Thanks for your patience everyone, having to work too long to write much at the moment, but we are still progressing toward the end of the story. I have seen that many people are having issues with FFN not showing all the chapters properly - if needed this story is also being posted on A Happy Assembly, which seems to have no issue (author name on AHA - Irène André)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Elizabeth joined her mother and sisters for a late breakfast at the dower house. "How was your first night home?"
Mary sighed. "This house is just wonderful, Lizzy. I know you love Pemberley, but for me, it is simply too large to be completely comfortable. Here is just perfect."
"My room is the most beautiful room I have ever been in, and the light is perfect for drawing in the mornings. I am looking forward to sleeping there tonight and tomorrow I will draw the orchard just outside my windows if the sun is right." Catherine added.
Their mother nodded. "Indeed my loves, this house is not much smaller than Longbourn, yet with the much better arrangement of rooms, the larger windows, and without the wasted space we had before, each room is large and airy, yet very comfortable. I must remember to thank William again, as I am certain we will be very happy here."
Georgiana giggled. "You do not need to thank him, he is delighted that the house is finally being used again. It has been empty since my grandmother Darcy passed away a little before I was born; my brother did not want to see strangers living here, yet he had so many good memories here that he often lamented we had no family in need of a home."
Elizabeth smiled at her sister-in-law. "I guessed as much. Just like the treehouse, William has maintained this place in the hope that one day it would be loved and used again."
"Your husband is a lot more romantic and sentimental than I would have guessed ten months ago when we met him," Mary observed.
Elizabeth blushed a little but did not answer; her three young and innocent sisters did not need to realise how romantic and loving William was.
"While I would love to enjoy today without worries," she instead said, "I did have a purpose in joining you here. Lord Farley has apologised this morning and asked for a chance to beg for Georgie and Kitty's forgiveness before leaving Pemberley. I will not lie, his apology did not come until after my husband took him to task, and at first, he only offered excuses rather than remorse. It appears that he spent all night thinking about his behaviour and his hurtful words; I have not spoken to him, but William believes his contrition to be genuine. The decision is yours, however, and if you do not feel ready to hear his pleas, then we will ask him to leave now and return only if and when you are decided and prepared."
Catherine shrugged. "I will allow Georgie to decide. His words to me were powerless as I do not respect him enough to care about his opinion. I am glad he has some regrets about what he said though; I was sad that someone so closely related to the Earl and Countess and to Mr Fitzwilliam could be so terribly unredeemable."
After staring a Catherine blankly for a moment, Georgiana let out a burst of laughter. "I am sorry, but I do not think anyone has ever felt sad for Anthony, and only because Richard and my aunt and uncle are good people. Thank you, Kitty, I needed to put things into perspective and it helped me." She wiped her eyes and took a few deep breaths before continuing. "Lizzy, will you be upset if I ask you to host my cousin a day longer? I would like to spend the day here with your sisters so that I feel more rested and stronger before I talk to him."
Elizabeth reached over the table to take Georgiana's hand. "Not at all my dearest, in fact, I am delighted that you can find comfort with Mary and Kitty; they are tolerable sisters, I suppose, and I am of a mind of sharing them with you."
Everyone laughed at that comment, and Mary, who was sitting on the other side of Elizabeth extended a hand to tickle her older sister while muttering, "Tolerable indeed".
After informing the gentlemen of her sisters' decision, Elizabeth spent above an hour in conference with Mrs Reynolds and Georgiana's maid who had remained behind; the young girl's seventeenth birthday was fast approaching, and the three ladies were planning to surprise her with celebrations and presents adapted to her tastes.
"I received another letter from Charlotte," Elizabeth told her husband at dinner.
"And how are the Collinses enjoying their new lives as part of the landed gentry?"
"Very well! Charlotte followed my advice and the son of Netherfield Park's steward is now installed at Longbourn and slowly teaching my cousin all he needs to know about crop rotations and drainage." She answered with a smile.
"Isn't Longbourn the name of your father's estate?" Anthony asked, puzzled.
"It was, yes. The local community encouraged him to invite his heir to take the day-to-day running of Longbourn over and he has removed to a small cottage on the estate. Luckily for the neighbourhood, his heir, who used to be your Aunt Catherine's parson in Hunsford, has married my good friend, the former Miss Lucas, who grew up not five miles from her new home." Elizabeth cheerfully explained.
"But why would a man renounce his rights and install an heir who is not his child?"
"Mr Bennet is incapable of running an estate, but luckily he has just enough awareness to accept that fact," Darcy answered for his wife. "Had you paid attention over the past few weeks, you would have noticed how involved Elizabeth is with the tenants and servants here; her experience was from managing Longbourn since the grand age of fifteen." His wife blushed at his praise and the smile that accompanied it.
"But why could he not have recruited the steward himself? It doesn't sound like Cathy's vicar would be better trained." Try as he might, the Viscount could not understand how a man could give his estate up for a simple cottage.
Elizabeth sighed. "When he first inherited Longbourn, Mr Bennet let it decline. You know the impact a failing estate can have on a town and the surrounding area; our neighbours did not wish to let history repeat itself, nor did the tenants. Once my engagement with your cousin was known, it seemed that the risk of having an inexperienced landlord, with a well-respected wife to support him, was more acceptable."
Finally understanding, Anthony quietly added. "No tenants means no income; not so much encouraged to invite his heir as forced to. Your mother and sisters are not here for a holiday, are they?"
Darcy shook his head. "The dower house will be my mother-in-law's home for as long as she needs it and my sisters can choose to reside there or here with Georgie and us forever if they do not wish to marry."
Georgiana and Catherine, finally returned to Pemberley the following morning, accompanied by Mrs Annesley and Mary. Mrs Bennet did not accompany her daughter to give the girls a chance to stand up for themselves and for each other.
As soon as tea was served and the servants left the room, Anthony came to kneel before his young cousin, taking both her hands in his. "Georgie, my sweet, beautiful baby cousin. Can you forgive this old man for his rudeness? Your playing is beautiful, and my boorish comment was ridiculous; I know that many repetitions are needed to master a new piece, it was not dull or dreary or whatever idiotic word came out of my mouth. By the time you are old enough to be presented, you will be perfect and the salons of London will fight to have you perform on their instruments."
A tear escaped and ran down Georgiana's cheek. "I know I am not beautiful like Jane or Kitty," she whispered, "my music is the only thing I can boast of. It did hurt to hear you criticise it."
"No, little sprite, none of it is true. Please do not think my words had any validity. I have travelled the ballrooms and events of the Ton too much and it has made me cynical and jaded. Cruel even, Darce is correct in saying that I forgot to show you how much you matter, how much I love my tiny little cousin. I was older than you are now when I first held you in my arms, the sweetest little babe anyone could imagine and I loved you from that time. I even remember when I understood that love; you had one thumb in your tiny mouth and I was stroking your little arm with my right index when you brought your other hand up and grabbed my finger; a tiny smile floated for just a second or two on your face before you fell asleep and I was lost."
Anthony lifted his hand to dry her cheek. "You are only sixteen, and you still have some of the awkwardness of childhood, but I was truthful when I said you took some of your looks from our aunt. Where I was cruel was when I said it was unfortunate, for it isn't at all. The old Earl, our grandfather, was always so proud to talk about his daughters' seasons, and he was justified; the Fitzwilliam sisters, your mother and our aunt, took the Ton by storm; they were beautiful, poised and confident, Aunt Anne played the piano as you do, and Aunt Catherine was a highly accomplished dancer. In a year or so, it will be you, showing the world that the Fitzwilliam spirit is as strong in you as the family looks. They will love you."
Seeing the doubt in the girl's eyes, Elizabeth came to sit next to her. "Lady Catherine told me about her successes in town when I was at Rosings earlier this year. I believe your cousin is being truthful in his assertion that you will follow in her footsteps. William and I will be with you all the way."
Georgiana squeezed Elizabeth's hand and let out a sad giggle. "I guess it will not be too bad to look like Aunt Catherine, but I have none of her temper or character."
"Thank goodness for that," Darcy said with a shudder, prompting the first genuine smile on his sister's face that day.
"I will need a few days to get over the pain, but I forgive you, Anthony." Georgiana was looking straight into her cousin's eyes. "Will you promise to not be as careless with your words in future? Not just when you talk to me, but for any young lady. It can be so hurtful to be dismissed like that just because we are different from what is fashionable."
"I will attempt it, little sprite. I cannot promise to always get it right, but I promise to do my best and to always apologise when I do hurt someone. I may need to borrow one or two of your siblings to help me see the light, but I am a fast learner. It only took Miss Catherine, William and a whole night for me to come to my senses after all." He jested.
Standing up at last, Farley turned to face Catherine. "Miss Bennet, I owe you an apology as well. I am grateful for your protectiveness regarding my little cousin, and in truth, my gratitude extends to your reproaches; they were natural and just; I doubt anything more gentle would have pierced my armour of conceit. I can understand that you have no wish to claim connections who are morally so far beneath your own, yet I hope you will give me a chance to earn your forgiveness, your friendship and a place as your cousin."
With a shrug, Catherine answered. "As I told her yesterday, I will be guided by Georgie. If she can forgive you, so can I, and if you keep your word to her, then I will be content. Your behaviour from now on will determine whether we can be friends in future or remain indifferent acquaintances."
Knowing he still had a long way to go before being redeemed, and that words would not influence the young lady, Anthony bowed to her and silently pledged to win Miss Catherine's trust before Georgiana's first season so that he could champion both girls and protect them as much as Darcy would.
Lord Farley remained at Pemberley another week complete, sharing his time between riding the estate with Darcy and sitting with Georgiana and the ladies in the music room or the library. His relationship with his younger cousin was improving, in great part thanks to Elizabeth's support.
On the last evening of his visit, he sat next to Miss Catherine as Miss Mary and Georgiana were at the instrument while Darcy, Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet were sitting on a sofa debating the merits of replacing an old footbridge over the river between the dower house and Lambton by the bridge large enough to allow for carts and carriages. While Darcy was happy to pay for the larger bridge, Elizabeth worried it would divert many delivery carts to the little lane that her mother and sisters used to visit Pemberley and be an inconvenience for the ladies.
As Catherine was sketching in her usual manner, Anthony called her attention. "This is a good depiction of Mrs Darcy, yet it is not the first I see you attempt. Were you unhappy with your previous efforts?"
"Not at all, I am trying to capture Lizzy in as many postures and situations as I can using simple pencils, then I can choose the one I like best and create a larger, nicer painting. I know my sister's face and expressions well enough and I am certain that I can get a portrait without her sitting for it, but I want the smaller sketches as guides and reminders." She looked at him. "You will not tell her or William, will you? I want it to be a surprise for Christmas."
"My lips are sealed, Miss Bennet." The Viscount solemnly replied. "With your talent, I expect it will be perfect and Darcy will love it. Perhaps at a later point, I may persuade you to sketch Georgie for me. I think a nice miniature of my little sprite is what is missing from my study."
Catherine nodded. "Perhaps."
"Miss Catherine, may I ask a question that your sister has skilfully managed to avoid for more than a week now? I admit to curiosity being one of my worst defects." Anthony was smiling, yet he was nervous as he did not want to upset her.
"You may ask, but I reserve the right not to answer."
"Fair enough. Well, here it is. What is the story with Mr Bennet? I have picked up enough undercurrents to know something is wrong, but no one will explain why your mother has left her home and moved to Pemberley, apparently forever."
Catherine sighed and simply replied. "Our father is not a good man, sir. He was angry that my Grandfather Gardiner protected Mama's dowry, so that she would have something to live on if anything happened, and he has never forgiven her. Longbourn was entailed, as you may know, and we have no brother. That made Mr Bennet bitter, and for as long as I remember he has used his wit to denigrate Mama and us. He is a clever man, not as clever as Lizzy, but still. He is educated as well, and a great reader. But he is cruel, and he used his words and the authority he had on us to harm us or attempt to."
The unshed tears in her eyes told Anthony a more complex story than her words; she had been hurt and had seen her sisters suffer, that was obvious. "Is that why you were so angry at me? For using careless words to hurt Georgie?" He asked quietly.
She nodded. "When you told her she was not as pretty as Jane, it was like listening to him. I heard him so many times tell Lizzy and Mary that they were dark and plain, worse than plain, ugly. I have heard him berate them both for their lack of proficiency at the pianoforte, even though he always refused to get anyone to teach them. Lydia and I were silly and vain in his opinion; we had no talent or accomplishment and he mocked us constantly for not knowing things he would not teach us. Even Jane, sweet, gentle and beautiful Jane did not escape his censure, for he thought her vapid and unintelligent. And then when it was not words, it would be all his little plans to make us miserable or ruin any chance of happiness we could ever have." She breathed deeply and closed her eyes to let go of the memories. "I do not want to talk about that. Your words about Georgie's appearance and playing were like pins someone was sticking in my ears, and I got angry at you, at him, at men in general. You have all the advantages and the power in our society and you use it to hurt young girls who could do nothing to defend themselves. Charles and William do not, my uncles do not and I think your brother doesn't either, so why would you? Why would Mr Bennet do that to his children?"
Anthony was looking at her in wonder, his heart full of shame. "I have no idea, Miss Catherine. I cannot say why the man who was supposed to love and protect you abused you and your sisters instead. Your mother did not escape his attacks, I suppose. You are correct, William and Richard are good men, and they will never behave so; I would like to think I would be a better man than your father too, but in all honesty, I do not know if I am. I hope I can be one day."
She looked at him before answering. "I hope you can be. For a start, it would break Georgie and William's hearts if you followed the same path as Mr Bennet did. But selfishly, I would like to think that I had somehow helped prevent someone's misery years from now; you have tenants who do not deserve your neglect, you have family who are hurt by your current behaviour, and you one day will have a wife and children who will need you to be a better man. It would be nice to think that by shouting at you, I helped in your redemption when I was too insignificant to make a difference in Mr Bennet's life."
"Then I will try and give you the victory, cousin," Farley replied, wanting to lift the mood back up. "If you wish to claim a part of my reform, you will have the accept the dreaded familial connection, for I will not work for less. Tomorrow I am going straight to my estate to look after the harvest; William had a few good ideas that I wish to put into practice. I will deny any such influence from my much younger cousin of course, so I trust in your silence. Darcy is already too proud of his estate management skills, so we should not flatter his vanity."