By Charm or by Choice Read online

  Yours, etc.,

  Papa

  ∞∞∞

  Longbourn, July 9

  Lizzy,

  I do not understand your stinginess with respect to your sister Lydia. You are being extremely unfair to her and dear Wickham too! Singling out Mary and Kitty is inexcusable when Lydia is the one who needs our assistance most. They have already been forced to move twice due to unscrupulous landlords! The Wickhams have been married for months and she was never provided with a proper trousseau or wedding clothes! Surely a horse and carriage and another servant would do nicely for them too. And Wickham should have a place at court. It is bad enough that they are situated in that filthy coal town, Newcastle. And a literary master for Mary? Of what can you be thinking? She doesn’t need to be reading books and expressing opinions! I have already found a husband for her, Mr. Gottlieb! Your aunt Philips agrees with me for I asked her about it yesterday. Have you no compassion for my nerves? Speak to Mr. Darcy about it and see if you can change his mind or else I shall never write to you again.

  Yours, etc.,

  Mama

  ∞∞∞

  Gracechurch Street, July 13

  My Dear Niece,

  Thank you for your many letters with news from the north. Derbyshire grows fonder to me in my heart with you being there. Your uncle and the children are all well and happy. We look forward to your next visit to London and the opportunity to visit together. Your uncle’s business has been unusually busy and prosperous this year and he recently confided in me that Fitzwilliam has had a hand it. Please convey my thanks to your thoughtful husband. My understanding is that although Fitzwilliam is not a customer, he has sent several of his business associates our way whom have become customers. This includes a Mr. Buckworth, whom we hosted for dinner last week. He is an affable gentleman, I daresay, and has invited us to dine with him at his home in Upper Wimpole. I feel quite distinguished!

  As you probably already know, there has chanced to be a little alteration at Longbourn with regard to the handling of the household money. Your sisters’ pin-money is now being protected from your mother’s generosity where the Wickhams are concerned. Other sources of funds have also been placed beyond your mother’s reach to protect her from the temptation of diverting money from its proper destination. This has not been received well by your mother or the Wickhams. We have just received our first letter from Newcastle since their nuptials and rather than being a renewal of our acquaintance, or a response to the letters I’ve sent to them, it is little more than an enumeration of their current debts and a request for our assistance. I suppose that Wickham had no hand in crafting the letter as it offers little in the way of proper manners or pleasing address. Your uncle and I have spent some time together this morning in writing a reply which conveys both our compassion and our expectations of their accountability. We did go so far as to remind them of their recent restoration to solvency and polite society at the expense and effort of others. We are forwarding them no funds at this time. Those repeatedly in debt always desire assistance with their bills but have no interest in assistance with their budget!

  We have received several very satisfactory letters from Mary and Kitty and I must say they are quite enthusiastic about their lessons. Lizzy, you and Fitzwilliam have done a very good deed and I commend you both for it! Their enthusiasm seems to be matched by their application and your father writes that they are both improving. I foresee your generosity rewarding you and your sisters handsomely.

  Yours, etc.,

  Aunt Gardiner

  ∞∞∞

  Longbourn, August 15

  My Dearest Elizabeth,

  There seems to have been some occurrence of enlightenment in Mary’s literature lessons. She finally realized that Mr. Hendrickson was never going to assign Fordyce’s Sermons to her reading list. This was a source of much grief to our dear girl and she wanted an explanation as to why her favorite work was being excluded from proper study and consideration. Mr. Hendrickson inquired why she would want to include a book that she had read so many times before when there were many other works she had never set eyes upon. Mary suffered some difficulty in answering this question. Mr. Hendrickson postulated that this book had been read by Mary more than she had read any other book, that she sought instruction for daily living from this book, and that she never questioned what she read in this book. And Mary confirmed that his assertions were indeed an accurate representation. Mr. Hendrickson asked her where she liked to shop for shoes and she answered the cobbler. He inquired whether she would wear a gown made for her by a pig farmer, which she thought quite ridiculous. And he quizzed her on where she would go to solicit information on scientific experimentation; a scientist or a stable boy. Upon seeing her confusion to his line of reasoning Mr. Hendrickson finally asked her why she would place so heavy a trust and a reliance upon a single book designed to tell her how to live that was written by a man who, at the time of its publication, had never courted a woman, never been engaged, never married, and had no sons or daughters. He wrote a book admonishing and scolding young ladies and his sole experience with the fairer sex seems to be writing weekly sermons which admonish and scold young ladies. Well, I thought I was going to have to fetch the smelling salts, as she was in quite an agitated state! I sent her to bed and told her we would discuss the matter the next day. Have I mentioned how well I like Mr. Hendrickson? Who knew that a literary instructor could also be such a philosopher?

  Mary and I have since talked about the purpose of her literary lessons, which books she has enjoyed, and what lessons Mr. Hendrickson has taught regarding the interpreting of literature. She can well summarize looking for similarities or corollaries to other works as in recognizing a Faustian bargain, identifying symbolism in a plot, and discerning patterns in literature that resemble real life. She has some of your quickness Lizzy, but I fear it’s been lulled into complacency by her need to moralize. I’ve charged her to forget her disappointment in discovering what Fordyce’s Sermons is NOT and rejoice in the opportunity to explore the world of literary delights available to her.

  Yours, etc.,

  Papa

  When Elizabeth shared this letter with Fitzwilliam he smiled at her but said nothing.

  “Do you wish to share any information about this amazing Mr. Hendrickson?”

  “He is apparently a very skilled literary instructor.”

  “Indeed!” she laughed. “I think that fact is clear enough. Who exactly IS he?”

  “Brother Hendrickson is a monk and a man of unimpeachable credentials and character. I’ve known of him for years and when I wrote to him, I provided very specific information on the type of instruction Mary really needed. Her music instructor, Mr. Hogan, whom is a concert pianist, was similarly informed. It’s all under the guise of literature and music, but Mary is being taught proper comportment.”

  “You never cease to amaze me, my dear Mr. Darcy.”

  Pemberley House, August 30

  My Dear Jane,

  I cannot thank you enough for the fine instruction and counsel you have been providing to Kitty on her comportment and manners. She was vastly improved during her recent visit here and I attribute it all to your and Charles’ good influence. I know that Mary too benefits from being able to spend time in your home and away from Longbourn. I am excited for both our sisters as their visit here exceeded my expectations. I am sure you have seen them both since their return and have noticed the dramatic change in Mary’s appearance. Fitzwilliam and I are undertaking the office of their instruction from the Masters. I am very hopeful for their continued improvement and have hitherto been receiving very promising reports. I will be inviting them both back to Pemberley within a few months after they have had time to progress in their lessons.

  I continue to receive the customary correspondence from Mama. I do not know how you have managed to stay in such proximity to Longbourn this long, but then again, you are too good and have the patience of a saint! Fitzwilliam and I are s
o pleased with your and Charles’ purchase of Barrington and the upcoming move. To have you so near again is almost all that I could wish for. The remainder being the happy settlement of ALL four of our unmarried sisters!

  Yours, etc.,

  Lizzy

  Chapter 11

  Elizabeth was eager to meet the local pastors. The village of Kympton however, was a considerable distance away, so that trip was deferred. The living originally intended for Wickham had incurred a vacancy three years prior after the long serving pastor had retired. That vacancy had been filled by a Pastor Monroe with whom Fitzwilliam was well pleased. And Elizabeth recollected that Wickham had told her the Parsonage House there was excellent during his fabrications of his mistreatment. Pastor Jenkins was the pastor of Pemberley Parsonage. He was an elderly gentleman approaching retirement. His wife Mrs. Jenkins was a kindly and social woman, well suited to being a pastor’s wife. Fitzwilliam accompanied Elizabeth to call upon the Parsonage so that she could make arrangements to have a tour.

  “You aren’t here to request my retirement then?” pastor Jenkins asked.

  “Certainly not,” replied Fitzwilliam as Elizabeth chuckled.

  “Pastor Jenkins, I wanted to call upon both you and Mrs. Jenkins so that we would be on familiar terms and could work together to meet the needs of the Parsonage and the parish. As you know, I am very new to this part of the country and to all the people on the estate. I thought it would be helpful to know the living conditions of everybody who resides at Pemberley.”

  Mrs. Jenkins smiled knowingly at her husband for this answer seemed to appease him. The Darcys stayed for the proper half-an-hour discussing the Parsonage, the members of the parish, and a new foundling who had been abandoned at the Parsonage. The infant was being taken in by a mason and his wife, who was barren. Whilst the gentlemen spoke of several church matters, Elizabeth asked Mrs. Jenkins if she could call again another day for a tour of Parsonage and to see if there were any needs for furnishings or repairs. Mrs. Jenkins seemed surprised but readily acquiesced. Elizabeth assured her she was making the same inquiry of the Lambton Parsonage.

  Elizabeth was able to revisit Pemberley Parsonage as planned a few days later. Mrs. Jenkins had been running the household at Pemberley Parsonage for so long that she did not have a lot of needs. The thatched roof was in need of repair though, Elizabeth noted. The furniture was plentiful and in good order. The kitchen was fully stocked with pots and pans and her porcelain china and cutlery. A few of the curtains while charming, needed to be replaced simply due to age. Elizabeth asked Mrs. Jenkins about her preferred colors and if she would be interested in having some new curtains. She graciously accepted Elizabeth’s offer. Elizabeth also requested that Fitzwilliam put Pemberley Parsonage on the schedule for a new slate roof.

  Georgiana escorted Elizabeth to Lambton Parsonage to introduce her to Pastor Atkins. He was new in his position and very young. He also seemed quite nervous. A single man, he had hitherto completed his studies at seminary and taken orders. He had been awarded the living at Lambton through contacts his father had with the town’s mayor, Mr. Woodforde. He was a second son and would not be receiving much inheritance from his father, Lord Sunderley of ------shire.

  “So Pastor Atkins, tell me, this Parsonage is almost as new to you as it is to me. Have you anything that you require to aid in your comfort living here?”

  “Well, I think it will suffice quite nicely for a young bachelor such as myself. Er, to be honest, I’ve not really given much thought to the house, as yet.”

  “May I call upon you next week so that we might tour it together and determine what furniture, what items of plate and cutlery you might need?”

  “And curtains,” Georgiana cut in. “He shall need curtains.”

  Pastor Atkins blushed. “I am not sure the local shop keepers shall appreciate their tithes going to curtains for a young bachelor, Miss Darcy.”

  “Do you mean to say that Mr. Darcy does not pay your income, but rather you negotiate the tithes with the town?”

  “That is correct, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “I see. Let me speak with Mr. Darcy. I shall send a note around to you confirming my call for next week.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Elizabeth had returned the next week and received a tour of the Parsonage.

  “Elizabeth, what are you about? You want to change how the Lambton rector is paid?” Fitzwilliam asked.

  “Haven’t you ever wondered why you’ve had same wonderful pastor at Pemberley Parsonage for forty years whilst the Lambton Parsonage loses its twenty-six year old rector every two years?”

  “No, the thought has never crossed my mind, my dear.”

  “Well, I’ll tell you why,” she cried. “The Lambton pastor has to fight the townspeople of Lambton for his wages. That’s why! Also, the Lambton Parsonage is damp, cramped, and poorly lit due to the blocked in windows because the town doesn’t want to pay the window tax. There’s no linen or curtains or items of plate, and barely enough cutlery for one man to eat his dinner. The Parsonage doesn’t even have a girl of all works! It’s not fit for a curate.”

  Fitzwilliam sighed. “What shall you have me do? It is the Lambton Parsonage. The townspeople have a say.”

  “Will you go talk to the mayor? Surely he can be reasoned with that Pemberley should pay the living and award its patronage to the Parsonage.”

  “Only if you come with me and make the case. You’ll wear him down, no doubt.”

  Prior to the meeting, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam had met with their steward, Mr. Smith, to discuss the idea. Elizabeth had never been involved in a purchase of property and listened closely as the men discussed what they thought the property was worth and how they might best negotiate with the mayor on the price. They asked her many questions about the condition of the property, for neither gentleman had seen the house in years, as well as the contents of the home. Her descriptions were plentiful and minute. She enumerated the specifics of the state of neglect of the house. Once Elizabeth had remembered about the blocked in windows, the gentlemen had calculated the total tax for the property that would be a savings to the town. Elizabeth had also thought a call upon Mrs. Woodforde would be in order if the negotiations were successfully completed. She suspected it would make amends to Mr. Woodforde for any mortification he might experience from the sale to have his wife singled out socially.

  Mayor Woodforde was all politeness and delight in his introduction to the much talked about Mrs. Darcy. Prior to the marriage, the Darcy family did not visit the town of Lambton. Almost from the moment of her arrival, however, Elizabeth had displayed a different attitude. She shopped in Lambton regularly and had paid visits to the orphanage on which she had Georgiana accompany her. Georgiana seemed to love children and could not believe there were so many orphans in one small village. Fitzwilliam was known to do much to aid the poor, and supported the orphanage, but he did not visit. Elizabeth had also renewed her acquaintance with the friends she had made through her Aunt Gardiner whilst they were visiting Derbyshire the prior year. When the Gardiners visited the Pemberley family now, they would accompany her on her calls to their Lambton friends. The opinion held by the town of a somewhat aloof, though generous, family was soon overthrown by the engaging and outgoing new mistress. It became public knowledge, with the customary speed that news travels, that her open and easy manner with the local inhabitants and her willingness to engage herself personally with the town’s institutions was in stark contrast to the Darcy family’s prior attitude. This variation was discussed and remarked upon by the town’s inhabitants to a considerable degree.

  Fitzwilliam’s suggestions to his wife had been to always refer to Mr. Woodforde as the mayor, focus on the facts including the figures, and emphasize that Lord Sunderley would thank him. Elizabeth was careful not to accuse the town or the mayor of any wrongdoing. Her intent, she told the mayor, was to place all three Parsonages on equal footing by having Pemberley pay the living and offer it
s patronage to all three.

  “Do you want to buy the Lambton Parsonage and the advowson outright, then?” he asked, as Fitzwilliam had warned her he would.

  “I don’t think that we are looking to purchase the advowson, just the property. Would you be amenable to that, as Lambton’s mayor?” she asked.

  “I might be. I secured the living for Pastor Atkins as I am friends with his father, Lord Sunderley. You aren’t suggesting replacing Pastor Atkins are you?”

  “Certainly not, Mr. Mayor. I am trying to ensure some stability at the Lambton Parsonage, akin to what has been achieved at Pemberley. The village of Kympton also had a long serving pastor I’m told until three years ago when old Pastor Thomason finally retired due to his poor health. What is the asking price of the Parsonage House including the plot of land upon which it sits?”

  “It is seven hundred pounds. That includes the land running all the way to the lane and the space alongside the house with the kitchen garden.”

  Elizabeth looked at Fitzwilliam who looked back at her.

  “Mr. Mayor, the thatched roof is falling in, there are two blocked in windows, there is hardly a stick of furniture present, there are no linens, the chimney hasn’t been cleaned in recent memory, the range needs to be replaced, and the ‘kitchen garden’, as you call it, hasn’t been cultivated in years. You can do better than that. Lambton will receive all of the benefit of making the Parsonage a valuable, sought after living with a long term clergyman. And the town will actually save money because Pemberley will cover the taxes including the poor tax and the window tax. The townspeople will be able to tithe to fund the town’s charitable works, not to pay the rector’s income. I understand that has long been a sore subject.”

  “What are you suggesting, Mrs. Darcy?”

  “Three hundred pounds for the deed to the property and the purchase agreement shall state the right of the rector has been rescinded.”

  “Mrs. Darcy, the property is worth more than that!”