Preserving Pemberley

by Carrie Mollenkopf

  “When will you tell her? Tonight?”

  “I suppose, but only to give her time to contemplate an answer... I do hope she refuses. Now that the possibility of her marriage stands before me, I see my deficiency in not having her out more in society. I should hate to have her accept simply because it is convenient.”

  “Georgiana has sound judgement… but I fear that where you are concerned, she conceals her true feelings. Remember, you have had to be both parent and brother. If you show the slightest bit of approval, she may give in to please you.”

  Darcy grimaced, Elizabeth was right… as always. Of late, especially since his own marriage, he had noticed that Georgiana had been different. She no longer voiced her emotions to him, as before. He had thought it was simply adjusting to having Elizabeth around, but now, Darcy realized that it was the reserve of a grown woman. How did his sister view marriage… or men in general? Of that, he had no clue, but the idea of having Henry Wainright as his brother -in- law was only slightly less distasteful than George Wickham.

  *****

  While her future prospects were being discussed, Georgiana Darcy had remained in the cellar workshop, placing some functional, yet decorative pieces on the steam carriage. As the day was waning, Richard Trevithick had also left for the comfort of his home and family, leaving Georgiana alone with the sole company of Edwin Stokes. The footman, having long overcome the awkwardness of working side by side with the ladies of Pemberley, now listened carefully as Georgiana explained her present dilemma. It had been necessary to replace all of the worn wooden fixtures with metal ones. Favoring copper over iron for its auburn coloring, Georgiana tried to sort a way to keep the different metals from wearing against each other.

  “Copper is softer, so when it rubs against the iron, it wears away.”

  “It doesn’t feel soft.”

  “Not to the touch, but look closer.”

  Taking a small awl, Georgiana drew a heart shape on a piece of copper that had been pounded flat. Then she tried to repeat the motion on a similar piece of iron, but no mark was made.

  “I can also bend the copper with my hands, but not the iron. We use copper for tubing, but iron is best for the structure as it is more durable.”

  Edwin looked at her hands, they were small, with long tapering fingers. Presently dusted with a layer of grime, he imagined them clean and perfumed, upon his flesh. Blushing at his thoughts, he looked away as he replied.

  “All I ever knew was that one was much heavier than the other!”

  Georgiana laughed, showing her even white teeth in what Edwin Stokes believed was the most beautiful smile on Earth. He greatly enjoyed the opportunity to assist the family aside from his regular duties. Not only did he learn marvelous things, but it also gave him the chance to speak with Miss Darcy. Never a man to step beyond his place, Edwin knew that ladies like Georgiana Darcy were out of his reach, but that did not mean he could not admire her. Not only was she beautiful, but so incredibly clever and when alone, quite spirited in opinion. He hated ladies that pretended to be silly when all the while they were plotting something. Miss Darcy was a genuine rarity.

  “Edwin? Are you listening to me?”

  Georgiana gave the footman a poke in the ribs, jarring him from his daydreams. Holding a long narrow piece of metal, she brandished it like a sword.

  “Help me adjust this running board. If we are to have this thing up and running by the end of the month there is no time to lose!”

  Edwin did as bid, but secretly wished the project would never been finished, for it would end his time with her. Miss Georgiana Darcy would return to the parlor, rightful place for an heiress, and he to polishing shoes and silver.

  ~21~

  Some hours later….

  As they dressed for dinner, Darcy smiled as his wife twisted strands of hair to frame her face. He never tired of watching her, even at the most mundane things. Never idle, Elizabeth was in a constant state of motion, as if something was propelling her to keep busy. He had wondered if she felt obligated to perform even the most menial tasks. As mistress, it was not necessary for her to do mending and cleaning, but Elizabeth had only shrugged. When they had first arrived home after their wedding trip, he had suggested she hire a lady’s maid.

  “Don’t you require a person to see to… well… things?”

  “Things? I am afraid that my wardrobe requires little care, and as for my person…I am fully capable of tending to my own bath, and honestly… after so many years surrounded by my sisters, it is a novelty to be alone. Besides, I have you to assist me, do I not?”

  “Indeed, you do… but, should you change your mind, I can have Mrs. Reynolds place an advertisement.”

  Elizabeth smiled, but shook her head, hoping he would let the matter drop. Her husband never ceased to think of every convenience for her comfort, but at times, it seemed rather excessive. Living at Pemberley was more of an adjustment from Longbourn than first realized. With so many servants, and the expertise of Mrs. Reynolds, there was very little to occupy her time. The household practically ran itself, but in many ways was more of a museum than home. Some days, she longed for the relaxed atmosphere, but felt awkward to suggest some of the pastimes in which she and her sisters had indulged. When she first laid eyes upon the great ballroom, empty save for a row of straight-backed chairs that lined one wall, Elizabeth had longed to remove her slippers and slide across the polished wood floors. What would Darcy have made of that? Their wedding trip had been filled with constant motion as he sought to show her all the sights that Italy contained, leaving little time to adjust to each other ‘s company without purpose apart from nocturnal affections. Even now, with the secret carriage building, there was purpose. While she greatly enjoyed the project, it was a consuming task, leaving little time for ordinary days. Studying her reflection, Elizabeth caught Darcy staring from behind. It was as if he was trying to read her thoughts.

  “Is something amiss? For a moment, you looked rather sad.”

  “No… I was just remembering something, but it is now forgotten.” She lied, but her words sounded hollow.

  “Hmm… that is a sign of an overworked mind. We have been working rather hard lately, perhaps a day off is in order. Trevithick has mentioned a need to purchase more supplies, so we may as well play while the master is gone.”

  “Play? Mr. Darcy of Pemberley indulging in play? Shocking!” Elizabeth teased, but the outpouring of love for her husband suddenly became overwhelming. How easily he knew her every desire.

  “I am sure Henry would be glad to entertain Georgiana. And we must give her the opportunity to turn him down…”

  “But, will she?”

  “As you remind me, she is of sound mind. As for me, I have been known to take flights of fancy.”

  “Impossible! I do not believe it for a minute.”

  “Is that so?” he challenged and swiftly picked her up off her feet, tossing her over one shoulder and strode out of the chamber. Their sudden appearance in this manner, despite its irregularity, caused no raised eyebrows as they passed no less than two maids and several footmen as they went about their evening tasks. It was only once out of sight, that giggles of laughter could be heard. Reaching the spiraling stair that wound upwards three stories from the great hall, Darcy deposited his bundle gently on her feet.

  “I have not tried this in some time, but it was grand fun. My father was not as amused as I and gave me a stern lecture about personal safety… one that I seem to have failed,” Darcy said, straddling the polished wooden bannister. Its smooth surface reflected their distorted images as if teasing a dare.

  “Come, sit in front of me…just hang on to my neck.”

  “We shall both break our necks!” Elizabeth announced, but her eyes flashed with excitement as she took her place.

  “Then we shall die together!” Darcy whispered in her ear as he pushed off the landing and sent them careening down the curved wooden railing. The ride, brief but exhilarating ended just as quick
ly as it began, sending Elizabeth and Darcy into a tangle as he leaned sideways before reaching the newel post. Tumbling down the last step, the thick carpet broke their fall, but sent one of Elizabeth’s slippers flying onto the table reserved for calling cards. The silver platter filled with post slid from its place and crashed to the floor. As the noise echoed through the hall, frantic feet could be heard rushing to what must be a calamity, only to find the master and mistress of the household engulfed in laughter. Mrs. Reynolds, unruffled by the event, simply shook her head in dismay as she calmly restored the hall table to rights and sent the small gathering of concern servants back to their duties. Only when they were gone did she allow her reserve to dissolve.

  “Well sir, I see you have found someone just as silly as yourself. What would your father say to such antics?”

  “I rather hoped he would approve… at least of Elizabeth.”

  “Newlyweds… such fools…Do try to not get yourselves killed in the process?”

  “I shall endeavor to curb his madness, but I fear it may be infectious,” Elizabeth promised, but the housekeeper rolled her eyes heavenward and walked away, leaving her employers to convulse into another fit of laughter.

  ******

  While her brother caused a ruckus, Georgiana Darcy was lost in her own thoughts. She was pleased with the progress that had been made on the steam carriage, but that was not what bothered her. It was something else entirely, and a feeling that was becoming awkward. As she had fitted the pieces in place, it had required the muscular form of Edwin Stokes to be in close proximity. More than once, his hand had brushed hers, sending a pleasant tingling coursing through her. As a servant, Georgiana had not really given Edwin much thought, until now. He was handsome and well-built with dark hair and grey eyes. There was also none of that softness that came with years of idleness. His hands, when bare of the formal footman’s gloves, showed callouses obtained from years of physical work, yet she had no idea of his age, guessing it to be somewhere between her own and thirty. Taller than her by a considerable amount, even in her heeled shoes, Georgiana had felt his breath caress her hair as they worked.

  “Tobacco and peppermints… a pleasing combination,” she muttered to her reflection, imagining his form materializing behind, but that was all it was… her imagination. The idea that she could be attracted to a servant was unnerving. It was not that she held him in any low regard, it was simply the impossibility of it. Ladies of her station did not engage in any sort of relationship with servants. It was a lesson she had learned the hard way with George Wickham. As the son of Pemberley’s steward, but educated alongside her brother, Wickham had been somewhere in the middle. It had led to disaster as he had sought to control her fortune through marriage. How could she ever be sure that the affections of another were true? It pained her slightly to think of Edwin Stokes as a fortune hunter. He had never been anything but kind and respectful... not that it mattered, just like the doomed Romeo and Juliet, no arrangement could ever be made between an heiress and a footman. Her brother would think her insane. Sighing, she shook out her dinner dress before slipping it over her head, wondering why she even bothered. Surely, dinner on a tray would be just as easy and less fuss, but that would not be proper. And she would always do what was proper… at least when people could see and judge her actions. Partaking in masculine pursuits in the privacy of one’s own cellar was one thing, falling for a footman was another. Perhaps being a spinster would be her lot? Weren’t women of a certain age and income permitted a level of eccentricity? At nearly eighteen years of age, it would be a long time to wait. Grumbling, Georgiana finished dressing, but resolved to find a way to control her own fate.

  ~22~

  When Henry Wainright returned home, he felt quite satisfied with the previous day’s events. It had been rather successful to his thinking, despite the reasons for his actions. Since his father died, it had become necessary to close his workshop in ______ton. No longer able to afford the rent, he had removed to one of the dozen empty chambers, formerly dungeons now used for storage that occupied the subterranean levels of the Abbey. In reality, the new location was far more convenient, and he would have done it in the beginning had his father ever been receptive to his pursuits. No, it was not the workshop which irritated him so, it was his poor financial situation. Having used nearly all of his mother’s inheritance on his education, there was precious little remaining. What was the use of going to university if one did not do anything with the knowledge obtained? Now, that he had achieved both title and property, society would view him as a complete gentleman, save the one severe flaw of poverty. It was a genteel poverty, but poverty nonetheless. The baronetcy earned barely five hundred pounds a year. After taxes and the barest of living expenses, there was nothing left over. It was a dismal situation, one that Henry had pondered long and hard before settling on marriage to Georgiana Darcy. While he was not against marriage as a general idea, he just hated the prospect of being forever connected to his greatest rival. Fitzwilliam Darcy had everything without ever lifting a finger. Perhaps it would be better to simply sell the old heap of stones and live abroad, but who would buy Camberly? He held no nostalgia for his childhood home, even the memories of his mother, while pleasant, had faded over time. Everything that remained was a constant reminder of his present misery. The only true loss would be the title. Some ancestor had taken a strange pleasure in entailing the title to the property. If he gave up Camberly, he gave up being Sir Henry Wainright. With a title being the only thing that place him above the Darcy’s, his pride would not permit the loss. Instead, he would do his best to marry Miss Darcy and be a constant reminder to her brother that he, Sir Henry Wainright, was his superior.

  Now, as he prepared to begin his official courtship, Henry smiled and smoothed a tiny wrinkle from his morning suit. Surely Georgiana would accept his offer, after all, what young lady did not desire a title? Having her brother’s consent already only made it easier. And once he had her money, nothing would stand in the way of him living as he pleased. Unwanted wives could be ignored provided discretion was taken in public.

  ******

  At the same time, Elizabeth and Darcy finished a private dinner discussing the unusual turn of events over the past few hours. Both feeling unsettled, the fine meal went hardly touched as they picked at their plates. The plan to inform Georgiana of Henry Wainright’s visit had been delayed by an unexpected arrival, just as dinner was announced. Having not written to her family since her return, it was with genuine surprise that Elizabeth and Darcy greeted a very flustered Mary Bennet standing in the hall. Forlorn and slightly shaking, Elizbeth’s younger sister looked more the beggar than sibling of the mistress of Pemberley, but Mary’s determined countenance did not brook any argument from those who would mistake her standing. Alone, and bearing one single clothbound case, Mary Bennet nearly collapsed into her sister’s arms.

  “I... I was not sure you would be here, but I simply could not remain at home one moment longer!”

  Elizabeth, alarmed that anything could fluster Mary to the point of running away, gently led her into the parlor, just as Georgiana descended the stair.

  “Mary! How nice to see you!” she said with genuine affection.

  Although Georgiana and Mary had only shared less than half a dozen meetings, the two had bonded almost immediately. Seeing the distress that threatened uncharacteristic tears, Georgiana took Mary’s side as she sank onto a chair, pouring out her misery.

  “Its Lydia…and now Wickham. They have returned to Longbourn to stay.”

  “But I thought they were in Newcastle?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Indeed, it was all arranged,” Darcy added in a tone he hoped was reserved, but a surge of irritation filled him. Why did Wickham never cease to plague him? The amount of money he had spent in arranging Wickham’s acceptance into the regulars, when added to the settlement of the man’s debts had been significant. Totaling over ten thousand pounds, it had meant some economization to recoup t
he loss. Saving the reputation of the Bennet family, especially that of his Elizabeth had been worth it, but it was a circumstance he would not want to see repeated.

  “They were, but he resigned his commission… something about being unsuitable for military duty… Oh! I don’t know exactly, it was all such a tale, probably lies, but the result is the same. They have moved into Longbourn indefinitely. Mama is all smiles and fawning, but Papa never leaves his library, and has taken to drinking far too much.”

  Elizabeth sighed; this was the last thing she wished to hear. However, she was not about to abandon her own home to sort out her family’s problems. She was no stranger to the disagreements between her parents and the tantrums both threw when faced with dealing with their daughters.

  “If that is the case, then you must remain here, at least for now. Eventually, Papa will tire of them and they him. It must be a temporary situation as Lydia well knows that Papa cannot care for them both. What of Kitty and Jane? I have received no letter from either.”

  “Jane is in London and has taken Kitty with her. They are not due to return for another three weeks, but I could not wait. I shall not return until they leave, even if it means being homeless! The poor house would be better than Longbourn.”

  Georgiana had remained silent during the divulgation, her own mind turning over the information. While unexpected, Mary’s arrival was not only very agreeable to her, but Miss Bennet’s presence would also stall the unwanted attentions of Henry Wainright. She could hardly abandon a guest to entertain a suitor. Smiling, she took Mary’s hand and looked to her brother and Elizabeth for agreement.