Here's the third one. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Correcting the translation takes time. I hope you like it. I look forward to receiving constructive criticism. Enjoy your reading.
Chapter 3 Rosings Park
September 1791
That year, the annual visit to Rosings Park had been postponed because Lady Anne had not yet completely recovered from her miscarriage. Instead, the Darcy family had decided to visit Sir Lewis and Lady Catherine in the fall. This time, they would allow Fitzwilliam to come with them, so that he could meet his young cousin, Anne, who was two years old. It was the first time that Fitzwilliam had made such a long journey away from home and he was fascinated by all the landscapes he could see through the window as they made their way south.
He had been used to the wild peaks of Derbyshire from an early age, so the gentle hills and green fields of the southern counties were something new for him. He spent the whole trip talking with his parents, asking them any questions that came to mind and listening to their answers with all due attention. He could not remember spending so much time with both his parents or receiving so much attention from them, as he did that day. But deep inside he felt it was because his mother had lost another baby and that was why she was so sad and clinging to him.
Fitzwilliam wasn't really looking forward to visiting his aunt. He didn't like her very much and had a hard time with her. He knew that she was constantly trying to impose her desires on those around her. Fortunately, his parents were not willing to listen to her or allow that. She had given perfectly absurd advice about him, saying that a boy of his rank should not play with boys born inferior to himself.
The young boy thought it was completely stupid and decided not to worry about his aunt's speeches. His parents told him totally different things and it would be them he would listen to and no one else. Lady Catherine could go and tell someone else her nonsense. He found it amusing that she gave advice to her mother on how to raise her when she herself had no children. A humiliating thing that made her angry but she couldn't change. Apparently, she had managed to have a little girl, but that did not make her experienced in this field. Even if she was convinced otherwise.
And there was Edward, the son Sir Lewis had from his first marriage. His very existence drove Lady Catherine mad with rage. This meant that her daughter, Anne, would never inherit Rosings Park and that one day she would be relegated to the dowager house, having lost all her power. Edward didn't love her at all, something she didn't realize. She was being tough and almost mean to him, unaware that one day he might make her pay a very high price. And Fitzwilliam knew she'd only get what she deserved.
Lady Anne smiled with pride at her son, trying to hide her fear that he might remain an only child. She was especially afraid of losing him, too. She intended to do everything in her power to ensure that no harm would ever come to him and tried to limit his outdoor activities. The Duke felt the same. However, he had decided not to interfere with his son's activities outside. He had only recommended that his grooms and gardeners keep an eye on him to ensure his safety.
The journey to Kent was briefly interrupted when they moved into their home upon their arrival in London. Fitzwilliam was very impressed by his first visit to the capital. The streets were filled with fashionable people and elegant carriages. The houses were so close to each other, the great palaces of St James and Whitehall, Westminster Abbey and all the shops very quickly became a mess of various impressions.
Two days later they resumed their journey and arrived in Rosings where they were welcomed by Lady Catherine and Sir Lewis. After greeting them with the greatest courtesy, the first thing Fitzwilliam did was to ask,
"Why are your shrubs cut and stored so rigidly? Looks like an army of soldiers ready to be reviewed. It's very boring."
Lady Catherine looked at him indignantly, but decided to ignore these bad manners and preceded her guests to lead them to the small lounge.
"Be very careful what you say, Fitz!" whispered the Duke to his son, holding him in the hallway before Miss Dalton took the boy to his room. "Your aunt has absolutely no sense of humor. She gets offended very easily."
The Darcys were introduced to little Anne de Bourgh later that day. The parents did not fail to offer customary compliments, but there was little truth in their words. Fitzwilliam, however, with his usual frankness, exclaimed, "Anne is very small, pale and sickly, she doesn't even smile! Why is she like this?"
It was too much for Lady Catherine. Without trying to hide her fury that someone dared to criticize her daughter, as she thought that it meant criticizing her, she left the living room and let the Darcys face their son.
Lady Anne sighed deeply, and took a surprised Fitzwilliam into her room and told him very seriously, "William, if you can't say something good or nice about someone, it would be better if you didn't say anything at all!"
In private, it had been a very long time since he had become William to his mother.
"But, Mother, you always taught me to tell the absolute truth!" exclaimed William.
"That's right, my dear child. But there are special cases, like this one, where the truth can be hurtful and rude. So it would be better not to say anything at all. Do you understand?" she said.
"Yes, Mother, I will try. But it will be very difficult here." he answered.
"Listen to your mother, Fitz," said the Duke who had just entered the room. "I'm sure you won't disappoint us."
"I'm certainly not going to lie to satisfy the ego of a woman who thinks she's out of Jupiter's thigh!" muttered the little boy.
The Duke and the Duchess looked at each other and had great difficulty repressing a strong desire to laugh. Fortunately for them, they managed to control themselves.
"I'm not asking you to lie, William," said the Duchess. "But think before you speak. And don't say anything bad about your cousin. It's not her fault she's in this state."
"No. It's her mother's. She doesn't know how to take care of a child. Anne is overdressed when it is very hot in the house. She's a bad mother!" said William.
"This is the kind of thing you have to keep to yourself." said Lady Anne.
"Yes, but my cousin suffers from it. I'll talk to Uncle Lewis. He's the master of the house. He can probably stop my aunt from hurting her daughter."
"You're right, William. Talk to your uncle, but be discreet. And be careful what you say in front of your aunt."
"I promise, Mama."
Fitzwilliam had spoken to his uncle, explaining that he was worried about poor little Anne who seemed absolutely terrified of her mother. She was only two years old and he had heard Lady Catherine scold her for a peccadillo. He doubted very much that his cousin understood anything in her mother's speeches. If she kept treating her like this, Anne would have good reason to hate her.
Sir Lewis was shocked by the words of his nephew. He wasn't a bad man. He bitterly regretted his second wife's choice, but he could no longer change it. He promised his nephew that he would change things so that his daughter would be happier. Satisfied, the little boy left his uncle. He regretted not being able to attend his uncle's conversation with his aunt because it promised to be funny. But maybe he'd find out what was going to happen.
Edward was amused to know that his young cousin did not expect to be easily frightened by his aunt. And he congratulated him on his courage, while warning him.
"Be careful not to make her angry, Fitz. Otherwise, she'll become unbearable." he said.
"I don't like the way she treats your sister. You have to be stupid to talk to a two-year-old like that. I'm sure Anne doesn't like her and in a few years she'll complain that her daughter has the audacity to despise her when she's doing whatever it takes to make it happen."
"My father will see to it that she changes her behaviour" Edward promised. "She will no longer be allowed to be alone with Anne or to decide anything about her. But be careful, Fitz. Don't make her angry. She will complain to your parents and take great pleasure in punishing you. You don't know how bad she is. I'm happy to be leaving for Eton. At least I wouldn't have to put up with her ridiculous speeches every day."
"Anne will have to listen to them."
"I doubt she'll pay attention. She's too small to understand. I'd say she'll probably fall asleep when she has to listen to them."
"It's true that what she says is quite boring. I find it hard not to yawn when I listen to him." said Fitzwilliam.
"Do it. You will be sent to the nursery which will save you listening to him." said Edward. Fitzwilliam made a face.
"I don't like staying in the nursery. It's good for babies." he said.
"But you have to eat and sleep there. Be glad Lady Catherine has no right to give you orders. She's trying to enjoy it with me. If I had to listen to her, I'd have to spend my time in her living room, listening to her nonsense. One of these days, I'll probably laugh in her face, which will make her mad. Fortunately, my father won't let her do what she wants. He often takes me with him when he goes around the estate. She protests but he replies that I must know and know how to manage my future inheritance, which makes her mad with rage."
"Why?" Fitz asked. "Does she think Rosings belongs to her?"
"She believes she has every right. Which is completely stupid, but making him think otherwise would be impossible. But don't worry about it, Fitz. My father will put her in her place, as he should."
"She must be crazy."
"Yes. I think she is crazy and thinks that she is the best. A day will come when she will fall off her pedestal. The fall will be very sudden. And she will discover her insignificance." said Edward.
"I hope to be there that day. It will give me a good opportunity to laugh."
"Me too, Fitz. Me too."
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A few days later, on returning from his morning walk, Fitzwilliam caught a conversation between the two mothers, as they were standing in the small living room.
"Anne would be a perfect wife for Fitzwilliam." Lady Catherine said.
"Maybe, but they are still very young. Perhaps, in time, if they have feelings for each other…" Lady Anne replied in a doubtful tone.
"Absurd! What do feelings have to do with this? They're made for the each other! Their families and their fortunes demand such a union! If we decide it now, it will be so!"
Lady Catherine could not tolerate the slightest opposition to what she had decided without caring in the least about the feelings of the people concerned. And she was determined to achieve her goal. That her sister was planning to oppose her was making her angry.
"I would not want Fitzwilliam to marry without love." Lady Anne answered.
She knew it would be impossible for her to change her sister's mind once she had decided something. She had no intention of giving her consent. She knew her husband would refuse such a project. Catherine would be disappointed even if she was likely to delude herself for years. Well, too bad for her. This would teach her a lesson when she made plans without worrying about the feelings of others.
"If, once they are old enough, and Fitzwilliam agrees to marry Anne, I will have no objection. However, I highly doubt George would agree."
"I don't see why! They both belong to ancient and respectable lines, both on the maternal and paternal side!" exclaimed Lady Catherine.
"Probably. But Fitzwilliam will one day be Duke. He can do much better than the daughter of a simple knight. And there is also Anne's health to consider. If she does not become stronger and happier, she will probably never be able to marry."
"She'll get stronger as she grows up!" Lady Catherine protested, offended in her maternal pride.
"Yes, provided she spends more time in the fresh air and the sun. She should go play in the park. But you keep her locked inside all the time, which only weakens her. And why doesn't she ever smile? Why doesn't she ever talk?" asked her sister.
"Children must learn discipline from an early age!" exclaimed Lady Catherine.
"I don't know where such an idea comes from, Catherine. Our mother never treated you like that. Remember our childhood. You're forcing a very sad life on your daughter. If you go on like this, no man will want her." she said, exasperated.
"But Fitzwilliam…" started Lady Catherine.
Lady Anne felt a violent anger invade her.
"Don't think you have the right to decide anything about my son, Catherine!" the Duchess abruptly interrupted her." I know you always want to impose what you want without worrying about other people's feelings! But I won't let you! And neither is George! You better not forget that you have no right to make decisions in this area! Don't you dare think I'm going to tolerate you poking your nose into my family's business! I'm Pemberley's mistress. I know you want to take my place, but I can assure you it will never happen! You have to be completely insane to believe that you could make it happen. Frankly, I think you're pathetic."
Lady Catherine was furious at these words, which clearly implied an obvious opposition that would not allow her to achieve her goal, but she thought it preferable not to insist for the time being.
"I'm sure Fitzwilliam will love Anne if we tell him to." She obviously had no intention of giving up her plans and changed the subject without giving her sister time to answer. "You've always been too lenient with him, Anne. I was shocked at how rude he was today."
"I have already spoken with him about this, Catherine. You who constantly brag about your openness, would you be willing to blame someone else for being so too? That sounds hypocritical to me, to say the least. George and I taught him to always tell the truth. Perhaps he said it very brutally, but he is still just a child. And he didn't realize that his candor could be hurtful." said Lady Anne. Lady Catherine blushed with indignation.
"He is not a child. You should be firmer with him. He must learn to respect his closest relations. In any case, he is too free with his questions and comments. You must restrict him, Anne!"
Lady Anne heatedly replied.
"Don't tell me how I should raise my son, Catherine, we'll never agree on this. I have absolutely no intention of following your own methods! You're using your daughter to try to satisfy your personal ambitions! But I would never allow you to do that with my son! I feel sorry for little Anne. She'll have no reason to love you, let alone respect you. Take care she doesn't end up hating you! You'll only get what you deserve!"
With these words, she stood up with the intention of leaving the living room, her tone clearly indicating that she was angry with her sister.
Fitzwilliam rushed down the hall, amazed at what he had heard.
"Marry this sick little girl," he thought. My Aunt Catherine must be completely insane to have an idea like that. She can't make me do something I don't want to do, especially when I'm of age! Fortunately, Mother did not allow him to impose his demands. I do not like her!"
He straightened his shoulders in a very determined way and set out in search of Miss Dalton and some more childish fun. He kept to himself what he had heard, but tried to think about it so that he would never forget it. He had an idea. As he could not write very well yet, he told Miss Dalton everything and asked her to write the whole story on a sheet of paper that he would keep in his treasure box, so he couldn't forget it. The housekeeper suggested that he talk to his cousin so that he could tell his father. And she reassured him that Lady Catherine did not have the power to decide such things without her husband's consent. And it was unlikely she would get it. She was probably deluding herself.
Fitz complied. Edward was absolutely furious at his step-mother's presumption. And it was obvious that Sir Lewis was just as angry. But he promised his son that he would never allow his wife to do as she pleased.
To say the least Lady Catherine was absolutely mad to see her sister reject her matrimonial project between their children. However, even if she was determined that it would happen, she thought it prudent not to talk about it anymore. She would know how to act when the time came.
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The three weeks spent in Kent were not very happy for Fitzwilliam. He could ride his cousin's old pony and did not deprive himself of it, but there was no lake or river to allow him to catch fish. He could only walk in insipid gardens where it was impossible for him to play without risking the wrath of his aunt. And his parents did not allow him to walk beyond the park boundaries from home, fearing for his safety in an unknown place. To tell the truth, he was bored to death, except when he was with Edward. And he couldn't wait to get out of there. He missed Pemberley.
When he was in the house, he was careful never to be near its mistress. And if, despite everything, this should happen, he obstinately kept silent and made himself completely invisible to her eyes. He was determined to please his mother and father, but he also refused to lie to satisfy his aunt's ego. He had, in any case, found nothing glowing to say about the house or the park.
He rarely saw his uncle, and he also avoided his cousin as much as possible. She cried too much for his taste, was rarely allowed to play outside and only for a few minutes at a time, and was not even allowed to play inside. He thought she might as well be a porcelain doll displayed on a shelf, and wondered if she would ever be allowed any freedom when she could walk and start talking. Poor little girl. He pitied her for having such an unpleasant mother. It was certain that she would never be allowed to speak, but only to listen to her ridiculous speeches. It was very hard for him to stop laughing when he heard the nonsense she was saying. Lady Catherine seemed to have a predilection for boasting about purely imaginary qualities. She was ridiculous and didn't even realize it.
Although the boy was very young, he could see the difference between his mother and aunt, and between his father and uncle. It was obvious that there was not the slightest affection between Sir Lewis and Lady Catherine. Their relationships were cold, formal and rigid. And if Lady Catherine showed no affection at all for her daughter, Sir Lewis showed a little more interest but he did not have much success because the child was obviously very fearful. Fitz had been outraged to hear his aunt reprimand little Anne as she had passed her in the hallway. It was likely that she had understood nothing of what Lady Catherine was saying. That woman was crazy. How could a two-year-old girl understand anything about her mother's ridiculous speech? All she did was to terrify her even more!
Fitz had looked at his aunt with such contempt and indignation that she could not fail to understand him. Since then, when he saw her, he was coldly polite to her and referred only to her by her title. He was sufficiently aware of his social position to know that he held a higher rank than her own. He would never let her forget it. Since she was so anxious to play the snob, he would make sure that she knew that he considered her inferior and that he would never allow her to give him orders.
Lady Catherine was mad at this attitude, but she did not dare complain, understanding that neither her sister nor her husband would support her. It didn't matter. She didn't lose anything waiting. One day she'd make sure she showed him who she was.
Sir Lewis kept his promise and harshly reprimanded his wife for the ridiculous way she treated their daughter. He sent the nurse away, who entirely devoted to Lady Catherine's orders, and hired someone who could take better care of her. He warned his wife that she was not allowed to interfere in the way the child was being raised and that she would no longer see her without another person present. And he strongly advised her not to forget that Anne was only two years old and that to scold her as she had done was despicable on her part.
Lady Catherine was mad with rage. She easily understood who had denounced her. She couldn't do anything without making a fool of herself. The contemptuous look in her nephew's eyes made it clear that he didn't care what she told him. She promised herself that one day he would come to regret his attitude and that he would be forced to ask her forgiveness. She was deluding herself, but she hadn't realized it yet.
Finally, the happiest day of Fitzwilliam's young life arrived, when the Darcys bade adieu Sir Lewis, Lady Catherine and Anne. Fitzwilliam breathed a great sigh of relief as their carriage moved down the road to leave Rosings Park for London, and then Pemberley.
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December 1791
Fitzwilliam, accompanied by Miss Dalton, had returned directly to Pemberley while his parents stayed in town for a few weeks, arriving in Pemberley just in time to prepare for the Christmas holidays. George Darcy, although he did not like being too far from Pemberley, was forced, because of his commercial affairs, to spend some time in the city two or three times a year. However, he was comforted to know that his estate was in good hands and very skilfully managed by his steward, Mr Wickham.
Shortly after inheriting Pemberley, when his father's steward retired, George Darcy hired Mr Wickham in his place. The latter had been a lawyer at Matlock but he was looking for a change for the good of his family. He had married the pretty daughter of the senior lawyer at the firm where he worked. She was not yet twenty years old, but he very quickly discovered that her beauty hid a stupid and frivolous mind and that she had a taste for expenses that were always more than their income allowed.
Mr. Wickham hoped that moving her away from the city to live on a country property would reduce her spending habits. When they arrived at the steward's house on Pemberley land in mid-1782, they had taken with them their two six-year-old daughters, Sarah and Jane, and were about to become parents again. Young George was born about five months after they arrived in Pemberley.
The Duke had become the godfather of the young George Wickham. He had attended his baptism, had always regularly asked about him, but otherwise paid very little attention to his godson as long as George was a very young child.
Christmas was always a happy time for the Darcys to spend with family and friends, entertainment with dinners, a ball, Christmas carols, an impromptu dance and games every day between Christmas and Kings' Night.
And the second day after Christmas was always given to the servants and tenants of Pemberley. They were invited to the main house with their families for a special dinner in the servants' room, usually followed by songs and a ball. The Duke and Duchess always came to visit them to drink a toast in season and wish all their employees and tenants a merry Christmas.
That year they took Fitzwilliam with them to the servants' room. He was very surprised to see so many children among those present and asked his parents to allow him to stay and play with some of them. But Lady Anne did not like the idea of seeing her son exposed to the disease, which perhaps one of these children was carrying without knowing it, and she quickly stopped her son's requests. She didn't really think it appropriate for Pemberley's heir to spawn with future servants. He had to learn to distinguish between his rank and their rank as soon as possible.
Instead, he joined his parents as they moved around the room, so that he could talk quietly with each family in turn. Fitzwilliam knew some of the adults he met on his walks with his father. Of course, he knew Mr Wickham and sometimes saw his son, George. He was two years older than him, but where George Wickham was confident and talkative, Fitzwilliam was calm and uncertain. He had always been rather shy and uncomfortable with strangers and did not know very well how to talk to them. He preferred to stay away from them knowing that it was not necessarily a good idea, but he did not know how to remedy his problem.
The Duke also noticed the difference between his son and his godson and decided, mentally, that Fitzwilliam needed to spend more time in the company of children his age. He had been surrounded by too many adults and not enough young companions, as was necessary. He was determined to believe that the friendship between these two boys could be a very good thing for both of them, especially since Randy Fitzwilliam was soon to join his brother in Eton.
The Duchess wasn't so sure this idea was really wise. She had always been reluctant to let her son play with the villagers or the tenants' children. She was afraid they would teach him bad habits and misconceptions that might be difficult to lose. In the end, however, she accepted the idea on condition that the company was not limited to George Wickham. She was suspicious of the boy, but didn't know why. She would watch him to make sure he was not in a position to harm her son.
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Later, Fitzwilliam and George played together once or twice a week when the weather was nice. They really enjoyed each other's company. Fitzwilliam was happy to have someone to play with and George was happy to spend a few hours away from his older sisters who were not at all interested in outdoor games, much preferring sewing or calmer games inside.
After a few months, the boys also met on days when the weather was bad. George came to the main house after Fitzwilliam's lessons and the boys could take care of lead soldiers, card games, or checkers. Fitzwilliam was learning to play chess, and backgammon with his father, but was not skilled enough or qualified to teach them to George who knew nothing about these games. He wasn't very interested, much to the disappointment of his playmate.
In winter, they played in the snow, sliding down the hills, building snowmen, or organizing snowball battles. In the spring, Mr Wickham made kites for the boys and they spent many hours trying to get them to fly. They had some success, but also more failures because of the many trees on the Pemberley lands. George, who could barely sit on a horse, had to be taught by his father before the boys could ride together in the fields and park, always accompanied by a groom. George didn't like this hobby as much as Fitzwilliam did.
"Riding is fine if you have to go somewhere," George told Fitzwilliam, "but I have no pleasure in galloping in fields where no one can see how well we can ride."
"But the park is too big for us to walk through." Fitzwilliam replied. "It's much better to go up."
George Wickham was forced to agree, so he accepted this teaching, which he only half liked.
Both boys enjoyed being able to fish in the summer. They would run to the creek to see who could get there first until one day Fitzwilliam ran too fast and fell into the running water before he could stop. He was sent home to change and met his father on the stairs.
"What happened, Fitz?" he asked.
When Fitz told him of his misfortune, George Darcy thought for a moment and said, "I think it's time you and George learned to swim. I wouldn't want you to accidentally fall into deep water and not be able to save yourself."
The Duke discussed this with Mr. Wickham and he asked a sub-gardener, who had once been a sailor, to teach the boys to swim so that they would be able to swim in the pond safely for them. Phil, the young gardener, took the boys to the pond on sunny, hot days. He would stand at the water's edge where it was shallow, and the boys took turns holding each other over the water as Phil taught them to move their arms and legs. Fitzwilliam quickly adapted to this mode of travel. Phil then dropped the boy he was holding.
Fitzwilliam realized that he could move in the water on his own and called George, "I'm a fish! Catch me if you can!"
George had no desire to go in the water. He learned to swim but he did not like the weeds that grew at the bottom of the pond and never wanted to swim just for fun. His friend was a little disappointed to see that he seemed to take little pleasure in what he loved. But he did not seek to change his mind.
From that moment on, Fitzwilliam, after going up into the fields on a hot day, would meet Phil so that he could refresh himself by bathing in the pond under his supervision. George preferred to walk back to the stables.
Fitzwilliam told George and his parents about all his adventures, and their accomplishments. Lady Anne listened patiently, smiling at his obvious enthusiasm. But she also reminded him never to forget the difference that existed in the situation of the two boys, their families and their different social status.
The Duke was equally delighted with his son's new skills but had also thought for himself. "I wish Fitz could possess some of George's easy, pleasant smiles. And George could well benefit from winning some of Fitz's love for books and studies."
But these were vain thoughts that would not harm his love and pride for his son and godson.
