Chapter 18

Elizabeth and Darcy spent one week at Pemberley, and then set out on the roads again with the Fitzwilliams and their children. Elizabeth, to go to London and Buckingham House to speak with Her Majesty about what she had observed, as well as discuss with Montague and her uncle about what she could do for the people in Ireland. Darcy, to speak to the other men in Parliament about what had nearly befallen him, and to put pressure on the war office (along with Richard) to hold the army accountable for their crimes in Ireland.

Darcy and Richard were ignored on both counts. Men in parliament cared nothing for the Irish, nor did the war office care what crimes their officers committed there. They refused to accept that there was a larger issue, insisting that the matter with Colonel Davis was an isolated incident. Elizabeth had not been able to recover her nineteen thousand pounds, not that it concerned her overly, and the war office still expected Darcy to repay their money for the stolen horses, even though Lord and Lady Darcy had already paid Colonel Davis, who was the army's acting agent at the time of the theft.

Elizabeth was disgusted and gave them what they wanted, and then began to seriously consider the sale of her shipyards again. She was beginning to get a sour taste from doing business with the war office. Eventually, Her Majesty convinced her not to do so, but Elizabeth did not like it. She and Darcy had received an invitation from Lord W_______, to attend the house party Elizabeth had been hoping to attend. After her negotiations there, she would reconsider the matter.

What did ease her mind was her efforts to send aid to Ireland. She made arrangements with her uncle to import enormous amounts of rice, macaroni, oats, corn, and grain to be delivered to Ireland and distributed in each county. It would be done on a quarterly basis, in the amount of one hundred thousand pounds per year, for three years. She learned nearly immediately that this was not going to work. Lord and Lady Darcy learned to their chagrin almost immediately that the law against the army removing foodstuffs and crops from Ireland did not prevent the redistribution of such goods. The army could not take the food off the island, but they could still take it from the people who grew it, forbid them from selling it at a profit, or even just confiscating it entirely and sending the goods to any other location within the country they chose.

Worse, Ireland's own wealthy businessmen and educated men were often corrupt, taking from their own poor, and redistributing food or any other goods they chose with impunity. After two quarters, Elizabeth learned that most of what she was sending was being confiscated by both the army and privateers. She and Darcy were obliged to contact wealthy Irish noblemen to their cause. Each shipment of food had to be guaranteed safe conduct by Her Majesty, and Her Majesty had to send her own guard to escort the goods to the noblemen, who would distribute the food around their counties. If the food entered the country without The Queen's Guard, her own army would confiscate it on the roads no matter what paperwork signed by which generals accompanied it. On a few occasions, the men who escorted it had disappeared entirely, and they were thought to have been murdered.

Hazeldene's breeding program was closed until Ireland had recovered from the famine. It could not be reopened for horse breeding without Darcy's oversight, and Elizabeth would not hear of him returning to the island after their experiences. The tenants remained, free of rent, and a new steward was sent. Seed and everything required to farm would be provided for three years, the same amount of time Elizabeth had promised food aid for the country. Darcy had warned the tenants to farm and work as hard as they were able, because at the end of the three years, they would be expected to have recovered, be thriving and to pay rent again as long as the crops had been sound.

Eventually, Richard and Mary returned to Kent. There was word that the building was nearly complete. The only thing left was to finish and decorate the manor, and Mary was keen to get started. Darcy and Elizabeth remained in London with the children for a time, but they both agreed they had little interest in the season this year. Too much had happened over the last two years, and they were ready to return to Pemberley. Georgiana and Charlotte had been invited to stay with Lady Matlock for the season, and Maria would come from Meryton and participate as well. Elizabeth ensured that the ladies' wardrobes were refreshed, then she and Will took to the road north again with their family.

They brought a surprise for Mrs Bennet with them, a famous art master. Mr Bertelli was a renowned master and portrait artist. Darcy had lured him away from town by engaging him to paint the family's portrait as well as teach Mrs Bennet, and also Kitty if she wished, which she did, fervently. Mrs Bennet was showing promise in painting with oils, and also landscape sketches and drawings. The twins were nearly two years old, and so it was a good time to take their likeness. Elizabeth's and Diane's likenesses had been taken not long after tey came to Pemberley, and the paintings hung in Darcy's study at Pemberley House in London, and an enormous life size painting of Elizabeth hung in the great hall at Pemberley.

They had brought a chest of finished fashion plates and another pile of money, nearly seven pounds for young Freddie Vaughan, who had been hard at work drawing gowns. This was half of his earnings; the rest having been set aside in trust for his future. They met with Mr and Mrs Vaughan, and informed them that Madame Clarisse had recommended that Freddie come to London in order to see a wider variety of gowns and fashion, to better stimulate his imagination. Elizabeth had arranged for an apprenticeship in textiles. He would live above the warehouses with her uncle's clerks, working in the warehouses with the fabrics, learning the textile importing industry from the ground up, and spend time at Madame's shop, visiting Hyde Park on his day off to watch the people in their fashionable attire, and draw new ideas. His mother wept a bit, but his father was relieved that Freddie was going off to learn a trade, even if it was one he would never understand. Freddie would send home a quarter of his earnings from his fashion plates to help his family, keep another quarter for himself and his needs, and the other half would be deposited into an account for his future. Uncle Gardiner would manage it. Elizabeth made the steward aware that this was not a privilege reserved only for the Vaughans, and that if there were families who had offspring with specific interests, that apprenticeships would be found for them, with their parent's approval.

*****

Mrs Bennet was thrilled by her new art instructor, and when she was not planning Kitty's wedding, she was in the art room, learning new techniques and practising, or watching the man work on the family portrait, which he very graciously allowed. He was a marvellous painter, and a view he had painted of the scenery of the London skyline had very recently become famous. Elizabeth and Kitty had put their mother in charge of the wedding, and bade her to be as lavish as she liked. Elizabeth declared that Kitty deserved the finest and grandest wedding they could manage, which was considerably grand indeed. Unlike Caroline, Kitty had spent enough time in isolation, and had no desire to hide herself away. Gossip and rumour be damned, she had been away and married to an earl for two years, she had nothing to be ashamed of, regardless of how it came about.

Unlike Caroline, who eschewed her title, Kitty learned that as much as she preferred being Kitty Bennet, until she became Kitty Brandon, the name Lady Clive provided her with more respect and less intimidation, and she had no shame in using it to cow others who might have been unkind when necessary. Caroline, inspired by Kitty's refusal to be cowed, began to come into society a bit more in Derbyshire, and began testing how she felt being known by her title in public.

Kitty, Jane, and Mrs Bennet spent much time at Delaford looking at colour samples and fabrics. Colonel Brandon insisted that the house had not been updated since he was a boy, and begged Kitty to make all the changes she wished before the wedding that she desired. The house was not in disrepair, but it was in need of being refreshed, and Kitty even arranged for water closets and bathing chambers. She had missed them terribly in Ireland. It was official. Elizabeth's sisters were all spoiled from staying at her houses. They all required modern chamber pots, and tubs with water piped in, and boilers and proper drains and their husbands were indulgent and had to admit, they enjoyed the luxuries and convenience as well.

Mrs Hurst gave birth to her child, a girl, at Pemberley, due to the delay caused by the trip to Ireland. Elizabeth and Darcy were still in London, but she was well looked after by Sister Bethany, Charlotte, and Jane. Louisa came through without too much fuss and Mr Hurst never even considered attempting to enter the room during the birth, nor did it ever occur to his wife that his presence might be desirable.

The move to Tatton Hall was finally made two months later. Jane gave an enormous ball, to celebrate the opening of the house, and also Kitty's betrothal, which by Elizabeth's edict, had not been officially announced until they had been returned for three months. The wedding was set for October. Kitty and Mrs Bennet had many ideas for using autumn colours, and the lovely backdrop of the foliage to their advantage. They spent much time with Mrs Hayes, Mrs Pottinger, and Hazel.

Mr Farinacci had taught the cooks at Pemberley all he could, and had moved on to teaching the cooks at Netherfield and Pemberley House. Hazel and Mrs Pottinger also had a reasonably firm grasp on the basics of the Italian language. While their accents would never be perfect, they could grasp most of what was being said, even when Mr Farinacci was in a fiery temper and his curses fired at rapid speed. They could also articulate whatever they needed to. They could both read any Italian receipt without consulting a book for translation. Mr Farinacci had finally learned to be a good and patient teacher, and had become rather more dependable, which had been part of Elizabeth's intention all along. Elizabeth had Montague searching for a suitable building in London, or even perhaps an empty lot, which could be made into a fine hotel and cooking school. When it opened, Elizabeth would place the Italian chef in charge of the place, and they would be business partners.

Mrs Pottinger and Hazel were shocked indeed when Elizabeth gave them both handsome raises. She had to point out to both of them when they said that she was too generous, that their talents had developed considerably, and based on their improved experience, their skills were now more valuable. It mattered not that Elizabeth had provided the education. They had learned it, and now they deserved higher pay, because Elizabeth would not need to hire outside expertise for special occasions, as so many other ladies did, unless the amount of food called for it. They discussed bringing a French chef in later in the year, or possibly the following year. Hazel was excited to continue to learn new skills in the kitchen, and Mrs Pottinger was resigned to being swept along. She certainly did not object to the higher salary.

Loretta Lloyd had quickly fallen with child after her marriage, and Elizabeth gave her most sincere congratulations when she paid a call upon her friend. Lady Lucas continued to send letters to London to plague Charlotte to come home and accept Mr Connolly's attentions, but Charlotte ignored her mother. Lady Lucas seemed to think she had the authority to declare that Charlotte was wasting her time in London, and demand that she return to her parents' house. Charlotte remarked that Lady Lucas had begun to behave more like Mrs Bennet than Mrs Bennet had ever done.

Lady Lucas had even suggested that Charlotte's presence in London was a detriment to Maria's chances. Charlotte had no plans to remarry just because her mother was embarrassed by her widowhood. She had the security she required, and even had a gentleman that she liked come along, which he had not, Charlotte was not interested. Her life was busy and happy. She was safe, and had family that she cared for. Her security and that of her son was entirely assured. She had no need to marry again, and the more her mother plagued her, the more determined she became to maintain her status.

Lydia could have gone with Charlotte and Georgiana to London, but she had little interest in being presented this year. She preferred to stay with Kitty and Mrs Bennet in the country. Elizabeth had talked to her about going the following year, but Lydia demurred. "Lizzy, it is all so nonsensical. Think of those idiots that came to the Netherfield ball that flock around Georgiana. Can you imagine me relating to those dandies in any way?"

Elizabeth could indeed have imagined such a thing three years ago, but Lydia had matured, and learned that there were more important things in life than men. She preferred to stay at Pemberley, and continue teaching Diane, and spend as much time with Kitty as possible before her wedding.

*****

In July, Elizabeth and Darcy spent a month at Stony Crest Park in Hampshire at the house party hosted by Lord and Lady W______. The lavish hospitality provided by the earl was beyond compare. Elizabeth had been a guest at some of the wealthiest homes in the kingdom, and never had she seen such a display of tasteful elegance. Once she had negotiated a deal with Lord W______ and his business partner Mr H___ for an enormous investment in their locomotive foundry, and another deal with his American father-in-law for an investment in a new soap factory in Bristol, Elizabeth jested to Lady W______ that her next negotiation would be for the earl's household and party journals. On their return journey to Pemberley, Will and Elizabeth promised each other that they would throw an enormous house party of their own one day, every bit as decadent and lavish as the one they had just attended. Perhaps to celebrate Georgiana's wedding when the time came.

Georgiana had attended the house party with them, and once she convinced the other young ladies attending that she truly had no interest in being courted until her majority, she made friends quickly with those she did not know, and was happy to enjoy the company again of those she did. Mr Vivian Radcliffe and his brother Lord Berkeley were guests as well, and Darcy noted that the young man was absorbed by watching or entertaining his sister far more often than engaged in the amusements preferred by the other men. When in the ballroom, Radcliffe did his duty and danced with the ladies, but Darcy saw that the young man's eyes rarely left Georgiana, and that his sister always seemed to gravitate towards the young man like a magnet.

Darcy was grateful that Georgiana had taken Elizabeth's advice to enjoy the pleasures of her youth rather than rush into marriage. Indeed, when Darcy and Elizabeth had wed, Georgie had still been so timid and afraid of being presented and married, that she had grasped onto Elizabeth's advice rather desperately. But as she had matured and gained confidence, Georgiana had seen the sense of her new sister's counsel, and had taken it closely to heart. For all of her glances across the room at her friend Radcliffe, she was determined to rebuff all romantic advances until she felt ready, even from him.

When the Darcys returned to Pemberley in August, the wedding plans were all the ladies of the house spoke of. A dozen temporary kitchen and house maids would be hired and at least a dozen footmen as well for the big event. Mr Farinacci and his assistant from Netherfield were to return to assist Mrs Pottinger and Hazel with the enormous menu that Mrs Bennet had planned. All of Derbyshire was invited, and Elizabeth had made as many carriages as she could available to deliver those guests from Meryton that had no comfortable travelling conveyance of their own. Lord and Lady Lucas would attend with Maria, Uncle and Aunt Phillips, Mrs Long, the Gouldings, and several other families of good standing were making the trip. The Fitzwilliams were travelling from Kent, and the Matlocks, Gardiners, and Elizabeth's Uncle Hexham and his family would also make the journey, along with numerous officers and friends from town of Brandon and Richard.

And so, the talk of the house was lace. The talk of the house was lace, ribbon, bonnets, flowers, white soup, and which pheasant dishes ought to be served. Kitty had refused to go to London for her wedding gown and trousseau. Elizabeth had tried to insist, considering that Kitty had not had a proper wardrobe in some time, but Kitty had stopped her. "I am not afraid to go to town, Lizzy, but I have no wish to go just now. We shall spend time in Sanditon after the wedding, and then return to Delaford for some months after that. Next season will be soon enough to enter society. I shall need some good furs, but Brandon has obtained my measurements, and sent an order to town. He assures me they shall be lovely. The dressmaker in Lambton is more than sufficient to make what I need for now. You always use her when you are in Derbyshire, do you not?" Elizabeth finally agreed, and let the matter rest.

Lydia was to travel to Shannon View with her sister for her wedding trip. It would hardly be the time of year to visit the seaside, and of course the couple would wish to spend some time alone. So, Elizabeth sent a letter to the wife of a developer she knew of in Sanditon. Mr Tom Parker had invited Elizabeth and Will several times to visit and see the delights of the new seaside town for themselves. However owning seaside cottages of their own in both Brighton and Ramsgate, they had seen little point.

Elizabeth knew Parker wished for her to become an investor in his property, but to be truthful, the investment was very small potatoes compared to most of her other dealings, and there was far more risk involved. If Parker could not attract enough interest in the place, it would founder. Elizabeth would consider it to be more of a charitable endeavour to keep a respected developer afloat rather than a true attempt to make any real profit. It was also true, however, that a sizeable investment would give him some freedom from his primary investor, Lady Denham, who owned a large house and estate in the vicinity, and controlled all that went on with an iron fist. Parker's problem was that no one would take interest in the town while there were no gentlemen's clubs and few entertainments, and no businessmen would open such establishments without proof that the town had some interest from society. Lady Denham would never fund such establishments, and so the town continued to struggle.

Elizabeth knew his wife, Mrs Mary Parker, well. They had worked together on several charities in town, and Elizabeth knew she could be trusted with Lydia's safety, so she wrote to Mrs Parker. She soon received the reply that the Parkers were delighted that Lady Darcy's sisters and brother would be taking up residence close by, and would be glad to include Lydia in their party often for entertainments. Elizabeth's arrangement ensured that Lydia would have some amusement, without requiring Mr and Mrs Brandon to venture into society more than they would prefer on their wedding trip. Mrs Parker also volunteered to look in on Shannon View with her husband, and return a report on its condition before the wedding. Being familiar with the area, she could recommend servants to the housekeeper, and ensure the house was opened comfortably for the Brandons' arrival. Elizabeth promised Mrs Parker that she and Lord Darcy, and possibly many others from her family would be visiting her sister and brother at Shannon View the following summer, and that she was looking forward to experiencing Sanditon after hearing so much of it from Mr Parker while in town.

Elizabeth and Will had discussed the marriage settlement with Kitty and Colonel Brandon extensively. He had attempted to refuse to take any part of Kitty's fortune, but eventually was persuaded, particularly by Darcy, who had done the same, that considering the vast fortune his wife brought to the marriage, it was proper to use some of that wealth to improve Delaford for their heirs. Darcy mused to Elizabeth later that he had been silly to refuse it, looking back now. She had ensured the money had improved Pemberley anyway, and his heirs would be hers as well, refusing to allow her to improve their lot was foolish and prideful.

Brandon agreed to the same as Richard. Twenty thousand of the dowry from Elizabeth would go to him. Twenty thousand would go into the percents for Kitty, to provide her pin money and her widow's portion. Ten thousand from the dowry would be invested by Montague and they would meet with him or Elizabeth regularly to manage the investments, and decide between themselves whether to use the funds to improve Delaford, or to provide for daughters and younger sons. Brandon would not accept any portion of the inheritance from Lord Clive for Delaford, although Kitty directed ten thousand from those funds to be added to their investments. Shannon View and Clive House in town would be Kitty's to lease, use, and pass on in her will as she chose. Elizabeth had discussed the state of the town in development nearby, and Kitty vowed to invest in it, but not all right away. She would live nearby for a time, and invest the money where she thought it was most needed.

Elizabeth decided that if her sister was going to make an investment, that she would as well, in order to help ensure that Kitty's thrived. She wrote to Montague, and had him and the managers of Whites and Gentleman Jack's plan to open new gentleman's clubs in Sanditon, and offer membership as an addition to their existing memberships in those clubs, for an additional fee. Additional seaside services and activities would be offered to their members. She also instructed Montague to investigate the greatest needs of the town to help it achieve success, and began to plan an enormous investment of her own.

When Montague responded, he indicated that what the town needed most, was what the primary investor Lady Denham would hate the most. It needed the most sophisticated of hotels, with a famous chef, and, as Elizabeth already knew, it needed entertainment for gentlemen. Families wanted to lease houses. Couples without children, young and old alike, often preferred the modern amenities offered by luxurious hotels, particularly those who had travelled to the continent. Elizabeth was helping with the gentlemen's clubs. But still, there were only two small pubs in Sanditon. It was not remotely tempting to young men unless it had more pubs. Lady Denham hated the idea of hotels, though she had only ever been in one, and she loathed the idea of gentlemen's clubs and pubs, though she had never seen the inside of one of those. She wanted only entertainments that interested her, and being nearly seventy, there was little that interested her other than being difficult for sport.

Elizabeth instructed Montague to send the very best architect, who designed some of the most impressive hotels in London and Paris, to select a site and begin negotiations for the build. The establishment must be of the highest calibre, and offer the most modern and desirable accommodations. Elizabeth then wrote to Mr Farinacci, offering him the place of running the hotel and including a cooking school. They had planned for London, but Mr Farinacci's already famous reputation as former head chef to The Queen would tempt noblemen and their wives to come to Sanditon to enjoy the cuisine and fine amenities. This would lend much weight to the standing of the up-and-coming little town. There would be an impressive ballroom in the hotel, and local hostesses would also be able to reserve his and his assistant chef's time to coordinate large dinner parties and events, both hosted at the hotel, or in their homes.

Farinacci shamelessly wrote to Hazel and attempted to poach Pemberley's assistant cook, insisting he must have a proper assistant, but Hazel was adamant about staying at Pemberley. Instead, he enlisted a young footman from Netherfield who had shown tremendous interest and promise in the kitchens. Montague was enlisted to find a business manager for the hotel, so that Farinacci would be able to focus on the kitchens and the cooking school.

Elizabeth then instructed Tom Parker to open at least four more pubs or taverns of the type that would be attractive to young, wealthy gentlemen, and advised him that once the gentlemen arrived, the young ladies would follow. There ought to be extensive botanical gardens, butterfly and pollinator gardens for the academics, and regular community seashell hunts and sporting events. Gentlemen loved to bowl and play cricket. Young ladies loved to watch and cheer them on, so there must be sporting event weekly. There must be weekly assemblies in the summer, a small theatre and opera house, fireworks, regattas, as well as concerts, bonfires, and masquerades on the beach. There were already houses and cottages, both enormous and opulent, as well as modest and practical, for families travelling together. Elizabeth instructed Tom Parker to stake out locations for all of these activities, so that plans might be prepared, should investors show interest. Montague was instructed to reach out to businessmen who might wish to open or finance such opportunities. Wealthy widows were also approached, for there were several who might wish to sponsor the gardens.

*****

As much as Kitty did not wish to go to London to be fitted for clothes, she was obliged to go for a much different reason. The second week of August, Elizabeth received a letter from a publisher in whose publishing house she had an investment. The publisher was offering to publish all of Kitty's children's stories, which Corrigan had rescued along with Kitty's artwork, illustrations and all. Children's picture and story books were becoming very popular, and Kitty needed to go to London, sign the contracts, and approve the proofs and the covers. She also added dedications in each book, to either Diane or the cousin or sister the story had been written for. It was discussed whether the books ought to be published anonymously or under a pseudonym, to which Colonel Brandon, in a fit of pride for his betrothed's accomplishment, insisted they must all be credited to her upcoming married name.

It was a bold move. Only a few ladies had written openly as females, most of whom had at least begun anonymously or with pseudonyms that either portrayed them as men, or baffled their readers with odd, gender-less sounding names. While certain types of writing by a woman, such as gothic novels, would in some circles be frowned upon, the creation of children's stories was considered feminine and genteel, for it implied the lady doing the storytelling must potentially be a wonderful mother, an accomplishment of which society highly approved. Brandon insisted he was proud of her work, and would never allow any naysayers to snub her in society. It was also true that her connection to and acceptance by Elizabeth and her friends would be immensely helpful.

Mrs Bennet and Mr Bertelli accompanied them to London, because Mr Bertelli's painting of the London skyline had been offered a place in the museum and Fanny Bennet and Kitty were keen to view the opening. Fanny Bennet glowed at the idea of finally being able to travel whenever she wished, and actually enjoying it. Mr Bertelli was nearly of an age with Mrs Bennet, a handsome man, and Elizabeth could tell that he held her stepmother in high regard. His interest seemed respectful, but very direct. Fanny Bennet had no idea how to receive such sincere attention, but mostly ignored it. She was still a handsome woman, but she was still married, and had no interest in affairs. Still, she preened a bit under Mr Bertelli's attentions.

Elizabeth and Darcy accompanied the party, which consisted of Kitty and Colonel Brandon, Lydia, Mrs Bennet, and Mr Bertelli, to the museum for the grand unveiling. A curator of the museum introduced Mr Bertelli, who made a small speech about his inspiration for the painting, and his humble gratitude for its inclusion in the museum. Mrs Bennet was enraptured by the spectacle, just as she had been at an art lecture at the Royal Academy the day before. Near the end of the speech, Darcy nudged Elizabeth and nodded to a man some feet away, who was watching her stepmother intently. Elizabeth glared at the man, who appeared both shocked and captivated by Mrs Bennet's enchantment with the lecture. She could believe that he found her delight interesting, considering that Mr Bennet had never seen his wife display such qualities before.

Elizabeth prayed the man would know he was not wanted, but it was not to be. As they appreciated the painting with the other onlookers, a voice interrupted their conversation, "Fanny?" the gentleman ventured uncertainly behind the object of his interest. Elizabeth observed her stepmother tense, felt her husband do the same next to her, and saw Kitty turn completely white with terror and clutch Colonel Brandon's arm. Mrs Bennet turned and then looked at Elizabeth, who lifted her nose in the air in encouragement, and Fanny did the same.

"Thomas," Mrs Bennet responded without emotion, looking upon Mr Bennet, who had aged significantly over the last two and a half years. Too much brandy and port, too many hours and late nights in his book room, too few proper meals for lack of a wife to manage his life, too few hours in the sun and fresh air, had not been kind. He seemed to have aged over a decade.

"Are you well?" Mr Bennet inquired.

"ARE YOU JOKING!?" Lydia screeched.

Elizabeth attempted to intervene before Lydia created too much of a scene. "Lydia, dear, let us not-"

"How dare you approach my mother!" Lydia demanded.

"Still an immature child, I see," Bennet observed offensively. His reception had not been what he hoped. He did not know what he expected, all he knew was that he had never seen such a light in his wife's eyes, and he had to learn what put it there.

Sadly, for Bennet, his family had no intention of letting him near his wife, and they began to move away from him. Angry and mortified, Bennet lashed out at Kitty. "I see you found your way home like the proverbial bad penny. A lot of fuss over nothing, then, as usual with your mother and her daughters?"

As Kitty gasped and recoiled away from him, Colonel Brandon made as if to grab for Bennet's collar, but Mrs Bennet's voice stopped him as she turned back and stared straight into her husband's empty eyes. "How dare you. How dare you address her? Two years. Two long years of torment for her and this whole family, by your deeds, and you make light of it. I still hear her screaming every night in my sleep, Thomas. If you ever address her, or any of my family, ever again, I will gouge your eyes out with my own hands. Miss Carmichael taught me how, such a dear girl. Go back to Oxford, Thomas. You have no more wife. You have no family. You not only sold Kitty. You sold us all. You have nothing and no one but your books and your filthy money."

"Fanny? Are you well, bella ragazza?"

"Who is this?" Bennet inquired of his wife.

"He is none of your business," Mrs Bennet replied.

"And… You are?" inquired Mr Bertelli disdainfully.

"I am her husband!" exclaimed Bennet, aggressively.

"Are you?" asked Fanny Bennet. She then addressed Darcy, "Please escort me away, my son, before my husband ties a ribbon round my neck and auctions me away [?] at the market." She then lifted her nose and turned away, taking Darcy's free arm and beginning to walk away.

Thomas Bennet slunk away as Darcy, Brandon and Mr Bertelli glared at him menacingly, and Kitty began to regain her colour. Mrs Bennet grasped Elizabeth's hand tightly and said, "I need to leave, Lizzy." The gentlemen hurried the ladies outside, where their carriage was waiting. Mr Bertelli must remain at the museum for some hours, but he would later follow them to Pemberley House. Fanny Bennet held her composure until she was in the carriage, and the moment the door closed, she threw her arms about Kitty and began to sob in distress. Finally, finally, had the dragon been slain for Fanny Bennet. She had spoken her piece, and seen with her own eyes that there was nothing left to be feared by her husband. The gentlemen valiantly averted their eyes, and Elizabeth clucked and made comforting comments as they returned to Bruton Street. By the time they arrived, Mrs Bennet had regained her composure, though she spent the rest of the evening alone in her rooms. That night was the first night since Kitty had been taken away that Fanny Bennet did not have nightmares.

Not long after this event, the books were approved, the contracts signed, and when Kitty heard of the improvements and plans Elizabeth was suggesting for Sanditon, Kitty decided that she wished to open England's first children's playhouse. There would be a play each week based upon Kitty's stories, and others by authors of children's books and fairy tales that she admired. Perhaps children's authors might be invited to visit and sign books in the summer. At least two other days a week, there would be princess teas and pirate or cowboy adventures for boys and girls. It was a completely new idea, and Elizabeth knew it would make Sanditon highly attractive to families with young children.

*****

Eventually, once some plans had been put together and presented to Elizabeth, she committed to building the hotel, which would be run by Mr Farinacci, who was to be her partner. She purchased the land entirely, rather than lease it from Parker. She preferred to own the properties her businesses were on. If she leased the land from Parker and he went bankrupt, she would lose her investment as well. This would protect her interests and the future of the establishment, while also infusing Parker with some much-needed capital. Instructions were given to break ground; Farinacci travelled to the seaside town to oversee the work and lend his opinions on the plans for the kitchens.

Later, Elizabeth received a letter from Mary Parker, concerned about a situation in Sanditon. There had been an influenza epidemic among the cottages in which the labourer population and local cottagers lived, and one man had organised the others to refuse to work until their cottages were improved, stating their poor conditions as the cause of the sickness, and Mr Parker was displeased at the idea of giving in just because they had threatened his investments, fearing they might repeat the action whenever they wanted something. But it could not be denied, the cottages desperately needed improvement. Elizabeth managed the situation by writing to Tom Parker.

Pemberley,

Derbyshire

Mr Parker,

Progress is what you desire for Sanditon. To progressively improve the place until it reaches pinnacles of excellence. This is a worthy goal, as long as you remember that progress must improve life for everyone. When it begins to benefit only one fortunate group, and not others, particularly the people who lived there first, it becomes oppression. You need the goodwill of your labourers to thrive, or your investment will rot from within, along with your mortal soul, if you do not diligently attend to those who depend upon you.

It has come to my attention that the labourers of Sanditon and their families are becoming oppressed by being forced to work while living in unacceptable conditions which threaten their health and that of their families. I do not do business with men who treat their labourers and tenants so infamously, and as such, I expect to hear that this matter is resolved forthwith.

Do oblige me by announcing to your labourers and poor population living in the tenements in question that before ground breaks on the hotel, new cottages must be built for those living there. Please select a location that is healthful, and that you will not feel tempted to build something more profitable on in the future.

Each cottage will have two rooms upstairs and two downstairs, a water closet, as well as running water, drains, and tubs in the kitchen. Please also provide them with adequate lumber to build acceptable furniture. I assure you, the health and strength of your labourers and their families will improve tenfold when these measures have been taken. You can easily afford the expense after your sale of land for the hotel, and I will have it in writing from you that this small village will not be displaced again for at least thirty years, and that when such does occur, that similarly acceptable housing will be provided by you or your heirs in a new location.

Respectfully,

Lady Darcy

Tom Parker was so elated by the idea of new investors and future progress that he capitulated immediately to Elizabeth's demand. He was delighted to inform her that locations had been staked out for the botanical gardens and pollinator gardens, and famous gardeners had been employed to design them. Lady Denham had agreed to cover the investment of those attractions because she highly approved of refined activities such as strolling in gardens. She had not been informed of the new taverns. Tom had found tradesmen who were willing to lease property to open such establishments, and Montague had found a patron of the arts who wished to bring culture to a new community such as Sanditon and had committed to building a theatre and opera house. And so, the progress of Sanditon was accelerated. Advertisements had even been taken in The Times to make society aware of the delights being prepared for their amusement.

The man who held two of the livings in Darcy's gift, Kympton and another neighbouring village, had received an inheritance and given up the livings. Darcy awarded them to Edward Ferrars, and upon learning that Lord Matlock had a living available, encouraged that living be given to the man as well. Ferrars was eminently grateful. Now he had an extremely handsome income, would easily be able to provide for sons and daughters, and when or if the Duke of Leeds offered any living within his gift, Ferrars could thank him for the consideration, then decline by honestly stating that he already had as many as he could manage. Aunt Josephine would demur about living at Maplewood, expressing a preference for the protection of her son-in-law's house, which was exceedingly comfortable and generous for a parsonage, to living alone with Margaret at the estate.

They each loved Marianne, but she had behaved infamously, and contrary to the views expressed in her letters, her mother and sisters did not agree that the ends justified her means, or hope that her rank as a duchess would protect them or Edward's reputation as a clergyman from society's tongues if her deeds became widely known. Fearing that her elevated rank might make her descend into even more unacceptably wild behaviour, they missed her, but could not help but pray that the Leeds would never return to England. To date so far, Marianne was enchanted with her new life in Vienna, and never mentioned missing home. Montague reported that Leeds' affairs were still entrusted to his lawyers and stewards, and that nothing indicated that the duke might have any reason to return to England anytime soon.