Her Summer at Pemberley

by Sallianne Hines

  Darcy gave Cara’s tack a thorough check and nodded his approval to Connor.

  “She is beautiful, Fitzwilliam. Part Arabian, I would guess, by the fineness of her form and features?”

  “Right ye are, Miss,” replied Connor, his eyes twinkling. “I see ye know horseflesh. ’Ere, Johnny, lead the mare to the block so the lass can mount and they be acquainted before settin’ off.”

  Another boy brought up a shapely bay mare. “And Mrs. Darcy, here be your Iris.”

  Darcy checked Iris’s tack and assisted Lizzy into the saddle.

  A third boy stepped forward and handed Darcy the reins for his thoroughbred, a fine tall bay.

  Kitty settled into the sidesaddle and walked the petite grey mare around the yard to learn how Cara moved and to determine the softness of her mouth.

  Darcy watched her. “You have fine form and light hands, Kitty. You will do well with her.”

  Mr. Connor nodded in agreement.

  Kitty’s heart swelled. She was rarely complimented by anyone, and never by a man. Knowing Fitzwilliam to be a fine horseman, the praise was doubly meaningful.

  Darcy turned to his stable master. “Thank you, Connor. We expect to be back by early afternoon or before. We visit the Drakes, the Wyndhams, and the Stapletons.”

  “We shall await yer return, Sire.”

  ≈

  The sky was still hung with grey, but the heaviest fog had lifted. The three riders made good progress across the meadow to the south. Kitty admired how well Lizzy and Fitzwilliam looked together, both mounted on bays and suited in dark green. Kitty reaffirmed her determination to become an asset to Pemberley in both her riding and her manner.

  After passing through an open gate they crossed a bridge and took the road that marked the southern boundary of Pemberley. The riders soon turned down a lane lined with large cedar trees and shortly reached a park. There a fine Palladian home nestled in the arms of a great hill behind it, skirted on both sides by groves of cedars. The lawn was well kept and the entrance cheerful with a bright display of early flowers.

  “This is Cedars, the seat of Lord and Lady Drake.”

  The gatekeeper waved them through and as they came near the house two stable boys appeared to tend their horses. Darcy helped the ladies dismount.

  At the door he presented their calling cards and the butler promptly showed them to the drawing room.

  “Lord Drake was a friend of my father’s,” Darcy told Kitty. “He is some years my senior. Cedars has been in their family for three generations. They have two sons.”

  Lord and Lady Drake soon appeared, smiling their welcome. The usual bows and curtsies accompanied the introductions.

  Lord Drake laughed. “Out for your morning ride, eh Darcy? I must say, your companions this morning are far prettier than the hounds that usually accompany you! Welcome, dear ladies.”

  Lady Drake also smiled a welcome but then her face took on a penetrating expression. “How fortunate you visit now. I imagine your summer at Pemberley will be quite meaningful, will it not Miss Bennet?”

  Kitty knew not how to reply and simply nodded.

  Lady Drake then turned to the group with a lightened countenance. “Do you care for tea?”

  “Thank you, no,” Lizzy replied. “We have just finished breakfast at home. I hope we have not inconvenienced you with the early hour of our call?”

  Lady Drake shook her head and smiled. “Such close friends are welcome at any hour, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “You are very good. We come with an invitation. We are giving a ball in honor of my sister’s visit, and to celebrate the return of Miss Darcy for the summer. We must be home soon in anticipation of her arrival today.”

  “A ball! How delightful!” exclaimed Lady Drake, after opening the invitation. “There is nothing like a ball to gather the neighbors, especially when so many are returning now from Town. Benjamin, our younger son, is still there but we look for him to be home later this week. We expected him last week, but he had some reason or other to linger. I do look forward to having him with us again. He is great company for me, and for his father too.”

  “And does it follow my company is not so, Mother?”

  Kitty turned towards the deep voice.

  “Oh, Christopher dear, of course not. But you have so many pursuits and interests, and are so often gone here and there with friends, sometimes it seems you are … well … here is a lovely new neighbor, visiting at Pemberley. Miss Bennet, may I present our elder son, Mr. Christopher Drake.”

  A shock of blonde hair flipped over his light blue eyes as he bowed to Kitty in a most elegant fashion.

  “Enchanté, Miss Bennet. And how do you find our part of the country?”

  She dipped a quick curtsey.

  “I have been here but two days, and this is our first ride out. I find the landscape very interesting, even dramatic; it is quite different from the flatter fields and softer hills of Hertfordshire.”

  “You will find things much wilder in this part of the country, Miss Bennet, I assure you,” he replied, looking her up and down with a hungry eye.

  She glanced towards Lizzy in confusion but her sister was turned away, talking with Lady Drake. Darcy was speaking to Lord Drake. Rather than joining the other gentlemen in conversation, Christopher continued to stare at Kitty in an unsettling way that put her on her guard.

  Lord Drake then addressed the group. “So, Darcy, when is this ball of yours?”

  “Ten days hence, and I apologize for the short notice. It will be a small affair with the usual neighborhood families.”

  “Very good, very good. We will be pleased to attend, won’t we my dear?”

  An ethereal smile graced Lady Drake’s countenance.

  “Certainly. We are especially honored to receive your invitation in person, Mrs. Darcy. How kind. This will be the first event of the summer. What a joy it will be to see Miss Darcy again—such a talented young lady. If I could choose a daughter, Mr. Darcy … in any event, Miss Bennet, there are several young people you will enjoy meeting. You and Miss Darcy will have a delightful summer together.” She stared intently at Kitty again.

  “I am sure we shall,” Kitty murmured.

  There was a fire deep in Lady Drake’s darkening eyes that drew Kitty into their startling depths. She did not feel uneasy, but found it difficult to look away.

  Darcy spoke, breaking the spell, and Kitty recovered her equanimity.

  “Miss Bennet is an equestrienne, Lady Drake. As you share this interest, perhaps a ladies’ ride can be planned—with the proper gentlemen chaperones, of course.” Darcy smiled at Kitty.

  Lady Drake’s eyes returned to a lighter hue.

  “That would be a great pleasure. Mrs. Darcy and I—and Miss Bennet—shall discuss the plan as soon as may be.”

  Kitty nodded. “I should like that very much.”

  “Well, we must be off,” Darcy said.

  Lord Drake said, “Bid our welcome to Miss Darcy. We shall see you all very soon.”

  “I am honored to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you again at the ball,” Kitty concluded, dropping a slight curtsey.

  Lady Drake smiled at her warmly.

  Christopher’s stare was still discomfiting and Kitty was relieved to depart.

  Lord and Lady Drake walked them to the door and the horses were brought up. When all were mounted they rode back down the cedar-lined lane.

  “After the ball, Kitty, I think we must have calling cards made for you. Do you agree, Fitzwilliam?”

  “Yes, that will be wise. Georgiana’s cards were made once she was out, and the ball will serve as your coming out, Kitty—if that is agreeable?” Darcy turned to look at her.

  “Of course. I am honored, and very much obliged—for the cards, and for the ball, and the gown. You are most generous, Fitzwilliam. I had not expected such a welcome.”

  Darcy nodded, obviously pleased with her response.

  “The Drakes have two young men,” Kitty observe
d. “Are there many young ladies in the neighborhood?”

  “There are several,” Lizzy replied. “And two or three that Georgiana sees quite regularly when she is here. But young ladies marry and move away so it seems there are fewer in the neighborhood. We must get some of our young men married I think. Do we ride to the Wyndham’s next?”

  “Yes. We will keep to the lanes for our visits this morning, Kitty, but on our return to Pemberley we might take to the hills and woods if you wish?”

  “Oh, yes. The land here is so beautiful and wild, so different from what I have known. I am inspired to try my hand at some drawings. I will look up the various trees in some of the books I found in your library last evening, Fitzwilliam.”

  “I admire your ambitions, Kitty. Very well then. We shall ride on to Greystone.”

  ≈

  Kitty judged they had traveled less than a mile when they turned onto a private lane flanked by meadows. Many rocks and boulders lay about the fields and protruded from the ground. Sheep grazed in the field to their right. As they neared the park, she saw a fine grassy swath with several small stands of trees, and more grey boulders. A large rocky crag rose behind the house, which was itself built of stone—the same stone as that in the fields. Kitty wondered how old this house might be.

  The last remnants of the morning fog had lifted and the sun shone as they approached. One stable boy came forward to tend their horses as they dismounted.

  “This is picturesque, and Greystone is certainly a fitting name for it,” Kitty observed to no one in particular.

  At the door Darcy lifted the knocker. After a short wait they were ushered down a heavily timbered passage to a drawing room that looked out over a rolling pasture. To Kitty’s delight, several horses grazed there. She was admiring their forms and movements when her party was announced to Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham and a young lady. Kitty turned to see a man some years older than Darcy, and two women who were very much alike in person and in manner, though one was clearly older.

  Mr. Wyndham had a warm smile and eyed Kitty with curiosity. His rugged face framed knowing grey eyes.

  “Welcome, Darcys, it is wonderful to see you. What brings you our way?”

  “Welcome to Greystone Hall,” added Mrs. Wyndham cooly.

  “Good morning to you all,” Darcy said. “First, allow me to introduce my sister-in-law, Miss Catherine Bennet. Kitty, Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham and their daughter, Miss Lucy Jamison.” The ladies curtsied and smiles were exchanged.

  Although not as jovial as Lord Drake, Mr. Wyndham’s manner was kind and Kitty immediately felt at ease with him. Mrs. Wyndham’s good looks were marred by a haughty countenance that was mirrored in her daughter. Both had light hair and eyes, and a manner of looking down at the company over long elegant noses.

  Lizzy spoke. “We are hosting a ball to welcome my sister to the neighborhood for her visit, and to celebrate Miss Darcy home for the summer. We hope you and your family can join us.” She handed Mrs. Wyndham an elegant envelope.

  Upon opening it Mrs. Wyndham sighed. “This is quite short notice. I will have to consult our social calendar, Mrs. Darcy.”

  There was an awkward silence amongst the women. Kitty stole a glance at Lizzy, whose face was a serene mask—an expression Kitty had seen when Lizzy dealt with Mr. Bingley’s sisters.

  Kitty cast about for a friendly subject. “You have some fine horses there in the field,” she commented. “Who are the riders in your family?”

  “Father and Owen are the horsemen,” replied Lucy. “Mama and I prefer a coach or a phaeton, and my elder brother Douglas drives a curricle.”

  Disappointment washed over Kitty. She had hoped to find a friend of her own age and sex with whom to explore the countryside on horseback.

  “Mr. Wyndham and his son are fine horsemen,” Darcy proclaimed. “Where are your sons this morning, Wyndham?”

  “Douglas is off visiting friends until tomorrow and Owen is, as usual, at the stables. We expect a foal any moment.”

  “Say, Wyndham, Kitty here loves to ride. What do you say we put together a mounted exploration for the ladies, sometime after the ball? Perhaps the ladies that don’t wish to ride would meet us somewhere that day for a picnic?”

  “What a wonderful idea, my dear!” Lizzy exclaimed. “I do ride, but a full day on horseback would be far beyond my interest or endurance. A picnic, at a lovely spot with a view, would be just the thing.”

  The other women made no reply.

  “Brilliant, Darcy! Count Owen and myself in. And Douglas, if he is around. We will allow the ladies to arrange the picnic part of the plan, yes?”

  “Agreed. And now we must be off. We have one more call before we return to Pemberley and await my sister’s arrival from Town. We do hope to see you at the ball.”

  The group departed and made for their last stop of the day: Swan’s Nest, the seat of Squire and Lady Stapleton.

  ≈

  The lane climbed steadily as they rode along. The rolling fields on their left were towered over by the surrounding hills and tall rocky precipices.

  Lizzy opened the very subject Kitty was eager to speak of by saying, “Mrs. Wyndham was in high form today.”

  Darcy frowned but remained silent.

  “Fitzwilliam, do you not agree it would be well to put Kitty on her guard concerning the Wyndham ladies?”

  He sighed. “Yes, I suppose it would. Wyndham is an honorable man and a very good friend. He and I share an enthusiasm for horse breeding and training, Kitty, as does his younger son. However, I fear Wyndham’s eye was blinded by fine form when he chose his new bride, as he forgot to look at temperament. But, as I have not been in his position—and pray I never shall be, that of losing a beloved wife—I cannot fault him too severely. Our friendship goes back many years. Carry on, my love. You and Kitty will deal with the present Wyndham ladies far more than I.”

  “Present Wyndham ladies? What do you mean?” Kitty asked.

  Lizzy explained. “The present Mrs. Wyndham married Mr. Wyndham just four years ago. Lucy is his stepdaughter and so retains her own father’s surname of Jamison. His sons are his own, from his first wife, who died several years ago. His young daughter also died then. Fever. So the present Mrs. Wyndham is herself somewhat new to the neighborhood. I don’t think she feels very welcome.”

  Darcy snorted. “That might improve if she did not look down her nose at everyone.”

  Lizzy arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t that rather like the pot calling the kettle black?”

  Darcy looked at her with affection and almost chuckled.

  “I suppose you are right. Although this ‘pot’ learnt a valuable lesson from an upstart of a girl—from Hertfordshire, no less.”

  “We upstarts have our value, don’t we Kitty? Especially when we are from Hertfordshire.”

  They all enjoyed a laugh.

  “Just a caution, Kitty. Don’t expect much of a welcome from the Wyndham ladies.”

  Kitty was quiet as she reflected on Lizzy’s words.

  ≈

  After winding upwards for half an hour they reached a broad plateau surrounded by towering peaks. When there was a break in the trees, Kitty caught her breath at the view—they were at one of the higher spots in the county. An old timber and stone house stood in a clearing ahead. Nearby a small waterfall spilled into a lake. Its song filled their ears as they approached. A pair of swans glided along the edge.

  “How lovely!” Kitty exclaimed, charmed by the setting. “This place feels very … old. Ancient. Am I right, Fitzwilliam?”

  “You are indeed, Kitty. Swan’s Nest was here long before Pemberley was established three generations ago. Legend has it this was the lair of a Scotsman during the border wars, though the borders are some way off …” He furrowed his brow at this anomaly but continued. “Lady Stapleton is Scottish. Her half-brother in Scotland has made a name for himself in the field of geology, the study of rocks. The only Stapleton son, Andrew, has taken a strong interest in the same p
rofession. Andrew is also rather bold in the saddle, with a passion for the steeplechase. A nice young man, with several sisters.”

  “You may find a special friend amongst them Kitty. The second sister, Matilda, is a particular friend of Georgiana’s,” Lizzy added.

  “I look forward to meeting some young ladies—some friendly young ladies.”

  Darcy and Lizzy exchanged a smile and the group rode into the park. The moment a stable boy came round to tend their horses, Squire Stapleton himself strode out the door and down the steps to greet them.

  “Such a fine morning it is, Darcy; made finer by a call from a good friend.”

  Darcy dismounted and the gentlemen shook hands, and then helped the ladies dismount.

  “And Mrs. Darcy, how are you? You look a picture of health and beauty, if I may say so.”

  “I am honored by your compliment, Squire, and am in the best of health, thank you. May I introduce my sister? Miss Catherine Bennet from Hertfordshire. Kitty, Squire Stapleton.”

  Kitty curtsied and smiled.

  The squire bowed and returned her smile, which carried through to his eyes and crinkled his face. “Delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet. I hope your visit is long and pleasant, and that our families can spend much time together.”

  He turned to Darcy again. “And where is Miss Georgiana?”

  “She arrives from Town later today,” Darcy said. “Which brings me to the point of our visit. In order to welcome Miss Bennet to the neighborhood, and Miss Georgiana home for the summer, we are giving a ball. We have come to personally invite you and your family.”

  Lady Stapleton was waving to them excitedly from her position at the door.

  “Come to the drawing room and let us share this invitation with my wife and daughters. It is sure to be happy news for all.”

  The squire offered his arm to Kitty. Lizzy took Darcy’s arm and they proceeded indoors.