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  Pemberley House, April 12

  Dear Lydia,

  I am not at all certain I can respond to your latest letter in any manner that will bring you satisfaction. I cannot undo what you have done. You are a married woman now, with all the rights and responsibilities that that implies. This is the life you have chosen. Had you not run away with the man at night and without a chaperone, had you not hidden in London to avoid detection for ten days (and nights), had you not refused Mr. Darcy upon being discovered and simply allowed him to take you home or back to Brighton as he offered, had you not insisted on remaining as you were in that disgraceful situation on the mere chance of being married sometime in the future; had you not done all of this – we would not be having this conversation.

  You put our entire family at risk of a scandal; particularly all four of your then unmarried sisters, which would have materially harmed our prospects for making suitable matches or likely any matches at all. You sent your own father and uncle into the worst streets of London at night to search for you. You have caused my husband to spend a small fortune cleaning up your and your husband’s mess to bring about the marriage. And you have no regard whatsoever for the trouble you have caused. Well, sister, I have no regard for the situation you are in. It is entirely of your own making. Wanton kittens make sober cats.

  I am not interested in the lifestyle you feel you deserve. I am not interested in what servants you believe you need. How can you ask us to support you in a place of three hundred or four hundred a year when, by my calculation, your annual income is only forty-and-two hundred pounds? I am only interested in what you and your husband can afford by your own means. Let YOUR income be your guide in determining how much to spend.

  Yours, etc.,

  ED

  Elizabeth knew not what to make of her youngest sister. She was mostly disgusted with her. And yet, there was a very small place in her heart, where she was still honestly surprised that her sister had taken such a foolish risk, imperiling herself and her entire family, at night, alone, without anybody even knowing where they were, to spend time with a man that she had already been permitted to spend ample time with whilst beyond the scrutiny of her relations. Lydia’s high spirts, exuberance, and fearlessness were a decided case. Of her acknowledged disdain for formality and discretion, Elizabeth was certain. She lived for amusing stories, exciting news, and good jokes. She had a natural self-consequence, an assurance commonly found in the young. Lydia was a determined talker, ridiculous flirt, and a novice gamester. And she was seemingly incapable of being embarrassed by her own behaviour or chastised into repentance. Elizabeth knew not where the impudence and disdain of decorum, arising partially from Lydia’s youth, ended and where the corruption and villainy of Wickham’s decided character began. She knew Wickham was far worse than her youngest sister; with his history of attempting to seduce young ladies for their dowries, his propensity to lie, his profligacy, his squandered education, his established gaming, and his recurring accumulation of debts. And Wickham, as is the husband’s right, had far more control over how their income was spent than Lydia ever would. Elizabeth wrote all of her letters to Lydia with the expectation (and hope) that they would also be read by Wickham. The sooner HE became convinced that both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth were quite fixed in their insistence upon the Wickhams’ accountability, the sooner the Wickham household might be run more responsibly. Her expectation was that with such a husband, there was no hope for redemption of Lydia’s character.

  Chapter 8

  Upon her initial visit to Pemberley with her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner, Elizabeth had met Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper. Mrs. Reynolds had given Mr. Darcy such rapturous words of praise that Elizabeth thought her either a sycophant or privy to a side of the stately Mr. Darcy that Elizabeth herself had not yet seen. Mrs. Reynolds praised him as the best of all masters and a man of great merit. After Mr. Darcy had ensured Lydia’s marriage and re-introduced Jane and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth could admit that Mrs. Reynolds had more direct knowledge of the man than she herself could claim. And whilst lacking the pretty manners and amiability of other gentlemen of her acquaintance, she could acknowledge that Fitzwilliam was indeed a principled man. Upon further exploration of his character (as his wife), Elizabeth could herself testify that he was a very attentive and thoughtful master. The great house ran on a very well-conceived schedule. The house was kept scrupulously clean. Fitzwilliam even scheduled time during the workweek for all the servant meals, cleaning the servants’ quarters and doing the servants’ laundry. This was something that even Elizabeth knew, many estates did not allow for. It made the house a more pleasant place to work and live and reduced turnover of staff. Elizabeth’s first foray into making an alteration at Pemberley House was a consequence of her experiences in the art world of London. Art appreciation was quite en vogue with the ton and many of the more prominent families commissioned artists for their portraiture or bought works and displayed them in their homes to demonstrate their good taste and wealth. The art scene was also a place to see and be seen by other members of the ton. Elizabeth had immensely enjoyed her experience looking at paintings at Somerset House on the Strand. The Darcys had purchased several new paintings. But clearly this could not be enjoyed by all levels of society. Elizabeth hoped to change that at Pemberley. She felt the variety of works available to be most stimulating and creative. Her favorites were the landscape paintings, but she found much to enjoy in sculpture, tapestries, portraits, still-life renderings, and ancient artifacts. Fitzwilliam had insisted she sit for her own portrait soon after their return from their wedding trip. Pemberley had an extensive collection of family portraiture in the picture-gallery and it also featured a breathtaking sculpture-gallery, but the staff did not spend much of their time in these great rooms. Although many paintings adorned the walls of the other public rooms of the house, as Elizabeth had toured more of the house including the servants’ wing and quarters, the decoration had become much sparser. She decided to ask Fitzwilliam about the availability of additional paintings for those walls and even some added furniture for the servants’ bedchambers.

  “Your question surprises me, Elizabeth, but your consideration for the staff does you great credit. Mrs. Reynolds can show you what has been stored in the attic.”

  “As the eldest son, it does not surprise me you are unfamiliar with hand-me-downs. I am a younger daughter and I am well versed! I had thought to include Georgiana as well. She will be running her own home or may even inherit Pemberley one day. This will be a good experience for her, don’t you agree?”

  “Indeed I do.”

  Georgiana had been quite intrigued at the idea. The three ladies had donned long aprons and set off to explore the attic. It was extremely spacious as none of the servants’ quarters were located on the upper level. Elizabeth could not believe how much furniture, artwork, lighting, and carpets were found there nor how dusty it was! It was more than enough to furnish Longbourn in its entirety. Paintings were easily selected which would outfit the hall of the servants’ wing quite nicely. Footmen and a workman were on hand to position and hang the paintings at Georgiana’s direction that day. She also added a few oil lamps to the servants’ hall, for which Elizabeth complimented her thoughtfulness. Georgiana positively beamed under Elizabeth’s praise.

  Next they had to decide what furniture would be appropriate to add to at least the more senior servants’ rooms and what should be the minimum furnishing for all the bedchambers for the sake of fairness. Several trips back and forth were required to determine how many bedchambers were too sparsely furnished, how best to distinguish the senior staff bedchambers consistently, what furniture they had to work with, and what furniture would look best where. Most of the rooms were shared, so Elizabeth did not want to make them too crowded. But all three ladies agreed that every bedchamber should have a wardrobe, a looking glass or full length mirror, one chair, one table or small desk to write upon, and curtains on the windows. Every room already had a w
ash stand with a basin. There were rolled carpets in the attic which were much too big for the servants’ bedchambers and Elizabeth asked if they might be cut down in size to make them fit. Mrs. Reynolds said she would check with the local upholsterer to find out if he was capable of cutting the rugs and binding the fresh edges. It was decided that one carpet and one painting would go to each of the most senior staff’s rooms. Lastly, a trip into Lambton was needed to purchase fabrics for the all the curtains and to deliver the measurements for the windows to a local seamstress.

  Georgiana was very excited by their progress. “Their rooms will be so much warmer and more pleasant!”

  It took several days, but items were tagged to indicate where they should go. The carpets were transported to the upholsterer with measurements for the appointed sizes. The fabrics for curtains were purchased and delivered. And a schedule was drawn up for when the footmen would move furniture to each room. It was carried out in a rather orderly fashion and was complete in three weeks, including the carpets. The servants were quite enthusiastic in their response and many expressed their gratitude to Elizabeth personally. There was some horse trading conducted after all the moving was done as some of the chairs did not fit their respective writing table or desk. Elizabeth decided that was a useful lesson for the future! She was not intimidated about furnishing the servants’ quarters, but still felt that fitting up the principal rooms of Pemberley House in the latest London fashions was beyond her competency.

  Chapter 9

  Elizabeth accepted with resignation that that her father placed a higher priority on his own amusement than on instructing his daughters or curtailing his wife. But, then what hope existed of their material improvement? That Kitty HAD improved from spending a substantial amount of time at Netherfield was not surprising. How anybody could anticipate benefitting Mary by having her remain at home to keep Mrs. Bennet company was beyond Elizabeth’s comprehension. Although Lydia’s absence from the household might render it more pleasant and keep Kitty out of trouble, this little variation was insufficient for preparing either Mary or Kitty to appear in society to their advantage. That Lydia set a terrible example for her sisters or any young lady of her acquaintance, Elizabeth could not deny. But she could not also convict Lydia of Kitty’s susceptibility to being influenced. After all, Mary had never been swayed by Lydia’s imprudent behaviour. Mary was a year older than Kitty, more intelligent, and more serious in her pursuits. But she was mis-directed. Mary needed proper instruction. Kitty however still felt the effects of youthfulness most strongly and needed time to mature. It was truthfully still too soon for her to be out. Kitty needed proper guidance.

  Whilst not formed for ill-humour, Elizabeth had intended to forget what she could not overlook within her family. But she could not reconcile herself to entrusting her sisters’ futures to the vagaries of chance. Presuming to use the means and talents at her disposal, including her husband’s generosity, Elizabeth formed a serious resolution to improve her sisters’ prospects for a settled future. There was indeed satisfaction in the idea that exertion on THEIR part was far likelier to succeed than any efforts her parents may or may not choose to make. Whilst not presuming to forget that she had two unmarried sisters-in-law, Elizabeth did not feel the same urgency in their cause. Other than their ages and connections to nobility, her two sisters’-in-law situations were similar. Both ladies had very large dowries settled upon them. Neither was in danger of their home falling due to an entail. Although both had already lost their parents, they each had brothers with substantial incomes. And each of them was able to spend their time with superior society. Their cases were not as anxious as those of her own sisters.

  In furtherance of this resolution, Mary and Kitty were invited to Pemberley together. Mary was quite overwhelmed with the grandeur of Pemberley and was a little awed, but Kitty had visited before and was more prepared for the elegant surroundings. Elizabeth appreciated the opportunity for Mary to see more of the world and how a different class of society lived. Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana had very different temperaments, but formed an easy comradery. Georgiana led them on a tour around the house and grounds. She was very enthusiastic to show the two sisters the results of the servants’ quarters being recently fitted up and how she had assisted Elizabeth in making the alterations. On Sundays they went to Pemberley Church for morning services and met with Pastor and Mrs. Jenkins and many of the locals on the estate. The improvement in Kitty’s manner was obvious to Elizabeth and she reminded herself to thank Jane again for the time spent with her already on comportment and decorum which was her weakest side. That object should certainly be further pursued. And another purpose should be added to the plan. Now it was time to propose study and accomplishments and to pay particular attention to Mary.

  Elizabeth had over time come to agree with one of Lady Catherine’s many frank pronouncements. Had Elizabeth given the matter more consideration, there may have been other sources of agreement to be found, but for now she consoled herself with being satisfied with just the one. Five daughters out at once WAS too many. In the case of the Longbourn family it had been three too many. Placing a daughter on a path that traditionally led to matrimony and the formation of a household without giving her any instruction on how to manage that household now appeared, to Elizabeth’s way of thinking, to be a very unsound plan. As the eldest daughter, Jane had been taught about the household accounts by their mother. And Elizabeth had learned about many of the accounts relating to the running of the estate from their father. But when Lydia had complained to their mother about not being out with her two eldest sisters, Mrs. Bennet had quickly acquiesced. But in doing so, Mrs. Bennet had had to allow all three of her youngest daughters to come out; for Lydia could not be out before two of her older sisters. The more grown up hairstyles and new dresses had been eagerly anticipated by Lydia, Kitty, and their mother as had their attending local dances and assemblies. Mary had been indifferent to the entire episode as it had been of little importance to her. No attention had been paid to the household lessons on management and economy that should precede a young lady’s introduction into society. And it had never been actually questioned within Elizabeth’s memory in what manner five sisters could be properly chaperoned while all out at once. The two eldest sisters had not directly been given any additional authority by their parents over their younger siblings upon their coming out. Whilst Kitty had been insulted by any instruction or cautions that they had supplied, Lydia had simply mocked or ignored them much to their chagrin. And their mother always indulged the amusement of Lydia and Kitty by declining to address their improper behaviour. In consequence of Lydia’s botched elopement, the issue of five unmarried sisters being out at once had been fully decided beyond any doubt. And Elizabeth anticipated using that lesson in the future.

  Elizabeth spent several days with Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana showing them how a family income was converted into a household budget. The budget included many household accounts, one of which was savings. Although an annual budget was less insightful in deciding what should be purchased today, it could be converted into a monthly or weekly budget which would instruct the household purchases. In their future roles as wives and mistresses of their households all three would oversee these purchases and their adherence to the household accounts. They were most eager to learn. Several days were spent on discussing the prices of items that were commonly purchased, how to time purchases in quantity to economize, and on instruction for stocking a larder and planning meals. Elizabeth tried to make it like a game by showing them budgets that were nonsensical and did not fit within the stated household income. She also reminded them that different families had different sizes of income. Once she was satisfied, she informed Fitzwilliam it was time to speak with Mary and Kitty about the future.

  Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Mary, and Kitty met in the saloon to discuss their studies and dowries. The girls listened in silence as Fitzwilliam explained his desire for them not to feel rushed into matrimony and
to prepare themselves for being out and meeting new people outside of Hertfordshire. He explained that he and Elizabeth would be happy to engage instructors for their benefit in the subjects of their choosing. And he told them about the planned settlements for their dowries. Mary was quite overcome and tears spilled onto her cheeks. She confessed that she had been anxious about being pushed into a marriage with Mr. Philip’s law clerk, Mr. Richard Gottlieb.

  “That will never happen.” Fitzwilliam assured her, which made her cry harder from her relief. Fitzwilliam wrapped his arm about her shoulders and Elizabeth held her hands to comfort her. And soon she was able to recompose herself.

  “Kitty, is Mama pushing you to marry someone as well?”

  “Nobody by name as with Mary, but she does speak about catching a husband most every day.”

  “Well, we cannot alter Mama, but Jane, Charles, Fitzwilliam, and I will not see you rushed into marriage and we will not see you forced into a marriage you do not want. Think about what we have said. Let us talk to-morrow about what areas of study you would like to pursue.”

  Elizabeth met with her sisters the next day over tea. They looked apprehensive.

  “Mary, Kitty, why do you look so nervous?”

  “What if we choose wrong?”

  “I don’t understand. What if you change your mind and decide to study something else?”

  “Yes, what if I decide later that I don’t want to study the music, I want to study drawing,” Mary said quietly.

  “Well that would be just fine. I think it would be wonderful if you decided you wanted to focus on drawing. As long as it is something that interests you.”