The Pemberley Chronicles (28 page)

And all this while, more and more "gentleman farmers" were enclosing and enlarging their manors, with little thought for the families they had displaced. In the big cities of London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester, the working poor were housed in monotonous, grimy tenements, while the unemployed and sick begged or stole to survive on the streets. Across the nation, contradictions brought out the agitators and Reformers. Improvements in trade and transport brought prosperity to a new middle class in the cities, but half a day's journey away, across the green meadows and hillsides stained black with slag heaps and scour, there was deepening despair.

Amidst this national pall of unease and gloom, like a burst of summer sunshine on a bleak North Country morning, Caroline Gardiner and Colonel Fitzwilliam were married, in one of the happiest occasions the district had seen in many years. Caroline made a beautiful bride in a gown of the best French lace and silk her father could buy, and the Colonel in his uniform cut a very fine figure indeed. Caroline had warned all members of her family that they were not to weep. "This is my wedding day, and you are all to be as happy as I am," she had declared, "no one is allowed to spoil it with tears." Which was all very well, until it was time for the happy couple to leave, when Caroline embraced her mother and father and burst into tears. Young Emily, who had been her bridesmaid, followed suit, and soon a number of cousins and aunts were reaching for their handkerchiefs.

Caroline had grown from a rather pert and self-possessed little girl into a graceful and lovely young woman, with the intelligence and poise that a woman in her twenties might well envy. A credit to her parents, whose encouragement had played a big part in her development, she had also been advantaged by the very open, liberal environment of their home, where the children had always been encouraged to participate in family discussions and meet adult visitors, whenever it was appropriate.

She, like her brothers and sisters, had a pleasing sense of decorum quite beyond her years, which had been apparent in her model behaviour during the period of her romance and engagement to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Yet, they were so sincerely and openly devoted to one another, as to cause their friends to remark that neither would have been happy with any one else. Their long engagement, which had caused comment in some quarters, had only served to enhance and deepen their very genuine love. When they drove away, in an open landau, with most of the village wishing them well, no one could have doubted they were witnessing the start of a happy marriage.

Even Mrs Bennett, who had been heard to remark, on an earlier occasion, that she did not approve of big differences in age and long engagements for couples-- even she was seen to dab her eyes and blow her nose as she wished the pair a long and happy marriage. She then proceeded to congratulate her brother and his wife on their daughter's excellent match. "Caroline has done very well, Brother," she said, as they moved indoors, "the dear Colonel used not to be such a good catch, being only a younger son. I recall at the time of Jane and Lizzie's weddings, saying to my sister Mrs Philips, that it was a great pity he had no fortune, for he was such a well-mannered and charming young man and could have married anyone he wanted. But, dear Lord, he certainly has done well for himself after his stint in the colonies," she said, somewhat carried away by her enthusiasm.

Mrs Gardiner, now her son-in-law's greatest supporter, spoke up. "Colonel Fitzwilliam's fortune is not merely the result of a stint in the colonies, Sister, he has worked very hard to invest his money wisely, and, as Mr Gardiner will agree I am sure, he is a most valuable and active partner in his business." Mr Gardiner, realising that his wife's sensitivities had been upset by his sister's usual tactlessness, intervened to wholeheartedly defend Fitzwilliam. Mrs Gardiner added pointedly, "Of course it is satisfying to know that he is very comfortably situated now, but, Sister, I am sure you would agree that our greatest comfort must come from knowing that Colonel Fitzwilliam is a perfectly honourable and trustworthy gentleman, whose devotion to Caroline is unquestioned. Indeed, no sooner were they engaged than he proceeded to endow Caroline with considerable assets; despite the protestations of her father, he would not be deterred. We cannot think of anyone else we know to whom we would so gladly entrust our daughter's happiness."

Mrs Bennett appeared to open her mouth and then shut it again, quickly. It seemed she had thought better of making any further comment. Elizabeth and Jane, who had come into the room in time to hear the tail end of the conversation, could only shake their heads and sigh with relief that their husbands, who were still outdoors, had been spared their mother's opinions. "Oh Lizzie, I do wish Mama would not upset Aunt Gardiner," said Jane, taking her sister aside, "She is going to miss Caroline and can do without further aggravation." Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders, "You know what Mama is like. Nothing will stop her from saying whatever comes into her head." Jane had resolved to take Mrs Bennet away with her, when they returned home.

"I have already asked Bingley and he has no objection; I shall go and ask Papa. I know Mama had intended to stay with my aunt and uncle, but I do not believe it is fair. I have already stopped her asking Uncle Gardiner whether Lady Catherine had been against the marriage and had stayed away to show her displeasure. I was happy to be able to assure her that Lady Catherine was unable to attend because she was ill."

"In fact," said Elizabeth, "Lady Catherine has met Caroline, and I am assured by Fitzwilliam, his aunt is very taken with her and has invited them to Rosings for Christmas together with James and Rosamund." Jane expressed great surprise.

"Lizzie, you are not serious?"
"Indeed I am. Lady Catherine has probably realised that Fitzwilliam, being the youngest son of her cousin, is extremely fortunate to marry such a beautiful, accomplished, and charming young woman, who is also likely to be very wellendowed. For while, I am told, Fitzwilliam has asked for no marriage settlement, our uncle will insist on arranging for Caroline to have a very reasonable income of her own." Jane promised she would tell her mother as soon as she had an opportunity to do so.
"If only Mama would stop talking, for just a little while," she sighed.
Elizabeth agreed, "She will not cease asking questions and making predictions--it will drive Aunt Gardiner insane." Jane nodded and went in search of her father to make arrangements for their journey. Left alone in the room, Elizabeth experienced a mixture of pleasure and guilt. She was undeniably pleased not to have her mother to stay at Pemberley, even if it was for one night, especially because they were playing host to the Hursts and Miss Bingley, who were returning to Bath on the following day. The prospect of her mother's meeting the Bingley women and spending an entire evening with them was more mortifying than Elizabeth could bear. Yet, she felt guilty that she had allowed Jane to do what was clearly the right and proper thing, in relieving her aunt and uncle and having Mrs Bennet to stay at Ashford Park, instead. That Jane did not appear to feel any degree of strain herself, was a tribute to the stability and equanimity of her sister's nature and the exceedingly tolerant attitude of her husband.
Mr Darcy came in search of his wife and found her looking anxious and uncertain, which was very unlike herself. He inquired and was told, with a sigh, that Elizabeth was wishing she had the same steady, unruffled calmness of her sister Jane. To which her husband replied that, while he thought Jane was one of the most beautiful women he had met and he agreed she had the most steady and gentle disposition, it was she, Elizabeth, with all her faults, who had bewitched him from their very first meeting, and since they were married, he did not think it was fair that she should want to change her nature now. Even though she knew he was teasing her, this ingenious argument so enchanted Elizabeth that, without warning, she warmly embraced him, unaware until she heard their laughter that three of the children had run into the room and were looking on with interest. Darcy laughed too, and said, "Let us go and find Mr and Mrs Gardiner, dearest. When I came in search of you, it was to tell you that they are to dine with us at Pemberley tonight." Seeing her surprised expression, he added, "I thought and I am sure you would agree, my dear, that you would appreciate their company and since they would be missing Caroline, it would be a good idea to invite them to join us."
"Darcy, it is a wonderful idea! At this moment, I cannot think of anything I should like better." So delighted was Elizabeth that it was only the arrival of several other guests that saved Darcy from another public demonstration of her affection and gratitude, but her smile said it all. There was nothing she preferred to having her favourite aunt and uncle at her side, while entertaining Miss Bingley and the Hursts at Pemberley that evening. The respect and affection Mr Darcy always showed them would be, she felt, a salutary demonstration to their guests. That Darcy could have thought of her and of the Gardiners and arranged to please them all so well only reinforced her love and admiration for him. It was the kind of thoughtful gesture, he would freely admit, would not have occurred to him before he met and married her. Now he knew how much it meant to her, he was doubly pleased with his efforts. It would transform the entire evening from a dull and dutiful one into a pleasure for both of them.
The evening proceeded in an entirely predictable fashion, with the Hursts paying much more attention to Mr Darcy than to Elizabeth, and Caroline Bingley's asking so many questions about Pemberley that one would have been forgiven for thinking she had a personal stake in the property. Indeed, so bewildered was Mr Hurst by the extent of Caroline's interest that he fell asleep and snored rather loudly. Fortuitously, the timely interruption enabled Mrs Gardiner to change the conversation and ask Miss Bingley how she liked living in Bath. "Very well," she replied, with a rather false brightness, "Oh, I like it very well indeed. One gets to meet so many people of real quality, and there is always something worthwhile one can attend." Elizabeth glanced at Darcy, who did not appear to be listening, being intent on pouring out some wine. She was, therefore, very surprised when he responded to Miss Bingley's question, addressed, as it was, to Mrs Gardiner.
Recalling that the Gardiners had left London to move to Derbyshire, Miss Bingley had remarked pointedly that they must surely miss the convenience of living close to their business premises in Cheapside. Before either of the Gardiners could reply, Darcy, who had returned with a glass of wine for Mrs Gardiner, intervened in a polite but cold voice, "That is hardly likely, Miss Bingley, since most of the business has moved West to the Midlands, and the port of Liverpool rather than London is fast becoming our chief trading centre." Miss Bingley raised her eyebrows in mock astonishment.
"Why, Mr Darcy, you seem to be exceedingly well-informed on matters of trade," the inflection in her voice suggesting that trade was surely a subject far beneath Mr Darcy's attention. Her attempt to insult his guests infuriated Darcy. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "And why should that surprise you, Miss Bingley? I do not deny it. Considering that your brother and I have been partners in Mr Gardiner's Commercial Trading Company for several years and have been recently joined by Colonel Fitzwilliam, it would surely be far more surprising if I was not," adding, "I confess I had a great deal to learn--Bingley had the advantage over me there." Darcy was too much of a gentleman to remind her that their father had been in trade himself, but the implication was clear. "But Mr Gardiner has been a most patient teacher, and I have found it a most engrossing subject. It is, without any doubt, the key to the future prosperity of our nation," he concluded.
Caroline Bingley was the kind of woman who never seemed to know when to leave well alone. Her attempt to insult the Gardiners with references to their background in trade had obviously backfired and angered Darcy into what could only be seen as a rebuke. Elizabeth met her aunt's eyes and knew she was fighting to keep from smiling at Miss Bingley's embarrassment. She remembered well a similar incident in this same room, when on a visit to Pemberley before her engagement to Darcy. Miss Bingley, who was also a dinner guest, had tried to humiliate her with a reference to Wickham and had hit the wrong target, upsetting Georgiana instead. On that occasion, too, she had stupidly angered the very person with whom she was trying to ingratiate herself.
Miss Bingley tried again, "But what made you choose Derbyshire?" she asked, this time, turning to Mr Gardiner, who began to explain that his wife was born and raised in the county. Once again, Mr Darcy intervened quite deliberately, "Mrs Gardiner and I had the good fortune to grow up not five miles from each other in what we both agree is the best of all counties in England," he said casually, and as Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle listened, hardly believing what they were hearing, he went on, "I was aware of Mrs Gardiner's great attachment to this district; we had spoken of it often and of the family's hopes of returning to the area, which was why I suggested that Mr Gardiner take a look at Oakleigh Manor, when it came up for sale. As for the rest, I am quite sure Mr and Mrs Gardiner will gladly tell you how happy they've been since moving there." As the Gardiners nodded and smiled agreement and Elizabeth could barely conceal her delight, Miss Bingley's confusion was complete. Despite the best efforts of the kindly Mr Gardiner, who tried to keep the conversation going, there was little more for Caroline to say. Mercifully, Mr Hurst snored again, and as if on cue, the footman brought in the candles. The Hursts and Miss Bingley decided it was time to retire; they had to make an early start, but not before they witnessed an affectionate leave taking between Elizabeth and Darcy and Mr and Mrs Gardiner, with promises to meet again soon.
Once their guests had retired, Elizabeth said not a word to her husband on the subject of Miss Bingley's humiliation, intending to let the matter drop, believing that would be his wish too. She was therefore more than a little surprised when Darcy said quietly, "You can stop pretending now, Lizzie; you may laugh if you wish."
Elizabeth did laugh but not at Miss Bingley's discomfiture alone; she was also laughing at herself, "And to think that, when I first met you, I thought you had no sense of humour," she said. Darcy smiled, permitting himself a small degree of satisfaction. He knew that despite her reticence, Elizabeth was delighted with what had transpired that evening. Recalling the many occasions on which Miss Bingley and her sister had either insulted or patronised Elizabeth, before she became his wife, Darcy was happy to have been able to even the score. Standing at the window beside him, Elizabeth thought of Caroline and Fitzwilliam. From the bottom of her heart, she wished them happiness. That they loved each other dearly was not in doubt. If they could find within themselves deeper sources of that joy, they would be happy indeed.
As if reading her thoughts, Darcy remarked, "If Fitzwilliam and Caroline are as happy in five years' time, as we are tonight, they can count themselves truly fortunate. Do you not agree, my dearest?" And of course, she did.