The new Viscountess Hilldale was very close to as beautiful on the day of her wedding as her younger sister was.
Fanny threw the paper down in disgust. How dare they say that Miss Lizzy was prettier than Jane. Jane resembled herself and there was no way Miss Lizzy was better looking than Fanny Bennet.
How disgusting that Miss Lizzy married during the mourning period for her late husband. It did not surprise Fanny that the hoyden would do something so very improper. She of course ignored the part about Their Majesties’ approval.
What was this Gardiner nonsense? The late Duke had been a Chamberlain. Fanny had missed the royal decrees regarding the names and the one before that about no mourning. Nor had she seen the announcements about the engagements.
Jane was a viscountess now. She would write to Jane and of course Jane would rescue her from this purgatory and invite Fanny to live with her. If that occurred, as Fanny was sure it would, then she would not need the additional funds Miss Lizzy had added to her dowry.
Fanny wrote many letters, addressed to Jane via the Gardiners, Philipses, and to the estate she assumed was the Viscount’s, Hilldale, although she knew not what county it was in.
Towards the end of June Fanny read a column which did not please her at all.
Wedding of Miss Charlotte Lucas to Mr. Lawrence Portnoy
Miss Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Lodge in Hertfordshire was joined in marriage to Mr. Lawrence Portnoy, heir to Portnoy Run in Nottinghamshire, on the 20th day of June, 1807.
The wedding was attended by Her Grace the Duchess of Hertfordshire, Marchioness of Hertford Heights and her husband. Therecently married couple could not have looked happier.
Mr. Portnoy’s mother is sister to Mr. Robert Darcy, master of Pemberley in Derbyshire which makes the new Mrs. Charlotte Portnoy cousin to Her Grace.
Her rival Sarah Lucas had not only married off her plain daughter, but she was connected to all sorts of wealthy people including Miss Lizzy who was still a duchess.
Fanny tore the paper to shreds and consigned it to the fire.
In October of that year, the cruellest blow of all was struck. It was delivered by something Fanny read in the latest paper she saw.
New Duke of Hertfordshire Born
On the 16th day of October, 1807 Lord William Robert Alexander Darcy, the Duke of Hertfordshire, Marquess of Hertford Heights was born.
Her Grace, Lady Elizabeth Darcy and the new duke are both well.
Her Majesty the Queen…
Fanny threw the paper into the fire without reading more. How could this be. She had never born a son, and Miss Lizzy did with her first child.
It was the day Fanny gave up reading the newspapers. There was too much bad news delivered in them. Here she wasin this godforsaken place, October not even over yet, and it was colder than the height of winter in Meryton!
Jane had not replied to one of her many letters. Fanny was sure it was Miss Lizzy who made sure her sister ignored her mother. If she ever got off this island which was a living hell, she would exact her revenge on that wilful, disobliging girl!
She still blamed everyone else for her situation, rather than the person who was actually responsible—herself.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
William was in one of the chairs in their private sitting room overlooking the lake watching his wife providing sustenance to their son.
He had not said a word of opposition when Elizabeth had insisted she would feed Will during the day. At least they had reached a compromise and had a wetnurse for the nights so Elizabeth was able to sleep without being disturbed.
The proud Grandmama and Grandpapa had been to visit earlier. They could not have loved the babe, named after his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, more if he had been of Darcy blood.
Once Will was fed and sated, William took him while Elizabeth closed the front of her dress. He placed a napkin over his shoulder and rested his son there, gently patting his back until he emitted a healthy belch.
Will’s eyes were soon closed and the bell was pulled to summon the nursemaid.
“William, if you are not too tired, what say you to us walking on the shore of the lake for a while?” Elizabeth invited.
“You know I love to walk there with you, even if the weather is getting colder,” William responded.
