Page 47 of Lizzie’s Spirit

They arrived at the Red House at three o’clock in the afternoon.

The building was truly red, having been built of some thirty thousand bricks fired from the local clay.

Thomas was much impressed by the workmanship, though not as good as his own.

The notion of bettering himself by farming, for which he possessed no aptitude, was foolish.

They were welcomed into the house by Mr. Thompson’s housekeeper, who immediately took Martha to the kitchen to allow her to suckle the babe with some privacy.

They were shown into the parlour, where Mr. Thompson lay upon a divan.

He endeavoured to stand, but Elizabeth had none of it.

“Mr. Thompson, ’tis we who impose on you. Please remain where you are most comfortable.”

“Mrs. Darcy, Mr. Darcy, you’re mighty welcome. But could ye introduce me to this young man?”

“I be Thomas, sir. My wife, Martha, now gone to your kitchen, was delivered of a girl by Mrs. Darcy just yesterday. An’ I, a breakman, was told by Mr. Darcy to give up farming, of which I’ve no skill, an’ come here for work.”

Mr. Thompson smiled. “Aye, there’s work to be had.

Head down t’yard and ask for Mr. Warbutt.

He’s doin’ a bit o’ buildin’ for me, and only yesterday he were grumblin’ about not havin’ enough proper hands.

If you’re straight and not afraid of graft, he’ll likely give you a go.

But I can’t vouch for you, seein’ as I don’t know you—show him what you’re made of.

Now off with you. I’ve business with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and I’ve been lookin’ forward to their company a fair while. ”

Thomas, after thanking Mr. Thompson profusely, left the room in search of Mr. Warbutt. “I can see clear as owt, Darcy,” said Thompson, “his plot must’ve been in a right state for thee to fetch him here.”

“He had no stock and the barest of cultivated land. But he has ambition, for he wishes to better himself. If he does have skill as a bricklayer, he could do well in the colony. Introducing him to Mr. Warbutt was exceedingly kind of you.”

“Nowt t’do wi’ kindness, just plain sense,” Thompson answered. “Warbutt’s fair short o’ lads, an’ I’m behind wi’ buildin’. There’s a brick gang nearby knocks out two thousand bricks a day—your Thomas’ll have his work cut out just keepin’ pace wi’ ’em.”

He turned to Elizabeth, who sat next to Darcy on a small couch. “Mrs. Darcy, it’s grand to see you at the Red House. Yer room’s all set; if you fancy, you can freshen up a bit.”

Elizabeth departed to change from her riding habit. That evening, at dinner in a small private dining-room, she found only herself, Darcy, and Mr. Thompson present.

“Did ye take to St. Andrews, Mrs. Darcy? If it weren’t for me work here in Green Hills, I’d fancy living there meself.”

“It’s delightful, and you have created such a lovely farm. The scenery and situation is much to be admired. Mr. Darcy and I enjoyed our stay immensely.”

Thompson turned to Darcy. “So, have ye decided on an allotment to be granted by Macquarie—no fewer than a thousand acres, I’d reckon.”

“Indeed, Mrs. Darcy and I will request the block southwest of St. Andrews. It borders the Bunbury Curran Creek and has a similar disposition of good soils and forests as your own property. We were reluctant, at first, to take up such a grant. But seeing how much you achieved over the past nine months encouraged us to suppose we may achieve something similar.”

“That’s grand news! Might be best to have Mr. Ward watch ower the first bit o’ land clearin’—seein’ as ye’ll be gettin’ some convict lads an’ a few beasts from the government herds.

Wi’ yer place just next to mine, it’d make good sense for us to set the work together. We’d both come out better for it.”

“That’s uncommonly generous of you. I thought to advertise for the position of overseer, but it does make sense to pool our resources. What say you, Elizabeth, of Thompson’s offer, for it would save much time in bringing the land into production?”

She smiled at her husband. “Of course, how could I disagree? But, since we’re only the three of us, could Mr. Thompson also call me Elizabeth— for Mrs. Darcy this and Mrs. Darcy that? It’s so tedious.”

He agreed, and though not sufficiently familiar for the men to be addressed as Andrew and William , the company relaxed and could see their acquaintance developing into true friendship.

“Mrs. Darcy… Elizabeth, could ye tell me something of yourself? There are few gentlewomen in the colony, and I would know more of yer coming here.”

Elizabeth blushed and looked to Darcy, who merely shrugged, but the corners of his mouth turned up.

“How should I begin? My father holds an estate near the market town of Meryton in Hertfordshire. You heard my talking of it at Mr. Campbell’s dinner.

There are five daughters, including myself.

Jane, the eldest, is beautiful, fair to my dark.

She has the sweetest nature and seldom, if ever, utters an unkind word to anybody.

She and I are the closest sisters, for when we were young, we were constant companions. ”

Elizabeth paused, and the gentlemen saw her eyes moisten; she missed her childhood friend very much indeed. Composing herself, Elizabeth continued:

“Then follows Mary, the most serious of us, but very accomplished—her playing of the piano forte is without equal in Meryton. She’s fifteen, but her next birthday is soon—another I’ll miss.

The two youngest are Catherine, who loves to draw, and Lydia, although only twelve, is most aware of the latest fashions.

She would have adored the wedding gown made for me by the girls of the orphanage. ”

“And how did ye come to New South Wales?”

“’Tis an unusual tale, and perhaps I should blame Mr. Darcy for my being here.” Elizabeth gave Darcy an endearing smile, “but, in truth, through his knowledge of the law and how it could be best applied to my advantage, I was saved from a seriously undesirable marriage.”

She went on to explain her father’s apoplexy, the claim by Mr. Collins on the estate, and the decision by the judge that Collins should marry, with her being his wife.

Her fleeing to London, the Bents agreeing to her accompanying their children on the long voyage to New Holland, and her subsequent arrival in Sydney were narrated at length.

Once finished, Elizabeth claimed fatigue—in truth, the emotion of relating the journey and talking of her family discomposed her greatly.

She excused herself and retired, leaving Mr. Thompson and Darcy to partake of port and talk of the Hawkesbury district, the road from Parramatta, Macquarie’s plans to repair it, and the chance meeting with the O’Connells at the Government House there.

“It’s a queer sort o’ thing, thee crossin’ paths wi’ them, seein’ as Bligh’s got a fair bit o’ land, ’bout a hundred acres, other side o’ t’river from where Government House garden is.

I reckon O’Connell’s lookin’ after his affairs in t’colony.

Still, I’d’ve expected to see O’Connell hereabouts, up near Green Hills—thou’d’ve gone right by his place, Riverston, six mile south along t’road to Parramatta. ”

They talked for some time upon such generalities.

Upon their arrival in the colony, Thompson would invite Mr. and Mrs. Wrensford, the new schoolmaster and mistress, to visit with him.

"Judgin’ by the letters I’ve had," he said, "Elizabeth’s got it all sorted, she has. I’ve had a word with Macquarie an’ all, and he’s right behind the school, same as me.

It’s a grand thing, this is, and I’ve no doubt, wi’ your missus runnin’ the show, it’ll do nowt but thrive. "

Thompson let out a dry chuckle. “I tell thee, Darcy, I do envy thee. If me health hadn’t gone poorly, I’d have fancied courting Miss Bennet meself—as I first met her, mind.

Now, don’t get in a fret. I can see plain as day she’s fair smitten with thee; nowt for thee to worry on.

Still, I’d have liked the challenge, trying to win her over from thee.

She’s grand company, that lass, and right lovely in all ways.

” He gave a tired sigh and got up, slow and stiff.

“That’s me done for tonight, I’m weary and need me bed.

Tomorrow, I’ll take thee round to meet the main folk hereabouts, and let on a bit about knowing thy bonny wife. ”

Later that night, as Darcy lay beside Elizabeth who was deeply asleep, he pondered Thompson’s words.

Lizzie loved him! This aroused in him a feeling of such contentment that he scarcely knew himself.

He looked to her, her long hair spilling in disarray, her beautiful face turned towards him, her long dark eyelashes adorning her pink-hued cheeks.

He took her in his arms, and she, still asleep, snuggled close to him.

They stayed three days with Andrew Thompson.

In his carriage, they toured the neighbourhood: to the north, on the opposite bank of the Hawkesbury River, there arose great mountains, said to be impassable; but on the near bank, the alluvial plains formed of a rich and uncommonly deep natural earth, which seemed to require nothing but the sowing of the seed to bring forth corn without further preparation.

Indian corn was in all stages of growth, for crops were not so much confined to one regular and fixed period of the year as in England.

When tall and planted in a wide, regular manner, it took on a handsome and beautiful green appearance.

Elizabeth was very much enchanted by the scene.

One evening, after visiting his property at Agnes Banks and the shipyard of Captain Grono, where his ship, the Nancy, of 20 tons, was being built, Thompson held a dinner in honour of Darcy and Elizabeth.

The company was genial, and his guests were impressed by the ease and cordiality of Mr. Darcy, unlike the formality and pretension of the previous judge-advocate.

When Mrs. Darcy arose to perform on her guitar, for Mr. Thompson did not possess a piano forte and the other ladies could not be induced to sing, they were astonished, not only by her virtuosity but by the modesty with which she presented herself.

Mr. Darcy was a stately, well-bred gentleman, but his wife was truly genteel.

She included in her conversation all of the company with good humour, courtesy, and amiable repartee.