by Kay Mares
“Yes, Fitzwilliam looks forward to helping with Rosings in any capacity he may. As far as my role as Pemberley’s Mistress, I have been acquainting myself with the estate. The staff has been more than helpful, and Fitzwilliam has made no specific demands. I am settling in quite nicely.” Elizabeth replies. “He informed me in the weeks leading up to your wedding we will be hosting my sister Kitty who just became engaged to Fitzwilliam’s friend, Jonesy, and Mr. and Mrs. Bingley will be returning not only to attend your wedding but to start the move into what was the old Kerfoot estate. It promises to be a lively gathering.”
“Wills wrote Mr. Bingley wed your eldest sister on the same day you and Wills were joined. What a romantic gesture. Wills has told me of your sister’s gentle, serene manner, and I look forward to making her acquaintance. I confess I have no knowledge of your younger sister, but I have met Mr. Jones in the past. Mother naturally objected to the man’s panache. Then again objection and my mother go hand in hand. Forgive me for speaking so plainly.” Anne drops her gaze and Elizabeth gently squeezes her hand.
“There is nothing to forgive. I too have had times when my family has made a situation more difficult than it should have been, but in the end, we love our families and accept them in spite of their follies.” Anne appreciated how Elizabeth tries to make her feel more comfortable. Naturally, Anne was subjected to Lady Catherine’s poor opinion of Elizabeth, but Anne gave Lady Catherine’s rant no credence. Lady Catherine, if she held any affection for Darcy, should be thankful Elizabeth reached him and brought him back.
Anne, Georgiana, and Elizabeth spent a marvelous time together during the next week. Elizabeth and Georgiana already developed a strong sisterly bond. Elizabeth genuinely likes Anne, and the two of them form a deep friendship. Anne will become a regular and welcomed visitor to Pemberley sometimes without Henry. The happy little trio will gain more with the expected arrival of the Bingleys, Jonesy and Kitty and the unexpected arrival of Miss Bingley.
Lizzy is shocked to see Caroline inject herself into the trip ostensibly to help Jane and Charles move into the Kerfoot estate. There seems to be no end to the brashness Caroline displays. However, Lizzy will not show ill breeding instead welcoming Caroline to Pemberley. Darcy stiffens upon spying Miss Bingley, but when he notes the pained look on Charles’ face as well as a worried countenance on Jane, he opts to wait for Charles to offer him an explanation later. As he bows and welcomes his guests, Caroline greets Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, I cannot express my utter delight to be a guest at Pemberley. Thank you for your graciousness. You are such a gentleman.” Caroline turns her head slightly briefly acknowledging Elizabeth who stands by Darcy’s right side. “Mrs. Darcy, thank you.” Lizzy restrains herself from responding tartly, but Darcy feels no such compulsion.
“Miss Bingley as always, you never fail to surprise. In point of fact…” he trails off as he catches Elizabeth’s eye. Elizabeth noted an increasingly distressed look come over Bingley’s features and Jane’s widened eyes. Wishing to spare them any more pain, Elizabeth halts what would have become another public set down of Caroline by Darcy. Darcy had enough of Caroline’s pandering when he was unmarried. He thought as had Lizzy that Caroline was attempting to make amends, but she has reverted to her usual placating and false praise of Darcy and anything relating to Darcy with the glaring exception of his wife.
The Bingleys are given quarters for their stay as the Kerfoot estate is being set up with the first of their belongings. Bingley’s staff will stay at the estate to begin repairs as needed while setting up some of the rooms for which the Bingleys’ personal effects have been brought. Jane and Charles frequently visit to assure themselves their orders are being complied with. More carriages and wagons arrive in the time before Henry and Anne’s wedding so Jane and Charles will be able to move into the estate while they await the nuptials. The inclusion of Caroline was not expected nor welcomed. Jane later telling Lizzy of how she dreads having to listen to Caroline’s input regarding the decorating of the manor. In the meantime, Mrs. Reynolds is summoned to have another bedchamber readied for Caroline. A raised brow with a slight straightening of Mrs. Reynolds’ neck and shoulders followed by pursed lips speaks to the housekeeper’s displeasure.
After the travelers refresh themselves and partake of some tea, Jonesy and Kitty arrive. The maid accompanying Kitty is led to what will be Kitty’s quarters for her stay so she can secure Kitty’s belongings. Jonesy escorts Kitty on his arm to the parlor where the guests convene. Everyone congratulates the couple on their engagement. Kitty’s engagement ring is beautiful with elegant diamonds and rubies, but it is not gaudy. It seemed as if Kitty like Jane and Lizzy before her, appreciates a good man as opposed to what baubles that man can provide for her. Once again though, Caroline cannot keep the envy out of her voice as she gazes at the ring on Kitty’s finger. All these upstart Bennet women seem to know how to enchant a man in Caroline’s petty mind. The talk soon turns to romance and love. With newly-wed couples and those soon to be married, it is inevitable that the ladies wish to chat along those lines. The men excuse themselves to the billiard room, worried they may be enticed to join a conversation concerning lace. For everyone including Georgiana, the conversation is wonderful especially when each lady speaks of how their gentleman proposed to them. For Caroline, it is pure misery. Elizabeth and Jane ask Kitty to tell her tale first.
Kitty blushes a little from the notice then talks about how Jonesy sought her out for walks in the conservatory and as a dining partner. Jonesy gently encouraged her to laugh a bit more assuring her he would not find it vulgar or off-putting. Kitty tells them how he would give her the giggles with some story or another and as she shyly looks at Lizzy, she says many of the stories involved the constant jokes played between him and Darcy. Lizzy laughs and shakes her head knowingly.
“I can now understand Lizzy what you must have seen in Mr. Darcy, forgive me. But Jonesy says he is one of the most affable and humorous men he has ever met. He told me how I should never judge Mr. Darcy by the scowl he wears and soon I would see another side of him.”
“Yes, Kitty what you say is true. Most people do not know how my dear husband really is. But please, Dear, tell us of Jonesy’s proposal to you. We are anxious to hear of it.” Kitty’s eyes are shining as Lizzy addresses her and she ducks her head a bit then tells her tale.
“As you all are aware, after I left Pemberley, Jonesy followed me to Hertfordshire. It seems he had it in mind to talk to Papa already back then. He stayed with Charles and Jane. While there he courted me - walks, horseback rides, dinners with the family. Papa was amused while Mama was beside herself. Jonesy talked and jested with Mama never allowing her control of the conversation. I have Mr. Darcy to thank for that as he told Jonesy how best to deal with our mother. He continued in this manner for a week then he confided in me he could wait no longer to proclaim to the world his love for me.” Kitty blushed again as Georgiana sighs. “We walked out to the side of Longbourn where the gardens are, and as we stopped our walk, he trailed his hands down my arms, bent to one knee and asked me to be his for eternity. As I teared up and told him yes I would be his, he grasped my hands and smiled broadly. I cannot convey my happiness at having won such a wonderful man. Papa readily acquiesced, and Mama is overjoyed, to say the least.”
“Have you planned a date for the wedding?” Lizzy wants to know.
“We are having the banns called, and we will shortly announce our wedding once some of the plans have been fixed by Mama. Jonesy is more than happy to wed in our family church in Hertfordshire. Our thought is perhaps the travel will be easier as winter starts to retreat.” Lizzy hopes the wedding will not be too far away as she ponders the possibility of travel when she is further along in her pregnancy. Darcy will worry and fret excessively to have her far from Pemberley in an advanced state. Lizzy will talk to him later about Kitty’s wedding.
Next, the ladies focus their attention on Anne. The gathering has enjoyed getting to know Anne, and they are fa
st becoming fond of the soft-spoken yet witty cousin to Darcy. Just as Kitty did before her, Anne blushes with the attention but starts her tale in her feathery voice. “I do not have any dramatic nor particularly romantic tale to tell, but I shall tell you how we came to love one another. For years Henry and I, along with Wills, were playmates whenever the families were together. Henry has always drawn me to him with his easy manners and playfulness. While Wills has quite a sense of humor too, he often was too serious. As we grew, Wills became more withdrawn after the deaths of his parents and with the responsibilities of Pemberley. Henry went into the military where he distinguished himself on the battlefield.” Anne pauses, she does not reveal what Henry wrote to her of his military life, but the others are made aware that he relied on Anne’s letters during some of his darkest hours.
“We wrote to each other often. He of his career and some of the duties and decisions which fell to him and I wrote of life at Rosings. He told me how he looked forward to my missives as they and the letters from the rest of the family gave him the strength to carry on. I tried to make my letters positive and hopeful. Henry wrote to me about how he read and reread them. As he told me of his dreams and fears, I found myself writing to him of mine. It seems odd now, but we even wrote about the type of spouse we hoped to meet someday.” Anne smiles sweetly with remembrance and the glow in her eyes is unmistakable.
“As I reread his letters I began to comprehend he is the type of man I would wish to wed. Warm, witty and kind. We knew so much about each other from growing up together and this friendship matured into love between two people who need each other. We understand each other and bolster one another during some trials.” Anne did not specify her own trials, but Lizzy and Georgiana know she alludes to her domineering mother. “Each time he visited when his military duties allowed, I became more convinced of our suitability. However, I was unsure what exactly he felt for me.”
Anne gazes at Lizzy with warmth. “When you, Elizabeth, captured Will’s heart, Henry came to me to claim me as his own. He told me I had etched myself upon his heart when he faced some of his most frightening times and my words are always with him. He knew I am the woman he needs and wants. His proposal was right to the point. He stated he would not mince words and if I felt as he did, then he would take retirement and begin a new mission, that of loving me.” Anne giggles along with the rest of them regarding his military proposal as they dub it. “How could I not accept that commission?” Anne ends with. The comment has all of them laughing outright except for the haughty Caroline. As they wipe away a few tears of mirth, Kitty implores Jane to tell of Mr. Bingley’s proposal. Caroline shifts in her seat as a pout overtakes her lips. She did not enjoy the others’ recollections, and hearing of her brother’s offer to Jane will be agony.
Jane smiles in her demure manner while gazing downward. “When Charles returned to Hertfordshire, he apologized for his absence and foolishness. However, I would not let him take such guilt upon himself.” Jane fixes a short stare on Caroline who has the decency to blush. “He said he had a great love for me, one which had not wavered during the time we were apart. He did not wish to court me during this visit because he did not want to waste any more time before he could claim the bliss he would find with me if I only would agree to make him the happiest of men and become his wife. As I beheld his face, I saw the shimmering of tears in his eyes which matched my own. He was on one knee and professed his love to me, and I told him of my love for him and my desire to be his wife.”
The ladies all wipe a tear from their eyes at the sweet way Charles earnestly claimed Jane to be his bride. Caroline however barely stops a huff of indignation from escaping her mouth. Luckily no one notices. Georgiana particularly enjoys hearing of these declarations of love. She did not realize how Anne and Henry communicated all those years he was away, and she is swept away by Charles steady devotion to Jane. She is equally enthralled to hear of the wayward Jonesy being captured by Miss Kitty. But what she really wants to hear is how her own beloved brother proposed to Elizabeth. “Tell us, Lizzy, of Fitzwilliam’s proposal. What did my brother say and do?”
Lizzy looks at the tight circle of her family, feeling contentment in being able to share and laugh with them. She missed having all her sisters about so this evening of fellowship is exceedingly blissful. Lizzy can easily summon the feelings she had during the time at Netherfield when Darcy became ill. The whole incident frightens her yet, but whenever she needs Darcy’s reassurances of his health and love, he always seems to know to give her that peace. She begins her recollections.
“As you know, I was at Netherfield after Fitzwilliam was injured and then suffered from the fever. Charles asked me if I would consider sitting with Fitzwilliam for he could not seem to find rest. As I attended to him, he woke from a particularly restless sleep and I remember how clearly in spite of his illness, he looked at me and asked me if I needed him. I had been telling him how everyone needed him to recover. Naturally I told him the truth, I need him most of all.” Lizzy's eyes shimmer with tears as she recounts the poignant moment. “Soon after I told him I needed him, he fell into a deep restorative sleep. I sat and read until Henry came in to stay with him. He had a good and restful night Henry reported, and the following morning he ate a little, and the fever abated. After the physician finished attending him, I believe he played a game of chess with Henry.”
Anne laughs as she adds to the story. “He did indeed. Henry told me he spent the morning talking to you about some of their childhood together and when you and Henry returned to Will’s quarters, he was sitting up and not at all too happy that Henry divulged some childhood mischief they had been involved in. Henry said Wills quickly tromped him at chess and Henry was caught unaware. Usually, their games take hours, and they have been known to carry them over into the following day. Henry then was confident in Will’s recovery after the stunning upset.”
Lizzy nods with a grin. “Yes, I too heard about the chess game. Fitzwilliam thought Henry was still worried and not in top form, so Fitzwilliam showed no mercy.” Anne, Lizzy, and Georgiana snicker knowing about the rivalry between the two men while Kitty and Jane grin as they learn more about their inscrutable brother-in-law. Caroline wishes Elizabeth would just get to the point. Really to fuss so over all this drivel. Lizzy begins again, “Fitzwilliam asked me if I would consent to have tea with him that afternoon. Naturally, I agreed.” Lizzy closes her eyes as she brings forth the image of him dressed and attending her.
“The housekeeper escorted me to a small sitting room, and there was Fitzwilliam fully dressed, and he had a small table set up with tea, snacks, and flowers in a vase upon the table. He was pale, and I voiced my concern for him regarding him needing his rest. He waved my concerns away as he poured my tea and served me. I cannot forget the look of peace on his face and the shy smiles he gave me.” This time Anne joins Georgiana in sighing over the romantic tale. Caroline cannot contain herself, and she asks Lizzy about the arrangement.
“So you did not plan for this teatime?” Caroline practically sneers.
“No, Miss Bingley as I stated, it was all Fitzwilliam’s doing. He asked me about my family and growing up, wishing to share some of my childhood memories. We enjoyed a delightful time, and at one point he seemed to gather himself while becoming serious, fixing me with his eyes then the moment was interrupted when Henry came into the room. Fitzwilliam has told me since he planned to propose then, but he was interrupted by others who came to check his progress.”
Jane interjects then, “Charles said he had a feeling Mr. Darcy had something of import to say to you, Lizzy.” Jane reaches over to pat her sister’s hand.
“I remember being fascinated as I watched the gentle and jovial man I spent the afternoon with transform into a commanding and serious person as more people came into the room. I started to comprehend he has such discipline and restraint at his disposal and he employs it frequently. However even as he made his plans for the following day, I could see his wearines
s and pain which started to overcome him. I fretted to Jane that he had overdone.” Lizzy stops to take a drink of tea then a small bite of a biscuit. “Jane can speak to my worry over Fitzwilliam, and I admit I also began to wonder which man is the real man – the humorous, easy man or the stern, forbidding man.”
Georgiana speaks up, “I was concerned for my brother because I feared no one would ever know the real man he keeps so regulated. Why Henry used to tease him that no one would like him if he did not quit scowling all the time.”
Anne adds, “Henry would tell him his face would freeze like that if he never allowed himself to laugh. Will’s response is to deepen his scowl and add the infamous Darcy glower. However, both have served him well while keeping some of the leeches of the ton at bay.”
Caroline feels a bit ill. All the points Charles made regarding Darcy’s true nature are being verified by his own family. She pompously dismissed Charles and refused to listen to Louisa’s counsel. Caroline always was attracted to the haughty domineering Darcy she witnessed many times. She never fathomed that he really does have another altogether softer side.
“The following day, I was ushered into the study where Fitzwilliam was attending his business. He was angry, and it showed on his person. I mistakenly assumed perhaps some of the agitation was directed at me, but once he looked up from his work and he eyes found mine, I knew I was looking at a man in love. I cannot describe the luminousness accurately I found on his face, I more felt it than saw it. He quickly came around the desk and enticed me to stand. He started by telling me I was too generous to trifle with him, then he declared his unending love for me and his hope I would become his. I can still feel his hands as they slid down my arms. I can picture his face as he dropped to one knee while asking me to be his wife. When I said yes, he stood and embraced me, and I knew he and I were meant to be together.” Elizabeth cannot tell them about the passionate kiss Darcy and her shared nor the new feelings the kiss engendered, but she does tell them about the blazing smile which lit his face after she accepted him.