Writing and Reveling

Today at Pemberley, The 14th of August:

Sir Thomas Lawrence arrived today. The carriage that brought him was fastened with trunks full of painting materials and he was accompanied by an enthusiastic, if young assistant. The painter greeted Mr. and Mrs. Darcy in a very genteel manner.

“Your home is exceptionally beautiful,” Sir Lawrence remarked. “It is wonderful to be in the country. I cannot remember the last time I was away from the bustle of London.”

All this was said while his assistant stared in awe at their surroundings. Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy’s eyes drifted to watch the young man as he turned in a circle, observing the grounds.

“Please forgive my assistant’s manners. He has never been outside of London at all. I have had to leave my more experienced assistants in charge of my studio while I am away,” Sir Lawrence apologized, glancing at his now blushing assistant. “He is young but he is good. Someone must clean the brushes.”

“Not at all,” Mrs. Darcy said with a playful smile for both Sir Lawrence and his assistant. “I had much the same expression on first seeing Pemberley.”

Today at Pemberley, The 13th of August:

Word arrived at Pemberley that the painter, Sir Thomas Lawrence had accepted Mr. Darcy’s generous patronage and would be making his way from London to Derbyshire. In anticipation of his arrival, a room was prepared. Pemberley’s housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds had very specific instructions for the housemaids on the subject of oil paints and the cleaning there of.

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy overheard one such set of instructions and, seemingly delighted by them, asked Mrs. Reynolds, “How did you come to have so informed an opinion?”

Here Mrs. Reynolds colored before admitting, “I was violently in love with a painter when I was young. However, my mother prevailed on me to be sensible and he moved to Bath to fulfill his dream of painting the sea. I think he is reasonably successful, as much as the profession allows.”

“That is very romantic,” Mrs. Darcy said. “You could have been the heroine of a three volume novel.”

Mrs. Reynolds shook her head. “No, I am very happy. My husband does beautiful sketches with charcoal when he has the time and he has been good to me and our children.”

Today at Pemberley, The 12th of August:

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy received a letter from her sister, Mrs. Jane Bingley. It’s contents were exactly as Mrs. Darcy expected to find them. Perhaps, disappointingly so. Mrs. Bingley thought traveling to Longbourn and reuniting all five Bennet sisters would be a pleasant visit.

While Mrs. Darcy told her husband that she could not agree with her beloved elder sister’s assessment, she did think it a necessary exercise in the name of familial serenity. She immediately wrote a reply, explaining that she was to have her portrait made and asking that Mrs. Bingley coordinate the issue of collecting Mrs. Lydia W—— from the north.

Mr. Darcy attempted and mostly failed to keep his unhappiness at the thought of his wife’s absence to himself. His voice was noticeably dispirited when he asked, “And how long will you be in Hertfordshire?”

Mrs. Darcy abandoned her letter to face him and say with absolute conviction, “As short a duration as I can possibly manage.”

Today at Pemberley, The 11th of August:

After obtaining Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy’s consent that she should be happy to sit for a portrait, Mr. Darcy sent a letter to Sir Thomas Lawrence. It is not known by this publication exactly what sum Mr. Darcy offered for the accomplished painter’s work, only that it was enough to briefly surprise Pemberley’s steward.

As the day wore on, Mr. Darcy seemed to grow ever more delighted with the prospect of Elizabeth’s picture being made. By the time the family gathered after dinner for their tea, he was speculating on where best to display the painting.

“My first instinct was to place it in the library” he explained while Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy kept a diligently sincere expression and Miss Georgiana Darcy hid her face with her cup. “That is where I am most likely to observe it. However, guests are rarely in that room. Do not you think it should be somewhere more easily seen when visiting Pemberley?”

It seemed Mrs. Darcy was so occupied smiling and nodding, she did not, at first, realize she had been asked a question. Only after a lengthy pause, did Mrs. Darcy reply, “I defer to your good judgement.”

Miss Georgiana could not contain the laughter this exchange inspired in her.

Mr. Darcy glanced from his wife to his sister, his face taking on a dash of color. “Is my enthusiasm for this subject excessive?” he asked.

“Terribly excessive,” Mrs. Darcy said. “I believe I have never found a man’s enthusiasm quite so excessively charming in all my life.”

Septmonts Castle, Septmonts, Aisne department, France,

Today at Pemberley, the 10th of August:

To break up the idleness of the day, Miss Georgiana Darcy went looking for her brother. However, when he was not to be found in any of the usual rooms, she  enlisted the help of the housemaids. Explaining her purpose, she asked if any of them had seen Mr. Darcy.

One of the housemaids had, in fact, seen the master of the house earlier that day standing in the picture gallery with what she described as, “a look of almost painful contemplation.”

Upon entering the gallery, Miss Georgiana found that her brother was still there. His expression was very much as the maid had reported it.

“What holds your attention?” She asked as he turned to face her.

Waving his hand at a portrait, Mr. Darcy said, “I was just thinking how so many of the paintings are not terribly good. My great-grandmother here has eyes as dull and lifeless as a stone. If one cares to take the likeness of more than simple facial features, it is entirely reasonable to invest in a truly great painter.”

Miss Georgiana stared at her brother for a long moment. “I do not understand the origin of these thoughts.”

“I have had a letter from my uncle,” Mr. Darcy explained. “He writes that he is safely returned to London where he has spoken to the famed painter, Sir Thomas Lawrence about a portrait of Elizabeth because my uncle thinks—and I agree— that I should have one made. Apparently, there is little enough work with the season ended that Sir Lawrence would be willing to come to Pemberley for the painting, assuming the correct patronage was offered.” He glanced again at his great-grandmother’s portrait. “I am tempted to make such an offer. Though, it would be an excessive and self-indulgent expense.”

Surprised but delighted, Miss Georgiana replied, “That would be wonderful! Only think how much Lizzie would love it if he painted her in the gardens.”

Today at Pemberley, The 9th of August:

Today the post brought a letter from Mrs. Darcy’s youngest sister, one Mrs. Lydia W——. It arrived while the Darcys were gathered in a sunny sitting room, each at their own quiet occupation.

As Mr. Darcy handed his wife her letter, he commented, “Surely she writes with an account of some peril that has left her in need of assistance with her finances.”

“I do not doubt it,” Mrs. Darcy said. Then, after reading the first several lines, she amended her statement, “Shockingly, she does not ask for money. She has also had a letter from my mother saying she is missed at Longbourn. She thinks it would be ‘a merry time for us all if we married women should travel together.’”

“The merriest,” Mr. Darcy remarked.

Finishing the letter, Mrs. Darcy added, “She also writes the journey should be far more comfortable in Jane or I’s carriage.”

At the window, Miss Georgiana Darcy set aside the paper she was sketching on to ask, “Do you think you will plan a visit to Longbourn?”

“I will write to Jane,” Mrs. Darcy said. “She might find the idea of us five sisters together particularly charming and her potential happiness would give me the strength to undertake such a visit.”