______
Elizabeth surveyed the countryside with delight. Spring had well and truly taken hold, and the meadow before her was blooming with colour. Scarlet poppies were scattered throughout. Forget-me-nots with their blue flowers like stars. Bright yellow buttercups shining like sunlight. Tall spikes of purple foxglove, with bees slipping gracefully in and out of their tubular flowers. A butterfly flitted over a frothy spread of cow parsley with its dainty white flowers.
She gathered a small bouquet and returned home with this pretty birthday offering for Jane.
“Two-and-twenty,” Mrs. Bennet said, “and not a suitor in sight. If Jane, with all her beauty, has not been snatched up by now, what hope is there for all of you? I quite despair.”
“Kitty and I will not be unmarried at two-and-twenty,” Lydia declared. “We shall succeed where our elder sisters have not.”
“I do not want to be married,” Mary said.
“Then I do not know who shall look after you when your father is gone,” her mother said sharply. “I do not know how I am to keep myself, let alone my spinster daughters.”
Elizabeth looked at Jane and saw with relief that she appeared to be unaffected by these proceedings. She was calmly ignoring the fracas and smelling the scent of her bouquet.
There were gifts to be unwrapped, and this restored harmony as the others watched with interest and admired a new shawl and a pretty bonnet. Jane expressed her delight and gratitude, but Elizabeth was distracted, still thinking of her mother’s words.
She could imagine them another ten years hence, still unmarried. Lydia and Kitty would very likely still be squabbling when there was nothing else to keep them occupied. Mary would still be making extracts and seeking recognition of her intellect. At two-and-thirty, Jane would be as serene as ever, resigned to her single state and content to accept her fate.
Was this what the future had in store for them? Would there never be love for her beautiful sister? Nor the meeting of minds which she desired for herself? Not even a foolish choice for Lydia and Kitty, or a pedantic man who might appeal to Mary?
There was no abundance of suitors. No fortune to tempt them even if they should appear. Little chance of love. But happiness was entirely a state of mind as Jane was proving. It remained in their grasp as long as bitterness stayed out of their hearts
She smiled at Jane and recalled the beauty of her morning walk. There would always be meadow flowers and other delights to enjoy. There would be happiness.
June and Harmony
A spread of feathers at the window caught Mr. Darcy’s eye. The handsomely speckled bird landed gracefully upon the ledge and drew its wings tightly back into elegant folds, marked with lustrous blue and green colour. A yellow beak tapped at the window, and beady eyes stared into the room, where a lady sat across from Mr. Darcy.
Her appearance was decidedly respectable. Her face was showing the signs of age, but there was a hint that she had been pretty once. Her eyes were kind, and her smile pleasant. He listened to the soothing tones of her voice.
“I would take the responsibility very seriously indeed if you chose to entrust the care of your sister to me. Her welfare would become as much my concern as yours, and I would protect her like a daughter.”
“Have you any children of your own?”
“I had a son, but he was killed fighting in Portugal.”
“I am sorry to hear it,” Mr. Darcy said.
“It was all very sad, especially coming so soon after the death of my husband, but he died doing his duty.”
“I hope that there is some consolation in that,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“Yes, there is. He wanted to be a soldier from a very young age, and he was very pleased when we managed to purchase his commission. He knew the risks, but serving his country was all he ever wanted to do.”
“What regiment was he in?” the colonel asked.
Mrs. Younge named a regiment with which he was not familiar, so there was little more that the colonel could add.
“I always hoped for a daughter,” she said, “but it did not happen. We had just the one boy, but we were very happy together for a good many years. I have excellent memories, and that is worth a great deal. We have to be grateful for what we have and not regret the rest.”
Mr. Darcy admired her fortitude. He understood that the lady had endured a great deal, including a lack of sufficient funds to maintain an independence. He was very much inclined to be the means of putting an end to her worries. Georgiana had liked the lady, and her manners were impeccable. She had excellent references from her previous employer and the parson of her former parish, and had only left her last position because the young lady had married and was no longer in need of a companion. Nothing was to be decided hastily, however, so he concluded the interview and promised to be in touch with her, one way or the other, within the week.
After she left, and his cousin agreed that she was the best candidate for the position whom they had seen so far. Unless anybody else stood out during their remaining interviews, they both anticipated engaging her as Georgiana’s companion.
No better candidate did present herself, so Mr. Darcy wrote and offered Mrs. Younge the position two days later. She accepted and arrived with all her belongings within just a few days. They thought it prudent not to send Georgiana off to Ramsgate for another week in order to have further time to observe Mrs. Younge in the position and satisfy themselves that she was working out well.
In that time, they easily concluded that she was extremely responsible and trustworthy. More importantly, there was a harmonious accord between her and Georgiana. They then turned their attention to making arrangements for the journey. All four of them traveled to Ramsgate, and the gentleman made certain that the ladies were comfortably settled and had everything they needed before leaving them to enjoy a quiet and refined holiday.
The colonel had his own holiday plans, which were less quiet and refined as he intended upon getting together with a group of army friends, with no ladies to inhibit their manners and conversations. Mr. Darcy conveyed him to his destination and then went to stay with some friends at Eastbourne for his own holiday, which he expected to be quite respectable and rather dull. He envied Georgiana for the excitement which she had felt upon first seeing the sparkling water, and wished that he could share her youthful enthusiasm for the rushing waves and the shifting sand.
______
Elizabeth looked at the face in front of her. Did it display honesty? Did any face really display its owner’s character? How was one to tell? Naturally, the candidates for the position would conduct themselves with caution during an interview. They would try to present themselves as capable and hard-working. They would say what they thought she wanted to hear.
One could ask as many questions as possible and listen carefully to the answers, trying to make the best choice, but inevitably, taking a chance was part of the process. She had assisted her mother with conducting these interviews in the past, but this was the first time that she had managed the entire business on her own. Mrs. Bennet was confined to bed with headaches and palpitations, so Elizabeth had been tasked with choosing their new servant.
At last she made her choice and went to inform Jane that she had hired a Mrs. Cook.
“You have hired a Mrs. Cook to be our new cook.” Jane laughed merrily.
Elizabeth laughed with her sister, and it was a moment before she could speak. “I assure you that I was in no way influenced by her name. That is mere coincidence. I chose her for good reasons. Her answers to my questions demonstrated a sound knowledge of cooking. She knows how to make all my mother’s favourite dishes. Perhaps most importantly, I found her in possession of a good nature and believe that she will get along very well with Mrs. Hill and the others. Harmony among the servants is essential to a well-run household.”
“I am sure it is. It was clever of you to think of that, Lizzy. I would not have done.”
“I think your instinct wi
ll always guide you toward hiring the pleasantest people.”
“I am not sure if I am to take that as a compliment. It would not necessarily be the most effective way of hiring efficient servants.”
“But yours would be the happiest household. I would gladly live in an establishment which was under your management. The dinners might not be of the highest quality, the beds might not always be warmed, and perhaps I could draw a line in the dust along your mantelpiece, but I would appreciate the happy manner and the smiles which accompanied the ineptitude of your servants.”
“I would not be that incompetent,” Jane protested, struggling to get the words out before she collapsed with laughter.
“I suppose you might at last be compelled to take the proper steps to ensure your husband’s comfort.”
“If I should be so lucky as to have a husband, I will take great care that he does not suffer bad dinners, cold beds, and dusty mantelpieces,” Jane said. She was still smiling with amusement, but her smile slowly diminished with that statement and Elizabeth knew she was wondering if she would ever have a husband.
That smile was never gone for long, however, and now it came back, prompted by the sudden appearance of a jaunty bird with bright blue cap and pale-yellow underside, which suddenly landed upon the sill under an open window and looked cheerfully at them.
July and Folly
Two weeks in Eastbourne passed by pleasantly enough. It was Mr. Darcy’s intention to travel from there directly to Pemberley, but he was in no particular hurry and thought that it would be pleasant to take a detour to Ramsgate and spend a few days with Georgiana first.
He arrived to find that she and Mrs. Younge were not at home, having gone out walking. This was not unexpected, and he sat down to await their return, thinking happily of the pleasure which Georgiana would get from this surprise.
His presence was indeed a surprise to them, but there was one for him in return. They had a companion. Mr. Darcy heard the voice in the hallway, thought that he must be mistaken, but heard it again and knew that he was not. It was undoubtedly Mr. Wickham. It was a dreadfully unfortunate circumstance that he should be in Ramsgate.
For Georgiana’s sake, because she had no idea what her old friend was really like, Mr. Darcy greeted him with a pretence of politeness, but he could not keep it up after discovering that she was expecting Mr. Wickham to dine with them.
“Not tonight,” he said firmly. He could barely tolerate the man for a few minutes. Dining with him would be impossible. He had no intention of allowing Mr. Wickham to dine on any other night either. Georgiana would have to be told everything, and Mrs. Younge would need to be informed as well. Indeed, he was quite surprised that she had allowed the invitation in the first place. Having single gentleman to dine was not at all appropriate, but perhaps she had been swayed by Mr. Wickham’s representation of himself as practically a cousin. He was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, as long as there were no other faults in the case.
Unfortunately, he soon discovered a great many faults in the course of a private conversation which he had with Georgiana for the purpose of acquainting her with Wickham’s real character. In tears, she confessed to an engagement and a planned elopement. He heard all of this with shock and horror, but found voice to enquire why Mrs. Younge had not prevented such intimacy. It then came out that she had allowed them to be alone together on numerous occasions, that she had encouraged romantic notions, and that she happened to have a prior acquaintance of her own with Mr. Wickham. It was clear that all her actions had been deliberate and Mr. Wickham’s presence in Ramsgate was no coincidence. He had trusted the lady. He had even liked and felt sorry for her.
Leaving Georgiana to recover from her tears, he went to deal with the treacherous lady, and found that she was already packing her bags. He guessed she had been listening at the door and knew that any attempt at pretence would serve no purpose.
“I understand you are a friend of Mr. Wickham,” he said.
“A very good friend,” she said without any sign of shame or regret. Her voice was no longer as cultivated nor as sympathetic as it had been.”
“Everything was an act, was it?”
“It was a very good one if I do say so myself,” was her reply. “I was not born a lady, nor ever married, even though I have several children, but I had you believing in my respectability.”
“I suppose you never had a son in the army either.”
She laughed. “He has better sense than to risk his life, especially for a country that never did anything for him.”
“Perhaps he is like Mr. Wickham, always expecting everything to be handed to him,” Mr. Darcy said in anger.
Mrs. Younge tossed her head and held out her hand. “I will take my wages now,” she said. “After all, I did protect the girl from any other dangers.”
“Only to save her for Mr. Wickham,” Mr. Darcy said, but he gave her the money. She did not deserve it, but she had been in his employ, and he had never held back a wage for any reason.
______
“Mama,” cried Lydia. “You will not believe what has happened.”
“What is it! Has something dreadful happened? Oh! My poor nerves!”
“No, it is far from dreadful. Kitty and I met Maria Lucas in the lane, and she told us the most exciting news. Sir William has learned that a regiment is going to spend the winter in Meryton.”
Mrs. Bennet sat bolt upright in her chair. “A regiment! That will mean countless officers in our neighbourhood! All winter! What a wonderful opportunity for you girls. With any luck, I will get all five of you married at once. The heavens are smiling upon us.”
“There are two officers staying in Meryton right now,” Lydia said. “They have come to make billeting arrangements.”
“Your father must make a point of meeting them. I will go and instruct him to do so as soon as possible.”
She left the room and Lydia turned to Kitty. “Papa will not do anything in a hurry. These officers will probably leave before he gets around to meeting them. I think we should walk into town and contrive to meet them ourselves.”
“You must not,” Elizabeth said sharply. “You will only succeed in making a very improper appearance. Have patience, Lydia. If these officers are to be here all winter, there will be plenty of opportunity to meet them properly.”
Lydia tossed her head. “You are always too particular, Lizzy. Besides, everybody will be meeting them when the regiment arrives. If Kitty and I meet these officers now, we will have a head start on the others.”
“We could pretend to bump into them,” Kitty said with a giggle.
“So we shall,” Lydia agreed.
She jumped up and pulled Kitty out of her chair. They dashed out of the room before Elizabeth could say or do anything. Resigned to the knowledge that she had no power to stop them, she could only hope that they would not find their quarry, or if they did, that their ruse of bumping into the officers would be firmly repulsed.
The more she thought about it, the more she favoured that outcome. A little mortification would do Kitty and Lydia a world of good.
She passed the next few hours hoping that these officers were fastidious in their manners, and was dismayed when her sisters returned in gleeful spirits.
“We have met them,” Lydia cried. “Their names are Captain Carter and Lieutenant Denny.”
“They are the most handsome gentlemen I have ever seen,” Kitty contributed.
“There is nothing so dashing as a red coat on a handsome man,” Lydia agreed.
“I well remember,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Were they pleasant gentleman?”
“Ever so nice,” Kitty replied. “They even apologized when we bumped into them.”
“And then we stood talking for ages,” Lydia said.
“It was very clever of you,” her mother praised them. “When the rest of the officers arrive, we will know them before anybody.”
“Unfortunately, that will not be until October.” Lydi
a sighed audibly.
Mrs. Bennet condoled with her daughters that this was too long to wait. Elizabeth foresaw that the time would be spent in endless conversation about soldiers. The rest of the day was proof enough that her sisters could think of nothing else, and that her mother was certain of finding at least one son-in-law among them.
Their main object was the colonel of the regiment as Kitty and Lydia had already found out that he was a single gentleman.
“A colonel will be certain to have some private means in addition to his salary,” the mother declared. “Five or six thousand would do.”
Speculation about the man and his supposed fortune was mixed with laughter and eager anticipation of flirting with all the officers. Elizabeth heard this with horror. She had no doubt that her younger sisters would do exactly as they said, which would make for a very uncomfortable winter.
It might be for the best if they were to find husbands and thus be thrust into adulthood and responsibility, but she did not care for their casual approach to such a life-changing event. Marriage might be a woman’s only way of gaining security and a home of her own, but it ought not to be considered without at least some idea of compatibility and real feeling. It was a serious matter, and she was very much bothered that her mother and younger sisters treated it like a joke.
The Heat of August
Mr. Darcy was thinking about marriage again. Georgiana’s situation had been much on his mind since the devastating events of the last month. She was lacking the guiding hand of a mother. A wife, suitably chosen, would make an excellent substitute. A lady of known respectability who would offer companionship to Georgiana and set an example for her to follow. A chaperone to bring her out in society and make sure that she began upon the right footing. This would guarantee a smooth course for his sister’s future.
He must set aside thoughts of what he wanted, and do the right thing for Georgiana. He would find a lady who shared her tastes and enjoyed the same interests. As long as she also had a pleasant nature, he would be well enough satisfied. He would give up this pointless idea of finding love, but a solid friendship could be achieved if he acted with reasonable caution. No Miss Bingley for him, he thought, trying to muster up a smile.
Feather in the Wind: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 3
