A/N - This chapter is unedited. Please let me know if you see any issues, or where you think the story might drag on.
Let me know if you continue to see any issues with consistency, language/usage, or just too much information. This story will be published on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited at some point once it is finished (new target: September 10?).
Chapter 23
The following day, Elizabeth and Darcy journeyed to London. Darcy had wanted to remain a few days longer to allow Elizabeth to rest and to visit with any in Meryton she still wanted to see, but Elizabeth did not want to remain any longer. The only person she cared to see was Charlotte Collins, but the two corresponded frequently, and Charlotte understood Elizabeth's desire to depart in haste.
Jane originally intended to accompany them but decided to remain at Longbourn as she had little desire to return to London. At Pemberley, especially during the house party, Jane realised she was not suited for a life like her sister's. She did not want to decorate a man's arm, but she wanted to find someone who would value her for what she was. She was a simple country girl, and she wanted a man who could support her, but not in the style of Pemberley. Netherfield would probably have been manageable for her, but truly, a house such as Longbourn was more than enough for Jane.
With that in mind, she began to look at the gentlemen in Hertfordshire a little more closely. There were a few gentlemen in Meryton, although she had known most of them her entire life. However, when her mother began to speak about another young gentleman who intended to lease Netherfield, Jane determined to get to know him better.
"Mama, we know nothing of this man who is leasing Netherfield. I will only remain on the condition that you promise not to try to push me toward any single gentlemen like you did Mr Bingley. In the end, Mr Bingley was not all he seemed to be, and I prefer to get to know any gentleman who might be interested in courting me. However, I have learned what I do and do not want in a husband, and I want to get to know any gentleman before anything is said about a potential match," Jane stated one morning as they spoke about the new lease on Netherfield.
Mrs Bennet looked at her daughter in surprise. "But Jane," her mother whined, but Jane cut her off almost immediately.
"No, Mama, nothing you can say will change my opinion in this. I will not tolerate your matching us before we even meet, and you do not need to push me toward any gentleman. Either a man will call on me and want to get to know me better, or he will not, but you will not push or announce to the neighbourhood anything until the gentleman speaks to my father. If you do any of this, I will request LIzzy to send the carriage for me and depart for London."
Having never heard Jane speak to her that way, Mrs Bennet was shocked into silence for several moments, after which she merely nodded her agreement with her daughter's demands.
Lydia did accompany the Darcys to London but only remained at Darcy House for two days before her new brother conveyed her to the school near Bromley. After several conversations, her parents convinced her she needed to go, at least for a time, although Lydia had continued to be angry with her parents, with Elizabeth and her husband, and anyone else who was set on ruining her 'fun.' However, the conversations she had with her mother and father had made her consider her behaviour for once, and while she was visibly unhappy with being forced to go to school, she had begun to contemplate her actions and the potential impacts of them on not only herself but her family.
Darcy spoke to her a bit more in his own quiet but firm way as they travelled to the school. More than anyone else, the words of this handsome, wealthy man did have some impact, although she was determined not to show it as she listened. She continued to be sullen as she travelled, but she listened to her brother's comments and was even considering following some of them.
The travel to and from Lydia's school took an entire day, and Darcy arrived back at his home, satisfied both with the school and that Lydia was no longer openly rebelling against the strictures being placed on her. He had little idea that his words had any impact on his youngest sister-in-law, but he and his wife hoped that something would eventually convince Lydia to change her ways. At least at school, she would be somewhat contained, and there would be no men or boys around for her to flirt with — or anything worse.
In Hertfordshire, the man leasing Netherfield was a newly-married man who, as Bingley had been, was looking for an estate to purchase to become a landed gentleman. Also, like Bingley, he did not come alone, bringing with him an unmarried sister and a cousin, a second son of a gentleman who made his living as a barrister in London. He was just thirty but was already reasonably successful in his chosen profession.
Mr and Mrs James Stanhope, Miss Rebecca Stanhope, and Mr Frederick Hastings visited Longbourn just a few days after Mr Bennet called on the gentlemen at Netherfield. In an effort to do better than he had the previous year, he had not even waited for his wife to berate him into doing so but arranged to visit with Sir William in the days after they arrived. He suggested the ladies visit his wife and daughters at their leisure, and they returned the call promptly. Likewise, when Mrs Hill announced the visitors, he left his study to join his wife and eldest daughter in the drawing room to receive their guests and spoke to the gentlemen about Netherfield.
On that first visit, Mr Hastings' attention was quickly drawn to Jane, and he made an effort to sit near her in order to speak with her during the call. She was quiet, but she asked him questions about himself and his profession, and at the end of the visit, he was interested in learning more about her. Therefore, he asked his cousin's wife to frequently invite Miss Bennet to Netherfield Park during his stay. He knew he could only spare about a month before he would need to return to London, but he hoped to get to know the lady better during this time. Perhaps, he thought, she would have relatives in London to visit.
"Miss Bennet, business and familial obligations require me to depart for London within a fortnight," he had said on the fourth meeting between the residents of Netherfield and those at Longbourn. "I am wondering if perhaps you would be in London this winter, and I might call on you there to continue our acquaintance."
Jane froze for a moment when he mentioned leaving, worried he would abandon her as Mr Bingley had the previous autumn, but her outlook brightened when he asked about calling on her in London. "Yes," she whispered, "my sister is to depart soon to go to London to stay with my aunt and uncle. They live near Cheapside – my uncle is in trade and prefers to live near his warehouses. I am certain my aunt would not object to my accompanying Kitty to town, and I could perhaps stay the entire winter. I would be delighted to continue the friendship we have developed in these last few days."
Mr Hastings smiled broadly at her and, looking around to ensure they were not observed, reached over to lightly squeeze her hand. "I look forward to it, Miss Bennet," he said.
Unlike Mr Bingley, Jane felt that Mr Hastings saw her for who she was. Mr Bingley perhaps admired her for her beauty, something her mother liked to proclaim but had not truly listened to or solicited her ideas. Mr Hastings did seem to see beyond her physical appearance and enjoyed speaking with her. They often exchanged ideas, but unlike the conversations at Pemberley, Jane felt she had something to contribute to the discussion with Mr Hastings.
"Tell me of your family, Mr Hastings," Jane asked, moving the conversation to a new topic for a while.
Elizabeth and Darcy spent a few days visiting his family in London and settling Mary and Georgiana with the girls' companions at Matlock House. The Matlocks had been willing to let them stay with them in London for the autumn, and masters were hired to tutor them in drawing, art, and languages. Elizabeth suggested Kitty travel to join them for a short time with the art master as well, a suggestion that was readily accepted by all concerned. Darcy would arrange for a carriage to bring Kitty to London in a few weeks and then return her to Longbourn after a month. Her governess would accompany her to the Gardiners, where she would stay during this time.
After discussing the situation at Longbourn with the Gardiners, they suggested Kitty stay with them for a while, as they had not spent much time with her. They recognised her need for a more positive influence than she had at home and made when the plan for the girls was discussed. Elizabeth agreed, and the invitation was conveyed to Kitty in the next post.
"Aunt Maddie, you know that you had the most impact on my upbringing," Elizabeth told her. "Papa encouraged my reading, and Mama taught me how to sew, or made sure I was taught, but it was Mrs Hill who trained me how to keep house, and it was through working with Mr Todd and pestering Papa with questions that I learned to manage Longbourn. However, your example taught me how to behave appropriately, and I have always modelled my behaviour after yours. You already know that it was your example that I took to model my own marriage after; my parents' marriage is not one anyone should emulate."
Mrs Gardiner patted Elizabath's hand. "You always seemed to understand your mother's example was less than it ought to be, and even your father did not do more for you than provide you with access to books. I am afraid your uncle and I have been very disappointed with your father, and we are debating even going to Longbourn for Christmas as we usually do this year."
"You should come to Pemberley," Elizabeth invited excitedly. "The Matlocks will be bringing Georgiana and Mary with them, but we can make another coach available for you to bring Kitty and Jane along with your children. We would love to have you."
Smiling, Mrs Gardiner merely shrugged. "I will have to speak to your uncle, but taking another trip north this year may be too much. Edward needs to hire someone who can assist when he is absent, but you know, he prefers to be directly involved in running his business as often as possible."
Elizabeth smiled at her aunt. "Of course, Aunt, I do understand. Perhaps it would be best to wait until late March?" she suggested.
"Is it definite then, Lizzy?" Mrs Gardiner inquired. Elizabeth nodded at her aunt, and the two hugged, turning the conversation toward the addition expected in the spring. Neither Elizabeth nor Darcy was ready to share this news with her parents yet but thought to share their news with the rest of their family at Christmas.
The Darcys remained in London for nearly a fortnight longer. They first travelled to Longbourn, where they intended to stay a night or two to retrieve Jane and ensure arrangements were made to convey Kitty to London for November. However, when they arrived, they found Jane determined to remain in Hertfordshire.
"Jane, are you certain of this decision?" Elizabeth asked her sister when she shared her intention to travel to Gracechurch Street with Kitty in November since Mr Hastings would return to the capital near then.
"I am," Jane said. "I enjoyed getting to know Mr Hastings during his brief visit, and I will go with Kitty to London in a few weeks. My aunt has already agreed to host me as well, and I confess, I would like to get to know him better and believe he is equally interested in the same. He has asked me to spend part of the winter in London since he cannot remain in Hertfordshire due to his work so that we might continue our friendship."
Elizabeth was unhappy to leave her elder sister at Longbourn, but she could admit that with Lydia away at school and Jane and Kitty leaving for London within the month, it would benefit all. Although Elizabeth had begun to learn her duties at Pemberley in the summer, she and Darcy would appreciate the time alone as they prepared to become parents in the spring.
However, she took the opportunity to ask her husband what he knew of Jane's suitor after meeting him at a dinner at Lucas Lodge. "Do you know anything about Mr Hastings or his family?" she asked that night.
"Frederick Hastings was a couple of years ahead of me at university," Darcy replied. "I know him only by reputation — he was very studious and always worked hard. I never heard any rumours about him or anything negative about his character. I do know the family a little; he is a second son, and his father owns a modest estate to the west of London. His elder brother was a bit wild at one point but has since married, settled down considerably, and spends most of his time on the estate."
Elizabeth considered this for a moment. "Jane is interested in him and will go to London with Kitty so he can continue to visit. I am not certain where he lives, but I asked to visit with her while she is there."
"Ahh," Darcy said, realising what she was about. "Should I have my man of business make some inquiries about Mr Hastings then?"
Elizabeth grimaced at the thought of investigating her sister's suitor but soon nodded her agreement. "With the mess my father has created, I think it would be best to see what we can learn about him."
Darcy agreed and sat down at his travel desk to compose a brief letter to send to his man of business, who had conducted similar inquiries in the past. "We will ensure she and your sisters are well, dearest. I have noticed some improvement in your parents since we spoke with them; your mother seems quieter and far less vocal in her complaints regarding you. She almost seemed happy to see you when we returned from London." He briefly chuckled at the face Elizabeth made at his words.
Sighing, Elizabeth replied: "Perhaps we should have done this in the first place, but Papa seemed to agree with all of the stipulations in the contract. Neither you nor I wanted to subject ourselves to the fuss Mama would have inevitably made and felt that it was Papa's role to inform his family of these changes outside of our presence. That was a wrong choice, as Papa has continued in his indolent ways. I do hope these changes we are finally seeing are lasting."
"I hope so as well, my dear," Darcy replied. "With just the two of them in the house for the rest of the autumn and into the winter, perhaps they can learn to make the necessary adjustments together to do what is required. All of their children will be living with someone else, and they will have little cause to spend on entertainment or other nonsense. Mrs Hill and Mr Todd will continue to report to us on what is happening here, and we can address it from a distance as necessary."
Elizabeth leaned into her husband to embrace him. "You are too good to my family, William," she told him.
"They are my family as well, dearest," Darcy replied, leaning down to kiss his wife. Soon, this conversation was forgotten as they conveyed their love for each other in the best way they knew.
Copyright 2023 Melissa Anne
