Hello ! Here is a new chapter! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was waiting for my beta to finish the English translation so I could
to publish them at the same time. It's much better for everyone. I wish you a good reading. I look forward to hearing your opinion on this chapter.
Chapter 7 More Rosings
Fitzwilliam was very happy to see that his uncle and godfather had come to visit Pemberley. The day after his arrival, once he had finished his lessons, he went out into the gardens and discovered his father and uncle in a very serious discussion. Apparently, they were discussing the events taking place in France, Robespierre, Terror and the declaration of war between France and England after the execution of King Louis XVI.
"Why did they do this, Father?" asked Fitzwilliam, "Why did they kill their king?"
"I am afraid, Fitz, there is no real answer to that question. I suppose some ambitious men took advantage of the situation to take power and the crowd reacted accordingly. But you should remember your lessons - France is not the first country to have its king executed."
"Yes, this is true, but that happened a long time ago. Do you think Robespierre is similar to Cromwell?"
"It is likely that many people believe him, Fitz," his uncle explained, "But I doubt very much that he will be able to keep his power as long as Cromwell did. This is a difficult situation for everyone because there are revolutions all over the world. We have one in our American colonies, and there is even one here in England."
"What do you mean? There is no revolution in England!" protested Fitz in a surprised tone, "Please tell me of it!"
"This is because it is different from what is happening in our colonies or in France. This one is more insidious. A revolution of industry began about twenty years ago and we are beginning to see its affects today. I think it will continue for many more years, perhaps until your children and grandchildren are parents themselves, Fitz."
Turning to his brother-in-law, John continued, "I am certain, George, that you have noticed manufactory are spreading further and further and this growth will probably continue over the years. I think that those who work the land will go to the cities, in the hope of working under better conditions, with higher salaries. Cities will grow with the surplus population, agricultural land will be abandoned and probably sold to build more factories. Traders will get richer and farmers may have great difficulty producing enough food for the additional population. Laborers will no longer wish to work the land and will prefer to own their own farms."
John seemed to want to warn his brother-in-law while his nephew listened carefully. It seems that he had discovered many things during his travels and while in Canada.
The duke nodded. He understood what his brother-in-law meant and replied, "You may well be right, John. However, I have not noticed anything of the kind in Derbyshire, except perhaps for the new pottery kilns, which appear to be more craft industries than large factories. Moreover, my tenant farmers, for the moment, seem perfectly happy."
"But, George, you know what happened in Lancashire. Derbyshire lands are not as suitable for large industries and your farmers are satisfied because you are a fair and caring owner," answered John, "But the time will come, perhaps in a century, that large estates will be a thing of the past."
"Well, I hope to be just as fair and benevolent as my father, so the domain will remain as it is," replied Fitz, adding, "I love Pemberley and I wish it to never change. Never! Never!"
"That is a noble sentiment, Fitz," said his uncle, "But I do not think you should be concerned about the problems of the world right now. If you continue to be diligent in your studies and learn more about the past and the present, then you may be able to benefit from all these upheavals, either to prevent them or to prepare for the future."
Fitz nodded. He had a lot to think about as he went upstairs to get ready for dinner.
?
The weeks spent in Kent passed faster than usual for Fitzwilliam. His uncle John did not just spend his days going to the limits of Rosings; he also organized long excursions into the surrounding countryside, using his desire to get to know the region better as an excuse. He made sure to explain it to his sister, Lady Catherine.
"I must look around to provide information for our generals. Kent is the most suitable region for an invasion. It is therefore necessary to know the area well in order to do what is necessary to avoid it."
She was not in favour of such a project, even if she could not oppose her brother's arguments. She would have preferred to keep her guests around her, that they be available and accept only the projects she had planned herself. Most importantly, she would have liked to keep Fitzwilliam in Rosings so that he could stay with her daughter, Anne, and his father, George, could keep Lewis company.
"If you desire to see the countryside, why do you not go with Edward? Darcy can stay here to keep Lewis company and Fitzwilliam is far too young to go out today," Lady Catherine complained, determined to get what she wanted.
"Well," replied John, "It was George's idea to make these excursions and Fitzwilliam is eager to discover more about this region. I really do not see why he could not accompany us. It is absolutely ridiculous of you to believe that you can keep him locked in this house and it is pleasant for us to spend time together. Darcy does not always have the opportunity to stay with his son. Do not cause him to waste this opportunity because of your foolish and selfish ideas, Catherine. Otherwise, Darcy might decide he does not want to come here anymore."
Lady Catherine realized that she could not force John to give up his plans. She therefore decided to discuss the topic with her sister who, she was sure, would not fail to listen to her advice.
"Anne, you must help me," she said, interrupting her sister, who was busy with her correspondence, "John wants to take all the men out for the entire day tomorrow, if the weather is nice, even Fitzwilliam. I do not think your son should go. He should stay here and keep Anne company."
"Catherine, what would you have me do?" asked the duchess, "You know if George and John are considering going out, Fitzwilliam will want to go with them. I do not believe that what I might have to say on this issue would matter."
"Did you not explain to Fitzwilliam that he had to pay special attention to Anne?" asked Lady Catherine, surprised by her sister's negligence, "Did you not tell him what we expect from him when he and Anne are old enough to get married?"
"Special attention? Catherine, you make me laugh! What sort of attention could a nine-year-old boy give to a five-year-old girl? Is it not enough to know that he is having his meals and playing with her in the park? You cannot expect to get more from him at his age." The duchess was uncertain whether to be amused or annoyed by her sister's persistence in achieving her goal.
"As for what we expect of him when he grows up, I only suggested that he find a suitable girl, one he can love above anyone else, a young woman who will know how to manage an estate, be a good hostess and receive members of the right society, in the city and in the country, and who can take care of our tenant farmers and the staff of Pemberley and Darcy House, as well as the other family domains."
What the duchess would have preferred to ask her sister was, "Are you so afraid that no one would want to marry Anne when she is old enough that you must insist on forcing her on my son, regardless of their feelings?" If she smiled a little at the truth of this thought, she refrained from expressing it aloud and decided to attempt to dissuade her sister.
"I have already told you, Catherine, that there is no way we can force my son to do something he does not wish to do. How dare you consider telling them what will be lies on your part? Neither your husband nor mine have agreed to such a thing! Further, I doubt you will attain your goal! What you want matters not at all and you had better give up this absurd project. Anne is much healthier, since you can no longer decide anything about her. Remember that. As for opposing the fact that my son is having fun with the gentlemen, who are you to decide? I do not think he wants to stay here and listen to you bore him with your absurd speeches, which he would be unlikely to pay any mind. Leave him alone! He would rather go outside than stay locked up and I would not be the one who would oppose it. Besides, Anne could go with him. I am sure he will be able to look after her, because he is a conscientious boy and he considers her his little sister. With Edward also present, she will be safe."
Lady Catherine was about to protest, but she stopped. Eventually, she would get what she wanted. Fitzwilliam would spend time with Anne. The fact that he considered her a little sister was quite embarrassing, but she would ensure that things would change when the time came. She would not allow anyone to oppose her wishes.
?
The next morning, the weather promised to be beautiful. After an early breakfast, John, George, Edward and Fitzwilliam drove off to visit Leeds Castle, about twenty miles from Rosings. The kitchen staff had prepared a hearty picnic because they were not expected to return in time for dinner. Fitz was delighted to be allowed to participate in this expedition. In fact, as soon as Rosings' doors closed on them, the whole party was alight with excitement. Unfortunately, Anne could not come because she had sneezed several times and Lady Catherine had reluctantly decided that it was better for her to stay home.
After several hours of travel through the spring countryside, their carriage approached the destination from the top of a small hill. In front of them was Leeds Castle, which, as Mr. Sheston was explaining to them, was located on two islands in a lake formed by a river. The castle was built in 1119, but the manor existed before the Domesday Book to the Saxon royal family during the reign of Æthelwulf of Wessex in 857.
Mr. Sheston continued his history lesson, "Shortly before William the Conqueror's conquest of England, King Edward the Confessor handed over the mansion to the powerful Godwin family. Then it was transferred to Hamo de Crèvecœur who had stayed there with his father. In 1119, Robert de Crèvecœur began the construction of the first stone castle. The main keep was built where the current gloriette is located. It is not impossible that, without the existence of the fortified mill located near the Len River, the castle would never have been built where it is located."
The two boys listened attentively, fascinated by the story being told to them. A little later, they reached the bungalow with its barbican and drawbridge, which were the last remains of the old Norman fortress built long before the castle became a royal palace.
As soon as Fitz saw the drawbridge and what seemed to be a ditch, he asked, "Do you think there will be dungeons? I would like to explore them!"
He was disappointed, however, to see only a few public rooms in the castle. They looked like ordinary rooms, without dungeons. No secret rooms behind the panelling, and none of the towers to imprison princesses.
The park was much more interesting because it was about two hundred hectares of woods, including a cave and a labyrinth. Fitz and Edward explored the labyrinth for a long time, perpetually finding themselves at a dead end, which forced them to turn around. When they had finally reached the centre, they heard the voice of their uncle John calling them for the picnic.
The small group returned to Rosings very happy with their day and full of plans for the following week. Lady Anne was pleased to see their happiness and listened attentively to William who told her everything about the drawbridge and the labyrinth. Lady Catherine was not so delighted because she had hoped they would be disappointed and this would be their only trip.
In the following weeks at Rosings, the same group made their way to the Thames estuary where they walked along the waterfront to Tunbridge Wells, a water town made famous for its miraculous spring discovered in 1606 by Lord North, and picnicking near the North Downs, a chain of chalk hills straddling the Surrey and Kent counties. They extended from Farnham in the west to the white cliffs of Dover, on the North Sea in the east.
The ladies decided to go with them for the picnic but Fitzwilliam was not at all glad when his aunt insisted that he accompany Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson in the carriage. He tried to interest Anne with the scenes that were happening in front of them but she remained silent. He tried to talk to Lady Catherine about Leeds Castle, but it was soon obvious that she had no interest whatsoever in any property that was not Rosings or Pemberley. He tried to interest Mrs. Jenkinson in the seaside and beach walk, but she was too busy doting on Anne to pay attention to his words. He remained silent for the remainder of the journey as Lady Catherine spoke to him about the rank and wealth of the family, the need to ally himself with the best families in the land and to unite against the claims of those who had less education and sought to rise above their rank, to choose an appropriate marriage partner and the degradation that an inappropriate marriage could bring. Fitzwilliam did not listen to this speech, the same one that she gave him on every visit, but he nodded his head from time to time and managed to keep a perfectly neutral expression that revealed nothing to his aunt about his thoughts.
When they arrived at their destination, John, Edward, the Duke and Mr. Sheston set out to explore a hill with very dense woods at its top. The view was well worth the climb, for the Downs appeared in the distance like a restless green sea. They were walking through the woods and before they knew it, two hours had passed since they had left the others below them. They quickly returned to the ladies, only to find an indignant Lady Catherine ready to take everyone back to Rosings.
"Anne should not stay in the sun for more than an hour," she said heatedly, "Fitzwilliam, you are very late to return from your walk. I am very unhappy..."
"But you are never pleased when things do not go according to your whims," Edward said in a contemptuous tone, "Perhaps you should have stayed at Rosings instead of coming to try to spoil our fun. I advise you not to forget my father's orders regarding Anne, ma'am. You have nothing to say about her activities. Keeping her locked up in a house is probably not the best way to keep her healthy and you have already done her enough harm with your ridiculous methods!"
Lady Catherine choked half to death on hearing such a speech but she knew she could say nothing. Her husband no longer allowed her to take care of Anne and she could not change that.
Fitzwilliam was delighted when his father intervened on his behalf, reminding his sister-in-law that none of them had eaten and that they should do so before returning home. He asked his wife to accompany her sister while the boys returned with the men to Rosings.
Back in Rosings, Fitzwilliam rushed to find his mother. He felt he had to apologize to her because she had been forced to make the return trip with Lady Catherine and Anne in his place.
"Mama, I am sorry it took us so long to get back and you had to make the return trip with Aunt Catherine and Anne. I did not want to ruin your day."
"William, you need not apologize to me. I know your aunt talks too much and can be very boring, but you did your duty this morning and I did not mind taking my turn this afternoon," his mother replied. She smiled and hugged him. They compared their notes on Lady Catherine's conversation and William, turning his face into an emotionless mask, showed his mother how he had hidden everything he felt and thought from his aunt. When his father entered the room, they were both laughing so hard that they could barely stop for a moment to explain what the hilarity was about. The Duke smiled back. It was obvious that his sister-in-law still believed that she could stick her nose into his family's affairs. Well, she would soon discover her mistake.
