Mr. Darcy's Daughter

by Rebecca Ann Collins

  Dearest Emma,

  It is not easy for me to write this, but I have need of some counsel and I cannot think of any other person I would trust to keep this confidence. Ever since Julian left, my dear Mama has been living as if in a state of shock. I do not wish you tomisunderstandme, it is not that she is at all ill or suffers overtly from depression, indeed, she seems to go about her normal life without any obvious hindrance, but there is no mistaking the intense sadness in her eyes.

  Papa has suffered similarly, but with that heroic stoicism that is bred into men, he soldiers on. I know, from his remarks to me and to Richard, that he is bitterly disappointed in my brother, but he is better able to cope than poor Mama, to whom the loss of Julian to Pemberley is no less a blow than the death of William all those years ago.

  She must wonder why it is that she, among all the women in our family, has been twice stricken in this way.

  I wonder, dear cousin, if it would be too much to ask that you and James invite my parents to spend some weeks of the Summer with you at Standish Park?

  I am aware that they plan to travel to the farm in Sussex in May; if it were possible for you to have them to stay later in the month, I feel sure both of them will benefit immensely from the change, as well as being with you and James.

  I hope I do not presume too much upon your kindness, by asking this favour…

  …and having concluded her letter, Cassy was about to ring for a servant to take it to the post, when she saw one of the smaller carriages from Pemberley, arriving at the entrance to the house. Going out into the hall, she was astonished to find her father standing there, alone.

  "Papa! Why, it is so good to see you," she said as she embraced him and, holding onto his arm, steered him towards the morning room, where a good fire had been burning since breakfast, keeping the room comfortably warm."I have just now finished a letter to Emma Wilson. She is keen to have us all at Standish Park this summer. But what brings you out, Papa?" she asked. His answer was not exactly specific to her question.

  "Oh, it seemed such a pleasant Spring morning and, with your Mama busy introducing your cousin Jessica to the new Rector and his wife, I thought it would be a good time to call on you."

  Cassy smiled as though she did not quite believe this tale, but said,"Well I am very glad you did. It is some time since you have been here."

  Having seated him down, she wanted to ring for tea, or perhaps he would prefer some sherry, but her father would take neither. It was soon clear to her that he had something on his mind, which he wished to speak of and, to enable him to do so, Cassy closed the door and sat down beside him.

  "What is it, Papa? While I am delighted to see you, I know there is more to this visit than a pleasant Spring morning, so why do you not tell me? Is there some problem? Is it Mama?" she asked, hoping by her directness to induce him to be frank, too.

  Mr Darcy shook his head."No, my dear Cassy, your Mama is not the problem; she never has been, not in all the years we have been married. Though, if I am to be honest with you, I must confess I have rarely seen her so deeply disappointed, so grievously hurt, as she has been by the actions of your brother and his late wife."

  Cassy, took her father's hand; despite the warmth of the room, it was cold and she rubbed it between hers, as he used to do to her little hands when she was a child and they used to ride out together all over the Pemberley Estate. He smiled, remembering, too.

  "Does Mama find it hard to forgive Josie?" Cassy asked quietly."Does it rankle still that she left Julian for such a trifling reason and caused so much upheaval and sorrow?"

  Mr Darcy sighed."Cassy, my dear, I do not know that your Mama has ever forgiven Julian for not being more like William, for marrying Josie instead of Amy, and for preferring to be a scientist and live in Cambridge, rather than watching over Pemberley with me."

  Cassy drew in her breath sharply, shocked by his words, as he went on."And as for Josie, well, she made the mistake, in your Mama's eyes, of marrying Julian in the first place, when she had no real interest in Pemberley at all. Your Mama had set her heart upon Julian marrying Amy Fitzwilliam, you see. I told her the boy did not seem interested, but she kept hoping it would work out. She thinks that Amy would have helped keep Julian at Pemberley. Besides, in the future, she would have made an exemplary mistress of the estate, would she not? Like her mother, Caroline, she has all the talents and skills, as well as the resilience required for the role.

  "As for Josie, poor child, she was a shock to your Mama. Restless, ambitious, impatient to go to London and be a writer, Elizabeth could not see her ever becoming the perfect Mistress of Pemberley.

  "Josie was bored with country life; she loved meeting new people and writing about them. She wrote well, a good deal better than her mother, yet no one would publish her work. I did try to argue that it was possible she would come to see the place differently, as she grew older, but in the end, I suppose, the way things turned out, your Mama feels she was right all along." There was a deep sadness in his voice and Cassy bit her lip to hold back the tears that had filled her eyes as she listened.

  It was not difficult to understand her mother's disillusionment and yet sympathise with the predicament of her father, who loved her dearly, yet appeared in this instance, unable to assuage his wife's sorrow.

  "Do you wish me to speak with her again, Papa? I have before, but I can do so again, if it will help," she asked and his hand tightened around hers.

  "If you would, my dear, I think it will help her to speak of it again; she fears her words will upset me. I have sometimes spoken up on Julian's behalf, trying to see his point of view, but I cannot seem to convince her."

  Not wishing to appear critical of his wife, he explained,"Cassy, my dear, your Mama feels bitter at times and she does not wish me to see her so and will not say anything to me. It may do her some good if you could see her and let her speak her mind. Will you? I know it may be painful for you but…"

  Cassy spoke up at once."Of course, Papa, I shall go over tomorrow and stay to lunch and then perhaps afterwards, Mama and I could talk again…"

  Then turning to him, she said,"Now will you take some refreshment? It is quite a long drive back to Pemberley."

  And once again, he surprised her."No, my dear, I am not returning to Pemberley just yet, I have an appointment with Sir Thomas Camden at Camden Park. Indeed, I do believe we are to lunch together, so I shall be all right."

  Cassy was interested. Sir Thomas and her father were good friends as well as neighbours. Their properties adjoined one another and their families had been intimate for many years.

  "Is this a special occasion?" she asked, half expecting a negative reply. The two men often met to discuss matters pertaining to local politics and their mutual interest. Both had an abiding interest in the prosperity of the area and the welfare of the people on their estates.

  "Indeed it is," said her father,"a very special occasion. Sir Thomas has decided to sell Camden Park. This is not generally known and you must not speak of it to anyone for the moment, except Richard, of course; and here, I am letting you into a secret, Cassy, I am considering bidding for the property."

  Cassy was astonished. Such a possibility had never entered her mind.

  First the thought of Camden Park, where several generations of the Camden family had lived, being sold and then her father wanting to bid for the estate!

  "Sir Thomas is selling Camden Park? But why?" she cried.

  Her father replied that the departure of Will Camden's family to New South Wales and the death of his wife had left Sir Thomas very lonely.

  "He has another, smaller property, in the South, one that used to belong to Lady Camden, near May field, much closer to London and his daughter, who lives in Tun bridge Wells. I understand he intends to settle there. Which means Camden Park, which though it is only half the size of Pemberley is a jewel of a property, is available, and Camden has promised me the first option on it."

  "Papa! Do you really think…" sh
e had meant to ask if he really wanted to take on a new property at this time, but they heard the children returning and Mr Darcy put a finger to his lips to remind her of the need for discretion in the matter. Then as he rose and went out, he was surrounded by his grandchildren, with whom he was universally popular.

  The boys insisted upon riding with him in his carriage to the top of the drive, where he would drop them off, and the indefatigable Miss Long hurst went with them, preparing to walk all the way back with her charges.

  Lizzie and Laura, meanwhile, had a million things to do, they claimed, and rushed upstairs. There was certainly no more talk of Camden Park.

  * * *

  When her husband returned home, however, it was quite another matter. Cassandra could hardly wait until he was in their room to break the news of her father's visit and his intention to bid for Camden Park.

  She was disconcerted to find that Richard did not appear as surprised as she had expected him to be, when she told him the news.

  "Your father is very keen, no doubt, to prevent such a fine estate, one adjoining his own property, from falling into the hands of developers from London or Birmingham, who would probably subdivide it or enclose the commons or some such dreadful scheme, which would destroy the entire character of the district." he said."Many of the landowners in the county have similar concerns."

  These were the exact reasons her father would have given, had she had time to ask. Cassy was curious as to how her husband had them down pat.

  "Have you known anything of this, Richard?" she asked, to which he replied truthfully and a little sheepishly that his father-in-law had discussed the matter with him on their last visit to Pemberley.

  "Did he tell you then of his intention to bid for it?" she asked.

  "Yes he did, but he also insisted I was not to speak of it to anyone. I was as surprised as you are today; I could not understand his desire to purchase a property like Camden Park, though it cannot be denied, Cassy, it is an excellent estate with the added attraction of Camden House, which is a most elegant residence indeed. Not as grand as Pemberley, but a very beautiful place, nevertheless."

  Cassy laughed."Oh indeed it is; who would wish to deny it? But what would my father do with it?" she asked."Would he lease it perhaps? How else would he manage it, especially now with Julian gone? If he did so, what good would it do him? I cannot explain it. It is most strange."

  Only then did Richard reveal what more he knew of her father's plans for Camden Park. Speaking as casually as he could, while concentrating on what appeared to be a torn fingernail, which he trimmed meticulously as he spoke, he said,"Cassy, my love, I believe your father hopes that sometime in the future, we will move to Camden Park and live at Camden House. He wishes to purchase it for us, as a future family home."

  Cassandra was aghast."Richard! Have you agreed to this scheme?" she demanded to know.

  "No, not at all, there was no question of my agreement. He did not ask for it," he replied."I am merely recounting your father's wishes. He knows we have taken on the responsibility of raising Anthony and you, my dear, are doing much more for Pemberley now than Julian has ever done. Your father values your work, indeed he has said so on many occasions, and I believe he wishes to do this for us, especially for you, Cassy. You must agree it is a most loving and generous gesture," he said, hoping she would understand her father's motives.

  He was completely surprised by her response.

  "Generous it may be, but I do not want it. I have no wish to move. I love my house and will not leave it for Camden House, however elegant it may be. Richard, we have built things together here, our children were born and grew up here, how could you consider leaving?" She was adamant.

  Her husband, understanding her feelings, was conciliatory.

  "Cassy dearest, no one is going to force us to leave this place; I love it, too, but you will admit, will you not, that we have outgrown it?Why, we have only one spare bedroom left; if both our sons are at home and we have more than one visitor to stay, we have not enough space to lodge them comfortably. Am I not right?"

  When she said not a word, he went on,"And consider this, with Anthony staying permanently and a room needed for his nurse, we may have to put the two boys in together. While it may be fun when they are little, it may well lead to friction as they grow older and James may begin to resent his cousin's presence. Now Mr Darcy believes we need a bigger place in the future, and on that score, I agree with him. He wishes to purchase Camden Park for us," he explained.

  "And do you agree with this plan of my father's? Do you not mind giving up what we have here, where we have been so happy? Would it not make you sad?" she demanded to know, the vexation reflected in her voice and eyes as she struggled to control her tears.

  Richard knew he had to answer with great care.

  "Indeed, my darling, I would be sad, of course I would miss this happy home of ours, but I think it would do no harm at all to look at Camden Park, that is, if your father's bid succeeds. We do not have to be rid of this place; Edward or Darcy could use it or even Laura Ann, when she is a grown-up young lady…"

  But his wife was not to be diverted by such lighthearted arguments.

  She was grieved that her father and Richard, the two men she loved most in her life, appeared to have conspired together against her in this venture. Doubtless, they could see advantages in the scheme, but Cassy was unconvinced that there was any benefit at all in it for her and her family.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, Mr Carr and Lizzie Gardiner were busy making their own plans. There were a great many things to be done at Rushmore Farm, for which he sought her advice, and they were often driving up there to instruct workmen, and select colours and fabrics for the drapes and furniture for the rooms upstairs.

  Mr Carr confessed that he liked simple, serviceable things, but urged Lizzie to use her excellent taste and artistic judgment to choose whatever she wished. Money, it seemed, was no object. He knew she, like the rest of her family, was neither extravagant nor ostentatious in her tastes and was, therefore, perfectly content to indulge her wishes.

  As for Lizzie, it seemed she had never been happier. The prospect of her approaching marriage, to a man she loved and trusted, together with the excitement of setting up her own home, provided plenty of scope for delightful contemplation, as well as useful activity. Encouraged by her mother, she spent the times when she was alone making lists of all the things they needed to get done, which, when Mr Carr arrived, seemed to be quite forgotten, for he, it appeared, had thought of them already.

  That, however, did not prevent them from setting out to discover what else may be required to complete the refurbishment of their future home. Mr Carr was determined that nothing should be wanting. Frequently, they were accompanied on these expeditions by Laura Ann, since Cassy was often busy at Pemberley or making her own preparations for the wedding, which was planned for the Autumn. Young Laura Ann loved the horses at the farm and a visit was always a treat, since it afforded her an opportunity to get another glimpse of the foals, who were growing up fast.

  It was on one of these days, when they were driving home in Mr Carr's carriage, that Laura Ann saw Margaret Baines, who was obviously on her way home after work, and called out to her,"Margaret! Margaret!" leaning about as far out of the window as it was safe to be. Her loud calling not only attracted Margaret's attention, causing her to look round at the carriage as it passed her, but it also startled a young man who was with her, because he appeared to dive off the road into the ferns and bracken beside it and disappeared from sight.

  Undeterred, Laura called out again and waved vigorously; this time, Margaret waved back, belatedly but cheerfully. Laura kept her in view and waved again, just as they took the bend in the road, which hid her from their sight. Of the young man, however, there was no sign at all.

  Neither Lizzie nor Laura gave the incident much thought. Lizzie's mind was so full of her wedding plans and how each day she spent with Mr Carr, she disc
overed even more reasons to love him, that she gave no thought at all to Margaret Baines. Laura Ann did mention seeing Margaret, when they were at tea, but her mother, still distracted by the business about Camden Park, paid little attention to it. No one said anything about the disappearing young man.

  * * *

  Over the following weeks and months, several things changed that for many years had been taken for granted, affecting the lives of the Pemberley families, as well as those of all the people of England.

  Since the death of Lord Palmerston, in October of the previous year, not three months after he had won an election, the Parliament had changed.

  The Whigs and their allies the Liberals were now much more confident, with their new leaders Lord Russell and Mr Gladstone both committed to Parliamentary Reform. The Reformists had high hopes of finally achieving their goal, one which Palmerston had continually obstructed.

  In the New Year, the recently elected Parliament was called together and those who gathered at Westminster to observe them were likewise excited by the prospect of change, long overdue. Others were less enthusiastic. As many columns were written and speeches made urging the retention of the status quo, as were devoted to the promotion of Reform. Britain's powerful elite were far from unanimous in their support of the democratic ideal of giving all men an equal vote.

  Indeed, despite Lord Russell's efforts to bring in a moderate Reform Bill giving more, but certainly not all, men the vote, die-hard Conservatives allied with a clique of disgruntled Liberals (those whom Bright bitterly called"the denizens of the cave of Adullam") to frustrate Russell and the Reformists.

  Their action, seen as a ploy to exclude working-class men from any part in the election of their representatives, led to widespread dissatisfaction and the ultimate resignation of Lord Russell.