Master Under Good Regulation

by Kara Louise

  “Elizabeth.” He spoke her name softly, as if it were sacred. “I truly never believed I would have had another opportunity to…” He paused and I noticed him gently squeeze and stroke Miss Elizabeth’s small hand. “Do I dare hope that your regard for me has improved enough that you will accept my offer of marriage? You can be assured of my love and your acceptance would truly make me the happiest of men.”

  I watched as tears filled Miss Elizabeth’s eyes. “I would be honoured to, Fitzwilliam.”

  He smiled, I suspect as much from her acceptance as from her calling him by his Christian name.

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips, letting it linger there. Speaking with her hand still pressed to his lips he said, “My love for you has continued to grow and deepen, Elizabeth.” He stood up and brought her up so she was standing next to him. “Just as it is impossible to stop a tree or a plant from growing, my love for you has never… will never diminish, never falter.” With the lightest touch, he kissed her forehead. When she lifted her face to his, glowing with love and admiration, he leaned down and kissed her lips.

  It was a short kiss, but one that I deemed came forth from the deepest love. I confess that I have not had the opportunity to witness many kisses in my lifetime, but this one seemed to be the most heartfelt that I had ever beheld.

  Being in such close proximity to the two, I determined that even a brief human kiss must inhibit breathing, as they were both quite out of breath when they pulled away. Indeed, they both exhibited qualities quite uncharacteristic for them: they were both quite flushed in the face and neither said anything right away. But when my master finally spoke, I was quite in awe that he spoke of me.

  “Elizabeth, when I say that you have made me the happiest of men, I must also add that you have made Reggie quite happy.”

  They both looked down at me and I wagged my tail. That was the only thing I could move without any pain.

  “He has, from the moment he first saw you, singled you out… for me. I sometimes wonder that he knew you even before you and your mother and sisters first visited Netherfield to call on Bingley’s sisters, for he went immediately to you.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I had seen Reggie before that day.”

  My master raised his eyebrows. “Truly? Where?”

  “Over there.” Nodding toward the road, she said, “Up that road, a little farther up the hill is where I saw Reggie for the first time.”

  “When was that?” My master sounded surprised.

  “I believe it was when you and Mr. Bingley first came to Netherfield. I was on one of my walks and saw a carriage pass. I did not recognize the carriage and was unable to see the occupants, but I did notice Reggie with his head sticking out the window.”

  “You were skipping along the side of the road!” my master declared with sudden recollection.

  Miss Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, I do believe I was.”

  Miss Elizabeth smiled and turned to me. She stooped down and stroked my fur from the top of my head and down along my back.

  “I recognized him at once when we visited Netherfield. I marvelled that he seemed to know me, as well.”

  “Reggie has a very good memory.” My master bent down and began to pet me as well. I enjoyed their ministrations so much that I did not mind that his hand and hers occasionally entwined.

  Miss Elizabeth tilted her head, a laugh clearly playing on her lips as I let out a moan of contentment. “That day at Pemberley… did Reggie go to you and bring you back to me?”

  My master chuckled. “A fortuitous scheme on his part. I was in no mood to follow him. I believed he only wished to play, but he was determined.”

  “I thought he had picked up your scent and merely left to greet you and then you just happened upon me. I had no idea Reggie was so instrumental in our encounter.”

  “Oh yes,” my master declared. “All credit goes to Reggie. At Rosings, as well.”

  “Rosings?”

  My master nodded. “He knew exactly where to find you in the park when you were out walking and led me to you.”

  Miss Elizabeth looked at me and placed her fingers under my chin. “Did you truly do such a thing, Reggie?” She looked at my master. “And I was of the firm belief that I was the last person you wished to encounter.” She laughed and stood up, folding her arms in front of her. “Is there anything else you wish to confess on behalf of your altogether too smart dog?”

  “Yes,” my master looked down at me and ruffled my fur before standing up and facing Miss Elizabeth. “At Netherfield, when you were caring for your sister, he positively tormented me!”

  Miss Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. “Pray, how did he torment you?”

  My master reached over to Miss Elizabeth’s face and gently reached for a lock of her hair that curled down the side of her cheek. “I was quite envious of Reggie as I watched you bestow attentions on him. You cannot imagine how I felt seeing you run your fingers through his fur!”

  Miss Elizabeth let out lively laugh. “You were jealous of your own dog?”

  “Absolutely. How was I to feel when I witnessed you dancing with Reggie when you had refused to dance with me twice before the ball?”

  A very appealing blush spread across Miss Elizabeth’s cheeks. “You saw me dancing with Reggie?”

  “I most certainly did.”

  “I do not know what to think, Fitzwilliam.”

  “Think nothing save for the fact that Reggie has apprehended all along that you were the only one for me, and those times when I acted the fool, he was most displeased!”

  Miss Elizabeth looked at my master with a mischievous smile and then cast a sly glance down at me as she winked. “Are you to tell me, Mr. Darcy, that your decision to ask for my hand was on the sole recommendation of your dog? You did think me only tolerable upon our first becoming acquainted, did you not?”

  My master paled at her words. “I regret that you overheard me. I offer my deepest apology. It was very wrong of me.”

  “I am only teasing you, Fitzwilliam. You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” A more reflective expression spread over her features. “I fear I have acted the fool, as well. I should have known from the beginning that such a fine, well mannered dog could only have the finest of masters.”

  “You are too kind, Elizabeth. But you must allow me to apologize for my aunt’s unpardonable behaviour toward you. She had no right to come to you as she did and express her disapproval in such an unmerciful fashion.”

  Miss Elizabeth looked down and smiled. “As long as I have your approval… and that of Georgiana.”

  “You are aware of my sentiments, Elizabeth, and Georgiana is most delighted. She shall be most pleased that you have accepted my hand.”

  “Then there is only one other whose approval I seek.”

  “And who is that?” my master asked.

  Elizabeth leaned over to me and kissed the top of my nose. “Reggie, of course!”

  Chapter 27

  It was a beautiful, clear winter’s day. The air was crisp and the snow that had begun falling the previous evening merely left a slight, powdery dusting upon the ground. Fortuitously, the clouds that had so readily released the snow had opportunely moved on, allowing the sun to shine and bestow upon the landscape a glistening radiance. There could not be a more perfect day for a wedding.

  The morning sun greeted a bustling of activity at Netherfield. I was stirred from my slumber by the sounds coming from below and when I lifted my head, I discerned that my master had already dressed and departed. I shook my head to rid it of its fogginess and pulled myself upright.

  When I found my master, he and Bingley were making an attempt to eat before they prepared themselves for the wedding. Given their demeanours, I doubted very much that they had succeeded. Bingley was speaking in an endless chatter, betraying his nervous excitement. My master sat quietly, sipping his coffee, nodding his head every so often toward his fr
iend, but I was quite certain he heard not a word Bingley was saying. My master was outwardly composed, but I could sense -- almost as strongly as if I could see -- the nervous, eager flutterings within him.

  He glanced over at me as I entered the dining room and seemed almost grateful to be able to turn his attention to me. I do not believe he had ever felt such strong sensations of anticipation and he knew not how to regulate them. Bingley’s nervous dialogue added nothing to his favour and as I walked to him, he turned down to me and eagerly gave me a going over with his hands.

  “It is about time you awakened, Reggie. You were in such a sound sleep this morning, I was quite envious. You had no compassion on me last night for my inability to get the slightest bit of sleep, and this morning you slumber as though it is the most ordinary of days!”

  Though his manner was teasing, it was this very thing that had me most disconcerted. How was it that I was able to sleep when my poor master had such acute feelings to which he could not properly attend without my help? I very much disliked this aging process that seemed to have taken me within its grip at a most inopportune time!

  *~*~*

  Later that morning, like a grand processional, family and guests that had descended upon Netherfield during the week set out for the old brick church in Meryton. Once inside, I was obliged to sit down at Georgiana’s feet as we awaited the commencement of the ceremony. I would truly have better enjoyed the prospect from the front, alongside my master; indeed, I felt it my rightful place as the one instrumental in bringing my master to his beloved. But in the end, others who were perhaps not as mindful as to my connection decided that it would be preferable for me to be furtively seated, out of the view of the guests, at Georgiana’s side. She cast a glance down at me and tousled the fur on the top of my head.

  “It should not be much longer, Reggie,” she assured me with a smile.

  I found myself growing increasingly impatient, and consequently occupied myself with recollections of the past few weeks. I looked up at Georgiana, who sat demurely with her hands now folded together and resting in her lap. A shy smile tugged at her lips as she acknowledged others around her. I thought back to her first coming to Netherfield.

  My master had been eager for her arrival; anxious to renew and deepen the acquaintance between his sister and his betrothed. She had arrived late in the afternoon with loving regard and warmest wishes of joy for her brother and tender expressions of care for me. She was almost beyond words with delight to see us!

  “I was never more pleased, never more overjoyed, dear brother, to receive word of your engagement to Miss Bennet.” Her cheerful exuberance took both my master and me by delighted surprise. “You could not have made me happier by your choice.”

  She grasped both of his hands and was rewarded with a beaming smile from my master.

  “And I could not be happier by your approval of Elizabeth!” His countenance was all earnestness.

  She then turned in my direction and proclaimed the most excellent intelligence for me. I was a father!

  “Sadie has had her puppies, Reggie. Seven of them, at that! She and the pups are all doing exceedingly well,” Georgiana assured me. “Sadie is an excellent mother and she takes prodigiously good care of her brood.”

  My tail wagged in animated contemplation of this marvellous report. I was most anxious to see my dearest Sadie and become acquainted with my very own offspring, my own flesh and blood, but I knew that would not transpire until after the wedding.

  Immediately following our mutual greeting, expressing words of admiration, and being brought up to date on the latest accounts from Pemberley, my master informed Georgiana that arrangements had been made for them to pay a call on Elizabeth at Longbourn the following day. Georgiana looked forward with delight to their meeting once again.

  When at last Georgiana and Miss Elizabeth came together, they greeted one another with embraces and smiles, tears and mutual admiration. It was quite clear that Georgiana could not have been happier with the sister she was about to gain, and despite the fact that Miss Elizabeth already had four of her own, she expressed her great pleasure in claiming the young girl as her sister as well.

  Later that evening, I had a brief opportunity to be alone with Georgiana and she expressed to me the fears and concerns she had been harbouring about her brother.

  “I confess, Reggie, that I began to doubt whether he truly would ever marry.” Her gaze drifted over to the door through which my master had just departed. With a trace of melancholy, she continued, “Oftentimes I wondered whether his responsibility for me prevented him from doing so. When I met Miss Bennet at Pemberley, my hopes were raised that she would become his wife… my sister, as I so admired her. But my hopes were continually dashed.” Her eyes suddenly brightened and she softly giggled. “To own the truth, I had to read his missive several times over when he informed me of his engagement. I could barely trust my own eyes that what I was reading was true!”

  My recollections of Georgiana’s arrival were halted as I happened to glance up and observed Miss Bingley as she took her seat in the pew. Her mouth was skewed in a forced sort of smile that betrayed her true feelings about this wedding. I imagine that she could not have been more displeased about either of the men’s choices.

  It put me very much in mind of the afternoon she arrived at Netherfield, several days after my master and Miss Elizabeth announced their engagement.

  We had returned from a rather lengthy visit at Longbourn, as was the usual, and when we entered the house at Netherfield, we were informed that Miss Bingley and the Hursts had arrived. They were aware of Bingley’s engagement, as he had written informing them of it. They were completely unaware, however, that my master was now also betrothed.

  Miss Bingley realized immediately that she no longer had an ally in my master in her campaign to prevent an alliance between her brother and the Bennet family. When she dropped a few hints about the unsuitability of an engagement with Miss Bennet, she was met with firm assurances from both men that Miss Bennet was an exceptional choice. Without the support of my master, she seemed resigned to accept her brother’s engagement.

  If she had expressed surprise when my master gave wholehearted assurances of the suitability of Miss Bennet, the announcement of his engagement to Miss Elizabeth produced an even greater astonishment. Miss Bingley was quite unable to speak for what seemed an exceedingly substantial length of time. I had never before witnessed such a draining of colour from one’s face, eyes growing abnormally large, and a look of complete astonishment as she vainly made every attempt to hide her discomfiture. I watched in amazement, however, as she inexplicably employed her strict self-command, which brought about a swift recovery to her loss of composure. In no time was she able to quite civilly offer wishes of joy.

  As I now watched Miss Bingley wiggle and squirm in the pew in an attempt to hide her consternation and make an unsuccessful attempt to find a comfortable position, Georgiana turned to greet her Aunt and Uncle and Cousins Fitzwilliam. They sat down alongside of us and I received a most sceptical glance from the Earl. I suspect he was perhaps not too sympathetic of my presence in the church. But I was quickly forgotten as he turned his attention to Georgiana and those around him.

  Fortunately, the Earl and his wife received the notice of my master’s engagement with sufficient pleasure. A prompt reply had been received from them expressing their delight. I am quite confident it was the Colonel who gave Miss Elizabeth a glowing report and assured them of his approval. When they arrived at Netherfield, it was with much eagerness they looked forward to making her acquaintance.

  The family members most conspicuously absent were Lady Cat and Anne. Yet it did not come as a surprise to my master and me, for we had previously received word from both of them after the engagement became known.

  I recalled how my master made the missives known to Miss Elizabeth. We had a most pleasant custom of visiting her at Longbourn each day and I watched the love and admiration grow betwe
en her and my master. They each became more open and comfortable with one another and their outward expressions of affection and regard. My master seemed to breathe in the liveliness and expressions of love that Miss Elizabeth exhibited as if his life and his own happiness depended upon it.

  My master was most gracious in allowing me to accompany him on his visits. He strictly forbade me, however, from accompanying them on their walks; mindful of keeping my exertions limited, fearful of another collapse on my part.

  Nevertheless, they generously accommodated me by spending a good amount of time in the grounds about the house; in particular, in a little wilderness area surrounded by trees and large bushes. Concealed from any view from the house, it became a favourite place for my master and Miss Elizabeth to come and talk. It was here where Miss Elizabeth claimed Lady Cat had paid her a visit to dissuade her from any ambition of being the future Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  It was also here that my master produced the letters his aunt and cousin had written.

  “I received these two letters yesterday afternoon,” he informed Miss Elizabeth, as he pulled them out of his pocket.

  Miss Elizabeth’s fine brow raised in question at my master. I remained seated next to the bench that they occupied.

  “Did you?” Miss Elizabeth asked. “Do they bear wishes of marital felicity for us?”

  “Not quite. The first is from my aunt,” he replied gravely. “Do you wish me to read it to you?”

  I sensed Miss Elizabeth’s entire body tense, but just as quickly she relaxed. “I endured her censure in this very place already; I can certainly do it again with you by my side.”

  He reached out and took her hand, while holding the letter in the other.

  “She writes, My Nephew, You know not how wronged I feel in your decision to go against the duties of your family and enter into this marriage. You have certainly disappointed me and I am sure, if your mother were alive, this would have grieved her intolerably. I cannot, in any fathomable way, give my blessing upon this marriage. As I so plainly explained to Miss Bennet, I am determined to carry my point in this matter. Let me make myself clear! This marriage cannot take place! You must also be made aware -- and it distresses me to inform you -- that news of this engagement, this travesty! -- has brought about a serious decline in Anne’s frail health. Her spells have increased alarmingly and I must attribute them to an inconsolably broken heart! Unfeeling nephew! Do you truly realize what you have done? You shall hear from me again. Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”