One can never have enough of our favorite hero!
May I suggest this one?
SAINT NICHOLAS DAY
Wendi Sotis[3]
Chapter 1
~Saturday, 30 November 1811 –London
“My lady, you cannot know the depth of our appreciation for your extraordinary efforts on behalf of our cause,” Mrs. Cooper beamed at Aunt Adelaide. “The two charity balls you host every year help to provide the Children of Saint Nicholas Orphanage with clothing and food, as well as funding our school. Our children’s education and occupational instruction facilitate in their eventual gain of valuable employment. Why, as you know, some of our children find positions among even the most prominent households of England. The children and I cannot thank you enough.” The headmistress cleared her throat and finally took a breath before turning to the other occupants of her office. “Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy, your participation in the Saint Nicholas Day celebration is also valued.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy bowed his head briefly. Georgiana smiled.
It need not be said aloud; Mrs. Cooper assumed their assistance with the event was due to their aunt’s forcing the obligation upon them. If she knew the truth, she would not project such an air of disinterest every time her gaze landed upon him—which was exactly why he did not wish her to know. He despised sycophantic performances.
Aunt Adelaide responded, “It has been my pleasure to continue my dear departed sister-in-law’s beloved tradition these past few years.” Her gaze held a touch of sorrow when they met Darcy’s, then settled on Georgiana.
Aunt Adelaide took Georgiana’s hand in hers. “Never forget, my dear, that your mother was the most important friend this orphanage ever had—beginning when she was only a little older than you are now.”
Darcy sighed. Although he had always suspected he would not be able to forever dissuade his aunt’s bristling reaction to the way Mrs. Cooper behaved towards them, he had hoped it would at least be another year or two before he was required to acknowledge the part he played in all this. Judging by the tension in his aunt’s bearing, he had a feeling the time had come too soon.
Aunt Adelaide refocused all her attention onto Mrs. Cooper. “It occurs to me that you may not be aware of the history behind the Saint Nicholas Day event and the semi-annual fundraising balls, Mrs. Cooper, since you have been headmistress of the Children of Saint Nicholas Orphanage for only these past three years. I, however, remember the first year as if it were yesterday.”
Mrs. Cooper furrowed her brow, clearly confused.
His aunt’s gaze wandered towards the window, but Darcy suspected she saw only her memories play out before her. “Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, who later became Lady Anne Darcy…” A great deal of stress was placed upon the surname. “…was my particular friend for many years. When Anne’s father insisted that his children become involved with a charitable endeavour of their choosing, it only took one visit for her to see it was a worthy cause. Being of service to the Children of Saint Nicholas instantly became her life’s passion.” His aunt chuckled. “Of course, Anne’s being the daughter of the Earl of Matlock certainly aided in the garnering of enthusiasm for her fundraising projects from our contemporaries.”
Darcy almost laughed aloud when Aunt Adelaide looked pointedly at Mrs. Cooper, who had by this time paled significantly. “This orphanage was an entirely different place before being touched by Lady Anne Darcy’s inspiration. For instance, when she first came here, only boys were permitted to attend the orphanage’s school, but Lady Anne firmly maintained that girls should be educated, as well. I believe, to this day, most of the servants who have worked at the Darcy’s households were former pupils here.”
Aunt Adelaide looked expectantly at Darcy. He nodded, hoping the expression he shot towards his aunt before she turned away had communicated his discomfort with any further disclosures.
Truly, he held nothing against Mrs. Cooper for her attitude towards him. The woman had no way of knowing Darcy was the orphanage’s main benefactor. His aunt might be trying to make certain the proper credit was given, but if Darcy had wished for recognition, he would not have insisted on making his donations anonymously through his solicitor over the past five years, since his father had died, and through his aunt before that. What mattered was only that Mrs. Cooper cared deeply for the children and was an excellent headmistress.
Lady Adelaide raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Cooper. “I am certain once Miss Darcy is old enough—or when Mr. Darcy marries—the fundraising balls will again be hosted at Darcy House.”
Mrs. Cooper face reddened. She cleared her throat. “You are correct, Lady Adelaide, I was not aware of this history… Oh! But yes, indeed, Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy, it must be such a delight to continue your mother’s legacy. The Children of Saint Nicolas will be forever grateful for your mother’s generosity, and, of course, your own.”
Gratified that the headmistress’ response was not as toadying as she sometimes became when speaking to his aunt, Darcy bowed his head in answer.
“Well, then,” Aunt Adelaide said, seeming satisfied with the progress she had made. “On to more pressing business. I understand Mrs. Gardiner’s son has met with an accident, and therefore, she will not be joining us during this last week of preparations.”
“Yes, her eldest son has fractured his collarbone,” Mrs. Cooper answered. “Mrs. Gardiner wishes to tend to him herself.”
“The poor boy.” Aunt Adelaide frowned. “Mrs. Gardiner will be sorely missed at our festivities this year, but we all can understand her concern for her son. However, there is still so much to do, and little time remaining. We will need to recruit a volunteer to replace her, but honestly, I do not know where we will find someone at this late date.”
“There is no need, my lady,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Mrs. Gardiner sent for two of her nieces to collaborate with you in her place. They arrived in London last evening from their father’s estate in Hertfordshire. I am to speak with them as soon as we are finished here.” She gestured towards the window. “Would you like to meet them?”
Darcy glanced out the window, spotting the figure of a young lady playing blindman’s bluff with a group of boys and girls to one side of the orphanage’s small garden.
His heart lurched in his chest. Even with a handkerchief tied around her face, he recognized her form as easily as if he had known her all his life.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Adding credence to this identification, he spotted another lady sitting nearby, reading a book aloud to a few younger girls—the same lady he had recently gone to such lengths to separate from his good friend, Bingley—Elizabeth’s elder sister, Miss Jane Bennet.
The uneasiness filling his chest nearly overwhelmed him.
Just as he was about to tell his aunt they could make do without the assistance of Mrs. Gardiner’s nieces, he realized that, in fact, they could not. Whilst many of the ladies of the ton were willing to convince their husbands to make monetary donations, which of course was greatly beneficial to their cause, most did so only to ingratiate themselves with the Countess of Matlock. They would not lift one finger to assist them in the preparations.
Besides, what legitimate justification could he admit to aloud that would convince his aunt to exclude the Misses Bennet?
None! None at all.
Aunt Adelaide’s tone was melancholy when she responded to Mrs. Cooper. “My goodness, it is almost as if I have travelled back thirty years… as if I am watching Anne and myself in the very same garden.” She continued with a touch of mirth, “I would have been the one playing tag.” To Georgiana, she said, “Your mother would have been the one reading.” She turned to the headmistress. “Yes, I would very much like to meet them. Immediately.”
3
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This story may include excerpts and/or short passages paraphrased from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) which is in the public domain.