A Mother's Touch

A Mother’s Touch

Inspired By Pride And Prejudice

Jennifer Redlarczyk

Contents

Acknowledgments

Lady Anne’s Quilt

Her Most Precious Gift

An Act Of Kindness

Our Special Day

Our Future

The Teacher

Mr. Darcy’s Little Songbird

Darcy’s Melody ~ Preview

Chapter One

A Very Merry Mix-up: A Pride and Prejudice Novelette ~ Preview

A Holiday to Remember ~ Preview

A Taste of Peanut Butter ~ Preview

Una Muy Alegre Confusión ~ Preview

About the Author

Jennifer Redlarczyk

A Mother’s Touch ~ Inspired by Pride and Prejudice

Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Redlarczyk

Cover Art by Daniel Ichinose ~ Atomatron Designs

Cover Image ~ George Petty

Interior Design by E-book Formatting Fairies

Published by Jennifer Redlarczyk ~ Redlark Press

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work. Jennifer Redlarczyk.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events, business establishments, or locales are entirely coincidental with the exception of those taken from Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice.

ISBN: 9798616774194

April 2020

In honour of my mother, Jean Kreuser, and to all men and women who love and nurture our young people, I dedicate this book.

Acknowledgments

Being a moderator on the Private JAFF forum DarcyandLizzy.com, I would like to thank Brenda Webb, my fellow moderators and of course so many readers who have been very encouraging of my work. In addition, many thanks go out to my Beta team: Kathryn Bigley, Diana Doncaster, Jessica Ferree, Betty Jo Kennedy, and to Carmalee Mitchell and Deanna Womack who served as cold readers. I would also like to thank my son, Daniel Ichinose, who offered his creative talent in creating the cover design for my book and to my husband, Greg, for his continued support.

Thank you all! ~ Jennifer Redlarczyk ♫

Lady Anne’s Quilt

Forgotten Treasures

Pemberley

The Nursery

Mid-summer 1812

Elizabeth smiled to herself as she hummed a lullaby and methodically rubbed her bulging stomach. Her confinement was still a few weeks away, but in her estimation, the babe was eager to make himself known to the world.

"My sweet child, you may kick and push all you want, but you must be patient. It is not yet your time and I will not have you come early, no matter how much your dear papa or your Aunt Georgie would like to make your acquaintance. She chuckled. While Fitzwilliam Darcy would not have others think he was an eager father, the fact that he spoke to their child every day said otherwise. William…." She shook her head in amusement, thinking of his latest chat.

My son, although you are still basking in the warmth of your mama’s womb, I have many plans for you. I shall buy you a pony, and when you are old enough we shall ride throughout all of Pemberley. I shall teach you about the land and what it means to be master, and when we have tired, we may explore the environs to our heart’s content. I shall take you fishing in the pond, and Cook will make us the most delicious meal from our catch. And on special occasions we shall take your lovely mama into Lambton for some sweets. Would you like that, my son?

What child would not enjoy spending the day with you, my dear husband? You will be an excellent father, and our son shall be thoroughly spoiled with your attentions before he is well out of short pants, declared Elizabeth as she uncomfortably shifted her position.

Since she had grown so very large during the last month, Elizabeth was convinced that their first child would be a boy and referred to the babe as such. A child of this size could not possibly take after her.

Elizabeth, does it not hurt? William recently asked when placing his large hand over hers so that they might feel the movement of the babe together.

No. In a strange way his movements are comforting. Our son is getting stronger with each day that passes, and as my confinement nears, I know he will be better able to endure the birth.

I am glad, for I would not have either of you suffer.

Elizabeth prayed daily that all would be well when it came time to give birth. While William did not openly voice his concerns, lately he had been very solicitous about her well-being and that of their child. Elizabeth knew that Lady Anne had suffered greatly throughout her pregnancy as well as during the birth of Georgiana. The family had been devastated at her passing. Thankfully, Elizabeth was healthy, for she could not bear the thought of either William or Georgiana grieving should something go wrong during her lying-in. Her marriage had brought them much joy. They were a family, and the prospect of an heir had breathed new life into all of Pemberley for the child who she carried would be their future.

Looking about the nursery, Elizabeth was pleased with all she saw. It had taken weeks to restore this blessed room. Lady Anne first oversaw its decoration before William’s birth. The sunny yellows and meadow greens were cheerful and inviting. A beautiful picture of the pond, which Lady Anne had painted so many years ago, now hung over the mantle, newly framed. In Elizabeth’s mind, this room would be a cherished place for years to come. Reflecting upon her many blessings, Elizabeth’s musings were interrupted by the sudden entrance of Georgiana.

Elizabeth, I knew I would find you here. The young woman beamed. I have so much to tell you.

Looking up at her sister Elizabeth smiled taking note of her dishevelled appearance. Her dress was soiled, and there was an obvious smudge on her cheek where an errant curl was loose. My goodness, Georgiana, what have you been up to?

The girl blushed in embarrassment. Forgive me; I went to the attics with Rebecca and Jamison and was eager to tell you what we found. Mrs. Reynolds mentioned there might yet be another box of toys for us to go through. With the babe nearly here, I could not wait for the servants to find it, so I took it upon myself to do so. Just look! Beaming, Georgiana handed Elizabeth a brown cloth sack and watched as her sister carefully untied the string and poured the contents into her lap.

Tin soldiers! How delightful! Why, there are so many, and they all appear to be in excellent condition with the exception of this poor little man who is missing an arm.

"I have no doubt that William and Cousin Richard spent hours playing with them when they were boys. I had the rest of the box taken to the work room for cleaning before you look through and decide which toys you would like to have in the nursery.

Elizabeth, she continued with excitement. "I found something else. When we were looking for the box of toys, I happened upon the area where my mother’s trunks are being stored. There was one particular trunk which had my name on it. The trunk is being carried to my sitting room at this very moment, and Mrs. Reynolds knew just where to look for the key. She held out her palm for Elizabeth to see a small bronze key attached to a thin green velvet ribbon. While William is overseeing the first of the harvest today, I thought the two of us might look through the trunk together."

Why, of course, I would love to, Elizabeth said, returning the soldiers to their sack. And if you would please give me your hand, I will gladly join you. She chuckled. While I do enjoy sitting here with our little one, it is becoming more and more difficult to rise from this rocking chair. Georgiana graciously held out her hand for Elizabeth to take and the two sisters left the nursery arm in arm.

Georgiana’s Bedroom

To Elizabeth’s delight, Georgiana giggled and talked almost non-stop as they traversed the hallway towards the girl’s suite of rooms. Though still young, at nearly seventeen, she was no longer the shy girl Elizabeth had first met in Town so many months ago. Under Elizabeth’s guidance, her sister had become more confident and was not afraid to assert herself when the situation called for it.

Because she was fond of pink, Georgiana’s rooms were decorated in soft rose hues and creamy whites. The day was sunny, and her walls were covered with an assortment of rainbows created by the light which filtered through a small bevelled window. William had purchased the window while on a trip to Scotland and had it installed before her last birthday.

Georgiana, your rooms are lovely today. Elizabeth spoke as they passed through the doorway.

Georgiana barely acknowledged her comment as she quickly pushed two chairs close to the trunk and knelt in front of it. Holding the key in her trembling hand, she placed it in the keyhole and manoeuvred it until she heard a click. With a little more effort, the lock was opened. The girl carefully lifted the lid and propped it back on its hinges.

Oh my, Elizabeth said with admiration, while she watched Georgiana proudly pick up an elegant christening gown covered in delicate white lace and tiny seed pearls.

This gown must have been mine, Georgiana exclaimed as the women examined the garment and remarked about the fine needlework.

Elizabeth reached for a beautiful little matching cap and gently fingered several tiny rosettes and ribbons, wondering how it would look on a new born. Dearest, there is a note inside of the cap. She unfolded the yellowed paper, and the two women read it together.

Elizabeth, Georgiana said with tears in her eyes as she clutched the note and cap to her breast. I cannot believe my Grandmother Fitzwilliam made this and that both my mother and I wore it at our christenings.

My dear, it is a wondrous gift, Elizabeth lovingly said, giving her sister a hug and handing her a handkerchief. Your mama must have loved you so very much to have saved these precious things for you.

I know, she proudly answered wiping the last of the tears from her eyes.

Shall we continue? Elizabeth asked. It appears there are many more forgotten treasures in this trunk, and once we are finished looking through everything, we can record them in the journal we started last summer.

I would like that. Shortly after meeting Georgiana in London, Elizabeth had recognised the girl’s need and desire to learn more about the mother she could no longer remember. At Elizabeth’s suggestion, Georgiana began a journal which included stories and remembrances from family members and longstanding servants, such as Mrs. Reynolds. Thus far, it had become a treasured keepsake for Georgiana, a commemoration of the woman she had lost so many years ago.

The next item to catch their interest was an oblong box wrapped in an elegant Persian shawl made of fine silk and adorned with an assortment of embroidered flowers. Georgiana wrapped the shawl around her shoulders saying, I wonder if Mama might have worn this to a dinner party or even a ball.

Inside the container, the women found several jewelled combs, two silk fans, numerous used dance cards