Page 51 of The Next Mrs Bennet
O n her seventeenth birthday on the fifth day of March of 1807, Elizabeth felt like she had been given the greatest gift she had ever experienced in her short life.
It had begun in January when she, who had never done so since they had first begun, missed her courses. Even though it was not confirmed she was in fact with child yet, she had reported the fact of her missed indisposition to her husband. Thankfully the disgusting man believed it was dangerous to the child growing within her—if that in fact was occurring—for him to join with her, so he had ceased importuning her.
It was the first time Elizabeth had seen her husband seem genuinely happy as he pontificated on his certainty he would be gifted a son and heir.
A few weeks before missing her monthly indisposition, Elizabeth had noticed a tenderness in her breasts and then about three weeks after, the sickness in the morning had begun.
Thanks to one of Aunt Maddie’s enclosed letters with the ones from Jane, Elizabeth had been warned of the signs to look for when she was with child. Her aunt had responded to a letter Elizabeth had sent telling of her missing her courses.
Hence, when she was ill for the first time, it had not been as worrying as it otherwise would have been. Aunt Maddie had warned her the illness, if she was afflicted—not all women suffered in the mornings when with child—could be mild or all the way to severe like she had experienced with her current time being with child.
Her aunt’s advice was that if Elizabeth experienced morning illness to request dry toast and ginger tea. After the first time, Elizabeth had asked her maid to let Cook know the toast and tea would be required in the mornings.
Praise be, based on her aunt’s information, Elizabeth had a mild case of the sickness.
In February, she had missed her second set of courses and after informing him of that fact, he had demanded the local physician be summoned.
The kindly man had examined Elizabeth with both Mrs. Greaves and her maid present. When she described her symptoms to the doctor, he had opined she had all of the early signs of being with child and had pronounced her to be in that state.
It was the best news so far in her forced marriage to the old, abominable man. As he had ceased to importune her from the first month’s courses she missed, it was a dream come true for Elizabeth. She would put up with much worse morning illness than that which she was suffering from if it meant he did not come to her at night. She would be free of his attentions until many months after she gave birth, if ever again dependant on the sex of the babe.
This led to her birthday gift, one he had unintentionally provided. He did not know, and Elizabeth did not share, it was the anniversary of her birth. Elizabeth sat in her bedchamber while her maid, with some others assisting her, packed the trunks for the departure in the morning on the morrow. She could not but smile when she recalled the conversation in his study that afternoon.
Not long after the doctor’s examination Elizabeth had been summoned to her husband’s study.
On entering his inner sanctum Elizabeth fought to school her features. She had been informed about the specially constructed chair to hold his girth, but she had never been in this room to see it before.
The Duke had mistaken the look on his wife’s face as happiness for finally doing her duty to him and not that she was silently making sport of him. That was not something he could imagine as he was sure he commanded far too much deference for any to make him the subject of a jest, and certainly not to his face.
“Even though you should have been with child months earlier, I am well pleased about your finally doing your duty to me,” the Duke had condescended. “I need to make for London to take care of business and other obligations and I am told Town is not a good place for a woman in your delicate condition.”
‘ Yes, ’ Elizabeth thought, ‘ there are no women able to deliver their children in London. Does he think me a simpleton, he wants to run back to his mistress. ’
“Does that mean I will remain here, Your Grace?” Elizabeth enquired. She was thinking about how to get him to agree to send her to the estate in Derbyshire as Aunt Maddie had advised her when her husband interrupted her thoughts.
“No, you are to be sent to one of my estates where you will be able to increase in peace without any distractions,” he informed Elizabeth.
“Do you perhaps have an estate in Derbyshire?” Elizabeth enquired, seemingly innocuously. It seemed he was doing half her work for her.
“I do, what of it?” The Duke had been thinking of sending her to Ringdale in Wiltshire.
“I am a person who suffers greatly from the heat of the summer, and I am afraid it will be worse than normal as I increase. I am worried the heat will be dangerous for our child, so I suggest you send me to Derbyshire which is a cooler county from what I have read.” Of course, Elizabeth had read no such thing, but she knew she needed to play on his need for an heir.
“There is Castlemere in Derbyshire,” Hertfordshire stated thoughtfully. What cared he what estate she went to and with that particular estate being far from London, it was not a bad thing. “I have decided to send you to Derbyshire. WICKHAM !” he yelled.
“Your Graces,” Wickham bowed to the Duke and Duchess.
“My wife is to be sent to Castlemere to increase. Have my secretary write to the steward, butler, and housekeeper to expect her three days hence.” The Duke waved Wickham away to carry out his orders. “You will depart first thing in the morning. You may have your maid, your guards, and any other servants you desire accompany you.” He went back to reading what was on the desk effectively ending the one-sided interview.
It was hard to believe how easy it had been to direct the man so he did what she wanted. While her maid supervised the packing, which of course included the painting of her family, Elizabeth went to the escritoire in her chamber. She had some letters to write.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Your Grace,” Wickham bowed when his master called him to enter the study.
“You will accompany me to London in the morning and I expect you to acquire me wives of some of the peers who have tried to harm me and others who have rejected me when I am ready for that. We will begin with my mistresses so I may feel like myself again, then I will instruct you who will be my first lover,” Hertfordshire told his man.
“As always, I am here to serve, Your Grace,” Wickham bowed deferentially.
“Do not fail me or you know what will befall you,” Hertfordshire threatened.
“I never do, Your Grace,” Wickham averred.
“Since our arrival from Town, you spent every morning when there is no rain or snow with my impertinent wife and you tell me she never said anything which would be of interest to me?” the Duke demanded sceptically.
“Her Grace neither likes nor trusts me, hence when I am in her company on walks or rides, other than a curt greeting, she holds her peace,” Wickham hedged. “If there had been something to report, it would have been done.” Knowing how loyal Biggs and Johns were to the Duchess he added, “You may speak to the two guards, they will verify what I have told you.”
Hertfordshire waved his man away. If he had not needed Wickham in London, he would have sent him north with the Duchess, but, in his opinion, his servants and guards were all supremely loyal to him so he was not concerned about his wishes not being adhered to at Castlemere.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The lead conveyance was the large, comfortable travelling coach she and her maid rode in, John was on the bench next to the coachman and Brian stood on the rear bench next to a footmen. There were two more carriages behind them, all escorted by a dozen outriders. A cart with her trunks followed when Elizabeth and her retinue departed before the sun broke above the eastern horizon.
Much to her joy, the stablemaster and head groom had made sure Jamil was being led by one of the outriders. Her husband had not been consulted. Being he never entered the stables no one was concerned about his discovering the horse was travelling north. The doctor had recommended she cease riding, but having her mare close by would be a comfort to Elizabeth.
With each mile the convoy placed between her and his primary estate, Elizabeth relaxed more. It was with a mixture of joy and trepidation she watched as they traversed Meryton on the way to the Great North Road. There were few people about as it was just barely after the sun had risen.
Elizabeth patted her reticule which contained her letters. She planned to post them at the first coaching inn they would stop at in about an hour. She did not want to take a chance her letters would have been pulled out of the post by him at Falconwood after her departure. After keeping her letters out of his hands since they married, Elizabeth did not want to rely on him not being vindictive.
Another reason she wanted to post her letters after leaving Falconwood was she had written letters to more than just her sisters. She was aware any letter not addressed to one of her sisters would not be posted from his estate.
She knew she had the loyalty of the staff and servants at Falconwood, but there was no reason to take such a chance with her letters. How she hoped the Gardiners, her sisters, the Philipses, and the Lucases would be able to do what she had suggested.
Time and replies to her letters would tell.
An hour later, they made the first scheduled stop. Elizabeth posted her letters, asking for them to be sent express and then with her maid accompanying her to wait at the door, and John watching in the hallway outside to make sure no one approached her, she made for the necessary.
When the landlady brought some refreshment to the private room the Duchess had secured, she was pleasantly surprised when Her Grace ordered food and drinks for all of the servants, guards, coachmen, and footmen travelling with her.
A little more than an hour later, they were on their way again.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Charlotte, is that not a letter from Eliza?” Lady Lucas asked her daughter when she handed over the missive which had been delivered by an express rider. “I thought she was forbidden to send missives to you directly and this was delivered by express.”
“Let me make sure all is well. I will tell you soon enough, Mama,” Charlotte stated worriedly as she broke the ornate seal. She began to read.
5 March 1807
Soon to be: Castlemere in Derbyshire
My best friend, Charlotte,
Do not be alarmed this arrived express or was posted to you directly. I am well, I promise you. I made sure to pay the express fees when I posted the letters so your family would not have to do so.
It has been confirmed, I am indeed with child. I have been free of that man’s attentions since I missed my first courses in January. Today, what a present he unwittingly gifted me on my birthday. I am being sent to increase in Derbyshire at the above estate.
What a wonder. I will not see him for a minimum of six months, and hopefully much longer than that. He is for London. I care not where he is or what he does as long as he is not near me! If only it could be I would never see him again. Rather than think about what could be, I will revel in what is: my travelling further and further away from the repulsive ancient man with each mile which passes.
Do you think, perhaps there is a possibility you and some of your family could come visit Lambton in Derbyshire?
You can ask my Aunt Maddie for information about the inn or inns there as it is the market town where she grew up and where her brother, Mr. Adam Lambert is the rector of the local church.
If you are able to come, write to me first. I need to make sure it is safe to be in my company and word will not get back to him .
As much as I would love to see you and others, I cannot be selfish and will only confirm things if I am sure it will be completely safe to come. Given my husband is hated by his staff and servants, where I am not because I treat them with warmth and respect, I am hopeful it will be possible to spend time in your company.
That old man cannot spell respect, never mind give it.
Please give my regards to all of your family and my friends in the Meryton neighbourhood. Remind your father he is my personal hero for putting Mrs. Bennet in the town gaol.
As soon as I have evaluated the situation in Derbyshire, I will write to you, my friend. My prayer is it will be something which can be done without any possible harm to you or any of my family.
With the warmest regards of friendship and sisterhood,
Elizabeth (Eliza)
Charlotte handed the letter to her mother. How she hoped it would be advisable to travel north and see Eliza—Her Grace—again.
“What good news!” Lady Lucas exclaimed. “I am certain if Eliza says it is safe, your Papa will be the first one out of the door to take us to go see her.”
Charlotte would add to her prayers not only for Eliza to be kept safe, but that they would see one another soon.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Do you really think we will be able to see Lizzy in Derbyshire?” Jane asked her aunt and uncle excitedly after they had read the letters the express rider had just delivered.
“It is very good she was able to get her husband to send her to increase at Castlemere, it is but four or five miles from Lambton. I think I need to write to my brother and tell him it is time we took up his invitation to come visit him, Eve, and his children,” Madeline asserted. “We can wait there until Lizzy feels it is safe to see us.”
“How long would you want to be in the north, my Dear,” Gardiner enquired.
“Until Lizzy delivers her child,” Madeline averred. She saw the look on her husband’s face. “I am well to travel, there are still more than two months before the time the midwife estimated I would begin my lying in. Giving birth in Lambton would not be such a bad thing.”
“What if Lizzy judges it is not safe for us to be seen with her?” Jane worried.
“We will still be in the area if or when she can see us. If nothing else, I am sure she will be able to make forays into Lambton to shop. And I believe she will be able to attend church on Sundays,” Madeline opined.
“I do not think I would be able to be away from the business for so long,” Gardiner reminded his wife.
“Edward Gardiner, we both know you are able to take far more time away than you do,” Madeline challenged. “Did you not tell me what a good manager Mr. Humphries is? And what of your head clerk, Captain Peacock and his assistant, young Mr. Grace? Surely they can run things effectively and will contact you by post when and if needed?”
“I suppose there is truth in your assertions,” Gardiner admitted.
“Does that mean we are all to travel to Derbyshire?” Jane interjected excitedly.
“It seems we need to pack,” Gardiner decided.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Will you join us at Pemberley in time for Easter, Andrew?” Darcy asked his eldest nephew.
“I will be there the week before the holiday, Uncle Robert,” Andrew averred. “There is not too much for me to do at Hilldale before I join you.”
“As I am finding no enjoyment in the season, what say you I accompany you to Hilldale,” William volunteered.
“If my aunt and uncle can spare you, I would enjoy the company,” Andrew responded.
Neither Darcy parent had an objection. “We depart London on the morrow, when will you two head for Staffordshire?” Lady Anne queried.
“The day after,” Andrew replied. “The same day as Mother and Father make for Snowhaven.”
“It is wonderful Richard has returned in time for Easter,” Lady Anne remarked. “I assume my sister and brother are waiting as that is when his leave from the army will begin?”
“You have the right of it, Aunt Anne,” Andrew confirmed. “In fact, if he agrees, I will invite Rich to join William and me in travelling to my estate.”
“Rich will be sorry he missed Anna’s twelfth birthday, but I know he will be impressed at how much she has improved on the pianoforte since he has been away,” Lady Anne guessed.
Those in the drawing room were treated to the sounds of the youngest Darcy practicing in the music room under the watchful eye of her governess, Miss Karen Younge.