Chapter 4

The next afternoon, Kitty came to Elizabeth in her study and asked, "Lizzy, what do you think of Colonel Brandon?"

Elizabeth answered, "That is quite easy to answer, Kitty. I have the highest esteem for the colonel. He is loyal and steadfast, a good friend to those he cares about, and a kind and honourable man. I cannot find enough positive things to say about him. Indeed, I could belabour his good qualities for weeks, given the time. Why do you ask?"

"Do you think he likes me?" asked Kitty apprehensively. Elizabeth laughed, but kindly. "Darling, I have known he likes you since we arrived at Pemberley this summer."

"Why would you not tell me?" cried Kitty. "Why must I have found out from Charlotte?"

"Because, my dear sister, I have no desire to meddle in your affairs other than to ensure your safety. Yes, I am aware of the colonel's regard for you, but the man is eighteen years your senior. I would not direct you to him or anyone unless you came to notice and admire him on your own," Elizabeth explained.

"Do you believe he is too old for me then, Lizzy? Would you object if I decided I liked him?" Kitty asked nervously.

"I would not object, Kitty, as long as I believed it was the deepest and most desperate desire of your heart. Others have found great happiness in such marriages before. Some may find him dull in the same manner as Will used to be considered dull, but they are truly only reserved and serious men who could not be more dependable, honourable, or respectable. I am sure the right lady would expose the joyful nature of Colonel Brandon's character. You see how Will has changed since our marriage. He is quite relaxed and charming when he is with those he is comfortable. Every lady is different in her preferences, but I find that such men make superior husbands. I prefer a stoic gentleman to a dandy, or a rattle. You must determine what sort of gentleman you prefer. It does not hurt his chances that like Darcy, the colonel is uncommonly well favoured," Elizabeth assured her.

"But while it is true that the colonel likes you," she continued, "sadly not all admiration must be returned in full measure. As tragic as it would be for Colonel Brandon's affection to go unrequited, it would be an even greater crime for you to persuade yourself in love with him just because he likes you, and no one has sincerely ever done so before. That sort of affection never lasts. If you believe you are interested in him, you must take it upon yourself to get to know him well, and to know your own heart before you encourage him to declare himself. You should keep in mind that you have two years to decide. If you attempt to marry before your majority, I am certain my father will interfere in an effort to force me or your suitor to pay him to allow you to make your own choice. He seems content to allow you to enjoy society, but he has expressly forbidden me to allow you to wed, which makes no sense unless he is planning perfidy. If he thought you were being courted, he might take you away to barter with me for the dowry he still believes that I owe him. I would not recommend that, it would be an extremely unpleasant experience."

"But we are to London in two weeks!" cried Kitty.

"That is true, dear, but we will return in little more than a month. I believe that if you gave the colonel the appropriate encouragement to approach you, that he might spend a great deal of time visiting Pemberley before you leave, and may even follow us to London in the spring. He is known to spend a short time there every year during the season," Elizabeth replied.

*****

That day, Colonel Brandon found himself at Pemberley again. As if he could not stay away, he turned up to see if Darcy was inclined to go for a ride, but Darcy was out managing a far off location of the estate. Upon leaving, the colonel had the good fortune of coming across Kitty sketching a scene of the park. An hour later, the two had strolled the gardens extensively, and Georgiana and Mrs Annesley had unobtrusively found locations where they could chaperone the pair without disturbing them, or themselves being observed. Before leaving the estate, the colonel requested permission to take Kitty for a drive in his phaeton the following afternoon. Permission was granted, and Kitty spent the remainder of her day in her apartment with Georgiana, attempting to select a gown for the engagement.

Later that evening, Darcy mentioned to Elizabeth that on his ride about the estate he checked on a hunting cabin that had obviously been used. "There was a china tea service in it, of all things, if you can believe it. A quality one, that I could not identify, for it is not from Pemberley, and has no crest. It does not appear that the bed has been slept in, or that anyone has stayed in it for any length of time, but the cabin and the fireplace have certainly been used, and some tea and dry goods were also left behind." What a strange item to be found in a hunting cabin! Darcy also mentioned that a small pocket-sized volume of Shakespeare had also been found.

Elizabeth asked Marianne if the volume was hers after dinner, to which she replied, "Of course not! Why would you think so?"

Elizabeth explained that given Marianne's long walking expeditions, and great love for Shakespeare, Elizabeth had just wondered if she had rested in the cabin and forgotten her book. Marianne denied all knowledge of the cabin or the book, and Elizabeth let the matter rest.

Colonel Brandon presented himself the next day with a lovely bouquet of hothouse roses, and ignored Darcy's grin as he and Kitty blushed at one another. The pair went off for their drive, and when Marianne and Aunt Josephine began to speculate about the attachment between the two, Elizabeth firmly stopped the exchange by insisting that "Family does not gossip about family at Pemberley. I am sure, Marianne, that when a gentleman calls upon you, that you will not appreciate your relations speculating in such an inconsiderate manner."

Although Marianne thought that if a particular gentleman, or, indeed, when a particular gentleman called on her, she would not give two figs for what anyone had to say about it, she thought it best to keep her thoughts to herself and went to her room.

Nearly two weeks later, one evening after dinner the family was sitting in the drawing room when the mystery of the cabin and the tea service was solved. Darcy and Elizabeth were playing chess, Margaret was reading a periodical, and Georgiana and Kitty were discussing a novel they were reading together. Mrs Dashwood, Charlotte, Mrs Annesley, and Granny Rose were playing cards. Not caring for any of these activities, Marianne decided to begin teasing Kitty about her attentions from Colonel Brandon, which had continued apace.

Marianne had just insulted Kitty about only being able to attract an old man in flannel waistcoats, when Kitty responded coolly, "I would rather be courted by an older, more constant gentleman, than one who never turns up at all. At least he is more constant than your capricious Willoughby, who never returned for either of us."

At this Margaret leapt from her chair and shouted, "Yes he has! He has returned for her! They meet nearly every day at the cabin. I have seen him. Sometimes Marianne allows me to come along. You are just jealous. Willoughby said so. He said he cannot court Marianne here because Kitty will be jealous that Marianne is to be a duchess, and Elizabeth might expect him to court her hopeless sister instead!"

Every person in the room was silent as the grave at this revelation until Marianne shrieked, "How dare you share something so private!" And slapped her younger sister hard across the face. Pandemonium broke out as Marianne screamed at her sister about her betrayal, and attempted to beat the young girl about the head before Darcy pulled her away and restrained her. Charlotte and Mrs Annesley rescued Margaret, Aunt Josephine wailed, and Kitty sat back, smiled, and enjoyed her cousin's well-earned downfall.

*****

The next day, Darcy rode to Maplewood, the viscount's estate. He was refused an audience with the younger nobleman. The Butler was unprofessional and slovenly, and made no effort to hide that his master was at home, but not to Darcy. Darcy left a letter and a small crate with the tea service and book, then returned to Pemberley.

Pemberley,

Derbyshire

St Claire,

I have returned your volume of Shakespeare, and your lovely tea service. As much as I appreciate the thoughtful gesture, Pemberley's hunting cabins need no such adornment. Perhaps the items might better grace a building upon your own property.

As you have already seen fit to sample Pemberley's hospitality, perhaps you would also see fit to call upon me at Pemberley at your earliest convenience for a direct conversation. We remain in the country for one more week. I look forward to making your acquaintance befor e I depart for London.

Darcy

Marianne was confined to her room, and Margaret was distracted with lessons and maps, and would have to remain out of public sight for a number of weeks, for she was sporting a dreadful black eye from her sister's slap. Elizabeth sent a carriage to the parsonage at Delaford, requesting that Mr and Mrs Ferrars wait upon them as soon as possible.

The Darcys discussed the matter at length with the Ferrars and Aunt Josephine. Elizabeth explained to the latter that while she had no desire to withdraw her hospitality to her family, the situation with Marianne had become quite intolerable. The girl had grown quite wild. Marianne resisted all efforts to chaperone her walks, had taken to meeting with a man in secret, and had steadfastly refused to stop being cruel to Kitty for months. Moreover, the situation was only becoming intolerably more difficult, even violent. Elizabeth refused to have cruelty or violence in her home any longer, and the vicious way Marianne had beaten her younger sister had been quite beyond the pale. Darcy would of course make every effort to meet with Viscount St Claire, and encourage him to do the right thing by Marianne, but in the meantime, some other arrangement must be made.

Elizabeth proposed that she would hire a strict and no-nonsense companion, and that Marianne and the companion would go to live with her sister for a time, in the hopes that in such a small household, Mrs Ferrars might have greater and stricter influence upon her sister. Marianne would still be welcome at Pemberley later on, and might even return to live there again one day if Willoughby did not do the honourable thing. For now, it might do everyone, including Marianne, some good to have a bit of distance, to gain perspective. Keeping her in close company with Kitty was of benefit to neither of them. Or to anyone else for that matter. Indeed, Kitty's company seemed to bring out the worst in Marianne's impulsive and competitive nature. Elizabeth might still allow Marianne to come to town with the family in the spring if nothing came from Willoughby's quarter, but first she would need to be carefully watched by her sister for a few months to discern whether there would be consequences from the secret meetings. The girl insisted no such behaviour had occurred, and was incredibly offended by such a suggestion, but the possibility had to be considered, considering the circumstances. Marianne must also eventually make a full apology for her terrible outburst and show every possible sign of remorse and repentance before she could return to Pemberley, or accompany the family to London.

The Ferrars were amenable to the idea of Marianne coming to the parsonage, and so the question turned to who to hire for a companion. Elizabeth proposed that they send a message to a genteel spinster who lived in the village of Kympton, that was known to be very rigid and stern in her manners and comportment, and so might be helpful in curbing Marianne's more impulsive tendencies. She was also known to be an extremely energetic lady, always industrious with her time, had been a nurse during the wars, and was known for taking long marches across the countryside each day. She had already begun volunteering to help at the nursing school. She would have no trouble keeping up with Marianne, and her energy and industrious nature would be a help to the parish, considering she would be living in the rectory, and was always heavily involved with church activities. The woman was applied to, accepted the position, and by the end of the week, Marianne left with Miss Crane and her older sister to reside at Delaford.

Viscount St Claire never materialised, and the family removed to London as they had planned. Before the family left, Darcy wrote to him, informing him that he was not welcome to trespass upon Pemberley lands for any reason whatsoever. Letters were also sent to the local magistrate informing him of the trespass notice, as well as to Willoughby's father, the Duke of Leeds. The magistrate's letter contained very little information. The letter to the duke contained only slightly more. Darcy requested that the duke take his heir to a brothel rather than allow him to trifle with the young gentlewomen under the care of his neighbours, and informed him that his son was unwelcome at all of Darcy's houses, and among all of his family, and that if his heir was found trespassing at Pemberley again, there would be consequences, title and rank be damned.

*****

Darcy entered his wife's chambers one day during their brief stop at Netherfield. "Did I see a cart and a trunk heading to Longbourn?" he asked as his wife made herself comfortable for her afternoon rest.

"I am afraid Lydia made an impassioned and persuasive case for Kitty to remain at Longbourn for a few weeks to assist with Mrs Bennet and her sprained ankle," answered Elizabeth. "Mrs Bennet has by all accounts become hysterical and fretful, due to Mr Bennet's continued ribbing about Jane having fled the country to escape her mother, and possibly not to be seen again for years. According to Lydia, each time Mrs Bennet begins to settle down, Mr Bennet says something to upset her again, and Lydia fears her mother might be going mad."

Darcy refused to allow Elizabeth to go to Longbourn in her condition. He had not liked her even making the trip to London since her girth had expanded so dramatically. His wife was swiftly beginning to look as though she had been pregnant for years rather than months. Darcy had little respect for Bennet, and had no desire for his wife to become upset by the business of Bennet's house.

Elizabeth did not argue with Darcy on the matter. The further her condition progressed, the more worried and protective he became, and she did not wish to alarm him after having heard of his mother's experiences. She extracted a promise that even in London, he would accompany her for a walk in the garden each day, no matter how unseemly he considered it, and in return agreed that she would otherwise not go out, or place herself in any unpleasant situations if she could avoid it.

Elizabeth was adamant that she must take vigorous exercise each day. She insisted that the poor farm women who worked all day and had no servants were stronger and better equipped to give birth than pampered ladies. She walked every day, found something to help with in the kitchens several times a week, and sometimes Darcy had even on occasion found her climbing up and down the stairs for no reason, although she had not engaged in that activity since her fall. She drank no wine or spirits, and insisted on a plain but wholesome diet, claiming that wine and rich food only gave her indigestion when she was expecting, and that she was certain wine and ale could not be good for the child.

The neighbourhood was understanding that Lord and Lady Darcy accepted no invitations nor entertained in the evenings during their brief stay in Meryton, considering Elizabeth's condition, but Meryton was always where Elizabeth felt most comfortable among society, and so she did accept morning calls from the ladies of her childhood neighbourhood before departing for London. All of the ladies of the area gave their very best wishes for her confinement.

And so it was that Kitty remained behind at Longbourn, with Elizabeth's promise to send a carriage and maid for her in three weeks so that she might have her dress fittings and attend the theatre before the family returned to Pemberley. Kitty knew that the family would not be socialising due to Elizabeth's condition, indeed, even the modiste was engaged to visit the ladies at Pemberley House so that Elizabeth would not need to go out. Aunt Madeleine and Aunt Matlock would take the other ladies to the warehouses for fabrics.

Kitty did not mind staying at Longbourn for a visit, for she had missed Lydia. Mary and Richard would travel to London from Windmere, where they had been overseeing the work at Rosings, and would return with the Darcys to Pemberley, for Mary must be with her sister during her time, and for the festive season. She had confided to Elizabeth in her letters that when they had briefly stayed in London after leaving Pemberley, that she had been all nerves when accepting calls from the ladies of the ton before they departed. Even knowing the women who called were nearly all her friends, Mary was quite nervous to be entertaining her own callers in her own London home for the first time.

*****

At White's Club in London, an elderly nobleman sat and waited in a private room for the one who had summoned him. He would wait some time, he knew. The other, higher-ranking nobleman would turn up when it suited him. He had spent weeks in London, trying to untangle the mess his son had gotten himself into. The man's son, who was middle aged, had bored of waiting for his father to die, and attempted to improve his already immensely comfortable fortune by gambling.

How his yet untitled son with acceptable yet unremarkable wealth had found himself at the same gaming table, let alone the same room, as the incredibly powerful man he now waited for, he would probably never know. Why he had done so, the elderly man would also never know, because he himself would have provided his son with funds or his granddaughters with dowries if necessary, though the terms of his son's marriage settlement had already ensured such provisions. But when he had finally lost his own minor estate, the cowardly son had put a pistol in his mouth rather than face his father.

Now, bones aching to return home to his own estate, the man waited, and waited until eventually, the door to the private room he had requested opened, and a powerful looking nobleman stepped in and poured himself a brandy without extending any greeting while the other stood. When the two had settled into their chairs, they began discussing the debt, the older man not wishing his son's estate to pass this way, for he had daughters to inherit it, and the property was unentailed. Not only that, but though the dowries were safe, his son's wife stood to lose a great deal of her widow's portion.

Eventually, the nobleman cut the man off and said, "We can make this go away. If you are willing to assist me with a private matter, perhaps we might come to an agreement."

Desperate enough to grasp at anything, the man agreed. The two spoke of details for a half hour, then the nobleman left, leaving the elderly man to wonder how the young lady whose life he had just agreed to destroy had offended the great man. It mattered little, once he left London, he would be leaving England altogether, and never planned to return again in this life. He left the club, and made arrangements to journey to Liverpool and wait, as he had been instructed.

A week later, an unmarked carriage arrived at a rented house in Liverpool. A burly nurse bundled a young woman who was heavily sedated out of the carriage, and into the house. The young lady was locked in a room, then continued to be dosed with laudanum until she was led up the gang plank of a small passenger ship three days later. A week after that, the young woman was married to the elderly gentleman under mild sedation in a small chapel, and then travelled to the estate at which she would remain for more than two years.

*****

Pemberley House was mostly quiet. Unlike in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth did not accept many callers in her condition. Only her family, and the very closest of her friends, mostly dowagers and mothers with several children, were allowed admittance. Elizabeth was nearly certain that she was carrying twins, and upon being examined by a midwife from the London convent and Mr Roberts, was even more convinced, although she still said nothing that would worry Will, and encouraged Mr Roberts to keep silent on the matter for the time being.

Charlotte could have completely weaned young William by now, but she waited to do so in case anything terrible happened or Elizabeth needed help with feedings. Elizabeth understood that infants needed to eat, but she did not hold with hiring unknown wet nurses who had been nursing for many years. Elizabeth worried that nursing continuously for so long must affect the quality of the milk, and her matron friends complained that it was often difficult to control the nurses' habits. Many were found to be too fond of the bottle, or unhygienic, and Elizabeth was convinced their charges suffered from such behaviour.

Elizabeth often noted that infants born to the lower genteel rungs of society, who did not usually hire wetnurses but had well fed and healthy mothers, were often stronger. Charlotte had promised that she would not allow Elizabeth's child to be nursed by a strange woman if she could help, which brought great comfort to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth hosted their families for two or three small dinners. Georgiana, Charlotte and Mrs Annesley were able to attend the theatre and the opera with Mary, Richard, and the Matlocks. Darcy took the opportunity to stay home and spend time alone with Elizabeth before their child came.

Once the necessary dress fittings for Georgiana and Charlotte had been accomplished, Elizabeth worked many hours a day, constantly in communication with her Uncle Gardiner and Mr Montague. Uncle Gardiner, who was Elizabeth's partner in several schemes, was to take over much of the more urgent correspondence and duties regarding Elizabeth's business. She continued to require a nap each afternoon before dressing for dinner, but she worked tirelessly to close several deals before they left town, selling some of her holdings that were onerous to manage or becoming less profitable, and pursuing fewer new ones that were expected to have larger, long term returns with little oversight, making it easier for her uncle and stewards, as well as Darcy, to take over the day to day oversight of her business for at least a few months.

Elizabeth also endeavoured to spend as much time with Diane as she could before the birth, in case she was unable to for some time afterward. One never knew how a birth might go. Diane broke her fast in Elizabeth and Darcy's sitting room each morning, played in Elizabeth's office each day while she worked, and accompanied Elizabeth with Darcy and Beau when Elizabeth took her exercise in the garden each day.

Aunt Gardiner invited Diane to Gracechurch Street to play with her cousins often. Georgiana had taken up Diane's education in Mary's absence, and at the age of six the girl was able to read in English and count, as well as basic sums. She had been fluent in English and Italian since she was very small, and was making great progress in French for a child so young. Although she had not learned to read or write in French or Italian yet, she could speak them. Most girls her age would not begin learning the language for a few more years.

If Diane mastered French as well as writing and translating both languages completely within the next few years, Elizabeth would consider teaching her German and later Latin, depending on the girl's aptitudes. Elizabeth spoke French, Italian, German, and Latin, and believed that anyone who spent any time at all at Buckingham House or at court ought to learn German. Often tidbits of interesting or useful information would drop by relatives or servants of the royal family, believing the English around them did not speak German.

Georgiana felt confident that she and Mrs Annesley would be able to manage Diane's education with help from Mr Mason for some time before a formal governess need be engaged, and eventually Mrs Annesley might take over as governess permanently if she chose, when the young ladies had all married. Elizabeth indeed had no objection to her daughter being taught academics by a male tutor when she had a mother and no lack of aunts to assist in the matter of her feminine accomplishments.