by Greer Boyd
“Richard, would you call upon a couple of your trusted army friends to accompany you to Gabby’s residence while she and her family pack their trunks for a visit of at least . . . at least a month. Yes. That should do nicely.” Her gloved hand clutched at her chin, she walked around the room organizing her thoughts just as efficiently as she was organizing those in the room. “Be sure to pack several gowns suitable for evening wear and all of your riding attire,” she laughed. “Tomorrow we ALL will ride in Hyde Park.”
Darcy laughed also as he inquired, “Aunt, will Wellington be joining us?”
Aunt Eleanor laughed in turn, “William, you sound just like Richard.” And directing her gaze to her son, “By the way, Richard, do you think that Lieutenant Folkes and Captain Denny might be able to ride with us tomorrow?” Before Richard could respond, she turned to Darcy’s solicitor, “And how about you, Mr. Grove?”
“It would be my honor,” he replied moving closer to her side. “Well, that only leaves three more gentlemen,” Aunt Eleanor again brushed her fingers across her chin.
“Three more gentlemen for what, Aunt?” asked Georgiana.
Darcy answered before their aunt had a chance to respond, “To show that not one of the Darcy and D’Arcy women is without protection.”
“Well, in that case, may I recommend a young man, a solicitor who works with me at my law office? He is a good and honorable young man, and I truly would trust him with my life,” inquired Mr. Grove, as he stood beside Lady Eleanor.
“There can be no better recommendation . . . as long as he can ride,” Aunt Eleanor looked at him appreciatively. “That leaves two more, and I know just the ones, sons of some very good friends of mine. Oh, I am so looking forward to tomorrow.” She looked positively pleased with herself as she rubbed her hands together, clutched at her gloves to tighten their fit, and smiled so brightly that she almost seemed to light the room.
Gathering her skirts, she prepared to leave for Georgiana’s study to issue the invitations via the Darcy footmen. “Elizabeth and Darcy, I know that you did not want to make any sort of formal announcement regarding your courtship since both of you are still in mourning. However, we need to let the ladies of the ‘ton’ know in a subtle yet undeniable manner that you are no longer available in the marriage mart.”
As several in the family looked somewhat surprised, she continued, “We are still not making a ‘formal’ announcement. That will come approximately one year from now, but here is my plan. Over the next two weeks, on those days that the weather is satisfactory, we will ride en mass in the park as Darcy mentioned a few days ago. We will have a few intimate dinner parties either here at Darcy House or at Matlock House and attend the theatre as the only other social function before we retire to Pemberley until the Little Season begins again in November.”
Reassuringly, Darcy concurred, “Aunt, I see the wisdom in your plan. By showing that all of the Darcy and D’Arcy women are protected, we will ward off fortune-hunters. Then, our departing to the country will provide time for the newness of these events to die down and give the D’Arcy women a chance to become more ‘educated’ in the ways of the ‘ton.’”
The next day, everyone was assembled in the larger sitting room at Darcy House having tea and waiting for the children to awaken from their nap before beginning the ride in the park. The two officers, the young solicitor, and the two young gentlemen were introduced and paired themselves comfortably and companionably with the D’Arcy cousins.
After all of those who needed to refresh themselves had returned to the sitting room, Nurse Lauren, wearing one of her new dresses specially designed for such occasions, came in with the children. She was to follow behind the riding party in a small phaeton driven by one of the groomsman in full Darcy livery and be available should she be needed by either of the children.
As the group walked to the stable to mount their horses, there was an excitement that was nearly tangible. The air seemed to almost crackle with it. Once mounted, they fell into order in a procession of more than thirty horses and riders.
Darcy and Elizabeth “headed” the riding party as the group rode through the park with the children mounted on their matching silver ponies going just before them and immediately behind two armed outriders. Thomas and Anne Elizabeth looked like miniature caricatures of a gentleman and lady as they and their ponies confidently “led” the group. A long leather lead from the bridle of each child’s pony was held firmly by his or her parent. The remaining riders followed: Piers with Georgiana; Rebecca with Mr. Fleming; Maryann with Captain Denny; Gabby with Mr. Grove; her sisters, Lin, Paulie, Bella, and Jo each accompanied by Mr. Groves’ friend, Lieutenant Folkes, and the two young gentlemen; Annabel and Nathan; Uncle James and Aunt Eleanor; David and Mary; Richard and Charlotte; Charles Bingley followed by the Gardiners; the nurse and groomsman in the phaeton; and two more armed outriders bringing up the rear.
When the party first entered the park, everyone on the trail simply pulled their mounts to the side to let them pass. To say that the riding party was “striking” is an insufficient descriptor. The following morning the newspapers and gossip sheets were full of accounts of the Darcy and D’Arcy “invasion” of the park, with quite a bit of ink used to elaborate on the “remarkable ponies and their infant riders.”
When gentlemen came to Darcy House to call upon one of the D’Arcy sisters to whom they claimed to have been introduced in passing, they were most graciously shown into the sitting room to find Lady Matlock and one or two of her friends, usually a lady patroness of Almack’s, present with the young lady as well as the soldier, solicitor, or young gentleman who was her “protector.”
The days thus fell into a comfortable pattern as the group prepared for departure from the city. After talking with the doctor regarding Jane Bingley’s recovery, Darcy had fixed the date for the departure from Darcy House to Pemberley for a time three days after the time the physician projected for her release and only one day following the churching service for Jane and Charles’ baby. He made the arrangements for lodging for the three nights of travel, reserving an entire inn for two of the nights, both sleeping accommodations and the full dining area. The party would spend the third night at Avonlea, the Dove family estate, at the specific invitation of the Duke and Duchess of Avon.
CHAPTER 13
Mr. Grove acted as directed by Darcy and Piers, after Georgiana had made known to them her supposition of the gift that would please Elizabeth the most. At his earliest opportunity and before departing for Pemberley, he had taken himself to Hertfordshire to make an offer to Mr. Collins for Longbourn Estate.
Mr. Collins’ occupation of the estate had broken the entail that had burdened it for many generations. He was a very unpleasant man, who had no knowledge whatsoever of how to run an estate. His superior attitude toward his neighbors had won him no friends in the area. It had been only a little over a year, yet he had succeeded in almost completely running the property into the ground and was having trouble meeting his debts. When Mr. Grove offered him a sum of £8,000, an amount well below even half the actual value of the property, Mr. Collins took it, abandoned the estate, and never looked back.
“What a toad of a man,” whispered Mr. Grove quietly to himself as he had presented the bank draft to Mr. Collins immediately after the man had signed the deed and all the legal paperwork, in the presence of multiple witnesses, to forever release any hold he had over the property. “How could he possibly be related to Elizabeth and her sisters?”
When he reported to Darcy and Piers upon his return to London, he began, “Your Grace . . .”
Darcy interrupted him saying, “Henry, please do not call me by any title. I had been Darcy to you before so please continue to call me by that name, and I am sure that Piers would wish to be called simply D’Arcy as well.”
Mr. Grove began again as his fingers caressed the leather folder resting on his lap, “Darcy, D’Arcy, Mr. Collins is certainly not the same caliber of human being as are his cousins.”
“I suspected as much,” mused Darcy, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair.
Continuing, Mr. Grove clearly remained as stunned as he had when the transaction had taken place, “He accepted my unbelievably low offer of a sum of £8,000 for the estate. That amount is certainly below the actual and well below the potential value of the property by at least half. Unfortunately, though, most of the servants and the steward have abandoned Longbourn Estate because of his ill treatment and ignorance of estate management.”
As the cousins looked at one another and shook their heads, Piers simply stated, “Longbourn is an example of the assistance I need from you. I do not ever want anything similar to happen at Caenvista.”
“No, cousin,” Darcy agreed as he looked at the young man sitting across the desk from him, “I will assist you, so will Uncle James, and so will Mr. Grove, I am sure. We will not let you fail.”
“Well, Darcy,” continued Mr. Grove with a somewhat more cheerful note in his voice, “Mrs. Hill, the housekeeper, was preparing to leave when I made the purchase. Now, she is very willing to stay and mentioned that most of the former house staff are still in the neighborhood and would welcome a chance to come back to work at Longbourn. The steward, however, has already taken a position elsewhere.”
“Fine,” Darcy announced, “I will write to Mrs. Reynolds and ask that she send her assistant housekeeper to Longbourn to ‘train’ the staff as to what is expected of a household associated with the Darcy family. Mr. Grove, do you have a recommendation for a steward?”
“My best recommendation would be the under-steward at Pemberley. He is a very capable man, whose presence would help to reinforce what is expected and what is acceptable behavior. Much damage has been done to Longbourn because of neglect, and it will take many months to undo. I believe if you were to allot £30,000 to the refurbishment and expansion of Longbourn House and to the improvements to the grounds, given the longer growing season in Hertfordshire, within a year to eighteen months at the longest, the estate should be able to bring in between £2,500 and £3,500 per annum. Naturally, I would recommend that whatever part of the allotted £30,000 is not used be invested and held for future improvements as needed.”
“Mr. Grove,” asked Piers excitedly, “will you transfer the monies needed for the purchase of Longbourn Estate from my holdings?”
“Piers,” countered Darcy as he took his hand from where it rested on his lap and placed it palm down on the desk, “your fortune is exceedingly grand, which is good since you are going to have to set aside over £200,000 almost immediately.”
“Whatever for?” responded Piers, so startled that he almost stuttered.
“Dowries for one thing,” Darcy looked at the miniature of Georgiana that sat on the corner of his desk, “for your sisters and cousins. I would recommend the same amount for each one that is set for Georgiana’s dowry, £30,000. For you, that total will be £210,000. I would also recommend setting aside fortunes for them as well, something that will not transfer to their husbands should they marry and will also provide security should they choose not to marry.”
“Mr. Grove,” he continued, “the gift of Longbourn Estate will be from the Darcy and D’Arcy families, but the monies will come from my holding.”
Darcy raised his hand to stay any protest from his cousin and insisted, “Piers do not let this matter become a wedge between us. I can well afford the £38,000 at this time, and throughout the coming years, we will have ample opportunities to even the scales. Right now is simply not that time.”
“Cousin,” Piers spoke contritely as he lowered his head for a moment before looking from Mr. Grove back to Darcy, “I have asked for your assistance. I would be impertinent if I refused it the first time offered. Thank you, Darcy.”
∞∞∞
Early morning on the appointed day, the decampment of the Darcy, D’Arcy, Matlock, Mills and Bennet, de Bourgh, Bingley, and Gardiner families, along with their nurses and wet nurses, valets, maids, luggage, and outriders accompanied by those young men who had cheerfully assumed the role of protectors for the young women was quite a sight to see. More than two dozen carriages accompanied by twelve armed outriders began the leisurely almost four-day journey to Pemberley.
Throughout the trip the changing form of the land amazed Elizabeth. The tall hills and peaks of Derbyshire were a sharp contrast to the rolling hills and mainly level fields of her former home in Hertfordshire.
It had been almost thirty minutes since the caravan of carriages had passed through the gates marking the boundary to Pemberley Estate. For the last mile or two, the carriages had been steadily climbing up a gradual incline. When they reached the crest of the hill, Darcy rapped on the top of the carriage with his walking stick, and it came to a stop.
“Elizabeth, Cousin,” stepping from the carriage and reaching back inside to assist the women from the carriage, “there is a very good prospect of Pemberley House from this spot.”
Georgiana was so excited to be home that she was nothing but smiles. “We always pause here every time we come back to Pemberley. It has long been our favourite view.”
As each of the carriages came to a stop and the passengers stepped down from them and walked to the spot where Darcy and Georgiana stood, no one spoke a word. The mid-afternoon sun was shining brightly on Pemberley House, and the stately structure shimmered and glistened like something magical. Georgiana turned to Elizabeth, “Amanda once said that it was ‘glistening like a gigantic pearl in the midday sun.’”
The lustrous reflection held by the lake situated languidly in front of the house was worthy of any artist’s canvas. The woods rose up behind the house and seemed to hold it in a protective embrace. In the bright light, it was as beautiful as a cathedral, with its slightly pinkish- white stone walls and seemingly endless number of windows on each floor. Three full stories rose majestically above the main floor, where the wide curved steps that led up to the massive wooden doors seemed like a mammoth smile greeting all those who came there.
“Georgiana,” extolled Elizabeth as one hand rested over her heart while she sought to grasp Georgiana’s hand with the other, “I truly do not think that I have ever seen a more beautiful sight. No wonder you stop to look upon it each time you return.”
Piers and his family were just as affected and perhaps more so. He had thought that Darcy House was exceedingly beautiful, but Pemberley House was simply magnificent.
Back in their carriages, the group was consumed with anticipation as they rode another quarter hour to reach the massive estate house. Darcy and Georgiana were as proud as they could be when they saw the army of footmen who approached the carriages to quickly remove everyone’s trunks and transport them to the appropriate guest or family bedchamber within. The whole process was accomplished in less than an hour.
Having learned from Mrs. Wyatt’s letters almost all that had taken place at Darcy House during the spring, Mrs. Reynolds was most eager to meet the person responsible for bringing so much happiness to the Darcy family. Throughout all of the introductions, she remained quite aware of the attention Darcy paid to Mrs. Mills and the lovely young woman’s warm responses. She almost wept, for she knew he had finally found the love of his life.
When Georgiana swept through the foyer and came to give her a big hug, Mrs. Reynolds also took note of the young man by her side, and oh so concerned with her welfare. She raised her eyebrows with surprise, now this was something new.
When Anne Elizabeth came running, she quickly went down on one knee to greet her. The child stopped only long enough to grasp Elizabeth with one hand and Thomas with the other and pull them both to Mrs. Reynolds.
“Mama,” Anne Elizabeth announced as she looked from Elizabeth to Mrs. Reynolds. Then, with her eyes on her new playmate, she introduced “Tummus” as well.
“Tummus” slowly gave the woman before him a very gentlemanly bow then grinned from ear to ear when she swept him up in a big hug along with Anne Elizabeth.
>
“Renny,” said Anne Elizabeth cheerfully as she hugged the housekeeper. “Renny . . . home.”
Tears of pride formed in Mrs. Reynolds’ eyes as though she truly was this remarkable child’s grandmother. Now, she, too, was witness to the wonderful happenings that Mrs. Wyatt had written her about.
The mid-afternoon arrival allowed everyone enough time to bathe and refresh themselves long before dinner, which was served in the large family dining room. The meal was a virtual feast. Mrs. Reynolds had requested that the cook prepare all of Darcy’s and Georgiana’s favourite dishes.
Dinner conversation was mainly about Pemberley and Pemberley House. Those seeing it for the first time were awe-struck by the elegance brought to the house over the centuries without the overstated opulence one might have expected of such a grand estate. When the conversation turned to Caenvista, Darcy wiped his mouth with his linen napkin then questioned Piers, “I know you have just arrived at Pemberley, but would you like to ride over to Caenvista in the morning, if the weather permits of course?”
“Ah, you have read my mind,” answered Piers, who had been hard put to sit still, so excited had he become. “Being so close, I have to admit that I am most anxious to go there.”