Chapter 8
March 1809
"Here comes Cinder-Liza!" Caroline Bingley said meanly. "How ill you look with cinder soot on your face, always reading that useless book next to the fire." Caroline cackled.
"How ill you look Stepdaughter, if you did not spend so much time with your head in your books, you would look somewhat more ladylike, although with those masculine features, one never knows," Martha evaluated her stepdaughter meanly.
"If. Mrs. Bennet, I did not spend so much time with my books then we would not eat. You forget that I keep this estate running!" Elizabeth returned hotly. It was an oft repeated conversation.
"What is that to me if you will not give me any pin money?" the woman demanded.
"Whose fault is it that you wasted over half of your principal on dresses for that," Elizabeth pointed at her skinny, ugly stepsister, Caroline, "and on useless baubles for yourself?"
"Do not talk about my beautiful daughter in that way or I will whip you!" Martha screeched ineptly. There was no denying that her youngest had become uglier with the years. She had no womanly assets of which to speak; her face was long and angular with a thin line for lips. On the other hand, Louisa was looking much better. She no longer ate as much and was not nearly as portly as she once was. She could not be called comely, but neither could she any longer be called homely, a word that when applied to her younger daughter was a kindness.
"Please do so Stepmother dearest, as that will remove you from Longbourn without waiting another four years! You know full well what will happen to you should you lift a hand to me!" Elizabeth challenged and watched with satisfaction as the woman visibly deflated knowing how impotent her threats were.
In the last two plus years since her father's death, life had not always been pleasant for Elizbeth. Mrs. Bennet had moved herself into Jane's chambers. She would not have chanced using the master suite as she suspected that was one of the infractions that would have her removed from the estate.
Mrs. Bennet had ordered Elizabeth to switch bedchambers with her Caroline. Elizabeth could have stopped it, but with the woman in the adjoining bedchamber Elizabeth accepted the edict with no argument. As Louisa, who was treated with almost as much disdain as Elizabeth by her mother and younger sister, would remain in her bedchamber, the move was easy for Elizabeth to make.
The friendship between the two stepsisters blossomed out of view of the horrid mother and daughter. The two spent as much time with Charlotte and Maria Lucas as they were able so as not to have to be in the company of either the mother or younger daughter any more than was absolutely necessary.
About six months after the move, Caroline had begun to call Elizabeth, who she used to call Eliza, Cinder-Liza due to the fact that often times Elizabeth would fall asleep close to her fireplace in her room reading her beloved Utopia by the light of the flames and would rub her face with her hands that sometimes had cinders or soot on them and occasionally leaving black smudges.
It riled both mother and younger daughter that Elizabeth never reacted to the moniker Caroline had gifted her. They were not allowed to physically harm her, so they attempted what they could verbally and more often than not came away frustrated they were not able to elicit the desired reaction from Elizabeth.
To Martha Bennet, the worst crime her stepdaughter committed was her beauty. Her daughters in comparison were ugly—well her favourite Caroline certainly was. Elizabeth had a penchant for taking long rambles out of doors and would get darker in the summer, but even with that she had the temerity to always look pretty. Regardless of what Martha said to her stepdaughter, she was thankful that the girl was a homebody and outside of some close friends, she did not socialise.
Martha could not understand why her stepdaughter bothered with those so decidedly below her, they were there to serve the estate after all. One day when Elizabeth was out of the house visiting tenants, she noticed that the chest at the end of Elizabeth's bed was unlocked. She opened it and found the most beautiful dress she had ever seen within.
It was obviously part of the girl's trousseau, more than likely her late mother's wedding gown. It was a shimmering light blue silk with a gossamer overlay that shimmered in the light with tiny blue trinkets sown into it. As much as she would have wanted the dress to fit her youngest, she knew that no amount of making the dress over would bring it close to fitting her daughter as Elizabeth was petite in stature.
Then underneath she saw the shoes. They were glass with the same blue colour of the dress infused into the glass. When she held one up, the refracted the light make a display that looked like stars on the opposite wall.
"Why are you touching that which is not yours?" Elizabeth demanded as she entered her chambers. "You do know stealing from me is a reason to be removed from this house do you not?"
"I was not stealing anything!" Martha spat back as she dropped the glass slipper onto the bed. "I was just looking! Such a pity your masculine build will not fit into this dress," she stated with a sniff as she flounced out of the room.
Although she dismissed almost anything the woman said, her words did bother Elizabeth on some level when her stepmother said such things to her, but she knew the woman was wrong about the dress as she tried it on every now and again to feel close to her beloved late mother and keep her memory alive.
After catching her step mother digging in her mother's chest, Elizabeth had Mr. Hill take it to the house of a tenant she trusted. She did not trust Mrs. Bennet at all, so she would not take any chances with something this important to her. Except for the amber cross she wore that her late father had told her belonged to late grandmother Beth, his mother, the rest of her jewellery was locked in a safe in Mr. Phillips's office. After the incident when Caroline tried, and failed, to take her bracelet that one year, Elizabeth moved her jewellery to the safety of a strong safe.
On the fifth day of March Elizabeth turned nineteen. There was no celebration at Longbourn, but Elizabeth and Louisa, leaving separately and at different times, joined the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge where he birthday was celebrated. Lady Lucas had a cake baked to celebrate the day for Elizabeth.
Charlotte was six and twenty and had as yet not found a man to marry her. Louisa was three and twenty and if anyone had thought about approaching her, they were scared off by the antics, pretentions, and machinations of her mother and younger sister. Maria Lucas was the baby of the group of friends at fifteen.
It was at her birthday party that Sir William Lucas informed everyone that he had heard from his friend Paul Morris that he had sold Netherfield Park at last. The estate had been unoccupied for some years after Mr. Morris inherited a much larger estate in Dorset. He had tried leasing it at first and had one or two tenants since he moved his family. In the end it was too much trouble, so he placed the estate on the market for sale.
Sir William had no information about the new owners of Netherfield Park. Elizabeth hoped they were pleasant people as that estate was but three miles from Longbourn.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane was betrothed to Jamie Bennet, Viscount Glenmeade. They had been betrothed some eighteen months previously. Their official betrothal, however, was pending her father's approval was given after they finally were rescued, For propriety's sake, Jamie slept in a third wood cabin that had been constructed on the other side of the one where the remaining crew members slept.
There was no question that they were in love—deeply in love—but regardless of their feelings, they both refused to consider marrying before Jane's father could bestow his blessing, although at two and twenty Jane no longer needed his consent. Additionally, they wanted to marry in front of all of their family with a Church of England clergyman officiating.
Given the situation in which they found themselves, they were able to meet away from their dwellings quite often sans chaperone. Both being honourable, the worst they ever did was heavy kissing. As happy as Jane was with her betrothed and thankful for the fact that they were alive and so far, thank goodness, healthy, she missed her father and Lizzy terribly.
Once they were rescued—and for her sanity she had to believe they would be one day—she never wanted to eat another fish. It was their main source of protein and there are only so many fish one person could consume. Thankfully, the carpenter had fashioned some bows and arrows, so occasionally they would have some small animals like rabbit, birds, and other creatures of which they knew not the names. Whenever they ate birds, Phillip and Tommy apologised to Parrot before they had their meal.
The men wore breeches that ended at their knees and nothing more below that, the supply of stockings were long exhausted. They all became adept at remaking old clothing into garments they could use—clothing that would have been thrown into the ragbag at home.
Phillip, already sixteen, and Tommy who was fifteen, were almost as tall as Jamie and given how much manual labour there was, combined with the fact that if they wanted to go anywhere on New England it was with their own legs, they like the rest of the men, looked very fit and well built. When Jane looked at her younger brother, she saw a younger version of her beloved father.
There had been some sad happenings, however, besides being stranded for about three years already. About a year earlier, one of the massive storms like the one that caused them to be stranded on New England, hit the island without warning. The sky had blackened but that was not unusual when it was about to rain.
Rather than rain, it had been a massive storm. One of the three crewmembers, the seaman, had been returning from his watch on the hill when the storm struck. Part of a tree had cracked off the main part of the trunk and fallen on the unfortunate soul. They had buried poor unfortunate Jack Sparrow a few hundred yards from the dwellings and the carpenter had fashioned a cross as a marker for the man's grave.
Then there was the monotony. Each day was almost the same and it sometimes made it seem like they were simply living the same day over and over and over again. Thankfully, Jane had the company of her cousins. Cassy, who was one and twenty, and Ally now nineteen. Jane was always close to her cousins but was even more so now. Jane and her female cousins would assist Aunt Amy to make over old clothing for all of them to wear, sometimes combining two old items to make one.
Some months before, Phillip was on watch with Tommy keeping him company. The two had always been close, but now they were much more like brothers than cousins. Tommy spied a sail and when Phillip looked in the spyglass, he saw the unmistakable skull and crossbones flying proudly. The boys were extremely frustrated.
They heard a boom in the distance and saw a Royal Navy ship; the pirate ship was obviously running from them. The boys debated whether or not to light the fire and decided against it. They were sure that the navy ship would not break pursuit to investigate and if the pirates evaded their fate and returned after seeing the smoke, it could spell disaster for them.
The two best friends had watched until the ships were out of sight after having noted that the navy ship was gaining on her quarry. They were relieved by the Earl who agreed they had made the prudent decision not to light the fire with a privateer in view.
Jane had been working on clothing repairs with her aunt and cousins when the two lads returned from their watch and relayed what had happened. It was now four months later and not another ship had been sighted.
'Papa, Lizzy, we are here, alive and well! Please do not give up hope,' Jane beseeched the expanse of sea before her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Charles Bingley hated his life as a parson, especially as he had to bow and scrape to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. More than two years previously, he had quickly learnt that his patroness required a sycophant in the position, so that is how he presented himself, which earned him the living.
With his glebe lands and the money he received from his parishioners' tithing, he had an income of over five hundred pounds per annum. It was a Godsend as he had managed to lose the rest of his legacy at the tables and at the time owed more than five hundred pounds to men one pays back if he values his life. It had taken two years to pay back a little more than six hundred pounds, but he was finally debt free in the end. In this at least Bingley had learnt his lesson and other than playing for small amounts he kept away from the tables.
He dined at Rosings twice a week, and from what he could tell he was the only guest that ever visited the ladies who resided at the grand house. When he either dined or joined her ladyship for tea, he very seldom had to talk as Lady Catherine did not require answers, just someone to listen to her opine on many subjects—most of which she had no idea of which she spoke.
The subject that the lady pontificated on most of all was the failure of her nephew, some duke or other, to do his duty and marry her daughter. Personally, Bingley could understand why this duke or any other man who did not need her fortune would not be interested in marrying Miss de Bourgh.
Said sickly daughter, the heiress of Rosings Park, was present when she was well enough to attend. Bingley had thought about how he could compromise the insipid woman to gain all he surveyed. Yes, the decoration was gaudy, the furniture overly ostentatious and uncomfortable, but he thought that was the way of upper society, if he were able, it would not stop him getting his hands on all of this. From what he knew, the estate's profits were more than five thousand pounds per annum.
An income of five thousand a year was more than he could imagine earning and it would allow him to do so much. He may even help his mother—a little. He had not come up with any workable plan as of yet.
It did not take long to realise that Miss de Bourgh's companion, who was more of a nurse, in his opinion, never left her mistress's side. The only time Miss de Bourgh was not securely ensconced in the manor house was when she drove her small pony drawn phaeton. The problem was she was never alone.
He tried to charm her, and his charms had no effect on her and only earned him a glare from the companion, Mrs. Jenkinson. His effort earned him a severe tongue-lashing from his patroness as Mrs. Jenkinson had reported all to her, especially regarding her daughter. He had to endure a lecture about breeding and rank.
When he was allowed to get a word in after half an hour, he had prevaricated saying that the companion misread his intention as he only wanted to be friendly as he was to all. His patroness had accepted his explanation to a certain degree and warned him that she would not tolerate another instance of familiarity with her daughter, no matter the reason.
After leaving his patroness in high dungeon, Bingley had slithered back to the parsonage to make more plans that would net him an easy fortune. He knew that although the appointment was for life, Lady Catherine could make that life very unpleasant and could also apply to his bishop, allege wrongdoing, and have him removed and even defrocked. Given this knowledge, he knew he would have to be much more circumspect.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
For the last few years, they had been spending more time in Town than the Duke wanted to in order for his sister to be able to study with Signore da Funti. As much as he hated it, the Duke would accept the occasional invitation, but only to dinners or a musical evening, never a ball where he would be obliged to dance.
Thus it was with great relief when his man of business informed him that Netherfield Park, an estate four and twenty miles from London in Hertfordshire near the market town of Meryton, was for sale. Lord William had his man find all the information possible.
His man returned after viewing the estate with the agent, a local solicitor, Mr. Phillips, and reported that it was in all ways perfect for what the Duke was seeking. The manor house had been rebuilt within the last thirty years after a fire and was in excellent condition. Most importantly there was a large music room where Lady Georgiana would be able to practice and study with Signore da Funti as much as he was willing to teach her.
The Duke trusted his man, as he did his stewards at his various estates, but he had learnt from his father that when making an important decision, he should have all the facts and that meant viewing the property for himself. The day after he met with his man, Lord William set off just after daybreak on his stallion Zeus accompanied by his two personal bodyguards, enormous men, Biggs and Johns.
Just over three hours later, the Duke and his bodyguards rode up the drive that led to the manor house at Netherfield Park. So far, his man of business had been correct. Everything he saw told him this would be the ideal place and would perfectly fit his needs. Mr. Phillips met him on the front steps after his and his men's horses were led away by grooms.
"Your Grace," Phillips bowed low as was befitting the courtesy to one of the Duke's rank.
"Thank you for meeting me on short notice Mr. Phillips," Lord William returned.
Phillips introduced the Duke to the butler and housekeeper, Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. Mrs. Nichols led the tour of the house and when they were done, the Duke of Derbyshire saw nothing that would stop him from purchasing the estate. The last piece was to ride the estate. After refreshments were served in a wonderfully comfortable drawing room, furnished as the Duke preferred with understated elegance, the steward was introduced to the possible new master, and he led the Duke and his men on a ride to see some of the fields and tenant farms.
They started with the home farm, where no fault was found and then visited a selection of tenant farms. At the last one they visited the lady of the house was out of sorts. When the Duke asked if there was anything he could do to assist, the lady pointed to the retreating form of a lady with long chestnut curls and said, "Miss Elizabeth visited me sir an' gave me some elixir from Mr. Jones."
When they reached their horses, the Duke looked at the steward questioningly. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet is from Longbourn your Grace. If you look to where the young lady just crossed the stile in the fence, that is Longbourn. As there had been no master here for over a year, Miss Elizabeth looks in on the tenants from time to time," the steward related.
"That is quite singular," Lord William said in wonder. He could not imagine any other gentlewoman walking all over her estate to take care of not only the tenants of her estate, but that of the neighbouring estate as well. Just then a memory stirred. "Mr. Hampstead do you know if these Bennets are related to the Earl of Holder, Lord James Bennet, by any chance?"
"Sorry your Grace, I have been here but two years and never heard mention of any other Bennets. All I know is that Miss Elizabeth's father died in a riding accident some three years past. I heard there was another sister, but I do not know what happened to her or what her name was," Hampstead related.
"Bennet is not an uncommon name so I am sure it must be another family about which I am thinking. Thank you Hampstead; I am extremely impressed by what I have seen." The men mounted their steeds and rode back toward the manor house along the border fence between the two estates. The young lady turned and looked at them for a moment and the Duke could have sworn her saw a pair of the greenest eyes looking at him. Then she turned and continued her walk.
Lord William decided his eyes must have played tricks on him as they were too far distant to be able to see her features. By the time they returned to the manor house, the Duke had pushed the intriguing young lady to the recesses of his mind. During the negotiations to purchase the estate, he never asked the one man who would have been able to give him the correct answers the question he had asked the steward.
Before the Duke departed, a price was agreed upon and papers signed. As soon as the funds were transferred to Mr. Morris's bank account, within a fortnight, the sale would be final.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Richard Fitzwilliam and George Wickham had both earned field promotions. The two had fought side by side at the Battle of Roliça, the Battle of Vimeiro, and the Battle of Sahagún. The first two had been in August of '08 while the last in December of the same year.
Richard was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, replacing the man who was promoted to command the battalion when Colonel Atherton had been promoted to Brigadier General. After Wickham had saved a group of men and Richard Fitzwilliam's lives, he was promoted to Major and assumed command of the company his friend formerly commanded.
So far, by the Grace of God, both had escaped any serious injury. There had been some cuts and bruises, but nothing that would keep a good officer down. The two men had grown as close as brothers as they watched one another's back on the battlefields. When they were able to sleep, they shared a tent.
In January of '09 they went into battle again, this time it was The Battle of Corunna also known as Battle of Elviña. The newly promoted colonel was struck down on the first day and Richard Fitzwilliam found himself a full colonel before the next day of fighting.
There was particularly bloody fighting at Corunna and both Major Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam were injured moderately. Wickham had a bullet wound in his right arm, the one that wielded his sabre and Richard was shot in the muscle of his left thigh making riding a horse impossible. Neither one felt easy about leaving his men behind when they were ordered back to England, but then the generals decided that the dragoons deserved a break from being the tip of the spear and the entire battalion was order back to England to rest and recuperation.
By mid-March, the friends hobbled to the railing on the ship they were on to see the welcome sight of the white cliffs rising up out of the sea ahead, signalling they were close to England once again. After being gone more than two years, it was a most welcome sight to the brothers-in-arms.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
"Mama, I heard that the new owner of Netherfield is a duke! And he is unmarried" Caroline Bingley screeched in excitement.
"A duke! A single man with such a fortune must be in want of a wife, how good this will be for you Caroline! My daughter a duchess," Martha Bennet imagined.
Elizabeth and Louisa looked at one another and had to employ all the self-control they processed not to burst out into raucous laughter.
