Page 22 of Superior Connections
S ince she had appeared back in London out of nowhere, Lady Dorothea Rosseford had become one of the best-known ladies of the ton. She had created quite a storm when she first introduced herself into society in the winter of 1812, especially after her niece Elizabeth Bennet succeeded where many other young heiresses had failed: at securing the affection and hand in marriage of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. Many rumours and much malicious gossip was aroused when the two married, as most people were shocked by Mr Darcy’s choice of a wife.
After the Season began, Mrs Darcy, together with her husband and Lady Rosseford, appeared again in certain circles, supported by Lady Matlock. To many, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy looked different from Miss Elizabeth Bennet, in ways they could not explain.
In the summer, the Darcys moved to Pemberley, and Lady Rosseford joined them.
In the first year of her marriage, Mrs Darcy and her aunt built a school for boys and one for girls in Derbyshire, where any child without means was welcome to attend. Mrs Darcy and Lady Rosseford also supported a hospital that provided medical care to the poor.
By the second year of their marriage, the Darcys were blessed with an heir — a son who won not only his parents’ hearts but also that of Lady Rosseford, who became his godmother.
Lady Rosseford happily abandoned all her responsibilities, allowing Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to manage her entire fortune in such a way that all the Bennet girls would fully benefit from it.
With no stress, no worry, and no effort, Lady Rosseford fully enjoyed life, and her health was kept under good regulation.
The Darcys remained at Pemberley while their son was still in the cradle. Georgiana and Lady Rosseford were with them all the time, but Pemberley also became a place of reunion for their families. Mr and Mrs Bennet with their younger daughters, Mr Bingley and Jane with their daughter and son, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne with their son, the Gardiners and their children, the Matlocks — occasionally. Even Charlotte and Mr Collins with their two sons visited Pemberley once — an excellent occasion for Mr Collins to compare Pemberley to Rosings and to count the windows. Elizabeth was pleased to see Charlotte quite happy, loved by her children and husband.
Mr Bingley’s sisters, with their husbands, were also invited to Pemberley one year. They stayed for a fortnight then never returned. Lady Rosseford declared the two bitter women could not bear so much happiness around them.
Georgiana, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia formed a sisterly bond, and they were dependable helpers to Elizabeth in every endeavour. They were all out in society and the subject of admiration for many young gentlemen, but all of them chose to wait for the perfect match, as Lady Rosseford often advised them.
In the third year, Mr and Mrs Darcy, together with their son, Georgiana, and Lady Rosseford, returned to London, and this time, every house was open to them. Mrs Darcy was introduced at St James’s and invited to attend balls at Almack’s, which pleased Lady Rosseford and gave Mrs Bennet a new opportunity to boast of her superiority to her friends in Meryton.
The second Darcy child, a beautiful girl, was born in the fifth year of their marriage, and Lady Rosseford was still healthy and strong enough to hold her. The lady loved all the children in the family, and they loved her in return. Their pure love and joy — or perhaps Dr Miller’s herbs and spices — kept her strong and healthy.
Lady Rosseford’s biggest accomplishment, though, the one in which she took the greatest pride, was being right in guessing what sort of men were suited to Elizabeth and Jane.
She conveniently forgot about that one particular evening at a certain ball, when she had been about to rip apart both Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley and his sisters. About that, nobody was aware except those who had been present that night in the Netherfield library. What everyone could see was the obvious bond of affection and felicity that united the two couples.
Mr and Mrs Bingley were not so much observed by London society, but Mr and Mrs Darcy were under scrutiny every time they were in public. But as much as some people wished to find fault with them, after five years it became a truth universally acknowledged that Mr and Mrs Darcy were a fine couple and quite well suited to each other.