Chapter 23: Reaching the Age of Majority
Wednesday, 3 June 1812
Rosings
Mr. Darcy stayed with her that night, asserting that her company greatly overcame the discouragement. She was thankful he had stayed. When Lady Catherine came to her room to berate her for failing to conceive, Mr. Darcy immediately sent her back to her own rooms. Anne had been encouraging throughout, still convinced all would happen as it should.
Taking her morning walk to Hunsford, Charlotte took her aside before going to the other women. "Eliza, I wished to speak to you before I leave. I want to know you will be well."
Charlotte would be leaving Kent until after her child was born. She had experienced some complications while Elizabeth was in Hertfordshire. Mr. Collins confided his concerns to Lady Catherine, Anne mentioned how experienced Lady Lucas and her sister, Margaret, were, as well as their close neighbor Mrs. Bennet, upon which Lady Catherine ordered Mr. Collins to send his wife home to begin her confinement right away. (1)
Having been absent during Charlotte's scare weighed upon Elizabeth. Reaching for her friend's hand, she confided, "It is I who needs to know you will be well. I should have been here for you."
"I will be fine. Mama said it does not sound so unusual that it should cause undue worry, but she is pleased I shall return home to her care. Maria is not unhappy to share my room during my stay." Charlotte squeezed Elizabeth's hand a bit tighter before releasing it. "However, I despise leaving you alone."
Eliza adopted a cheerful smile. "I shall be well. Why would you think otherwise?"
"You come most every morning, do you not need an escape?" she asked.
Shaking her head, "Oh, Charlotte, no! Well, yes, I do need an escape, but I always need some respite in the mornings. I shall take to walking the gardens and praying for your health so you will still be with me."
Charlotte embraced her. "I shall miss seeing you every day. Lucas Lodge will not be the same without you at the end of the road."
"But once I return, I shall always be at the end of the road."
Charlotte smiled. "Yesterday, Mrs. Darcy gave my husband the deed on a property between here and London. It is near in size to Longbourn, and has a tenant who has leased it for many years. I have convinced Mr. Collins to invest the income right away so we can begin now to secure all of our children's future. Mama is overjoyed."
Elizabeth grabbed her friend's hands. "I am so happy for you!"
After the women had taken a few minutes for congratulations and discussions of land ownership, Charlotte confided in Eliza, "I find myself greatly anticipating the respite from William. He is a good man but overzealous. His attention to Aunt Margaret's letter has made his attentions more enjoyable, but many times he wishes to continue into the early morning. It is fatiguing. I am able to rest during the day, but he is busy with his parish duties. His fatigue makes him even more inane, requiring me to spend considerable effort in ignoring his stupid comments. Once the child comes, we will not have all night for such pursuits."
Elizabeth smiled and listened, unsure if she should be pleased for her friend or disgusted.
~~~oo0oo~~~
At Rosings Park after tea, the matrons were allowed to revisit their favorite rooms of the manse. Lady Catherine, once again, detailed the ornamentation for the ladies' pleasure, reminding them "It is an investment to purchase quality pieces."
When Mrs. Bennet heartily agreed, Elizabeth noted she would have to write her father that evening to warn of Mama's future demands for even greater spending.
The rest of the women's visit resembled a museum trip. Elizabeth amused herself with the comparison. Lady Catherine, the curator, gave all the information on the artifacts. The ladies, the visitors, hungrily eating up the details so that they could share it in their gossip. The comparison kept Elizabeth entertained and able to maintain her stamina throughout the visit.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Thursday, 4 June 1812 (2)
Rosings Park
Elizabeth woke up as the sun peeked over the horizon, Bedroom Darcy wrapped around her. Sneaking from his embrace, she rose to watch the sunrise turn the morning clouds into a canvas of brilliant reds. Today she turned one and twenty. The glorious sky was inviting her outside for a brief stroll before the activities of the morning began.
Glancing at her bed, she saw Mr. Darcy sleeping as the clock struck six.
Their exertions the night before gave her exceptional pleasures, which led to an exhaustion that gave her an unusually restful night. Feeling reinvigorated for the first time since the trip to Longbourn, she decided to take a short stroll in the garden. Mr. Darcy rarely woke before eight. She had all the time she would need.
Dressing quickly, she soon relished the freedom of the open air. The garden had many blooms and she closely examined each. The dyspepsia still plagued her, but being outside and moving about allowed her to push it from her mind.
She relished the warm sun on her face, the scent of flowers tingling her nose, the babble of the stream beside her, and the rough bark under her glove as she used a tree to support herself to lean over the water and watch the fish wriggling below. Everything seemed more beautiful this morning.
As much as she loved her mother, she was thankful this would be her last day in Kent. After today, she would have no more firm engagements until the time came for her to leave. She had already been at Rosings Park for more than two months. In ten months, she would return to her home—a home that she would own.
Elizabeth continued her stroll thinking of nothing more than the beauties that the day and the garden had to offer.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Darcy woke when he heard the door to the room close. Realizing his arms were empty, he reached out to reclaim Elizabeth. When he found her absent from the bed, he realized it was her exit that interrupted his slumber.
Wondering where she would have gone so early, he debated whether he should stay in bed to await her return or go find her. The emptiness of the bed drove him out. Pulling on his breeches, he glanced out the window to see if she had decided to go outside. He saw her run out into the garden, so full of life, he smiled and simply watched as she buzzed from flower to flower like a little bee.
He continued to watch while he dressed; smiling as he finally pulled on his boots so that he could join her.
It was as he quietly descended the last flight of stairs, that he suddenly realized he could not join her. He could not walk up to such unadulterated joy while maintaining his pretense of indifference. In such a public place, they were sure to be seen.
Looking out of the front windows, he saw her moving toward the wooded area with a stream cutting through it. The trees in the woods were tall and thick enough to offer privacy. Being only half past six, few were yet up. He exited a side door and made his way to intercept her discreetly.
When he entered the copse, he found her holding onto a tree and leaning over the stream studying something. Watching amusedly to see what she would do next, he was shocked to see her becoming ill. Gripped with concern, he ran to her side. "Elizabeth! What is wrong?" he demanded as he put his hands on her waist and pulled her back.
Turned her head with a blush and embarrassedly removed her handkerchief to wipe her mouth, she explained that some part of her dinner must have disagreed with her stomach leaving her feeling some nausea this morning which, unfortunately, overcame her a few moments before. She assured him she felt perfectly well now and smiled brightly at him.
Only somewhat satisfied by her response, he pulled her to him, sliding his hands around her back so he now encompassed her within his arms. Rubbing a hand up her back, he mindlessly started playing with a free curl hanging upon her neck. "I shall call for the doctor when we return. I will not have you suffer a relapse," he avowed, then kissed her forehead. "Do you intend to stay out much longer?"
"No, sir," she replied, her smile fading. "I was ready to return. Please, be assured, there is no reason to summon the doctor. I no longer suffer from any discomfort."
He looked at her skeptically but chose not to argue.
As he leant down to kiss her cheek before offering her his arm for the trip back, she pulled away from him and moved a few steps away. Adopting a formal tone, she informed him, "Sir, I had no reason to expect any others would begin their day so soon when I stepped out for a walk. I shall leave this area to you." With that, she turned abruptly, and with a quick pace, traced the path back to the house alone.
Not understanding her reaction to him, Darcy started to follow her when he heard a branch break behind him. Turning, he saw the head groundskeeper heading toward him. Outwardly wishing the man a good morning while mentally cursing him, Darcy spent a few more minutes watching the stream before returning to the side entrance.
Seeing the servants moving about their business in the manor, Darcy went to his own room. Summoning his valet, he prepared for the day. Informing his man he would be working from his room until breakfast and requesting not to be disturbed, Darcy made his way to Elizabeth's room. She was already changed for the day, sitting by the window reading a book.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted him as she looked up without her usual charming smile.
"Good morning," he responded. Knowing he needed to address his presumption in the woods, he quickly apologized. "I should have refrained from joining you," he said looking penitently at her. "And I had no right to risk your reputation in such a way. I am fortunate you had noticed the groundskeeper before we were discovered."
Quietly, Elizabeth responded, "Please keep your attentions to this room. I cannot risk exposure."
"I fully comprehend," he acknowledged, nodding.
They both sat silently for a few minutes before Darcy remembered, "It is your birthday today." He suddenly realized his lack of knowledge about much of Elizabeth's basic information. "How old are you?"
"One and twenty," she informed him.
"So today you reach your majority," he said. "A special day indeed." Unable to resist his own sly thoughts, he was able to resist vocalizing them. He now had no need for her father's permission, which pleased him considering his low opinion of the man.
"May I bestow upon you a birthday kiss?" he asked with a devilish grin.
She looked up at him with a grin of her own and nodded. Rising from his chair, he pulled her to standing, then pulled her down into the chair with him. He slowly kissed her forehead, her cheek, her nose, her other cheek, the side of her neck, the other side of her neck, before finally moving to her lips where he spent a prodigious amount of time tenderly assuring none of her exposed parts felt neglect.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Elizabeth spent much of the day with her mother and friends. Mr. Darcy attended to business throughout the day, which suited her.
His interruption this morning had greatly disturbed her. The uncharacteristic forwardness exhibited by the Outside Mr. Darcy left her disoriented. Beyond Anne's wing, Mr. Darcy was aloof and disdainful and needed to remain that way for her peace of mind.
Apart from his incongruous behavior, he very nearly exposed them! If she had failed to notice the glint of the sun from the groundskeeper's tool, the man would have witnessed an embrace.
The two events combined to unhinge her. His embrace later, in her room, was a comfort, but her sanguinity would only be obliged by Bedroom Mr. Darcy remaining in the bedroom—at most no further than Anne's wing.
Spending time in company with the absurdities of her mother and Lady Lucas and the solidity of Charlotte helped settle her constitution. When time for dinner, Elizabeth was once again able to put forth her liveliness, thus reassuring her mother that Elizabeth's stay was not compromising her daughter's well being.
After the meal was complete, Anne had the servants present Elizabeth with a special cake. Offering a toast, Anne thanked Mrs. Bennet and her family for allowing Elizabeth to remain. She assured the matron that her daughter had already become indispensable during her short stay, improving Anne's health and well being with her presence.
Mrs. Bennet, of course, raved about Elizabeth and how much her lively wit was missed in the neighborhood. "Now that she has reached her majority and Longbourn is no longer entailed, we will have to find her a proper husband once she comes back home. With her elder sister well established, it is now her turn to do the same."
This time, Elizabeth felt nothing but humor listening to her mother's familiar edicts.
To add to Elizabeth's amusement, Lady Catherine agreed with Mrs. Bennet. "Yes. She should do tolerably well with a season in London now that she has a respectable property attached to her. She is quite handsome, more so as one comes to know her. She does not have the manners of Town, but some men may prefer that. I believe my nephew Richard Fitzwilliam was quite taken with her. He is the son of my brother, the Earl of Matlock."
Listening to Lady Catherine and her mother map out her matrimonial future, one Elizabeth had no intention of following, she shared knowing grins and barely perceptible eye-rolls with Anne and Charlotte. Noticing Mr. Darcy's stern countenance had soured further, Elizabeth held no doubt of his disgust at being subjected to so much feminine conversation. She did feel a bit of sympathy for him, being the only man at a table with seven ladies. And Mr. Collins.
Once finished with the cake, the ladies excused themselves to the sitting room. As she left, Elizabeth found even more humor in Mr. Darcy being left at the table to share port with Mr. Collins, who seemed intent on continuing the matchmaking discussion begun by his illustrious patroness.
Looking forward to the end of the evening, Elizabeth sighed in relief as the women entered the sitting room. Even with her enjoyment of the silliness of the day, it had been wearing. Her head had begun to ache.
Once the women were alone, Anne and Mrs. Bennet produced gifts. Anne gave her a bouquet of flowers wrapped in a lovely lace. Mrs. Bennet gave her the bonnet her youngest sisters had sent, they had decorated it with gaudy ribbons and baubles. Mary had sent her William Wordsworth's Guide to the Lakes, knowing she had originally planned to travel with her aunt and uncle this coming summer. Her parents gave her paper, ink, and a new quill to help maintain her correspondence while she remained in Kent. Her most beloved sister had sent a set of books earlier in the week. A set of Shakespeare's comedies to help her laugh her way until April, when Jane anticipated spending time with Elizabeth once again.
Elizabeth, feeling overwhelming gratitude for her friend and family, embraced both Anne and her mother in thankfulness. She asked her mother to deliver her love and appreciation to each member of her family.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins entered as Elizabeth embraced her mother, choking back tears at the thought of ten months, including Christmas, without her beloved family. As the room began to again fill with chatter, Elizabeth excused herself to the pianoforte, even though her head began to throb, as it relieved her from conversations that began to fill her with melancholy thoughts.
She selected a few pieces of music and settled herself to start playing when she felt Mr. Darcy sit beside her. "May I turn the pages for you?"
Inwardly groaning, she gave him a waning smile and assented. She would concentrate on playing. There would be no need for her to look anywhere but at the music in front of her. She began to play and started to lose herself in the tune. Mr. Darcy kept his distance the first few times he turned the pages, but as the song played on, he started leaning further into her each time until she reached the final movement in the song. He spoke in a voice only she could hear. "You look fatigued. You should excuse yourself and retire early."
Irritated at the presumptuousness of Outside Mr. Darcy's ordering her to bed as if she were a child, she finished the piece before commanding enough of herself to respond. "Mr. Darcy," she replied, "I shall not see my mother or friend until next spring. I can easily bear a bit of fatigue for a few more moments with them." Mr. Darcy bowed and offered his hand to help her up. She resentfully accepted and moved to sit near Charlotte while he took the chair by her mother.
All things must come to an end. Thus it was with Mrs. Bennet's visit. As the ladies were handed into the carriage, Elizabeth bid them all a final farewell and wished them a safe journey on the morrow.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Sighing deeply as the carriage pulled away, Elizabeth gave silent thanks that Mrs. Bennet's visit had not caused embarrassment or exposure as she trudged upstairs.
When she entered her room, Anne was smiling brightly waiting for her. "That went better than I expected," Anne cheered as Elizabeth, beginning to remove the pins from her hair, raised a brow in question. "Your mother and Lady Lucas are quite the gossips in your town, are not they?"
Elizabeth nodded. That is one way of describing them, she thought.
"Mother and I gave them many good things to talk about when they are at home. They enjoyed learning of the extravagance of Rosings Park. They saw the luxury of your apartments and how well loved you are here," Anne listed. "They will have many things to tell about your situation when they stay the night in London and when they arrive home. Their information will strengthen our situation."
Confused by Anne's belief the Meryton ladies would make such a large impact, she warned Anne of how little reach the ladies had. "They will spend the night with my aunt and uncle in Cheapside, which is quite a ways from the fashionable part of town. They have no way of sharing information in that quarter."
One side of Anne's mouth rose. "You underestimate the interest the lower gentry and tradesmen have in le bon ton. They spend their money to read about our lives in the scandal papers. Those that work in our homes are regularly interrogated by their peers about our doings. When your mother and Lady Lucas go to the coffee house after they arrive tomorrow, there may be a lady who asks questions once she overhears their discussions."
Elizabeth froze. "Anne. What have you done?" Her mind raced as she struggled to understand how the invalid could have such a reach.
"Yesterday, I sent a note to an acquaintance informing her that ladies speaking of Rosings Park may frequent the coffee house on Gracechurch Street. Tonight Mother and I recommended a shop to Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas," Anne told her, the artlessness of her voice conflicting with the story she related. "My acquaintance told me London is rife with gossip about my situation. This will give them what they wish for, while bolstering our claims."
Not sure how to respond to Anne's artifice, Elizabeth sunk into the chaise. She knew Anne was manipulative, but to use the simple minded gossips of Meryton to achieve her own ends? Of course, those ladies did greatly anticipate being the source of such exclusive gossip during their morning calls. At the same time, her father would be satisfied she was well after her mother's pronouncements.
Maybe Anne's scheming would work for the best? she considered. It just felt so underhanded.
Not agreeing with Anne's plot, Elizabeth simply commented, "You have spent much effort in planning this."
"I have," Anne responded gleefully. "The mothers seemed to get on well with one another." Smiling slyly, she added, "They appear to have the same thoughts on what they believe most important."
"They certainly do," she agreed with amusement. "Mama has always been one to promote a match. Lady Lucas as well."
Anne huffed a laugh. "Mother is quite the same. They seemed enthusiastic to find one for you," Anne said while looking curiously at Elizabeth.
Sighing while shaking her head, Elizabeth returned, "Absurd, is it not? I no longer have a reason to need marriage, yet Mama still promotes it with the same force she once pushed me toward Mr. Collins."
"Mr. Collins?" Anne asked incredulously. "But he is a fool."
"Yes, but he was the fool to whom our home was entailed, thus"—she now mimicked her mother's voice—"a very desirable match." Still diverted by the matron's machinations, she continued, "And for them to think I would marry the Colonel!" Apologizing to Anne, she continued, "He is an amusing fellow, but being accustom to country manners, I could in no way condone living with the expectations he would bring as a member of the peerage."
Anne's face drew tight in consternation. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.
"Oh, I meant no offense, but the expectations are simply different. While my father may not always be kind to my mother, he has not been unfaithful," Elizabeth stated. She respected her father for staying true to his marriage vows, even if she was disappointed in his idleness. Growing very serious, she told Anne of the conversation between Darcy and the colonel about Lord Huron's upcoming marriage. "The manner with they spoke of Lord Huron's mistress and his intent to keep her after the marriage assured me they hold similar expectations."
"Elizabeth, men keeping mistresses is common among your class as well, but it does not follow that every man keeps one."
"True," she answered sadly. "But even now, I am in truth Mr. Darcy's mistress. Why would the colonel expect me to not hold his same views? No, I am better suited to a quiet life at Longbourn, spoiling my nieces and nephews," she said firmly.
Anne looked nervous, anxious even. "I would argue you are much more than simply a mistress. What is more important to me: after you leave here, how will you stay with my family?" she asked.
"I will not," Elizabeth answered flatly. "I will return home and resume my life. I will have no reason to see any of your family again." Particularly the ever-capricious Mr. Darcy, she thought.
"I understand," said Anne slowly, a quiver of uncertainty in her voice. Looking around the room as if lost in thought, Anne appeared finished with the conversation. Suddenly throwing off her mantle of anxiety, she brightened and looked at Elizabeth. "But enough of this gloom—I have another gift for your birthday. Come." Anne moved toward Elizabeth's bed. Laid out upon it was a gown made only of the lace that had been wrapped around the flowers. "Darcy was bothered when I showed him what I had made for you, but this is a gift for him as well. I believe he will receive much pleasure seeing you thus adorned."
"It is beautiful," Elizabeth said while fingering the silky lace.
Anne looked at the gift for her friend. "I saw this in a magazine before James left. I planned to have it made for our wedding night," she said sadly. "I had forgotten the lace that I had purchased for the gown. Then when you were in Hertfordshire for your sister's wedding, I found the picture I had saved so long ago. I decided I would like you to have it since I have no reason for it."
Though it felt odd to receive such a gift, Elizabeth thanked her friend for such consideration. As Anne left the room, Elizabeth noticed the unusual look of disquiet her friend bore. Wondering what could have caused Anne's concern, she decided it best to allow her friend to speak of it as she saw fit.
Having Peeke come in to help her unbutton her robe and loosen her stays, Elizabeth was not feeling brave enough to wear Anne's gift, so she stayed in her chemise. Making herself comfortable in the chair by the window, she picked up her book while waiting for bedtime.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Upon entering the room, Darcy spied Elizabeth sitting by the window. Walking to greet her, he saw she had fallen asleep, her book now resting on her lap. Smiling, he stroked her cheek to see if she would rouse. When she remained asleep, he gently removed the book from her lap, marking her place, and placing it on the table. Reaching an arm under her legs and another arm behind her back, he started to lift her when his movements woke her.
"Oh," she exhaled. "I must have fallen asleep."
Smiling at her statement of the obvious, he moved to offer her a helping hand. Once near the bed, he saw the lace gown. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Why are you not wearing your gift?" When he remembered her situation from Wednesday, his smile flattened. They would only be sleeping tonight.
"I do not have the bravery required to wear it," she answered honestly, not realizing where his thoughts had gone.
His smile returned. "Surely, it does not require too much bravery for you to wear it in this room." He slid his arms around her waist as he moved toward her. "Much of the time you wear less."
"Wearing nothing seems more than wearing that!" she cried. "Besides, when I wear nothing, I am still covered by the bedclothes."
"Then will you also choose not to wear what I have for you?" he asked.
Questioningly she looked up at him, asking, "What do you have for me?"
He released her to retrieve a package he brought up with him. Handing it to her, she opened it to find a lace corset. Lifting it, she wondered at the beauty of the lace, but made of such a fine material, it was not likely to be of much service.
"It's lovely, but what would I do with such a thing? It is too fragile to withstand any use." Thinking on it a bit, she continued, "And why would you purchase me such a thing? It is rather indelicate of you."
With a wolfish grin, he explained mysteriously, "I dearly wanted to demonstrate the use of it to you tonight but forgot you are indisposed. Once you are recovered, you will know."
"I'm no longer indisposed," she informed him. "What is the purpose of this?"
He took off the chemise and gently tied her in the lace stays. She still could not understand why she would wear such a thing, particularly with no chemise under it. It was not particularly comfortable and offered little support. As she turned to ask him the purpose once again, she saw the hungry look in his eyes and understood: This gift was for his pleasure.
~~~oo0oo~~~
(1) Anne is referring to the much beloved authoress of The Letter, Charlotte's Aunt Margaret. She wouldn't know that Charlotte's mother and sister, Aunt Margaret, don't acknowledge one another and thus assumes Aunt Margaret would be there to help Charlotte during her pregnancy.
(2) As I mentioned before, I used the death days of real people for Darcy and Elizabeth's birthdays. I do know that this isn't really the way reincarnation works, it is much more complicated, but I wanted the birthdays of my main characters to have some significance.
I chose June 4, 1792 for Elizabeth because it is the day Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz died. He was one of the main authors for the Sturm und Drang movement in Germany, which was proto-Romantic movement in literature that revolted against the rigid constraints of Rationalism.
Another interesting June 4 death day, at least to for those interested in P&P FF, happened in 1784, the year I chose for Darcy's birth. June 4, 1784 is the death date of John Burgoyne. He's most known now for surrender at Saratoga during the American Revolution that was a turning point for the rebels as it won allies for the US by demonstrating they had a chance to win. But he was also known as a dramatist. He wrote several plays. It looks like he would be known for his writing if he hadn't been involved in that critical battle. Other interesting tidbits about Burgoyne IRL: he's rumored to be the illegitimate son of Robert Benson, the 1st Lord Bingley. He eloped with the daughter of Lord Derby (sister of his good friend Lord Strange) and had one daughter named Charlotte Elizabeth. Lots of P&P names/places to tie into him!
Maybe next time I'll make that Darcy's birthday, but that was the most interesting candidate I could find for Elizabeth's year. Since I chose an author for Elizabeth, I also chose an author for Darcy, so his birthdate is the day Dennis Diderot, a prominent Enlightenment author, died. I liked the balance/contrast of one being the revolt against the other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2021 note - I live in Texas and have been powerless since Monday. No electricity and no water for a while due to bad weather and other things I won't get into here. We are extremely fortunate in that we don't have any major issues. I thank having lived in Alaska for a few years in my 20s along with growing up in Hurricane Alley for teaching me how to deal with cold weather (layers!) and emergencies.
Normally I've been posting on Sunday and Friday, but since it seems like forever since Sunday, I'm posting now.