Miss Euphemia Marmaduke was the daughter of a famous music master who left his daughter in penury. The man had been the music master of Mrs Darlington and Lady Anne when he was very young, and Miss Marmaduke had been born his natural child late in his life. Miss Marmaduke’s mother died at her birth, and her father, not knowing what else to do with her, had largely left her to the care of a maid, when he was not training her on various instruments. The instruments he had not taught her to play, she had learned on her own from experimentation and practise. The lady gave music lessons to children around the county all year, but in the summer, devoted herself to Mrs Darlington’s annual house party. She was emphatic about playing “romantic music” for the guests, and had made plans already to assist Mary with her harp-lute, which the girl had brought with her from Longbourn. Miss Marmaduke was the self-imposed chaperone of the music and drawing rooms.
Of all the chaperones, Major Bartholomew, Mr Wifflethorpe, and Miss Larkspur were present at the breakfast table. Lady Millicent and Miss Marmaduke preferred to break their fast in their rooms, and Mrs Higglebottom was said to prefer enjoying a muffin by the pond with the swan.
Mrs Darlington sat at the head of the table, and the guests sat where they liked. Elizabeth took her seat and smiled graciously when Mr Brentwood offered to make her plate. Jane did the same with Mr Pemberton, and Mary with Colonel Gordon.
Mr Pemberton was a shy young man of about twenty-five who enjoyed poetry a great deal; reading it, quoting it, and writing sonnets. He had a small house in town inherited by a maternal relation, and enough income to provide for a modest family. He was not, according to Mrs Darlington, particular about fortune, which Elizabeth thought was nice, a gentleman who was not always grasping for a dowry to improve his lot.
Colonel Gordon was nearly forty, and had resigned his commission after the last conflict on the continent. He had a gruff exterior,but seemed to be gentle with the ladies. He had some prize money from the wars, and the promise of a family property to manage for a relation, and could support a wife comfortably.
Mr Lawrence Audley paired quickly with Miss Diana Ashford, the two had presumably met on their ride this morning, and were already on their way to being fast friends, or, with luck, something more. Miss Blackwood was seated by Mr Jonathan Whitaker, a quiet, bookish gentleman with a large estate in Lincolnshire, and a reported income of six thousand a year.
Miss Abernathy was seated by Lord Chesley, not because he was interested in her, but because he was a true gentleman who understood that they would all look like fools if they began fighting over the women the first day, and that all of the ladies deserved the respect and attention of the men.
Miss Mary Crawford allowed Mr Alastair Mercer, a man with no estate but a fortune of four thousand a year, to seat her at the table. Elizabeth had learned the evening after dinner that Mr Mercer was a rattle who never shut up, and planned to avoid him if she could. The others paired up cheerfully as well, except Miss Winslow, who appeared discontented with the arm of Mr Fletcher, who grew frustrated by her rebuff, and stalked away.
Mrs Darlington cleared her throat once they were all seated to gain the company’s attention. “As you were all informed in your welcome letters, there will be planned activities a few times a week, in the evening, and during the day, though I will not monopolise all of your time. The rest of your time can be spent as you like. I hope my library has something to delight everyone, the gardens welcome you, and my godson sends a few riding horses each summer for the use of those who did not bring mounts of their own. I encourage you all to get to know Ever After End over the next few days, and perhaps as you do, you will naturally gravitate towards others who enjoy spending their time as you do. Once a week, we will separate the ladies from the gentlemen, while the men participate in manly activities such as fishing and hunting, and the ladies may join me in sewingfor the poor basket, or whatever other pursuits that you enjoy on your own.
“The first day, when the weather is fine enough, is usually spent in the gardens. It is often a welcome occupation after spending days in your carriages travelling here. The gardens are extensive, you may tour them, sketch, or rest at your leisure. Shuttlecock may be played on the green, and a grand luncheon will be served al fresco. The harp will be removed to the garden, and if no one wishes to play, Miss Marmaduke will oblige us.”
CHAPTER 21
Ever After End
Near Glastonbury
2 June, 1812
Dear Uncle Edward,
I write to assure you of our comfort at Ever After End. The gentlemen, what we have so far seen of them, have behaved with propriety, and the chaperones are quite friendly and amusing. Mary and I walked out this morning of course, and we were accompanied by Captain Lytton and Mr Cartwright. Pardon my saying so, but if a proposal were to come from Mr Cartwright, I could not possibly accept. After a walk of one and a half hours, I could now build my very own steam engine! I fear that despite my appetite for edification, I lack the proper enthusiasm for his career, though I am certain that someone here will suit him.
I know you did not beg the favour, but I asked Mrs Darlington if there was any place that a city gentleman at leisure such as yourself might enjoy some fishing hereabouts, and she has offered for you to fish in her river. There is a location where the river runs quite close to the road, where her border meets with that of a place called Folly Farm. Some tackle accompaniesthis note, and Mrs Darlington advises you to have Mr Atkins at the inn send you with a boy to show you the location. If you must waste time sitting around in the country, you ought to have a treat, particularly considering that you are the very best uncle in all of the world.
Hopingyou enjoy the delights of leisure,
Your Lizzy
The afternoonof shuttlecock on the green was, as Mrs Darlington promised, the perfect way to spend the day after so many hours and days of travelling. Elizabeth got to know most of the other guests, some quite as well as she wished to. As women with property, Elizabeth and Jane received a great deal of male attention. Even a modest freehold house in London was a great asset to have, and while it may not be the equal of some dowries, Elizabeth’s fifteen thousand was an extremely respectable portion. Jane’s future inheritance of an estate of two thousand a year was even more attractive, even without Jane’s beauty. Jane’s beauty was, however, very much present, and blooming as usual, so most of the men spent the day flocking about her.
Elizabeth and Mary enjoyed their share of male attention. Elizabeth, from Mr Cartwright, Mr Brentwood, and Mr Mercer. Mary, from Colonel Gordon and Captain Lytton. Lord Chesley, Mr Pemberton, Mr Fletcher and Mr Whittaker all buzzed around Jane like bees, while the remaining men did not select any particular quarry, only joined the others on the green for good-natured exercise and frivolity.
After playing for over an hour, Elizabeth sat to rest on a blanket for a moment. Perhaps ten feet behind her were Miss Winslow and Miss Blackwood, resting on another blanket with Miss Crawford, Miss Bertram, and Mr Elwood. “I heard the most peculiar thing about Miss Bennet … though I am certain it is only idle talk,” said Miss Winslow.
“Do tell!” exclaimed Miss Blackwood.
“I heard she paid the fifty pounds because she is introuble, andmustmarry!” continued Miss Winslow in a hushed tone.
“From who?” Elizabeth said loudly behind the little party, making Miss Winslow jump nearly out of her skin.
“I beg your pardon?” asked Miss Winslow.
“I asked from whom you heard the scurrilous lie about my sister, Miss Winslow,” Elizabeth demanded with a completely straight face.
“Oh… I- I’ve quite forgotten,” stammered Miss Winslow, knowing she had been caught out, and in front of the others too.
“You ought to forget the rest of it then, as well. Unless you wish to claim yourself as the source.” Elizabeth stood and shook out her skirts. “You should just be patient. I have been Jane’s sister all of my life, and she has always been this beautiful. She can only be courted properly by one man at a time, and I assure you, my sister is always proper. She will make her preference known in due course, and the gentlemen will disperse to other ladies. They always do. You have no need to be spiteful. She is a kind person, and cannot help her looks.”
“Hear, hear,” said Miss Crawford, rising and going over to Elizabeth, followed by her friend Miss Bertram. “Miss Elizabeth, have you seen the folly on the other side of the garden? It is simply delightful!” She linked arms with Elizabeth, and along with Miss Bertram, they left the others.
