New Beginnings Read online

  “I know you like reading Shakespeare and poetry, walking and being outdoors. What other pursuits do you take pleasure in?”

  “I love music, but I must confess that I am not particularly skilled at playing the pianoforte or singing. I enjoy playing chess with my father and he has taught me to love reading about history and botany and many other topics. He is continuing to teach me Latin and French. And what of your interests, sir? All of Meryton has heard that you are the master of a great estate, do you have any time to pursue other interests?”

  “My responsibilities do take up a great deal of my time, but I enjoy walking, riding, spending time with family and friends and reading. I, too, enjoy a good game of chess. If you are as good a chess player as you are a walker, I doubt I would have any chance of winning against you.” They both laughed and continued to enjoy their lively conversation and learning more about each other.

  “Do you enjoy riding, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “I prefer walking. My sister, Jane, loves to ride and can often be seen roaming around Longbourn on our old mare.”

  “Do you ride at all?”

  “Not very well, I fear. I was thrown from a horse at an early age and since then I have preferred to rely on my own two legs.”

  “You know you could cover much more ground and observe even more of nature from atop a horse.”

  “Yes, I know, but walking enables me to be closer to nature.” They laughed again at the futility of their ‘debate’.

  Chapter 6

  Charles Bingley became a frequent caller to Longbourn. When he visited, he sat beside Jane and they were often observed having private conversations and staring into each other’s eyes. On several occasions, his sister, Caroline accompanied him since Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were no longer residing at Netherfield Park. Soon after the Assembly, they left Hertfordshire in order to attend some social events in London. When the Hursts left for London, Caroline had unhappily remained in Hertfordshire to act as hostess for her brother.

  One day while they were out walking, Darcy and Elizabeth were discussing how pleased they both were with Bingley and Jane’s growing attachment. “I understand that Mr. Bingley invited you to Netherfield so you could offer him your advice. How did you come to be such good friends?”

  “Charles was a few years behind me at Cambridge. The Bingleys made their fortune in trade and despite his wealth, some of his classmates were very cruel to him. I came across a group of students who were speaking, shall we say, very rudely to Charles about his background. I intervened on his behalf and from that time on, no one at Cambridge spoke to him with anything other than respect. After that incident we became the best of friends and I believe that he often thinks of me as an older brother. Charles is a very fine man and I am happy that Miss Bennet appreciates his good qualities. He has leased Netherfield until the end of the harvest season in order to learn what he can about owning an estate. His goal is to buy his own property and Netherfield is not available for purchase. I recently told him about a lovely estate for sale in Derbyshire which is a few miles from Pemberley, my own home.”

  Elizabeth wondered why Mr. Darcy was telling her this. ‘It speaks well of Mr. Darcy that he took Mr. Bingley under his protection, but are Bingley’s feelings for Jane real? Is Mr. Bingley truly in love with my older sister or will he forget all about her when his lease on Netherfield Park is over? Why did Mr. Darcy tell me about the estate for sale near his own home?’

  Darcy and Elizabeth continued to meet almost every day and they soon realized that they had many things in common. They spoke openly to each other about books and music, poetry and the theater.

  Darcy told Elizabeth all about his sister, Georgiana. “She is a lovely young woman who would be very happy to sit at her pianoforte all day and forget all about her other studies. She has always been very shy. My dear mother died when Georgiana was quite young, and my father left us five years ago. I was twelve years old when my sister was born, so, at times, I suppose I have been both an older brother and a father figure to her. My cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, who serves as a colonel in His Majesty’s Army, and I are co-guardians of Georgiana and we both love her very much.”

  “Miss Darcy is very lucky to have such caring guardians.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth and smiled at her kind words.

  Both Darcy and Elizabeth began to look forward to their daily meetings and when the weather was poor, and they could not meet, they were both miserable and out of sorts. One morning, after he awoke to a heavy downpour accompanied by frequent thunder, Darcy entered the breakfast room at Netherfield with a worse than normal scowl on his face.

  Caroline Bingley was the first to greet him. “Good morning, Mr. Darcy. We are very glad to see you at breakfast this morning. We have been without your company almost every morning since you arrived in this dreary county.”

  “Good morning, Miss Bingley, Charles.” Darcy proceeded to fill his plate and find a chair as far away from Miss Bingley as possible.

  “Since this horrible weather prohibits any outdoor pursuits, how do you two gentlemen feel about playing cards after we break our fast?

  “I regret I am unable to accommodate you, Miss Bingley. I have many letters of business to write today and I cannot put them off any longer. Pray excuse me.” Darcy rose and left the room before having a chance to eat anything. He had not yet received any forwarded mail from London but felt compelled to leave Miss Bingley’s company. He knew she would try to trap him into spending time with her. Darcy knew Caroline Bingley was determined to be Mrs. Darcy and he was determined to do everything in his power to avoid that nightmarish scenario. ‘If she were Elizabeth Bennet, I would be happy to spend time with her regardless of the activity.’

  “I have no idea what has gotten into Mr. Darcy, but he seems to have changed since he has been here,” Caroline said grumpily.

  Bingley looked up from his newspaper. “Leave him be, Caro. Darcy is the same man he has always been and as master of Pemberley he has many responsibilities. I could learn a valuable lesson from him about being more dedicated to my duties as an estate owner. Darcy is here so I can understand what owning an estate entails. Our father’s greatest wish was that I become a landed gentleman.”

  “Yes, Charles, I know that is true, but I still cannot help but think there is something Mr. Darcy is not telling us.”

  “I am going to my study. I still have many more record books to look through. I hope you enjoy your morning.” Bingley rose and left the room.

  Caroline thought, ‘Mr. Darcy is up to something and I will get to the bottom of it. When I am Mrs. Darcy, he will break his fast with me every morning. I will have all my gowns made by London’s finest modiste and all the Darcy jewels will be mine. When we are married, we will attend all the best social events of the season and when I walk into Almack’s on the arm of Mr. Darcy, I shall be the envy of every woman of the ton. Anyone who has ever looked down on me because our family money comes from trade, will have to accept me as Caroline Darcy. Nothing can stop me from becoming Darcy’s wife. Nothing and no one.’

  Meanwhile at Longbourn, a similar scene was unfolding. Elizabeth entered the dining room wearing a scowl of her own.

  “You seem a bit out of sorts this morning, Lizzy. Did you not sleep well?” her father asked.

  “My sleep was satisfactory, but I was hoping to take a walk this morning and this rain seems as if it will never stop. I will have to amuse myself in other ways today. Thank you for your concern, Papa.”

  Mrs. Bennet chimed in, “I am also sorry it is raining. I doubt whether Mr. Bingley will come to call on our dear Jane in this downpour.”

  Mr. Bennet responded, “I know you would control the weather if you could, my dear. We would not like anything to discourage potential suitors from calling.”

  “Mr. Bennet, how you do vex my nerves! I am only looking after the best interests of our daughters.”

  “I believe our daughters are quite capable of capturing husbands without the interference of
their mother.”

  Mrs. Bennet stood, “now you have said quite enough, sir. My heart is fluttering, and I must retire to my room for some of Hill’s tonic and some rest. I hope you are happy now!” Mrs. Bennet left the dining room clutching her lace handkerchief to her bosom.

  ‘Yes, Mrs. Bennet I am quite happy now,’ thought Mr. Bennet.

  Elizabeth had Darcy on her mind more and more. He was not the man she once disapproved of. She enjoyed his company and their interesting and diverse conversations. She thought he was the most handsome man she had ever met, and she admired his dark curly hair and beautiful blue eyes. Listening to him speak every morning, she had come to love the sound of his voice. Elizabeth had never been in love before, so she was unsure if love was what she was feeling for Mr. Darcy.

  Several weeks after they began their morning walks, when Darcy met Elizabeth, she was carrying a large basket. “Where are you off to this fine morning, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “I need to deliver some food and supplies to a few of our tenants.”

  “May I have the privilege of escorting you?”

  “I am happy for the company, Mr. Darcy.”

  Darcy took the basket from Elizabeth and they began walking together. “Miss Elizabeth, have you spent much time in London? You seem to thrive on this country air and I was curious about your feelings for Town.”

  “Jane and I visit my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London several times a year. They are very fond of the theater and concerts and we have had the opportunity to see many thrilling performances. And you sir, are you happier in Town or in Derbyshire?”

  “Like you, I appreciate the theater and concerts that London offers. However, I would rather be at Pemberley than any other place in the world.”

  “I agree. I am always happy to visit my family but after several weeks in the city, I am anxious to return to the country.”

  Their conversation ended as they arrived at the first home they were to visit. Darcy was amazed by Elizabeth’s ease of rapport with all the tenants, both the adults and the children. She introduced him to the tenants as her friend, Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire. “Mr. Darcy, you have a very fine friend in Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Larson, a long-time tenant. “She always brings her beautiful smile and good cheer when she visits us. The Bennets are a fine family and we feel lucky to live at Longbourn.”

  “Mr. Larson, I could not agree with you more. Miss Elizabeth’s smile and good cheer are something I also admire. I am very glad to have met you.” Elizabeth and Darcy smiled at each other as they left the Larson home. Darcy did not say much to the rest of the people he met but he was friendly toward everyone and Elizabeth noticed that he knelt down so he could speak to the children eye to eye.

  While Elizabeth and Darcy were visiting Longbourn’s tenants, Caroline Bingley was on a mission of her own. She had decided several weeks ago that she would follow Darcy on his early morning outings and learn where he went almost every day. Today was the first day she was able to drag herself out of bed before Darcy had returned to Netherfield. She checked the stables and saw that Darcy’s horse was still there. Caroline decided she would start walking and hoped she would eventually encounter Mr. Darcy.

  When Elizabeth and Darcy were walking toward the path which led to their homes, she asked, “Mr. Darcy, may I make an observation?”

  “Madam, I am at your service.”

  “You are nothing like the man you lead people to believe you are.”

  “I fear I do not understand your meaning.”

  “If someone were to judge you by your behavior at the Meryton Assembly, they would describe you as a proud, unfriendly man. But that is not your true character at all.”

  Darcy’s lips twitched into the beginning of a smile. “Now that you know me better, how would you sketch my character?”

  “I believe you are very kind and caring. I saw how you behaved this morning with the children and their parents. It turns out that Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire has a very big heart. You are very intelligent, well-read and an excellent debater. When I saw you dancing with Miss Bingley at the Assembly, I noticed that you were also a very good dancer.” They both laughed at Elizabeth’s last observation.

  Darcy responded, “I told her this: her laughter light, Is ringing in my ears.”

  “You see what I mean, in my opinion, a man who can quote Wordsworth is a man worth knowing.” They smiled at each other and then they both looked down at the ground.

  Elizabeth and Darcy had reached the point on the path where they had to say farewell. Elizabeth curtsied, and Darcy took her hand and bowed over it. They did not know that they were being observed by Caroline Bingley, who was hiding behind a large tree. She had seen Elizabeth and Darcy conversing easily with each other and Darcy taking her hand as they left each other. Caroline knew she had to do everything necessary to end whatever sort of relationship Darcy and Elizabeth shared. ‘That scheming country chit will not spoil my plans to become Mrs. Darcy. Whatever Eliza Bennet is hoping for will come to naught. It is time for me to take action.’

  As Darcy started to walk back to Netherfield, he realized that leaving Elizabeth’s company left him feeling like part of him was missing. He was falling more and more in love with this remarkable woman. ‘What happiness will be mine when she is by my side! She will be a wonderful role model for Georgiana and a caring mother to our children! What a remarkable mistress of Pemberley she will be.’ By the time he had returned to Netherfield, Darcy knew that he would soon offer for Elizabeth Bennet.

  Chapter 7

  With Darcy busy in Hertfordshire helping Bingley, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was left with the responsibility of interviewing potential companions for Georgiana. He interviewed many women who were either too young, too old or who lacked the necessary experience. Despite some of their references, he was repeatedly disappointed by the women he met and was becoming discouraged. After several weeks of almost daily interviews, he felt satisfied that he had finally found someone. He believed she would be the appropriate woman to accompany Georgiana to Ramsgate, make sure she did her lessons and behaved appropriately. Colonel Fitzwilliam sent a letter to Darcy in Hertfordshire telling him about the potential new companion and listed her references. Darcy wrote back thanking his cousin for all his efforts on behalf of Georgiana. He told Richard that he thought that the candidate appeared to be just the person his sister needed.

  Mrs. Susan Younge was hired and shortly thereafter she began her new position as Georgiana’s companion. Wickham had given her the money necessary to buy new clothes and accessories for they knew she needed to look the part of a proper lady in order to make a favorable impression on Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana. After a few days at Darcy House, she accompanied Georgiana to Ramsgate, where Mr. Darcy had rented a house near the sea. He had hired a number of servants to care for the house and its occupants.

  Georgiana and Mrs. Younge arrived in Ramsgate in the early afternoon and when they stepped out of the carriage, they were both very happy to see how close to the seaside the home was situated. “Have you ever bathed in the sea, Mrs. Younge?” asked a very excited Georgiana Darcy.

  “No, dear child. I do not think it is proper for women to immerse themselves in view of others.”

  “But Mrs. Younge, what of the bathing wagons? I can see them from here. Surely modesty can be preserved if one swam from one of those wagons.”

  “Georgiana Darcy, it is just not proper for a young lady of your social standing. Your guardians have entrusted me with the responsibility of preventing you from doing anything improper during our time here.”

  “I am sure you are correct. Thank you for saving me from embarrassing myself and my family.”

  “Georgiana dear, that is why I am here.” Georgiana could not see Mrs. Younge’s smirk as they entered the house. Mrs. Younge thought to herself, ‘all that my cohort and I have planned is already falling into place.’

  Every morning, Georgiana was kept busy with her lessons. Her brother had arranged
for tutors to help her with her general studies and others were engaged to improve her musical and artistic skills. After lunch, Georgiana and Mrs. Younge walked with their parasols along the promenade, where they both enjoyed breathing the fresh sea air. If Georgiana was not too tired, they went shopping and stopped for tea. After her first few days in Ramsgate, Georgiana wrote to her brother in Hertfordshire.

  May 1811

  Ramsgate

  Dear William,

  Mrs. Younge and I have safely arrived in Ramsgate. The home you secured for us is so lovely and it is only a short walk to the seaside promenade. I am working hard on my studies and I am doing particularly well with my music and drawing skills.

  Every afternoon, we walk along the seaside before we stop at a lovely tea shoppe for tea and cake. William, I am so grateful that you and Richard hired Mrs. Younge. She is a very kind person but has made it clear to me what is and is not proper behavior for a young lady of my social standing. We are getting along very well and she asked me to send you her best regards.

  I must end now; my music teacher has just arrived. Please give Mr. Bingley my best regards. I send all my love to you, my dearest brother.

  Georgie

  Two weeks after arriving in Ramsgate, Georgiana and Mrs. Younge were taking a leisurely walk along the seaside promenade. They had not walked far when they heard, “Georgiana Darcy, is that you?” Georgiana looked up and saw the smiling face of her old friend, George Wickham.

  “George, what are you doing here?”

  “Will you not introduce me to your friend?” Wickham slyly maneuvered the conversation away from him having to answer her question.

  “Of course, pray excuse my faux pas. Allow me to introduce you to my companion, Mrs. Younge. Mrs. Younge, this is my friend from Derbyshire, Mr. George Wickham.”