Chapter 9

Many young gentlemen came to Pemberley House during the season to call upon Georgiana, but she firmly made it clear very quickly to all that she was not even slightly interested in being courted by anyone. All romantic gestures were firmly rebuffed and gifts other than flowers were refused. She spent her season making friends (and rivals) among the people her age, and the matrons of society. Mary took to guiding Georgiana through the ton easily, warning her which young ladies would turn on her just as quickly as they would smile in her face, which matrons were only interested in making her look bad in order to promote their own daughters, which of the young bucks were often drunk and too forward with their hands during the dances, which of the married noblemen were lechers.

Lady Matlock and the Fitzwilliams took it upon themselves to accompany Georgiana to all events, though Darcy frequently attended as often as he was able, to lend his sister his protection and support. Granny Rose did not attend all of the events, but she went to as many as she had the strength for, and watched over her granddaughter carefully. Georgiana was grateful for Granny Rose's presence in the ballrooms. She knew her grandmother's friends watched over her as well, and that she could count any of them as an honorary grandmother in any moment of need, but Georgiana took great comfort in knowing her grandmother sat with the dragons and watched her benevolently. Georgiana did create a circle of close friends her age or a little older, both male and female, whom she trusted, and whose company she enjoyed. Elizabeth assured her this was the whole point of a season at her age and in her position, not to find romance, and so Georgiana considered her first season a success.

She had, like any stunningly beautiful debutante worth her salt, gained a number of devoted young male followers, but only a select few were deemed interesting, witty, and trustworthy enough to stand as her friends. Darcy confided in Elizabeth that he highly approved of her choices, and Elizabeth encouraged him to share his feelings with Georgiana, who had always lacked faith in her own judgement since Wickham.

The company of one of her favourites, The Honourable Mr Vivian Radcliffe, age four and twenty, and younger brother to Darcy's school friend Lord Berkeley, was essential to her enjoyment of society. She would always remember the first time she saw him. He had thrown back his head, and laughed heartily at something his friend had said. Not one of society's polite laughs, dripping with ennui, but a full-throated laugh, filled with genuine humour. Georgiana had never before seen such an absurdly handsome gentleman. This man made George Wickham look plain, but she quickly tempered her reaction to him, for she had no plans to create any attachments or fall into any infatuations. She did, however, feel quite at ease when Mr Radcliffe was by her side. He had the strangest mixture of qualities that Georgiana admired in her brother and Elizabeth.

Mr Radcliffe was at ease in society, had the skill to draw people out into conversation, and make them comfortable. He possessed the wit to keep them laughing and happy, while also being a very steady, reliable gentleman, always the sort to intervene when other gentlemen or young people were getting too excitable. She had seen him quietly put an end to many scenes that could have ended badly, before they even began, at several balls, late in the evenings, when the young people had drunk too much champagne. He was fiercely loyal to all he considered his friends, and was selective to whom he admitted to his circle, avoiding the worst of the hellions and rakes his age.

On one occasion, he had quite impressed Georgiana and her brother, when he had escorted Georgiana and Lady Annesley in Hyde Park on horseback. Two gentlemen racing carriages had knocked over a nurse escorting her charges on their daily walk. The woman was injured, and the young men had nearly carried on unheeding of her need for assistance, and the frightened cries of the children in her care. Radcliffe had taken control of the situation immediately, following the young men a short distance and overtaking them easily. The two young men just down from Cambridge were made to return to the scene of their inconsiderate act and offer assistance to the injured party.

Upon his return, he had assisted Georgiana down from her horse and set her to comforting the children, while he assessed the nurse's injuries. Darcy arrived soon after, having been fetched by one of Georgie's escorts, but by the time he arrived, Radcliffe had the matter in hand. The young gentlemen who had caused the trouble had been made to hand the nurse and children up into their carriages. Radcliffe led them to the home of the woman's employer, after having sent his servant to fetch a doctor to meet them there. The only thing left for Darcy to do was to escort Georgiana home. Radcliffe ensured the young men made an apology to the horrified mother of the children, and also insisted that the young men pay for the cost of the doctor, the nurse's wages for the duration of her injury, as well as the family's costs of hiring a temporary nurse. After a stern lecture, the young men were allowed to depart, chastened, and vowing not to race where others could be harmed in the future.

*****

The season came to a close and the family moved to Netherfield, because Elizabeth still refused to return to Pemberley while Kitty was missing. This created the first true fight of the Darcy's marriage. Darcy insisted that the world must eventually go on, and they must continue to manage their business affairs and their estates responsibly. He could not just abandon his duties, nor could she hers, and he could not continue to manage her business affairs indefinitely with her uncle. He must devote some time to his estates. Elizabeth, enraged by his insensitivity, removed Darcy immediately from the management of all her business, and took over her work again, in addition to nursing the twins, and all she was already doing in the search for Kitty. This resulted in her withdrawing from society entirely, not that she had been attending many events, but as the season drew to a close, she began refusing every invitation, even from family, and invited Darcy to go ahead and return to Pemberley and attend his duties on his own.

This is not at all what Darcy had in mind, but for a week Elizabeth ignored him studiously, having locked the door that connected their studies during the day, and stayed up late in her study working each night, until far past the time Darcy retired. Each time he approached her, she reminded him that he had duties to attend to, and he had better go and address them. In her heart she knew he was not wrong, and that Pemberley did need tending, not to mention Windmere, and Netherfield, and her stables, and all of Darcy's other properties. It was perhaps unfair of her, but she was incensed that he would expect her to abandon the search for Kitty so soon. Information could possibly take days to reach Derbyshire if it were not sent properly somehow, rendering it possibly useless by the time it reached her. Being so far from London was out of the question, and Elizabeth was as irritated as one could possibly be with her husband for not seeing that.

After over a week of Elizabeth pretending her husband did not exist, Darcy finally went away, just as Elizabeth had told him to do many times. After he left to escort Granny Rose back to Pemberley, Elizabeth moved the household to Netherfield in order to avoid the stench and heat of the city, and to keep Diane and the babes in good health. Netherfield was only four hours removed from London, so Elizabeth felt that she could send and receive information regarding the search for Kitty reasonably quickly from that distance. Georgiana was invited to spend the summer at Windmere with Richard and Mary, and in order to avoid returning to Meryton with Elizabeth, Mrs Bennet went with them, still embarrassed about her separation from her husband, which would be remarked upon by every matron in Meryton if she dared show her face so soon.

Charlotte was aghast at all of the work Elizabeth and Will had done to Longbourn. Elizabeth rationalised to her friend that most of it was work that ought to have been done anyway. Mr Bennet had received fifteen thousand pounds of her mother's dowry, and it was a crime that he had neglected to improve the estate and its income or to build or acquire a dower house.

Instead, all that had been accomplished was that he had acquired scores of books, and Mrs Bennet had redecorated the public rooms and the mistresses' apartments four times, and not even very well. Elizabeth had put out discreet inquiries and had received a letter from a family who was interested in leasing the house at Longbourn but not the estate, which was perfect for Elizabeth's preferences. The house could be let to a genteel family, and Elizabeth and a steward could work upon the improvements of the farming for the future without interference from the new tenants of the house. With the expansion, renovations, and new bathing chambers, a lease on Longbourn Manor could command a handsome sum indeed.

A steward had finally been found when they learned that Charlotte's brother John Lucas wished to marry Miss Long's younger sister, Miss Edwina Long, but was hesitant to propose due to the lack of space and funds at Lucas Lodge. As the eldest son and heir, he ought to be able to marry and bring his bride home to live with his family, but with two younger brothers and a sister still at home, and space being limited at Lucas Lodge, it was not an ideal situation.

John Lucas was not an experienced steward, but he had lived and farmed in Meryton much of his life, and Elizabeth felt that if he worked with the Netherfield steward and corresponded regularly with the stewards at Windmere and Pemberley, and studied the new farming methods they were employing, that he could learn quickly. He would be able to help his father improve the fields and farming techniques at Lucas Lodge as well, and all of this would help him prepare to be an estate owner in his own right one day. John Lucas was offered the position of steward of Longbourn, and the use of the new dower house to start a family. The proposal to Miss Edwina was made and accepted, and Lady Lucas set to work planning her son's wedding.

Miss Edwina's older sister Miss Long related to Elizabeth that she felt that with Miss Lydia now living away from Meryton, and the fact that Miss Maria Lucas had obtained from her all of the education that she seemed to have an aptitude for, that she might now look for a more permanent governess position. Maria Lucas had not taken to academic learning, although she did learn enough figuring to run a household. Miss Long had focused instead upon comportment and feminine accomplishments. Maria had learned enough of the pianoforte to distinguish herself, and could continue to improve on her own with diligent practice. She could sing, draw, and embroider reasonably well, and would conduct herself with a degree of credit when she went to London eventually.

Elizabeth told Miss Long that as agreed, she would be glad to provide a positively wonderful reference, but not until Miss Long had spent at least six months, if not longer, as a guest of first Windmere and then later another extended stay at Pemberley if she remained unwed. When Miss Long protested, Elizabeth informed her that she could not in good conscience send a woman of her own home village whom she considered a friend out to take a position, and lose her status as a gentlewoman. Not after all she had done to help Elizabeth's and Charlotte's sisters, without first giving her an opportunity to travel and meet new people, and possibly find a husband.

Elizabeth had already discussed such an idea with her sister Mary, who agreed wholeheartedly. Elizabeth was not planning to visit Pemberley for some time if Kitty was not found, so it was agreed by all that when the Fitzwilliams returned to Windmere after John Lucas's wedding, that Miss Long would accompany them back to Kent for a long visit with an extensive new wardrobe from Elizabeth as a parting gift. Also, in thanks for everything she had done to help Elizabeth's and Charlotte's families, Elizabeth had invested half of her two-thousand-pound dowry to make it grow, making it much more likely a man might be able to afford to propose to her.

Miss Long protested such charity, to which Elizabeth and Mary insisted that there was no such thing as charity amongst friends. The young woman's aunt, Mrs Long, finally shushed her into submission, telling her this was likely the most wonderful opportunity she was to have in her life, and not to squander it out of pride. Her kindness to the Bennet sisters in their need was being repaid, and there was little point objecting to the matter.

*****

Darcy was away for nearly a month, and when he returned to his family, he nearly wept, he had missed the children and his wife so terribly. Elizabeth had also been missing Will, and had been feeling dreadfully guilty about her harsh words and behaviour toward her husband. They had begun corresponding soon after he had left, and their reunion was tender and joyful.

Darcy spent many hours with Elizabeth and the children to make up for his absence. There had been much work to be done at Pemberley, and he would need to return for the harvest. There had been much disappointment among the staff that Elizabeth and the twins had not accompanied Darcy, for the new heir and his sister had yet to be seen at Pemberley. Elizabeth made no promises, but said she might consider visiting Pemberley briefly for the harvest if Kitty had not been found by then, but that was a possibility she did not even wish to consider just now.

Aunt Josephine had moved permanently with Margaret to Delaford parsonage. Elizabeth objected strenuously, but Darcy reminded her that they had only planned to stay until the two elder girls had married, and now Mrs Dashwood felt that she ought to go live with one of her daughters. The proximity to Pemberley meant that Mr Mason could visit the parsonage at Delaford each week to oversee Margaret's studies.

Darcy had promised them that the following year, Margaret would be invited to visit the family wherever they went for the summer, and for an occasional trip to London, and assured Aunt Josephine that the Darcys would continue to take responsibility for Margaret's education, and later her debut and sponsorship in town. Elizabeth vowed that she would ensure that whenever she was at Pemberley she would be sure to treat Margaret to a trip to the dressmaker, in order to prevent her mother or new brother from bearing the expense of her wardrobe.

Mrs Spencer had written to Pemberley, inviting Margaret to visit her at the Spencer estate near Plymouth, but Darcy, the Ferrars, and Mrs Dashwood had all agreed that such a proposal was quite out of the question. Marianne had come nowhere close to proving herself mature or responsible enough to ensure her younger sister's safety or reputation. Margaret herself had no desire to go, remembering all too well the long weeks spent waiting for her black eye to subside so she could be seen outside her rooms without engaging the staff in talk.

Darcy said that the Ferrars had shared with him that the letters from Marianne to Elinor were full of complaints. Her new mother-in-law seemed all that was gracious and kind, grateful that this girl provided an opportunity for the family to save their home for herself and her daughters, but the daughters were not fools. They knew that the expected child was not their brother's, and whether it could save them or not, they had no good opinion of Marianne.

Marianne did not help the situation, with her impulsive, childish, and easily offended nature. She objected that Captain Spencer did not wish her to take over as mistress of the estate in her condition, that her mother-in-law continued to run the house, and Marianne felt slighted. For that, Elizabeth could not blame her, even if Marianne were with child, it was still disrespectful in her opinion, but according to the letters that Spencer sent to Darcy and Ferrars, Marianne had so far displayed few endearing qualities that would lead the family or staff to respect her as mistress. He claimed she treated them all as if they ought to be grateful that she was willing to grace them with her presence, and the relation to her child, and his sisters had understandably taken offence to her address.

*****

After John Lucas's wedding, Colonel Brandon visited Netherfield. He had only planned to stop for a day on his return to London after going to Liverpool to follow a lead about Kitty. There was a dock worker there who had heard of the missing girl from his mother who lived in London, and had said that the sketch of the missing girl greatly resembled his own sister. Funny enough, the young gentleman had seen a young woman in Liverpool just about the same time that Kitty had gone missing. He had been shocked, because for a moment he thought he was seeing his own sister, but when he spoke to her the girl made no response, almost as if she were in a daydream. He had then been roughly cuffed on the ear by the Irish manservant of the elderly nobleman accompanying the young woman, and the young lady was accompanied by another who looked like a nurse or companion. The party had boarded a ship, but he could not say or remember where it had been bound.

Colonel Brandon had worn himself down to nothing in the search for Kitty. He looked a shadow of his former self When he arrived at Netherfield, Elizabeth took one look at him, and immediately declared his horse to be locked away where he could not ride away on it, and for him to go to his apartment and rest immediately. She would not hear of his leaving Netherfield for some weeks, regardless of his objections. There were others who could make the trips for a time at least. Montague had taken up the investigation of noblemen who may have travelled through Liverpool at the time of Kitty's disappearance, but there was no end of houses for lease in Liverpool, and if the party in question had let a house instead of staying in a hotel, it would make the matter a great deal more difficult.

The birth of the heir of Viscount St Claire was announced in the papers, accompanied by the announcement of the death of Viscountess of St Claire in childbirth. The man was still abroad, and Elizabeth certainly hoped that anyone paying attention to the number of months after their weddings that the viscountess or Mrs Spencer's children were born could not count. A week after the announcements in the papers, another appeared announcing the death of the Duke of Leeds. The man had gone to his end never having answered in this life for whatever he had done to Kitty. A letter came from Plymouth a month later, announcing the birth of Master Andrew Miles Spencer, and the safe delivery of his mother from childbirth. Ground had broken on a modest but genteel dower house, and improvements had been made to increase the income of the Spencer estate.

Darcy and Elizabeth spent as much of their time in the country with their children as they could before leaving Hertfordshire. Diane was now nearly seven years of age, and the twins were over six months. Darcy was never too proper to push his children in their pram in the gardens, or bounce them on his knee, and was a frequent visitor to the nursery, occasionally stealing one of the children away to his study to play or keep him company at his work, much as Elizabeth did. He and Elizabeth both took their children on long hikes in the countryside with the dog, and picnics in the garden, together and occasionally alone with one child singled out for special adventures.

*****

The summer eventually drew to a close, and in September of 1850, the Darcys went to Windmere to see the work on the house at Rosings. They spent the month in Kent, and the work on the manor house was coming along splendidly. Building such a large home often took many years, but the work was being completed very quickly, mostly because unlike many other gentlemen, Richard paid fairly and on time, always, even if he had to make a special trip from London to do so. The house should be ready for the Fitzwilliams to take up residence in a year, perhaps even less, and whenever Mary was in London, she visited her uncle's warehouses for fabrics, wall coverings, and treasures for their new home.

Lady Matlock had made several trips to Matlock, Snowhaven, one of her family estates that had passed to her elder son, and to the Matlock seat in Scotland to search the attics for family heirlooms and portraits to grace her son's new house, considering that all of the heirlooms of Rosings had been lost. Anne had sent a number of pieces and portraits that were heirlooms of the de Bourgh family that she did not wish to keep in her London or Bath houses, so that there would also be history and relics of the de Bourgh family in the new manor, as was well and proper.

Soon a trip to Chippendales must be made to order furniture. Mary had asked Elizabeth to come with her when she went, quite nervous to furnish such a large house and make such an enormous expenditure all at once. Elizabeth, who was no stranger to spending money, had promised her support and encouragement. The architect's assistant had provided them with sketches and measurements of each room, and they had also compiled sketches and measurements of pieces they already had, and wished to use to compare to new items as they browsed and made their plans.

Miss Long was enjoying her visit to Kent immensely, though she had met no likely suitors. Mary had ensured that the household attended the public assemblies. Sir Jasper had ensured that the shunning of the residents of Windmere Manor ended, and that the Fitzwilliams, the son and daughter of his oldest and dearest friend, were included in the invitations of all the local families.

In October, the Darcy family returned to London, and Georgiana came with them, although she admitted that she thought she might spend more time with the Fitzwilliams in the near future, because she dearly loved the country, as well as the company of Mary and Richard She found the building and decorating of the new manor quite exciting. Mary mentioned quietly to Elizabeth that there was a handsome young architect's assistant that Georgiana seemed to find quite exciting as well, but that aside from an occasional blush, the girl had kept her head.

Shocking Elizabeth, Mary had invited Mrs Bennet to make her permanent home in the new dower house at Rosings once it was completed and the Fitzwilliams had moved into the manor, and to stay with them in the meantime. Mrs Bennet had enjoyed her time in the city as much as she had been able, considering her worry for Kitty, but she was always happy in a country society, and the matrons of Hunsford and Kent had been kind and welcoming. Elizabeth gifted her with a small carriage that was kept at Windmere for her convenience when paying calls.

Lydia remained with Elizabeth, having taken charge of Diane's education again, and spent nearly all of her time with the children. Georgiana tried desperately to interest Lydia in anything, museums, musicales, the theatre, shopping, but like Elizabeth, Lydia could enjoy nothing while Kitty's fate was unknown. She did attend to her studies, having begun to learn Italian, but she did so soberly and quietly. The house ought to have been filled with giggles with Lydia in residence, but instead the halls around her rooms were largely quiet. She had fiercely refused to prepare to come out in the upcoming season, saying that she did not feel ready at only eighteen, and that next year was time enough.

Elizabeth, however, felt guilty because she had made promises to Maria to come out with Lydia, and felt it was unfair to make her wait. Charlotte had told Elizabeth not to worry over it, but Mary had the solution. Maria was invited to stay with the Fitzwilliams at Darcy House when the couple came to town before the holidays. A wardrobe would be ordered at Elizabeth's expense, as promised.

Lady Lucas would present Maria and then return to Hertfordshire, leaving Mary and Richard to escort her and Georgiana to as many events as they were able, making it possible for the girl to enjoy her debut without waiting until she was nineteen. Lady Matlock had offered to escort the girls as well, and Charlotte would, of course, accompany her sister to whatever events she attended. Miss Long's invitation to stay with the Fitzwilliams was extended until the Darcys returned to Pemberley, and though Miss Long objected at first, at length she agreed to accompany the family to London.

*****

Charlotte was as happy as one could be in a house where everyone had been worrying about Kitty for months. Elizabeth had always been her dearest friend, and now that they were cousins, she felt blessed to spend so much time in the company of her dear friend and to accept her support, while offering whatever support she could provide to Elizabeth in return. Charlotte had enjoyed the previous season in London tremendously, as well as spending time in society with Elizabeth's family and friends, who had quickly become Charlotte's friends as well.

A number of mature gentlemen had called upon her in London, looking to see to their comfort in their advancing years, and also a few gentlemen in their mid to late thirties and forties, mostly widowers looking for someone to mother their children, but she gave encouragement to none of them. Charlotte did not think she would ever remarry. Her experience with Mr Collins had not been pleasant, despite her best efforts. The man had, from the moment they wed, done his best to please her and gain her approbation, but even with tactful instruction, his hygiene, manners, and intimate advances had nearly been too much for her to bear.

Charlotte would not, could never, be grateful for his demise, he had done his best, had tried to be a good husband, and deserved better than that. But being good at anything other than grovelling to the wrong people had been quite beyond Mr Collins' abilities. Elizabeth had been quite right as her oldest friend to caution her and to try to make her reconsider before her marriage. Elizabeth had been married, and though both of her experiences had been pleasant, she was all too aware of everything that could go wrong, and what was at stake. She had known before Charlotte learned, to her great chagrin, that the cost of her security had been too high.

Now Charlotte was secure, very comfortably so. It had been highly practical of Elizabeth to invite Charlotte to live with her. They were close in age, the dearest of friends, both with small children and in need of support and friendship. Charlotte had gained safety and comfort in which to raise her son among superior society, while Elizabeth had the company and encouragement of her oldest friend, as well as assistance with certain aspects of household management and the young ladies, while she was attending her business and the search for Kitty.

Charlotte's family was benefiting from the arrangement as well. Maria was no longer silly and wild, but a refined and respectable girl who would benefit from the Darcy's and Fitzwilliam's sponsorship in London. Her brother John had been able to marry for love, and live in his own neighbourhood, while learning estate management. He was making plans to improve Lucas Lodge's crops as well as Longbourn's, making things easier financially for Sir and Lady Lucas. Sir William had approached Elizabeth immediately after Mr Collins' death with a request, and she had assisted him in investing Maria's dowry, and a sum of money to provide for the education and advancement of the younger Lucas sons, since she was already investing the funds that had been settled upon Charlotte.

Maria's portion had grown from seven hundred pounds to just over two thousand. The boys' portion had grown from one thousand pounds to twenty-five hundred each, and Charlotte's nine thousand pounds had grown to thirteen thousand, five hundred. John had assured Charlotte that Elizabeth had promised him that he and his wife could remain at the dower house at Longbourn until Charlotte's son took over the place and married, when she expected Charlotte would then want it. He invited his sister to come with her boy and live with he and Edwina anytime, and for as long as she wished, because as he said, "If he's going to inherit Longbourn, the boy ought to grow up here. He ought to learn his land from boyhood, living in his uncle, the steward's house."

Charlotte agreed with him, but since the child was only a year old, she felt they had a number of years before she might consider settling down in Meryton. Not before William was five or six, in any case.