By Charm or by Choice Read online

  Copyright © 2018 by Shana Jefferis-Zimmerman

  I. Inspired by Jane Austen 1775 - 1817, Pride and Prejudice, original work of fiction

  II. Emil Carl Brack 1860 - 1905, Planning the Grand Tour, original artwork

  III. ClipArt in Microsoft Publisher, 8500346402_ed-cd9af549_b.jpg, bracelet image

  For Lou.

  Thank you for the support I needed to finish this book.

  CONTENTS

  Title

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 1

  Elizabeth Bennet Darcy was said to be leading a charmed life. What was not commonly acknowledged was that she had faced difficult choices, any of which would have directed her life onto a different path, had she chosen differently. She had a sharp mind, clever conversation, and was not formed for ill humour. And yet she had faults as do we all. She had stayed true to her ideals of marrying for love at the risk of financial ruin should her father pass away before she and her four sisters were settled. In this, Elizabeth had defied her mother, by refusing an offer of marriage from her father’s eligible though distasteful and foolish heir. And in 1811 she had defied her OWN resolve never to dance with one of the wealthiest and most illustrious personages of the land, and then had hesitantly fallen in love with and eagerly married Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. He was a man whom her mother had singularly disliked until the moment she learned of his engagement to her least dear daughter. Elizabeth’s marriage to Mr. Darcy had brought much happiness to her life. And she felt her good fortune at having deciphered Mr. Darcy’s true noble character and her own proper feelings. As the mistress of Pemberley, she had great opportunity to bring joy to those she loved and those that she carried a responsibility for. How many people’s happiness were now in her guardianship! Pemberley was a vast and great estate and the Darcys were an ancient family. As Elizabeth soon learned, owning such a large estate came with much responsibility. She had unexpectedly found a myriad of outlets for her talents and there was so much from which to choose! Mr. and Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley could have lived a life of idleness and dissipation, leaving the responsibilities to others in single-minded pursuit of entertainment. They did not. Mr. Darcy had been the master of Pemberley for five years when he had met Elizabeth. He had also received substantial training from his late father before his assumption of his duties at the time of his father’s passing. He had commenced an abbreviated rendition of this training with Elizabeth upon their engagement.

  Elizabeth recalled well, one of her first lessons from Fitzwilliam.

  “The responsibilities of a gentleman with a farming estate are little understood. In fact they are rarely thought of. The landholder who chooses to be disengaged can live a carefree life. He will likely be quite popular and have a full social calendar,” he laughed. Elizabeth recollected thinking that even when discussing subjects of great import, he was more at ease now that they had come to an understanding, than upon their first acquaintance. It hurt her heart to think back on Fitzwilliam struggling with how to approach her and how to show her his feelings.

  “His holdings will likely support his lifestyle through the length of his life depending upon which particular vice he selects, for they are not all created equally. Idleness and neglect set a terrible example for the heir, but can be endured through the hiring of experienced stewards. His son will likely not be so lucky. The son of an idle or neglectful landholder will know very little of the responsibility and reckoning which awaits him and his family. He will have had years to watch his father being occupied by other matters or no matters at all. He will have received very little appropriate training and will have likely anticipated a lifestyle much like his father’s. Whilst the disengaged landholder can bring his family to ruination slowly, the gambling man can accomplish it with great rapidity. For not even an experienced steward or household economy can counteract the losses generated by gaming. As an ancient family, the Darcys have had much opportunity to observe many other families come to ruination after pursuing idleness or neglect for multiple generations or under the weight of gaming debts accrued in a single generation or occasionally in a single year. Pemberley has increased its acreage, holdings, staff, and business interests over time by purchasing from precisely this type of family,” he said.

  “Fitzwilliam, did your father tell you stories about other families’ mismanagement of their estates?” she asked.

  “Indeed he did. And many of these stories predate my grandfather. That is part of the Darcy legacy. It’s not just the estate. It’s the lessons from prior generations’ learning and study. There is a shelf in the study filled with ledgers detailing this family’s heritage which has been carefully documented by many prior generations. These ledgers contain the shared lessons from my ancestors. They were written by men and women we shall never meet and are likely the most valuable objects I inherited. Suffice it to say, times change through the generations. Industries change, new industries develop, and improvements are constantly made in our understanding of farming, production, and business. But the weaknesses of human nature do not change. Our job is actually to be the stewards of Pemberley and pass it on to the next generation in better condition than we received it along with our own insights. In doing this, we are also in a position to help many other less fortunate people. Miss Bingley would be appalled that I deign to think so, I am sure,” he chuckled.

  “We can have a wonderful life and render the estate even more profitable at the same time. But the effort required in doing this bears a strong resemblance to the work one might do to earn a living! You must tell me what you feel you can handle and what you feel surpasses your ability or interest. We will determine your role together as we proceed. I know you might feel overwhelmed at times. Be my wife and be Georgiana’s sister. And by Jove, we must get you up on a horse!” he laughed. And Elizabeth had laughed too. For her skills as a horsewoman were woefully lacking.

  There are few events within a household that can upend its harmony more easily than the arrival of a new Mistress. Second only to the death of the Master, a new Mistress can rankle the servants, aggravate old rivalries within the Master’s family, and cause tremendous upheaval in the kitchen amongst many other adverse effects. Rumour led to innuendo which led to supposition which resulted in fear. Fitzwilliam had been informed by his housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds that the rumours at Pemberley were r
ampant and some of the staff were worried that Miss Bingley was the woman in question. He dryly observed to her that if THAT report were left unchallenged, there would soon be a strike. He quickly assembled as many of the staff as could be practically done to make a formal announcement. He had not done this since the day he had announced the death of his father, the late Mr. George Darcy.

  “I’ve called you together today to make a very happy announcement. I am to be married. My betrothed is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. We are being married in Hertfordshire so there will not be a wedding or wedding feast to host here. I think you will all enjoy having Miss Bennet, the future Mrs. Darcy, as the mistress of Pemberley. She is a singular woman and amply capable of satisfying the many responsibilities that await her here. I would first like to tell you that she is a very joyful and caring person. Both Miss Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have met her and like her very much. Mrs. Reynolds has met her several times and can likely share her discerning observations as well. Miss Bennet is an avid reader with a keen intelligence. She is an excellent walker and loves the outdoors. She plays the pianoforte and sings. She has a very lively mind, a playful wit, and clever conversation. In short, she is the woman I have been praying for since the last time I stood before you to make an announcement. I am indeed a lucky man. I foresee little disruption or upheaval to the routines we already have in place. Elizabeth –er, Miss Bennet prefers simple fare as do Miss Darcy and I, so there should be little alteration in the kitchen. She needs to learn to ride, so she and I will be in the stables on a frequent basis. She is not bringing a lady’s maid with her and is insistent upon selecting one from our current staff. Mrs. Reynolds will be setting up the interviews when we return from our wedding tour in London. And Miss Bennet will be involved with me in the overseeing of the estate, so she will be meeting with all the stewards soon. I thank you all for your assistance in making her feel welcome. If you have any questions, please address them to Mrs. Reynolds. Thank you.”

  Chapter 2

  Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire was the father of five daughters and possessed an estate which was entailed away from the female line to a cousin, the right Reverend William Collins. Although she had taken an interest in her father’s responsibilities at Longbourn and her father had been amenable to providing instruction, Elizabeth could not recall an instance where her father had determined that the reward of solving a problem was worth the exertion and vexation of doing so. He was indolent to a degree and enjoyed his peace and solitude. He enjoyed country living though not necessarily country estate management. The managing of the estate was left largely to his steward, whom he shared with three other families. Priorities were established by whichever tenant was most angry. He treasured his books and his free time to observe and make sport of the follies of his family and neighbors. Mr. Bennet enjoyed exercising his sarcastic wit. Not an extravagant man, he lived for the small pleasures of today. The idea that dowries for his five daughters could have been saved with economy or improvements to his estate vexed him not at all. He already had three daughters married, two of whom were extremely well settled, and it had all been accomplished with very little inconvenience to himself. Elizabeth loved her father dearly and cherished the teachings he had sought to instill in her. Her quick mind, sense of humor, and love of books were most assuredly from her father. But she was well aware that the entail and the lack of a son had exacerbated his more slovenly traits and his indifferent management. And when united with her mother’s weaknesses of mind, a chaotic and rather unproductive household had been the result.

  Her mother, Mrs. Francis Bennet, had a keen awareness of the entail that would take Longbourn away from the Bennet family upon the death of Mr. Bennet. Indeed, it was one of her favorite subjects despite her deficient understanding concerning the matter. Though her focus was marrying off her five daughters, her second pleasure in life was her affectation of suffering due to the abuse of her nerves at the cruel hands of fate. For fate had given her a heavy burden; a vexing husband, no sons, an entail to a most odious cousin, and daughters who were on occasion disobedient. Mrs. Bennet was entirely insensible that how she presented herself to society affected her girls’ prospects of marrying well. She otherwise might have been mortified at how her less attractive qualities undermined her most fervent wish, but it was beyond her comprehension. Mrs. Bennet was not so well satisfied with reading or accomplishments; rather she was an avid hostess and a prodigious gossip. She enjoyed hearing about London fashion and the latest in wedding lace. In more pecuniary matters, she would spend more than allotted by her husband if left to her own devices. Mrs. Bennet enjoyed spending her pin-money and running the household accounts for entertaining though she did not have a head for economizing. The idea that dowries for her daughters and a settlement for her herself in her eventual widowhood could have been saved with some reduced household expenditure vexed her considerably. But it was not sufficient to provoke her to alter her own spending, as she enjoyed outdoing her friend and neighbor, Lady Lucas, to a degree. Elizabeth loved her mother, but struggled with how to deal with her. As an unmarried daughter, she had endeavored to be obedient. She found herself frequently attempting to soften her mother’s vulgarity. Her embarrassment of her mother was most acute when they were out in public. And although her father would check her mother on occasion, there were far too many instances where his amusement to watch overruled his sense to instruct. As a married woman living in a distant county, with many material advantages available for her use and her disposal, Elizabeth found managing her new relationship with her mother nearly as taxing as the old had been. It still ensured mutual vexation, involved substantial repetition, and yielded little reward.

  Chapter 3

  Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of Matlock in Derbyshire had immensely enjoyed making the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He was visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent, accompanied by his cousin Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and they came as usual over Easter. Whilst the Colonel had openly enjoyed Miss Bennet’s wit, manner, and pleasing countenance, he had long been resigned to his fate of needing to pay some attention to money in his selection of a wife. He was after all, a second son. Although he found her very appealing, she could not in any fairness be considered. The Colonel was however very soon intrigued by Fitzwilliam’s awkward manner and scarcity of conversation around the lady. This was indeed singular as there was usually NO good conversation to be had at Rosings! And to not partake of such delights likely did signify. The Colonel’s suspicions had directed his observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry. Though the Colonel had never seen his cousin in love before, from his discrete inquiries he had quickly become convinced of his cousin’s silent admiration of Miss Bennet. Of her sentiments he was left in considerable doubt. But having observed his cousin’s discomfited manner and taciturn attitude while presumably in such a state of affection, the Colonel had conjectured that Miss Bennet was in all likelihood ignorant of the power she held over her admirer.

  The Colonel thought Miss Bennet would make Fitzwilliam an excellent wife. Her cleverness, her affable conversation, her lively wit; were all in her favor. Her lack of fortune and connections would be nothing to a man in his cousin’s situation. And the Colonel believed that she must be entirely unaware that nobody spoke to his cousin as she was doing. To openly challenge Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in conversation was simply not done, except perhaps on occasion by Charles Bingley or himself! Believing his cousin to be completely undone by the charms of the lady, the Colonel had sought to assist him in making his case. The conversation had not gone as he had intended. Miss Bennet had not appeared predisposed in Fitzwilliam’s favor. He had attempted to recommend the character of his cousin to her notice by unfolding Fitzwilliam’s finer qualities and how he took care of his friends. To that end, he had related to her some circumstances which portrayed how Fitzwilliam had lately protected his friend (likely Charles Bingley)
from making an imprudent match. She had not responded as he had hoped; indignantly questioning Fitzwilliam’s right to judge and then interfere with the happiness of another.

  Fitzwilliam was in such ill-humour by the time of their departure from Rosings Park a few days after the conversation above mentioned; that the Colonel confronted his cousin about his intentions towards Miss Bennet in their carriage. When the Colonel subsequently discovered that Miss Jane Bennet, Elizabeth’s beloved elder sister, had been the woman Fitzwilliam had rescued Charles Bingley from, and that his own tête-à-tête with Elizabeth had exposed Fitzwilliam to her considerable ire and occurred on the same day as Fitzwilliam’s proposal of marriage was later made and refused, the Colonel was mortified to no end. He had teased Fitzwilliam mercilessly on his dunderheaded courting practises. A man cannot woo a woman by breaking her favorite sister’s heart! But in a case as anxious as this the Colonel quickly needed to employ his diplomacy and his intellect. He asked Fitzwilliam to explain the rationale of her refusal. The Colonel was dismayed to learn there were three reasons; Wickham’s false accusations of cruelty, Fitzwilliam’s interference between her sister and his friend, and worst of all her complete disgust with Fitzwilliam’s manners, arrogance, and selfishness. To thus be a source of acrimony between two people so well suited to one another, and the Colonel really did believe they were well suited, greatly disturbed his own equanimity. Upon learning of the letter that Fitzwilliam had given Elizabeth and its contents, the Colonel assured his cousin he would refute all of Wickham’s assertions if he were to cross paths with Elizabeth again. He conjectured that it might not even be necessary since part of Fitzwilliam’s explanation had divulged a potential scandal involving his own sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and the veracity of such a disclosure could not be doubted. He encouraged Fitzwilliam to believe it was not a hopeless case. But he would have to take further action and it would not be easy. Charles Bingley was owed an apology and should be informed of what arts had been used to separate him from Miss Jane Bennet. Charles should be given the opportunity to act in that manner which would constitute his own happiness. Perhaps most importantly, Fitzwilliam would have to alter his manner and address in accordance with Elizabeth’s many reproofs to preserve their acquaintance.