Mary Simonsen - The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy

After sharing a board of bread and cheese washed down with a pint of ale, the travelers set out for London. After exchanging news of their families, and with Anne cautioning her cousin that she would not tolerate repeated questions regarding her health, the two fell into an easy conversation while her nurse slept.

“Poor Mrs. Jenkinson,” Anne said with a slight laugh. “She can never stay awake when we travel. The rocking of the carriage causes her to fall asleep almost immediately, just like a babe in a cradle.”

“She is a wonderful woman. Each of you complements the other.”

Anne could hardly imagine her life without her companion. Because of her loving attention, life was bearable at Rosings. Although she knew her mother loved her, Lady Catherine’s overbearing personality was so oppressive that Anne used her illness as an excuse not to engage. As a result, she rarely spoke, and because of her mother’s penchant for dominating every conversation, she was left alone with her thoughts while her mother pontificated. It was only in the quiet hours after her mother had retired that Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson, and the head housekeeper would talk in her sitting room.

“Will, you have been a poor correspondent since you left Kent.” When Darcy furrowed his brow, Anne continued. “Oh, you are generous enough in sharing news about Georgiana, but as to matters that affect you, you leave me nothing but crumbs.”

“If you are referring to the situation regarding Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I shall own to it immediately. You were right, and I was wrong. I should never have written that letter.”

“And your feelings for the lady?”

“Unchanged. But there is nothing new there. I assume she is at Longbourn with her family.”

“I know that she is at Longbourn because I correspond with her.”

Darcy gave Anne a wary look. “And pray tell, what is discussed in your letters?”

“Oh, do not look so concerned. I speak of you only in the most general of terms. Since I lead such a sheltered existence and my circle of friends is limited, I write about Mrs. Collins and the friendship that has grown up between us. And then there is Mr. Collins, whose fawning and cooing over my mother provides comic relief. On Elizabeth’s side, she always inquires after Richard. She is concerned that Britain will be drawn into the wars on the Iberian Peninsula, and that he will be in the fight.”

“Do you think Elizabeth has feelings for Richard?”

“She likes him very much. But both are wise enough not to encourage the other, as his poverty is only exceeded by hers. And in my opinion, there was no spark on Elizabeth’s part. But why are we speaking of Richard? You say your feelings are unchanged, so what have you done in these four months to advance your cause?”

“I do have a plan, which is very sketchy at the moment, involving Charles Bingley. As I wrote to you, until recently, Bingley has kept his distance from me. He resented my interference in his affairs regarding Miss Bennet, thus my invitation for him to join us at Pemberley. Once there, I will admit to an error in judgment and will encourage Bingley to approach Miss Bennet for permission to renew his attentions.”

“Oh, I see what you are planning. Following this discussion, Mr. Bingley will proceed to Hertfordshire, where he will win anew the lady’s affections, and by virtue of your friendship with Mr. Bingley, you will find yourself in Elizabeth’s company once again. I think it is a splendid plan with one exception. It separates you from the object of your affection for several more weeks.”

“Yes, but I have obligations. I have recently become a venturer with George Bingley, Charles’s eldest brother. Along with other investors, I am involved in a scheme that will transform the Derwent Valley into a model for industrial development in England. A flannel manufactory is being built as we speak, and George insists on input from all the venturers. While I am in Derbyshire, he wants me to seek out other possible investors. I cannot complain as the man seems to spin gold out of straw, but I am a gentleman, not a man of business, and all of this is new to me.”

“But your plans to arrive at Pemberley in three weeks’ time remain unchanged?”

“Yes, you were very specific as to that date, although you have yet to tell me why we must be in Derbyshire exactly at that time.”

“Do you think you are the only one who has obligations?”

“No, of course not, but schedules had to be rearranged and…” Darcy went quiet. He could see he was at risk of hurting Anne’s feelings if he pressed the issue. But, good God, what obligations could she possibly have? By her own admission, she had a limited circle of friends, and her health placed restrictions on her activities. But he decided there was nothing to be gained by asking more questions. “I was more than happy to accommodate your request, and we will be there exactly at the time you have chosen.”

“Perfect.”

Jane was waiting for Lizzy at the top of the stairs and hurried her sister into their room. “What did Papa say? Is Lydia to go to Brighton?”

Earlier in the afternoon, Jane and Lizzy had returned from Meryton only to find the house in an uproar. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were laughing, Kitty was crying, and Mary was pounding on the pianoforte in an attempt to be heard above all the noise. It was then that they had learned of Mrs. Forster’s offer to have Lydia accompany her when her husband’s militia regiment removed to Brighton. Lizzy immediately sought out her father in a vain attempt to have him forbid the excursion.

“Yes, Jane, Lydia is to go to Brighton. Papa would not be dissuaded. He said Lydia would never be content until she had exposed herself in some public place and that Brighton afforded her that opportunity and at such little expense to the family.”

“Oh, Lizzy. Please tell me he said that in jest. Even Papa, who turns a blind eye to the foolishness of his three younger children, must recognize Lydia’s behavior barely warrants her being out in society under the supervision of her parents and older sisters, no less being free to move in society in Brighton where the streets are full of officers.”

Lizzy repeated all that she could remember of their conversation. “I reminded him that it was his responsibility to check her more exuberant spirits, not Colonel Forster’s, but he insisted she is under the protection of the colonel, who is a sensible man.”

“But Mrs. Forster is not a sensible woman. She is very young, and although newly married, I am sorry to say that at the ball I noticed she continued to flirt with the young officers who are under her husband’s command.”

“Such strong words, Jane! How unlike you. But I agree. I saw the same thing and was embarrassed for both of them. But Papa insists that Lydia’s poverty will protect her as she has no fortune to be an object of prey to anyone.”

“We shall go and talk to him immediately. If he hears our combined voices in pointing out the danger of such a plan, he will reconsider.”

Lizzy shook her head. “It will do no good. He sees Lydia going to Brighton as a way for her to learn of her own insignificance.”

“How so?”

“To his mind, she will be of less importance even as a common flirt as the officers will find women better worth their notice.”

“And if he is wrong?”

“We are doomed.”

At that moment, Mrs. Hill knocked on the door, so that she might replace the candles. She could see both sisters were in distress because of Lydia’s news.

“Miss Lizzy and Miss Jane, I know you two are unhappy about Miss Lydia going off with Mrs. Forster when the regiment leaves Meryton, but it might not be as bad as you think.”

Both looked at Mrs. Hill with hopeful expressions. Whenever something happened at Longbourn, Mrs. Hill was always the first to know of it.

“Mrs. Forster has a bun in the oven.”

Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances before Jane asked, “How do you know that?”

“Because Sally Smart’s aunt did the Forsters’ laundry. You can tell a lot about a family from their laundry, especially the women. What I’m saying is Miss Lydia might not be going out as much as she thinks if Mrs. Forster gets the sickness. I don’t think she’d take kindly to Miss Lydia being out dancing while she’s eating pieces of dry bread to keep her dinner down. And if that don’t cheer you up, remember April showers bring May flowers, and it rains all the time in Brighton.

“And if I may say one more thing, Miss Lizzy, you sitting here worrying about Miss Lydia won’t change a thing. Remember what the reverend said, ‘Parents have to instill the right principles in their children, but then it’s up to the children to live up to those principles.’ So, Miss Lizzy, you go to Derbyshire and not worry about a thing. It’s out of your hands.”

After Mrs. Hill left, Jane asked Lizzy what she thought.

“Well, they’ve certainly been married long enough for Mrs. Forster to be with child, and if she is as selfish as our sister, then she will insist on Lydia staying with her, which should, at a minimum, decrease her outings and limit her opportunities to get into trouble.”

“I imagine it is the best we can hope for,” Jane said, but knowing Lydia, she was not entirely reassured. However, it might allow Lizzy to put Lydia out of her mind and think about her upcoming holiday with the Gardiners.

When the carriage pulled up in front of the London townhouse, Darcy could see his sister peeking out from the upstairs window. In the time it took for Anne to alight from the carriage, Georgiana had come through the front door. Without saying a word to her brother, she escorted her cousin into the house.