The Darcys of Pemberley (13 page)

“I raise the issue precisely because of that
fact. I would not wish our children to be encumbered with the
burden of domestic strife, or to be deprived of a portion of their
heritage either. Also, consider, how shall we maintain our close
ties with Fitzwilliam after he marries Anne if we are forever
barred from Rosings Park?”

“I had not thought of that,” he admitted,
somewhat grudgingly.

“I know what it must cost you to forgive her,
and she may well refuse our overtures in any case, but I should
rest easier knowing that we made an honest effort to heal the
breach. Will you not at least think on it, Darcy? For me?”

He struggled for the right response. “I will
consider it – for your sake, Lizzy, not for hers. That is as much
as I can promise at present. Yet I must say that I find the notion
of crawling back to my aunt, after all that has passed between us,
singularly revolting. I have always held the conviction that any
apologies must rightly start on her side, although I can hardly
imagine her ladyship humbling herself enough to admit she was
wrong.”

~*~

With the advent of spring, Georgiana’s
outlook began to improve. She decided to consider the possibility
that she could be happy with a different sort of life than the one
she had imagined for herself with Colonel Fitzwilliam. She poured
herself into her music with renewed vigor, spending hours every day
at the pianoforte and the harp. Reading, calls of charity, visits
with local friends, and correspondence with those farther afield
also helped to keep her mind and time occupied.

Intercourse between Reddclift and Pemberley
increased as the weather improved; a warm friendship between the
two houses flourished. Of the ladies, only Georgiana had a timid
tendency, which quickly melted with the gentle attentions of the
others. Likewise, the reserves of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Sanditon
steadily diminished as their familiarity grew.

Mr. Darcy had called at Reddclift Hall early
on in the acquaintance, but Elizabeth and Georgiana had been no
farther than the cottage to visit the ladies. So it was of
particular interest to them when a dinner invitation arrived from
Mr. Sanditon. The opportunity to finally see his home and meet his
young daughters presented a prospect of no small appeal. In
addition, considering that the gentleman lived a reclusive life,
they were not insensible of the compliment represented by such a
rare invitation.

Mr. Sanditon secured his sister-in-law’s
services as hostess for the evening and, naturally, Charlotte
Collins was included in the party as well. Kitty Bennet had
recently removed to Heatheridge, so only three came from Pemberley.
Their drive took them through the village of Kympton, across the
river that meandered through the fertile valley, and up the gradual
slope that lay beyond. Farms and cottages of various sizes and
descriptions dotted the countryside along the route. Reddclift
Hall, near the crest of the far hill, overlooked this pleasant
pastoral scene. The house stood out markedly from its surroundings,
especially with the afternoon light glinting off the glazing and
painting the pale stone of the structure a honey-gold. Even at a
distance, it was easily distinguishable.

When the Darcys arrived, Mr. Sanditon
welcomed them and offered his guests a look about the place before
dinner. As their host guided the tour, he talked about the history
of the house and his strong attachment to it. Reddclift had been in
the family for three generations, he informed them, having been
built by his grandfather. The house was only moderately sized but
appointed with style and taste, the credit for which Mr. Sanditon
gave entirely to his late wife.

They stopped in the nursery to visit Mr.
Sanditon’s daughters, who were introduced as Abigail and Amelia.
Elizabeth found them enchanting, her own situation making all small
children of special interest to her at that time. Georgiana was
drawn to the girls at once. She immediately knelt down to talk to
them. Hesitant at first, they were soon coaxed forward by
Georgiana’s reassuring voice and outstretched hand.

After several minutes, the adults quit the
nursery and moved on.

“Thank you for your kind attentions to my
daughters, Miss Darcy,” said Mr. Sanditon.

“Not at all, sir. I am grateful for the
pleasure of seeing them. They are dear little creatures.”

“Of course I would never disagree with you
about that. I am glad you like them. The girls appear to have taken
a fancy to you as well. They are often shy of strangers, but you
won them over easily enough. You must have a natural talent with
children.”

“Thank you. But really, Mr. Sanditon, you are
too excessive in your praise. I am very fond of children, yet I
cannot claim any special capabilities.”

“I am sure you are too modest, Miss
Darcy.”

Over dinner, cordial conversation flowed
freely amongst the six friends, covering a wide range of topics. At
one point, Charlotte Collins mentioned her former home in Hunsford,
which prompted a question from Mr. Darcy.

“Do you keep up a correspondence with my aunt
at Rosings Park, Mrs. Collins?”

“Why, yes, I do. I hope that does not offend
you, sir. After her generosity to Mr. Collins and myself, I will be
forever in Lady Catherine’s debt.”

“I take no offense, certainly. I was simply
interested to know how she is getting on.”

“I fear I have very little to offer you. Her
letters are filled with more advice than information, which may not
surprise you. As far as I am able to determine, she is much the
same as she ever was. She may, however, be suffering from a lack of
company, for I gather, from her manner of speaking about him, that
she is not so very well pleased with the new rector. She complains
that he and his wife do not call to pay their respects as often as
she deems fitting.”

“Yes, that sounds very like her indeed,” said
Darcy wryly.

“If I may be so bold, I believe she also
feels the loss of
your
society, Mr. Darcy,” Charlotte
ventured.

“What makes you say so?”

“She has inquired after you on more than one
occasion.”

“That does not signify. She may just as
likely be wishing me ill as wanting me back at Rosings,” he
reasoned.

“I do not think so. I am quite familiar with
her moods, and if I read her correctly, there is more regret than
rancor in her tone.”

After dinner, while they awaited the men to
rejoin them, the four ladies had time for private conversation, the
main topic of which was Elizabeth’s recent announcement. Charlotte
and Ruth were quick to offer their best wishes, sentiments which
Elizabeth received with some discomfort. When she considered how
different were the circumstances of the other two – not only bereft
of their husbands but also left without children by which to
remember them – she could not help being a little embarrassed by
her own good fortune.

When the gentlemen reappeared, Ruth proposed
a game of Whist. Mr. Sanditon supported the idea, then insisted on
sitting out of the game in favor of his guests. Miss Darcy did not
care to play and likewise excused herself, leaving the remaining
four to carry on whilst she joined Mr. Sanditon in conversation by
the hearth. They both politely refused repeated offers to trade
places and have their turn at the game. So everyone continued where
they were until it was time to call for the carriages and take
leave of Reddclift.

On the drive back to Pemberley, thoughts and
discourse about the pleasant party dominated. Georgiana was
particularly animated in expressing her satisfaction with all
aspects of the evening; everything and everyone had been to her
liking. Elizabeth took it as a very encouraging sign.

Correspondence

As he promised his wife, Mr. Darcy did
seriously contemplate pursuing a reconciliation with his
contentious aunt. For a long time, a battle raged within him, his
righteous indignation at war with his conscience. The counsel of
one told him Lady Catherine deserved no pity, while the other
advised that his Christian duty was to forgive. Elizabeth did not
interfere with his deliberations, nor did she attempt to influence
him. She allowed that, since Lady Catherine was his aunt, it must
be his decision.

Finally, Darcy announced, “I have been
considering your proposition, Elizabeth. I am now of the opinion
that reconciliation – under the
right
circumstances – would
be desirable. I am willing to make the first move, but I am
determined that Lady Catherine must meet us halfway. If she refuses
to take any responsibility for her behavior, then nothing is to be
gained. It would be pointless to readmit such a person into our
lives and ultimately deleterious to impose her upon our
offspring.”

“I entirely agree with you, Darcy. How do you
suggest we begin?”

“I think a very carefully worded letter could
be issued in the hope that it would serve to reopen the channels of
communication. This engagement between Anne and Fitzwilliam gives
me an excuse for writing, in order to extend my congratulations.
If, as Mrs. Collins believes, my aunt is more favorably disposed
toward me now, she will have her opportunity to respond in
kind.”

“Have you written the letter yet?”

“No, but I have begun composing it in my
mind. It will require some delicacy in order to get the wording and
spirit just right, I think.”

A few days later, when he was at last
satisfied with his work, Darcy showed his letter to Elizabeth.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh,

Rosings Park, Kent

Madam,

Allow me to offer my congratulations on the
engagement of your daughter Anne to Colonel Fitzwilliam. My wife
and I have the highest opinion of them both and wish them all
possible happiness in their marriage.

Much as you are looking forward to this
addition to your family circle, Mrs. Darcy and I find that we are
expecting an addition to ours by a different means. This blessing
causes me to reflect on the importance of maintaining (and
restoring, where necessary) peace and unity within my extended
family. I regret the disagreement that has broken that bond in our
case. Although I will make no apologies for a marriage in which I
have been
supremely happy, I am sorry that the
accomplishment of it occasioned you pain. My hope is that the
success of the match now made for your daughter will produce a
degree of felicity eclipsing any pleasure lost by a disappointed
former plan.

Though I am amenable to conciliation, what
passed between us – especially uncharitable words spoken and
written against my wife – cannot be easily forgotten. However, if
after the passage of time you have experienced an alteration in
your position to the extent that you now find yourself able to make
some reparation, I am willing to
hear whatever you have to
say on the subject. The matter is entirely in your own hands,
Madam. I remain, respectfully,

Your nephew,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

“What do you think, Elizabeth? Is it too
harsh or too yielding? Would you wish to add or subtract anything?”
he asked.

“No, I believe it is a job well done. A fine
letter … very balanced, being neither overly judgmental nor falsely
penitent. You write only the truth. And since you are not inclined
to exaggeration, I cannot even suspect the part about your ‘supreme
happiness,’” Elizabeth said with a glint in her eye. “You have made
your position plain. It will now be up to Lady Catherine to accept
or reject your offer. Your conscience can be clear either way.”

“Good. Well, if you are satisfied, we shall
send the olive branch on its way. Let us hope that is finds a
favorable reception at the end of its journey.”

“Thank you, my dear. I appreciate what a
distasteful business this has been for you. I hope your efforts
will be rewarded and you will not be sorry I suggested the
idea.”

“We shall just have to wait and see about
that.”

~*~

Elizabeth decided to visit the Bingleys and
Kitty briefly before Easter. Jane was confined to home now and due
to deliver in another few weeks, so it was left to her sister to do
the traveling if they were to see each other. Mr. Darcy had
pressing estate business and was obliged to forego the pleasure of
attending his wife to Heatheridge. Instead, Georgiana volunteered
to accompany her.

It had been well over a month since Elizabeth
had last seen Jane at the dinner party at Pemberley. Although they
had exchanged letters in the interim, Elizabeth longed to be with
her again, especially at this time when they shared the additional
bond of impending motherhood. The visit did not disappoint in any
respect, comprising many hours of close conversation amongst the
four young women. Mr. Bingley’s society was happily admitted as
well, but he was not so insensible as to think it was always
wanted.

Following their three-day absence, Mr. Darcy
welcomed his wife and sister back to Pemberley. “How did you find
our friends at Heatheridge?” he asked Elizabeth after greeting them
both.

“As well as one might expect in their
situation. Jane is already quite uncomfortable; I cannot imagine
how she can possibly persevere until May. She truly is enormous,
Darcy.”

“Lizzy! I hope you did not say such a thing
to her.”

“No, of course not. But I did say that I
should not be surprised if her accouchement came sooner than
expected. At this point, she would be happy for it, I am sure.”

“And how is our Mr. Bingley holding up under
the strain, Georgiana?”

“He is perhaps a little overwrought, but
mostly proud and happy, I should think … and so attentive to Jane,
too! It really is quite sweet. He insists on waiting upon her
himself and constantly asks after her comfort.”