It could never be! - A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Lorena DiChiara

Author:Lorena DiChiara [DiChiara, Lorena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

August 1815 – January 1817

Due to the death of her husband, Elizabeth inherited the house where they lived in London and 6000 pounds. Mrs. Barton, who loved Elizabeth as if she was her own mother, lived with her and little Rose.

As Mrs. Shaw’s husband had also died in Waterloo, she stayed in London with the ladies as well. She didn’t have family and she loved Lizzy-Rose and was very fond of Elizabeth and Mrs. Barton. She helped with looking after little Rose, and with some of the other household chores. Mrs. Barton and Elizabeth treated her as the friend she was and not as a servant.

During the first six months of mourning, the ladies spent most of their time at home. They had no desire to receive visitors. The only exceptions were the Gardiners and the Spencers. Elizabeth remained close to the Gardiners; they were practically the only family she had left. She had known Colonel Spencer and his wife since her marriage to Patrick. Mrs. Spencer and she became fast friends. The two had many things in common: they were both similar in age, they were daughters of minor gentlemen, they had married colonels, and sadly, both were orphans.

When both the Colonels had been captains and living in America, Patrick Barton saved Colonel Spencer's life. Debts of gratitude are difficult to forget and repay, so when Colonel Spencer returned from the Continent, he made a promise to see to Elizabeth and Patrick’s mother’s well-being. The task was easier than he thought, since both Elizabeth and Mrs. Barton were very sensible, they did not need financial support, and Elizabeth was also a very good friend of his wife.

Due to the war, many women had lost their husbands, and/or fathers. As a result, many families’ incomes were considerably reduced. A major reason for this was that widow's pensions were very low. The most unfortunate women had to resort to unimaginable tasks and jobs to survive and feed their respective families.

Elizabeth and her mother-in-law were aware of the difficulties many of these women endured, and for this reason, twice a week with other ladies - mostly wives of high-ranking officials – they volunteered at a charitable institution whose mission was to offer help to these women. Elizabeth and her mother-in-law taught the women and children to read and write, made clothes for the children, and even donated small sums of money.

The institution also received donations from various wealthy families as well as money from the Government. Every morning three Cooks baked bread and prepared a simple meal for about twenty poor women and their families.

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