Finding Another Mother - CH 6

Chapter 6: PEMBERLEY

The time at Pemberley was truly wonderful. Pemberley was a beautiful and well managed estate. Georgiana proved to be a gracious hostess and their every need was attended to by a very well-organized staff. For Mr. Darcy, however, being back at Pemberley, after having been away for several months, required much of his time to be devoted to estate matters. Being a proper host, he did arrange some fishing with Bingley and Hurst on a few days but for the most part he was mainly in the company of his guests only in the evenings.

A genuine friendship was forming amongst the five ladies. During the day, the ladies would often entertain themselves with music, conversation and tea parties with Madeline. Georgiana had retrieved her childhood porcelain tea set from the attic and they would use it for the tea parties. The tea set had tiny cups, plates and even a small teapot. Georgiana arranged with the cook to provide small biscuits, scones and sandwiches. Caroline, Georgiana and Elizabeth took turns instructing Madeline how to be a proper hostess and how to serve the tea and refreshments. Jane and Charlotte enjoyed being the special guests at the tea parties. When Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley joined them, the cook was careful to provide four times as much of the “tiny” food so that they would all be satisfied.

Two weeks into the stay Caroline asked Charles to take her to Lambton which was about five miles from Pemberley. Caroline wanted to procure a small tea set for Maddie as a gift. Charles arranged to take her in a curricle and since it held three people, Charlotte was invited to join them. While they were away, Mr. Hurst kept Madeline busy entertaining her in the library by reading her Aesop’s Fables. He would embellish the voices of the characters much to Maddie’s amusement.

At this time Georgiana thought to invite Jane and Lizzy to see her mother’s rose garden. Jane favored the rose scent and distilled her own scents at Longbourn. Georgiana picked up on Jane’s preference for the scent of roses and thought she would especially enjoy seeing the rose garden. As she approached Jane’s chamber door to knock, she overheard Jane and Lizzy talking. Lizzy was saying, “Jane, I think Mr. Darcy really cares for you, I can see it in his eyes. Besides when you are in the room he rarely looks elsewhere.” Jane answered back, “Really Lizzy I cannot imagine that Mr. Darcy has any genuine interest in me when he is engaged to be married to Miss Anne de Bourgh!” Georgiana was mortified. Was her brother engaged to their cousin without him telling her? And was she truly an eavesdropper?

Georgiana quickly left Jane’s chamber door and immediately sought out her brother. He was in his study, and she rapped on the door in earnest. He bade her to come in. Upon seeing her heightened color, he was immediately concerned. “Georgiana, whatever is wrong?” he inquired. Firstly, Georgiana explained how she was shocked, utterly shocked, to find out that he was engaged to be married to their cousin Anne. Secondly, she stated that she was disappointed that he did not trust her enough with this bit of news to inform her of it himself. Darcy replied that he was NOT engaged to Anne and inquired from her how she obtained this information. Georgiana was ashamed to admit that it was through “accidental” eavesdropping. To say that Darcy was surprised would be an understatement. A false engagement accusation and a sisterly indiscretion of eavesdropping in one day! This was shaping up to be quite an inauspicious start to the day.

Darcy sat Georgiana down to get the details. When he found out that Jane believed him to be engaged, his heart sank. He asked Georgiana to help him get some time alone with Jane so that he could find out why she thought him to be engaged to Anne. The plan he suggested was for Georgiana to invite Lizzy, Jane, Mr. Hurst, and Madeline on a walk to the lake to ostensibly look for tadpoles. He would be waiting on the north side of the lake. The tadpoles would be on the other side. He would ask Jane to walk with him around the lake as everyone else would go looking for tadpoles. Having some distance between them and the rest of the group would give Jane and Darcy some time to talk privately while still properly being within the eyesight of chaperones. He indicated that Georgiana might have to seek Miss Elizabeth’s help in carrying out this plan. Georgiana, who was most relieved to find out that her brother was NOT engaged to Anne, was agreeable to help.

Everything was arranged and the group gathered for a walk to the lake. Georgiana and Jane led the way with Mr. Hurst and Lizzy each holding a hand of Madeline. As they got closer to the lake, they passed by a grove of white willow trees, and Mr. Darcy stepped out from behind them. He approached Georgiana and Jane and spoke quietly asking that Jane join him for a short walk around the lake while the others would be looking for tadpoles. He whisked Jane away but was careful to always remain in view of the others. Lizzy, being in on the scheme, with Georgiana’s help guided the remaining group to the far side of the lake. Fortunately for all they found many tadpoles. Lizzy hiked up her skirts and went into the shallow parts of the lake to fetch some for Madeline’s amusement. Georgiana and Gregory were highly amused as well. Splashing and laughing ensued and the group was a merry bunch. However, Lizzy’s ever watchful eye was often on Jane and Mr. Darcy.

When they were alone, Mr. Darcy addressed Jane, “Miss Bennet I have heard a most interesting tale that you have heard it rumored that I am engaged to my cousin, Anne de Bourgh.” “Yes, that is correct.” Jane sighed. “Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy continued, “I want to assure you that there is no truth to that rumor. Wherever did you hear this?” Jane replied, “My cousin, Mr. Collins, who is your aunt de Bourgh’s rector told us when he was visiting.” Darcy said, “Oh, I see. As much as my aunt may wish it to be true, it is not. You see my cousin is frail and in ill health. My aunt is desirous to see Anne well settled in case my aunt becomes incapable of taking care of her. She has decided that I would be the best candidate, so she often expresses her wishes as fact. I assure you that I have talked to Anne about this, and she has no desire to marry me, and I have no desire to marry her. I am a firm believer in taking care of family and if something did happen to my aunt and Anne needed help, I would not abandon her. As her cousin I would see that she would get the proper help necessary.” Jane was rather quiet. She was taking in all that he said, and she still wondered about his intentions toward her. She answered him with, “Thank you for dispelling this false rumor, Mr. Darcy.” She was much too affected in her own rising emotions to say much more.

They continued on their walk. Darcy was happy that Jane knew the truth. He so much wanted to tell her more, like how much he wanted her there with him at Pemberley permanently. “Whoa, Darcy. Pull back that thought,” he told himself, “You cannot declare yourself to Jane without having to leave Pemberley to go see Mr. Bennet. It would be most improper to be engaged without her father’s permission.” As a young man his father had instilled in him that, as a gentleman, requesting the approval of the father of an intended bride was the most proper and honorable thing to do. He continued with his thoughts, “You will not act in a scandalous manner. You need to wait out these two weeks, old man, and then you can declare yourself to Jane.” But like a moth drawn to a flame, Darcy was helpless when it came to Jane Bennet. He finally said, “Miss Bennet, I would like to know what you think of Pemberley.” “I find it is the nicest estate that I have ever seen!” Jane exclaimed. She then continued, “It is so well situated and managed. I cannot find anything to disabuse it and wholeheartedly admire its beauty and design.” Darcy was very pleased to hear this.

Mr. Darcy feeling very happy at Jane’s positive endorsement of his estate decided to ask, “Would you then find living here at Pemberley to be an inducement to your comfort and happiness?” Now Jane, still thinking that Mr. Darcy was going to offer her a position as a companion for his sister, answered, “Mr. Darcy I want you to remember that I am a gentleman’s daughter. Even though I have four sisters I am not in a position to accept an offer of employment.” “What the devil is she talking about?” thought Darcy, “Employment? Employed as what?” “I have not the pleasure of understanding you, Miss Bennet,” he replied.

“Well, are you not looking for a replacement for Mrs. Annesley?” Jane asked. Darcy was shocked. Had Jane really no clue to his real intentions? He would have to dispel this line of thinking immediately. “Why Miss Bennet,” he answered, “I have no intention of finding a replacement for Georgiana’s companion, however I do have some serious intentions toward you. I find you the most beautiful and captivating woman of my acquaintance. And once we return to Hertfordshire, I would hope to ask you a more proper question.” He then winked at her, took her hand and kissed the back of it. Jane was in utter shock. Lizzy had the right of it, and she had been blind. Mr. Darcy did indeed care for her. Jane was slightly shaking from the contact of Mr. Darcy’s lips on the back of her hand. Not shaking in a bad way, but mostly a shiver of excitement. “We should be returning to the others, as rumors might start up,” teased, Mr. Darcy. So, the two made their way back and they all returned to the house as one big happy group.

The two remaining weeks at Pemberley found Jane and Darcy often in company. Mr. Bingley and Charlotte were also constant companions with each other. Charlotte was surprised at the handsome and wealthy Mr. Bingley paying her so much attention. Usually when Jane and Lizzy were around Charlotte played second fiddle to them. This was an unexpected yet welcome change for Miss Lucas. Lizzy and Mr. Hurst spent many hours talking, taking long walks with Madeline and playing chess. Caroline and Georgiana sometimes entertained each other with musical performances as they each were accomplished artists on the pianoforte. They both were in high spirits and excited about the pairings of the aforementioned couples. Georgiana longed for a sister and Jane was a perfect fit. Plus, Jane made Fitzwilliam happy. Caroline was pleased that Charles’ cheerfulness had returned and chalked that up to his time spent with Miss Lucas. She was also pleased with Mr. Hurst forming an attachment to Lizzy as she felt that Madeline would benefit from being in Lizzy’s care.