The Conservatory of Hope

by Melanie Schertz

  “It will take time, Aunt. When the children are older, you can tell them the truth. But make sure that they know I do not have anger or hatred in my heart for them. They are still very dear to me, as are you. My love for you will never change.”

  For the first time in many weeks, Mrs Gardiner was finally able to release all the emotions that she had held inside her since her husband’s death. From that day forward, she made it her mission in life to see her children raised to be good, caring people. Years later, she was rewarded with a son who became a solicitor who aided the poor without charging those who could not pay, a daughter who married a parson who traveled on missions to foreign countries, a son who owned his own shop and took care of his mother until her dying day, and her youngest, a daughter, became a nurse to help others.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 22 Ten years later

  Fitzwilliam Darcy was seated on his horse, looking across his estate. The smile on his face was one which was frequently seen at Pemberley, as he wore a smile most days since his marriage to Elizabeth.

  This day, his thoughts were turned to the celebration which was at hand. The following week was the tenth anniversary of the double wedding of two devoted sisters to two very dear friends. The Bennet family was to join the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams at Pemberley in a few short hours.

  So much had happened in the ten years of marriage. Richard had taken full control of Rosings, as Lady Catherine had died three years previously, from an influenza outbreak. Anne de Bourgh was left further weakened, and seemed to merely exist, not knowing anything that was happening around her.

  Georgiana had surprised her brother by falling in love with the music master that had been hired to further her talents. Elizabeth had come to her sister’s aid in convincing Darcy to consent to the couple, who married when Georgiana turned twenty. The Jensons were given a generous wedding gift from her brother and sister in law, a small estate on the other side of Lambton. In Lambton, Mr Jenson had a business where he taught music as well as sold instruments.

  Charles and Jane had remained at Netherfield, raising their four children in the neighborhood where Jane had grown up. They had a son and heir, as well as three sisters who doted on their baby brother. All of the Bingley children were as good natured as their parents, with their fair hair and blue eyes which had been inherited as well. The Bingley family was quite popular in the neighborhood surrounding Meryton.

  Mr and Mrs Bennet continued to learn more about each other, continuing their courtship until they renewed their vows two years after the double wedding of their two eldest daughters. Surprising, a year after their renewed vows, the couple learned that their family would be increasing. Mrs Bennet was pleased to have another chance at being a parent, as she had learned so much in the second courtship with her husband. Mr Bennet was constantly worried for his wife, as she was no spring chick. The risk to her and the child was significant. As the family gathered to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Darcy and Bingley weddings, Mrs Bennet went into premature labor, with her daughters at her side.

  During the birth, Mrs Bennet was comforted by her daughters, with Jane and Elizabeth holding one of their mother’s hands. All were surprised to learn that Mrs Bennet was carrying two children, the heir and a spare. Thomas William and Charles Richard were born five minutes apart. “Finally, my sons.” Mrs Bennet said, as she began to drift away. Elizabeth attempted to engage her mother in conversation, and when there was no response from Fanny Bennet, her second born looked to the midwife. Fear took hold of Elizabeth’s heart as she realized that her mother was bleeding heavily.

  Unfortunately, the bleeding could not be stopped. It was determined that the placenta had detached from the uterine wall, causing the early labor as well as the massive bleeding. In her dying moments, her dreams had come true, in her producing her husband with an heir, born of the love that Mr and Mrs Bennet had come to feel for each other.

  Mr Bennet was inconsolable at the loss of the wife with whom he had not only spent the majority of his life, but had come to love dearly. At first, he found it difficult to think of raising the twin sons, as he somewhat blamed them for Fanny’s death. Only after Darcy spoke with his father in law, discussing the torture that his own father had felt at the death of Anne Darcy, which was shortly after the birth of Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, did Mr Bennet agree to meet his sons.

  One look at each of the sons was all that was needed for Thomas Bennet to fall in love with his boys. He could see his wife in their sweet faces, the shape of their eyes had been inherited from Fanny. Knowing how proud his wife must be, Mr Bennet determined he had to take care of his sons, as he knew that the boys were products of their love as well as a treasure that Fanny had given him.

  A wet nurse had been hired to nurse the twins, as well as a nanny. Jane and Bingley spent a great deal of time at Longbourn, as their two eldest daughters became the best of friends with the Bennet brothers.

  Kitty was determined to remain at Longbourn, as she wished to be of assistance to her father and brothers. With the entail at an end, Mr Bennet made provision in his will that Kitty would always have a home at Longbourn, his appreciation to her for her devotion to her family. As the Bennet sons grew, they saw Kitty as a substitute mother for them; for it was Kitty, who comforted them when they were ill, read stories to them and made them mind their manners. Kitty had, at one time, been as silly as Lydia, but the change in her thinking since the recovery of Elizabeth from Mr Bentley, the second to the youngest Bennet sister took on a new look at life. She knew that life was too precious to not find what was important, and she had come to think of her little brothers as quite important. Mr Bennet was grateful to his daughter and her devotion to Thomas and Charles.

  Lydia was the opposite of Kitty, as she made herself quite commonly known as one of the biggest flirts that ever lived. It was not surprising to the Bennet family when they found a letter on Lydia’s nightstand. She had taken off for Brighton, to meet her friend who had married a Colonel Forster and had then become a widow when her husband had been killed in his duties. Lydia and her friend had become well known in certain circles for their talents with men. Due to the talents, the ladies were kept housed and fed, as well as wearing the most expensive of clothing, whether it was gowns to go out on the town or undergarments to entice the men they pleasured.

  Mary married Mr Timmons, and the two continued to teach at the school. Only the previous year saw an extension made to the house and school, allowing them to be able to include another thirty orphans to live there, as well as three more classrooms. The additional teachers and staff that were needed were hired, and Mary became the administrator of the project. The couple had recently been blessed with the birth of their first child, a daughter, who spent time at Longbourn while Mary and her husband worked during the day. Kitty found no difficulty in tending to Mary’s daughter as well as the twins.

  The Darcys had been quite blessed as well. They had two sons within the first three years of their marriage, followed by a daughter three years later. They had learned the previous year that Elizabeth was increasing again, and the due date was near a week after their tenth wedding anniversary. The eldest son and heir of the Darcys was Bennet Gerald Darcy, who was very much like his father. Even at the tender age of nine, he was devoted to the estate and wished to learn all he could with regards to how the estate was run. There was no doubt that Ben would make a good master when his father turned the estate over to him.

  The second son was Richard Thomas. Bennet was a serious young man, where Richard was a free spirit, taking after his mother more than his father. When Bennet was most serious in his demeanor, it was Richard who knew how to lighten his brother’s burden with a smile or two. The boys were very close, and Bennet was constantly stating that they should share the estate rather than only he inherit their home lands.

  The Darcy boys were thrilled when their mother gave birth to their sister. Anne Frances was welcomed into the family, and woul
d be loved all of her life. To her father’s great joy, she was the spitting image of her mother, including the twinkle in her eyes. Her chocolate curls bounced about as she skipped alongside her mother when she took her daily walk in the gardens.

  In the ten years that the Darcys had been married, Elizabeth had not regained her missing years when she was married to Mr Bentley. The physician felt that after so long a time, the chances were that she would never regain those memories. To Elizabeth and her family, this was a blessing.

  ~~ ** ~~ The day began with storms, raining heavily with thunder and lightning. Elizabeth was in an anxious mood, as their family was traveling in two days, so she hoped their trip was safe. If the storm continued for a few days, it could make the roads unsafe for travel.

  Not being able to take her walk in the gardens, Elizabeth went to the conservatory to expel some of her nervous energy. Little Anne wished to be with her Mamma, so the little girl walked beside her mother. One of the new roses in the conservatory had begun to bloom, and the fragrance was heavenly to Elizabeth. “Annie, can you smell the pretty flower?”

  Anne climbed up on her tiptoes and breathed in the scent. “Mamma, that smells like you after you take a bath.”

  Elizabeth laughed. She used rose water in her bath frequently. “This is the flower that is used to make the rose water I use. Do you like the smell?” Nodding her head, Anne smiled. “When I am older, may I use rose water in my bath? I wish to smell like you, Mamma.” “When you are older, we will discuss your request. There are other flowers that smell very nice as well. You might wish to smell like lavender or lilac, or any other flower.”

  “No, I want to smell like you Mamma. I would like to be like you. Papa says that you are a perfect angel.” Anne said with a smile. “Your father has spent too much time with your Uncle Charles, for that is what Uncle Charles calls Aunt Jane. And I am not perfect; your father was only teasing.”

  “Oh, no, Mamma, Papa never tells anything but the truth. If Papa says you are perfect, then I will believe him.”

  Elizabeth began to laugh, though was interrupted by a sharp pain in her lower back.

  “Mamma, are you well? Is the baby kicking your tummy again?” Anne asked, seeing the pain etched on her mother’s face.

  “Anne, would you be a dear girl and ask Reynolds to come here, for I need to speak with her?”

  “Yes, Mamma. Should I find Papa as well?” “Your father is at the Morgan’s cottage. Once you find Mrs Reynolds and tell her where I am, I would like you to go to the nursery. I am sure that Nanny will wish you to spend time with her reading.”

  “Very well, Mamma.” Anne skipped from the conservatory. Just after Anne left, another sharp pain cut through her lower back. She had already birthed three children, but this pain was more severe than she has ever endured in the past. She was frightened that something was wrong, though she found being in the conservatory brought her some relief. Elizabeth had always found comfort in this room, and, just then, she needed to be in this room.

  “Mrs Elizabeth, Anne told me that you needed me. Is something wrong?” the housekeeper asked, noticing the younger lady’s grimace in pain. “The baby is coming, though this pain is stronger than I have ever experienced in the past.”

  “Let us take you upstairs and prepare you to deliver. You will be comfortable in the birthing room.”

  “Please, Mrs Reynolds, I wish to remain here. The conservatory has always brought me peace and comfort. Can we not stay here?” Hearing the fear in her Mistress’s voice, Mrs Reynolds felt it would be wiser to do as the younger lady asked. “Very well, Mrs Elizabeth. Allow me to call for some assistance. We will need to have the midwife sent for as well as supplies brought down here.”

  “Do not send word to my husband. I do not wish for him to fret any longer than he has to. He has been worried since my mother’s death, afraid that I will die in childbirth as well.”

  “I will make sure that no one is sent to fetch him. Once he returns to the house, you must prepare for his coming straight here. You know that he wishes to be at the birth of this child.”

  Elizabeth nodded her head. “When the time comes, I will be more than happy to have him with me.” Another pain came, stronger and sooner than expected.

  Mrs Reynolds made quick work of organizing what she would need and sent off a young boy from the kitchen to have the midwife come quickly. Hannah had come down to the conservatory and was with her mistress when Mrs Reynolds returned. “Thank heavens, Hannah. I was going to send someone to find you.”

  “Miss Anne informed me that her dear Mamma was making funny faces, like Bennet did when he had a tummy ache. I figured that it might be the babe coming.”

  Another pain came; they were coming closer and closer together. Mrs Reynolds and Hannah set up the makeshift birthing room, and the midwife, Mrs Woodhouse, arrived just in time to deliver the babe. From her first sharp pain until the birth was less than an hour. Mrs Woodhouse was surprised when Elizabeth informed her that she had no pains before, and after birthing three other children, she knew what labor pains were. Fortunately, all had gone well.

  Though she was extremely fatigued, she wished to meet her newest child. As soon as Hannah placed the babe on Elizabeth’s chest, the child rutted around until latching on to one of Elizabeth’s breasts to nurse.

  “I feel silly, but I did not even ask if it was a son or daughter.” Elizabeth stated. “It is a daughter, Mrs Elizabeth.” Hannah said with a smile. “Master Bennet will be pleased, as he had wished for another sister. Miss Anne was not sure if it was best to have a sister or another brother. Last she spoke of the babe coming; she told me she would prefer to have puppies rather than a brother or sister.”

  “That sounds like my daughter.” Elizabeth smiled. “Well, I hate to break her heart, but I did not give birth to a litter of puppies.” Mrs Reynolds peeked over the edge of the coverlet that was wrapped around the infant and smiled. “I am sure that Miss Anne will be pleased with her sister once she realizes that it evens up the ratio of boys to girls. She will have someone to aid her when the boys refuse to allow her to play with them.”

  Just then, a noise was heard, someone was running quickly to the room. The door leading into the conservatory flew open as Darcy rushed inside. “Lizzy, dearest, what has happened to you, why are you in the conservatory?”

  “I felt more comfortable remaining here, especially as rapidly as the pains came on and the delivery was so quick. You know how I have always found solace in the conservatory.” Elizabeth gave a weak smile. “Your daughter is going to be disappointed, as she had requested a litter of puppies rather than a brother or sister.”

  Darcy chuckled lightly. “Are you well, my love? Are you ready to be taken upstairs?” “I am well, though very exhausted. It has been an eventful day. You will need to inquire from the ladies if I am ready to be moved.” Elizabeth said. “Would you like to meet your new daughter?”

  “Of course, Lizzy.” He said as he pulled the coverlet back to peer at the babe suckling from her mother’s breast. “Look at the mop of dark curls. It is no doubt that she is our daughter.”

  Hannah had just brought a cloth to Elizabeth for when the babe was finished nursing. “And like her siblings, this young miss has the same birthmark behind her right ear. I have always found it sweet that they have what looks like a small kiss behind the ear.”

  “Mrs Reynolds claims that my mother has kissed them before the babes come from heaven.” Darcy said as he caressed the baby’s hair.

  The housekeeper smiled. “Have you thought of names for this precious babe?” Darcy looked at his wife, before turning his gaze to Mrs Reynolds. “We have discussed several names, but given the location where she was born; there is only one name we can give her.”

  Mrs Reynolds was confused. “I do not understand, Sir. She was born in the conservatory.” “My wife has always found the conservatory to bring her hope and peace of mind. So her name should be Hope Elizabeth Darcy.” He turned his atten
tion back to his wife and daughter. “Does that meet with your satisfaction, Mrs Darcy?”

  “It does, indeed, meet my approval. This will be Hope’s conservatory, for it has been the conservatory of hope for me during good times and bad.” THE END