Chapter 26-first draft
Uncle John relaxed in his customary seat by the fire in the library of Darcy House. He had greatly enjoyed this last fortnight. There was no joy in recalling the trouble and worry his brother had endured but it was indeed a delight to once again pass an evening at Darcy House and find in its master a man he could respect. The Darcys were a small family. His own wife had passed many years ago leaving him with a young daughter to raise. Georgiana was now only sixteen. They now had his nephew, for he had never wished to encourage a relationship with the imposter. He feared for the influence such a man might have on his little girl. His true nephew, sitting in his brother's place, brought him great satisfaction. He was the image of his father as much in character as in appearance and his wife was both amusing and elegant. Exactly the sort of lady to encourage his timid Ana.
As they sat awaiting news on this momentous day the ladies were exploring London. His mind was continually turning on the dear little woman who had provided the mothering his nephew required and wondering if she might be exactly the person he and his child needed in their home.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Douglass were announced having just seen the Wickhams on their way.
"Colonel, you have had the worst of it for the last fortnight; are you pleased to at last be rid of your burden?"
"It was my father's influence that made it possible but it is done. The story of the Wickhams confessions along with their escape from justice by running off to the colonies comes out tomorrow."
"The publicity will be most uncomfortable and I suppose it explains the former Miss Bingley's choice to emigrate to India. She's hoping to become some Nabob's wife, I wish her success but she will be surprised to discover how different everything will be. After receiving her divorce I thought she might establish herself among the less fussy members of society but she could not endure the shame. She sails in four days."
"Have we influence enough to allow her to sail before the news is printed?"
"That is very good of you, my boy. I will see what can be done. She is a fool but had no part in this deception, though society will blame her nonetheless."
After accepting a glass of port the Colonel began to describe the day's events, "Mrs. Pamela Wickham was quickly claimed by a free settler who was pleased to have a wife. He will be surprised I think by how ill-prepared she is for the position. Maybe he will be able to afford a cook. Because Wickham is married he will need to occupy himself. He was fool enough to call himself a farmer, I reminded him that he never put his hand to any farm work. He had, however, run a business and if he is wise he will overcome his pride and use his funds to purchase a shop in the settlement. I wonder how he will take to earning a living?"
"Perhaps it will be the making of him" The judge added hopefully thinking of the lady who still cared about the well being of 'Bertie's boy.'
Mr. Douglass answered, "It is possible. He has a wife and children to support now, though I tried my best to talk her out of it. Sally had been unaccountably determined to marry him. There were a number of settlers who would have taken her on once she delivered the babe she was obviously carrying. None of them were willing to risk their life's work passing to some other man's son, however. She still wanted Wickham and now he is to be father to two young children. The little girl looks just like him but he is sure the next one will not be his. He complained about it but I reminded him of his own offenses and told him he could still choose to hang. He is now bound to Sally, but for her sake I hope he dies of scurvy before they reach Botany Bay."
Five days later society was both shocked and exhilarated. To imagine that one of their own, a person of good family, could have behaved as ignobly as the supposed Mr. Darcy had brought them too near to acknowledging that nobility was a quality that did not come through bloodlines. To be able to pretend once again that the picadillos of high society were excusable and paltry in comparison to the wickedness found in lower classes. That the Wickham's were indeed gentry was entirely ignored. He had been the child of a servant became the story most often told and for six months at least every mama and papa in society scrutinized their offspring most carefully for family resemblaces.
By virtue of being kind, generous, hospitable and honourable, everything in short that the bon ton was supposed to represent, and restored to their rightful place in society they were welcomed everywhere. For nearly three seasons to have the handsome young Mr. and Mrs. Darcy attend an entertainment was quite a coup for any hostess. They – well really only Elizabeth, but her husband supported her – enjoyed their social success, but were very pleased when they might return to Pemberley. After their first season, they left Aunt Susan in town, however, for she too was a new Mrs. Darcy.
The household and tenants of the Pemberley estate were very pleased indeed. And once the papers arrived from London the staff were allowed to speak openly of what had only been hinted about. The house was alive with activity and the first order of business was in shipping the portrait of George Wickham along with his and his mother's miniatures to Motesbridge where they were destined to collect dust in the attic for a generation until his infamy had been forgotten. This had scarcely been completed when they learned that the nursery rooms were to be redesigned.
This was Lady Catherine's gift to her true nephew and his clever bride. She was so pleased to be able to deny any association with the behaviour of the usurper that she visited them in London. To remove any memory of 'that horrible woman' from the nursery it must be made over. Elizabeth was surprised to find herself in perfect agreement with her ladyship and she did not object when their exceedingly helpful relation insisted on sending her own carpenter to oversee the work. A letter was soon dispatched to their own steward to say whatever was needful to Pemberley's carpenters in order to avoid any offense.
The portraits of the true master and mistress of Pemberley were taken during their first season in London. They were a gift from the Earl and Countess who were very pleased by the restoration of the family's good name. They were completed in time for the anniversary of their wedding. And were hung with pride on the wall once dominated by the portrait of a rogue. A copy of Aunt Susan's portrait was hung beside the image of her husband. Another portrait, that of Georgiana joined them the year of her come out.
When the true master and mistress of the great estate returned the road was lined with local merchants, past Pemberley's lodge house tenants cheered for them and their servants were equally glad for all to be restored. The steward had done his job and roofs and roads; cottages and fences were being put to rights. One of the first matters Darcy undertook on his return was the living at Kympton. It had not in fact been sold but the imposter had instead hired a rather useless curate, naming himself as rector. The curate was not suited for the role of vicar and so the position was offered to Longbourn's curate who then asked Mary Bennet to be his wife. Still unsure if she even liked the man she immediately accepted, having well learned her lesson from the previous winter. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Brown having earned their rest were offered a pensioners cottage on the Pemberley estate and Mr. Bennet sold the living for a modest two thousand pounds. He settled the sum on the two girls still at home.
The most important change that resulted from the sweeping changes made that summer of eighteen hundred and twelve was in the restoration of Pemberley Woods. Those grand trees were at last able to shake themselves free of the pollution that had settled on them many long years ago. And when twelve months later a new heir was welcomed into the bright and sunny nursery the family and all attached to them were full of a very natural pride.