Page 41 of Resilience

“My new brother-in-law is everything kind and honourable. My sister finds herself devoted to his happiness already, and he is a good and thoughtful husband to her.” Elizabeth allowed Mary to refill her cup.

“And you have stayed with Mrs Denny since you all arrived because poor Joseph Denny is failing of cancer.” Miss Jenks tutted. “You must be a most devoted sister, to help Mr and Mrs Denny through this trial, and still be here to support Mrs Collins on her first day accepting callers.”

“Yes, she is.” Mary interrupted Elizabeth’s attempt at humility. “Lizzy is the bravest of all of my sisters. Whenever I must face something new, I always feel more courage when she is with me. Mrs Denny and I are both grateful that she consented to move to Derbyshire with us.”

“You will not return to Meryton, Miss Bennet?” Miss Jenks asked with interest. “Are you planning to make your stay permanent?

“I can return to Longbourn if I choose, but I have reached my majority recently, and all of my parents’ five daughters have lately married but myself. My sisters have need of me, and my mother and father now have time to themselves to pursue their own interests. I have also been invited to live with my aunt and uncle in London if I like, but I do so prefer the country to town.”

“Our aunt lived in Lambton in her youth, perhaps you know of her,” Mary said to Miss Matilda. “Her name is Mrs Madeleine Gardiner, Miss Abingdon as was.”

“Of course we recall Miss Abingdon, and the young man who came to the village on business and back again to court her as often as he was able until she married and went away with him,” Miss Matilda answered. “You must send Mrs Gardiner our regards, and tell her that we are delighted to know her nieces.”

“Indeed, but any niece of Madeleine Abingdon’s is certain to be delightful.” Miss Jenks returned her cup to Mary. “A more refined and pleasant young lady one was hardly likely to know. Mr Gardiner was certainly fortunate in his choice of a wife. Mrs Collins, we take our leave of you, but we are at home to callers on Monday afternoons.”

“I look forward to returning your call. Thank you for your kind reception to Lambton, I feel quite welcomed by the ladies of the village.” Mary rose and curtsied to the two guests, as did Elizabeth as Mary rang for the maid.

“Miss Bennet, will we see you again in the village and church this week, or will you return to Hawthorne Vale?” Miss Jenks inquired.

“I return tomorrow, and I plan to remain there as long as Mr and Mrs Denny have need of me. But I will stay in Derbyshire for some months at least, and I am sure I will visit Mary again before long, just as soon as things become easier for Kitty.”

“That is quite right of you, please give Joseph Denny our regards, and our sympathies to Mr and Mrs Denny, insufficient as they are. We hope to meet them when the time is appropriate.” Both the Miss Jenks dipped into curtsies and left.

Mary sank into her chair. “We did it. They did not disapprove of me.”

“Whyever would they disapprove of you, Mary?” Elizabeth shook her head in amusement.

“You may laugh at me all you like, Lizzy, but one must be accepted by Miss Jenks to be well-regarded in Lambton. Do you know, they were raised in this very house? Their father was the parson here until he died when they were in their twenties. The Darcy family has given them a cottage in the village ever since, for their brother went away and never returned, and they have no other family.”

“I understand why their approval means so much to you.” Elizabeth hugged her sister. “And you had no need of me. Your neighbours approve of you on your own merits, for you are a respectable lady of good family and a lovely person.”

That night, they dined at Pemberley, and Elizabeth was quite overawed by the size and grandeur of the place.

“Well, Miss Bennet? Do you approve of Pemberley?” Mr Darcy asked once she had settled into a chair in the drawing room.

“Approve? Mr Darcy, I cannot think of anyone who would not approve. Though I should be delighted to see it properly in the daylight and explore your park, what I have seen has been perfection. I cannot think of a place where nature has done more, or where natural beauty has been so little counteracted by an awkward taste.”

“But your good opinion is so rarely bestowed, that it is more worth the earning.” Mr Darcy replied, smiling. “Georgiana and I would be very happy if you returned during the day for a proper tour, including the library, for if you were to see it tonight, I fear you would not return to the parsonage.”

“But we have prepared a number of books for you to borrow and take with you back to Hawthorne Vale,” Georgiana said excitedly. “I recalled some of the books you said that you wished to read when we discussed them in Meryton. You must take them back with you, and I hope that they bring you and the Dennys some distraction from the troubles there. You must please tell Kitty that I wish to travel there with my brother to pay a visit more than anything, but I understand that it is a terrible time to impose myself.”

“Kitty will greatly appreciate your sentiments, Georgie, and I am certain that she would like to accept a call from you once things are more settled.” Elizabeth replied.

Dinner was served, and Elizabeth sat at Darcy’s right, with Mary to his left. Miss Darcy had Mr Collins to her right and Mrs Annesley on her left. It was an intimate setting, and there was a great deal of animated conversation. Georgiana spoke to Mary about the calls that were paid to her that day, while Mrs Annesley asked Mr Collins questions about an interest he intended to bring to the parsonage, bee-keeping.

“My brother-in-law has expressed his appreciation that you extended the hand of friendship to him, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth observed. “He and my sister face many challenges at Hawthorne Vale, and Matthew says that you have already been a wealth of knowledgeable advice. Indeed, before we left yesterday, he seemed more relaxed than he had been since we arrived!”

“I am gratified to know that I could relieve any anxiety he is experiencing.” Mr Darcy was grave but sincere. “He is younger than me, and Pemberley was not encumbered or in trouble when I inherited, but I will never forget the difficulty of caring for my father at his end, and the weight of responsibility I felt for every obligation he left me. I spent the first two years making so many mistakes, and I was well prepared. I have learned a great deal since then, and if I can offer Mr Denny any advice that he finds useful, I am glad to give it. He seems to have a devoted wife in your sister. She has matured a great deal since I met her last autumn.”

“We have all been obliged to mature a great deal since Jane became betrothed to your friend,” Elizabeth said openly.

“You helped your sister receive her first callers today. I hope you found the parishioners respectful.” Darcy stated, concern lacing his voice.

“Of course,” Elizabeth assured him. “The ladies who called received Mary with welcome and sincerity, and obviously approved of her on her own merits. I believe she will be very happy here.”

“I do not doubt it,” Darcy smiled. “In fact, I will consider it a mark of personal failure if Mrs Collins is anything less than delighted with her new circumstances.”

“You must take your responsibility to your incumbents very seriously,” Elizabeth teased.