Mr. Darcy's Decision: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Read online

  “Indeed, I should like occasion to keep it, but I already have an estate in Gloucester and a house in town,” said Mr. Hanworth, adding, “alas, Mr. Darcy, there is no elegant woman in my view but I hope that my horizon will be so adorned some day.”

  “Of course, nothing enhances a vista like the presence of feminine beauty,” said Darcy, “but, before this pleasing meditation leads us both to lose our purpose, pray tell me, sir, what is your business here?”

  Mr. Hanworth settled more comfortably in his seat. “Ah!” said he with a pleasant smile, “I intrigue you, Mr. Darcy, but there is nothing mysterious about me.The purchase of Fordham is soon to complete, I have had many dealings with a certain gentleman of Hertfordshire whose dear wife is set on it, but I am to be gone out of Derbyshire in three weeks time, I return again six weeks thereafter. A business acquaintance put your name to me, I require an emissary in my absence, for the overseeing of negotiations.”

  Darcy nodded again. “But of course, I have business matters of my own to see to and feel myself quite equal to the task.”

  Mr. Hanworth smiled. “It is a great relief, Mr. Darcy, I thank you, sir, I shall have my attorney contact Mr. Bingley posthaste, he will be relieved to hear of developments, I am afraid there have been a few delays thus far.”

  “Bingley you say?” asked Darcy. “He is a dear friend of mine, Mr. Hanworth, I shall therefore be even more glad to assist.”

  “I am overjoyed, he is an affable man, and his wife is a perfectly pleasant woman.”

  “Mrs. Bingley?Yes indeed she is, my own wife is her sister,” said Darcy proudly.

  “Then may I congratulate both you and your friend on your fine choice in wives.” Hanworth laughed and, further considering the matter, said, “I see now how you can speak with such authority on the beauty of ladies, Mr. Darcy, but confess, I have heard you described as a very different sort, purely businesslike. Your eloquence has been a welcome surprise. Well, well! It all connects somehow, does it not? This is a happy coincidence indeed, sir,” he said and proffering his hand to Darcy he said, “I am very glad to make your acquaintance.”

  Darcy’s judgment of the newcomer was not to be questioned. Edwin Hanworth was all that is charming and when he was invited to stay for dinner at Pemberley he was at first mindful to ensure that the offer was not merely a gesture of civility. When he was satisfied that absolute sincerity prompted Mr. and Mrs. Darcy’s hospitality he condescended to accept their invitation with gratitude and looked forward to the evening with anticipation.

  And so it was in the form of this welcome relief offered by the company of their affable new acquaintance that Elizabeth and Darcy were able, momentarily, to put their dealings with Mr. Wickham behind them. Lydia still fancied herself weak and was taken, with discretion, to stay with her Aunt Gardiner in their cottage. She made no resentful protests about this, as she was not disposed to acquaint herself with handsome strangers, no longer being in a position, or of the inclination, to flirt with them. She preferred to indulge in her misery in privacy.

  Adjourned to the drawing room after an impressive dinner, Hanworth informed the party of many little particulars of his life, and in more detail, his inheritance of Fordham Hall, a house he expressed a deep fondness for.“I confess I have felt a small measure of reluctance over the business of parting with the place, I spent a fair portion of my youth there. I am undeniably fond of it.” He looked at Elizabeth. “My visit here has been so fortuitous, Mrs. Darcy, for I begrudged the idea of relinquishing Fordham, but now I learn it is to be the home of your dear sister, I shall take leave of it with equanimity.”

  “You are very good, sir.” Elizabeth smiled; her liking of Mr. Hanworth was as immediate as her husband’s. “I know Jane will love Fordham Hall as much as I have come to love Pemberley.”

  “Without question,” said Hanworth,“Derbyshire and Yorkshire are beautiful counties, I regret that I am soon for Gloucester.” He looked at Georgiana, “yes, I regret it greatly,” he said,“Derbyshire in particular has many pleasant attractions and I hope to enjoy the prettier of them before my departure.”

  Georgiana, shy at first to acknowledge Mr. Hanworth’s delicate compliments, remained silent. Her blushes were noticed by Darcy and Elizabeth but as the evening passed and the little tributes continued she became ever more capable and willing to accept them without embarrassment. Her usual way was to speak without conviction and only make a comment when it was least likely to be noticed, but a pleasing and encouraging confidence hitherto unseen in her now replaced her natural caution and reticence. Elizabeth was glad to note this transformation in her reserved sister-in-law. Her fondness for Georgiana was genuine and she was relieved to observe that the girl was not disposed to be shy of affection though she might have had every cause to be so.

  Due to frequent practice, Georgiana’s proficiency at the pianoforte was evident and she elected, without provocation, to play for the party. Mr. Hanworth made the choice to turn pages for her, and was delighted not only with the music but also with her proximity. “Beautiful, simply beautiful,” he said when she had finished playing. There was no doubt that his praise was all for her and little for Mozart.

  CHAPTER 21

  “I never saw a more promising inclination. He was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her.”

  Three weeks of quiet had passed slowly for Elizabeth and, as is the way when a woman awaits the birth of her child, many hours were spent in daydreaming or whiled away by her imagination.

  For Georgiana the time went too fast and brought about Mr. Hanworth’s departure for Gloucester and by the time of his leaving the two had developed a noticeable rapport. He had divided his time most unequally between Pemberley and Great Fordham Hall, choosing, by the inducement of his favorite, to be in Derbyshire more often than not. His temperament was as friendly and good humored as that of the object of his affections and none who had seen them together were left in any doubt that a natural progression from adulation would be matrimony. But business called him to Gloucester as was expected, and any proposals Georgiana might privately have wished for were to be postponed. Hanworth left promising to write as often as his occupation would allow. Georgiana, though sad to see her amour go, could not be aggrieved in his absence for her heart was infused with the thought of him and her fondness therefore increased.

  There had been no word of Wickham, no sign of associated repercussion. Kitty, accompanied by Maria Lucas, had returned to Pemberley, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet having decided upon the idea of a tour of the Lakes. She made once more a happy companion to her favorite and closest sister and Lydia was glad of her arrival and equally pleased to see Maria. She was in the envied position of being a girl with an already rounded figure and her condition was not outwardly discernible, though she had little more than ten weeks until the child came. It is a truth that Lydia barely recognized this fact herself, her character had veered even more toward a tendency to self-absorption and at times she resembled her mother, always bedridden with some imagined malady. But with Kitty and Maria arrived and willing to visit her at the cottage, she held court happily from the comfort of her chaise lounge or bed.

  Elizabeth anticipated Jane and Bingley’s occupancy of Fordham Hall to take place in October once all documentation and corrections to the house had been attended to. In the meantime, the sisters contented themselves with their letters which had grown in both length and frequency by way of both women’s happy ability to pay the high costs of the post.

  Refreshed by more than a month’s respite Elizabeth was once more disposed to have the house filled with family and friends. Her Uncle Gardiner was at last settled again at Pemberley and her husband’s cousin had arrived. Elizabeth had always considered Colonel Fitzwilliam a most agreeable gentleman whose company she was not inclined to reject.

  Now, so happily married to Darcy, she felt a little embarrassed to remember that she had at one time considered the Colonel a gentleman worth considering as a husba
nd. He was not reputed as so handsome as Darcy but his gentlemanlike manners were the result of both good breeding and innate friendliness. She often wondered how such a man, now passed thirty and so respectable, had managed to go about the world and not yet secure a suitable wife. Ever a great observer of human nature she would amuse herself with thoughts of matchmaking the Colonel with some pleasant acquaintance of her own.With the summer weather now usurping the crisp spring days, many of the party were inclined to take turns around the grounds, the ladies covered from the shade with parasols. Elizabeth often sat upon a bench in the park, no longer disposed to or allowed long walks, those who sought her company would come to sit with her.

  Maria Lucas, herself much matured in recent months, joined Elizabeth one afternoon. She had always fostered much admiration for Elizabeth and she sometimes had the inclination to model her own behavior on her friend’s.

  “Pemberley is the most beautiful place, Lizzy, I cannot believe I am here. I look back to the visit we made to Rosings when Charlotte first married and can scarce believe how much has happened since then.”

  “Indeed we have seen a great variety of events,” said Elizabeth affectionately. “I am glad you are pleased with Pemberley, but tell me, is Charlotte well?”

  “Oh, very well, yes… and Mr. Collins is much the same as ever.”

  Elizabeth laughed.“I know what you are saying, my cousin may not be the cleverest of men, but your sister is well pleased with her alliance, you should be happy to have him as a brother.”

  “I am, Elizabeth, I do not find him dislikeable to any real degree, but I wonder at Charlotte, for she never showed any particular regard for him, to have made such a sudden choice.”

  “I should scold you, Maria,” said Elizabeth playfully, “it is very wrong of you to judge your sister so, I daresay your needs tend more to the romantic and hers the practical, but neither of you are to be condemned for your dispositions.”

  Maria smiled.“I could not marry a man I was not in love with.”

  “Then you share my view of things, Maria.”

  “Oh yes, Lizzy,” said the girl with enthusiasm and delight, “if there was another man so good as your husband I would decide to make him fall in love with me without hesitation.”

  Elizabeth was watchful of Maria. “I noticed you took a turn with Colonel Fitzwilliam this morning, how did you get on? You were not very much acquainted with him at Rosings I recall.”

  Maria smiled. “I got on very well indeed, but I do know him well enough from Rosings, you remember when Mr. Darcy and he came to take their leave at Hunsford, Mr. Darcy waited to speak to you, I became very much more acquainted with the Colonel then, he stayed for at least an hour you know.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “Be careful, Maria, he has nearly twice your years, that you may view him as desirable is not to be questioned, but an older man, more often than not, cannot see the woman for the child.”

  “I am not a child any longer, I am out, and at a marrying age which is all the age I need to be to secure any man’s affections be he twenty or three times that.”

  Elizabeth looked fondly on her young companion. “Then let the man of your dreams be as ancient as you please,” she said.

  Maria whispered,“Though not so old as Mr. Collins.”

  “Mr. Collins is not so old Maria, he is merely one of those unfortunate men who gives the appearance of age without yet having the advantage of wisdom.”

  The two then walked the path in the direction of the house where they were met by Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, he bowed and doffed his hat to the ladies and offered to escort them. Elizabeth could not help but notice the bloom rise in Maria’s cheeks and she was not inclined to think it attributable to the heat.

  CHAPTER 22

  “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.”

  Miss Georgiana Darcy, bravely enduring the absence of her beloved Mr. Hanworth, was invited, two weeks after his departure, to stay a month with a certain Lady Metcalfe in town. Lady Harriet Metcalfe, who was long acquainted with Lady Catherine, was more than happy to oblige her friend’s niece. She kept a comfortable and exquisitely furnished apartment which she was always willing to exhibit to those friends and acquaintances she deemed worthy. Lady Metcalfe was considered by some to be a self-interested eccentric sort of woman, but she was affable and entertaining so for the most part her self-indulgent singular manner was forgiven. Her appearance was that of a caricature, the largeness of her head, which contradicted any notion that its purpose was that of housing vast intelligence, could only be put down to the extensive style of her wig. She had known Georgiana since infancy, was fond of her, and ensured that the young woman had a variety of dinners, assemblies, and plays to attend during her stay.

  “One of the greatest pleasures in life,” she said,“is pleasure.”

  Lady Metcalfe made an art of enjoyment. She had no time for practicalities and was fortunate enough to have in her employ a host of servants who attended to all those insignificant time wasting things for her. Her alliance with Lady Catherine was longstanding, though there were never two women so different in appearance or character. Lady Harriet, in contrast to her friend, was inclined to frivolous indulgence, she had none of Lady Catherine’s severity either in her dress or her manner, but the two had maintained their close association despite this and possibly even because of it. Her favorite pastime was that of romantic fiction, both the writing and reading of it and she cared little for those who looked down at popular novels for women.

  “I cannot see any reason for objection, novels are so enjoyable, my dear,” she took a sip of wine,“that is why I enjoy them.”

  Thus Georgiana passed her weeks, but even with the abundance of entertainment and diversion Lady Harriet provided, the days seemed to pass slowly and the girl had the unmistakable pallor of love sickness. This did not escape Lady Metcalfe’s keen eye for sentimental detail.

  “Ah, the sweet pain of love,” she said, “so painful and yet so sweet.” She smiled at Georgiana. “I shall write you into my next novel, my dear, to be sure; for your exquisite suffering would make for a good tale. Oh, but do not be downcast child, I shall do you justice with my pen, I am always mindful to conceal the inspiration for my heroines, a little adaptation here and there, a change of name, color of eyes, and circumstance, you would not even recognize yourself, I assure you.”

  By this last Georgiana was relieved and the following discourse satisfied her immensely. Lady Harriet, once alerted to the girl’s state of infatuation, would not rest until she knew all the particulars of Edwin Hanworth.

  “Handsome and respectable,” she cried. “I could not have fashioned him better, what a champion of fiction this young fellow shall make.” She smiled, satisfied at her observation and went on,“Young women are never so eagerly drawn to literature except in such cases where a desirable man appears! But tell me, child, who is the villain of the piece? Such rays of light are never better appreciated than when the risk of shadow looms. I say there must be a scoundrel!”

  Georgiana was amused by her companion’s inclination to view the whole of life as a story.“I fear I must disappoint you, ma’am, there is no rogue, my life seems not to have the excitement of your sagas.”

  “My dear child, you are quite mistaken, do not be deceived into believing reality any less inspiring than fiction,” said Lady Metcalfe shrewdly,“the truths are oft more scandalous than the fantasy, that is the delicious part of life.” So it was, that Lady Harriet viewed human existence, with the naive conviction that events were played out in chapters, troubles sent to give color to dull days, and justice an inevitability so long as it was awarded to the handsome.

  There was never a woman so in love with love itself as Lady Metcalfe and had she known of them, the developments at Pemberley would have been a great source of inspiration.

  By July Elizabeth was delighted, despite her initial reticence, to note that Maria Lucas seemed to be achieving more than
a small measure of success in her determined attempts to attract the attention of Colonel Fitzwilliam. Her plainer day dresses were now discarded in favor of her newest and most fashionable clothes and she seemed to grow prettier daily. The Colonel, succumbing to Maria’s devotedly employed methods of feminine beguilement, regularly accompanied her on walks, sometimes by mutual design and at other times by his happening to chance upon her by the lake or sitting in the shade of the trees. He bestowed upon her the avid and charming attentions she had always dreamed of and she upon him unbridled adoration and devotion.Their manner of discourse was not fervent and did not challenge either’s intellect, but was loving and considerate and had about it an innocent charm.

  They made an engaging couple, he so tall and advanced in life and she diminutive, childlike, and consumed. At night she could scarce bear the deprivation of his company, the dark hours were so long to her, the sleeplessness a torture. She would retire to her bed with the hope that constant thought of her favorite would induce him to appear in her dreams and only by that means, would she would last the night until the sweet pleasure of seeing him once more came with morning. Her childish yearnings led her, on more than one occasion, to take up her quill in privacy and make a pastime of writing his name by hers and daring sometimes, though she blushed when she did, to sign herself Maria Fitzwilliam.