Wretched Beginnings 1814 – Chapter 5
June 4
"Lizzy – the gate rider just let Hardy know carriages are coming!" Georgiana called out.
Solange pinned the last curl in place and waited for Mrs. Darcy's approval. "Everyone attends a country house party, away from the summer heat of London. You planned activities to save you from lingering in drawing rooms. Engage the ladies in conversation; not just gossip or discussing servants. Mrs. Collins recommends you resume your riding lessons after Michaelmas. You are the wife of a gentleman, who is the grandson of an earl. Mr. Darcy is wealthy and respected, but you are the Mistress of Pemberley. Do not allow anyone to denigrate you or usurp your authority."
"Thank you, Solange," Lizzy smoothed down the folds of her dark primrose linen day gown. She touched Lady Anne's topaz jewelry and wished for an easy day.
"Elizabeth!" Darcy called her name.
"I don't know who is in the carriages – but we know it isn't Mrs. Roberts. I won't attend the receiving line if you don't mind." Solange heard stories of Caroline Bingley's attempts to ensnare Mr. Darcy. The woman was clearly delusional. However, delusional was not enough reason to not invite Charlie's aunt o view his christening.
"Will you notify Nanny to bring the boys to the yellow drawing room when tea is served at four? Mrs. Bennet has not seen Ben and Charlie yet." Lizzy hoped Anne and the Fitzwilliam ladies would help keep Mrs. Bennet in tolerable order. Mary spent the last week creating headache tonics, calming draughts, sleep draughts, and medicinal sherry. Unless every one of her difficult guests were indisposed at the same time, Mary created enough medicines to dose six women daily for at least a fortnight.
Solange collected Mrs. Darcy's clothes to take to the laundry. She straightened the coverlet and picked up the sleeping room and dressing room. Mrs. Darcy ordered her to keep the dressing room locked when they were away from the family wing. Then Solange relayed Mrs. Darcy's message to the nursery staff.
Lizzy worried. This year she expected thirty houseguests for June house party. The Bingley family would arrive June ninth. The boys would be christened June tenth followed by a lawn party. Lydia's seven and ten birthday occurred June twentieth. Lizzy suspected Lydia would expect to be feted all day. Catherine and John Hamilton were marrying the morning of Midsummer, followed by a wedding breakfast in the ballroom. There would be a lawn party for staff and tenants the afternoon of Midsummer. The birthday/anniversary ball had been scheduled for June thirtieth.
Lizzy meticulously planned the Pemberley house party with help from Georgiana, Mrs. Reynolds and Lady Matlock. They planned picnics and fishing trips; horseback and carriage rides to scenic vistas; garden parties; and dinners with cards, or musical interludes following. Everyone would have a share of the Darcys' attentions and conversations. Additionally there could be excursions into Bakewell or Buxton.
~X~
With the arrival of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, Darcy realized it would be a month until his quiet library evenings with Elizabeth returned. He could not wait until everyone left and he could resume their pleasant conversations. "I feel guilty. Pemberley is over two hundred miles away from your mother. I am correct when I said it is possible to be settled too near one's family." He gave Elizabeth a saucy wink.
The six Fitzwilliams stood at the top of the stairs with Mary Collins and Catherine Bennet as a second welcoming committee. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana with Bingley and Jane were at the bottom of the stairs. The first carriage arrived, and the ladies were handed out.
"Four days, Lizzy! Such an inconvenient length of travel! I am in pieces! Bingley, how could you take Jane such a distance away!" Mrs. Bennet began complaining when her foot touched the gravel drive at Pemberley.
Lizzy bit her tongue to repress an impertinent remark or a smile.
Mr. Bennet stepped forward and hugged his daughters and shook hands with their husbands. "Indeed, sometimes the trip felt twice as long. I appreciated the comfortable rooms, excellent meals and full libraries at all your properties."
"Monday we will take you to Landers End. Jane plans for you to stay with us for a few days. We feel the prospect of Landers End is much more pleasant than Netherfield Park." Bingley was as affable to Mrs. Bennet as possible.
"Pemberley is so large," Mrs. Phillips sighed.
"Tomorrow, Mrs. Reynolds will conduct a tour of the house. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips," Darcy greeted them and introduced them to Georgiana again. "Do go on up, you've met our other guests before."
"Your male staff wear livery?" Mrs. Bennet asked in awe.
"We have standard brown livery for the footmen; with brown dresses and cream aprons for the female staff." Lizzy said. "Our grooms, gardeners and houseboys wear brown shirts and pants. Our staff presentation looked well-coordinated for the arrival of the Fitzwilliams."
A rider appeared and called out to Mr. Darcy, "Carriage two has entered the grounds."
"Carriage two?" Mrs. Bennet paused midway on the stairs. "More guests, Lizzy?"
"I believe the Gardiners and Mr. Collins have arrived," Lizzy realized Mother held Father, Lydia and the Phillips on the stairs to greet the Gardiners.
~X~
Mrs. Bennet tried to listen when Lizzy introduced the housekeeper and butler. The rest of the servants (twenty female servants; and five and ten male servants) and their tasks spun around in Mrs. Bennet's head. Steward, butler and Darcy's valet…no livery. Six liveried footmen stood in line, the other six had duties in the house. 'Lizzy has liveried servants!' Housekeeper, upstairs maids, downstairs maids…Mrs. Bennet frowned because the French lady's maids were absent from the lineup. "Your French maids are missing," Mrs. Bennet critiqued. "Although they are French, they ought to present themselves for the line."
"Other household staff are not available for the lineup, either," Mrs. Reynolds informed Mrs. Darcy. "The kitchen staff never line up. They are busy with tasks." Lizzy understood immediately. Mrs. Reynolds kept the nursery staff from the servant lineup. There would be plenty of time to introduce them later.
A quiet Lydia surprised Lizzy. She did not know Lydia counted her servants.
'Oh la! Lizzy has forty house servants and such a big house. Her pin money must be at least £100 pounds a month! I know she won't share with me. Maybe Jane won't be so stingy with her pin money? Jane's dress is quite pretty and just as nice as Lizzy's or Miss Darcy's. I wonder if Lizzy will host a dance for my seven and ten birthday. Oh, such presents I will receive!'
"The foyer is impressive," Mrs. Bennet observed the marble floor, the gilt-framed mirrors and art, and the standing gilded candelabra. "Now I wish we had come to last year's house party. But travel would have taken longer with our old horses and carriage. I am simply exhausted even with newer horses and a better carriage."
"Imagine how you would have felt if we acquired rooms at inns instead of stopping at Darcy's excellent holdings?" Mr. Bennet chastised Mrs. Bennet's continual complaints.
"This is the grand foyer and staircase. There is a viewing balcony on the second floor which looks over the grand foyer. Your room is this way," Lizzy headed for the wide impressive staircase.
"I hope we're not on the same floor as the children," Mrs. Bennet heaved a sigh. "I hardly rested at Christmas because George cried all the time."
"I'm sure you rested quite well. Lydia's voice is twenty times louder than George ever was. You will be on the second floor, in the guest rooms. The boys are in the nursery on the third floor. Ben and Charlie sleep almost the entire day. George is a happy little boy and rarely cries. You will see them at tea time each day." Mrs. Bennet ignored Lizzy's vexed voice.
"You revealed so little about your plans for the house party," Mrs. Bennet complained. "Of course, I didn't know about Ben or Charlie until we were packing. I should have been here to help you prepare for the house party. I'm simply amazed you and Jane are not in your beds. Lord knows I needed a month's recovery after every one of you were born."
"Pemberley has hosted more than one house party. This year's house party is a chance for us to be together," opined Lizzy. "There may be as many as six and thirty of us at a time."
"What are the plans for church tomorrow?" Mrs. Bennet asked.
"The curate from Kympton leads services at the Kympton Evangelic Church in the morning. Half the staff will attend in the morning; half will attend at Evensong. All guests at Pemberley will attend Pemberley Chapel…" Lizzy began to say.
"Mr. Bennet, Lydia, Kitty and I will ride with you and Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Bennet decreed.
"The Phillips will ride with you, Papa, Catherine and Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Collins will ride with the Gardiners. The Earl and Countess will ride with the four Fitzwilliams. The Bingleys will ride with Darcy and me, along with Georgiana. Our carriage will lead the way. The drive to the chapel is picturesque and the vicar from Kympton is a wonderful man. He and his wife will join us for midday tomorrow. The chapel holds fifty, so we will be quite comfortable." Lizzy explained.
"Catherine," scoffed Mrs. Bennet. "She's put on too many airs since staying with Lady Catherine de Bourgh's daughter."
"Catherine has grown into an accomplished young lady who is great friends with Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy. I have no problem calling her Catherine. Darcy's family call me Elizabeth. Sometimes the formal name is better in company." Lizzy informed Mama.
"Breakfast before church?" Mrs. Bennet asked.
"Breakfast will be available at eight in the morning room or you may have a tray in your room. We will depart for the church at half past nine. Services begin at ten and end at noon. We will return to Pemberley for a midday meal. Mrs. Reynolds, my housekeeper, will conduct tours of Pemberley tomorrow afternoon. Tea will be in the drawing room at four when the boys join us. Everyone rests until we dress for dinner. Dinner at eight, with music and cards to follow."
"Do go up to your rooms and freshen up. We will be having tea soon. I've assigned Harriette to you, Mama. You don't like Jane's French maid, so I know you will not like mine, Georgiana's, or the ones serving the Fitzwilliam ladies. Harriette is a good sort of girl; she reminds me of Sarah at Longbourn."
~X~
After she freshened up, Mrs. Bennet delighted in the drawing room. However, she commented Lady Anne decorated well, but Lizzy shouldn't economize when making the rooms more elegant. While their guest room was well-appointed…she expected better after viewing the de Bourgh House and Rosings Park.
"Perhaps you would change the décor of Pemberley if you were the new mistress…however, the current mistress loves what she sees. Lady Anne lovingly decorated Pemberley. The rooms are comfortable and welcoming. The views from all the windows are incomparable. Lady Anne brought nature indoors in the colors and décor. This home is the heart of the Darcy family, not a showplace. I cannot wait to hear lots of children playing in the halls or on the lawn." Anne moved closer to Elizabeth in a show of support.
"Pemberley has everything I dreamed a gentleman's country estate would have. Large airy rooms where they should be. There is nothing ill like a drawing room in this wing and the dining room in a different one." Jane admitted to Mama. "Bingley and I rearranged rooms at Lander's End after we moved. We combined the family parlor and breakfast room to provide a large dining room in the same wing as the large drawing room. The smaller rooms nearer the stairs became the breakfast room and the family parlor. We made a few changes to sleeping suites and servants' quarters also. We will give you a tour when you visit us at Lander's End."
After everyone greeted one another, refreshed and took tea…Lizzy showed Papa to the library. Struck speechless, Papa walked the perimeter of Pemberley's library. He noted sections of books. He noted the furniture, the globes, and the candelabra located inside the door. He vowed to spend his free time in the library…but promised Lizzy he would not sequester himself. He would not ignore her excellent plans to entertain family and friends.
~X~
"Thank you for the offer, Mama, but I do not require help with my menus. I discussed them with the cook, Mrs. Reynolds, Aunt Constance and Georgiana. We're having an informal meal tonight, as everyone is tired from traveling. We're starting with shrimp and lobster bisque, followed by ham, lamb chops, roast chicken, and eight kinds of garden stuff. Our sweet course is lemon syllabub, lemon biscuits, and orange roly poly. Beginning tomorrow evening, we will serve soup; two kinds of fish; three roasted meats; four and ten sides; and five sweets along with all the silver plate the eye can appreciate." Lizzy laughed. "Of course we will dress for dinner every night. There is a dressing gong which sounds at half past six, so the servants are aware it is time to bring hot water to help us dress. Everyone will return to the drawing room by half past seven. Dinners will be served at eight in the formal dining room."
"How will we know the activities for the day?" Mrs. Gardiner helped the conversation along.
"Everyone will appear for breakfast at ten each morning in this dining room. We will cover the day's activities. Georgiana and I, with help from Aunt Constance, planned activities for most days. We have four large gardens, several paths for excellent carriage rides or horseback rides, and the lake and river. We will play cards and have musical interludes. We have the boys christening, and the birthday/anniversary ball. Fridays we will have lawn parties with games, archery, etc. Tuesdays and Thursdays are viewing various vistas such as the waterfall, the folly, and the maze with picnic lunches. We will tour the Peaks along with the towns of Buxton and Bakewell one day. Georgiana and I visit the tenants on Wednesdays." Lizzy continued.
~X~
"We will take off our coats, loosen our cravats, smoke cigars and drink my best French brandy," Darcy informed the men. "We will play cards and billiards while talking about horses, hunting, dogs, and guns. I've warned Elizabeth not to plan to see any of us for the rest of the evening." The men toasted his plan.
"To Boney's capture," Richard held his glass aloft; the men drank.
"To Bennet and Elizabeth," Darcy offered; the men drank.
"To Charlie and Jane," Bingley hailed; the men drank.
Darcy's footmen refilled glasses with excellent brandy.
"To Mary and George. I have missed them while they were here," Collins acknowledged; the men drank.
"To a trio of grandsons," Bennet rejoiced; the men drank.
"To our excellent hosts," Hamilton complimented; the men drank.
"To summer house parties at Pemberley again," Reginald slurred his toast; the men drank.
Darcy's footmen refilled glasses with excellent brandy.
"To having good friends and cousins at a close distance to Matlock Estate," Robert also slurred; the men drank.
"To excellent tables and brandy," Phillips uttered. The men drank.
"To soft beds after days of travel," Gardiner toasted…but Bingley and Darcy were passed out in the chairs by the fireplace. Reginald, Robert and Richard occupied settees in the room. Hamilton curled up on the billiards table, resting his head on a billiards stick. Bennet and Phillips staggered to chairs by the window and were senseless soon after. Gardiner finished his current glass before he occupied the window seat, enjoying the stack of pillows.
Two Pemberley footmen extinguished cigars, sent glasses to the kitchen to be cleaned, and covered the men with blankets. Hardy suggested they serve strong coffee and have headache powders at the ready when the men were awakened for church in the morning.
Sunday, June 5
John Hamilton entered the library. He planned to talk to Mr. Bennet earlier in the day; but he spent the day with his hosts and with Catherine. His godson, George, had a new tooth this week and was a happy, smiling baby. He and Catherine doted on him. Dinner would be served within the hour. Hamilton mustered his courage and sought out Catherine's father for his blessing. "Mr. Bennet…"
"Mr. Hamilton…"
"I would like a few moments of your time sir. I offered for Catherine; she accepted me. I would like to set the date as June four and twenty, in the Pemberley Chapel. Mr. Fitzwilliam, using the protection letter for Miss Catherine, signed the special license. I brought marriage articles with me. If you have changes, sir, Mr. Phillips can modify them for our signature." Mr. Hamilton's mouth dried as he addressed Catherine's father.
"Are you able to provide for my daughter and any children?" Mr. Bennet observed the formal young man.
"I have property in Oxford with four tenant farmers. The property has been in my family for four generations. I put the profits from the farms in the estate account for buying new machinery or livestock, building barns, or repairs at tenant farms. I have a reserve built, so I may buy more farms or land near my estate. I have a 30-room manor house and five and ten servants. I have £3,000 a year from my legacy from my parents. Then there is the living from my academia position at Oxford. The main farm will supply fresh garden and orchard stuff, milk, butter, cheese, eggs, meat, etc. Catherine and I discussed enlarging the holdings of Hamilton House next year."
"If you lose your academic position at Oxford, are you able to provide for Catherine?" Mr. Bennet queried.
"My academic position is nothing to my property and portion. I enjoy teaching; but I am committed to Hamilton House and its holdings. I can settle £10,000 on Catherine when we marry. In the marriage articles, I proposed it be put with her £10,000 dowry and any legacy she may realize from your family. Her pin money would be the percents from her marriage settlement." He explained upon his death; Catherine's marriage settlement would become her jointure funds. Catherine would hold Hamilton House and its holdings in trust until his first son came of age to inherit. He intended to establish a Dower House close to the main house.
Hamilton explained a dowry would be established for each daughter. Catherine insisted their daughters have a governess to teach them a proper education…not just manners, needlework and dancing. She wanted their daughters to attend a seminary to finish their education. She insisted upon her death, her jointure funds be evenly distributed among her granddaughters and held in trust. Each granddaughter would be allowed the per annum interest when they were six and ten, but the legacy would not be divided equally until her youngest granddaughter turned one and twenty.
"Do you have any vices? Shall I worry about you racing horses and getting killed? Shall I worry about you being caught out in a duel? Are you a gamester or muslin chaser? Do you drink excessively?" Mr. Bennet winced at that question. Every male house guest imbibed freely last evening and all were penitent today.
"Travel and books are my vices sir. I do enjoy an occasional brandy and good cigar, but they are not essential to my lifestyle. I am a Christian man, academic and landowner." John Hamilton hoped his best manners were enough to convince Mr. Bennet of his worthiness.
"She accepted you?" Mr. Bennet turned to stare out the window.
"Yes sir. I love her; I believe she loves me. I want to start our lives together. Catherine is responsible, yet engaging. She makes me laugh and we have easy conversation. I cannot imagine my life without her, sir." John Hamilton considered this conversation more difficult than interviews with academia at Oxford.
"Then you have my blessing, Hamilton. When do you want to announce your understanding?" If Bennet thought to discompose Hamilton by his direct speech…he had been quite wrong.
"Catherine suggested we announce our betrothal at the christening party on Friday. We will marry a fortnight after that. I brought wedding clothes with me along with servants and carriage. I know this is a surprise, but Catherine assured me she brought clothes with her for the wedding and wedding trip." Hamilton wished he had not imbibed freely last night...but all the men had enjoyed Darcy's fine brandy before they became legless and silly.
"Mrs. Bennet will be inconsolable! She will not have time to shop, visit the modiste, tour warehouses, badger Catherine about her wedding gown, or arrange an elegant wedding breakfast." Bennet set aside the books he perused.
"We planned a quiet wedding with close friends and family while the Darcys host their house party." Hamilton reached into his topcoat pocket and removed paperwork. "I have the special license and the marriage settlement. I would appreciate your signature on the marriage settlement."
Mr. Bennet read and signed the marriage settlement. "You have been generous to Kitty…"
"Kitty is the name of insensible girl who is ten. I will not call Catherine by that name. I will call her Kate, if Catherine is too severe for you. But I will not call her Kitty." John Hamilton exhibited his formal manners again.
"Catherine it is. I shall start correcting family members after you announce the engagement and approaching marriage. I am glad to welcome you to the family, Hamilton. Bingley and Darcy have each other. Jane and Elizabeth have one another. You and Collins have each other. Now Catherine and Mary will have one another…which is quite handy since Mary lives near Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I'm glad I said yes to Catherine visiting Miss Anne after Jane and Lizzy were married."
~X~
"Catherine," Mr. Bennet spoke with his daughter after meeting with Mr. Hamilton. "I felt a few misgivings about you accompanying Miss Anne. However, you have become a beautiful and accomplished young woman. Thank you for justifying my faith in you and your choices, once you were removed from Lydia's examples and leadership. I have given Mr. Hamilton my consent and blessing, but he asked not to announce your betrothal until the christening party."
"Thank you, Papa, for I love him very much." Catherine hugged Papa. They discussed wedding funds. Catherine explained she purchased her trousseau and brought clothes for the wedding tour with her. She opined Mrs. Bennet and Lydia did not need new wedding clothes. Mrs. Bennet might argue funds for Catherine's wedding clothes should go to Lydia if Catherine did not use it. She did not want Papa to expend excessive funds. He hired John Lucas to steward for him while he attended the Pemberley house party.
Bennet had yet to understand when Lydia had become so spoiled by her Mama. He would take himself to task if he ever ignored Mrs. Bennet again…allowing her and Lydia to run free. No…Midsummer could not come too soon. If Mrs. Bennet objected to anything at the house party, he was determined to transport her and Lydia to Scotland. He would leave with the sturdy gowns and outerwear Mrs. Gardiner commissioned from her modiste. She brought a filled spare trunk from London. He would take their finery home to Longbourn.
~X~
"If it were merely a well-furnished, fine house, then no one should care to see it. Mrs. Reynolds promised a tour of Pemberley this afternoon. We will see cabinets of curiosities, works of art which include old masters, sculptures, and trophies brought home by generations of Darcy men who took Grand Tours. Additionally, Mr. Gardiner is interested in the architecture of the house and I am interested in the formation of the gardens. I believe the gardens and parkland are the finest I have ever seen." Madeleine addressed Franny.
"You know I don't travel well. I have no interest in seeing Mr. Darcy's picture gallery, until the night of the anniversary ball. I have no interest in the suit of armor decorating the billiard room. The collector's cabinet in the yellow drawing room is quite pretty with its satinwood and rosewood inlays. However, I don't care to view the framed butterfly collection decorating the walls of the nursery hall." Franny sniffed. "No, I am comfortable here in my sitting room, and shall ring for a tea tray. I am quite in pieces after four days of travel in a stuffy carriage. I certainly hope Lizzy's kitchen staff are capable of preparing a decent tea tray and can boil water for a pot of hot tea."
"The gardens are fine, Franny, come see them." Madeleine thought to tempt her sister-by-marriage into action, instead of letting her languish in her sitting room.
"I have neither the patience nor the time to view and exclaim over a rose garden," Franny persisted. "Mr. Bennet is allowed to hide away in the library; why am I not allowed to take my leisure in my sitting room?"
"If you insist on sitting here, I will let everyone know. I believe everyone gathered in the yellow drawing room, where tea is being served now. The Earl and Countess of Matlock's French chef prepared confections and sweets for the tea. Green and oolong tea are being served." Madeleine turned her back on Franny…unsurprised to hear the rustle of skirts and footsteps following her down the main staircase.
"Mama, you are just in time. I have a fresh pot of water to brew more cups of tea." Lizzy created a cup of green tea, sweetening it to Mama's expectations. She handed it to her footman who served Mama. "Aunt, this cup is for you," Lizzy created another perfect cup for Aunt Gardiner. A footman circulated with small plates and serviettes. Three footmen circulated with curates of sweets, savories and scones.
Mrs. Bennet tried to claim precedence in the conversation, discussing the décor of the yellow drawing room versus the décor of the blue drawing room. Lizzy refused to be subjected to Lady Catherine behavior in her own drawing room. She let everyone know there would be a house tour after tea. Those not attending the tour could rest. Dressing gong at half past six, meet in the drawing room at half past seven. Dinner would be served at eight. The six Fitzwilliams had precedence, followed by Lizzy and Darcy. Lydia, Mama and Aunt Phillips clustered to gossip.
The drawing room looked out on Pemberley's woods behind the house, and counted as one of Lizzy's favorite views. The late afternoon sun shimmered off birch leaves and cast shadows on the trunks of stately oaks. Lizzy regretted Mama spent her time critiquing the room, furniture and décor. Lizzy realized a long time ago…Mama didn't appreciate nature.
"I don't plan to come out during Little Season. For the ton, Little Season is parties, balls, theatre, concerts, dinners and card parties." Georgiana replied to Mrs. Bennet's interested questions. "I want to be here at Pemberley with my family. I want to help Elizabeth with the harvest celebration for our tenants and celebrate the holidays. I want to be here for the first snowfall. I want to be here for the hanging of the greens. We have such excellent holly, mistletoe, and bay laurel bushes. Our stillroom maid creates wonderful Yule candles. I cannot wait to see the size of the Yule Log this year…and it is Ben's first Christmas!"
"I'm thinking of a Twelfth Night Ball. Perhaps a costume ball…with dancing, games, charades, a feast with champagne punch, and the special cake. You will bring Georgiana to us? There is so much to prepare before her presentation and her debut Season." Aunt Constance advised Elizabeth. "Anne has decided not to be presented. She agreed to help Augusta and me with the presentation ball. Georgiana will probably be presented after the opening of the season and the middle of April."
"We can't open the de Bourgh House, because Mother is ill, but we will help with anything we can." Anne graciously offered.
"If Georgiana is ready to come out next Season, Darcy and I are prepared to bring her to you after the first of the year. Once the spring planting is complete, Darcy and I will come to London to help with Georgiana's season. We will open Darcy House."
Lizzy, dressed in a new Pomona green, linen day gown, sat in her drawing room. She liked the dark green braided trim for the neckline, bodice and sleeves. She wore dark green household slippers. She concentrated on her needlework and quietly listened to the planning for gowns, accessories, etc. Georgiana would need for her Season. Georgiana took notes as Aunt Constance and Cousin Augusta discussed lists.
Jane, dressed in a sprigged navy and cream cotton day gown, sat quietly with her needlework, sharing looks with Lizzy. Silently, Lydia concentrated on the plans for Georgiana's debut Season. "That situation bears watching," Jane advised Lizzy.
Deborah Phillips pinched Franny Bennet extremely hard as a warning to keep quiet. Franny would not put herself forward right now and ruin Lydia's chances to come out with Miss Darcy. Tonight, in Franny's room, Deborah would insist they plan for next Season.
"What did you say dear," Mrs. Bennet turned to Jane.
"She hopes I don't mind her watching my stitches. I'm working a new one, taught to me by Mrs. Annesley." Lizzy prevaricated.
Mrs. Bennet quietly fumed, listening to the plans for Georgina Darcy's coming out Season. 'It is so unfair Lizzy choses to live at Pemberley instead of London! If Lizzy tried, she could be the best hostess in London, with the ton vying for invitations to her soirees. She could entertain callers daily, offering the best green tea. A French chef could create her confections. Her dinners could be followed by private dances two or three times a week! Every gown she purchased would be copied. The society pages would be filled with reports on the theatre, concerts, parties and balls attended by Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and company. Lizzy should be the one to plan and conduct Miss Darcy's debut Season! Instead of being the toast of the ton…Lizzy chose dour Darcy, a child and country living. Why didn't that dratted man stand for Parliament, which would keep them in London during the Season? Lydia is Darcy's sister now. She deserves the same opportunities as Miss Darcy!'
Monday, June 6
Darcy selected morning hunts for the men in the woods of Pemberley. The Pemberley Woods were replete with wild game. They would walk out early and return to Pemberley by breakfast. Afternoons would be spent at several of his favorite fishing haunts or riding out to picturesque points at Pemberley. The river teemed with trout, and the lake abounded with pike, tench and carp. He ensured the men who didn't bring guns or fishing equipment were supplied. He had plenty of riding horses, tack and grooms. He had an excellent game table, billiard table several card tables, and a well-stocked library for indoor entertainment for the men.
Ladies would have garden tours, house tours, carriage rides or horseback rides, lawn games with picnics, reading, writing letters, practicing music or needlework. Lizzy warned Darcy there would be two evenings of dance lessons. He prepared to hide in his library with Mr. Bennet to avoid Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Phillips and Lydia. He nicknamed them the troublesome trio the first night they arrived, which sent Lizzy into gales of laughter.
Darcy wanted to have a good relationship with Hamilton. He enjoyed talking to him at Richard and Anne's wedding. He spoke with Aunt Constance and asked her to sit Hamilton between Georgiana and Catherine…away from Mrs. Bennet. He swore her to secrecy and then revealed Hamilton and Catherine were betrothed. Aunt Constance approved of Miss Catherine Bennet, who helped draw Georgiana and Anne out of their reserved selves. She approved of Mr. Hamilton, and had given him an open invitation to her Sunday salons.
"Why should the gardeners have all the pleasure of selecting flowers for the house? The grounds at Pemberley have beautiful flower beds among all the pretty paths. I suggest ladies, who are not riding out, gather fresh flowers for the house. I love visiting Pemberley…I refuse to spend beautiful days sequestered in the drawing room." Constance counseled at breakfast. She cast a withering glance at Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Bennet were both cross because Lizzy refused to allow them to loiter in their rooms until noon with breakfast trays. Sunday morning was the only time Lizzy would allow her guests to have trays.
"We have a midday picnic at the lake. While the man are fishing this afternoon, Mrs. Fitzwilliam's drawing master is giving art lessons to those of us who are interested. Otherwise, ladies are sewing in the shade of the trees at the lake. Then we will have tea in the drawing room at four. Rest, dress, dinner. I understand Mr. Malcolm is giving a lecture on Italy tonight." Lizzy explained the day's plan to the ladies assembled for breakfast.
Catherine refused to stay indoors and show her new gowns to Mama and Lydia. She had new day gowns and new dinner gowns. She had new wine travel outerwear and accessories which she would not wear until after the wedding. She did not want Lydia to claim they were hers, or have Mama demand she give them to Lydia. "Lizzy arranged morning riding lessons. I'm sure we could find you a riding habit, Lydia."
"I don't like riding, unless it is in a fine barouche while shopping and making calls. I haven't seen any of your new things, and you haven't asked about mine," Lydia pouted.
"I'll thank you to stay out of my room and away from my things. You'll see everything I brought with me while we are here at Pemberley. I think a daily fashion show is more interesting than a hurried afternoon of looking at my wardrobe or yours." Catherine continued to eat her breakfast, listening to Georgiana explain where they would ride this morning. Catherine planned to commission a fall and winter riding habit of pearl grey wool, with black frogs and accessories. She wasn't having it sewn until she moved to Oxford with John.
Lizzy rang for Mrs. Reynolds. "Please lock the Rose Room after it is cleaned this morning. Please ensure Miss Catherine has the key to her room upon her return from riding lessons." Mrs. Reynolds understood Catherine's new maid, Simmons, needed a spare key also.
After thanking Lizzy; Catherine left after breakfast with Anne, Augusta and Georgiana. The grooms brought the riding horses up from the stables. The stable master would conduct riding lessons for the ladies, since Fitzwilliam went hunting with the men. Catherine wore her grey riding habit from last spring with deep pink ribbons and deep pink gloves. Georgiana looked quite summery in her blue riding habit with yellow ribbons and gloves. Anne joined them, wearing a new purple riding habit with pale lavender ribbons and gloves. Augusta wore a spring green riding habit with gold ribbons and gloves. The ladies invited Lydia to join them again, relieved she continued to refuse.
The troublesome trio took themselves to the drawing room, to discuss the riding habits. They did not acknowledge Mary, whose chair was turned to the window for light. Lydia opined Kitty needed a new riding habit; hers appeared shabby. Lydia complained about Kitty's concentration on her education and accomplishments. She whined because Kitty preferred accompanying Miss Darcy and Miss de Bourgh instead of gossiping and shopping with her.
"Lydia, your behavior determined why Mrs. Fitzwilliam selected Catherine. Papa allowed Catherine to accompany Mrs. Fitzwilliam because she proved she would not embarrass the Bennet name. I suggest you improve yourself and your education instead of filling your head with fashions, fascinations and flirtations." Mary embroidered a new ecru silk shawl with autumn leaf colored silk threads. She planned to spend her quiet time embroidering. She picked this room so she could admire Lizzy's gardens. She had been out before breakfast with Lizzy's gardeners. She didn't realize Mama, Aunt Phillips and Lydia would claim the drawing room so they could gossip loud and long about everyone and everything.
"If Lydia is not good enough for Mrs. Fitzwilliam, then it is not Lydia's fault. Since Mrs. Fitzwilliam has been housebound and ill for years, she does not know how to make an informed choice." Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
"Believe what you will, Mother," Mary applied herself to her embroidery. "However, Lady Catherine believed the same…and see where she is?"
The troublesome trio gasped at Mary's comment.
"I believe Mrs. Fitzwilliam taking Catherine to Bath and London before the wedding; and then on her wedding trip, shows how highly she values Catherine's company. She generously shared her masters with my guests last spring. She is generously sharing them with Lizzy's guests. Furthering Catherine's education is a great favor."
"I'm so bored!" Lydia whined. "Let's call for a carriage and go shopping in Lambton. Aunt Gardiner has friends there. Surely we can do something away from this boring pile of stones."
"Well, have been here since the first week of May and can tell you how pleasant and diverting Pemberley is."
"You were here…when Ben was born?" Mrs. Bennet flushed from furious indignation.
"I helped birth Charlie also."
"As Jane and Lizzy's mother…I should have been here!" Mrs. Bennet argued.
"When was the last time you birthed a baby? I waited a sennight from when I arrived until Ben was born. I waited over a sennight for Charlie to be born." Mary almost snorted. "You have been here for a few days, and are bored. Jane and Lizzy had no time to increase and nurse you. I had no time to nurse you. I worked in their kitchens, in their gardens, in their orchards, and in their stillrooms. I did not spend my time viewing the gowns in their closets nor exclaiming over the jewels in their safe. Forgive me, I am taking some air…" Mary gathered her embroidery and work basket. She exited the drawing room doors to the garden. She chose the farthest seat from the house under a tree, so she could not hear Mama and Lydia who had no clue how to keep themselves busy. She applied herself to her embroidery. 'I cannot wait until George is out of leading strings.'
~X~
"I appreciate your candor," Hamilton told the gathered men. They played billiards after tea and before time to dress for dinner. Bingley and Darcy both expressed how Catherine changed since she spent time with Anne. Collins suggested asking Mary how to increase Hamilton's gardens and orchards at his main farm. Fitzwilliam discussed his stables. The Earl and Viscount made observations about livestock for Hamilton's main farm. Hamilton wrote notes about how to increase the living for himself and Catherine. He explained how he practiced crop rotation at all four of his farms. Hamilton offered his home as a rest to anyone on their travel from Derbyshire to London for Little Season. The invitation would give the families a chance to view his holdings. Darcy counselled Hamilton on acquiring additional farms near his estate as they became available. He opined the Hamilton Estate could support six or eight farms.
~X~
Anne gave Mary papers which delineated the size, color and placement of rooms at the Recovery House, hoping Mary could help determine the best possible usage for each room. Mary planned to place the less ambulatory men on the second floor near the stairs. Batmen, dressers and male staff would be housed on the fourth floor. However, Mary felt there should be small room which staff could use on each floor, even if it were just a maid's closet. If a patient cried out during the night, someone should be close. Male staff, like men-of-all-things and hall boys, would be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the manor. The ballroom would be used for meals and as a common room for the men. The finance officer would take one of the larger rooms on the second floor for his quarters, but work out of the study. Female kitchen staff would be housed in the cellar rooms for staff. They had a staff common room in the lower level. Mary suggested all female staff, except for the housekeeper, be banned from the upstairs rooms. The de Bourgh Recovery House would not be decorated like a men's club…but it would not have feminine décor in the drawing room or music room. The men would feel welcome in all the main rooms.
June 9
The Darcys and Bingleys stood on the stairs with the upper servants to welcome the three carriages for Mrs. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. Mrs. Stafford insisted they meet at the Lambton Inn before coming forward as a group.
"Welcome to Pemberley," Bingley and Jane greeted his family. Kisses, bows, and curtseys were exchanged between them. "Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy, you know my family…Mrs. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Mr. and Mrs. Roberts." More bows and curtseys were exchanged with greetings.
"I always thought Pemberley is a beautiful home, with the most pleasant prospect I have ever seen. I'm looking forward to seeing how you've made it shine in the year you've been mistress Miss Eliza." Mrs. Roberts purred.
"You may call her Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Roberts," Darcy growled. "Elizabeth does not change the furnishings every Season because the ton favors a different color or a ridiculous overblown style." He would remind Hardy and Mrs. Reynolds not to let Mrs. Roberts wander Pemberley without a footman or maid following her and reporting her activities. "Besides," he kissed Elizabeth's temple before gazing down at her. "There is no need to change perfection."
"Your things have gone up to your rooms." Lizzy smiled at her guests, ignoring her desire to run Caroline Bingley Roberts over with a carriage. "Hardy and Mrs. Reynolds will show you to your rooms in the guest wing. Maids and footmen are in your rooms, with hot water for you." Lizzy took Darcy's arm and lead the way up the stairs.
"Aunt Cordelia," Bingley offered her his arm. He escorted Jane and his aunt, leaving his sisters to be escorted by their husbands.
~X~
"Elizabeth, you are vexing, teasing woman!" Darcy kissed her. "I didn't know I loved you until I was in the middle of it. I think you are beautiful, remarkable, and beyond compare. Don't let Mrs. Roberts vex you. Aunt Constance, Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds helped you with activities, accommodations and menus. Wear your prettiest gowns, and your brightest smiles which glitter like the Darcy jewels. Caroline Roberts would be jealous of the mistress of Pemberley…because it is not her. She didn't have the abilities needed to be the mistress of Pemberley. Caroline Roberts would never admit her dowry and legacy did not excuse her lack of deportment and manners. Bingley is taking his family to Landers End the afternoon of the christening. They depart after the lawn party. They will rejoin us the morning of Catherine's wedding and depart after the wedding breakfast. Then they return the morning of the ball. They will stay the night of the ball. Then Bingley swears they are departing July first to visit Mrs. Stafford's home in Scarborough for two weeks. I know you have asked footmen to observe all out difficult guests. I plan to speak to Roberts, his valet and Mrs. Roberts maid."
~X~
"Penny for your thoughts, as Sir Thomas More says," Mary addressed Catherine as they joined the group in the drawing room for tea.
"I am determined. I will not become like Mrs. Hurst who is dominated by her younger sister. Lydia and Mrs. Roberts have a great deal in common…"
"Including their proclivity to gossip?" Mary inclined her head toward Lydia and Mrs. Bennet who gossiped loudly with Mrs. Phillips. "Let's seek a quiet corner."
"They've been discussing you," Anne indicated the Bingley sisters when Elizabeth joined her at the door of the drawing room.
Lizzy flipped open a fan and held it before her mouth so the superior sisters could not understand what she whispered to Anne. "Well, it could be the shortest conversation possible, as both of them think I'm the dullest creature in the universe. Or it had been an exceptionally long conversation as they imagine how I would embarrass Darcy if we were in town. So which was it…short or long?" Lizzy watched the superior sisters as she addressed Anne.
"Your appearance interrupted their gossip fest," Anne did not appear amused.
"Join us, Elizabeth," Aunt Constance invited her. "We are discussing gowns for the evening. So which plain gown will you wear to dinner tonight? The lilac sarsenet perhaps, with the Darcy amethysts? The red satin and gauze with the Darcy rubies? The primrose silk with the Darcy topazes? Anne is wearing her blue silk, with the silver and sapphire hair ornament gifted by Darcy and Georgiana. I'm considering the emerald satin with the Fitzwilliam emeralds. Augusta might wear the gold linen and gauze with the gold circlet gifted by the Viscount." She poured tea for the Fitzwilliam ladies and Elizabeth.
Cordelia Stafford and Madeleine Gardiner entered the drawing room. They selected a settee near the superior sisters, effectively silencing their censure of Eliza Bennet and her abilities as the Mistress of Pemberley.
~X~
"Ah, we have more company!" Darcy crossed to the door and took Ben from the nursery maid. "Hello, Ben." He cradled his son in his left arm while letting Ben clutch his right index finger. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce Bennet Charles Darcy, born May tenth. Mother and son are exceedingly well." Darcy smiled at Lizzy. "We call him Ben."
Bingley collected Charles from the second nursery maid. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce Charles William Bingley, born May twentieth. We call him Charlie. As you can see, Jane and Charlie are exceedingly well also." He took Charlie to Jane for a kiss, and then to his Aunt Stafford next.
Before anyone could say anything, a cleared throat interrupted from the doorway. "I collected my godson on the way to the drawing room," Mr. Hamilton smiled at the room. "Hello Collins, Mrs. Collins," he advanced to Catherine. "Hello Miss Bennet." He smiled at Catherine as she dropped a kiss to George's head.
"Three nephews! I am quite enthralled with all of them." Catherine shared a smile with Mr. Hamilton before he carried George to Mr. Collins. Bingley, Darcy and Collins circulated the room with their sons.
"Have you noticed? I think George got his first tooth this week." Jane confided to Lizzy while watching George entertain his parents and godparents.
"Tell me of the plans for the christening," Mrs. Bennet ordered Lizzy. She barely greeted her grandsons.
"We have not changed the plans since the last letter, Mama." Lizzy indicated the liveried servants should circulate with refreshments. "Christening tomorrow morning, Pemberley Chapel, Mr. Collins officiating. Darcy and I are godparents to Charlie; Bingley and Jane are godparents to Ben. Mr. Fitzwilliam will stand as second godfather to both Ben and Charlie. Ben will wear the Darcy christening gown which has been in the family for generations. Charlie will wear the Bennet christening gown. We're hosting a lawn party after to celebrate the christening."
"I don't care for dining al fresco," Mrs. Bennet complained. "If you want fresh air, put us in the large dining room and open the doors to the outside. Your dining chairs are more comfortable than lumpy picnic cushions. The dining table is a better surface than balancing a plate on our laps while sitting on the blanket on the ground."
"Sorry Mama, but Jane and I want to have a lawn party to celebrate the boys' christening. We plan to host lawn parties each year to celebrate their birthdays." Lizzy ignored the suggestion. "Besides, we're setting tables and chairs in the pavilion. We'll save the lumpy cushions for when we visit the folly."
Caroline viewed the yellow drawing room. Elizabeth hardly changed a thing in the décor. New green silk throw pillows graced the settees. New drapes of fine gauze under drapes behind the rich green brocade drapes framed the windows. Fresh flowers were artfully arranged in dark green marble vases on dark green marble columns near the fireplace. The polished elegant furniture appeared unchanged from the charming arrangements which Lady Anne Darcy had chosen. The Roberts occupied a suite at the end of the guest hall, as far away from the family suites as possible. Caroline felt sure they were placed near the servants' stairs on purpose. She didn't dare complain about hearing servants thunder up and down the stairs…Mr. Roberts would penalize her pin money again. The 'Miss Eliza' comment when they arrived cost her £5. Since Roberts claimed it was a deliberate sneer, Caroline would lose £5 with no chance to earn it back.
"I'm so sorry we were unable to see you while we were in Bath on our wedding tour, Mrs. Roberts. I'm curious, how have you fitted up the Steward's House at the Roberts Estate in Bath?" Anne asked.
"Mr. Roberts and I are building a manor house on our estate, which is located adjacent to the Roberts Estate. We have not settled on a name, but it will not be called Roberts Farms. Perhaps Avonlea as the Avon River separates our property from the original Roberts Estate." Caroline primly explained. "How did you find your time in Bath?"
Mrs. Bennet would not allow the Fitzwilliam wedding trip to overwhelm the conversation. She contributed an extensive explanation of her and Lydia's February and March in Bath. She extolled the connections Lydia made with Colonel and Mrs. Alexander Whitford. Lydia bragged about visiting until Easter with the Whitfords. The Bingley sisters, who detested the Bennets, were not impressed.
Roberts observed the conversations in the room before he spoke with Darcy. "Our estate won't be called Avonlea. The name resembles Pemberley too closely for my taste. I think I will call our properties the Roberts Farms as it seems to irritate Mrs. Roberts."
Darcy cleared his throat to keep from laughing. He called the footman over to give Roberts as many fresh berry tarts as the man could eat. "I'm glad to see your time in Bath with Mrs. Roberts has not lessened your sense of humor."
"No indeed. As Mr. Bennet would say, I am excessively diverted," Roberts grinned. "Also, please address her as Mrs. Roberts for the duration of our stay. Addressing her thus prevents familiarity which would come from friendship and family. Also, it plucks her feathers."
"Including the ostrich ones?" Darcy teased.
"Especially the ostrich ones," Roberts grinned.
~X~
Jane's lilac blue silk evening gown complimented her eyes, complexion and hair. She wore a single amethyst pendant on a silver chain with matching earbobs which previously belonged to Charles' mother. Caroline and Louisa shared glances of fury with one another. They had enjoyed using their mother's jewels, which now graced the person of Jane Bennet Bingley.
"Do you like?" Lizzy refrained from a twirl. Cream silk with a tiny overlapping tuck pleats bodice featured gold lace. The lace decorated straight elbow-length sleeves. A gold silk sash, tied in a bow at Elizabeth's back, reached the hem of her gown. Gold slippers peeked out from under her skirts. Elizabeth wore her emerald wedding ring, and the Darcy emeralds. The pendant consisted of a large square emerald, surrounded by round diamonds on a fine gold chain. The earbobs and bracelet matched the pendant with square emeralds and round diamonds. A classic-scrolled, emerald studded, gold bandeau held Elizabeth's Grecian-styled hair in place.
"I like it very much," Catherine wore her new evening gown of pearly pink duchesse satin. The embellished bodice had a ruffle which followed the V-shaped neckline and flowed over the off-shoulder puff sleeves. The overskirt slit in the front showing a plain underskirt of the same material. The edges of the overskirt were bound with pearly pink satin ribbon. Lacking lace, flounces and excessive trims, the new gown offered a perfect foil for the lovely set of pink topaz and gold jewelry which she wore.
"Is your gown made from one of your fashion sketches?" Mary asked Catherine to a nod from Catherine and Anne. Mary wore the caramel silk gown she wore for her wedding to Mr. Collins. She wore her gold hair combs. She sported the agate cameo, which the Fitzwilliams had given her, on a chocolate velvet ribbon.
The Bingley sisters were not as elegantly dressed as the Fitzwilliam ladies or the older Bennet sisters. Caroline wore the green silk summer gown she had made last year. Despite her plan to overshadow Eliza Bennet…Eliza appeared as grand as the titled ladies of the room. Louisa wore a summer gown of plum silk made by a London modiste – but not the modiste she used when Charles paid her bills. However, they preened because Lydia Bennet appeared cheap and overdrawn compared to all the women in the room.
Lydia wore a heavily tamboured, white muslin evening gown, with four flounces from her knees to the hem. Three rows of coquelicot satin rosebuds encircled the low décolletage. A wide ribbon sash of coquelicot tied in fluttering ribbons down Lydia's back and over her derriere. She wore long white silk gloves, embroidered at the top with red roses. Her white silk slippers were embroidered with red roses.
Lydia's cheeks had been pinched severely to create rosy-red highlights on her face. Lizzy swore if Lydia wasn't wearing a dab of tint on her lips, then she spent the afternoon rubbing her teeth over them to create the plump rosy-red mouth. Lizzy had no clue who Lydia attempted to impress because the handsome John Hamilton only had eyes for Catherine.
Lady Matlock raised her glass of pre-dinner sherry and toasted Elizabeth's excellent arrangements…before she lined everyone up in advance for entry into the dining room. The six Fitzwilliams first, the Darcys with Georgiana, the Bingleys with Mrs. Stafford, the Bennets, the Collinses, the Phillips, the Gardiners, the Hursts, the Roberts, followed by Mr. Hamilton escorting Miss Bennet. Mrs. Annesley accompanied Lydia.
Conversation paused when the two footmen removed the soup and the fish, and another four quickly removed used dishes and cutlery. Caroline's eyes narrowed at the procession of liveried footmen bearing new plates and cutlery, followed by a procession of footmen bearing full platters and serving dishes. They set the table expertly. Conversation resumed when the final footmen poured new glasses of wine or lemonade. A well-dressed, coiffed and bejeweled Lady Matlock segued into a new topic of conversation as dishes and platters were offered to Pemberley's guests. Caroline glanced up the table to admire Fitzwilliam Darcy, unaware Andrew Roberts observed her. Because she could not quit mooning over Darcy, Roberts just earned another five pounds of her quarterly funds.
Lizzy's hopes for an easy house party were dashed the moment Aunt Constance led the ladies from the table to the drawing room. Despite her efforts to include everyone, the drawing room soon resembled a draw at an embattled chess game. Mama, Aunt Phillips and Lydia conversed about gowns and laces, while envying the jewels the ladies wore. While Louisa Hurst pretended to be interested in their conversation; she merely gleaned kernels of gossip.
Ladies magazines offered earlier in the day were collected and stored out of sight until tomorrow. Ladies workboxes and baskets were relocated to guest rooms. The straightened room, the plumped pillows and the fresh flowers enticed the eye. While Lizzy's guests dined, servants set card tables in the music room. They filled sideboards with trays of fruit, and trays of small almond biscuits. Trays of glasses for wine or sherry stood at the ready.
Caroline Roberts engaged in conversation with the Fitzwilliam ladies to determine how Elizabeth's choices of house party entertainments compared to the grand days of Pemberley under Lady Anne Darcy. Jane, Mary and Catherine engaged in quiet conversation in a corner away from the difficult attendees of the house party. Madeleine Gardiner found a kindred spirit in Cordelia Stafford.
"Georgiana, dearest, what are you playing?" Caroline simpered. "I simply must purchase sheet music for it. I've never heard anything so exquisite."
"Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major," Georgiana concentrated on her performance. "While my rendition is technically superior, Elizabeth's rendition is truly exquisite."
Caroline rolled her eyes, but she politely clapped with everyone.
"Elizabeth?" Georgiana offered the pianoforte to her.
"Thank you, Georgiana, dearest, but I hear the men joining us. I'm sure the Fitzwilliam ladies would perform for us…" Lizzy would not exhibit and listen to Mama complain about her music choices or listen to the superior sisters titter and gossip to one another.
"William would love to hear you play and sing for him, Elizabeth," Georgiana insisted.
"We'll save my performances for our quiet family nights at home," Elizabeth demurred. When she noted Caroline and Louisa eyeing the pianoforte, she turned to Mary. "I think you should show us some of the new music which you've been practicing."
"Dirges…" Mrs. Bennet muttered. The Bingley sisters tittered.
"Is that a request, Mother?" Mary's cold voice cut through the chatter in the room.
Mrs. Phillips cast a warning look at Mrs. Bennet. "Let's have an evening of cards. We have not enjoyed Mary playing pianoforte for us while we played cards."
"Oh la!" Lydia interjected, smoothing the skirt of her gown. "If we are having music, I want to dance."
"If anyone is entertaining us while we play cards, it will be my music master," Anne announced. "Richard and I enjoy playing cards with the Collinses." A footman brought Anne's master to the music room. He performed quietly, adding the music to the ambiance of the evening. When he took a respite, he discussed music with Georgiana, Catherine and Anne.
"We're not dancing tonight. We have a busy morning so it will not be a late evening," Lizzy frowned directly at Caroline Roberts who watched Darcy lead the men into the drawing room. Caroline quickly averted her eyes to Louisa when Roberts entered the room with Collins and Hamilton. Aunt Constance arranged for Darcy and Elizabeth to be one of the couples who circulated through the room, along with the Roberts and Hursts. She would not let Darcy be importuned by the Bingley chits.