Chapter Twenty-Six – Meetings in London
As Will's horse picked up its pace at the sight of the Pemberley stable in the distance, Will chuckled to himself. It was good to be coming home again. He had made several trips to Eddington over the past three months and he thought both he and his horse could almost take the journey blindfolded at this point.
It was not that Charles was having any real problems. He had a good steward in place and the tenants all knew how to manage their own farms. Even the intermittent snow storms and long stretch of cold weather had caused few issues. Charles was just so new to the responsibilities of the estate he felt better having someone he trusted check over his plans before he implemented them. Plus, of course, he was lonely. While Will would have been reasonably happy on his own at the estate, Charles needed company.
Darcy thought it was good practice for Will to look over Charles's plans and to go with him as he met his neighbors and set up accounts in the local village, Larchbrook. He encouraged the visits. For the sake of his friend, Will complied.
During their outings Will was not surprised to have a few run-ins with people who had been cheated at some point by George Wickham, although there were far fewer than he actually expected. He took to carrying a few copies of the handbill with him when he and Charles planned to go out in public. It garnered them both a bit of goodwill when people realized action was already being taken to find and, hopefully, punish George.
This visit would be his last for some time, however. In two days Charles would meet them at Pemberley in order to travel with the Darcy family to London. It was very nearly time for their young ladies to have their presentation at court. Charles and Will would finally get to see Jane and Lizzy again.
0o0o0
"I am glad you arrived safely," Ashby told Darcy and Will as the butler escorted them into the room he used as a study. He liked to keep his work separate from his father's, so Matlock had the offical study in the family townhouse while Ashby used this one. "Thank you for coming over right away."
"I take it you have news for us," Darcy said. "Your note was rather urgent."
"Yes. I would have sent an express, but knowing you were due any time I thought the messenger might cross paths with you on the way. We had word from Richard. He has been injured and is coming home."
"How badly?" Will asked with concern.
"Not as bad as it could have been, although he may be minimizing the full extent of the injury in order not to worry us. He was shot in the right arm and then had one of the bones in the same arm broken when his horse was shot out from under him. The break was a clean one and he wrote that he was unlikely to lose the arm unless a severe infection set in. He is coming home on leave, but I plan to convince him to resign his commission. We will find a way to work around his pride. My son has done honorable service, but it is time he got out."
"If there is anything I can do to assist, you have only to ask," Darcy offered.
"Thank you. I was hoping you might say that. I have my eye on a property that could do well for him. I would need a short term loan to help me make the purchase. The amount all depends on how demanding the current owner decides to be."
"Of course, Ashby. I am happy to invest in Richard's future. Where is the place you have spotted?"
"Strangely enough, it is the estate next to Longbourn. Netherfield Park, the place is called. The current owner has had some reverses of fortune, partly at the card tables, and is trying to decide whether he would be better leasing it out or selling it off. It has a nice manor house on the property, larger than Longbourn, but smaller than my estate. The existing stables are extensive and in good condition and there is plenty of land that could be fenced off to form paddocks and training areas. Also, it has a few tenants of long standing. If managed properly, the property could support itself while he builds his business. Better yet, it is close enough to London to have ready access to his potential customers."
"The place sounds ideal. Do you have any leverage to prompt the owner to sell?"
"I am working with Gardiner's other brother-in-law, Mr. Phillips. He is an attorney in Meryton and knows the owner well. He is doing his best for me and I expect to have some news soon. I do not know that we have leverage, but I do know the owner is in poor financial condition. That has to count for something."
"Well, I am in if you can manage it. I would like to see Richard well-settled and safe."
"I will let you know when I hear anything. Will, I expect Richard will want to discuss the actual stocking of the stables with you since you plan to be a partner with him."
"Yes, uncle. We have corresponded a bit about it, but the real decisions cannot be made until he actually has a place to put the horses. You might want to frame your purchase of the estate as an investment as well, with a repayment schedule to come out of the eventual profits. I suspect he might take it better." The other men nodded agreement. "When is he expected home?"
"In the next week or so if the ship he is scheduled to take does not run into heavy weather on the crossing."
"Yes, it is still storm season. I will keep him in my prayers," Will said.
"We all should. That reminds me, what happened with that girl your steward took in, Darcy? I thought she was due about now. She certainly needed some prayers on her behalf."
"She had her confinement in late February, actually. Both mother and daughter are recovering well and Wickham dotes on his new granddaughter."
"I am glad to hear she came through the ordeal safely. At her young age there was a strong chance of a much different outcome. I hope the child will be a credit to Wickham. It is good of him to take them both in."
"He has found it a rewarding experience. You know George took all of his father's savings when he went. Wickham will not allow me to replace the money, but he did allow me to settle a small annuity on Miss Clarkes and the child, just to make certain they will always be protected."
"That is reasonable enough. How is young Charles settling in at Eddington? I know Bingley is over the moon at having a family estate."
"Will can best answer that. He has been in his friend's company with great regularity," Darcy answered with a chuckle.
"Charles is doing well. He is afraid of making mistakes, so he has me review any major decisions before he puts them in place, but he usually has the right idea. I think in part it is just an excuse to have some company. I expect once he and Jane marry he will have fewer questions for me, at least those that would require me to visit."
The other two men laughed. "I wager you are correct," Ashby said. The three went on to discuss other family business. Will actually would have preferred to be visiting with Lizzy, but she and the other two young ladies were staying with Aunt Miranda in the Evans townhouse and they had some activity planned for the day. His aunt had already to them he could not visit unitl the next day when he and Darcy had sent over a note on their arrival in London a few hours ago.
0o0o0
Despite their relative isolation in a corner of the room, Lizzy spoke in a near whisper. "Will, you cannot imagine how pleased I was to receive each of your letters. Aside from the connection to you, they provided a welcome diversion from the relentless insistence of your aunts that we practice and prepare for our presentation and the ball that follows. I think I might have run mad without your descriptions of your work at Pemberley and the experiences at Eddington to give me some relief."
"I knew the topics of discussion here would be somewhat limited and hoped you would find my activities interesting."
"Oh, I did. Very much so. I would have even if I had not needed the distraction. Of course, the topics here were not so much limited as they were all targeted towards the same experience. We continued to work on our music practice so all three of us would be prepared to perform at a moment's notice if called upon to display our talents. We practiced our French and Italian, but only on conversation subjects approved for drawing room discourse, which we also practiced for in English. And I have always held a slight dislike for the need to curtsy, but with all the practice I have done while wearing those ridiculous hoops, I have come to despise the movement."
Will burst out laughing at her last comment and Lizzy fell silent, tilting her head slightly and raising an eyebrow in question. When he caught his breath he explained.
"My father told me about your first meeting and how you complained when Jane wanted you to curtsy when you were introduced and again when you were to go back upstairs."
"And how I fell over, I suppose, which led to my choice to bow to your father when not in public." Lizzy continued the thought with a bit of a chuckle.
"It is one of my father's favorite memories," Will told her.
"I will be glad when this whole presentation business is just a memory. I am beginning to suspect Lady Catherine knew exactly how frustrating the process leading up to it is and offered her sponsorship as a way to torment me," Lizzy said, with an expression Will knew meant she was mostly teasing him.
"Either that, or she is testing you to be certain you have the fortitude necessary to deal with the stubborn Darcy men." He winked at her, prompting a slight giggle.
"Ah, it is a challenge, like the quests heroes of old had to fulfill before they won whatever prize they were seeking. Oh dear, now I shall have to hold in my mirth during practice as I imagine Odysseus on one of his adventures being forced to make a curtsy before a hostile king while wearing hoop skirts and a feathered headdress." Her giggle became a little louder.
"Do not forget the train," Will said trying to stifle his laughter, "He must back away from the evil monarch without tripping over it."
"I expect his beard would rather ruin the look of the outfit. He might have to wear a full veil as well," Lizzy continued. Will lost the battle with his laughter and it burst out to mingle with Lizzy's giggles. The others in the room all looked over at them curiously. Will thought Caroline, who had been engaged in conversation with his Aunt Miranda, might say something, but she just shook her head slightly and turned back to her discussion.
"Thank you, Will," Lizzy said as she brought herself under control. "I needed that. I have never had much patience for the rituals of so-called polite society. I know it is important for our families and for the standing of any children we might one day have that I make as good an impression as possible on the Ton. To that purpose, I have applied myself to practice everything your aunts have asked of me because I do not want to let you or them down. All the same, I have become rather frustrated with the activities and have not even had my walks as a release."
Will looked at her in confusion. "Charles told me Jane wrote that all of you take a walk every day the weather is good enough."
Lizzy rolled her eyes. "That is not a walk. It is a leisurely stroll - the prancing of peacocks displaying their feathers. Lady Ashby was very firm in her insistence a lady does not stride through Hyde Park, or anywhere else for that matter, with energy and purpose. The walks are intended to show off the excellence of our posture and carriage along with our fashionable clothing."
"And, of course, even the attics here in town are too small to provide an adequate alternate walk," Will said, remembering her first letter to him with an understanding smile. Lizzy just nodded and tried to stifle a frustrated sigh. Will thought for a moment.
"I shall put my mind to finding a non-public place where you and I can stride without censure," he finally said. "Darcy House does have a larger garden area in back than the Fitzwilliam townhouse or this one, but it is still very small for a determined walker. Give me some time. I will come up with something."
"I will put my faith in you," Lizzy said seriously. "I must have hope, after all."
0o0o0
Richard arrived a few days later. As Will and his father walked the few blocks between Darcy House and the Fitzwilliam residence he realized it had been more than five years since he had seen his cousin in person. Where had the time gone?
"Is that really you, Will?" asked the gaunt man with the splinted and bandaged arm who sat uncomfortably on a settee in the drawing room. "When did you get to be so tall?"
"Richard?" Will asked, almost not believing this was his cousin.
"In the flesh, and glad to still be alive, I can assure you." He smiled but Will could see a great deal of pain in his expression as well.
Will strode across the room to stand in front of his cousin, but then stopped, unsure of the best greeting. He wanted to engulf the man, his favorite relative of all, in a bear hug, or shake his hand or pound him on the back, but all or any of those things would only cause Richard more pain. Will just stood and looked at him. Richard chuckled as he returned the look.
"I am a sad case, am I not?" he asked. "You, on the other hand, are looking well. I am delighted to hear you are out from under the influence of your shadow at last."
"Oh, he still has a bit of influence, but not over me or my father directly anymore." Richard nodded slightly, appearing to understand, while Darcy approached to greet his nephew as well.
"We are glad you made it back to us, Richard. You have had the whole family worried, you know." Darcy looked like he was torn between wanting to offer the same physical greetings Will had considered and discarded. He settled for gently resting a hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Welcome home."
"I had to come back, sir. After my father has gone to all the trouble of finding a wife for me I could not cash in my chips without at least meeting the girl." Richard smiled at them both. "I hope she is not as relentlessly cheerful as Charles."
"No one could be as relentlessly cheerful as Charles," Will replied. "Not even his father, who is probably the second most cheerful man I know. Caroline is more...complex."
Richard gave Will a mock scowl. "You refer to my betrothed by her given name? I should call you out, sir."
Darcy chuckled as Will responded in a teasing tone, "As you should know from my letters, assuming you got them, Georgiana has dubbed Lizzy, Jane and Caroline her almost-sisters on the basis of my betrothal. Your own mother gave me permission to call Jane and Caroline by name given their status as my almost-sisters as well."
"Ah, yes," said Richard with a wink. "I remember that letter. It arrived somewhat the worse for wear, but I made out enough of it to understand Georgiana was unimpressed by the honor of gaining Alex and me as brothers. Perhaps you have not done well enough in that role to show her the value of gaining two more."
"Three if you count Charles. And perhaps I have done so well she sees no need for any others."
Darcy laughed. "I think I shall leave now before this brotherly discussion gets ugly. It is good to have you home, Richard, although I wish you did not have to suffer an injury for it to happen." He gently patted Richard's good shoulder again before he walked away to speak with Ashby. Richard watched him go with a concerned expression.
"Is all truly well between you?" he quietly asked once Darcy was out of earshot and Will had settled into a nearby chair.
"As well as it can be, I think," Will told him. "As I said in my letters, Father and I both want a better relationship between us and we are both making the effort needed for that to happen. The pain of the past belongs in the past as much as is possible."
Richard nodded solemnly. "I can understand wanting to put the pain and bad memories behind you. I will be glad when I can do the same. Let us not speak of the shadows, then. Tell me more about Caroline. Is she pretty?" Father told me she is, but he was also trying to convince me the betrothal was a good idea. I have been worried imagining Charles in the guise of a woman." They both laughed.
"Have no fear. She is certainly much prettier than Charles, although she shares his coloring to some extent. In addition, she has a pleasing figure and with your mother's guidance she dresses in clothing that suits her as well as being fashionable."
"Well, that is a relief to hear. In my nightmares I kept imagining her as a taller, more angular version of Charles and dressed in a hideous orange gown and some kind of odd green turban stuck full of badly dyed feathers. It reminded me of a pumpkin with some strange bird sitting atop it."
"Fever dreams, old man. Your mother and Aunt Miranda would never allow such a travesty even if Caroline were so inclined."
"I look forward to meeting all three young ladies. I suppose Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are my almost-sisters under Georgiana's logic and I shall be calling them Jane and Lizzy soon as well."
"I think you must insist upon it," Will agreed. The two shifted to a discussion of other matters like Bingleys new estate and the situation with Lady Catherrine, who was due that afternoon. They talked and laughed, secure in the same sense of fellowship they had always enjoyed before distance and Richard's years of service came between them.
0o0o0
Will and Georgiana were sitting together in the music room that afternoon when Lady Catherine and Anne arrived. As usual, their aunt pushed past the butler, but he had been warned of her arrival and given instructions not to be concerned with announcing her if she did not wish to be announced. As she entered, the two occupants of the room stood to greet her.
"Fitzwilliam, where is your father?" she asked as she entered the room. "Your butler would not tell me."
"That is because he only knows my father is out this afternoon and not where he was going. I know he is meeting with a friend at his club and should be back any time now. He had hoped to be here when you arrived, but must have been delayed. May I welcome you and Anne in his stead? We are glad you arrived safely."
"Yes, well, it was an uncomfortable trip. I dislike travel in general. I hope your Miss Elizabeth appreciates the sacrifices I am making for her."
"I know she does, Aunt Catherine. Anne, it is good to see you looking so well. I think your health must have steadily improved even since Christmas. May I escort you both to your rooms so you can freshen up from your journey?"
"I suppose that will do," Lady Catherine said fretfully. "When will I meet this girl?"
"If you are feeling up to it, we are invited to dinner with Aunt Miranda this evening. All three young ladies are staying with her at the moment."
"Hmph, very well. We shall go a little early so I may have plenty of time to speak with her."
"As you wish, Aunt," Will said. He would send a note to Lizzy as a warning as soon as he had his aunt settled in her room. He offered his arm to Lady Catherine while Georgiana offered to lend Anne her shoulder if she needed any support. Anne thanked her for the offer, but explained Mrs. Jenkinson was waiting in the hall and would provide any support needed. She asked for Georgiana's company all the same and the group headed upstairs togther.
0o0o0
"I understand you are the second of five sisters, Miss Elizabeth. You have no brothers at all?" Lady Catherine asked yet another intrusive question. Will was not suure if her intent was to became acquainted with Lizzy or to browbeat her.
"None, Lady Catherine," Lizzy confirmed simply.
"That must be most inconvenient for your mother. Every man wants an heir and she must be disappointed she did not provide one." No mention that Lady Catherine's one surviving child was a daughter, of course.
"My mother feels the absence of a son deeply. The estate is entailed away from the female line, which leaves her worried for her future."
"As she should be," Lady Catherine insisted. "I suppose she is pleased you are marrying well."
"It is a relief to my mother and to my father that both Jane and I are betrothed to men who would not find it a strain to assist should my family require it."
"That is a consideration, of course, but I referred to my nephew's status. Your sister is marrying below her status, while you are marrying well above yours."
"Your nephew is a gentleman's son and I am a gentleman's daughter. In that we are equals," Lizzy replied calmly. "There is some difference in wealth and connections, but our status is the same."
"Perhaps on the paternal side, but his mother was the daughter of an earl, while yours comes of a family with ties to trade."
"What you say is true, Lady Catherine, but Mr. Darcy did not see it as an impediment when he arranged the match. I hope you will be willing to overlook it as well."
"I have accepted you for Fitzwilliam's sake and that of my Anne, who says she has enjoyed her correspondence with you and your sister."
"I am most grateful," Lizzy answered, inclining her head in a gesture of thanks.
"Gratitude is a proper attitude for a young woman such as yourself," Lady Catherine declared. "Lady Ashby tells me you are regular in your practice on the pianoforte and your singing. You do your part and do not waste the music master's time. You show your gratitude for the advantages you are being given by your actions in a way that is most acceptable, Miss Elizabeth."
Lizzy nodded. She guessed Lady Catherine preferred to talk rather than listen. In addition, Lady Ashby's training restricted her to answering Lady Catherine's questions rather than introducing topics of her own.
"What languages do you speak?" Lady Catherine continued with her interrogation.
"I speak French and Italian with reasonable fluency. While I know the basics of German, I do not consider myself truly conversant in the language. I can also read Latin and a little Greek."
"Hmph. It would be best not to mention the Latin or Greek in company." Lady Catherine said with a not-quite-ladylike snort.
"I shall follow your guidance on that point," Lizzy replied calmly.
"Of course you will," Lady Catherine said. "We do not wish people to consider you a bluestocking, after all. Fitzwilliam says you are intelligent, so I am certain you will see the sense in that."
Lizzy quickly glanced over to where Will sat with his father and Mrs. Evans. He could not help overhearing Lady Catherine due to the volume of her voice. Lizzy had to suppress her amusement when he rolled his eyes over his aunt's comment.
"Stand up, Miss Elizabeth," came the next order. "I wish to see how you move and carry yourself."
Obediently, Lizzy stood and walked around the room as Lady Catherine directed. She did her best to move with all the grace and poise Lady Ashby and Mrs. Evans had drilled into her.
"Keep your chin up. Good. Now, show me your curtsy."
As Mrs. Evans had taught her, Lizzy put on her best approximation of Jane's serene smile and moved elegantly into the deep curtsy she had practiced so many times in recent months.
"Hmph. Acceptable," was all Lady Catherine said, but Lizzy could see the hint of a smile on her face and knew the curtsy had been done very well. Will smiled and winked at her. Once again she had to stifle the urge to laugh.
"Practice, Miss Elizabeth, that is the key. You shall never be a true proficient unless you practice."
"Yes, Lady Catherine," Lizzy said as she curtsied deeply yet again. Even Lady Catherine could not quite hide her smile and the others in the room did not even try.
Matlock, Ashby, Lady Ashby and Richard were announced and entered the room just then. They offered general greetings and Lady Ashby prepared to introduce her son to the three young women he did not yet know. This was his first meeting with Caroline, so everyone was watching to see how they would react.
Richard knew, of course, which of the three young ladies was his betrothed. Her coloring gave it away. Staring straight at her, he offered her a cheeky grin and a wink as the three came over so Lady Ashby could introduce them. The introductions came in order of status, which meant Caroline came last. Richard bowed to each of them, reserving his most elegant bow for his betrothed.
"Miss Bingley, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard your brother and my cousin are allowed to call all three of you ladies by your given names. May I claim the honor of that right as well?"
"You may, Captain Fitzwilliam," Caroline said coyly, "if we may call you by your given name in return."
"Of course, Caroline," he said, still grinning. He nodded again to Lizzy and Jane before asking Caroline if he could sit by her and talk while they waited to be called in to dinner.
Will took the opportunity to move closer to Lizzy, although she was still under the scrutiny of Lady Catherine. However, his aunt's attention was partly diverted to watching the interaction between Richard and Caroline.
"He does not look well," she said, in a voice that was soft for her, as Will took his newly chosen seat.
"That is to be expected with his injuries, Aunt," Will replied. "And he told me they were on short rations for some time before the battle in which he was injured. He will look better with rest and plenty of good food."
"Hmph. I certainly hope so. Perhaps he should come to the seashore with Anne and me."
"Perhaps he will if you ask, although I know he does have several things he must take care of here in town."
"He is on leave, what could he have to do here?"
"Find an honorable way to make that leave permanent. Talk to your brother, Aunt Catherine. He has some plans for my cousin."
Before Lady Catherine could reply dinner was announced. Will stood and offered to escort both his aunt and his betrothed. Lady Catherine groused a bit about the company not following the proper rules of precedence, but took her nephew's arm all the same and together they went in.
History Note: Pumpkins were introduced to continental Europe in the 1600s and came to England by way of France in the 1700s. They were primarily used for animal feed, like the potato they were often considered the food of the poor.