Siblings and a promise

Chapter 2; the first meeting with the Darcy's

Rosings Park, October 1795

A few months after the birth of Elizabeth, the Darcy's came for a visit. It was to formalise the decision that Sir Lewis de Bourgh and George Darcy agreed upon – the betrothal contract between Elizabeth de Bourgh and Fitzwilliam Darcy. After the greetings were exchanged, the Darcy's were shown to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, Sir Lewis de Bourgh asked George Darcy to convene in his study, to review and sign the papers which would seal their children's futures. They sat down along with Sir Lewis' and Mr Darcy's solicitors, who would act as witnesses also.

Betrothal Contract

Hereby are Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh of Rosings Park, Kent & Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire betrothed to be married to Miss Elizabeth when she enters her 18th year. If Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh, upon reaching her 18th birthday does not develop tender feelings for her betrothed OR is attached to another young man of equal or higher social standing OR wishes to not marry at all, this contract will be deemed void.

This contract is sanctioned by both families, signed and witnessed as of today, the 11th day of October 1795.

Signed:

Sir Lewis de Bourgh of Rosings Park, Kent

Mr George Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire

Witnesses:

Mr. Barnes

Mr. Wickham

After breaking her fast in her rooms, Lady Anne Darcy got dressed and went to her son's rooms. He was also dressed and fed by that time and together they went to the nursery, so he could see his new cousin. William Darcy looked at the little girl in the cradle, she had big beautiful chocolate-brown eyes, and he carefully caressed her little face with his finger. She took hold of his finger with a tight grip. William smiled at the little baby girl and thought that she was quite pretty for a baby. With his other hand, he removed a locket from his pocket that had a picture of Pemberley that his mother had given him and dangled it in front of her. He saw how delighted she was; gurgling and laughing which made her eyes even more beautiful. He held the locket close to the little girl and she grabbed it with her free hand, not letting go of his finger. After playing for a little while with the locket, little Elizabeth drifted off to sleep while still holding stubbornly onto his finger with one hand and the locket in the other. William stood silently with a smile on his face and watched as the little girl slept. Lady Anne, who was standing in the doorway to the nursery, watched her son. He was but eight years old and she firmly believed that her son had begun to care about his small cousin and the girl who he would someday marry.

Eight years later.

Rosings Park May 1803

Anne 10 years old

Elizabeth 8 years old

Darcy 16 years old

Lady Catherine 38

Sir Lewis 38

George Darcy 44

The last eight years had not been so kind on Sir Lewis de Bourgh. He suffered from a weak heart that became worse and kept him very ill. He loved watching his youngest daughter growing up. He wished he could watch her become a beautiful lady and get married but knew he was ill and that soon his little Elizabeth would be left with her mother and sister. From the upstairs schoolroom window, 10-year-old Anne watched with jealousy. Although her mother doted on her, she wanted her father to pay her attention also. She reminded herself that her father was dying and then she would be the only one getting any attention.

All had felt the loss of Lady Anne's passing very much. They saw how affected George Darcy was; left alone to raise his children. Although offered, he denied any and all help from anyone, and flat-out refused to re-marry. Lady Matlock, however, would not listen and took it upon herself to caring for Georgiana at least a few months a year, during summer months, saying that she needs a mother figure in her formative years. William was sent to Eton for his studies soon after and did not accompany his father on his annual Rosings visits. So, Elizabeth barely remembered her elder cousin. Sir Lewis had explained to little Elizabeth that she now had a young cousin to play with, and have to teach Georgiana how to be a Lady when she grows up and tell her how much her mother loved her.

Rosings Park, June 1803

The day finally arrived. George Darcy had come to Rosings with William after dropping off Georgiana at Matlock Manor.

William was 16 years old, studying at Eton. Sir Lewis welcomed them to Rosings. After his father greeted his hosts, William greeted Sir Lewis, Lady Catherine, Anne, and then he was in front of Elizabeth. William barely remembered his last visit to Rosings, but when he saw the warm brown smiling eyes of Sir Lewis' younger daughter and the locket around her neck containing a picture of Pemberley, he knew she was his intended. She was still a child but looked very intelligent and kind. When he bowed to her, Elizabeth looked at the young man in front of her. He seemed familiar somehow… He bowed and she instinctively reached for her locket, which was her favourite jewellery. A gesture not gone unnoticed by William.

Elizabeth made a formal curtsy and said what her father had told her to say: "Hello Cousin Will and Welcome back Uncle Darcy."

George Darcy looked at the young Elizabeth and said: "Thank you, Elizabeth. Anne, you have grown. Lady Catherine always a pleasure."

Sir Lewis said: "Anne, Elizabeth, will you show your cousin to his rooms so he can rest?"

Anne and Elizabeth replied together: "Yes, Papa."

Will looked to his father who only nodded, and he followed his cousins. Elizabeth talked about the house, and how pretty the gardens were and her favourite places to play, while Anne tried to get a word in between her younger sister's prattling.

When nearing his rooms, William stopped and asked Elizabeth, "I do not know if you remember me, but I am your cousin and the one who gave you the locket."

Elizabeth looked at her cousin she gently touched the locket and said: "Thank you, Cousin Will, it is my favourite jewellery. I cannot remember not ever wearing it. I often dream of the house inside the locket. It looks like Sleeping Beauty's Palace. I am very happy to own it and thank you, Cousin."

Will smiled at his cousin and wondered why his heart was leaping when she looked up at him with those engaging eyes.

"Will you play with me?" Elizabeth asked her cousin tugging his sleeve.

"Not at this present time, Cousin, but perhaps another time," William said politely as he was very tired from the journey.

Anne interjected looking at Elizabeth she said, "Elizabeth, go back to the nursery and I will escort our cousin to his room." She turned to their cousin and said, "Cousin William, please excuse my sister. She is not yet out of the nursery and does not know how to behave in company. We put you in your favourite room. It looks out onto the stables. I am sure that while you are here you will accompany me on a ride or two." Anne pushed Elizabeth towards the nursery and then walked on alone with William.

William looked back at the young girl who was sobbing from the rebuff her sister had just given her. He wanted to go and comfort his young cousin but decided to do the gentlemanly thing and continue the conversation with Anne.

"Can you ride Cousin Anne?"

"Yes very well."

"What about your sister Elizabeth?" He inquired. He wanted to know what his future bride's likes and dislikes, and what she was able to do. But also what he would have to ask his Uncle to teach her, his future wife. Even if she was yet only a child.

"She does not ride well. She prefers astride rather than side-saddle. Mama doesn't approve. Papa encourages her. What do you think of women riding side-saddle? Surely when little Georgie is of age to ride she will only ride side-saddle."

"My father will decide when she will learn to ride but I find that a woman who can ride both ways is more accomplished than a woman who can only ride one way. My idea of an accomplished woman is one who does everything she does to the best of her ability despite if she cannot do things well. Excuse me, cousin, I am quite tired. I will see you for dinner." He bowed and left.

Once in his rooms, he thought further on the subject. He remembered the daughter of the bookshop owner in Lambton, a Miss Madeline Moore, who seemed very nice and looking for a governess position. He wondered if he could ask his father to persuade his Uncle to hire her as his cousin's governess. He'd seen her in the village and was very impressed by her knowledge on various subjects, she was the most accomplished woman in Lambton. She was often seen minding her younger siblings. Mr Moore owned the lending library, the haberdashery and the General Store beside the bookshop and had his hands full with work and his oldest daughter took care of her siblings.

Anne went straight to her mother's sitting room to discuss the plan to make her William's bride and not Elizabeth. Even if she knew very well that William was betrothed to Elizabeth and not her but she would not stop her own persuasion.

"Mama I must learn to ride astride," Anne shouted as she barged into her mother's sitting room.

"Why Anne?"

"Because Cousin William likes women who ride astride. He knows that Elizabeth rides astride and if I am to become Mrs Darcy then I must learn."

"Very well Anne. What else did he say?" Lady Catherine said, as she further plotted to have her eldest married to the Darcy heir, instead of her youngest.

Anne replied with angry tears running down her cheeks, "Nothing of worth. Though, he seems infatuated with Elizabeth."

Lady Catherine noted that she looked ready to throw a tantrum, and said, "Now now my dear control yourself, Anne! She is only a child."

"Still he likes her more than me. What are we to do?"

"I know! Where is the led paint? We will make you look frail and fragile so he sees it as his duty to marry you before Elizabeth comes of age. I will see to it that she is has a poor education. She will not be allowed to ride or see the world. She will be kept away from books, painting and sewing." Lady Catherine replied, even if she knew that the betrothal contract was signed, and unbreakable and that her husband or George Darcy would not allow that to happen.

"What about father?" Anne asked after she had calmed a little.

"Your father will be dead by this time next year. I am sure of it. In fact, I will do it myself. Anne, you will be the next Mistress of Pemberley if it is the last thing I shall do."