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’llbe 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 meElizabeth—forMrs. Darcythis andMrs. Darcythat? It’s so tedious.”
He agreed, and though not sufficiently familiar for the men to be addressed asAndrewandWilliam, 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 issoon—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’sgot 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. Elizabethwas very much enchanted by the scene.
One evening, after visiting his property at Agnes Banks and the shipyard of Captain Grono, where his ship, theNancy,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.
Chapter 26
Sydney, October 14, 1810
On their return to Sydney, Elizabeth and Darcy found that their new house, or villa as they called it, was nearing completion. The residence stood on Bridge Street, diagonally opposite the house of Mr. Simeon Lord. That house, being of three storeys, would have obscured the view from the villa, but the latter was sited sufficiently high up the hill that all of the scene across Sydney Cove and Bennelong Point was visible from the parlour and verandahs. Elizabeth was quite delighted with the views, more so since the light of the early sun streamed through the slotted shutters and illuminated the rooms of the house with the pinks and golds of dawn.
Having removed from Andrew Thompson’s townhouse, they completed the building works required for the classrooms and library on the ground floor and redecorated the Schoolmaster’s upstairs apartments, anticipating the arrival of the Wrensfords. A whaler had arrived from Van Diemen’s Land with news that theCanadaanchored at Hobart Town, discharging some cargo and passengers, and would shortly follow to Sydney.
Robert Wrensford was of medium height and brown hair, with a wind-burnt face not uncommon for those who made the long journey from England; his wife, Mrs. Kirsten Wrensford, was of similar height and, in figure, typical of those from the Nordic countries: fair skin, light-coloured hair, and blue eyes. Elizabeth and Darcy met them on the Government Wharf.
“Mr. Wrensford, a pleasure to meet you and your wife. May I introduce myself? Mr. Darcy and my wife, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Sir, it’s an honour—I can tell the likeness, having met your brother.” He bowed, and his wife curtseyed, though her movements were a little uncertain, needing to adjust to the lack of movement of the ground.
“There is great similarity between Frederick and me. Come, we’ll walk to our house, which is nearby. Once your baggage has been landed, we can show you to your apartments.”
