#atpem

Today at Pemberley, The 17th of August:

During today’s sitting, Sir Lawrence’s portrait of Mrs. Darcy began to have a recognizable visage. The lady of Pemberley herself proved to be an excellent subject, able to maintain her pose for the long hours of good lighting with only the occasion break to take a turn about the garden.

As the sun sunk too low on the horizon, Sir Lawrence announced that they must be done for the day, adding, “Were you not a lady, I would suggest you could make a living as a painter’s model. Rarely does a sitter have more patience than the sun.”

Mrs. Darcy stretched as she demurred, “Do not offer me such praise until the novelty has worn thin. I am known for many quirks of my disposition but patience is not one of them. Indeed, I can be entirely impatient when it suits me.”

Mrs. Darcy’s comment was overheard by one of the gardener’s assistants who suffered a coughing fit that at it’s commencement had sounded rather like laughter, earning him a wry smile from Mrs. Darcy.

After Mrs. Darcy bid good-bye to Sir Lawrence and went to dress for dinner, the painter left his own assistant to pack away his materials for use tomorrow. The two assistants, gardener’s and painter’s spoke at length about such easy subjects as life at Pemberley, the latest fashions in London, and the kindly natures of their employers. At the end of the conversation, the gardener’s assistant presented the painter’s assistant with a flower cut from Pemberley’s gardens. This publication will leave you to your own speculations on the behavior of young men.

Today at Pemberley, The 30th of August:

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy’s sisters will soon arrive at Pemberley and take her away to their childhood home, Longbourn. Among Mrs. Darcy’s necessary preparations was an outing to the village to order new stockings. She undertook the task as an opportunity to enjoy exercise, resolving that she should walk the two miles into town.

However, earlier this morning, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy had begun to read the third volume of The Romance of The Forest. Despite having finished the book several times before, Mrs. Darcy was eager to read how the story ended. 

This led to Mrs. Darcy making her way on foot to the village escorted only by Ann Radcliffe’s novel. Long purported to be a great reader, Mrs. Darcy kept the book before her face for the entirety of the distance, avoiding stumbling through some great literary power accessible only to those in thrall of a book far too excellent to stop reading.

This publication has since heard the young women of Derbyshire speaking with admiration of Mrs. Darcy’s elegant form as she concurrently read and walked. This publication fears it will soon become a fashionable activity and lead to countless injuries.

Today at Pemberley, The 12th of July:

When Mr. W—— was brought to Pemberley, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy stayed in an upstairs sitting room with Miss Georgiana Darcy. The lady of the house hovered by the window, craning her neck to watch as Mr. W—— grudgingly allowed himself to be escorted from the carriage. He did not look up to see her there.

Miss Georgiana sat at a little table situated along the inside wall. She had her conté crayons set out before her and was sketching.

“I confess,” Mrs. Darcy said. “While I am usually well-pleased to be excluded from the private conversations between gentlemen—that sort of after dinner talk where they say nothing of value—I should have liked to be privy to this conversation.”

Shaking her head, Miss Georgiana replied, “I think fool that he is, he would find your presence reassuring. I do not think he is deserving of such emotional clemency.”

With a sigh, Mrs. Darcy left the window. “What are you drawing?”

Miss Georgiana held up her sketch for Mrs. Darcy’s inspection. It was a rather good likeness of the bear that had danced at the summer fair which appeared to be biting a rather good likeness of Mr. W——.

“This might be my favorite art that I have ever seen,” Mrs. Darcy said. “Could I keep it when it is finished?”

“Of course,” Miss Georgiana said, demurely retuning to her sketching.

Today at Pemberley, The 21st of August:

Yesterday, Mr. Darcy was engaged to read aloud to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy during her portrait sitting with Sir Thomas. The painter had been recreating the details of her face, requiring her to avoid speaking while she posed. In the interest of ensuring his wife’s entertainment, Mr. Darcy had set aside his own book to read Mrs. Darcy’s favorite three volume novel.

He again joined them to read today, even though Sir Thomas had moved on to painting the yellow silk of Mrs. Darcy’s dress, leaving her free to converse as she saw fit. Indeed, Mrs. Darcy related her opinions about the characters and the unfolding action aloud to Sir Thomas as her husband read.

When Mr. Darcy announced that they were on the tenth chapter, Mrs. Darcy cut in with an excited, “This is the part of the first volume that I like best, when the gentleman asks her to dance a reel and she is terribly annoyed with him. I do not think she has any understanding that he has already fallen half in love with her.” 

Sir Thomas easily agreed, “It is the sort of tumultuous romance that is always very satisfying to see resolved.”

Surprised, Mr. Darcy looked up from the page. “You are an enthusiast of romantic novels?”

“I can not deny it,” Sir Thomas said, “I keep my subscription with the circulating library current before any other expense.”

Mrs. Darcy declared, “I knew you were a gentleman of good taste. None of these histories and explanations of natural philosophy.”

Mr. Darcy made no verbal reply, but his expression clearly stated that he knew his wife was teasing him. He then began to read again, “As I was saying, ‘Chapter Ten. The day passed much as the day before had done…’”

Today at Pemberley, the 31st of July:

Her anxieties allayed by days of facile congeniality with the visiting Fitzwilliams, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy was entirely herself again. The Earl joined her for her afternoon turn about the gardens and between witticisms she gave him a tour of the grounds which were much changed since he last visited Pemberley.

The library window afforded Mr. Darcy an excellent view of his wife and his uncle when they walked near to the house. He set aside his correspondences to watch them at length and only looked away briefly when the door opened to admit his cousin, Lord Charles to the room.

Therefore, Mr. Darcy was unaware that Lord Charles was also observing Mrs. Darcy and the Earl through the window, until he commented, “She is really quite exceptional. Handsome to be certain, but her disposition is truly remarkable. Spirited and kind with enough imprudence to her vivacity to leave little doubt to the truth of her thoughts.”

Mr. Darcy looked at him with blatant assessment, but he said only, “Cousin,” in a warning tone.

“A mere observation,” Lord Charles said.

“Be less observant.”

Today at Pemberley, The 13th of July:

Yesterday over dinner, Mr. Darcy had conveyed to the rest of the household the general sentiments of his conversation with Mr. W——. Though one assumes the exact language used might have been more colorful. 

Mr. Darcy had given him an ultimatum. Mr. W—— could leave Derbyshire immediately and in doing so continue to rely on Mr. Darcy’s assistance with his career. Alternatively, if Mr. W—— stayed, Mr. Darcy would end all future support and Mr. W—— could make his own way in the world.

When Mr. W——’s response to his options was to wheedle at Mr. Darcy’s resolve with his usual simpering and smirking demeanor, Mr. Darcy had called the footmen to take him away. Then, packing him into the carriage, Mr. Darcy had warned that he would only give the other man a day to come to his senses before he took action.

Thus it was that this morning, a letter was received during breakfast from Mr. W——.

Mr. Darcy had barely started to read, when Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, said, “He has decided to leave then?”

“Yes,” Mr. Darcy confirmed, “though he asks for a week to get his affairs in order and for a sum of money to assist in his travels.”

She sighed into her coffee cup. “I do not believe he could feel less shame if he were a pig naked in the mud.”

Today at Pemberley, The 19th of June:

Colonel Fitzwilliam departed early in the morning, traveling post to London. He told the Darcys that they must soon visit town for recreation and not business. 

Mr. Darcy expressed his disinclination, “I should sooner go to Rosings Park for recreation.”

“Come now,” Col. Fitzwilliam entreated him. “At the least, a young person like Georgiana should not spend all her summer bored in the country.”

Before her brother could answer, Miss Darcy said, “If there is one thing we are not, it is bored and wanting for entertainment.” 

Col. Fitzwilliam laughed, conceding, “That is true enough.”

Miss Georgiana joined Mr. Darcy in overseeing how Col. Fitzwilliam’s trunk was fastened to the carriage. 

Left alone with Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, Col. Fitzwilliam commented, “She is becoming a woman who knows her own mind.”

“Is that a compliment or a caution?” Mrs. Darcy asked.

The Colonel was surprised by her question. “A compliment, of course. I am exceedingly proud to call myself her guardian.”

“I think, Georgiana always knew her own mind,” Mrs. Darcy said. “All she lacked was the confidence and practice to speak it. The world is not always kind to women who do.”

After a pause, Col. Fitzwilliam offered a rueful, “I believe that I owe you an apology. You are an excellent wife to my cousin and sister to Georgiana. This last fortnight I have allowed my own opinions and conceit to make my behavior unworthy of you. I hope that you never doubt that I am also exceedingly proud to call myself your cousin.”

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.”