Wretched Beginnings 1813 – Chapter 3 – March
March 1 in Scarborough
March 1
Stafford House
Rock Hill Drive
Scarborough
Dearest Louisa,
Scarborough is worse than I remember. Aunt Cordelia's house, smaller than Netherfield Park and larger than Longbourn, simply does not have a pleasing prospect. The house is in a respectable part of Scarborough, but not a fashionable one. Does my memory fail me? I believed the house to be larger and better situated. The gardens are unremarkable.
The sea air wafts through, making Scarborough smell like a fish market. Everyone is enamored of sea bathing. I cannot imagine a worse way to occupy one's time than filthy, smelly water and sand! Ladies, who do not sea bathe, are often seen with their art boxes, painting or sketching seascapes. The shops embrace the tradesmen from London, Leeds and Manchester who come here for 'fresh air and spectacular views.' I long for the fresh, floral scented air and spectacular prospect of Pemberley.
The ladies promenade before stopping at tea shops for gossip and greetings. Believe me when I relate there is no fashion to be seen during Promenade Hour. I have not seen any men during Promenade Hour who are the equal of Mr. Darcy in his fine blue topcoat and black top hat. I can't begin to describe the dandies who ride about on horseback to be seen and admired. They must help one another dress because no self-respecting valet would tie those ridiculous cravat knots or dress someone in yellow satin breeches with crimson topcoats.
Aunt Cordelia opines she would be quite diverted if I were to have a bit of romance with one of the landed gentry about! Their society is as low as Hertfordshire or worse. I ordered Aunt Cordelia not to accept any offers for courtship for me with any of these preening peacocks.
Louisa, there are no daily diversions. I have yet to find a worthy modiste or milliner. I am not enthralled with the various tea shops. The circulating library has a list of ladies who want the fashion plates before me. I might not see any new ones for six months! I cannot bear to read the insipid novels which Aunt Cordelia adores. I sit in her 'library' and daydream of the library at Pemberley or Darcy House.
You must come to Scarborough, Louisa. Perhaps, by Easter? Please come…I am so bored!
My love to all,
Caroline
Monday, March 1 – Hunsford
"Ladies," Mr. Collins helped Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Lucas, Lizzy and Kitty from the carriage. "Welcome to our humble abode." He began describing how his humble abode abutted Rosings Park when Mary interrupted.
"Ladies, there are weeks ahead of us for explorations and explanations. Charlotte, we are so happy you could join us." Mary welcomed them while Mr. Collins helped the servants unload the carriage. "Once you freshen from your journey, let's have some tea and refreshments in the drawing room." Mary showed her guests to their rooms. Lizzy in the primrose room, Charlotte in the lavender room, Kitty the rose room, and Mrs. Gardiner in the blue room. Mary apologized for the lack of great vistas from the north windows but assured her guests the lawns and gardens at Hunsford Rectory and Rosings Park were quite fine. "I gave you soap and floral waters for the scents you prefer…lavender for Lizzy and Charlotte, rose for Kitty, and lilacs for Aunt Gardiner. Be sure to take the new sachets with you when you depart. I made extra sachets for Mother, Aunt Phillips, Jane and Lydia to take when you go."
Mr. Manning showed the coachman the lane from the North Road to the stable. Mr. Hill followed behind with a loaded wagon from Longbourn. Mr. Manning had been warned about the chickens, the pigs and the items for the gardens and the stillroom. The young dairy cow tied to the wagon surprised Mary. Daisy was bred and due before Michaelmas.
Days ago, Mr. Manning moved the Collinses equipage to the Rosings stables until Mrs. Collins' guests left. The men moved the wagon and the Gardiner carriage into the stables. Six stalls were prepared for the horses with food, water and straw. He moved Daisy to the first clean, straw strewn stall inside the main doors. "Welcome, Daisy. This is a wonderful place to live. I am sure Mrs. Collins will take care of you, too." Manning would not put Daisy in the dairy barn until she had company.
Mr. Manning moved the piggy sow, Lady Capulet, and sow babies to the cleaned and repaired piggery. Mr. Hill gave him a drawing of the sow babies. Mr. Bennet named the new babies Ajax, Beatrice, Captain, Duke and Emilia after Shakespeare's characters. Mr. Manning laughed at the description of the sow babies. Ajax had a bent left ear. Beatrice had a short, thick, curly tail. Captain had a black circle around his left eye, which resembled an eyepatch. Duke had large hooves. Emilia seemed smaller and darker pink than her siblings. A note on the drawing reminded Mary to ween the new sow babies April first and butcher in November if the pigs were adequate size. The note reminded Mary the breeding dates for Lady Capulet were Midsummer and Christmas. Beatrice and Emilia should be ready to breed at Christmas. Mr. Bennet traded Daisy for Othello, Romeo and Olivia. Mr. Bennet thought Mary would appreciate Lady Capulet's large farrow.
"Shakespeare?" Mr. Manning asked Mr. Hill.
"You would have to know Mr. Bennet. Everything is a jest to him. The horses are named after Greek and Roman gods. The pigs are named after Shakespearian characters. The dogs are named after colors – Ginger, Red, Brownie, Blackie. The turkeys are named variations of stupid – dolt, dense, witless, slow, etc. I asked once and he said they are the dumbest creatures. The sheep have names beginning with S – Sally, Sam, Susie. The geese have G names – Goldy, George, Giles. The ducks have Q names – quack, quill, question, quit, quest, etc. The dairy cows have flower or nature names. Mr. Bennet started naming all the animals when he began testing and alternating breeding partners."
Mr. Bennet's notes explained Daisy's calving date around Michaelmas. She should yield four gallons of milk each morning and again each evening. Mary had her journal which explained how much cream made butter or cheese. She had recipes for buttermilk hot cakes for breakfast, and buttermilk cream pie for dessert.
Mr. Manning found feed and water troughs for all the animals. Mr. Bennet sent feed for the animals for a week, until Mrs. Collins could make other arrangements. Mr. Manning prepared the nests in the hen house. He moved the setting hens and new pullets to the chicken run. He found lined and padded baskets for gathering eggs. Mr. Bennet sent farm tools to care for the animals – pitchfork, rakes, old brooms, milk buckets, etc.
Mary's beehives had been smoked to lure the bees into a lethargic state before crating. Rosings beekeepers would help set the two hives. There were two spaces for hives on the demi rocked wall separating the garden area from the orchard. The demi wall between the orchard and the outbuildings held spaces for two more hives. Mary would put one hive near the gardens, and one between the orchard and outbuildings. She daydreamed about acquiring more butts of bees. She would speak with Mr. Knowles about acquiring two more hives, one for the lavender garden and one for the acreage.
Once the Gardiner coachman and Mr. Hill settled the carriage, wagon and animals, Mr. Manning showed them to their rooms on the third floor. He invited them to the kitchen after they freshened up. Mrs. Manning provided hot coffee and refreshments so they could take their leisure for a bit. Mr. Manning explained they would work out the schedule for animal care and for unloading the wagon. Hill asked to see the work being done on the acreage behind the outbuildings. He also asked to see Mrs. Mary's stillroom. He brought more herbs and dried floral petals from Longbourn for her.
Mr. Collins hosted a tour of the parsonage after their visitors refreshed themselves, enjoyed a tea tray, related their journey, and provided the latest news of the family. Mary demurred attending the tour with her guests; speaking with Mrs. Manning regarding dinner. The ladies took turns admiring the size of the rooms, the articles of furniture, the excellent views from the windows, and the adequate stairs. He urged them to view the way he fitted up the closets upon Lady Catherine's recommendations. Mr. Collins announced, regretfully, Lady Catherine visited London. Mr. Collins expressed hope Miss Anne would condescend to invite the parsonage residents and guests for tea or dinner at Rosings Park.
While Mr. Collins' remarks were effusive, they were not excessively wearing. He invited their guests to stroll the planned areas for the garden. He postulated they would be quite busy in the next week planting the gardens. He explained the location of the new grape arbors in the orchard along the path to the outbuildings. While they had grape starters from Rosings, Mary opined they would have a good grape harvest in two or three years. He pointed out Mary's cold frames which were set against the house on the south side. He expressed regret they did not have a conservatory, like Longbourn. He anticipated one might be built in the future.
Mr. Collins expressed his gratitude for the warming days, as he and Mrs. Collins would enjoy an afternoon stroll around the parsonage glebe. He expressed a desire to cultivate his roses and work in the gardens with Mrs. Collins. He led the way along every path and walkway, pointing out the views. He enumerated how many different fruit and nut trees the orchard held. Mr. Collins drew their attention to the tree-lined lane separating the glebe from Rosings Park.
Mrs. Gardiner anticipated his next round of commentary on glazed windows, fireplaces and other amenities of Rosings Park. She requested they take a rest now before dinner. Lizzy and Kitty were grateful for the respite.
"Mr. Collins looks quite changed," Mrs. Gardiner praised Mary. They retreated to Mary's sitting room while Mr. Collins viewed the new animals with Mr. Manning.
"Yes, he has been a project," Mary admitted. "He's lost at least three stone. Mr. Manning brings him hot water for dressing each morning. He washes his hair with rosemary and bay water which I make for him. I replaced his threadbare clothes and robes."
"Not only physically…" Mrs. Gardiner hinted.
"Miss Anne de Bourgh endeavors to teach him remarking on the amenities of Rosings Park is rude. She endeavors to teach him not to discuss money or finances. I'm sorry I could not save you from comments about the size of our staircases or the way Lady Catherine urged Mr. Collins to fit up closets. Thank you for keeping my secret about altering the closets in the guest rooms and my room."
Mrs. Gardiner smothered a chuckle. She received letters from all three girls about what they wanted and needed for spring. She brought sewing notions and lengths of fine white fine cotton for wrappers, nightrails and petticoats. She brought dress lengths of yellow and green materials for Lizzy, pinks for Kitty, and beiges and greens for Mary for day gowns. She did not bring laces and trims for the day gowns, but brought extra material for the skirts of the gowns as Lizzy and Mary needed additional room for comfort when walking. She brought Blossom, Isabella, Celestial Blue and Pomona Green silks for gowns for the ladies to wear to Rosings. She brought white silk for petticoats for the silk gowns. She brought material lengths to make a new spencer and pelisse in appropriate colors for each of her nieces.
Madeleine Gardiner brought a bolt of sturdy cream cotton for making work aprons, smocks and caps for Mary and for the staff. She brought a bolt of sturdy brown cotton for dressing the staff. Mary wanted to give them material for a new outfit when they signed their contracts on Lady Day. She brought material to make two new pairs of brown work pants for Mr. Manning and Mr. Collins. He dropped three stones from all the walking. Mary had taken in all his clothes. Aunt Gardiner brought linen and embroidery supplies for Mary to teach Barlow and Rose to embroider samplers. She brought new stays., stockings and garters. She brought a new pair of brown kid leather boots for Mary for walking. Mary could use her older boots for gardening. Accessories filled another trunk.
Aunt Gardiner brought lengths of fine black linen for a spring and summer clerical robes for Mr. Collins. Mary planned to send Mr. Manning to the tailor with the materials, while he showed the town to the coachman and Mr. Hill. Aunt Gardiner brought dress gloves, a top hat and fine boots for Mr. Collins' gentleman's clothes.
Mrs. Gardiner received payment from Mr. Bennet for Lizzy and Kitty's potion of the materials and goods. Mary used her trousseau and pin money to cover her needs. She used household funds to pay for Mr. Collins material and goods. Mary and Aunt Gardiner planned a busy two weeks for the five ladies with the modiste and her staff from Hunsford.
"I brought you the blank everyday books, as you requested," Aunt Gardiner passed them to Mary.
"Thank you," Mary placed them in her escritoire. "I want to make herb books for Jane and Kitty, like I did for Lizzy. The front of each page will have an herb drawing, along with a seed pod and flower. The back of each page lists how to plant, how to grow and harvest, and how to identify and save the seeds. I will list the medical uses for each plant. Also, I will include receipts for some of the herbs. I shall spend my quiet time drawing one herb and description a day. The books will be complete before Lizzy and Kitty return to Longbourn."
"I know they probably could buy an herb book," Aunt Gardiner questioned the work needed to be done to prepare them.
"They could buy books, but I begin with angelica or wild celery and finish with yarrow. My notes include hints like planting winter savory near the beehives because it's good for bee sting. I recommend pinching the winter savory leaf a few times to release the liquid in the leaf and then apply it to the bee sting. I believe my pinching method works faster. I surprised Mr. Collins when I announced I would plant chives in his rose garden. My book will recommend planting plant rosemary and sage with beans or cabbage rather than the herb garden. I plant garlic beds under apple trees. I plant bergamot to grow on trellises in the shade of buildings. I also include information on items to forage like ramps, mushrooms, sorrel, curly dock, wild asparagus, etc."
Aunt Gardiner nodded her approval.
Mary felt excited at the contents of the old pillowcase Aunt Gardiner gave her. Filled with scraps of materials, ribbons, trims, etc. Mary requested Barlow iron everything flat and then store it in the sewing scraps basket in the sewing armoire. Aunt Gardiner brought a large bolt of plain, sturdy muslin and a bolt of thin cotton ribbon for Mary to make alms and food bags for Easter alms baskets. She brought bolt ends for Mary to make and embroider herb bags for her stillroom. She brought bolt ends of wool for Mary to make into baby blankets.
As they could speak confidentially with one another, Aunt Gardiner gave Mary a letter from her Uncle Gardiner. "The patent is approved. We have a manufacturing firm to make the coin pockets. We expect to have the first shipment to sell by June first. This is so exciting! I have the coin holder for the reticule finished. You can take it to Uncle Gardiner. I made four: one for a sample, one for the patent, one for the manufacturing firm and one for uncle. II prefer the coin pockets. I'm returning the reticule also."
"Your uncle gave me the ledger for you to see. He recommends securing the letter in your lockbox." Aunt Gardiner passed the ledger to Mary.
"I am pleased with Uncle Gardiner's efforts. Once our beginning fees are repaid to uncle, we are partners in the profits. Thank you for the coin pockets for my guests. My sisters will be quite surprised. I'm glad you brought one for Charlotte and Miss Anne also. I do like these with the buttonhole to attach to a petticoat. Maybe it will entice ladies to buy a coin pocket to thwart highwaymen." Mary handed the ledger back to her aunt and locked the letter away.
"If ladies want to roll the coin pocket for their reticule, then we sell a piece of ribbon to secure it. One ribbon end slides through the button hole and ties with the other end to keep it from unrolling. We sell an extra button if they desire to hide the coin pocket beneath their clothes." Aunt Gardiner laughed. "I claimed my dozen bottles of white lilac water, dozen bars of white lilac soap, and dozen white lilac scented candles from Sarah at Christmas. I thank you for making sachets with the leftover blossoms. I thank you for the lilac soap, water and sachets while I visit."
"I found the dried blossoms at Rosings Park. My lilac bushes might bloom this spring.""I brought four casks of ash for soaps and candles as I know you will make soaps and candles after Lady Day. I brought you a small cask of dried white lilac flowers. I brought you twelve empty bottles, with corks and with a wax crayon to seal the bottles. Will soaps, candles and scents be ready by Michaelmas when I bring you more materials?" Aunt Gardiner appreciated Mary's stillroom efforts. She never took Mary for granted like Franny and Deborah.
"Yes, it will be a wonderful lesson for my maids. Shall we have a rest before dinner? I don't know why I feel excessively tired this spring." Mary's countenance was a little drawn. "Our meals will be informal except for entertaining and Saturday night dinners," Mary informed her guests. "I hope you don't object to my simple menus while you are here. If I've forgotten you don't like something, please don't suffer in silence. Remind me of your preferences, please?"
~X~
Dinner proved to be quite pleasant. Mr. Collins said a short and appropriate grace. He did not overtake the conversation, but let Mary guide their conversation, like an excellent hostess. After dinner, he retired to his bookroom and the ladies retired to Mary's sitting room.
"I brought you something," Kitty reached for a wrapped parcel.
Mary unwrapped the parcel and examined its contents. "My heavy paisley sleeveless pelisse. The one I used in the fall, when harvesting or working with the bees or animals. But, I don't remember the red trim. Lydia?"
Kitty nodded. "Although, I don't think she bound the edges with the crimson ribbon herself. She must have taken it to the modiste in Meryton. The stitches are too fine for Lydia's work." Kitty saw her aunt's face. "I know, I know, a lady doesn't offer such cutting remarks." She looked chagrinned. Lydia never censured her and always joined or led the derision of sisters or society. Kitty realized how wrong her actions had been. She could not blame Mama for ignoring her because Mary and Lizzy endured the same. While she thought Mary had been stuffy and pedantic before, she realized Mary emulated Jane's serenity, and Lizzy's cleverness, tempered with her own quiet grace. Kitty needed to rise to the levels which her three older sisters modeled. Perhaps…with encouragement from Aunt Gardiner…and Lizzy, Mary and Charlotte…she might effect a change in her character. She truly wanted Papa to approve of her.
"The red trim accents the red in the paisley. I never really saw it before. Lydia always had an eye for color and accessorizing," Mary commented. "Thank you for bringing it to me, but I replaced it when I purchased my trousseau. I realized I left it behind in the wash house, and then never thought about it again. Do either of you want it? I don't care for the red trim, and I don't care to take the time and expense to change it."
"It is not Lizzy or my taste either." Kitty admitted. "If you don't want it, hold it for Boxing Day or put with the other clothes you are sewing for the needy of Hunsford Rectory."
"I think I'll give it to my laundry maid, Maryanne. Since she is out of doors to do the laundry, this might be especially useful for her. She washes for us on Monday and Tuesday. She sews or mends on Wednesday. She will work full time for us while you are here. She will be referred to as Lowe, and will function as a lady's maid, laundry maid and maid-of-all-things." Mary set the sleeveless pelisse aside. "So, sisters, tell me how you came to find my paisley pelisse in Lydia's things."
Kitty related the incident, without glee or embellishment. When she related Lydia's banishment from any entertainments and amusements until she and Lizzy returned home, Aunt Gardiner and Mary both shook their heads. At Christmas Aunt Gardiner learned of Lydia's ban on amusements until after Twelfth Night. Lizzy explained Lydia worked in the gardens and orchard to escape the house in the mornings. Afternoons when Mama and Jane were making or accepting calls, Lydia received lessons in history, sums, and literature in Papa's study. When Jane joined the Gardiners in London in January, Lizzy chaperoned both Lydia and Kitty when they went to Aunt Phillips for French or drawing lessons. Lizzy also chaperoned them in the stillroom, distillery and brewery.
"Poor Papa!" Mary sighed. Secretly, Mary's heart lightened, hearing Papa engaged in running Longbourn. Perhaps Papa's living would improve when he engaged in running Longbourn. Mary did not admit it…but she worried about reversing the effects of two decades of neglect at Longbourn and its holdings.
March 2
Tuesday was interesting and busy. Mary helped Mr. Knowles and a dozen of his men plant in her cold frames, herb garden and kitchen garden. Mr. Dalton built larger drying racks for the distillery. Another set of Rosings Park workers dug and rocked fire pits in the four corners of the glebe orchard. Helpers stacked green firewood next to the fire pits.
Before breakfast, Lizzy walked the grove which separated Hunsford Parsonage from Rosings. On her return to the parsonage, she spotted Mary working in the herb garden. Mr. Collins' shirt sleeves were rolled up; he fetched and carried cuttings to Mary. While Lizzy would never have married someone like Mr. Collins…Mary must be made of sterner stuff because she molded him into a better man. Dinner their first evening pleased everyone regarding the food and conversation. Somehow Mary tempered Mr. Collins' urge to pontificate. Lizzy wandered over to her sister and a thinner and more energetic Mr. Collins. "What are you planting?"
"Last weekend the workers turned the soil and amended the garden areas. Mr. Knowles brought unplanted strawberry and tomato seedlings from the Rosings gardens. I put them in the cold frames Mr. Dalton made for me. The kitchen garden will feed a dozen when it starts to produce."
"Rosings is trading work on the acreage behind the outbuildings for three quarters of the harvest. Mr. Knowles and his men are planting potatoes, sweet potatoes, celeriac, onions, carrots, turnips, beets, fennel, pumpkins, bush beans and cabbages for the parsonage had been planted with dill, rosemary and sage to encourage growth. They will plant turnips in the remaining acreage. A quarter of the turnips will feed our animals. The rest will go to Rosings to feed animals on the main farm."
"Mr. Knowles men turned the herb garden for me last Saturday. They rocked the edges and amended the soil. The herb garden will be planted in before next Saturday. Mr. Knowles and his men turned the plot of land to the east of the parsonage, in the unused space near the rectory grounds. Saturday, I will plant lavender there. Thank you for the excellent starter plants from Longbourn. I will always think of it as Longbourn Lavender."
"I thank you for the herb book. I appreciate the recipes for each herb located next to the drawing and description of each herb. I also appreciate the description of uses for each herb. Mr. Locke thinned his lavender patch and gave six dozen lavender plants to Mr. Hill for you. Mr. Locke misses you greatly. Sarah, Jane and I are trying to learn what we can from him. The herb garden at Longbourn will seem lonely without you. I know Jane and Lydia are helping Sarah, Mrs. Hill and some workers plant the kitchen and herb gardens this week." Lizzy admired Mary's glebe.
"Since I must begin from soil here, I miss it also. I will send a letter of thanks to Mr. Locke, through you, for the plants. Ten dozen lavender plants is a good start for a lavender patch. Aunt Gardiner brought me several small packets of lavender seed. I can start hills of plants and then thin and replant in a couple of years. Mr. Knowles is bringing me troughs for planting the mint near the house and the stables. Otherwise, it will take over the garden."
"We brought you two large bags of comfrey, but I don't remember its use." Lizzy apologized.
"I'm planting comfrey in the last half of the lavender bed this year. I fill the washtub with water, boil it, add the comfrey and let it cool. Then I strain it. The comfrey tea helps the gardens grow. I like to use comfrey water in the first month of starting the gardens. I add the solid pieces to the compost pile. I started the compost pile on the east side of the stables, where the paddocks used to be." Mary told Lizzy how Lady Catherine disapproved of her raking the leaves from the orchard and rectory before breakfast.
Lizzy watched while Mr. Knowles and his men rocked fire pits in the orchard and repaired the fire pit near the distillery. "Fire pit for boiling water for tinctured waters and comfrey tea. Ashes for making soaps and candles after Lady Day?"
Mary nodded. "Is it time for breakfast? I'm a little tired and need to take my leisure. I started working at seven and only took time for a quick cup of hot chocolate before I began." Mary sat back on her heels. She knew her knees pressed dirt into her garden smock, but she didn't care. "Lizzy, never underestimate the healing power of a quiet moment in a fragrant herb garden. Mama's words may be hurtful, but my lavender soothes."
"Come on," Lizzy helped Mary to her feet. "Dust off your knees. Barlow put basins of water and towels out for the workers to wash. Mrs. Manning will set a hot breakfast for the a in the hall by the kitchen and for us in the morning room." Mary peeled off her gloves, garden smock and hat, handing them off to Barlow. Her brown sprigged cotton day dress, new at Michaelmas two years ago, still looked pretty and durable for the garden.
During breakfast, Aunt Gardiner observed Mary and smothered a smile. Mary looked tired and pale. She ate but did not seem to have an appetite. More things were broody at the Hunsford Parsonage than Mary's setting hens. After this morning's modiste visit, she would suggest Mary rest after midday meal and would suggest tea at half past three. Small meals and adequate rest…that's what Mary needed right now.
~X~
Aunt Gardiner brought a wrapped package to Mary at tea time. "For you, for your birthday."
Mary protested how she did not need a gift, but opened the package at her aunt's urging. The Gardiners gifted a dress length of fine cream cotton, with thin sage green stripes. The package held a wrap length of fine sage green gauze, four cream buttons, and a length of sage green piping to decorate the bodice and sleeves of the gown. Dress lengths of wide sage green ribbon for creating a sash for the gown, medium lengths of sage green ribbon for redecorating a bonnet, and thin sage green ribbon for fixing Mary's hair were included. A length of sage green braid and cording would decorate a matching reticule. She would line it with a scrap of dark green stuff to provide structure for the reticule. The package included a pair of short, sage green cotton gloves.
"This material is lovely," Mary thanked her aunt. "I believe I will make a Sunday gown with a rounded décolletage and puff sleeves to wear to church this spring and summer. I will ask the modiste to make it first. I thank you most especially for the sage gauze to make a wrap for the gown. Perhaps Kitty can teach me how to redecorate a plain spring bonnet."
March 3-5
Before breakfast, Mary could be found in the gardens with Mr. Knowles and the Rosings' gardeners. Mr. Collins, who liked to sleep in until half past eight, refused to allow his wife and female guests to be in the company of Mr. Knowles and the Rosings' gardeners without his oversight. He insisted Mr. Manning wake him when Barlow woke Mary. He worked in the kitchen and herb gardens before breakfast also. He worked with Mr. Knowles and Mary to create a layout for the rose garden between the north road and the parsonage.
Lizzy planned to walk the grove between the parsonage and Rosings. Mary asked Lizzy to take a basket with her, with paper and a pencil to map interesting plants. The basket would allow her to forage if she found anything interesting.
Kitty brought her books to study her French, history and literature before breakfast. She appreciated using the work table in Mary's sitting room.
Charlotte agreed to copy Mary's new scales and music – one copy for Longbourn, one for Lucas Lodge and one for Mrs. Gardiner. She had a fortnight to finish the copies. She shared Mary's work table in the mornings before breakfast. Each day she copied out one composition. Then she practiced the composition on Mary's pianoforte.
Mrs. Gardiner helped Barlow and Lowe set the bedrooms to rights each morning before breakfast. She helped them air the rooms, make beds, and place fresh linens and water on washstands. Barlow and Lowe removed ashes and laid fires for the evening.
Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Tucker, and Rose cooked breakfast for four and twenty to be served at ten each morning. Mr. Knowles and his men set tables and benches in the hall outside the kitchen. Mary's guests ate breakfast in the morning room. Mrs. Havens and Mrs. Gibbons sent baskets of food to feed everyone midday meals and afternoon tea while planting continued at the parsonage acreage.
After breakfast, Mary and the ladies sewed. Mr. Collins joined Miss Anne and Curate Stevenson to call on parishioners of Hunsford Rectory and tenants of Rosings Park.
~X~
The parsonage guests and Mary welcomed the modiste for a week. She would attend them from breakfast to midday meal while her staff worked in her shop. Mrs. Gardiner and Kitty exclaimed over fashion plates which they had never seen before.
"I received them from a friend in London. She assured me they are the newest fashions. I wanted new plates to show to Miss de Bourgh when I assembled a spring and summer wardrobe for her. I brought some fabrics with me which I ordered when Miss de Bourgh contacted me. They are fabrics which she did not choose. However, your fabrics are lovely," she stroked the silks, the linens, and the cottons. She examined the ribbons, laces and buttons. "Might I ask if you bought these in London?"
"They are from our London warehouses," Mrs. Gardiner replied. "I have a catalog with me, with samples if you would like to see them."
"Perhaps when we break for midday meal," the modiste sighed, her fingers slipping over the silks one more time. She enjoyed working with their materials. Within a week, the ladies would have new day gowns and a silk evening gown. After midday meal, the ladies had fittings for the silk gowns to wear to Rosings. While the modiste and two of her seamstresses sewed the silk gowns, the other ladies sewed undergarments, night clothes, or day gowns.
Kitty sat with the fashion plates and redrew them according to her sisters' tastes. Lizzy and Mary did not like laces on their day gowns. Neither of them liked flounces on any gown. Aunt Gardiner understood and brought plain trims to decorate their day gowns. They preferred fuller skirts for walking or dancing. Lizzy's materials were yellows and greens. Kitty's were pink. Mary's were various shades of brown.
Charlotte preferred rounded necklines, simple bodices and straight, short sleeves. She didn't care for lace or flounces on her day gowns either. Charlotte brought funds with her and purchased materials for two new day gowns from the modiste. She selected the summer blue cotton with tiny white stripes connecting dark blue posies with green leaves. She chose the medium blue cotton sprigged with small posies of light lavender, pale pink, and pale primrose flowers. Charlotte would keep the sketch Kitty drew so she could order more gowns when she returned to Meryton.
"These next two weeks, I will help sew clothes for you girls. I am back in London on Monday, March fifteenth. Then I prepare to travel to Longbourn the following Monday, where I will visit your mama and Sister Phillips for a fortnight." Aunt Gardiner reminded them.
Saturday, March 6
Mr. Knowles felt quite pleased with the parsonage gardens. For the first time in over a decade, the glebe at the parsonage was used effectively. Mary requested Mr. Knowles find her two dozen chicken pullets, two dozen ducklings, two dozen turkey poults and two dozen goslings by Lady Day. She wanted two more butts of bees. Two beekeepers from Rosings smoked the bee crates and moved the hives into position at the demi walls separating the gardens from the orchard, and the orchard from the outbuildings.
~X~
Darcy traveled to Rosings every Easter. He allotted two weeks each spring to inspect Rosings, its tenants and farms, ledgers and expenditures. Darcy avoided Lady Catherine's attempts to pressure him into offering for Anne and setting a wedding date. For the past half decade he avoided the topic, never speaking or acknowledging it. This year, since receiving Mrs. Collins' letter of warning about Wickham, Darcy decided to attend Rosings earlier and stay longer; Fitzwilliam needed to heal and had no set deadlines.
When Darcy inquired at the War Office, they confirmed what Mrs. Collins related. Bath, followed by Plymouth, were the last known locations of Lieutenant George Wickham. Darcy hired Bow Street Runners to attend his aunt and sister in Bath. Darcy hired Bow Street Runners to protect the Darcy House in London. He sent warning letters to all his holdings to watch for George Wickham and refuse him entry to Darcy lands. If they saw the man they were to detain him immediately and send Darcy an express. His solicitors sent letters to all tradesmen and businesses in Bath, Plymouth and London, and from London to Derbyshire not to extend credit to George Wickham, especially if he tried to use the Darcy name or Pemberley to guarantee his purchases. The solicitors announced Fitzwilliam Darcy would not travel to Bath or Plymouth. Anyone claiming to be Fitzwilliam Darcy was to be arrested and detained until the real Fitzwilliam Darcy appeared to press charges and arrange transport for the prisoner to Newcastle Prison. Darcy warned Fitzwilliam of the situation with Wickham. They traveled with armed servants, guns under the carriage seats, and pocket pistols.
Fitzwilliam appreciated the rest stop at The Bell in Bromley. They had traveled two hours outside London. He and Darcy did not provide Lady Catherine's name as she always recommended. Darcy's fine carriage and gentlemanly manners encouraged the inn staff to provide excellent service every visit he made to their doors. Fitzwilliam and Darcy enjoyed stretching their legs while the horses rested. Their morning meal included boiled eggs, pork chops, roasted potatoes, coffee, hot rolls with honey and butter, and well-seasoned apple pie. After a respite for the horses, staff and themselves, they continued their trip to Hunsford.
Fitzwilliam said a prayer of thanks to be in England this spring. He felt the difficulty of being the head officer on a hospital ship. The men looked to him to lead them, despite his own injuries. His commanding officers knew where their bread was buttered. Sending Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam to England with injured men ensured they received mail, supplies and replacement soldiers in a timely manner. They did not know how the Earl of Matlock influenced the War Office, but they were grateful.
When their carriage passed Hunsford Parsonage, Colonel Fitzwilliam observed Darcy's sudden attention to their surroundings. The parsonage sat at an appropriate distance from Hunsford Rectory. The parsonage appeared well-cared for, with wide well-kept paths. He wondered if Mr. Collins was still a sycophantic fop, who worshipped Lady Catherine. Meeting Mr. Collins for the first time at Easter last year had been almost unbearable. Twelfth Night seemed a bit better, but Fitzwilliam disapproved of how Aunt Catherine treated Mrs. Collins. He felt a back story lurked there; he hoped to hear it before leaving Rosings. They would be required to call upon the tenants of Hunsford Parsonage, but not today. After a discussion with Anne, they would determine their interactions with the Hunsford Parsonage guests. Neither Darcy nor Fitzwilliam liked Vicar Collins…but Darcy felt he owed Mary Collins thanks for the warning.
The formal gardens at Rosings Park were quite fine. Pavilions and covered gazebos occupied corners of the formal gardens. A short demi rocked wall separated the formal gardens from the open vistas of the countryside. Slate paths led from the gardens and lawns into the wooded areas surrounding the park at Rosings. The woods were groomed also, with statues or sitting benches under large trees. When riding out to avoid Lady Catherine in the past, Fitzwilliam and Darcy enjoyed the gentle vistas near a large pond, or an open knoll. Darcy and Fitzwilliam felt more comfortable in those natural settings.
Colonel Richard Anthony Fitzwilliam always teased the fine food and comfortable beds at Rosings Park were secondary to good company and good conversations. Fitzwilliam, the second son of the Earl and Countess of Matlock, lived like a man of limited means. His conversations were rich in war stories for men, and entertaining discussions with the ladies. He planned to take Anne to the wine store in Westerham and lay in a supply of decent wines. He would pack the swill in Lady Catherine's cellars and ship it to the de Bourgh House!
~X~
Mary closed the door to her sitting room and leaned her head against it. Mr. Collins spent a great deal of time during their midday meal lamenting he was not in his bookroom when Mr. Darcy's equipage passed. He had desired to exit the house to bow as the carriage passed. Currently when he didn't call on tenants of Rosings Park, or parishioners, he needed to work the acreage with Mr. Knowles and his men.
'My marriage is an exercise in self-control. I shall never, ever, ever again in my life, ask God to teach me patience.' Mary vowed silently.
"What are you doing?" Lizzy inquired.
"Thanking God for my blessings," Mary replied cryptically.
"This is a well-appointed room," Lizzy knew Mr. Collins praised his patroness for the fineness of their living. However, Lizzy knew the amount of hard work Mary completed at the Hunsford Parsonage from Papa. While Mr. Collins boasted of how Lady Catherine bestowed great condensation on Mary…Lizzy heard of the way Lady Catherine set Mary's sleeping quarters like an attic storeroom. She heard how Lady Catherine tried to send Mary to Meryton by post coach…by herself! Lady Catherine's rank blinded Mr. Collins to her less stellar actions.
"I am glad to be here, Mary," Kitty hugged her sister. "Mama demanded Papa refuse the invitation for me. Papa told her I had completed my share of the work and responsibilities at Longbourn. He hoped I would have some fun with Lizzy."
"Providing time for Lydia to shoulder some of the responsibilities and work?" Mary's gentle amusement tickled both her sisters.
"You have learned to interpret Papa's moods," Kitty smiled.
"Once you learn to interpret and avoid Mother's disappointment and nerves, Papa is quite easy to understand." Mary advised.
~X~
"The wallpaper is vile, I know. Mayhap excess stock from Rosings Park made its way here. This hunter green and gold is oppressive." Mary referred to the wallpaper in the drawing room. "Aunt Gardiner brought a wallpaper sample catalogue. You must help me choose. I plan to lighten the walls and refresh the upholstery. I negotiated with workmen to repaper the drawing room and the morning room. I'm replacing the paper in my sitting room and our sleeping chambers with cream paint. Because the drawing room and morning room have wainscoting, it will cost less to paper. A craftsman will reupholster the drawing room furniture."
"What are your plans?" Lizzy examined the wallpaper samples. "You're putting a lot of work into arranging the parsonage. I know you felt Lady Catherine did not seem enthusiastic about you rearranging the parsonage."
"This is the Hunsford Parsonage, not Rosings Park. The excess and opulence there should not be reflected here. Our rectory members and the community are from all stations of life. A simple, but classic rearrangement of Hunsford Parsonage will appeal to more people. Besides, it would take an order from a bishop to remove Mr. Collins from his living after we celebrate Lady Day. We will be here at least another decade or two…" Mary started to say.
"Unless Mama nags Papa into an early death," Kitty muttered.
"Kitty, if it is something you shouldn't say aloud, then it is something you should not think," Aunt Gardiner chastised her. "I know from experience how easy it is for something you think to become something you speak."
"What do you think of this cream with the thin gold stripes for the drawing room wallpaper? I will have the upholstery done in gold and hang pictures and mirrors which have gilt frames. Aunt Gardiner showed me a heavy cream damask for the drapes which will coordinate with the wallpaper." Mary showed samples to both Lizzy and Charlotte.
"I think you've chosen well for the drawing room," Charlotte approved. "What do you have planned for the morning room?"
"Do you like this pale green wallpaper with the small bouquets of white flowers with white ribbons? Or do you like this pale green paper which looks like watered silk? I'm weary of the 1790s French floral wallpaper." Mary laid out both samples. "Since the morning room looks out on the flower gardens, I thought green would be pleasant in there. Aunt Gardiner recommended dark green damask for the drapes."
The ladies spent their time that evening considering the combinations of wallpaper and materials. They discussed Mary's work to clear the parsonage.
"Happiness in marriage is a matter of chance. I feel it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." Charlotte opined.
"Marriage is not the place to wear blinders as one runs the race. Some habits of your partner cannot be ignored and must be ameliorated. Happiness in marriage is whatever you want it to be," Mary gently corrected her friend. "It would be easy to dwell on the slights and disagreements, making yourself unhappy in the process."
"As we have daily proof," Lizzy commented.
"Selfishness and folly also have no place in a marriage," Mary counseled. "I have found having my own routine and tasks greatly increases my satisfaction with life. I believe Mother would be happier if she found something to do with her time. I feel her nerves and headaches are symptoms of boredom. Do you not find, sisters, that life is much more interesting and pleasant when you have tasks or pastimes?"
"Absolutely," Kitty continued to draw, as Aunt Gardiner, Charlotte and Mary sewed, and Lizzy read.