Authors: Melanie Schertz
“Do you see the large pine tree with the piece of
faded fabric tied about the trunk?” Elizabeth nodded
her head to his question. “If you follow the stones
which have been placed in a pattern from that tree, it
surrounds the most dangerous area. But I would
suggest you use caution anywhere in that area.”
“Do you hear Mr Darcy’s words, Miss Sadie? You
are not to go near that area, for I could not tolerate
your being injured.” Elizabeth scratched the dog’s
favorite spot, just behind her ears. Sadie leaned into
Elizabeth’s thigh, resting her head on the young lady’s
knee.
Darcy chuckled. “Well, I believe she will agree
with you as long so you keep giving her such
attention.”
The day after arriving at Pemberley, Mr Gardiner
requested a chance to speak privately with Mr Bennet.
“Thomas, I must speak with you of Fanny. She
thought I would allow her to stay at my home, and
was furious when I refused to do so. Fanny then
stated she would make the journey to Longbourn, as
you are not currently in residence.”
“You explained her options and the choice she
made.” Mr Bennet stated. “Why can she not
understand that she has done this to herself?”
“My sister is not one to think of consequences for
her actions. But I told her that she would be tossed
from Longbourn if she tried to enter it.” Mr Gardiner
then turned his head and looked away from Mr
Bennet. “Just before I left to journey here, I
discovered the
employment
my sister has found.”
Mr Bennet shook his head. After learning of his
wife’s extramarital affairs, he should not be shocked
to learn anything of Fanny. “As you are clearly
ashamed of it, I can only guess that Fanny has taken
employment using her arts and allurements. I must
admit that she is attractive, and she has always kept
her appearance up. She just was not attractive
enough to me to desire her. The few times we were
together, I was usually intoxicated or my body just
took control of me. It was never from desiring her.”
Mr Gardiner nodded his head. “I was not
surprised to learn the girl was living with Fanny. I do
not approve of her living in a house of ill repute, but
there was nothing I could do to stop her. No matter
how hard I tried, she would not return to the school.
It was clear to see that she would have only run away
as soon as I left. Nothing short of shackling her to the
classroom would have kept Lydia there.”
“To be honest, Gardiner, if I were to learn that
Lydia was not my child, I would not be shocked.
Fanny never loved Jane as dearly as she did Lydia.
Perhaps it is due to Fanny loving Lydia’s father.
Unfortunately, the girl behaves more and more like
her mother. Very well, I will wash my hands of both
of them. And I will make sure that I change my will as
soon as possible, cutting both Fanny and Lydia. If
necessary, I will file for a divorce.”
Mr Bennet picked up a glass of port he had poured
and took a sip. “Yes, I believe I shall. I will not allow
Lydia and Fanny to cause Jane and Elizabeth any
harm, even by association.”
Margaret prepared to leave for her home in
Scotland. “My husband will be returning home soon
from the sea, and I look forward to telling him of what
has happened. He will be anxious to meet you too,
Lizzy.”
“Does he travel often?” Elizabeth asked. As her
aunt had rarely discussed her marriage, Elizabeth did
not wish to push the matter.
“He is gone most of the time. I used to tease him
that I knew when he was home, as I would learn I was
with child after he returned to the sea. Then, after
Robbie, I could have no more children. But I still
enjoy what time I have with my husband. We have
near two months a year together, before he begins
sailing again. He usually comes home when the
weather is cold, and we snuggle into our home for
weeks on end.”
Robbie chuckled. “Where we live, winters are
brutal, so there are weeks we do not get out of the
house. You learn to accept it after a few years, and
now I look forward to spending time at home with no
company. I almost become disappointed when there
is a mild winter.”
If he is anything like Uncle Edward, it will be a
blessing to have him in my life.” Elizabeth stated. For
her, it was more difficult to realize that the Gardiners
were not really her relations. Helen and Edward
Gardiner had informed Elizabeth that they did not feel
differently towards her, they thought of her as their
niece and always would. Having known the secret of
Elizabeth’s birth for years, it was clear that they had
not changed towards her due to the nature of her
birth.”
Margaret and her children left Pemberley, leaving
behind them a weeping Elizabeth. In the short time
they had spent together, Elizabeth had developed a
deep bond with her mother’s relations. They
promised to write often, and that Elizabeth would
make the journey to Scotland in the year to come.
Mr Bennet placed a kiss on Margaret’s cheek as he
bid her goodbye. “Constance would be pleased to
know how close you and Lizzy have become. I cannot
thank you enough for all you have done for my dear
girl.”
“Our dear girl, Thomas. Lizzy carries my sister’s
blood in her. And I am certain that Constance is in
heaven, crying tears of joy, as she watches us.”
Margaret tenderly touched Mr Bennet’s cheek with
her fingertips. “She is an amazing young lady. It
pleases me that I will now be able to be a part of her
life. And, if I am not mistaken, I believe there will be a
wedding in the near future, and I will be acquiring a
new nephew.”
Mr Bennet glanced over to where Darcy stood by,
watching the farewells. “He is worthy of her. And he
loves her dearly, as he should.”
Mr Hurst was healing, and the physician declared
the need for only another week before he could be
moved. Hurst was pleased with removing his wife
and her sister from Pemberley, as he was angry with
Caroline’s continued behavior towards the Bennet
and Gardiner families. He could understand why
Bingley was reluctant to leave, as he was still
attempting to secure the hand of Miss Jane Bennet.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was enjoying the rivalry for
Jane’s attention. Though he was only a second born
son of an earl, he had been frugal with his money and
his grandmother on his mother’s side had left a piece
of property to Richard. He could easily resign his
commission and live comfortably, on the small estate
and his savings.
Richard was shocked at Bingley’s abandonment of
Jane Bennet, and considered the man a fool. Though
Jane was reserved and quiet, not flirting and
attempting to draw attention to herself, Richard could
easily determine that she was shy. Perhaps it was all
the years of being around William and Georgiana,
which taught Richard how to decipher people better
than Bingley could. He would have thought Bingley
would have learned by being close friends with Darcy,
but Richard was not willing to bow out of the race to
win the hand of the fair maiden.
Bingley was becoming frustrated. Every time he
prepared to woo Jane with a ride about the estate or
some time alone, Richard seemed to beat him to the
draw. Rising earlier than usual one morning, Bingley
hoped to be in the breakfast room when Jane entered
with her sister, allowing Bingley a chance to speak
with Jane. Unfortunately, Richard and Jane had gone
out riding that morning and did not return until after
breakfast, as they had taken a basket to enjoy on their
excursion.
When Bingley attempted to arrange a meeting
with Jane in the conservatory, Richard was already
there with Jane, discussing the flowers they both
preferred. Richard had discovered Jane’s love of using
flowers and herbs to make bath waters and lotions,
and he discussed with her his mother’s love of unique
flowers from all over the world.
The two stepped into the library to speak. “Miss
Bennet, I have been trying for days to have some time
alone to speak with you. I have wished to ask you if
you would be willing to enter into a courtship with
me.”
Jane was not surprised by his request. “Mr
Bingley, I have had fond feelings for you since we
were all in Hertfordshire. My concern of entering into
a courtship, or any sort of arrangement, with you is
how easily you were persuaded to walk away from
me. You left Hertfordshire without even a farewell.
What would you have done had you not come across
me visiting Pemberley? Would you have returned to
Netherfield, or would you have continued to live your
life around the lies your sister has spoken? I realize
that your sister preferred a better arrangement, one
with wealth and connections, but it was your right to
decide for yourself who you wished to marry.”
“And it is you, Miss Bennet, who captured my
heart and you who holds it in your hands at this very
moment. I was wrong to listen to Caroline. You have
no way of knowing just how I suffered every day since
we parted at Netherfield. My greatest hope and
prayer is that you will forgive me, and allow me to
make amends to you, and to devote the rest of my life
to loving you and making you happy.”
“I have changed since you were at Netherfield.
The pain I suffered has made me weary of freely
offering my heart to just anyone. I will make certain
that my heart is never trampled on as it was by you
and your sister. You made the decision to go against
your heart and what you knew to be true. How can I
guarantee you will not abandon me again, next time
your sister decides I am unworthy?”
Jane shook her head. “We are dear friends, and I
care for him dearly, but we have no understanding. I
have only known him a short time, and I have learned
not to easily trust young men. I am aware of the
Colonel’s regard for me, but I need more time to know
exactly what I want in my life. I have spoken of the
situation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he is
understanding of my wishes.”
“Please, Miss Bennet, tell me now if I have even
the slightest chance of winning your heart. If you
cannot see a future with me, please tell me now, and I
will leave here immediately.” Bingley pleaded with
her.
“Mr Bingley, I do care for you, as I was unable to
completely cut you from my heart when you
abandoned me in Hertfordshire. It is the matter of
being able to trust you that causes me to hesitate.
How can I willingly trust my heart in your hands?
Your own sister has made her feelings clear, and she
will never stand by and allow you to marry me. She
will do all in her power to condemn a union between
us.”
“I will not allow my sister to take you from me,
never again. Caroline is old enough to be on her own.
An establishment can be formed for her to be on her
own. She can purchase a place to live in Town, or she
can live with our aunt in Scarborough. But Caroline
will not be welcome in my home, from this day
forward.”
“Let us go to my rooms.” Elizabeth said, taking
Jane by the hand and leading her down the hall. Once
behind the door of her bedchamber, Elizabeth asked,
“What is causing you so much pain, my dearest
sister?”
“Oh, Lizzy, Mr Bingley and I just spoke. I knew this
day would come, but I had hoped it would have been
easier to cope with. What am I to do?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Are you still in love with him?
Or have you decided it is not worth dealing with his
sisters?”
“You know me too well, Lizzy. I can cope with Mrs
Hurst. She is pleasant to deal with in comparison to
her sister. We both know that Caroline Bingley will
not tolerate her brother marrying the likes of me.
Even with my sister having royal blood lines, the likes
of Miss Bingley will never consider them to be proper
connections.”
“But, perhaps Mr Bingley would be willing to
break off connection with his sister. If he were
willing, would you be agreeable to a relationship with
him?”
“I still care for him, dearly. But I am afraid to
allow him to become too close. Can I overcome my
fears or is it better to look elsewhere for my prince
charming?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, if you are looking for a
prince, it is a good thing your sister is related to
princes. What do you feel towards Colonel
Fitzwilliam? You seem to enjoy your time with him.”
“The colonel is amiable and kind, intelligent and
has a similar sense of humor as you. In fact, Colonel
Fitzwilliam reminds me of you in many ways. And,
though I love you dearly, do I wish my husband to be
a copy of you? Oh, I do not know what to do.”
“Should we send for Aunt Helen to join us?
Perhaps she will have some insight we are
overlooking.” Elizabeth asked her sister.
“Please, as I need assistance.”
~~ ** ~~
“Wills, I need to speak with you. I have a dilemma
and require advice.” Richard said as he entered his
cousin’s study.
“Please, Richard, have a seat. I have a meeting in
an hour with my steward, but I am free until then.”
Darcy motioned his hand towards one of the chairs
before his desk.