September 19, 2014 – Part III begins a year after Part II ended. Quite a bit has changed since the couple married. I think you will approve.

Part III

Chapter 15

March, 1811

The Darcys traveled to Kent to spend six weeks leading up to Easter with Lady Catherine. The plans for the spring plantings were in the possession of Pemberley's capable steward. Darcy himself would see to things at Rosings. His supervision of his wife's estate began shortly after their marriage. While Anne's steward had done an admirable job, Darcy felt there was more to be gained by his personal attention. He was also unafraid to invest capital in the tenant cottages to retain and attract better people to work the land for them. All of this was done with Anne's knowledge and approval. She too felt a responsibility to those who lived within the confines of the estate.

Anne and Fitzwilliam spent final three weeks of the visit seeing to things before departing for London. They would not remain in Town for the Season as they had the year previous. Anne was expecting her first child and her husband had determined that his heir would be born in Derbyshire. They meant only to stay long enough to settle Georgiana and do a little shopping for Anne. Pemberley waited.

Just after the first of the year, following consultationa with his cousin Andrew Fitzwilliam, Darcy had removed Georgiana from her school. The decision was not a hasty one. Georgiana had never outgrown her shyness, and her tendency toward reserve did not serve her well amongst her peers in school. That is not to say she did not have friends – she did. Unfortunately, those to whom she gravitated were as soft-spoken as the young Miss Darcy and were no match for the more outgoing, and vindictive, young ladies who also resided at the august establishment. Georgiana was teased relentlessly as they willfully mistook her timidity for hubris. Such a gentle soul as Georgiana bore it as well as she could, but Anne and her brother detected her reluctance to return to school and discovered the true situation. Georgiana had stayed at Pemberley and Fitzwilliam promised to find a companion who could stay with her in Town so that she would have access to all the masters she wished.

He spent several months looking for a woman to live with Georgiana, and finally settled on the Widow Younge. Her husband had died, leaving her a house in a fashionable part of London but little else. There was enough income from the interest from her dowry to survive, but Mrs. Younge was looking for means to supplement her barely adequate portion. It seemed a perfect situation; Miss Darcy could stay in Town and Mrs. Younge could keep her house. Whatever misgivings Darcy may have had about Georgiana living away from the Darcy Townhouse were allayed by the refined manners of her new companion and the promise of Georgiana's other guardian to call on the girl frequently.

~~~/~~~

Anne had arranged to visit her favorite modiste with Georgiana and her new companion. She was increasing and constantly complained about her wardrobe. It seemed nothing fit the way it was supposed to and the only solution was to order new gowns that would accommodate her increased bosom and have room for her newly expanding girth.

Darcy knew better than to go shopping with the women; instead he went to his club. He had not been there much of late. Since he and Anne had returned to Pemberley after the last Season, they had hardly even been to London.

He greeted many acquaintances upon his entrance. One person in particular caught his notice and he made his way over to his friend.

"Darcy!" Bingley said in surprise. He stood and they shook hands. "Care to join me?"

"I would be delighted."

After they were seated, Darcy ordered something to drink.

"I had not heard you were in Town. Is Mrs. Darcy with you?"

"She is shopping with my sister." Both wrinkled their noses at the thought of being forced to endure a day with the ladies in the shops.

"I believe Caroline and Louisa are similarly occupied. I should not be surprised if they were to meet."

"Are Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley in good health?"

"They are well, thank you."

"Your younger sister remains unmarried? I would have thought she would have found a gentleman to wed by now."

"Yes, well…" Bingley shifted uncomfortably. "She has yet to find the right man; only had the one Season, you know. Caroline has high hopes for this year."

Darcy nodded. Charles had not gained the upper hand in his family and now he was paying the price of another Season. Caroline Bingley had made it through two Little Seasons and one full Season without a single offer she deemed acceptable. If Bingley did not have better luck, he would be paying for another year's worth of the latest finery for his sister.

"You will remain in Town?" Bingley asked hopefully. "I should like to introduce you to Miss Cheatham."

"And how long have you known this Miss Cheatham?"

"About a month now. She is a most lovely woman."

"Hmmm, if I had arrived a week ago you would have proclaimed her the most beautiful woman you had ever beheld."

"Well…"

"And if I had come a week from today, you would already have fallen out of love with this creature."

"That is a bit harsh now, Darcy."

"But true. Honestly, I should stay in Town just to make sure you do not do something foolish. However, Anne and I leave in a few days for Pemberley."

"I was certain you would stay. Last year Mrs. Darcy was quite the hostess."

Darcy smiled at the memory of his wife's triumphs. "Yes, but we cannot tarry in Ton."

"Nonsense!"

"Bingley," Darcy leaned forward and spoke quietly. "Anne is with child and we do not wish to risk staying in the city. The air in Derbyshire is better. After the last time…we will not jeopardize the health of the child."

"The last time?"

"We had thought…but it was not to be."

"I am very sorry to hear that, Darcy. I had no idea."

"Not many know. I trust your discretion."

"You can be assured of my secrecy. Of course you must take your wife to Pemberley. I shall miss your wise counsel."

"Just do not propose to a woman until you find yourself in love for at least two months complete and you will be safe from an imprudent match."

Another voice answered him. "Giving our young friend advice again, Darcy?"

"Sir John! Anne will be delighted to hear I saw you."

"Please give Mrs. Darcy my compliments. I had meant to call in a day or two."

"You should call as soon as you can; we will not stay in London much longer."

"Then I will come tomorrow."

"I shall tell her. She will be delighted."

After Darcy and Anne had married, Darcy had, in spite of himself, become good friends with Sir John Whitby. The two made an odd pair due to their great difference in height, but Darcy soon found that though he was a clear head taller than Sir John, he did not tower over the man figuratively. Darcy realized that while Whitby had at one time greatly admired his wife, the man in question now only held Anne in high esteem. He would never dare insinuate himself into the Darcys' lives or attempt to cause discord. Sir John simply wished to be Anne and Darcy's friend. And so he was. In fact, Darcy now considered the little man one of his truest friends.

A fourth joined their party.

"Plaguing the poor unmarried men by rhapsodizing about your wife again, Darcy? Have a little compassion on Whitby, he nearly fell in love with her. Of course, if he had true discernment he would have seen the superiority of my Helena over every other woman."

"de Bourgh! Your wife let you out of the house long enough to visit your club?" Darcy mocked.

"Some of us prefer the company of our spouses over these pitiful excuses for gentlemen."

"I would have hoped your wife would have softened your manners by now. Look what a fine job your cousin did on Darcy," Sir John retorted.

Darcy bowed his head smartly.

"Anne had less to reform." Arthur laughed; he was always able to admit his faults and thankful that Helena had finally accepted them – and him. The past seven months since his marriage to the former Miss Simpson had been the happiest of his life. "I have just been to your house, Darcy, to deliver my wife to yours. Anne was just on her way out to visit the shops so my wife decided to join her and the rest of the ladies. Anne mentioned you were here, so I thought I would come and join you."

"Knowing our wives, you are much safer here, than being dragged all over Bond Street."

"Most assuredly! I assumed you would be at Darcy House to keep me company. Then Anne told me you were leaving for Derbyshire in a few days and I understood you would want to take your leave of this place and the friends therein before you headed north. Interestingly enough, we return to Thigston in a few weeks as well."

"You are not staying for the Season either?" Bingley asked.

"No, I much prefer the company of my wife, and since she will be in Surrey, I will be there as well. The diversions of London are less appealing to this old married man. Darcy knows of what I speak."

Sir John snorted. "Darcy never found Town appealing before he was married!"

"And even less so now," Darcy confessed.

"Thus the two married gentleman retire to the country whilst the two eligible bachelors remain in London. What a horrible lot we have drawn, Bingley," Sir John said with his hand over his heart for greater effect. "Perhaps I should return to my estate. If you had one, you could emulate us."

"If only my father had purchased one before he died, I would. Alas, the task is left to me. Someday soon I shall begin to look," Bingley admitted.

"But not during the Season; your sister would not be happy to leave London," Darcy opined.

"Tease me all you want, but someday soon I will be writing to you all, inviting you to a house-party at my own estate. I will even endeavor to write slowly and legibly to see that you do not use that as an excuse to put me off!"

"Charles Bingley promising an effort at good penmanship?" Arthur de Bourgh said in mock amazement. "How could we fail to accede to his request – since we will actually be able to read his correspondence for a change?"

The men laughed and ordered another round of drinks. They knew not when they would have the chance to meet so informally again.

~~~/~~~

July was a beautiful month to be in Derbyshire. Anne thought of how much cooler the summer months spent farther north were than the ones she had remembered growing up in Kent. There were few days when the heat was oppressive and in her expectant state, she was thankful that her husband had insisted their heir be born at his ancestral estate.

The beauty of the countryside was a respite from the dreams she had suffered the last few nights. Anne could not remember the content, but she had awakened with a feeling of unease about her dear sister Georgiana. This, of course, was nonsense. Georgiana was in the very capable hands of the impressive Mrs. Younge. The letters that came from Georgiana, and from the friends and family who had called on her, spoke of a happy girl growing in confidence. Hiring the lady to shepherd Georgiana in the completion of her studies while Anne and Darcy were obliged to remain at Pemberley had been a wonderful idea. There was no rational reason to worry; the pair would leave Ramsgate in another fortnight and travel to Pemberley, where Georgiana would remain until after Anne gave birth.

However, rationality and an expectant mother do not always co-exist. Therefore, after more than a week of Anne's worrying over his sister, Fitzwilliam decided it would be best if he left early for Ramsgate to collect her. He would spend a few days at the seaside town and then bring Georgiana back to Anne. It was to be a decision he would never regret.

~~~/~~~

Anne was surprised that her husband had returned several days before expected. She had come to meet the carriage, anxious to see Fitzwilliam and Georgiana again. What she saw shocked her. Fitzwilliam alighted from the conveyance with a somber look on his face and after he made eye contact with his wife, turned to help his sister out. Anne could hear him coax the young girl to exit the box and wondered why Georgiana was so hesitant to come out. Georgiana always wanted to be the first one out of a coach, but now the girl would not move. Anne waited until Darcy stepped back into the vehicle and picked Georgiana up in his arms. He did not stop walking until he had reached Georgiana's chambers. Anne said nothing as he walked by. She knew something was terribly wrong and hurried behind her husband. Within the safety of the familiar room, Fitzwilliam moved to lay his sister down on her bed. Anne was before him, throwing back the covers.

Georgiana turned away from the two people she loved most and cried, "Please leave me."

Anne was not inclined to comply, but her husband stayed her from sitting down and shook his head, then nodded towards the door.

"Very well, dearest," Anne said to weeping girl, "but if you want me, send for me and I shall come."

The miserable girl nodded and pulled the covers tighter and continued to weep.

Darcy and Anne left and met a worried Mrs. Reynolds outside Georgiana's door.

"I know it is not your normal duty, but I would appreciate it if you would personally attend my sister. She is very upset and I trust only you to hold her confidence."

"I understand, sir. Will Mrs. Younge be coming later?"

"That…woman…is no longer in my employ."

The older servant acknowledged the implication and then left to attend her charge.

"Come, Anne. I have much to tell you."

They walked arm in arm to her rooms, neither speaking a word, though Anne sorely wanted to ask questions.

"It was Wickham," he spat once they were alone. "The cur tried to talk Georgiana into eloping!" Darcy started to pace. "I came upon them walking along the seaside. Wickham was entirely too close to Georgiana to be considered proper and Mrs. Younge was a few paces behind them looking very happy."

"I immediately took Georgiana to her rooms where she told me everything. I wrote to Wickham and he left immediately. I then interviewed Mrs. Younge, who, unknown to us, knew him. She claimed she had only agreed to re-introduce the pair. It was a lie, of course. They must have been planning this… this heinous plot for months, waiting for the right time to put it in place. Her face clearly showed her guilt in the matter. She was too eager to be exonerated, and Georgiana told me she had written to us telling of meeting Wickham again, giving the letters to her companion to post. As you know, we never received the letters and I do not believe Georgiana's missives would ever have been sent!"

Anne was angry with Mrs. Younge, even angrier with George Wickham, and broken-hearted for dear sweet Georgiana. "Has she been this afflicted since Ramsgate?"

"She has barely spoken a word and will not look at me." Darcy was frustrated. Anne intercepted him on his latest excursion over the carpet, placing her hand on his arm.

"Calm down, Fitzwilliam. She is safe. That is all that matters"

"But she is not whole. Where has the laughter gone? Her shyness has returned ten-fold."

"It is still too early. Think of her position. She has just discovered that an old friend was willing to trick her to gain her money through marriage, and the woman we hired to protect her has led her to a wolf. I also suspect she is thoroughly ashamed and blaming herself for being taken advantage of when she knew she was asked to do something wrong."

"Perhaps. Can you speak with her?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh, I will," Anne assured him. "It might not be today, but I shall speak to her."

~~~/~~~

Georgiana did not emerge from her room for several days. Anne was equally annoyed and worried. On the fourth day when she still did not appear, Anne decided it was time to confront her sister. She took up a tray to Georgiana's room; the child must have nourishment.

"Eat, and then we will talk," Anne said. Georgiana nodded her head once without looking up. When Anne was satisfied that her charge had consumed a sufficient amount, she began to speak about Ramsgate. At first, Georgiana did not want to talk, but Anne gradually helped her relax and she began to speak about Mr. Wickham.

"He seemed just perfect. True, he was a little poor, but I had such fond memories of him from my childhood that money never seemed an insurmountable obstacle. I had enough for both of us, and Anne, he was ever so charming." With that statement, she looked so miserable that Anne was not surprised when Georgiana started crying again.

Anne wrapped her arms around her sister and tried to soothe her. "Shhhh, it is over. Your brother came in time to save you and this will all be forgotten."

"But… I think I am still in love with Mr. Wickham."

Anne tipped the girl's chin up so Georgiana would be forced to look at Anne when she spoke. "Perhaps you are."

"I so wanted what you and Fitzwilliam have. My brother loves you very much, even if you try to hide it from Aunt Catherine. I know better."

"My dear sister. Do you not understand that I was willing to marry your brother before we developed the strong feelings we now possess?"

"You did not marry because it was a love match?"

"We married in spite of it." Anne found a more comfortable position to sit. Being eight months pregnant made that increasingly difficult each day of her confinement. "We discovered that we were well matched and I had the utmost respect for Fitzwilliam. Falling in love was an additional advantage neither of us counted on." Anne patted Georgiana's hand. "I am going to tell you something I have never told anyone else, including my husband."

Georgiana perked up a bit at the prospect of hearing a secret.

"There were only two men during my first Season in Town that I would ever have considered marrying. Oh, there were many who flattered my vanity with pretty words and gallant manners, but there were only two who were interested in me for more than monetary reasons."

"Who?"

"Your brother and Sir John Whitby."

"Sir John Whitby? I thought you were not fond of the man's company when you first met him?

"I was horrified!" Anne laughed. "But I soon found that while Sir John may not have been the most romantic of suitors, he adored me. I felt sorry for him. I now know he wants more from marriage than a large dowry from his wife and I think he thought I was the one who would make him happy. While I could not have accepted him then, his fervent regard, loyalty and kindness eventually overcame the poor first impression he made and I saw that he is a very good man. That is why I am honored to count Sir John among my friends.

"The point is that there are many people, and not just fortune hunting men, who would take advantage of you for your wealth if they could. You should be in no hurry to marry; you are but fifteen years old. Georgiana, remember, I did not make my debut until I was seventeen and a half and I know I was naïve about a great many things, though I could not admit it at the time. Fitzwilliam was very correct to insist I spend the Season without any commitments. I came to appreciate him even more during those months as I compared him against the men I met. In a few more years you will be much more prepared to enter into society and your brother and I will be with you to help you discern the character of the people you meet."

"I would rather stay here at Pemberley and be an aunt to your children."

"By then this little one," Anne put her hand lovingly on her greatly expanded stomach, "will be two years of age, quite spoiled, and no doubt terrorizing the staff. You will want to flee to London for more stimulating and fully grown-up company." Anne laughed. "Now help me up so I can face my duties for the day. Mrs. Reynolds is expecting me and as you know, we must never keep her waiting."

Georgiana assisted her sister to her feet and then pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. I expect to see you at your place at the next meal."

Georgiana released Anne and stepped a pace back.

"I will. I have been avoiding Fitzwilliam more than anything else," she admitted sheepishly.

Anne arched an eyebrow. "He is more worried about you than anything else."

"I know."

"Then speak to him. The sooner you do, the sooner all of us can move past this."

"I will, I promise. That is, I promise if you promise to rest after you see Mrs. Reynolds."

"As if I have a choice." Anne rolled her eyes. "I love Fitzwilliam, but he can be overly protective of me."

Georgiana stood up a little taller. "Now that I have returned, I will help you."

Anne smiled with fondness for her beloved sister. "I am counting on just that."

~~~/~~~

On second day of August, in the Year of our Lord, 1811, Anne de Bourgh Darcy began to feel the pains of childbirth. On the third day of August 1811, she delivered a healthy girl. Four weeks later the child was christened Elizabeth Anne Georgiana Darcy in the parish church. Newly promoted Colonel Andrew Fitzwilliam was the godfather and the recovering Georgiana Darcy, godmother.

Pemberley, and Rosings Park, had an heir.

Well, heiress.

We've finally made it up to the traditional starting point of P&P canon, assuming the traditional 1811/1812 timeline. Are you ready to go to Hertfordshire?