Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  Lydia seemed like a changed character here at Pemberley, she loved hanging out with Anne and especially Georgiana, was eager to pick up the basics of playing the piano from the latter, but when the explorers spent time at headquarters she did not try to be included. Somehow, Lydia had learned to recognise when she was not wanted and she gladly kept Elizabeth company at those times, using their time together well by improving her sewing skills with her elder sister's help.

  'I'm so excited to see Jane today, Lizzy, I cannot wait to show her my new dresses and this lovely coat you gave me. It's not too fine, is it? I want my new friends to admire my new clothes but I don't want them to envy me, I would never want to make my friends envious, especially since I don't even know them, yet.'

  Elizabeth assured her the coat was perfectly suitable for an army camp, which it was, Fanny's taste was immaculate. Lydia clearly didn't doubt her own

  ability to make new friends, so why should Elizabeth? Or Wickham? No, their decision to let her have Abbey as a morally sound companion and trust to Lydia's new friends to provide her with certain intellectual challenges was a sound one. It was very unlikely that Lydia would seek out inferior company, somehow she looked for friends who were much like her elder sisters at home.

  'I cannot wait to see Jane, either. I have so many questions to ask, and you know I just love to look at her? She is so beautiful it's like having an exquisite work of art around, except she is very sensible as well.'

  'Certainly more sensible than you, Lizzy, the way you talked to the Prince of Wales sometimes almost frightened me. You realise he is going to be our king some day, don't you? Though he seemed to like you a lot, especially when you were being pert.'

  Imagine Lydia noticing such things these days, and criticising her sister. And rightfully so, Elizabeth had to admit, she did take liberties with Prince George because she thought he liked it.

  'And though you're not nearly as beautiful as Jane most men do seem to admire you, Lizzy. Wickham does, too, you know. Do you suppose men like smart women? Or is it because you dress better than most other women? That is why I came to you for dresses, I know Jane would give me whatever I liked but she still dresses as we all used to, only better quality. The paper said it was your seamstress who made you fashionable but it's Fanny, isn't it? And she still says Simon taught her, Mr Darcy's valet. I find that so hard to believe, how can a man know about dresses?'

  'Why not, Lydia? You know what looks good on a man, don't you? Why shouldn't a man be able to decide what looks good on a woman? But the lady in London where we bought our dresses also helped teach Fanny. She still has the best clothes.'

  'True, Fanny really had to look through the entire book with sketches to find a dress she liked for me when I'm going to grow so much. The seamstress didn't think that was as it should, a maid choosing dresses, but with Georgiana present she didn't dare say a thing. Aren't you afraid Fanny will get bored out here and leave you?'

  'If she wants to leave to work for someone in town I'd understand, but you know she is married to our driver, and he loves to drive Fitzwilliam's thoroughbreds so much he'll always want to stay with us. I suppose Fanny will adapt, though I think she may want to become housekeeper one day. I've

  learned that housekeepers of places like Pemberley are usually ladies themselves, those who didn't have a fortune of their own or lost their husbands before they had children. They need a place to stay and have to work for their living, and rich households like their housekeepers to have perfect manners. Of course Fanny is very genteel already and she will learn more from Mrs Reynolds here.'

  'If Wickham falls in France I'll be penniless, too. It's what frightens me, though never seeing him again would be worse. But what if you were to become a widow, Lizzy, would you lose everything?'

  Lydia really thought about things these days, even if it was a bit blunt of her to ask.

  'You cannot ask that of just anybody, you know that, don't you? But since I am your sister I will tell you. Until we have a child, Georgiana would inherit everything and I don't think she would throw me out.'

  Should she tell Lydia about the independence Fitzwilliam had secured for her, to make sure she never need serve others? Better not. Nor did she want to tell her youngest sister about her pregnancy before talking to Jane. But Lydia just accepted her answer.

  'Georgiana is just the kindest girl, even though she is a married woman like us. But she is still so young and she doesn't have a care in the world, she just plays the piano all day. Still she would be a fine heir to Pemberley, I don't understand why Jane can't just inherit Longbourn, women are so much smarter with money. All my friends in Newcastle shared the responsibility for their husbands' money, well, except me but I understand why Wickham didn't use to trust me. I was foolish. But you and Jane never were, and I suppose Georgiana is smart with money. I was a bit jealous at Jane's wedding that Kitty was so close to your husband's sister but now I understand, she is great fun to be with.'

  'And very good at handling money, Lydia. If you ever need advice of that kind, write to Georgiana, she knows a lot about housekeeping and investing, even if it appears as if the only thing she does is playing the piano.'

  'I will remember, but I suppose we will never have any money to spare. I just hope Wickham will be safe, or we will end up in the poorhouse.'

  'No, you will not, you have three rich sisters, we will always be there for you.

  And papa is not that old, he will live for plenty of years yet.'

  'To think he let mama and Mary go to Brighton, we should all have gone last year. It seems ages ago but it isn't. They will have such fun, though Mary is a

  bit of a spoilsport, she never seems to enjoy herself.'

  'I suppose she may learn to, without all of us present to draw the attention away from her.'

  'Well, you certainly drew Prince George's attention, though he talked to Mrs Manners a lot, too. Do you suppose your husband and Mrs Manners' really love you? They didn't even get angry at the prince for spending so much time on you.'

  'They cannot get angry at their future king, dear Lydia. I bet they didn't like it, but they're gentlemen, they can hide their feelings so well that no-one knows they have them.'

  'Of course they cannot, I forgot. Wickham can control himself, too, except that one time when he hit that man who wanted to hurt Fanny, at Jane's wedding. Say, what time do you expect Jane? I cannot wait to see her and hear all the news.'

  'Any time now, Lydia. I had expected them to be here before noon but I suppose they may be a bit later. I'm kind of sorry we forgot to ask Mrs Annesley to show us some new techniques while she was here. Lady Catherine arriving suddenly overwhelmed me, despite my being determined not to do anything different than usual.'

  'There are still so many things you can teach me, but I guess you might want to learn more, too. Can't you find some book in the library? Wickham told me it was huge. Said he could think of a few other things to do there since he never cared much for books. I suppose that was rather bad of him to think and say, but I thought it was funny.'

  It was funny, and he was right, the thought had occurred to Elizabeth but it was enough of a maze to do such things. The few seats made it even more attractive, they were all hidden from plain sight and very comfortable.

  'I think it's funny as well, Lydia. I haven't turned in Lady Catherine just yet, you know. Jane and I were only severe on you because you needed it, but you have matured a lot. You have seen yourself that I like to misbehave once in awhile.'

  'I certainly did, and I'm glad you are not trying to be my mother anymore.

  Though maybe I should have listened to you and Jane every so often. Still, I had a good time, and now I have Wickham and I will have my baby.'

  'And looking for a book if you want to know more about a subject is a great idea, I should have thought of it myself, we have this magnificent library after all. I will see if I can find one soon, and maybe I will bring Fitzwilliam.'

  Elizabeth took great
care to say this with a big, fat wink at her sister, and Lydia laughed as she had used to do so often at Longbourn. Hopefully that silly girl was not altogether gone, just like Elizabeth's own youthful pertness still had a place in her new life.

  'Oh, Lizzy, how naughty! And how you dare call Mr Darcy by his first name like that I just cannot imagine! I wouldn't even be able to say it here, where he cannot hear us. I like that you do it, though, it makes him seem more like a normal person. I remember him as he used to be and we were all a bit afraid of him, the way he looked at us like we were, say, insects crawling. I'm afraid I didn't like him one bit, Lizzy, I just couldn't believe you loved him for real until you told me in Newcastle. I could see he loved you, everyone could, but I really thought you'd married him because he wanted you to.'

  'He is not at all like that, Lydia, really. Fitzwilliam just doesn't have Wickham's easy manners, and with his tall figure and serious face that makes him seem haughty, when in fact he is kind and sweet. He loves me just as I am, he relishes my quickness, even if it may sometimes offend someone like his aunt. I couldn't have met a better man, I would have married him even if he had been a soldier or a minister.'

  A knock on the door heralded what Elizabeth hoped would be Jane's arrival.

  And indeed it was Stokes.

  'A carriage is approaching the house, Mrs Darcy, and is expected to arrive in ten minutes. You asked to be notified, but do you want me to find Mr Darcy as well? I think I saw him heading for the billiards room with Mr Bennet.'

  'Please do, Stokes, and we will meet them in the hall in ten minutes. Thank you.'

  Finally, Jane was coming, now Elizabeth would find out for certain whether she was with child or not, Jane would tell her everything she needed to know.

  'Come, Lydia, let us be ready to receive Jane, maybe she isn't too tired of her journey to drink coffee with us and have a little chat.'

  Imagine him standing here in the front entrance with Elizabeth and her father and sister, waiting on yet another sister of hers. A year ago Darcy had been in the depths of despair over Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the harsh words of her rejection still grating on his soul, taking all the joy out of his life but also forcing him to reconsider his opinions and actions. He couldn't help himself, he just had to hold her for a few moments to make his current situation feel

  real.

  'I'm glad to see you, too, my love,' she said, looking up at him from his arms.

  'You may kiss me, papa and Lydia won't mind.'

  They wouldn't mind the impropriety, but they might miss their own loved ones all the more. Poor Lydia, in love with a man who had only taken her to get rid of some pressing debts, and poor Mr Bennet, who had found the woman he could love with his heart and mind but about thirty years too late.

  Well, Darcy had done all he could to help them, and he was not going to enjoy having his dearest Elizabeth right here with him any less because of his new relatives' bad luck.

  Fortunately, the carriage was approaching rapidly, and Darcy found himself looking forward to this visit very much. In town, there had been a certain distance between Bingley and himself, mostly because of the situation with Miss Bingley and Grenfell, but also because neither Bingley nor Darcy were really townspeople. They thrived in the countryside, and the enjoyments of a spring spent here together would bring them closer, hopefully as close as they used to be, since their new spouses were also beloved sisters.

  Being with Jane would likely help Elizabeth accept her pregnancy and all the discomforts and restrictions she expected to come of it. Though she would need him, too, to let her know he didn't expect her to sit inside and sew and embroider little dresses all the time, but to encourage her to fully enjoy her last months of freedom before she would grow too large to hunt or even ride.

  The phaeton and ponies were a work already in progress, but since there was still time, Darcy meant to present his beloved with the prettiest and safest ponies his stablemaster could find and the most beautiful little phaeton the local craftspeople could build. It had to be built from scratch because Elizabeth's idea of beautiful was so much more subtle than that of most wealthy folk, no gilding and flourishes for her but elegant and honest woodwork, superbly crafted of the best oak, walnut and cherry their estate had to offer. Mrs Brewer would oversee the build together with her husband, and she would make the metal ornamentation herself. It would be the best surprise ever, and Darcy's proof to his beloved that he wanted her to feel free even when burdened with this huge responsibility.

  'Darcy, my friend, how I have missed you! So good to see you!'

  Deep in his contemplations Darcy had missed the carriage stopping and his friend and sister-in-law getting out. Suddenly seeing Bingley's glad face and hearing his earnest greeting, a mere handshake wouldn't do, and the two

  friends embraced heartily.

  'Bingley, you look fabulous! Marriage certainly agrees with you!'

  'So it does, so it does, Jane and I are so incredibly happy together. But you look more than happy yourself, Darcy, and as handsome as ever. Small wonder with your beloved Lizzy practically glowing, just look at her greeting Hurst, he is absolutely stunned. She isn't, though, maybe Jane wrote to expect him, he practically begged us to take him. You'll like him much better when you get to know him, Darcy, he has been staying with us quite a lot, recently.

  Come, let me show you my new team, I cannot wait to hear your opinion, you have this reputation, you know.'

  Wait, what? Mr Hurst was here, and Bingley thought him good company?

  The way the chubby gentleman looked at Elizabeth didn't please Darcy at all, and why did Bingley insist on being so familiar with her? To call her Lizzy in public, wasn't he supposed to show a certain respect to his friend's wife?

  In serious danger now of letting his excellent mood be spoiled by yet another unexpected visitor, Darcy found his gaze caught by the prime object of his disgruntlement, his beloved Elizabeth. She looked at him with an expression of humour that instantly cleared his mood, she was right, this was more funny than bothersome. Mr Hurst was no competition but entertainment, and Bingley was no longer just Darcy's friend, he was also Elizabeth's brother by marriage, and brothers had as much right to familiarity as sisters and parents.

  'I'm sorry I didn't notice your new team before, Bingley, I was a bit distracted. We've had a busy few days, with some important visitors. I'll tell you about it later, let's have a look at these beauties first.'

  Leaving Jane and Mr Hurst in Elizabeth's capable hands, he accompanied Bingley to his familiar carriage but indeed, with a new team of perfectly matched bays in front of it. Bingley signalled his driver to put the team in motion and they walked beside the horses towards the stables, watching their every move. These were good, solid horses, elegant yet strong, but Darcy privately thought Bingley must have sacrificed quite a lot of speed to beauty.

  'They are incredibly beautiful, look at those perfect feet and the long, elegant necks. I always wonder how four horses can look so much alike, these even move in exactly the same rhythm. Compared to this team, my thoroughbreds are a total mismatch, and yet we were so happy to find four of the same colour and height. But Bingley, these don't look very fast, merely very strong and beautiful.'

  Feeling a bit of a spoilsport to utter his reservations, Bingley's reaction was

  one of delight, not disappointment.

  'Aren't they the most beautiful creatures you ever saw? You are right, they are not fast, but I wasn't looking for fast, I was looking for hardy and dependable.

  We have serious plans to buy an estate up north, Jane wants to live closer to her favourite sister and I have missed you, my dear friend. That means a lot of travel, and I wanted to make sure to have horses that are up to it.'

  And then Bingley's expression changed altogether, Darcy had never seen him anything but kind en rather soft, well, except on one or two occasions when there was good reason, but now his dear friend seemed to almost feel superior.

  'Speed is no lon
ger an object, Darcy, remember, it's no longer the two of us travelling, there is a tiny new life to consider. I want my wife and future child to be safe, and if that means taking a few hours extra so be it.'

  Instead of feeling patronized, Bingley's remark made Darcy think. A new life to consider, Elizabeth was most likely carrying a new life as well, should he be more considerate of their unborn child? Let go of the thoroughbreds because they could be nervous? Should he be planning to teach his pregnant wife to drive a pair of ponies? Wasn't that dangerous? Phaetons weren't the safest conveyances around, and guiding a team wasn't all that easy.

  No.

  Cosseting his pregnant wife was the right thing for Bingley to do, his character practically demanded it, but Elizabeth was very much unlike Jane.

  Bingley's care would make Jane feel loved, but if Darcy did that to his beloved she'd feel patronized and restrained. Elizabeth had to fly free, to try to keep her safe was to cage her and make her unhappy and even angry. If there was anything Darcy understood, it was that he had married a very special woman, one who could sit by the hearth for hours stitching an intricate pattern on a tiny piece of unblemished, delicate silk, but who could just as easily fly over a dangerous obstacle on the fastest horse in his stable.

  To try to stop her from doing things that might be dangerous was to keep her from living and Darcy was not going to do that to her, or himself. The phaeton and ponies would not be cancelled because they might not be altogether safe.

  But for Bingley, things were different. Jane didn't even want to do dangerous things, she was happy staying at home most of the time, she probably felt loved with this proof of Bingley's care for her and her unborn child.

  'In that case, Bingley, I think you have bought yourself a fine team. They

  look very strong and durable, look at those muscles. You can have Mr Hugo look them over if you want to, he is the best at spotting imperfections.'