Chapter 3: Growing up
Rosings Park, 1803
It was the Darcys' last day of visit at Rosings and they sat down to supper. Anne and Elizabeth had been allowed to stay up and have supper with the adults. William had been seated between Elizabeth and Anne. He preferred the former to the latter, for her conversation and appearance. Her dimples reminded him of his beloved little sister Georgie. Anne kept trying to distract William from his reverie. Anne talked about ribbons, dolls, horses and even her dogs.
Sir Lewis said, "Catherine my dear. George, William and I have decided to employ a governess for Elizabeth. Anne has Miss Fertile. Elizabeth should have her own, now that she is old enough to have one."
"Why would she have a governess? She is still a child. She should be in the nursery." Lady Catherine replied coldly to her husband.
"Catherine, she is 8 years old! She should have a governess. Anne had a governess at the age of 6 and William was breeched and gained a tutor aged 4. Georgiana has a governess and she is 6."
"In that case, I will see if my old governess Miss Tench is still teaching." Lady Catherine replied haughtily.
"Miss Tench bullied you, your brother and your sister into submission. I will not have that for my daughters." Catherine's old governess Miss Gertrude Tench was a mean-minded, callous pointy nosed woman with warts around for her eyes and mouth. Her only friend had been a willow stick and her favourite time of the day was punishment time when she would hit the young Catherine, Anne and Patrick repeatedly into submission. She would not let her charges tell her employers of her methods at the daily visits. She had made sure her charges survived on a diet of burnt porridge, cabbage soup and a chunk of bread. Their wardrobe was a thin muslin gown with no shoes and no undergarments. The girl's hair had been cropped. They only wore their finery for the daily viewing. When Patrick left after he was breeched only then was the truth told, but the damage to Catherine had already been done. Anne recovered with her own governess Miss Bright. As the youngest Anne was the spirited child, something which Miss Tench did not like.
Sir Lewis knew this and would not put his daughter through the same treatment as her mother. From what George had told him of Miss Madeline Moore, she would be perfect for his beloved daughter. Miss Madeline Moore was spirited, kind, well-meaning, accomplished, a great walker, she was well read and she had experience from her own sisters and brothers.
"Your daughter, your daughter she is always your daughter. Never our daughter. You seek to improve Elizabeth's prospects but what of Anne's? She is your true daughter and heir! She is the son you never had, not Elizabeth." Lady Catherine replied in an angry tone of voice. Elizabeth looked down into her lap with tears in her eyes she struggled to keep at bay. William thought that she looked serene and calm. She never looked lovelier, even in a time of crisis.
"Catherine, I have not made anyone the only heir and if you do not change your ways, you may end up with nothing! I have provided to both my daughters so they have a good future! I have not left out Anne!"
"You cannot do that! Anne is your first child and must be the heir! I will see to it!" She looked at Elizabeth then pointed her nose up and said: "Brat, go to bed." Elizabeth got up from her seat, keeping her head lowered with tears threatening to fall.
"Sit down Lizziebeth." her father said.
"Go to bed Brat! If you do not listen you know very well the consequences!" Catherine shouted again at her younger daughter.
"Papa may I go to bed I am rather tired," Elizabeth said calmly. William understood what Elizabeth was doing. She was leaving her parents to argue while keeping her emotions to a minimum. What nobody knew was that she would later cry herself to sleep that night.
"Cousin Elizabeth may I escort you to your room?" George sensing his son's tone decided to get the rest of the party out of the room.
"Of course, son. Anne, come with me. You have yet to show me your new artwork."
The company departed leaving Catherine and Lewis to continue their argument well into the night as they often did.
After a while, he left the room and went straight up to Elizabeth's room. He found her still crying in her bed.
He sat down by her side and said, "Lizziebeth, Lizziebeth. Come here, darling."
He opened his arms and Elizabeth rushed into his arms, saying "Papa, why does mama hate me so much?"
Stroking her hair he said, "Lizziebeth, She does not hate you. Everyone has their favourite child. You are mine and Anne is your mother's. She only likes her better than you. You carry my heart Elizabeth. You and you alone. Remember that."
"Yes, Papa."
"Now Lizziebeth let me help put you to sleep." Elizabeth lay down and Sir Lewis started reading the story he had started a few nights before. He had read to her since she was little; much like his own mother did for him. When she finally fell asleep, he crept out of her room and said as he stood in the doorframe, "Sleep well little one. No harm will ever come to you."
He went to his room with a calm that only a solid planning for his favourite daughter's future could give. He made arrangements so neither of his daughters would be destitute and would have large fortunes. Additionally, he made arrangements for his favourite so she would not suffer her mother's cruel treatment in his absence. He decided to read for a little while before going to sleep. He had only gotten into reading two pages before he was asleep to never wake up again. His weak heart could not take any more arguments and gave in.
The next day the death was revealed. Elizabeth was inconsolable. She spent many hours in the arms of her Cousin William crying until he had to leave. He did not want to but he has to attend school. George Darcy also left to drop off his son and take care of his business in town quickly to return in a couple of days to help with the funeral arrangements. Elizabeth refused to eat for many days or even to go outside her room. Catherine and Anne did not care. They thought she was just acting up. The servants were worried about their beloved Miss Lizziebeth but could not do much against their mistress.
In a carriage not far from Rosings was a honeysuckle haired young woman with blue eyes. She was thin but quite tall. She was there to take charge of Mr Darcy's beloved niece. She had not been a governess before but took care of her brothers and sisters and knew to be kind to someone who lost their parent. She had been told about her charge, a Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh, but family reports could be false. She would not judge the child until she met her. The house was in mourning but that should not affect the child's upbringing. As she went towards Rosings she could imagine what this little girl was going through. She lost her mother during her last sibling's birth and knew pain.
Miss Moore was shown to the drawing room where Lady Catherine was sat with Anne.
"Miss Madeline Moore my Lady." Pieters, the butler announced. Madeline curtsied.
"Miss Moore. I believe we are not acquainted."
"I was engaged by Mr Darcy of Pemberley to be the governess to your daughter Miss Elizabeth."
"I am afraid you have had a wasted journey. I have decided to have my former governess, Miss Tench will be her governess."
Madeline Moore was made of steel. She had been told what to expect by Mr Darcy and was not prepared to give in.
"I do apologise but that is a matter you will have to take up with Mr Darcy, Lady Catherine." Miss Moore replied calmly. Then she dropped a curtsy and walked out.
She asked a servant to show her up to Miss Elizabeth's room. She knocked but received no answer; she opened the door and saw the young girl sat in a window seat staring out into the wilderness.
"Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth turned and met the kind blue eyes of the young woman, "Yes, may I ask who you are?"
"Hello, Miss! My name is Miss Madeline Moore, your new governess. Your Uncle Darcy hired me for you."
"Uncle George sent you?"
Madeline went near the small child and saying said, "Yes he did", hugged her.
Elizabeth was hesitant but ended up in Madeline's embrace. She felt safe there. Safer than when she was with her own mother and sister.
"Did Cousin William talk to you?"
"Yes, he did. He told me what you like and what you do not like. He told me how much you loved your papa and how he read stories to you during bedtime."
"Papa always read to me until I fell asleep. Why did he leave me so soon?"
"Oh, poor dear Miss Elizabeth. Your Papa had a weak heart and it could not take any more. You must always remember that he loved you very much."
"Papa called me Lizziebeth. You can too if you like." Elizabeth offered.
"That is pretty. I will call you that if you wish. Now come along. You will have to come out of this room soon. Your cousins will be coming for the funeral and your Uncles and Aunts. You must behave like a young lady. Your Papa would want that."
"I like Uncle George, Cousin William and Cousin Georgiana. Uncle Patrick and Aunt Constance, I hardly remember, but they seem kind and honest people, and Cousin Maxwell is scary. He teases me, but Cousin Richard stops him. Cousin Rachel and Cousin Mary-Rose are also kind enough."
"Are these all your cousins?" Madeline inquired calmly.
"No just on Mama's side. I do not know Papa's family very much. I was named after Grandmamma Elizabeth. What will I learn Miss Moore?" Elizabeth explained.
Madeline said, after she had thought for a moment, "You will learn reading, writing, sewing, playing the piano, the violin, French, German, painting many things. Your Uncle wants you to be an accomplished young lady; much like your father wanted you to be."
"Yes, Miss Moore. I will make him proud."
"I know you will." Madeline looked at her young charge. There was a spirit in her that had yet to be released and hopefully, she would be the one to release it. Her beau Edward Gardiner had warned her about becoming a governess to in such a high ranking family. He did not want her to go far and postpone their wedding but knew she needed the money for her father and siblings and the independence it would give before becoming his wife. She was sure of her feelings for him, but she needed this independence. If Mr George Darcy was entrusting his beloved niece into her care then there was a job to be done. She would do it to the best of her ability no matter what Lady Catherine de Bourgh said or did to her.
Several days later, Rosings Park 1803
Several days went by, and as family members came for the funeral of Sir Lewis de Bourgh. Madeline had made sure that Elizabeth was presentable in a black dress, and her hair tidy. Elizabeth was acting perfectly politely to the family members she hardly knew and even dared smile a little when her cousin Richard made a joke.
The funeral took place after a short service in at the church. The small church was filled completely, with both family and people from the community who wished to pay their respects to Sir Lewis and mostly to his daughters. Madeline made sure to keep Elizabeth in her sight the whole time, just as Miss Anne's governess Miss Fertile kept watch on her charge.
When the family was back in the house and refreshments were served, Sir Lewis' lawyer was shown in, who was waiting in the Study. He bowed and said, "Greeting all. I offer my condolences for your loss. I have come to make you familiar to Sir Lewis's last Will."
He took out the necessary papers from his attaché and began reading, "This is the last Will and testament of Sir Lewis de Bourgh.
I confirm that I am of sound mind and body, and I am now voiding all and any other testaments I have drafted.
I hereby name my brother Earl Patrick Matlock, my daughter Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh's guardian until she reaches her majority or marries.
Brother Patrick, I have left several letters for you to give to Elizabeth. I have also left something personal for you and Constance, ask my solicitor afterwards.
To my brother George Darcy, I leave my gratitude and my cottage in Weymouth, Dorset.
To my nephew Fitzwilliam Darcy, I leave my entire library and hope you will take care of it.
To my wife, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I leave the dowager cottage and your monthly sum of money for the rest of your life.
To my daughter Miss Anne de Bourgh, I leave you an inheritance of £40,000 pounds and wish you all the happiness in the world.
To my dearest daughter, Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh, I leave my estate Rosings Park, and all other holdings. I hope you will get all the happiness and love that you deserve, sweetheart.
If my daughter, Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh should decline her inheritance of this estate, I leave Rosings Park to my nephew, The Honourable Richard Fitzwilliam. Brothers Patrick and George – I hope you will teach him what he needs to know about it.
Other than that, I am only sorry to leave, before I could see my children grow up to be beautiful women, and married to respectable men.
Sir Lewis de Bourgh,
Graham & Sons Solicitor Office
London, 1800"
Everybody was shocked at the manner that Sir Lewis had written his Will, and essentially left everything to Elizabeth, his youngest daughter. Lady Catherine was livid; it was only the presence of her brother, the Earl, which kept her from taking her anger out on the solicitor and her youngest child.