Saturday, February 8th, 1812
Saturday morning dawned with an invitation to visit Darcy house from Georgiana who insisted she would be bored out of her mind if left alone all day.
Mr Gardiner gave his excuses, reminding his wife that he had far too much work to spend his day away from the warehouses, and so the note hurriedly scribbled to Georgi informed her all four sisters and their aunt would happily join her for tea that afternoon.
In Kent, Elizabeth had been struggling to maintain her sanity despite her cousin's constant reprimands and wailing of "Lady Catherine is most displeased."
No amount of naps, early morning jaunts, or prolonged walks seemed to be able to air out the stifling atmosphere at the parsonage, and Lizzy had begun to despair of any sense of normalcy returning to her daily routine when a light knock on the door drew her out of her daydreaming, the book she had been reading lying open on the table beside her.
Hurrying to let in the unannounced visitor, Lizzy couldn't help but wish it was Fitzwilliam standing on the other side of the door. Although she was perfectly capable of managing London, and Lady Catherine, by herself she missed having someone to confide in, someone who could offer more comfort than merely a squeeze of her hand and a simple "It shall all blow over, don't you worry."
Although it did not come as a surprise that it was not, in fact, Fitzwilliam waiting impatiently at the parsonage's main door, Lizzy couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed that it was only Anne de Bourgh standing before her, a small smile on her face.
"Good morning, Miss de Bourgh," Elizabeth said, trying to sound cheerful but failing horribly. She had never been any good at hiding her emotions.
"Good morning, Miss Elizabeth," Anne returned, mirroring Lizzy's polite curtsey.
"I'm afraid Charlotte and Mr Collins have left to visit a sickly tenant and I haven't the slightest idea when they will return," Elizabeth called out as she followed Anne into the drawing room.
"Oh, I am not in search of either Mr or Mrs Collins, I have merely come in search of some pleasant company, which I am sure you will provide," the woman stated matter-of-factly as she shakily lowered herself into a chair.
"Mama has been in a poor mood all morning, and I simply had to get out of the house even if only for a few minutes," she said, gazing about the room.
"I see," Lizzy commented, "Could I perhaps offer you a cup of tea?"
"That sounds lovely, however, the maid doesn't seem to be about anywhere, so I believe I shall have to wait," Miss de Bourgh replied, turning about in her seat in search of one of the servants.
With a light laugh, Lizzy countered, "I'm afraid there are no servants to make tea here, the parsonage has only a cook and a lady's maid who also fulfills all other household needs when it is required of her. She does not, however, serve guests," she said as she made her way over to a small table where a large teapot stood next to a few cups and saucers.
"No maid? I don't believe I could ever live in such a manner!" Anne exclaimed, colour now slowly returning to her face.
"Many people do, Miss de Bourgh, and feel no less comfortable for it," Lizzy whispered as she poured the fragrant liquid into two cups, quite surprised that the girl seemed to have very little knowledge of life outside Rosings and London.
As Lizzy handed Anne her tea the woman once more spoke, "I suppose you have much planning to do for the wedding?"
"I did have a lot to do, but thankfully with the help of Mrs Reynolds, much of that has been completed," Lizzy said smilingly. She had become increasingly excited about the event as time passed, and talking about it always seemed to bring back her cheer.
"Ah yes, Mrs Reynolds! Such a lovely old lady, she often snuck me pastries when mama and I visited. That was before Fitzwilliam's mother passed. It was such a shame – she was such a lovely woman – beautiful, graceful, and with the kindest smile you could ever imagine," Anne's voice trailed as she spoke, "I loved my aunt dearly. She would always insist I play with my cousins instead of sitting quietly on a chair where my mother could keep an eye on me."
"I have rather a high standard to live up to, don't I?" Lizzy asked with an uneasy giggle. She knew a lot of responsibilities and expectations would be placed on her as soon as she became Mrs Darcy, she could only hope to do her husband and the Darcy name proud.
"Oh don't you bother yourself over that! Fitzwilliam's parents would have loved you," Anne interrupted, "My mother could never be satisfied with any of the choices her family members made, so do not put too much merit to her reprimands and arguments. The only person she ever fully supported was Andrew, and that was simply because he married a woman equal in standing to himself, but far, far wealthier."
Elizabeth nodded, realizing it would be futile to go up against Lady Catherine in the hopes that she would, at last, acquiesce and approve of the match.
That morning Miss de Bourgh did much to lighten Elizabeth's spirits, even though she could only stay for an hour, or risk her mother sending out a search party after her. The two women would see each other at church again the next day, and Lizzy felt genuinely pleased to have made another friend despite the enormous difference in their upbringing and wealth.
In London, the four Bennet sisters and their aunt were having a most enjoyable time. Georgiana had invited Lady Gertrude and her daughter to join them, as well as Lady Matlock, and together the party made for cheerful, lively company.
Lady Gertrude's daughter, Lady Atherton, seemed to take an instant liking to Mrs Gardiner, who was closer to her age than any of the sisters, and the group spent a delightful afternoon focusing only on the positive and cheerful, and refusing to allow the ton's negativity to spoil their joy.
Georgiana had been growing more and more confident as the weeks passed and, although she still sometimes felt nervous when entertaining adults, she was thankful for the practice she was getting. She knew soon she would no longer have to host any gatherings for her brother, but she hoped Elizabeth would not be averse to enlisting her help with future parties and dinners. Pemberley had not hosted any such events in many, many years.
After her mother had died, her father had become somewhat reclusive, and so had her brother, which meant no balls, dances, dinners, or tea parties were ever held and the only guests they would host over summer would be the Bingleys or the Colonel. Georgi hoped Elizabeth would change that, and bring laughter and merriment to Pemberley's halls once more.
Mary had been rather quiet throughout the visit, but that was in no way unusual. She seemed to like Lady Trudy an immense deal but felt far too shy to initiate a conversation, that is until the old lady spotted her sitting by herself near the fire and made her way over to the seat beside her.
"I too need a short respite from all the laughter and gossip," Lady Trudy said as she lowered herself slowly onto the chair, "Such social gatherings often tire me out, but I do enjoy them so!"
"I find them rather wearying as well, I'd much rather be home reading or writing, or at least spending my time doing something useful," Mary said quietly, her old habit of looking down on her sisters for their silliness and laughter temporarily returning.
"At your age, I often thought the same," Lady Trudy said sounding ever so slightly stern, but still good-humored, "And I still regret not spending more time with my brothers and sisters. They would often go visiting our neighbours, or get invitations to balls and for more than just a few years I refused to join them until one day my mother sat me down and told me exactly what I am about to tell you," the lady paused as Mary's eyes flitted towards her face.
"You may find these activities silly, or purposeless, but just remember that your sisters will soon be married, and so will you. You will have your own homes, own lifestyles, own households to run, and then the only way you will ever truly see each other again is during parties or visiting each other over summer. It is best you get used to these outings now, or else you might find yourself declining every invitation and becoming a stranger to the very people you once held dear."
Lady Trudy gave the girl a small smile and squeezed her hand, "I don't mean to say you should change your character and go to every dance and every party, but when it is only your family and close friends, why not make the effort? These moments are the ones you will remember far into the future, my dear."
Mary, who had been staring into her lap for much of the lady's monologue now lifted her head ever so slightly and gave the woman the smallest of smiles, "I suppose you are correct," she said quietly.
"I am very rarely wrong," Lady Trudy countered in a joking tone.
Standing up most decisively the old lady waited for Mary to do the same then linked arms with her, and together they made their way back to the cheerful party where Mary stayed for the remainder of the visit and even found herself being drawn into the conversation more often than not.
Sunday, February 8th, 1812
As was usual, the Gardiners and Bennets arose early on Sunday morning and prepared themselves for church. Mr Ferrars would be joining them for the service, and Mrs Gardiner had decided to extend an invitation to dinner on Monday as well, hoping to get to know the quiet, kind young man a little better.
Lydia, who was not particularly fond of attending church, seemed infinitely more pleased with the prospect that day. Not because she had had a change of heart, or decided to become a more devout worshiper, but simply because she found the long, droning sermons the optimum opportunity to watch the people of the ton in an environment where they did not expect to be observed with such rigour at all. And when people do not suspect being watched, they often reveal the most about themselves to the world.
Georgiana had recently expressed a desire to attend more sermons and so the Gardiners had decided to attend the service in Mayfair, collecting Georgi on their way there, and this pleased Lydia even more. She had no interest in watching the inhabitant of Cheapside, but the residents of Mayfair were an entirely different group of people.
Taking their seats inside, Lydia was not at all surprised to see Mr Lowland and his wife positioned several rows before them. She had realized early on in her life that often the most seemingly devout members of the church were the ones with the most to hide. All throughout the service she kept an eye on the man who seemed completely engrossed in the Vicar's sermon. As they stood for the final prayers, however, she noticed a small, folded sheet of paper fall from his pocket onto the floor. She waited expectantly, sure that he would notice and pick it up from wherever it had ended up, but he did not seem to notice at all. As the sea of people began to make their way out of the church, the last 'amen' having been said, Lydia roughly pushed past Kitty, and forced herself into the veritable tidal wave of bodies that were hurrying to the door. With great struggling she forged her way to the pew she had seen Mr Lowland occupy, stopping one bench too early and having to squeeze her way past a rather voluminous woman excitedly chattering with her companion, and at last she spied the little scrap of paper, laying inconspicuously beneath the very pew the gentleman had sat upon. Hurriedly she stuffed it into her glove, and made good her escape, finding it far easier to move with the tide of people than against them, and soon she stepped out into the cool air where her sisters were waiting impatiently for her to catch up.
She would have to examine the paper later, and that only heightened her excitement and curiosity.
In Kent, Elizabeth had quietly been sitting through a dreadfully long sermon on the 'importance of respecting one's elders,' and 'the dangers of vanity and arrogance,' trying desperately not to roll her eyes in a way similar to Lydia when she is being told off.
Lady Catherine was seated at the very front of the church, and Lizzy could just make out her vigorous nodding ever time Mr Collins sent out a veiled reprimand under the guise of a well-thought out message to young women.
Elizabeth had written to Fitzwilliam on Friday and Saturday, as was usual, but she had still not received any letters from him since Friday. She knew it took around three days for the letters to arrive, and it was not unusual for him to miss a day here and there, but somehow their lack of correspondence made her uneasy.
Trying to clear her head of any worrying thoughts she mistakenly turned her attention to her cousin's words once more, just as he said, "above all, women should know their place. It is a foul and unattractive trait to assert oneself in the presence of those more experienced, and of a higher rank than yourself, and it will do young women no good whatsoever to move away from the path of humbleness and submission, and debase themselves in raucous, and ill-mannered ways."
Elizabeth noticed her cousin staring directly at her as he spoke, and she couldn't help but let her eyes droop ever so slightly and her head lean forward just a little, as she pretended to be in deep slumber, and noticed his voice grow slightly higher and much more indignant as he continued.
Lizzy, who had thoroughly enjoyed channeling her inner Kitty, had found the service to be far more pleasant than she had first thought it would be, especially as she watched her cousin's expression change every time he laid eyes on her as she pretended to sleep. She knew she would be chastised for behaviour once they arrived home, but at that precise moment, she could not find it within herself to care.
As there were not all that many people in attendance that day, those that did broke into small groups outside the church, catching up with neighbours and old friends.
Anne de Bourgh, who had been dutifully seated beside her mother, soon approached Elizabeth and Charlotte, smilingly greeting them with a small curtsey as they did the same.
"What an interesting service!" she exclaimed as she shaded her eyes from the bright sunshine, her stylish bonnet not offering her much protection, "I don't think I've ever seen Mr Collins deliver his sermon with such fervour," her small giggle immediately alerted Lizzy to the fact that she was joking.
"Indeed, I found it quite captivating!" Lizzy replied, as Charlotte merely gave a light laugh and shook her head at the two girls' antics.
"You two shall be the death of my husband, I am quite sure of it," Charlotte said, trying to suppress her urge to laugh as well. It was no secret she did not love her husband, although she did try desperately hard to respect him and honour him, but when he acted in such a petty manner she couldn't help but find it all rather amusing.
"Anne!" a loud voice rang out, "Anne! Come here this instant," Lady Catherine called, giving her daughter an angry look as she stood waiting for the girl to obey.
The woman in question simply gave a small sigh, shrugged her shoulders, and raised her brows ever so slightly as she gave a small curtsey and hurried over to her mother although she had to do so at a slow pace so as not to get winded.
"Anne, I shan't have you associating with that stubborn, insubordinate country girl," Lizzy overheard Lady Catherine say, although she was sure everyone had heard her as the lady did very little to lower her voice.
"It seems we shan't be receiving any invitations to Rosings for quite some time," Lizzy said, giving Charlotte a sympathetic look.
"Oh, never you mind that! I find those dinners dreadfully uncomfortable anyway, so you have done me a great service!"
Determining to have her friend say no more on the subject, Charlotte drew toward two ruddy looking young girls, who turned out to be the twin daughters of one of the many farmers in the region, and together the four, having collected Maria along the way, slowly strolled along the country path back to the parsonage. The girls, Emma and Julie, although not very well educated, were kind and friendly, and Lizzy took an instant liking to them, even though they were only about fifteen years old. Reaching the parsonage, the girls said their goodbyes and hurried onwards, their home being yet another mile along the road.
Finding herself with very little to do that afternoon, Lizzy decided to once more write to Fitzwilliam. She still refused to tell him of her dispute with his aunt, fearing it would lead to further division in his family, but she did reiterate how much she missed his company, and simply his presence beside her. Sealing the letter and placing it on the table in her room, to be sent the next morning, Lizzy could hear her cousin make his return along with Sir William.
Tired of avoiding the annoying little man simply for the sake of having some peace, Lizzy arose, straightened her skirts, and made her way to the drawing room, determined to face his comments head on and not let them bother her any longer.
In Gracechurch Street, Lydia found herself growing more and more impatient. She desperately wanted to examine the contents of the paper Mr Lowland had so carelessly dropped, but her aunt and sisters were constantly keeping her occupied. First she had to join them for a light meal, then she had to play with her cousins, then Emma had a dress she wanted to show her, and finally, Dorothy wanted to read the first chapter of the new book her father had bought her to the entire group.
At last, feigning a headache, she was allowed to go upstairs, where she promptly shut herself in her room and retrieved the folded sheet of paper.
Unfolding it hurriedly, she scanned its contents and then, with a beaming smile on her face, fell onto her bed with a delighted laugh.
Oh yes, this will prove most useful!
A/N:
There we go! Another chapter for you lovely people!
I wonder what Lydia is up to? All I can say for sure is it is no good! xD
Alrighty, TO THE REVIEWS!
Lily – Oh dear I don't quite know what Lydia has in mind, but I'm sure it will be interesting! If I ever do decide to publish, I will have to thank each and every one of you for your encouragement and support! I would not be writing this story without you!
Tfranco9 – haha Darcy is on his way to Kent! Unfortunately the letter he wrote Lizzy has gotten a bit lost so she won't know of it for a little while longer!
LadyLizzyPuff12 – Haha yes! Lydia did make a bit of a fool of herself, but she is only 16 and as I always say, she has a lot to learn still! Jane can be a bit frustrating when she can't make up her mind because she doesn't want to hurt anyone. But hopefully she'll get a little better. I really liked imagining the colonel as a little boy! He would have been so mischievous and so, so bossy! xD And yes! Anne and Lizzy are very similar! Lizzy is just a little more outspoken in some ways!
Deanna27 – Yes I enjoyed Lydia's blunder as well! xD Things won't always work out well for her!
LavernJones – Thank you so much for your kind words! And I'm really happy you enjoyed the last two chapters! Ah unfortunately it is not Miss Bingley, she has a far more hilarious fate awaiting her. I haven't forgotten about the Bingleys at all, and they'll soon be making a comeback in all their glory!
HarnGin – Lydia is definitely learning, however I also think pure luck has a lot to do with the progress she's making which seems fitting as she's such an adept card player!
Nanciellen – ah yes, and Lydia's rise to notoriety has only just begun!
EmlynMara – thank you for your kindness! – Yes, at least Jane is aware of the Viscount's regard for her! And of course nothing about Lydia's actions are comforting, she is a bit of a wildcard and I rather like her that way! She has many lessons to learn and it does not seem very likely that they will all be painless.
The Guest who lost their Nana – Thank you for your wonderful review of the story, and my sincerest condolences for your loss.
Guest who mentioned this was my first story – I can't tell you how humbled I am when people review my story so positively! Thank you so, so much for your compliment! I would not have gotten so far with this story if it wasn't for all the incredible people on this platform who encourage and inspire me to continue!
TiaMaria710 – Thank you so, so much! I've always had a great love for descriptive writing and I hope that shines through! The dress designs are a combination of period research – for instance most dresses had empire waistlines and the range of material at the time was rather limited to cotton, silk, and muslin (which is basically cotton too, if I remember correctly). The actual colouring and design of the dresses, however, are my own ideas. I actually design clothes as a hobby so I find it especially fun to dream up dresses that match each of the sisters' personalities. Especially Kitty's.
AmyCampbell – I think the problem with Jane is that she's afraid Mr Reeding or the Viscount is just another repeat of Charles Bingley. And besides that, she hates hurting or disappointing people and she's desperately trying to find a way to choose without making anyone sad or unhappy. Kitty's story is a bit bittersweet to tell. She loves the Colonel, and he so obviously loves her, but neither of them know that, and their circumstances have pulled them apart. Now she's trying to focus on what is plausible, achievable, and that is Mr Martin who is an artist, understands her ideas, and has been nothing but charming, genuine, and supportive thus far. Perhaps he'll be able to help her at last overcome the obstacles of the past.
Thank you, thank you, thank you EVERYONE for your continued support of this story! You guys are seriously my modern day heroes! xD
Cheerio until next time,
Sammy