January 2, 1816 – March 15, 1816
Elizabeth finally met Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam when the military placed him on leave after serving in the Napoleonic and the conflict between the United States and English primarily. With the royal navy losing nearly 10,000 Americans impressed into the service upon royal naval ships, the call for naval officers put nearly all of the English in sights of the impressment gangs. Fortunately for Elizabeth, her husband was a gentlemen who earned 10,000 per annum and owned half of Derbyshire. No one would impress him into naval service, not even the Prince Regent.
Visiting them at Pemberley as well were Jane and Bartlett, accompanied by Caroline Wescott. Caroline's husband suffered and recovered from yellow fever for three harrowing weeks. He stayed behind in Liverpool to keep his business above surface and sent his wife to Bingley man while his children were sent to the Midlands to live with their aunt and uncle who owned a factory for textiles. The ladies cared about Bartlett's future bride, and Elizabeth understood the struggle. When a mother birthed a child, she needed to marry them properly. Bartlett's bride would hold a very important position as mistress of a profitable estate, just as William's bride would need to be of consequence and/or intelligence.
Jane caught Lizzy and Caroline up on the investments she made with Charles's vastly depleted fortune. The steam press and publishing business provided a return on the investment and continued to increase the surplus wealth that kept them stationed in the upper class. Impressed with her sister's growing usefulness and intelligence, Elizabeth now thought more of her eldest sister than she ever did before. " Jane, have you told Papa of your management of Bingley estate and the investments? If you did, he may even take your advice about Longbourn,"
" Father will never take advice for Longbourn, Lizzy. He doesn't even listen to Darcy," Jane brushed her off quickly as she yearned to know if Bartlett was playing well with his cousins. " Caroline, you never told me if you wanted to return to Liverpool,"
" I intend to return once Harcourt declares it safe once more. I might try to travel to Brighton, to see if it compares to Bath. I have cousins in Bath, and I stayed with them for a period – which is where Harcourt and I met. He courted me for almost a twelvemonth before offering for my hand," She smiled lovingly as she spoke, Jane catching Elizabeth's sharp observation of her reluctance to engage Caroline further on the topic. " But you Jane, do you intend to visit London at all? Or do you wish to stay at Bingley Manor your entire life?"
" I find the peace of it preferable to London," Jane admired the spread of fowl meat, taking her time to pick through it, sampling it with careful delicacy. " But I do intend to visit Kitty and Mary,"
" How is Mary?" Elizabeth interrupted, " Last letter I received was three months ago, and she spoke of a private ball for the industry leaders and ship owners. Kitty and James were finally able to see each other again, and to her great relief, he was retiring from the military. Apart from that, though I have heard nothing,"
" Mary is well. She miscarried three times within seven consecutive months and is grieving the loss. Her health has suffered because of it. Kitty is paying for the apothecary charges,"
As if on practiced cue, Caroline feigned pity. " How awful for Mary. She must believe that the Good Lord is punishing her,"
" No. She is simply exhausted, and so is Mr. Kent. Mr. Kent is praying she will be able to carry to term the next pregnancy," Jane answered Caroline with some hardness of tone. " I understand the pain, but as Charles grants me relief through his mistresses, I am able to care for Bartlett with extra attention,"
" He is a most learned boy, much more advanced than William," Elizabeth said as she considered the ladies before her. Years ago, they were entirely different people. Jane, quiet and reserved, never displayed as much intelligence as she does today. Caroline's reserved behavior didn't impress Elizabeth nearly as much Caroline's lack of sharp criticism – especially involving Mary, who once displayed while her vocals were not up to standard. Kitty chased after Lydia, now Kitty was a superior hostess that orchestrated the connections between the industry leaders. " Have you considered more children, Jane?"
" If Charles pulls himself away from the mistresses, then yes,"
" But what if Charles does not ever pull himself away from the mistresses?"
" I do not know, Caroline. Have you considered children or is Mr. Wescott keeping you as an arm decoration only?"
Jane and Caroline did not blink as they each considered their distinctive disadvantages. Jane Bingley, never to be publicly acknowledged for her leadership and management, and Caroline Wescott, to be the wife of a man who already had an heir to his shipping company with only a settlement to live on once he died. Neither wanted nor needed, but neither were happily settled in all around advantageous situations. Elizabeth Darcy, in a happy nucleus and protective Pemberley to guard her against the world, neither wanted nor needed. Her children would take care of her if the jointure did not rest in her entire control, and her husband was most capable. Kitty, similarly situated, could depend on her brother-in-laws if necessary and knew enough people in the middle class to remarry again respectably.
Georgiana's entrance broke the tension. " Mrs. Wescott, when I heard you arrived, I wanted to congratulate you on your marriage, finally, but I was held back by my music. You are looking well as always, and no children accompanying?" Caroline shook her head, forcing a smile for politeness. " Eliza, I could not find the housekeeper. Did Mr. Frapham call upon me as he promised?"
" We hosted a private party a week ago. Mr. Frapham was supposed to return to call upon Georgiana," Lizzy explained bubbling over with joy. " He is quite smitten with her, and he is the second son of an earl's son,"
" Quite the connections," Caroline exclaimed in envy. " You are most deserving of his attentions, Georgiana,"
Georgiana seated herself nearest Elizabeth as Elizabeth prepared weak tea for her. " Because he is the son of an earl's son? No. But I am deserving of his goodwill, good humor, and more importantly his expert knowledge of farming. He admired King George's study on farming techniques and expressed the intent to purchase land,"
" Very noble goals indeed," Caroline agreed, directing the bulk of her attentions on Caroline. " Does he have any well off cousins who would do well for Bartlett's wife? Or even William's?" Elizabeth just laughed and settled back into her own seat, quite grateful for the childfree time. Children's laughter, mess, and needy demands wore on a woman. Adult time, even if it were with the likes of Caroline, stepped up from madness.
" No, Georgie, he did not," Elizabeth finally informed her sister-in-law regrettably.
As the ladies perused the families of the ton for the favor of their young children, time passed quickly enough. The next two days, the ladies called upon their neighbors, Caroline learning just how well off Jane and Elizabeth were in comparison to her. Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Meriwether owned properties less productive but their company made up for the lack of equal income as they entertained often and were extremely fond of Miss Georgiana and Elizabeth. Their acquaintance with Jane promised to flourish.
Charles spent the majority of the day with Darcy, Darcy having long given up on changing his companion. Unsurprisingly Charles spoke often of his angel while neglecting to define which angel captured his interest. Truly surprising however Charles proved more useful than useless addressing the demands of the tenant farmers who expected an overly wet spring. They started shoring up the land where flooding typically occurred, replaced the roads with large stones at the bottom for two metres deep pits and gravel on top with proper drainage piping to permit the drainage of water into nearby ground. Charles commented that aside from the statues in the garden, he wanted to improve the lane and access roads of Bingley Estate in the same manner.
A large private party gathered five of the most important families in the area – the Darcys, Halls, Meriwethers, Mackavoys, and Crowns – entertained Caroline Wescott well enough to decide Elizabeth a valuable ally to keep. Mrs. Hall saw through her uppity behavior, but the other four families considered Caroline completely respectable. " Mrs. Wescott, how do you know the fair Eliza?" Mrs. Hall inquired at the party over the music and dancing couples happily conversing during the course of the set.
Weighing her words carefully, Caroline avoided turning her eye on Fitzwilliam Darcy. He cut a handsome figure, and Caroline may have considered Harcourt his equal if only her husband were a decade younger. " We were once acquainted when she was a poor country girl,"
" Elizabeth carried 3,500 pounds with her into marriage, Mrs. Wescott. How was she poor?" The shock of the 3,500 caught Caroline temporarily off guard but she easily found her footing again. " Pray tell, this has nothing to do with the fact that you have been admiring her husband all evening,"
" Mr. Darcy has long been the focus of many a lady, Mrs. Hall,"
" I am aware of that. For a time, my own parents wanted me to become his wife as well, but Eliza has been a most capable hostess, strong sister to Miss Georgiana, and her skill on the pianoforte commendable. I know not someone with such wit and social adaptability. She is highly respected in Derbyshire,"
" I am pleased to hear it,"
Mrs. Hall didn't appear so impressed or believing the answer. " He is a married man, Mrs. Wescott, and you are a married woman, and were your husband here, you would not be staring so openly. Ah! Mrs. Meriwether, I was wondering when you would grace the pianoforte. Allow me to join you," Mrs. Hall detached herself from Caroline to join the other lady at the pianoforte as more English folk songs and Scottish airs filled the ballroom.
In a turn of events, Caroline departed Pemberley for the Hurst Estate in the midlands the following day. Now permitted the opportunity of frankness without expected criticism, Jane and Elizabeth confided in each other their fears, secrets, and suspicions. The doctor informed Elizabeth that she'd likely never conceive another child, and while Fitz was happy as they were, Elizabeth felt she disappointed him by not being more healthy and strong. Jane comforted her, telling her that it was all intended. Several sons and a single daughter protected the family extremely well, with at least one child to survive to adulthood.
Jane's concerns alienated Elizabeth almost in that they were mostly estate centric, business usually handled by the men. As she went on about balancing the ledger, keeping up to date with farming improvements, the land, changing politics, and the uneasiness of dealing with the Americans. Eventually Elizabeth drifted back into the depth of her understanding and was able to reassure Jane that she performed admirably as the caretaker of the financial stability of Bingley estate – that it was Charles who needed to be ashamed. In the short time Charles and Jane visited Pemberley, Elizabeth began to understand the basics of balancing financial ledgers, what the estate required to run on a minimum, who could be trusted with what duties without being overburdened, and which profession handled the most business revenue.
Eventually Lydia's marriage to Mr. Boording March 4 reached them. Relief washed over both elder sisters, even as Jane hired an investigator through Charles, always willing to assist in whatever she asked, to look into Mr. Boording. Mr. Boording was not a bad man, by any means. He imbibed occasionally, gambled occasionally, but only reasonable amounts as to never incur any more debt than that could paid off with a week's wages. His first wife died at birth while the child survived, and the second took a nasty fall down two flights of stairs eventually breaking her neck. The housekeeper swore on oath and threat of hanging that the lady tripped on the hem of her dress. All previous servants in the household could not be tracked down by the time Jane needed to depart Pemberley for London.
Elizabeth demanded updates on what could be learned about the man even as she herself encouraged Darcy to write to the man to invite Lydia to Pemberley, along with her husband of course. Mr. Boording's connections to Lady de Bourg intrigued Elizabeth, as not many people willingly called upon the busy body who managed everyone's business but the king's.
In London, Jane learned of Kitty's happy circumstances in person. Charles charmed the Carters and their associates, amiably chatting up Mary about the industry (apparently he learned more about the industries than he cared to learn about his own land,) while Edmund cautiously revealed that they were expecting. " Do not speak of it, it is hard enough to suffer three in seven months. I do not wish to guilt her any more than she already is,"
" You have my confidence, Mr. Kent,"
" Thank you, Mrs. Bingley," He kissed her hand like a gentleman. " It is a shame though. I saw your Mr. Bingley with Miss Grantley the other day. He took her to the theatre, but as we are brother and sister I did not wish to hide it from you,"
" You need not fear for me, Edmund. As we are brother and sister, you may call me Jane. Do not fear. I have known for years now," Relieved that it was only Miss Grantley and not another, she consoled herself for choosing a predictable man as a husband. " What do you think of my husband otherwise,"
" Agreeable. And like most men, gentleman in name only."
To this, Jane had no refute, confirmation, or remark to continue the subject. So she changed it without subterfuge. " How is Mary? I see she and Kitty developed a close bond, but Mary has always been odd, pedantic almost,"
" She can be, but I have introduced her to the Penny Dreadful novels being published these days. They are far less expensive, and she reads them nightly to me while I distract myself from the day's work. My Mary serves her role well, and she helps the servant clean the home and the cook to cook. She's started a recipe collection – for future Kents, as she says,"
" Oh, really? I have never known her to take an interest in anything but the church. What a wonderful change. I must thank you, Edmund, for looking after her. Our mother would not have been half as kind or supportive as you have been,"
Their small conversation distracted them from the card game that now occupied the bulk of the party to include Mary. Charles seemed to be winning until James and Walter revealed equally competitive hands. They fell into silence watching the party merrily converse, laugh with some vulgarity, and otherwise celebrate in what London had to offer. The offered tea, coffee, and gin kept the party's thirst down while the food was prepared in the kitchen of the respectable townhouse owned by the Carter family.
Mary lost all her chips and pulled out of the game entirely. " Jane, you look well. Where's Bartlett?"
" At Pemberley with Lizzy. He's spending time with his cousins," Jane hugged her. " He looks very much like his father and acts very much like the boy a scholar,"
" That is all and well," Mary instantly looped her arm through her sisters. " Miss Clara visited briefly last year. I had not known her so thoroughly engrossed in thrifty shopping for clothing material. So I suggested to her the right dressmaker, and she paid twice the going wage for ten new dresses and offered to keep the girl on if she did a very good job. Miss Clara thanked me-"
" It's Mrs. Flint, Mary, not Miss Clara,"
" I know, but to me, she is Miss Clara," Mary sighed. " Miss Clara thanked me for recommending such a talented and gracious young lady, and of course Miss Obadiah has thanked me for recommending business to her,"
Jane started laughing, puzzling both Edmund and Mary. Finally she explained as Kitty began to wonder what had the eldest former Bennet sister so amused. " You are sounding like Aunt Phillips,"
" I am not like Aunt Phillips-"
" But you are meddling, Mary, and that is what she does, does she not, Kitty?" Jane now sought out Kitty's assistance, which the younger sister gladly lent. " Remember how Aunt Phillips would be talking of everyone to everyone making the recommendations. She managed to boost business for the Meryton shopkeepers too, not that they'd admit it,"
Most of the card game participants just listened, even as Kitty added her own recollections of Aunt Phillips and how similar Mary had become to her. " Aye, and look at her, she is so proud of it too. But what is not to be proud of? To help someone live better than barely exist on 15 shillings a week? I say that dressmakers should earn at least 100 per annum considering the hours they keep,"
" But they are only dressmakers, Kitty," James reminded her.
She held up a finger. " And dressmakers they may be, but without a dress, what is a lady? What man would take a lady who does not reflect the proper fashion, or at least to dress properly?"
To this his mother agreed. He relented on the issue, even though it only served to embarrass Mary further. Edmund put an arm around his wife and kissed her forehead. " You are truly good, Sweet," He whispered before joining the card game. Jane and Mary sat off to the side the rest of the evening playing pianoforte for the comfort of their families.
Nestled in Nottinghamshire, Caroline continued to hear no word from her husband – small surprise there as the Bingleys were not at their estate where she'd been sent to. Louisa and Cyprian greeted her the moment she arrived with mixed emotions. Louisa, having just birthed a baby boy only a month prior, started to physically recover. She looked frail, smaller than she usually was, and the dress sagged on her form from the weight loss during the term of the pregnancy. Assisting in caring for Louisa, Caroline rarely left the home unless it was to deliver supplies to the tenant farmers or to accompany Cyprian to gentle man's home to entertain the wife while conducted business with the gentleman.
Slowly Louisa regained her former composure, and with it, her reliance on Caroline for amusement. The Nottinghamshire Assembly proved to be especially laborious for Mrs. Wescott as she only been asked to dance twice, and ladies were scarce. Much like the Meryton Assembly, the latest fashions did not reflect in the attending parties, although the company was just as lively. Sitting off to the side, the sisters discussed little Albert's future and Cyprian's desire for another child so soon. Eventually their interest in Albert drifted into the interest to preserve the Bingley name for fear Charles might destroy it with his many mistresses and bastard children.
" And just how many children does he have?" Louisa implored Caroline.
Caroline followed on particular handsome couple as they danced the waltz. " Jane does not care to know. But Harcourt has tracked down at least three bastard children that alive. One was claimed as another woman's child. She delivered a stillborn and would have been cast out of the family, and with the timely birth of the boy, the child was claimed as her own,"
" And the other two?"
" Orphanages,"
" Does our brother not care that he is wounding ladies' reputations with his lust for more than his wife? How dare he cast aside the beauty he married for a side piece like Miss Grantley? She has no fortune, no achievements – she is unable to read or write latin, and she barely speaks any French,"
" I know," Caroline bemoaned. " Which is why I must think of our name while Jane protects his fortune. Harcourt has been kind enough to warn Charles that he can not continue as he is without being outed to proper society, but he will not listen."
" It is a shame, but you know as well as I, sister, that the gentlemen will accept him into respectable society nonetheless. He is a gentlemen, and only gentlemen are permitted to commit adultery,"
Caroline scowled. Louisa pat her hand, and together the ladies hoped Charles did not disrespect the Bingley name anymore than he disrespected his wife.
March 5, 1816 – March 31, 1816
Mr, Boording's home was an amazingly large fine house with extensive grounds for display of his 6,000 a year. The grounds boasted an impressive maze garden, floral gardens, and an artificial lake for Mr. Boording's fishing desire. His two children, little girls the ages of 3 and 1, were raised by a nanny maid and governess that looked after their every need. Often ignored by Mr. Boording, the children rarely impacted his life, much to Lydia's relief.
The first week Lydia did not leave the bedchamber. Mr. Boording's interest in her as his wife extended not far from the marriage bed except when it involved his name. Her first public interaction with his brothers, as she flirted with several of them, lead to her being 'ill' for over a week. In truth, he restricted her to her bedchamber where she was not permitted to leave until she could demonstrate proper manners and behavior due to a lady of her position. Her pin money depended on her behavior, and her fine clothing was all she'd have until she earned more fine clothing.
Lydia's wild behavior did not curb immediately. She acted like her mother in the pre-marriage days for the first several days of her 'illness' and tore the room apart. A servant patiently made it up again, and George threatened to revoke servant privileges if she continued to act like a child. Her wildness did not prevent him from visiting their marriage bed, and for the first time in her life, Lydia felt the real pain of being forced into the role of a woman in a man's society. As English law did not recognize marital rape, Lydia's wild behavior curtailed dramatically over the next few weeks.
In instant reward for the proper change of behavior, Mr. Boording purchased for her bonnets, gloves, shoes, dresses, and Penny Dreadfuls in abundance. It never made up for his for his presence in their marriage bed each night, but she soon accepted the life she needed to lead lest she die in a ditch with no one to recognize her. Her unhappiness mattered nothing to Mr. Boording, and she was always instructed to smile lest anyone believe her being abused. She had half a mind to argue with him except for fear her might lock her in the house again and not let her communicate with anyone.