a husband.” She smiled at her mother, “I hope you will not be competing for Will Darcy’s attentions again, mama. Jane is only thirteen and Charlotte says Will is too fearsome to think as a marriage partner. He is too rich to marry someone from Hertfordshire and she said he will find someone with at least £10,000 dowry.”
Mrs. Bennet laughed, “Young Mr. Darcy is a very serious young man and I know he is far above our station, even if he is your close friend. I had hoped that when Jane comes out in two or three years, that she would catch his eyes and we could make a fine connection with that fa
mily, but I admire Lady Anne and the family and I understand the gap of our standing. Your father is but a humble squire and I am the daughter of a merchant but they are good friends to us and I am still hopeful that they will assist us in throwing my daughters in the paths of rich men!” Lizzy giggled loudly. “I will be patient and I will no longer push Jane towards young William Darcy, Lizzy. You go and care for your friend. Perhaps you can teach her how to play chess. You have learned from your papa well and are getting closer to beating him at his own game!”
Lizzy kissed her cheek once more and left the drawing room with a smile on her face.
“I heard what you said to her, Fanny,” Mr. Bennet entered from the other door of the room, “and I could not be more pleased to hear of your wisdom and kindness. You have exceeded all of my expectations and I thank you for being a wonderful wife and mother and mistress of our family.” He sat next to her and kissed her hand. “We are most blessed.”
“I am learning, Thomas.” Mrs. Bennet softly smiled. “It may not appear as if I am listening but I have been taught a few things and I will continue to do what I can. I would like to go and comfort Lady Lucas as well. I know she is most disappointed after all of the wedding preparations had already taken place, but she will rally also and look for another husband for dear Charlotte. As often as I fuss with our rivalry, she has been my dearest friend all these years and I do wish their family the best. May I have the carriage?”
Mr. Bennet kissed her temple, “But of course, Fanny. I will leave you to it and you are at liberty to host a dinner for them or indulge in a shopping outing. Whatever you wish, my dear.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet.” Mrs. Bennet arose and smiled. “I will take Lizzy with me and we will comfort our dear friends.”