Chapter 5 Elizabeth's Adventure
Scottish blessing:
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
Campbell recovered and went back to the MacBingley keep but his brother kept visiting Eilean Bennet as often as feasible. Courting Jane as a proper suitor would.
Charles MacBingley might not be the one to rely upon during an emergency but his head for business was sharp.
The MacBingleys were widely known for their uisge-beatha. With the leeway of the taxes in the highlands compared to the lowlands, it was a lucrative business for the MacBingleys. The taxation laws were complex, leaving it unclear how much should be paid which the Highland magistrate chose to interpret in the most lenient way possible.
It did not complicate matters that the Loch Tay distillery was supplying none other than the Prince of Wales, who was soon to become regent himself, with the umber liquid.
It utilized the excess grain in the area which even the MacBennets benefitted from. Selling their grain to the distillery produced the highest profit as well as it served Mr Campbell, Fiona MacBennet's brother with whiskey of the finest quality London could provide. Mr Campbell had not followed in his father's footsteps and become a blacksmith. He had been educated and had tried his hand in trade with great success. Marrying an English lass with a dowry had been wise on many fronts. He had utilized the money they had put together, to build up a prosperous business that now included several warehouses in Cheapside, as proof of his success.
The forge was still in the family as their eldest sister had married a blacksmith that has taken over their father's legacy.
The Campbell clan resided closer to the sea than the MacBennet clan.
His forge was situated close to a busy port that made him an extra income in marrying off English elopers that came by sea. Evading Lord Hardwicke's marriage act from 1753.
A balmy morning in the beginning of August, Charles MacBingley announced that he had to travel to London to negotiate with some potential new customers.
It was a long journey and the matter might take some time to resolve, he would probably be gone for months. He had no intention of traversing it alone though, he wanted company in the form of a wife.
There, in the great hall of Eilean Castle, Charles Bingley proposed to his hearts choice. There, in front of all and sundry, she accepted. The joy was shared by all, only Elizabeth new the cost. Although it had been mostly her pride that had suffered...
Lady MacBingley had cornered her in a moment of inattentiveness. Wool-gathering was a new past-time Elizabeth had taken up over the summer. Her days seemed like a succession of nothingness. Nothing held her interest or stirred her enthusiasm.
It left her vulnerable to conniving ladies like Maggie MacBingley who had ambushed her in a field while she was picking flowers, wondering if her bouquet resembled the one a certain gentleman had picked...
The great lady had informed her that Charles had asked her for his grandmother's wedding ring to propose to his future wife. Lady MacBingley had misplaced the valuable gold-ring with a large ruby, encircled by several diamonds. She was convinced that the ring would resurface if a certain young lady would apologise for her ten-year-old offence against her son, in public...
Elizabeth had not mulled over it long, she would never stand in the way of her sister's happiness, a little public humiliation notwithstanding.
The humbling experience had taken place a few days prior to the proposal. Lady MacBingley had conveniently invited the MacBennets to supper.
Before the dessert, Elizabeth had risen and addressed her audience. She had turned towards Campbell but mentally she had imagined Mr Darcy. He had, sort of, apologised twice, she should do no less. Despite the fact that he was not there to receive it, he had made a great contribution towards forming her apology.
"Campbell, I owe you an apology for an offence, ten years overdue. There are no words who could suffice, I dare not attempt it. What could possibly atone for the awful act of shooting you in your hindquarters with an arrow? I have practised diligently, to prohibit it from ever happening again. I am sure you are relieved to hear my aim has improved vastly since that dreadful day."
Elizabeth did not mention that he had dared her to do exactly that. It was technically not her fault that it had hurt more than he had expected. Nor did she mention that it had all been a ruse for him to avoid bathing.
Campbell had surmised that a wound would prevent him from that endeavour. Both should have known better but Campbell had turned on her like the snake he was. Making it look like it was all her fault. Elizabeth had explained countless of times, exactly what happened but none had believed her. Not her father who had been worried the MacBingley distillery would no longer buy his excess grain if they had a fallout. A worry that proved unwarranted as the feud between the matrons had done nothing of the sort.
Maggie had been her mother's best friend at the time, despite their bickering about who were of more consequence.
Jane blamed no one and her younger sisters were too young to understand.
As soon as Campbell had healed, Elizabeth had visited with the intent of offering the much sought after apology but she had not managed to utter a word before Campbell bore down on her. Pulling her braid and calling it a carrot before he mocked her dirty countenance. Elizabeth had been livid and refused to beg him to excuse her. Lady MacBingley had not been impressed. Further offences had added to her dislike and when the final blow-up came between the matrons, Elizabeth had been more relieved than disheartened.
The wedding was held in a week. The trip to London had somewhat hastened the event but there were no reasons to postpone because Lady MacBennet had greatly anticipated the event. It was the time of year that offered a bounty of fresh produce from the forest, the lake and the land while ale had already been brewed, just in case...
Elizabeth had a particular reason to be pleased besides her sister's happiness and the succession of Eilean Bennet with an heir for the position of laird. Charles had agreed to take the MacBennet name when he inherited the title of laird, securing the future of the ancient clan.
Elizabeth had been invited to join the newlyweds as the bride's particular companion. Charles foresaw long hours of negotiations and wanted to ensure his bride was not bored when he was away. The torn in this pretty picture was Campbell, who was tagging along as well. Compliments from his mother who could deny her youngest son nothing. She secretly hoped he would find a wealthy heiress with a large estate... London offered more opportunities to meet wealthy heiresses than the Scottish Highland could provide.
The prospect of having her castle to herself was probably tempting as well. Lochlan and Catriona was travelling with them but were taking their own carriage. None of their conveyances could comfortably seat six over such a lengthy journey.
Distance is nothing when one has a motive... Elizabeth had a multitude of reasons, foremost, it was the relief of escaping her mother's constant lamentation on the marriage that did not happen. Her father did nothing to curb her incessant wailing on the subject. Fiona had themed up with her cousin Maggie against Lizzy after the apology had made the matrons thick as thieves again.
She could stomach Campbell's wry mouth to her mother's constant disappointed bemoaning's.
She had the lure of London, a town she had never visited, and the inducement of calling upon her favourite relations with her most beloved sister. She would miss the Highlands though...
Elizabeth was fully aware of the restraints the English society put upon young maidens, her aunt Campbell had thought them well when they had visited her in Lambton before the Campbells had moved to London. They were approaching the quaint village when Charles announced he had a surprise install for them. They were not boarding at the Rose And Crown for the night but at a nearby estate. A burning lump formed at the pit of Elizabeth's stomach. She recollected a brief meeting with a grand lady at the Lambton haberdasher with her aunt Campbell. The memory of the introduction to the beautiful and kind Lady Anne was vague but she wondered if that was the estate they were visiting or if it might be the estate of another Derbyshire acquaintance of Mr MacBingley?
Campbell smiled broadly, it irked her that he obviously knew where they were headed while she did not.
"Perhaps we should leave Lizzy at the Rose and Crown, her peasant ways might offend our host," Campbell droned. Elizabeth sent him a look that could freeze Loch Tay.
"Yes, that would make your brother look well in exalted company. To leave his sister unchaperoned at a busy Inn. I wonder who is the least educated in decorum..."
Campbell scowled at her while Jane sent them an exasperated look that made them both revert back to silence.
It dawned on Elizabeth why Jane had insisted on lending Lizzy her maid. She usually dressed herself and made her own hair, too impatient to wait for the maid they all shared. Her coiffure and gown were done up compared to her usual style. She continued to ponder on the question of their host but would not give Campbell the satisfaction of proving her ignorance by asking.
The carriage turned off the main road. The roof was down and massive, ancient oaks towered over their heads. Some of them so large that it would take several men to encircle them with their arms.
A flock of deer thundered past them through the woods. Elizabeth was anxious they would wear off track and cross the path in front of their carriage but fortunately, they turned deeper into the forest.
She saw their surroundings brighten before the woodland opened up to the most beautiful scenery she had ever beheld. A white Palladian house stood majestically at the rise of a hill, admiring its own reflection in a lake with an elegant fountain in its midst. She could not suppress the gasp that left her mouth. It was breathtakingly gorgeous.
A feeling of inadequacy followed, she did not belong in this setting. She was a Highland lass, not an aristocratic heiress. She would rather eat her bonnet before she admitted any sense of inferiority before Campbell though.
She straightened her back and lifted her chin, it was only for one night. She would brave it for a short duration...
The carriage came to halt below a large patio with dual staircases leading up to it. Footsteps could be heard descending rapidly but the owner could not be seen. It became apparent to Elizabeth that there were more than one set of steps, one light and one heavy tread could be distinguished. Charles alighted and aided his bride. Campbell followed but he made no gesture towards Elizabeth. She gathered her book from the seat beside her and scooted to the edge of the seat to manage the steps by her self when a large, gloved hand materialised before her. Her eyes followed the forearm of the hand to the elbow, noticed the muscular form of the upper arm to the shoulder and the pristine, elaborately tied cravat. The mouth above the cravat was curled in a crooked half-smile. The nose above was straight but the eyes, the eyes were captivating liquid pools of deep-sea blue. The corners crinkled in amusement which alerted Elizabeth to close her mouth and avert her eyes. Her eyes were arrested by the tall, elegant blond that had followed Mr Darcy down the stairs.
"Welcome to Pemberley, Miss Elizabeth. May I introduce you to my sister, Miss Georgiana?"
Elizabeth's mouth widened into a brilliant smile towards the lady that at closer inspection was a rather young girl who had reached her height but not her maturity.
The smile brought the girl forward.
Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage and took Mr Darcy's proffered arm. He guided her to her sister who smiled shyly at the newcomer.
"Welcome to Pemberley, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth let go of Mr Darcy's arm and reached for the young girl's hands.
"Thank you, Georgiana. I will make an effort to look like I belong in such splendour but I must admit that your house looks rather intimidating."
Georgiana giggled. "You should see my aunt, Lady Catherine's house, it is a gothic monstrosity with a formidable lady at the head of the table. It practically makes me shiver just thinking about it."
"Are you intimidated by your aunt, Georgiana?"
The girl nodded and Elizabeth took her arm and leaned in to whisper clandestinely in her ear.
"My father told me that if I find someone intimidating, I should picture them naked. Most people would look ridiculous without their garments..."
"Surely, you do not look ridiculous, Elizabeth?"
"Oh, I most certainly do. I look like tar has rained on me. I have freckles all over, it is a curse I have to bear though. I have tried to no avail to scrub them off but they are stuck like a burr to woollen skirts."
Georgiana laughed and the ladies headed up the stairs, leaving a bewildered brother in their wake.
"Are you sure, Mr Darcy, that it is wise to let a MacBennet influence your sister. You have met their mother..."
"Yes!" Mr Darcy announced with finality, taking the stairs two at a time to catch up with his sister.
Campbell smirked. Mr Darcy seemed to be in an awful lot of hurry for someone without a worry...
The tea was held as soon as the travellers had washed off the road dust. Elizabeth stood still, listening for voices who could direct her to the dining room when Campbell found her.
"You should not flirt so openly with the master of Pemberley, Lizzy. He is engaged to his cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh. A beautiful, accomplished lady with a fifty thousand pounds dowry. His only interest in you would be to have a liaison, as these great men are prone to have with those of lesser consequence."
"I am not..." Elizabeth started to reply but Campbell was not interested in anything she might have to say. He was walking away which left the waylaid Elizabeth with not much choice but to follow. She was fuming, what nerve that nitwit had. She had not been flirting, far from hit...
Campbell strode into the dining room, seating himself beside Georgiana, leaving Elizabeth the seat between himself and Mrs Ainsley, Georgiana's companion. Elizabeth saw the subtle disappointment in Georgiana's eyes. Elizabeth wondered if the seat had been left open for herself and sent Georgiana a warm smile.
The dining room was balmy, basking in the afternoon sun. The weather had been fortunate for travelling, especially in the Highlands where it rarely got uncomfortably warm. She had read in her aunt's many letters that London could be unbearably hot at this time of year and wondered if it was something akin to what she was experiencing at Pemberley at this very moment. The house was situated in a dale in between low hills, protected against the wind which left not even a small breeze to be had. The windows had been left open but with no wind, it did not afford much relief from the heat.
The meal was lovely though and the conversation flowed effortlessly around the table.
Elizabeth directed most of her attention towards Georgiana, sensing the young girl's unease to the marked attention Campbell was lavishing upon her.
When the meal ended, Elizabeth walked to the open window in the hope of catching even the smallest puff of air. Her eyes were arrested by a strange building on the top of the four hundred feet ridge behind the house.
"Oh, what a quaint little castle on the ridge."
Georgiana came up beside her and followed her gaze. She let out a low chuckle.
"That is our hunting tower. It was completed in 1582 by the famous architect Robert Smythson for Bess of Hardwick."
"Really? My father only has a small cabin on the moor but nothing so elaborate or as intriguing as this. It is gorgeous, could we explore it? There might be a little breeze to be had at the top if we are lucky."
Georgiana nodded and linked her arm with Elizabeth's.
"It sounds delightful."
The other ladies were invited to join them while she deliberately excluded the gentlemen. Catriona, who were increasing, chose not to brave the steep rise while Jane offered to keep her company. Likely for the same reason as Catriona.
Mr Darcy suggested a trip to his well-stocked river to the gentlemen and they all complied. There was usually, a light, cooling draft by the river and fishing was not an arduous task.
Georgiana and Elizabeth set out a brisk pace but the hill was a little steeper up close than it had looked from afar. They adjusted their pace to a more leisurely pace until they arrived at the hunting tower. There was not much breeze there either. The tall pine trees fended off what could have been.
Georgiana had had the forethought of bringing the key. She unlocked the door and they ascended the spiralling staircase to the top of one of the towers. To enjoy the stunning view in four directions, of Capability Brown's Park.
Elizabeth noticed a cliff with little verdure, it looked very promising towards the breeze she so desperately craved. Even more so now, after climbing the steep hill. She pointed it out to Georgiana and she readily acquiesced to Elizabeth's desire.
Georgiana was starting to show signs of fatigue. Elizabeth berated herself for not taking into account that her younger companion probably had less experience in walking long distances. She lagged behind, Elizabeth offered her to sit and wait on a fallen log while Elizabeth climbed to the top of the cliff. It served no purpose for Georgiana to exert herself if the cliff was as balmy as the rest of the woods. It would be better for them to cool down in the faint drizzle from the cascading waterfall than another fruitless climb.
Elizabeth reached the summit with sweat trickling down her forehead, eliciting a sting as the droplets reached her eyes. She rummaged blindly through her pocket for her kerchief, dabbed her eyes and wiped her forehead. She could hear a commotion and loud shouting, followed by a big splash or was it several?
Anxiously, she opened her eyes and peered over the cliff. A little apprehensive to what scene might be unravelling before her.
Whatever she had expected, the exhibition she witnessed was not of a nature she could have imagined. Grown men frolicking in the river below, splashing water and pushing each other under the water. One of them managed to pull one of the others under the surface and retreated hurriedly from retaliation by swimming away. A pale hindquarter surfaced, followed by crawling arms.
"Oh my goodness," Elizabeth whispered to no one in particular. The derriere of the man was clearly unclothed, as was the rest of the foursome by her second clandestine glance.
The mischief-maker climbed upon a rock, just below the surface. Pointed towards his bewildered victims and guffawed.
She would have recognised the deep baritone anywhere. He did not laugh long before three men swam towards him with vengeance in mind. He stood up on the rock and dived into the water in one fluent motion. Elizabeth gasped, turned and ran down the rocky cliff to the safety of Georgiana.
"Was it worth the effort?" Georgiana inquired as soon as Elizabeth was within earshot.
"Definitely not! If possible, it was even hotter at the top." Elizabeth was quick to discourage Georgiana from any notion of following her trail.
"What took you so long?"
"I got sweat in my eyes, I could not see a thing. I had to find my kerchief without looking and wipe my eyes before I could brave the steep descent. I implore you not to attempt it."
Georgiana gasped, her hand flew to her mouth while she shook her head vehemently.
The two new friends rested for a spell on the log, as Elizabeth was quite winded before they embarked on the descent. It was much faster and more manageable to track down than it had been going up. Convenient as both ladies were done in by the time they reached the rose garden.
Georgiana hailed a gardener to fetch them a large jug of lemonade and two glasses while they rested upon a shaded, wooden hanging seat with room for two.
The lemonade was delivered promptly and the relief of having their thirst slackened, the house within close proximity together with their exhaustion made them giddy. They giggled and rocked the swinging seat lazily back and forth while they gulped down several glasses of the delicious lemonade.
"This was my mother's and father's favourite respite in the summer, or so I have been told..."
Elizabeth looked at the young lady that had suddenly turned serious.
"Were you very young when your parents passed?" Elizabeth had heard no mention of a senior Mr Darcy or Mrs Darcy and felt it safe to surmise that they were no longer amongst them.
"I was when my mother died. I was barely born but my father passed three years ago when I was eleven."
Elizabeth took Georgiana's hand and enveloped it in her own. "It must have been so difficult to lose your parents at such a young age."
Georgiana sat staring unseeingly into the distance. "Yes, but I had my brother. Without him, I would have been utterly lost. He really is the best brother I could possibly have been blessed with. Always put my needs before his own, there is nothing he would not do to ensure my comfort. I only wish..." The sentence was never finished as Georgiana seemed to fall into deep thought.
"What would you wish?" Elizabeth prodded but Georgiana just looked at her wistfully.
"You can tell me, Georgiana. I have four sisters, there is nothing you can tell me that would shock me or make me think less of you. We are allowed to have dreams and wishes, regardless of our station in life."
"I wish I would not have to go back to the seminar in the autumn..." Georgiana whispered.
"Perhaps I could trade place with you. Campbell seems to think I need to be educated in proper comportment and decorum. I like to learn, I am sure I would be enjoying the experience ."
"I am sure you would not..."
Elizabeth grabbed both of Georgiana's hands and looked her deeply in the eyes, searching for her meaning.
"The other ladies are quite cruel. I am not pretty or accomplished, neither am I a member of the peerage."
Elizabeth was appalled. "You cannot be serious. You are the most accomplished lady I have ever even heard of!
You are tall, willowy and stunningly beautiful with your long, lovely golden locks and gorgeous blue eyes. Besides, you are the daughter of a lady and the niece of an Earl. That surely must account for something... Are there only members of the aristocracy at your school?"
Georgiana chuckled mirthlessly. "No, most are of lesser standing than myself but I am competition towards the few exalted bachelors that are to be had for the untitled ladies. I have a larger dowry which gives me an advantage the other ladies are eager to nullify. I am not particularly accomplished, I excel at the pianoforte. Too much, according to the other ladies at the seminar. They accuse me of being the recipient of unfair special treatment and for being the master's favourite since he knows my aunt, Lady Catherine.
Most of all, I am far from beautiful. I wish I had your lovely red hair..."
"Oh no, you do not. The ladies would have pulled your braids and called you a carrot or inquired if you wanted them to put out the fire on your head. Believe me, red hair is not something you should covet. You should thank your lucky star that you were born with lovely fair hair instead."
"I suppose I just want a friend of my own. Someone to confide in or ask questions one cannot address to a brother, no matter his excellent other qualities. I have not bonded with any of the other ladies. There is no one there that would suit."
"I am very happy if you would like to be my friend Georgiana. I will not be at your seminar but I am diligent correspondent. I guess there will be some new ladies at the seminar come autumn as well. Perhaps one of them might be a better match for you?"
"Thank you, Elizabeth. I had not thought of that. I would be very happy if you would write to me, even if there is a new girl that might be a friend at the seminar."
"You certainly can, Georgiana. I will send you a letter, as soon as I arrive at Gracechurch Street, with the particulars so you can respond to my long and elaborate narrative of travelling in the summer."
"I still wish that brother would marry so I could stay at home..." Georgiana's voice had grown faint. Elizabeth cast her a worried look.
Georgiana's eyelids were drooping precariously towards her cheeks. It was obvious that she would soon be asleep. Elizabeth felt a pang in her chest. The afternoon's excursion had been too arduous for the young girl. She should have thought about it before they set out. Well, it did little good, dwelling on matters that could not be altered. She could ponder the future though... What she could do to make Mr Darcy aware of his sister's struggles at the seminar without breaking her confidence in the process?
"Miss Elizabeth?"
A lock of hair was lifted from her countenance and tucked behind her ear. She waved the intruder away but did not open her eyes. She shifted slightly and tucked her hands further under her cheek.
She became vaguely aware of something heavy on her legs with extra pressure on her hipbone.
Elizabeth released one of her hands from under her head and felt around. Hair... She quirked an eyebrow but the eyelid was not willing to follow. She sighed, sat up as Georgiana's head dropped off her hip and startled her awake.
"I am sorry, Georgiana! I must have dozed off so I did not realise that you were resting on my legs. Did you injure yourself."
"No, I am well. Embarrassed, but well."
"Why would you be embarrassed. We both deserved a little rest after I hauled you up to the hunting tower in the heat of summer. You should hit me over the head, should I ever suggest such a ridiculous scheme in the future."
Elizabeth mouth was dry and woolly, where was that lemonade when you desperately needed it?
Go figures, at the feet of someone tall and looming. She did not need to look up to recognise the owner of the large Hessian booths...
"Imagine my surprise, finding two sleeping beauties in my rose garden.
I was ready to send out a search party for the two elopers when a gardener appraised me of the unusual sculpture that had appeared in my garden."
Mr Darcy had a soft smile grazing his lips as he benignly scolded the well-rested ladies.
"Supper is about to be served, I may hold it for a few minutes..."
Elizabeth snorted, "a few minutes will hardly suffice. I smell like a horse..."
"Me too," Georgiana giggled. She had never met a lady who spoke quite so honestly on subjects that did not put herself in a favourable light. She had Lady Catherine, who's frankness was well known, although her candour did not include her own flaws.
"What have you two been up to?"
"We walked to the hunting tower to enjoy the view but we hoped there would be a breeze on the top of the ridge. It has been rather balmy today..."
"Were you able to cool down?" Darcy's soft smile turned into a definite smirk.
"Not at all," Georgiana complained, followed by a heavy sigh.
Darcy chuckled, he could have told them before they started that climbing a steep hill would not cool you off. Since they both looked like they had enjoyed themselves, he did not have the heart to enlighten them. He gestured for the ladies to lead on whilst he followed sedately, studying Elizabeth's toned legs in the slightly transparent, pale green, muslin gown. A flash of recognition entered his mind, had Elizabeth been at the top of the cliff? He had to find out.
Elizabeth and Georgiana managed to refresh themselves within half an hour and supper was held until they entered the dining room.
Georgiana found her seat at the opposite side of Darcy while Elizabeth was left with the only other available chair, at Mr Darcy's right side.
Walking and sleeping had worked up an appetite in Elizabeth, she was not shy when she helped herself. She gave up every pretence of being a light eater when the sweetmeat was served, chocolate... Rich, dark, delicious chocolate that melted on the tongue and flowed like velvet down her throat. She fought not to moan at the delectable flavour when the conversation took a turn that made her want to moan for an entirely different reason.
"We had a lovely swim in the river today, you should have found a stream to cool down in instead of climbing the steep hill, Georgiana."
Darcy addressed his sister but kept his eyes on Elizabeth. Yes, there was a definite reddening of her countenance that spread down her neck towards her décolletage. Interesting...
Elizabeth coughed and took a large gulp of wine.
"Yes, I remember the waterfall with a small pool at the bottom. Perfect depth for a little girl to learn how to swim." Georgiana gushed, looking dreamily at the pleasurable memory.
"Can you swim, Miss Elizabeth?"
It was a perfectly innocent question but Elizabeth narrowed her green, blue and silver eyes at him.
"Aye... You may have noticed that the Eilean Bennet Castle is indeed on an island. It was more an occasion of learning by default than any conscious understanding involved."
Jane laughed merrily at Elizabeth's description.
"I remember father refused Camkirk to rescue you when you fell into the loch for the, I do not know, hundredth time? Camkirk was frantic with worry but you figured it out and hauled yourself ashore. From that day you were only rescued if you wore a heavy woollen gown."
"Aye, I vaguely remember drowning when the Loch Tay monster gave me a back to stand on and swam me ashore."
"Lizzy, someone might believe you." Jane admonished softly.
"Were you always troublesome as a child?"
Darcy asked Elizabeth but Campbell replied.
"She was, still is, one might say. Took her ten years to apologise for shooting me with an arrow."
"Thank you for being so forgiving Campbell," Elizabeth replied, her voice dripping in sarcasm.
*Uisge-beatha: Whiskey in Scottish Gaelic.
*Taxation laws and the history of distilleries (Glenturret distillery- Wikipedia)
*Hunting tower situated at Chatsworth. I have used Chatsworth for visualising Pemberley although it is not always described accurately, I add or remove features as it suits my story. (Chatsworth cottages)
*Lancelot Brown 1715-1783, commonly known as Capability Brown was a landscape architect who designed more than 170 parks, of many who have endured. He is remembered as England's greatest gardener and he designed the Park that can still be seen at Chatsworth today.