Guiding & Protecting, page 33
Alex was able to listen to the conversation between the girls, which lasted until their mother bustled angrily into their room.
“Are Lizzy and Jane correct about young men not wanting to seek our hands in marriage because of our overly flirtatious behavior?”
Alex was pleased Miss Catherine seemed to have taken to heart the words of both her sisters.
“The officers seem to enjoy our flirting with them,” Lydia declared.
“But have any of them talked to you about marriage?” Kitty inquired.
“No, but what of it. We are still young. I imagine they would wait until we are older before they will think about marrying one of us.”
“I am almost two years older than you, and not one of the officers has mentioned anything about marriage. I will agree they seem to enjoy being flirted with, and they do flirt in return, but nothing they have said or done seems serious. Maybe our sisters are correct. Maybe young men do not want overly flirtatious young ladies for brides. Maybe they see us only as amusement.”
Again, Alex was pleased by how serious Miss Catherine seemed when considering what she had heard.
“Amusement?”
“Yes. They are using us to amuse themselves while they are looking around for young ladies who behave properly and would make better wives.”
“But mama claims flirting is the only way to catch a husband,” Lydia declared.
Alex knew Miss Lydia believed more of what her mother said than her slightly older sister.
“Jane and Lizzy did not flirt with Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy, and they still both received proposals.”
He was happy Miss Catherine had pointed out the obvious.
“I for one would not want a husband as proud and stuffy as Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley . . .” Alex watched as Miss Lydia paused in her comment seemingly in thought. “He smiles too much,” she had finally declared.
He heard Miss Catherine laugh at her sister’s comment, and then said, “It seems to show he enjoys fun. Are you not seeking a man who enjoys himself and would enjoy entertaining you?”
“Yes, but I would not want someone like Miss Bingley for a sister.”
Alex watched as both sisters laughed over Miss Lydia’s observation, but then he saw Miss Catherine become more serious.
“Do you remember what we promised to do after the incident with Maria Lucas?”
“It was something about using Lizzy as a role model to follow. Was it not?” Her sister finally admitted.
Alex remembered every word of the conversation and had hoped the two girls would follow their decision made at the time. He was saddened when he realized they lost interest in following Miss Elizabeth’s excellent example for Miss Lydia had declared her sister did not know how to have fun. He amended his thought to Miss Lydia had lost interest, but Miss Catherine had altered her behavior even if only slightly.
“Exactly,” Miss Catherine declared. “I am now determined to fulfill the vow we made to follow the example of our two elder sisters. I want to marry a man who loves me. I also remember Lizzy sharing the information about the living an officer makes. I do not think I want to live on so meager a living. I want to be able to have servants and buy new dresses. I do not believe any of the officers in the regiment could afford any of those things. Maybe if he were a colonel, but not one of the lower officers.”
“La, Kitty. I believe I could live on love without all the other trappings,” Miss Lydia boldly declared, causing Alex to chuckle at her shortsightedness.
Miss Catherine, too, laughed before pointing out, “You really think you would be happy washing, cleaning, and cooking for a man who could not buy you a pretty dress or even ribbons to redo your bonnet. Why, I imagine, he would not even be able to afford a new bonnet, so you would only have old bonnets and old dresses to wear. And where do you think you would wear those dresses?”
“To balls, assemblies, and dinners we were invited to,” Miss Lydia declared.
“How many officers have brought their wives to the events which have been hosted in the areas since their arrival?”
“None, because there are no married officers in the regiment,” her sister declared.
“Yes there are. Do you not remember Denny telling us Lt. Wittman is married? His wife lives in a little house just outside of Meryton. I have seen the house. It is very run down, and I have seen Mrs. Wittman outside hanging up laundry. Who do you suppose did her laundry? And have you seen Mrs. Wittman in attendance at any of the functions attended by Lt. Wittman?”
Alex was pleased Miss Catherine was becoming aware of the realities of being an officer’s wife.
“I did not remember he was married, and here I have been flirting with him. Why is a married man allowing me to flirt with him?”
“Because he sees you as a flirt and maybe as an easy lady who might allow him some inappropriate advances,” Miss Catherine suggested.
Again, Alex was pleased Miss Catherine seemed a little more knowledgeable than her sister about what was and was not appropriate. She also appeared more aware the harm a scandal could cause the family. He wished he could tell her how pleased he was with her new awareness.
“I would never allow it to happen, and now I know he is married, I will no longer flirt with him.”
“He already sees you as a flirt, so changing your behavior toward him might not stop him from making inappropriate advances. You have already encouraged him by accepting his flirting. Why, he might even be one of those men who would force you into a situation which would harm your reputation and the reputation of the entire family.”
“I would not allow it.”
Alex noted Miss Lydia donning, what he considered, the most ferocious frown in her arsenal.
“You could not stop him if he were determined to have his way with you. Any man can easily overpower a lady,” Miss Catherine wisely advised.
Alex noted Miss Lydia dis not reply to her sister’s comment.
“I am determined to improve my behavior,” Miss Catherine finally declared causing Alex to applaud her wise choice even though see could neither see nor hear his approval. “I want Jane and Lizzy to be proud of my behavior not to feel embarrassed by it. If I can prove myself a proper young lady, then maybe they will invite me to London. I might then have a chance to meet more eligible young men, and maybe I too will find love and happiness like Jane and Lizzy.”
Alex noted Miss Lydia nodding in agreement to her sister’s comment, but he was unsure if she was sincere in her agreement.
Alex left the room pleased with Miss Catherine decision and Miss Lydia’s apparent agreement and hoped they would adhere it this time. Maybe, he thought, they too would end up in marriages which would bring them happiness and respect.
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Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy both stood nervously at the front of the church as they awaited their brides. Each tried to envision what their respective bride would look like as she came down the aisle on the arm of their father. Both were more than surprised when the back doors finally opened to reveal their soon-to-be wives.
Onlookers tried to decide whose smile was the brightest because all four participants glowed with happiness. It was mutually agreed Mr. Darcy’s dimples were extremely pleasing and Elizabeth’s eyes were the liveliest they had ever seen. Neither couple heard much of the ceremony for they were too engrossed in staring at their respective mate. The minister smiled as each party was at least able to respond appropriately at the correct time, and none forgot the vows they were to repeat. He was pleased when he was finally able to introduce the newly wed couples as Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Lord and Lady Ashbourne all beamed at the newly wed couples, and the colonel winked at Elizabeth when she finally looked his way causing her to blush. Darcy noticed the blush and wondered at its cause. He decided he would ask about it later when the couple had more private-time.
Georgiana wiped at the tears flowing down her cheeks, as did her aunt. She could not remember a time when she had been so happy as watching her brother marry for love rather than position and wealth. She only hoped she would one day find a gentleman who loved her as much as her brother loved Elizabeth and who she could love as much in return.
Once both couples had signed the register at the back of the church, they made their way to their carriages and proceeded to Netherfield where the wedding breakfast awaited them. It had been agreed Mrs. Bennet would plan and host the breakfast but Netherfield, offering more room, would be the location. Mrs. Bennet had also agreed upon the location because she was desirous of displaying her daughter’s new home to all of her friends. It also offered her the opportunity to brag about her daughter’s new position and wealth. She just regretted she was unable to do the same with Elizabeth’s new home, but she could mention, repeatedly, how wealthy Mr. Darcy was and how lucky Elizabeth was to have captured his hand in marriage.
By mid after noon, both couples were ready to depart from the crowds and spend time alone with your new spouses. It had been decided Charles and Jane would spend one month in London at Charles townhouse. In addition, William and Elizabeth would retire to London where they would remain until early March when it would be safer to travel to Pemberley. Georgiana would spend time with her uncle and aunt but join her brother and new sister when they traveled to Pemberley. It was a plan pleasing to all involved.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Truths Revealed
Elizabeth and William both enjoyed their time in London. For the first two weeks, the knocker remained off the door and no visitors were admitted. The couple was seen sparingly by the staff, but when visible, the staff were surprised how often Mr. Darcy smiled and laughed. It was easy for them to discern how much in love their master was and how happiness filled the house, which felt more like a home once again.
The following weeks found the couple attending the theater, visiting museums, shopping to expand Elizabeth’s wardrobe and to add to the libraries of both the townhouse and Pemberley, and accepting a few private invitations. The first invitation they accepted was a ball hosted by Darcy’s aunt. She was determined to introduce the new Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy to London society, and she would not be refused.
Aunt Helena, as Elizabeth had been directed to address her new relation, had personally escorted Elizabeth to her modiste to be fitted for the perfect ball gown. She declared no niece of hers would be looked down upon because of an inferior, ill-fitting, or unflattering gown. Upon her declaration, Elizabeth noticed Alex rolling his eyes causing her to quickly stifle a laugh.
The ball, consisting of more guests than Elizabeth had expected and Darcy had felt comfortable around, was extremely successful for both Elizabeth and the Countess. Darcy hovered over his wife most of the evening, dancing with her more often than was acceptable for most husbands, and escorted her into dinner making sure no unworthy or overly flirtatious gentlemen were seated too near his wife. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who would not have missed the ball for any reason other than an invasion of England by Napoleon’s troops, spent most of the night amused by the antics of his cousin.
It was not until mid March when the couple was able to journey to Pemberley. Georgiana was allowed to travel with them, for Elizabeth declared it only proper her new sister accompany them. She felt sure her husband would find his time filled with plans for spring planting, estate issues, and tenant concerns once they arrived at Pemberley.
The first two weeks at Pemberley were filled with training for Elizabeth. Although she had some experience managing an estate, Longbourn was small in comparison to her new home. She discovered Pemberley larger than she had imagined and began to rely heavily on Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, to assist her in learning how to properly manage an estate of such a size. She also began planning and making visits to all the tenants and insisted Georgiana accompany her.
She explained, “One of the duties of a good estate mistress is to learn about the tenants, discover their needs, and help meet those needs whenever possible.”
“William had me leave the task to Mrs. Reynolds. He never said it was important for me to learn to take over the task,” Georgiana replied, surprising Elizabeth.
Mrs. Reynolds, who was in attendance, said, “I shared the task with Lady Anne when she was alive. Lady Anne always made visits to all the tenants, and every Christmas, she made special baskets with numerous personal treats for all the adults and children, which were greatly appreciated.”
Georgiana questioned, “Why was I never informed about all my mother had done for the estate.”
“At first you were too young,” Mrs. Reynolds replied. “Then you had been at school or in town studying with masters. I became accustomed to fulfilling the role, and Master William never mentioned you would be interested in assuming the task. I fear it never crossed my mind to ask about your wishes. For this, I humbly apologize.”
“From this day forward, Miss Darcy will accompany me on the visit, and I will train her in the finer points of making tenant visits,” Elizabeth announced with a bright smile to both ladies.
Because of the time spent learning her new role, Elizabeth had little time to tour all the areas of the house, but one rainy afternoon, about a month after arriving at Pemberley, Elizabeth set out to see as much of the house as possible. When she entered a long hall, she realized it was the picture gallery, and as she started her self-guided tour, she read the names on each of the labels under the pictures. She was surprised at how many of the Darcy men shared the same features. Most were darker complexed than the females, had dark wavy hair, when the artist had been able to capture them with their natural hair rather than a wig, and had piercing eyes. She also discovered the Darcy dimples did not show up until the mid 1700’s, so she determined it was inherited from one of the Darcy wives. She had commented on this to Alex, who had accompanied her on the tour, but he seemed very closed mouthed about all her comments.
She had found it odd he had not made some of his more witty responses to her comments. She was doubly surprised when they stood in front of a portrait of one of the loveliest ladies she had seen so far. She sat in a chair by herself smiling at something unseen outside the pictures parameters.
“Lady Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy,” Elizabeth read the nameplate. “Georgiana resembles her mother,” she commented as she studied the lady.
Then she looked over at Alex wondering why he did not respond and was surprised at the look of adulation on his face. ‘Did he know her?’ The thought flitted through her mind.
“Alex, she is very lovely, is she not?” When he did not reply, she asked, “Did you know her?” Realizing it seemed a rather vague question as to when he might have known her, she reworded her question. “Did you know her before . . .” she realized she could not mention his not being alive, so she amended her wording, “before you became my guardian?”
“She is lovely, is she not?” He commented, and she realized he had not heard her questions.
“Yes, very. Were you acquainted with her . . . at one time,” she quickly added the last. She knew she was repeating her questions, but since he had not answered her the first time, she felt it proper to ask again.
“Yes, she is lovely,” he absently commented.
“Alex,” she needed his attention, so raised her voice slightly to gain it. When he finally looked at her, she tried again. “Were you acquainted with her at one time?”
“Yes.”
Brief and to the point but very uninformative, she decided.
“Was she a family friend?”
“Yes and no.”
Still, too little information, she felt. “Was she a personal friend?”
“Yes and no.”
Elizabeth was becoming rather impatient with his answers. She had looked down toward her feet deciding how to draw him into revealing more, and when she finally looked up, which she did slowly, she encountered another nameplate. “Alexander George Darcy and Lady Anne Darcy,” she read aloud, and then gasped, as she looked higher at a figure in another picture beside the one she had first noticed. “It is you!”
She could not believe what she was seeing. In front of her was a portrait, at a younger age, of the man who she called Alex and who had been her guardian since she was four and ten.
“Yes, it is,” was all he said.
“Why did you never tell me?”
“It is not allowed. Who we were is something we cannot reveal. Only if the one we watch over discovers our identity are we allowed to say anything about our past.”
“All this time you knew Georgiana and William, yet you never once let on how close you were to them. How you must have wished to speak to them.” Then Elizabeth realized something important. “You knew what kind of a man George Wickham was but never warned me against him. Why?” Why did he not protect her and Georgiana when the man first arrived in Ramsgate?
“The George I knew as a young man was not like the man he became. He was always cheerful and respectful when around my family and me. I never saw the other side of him developing. He must have hidden those aspects of his character from me. I have often wondered if Fitzwilliam knew about his true character but for some reason decided not to share it with me.”
“Oh,” she replied reflectively. Would her William keep something so important from his own father? And why would he do such a thing?
“You must understand, Miss Elizabeth, I promised my friend, George’s father, I would look after his son and make sure he had a decent living to look forward to after he completed his education. I never once considered he would shun such a living I had left him. Obviously, he did or he would now by the rector at Kympton. Instead, he is dead by the hand of an unknown assailant. We may never know who took his life, but it was not you, so do not feel as if it were your fault how his life ended.”
