This time, Cassy laughed and he could see she was more at ease.
"Was your grandfather really a barrow boy?" she asked, still a little doubtful, but Richard was adamant.
"Indeed he was, a small trader in the best sense of the word and by all accounts a very successful one. He did not remain a barrow boy forever; he moved up into trading from his own warehouse in Cheap side, where he built up the very profitable trade that my father, who had the benefit of a superior education, inherited. Of course he went further; while we continued to live in Cheap side, he purchased and developed the old Commercial Trading Company, engaged in import and export business with the Colonies. Subsequently, he went into partnership with your father and Colonel Fitzwilliam, and you know the rest. We, all the members of my family, owe a great deal to their enterprise and hard work and it all began with that young barrow boy."
He spoke lightly, but Cassy's arms tightened around him; he knew her well and would not let her take a wrong step, if he could help it. She was grateful and said so."Thank you, Richard, thank you for telling me."
Hearing the children coming in, they went downstairs. The boys galloped up the stairs, followed by Miss Long hurst, their new governess, and Laura Ann. Lizzie was standing in the hall, her bonnet in her hand, when her father said,"Ah, Lizzie, my dear, would you come into my study? Your Mama and I would like a word," and Lizzie, a little surprised to see her parents waiting for her, set down her hymnbook and bonnet and followed them into the room.
She knew already from Mr Carr, whom they had met on the way home from church, that he had not, as yet, received a response to his letter, but he had very generously explained away the delay by pointing out that with the death of her Aunt Josie and the subsequent decision of her Uncle Julian to renounce his inheritance, her father must have had several important matters to deal with in the same fortnight.
"I would not be surprised if he has been far too busy to open my letter," he had said, urging her to be patient."When circumstances return to normal, he will send for you and then I shall have my answer."
Lizzie had asked,"What do you suppose he will say?" and he had shrugged his shoulders."He's your Papa, my dear Lizzie, you know him better than I do. What do you think he will say? Will he let you marry me?"
Lizzie had been surprised at the trepidation in his voice.
"Why should he not?" she demanded, and again, he had looked anxious and uncertain, as he replied,"I cannot say, my love; he may think, perhaps, that I am too old for you."
"You are not!" Lizzie protested,"Why, my Mama is almost ten years younger than Papa; nobody thought he was too old for her! I understand from my grandmothers that it was regarded as an excellent match by both families," she had said, adding defiantly,"Besides, as my Aunt Emma Wilson says, it is not those sorts of things that matter in the end, but what is in your mind and heart.
"She says, if you truly love and respect one another and want to do only those things that will make each other happy, that is what makes a good marriage. And my Aunt Emma should know, she was married twice; the first was miserable, but after his death, she is now so happily wed, you cannot imagine a better marriage."
"Your Aunt Emma sounds very wise," he said and added softly,"If that is the test, I think we shall have little difficulty passing it, do you not agree, Lizzie?"
"Indeed and I would marry you anyway, though I would be happiest if they gave us their blessing. I think Papa will, but I have no wish to hurt my dear Mama, so I do hope she will not be displeased either."
* * *
Their conversation having ended when they reached the entrance to the drive, Mr Carr had taken leave of them and, mounting his horse, had ridden up the road in the direction of Rushmore Farm. While Miss Long hurst and Laura Ann had hurried up the drive behind the boys, Lizzie, her mind now fully occupied with the question of her father's response to Mr Carr's letter, had dawdled along behind them, lost in her own thoughts, until her father's voice broke into them. When she entered the study and saw the letter in his hand, Lizzie wished she knew more of what was in it.
Her mother was seated in her father's favourite chair by the fireplace, while her father sat beside Lizzie on the couch by the window.
Still holding the letter, he began,"Lizzie dear, I am sure you are aware that I have had this letter from Mr Carr," and when she nodded, he continued,"First, let me apologise to you and I will do likewise, when I see him, to Mr Carr as well, for the inordinate delay in responding to this letter, keeping both of you in suspense as it were. But, I know you will understand, what with all that has occurred since Christmas, do you not my dear?"
Lizzie nodded again and he went on."Now, Mr Carr says in his letter tome that he has asked you to marry him and you have accepted him. Is this correct, Lizzie?"
She nodded once more and said,"Yes, Papa, I have. But that was before Christmas. Mr Carr was to write to you on Boxing Day, but he was late getting back from London and…"
Richard held up his hand."You do not need to explain, my dear, I understand that sometimes these things are unavoidable; but Lizzie, my dear, did you not wish to speak with your Mama or with me, before you accepted him?" he asked.
Poor Lizzie thought this was beginning to sound ominous. She was silent for a minute or two, before saying quietly, but ever so firmly,"I am sorry, Papa, but I did not feel as though I needed to. It was not as though I was unsure; I do love him and I knew, when he asked me, there was no other man I wanted to marry, so I said 'Yes, of course'…"
At this, her father laughed lightly and Lizzie relaxed. He did not sound angry, she thought, and that was a good sign.
"And how long have you known with so much certainty that Mr Carr was the man you wanted to marry?" he asked.
Lizzie stopped to think a while."I cannot exactly say, Papa. I think it has been coming along for a while now. But, if you were to press me, I would probably have to say that I knew, for certain, on the day in Meryton, when I was trying to get away from that horrible Mr Jones in the village, when he kept following me…and insisting on talking to me…and asking questions…I did not know what to do or whom to turn to, until I saw Mr Carr on the other side of the street…He was going into the saddlery and I was quite sure that if I could get across the street and find him, I would be safe. I knew he would protect me from Mr Jones and indeed he did! He was kind and considerate and I felt safe…I knew then that I could trust him with anything, including my life."
Her words tumbled out in a great rush and it was clear she was still distressed by the memory. Richard and Cassandra looked at one another, concerned and anxious and, in almost one voice, asked,"Lizzie, what's this about Mr Jones? Has Andrew Jones been here, in the village harassing you with his attentions?" and when she nodded, her face red with embarrassment, Cassy exclaimed,"Lizzie, my child, you have never mentioned this to me!" and her father asked, in a much more serious voice,"When did this happen, Lizzie?"
She related some of the detail of her ordeal and explained the manner in which Mr Carr had brought her home, discreetly avoiding the attention of Mr Jones and any other passersby in the village. They were impressed by his kindness and discretion, grateful he had been there to help her. But her mother was furious about Andrew Jones, whose part in the destruction of her brother's marriage and, consequently, the death of his wife, could never be forgiven.
"You ought to have told your father and me, Lizzie. While it was kind of Mr Carr to help you, your Papa and I were entitled to know, especially if you had been in any danger of further harassment by Mr Jones," she said, and then it was that Lizzie replied,"Yes, Mama, but I did not wish to trouble you; you were away at Pemberley most mornings, helping Grandfather with the business of the estate and then, there were all Uncle Julian's problems, too; I did not feel it was right to burden you with something more."
Cassy heard her words and shook her head, disbelieving. She could not accept that Lizzie had decided her mother was too busy to be troubled with her problems.
"
Besides," Lizzie went on,"my brother knew of it. Mr Carr had told him and, while we were away in London, they tried to find Mr Jones and warn him to stay away from me, but he had moved to Derby. So you see, there was no longer any need to worry you with it."
As their conversation continued, it became amply clear to her parents that Lizzie's feelings were too deeply engaged, her esteem for Carr too great, for her to be dissuaded by anything they might say, even if they had wished to do so.
She was quite determined to marry the man of her choice. Dr Gardiner, having given her his blessing, said he would write to Mr Carr immediately and have the letter delivered to Rushmore Farm by hand, together with an invitation to dinner, which her mother was happy to endorse. At which she flung her arms around her father's neck and kissed him, before embracing her mother.
They were now both in tears and Cassy said, holding her close,"My darling Lizzie, you must promise me that if you ever have any anxiety or fears, you will come to me. It matters not how busy I have been or who else has burdened me with their worries, I must know yours. Will you promise?" she pleaded, and Lizzie gave her word, realising that her mother had been hurt at being excluded from her confidence. She was sorry now that she had not spoken earlier.
That evening, Mr Carr arrived, looking cheerful and happy.
He was invited into Dr Gardiner's study, after which, the family dined together. Edward and Darcy were both present to congratulate their young sister, and Laura Ann was allowed to wait up to help celebrate her sister's engagement.
"Will I be your bridesmaid, Lizzie?" she asked and had to be hushed, because no one was discussing wedding plans so soon after Josie's funeral.
Indeed, Dr Gardiner, in his conversation with Mr Carr, had made it clear that he did not expect Lizzie to be married until after her next birthday; it was a condition Mr Carr had no trouble accepting.
As usual, after dinner the company gathered in the drawing room, and the sisters were persuaded to play and sing. When Mr Carr rose and went to the instrument to join them, the family had to acknowledge that they made a very handsome couple indeed. When he asked her if she would sing"Les Petites Oiseaux," she smiled and said,"Yes, of course, Mr Carr," and it seemed his cup of joy was full.
Afterwards, the now-acknowledged lovers were left in peace to tell each other how very fortunate they were and all those other seemingly meaningless things that people say in such situations, while the rest of the family turned their attention to more mundane matters.
* * *
With Spring in the air, Darcy was soon wanting to return to London.
Hopes were high that, in the New Year, with Lord Russell leading the Whigs, the promised Parliamentary reforms would soon follow. Darcy's hero, Mr Gladstone, was going to play a prominent role in the new Parliament; Darcy was sure of it and wanted to be there, he said.
"I have had a letter from Colin Elliott. He says the Reformists are meeting before the new session of Parliament to plan tactics and he expects a most interesting period ahead. I cannot wait to hear the speeches."
Edward was rather more circumspect.
"I am not entirely sure that either Russell or Gladstone will get a Reform Bill through the Parliament; there are too may forces against it—some on their own side," he warned, but his brother's enthusiasm was not to be denied. While Edward was preparing for his marriage to Miss Angela Anderson, politics was still Darcy's chief preoccupation. He was leaving for London soon and would keep them informed of progress, he promised.
* * *
Later that night, when Lizzie had gone to bed, her mother came to her room. Cassy could not have failed to see the happiness that seemed to illuminate her daughter's face. Having but recently seen so much misery etched upon the faces of her brother and Josie, as well as the enormous burden of sorrow it had cast upon her parents, it was with genuine pleasure that she had watched Lizzie and Mr Carr together, hoping, indeed praying, that their joy would last, as her own had done.
Earlier in the evening Mr Carr, having received Richard's blessing, had thanked them both for their acceptance of him, promising he would do everything in his power to make their daughter happy. Still, there was a nagging feeling in Cassy's heart; she wanted to discover why her daughter had not spoken of her feelings, at all. Surely, she thought, it could not have been through lack of trust?
When Lizzie saw her mother enter her room, she sat up, pulling her bedclothes around her. Cassy sat on the bed beside her.
"No, don't you get up, my dear. I wanted only to say how pleased I am. I know you love your Mr Carr dearly, and it is quite plain that he loves you very much."
"And you are not displeased, Mama, that I did not ask your permission first?" she asked, almost pleading with her mother to understand."You were always busy and my little problems seemed so trivial…I did not wish to bother you."
"Bother me?Why Lizzie, my darling, I am your mother and I want you to bother me with your problems, however small. Indeed, if I was a little concerned, it was because I felt you did not trust me."
Lizzie sat up and put her arms around her mother."Not trust you? Mama, how could you ever think such a thing? Did you not know how much it meant to me, to have your blessing and Papa's?"
"And what would you have done if Papa and I said no?" Cassy asked, unfairly perhaps, forcing Lizzie to face the prospect squarely.
She did and, after a few moment's thought replied, but in the softest voice,"I still think I would have married him, Mama. I do love him very much, but it would have broken my heart to have displeased you."
With this frank admission, Lizzie's tears spilled out, and mother and daughter embraced, each more eager than the other to declare how well they loved one another and how very fortunate they both were. There would never be any question of lack of trust between them, they vowed, and Cassandra tucked her daughter in and made to leave the room.
Before she reached the door, however, Lizzie, now nestling comfortably under her quilt, asked in a deliberately casual voice,"Mama, if your Papa had said 'No, Cassy, you cannot have my permission to marry Richard Gardiner, ' what would you have done?"
Cassy was almost at the door; she turned and smiled, knowing she had been neatly ambushed, and replied with characteristic candour."Oh, you wicked little thing, to ask me such a question, when you well know the answer. I would have married him anyway."
Seeing her daughter smile, she continued,"You see, Lizzie, I knew that whatever happened, I would not lose my parents, we love each other too dearly; but if I had lost Richard, there would never have been such a man in my life again. I could not have been as happy with anyone else."
Lizzie smiled and said, softly,"Thank you, Mama, I knew you would understand exactly how I feel."
* * *
As the early Spring sunshine poured in through the window and spilled over the table at which Cassandra Gardiner sat, writing her letters, her young nephew was in the garden with his cousins Lizzie and Laura, for whom the little boy was developing a deep affection.
He was already fond of Lizzie, since she had spent a good deal of time with him at their home in Cambridge and later, after Josie had gone to Mr Barrett. Cassy could not think of that dreadful time without a shudder, yet it was good to see that Laura Ann was taking an interest in the boy, too, for in a few months Lizzie would be too busy to spend her days playing with Anthony. The new governess, Miss Long hurst, would certainly help, Cassy thought; she came highly recommended by Caroline Fitzwilliam and seemed to have fitted in well.
Cassandra watched them, as they walked across the lawn and down towards the terraced garden, filled now with Spring blooms, her heart warmed towards all of them, yet she could not deny feeling some degree of trepidation at the task she had undertaken. When they moved out of sight, Cassy returned to her correspondence.
She had already attended to most of the formal letters of condolence and the many notes from friends, but a letter from her cousin Emma Wilson remained to be answered.
Emma had writt
en after hearing from her brother Jonathan of Julian's decision to renounce his inheritance in favour of his son and leave the boy to the guardianship of his aunt.
Cassy had always enjoyed a special friendship with her cousin Emma and, when she had discovered what impossible anguish Emma had suffered during ten years of a harrowing marriage while she, Cassy, had enjoyed only the sweetest contentment in hers, the two young women had drawn even closer together. And now, Emma, widowed and happily married again, was someone to whom Cassy turned with confidence.
She read again her cousin's letter:
My dear, dear Cassy, she wrote,
With what a heavy heart must your poor brother have taken such a step?
He must have known how deeply he would disappoint your parents and, as for yourself and Richard, the added responsibility for young Anthony must weigh upon your mind.
James and I wish you to know, dear Cassy, that we will support you in any way possible and let me please ask you to call on us, if ever you need us, without hesitation. I gather from Jonathan's letter that there will be no problem with money, since the child will be well provided for from the estate, but it is surely in the expense of time, energy, and feelings, that such a responsibility is measured.
Dear Cassy, if you should wish at any time for us to take Anthony and his nurse for a while, so you may be free to pursue your own life, we would be happy to have them, or should you and Richard wish to take a holiday in Kent, you must know, you will always be welcome at Standish Park.
Remember, if there is anything at all we can do, you need only ask.
The rest of Emma's letter was filled with news of her two boys, Charles and Colin, who were their mother's greatest joy, and her daughter Stephanie's forthcoming visit to Europe. Her husband James was busy with the new Parliament and she was well, and they both looked forward to a visit from Richard and Cassy.
Cassy, replying, thanked her cousin for the kindness and generosity for which Emma and James Wilson were renowned. It would be very pleasant, she thought, to spend some time in the haven of peace and tranquility that was Standish Park. However, it was about another, more serious matter that Cassy was anxious to consult her cousin. After telling her the good news of Lizzie's engagement to Mr Carr, she came to the point of her letter:
Mr. Darcy's Daughter Page 24
