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  Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth to the theatre at both Covent Garden, where he had a hired box for the season, and Theatre Royal. Elizabeth enjoyed these performances immensely and was introduced to many in the Peerage during the intermissions. But her favorite London outings were to the art galleries, museums, and auction houses to view the latest works by England’s premier artists as well as their brethren from the continent and from America. The Royal Academy of the Arts’ Somerset House was one such gallery and Christie’s was a prominent auction house. Elizabeth’s experience with art had all been drawn from her own family. The paintings at Longbourn had all apparently been purchased by her Grandfather Bennet before her memory. Elizabeth had never heard her parents discuss art or seen them purchase any. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s household budget was primarily directed at food, drink, books, and outfitting six women fashionably. Upon her tour of Pemberley with the Gardiners, Elizabeth had viewed the picture-gallery and its many paintings. She had spent more time THEN contemplating Miss Darcy’s drawings at which she could look and at least recognize the subject and conjecture about the artist. But NOW Elizabeth found the art world a new and fascinating arena and she was eager to learn!

  Upon one visit to a gallery with Fitzwilliam, she noted a landscape painting she found quite singular. It was called Landscape with Cattle and Figures by a Mr. Gainsborough. Although she enjoyed the entire exhibition, she returned to that same painting again and again and had quite lost sight of her husband in the crowd. As she stood enjoying the painting a kindly looking gentlemen with twinkling eyes approached her and introduced himself as Mr. Starks, the manager of the gallery. He said that he was sorry to inform her that the painting had been sold. After observing her surprise and disappointment, he asked if she would like it delivered to Darcy House or Pemberley. Elizabeth’s startled laugh amused him greatly and he asked if he could escort her to one of his most discriminating customers. Fitzwilliam looked at her quite ruefully and performed his most proper bow upon her approach.

  “Have you had your first disappointment in art, Mrs. Darcy?”

  “No indeed, I have had my first lesson in tempering my enthusiasm until we have discussed a purchase, sir. Oh, Fitzwilliam, I love the painting, but you need not buy me everything I admire!”

  Mr. Starks bowed and quietly left them to their flirtation. It was eventually agreed to that the painting would be a wonderful addition to the dining-parlour at Darcy House. Fitzwilliam admitted he would enjoy boasting about her discriminating taste in art to all his acquaintance.

  Chapter 5

  Although certainly no stranger to pastoral portraits of beauty, Elizabeth was enchanted by every delight she encountered on her rambles at Pemberley. She could not say whether its verdant park, rustic outcroppings of rock, ascending pastures dotted with serenely grazing sheep, glistening and gurgling waters, or lush and varied woods were her favorite. To walk and explore, to admire and discover; these were her most treasured adventures at Pemberley. It was truly a magnificent estate and offered endless opportunities for enjoyment. The sheer size and complexity of the estate were the most obvious differences between Pemberley and Longbourn. Several aspects of the estate that had surprised her were the planting of new sapling trees every year, the use of a beekeeper on the estate, and the presence of an icehouse near the mansion. The estate of course used some of its natural resources every year in the cutting of trees. But Fitzwilliam planted small new trees annually as had the generations of Darcys before him to replace what was used. It was the embodiment of how the Darcys planned for future generations. Derbyshire was quite far from any coast and relied on wood perhaps more than coal for heat. The beekeeper ensured the population of healthy bees which further improved the crop yields as well as beautifying the estate with many flowers. The icehouse was a luxury that Elizabeth had never seen before, as Longbourn and all the surrounding estates in Hertfordshire were too small to justify having one. It was located behind Pemberley House, which was situated on rising ground, just behind some oaks and Spanish chestnut trees. The icehouse was a rustic and charming stone-built structure with its back half built into the hillside. The edifice was entirely shaded by the nearby trees and shrubs and this was by design, Elizabeth learned, for it kept the interior cooler in the summer. It had an exposed arched doorway at the front where ice could be carried in and only one small window. A second interior door further protected the area where the ice was stored. Past the second door were stone steps which led down to the spacious underground storage room. Both the exterior and interior stone walls had extensive insulation and the ice that was carried inside in the winter would last for a twelvemonth. Elizabeth was surprised and impressed to find a drain in the floor on the lower level where the ice was stored. Having a ready supply of ice was invaluable in breaking a fever. And Elizabeth had been told the physician also used it to reduce the swelling of injuries. It was a luxury on the estate that no one hoped to need, but all were grateful to have.

  Upon returning from their wedding tour, Elizabeth set out to assume her duties in order of priority. She had resolved first and foremost to devote herself to her husband and her new sister, Georgiana. In this she could not fail to please. Fitzwilliam was so completely taken with his wife and feeling all the thankfulness a man does on realizing not only how well he has chosen, but his good fortune on being accepted! He had been of marriageable age for ten years and felt he could have searched another ten years and still not found a woman who suited him more perfectly than Elizabeth Bennet. Fitzwilliam had fallen in love with her before any friendship was established. Elizabeth had taken much longer to fall to it, but had eventually overcome her rather poor first impression followed by several mis-understandings contrived by Wickham. Once Fitzwilliam had endeavored to make amends for his own mistakes, Elizabeth had to reconsider her misplaced opinions of her suitor. A profound and tender understanding was soon realized. Both lovers had immensely enjoyed their developing friendship and growing attachment as each learned about the other before and after their wedding. The more time they spent together, the more they enjoyed one another’s company. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future. In addition to teasing one another, they spent much time discussing books, art, and the news of the day.

  Of course their time was not solely spent pursuing entertainment. Fitzwilliam wanted to share his life with Elizabeth and a significant portion of his time was occupied by his responsibilities as master of Pemberley. He wanted Elizabeth to be familiar with the estate, the staff, the tenants and neighbors, as well as some of the operations. Georgiana sensed immediately the change wrought upon Pemberley and her brother after the return of the newlyweds from their wedding tour. Elizabeth’s laughter and liveliness alone were tremendous additions. There was discussion and debate at mealtimes and in the evenings. Most evenings were spent together in the music-room enjoying the pianoforte and harp which both still brought Georgiana so much pleasure. Although her shyness remained, Georgiana could see the change in her brother’s demeanor. He wore the responsibility for the estate more lightly. He worked just as hard. But because he was sharing his knowledge with Elizabeth about how the estate worked, he seemed unburdened. Georgiana was surprised that her brother was explaining the business aspects of the estate to his new wife. Most of this information was new to herself as well, so she tried to pay attention. She thought some of it was of an interesting nature, but some of it was quite dull, although Elizabeth never seemed to think so.

  Netherfield House, December 1

  Dear Lizzy,

  How I continue to miss you, dear sister! It is such a happy time of life and I cannot but be pleased at how everything has turned out. But I do miss you. This is now the longest that we have ever been apart. And I think it is the longest that Charles has been deprived of Fitzwilliam’s company. Our Longbourne family is as it ever was, save Kitty. Mama visits almost every day. We are still frequently in Meryton and meeting with friends in the neighborhood. And I have hosted my first ball, which was gr
eat fun! Charles is meeting with his steward on a regular basis now and learning more about managing an estate. I shall have more to say on that subject later.

  I am continuing to invite Kitty to Netherfield House to call upon us and to dine here. She and I have had many long conversations about her manners and her conduct. For a time, she tried to excuse herself using favorable comparisons to Lydia. And in truth, she has never acted as scandalously as Lydia has done. But I assured her that her comportment is equally reckless and impudent as Lydia’s, which is most disappointing considering she is two years older. She was most distressed at my reference to disappointment, but I remained firm. I asked her of what use is it to be marginally better behaved than a young woman whose botched elopement has resulted in her being married to a poor man of low moral character. Though she had no answer to this question, I assured her that many lessons could be learned about the consequences of behaviour by merely observing her own sisters. I think she has taken THAT conversation to heart. She is now properly greeting others. She is less peevish and more composed. Without Lydia here, there is nobody for her to whisper and giggle with. Charles has even noticed a difference when we are at table. I shall continue in my efforts until I am satisfied.

  Having had several months to settle into Netherfield together, Charles and I have begun to make plans for the future. His lease runs through September next and we do not plan on renewing it. Of course I have made no mention of this to anybody else and trust you and Fitzwilliam to do the same. We shall make an announcement once we have something official to share. Charles has finally come to the conclusion that it is time to purchase and has directed his broker to make inquiries in several northern counties; Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire. As you know, in addition to yourselves, we have other reasons for considering a move to that part of the country. Charles has several cousins and an uncle outside of Liverpool that is helping to direct our search thither. We are awaiting news from Charles’ broker now and then shall venture north to tour the most appealing properties. I am so excited and I hope we shall be able to arrange to visit you during our travels! My next letter shall hopefully contain more detail regarding the dates we shall be in Derbyshire.

  Yours, etc.,

  Jane

  Mr. Smith, their senior steward, had initially been rather surprised that the new Mrs. Darcy was to be included in all planning and review meetings with Mr. Darcy. But despite Mr. Smith’s expressed reservations, his master would not be swayed. Fitzwilliam wanted a partner in his life, not just a hostess, and having his wife at his side in the managing of the estate assured him of spending much time with her, but he also thought it was best for the estate. And Mr. Smith has slowly come to respect the new mistress’s quiet attentiveness, then intelligent questions, and finally some sound suggestions. The unusual arrangement was working well and along with every other aspect of his marriage, Fitzwilliam could not be more delighted. Her first contribution to the periodic meetings had been to question the amount of time spent managing the thatched roofs on the estate. Elizabeth had remembered her Grandfather Bennet replacing all the thatched roofs on the tenant cottages at Longbourn when she was a little girl. Lydia wasn’t even born yet and Kitty was but an infant. Jane and Mary had no interest in it, and neither had her father, then the younger of the Messrs. Bennet. But Elizabeth had walked out every day and watched them reframe the roofs with stronger supports that her grandfather called trusses and install the slate tiles. She remembered her grandfather talking about the benefits of what he was doing. At the time, no one was concerned about the entail yet, so no one questioned the expense.

  Excluding Pemberley House, the large number of tenant cottages and other buildings on the estate all used thatched roofs and there was always one being replaced or being repaired due to age or damage from birds and rodents. Elizabeth did not understand why they could not all be replaced over time with slate roofs. There would be upfront costs of course, though the materials were locally available. It would result in far fewer repairs and less sickness amongst the tenants and their children as well. And the slate roofs would also provide much better protection against fire, she explained. She conceded though that the thatchers who spent the bulk of their time working on the roofs would eventually have to be reassigned elsewhere. Fitzwilliam studied the matter and agreed. The ten tenant cottages with roofs that were in the worst condition were replaced with slate roofs during Elizabeth’s first year as the mistress of Pemberley, as were the roofs to the Parsonages, the ice-house, the stables, and several other buildings. The practise would continue with the remaining buildings until all the thatched roofs had been replaced. And Mr. Smith had begun interviewing the thatchers to learn if they had any interests in working with the livestock, in the mills, in the quarry, on the canals, or in the orchards.

  Chapter 6

  Miss Georgiana Darcy had suffered a disappointment at the hands of the fortune hunter and reprobate, Wickham, when she was 15. She had made little progress recovering from her disappointment and lost self-assurance over time. But upon finally gaining a sister, Georgiana would now be able to share confidences and gain a woman’s perspective which had heretofore been impossible with her brother and their cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam as her guardians.

  Soon after their return from London, Elizabeth was at last able to spend more time with her new younger sister. Georgiana asked Elizabeth many questions about coming-out, attending balls as a débutante, receiving a gentleman caller, courting, and receiving a marriage proposal. She mostly wanted to know what being in love felt like. Elizabeth strove to answer her many questions while endeavoring to make it sound less like a forced march with an impatient drill instructor.

  “Georgiana, your coming out will mark a new season of life. It is an opportunity for more independence and to broaden your circle of friends. Of course you will be properly chaperoned, but you will be meeting new people and learning about yourself at the same time. We will be hiring a dance instructor to make a foursome and practising the steps here so that you can be confident at the balls in London.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, of course! Do not think of your first season out as a test to be passed or failed. It will be a very important experience that you will treasure the memory of for a very long time. Being out is something you will enjoy, I promise.”

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “It does require effort. But it is not something to be feared. You must trust me on this, Georgiana.”

  Georgiana also wanted to hear about the events of the Matlock Ball. And Elizabeth happily obliged telling her all about the planning and the night itself. Georgiana thought that balls all sounded intimidating because there were so many people! Elizabeth sought to instill more self-confidence in her new younger sister by reminding her that she can only be introduced to one person at a time! Elizabeth had shared all that she had observed from Lady Matlock about how to prepare for such a ball and assured her new younger sister that she felt either of them was capable of not only hosting but also attending, such an event. Elizabeth showed her the invitation, the dance card, and the cloak room ticket that she had brought home and explained to Georgiana how the latter two were to be used. Though Georgiana had of course been to Gunter’s before, she did not realize they catered for such large parties and thought that getting to taste everything on their menu sounded wonderful! They talked about the gowns, the music, the guests, and the dances. Georgiana thought it all sounded very glamourous. She was also interested in hearing about Elizabeth’s introduction to Lady Jersey and Lady Cowper and how the vouchers at Almack’s would be obtained for the Saturday evening balls. They also spoke of Richard, Elizabeth’s conversation with him, and when they might next hope to see him.

  “Now my young friend, we are going to practise how you are to receive a proper London caller.”

  “Practise? How do we do that?”

  “Well, first we can pretend you are in the drawing-room at Darcy House. And I shall be Mrs. Cr
enshaw. You like her, do you not? Once I come through the front door, Mrs. Reynolds is going to announce me and you shall receive me very properly right here!”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really!” laughed Elizabeth, “It shall be quite fun and I shall never divulge to Lady Catherine that you still do not yet understand the benefits of practising!”

  Georgiana had finally laughed.

  And that is what they did. They confided in Mrs. Reynolds of their scheme and the part Elizabeth would be playing. And then their performance began. Elizabeth rang the knocker and was admitted by a highly amused Mrs. Reynolds before being escorted to the saloon – now the Darcy House drawing-room – where she was announced and received. Georgiana had now fully embraced the spirit of their acting and very cordially greeted her fellow actress. They spoke of the weather, Mr. Crenshaw, and a new fictitious bonnet that was not actually being worn. But they got on quite well. Elizabeth was pleased that Georgiana remembered to ring the bell for tea. And following a cordial farewell and promises of meeting again, Elizabeth was escorted out.

  “See how well you did! It really is not that hard,” exclaimed Elizabeth after she had darted back into the room.

  “It was not difficult. I did not feel nervous at all.”

  “And don’t forget Georgiana, though you see everything through your own eyes, the other person also has their own reasons to be nervous. They must be properly attired, arrive during appropriate calling hours, have something interesting to say, and determine when they have stayed long enough. And not everybody is comfortable in company.”