Chapter Seventy-Seven
U pon hearing that the Darcy carriage had returned, Georgiana flew out the door, praying that her mother was one of the party. No words could adequately express Georgiana’s joy at seeing that her tearful prayers had been answered.
“Mother! Oh, Mother!”
Lady Anne held her daughter close, and was clearly as affected by the reunion as her daughter.
Mr. Darcy now appeared; to Elizabeth’s shock, he hugged her, in full view of a number of servants. “Elizabeth!” he murmured into her hair. Then, suddenly aware of his audience, he released her and said, “Come, let us all go inside. It is quite cold.”
Everyone was soon seated in the family drawing room. Mr. Darcy had the immense satisfaction of seeing his wife and mother on the best possible terms, calling one another “Mother” and “Lizzy.” He glanced quickly at Mary, and she gave him a brief nod, confirming that their mission had indeed been successful.
***
Colonel Fitzwilliam had elected to give the immediate family some time together before joining them, but truth be told, he was almost dancing with impatience to see Miss Bennet again. They had been apart for a week; what changes might that week have wrought? He was certain that Elizabeth knew of and supported his cause. Might she have spoken kindly of him?
His general had sent a letter to Matlock House requesting that he rejoin the regiment, and the letter had been forwarded to Pemberley. He would like very much to send a reply to the effect that he was about to be married and would be selling his commission as soon as possible! But he feared that if he spoke too soon, he would scare Miss Bennet off.
Why were women so dashed difficult to understand?
He entered the drawing room and had the immense satisfaction of seeing Miss Bennet’s face light up when she caught sight of him. He greeted his aunt and Elizabeth, and then sat beside Miss Bennet. “Did you miss me?” he whispered.
“Surprisingly enough, I did,” she returned.
His heart soared.
***
Lady Anne was almost incandescent with joy at being back at Pemberley. Fitzwilliam had watched her behaviour with Elizabeth – or Lizzy, as she would be called – until he was satisfied that the new accord between them was real, and then he had hugged her hard. Georgiana had glued herself to her mother’s side, refusing to be separated.
Every servant she had encountered had welcomed her back. Hannah had unpacked her mistress’ things with great haste, so the Ruby Room now looked and felt like home.
***
Hannah was as delighted as her mistress to be back at Pemberley, particularly as she could expect to be the center of attention downstairs for quite some time. This was particularly true as she had eavesdropped on the meeting of Lady Anne, Mrs. Darcy and Miss Bennet and had much to report to the other servants.
***
The word spread like lightning throughout the house; Lady Anne was back, and both she and the new Mrs. Darcy were smiling at one another! The servants whispered about how this might have come about, but on one thing they were all agreed: it was a very good thing for everyone involved. They liked the new Mrs. Darcy very well, but she was still something of an unknown, while Lady Anne had been at Pemberley for quite a long while.
***
Mary was glad that the trip had gone so well. The two days of travel from Cresston Hall back to Pemberley had served to deepen the new understanding between Lady Anne and Elizabeth, and it seemed that a true affection had blossomed, based on their mutual desire that Pemberley prosper. Mary felt she could rather pat herself on the back for her part in this.
She had rather surprised herself when she had admitted to the Colonel that she had missed him, but she did not regret her words. She had begun to believe that it would not be so dreadful to be married to such a good man, as he was unlikely to mistreat a wife.
Though Mr. Darcy appeared quite reluctant to leave his wife’s side, Mary had managed a quiet word with him and had thanked him, with tears in her eyes, for his kindness in providing her with so substantial a dowry. He had looked quite embarrassed, and begged her to think nothing of it, for who would not do the same for a beloved sister?
***
Mr. Darcy had determined that he would request a full accounting of what had happened at Cresston Hall as soon as he and Elizabeth were alone, but once they were together in her bed, he decided that it could wait.