The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (33 page)

Chapter 
31

Elizabeth wandered through the garden at Pemberley,
marveling that within a few months, this would be her home and her responsibility.
She ran her hand over the blooms on the hydrangea bushes and cut a few blossoms
to place in her room.

She let her mind wander over the last several days.

She would never forget the first time she saw Pemberley.
Georgiana had fallen asleep and Darcy had enticed her over to his side of the
carriage. She had soon followed Georgiana into the land of nod, Darcy’s arms
wrapped tightly about her. She awakened to his voice in her ear.

“Elizabeth. Dearest, wake up. We are nearly there.
Wake up, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
Georgiana was asleep across from her and Darcy was next to her, his arms
wrapped around her, his solid chest beneath her head and shoulder. She felt his
breath on her temple as he spoke to her.

“I am awake. Where are we?”

“We are in Pemberley Woods. We’ll be home in a quarter
hour.”

Elizabeth smiled at his choice of words and looked out
the window at the passing trees. The land was much harsher than Hertfordshire,
that she could tell right away. The contrast of gray stones and dark fir trees
was striking. They were on a hill and she could see into the distance one hill
after another, all covered with dark trees, the space between them broken up
with fields and pastures dotted with sheep.

Soon they stopped and he led her down a short
footpath, taking her hand as soon as they were out of sight of the carriage.
They quickly came to a clearing and Elizabeth was met with a breathtaking view
of the great house, backed by a ridge covered in dense trees, the massive park
surrounded by lush woods.

“Oh, William! It's breathtaking!”

“Do you like it, Elizabeth?”

“Like it? I can hardly find the words to describe it.”

The house itself was large and made of a light colored
stone, sitting peacefully at the far end of the valley before them. There was a
stream running in front of it which swelled into a small lake, reflecting the
house in its waters.

“This is Pemberley,” he stated simply, gazing out
across the land of his fathers. Elizabeth turned to watch him, noticing how
stately his profile looked and how all his features seemed to relax here. There
was a peace about him that was not usually present. Finally he turned to her.
“Does it please you, Elizabeth?”

“I am delighted. I have never seen its equal.” She
looked at his eager face and felt, not for the first time, that she had some
bit of power over him, and she was overcome with the desire to make him happy
and bring a smile to his face. “It is truly beautiful, William. I will be very
happy to call it home.”

He smiled and stroked her cheek softly before leading
her back to the carriage.

She clipped a few more flowers for her basket and smiled,
thinking how fortunate she was to marry a man that she loved and who loved her
in return, and one who had such pleasant relations – well, excluding Lady
Catherine of course. Mr. Bingley was a very nice man and Elizabeth did
sincerely like him, but every time she thought of Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst,
she gave thanks again for Georgiana.

After being at Pemberley for a few days, Georgiana had
begun to suspect something was going on between Elizabeth and Darcy, but said
nothing. When they told her of their engagement, she had jumped up and down
crying, “I knew it! I knew it!”

After several minutes of sloppy kisses on cheeks and
tight hugs, Georgiana had run from the room to tell Mrs. Reynolds, who had been
speculating along with Miss Darcy on the nature of the relationship between the
master and Miss Bennet.

Elizabeth laughed slightly at the memory. She had
never seen Georgiana more animated. Fitzwilliam had promptly written to her
father to inform him of their formal engagement, and Elizabeth had written as
well, telling Mr. Bennet how happy she was and how much she was looking forward
to becoming Mrs. Darcy.

Mr. Bennet had replied with his usual sardonic wit,
and Darcy did not think he sounded overly happy to be parting with his
favorite, but Elizabeth read between the lines and ensured him that her father
was happy for her, but sad to see her go. Mr. Bennet also promised to let
Elizabeth inform her mother of the engagement herself, something she was not
sure was a blessing.

She sighed again as she wandered into the house with
her basket of flowers. Funny, Pemberley already felt like home. Darcy had sent
off letters of announcement to Colonel Fitzwilliam and Sir Malcolm, and
Elizabeth had written to Jane and the Gardiners, all of whom sent their warmest
congratulations and hopes for the couple’s happiness. The announcement would
not be in the paper for a few weeks yet, and Elizabeth was putting off telling
her mother for as long as possible.
Preferably not until Jane arrives
.

But now, it was time to go inside and meet Mrs.
Reynolds for a tour of the mistress’s chambers.

~

“Has this tub always been here?” Elizabeth asked as
she looked at a large, gleaming copper tub.

“No, Miss Bennet. Mr. Darcy ordered it in London last
winter and requested it be installed here. The ottoman was moved here from
another sitting room.”

“Last winter? Which month?”

“February, Miss. I received a letter from him
informing me of its arrival around the seventh I believe.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. Is there anything else I
should see of the mistress’s chambers?”

“Yes, Miss Bennet. Follow me.”

Elizabeth and Georgiana followed her through Ann
Darcy’s old chambers, looking under dust cloths and exclaiming about furniture
pieces. Mrs. Reynolds was very knowledgeable about the history of Pemberley and
told them which pieces came from where and which had been Mrs. Darcy’s
favorites.

“She loved this dressing table. It had been a gift
from her mother when she came out, and she had it brought over from Matlock.”
Mrs. Reynolds looked wistful as she gingerly touched the gleaming wood.

Georgiana approached the piece slowly and reached out
to touch the warm red wood. Elizabeth watched her friend carefully and came to
a decision.

“Mrs. Reynolds, I believe the dressing table in the
room I am in now is more suited to my height. I would like that one moved in
here, and if Miss Darcy does not object, we can place Lady Ann’s in her room.
It is only fitting that a daughter have her mother’s favorite piece, just as
she is preparing to come out herself.”

Georgiana looked at Elizabeth with shining eyes and
the two quickly clasped hands.

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Georgiana whispered.

Elizabeth gave her hand a squeeze and Mrs. Reynolds
led the way into the sitting room with eyes cast down.

~

“Enter!”

Elizabeth stepped into Darcy’s study and immediately
slipped behind his desk to plant a kiss on his cheek.

“What was that for?” he asked as she settled into the seat
across from him.

“No reason. Can I not wish to show affection to my
betrothed without having a particular motive?”

“Of course you may – your displays of affection are
always welcome. Have you completed the tour of your new chambers?”

“Yes, I have. I think I will like them very much. I’m
considering papering it in yellow. It would be so bright and sunny in the
morning. What do you think?”

“Sounds very cheerful – like you. But you know you may
decorate however you wish – it is your room to do as you will.”

“Yes, but I believe you will often be there too, and I
do not wish you to be uncomfortable.” She spoke evenly, but her blush told of
her embarrassment on this particular topic.

He looked at her steadily for a moment, then
responded, “That is considerate of you. I am fond of yellow, especially on you,
so go ahead with your plans.”

“I did not know I was gaining such an agreeable
husband,” she teased to lighten the suddenly heavy mood. “Perhaps you could
tell me what you do not like so I will know what to avoid in my redecorating.”

He steepled his fingers in front of his face and
places his elbows on the desk. “Hmmm. I do not like peach. Lady Catherine had
an entire drawing room done in it and I found it quite nauseating.”

“I can imagine. Any others?”

“I am not particularly fond of gold and overdone or
ornate furnishings. I have been wanting to change the green and gold drawing
room in London for some time now, but did not have the slightest idea what I
would change it to.”

“I will remember that for the next time we are there.
Any favorites I should know about?”

“I have always liked red. Actually, I think it would
be very becoming on you.”

“You do?” she wondered if she should tell him she had
always wanted to wear red, but her mother would never allow it. Perhaps she
would order a red dress as a surprise.

“Yes, it suits you. Are you going to redo your study
as well?”

“Yes, I believe so. I haven’t decided on anything yet,
though. I will have to give it some thought. Fitzwilliam?”

“Yes?”

“May I ask you an odd question?” she asked looking at
her hands.

“You may ask me anything. What do you wish to know?”

“I just wondered why you ordered a new bathing tub for
the mistress’s chambers last winter. Mrs. Reynolds said you ordered it in
February.”

He let out a ragged breath and leaned back in his
chair. “I knew how much you liked baths and thought you would enjoy it.”

She looked at him askance. “How did you know I liked
baths so much?” she asked with a mixture of indignation and curiosity.

“I have very loyal servants, my dear, and when I asked
if you were comfortable and enjoying your stay, they happened to mention you
seemed particularly appreciative of the large bathing tub. That’s when I
ordered the new one for Pemberley.”

“I do not know what to say. I will be certain to guard
my tongue around the servants in future. Did you know you wanted to marry me in
February then?”

“I believe I have always wanted to marry you, since
the day you wandered into Netherfield with your petticoats six inches deep in
mud. But yes, that was about the time I realized I could marry no other and
decided to propose to you,” he told her with a small grin.

“Oh. Why did you wait so long?” she asked, slightly
disbelieving.

“Well, it is hard to propose to someone who is not
there.” She looked down at her hands. “I had planned to ask you the night of
the ball at Matlock House, but as you know, events led to a different outcome,
and I waited to ask until I was sure of your affection.”

“You were going to ask me the night of the ball? When
we returned home or at the ball itself?”

He smiled that she now referred to his houses as home
and answered her question. “I had planned on asking you to join me in the
library before we retired, and I was to going to ask you in front of the fire.
I had always thought of it as our room – it seemed a fitting place.”

“I, too, have thought of it as our room. I am sorry your
original plan did not work out. How disappointed you must have been!”

“Yes, I was. And angry and confused and a host of
other emotions I do not wish to recall. But it is behind us now. Now you are
mine and there can be no running away,” he said with a sly smile.

“You need have no fear on that count. I find I have no
desire to run away from you.”

“Elizabeth?”

“Yes, dear?”

“What would you have said? If I had asked you the
night of the ball, what would your response have been?” he asked softly.

She took a deep breath. “I cannot say for certain of
course, but I imagine I would have asked for some time to think it over. I did
not realize I had come to care for you in that regard until I was leaving
London. I realized I would not have felt so betrayed if I didn’t care for you.”
Darcy winced at the mention of his poor behavior. “But I probably would have
accepted you... eventually.”

She smiled and walked round to his side of the desk,
putting her hand on his arm. She kissed his cheek and walked out of the room,
saying goodbye over her shoulder as Darcy stared after her, his head tilted
slightly to one side in contemplation.

~

Finally, after a week of procrastination, Elizabeth
decided she could put off writing to her mother no longer. With a deep breath,
she sat at the writing desk in her sitting room and began a letter to her
mother, followed by another for Charlotte.

Longbourn, 4 days later

“Hill! Hill! My salts! Kitty, Lydia, Mary! Where are
those girls?” Mrs. Bennet ran through the house, waving a letter frantically
above her head.

“Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet!” She burst into the bookroom.
“Can you believe it? Our Lizzy? Engaged to Mr. Darcy! Ten thousand a year!”

“Yes, dear. I am aware,” he answered drolly.

“Oh, how you delight in vexing me! How could you not
tell me sooner? Oh, you teasing man!” she called over her shoulder as she left
a grinning Mr. Bennet alone with his books.

“Mary! Where are your sisters? Lydia cannot go to
Brighton now. We must prepare for the wedding!”

“They have gone to visit Maria Lucas, mama,” Mary
answered plainly.

“Come Mary, put on a better dress. We must call on my
sister Phillips and Lady Lucas.” She began up the stairs, an unsmiling Mary in
her wake. “This will show those upstart Lucases. What is Longbourn to half of
Derbyshire and ten thousand a year!?”

Hunsford Parsonage, the same day

Charlotte sat in her parlor re-reading a letter from
Elizabeth, a particular passage receiving more attention than the rest.

…
while I am sure this is no surprise to you, my
friend, I am sure it will be to your husband and his noble patroness. I shall
not presume to tell you what actions to take, but may I suggest a trip to Lucas
Lodge in the very near future? You may find the air there more agreeable than
that of Kent…

“The trunks are all packed, madam.”

“Thank you, Daisy. Make sure James knows to be ready
in the morning. I will depart at first light.”

“Yes, madam.”

Charlotte looked at the letter she had penned to her
husband. It was unfortunate that a parishioner was on his deathbed and that
Lady Catherine had seen fit to send Mr. Collins to comfort the family in this
time of need. He would likely not return before she left. Mr. Collins would
have to take comfort in the fact that his wife was needed by her family due to
a “most urgent matter”. She trusted he would not ask too many questions.

He rarely did.

~

Blackburn, Matlock, Derbyshire, 2 days later

Lady Matlock sat at her writing desk and eagerly opened
her latest letter from Elizabeth. She hadn’t heard from her in nearly a
fortnight and was becoming concerned. Halfway through, she caught her breath
and dropped the letter.

After taking a moment to compose herself, she picked
up the letter and re-read the section that had so shocked her.

…
I cannot tell you how happy I am! Fitzwilliam is
everything I could ever want in a husband, and I have every confidence that we
will be deliriously happy together. We plan to wed in August, in Hertfordshire,
and would be so happy if you could attend. Your friendship and guidance has
meant so much to me, and I truly appreciate everything you have done on my
behalf. Your kindness will always be remembered…

Lady Matlock first felt indignation and a little
anger. She had introduced Elizabeth to countless suitable men and she had
turned them all away. What made her think she had the right to poach amongst
her own family?

But after several minutes’ deliberation and another
perusal of the letter, she was softened by Elizabeth’s words of love for
Fitzwilliam, joy at their engagement, and gratefulness for all her assistance.
She had hoped to see Darcy make a splendid match, both of affection and
fortune, but she grudgingly admitted (to herself only) that she was being a bit
of a hypocrite and decided to put on a brave face and seek out her husband in
his study. Perhaps he had a letter from Darcy.