Page 17 of Ever After End

CHAPTER 16

T he day after the picnic, Darcy received the following letter from his godmother.

23 June, 1812

Ever After End

Dear Godson,

You will not like what I have to ask of you, but I have no other alternative that I can think of. I am experiencing difficulties on my estate, and I need the assistance of someone I trust. I have always been celebrated for my independent nature since the loss of my husband, and have managed as well as I could, even on my own with no steward. I am having a dispute with my tenants, and they will not bow to my decisions, nor pay their rents, until I settle the matter to their satisfaction. Of course, the satisfaction of some, is not the satisfaction of the others.

I know that you avoid Ever After End during my summer parties, and with good reason, but I implore you to consider making a visit and help put my tenants back in their place. They are squabbling over fields and boundaries, and many of them have begun pulling down fences. They have missed their rents for two quarters. I would rather not have the magistrate intervene.

I will ensure that my other guests understand that you are not a member of the house party, and that your time here is undisturbed. I will not lie and try to suggest that it would not also make my heart very happy to see you.

Please take pity on an old woman,

Aunt Theodosia

Postscript: I am short a female guest this year. Can you recommend a lady?

“Bingley, I believe I have a problem,” said Darcy as he entered his friend’s study. “I do not think I shall be able to accompany you to Pemberley, though I suppose I could send you with Georgiana and Miss Bates. Georgie could play hostess to all of you if you do not entertain in my absence.”

“What has happened, Darcy?” exclaimed Bingley.

“It is a funny situation. The daughter of the local rector was my mother’s best friend growing up, and they shared lessons together, considering that my aunt was rather older than them, it gave my mother companionship. She married a clergyman, and shortly after their wedding, they unexpectedly inherited a mostly bankrupt estate. The house and grounds themselves are quite beautiful, which is where a great deal of the previous owner’s money went. Mr Darlington allowed his wife, who is my godmother, to rename the estate something silly and romantic, it is called Ever After End now.”

“That is charming!” said Bingley, waiting for more information.

“Well sadly, my godmother’s husband did the best he could to return the estate to its former prosperity, but with no ready cash of his own, it was very slow work, and he died before he completed the task. My godmother is very independent and stubborn. She will not allow me, nor any other, to assist her financially. I do visit once a year just after the harvest, when I am permitted to review the books and her methods, and make suggestions for improvements. It is slow because she will not even take a loan to make those improvements, so it must all happen as she can afford it.”

“However does she survive, if her house is rather grand but her estate barely supports itself?” asked Bingley.

“Every summer, she throws matchmaking house parties for people of gentility, who wish to mingle amongst others who are also actively hoping to wed,” said Darcy.

“And what does she do, charge admission?” demanded Bingley. When Darcy nodded, grimacing, Bingley continued, “Darcy, you cannot be serious.”

“Fifty pounds per guest is the going rate,” said Darcy. “She accepts applications for twelve ladies and twelve gentlemen each summer, the most that her house can easily accommodate, and the guests have two months of dances, dinners, and activities to help them in getting acquainted with one another and developing attachments. It is all very proper. She has a group of friends who live with her and act as chaperones. They are all eccentrics of reduced circumstances who she takes in. All estimable people, but odd, every one. They live with her all year, and provide her with company.”

“Twelve hundred pounds a year must be very helpful, even after the costs of such a house party. Does it make her solvent?” said Bingley.

“Just about,” said Darcy. “With a bit more left over for improvements each year, and sometimes something to set aside for the future, but not much. She has no children, obviously. However, there is a problem on her estate. The tenants are fighting over boundaries, ripping up fences, and refusing to pay their rents unless she satisfies them, which is likely impossible. I must travel there and assist her with the problem. She cannot afford to lose any income, nor have any damage done to her estate in the way of fences.”

“ You are to attend a match making house party? You , Darcy?” Bingley cackled.

“I am not to attend it as a candidate for marriage, Bingley. My godmother, whom I call Aunt Theodosia, by the way, will ensure that I am not disturbed by her guests.” Darcy was certainly not going to be participating, though he supposed he would have to dine with the others. “Do you know of a lady who may be interested in attending as a guest? My aunt is a woman short this year.”

“Indeed, Caroline, of course,” said Bingley. “She has become determined to find a husband since your conversation last year. She might view this as just as good of an opportunity as waiting for an invitation to visit your other aunt. What sort of men will be there?”

“My aunt has a rather equal mix of persons with fortune, and also some who have rather less,” answered Darcy. “There are often one or two guests of noble birth who dislike society or have reasons not to participate in the season. Second or third sons looking for women with dowries. Men with modest estates or reasonably comfortable incomes. The women are the same. Some with dowries, a few with little. Aunt Theodosia boasts of at least a fifty percent success rate every year.”

“Well that is good enough for me, Darcy!” exclaimed Bingley, slapping his hands on his knees and rising to his feet. “Do you think she would mind if I joined you? I would be interested to see you manage this estate issue.”

“I am certain she would welcome your assistance as well as mine, Bingley,” assured Darcy. “Do you really believe that Miss Bingley will agree?”

“Let us go and persuade her,” declared Bingley, exiting his study and leading the way to the drawing room.