56. Chapter 51

Ch 51

Mrs. Gardiner jumped to her feet and threw open the door. "Mattie! Bring Mrs. Bennet's salts!"

A moment later the young maid appeared along with Mr. Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Mattie rushed to her mistress' side and opened the vial under her nose. A moment later Fanny roused and looked about trying to get her bearings. Her eyes fixed on her husband. Immediately he was at her side, taking her hands in his.

"Mr. Bennet is it true? These gentlemen…our girls…all four of them?" Fanny stammered.

Patting her hands gently, he nodded. "Yes my dear. Although it is usually customary for the young man to wait until he has actually asked the father for permission before the engagement is announced, I think in this case it is safe to assume that these three are on the same errand as their companion." He smiled wryly, his eyes filled with warmth.

"And you…you approve?" Fanny whispered clutching his hands tightly, her eyes saying far more than her words.

"I do, Mrs. Bennet, whole heartedly. You already know Mr. Pierce. Mr. Bingley and his friends have already proven themselves to be good friends to all of us." His throat tightened. "I could not wish for better sons. What is more, I believe they will be as good of brothers to each other as Edward and David have been to me."

Fanny's eyes filled with tears, "Oh, Mr. Bennet! God has been very good to us!" She began to weep uncontrollably into her husband's shoulder.

"Excuse us, gentlemen. I believe my wife is overcome with the joy of the moment. Perhaps it would be best if…" Mr. Bennet wrapped a protective arm around Fanny.

"I will take her upstairs, Thomas," Madeline cut in. "I believe you still have business to attend." Her blue eyes twinkled as she smiled.

From upstairs they heard a foot stamping and a girlish voice shout, "But it's not fair!"

Bennet sighed, "I believe I must attend to my daughter above stairs first. If you will permit me, gentlemen." He nodded and left the room. With slow, heavy steps he trudged upstairs to the room Lydia occupied. "I will take it from here, Edward. Madeline is taking Fanny to her room and our guests are unattended."

Edward nodded seriously, but did not release Lydia's arm until her father had taken the other. "Good luck," he whispered as he passed his brother in the door way.

"Papa, it is not fair! All of my sisters engaged?" Lydia cried, stamping her foot again. "Well, I will show them. I will not stand up with any of them."

"Sit down!" Bennet snapped, guiding her forcefully to the bed. "Have no fear, child, none of your sisters will want you standing up with them. Even if they did, I would not permit you to do so. You will not be attending any of their weddings…"

Lydia's eyes grew wide. "No! You cannot do such a thing! What will people say…?"

"Nor will you be attending Charlotte Lucas' wedding…" he continued, undaunted.

"Charlotte is getting married to! That pale, mousy thing? Who would want her?" Lydia wrapped her arms tightly around her waist.

"My cousin, Mr. Jacobson," Bennet snapped tersely.

"I want to go back to Brighton…"

"You go to Brighton! - I would not trust you so near it as East-Bourne, for fifty pounds! Not again Lydia. I have at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter my house again, nor even to pass through the village. Should you so much as see an officer on the street here in London you will be locked in your room as soon as possible. Balls, assemblies, and parties will be absolutely prohibited. You are most certainly not out to society and will not be until all your older sisters are married, maybe longer depending on your manners and attitude. And you are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner.'' He glared at his youngest daughter. "I am resolved in this Lydia. Do not test me."

"How shall I have any fun? I will die an old maid. I am never to find a husband…" she turned her back on her father.

"You should be much more concerned with finding good sense at this time than finding a husband. I will see that you do not have the opportunity to look for the latter until you find the former!" He felt a small hand on his arm. Turning he found Madeline just behind him.

"Fanny is sleeping quietly. I believe she will recover quickly. Perhaps it is time to allow me to take over for you here. You have gentlemen waiting for you downstairs."

"Yes, thank you." He sighed, his face lined with frustration.

"We will keep her with us, Thomas. You and Fanny will want to return to Meryton soon. There will be much to do when you return and keeping close watch on your youngest will only make things more difficult for my sister." Madeline glanced at Lydia.

"I cannot ask so much of you. It is my folly that has led to this and I must feel the burden of it." Bennet chewed his lip thoughtfully.

"You would do no less for one of my children," she argued. "Lydia is a good girl. She has just had far too much favor in your home. It is time for her to stop being so coddled. With us, she is the eldest. I believe she will rise to the occasion. Now, go downstairs and attend your guests." She patted his arm and turned him toward the door.

"Now, young lady," Madeline sat down beside Lydia," I believe you and I need to have a serious discussion."

A little more than an hour later, after having given a promise to return in time for dinner, four young men climbed into a coach bearing the Darcy crest.

"Thank you, Pierce," Bingley leaned back against the soft cushioned seat. "I would not have known how to manage Mrs. Bennet without the advice you gave on the way here."

"Indeed," Fitzwilliam nodded appreciatively. "Not all wounds are suffered on the battlefield. Having my own, I can hardly fault hers."

"All things considered, I believe that call went well," Pierce smiled with satisfaction.

"We all have Mr. Bennet's blessing. What more could we ask?" Bingley laughed.

"For the rest of the business we must conduct today to go just as well," Darcy replied, tension in his voice. "If you are agreeable, I will have my driver first take you to your townhouse, Bingley. Then he will deliver you to visit with Mr. Bell, Pierce. Fitzwilliam and I will then go to Matlock house. We will return to pick you up for dinner tonight, after which we can all spend the night at my townhome."

"Capital plan!" Bingley declared energetically. "I do not expect much change in Caroline and I do not relish her company once I have told her our news. I believe she still had hopes that I would marry a lady of fashion in the Ton – one she felt appropriately 'above' me."

"You are marrying 'above' yourself," Fitzwilliam retorted quickly, his brows lifting.

"I believe we all are," Pierce quickly agreed.

"While I do not discount what you say," Darcy mused somberly, "I am afraid not all will agree."

"My parents?" Fitzwilliam scowled.

Darcy nodded. "Have you thought about what you will tell them?"

"No. I will do what I usually do and figure it out as I go. They will either approve or they will not. They will either be a part of our lives or they will not. It is as simple as that. I told my mother when I last saw her I was done with the marriage market and the social climbing nonsense of the Ton. As the son of an Earl, I have had to deal with people wishing to elevate their circumstances through an attachment to my family all my life. I will need your support Darcy. I wish for you to help me find an estate, perhaps one near you in Derbyshire. I know how close Miss Bennet is to her sister."

"I have told you before; I would be more than happy to help you in that. I would like to see you settle with your wife somewhere suitable." Darcy smiled.

"I do not care to ever spend another Season in town and I know that Miss Bennet will be happy to spend the rest of her days in the country by my side. It will be enough to make quiet visits to enjoy time with those whose company we value and to sample the pleasures of the museums and theater. We do not need the crush of society. If my parents choose not to receive us, I cannot imagine that I would feel the loss." Fitzwilliam shrugged unhappily.

"Ah, but you have always been your mother's favorite, Richard." Darcy nodded knowingly. "How many times did she save you from your father's wrath? As I recall…"

"Yes," Fitzwilliam laughed, "I cannot say I am not counting on her favor now."

"And to think I am merely concerned for my sister's reaction!" Bingley raked his hair.

"We each have our own cross to bear, I am afraid," Pierce said. "My vicar, I fear, will be less than thrilled when I tell him that I wish to leave his employ in favor of Mr. Bradley's."

"Well, I suppose you will be the first of us to face the lions, for we are at the address you gave us." Darcy nodded encouragingly. "We shall return for you this evening."

The coachman opened the door moments after the vehicle lurched to a stop. Pierce climbed down and they were away once again. The brief ride to Bingley's townhome was silent; each silently contemplating what would await them next. Soon Darcy's coach was bound for Matlock House. When they arrived, they made haste to the door and were admitted by surprised staff. Moments later, Lady Matlock herself met them in the hall.

"Richard! Fitzwilliam! Why did you not send word you were coming?" She cried as she rushed to embrace her son and nephew.

"Our trip was rather sudden," Darcy explained sheepishly.

"Indeed it was. But mother, all your dreams are about to be fulfilled. You know I have left the army. Darcy is helping me find an estate to purchase and I am getting married. Soon I hope to provide you with a houseful of grandchildren to spoil and coddle!" Richard exclaimed boldly. Well there is no sense in prevaricating I suppose. I have always been known to take the direct route.

Lady Matlock gasped, clutching Richard's arm. "That is a great deal to take in at once. Come to the drawing room and sit with me." She led them to an elegant room and sat on a plush settee. "So now, tell me again, you are to marry?"

"I am mother." Richard glanced at his cousin. Darcy nodded in support.

Lady Matlock exhaled heavily. "Well, is she someone we know?"

"No."

"Well then, tell me about her." She blinked several times, cocking her head to listen.

"What you most need to know is that she is a gentleman's daughter and…" Richard's bravado seemed to leave him, "with her I have finally found my peace." He turned to look deeply into his mother's eyes.

She searched her son's face. "So then you are telling me she has no fortune and no connections?" Lady Matlock noticed Darcy stiffen and grind his teeth.

"I am telling you I have found my angel, mother. For your sake she is a gentlewoman. For mine, she is the embodiment of all that is gentle and serene."

"I see. You know your father…"

"I care not. I will not be dissuaded. I tell you out of courtesy." Richard crossed his arms firmly over his chest. I cannot imagine you or Father refusing her once you have met her though. I am certain she will affect you as she has me.

Sighing, she turned her attention to Darcy. "You have met the young lady?

"I have, Aunt." Darcy's expression changed to one she had never seen before. "Before you ask, I do approve, most heartily. She is all that he claims for her. I have never met a young woman such as her."

"I admit I am surprised. I do not remember you ever speak like that about a young lady, most particularly one not of our circles. I wonder how it is you became acquainted with such a lady." She turned her inquisitive stare on her nephew.

"She is a friend of my friend Bingley's sister, as exceptional lady. In fact, I am engaged to her sister."

Richard laughed as he saw his mother struck speechless. "You have done it Darcy! I would have never thought it possible, but you have taken from her the power of speech!"

"You are not serious?" Lady Matlock finally gasped.

"Indeed I am. I have Mr. Bradley's blessing; we both do. He is convinced that Father and Mother would have approved. That is all I need," Darcy explained as he crossed his legs.

"He would." She rolled her eyes. "Is she a fitting guide for your sister?"

"In essentials, she is more than merely fitting. She is a paragon of every virtue I find necessary in a woman." Darcy laced his fingers and leaned back in his chair.

"Well then, I suppose I shall have to invite them to tea…"

"They are not in London. Their father's estate is in Hertfordshire, near the town of Meryton," Richard quickly interjected.

"Country girls? I assume they have no house in town then?" Her eyebrows shot up as a nod of their heads confirmed her suspicion. "What am I going to tell your father?" She pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Tell him what you wish, although I would prefer he not disown me." He laughed, but his eyes betrayed his ill-ease.

"Oh Richard!" She rose gracefully. "Lord Matlock will not be pleased. But he will not disown you. I will see to that." She leaned down to press her cheek to his. "I will speak to him. Once he comes to his senses, he will be as pleased as I am that you have found someone who brings you what you most desire, even if he does not understand it." Turning to Darcy she added, "Come, I will take you to your sister. She has improved greatly over the last few months. Miss Lackley has been a boon to both the younger girls. Thank you for sending her. I think you will be quite pleased with her and she will be pleased to see you and hear your news."

"You have done what?" Caroline shrieked, her shrill voice echoing off the walls of the parlor.

"You heard me. There is no need to shout," Bingley replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"But what about me? Should I not be your hostess once Louisa marries? Have you no compassion for me or what I have suffered? I have no callers, no company…" She paced angrily across the carpet. "How can you be so thoughtless?"

Bingley pushed himself up from his seat. "You would dare call me thoughtless? It is you who have failed to think about anyone else. Have you once wished me joy or asked after Louisa? No one enjoys the company of someone so entirely focused upon themselves. Can you not see? That is why you are alone now, why no one calls or invites you anywhere." He stared at her angrily. "I have spent too much of my time worrying about you only to discover that you will never return the favor. I am done now, sister."

Caroline's jaw dropped, her eyes welled with tears.

"I find now that I am wholly resolved to act in a manner which will, in my own opinion, constitute my own happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconcerned with me." Bingley turned his back on his sister and walked toward the door.

"You cannot mean that, Charles. You cannot mean to abandon me," she whispered, her voice strained.

"Is that not what you have done to me? When have you ever concerned yourself about me or wished to know my wants, my feelings above your own? I cannot think of a time, ever." He did not turn to look at her.

"But…what shall I do?"

"Does not Mr. Bradley say 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap?'* I would say, you are reaping your harvest now, and you need to decide what you are going to do with it." Without a backward glance, Bingley walked out of the room.

Darcy stood in the doorway of the music room, listening to Georgiana practice. He closed his eyes and allowed the lilting melody carry him back to Pemberley. In his mind's eye he could see her as a little girl, her feet barely able to reach the floor, fingers dancing over the keyboard. He could almost smell the flowers that Mrs. Reynolds used to fill his mother's vase that sat on the pianoforte. A quiet smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

"Brother!" Georgiana suddenly exclaimed, the music coming to an abrupt halt. He opened his eye, surprised to see her standing just an arm's length away. He opened his arms to her. A moment later she clung to him, sobbing. "I am so sorry for what I did. I understand now. I was wrong, so very wrong…" her words dissolved in her tears.

Awkwardly he wrapped his arms around her. "It is all right, sister. All is forgiven. Please, do not continue to dwell on it." He patted her back softly. Soon, her tears stopped. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it in her hand.

She dabbed her eyes with it, then paused to look at it more closely. "This is not yours. This is a lady's handkerchief." She held the offending object to him.

Bother! How could I have given her Miss Elizabeth's? "I gave you the wrong one. I am sorry, here." He traded linen squares with her. "I come with good news, Georgiana. I…I have found a young lady and I have asked her to be my wife."

Georgiana's eyes grew wide as she stared at him in shock. "Married? You, married?"

Darcy guided her to a settee and sat down beside her, taking her hands in his. "Yes, married. Pemberley shall have a proper mistress soon."

"Is she someone I have met? I have met many agreeable young ladies these months in London," she asked timidly, chewing her lip.

"No, she has been in Hertfordshire the entirety of your visit to Aunt Matlock's. There would have been no opportunity for you to have met her."

"Her family then? Do I know of her family?" You cannot be considering bringing a stranger into our home!

"No, you do not. She is a gentlewoman, her father has a small estate in Meryton. She is not often in town."

"She is not of our circle then?" Georgiana frowned. "Have you told Aunt Matlock? Surely she cannot approve." What has happened while I have been here?

"I have told her. I do not need her approval." Darcy released her hands. He laced his fingers together tightly. "You will like her Georgiana. She has four sisters…"

"But when you wrote Richard you said there were three!" She jumped to her feet and stalked across the room to a large window.

"I was mistaken. I have since learned her youngest sister was away from home when I wrote Richard. I should tell you, he is engaged to her eldest sister."

She whirled on him, "He is to be married as well?" You are both deserting me!

"Yes." He watched as tears filled her eyes. "This is good news for all of us Georgiana. I do not understand why you are so upset."

"You found her to take my place!" Georgiana cried, covering her face with her hands. "You do not want to see me any longer…"

Darcy sighed, remembering Elizabeth's warnings about the fragility of young girl's feelings. He stepped close to his sister and laid an arm over her shoulders. "Nothing could be farther from the truth. You are my sister and you always will be. Miss Elizabeth will soon be your sister. Have you not always wanted one? She is pleased that you will be at Pemberley with us. She is accustomed to having sisters near and would be lonely without such company. She is anxious to meet you."

"Really?" She looked up, her face tear stained. "You still want me at Pemberley?"

"Very much so. It will always be your home." He smiled down at her and sighed. "You will like her very much, I have no doubt. Mr. Bradley approves of her very much. He said Mother and Father would have approved as well. She is very like Mother, he tells me."

Georgiana considered his words. "Have you told her what I have done?"

"Not specifically, although she knows we have had some challenging times. I am certain you will want to tell her though, once you have gotten to know her. She has three younger sisters, one your age who has also made some poor choices. You will find she is very understanding and will be able to give you much better advice than I." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "She would like to write to you. Perhaps you would like to write her a letter I can bring back to Herdfordshire with me."

"You really think she will…"

"I am certain of it. I would not consider a woman who would love my sister less than I do."

She pressed into his shoulder. "Then I shall write to her. Would tomorrow be soon enough to have a letter ready?"

"That will be quite satisfactory."

"I…I think I shall like having a sister." She looked into his eyes, trying to smile.

"I am certain you shall. Trust me, Georgiana; I would never compromise your happiness for my own. Miss Elizabeth will be a blessing to us both."

*Gal 6:7