Elizabeth got up and walked over to the window, her stride a little hampered by the dampness of her skirts.
“There are few who would not resort to a little poaching at the moment. I see it in the work I do with Edmund,” she said, her face falling into its usual expression of concern. “Life has become very hard for most of the locals. He does what he can, but his circumstances are straitened too. The income from the living at Meryton was never large and with the poor harvest last year, tithes have fallen off. Nevertheless, he manages to contribute from his personal income, by scraping a little here and there. For instance, I know that most of the fireplaces in the vicarage remained unlit this last winter. The place is as cold as a tomb.”
“He is a good man, Lizzy. I was not unhappy when Papa gave his permission for the two of you to enter into a courtship but perhaps it is just as well that there is no engagement as yet – finances being what they are.”
“You’re right. But you know, I’m twenty two and I can’t help thinking of what Lydia would have thought of me. All she ever wanted was to be the first amongst us to be a ‘married lady’ and here I am, practically in my dotage and still single.”
“I remember when you used to say that you would never marry. Do you remember that, Lizzy?”
“It’s not like you to confront me with all the foolish things that I said in the past, Jane. I have some rather embarrassing facts about you that I might share with little Charles when he is a few years older. There’s a particular night I remember when you dressed yourself up in the bedsheets and put flour on your face and a turnip on your nose. You scared the wits out of Kitty and Lydia as I remember, and you let them suffer for a week or two before you told them that it wasn’t a ghost.”
Jane looked suitably embarrassed but refused to be bullied. “Be serious for a moment, Lizzy. Charles and I have spoken about this. If Edmund’s financial circumstances are keeping you from marrying, he says he can ask Darcy for his help. As you might remember, Darcy has several livings in his gift. Charles sometimes sees him when he goes up to London and they also correspond fairly regularly. He might be able to offer Edmund a parish that is better endowed - if not immediately, then maybe in a year or two. But it would be something to plan around, wouldn’t it?”
This remark rankled. Elizabeth couldn’t see herself beholden to Darcy for anything and especially not for providing the means by which she could get herself a husband. Nevertheless, she forced a smile.
“If you value your head, never repeat what you have just said to Edmund. It is a matter of principle with him – no, not just principle, utter conviction – that he will go where he is most needed and, to his mind, that is amongst the poor. As a matter of fact, he has once or twice expressed the wish to work in the poorer districts of London. Then, you know, we could never get married, for he would definitely be unable to support a wife in those circumstances. As it is, I count myself fortunate that he was given the living in Meryton where, with a few economies, we can just about survive. I dread any mention of us moving away.”
Jane shook her head. “I worry about the life of unending drudgery that seems to lie ahead for you both. Is there not some way that Charles and I can help to lighten the load?”
“In fact there is - not for us but for the village. Actually, that’s why I called by today. With most of the fields waterlogged from the rains, we need every spare acre of workable land that we can get if we are to prevent a food crisis this winter. I wanted to ask you about the acreage that is lying fallow on your lower slopes. Those fields ought to drain fairly well. It is almost the end of the planting season and we urgently need more land to put under crops.’
‘It is a scheme that Edmund came up with. He has already approached some other landowners. Also, some of the local farmers with waterlogged lands have volunteered to work any viable fields that we might get alongside him. It is a parish project so whatever harvest there is would not be sold but divided amongst those most in need.”
“You only had to ask. I’m sure that Charles would welcome the opportunity to help but I was referring to you, Lizzy. You are working yourself to the bone. I think that you need to get away for a while. At least give yourself some time away from Edmund before your engagement is formalized. As it is, you both have had barely enough time to think. If Mary was here, I’m sure she would tell you that the poor are always with us. You owe it to yourself to consider your future carefully, not just let yourself be swept along on the tide.”
“I don’t think I can take the time to go away at the moment, Jane. It doesn’t feel right to be leaving Edmund to cope alone in the midst of this crisis.”
“Elizabeth Bennet, will you tell me when you last had a minute to yourself. When did you last read a book? When did you last take a walk for the sheer enjoyment of it? Ignore the last question. I know that it has been raining forever. But my point stands: Edmund was granted the living almost two years ago. You entered into this so-called courtship of yours a few months after he met you, and as far as I can see, there has been very little ‘courtship’. It has just been one ‘crisis’ after another and all of it at the expense of your personal lives.’
“Lizzy, I hate to sound as if I know it all. I remember once telling you that you avoided life by burying yourself in books; but there is such a thing as too much reality. You might not realise how driven you have become. I worry for you… What does Papa say about it?”
Elizabeth looked up at the ceiling irritably. “He’s not happy either, Jane,” she finally admitted.
“Well, that has decided me. I will speak to Charles about the lower fields on one condition only, Lizzy: you are to accept that invitation that you received from Lucy Randall last week. You had so much fun there after our wedding and Aunt Margaret is not getting any younger. Papa says that she is not even travelling short distances anymore. I’m sure she would love to see you again.”
“Jane, if you think that by sending me to Staffordshire you can somehow promote a match between Geoffrey Randall and me; you are mistaken. Aunt Margaret tried to do the same thing on my first visit. I could spend years in his company and never change my view. He’s a lovely man and means no one any harm; but he is essentially irresolute. You know my ways, I could never be happy with a man who leads such an aimless life.”
“That may be so, but do you think that you are happy now? Life is not just about good deeds,” Jane said bluntly. “Lizzy, I can honestly say that Geoffrey Randall was not on my mind until you mentioned him. The invitation just popped into my head as we were speaking about you going away. Nevertheless, I am sticking to my guns: you must take a break…go away somewhere for a few weeks and think very carefully about the difficult life you will have if you marry Edmund.”
“I can think about it here.”
“But you won’t. You will always be doing something else. I meant what I said, Lizzy! I will advise Charles not to allow the parish to make use of the lower fields unless you give me your word that you will take up that invitation.”
“Jane! I know that you would never do that. It would be a terrible thing to do. Anyway, I can’t go away. Don’t you see that I would need to replace almost half of my wardrobe? How could I justify spending money on fripperies, when people in this parish will soon be without food?”
“Withholding our fields might be a terrible thing to do, but charity begins at home, Lizzy. I am determined that you will take care of yourself. Besides, it is easy for you to ensure that Edmund gets the land: just agree to take a holiday. Charles and I can help you to purchase some new clothes.”
“I’d far rather you gave the money to the poor, Jane.”
Jane sighed heavily. “Well, I can see that I’m getting nowhere with you. Let’s ring for tea and I’ll think on it awhile.”
__________________________
Some hours later, Jane smiled into the dark as she tucked a tiny hand beneath its fleecy blanket and lingered to plant a soft kiss on the downy, little head. With only the firelight to
guide her, she tip-toed barefoot over the cold floorboards towards the bed in which Charles lay peacefully snoring and crawled between the sheets.
“Charles.”
“Mmmm.”
“Charles. You will have to turn on your side. You’re snoring very loudly,”
“Mmmm.”
“If you don’t turn over, I will have to make you, and you know what that means,” Jane said, placing her icy feet very precisely against her husband’s bare calves.
“By Jove! That’s cold, Jane!” he yelped.
“I rule with an iron rod, Mr. Bingley. You should know that by now.”
“No more of your impudence, madam. Just give me those feet,” said Charles rolling over and beginning to chafe one of the offending articles between his warm hands.
“Oh that’s heavenly.”
There was a brief silence and then Jane said, “Charles, what is your opinion of Edmund?”
“Edmund Pembroke?”
“Yes, Elizabeth’s Edmund.”
Charles stopped rubbing Jane’s foot and peered at her through the gloom. “Why are you asking about him at this hour of the morning, my love? Is something wrong?”
“Elizabeth was here today. She is looking so dreadfully thin. I am beginning to worry about her. She works alongside of Edmund the whole day. And if she’s not assisting him, then she is running around with medicine or food parcels - even sitting with the ill or dying. It’s not healthy. She hardly takes any rest. Do you remember Papa saying on Sunday that she and Mama haven’t had an argument in months? Also, remember how much she used to read? Well, Kitty says that she never does that now! And she is so solemn. She hardly ever teases me anymore…”
At this point the giant lump that had built up in Jane’s throat threatened to choke her. She paused, swallowed and then whispered, “I’m worried, Charles. She is so thin that if she got ill this winter…”
Charles sat up against the headboard. “Come here,” he said, holding out his arms.
As Jane rested her head against his chest he folded his arms about her and said, “Edmund is a good man. In fact, almost on the way to sainthood, I would say. But I’ve thought for a long time that saints don’t always make the best of husbands. Particularly not for someone like Lizzy who, for as long as I have known her, has always thought she could save the world. She is headstrong and she needs someone to bring balance to her life. Edmund only encourages her excesses, I’m afraid.”
“So you agree with me then?”
“I do. But where does that leave us?”
“Well, you know Lizzy. We can’t interfere with her choice of husband; that is certain. I thought to ask you to speak to Darcy about a better living for them, but Lizzy was adamant that Edmund would never entertain the idea.”
Charles smiled into the dark. He had had his suspicions about Darcy’s strange behaviour during the lead up to their wedding three years ago, but for his friend’s sake, he had never shared them with his wife and he wouldn’t do so now.
“Darcy and Lizzy were always at loggerheads, Jane. If you ask me, I don’t think Lizzy would want to be beholden to him.”
“I’m not sure that they were always quarrelling. She enjoyed his company at one time, you know. But he has always been a little too capricious for her. There was a brief period before our wedding when he was very friendly and then he just withdrew into his shell again. Of course, none of us have seen him since. Anyway, to get back to the present; I tried to persuade her to take up the Randall’s invitation: just so that she can relax and build up some strength. But she is resisting, chiefly because of the money that will be ‘wasted’ on new clothing and also because she doesn’t want to leave Edmund to carry the burden on his own here.’
“Hmm. Seems like someone will have to take her in hand,” said Charles, desperately hoping that it wouldn’t be him.
“And who would do it? You know as well as I that Lizzy can out-argue all of us. No, we have to give her no alternative. I do have a solution now for the clothing. After she left for Longbourn this afternoon, I realized that I still have all the clothes that I wore before little Charles was born. I was much less buxom then. Even so, they would still need a nip and tuck here and there. And of course the hems will need doing because she is so much shorter than me - but that’s nothing. As long as I’m not spending money, she can’t argue.”
“I won’t have you using ‘buxom’ to refer to your gorgeous new curves. That word makes me think of plump maiden aunts and I happen to be very fond of your new appearance,” said Charles.
Jane shook her head and smiled at this foolishness. “In any event, Lizzy came by yesterday because she wants us to consider giving the use of the lower fields over to Edmund’s charity planting scheme,”
“Yes, I heard about that down in Meryton. I am quite happy to participate.”
“Charles, you mustn’t let on to Lizzy that it has your support until I give you the word,” said Jane urgently. “I am holding our consent over her head. Her invitation to Chalford is only for the end of summer and I’ve told her that we won’t allow planting to begin unless she promises to go.”
Charles kissed the top of her head. “Now don’t put yourself into a taking about this, my love. If she asks me, I’ll just look vague and walk away. I won’t lie, but I also won’t comment either way. Remember, I have Caroline as a sister which means that I have had years of practice at pretending to be stupid.”
_________________________________________
“Lizzy, tell me that you aren’t still cross with me about this,” begged Jane, as she put her head through the open coach window.
“I’m not denying that I was; but I’ve decided to forgive you, Jane,” said Lizzy, fidgeting with her reticule. “Perhaps I do need the break, but this is the last time that you are to interfere in my affairs. There is so much still left to do in the parish if we are to be ready for the winter.”
“But you’ve done so much already. You can’t bring in the harvest yourself, you know. Besides, Edmund will have Charles’ men to help with that and Kitty will do what she can to assist Edmund while you are gone. She has promised and she’s quite responsible.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. It’s only vanity to think I am irreplaceable and I have asked her to turn to you for advice if she needs to. Edmund gets so caught up in what he is doing and Papa can never be relied upon to spend more than a few minutes at a time away from his books. Of course, Mama wouldn’t be the least bit interested. So, if Kitty looks at all worried…”
“We will all be fine without you, Lizzy. You must go, and you couldn’t have left it any later than this week. Autumn is almost upon us - and now that the weather has dried out a little - you must take the opportunity. At least the roads should be in fair condition and you will certainly be made welcome. The Randalls are positively falling over themselves in their eagerness to have you: if the fact that Aunt Margaret has sent her maid and carriage for you is any indication. Now promise that you will make every effort to enjoy yourself.”
“I will. And don’t think that I don’t appreciate what you have done for me. The clothes are beautiful and I know how much you have put yourself out to make this happen,” Lizzy said, grasping her sister’s hand tightly with her own gloved one and laying its warmth against her cheek.
“It was no trouble to me. You forget that we love you, Lizzy,” said Jane, stepping back to lean against her husband and blowing her sister a fond kiss. “Now go and enjoy yourself.”
Chapter 24
“One begins to take life up in both hands, and to
care more for the fruit than the flower,
and that is no great loss perhaps.”
W. B. Yeats
Pemberley – Autumn 1815
“This is beginning to look like a very long tour. I can only hope that the point of it will shortly become evident, Darce,” complained Richard Fitzwilliam as he slung his leg over a farm gate, the bottom rungs of which were stuck fast in several inches o
f dried mud. Tied to the hedge behind him, his horse whinnied in agreement.
“Bear with me,” said Darcy, his long legs striding out across the unplanted field. “Here. This is what I wanted to show you,” he said, drawing to a halt.
“A hole in the ground. You want to show me a hole in the ground! Well, believe me I’m astounded, Darce: never having seen anything quite like it before,” said Richard with obvious sarcasm, while swatting wildly at a cloud of gnats that, having been disturbed, had risen from the soil.
Darcy’s lip curled in a smile. “Patience, Richard. All will soon become clear. Now, as to the hole: the weather over the last eighteen months is the reason for its existence - as well as several hundred others like it. During the rains, lower fields like this one often become waterlogged but sometimes the water does not rise to the surface where you can see it. These holes were dug during a brief dry period last winter, to see if water flowed into them. If it did, then it meant that the soil was waterlogged. As few plants can survive in waterlogged soil, the affected fields were left to lie fallow this year, while we concentrated on planting those fields with better drainage. As strategies go, it is a simple one; but it saves a great deal of time and misdirected effort. There are many others to learn.”
“I have never spent time on the land. Why would I be interested in this?”
“Now that you have left the army, knowledge like this is going to be invaluable – especially if you wish to survive in your new calling. You can rely on me to assist you wherever I can.”
“And what career would I be following? Local yokel?” asked Richard, a huge grin splitting his face in two as he shambled towards Darcy. “Ave pity on a poor lad, Yer Majesty. Appen I be as daft as a brush …” he said, crossing his eyes and tugging at his forelock as he played the village idiot.
The Golden Apples of the Sun Page 20
