Chapter 22 Close Encounters

Pemberley, May 1814

"I did not see this coming..."

"What? Has the queen cancelled her drawing-room?"

"Wishful thinking, Elizabeth, but no. We will have to endure aunt Aubrey's, aunt Catherine's and Georgiana's exalted and long renditions of that event."

Elizabeth swatted his arm from her perched position on the armrest of his chair. She squinted towards the written pages he held in his hands.

"That is not aunt Aubrey's writing, it is Richard's. What is the rascal up to now?"

"Marrying your sister..."

"What?" Elizabeth jumped to her feet, startling William who rested in her arms.

She paced back and forth in front of his desk while Darcy read on.

"Mary?"

"Yes, who else is there?"

"Kitty! Lydia!"

Darcy eyed his pacing wife suspiciously. His son seemed content with the fast rhythm of his mother's strides and smiled widely to his father. Darcy could not help but smile back at him, earning him a scowl from his wife.

"You cannot be happy about this union..."

"I am neither delighted nor disappointed about this union. I have learned that what I believe will bring happiness to marriage might not coincide with other peoples perception. Who am I to judge what would bring happiness to my cousin. You cannot be displeased by Mary's union?"

"No, not displeased exactly. I believe they have formed an attachment but not one that should necessarily lead to matrimony. Nothing in Mary's letter has spoken of any romantic attachment but they have bonded over their mutual affection for little Ellie. Can the love of a child be enough to sustain them through the trials of marriage."

"I had not thought you looked upon marriage as a trial, Elizabeth."

"Of course, not! But I love you, Fitzwilliam. With every fibre of my being and you love me enough to overlook my testy moods before the birth of William and my disgraced ancestry, not to forget my debauched sister. If you had been Mr Collins, my forbearance would have differed vastly from what I could stomach on your behalf. I cannot imagine anything or anyone in the world who could drive away my love for you. Had our marriage been a marriage of convenience with no mutual affection, I believe you would have resented me for bringing your family so low."

"I cannot imagine it but as I said. Who are we to judge? Mrs Collins seems content because her hopes and dreams probably was to have her own household and a family to raise. We both wanted more but that does not mean that you cannot be happy in other circumstances."

"Please, do not make me fathom the unfathomable. I do not like to imagine a life without you in it..."

Darcy pushed his chair back from his desk and moved to the leather wingback by the hearth. He swiped up his wife and child, settled down in the chair, cradling them both.

"Neither do I, Elizabeth... We will go to town and after Georgiana has had her audience with the queen, we will visit Rosings. The wedding is planned for the beginning of July when Richards six months of full-mourning has concluded. It leaves some time to assess the situation."

"Will not such a swift marriage, before even a year of mourning, create a scandal?"

"Society at large are forgiving towards a father with a small child who needs a mother and an estate who needs an heir. The necessity is generally understood."

"Would you have married so soon, Fitzwilliam? William would need a mother..."

"Never! I am married to you in life and beyond, Elizabeth. When my time comes, I want you to be waiting for me on the other side or better yet, I will wait for you..."

"Master William, I believe you are hungry." The babe was sporting an adorable pout.

"I will lock the door, you are not leaving my sight at the moment. The conversation unsettled me because it made me think of your death and I generally like to pretend that it will never come to pass..."

Elizabeth smiled and kissed her husband's frown before she rose to settle with her child in the chair beside him.

Darcy House, London, June 1814

Georgiana's presentation before the queen had passed in a flurry of events. The whole ordeal had gone well and passed swiftly. A ball had been held in honour of the event at Darcy House. Apart from Mr Darcy's scowl at Mr Willoughby when he had the audacity to ask Georgiana for the supper set. The easiness between them while conversing might be misinterpreted by eligible suitors.

The Darcys were off to Rosings in a couple of days. Mrs Bennet had arrived and the battle between the matriarch of Rosings and Longbourn had reached epic proportions. Elizabeth was summoned by Mary to come two weeks before the ceremony, to mediate between the two rivals with very different opinions on how to celebrate a wedding.

Elizabeth realised that if she had wanted to change Mary's mind, it was all too late. It was the talk of the town, despite their efforts to keep a low key.

Jane had been invited early as well, it might prove handy with more than one mediator. The mid-June weather was enticing the occupants of Darcy House out on an excursion. The sun was shining but it was not too hot to stroll the park but Jane had another idea.

"Let us all go to the Vauxhall Pleasure Garden. They are opening today... I have always wanted to see the fireworks. I read that Madame Sarah Hengler is still in charge of the fireworks and illuminations. Mrs Bland is singing, I would love to hear her duet with Charles Dignum, Long time I've courted you, miss. " Jane was unusually enthusiastic and Mr Bingley, who could deny his wife nothing, agreed eagerly.

'Poor Jane had not experienced much nor travelled as widely as Elizabeth had.'

Darcy frowned but said nothing, it was up to Elizabeth to decide. Darcy had acquired a perambulator from the carriage maker in Lambton. Bingley had taken one look at it and ordered a similar one for his son. A wicker basket on wheels with shade against the sun, lined with padding and light blue silk. They had brought it with them to London for walks in the park. It would do at Vauxhall.

"If we brought the children and their perambulators, we could walk the gardens, have a meal and look at the paintings of William Hogarth and Francis Hayman in the supper booths. Hopefully, we will be back home before the gentlemen get too drunk and the Scarlet women show up for their evening work."

Jane blushed, Darcy cleared his throat while Charles gaped at Elizabeth.

"Did I say that out loud?"

Vauxhall garden had somewhat of a louche and dubious reputation with its wooded groves and shady alleyways.

The scandalous event at a masquerade in 1749, was still talked about, over sixty years later. Courtier Elizabeth Chudleigh had arrived dressed as Iphigenia, wearing only a thin scarf showing off more than it covered.

Constructed as an outdoor source of entertainment, founded in 1729 by Jonathan Tyers, a fee had been added to keep the pickpockets and women of ill repute, out of the garden. Even the one shilling ticket was a lot for a servant earning a few pounds a year.

Georgiana had an appointment with a renowned master of pianoforte., she could not attend but the Bingleys and Darcys with their young sons arrived early in the afternoon.

They walked the pathways in the formal gardens with the shrubbery and miniature waterways. They had tea in the Turkish Saloon, an extension to the Rotunda, near the entrance. Little Charlie had begun to eat regular food and was quite satisfied with all the morsels he ha begged cooed and babbled to get from the accommodating adults. Master William was not as content, the refreshing room was needed urgently.

The necessary was close by, Elizabeth assured her husband that she could manage and left. It was not far and she could follow the building to and fro the Rotunda.

Master William was wailing loudly by the time Elizabeth reached the refreshing rooms. She hastened inside, found a place to sit and nursed her child. Lifting her gaze from her suckling child, she noticed that the other ladies gave her strange looks, some even frowned and whispered to their companions. Feeding her child was completely natural to Elizabeth but she was starting to comprehend that it might not be so for the fashionable ladies in attendance. When someone gasped as they espied her, Elizabeth covered them with Williams knitted throw and pulled her hat as far down over her eyes as possible. She felt the ladies eyes on her but dared not raise her eyes, lest she encountered someone she knew.

Relief flooded through Elizabeth when her son had satisfied his appetite and she could cover up and leave the naysayers behind.

Tucking her babe in the perambulator, her sons new favourite niche, he nuzzled against the silk-covered interior and promptly fell asleep.

She followed the buildings on the left side as she had walked there on the right. Every few yards, a new alleyway opened up and Elizabeth stretched her neck to see where it led.

"Mrs Darcy," an unknown female voice called quietly from right behind her. Elizabeth turned and came face to face with her mother.

Panicked, she turned and fled into the nearest alleyway. Pushing her son, she could not break out into the run she wanted to.

"Please, I just want to talk to you..."

Elizabeth slowed her pace, she was being nonsensical, again...

She looked down into the perambulator, the bumpy ride had awakened her son and he was eying her calmly with his father's blue eyes. Elizabeth stopped and turned towards her mother but did not speak. Behind her mother, Fitzwilliam approached in determined strides. The sight calmed her frazzled nerves which must have shown because the duchess turned her head to see who was approaching.

Reaching her side, Darcy put a comforting hand on the small of her back and bowed respectfully towards the duchess.

"Your grace," he greeted which tugged Elizabeth out of her stupor and she curtsied to the illustrious lady in front of her.

"Congratulations, I heard you had a son in the spring."

"Thank you, your grace. We feel blessed."

The duchess leaned over the perambulator and Master William gazed back at his grandmother.

"A handsome lad," she remarked quietly.

"Mother?" A young man called. His uncanny resemblance to his father made Elizabeth certain that it was the marquee, her half-brother. She bent over her son to conceal her countenance but it was too late. The marquee approached and greeted the Darcys cordially. His lack of surprise espying Elizabeth made her certain that he must already know of her existence. He had attended the twelfth night ball at Matlock House... It was about to get even more awkward though. Jane and Charles had spotted them and were heading their way.

"There you are. We were starting to wonder if you were lost and had wandered..." Jane's voice trailed off when the duchess of Lincoln turned towards her.

"Will you introduce me to your friends, Mrs Darcy, and may I introduce you to my son. The Marquee of Hartsholme."

"Certainly, your grace. A pleasure to meet you, my Lord. Duchess of Lincoln, meet my sister and her husband. Mr and Mrs Bingley of Bellevue near Ripley."

"Vivienne!" The Duke appeared in the alley entrance.

If Jane had been in doubt, there were none left. Even Mr Bingley looked pensive at the group.

"Mrs Bland and Mr Dignum are about to perform..."

The duchess cast an affectionate glance at the babe before she bid the adults goodbye.

The foursome stood in quiet contemplation for a few minutes before Jane broke the silence.

"I believe we should save Mrs Bland and Mr Dignum for another day and head home."

"I agree, I will summon a family meeting," Darcy announced. All agreed and walked to the exit to call for their carriage.

Georgiana was at home when the party arrived from Vauxhall. She immediately understood that something was off but Darcy wanted to speak to Elizabeth first before he enlightened his sister.

"I guess we all need to refresh ourselves but I would like to meet in the blue parlour in half an hour. Would that be enough time?"

Everyone nodded and went to their chambers while Darcy led his wife to his study. He penned a quick note that he ordered a footman to deliver before he addressed Elizabeth.

"I think your sister and Bingley has to be told because they already suspect the truth but I wondered about your thoughts towards Georgiana?"

"She needs to know. This might seriously affect her in more ways than one and I will not have strangers spring this on her in an unsuspected moment."

"I agree but it is your decision to make..."

They had re-joined in the blue parlour when a winded Lady Aubrey hastened through the door.

"I came as fast as I could, what is the emergency?"

"We have been to Vauxhall garden today and we met the duchess of Lincoln. We believe that Mr and Mrs Bingley need to know the truth, as does Georgiana. We need a strategy should the facts become commonly known..."

"Good havens, I thought someone had died. Next time you summon me with the words: come immediately, family emergency. It better be something much more dire than this old tale."

The countess of Matlock sat down and fanned herself vigorously while Darcy told the tale to his wide-eyed audience. Starting with Mr Bennet's cryptic words in his study, early one morning in September in 1812. His surprise meeting with Mr Gardiner and the revelation about Elizabeth's dowry on their trip to London and the suspicion which had formed on the Matlocks twelfth night ball. His conversation with Mr Bennet and later, the duke at White's was retold as accurately as he remembered.

"I am sorry to be the potential source of bringing scandal to our families," Elizabeth added when Darcy had finished his tale.

"Who could blame you, Lizzy? A child cannot choose its parents?"

"No, but they can pay for their sins."

"Oh, pish-tosh." The titled lady in their midst uttered unexpectedly.

"The family with no skeletons in their closets can throw the first stone. I tell you, Elizabeth. The stones in England are quite safe. From the Prince regent himself, who has his mistress living in an adjoining room to his bed chamber to the Palmerstones, the Cavendishes, the Byrons, the Jerseys... I could go on and on, there is not a family in England who does not have a scandal or two attached to their name. You have no idea how many of my husband's colleagues in the House of Lords have no knowledge of who fathered their children or how many children they have, not living under their roof.

Tell me, Elizabeth. Who would risk a breach with the house of Pemberley, Matlock, Rosings, Montgomery and the dukedom of Lincoln? Not many, if any, for the sake of a twenty year old affair. I am not concerned. If it erupts we will deal with the consequences but that as everything else will pass. We will not succumb because of a scratch in our lacquer."

"I am worried that it will affect Georgiana's prospects..." Elizabeth whispered.

"It might, for a limited time. It is perhaps best not to tempt fate with attending the same events as Vivienne until we have Georgiana safely married. Just to be on the safe side..."

"I agree, we should go back to Pemberley after Richard and Mary are wed," Darcy announced decidedly.

Rosings

The ambience was frosty when the Darcys were shown into the parlour at Rosings where all its occupants were assembled. Lady Catherine and Mrs Bennet were facing each other while Mary and Richard tried to separate them. It dissolved the moment a precious little baby boy was shown into the room. Whatever the matriarchs had been bickering about, was forgotten in an instant.

"He looks just like Fitzwilliam when he was a boy. The black hair, blue eyes and discerning expression."

"Yes, fortunately, he has his father's disposition as well. Calm in a crisis and serious of nature but grumpy when he is hungry." Elizabeth smiled lovingly at her husband while Master William cooed his agreement.

"I wondered if I could have a word in private later, Elizabeth?"

"Certainly, Aunt Catherine."

"You are not hijacking Lizzy and deciding on the colour of the roses nor the fish course..." Mrs Bennet had not entirely forgotten their previous argument.

"I thought we settled on yellow?" Lady Catherine tried to convince Mrs Bennet.

"I would like pink and salmon accentuates the flowers much better. Lizzy, you are fond of salmon, are you not?"

"I am not the one you should ask. Mary, which do you prefer?"

"I prefer red roses but I do not care much for fish..."

"Richard, what fish is your favourite?"

"I prefer salmon."

"Good, it is settled then. I need to nurse Master William first but I can come to your study in an hour, aunt Catherine."

"I will see you there, Elizabeth."

An hour later in Lady Catherine's study

"I wondered if you had some misgivings about this marriage taking place in two weeks?"

"Why, Elizabeth? I know that it is soon after my dear Anne's passing but the child needs a mother in her life and who better suited than Mary?"

"But what about Love, Aunt Catherine?"

"Love is not all in a marriage, Elizabeth. Companionship is equally important, as is a loving mother for the child."

"Yes, so you said but I cannot help fearing that sometime down the line, they will regret not holding out for love. What if one or both meet the love of their life, a few years down the line?"

"You are thinking about Richard, are you not? He could do much worse than quiet loving Mary who adores his child."

"Loving?"

"Yes, loving. I am convinced that deep down, Mary cares for Richard."

"I could see no evidence of it in her letters."

"No, you would not. Mary does not show outward affection, like you. She shows her affection through actions and sacrifice. You and she are very different that way, Elizabeth.

Think about this, Elizabeth. What if Richard found a lady and fell in love. He married the love of his life but she could not stand his child. The lady rules the house, Elizabeth. She could make little Ellie's life miserable. I will not be here for all eternity to protect her.

No, I am convinced this is the best course. Love will grow where it is nurtured. Perhaps you could talk to Mary and give her some advice. I know nothing... My Lewis was a kind man but not of the passionate sort."

Elizabeth blushed at the implications but saw the wisdom in the grand ladies scheme. Loathe as she was to admit it.

It took Elizabeth a whole week of decent excuses to avoid talking to Mary. The house was in the middle of planning a wedding after all and Elizabeth had thrown herself into embroidering with a gusto never before witnessed. She knew she was a coward and grabbed the opportunity that arose after breakfast one morning.

"Mary, please stay. I have wanted a word with you for some time."

"Please, do not, Elizabeth. I have had Mama, lady Catherine and Mrs Collins informing me about, you know..." Mary gestured wildly and Elizabeth had to laugh at a certain memory. Mary blushed crimson.

"You poor thing. I am not laughing at you, Mary. Just a memory of my own similar experience. You can imagine adding Lydia's rendition to the mix."

"I had a letter..."

"Please, pay her no mind and try to forget Mr Collins as well. Lord, it feels so long ago, yet it has not even been two years. I am glad that you look at this as a true marriage and not just an arrangement of convenience though."

Mary suddenly looked hurt, Elizabeth tried to think of what could have upset her.

"Am I truly that unlovable? I have my own misgivings. Why would Richard want to marry me when he could pick and choose between beautiful, accomplished and well-dowered ladies of the highest society?"

Elizabeth felt like a wretch, it was obvious that her sister was very much in love with her betrothed. If he felt similarly, was difficult to discern but it was her own words that had injured Mary.

"Of course not, Mary. You are one of the reputedly beautiful Bennet sisters, after all. We cower for none of the fancy ladies of the upper éclat's who can buy good looks while ours are naturally born.

High society has its own lacks and wants, propriety coming foremost in mind which you lack for nothing Mary. I believe Richard must have seen your kind and loving heart and wanted it for himself. It is not so strange. We all want to be loved at the end of the day and I believe you do, Mary, love Richard?"

"I do, most fervently. I love him so much it hurts. I only hope that I can make him happy..."

"Men are simple creatures, Mary. They only want for the love of a wife, good health, something interesting to occupy their minds, admiration from their fellow gentlemen, prosperous estates and well-behaved children. If their coffers are stuffed, it is a welcomed bonus."

"Yes, very simple indeed..." Mary giggled.

"I have something to tell you though, Mary. It is not good news, I am afraid but it can affect you so I believe you should know..."

Elizabeth told Mary about her questionable ancestry and warned her that scandal may erupt in the future.

Mary listened intently but made no comments until Elizabeth had finished her tale.

"We will have to prove ourselves to be better children of God."

"Easy for you to say, Mary. I am not proficient in being good."

"No, Mr Darcy would chose someone unworthy..."

"Touché!"

"You totally turned that on me..."

"I did," Elizabeth smiled contentedly.

"Well, all these revelations has exhausted me. I will go and relax in the nursery..."

The day after the wedding.

Richard and Darcy were two souls of one mind and had sought refuge from all the wedding guests in Rosings library. Richard was puffing on a pipe while Darcy wrinkled his nose at the smell.

"I tell you, Darcy. The Bennet girls are not timid."

Darcy looked at his cousin like he had grown horns but Richard paid him no mind.

"I did not know you smoked the pipe, Richard."

"I feel like an old man, Darcy. Like an old sailor, come home from his last voyage. Sailors smoke the pipe, do they not? Anyway, I found this among uncle Lewis old stuff. I thought I would give it a go. It is, soothing... Who would have thought that taking one's responsibilities seriously could give such pleasure? Had I known I would have done it a lot sooner."

"I am glad you are enjoying yourself although your gibberish makes little sense to me."

"It is a pleasure to see Montgomery so content. He is so proud of his wife's heightened belly it is obnoxious."

"He needs a spare and he seems happy, even in his marriage..."

"I wonder if I can beat him to it. If this babe is a girl and I have twins..."

"Are you even listening to what I am saying?"

"The viscountess took a long time to conceive this time, perhaps I can beat him in numbers. I have one down already..."

The door to the library opened up, unbeknownst to the gentlemen.

"Heavens, I thought the chimney was clogged or something. What a foul smell... Really! Brandy at nine in the morning. Poor Mary, where is she?"

"Still sleeping..."

"At this late hour? What have you done to her, Richard?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Elizabeth harrumphed and stomped out of the study and reached the bowl on the side table just in time.

Fitzwilliam and Richard came running out of the library.

"Elizabeth, are you ill?"

Elizabeth groaned at the blatantly obvious statement from her husband.

"I am sorry, Elizabeth. I should not have made such a bawdy remark about your sister. I momentarily forgot that you are not a man, I mean... I should not even hint at marital relations in front of a lady, should I... I had no idea that it could have such a profound effect though."

Elizabeth lifted her head from the bowl and dried her mouth with her kerchief. She looked steadily at her babbling cousin.

"You are not sick because of what I said, are you? Your husband is standing behind you, giving me the evil eye. Probably wants me to shut up... I have a hankering to disobey him. Darcy, you dog. I am beginning to suspect you are in the lead by one. Always sneaking around quietly while getting the job done."

"Yes, Richard. You could learn a thing or two from my husband's stellar example. Come Fitzwilliam, I am hungry and I can smell breakfast."

The End

*Vauxhall garden, info from (Museum of London), (regency history net) and (susanaellisauthor) blog. The garden was open from 15th of June to the 26th of August in 1814.

*William Kent invented the first known stroller in 1733 for the Duke of Devonshire's children. It was a basket on wheels.

Endnote:

You might wonder, where is the epilogue or think that there are loose ends needing to be tied up...

I am deliberately holding back because I have a feeling there will be a second and perhaps a third book.

I have lots of ideas for children and future events in this family saga...