“Fitzwilliam, it’s too soon to tell her about the size of her dowry yet. But I believe she should be told. If I can convince her we only want to help her, she would benefit from a full understanding of her situation and her options.”
“I agree that it is too soon to make that decision. Let’s see what your efforts with her produce. If you can soften her disposition, it would be a matter of honour to share this information with her. If only we could get her married! Mr. Smith you certainly must know some eligible gentleman….”
“I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that my services and expertise do not include matchmaking,” he chortled, “besides, you forget that I have met the lady of which we speak. I don’t dislike any man of my acquaintance that much!”
Chapter 24
Elizabeth knocked softly at Caroline’s door. She had brought up another tea tray as a peace offering. A long pause followed by the sound of soft stirrings from the bed. Finally Caroline said, “Enter.”
She was sitting up, tucked into the bed covers, still in her very fine chartreuse evening gown, headdress, and jewels from the day before. Elizabeth felt rather informally attired!
“Are you feeling better?”
“I am well.”
“Would you care for some tea, Caroline?”
“I would, thank you.”
“Was your trunk handled to your satisfaction upon your arrival?”
“Yes, everything was done quite well.”
Elizabeth poured the tea and added lemon as she knew Caroline always took her tea with lemon. She felt Caroline’s gaze as she completed her tasks. It was not angry, but rather wary.
“I thought I would take a short walk inside the park now that I am finished meeting with our steward, Mr. Smith. Would you care to join me?”
“Yes, I would like to take some fresh air, thank you.”
“I am glad. It is a lovely day and I’ve been meeting with Fitzwilliam and his steward in the study with a stack of ledgers all day!”
Caroline looked surprised but made no reply.
“What shall you wear? As a girl, my sisters and I always helped each other select an outfit. Did you and Louisa ever do that?”
“O—occasionally yes, we did do that.”
After some time looking at Caroline’s many beautiful gowns, all of which Elizabeth complimented, they selected a soft sage green muslin gown, one of Caroline’s simpler walking-dresses. Elizabeth rang for Georgiana’s lady’s maid, Clara, so that Caroline’s hair could be arranged. After realizing that Caroline meant to remain adorned with all her jewels and hair accessories, Elizabeth endeavored to make a suggestion.
“Caroline, you know you don’t need all of that. You are beautiful in your own right. Too many jewels are just a distraction. And this is a country setting.”
“Thank you Elizabeth. I am very fond of my jewelry.”
“Clara, you are so skilled in accentuating a woman’s best features, how would you style Miss Bingley’s hair?”
Clara froze, not wanting any part of this conversation. She had been trying to take care of Miss Bingley for only a day and had already seen enough to be on her guard. “Uh, I think, Mrs. Darcy, that I would style a chignon using a very loose braid woven on each side and tuck her ends under with pins.”
“Let’s try that! Do you mind Caroline?”
Clara worked deftly removing Caroline’s jewelry and headdress, unpinning and brushing out her long hair and soon a lovely, very loose, chignon took shape that perfectly softened Caroline’s visage. Elizabeth had never seen her look so pretty. And she wasn’t wearing a single piece of jewelry.
“Clara, I am all astonishment! I’ve never seen this style and I like it very much.”
“Thank you Miss Bingley. You can add a flower, here, if you like.”
“Shall we select a rose on our way out for our walk, Caroline?”
“That would be lovely, yes, let’s. Clara, what color would you suggest?”
“Definitely bright pink, miss.”
Elizabeth and Caroline walked into the rose garden; Elizabeth was enjoying the sun, whilst Caroline carried her parasol to protect her complexion. Elizabeth did not spend much time in the rose garden as she spent as much time as she could with Catherine, Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, in the library or music-room, or out on the Pemberley grounds. The rose garden was the most formal part of the Pemberley grounds and when outdoors, Elizabeth preferred the natural, uncontrived countryside of Derbyshire.
The gardener who tended the roses saw them and approached asking if he could be of assistance.
“Thomas knows that I spend little time in the rose garden unless I am looking for something!”
“I could spend an afternoon out here, I am sure,” replied Caroline, breathing in the lovely scent deeply.
“You are welcome to tour the rose garden any time, miss.”
“Thomas, on Clara’s recommendation, we are looking for a bright pink rose bud for Miss Bingley’s hair, which will not wilt after being cut.”
“Certainly, ma’am, Miss Bingley, would you like something fragrant?”
“Yes, I think that would be lovely.”
“May I suggest one of our Gallicas, the Charles de Mills? It is extremely fragrant and will hold up well to be being cut.” Thomas led them to several rose bushes which boasted elegant pink roses each with a profusion of petals.
“This species is lovely. Yes, let’s use one of these.”
Thomas immediately selected a bloom not fully opened and snipped the stem, leaving enough length remaining attached so that the flower could be tucked into Caroline’s coiffure.
Elizabeth and Caroline went inside to find somewhere to sit down and put the finishing touch onto Caroline’s hair, then they went to a looking glass where Caroline could admire the final result.
“You look beautiful, Caroline.”
“Thank you Elizabeth. This was very thoughtful. I don’t know what to say.”
“You need not say anything. Friends do nice things for each other, just because they are friends.”
Caroline looked away.
Chapter 25
Elizabeth and Miss Bingley proceeded to walk along the front lawn towards the river. The river pooled into a tranquil lake near the front lawn before its windings caused it to disappear into the extensive woods surrounding the front park. It was a short customary walk that was used by visitors and was well worn, as Elizabeth did not want to unduly tax Miss Bingley, who was not a great walker. The route would bend around away from the front of the house and into the woods by way of a small bridge. The verdant grasses stood tall next to the water and many wildflowers were to be seen after they left the woods behind. Once the house was in sight again, they approached a stone bench.
“Would you like to sit and talk, Caroline?”
Caroline acceded to the request and they looked upon the view of the lake for some time in silence.
“Your stay with us should be of some duration, likely above six months.”
“That is surely not the case! Charles and Jane cannot possibly stay in Italy for her confinement.”
“Regardless of the length of their trip, her delivery and confinement will be as peaceful as can be contrived. Following the birth of our nephew or niece, you will not be returning to Barrington as your home. You may visit there as you do with the Hursts, but you will be settled elsewhere.”
Caroline looked incredulous. “You cannot possibly have decided that.”
“No, Charles and Jane have jointly decided it. And your abusive behavior toward them made the decision easy, which is quite the accomplishment considering how amiable and obliging they both are. I simply have the misfortune of being the one to tell you. I have no desire to quarrel with you, Caroline. Fitzwilliam and I only want to help them and help you. This could be a wonderful opportunity for you to made amends with your siblings and start fresh with new acquaintances and a new approach.”
“What do you mean a new approach?”
“I mean ta
king stock of what you are looking for in a husband and in your future life. Of course you would look for a man of independent means, but that aside, what kind of man are you looking for? What lifestyle would suit you? Caroline, you set your cap at Darcy and Pemberley without really considering how ill-suited a match it would be.”
Caroline looked appalled.
“I’m quite serious and I must be plain spoken with you. Fitzwilliam is a settled case, to be sure. But you would not enjoy living in the country eight or more months out of the year. Can you not confess that to yourself? You made it quite clear when we were all together in Hertfordshire what you thought of the country and its lack of culture, fashionable shopping, and refined society. Where do you think Fitzwilliam and I spend most of our time? As you know, I was raised in the country and on a farm, so this suits me splendidly. But it is not for everybody. Look around and observe. Look at how we live. What style of living would appeal to you? Fitzwilliam is a very active estate holder, an accomplished horseman, and an avid reader. Apparently he was not looking for a wife who would be a hostess, but rather one who reads, is comfortable being out of doors on a farming estate, and has my conceited independence you aptly noticed so quickly upon our introduction! Of course we host the tenants’ harvest festival and their Boxing Day Dance, but this is a working farm. The hours of the day are occupied with meetings with our stewards and attorneys, sorting out disputes with tenants, replacing roofs, managing the livestock, monitoring the crops, overseeing the construction of canals, studying new farming methods, and reviewing the estate’s other investments, among many other tasks that I believe would be of no interest to you. Some of these tasks even involve my time. I meet with the stewards, the tenants, the clergymen and the wife of one of the clergymen, the doctor and his wife, and the local shopkeepers in Lambton. I can show you the pigsties if you doubt me! I am not hosting The Viscount and The Viscountess Melbourne to tea, and exposing Georgiana to them, heaven forbid. Derbyshire is just one county, but surely you can see the similarities with Hertfordshire, where you were utterly bored. Is this the type of life you would pursue? Is this the type of man you would pursue? Is a great house in the country enough to make you happy?”
Caroline’s eyes were wide and Elizabeth waited to allow her to collect her thoughts.
“Mr. Darcy is Charles’s closest and most prominent friend. It was only natural that I consider him.”
“I completely agree. He should have been considered, but not to the exclusion of all other men. Fitzwilliam could have been a source of introductions for you during those years, as he still can be NOW. Mr. Hurst can also be of use in expanding your circle, if you will let him. I am afraid that Bath, Brighton, and Scarborough, whilst interesting, are all too small for you. I am thinking of London and the season as the best option. What say you, Caroline?”
“Why are you being so kind to me? I was awful to you.”
“There is no occasion for us to be rivals. Indeed, Caroline you really should be thanking me,” Elizabeth laughed, “I think you would be positively miserable here!”
Caroline smiled a small sad smile.
“I will leave you here for some contemplation. Do try to think about what traits you are looking for in a husband. Be honest with yourself. And try to picture your life. If a country estate does not appeal, then what would suit you? YOU should decide if Bath or Brighton or any other city would be of interest. It should not be dictated by me. You’ve spent much time in London. Is Mayfair the only place you would consider there? Do you have any interest in politics? If so, perhaps a Member of Parliament should be considered. It’s simply a matter of knowing yourself.”
Elizabeth left Caroline to imagine her future and did not see her again until dinner. She was unusually quiet and listened quite attentively to the discussion that Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth were having about the annual sheep shearing that would commence in June. Some improvements that had been made to the shearing shed would make quite a difference now that the men had finally become proficient with the new equipment, tools, and arrangement. The operation would hopefully be completed ahead of schedule and require fewer men than last year. Fitzwilliam was contemplating adding to the band of sheep for next year. This would increase the size of the operation and prevent him from needing to reassign or let any of the men go. He felt that his shed hands and shearers were all highly skilled. Elizabeth was conversant in the process and the new machinery and tools, so her conversation with Fitzwilliam was rather detailed. Elizabeth caught Caroline’s eye and gave her a knowing look. Hopefully, Caroline would finally start to see the light.
Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam tucked little Catherine into bed and Elizabeth sang to her until she fell asleep. They tried to repeat this ritual every evening and hoped when she was older she would treasure these memories.
Caroline’s mail from Barrington soon caught up with her and there was a letter from her sister, Louisa.
Grosvenor Street, March 19
My Dear Caroline,
I hope this letter finds you well settled at Pemberley. It is a lovely time of year to be there and believe me, London has been less than appealing this week. The rains have been simply intolerable and the society is surprisingly lacking at the moment as well. So please have no immediate concerns on missing out.
Jane wrote to me about the situation at Barrington and her and Charles’ travel plans for the duration of the year. She also shared your travel plans and included a letter from Mrs. Darcy. My dear sister, please allow me to tell you that I was wrong about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, now Mrs. Darcy. I wanted you to be happy and I thought you could secure Mr. Darcy. But I was wrong about that too. His heart became engaged elsewhere. And it is all for the best. You do not want to be tied to any man who has no regard for you. That is a conversation that I should have had with you long before we became acquainted with the Bennet family. I believe Mr. Darcy to be a good man, an honourable man. And as it turned out, he is a man who placed the desires of his heart above the priorities of the ton for connections or dowry, risking the condemnation of even members of his own family. I believe there is such a man out there who will give his heart to you.
I hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity. It is to our great benefit that Jane and Elizabeth do not hold us in contempt and instead are being cordial. They are certainly not of the ton nor that horrible school for young ladies that Father sent us to! I am mortified at how I have acted towards each of them and have deigned to apologize. It is the proper action to take. Please consider your actions carefully. You could be introduced to new acquaintances. You could make two friends. We need unaffected friends. And these two seem to be truly interested in your happiness, as am I.
Your devoted sister,
Louisa
Caroline had much to think about. That her sister had reconciled with Jane and Elizabeth was unexpected but understandable. Losing both parents at a young age meant that siblings had to look out for each other. Louisa would not want to be estranged from Charles, nor would she want Caroline to be estranged from him. Louisa, undoubtedly thought befriending Jane and Elizabeth was in both their best interests. But Louisa also seemed quite content with her decision and desirous of making amends for her prior behavior. That was less understandable. Louisa must have truly had some sort of change of heart. Perhaps she was still angry about the row between Caroline and Mr. Hurst during her last visit? But her letter did not sound angry. It was all very confusing.
The Fates certainly had a sense of humor. Never before had she been offered the opportunity to spend so much time with the Darcy family, but it was only NOW that there was a Mrs. Darcy and an heir! Caroline had assumed that losing their parents was something she and Mr. Darcy had in common, but in all her time knowing him they had never discussed that shared experience. Looking back now, that seemed odd. Is it possible she hadn’t known Mr. Darcy as well as she thought? Is it possible that she did not understand what made a good marriage? She had not given much thought about what her li
fe would be like after securing Mr. Darcy. She would live in London, host parties, and spend his money. She had never thought beyond that. In truth, she had not cared beyond that.
Chapter 26
The morrow Caroline wandered about the great house. Her footsteps followed their accustomed routes that had been followed many times before. She touched the same objets d’art in the sculpture-gallery that she always did. She noticed the same views from the windows in the saloon; for they had not changed. She smelled the blooms of the same rose bushes in the rose garden that she always enjoyed. She looked upon the same portraits in the picture-gallery with only one exception; the new portrait of Mrs. Darcy. The artist must have been highly skilled. He had perfectly captured her expression; from her small smile to her sparking eyes which both always betrayed her amusement. Whilst the great house had only the one alteration, there were other new scenes and circumstances, which gave the house a different feeling. Caroling was currently the only guest. Her typical visit to Pemberley usually included Charles and the Hursts in the party and sometimes other members of the ton. Georgiana only stayed at Pemberley in the summer months when she was from London, so Caroline usually saw her in town. Of course her customary visits to Pemberley also formerly included pursuing Mr. Darcy. But there was something else. Now that Pemberley had a Mistress and an heir, the house felt more like a family home than a great estate for grand entertaining, fashionable society, and romantic intrigue. The house was as splendid as ever, but it did not feel the same as before. And for the first time, Caroline felt mislaid here. The great house was surrounded by people she had no desire to meet and places she had no interest to visit. The activity and livelihood of the estate had little appeal to her as well. And the Peaks were but a small consolation for being so far from the entertainments of London and Bath! Even Hertfordshire had required only a six hour carriage ride to arrive in London! How could Pemberley have sunk in her estimation simply because it was now beyond all hope of attaining? It WAS the same exquisite house and the same ancient estate as ever. Would Mr. Darcy have similarly sunk in her estimation if she had been obliged to discuss shearing sheds with him? Caroline tried to unfold the rationale for her altering opinions and did not get on at all.
By Charm or by Choice Page 18