The Pemberley Chronicles 01 by Rebecca Ann Collins

Author:Rebecca Ann Collins [Rebecca Ann Collins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Shortlist, Jane Austen Fan Lit
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: 2008-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

And why has happiness no second Spring?

W

HEN ELIZABETH AWOKE TO a cold grey morning, she did not stop to consider whether it was some ill-omen for the day to follow. She was sufficiently familiar with the changeable nature of

Derbyshire weather in January to be grateful that it was not pouring with rain. The previous evening had been a particularly pleasant one. Before most of

her guests left, Elizabeth had successfully broached an idea upon which she and

Emily Gardiner had set their hearts. They had planned to hold a Harvest Fair

at Pemberley, to provide an opportunity for the tenant farmers, farm labourers,

and their families to sell their garden produce, display their individual skills and

crafts, and help their community at the same time.

Jane had suggested that it would also be a good opportunity to celebrate the

"coming out" of three young ladies, who would all be seventeen that year--

Emma Bingley, Cassandra Darcy, and their friend Rebecca Collins. Especially

if Mr Darcy could be prevailed upon to give a ball in their honour, it would

surely be an occasion for a great family gathering. Bingley, who was still most

enthusiastic about dancing, keeping up with all the new European dances,

declared it to be a splendid idea.

Plans were immediately afoot for a variety of activities to be organised for

the fair and the ball that would follow, after Mr Darcy agreed to the ball, for how could he refuse in the face of such universal approval? The younger members of the family insisted that there had to be a "magic show" and "fortune tellers" at the fair, while others saw opportunities to benefit their favourite causes. Kitty and her husband decided they would collect donations in cash and kind for their school, while Caroline thought it would be an ideal occasion to get more signatures for the People's Charter for Universal Suffrage, which was gaining popularity around the country. Colonel Fitzwilliam warned that if Elizabeth did not exercise some control, the Pemberley Harvest Fair may begin

to rival the scale of the celebrations after Waterloo!

Undeterred by such mischievous cynicism, Elizabeth, Emily, and Caroline

were determined the event was going to be a great success. "You may laugh,

Fitzy, but I think it is going to be a wonderful occasion. People will come from

miles around, and we shall remember the day for many years to come," predicted

Caroline with confidence.

Elizabeth was delighted with their response and thanked Darcy for

having agreed to the idea in the first place. She knew how much he valued

his privacy at Pemberley and was grateful he had agreed, without complaint,

to let it be invaded. "I know that you will feel put out by having all these

people tramping around the grounds, dearest, but I do believe it is in a very

good cause," she said, apologetically. Darcy insisted that he would not be put

out at all.

"You need not apologise to me, Lizzie. I am perfectly happy to have the

grounds of Pemberley used for the benefit of our community. Pemberley is at the

centre of that community, and I think we should play our part.

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