Page 7 of Aunt Felicity

L ord Dryden Fitzwilliam would have happily disowned his damned second son, if only Jefferson’s wife would deliver an heir. He stared at the note which his courier had delivered in reply to his letter to the Duke of Hertfordshire, in which he broke the news of his son’s marriage. The page was burning his hand, but procrastinating would not change the words, so he broke the seal and unfolded the page.

22 July 1777

Falconwood

Matlock,

You looked me in the face and lied to me! If your son was running off to get married to another, he could not have been sick at Snowhaven.

All connections between us are broken. If you attempt to approach me or I hear you have been implying a friendship which does not exist, I will ruin you! Do not test me. As it is, I will make sure my displeasure with you and yours is known far and wide in society.

I send no regards, Matlock. I send no compliments to you or your family. You deserve no such attention and will never receive it from me again. I am most seriously displeased and my Elaine is heartbroken. I will never forgive you for hurting my daughter.

His Grace, Lord Archibald Winston, Duke of Hertfordshire

He damned his younger son all over again. Look at all the trouble he had caused! Matlock knew he would have to be very careful to do nothing to anger Hertfordshire, and he would make sure Jefferson was aware of the same fact. Thoughts of his son led the Earl to remember when he had told his older son and eldest daughter of their brother’s betrayal of the family.

Both had sworn never to know their brother again, Catherine had had many choice words to say about her weak and undutiful younger brother. When he had commanded his wife to never acknowledge their second son, no matter how unhappy she was about it, he knew she would obey without question. He could not work on Anne, however, since she was unfortunately no longer under his authority.

No matter what he, Jefferson, or Catherine said, threatened or cajoled, the Darcys would not be moved. They would keep their own counsel regarding with whom they would or would not have connections. Now Lord Matlock regretted ever giving his permission for the courtship, never mind the engagement and marriage, but it was far too late. It seemed in this instance, Catherine, who was never correct about anything, had the right of it.

The only consolation he had was that without his support his son would soon be penniless, and he would never be accepted as a barrister in any London firm. The only option left to him was to become a country solicitor. The idea of a son of his being in trade was disgusting to the Earl, but he cared not about Reggie’s probable descent into the ranks of tradesmen.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The newly married Fitzwilliams had arrived at their house at 17 Seaview Road in Ramsgate a few days previously. When Felicity saw her new home for the first time, she had understood that her husband had grossly understated the size of the house when he had called it a small house near the coast .

The road the house was on ran next to the coastline so there were no houses to obstruct their view of the sea. Near the coast indeed—the house was on the coast. From the first day in residence, the Fitzwilliams would walk along the shore before sunrise.

As far as the small house was concerned, including the ground floor there were four stories, and the house was not small. On meeting her housekeeper, Mrs Betty Dodsley and her husband, Hector, who was the butler, a shocked Felicity was offered a tour of her new home once she had changed from her travelling clothes.

After Felicity had washed and changed, Mrs Dodsley had introduced her to the upstairs maids, to Cook, and to the kitchen and scullery maids. The kitchen was relatively modern. The housekeeper and butler had offices in one corner between the kitchen and the area for staff and servants to dine. Also on the ground floor were a receiving room and a formal dining parlour.

On the first floor was one large drawing room and music room combined , a family dining parlour, a breakfast parlour, library, and studies for the master and mistress.

The second floor was reserved for family. Aside from the enormous master suite, there were four more suites, each one with two bedchambers and a private sitting room between the chambers. Connected to the master apartments was a more than adequate nursery. Felicity was pleased that when, or if, He blessed them with a child, he or she would be close to her.

On the third floor were guest chambers. Three suites of similar size and design to those on the family floor were found in addition to four individual bed chambers. There was a guest sitting room for those who had not a private one and a small nursery for guests as well.

The attics, which were a good size, had rooms for the servants. The females’ side was separated from the males’ by a storage area.

When she had playfully pointed out her husband’s less than accurate description of his house, after hugging and kissing his Felicity soundly, Reggie had defended himself saying that he had not visited the house since he was a child. Felicity had wondered how they were to pay for everything given that her husband was no longer working. He assured her that thanks to some wise investments and the rest of the money he inherited and invested in the funds, they had one thousand five hundred pounds per annum without adding anything further to their income.

Remembering that Longbourn’s income was not much more, Felicity was assured they would, as Reggie had said, be comfortable.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

That afternoon there was the sound of a carriage, but rather than continue along Seaview Road, it stopped at the house.

“Reggie, are we expecting guests?” Felicity asked when she looked out and saw a large travelling coach in front of the house. She watched as a man with dark, wavy hair handed a blonde lady out of the conveyance. Felicity had no idea who the couple was and she had not heard her husband come stand next to her so she jumped when she heard his exclamation next to her ear.

“Annie!” Reggie uttered loudly.

Before Felicity could ask any questions, her husband had taken her hand and was leading her down the stairs towards the front door where Mr Dodsley and a footman stood at the ready. They did not stop and wait there, only when they arrived in front of the elegant looking couple did Reggie release her hand, and the blonde lady was soon in his arms as the man looked on indulgently.

“Are you going to release me? After all, I would like to meet my new sister,” Lady Anne suggested to her favourite brother.

“What was I thinking,” Reggie stated sheepishly as he released his sister. “Annie, Darcy, it is my pleasure to introduce the love of my life, Mrs Felicity Rose Fitzwilliam. Felicity, our brother-in-law Robert Darcy, and my dearest sister, Anne Darcy.”

The sisters felt an instant affinity one to the other and entered the house with their arms linked leaving the brothers to follow them.

“How is it you two are here? Are you not on your wedding trip?” Reggie enquired. “Not that we are not delighted to see you, that is. Will you stay long? You know you will always be welcome here.”

“We are honeymooning at Seaview House near Brighton,” Robert Darcy replied, “and then my darling Anne told me she wanted to surprise her brother and meet her new sister. Well, you know me, Fitzwilliam, I can never deny my Anne anything which is within my power to grant her.”

Reggie’s eyebrows shot up. “That is a hundred miles from here. Never mind that, you are here and most welcome.”

“Lady Anne, how long will you be with us?” Felicity queried.

“Felicity, we are sisters so you will call me Anne. As long as we are not interrupting your own honeymoon, we thought, if it meets with both of your approvals, to remain for a sennight to ten days before we return to the house Robert rented near Brighton. When we do, you two should return with us and spend some time there. Reggie mentioned in a letter that you are a great walker, and there are many paths to follow on the bluff where the house stands.”

“Anne, you and Mr Darcy…” Felicity began until her new brother interjected.

“Robert. Mrs Fitzwilliam, please call me by my given name.”

“Thank you, Robert , I am Felicity. As I was about to say, you two are welcome to remain with us for as long as you choose to stay. As to us returning with you, I do not object as long as Reggie agrees.”

“I have no hesitation in accepting the invitation,” Reggie added enthusiastically.

Noticing the housekeeper in the background, Felicity instructed the lady to place their sister and brother in the suite closest to the one she shared with Reggie. As she watched them follow Mrs Dodsley up the stairs, Felicity wondered if Anne and Robert would disapprove if they discovered she and Reggie shared a bed every night, all night.

Later that day, as Felicity and Anne became even closer, Anne revealed that she and Robert always shared a bed. A relieved Felicity told that they did the same.

At the end of an enjoyable ten days together, the Fitzwilliams travelled with the Darcys to the house near Brighton. It was a journey of two days with one night spent at an inn along the way. As much as Felicity enjoyed the view from the bedchamber they shared in Ramsgate which overlooked the ocean, the vistas from this house looking over the sea on one side and Brighton on the other, was enchanting.

By the time Jensen arrived to return the master and mistress to their house a fortnight later, the day before the Darcys were to return north, the two couples were as close as if they had all been friends since they had been old enough to walk. They travelled back to Ramsgate with an invitation to join the Darcys at Pemberley for Christmastide.

Before they departed for the north, Anne mentioned how much she had loved the house they had rented for their honeymoon. Robert Darcy got a gleam in his eye as if he was planning something.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Henry Bennet could not understand why his wife was walking around as if floating on air. A distance had grown between them ever since his wilful daughter had disobeyed him and run off with the man she claimed was the son of an earl. As he knew he was in the right, Bennet felt no need to apologise and attempt to bridge the divide between them.

Beth was in a state of bliss. She had just received a letter from Felicity via Jenny Goulding, and she could not wait to read it. Even though she had not seen her girl since the first days of July, the fact that she was able to communicate with her was very satisfying—her husband’s edicts be damned.

As soon as the door to her sitting room was securely closed, Beth broke the seal and hungrily began to digest Felicity’s news.

4 November 1777

17 Seaview Road

Ramsgate

Mama, my dearest Mama,

It is confirmed! I felt the quickening yester-evening. Reggie and I are to be parents and you will be a grandmama!

I am so very excited, Mama. However, seeing you again, having you with me when it is my time to deliver my babe would make my happiness complete, but I know it cannot be, but is it wrong that I hope that we could find a way?

My best friend and sister, Anne Darcy, has not been as fortunate as me. She also suspected she was with child, but she had a miscarriage three weeks ago. Life can be so very hard at times. Anne is resilient, and I am sure she will recover her equanimity in time, and one day when she is holding a son or daughter in her arms this will be a sad distant memory.

Would you believe that her terrible sister, Lady Catherine, told Anne that she lost her babe because Anne married an untitled man, and she disobeyed her father and has had contact with my Reggie and me?

For her husband, Robert, and his father, Mr Halstead Darcy, it was the final outrage they were willing to bear from Anne’s still unmarried sister, so she has been embargoed from visiting any Darcy properties. No one will miss her because when she had called she would try ordering the staff and servants around as if she was the mistress of the houses.

On the subject of Anne’s family, much to Lord Matlock’s chagrin, Lady Hilldale delivered a daughter who only lived for a few days before God decided she would be better off at His side.

Anne told us that her father’s disappointment was that with no male heir, he could not disown my Reggie which he so much wanted to do.

Evidently the irascible earl has had enough of his eldest daughter living in his home and has said he will arrange a marriage for her with whoever will take her off his hands. Speaking of ‘taking someone off one’s hands,’ Lady Elaine Winston is finally married. At least she is married, and the groom is a knight in Devonshire, as far from His Grace and his family as possible.

As you know, Mama, we leave for Pemberley on the 24th of November. We will spend the first night in Chatham, and my dear, beloved husband has reserved the largest suite in the Red Lion Inn for the second night! He says we will arrive in Meryton by 3 in the afternoon and only depart at midday the following day. So your husband does not hear of us being in the area which would cause him to interrogate you, we will not be out and about in the town for those who know me to see me. The room is reserved under the name of Peter and Matilda Black (Reggie has a very good relationship with the landlord) so I hope you will come see the Blacks while they are in Meryton.

I am praying hard you will be able to come into the town and see us. Your letters are like gold to me, but to be able to see you, to hug you, will be worth more than all of the wealth in the world.

As always, with all of my daughterly love,

Felicity

Beth hugged the letter to her chest as she cried tears of joy. Not only was her girl to be a mother, but she would see her, albeit far too briefly.

Like she did with all of Felicity’s letters to make sure no word of their correspondence reached her husband’s ears, she consigned the missive to the fire and watched the flames consume the sweetest words she had ever read. She trusted Agnes Hill implicitly—the maid had married the footman she had been sweet on in October—but she would rather not take a chance.

She would find an excuse to go into Meryton the afternoon her daughter and son-in-law arrived as well as the following morning. Henry never questioned her any more. In fact they only spoke when there was no choice.

As was his wont, most of the time Thomas had his head buried in a book. He did spend time—when commanded to do so—with his father to learn about the estate, but he did no more than was demanded of him. So far he had shown no inclination to find a wife, but he was barely three and twenty so he had time.

Of the Collinses, Beth had seen neither hide nor hair ever since the day father and son had come and been told there would be no match. She believed there had been one or two vitriol laced letters, but nothing beyond that.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The afternoon they arrived in Meryton, Felicity’s face was covered by a veil so had she been seen by any of her former acquaintances, she would not be recognised. The suite was ready and waiting for the couple so there had been no need to delay before going upstairs. The money to cover the cost of their stay had been sent ahead of them with a messenger to expedite things, and remove the reason to stop in the public areas of the inn.

Not a half hour after they arrived there was an anxious knock on the door. Reggie opened it. He had barely stood aside when mother and daughter fell into one another’s arms. It took well over ten minutes of crying before either lady was able to speak.

Once she had dried her eyes, one of her hands still clasping her mother’s tightly, Felicity found her voice once again. “Mama, this is the man I love, the one who saved me, Reginald Fitzwilliam. Reggie, the dearest woman in the world to me, my mother, Beth Bennet.”

“It is very good to meet you, Mrs Bennet. You have no notion of how your letters to my Felicity cheer her,” Reggie stated as he bowed over his mother-in-law’s hand which was not being possessively held by his wife.

“You are my son, please call me Mother or at least Mother Bennet,” Beth managed with a watery smile.

Over the next two hours Reggie watched indulgently as mother and daughter revelled in one another’s company. Unfortunately Felicity’s mother had to leave, but she promised to return in the morning and remain with her daughter until shortly before they continued their journey north.

Felicity had always felt contentment, but seeing her mother added greatly to her happiness.

Much to the pleasure of both Beth and Felicity, they had close to three hours together the next day before Beth wished her daughter and son-in-law a safe journey north before leaving the inn, after, of course, a teary goodbye.

A half hour later, Jensen guided the carriage out of Meryton to the north. Both passengers smiled when they passed the place where their flight had begun.