Chapter Twenty-Three
Elizabeth
O nce again, Pemberley returned to a state of pensiveness and unease.
The last few days had deeply shaken Elizabeth. Between Lydia’s sudden appearance and the revelation that Charlotte may have been the one to betray her, it was all more than she could bear. Thankfully, she had Mr Darcy by her side now, and she found herself leaning on him for support.
It had almost been a full season since they had spoken about their relationship and since then it had been clear to her that Mr Darcy’s affection had only grown. Whilst he would not use words such as love, she knew he cared for her deeply—which was more than she could have said at the start of this marriage. The day prior to Lydia’s arrival, he’d even left a token of affection for her in her chamber—a new book she had been hoping to get from the circulating library.
There had been no further visits to her chamber or surprises, though she assumed it was due to Lydia’s proximity. As Elizabeth’s chambers were originally reserved for guests, they were close to the guest chambers in which Lydia was staying.
Each time Mr Darcy would approach Elizabeth’s chamber, Lydia would appear in the doorway to speak to him and ask what he was doing. With Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship still being somewhat fragile, her husband did not want to jeopardise it by having Lydia interrogate him and had thus begun to avoid that area of the house entirely.
The situation vexed Elizabeth, and she hoped that it would not be long before her parents arrived to take Lydia back to Longbourn. She had spoken of the matter with Mr Darcy privately and understood that he was equally perturbed by the situation, but wished to avoid any further conflict with her younger sister—given her delicate condition.
As Mr Darcy was not able to do what he wanted to do he had seemingly moved onto other ways of being affectionate towards Elizabeth—such as personally handing her any letters that arrived for her rather than having the footman deliver them. To Lydia this would seem a simple act, but Elizabeth understood its significance after their disagreement at Christmas when he had hidden Elizabeth’s letters.
Just that morning, she had received a letter from Longbourn. She recognised the handwriting immediately to be that of her father’s. Sitting with a cup of tea, she broke the wax seal to read it, hoping it would be good news from her parents.
Dearest Elizabeth,
It does my heart good to hear your sister is safe in your care. You are quite correct, this turn of events can do little to improve your situation. I share your frustration, Lydia’s disappearance from Newcastle caused much chaos, and your mother has been inconsolable. Your letter, assuring us of her safety, has greatly eased her state. Wickham is presently on his way to Hertfordshire, as he assumed Lydia would come here. His letter informed us of some marital troubles which I am certain I shall have to tend to sooner or later.
Oh, how I wish Lydia shared your calmness and propensity for reason; had she done so, we might have avoided this entire predicament.
Nevertheless, this matter is of little import now, and there is not much we can do to change your sister now. We shall expect to arrive at Pemberley within the week. I earnestly beseech you to maintain your composure during this delicate period, as any agitation may only serve to further inflame her temper, which would be unwise for you, your husband, and Lydia. As for Wickham—he is as stubborn as Lydia and I do not know what the outcome shall be in this regard.
I eagerly anticipate seeing you again soon, Lizzy, even if it is under less than favourable circumstances.
Elizabeth let out a breath of relief as she refolded the paper. Her parents were on their way, and considering how long it would have taken the letter to arrive, she knew it would be less than the week before they were there to collect Lydia. She held the paper against her chest, letting herself feel the relief that her life would soon return to the comfortable state it had been in before.
***
It was with a light mood that Elizabeth sat in the dining room awaiting breakfast. She heard light footsteps walking towards the room and sat up, expecting it to be Mr Darcy. Instead, the door creaked open and Georgiana quietly entered the room, looking pensive.
“Is Lydia always so…” Georgiana said, sitting across from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth nodded in response.
“I have not finished my sentence yet.”
“There was no need. I’m certain whatever you were about to say would have accurately described my sister,” Elizabeth sighed.
“I see,” Georgiana replied, relaxing slightly. “The word I was going to use was petulant.”
“She can be,” Elizabeth said. “She was a bit silly, and some might say my mother coddled her. But her condition has only magnified these traits.”
“Oh dear, that must have been difficult to grow up with,” Georgiana sympathised.
“In some ways, yes, but I love her as only a sister can, despite her behaviour,” Elizabeth sighed. “What has she done now, or should I remain blissfully unaware?”
“I suspect Fitzwilliam will tell you soon enough,” Georgiana said. “She has made plans to stay here. She told one of the maids, who mentioned it to Mrs Reynolds, and now Fitzwilliam knows. He is not pleased.”
“I can well understand his vexation. I would not be pleased if my wife’s sister acted so presumptuously,” Elizabeth groaned.
“Presumptuous? So she won’t be staying?” Georgiana asked a little too eagerly, Elizabeth forgave her the rudeness, as Lydia could try the patience of a saint.
“That is correct,” Elizabeth confirmed. “Mr Darcy has made his position clear as have I, and I received a letter from my parents today saying they are to travel to Pemberley to collect her soon.”
“Oh, that is a relief,” Georgiana sighed, then looked embarrassed. “I do hope you are not offended by my comment.”
“Not at all,” Elizabeth chuckled. “I feel the same way.”
“I’m so glad we understand each other,” Georgiana smiled, settling back.
Elizabeth sighed, trying to relax. The peace at Pemberley was tense, the quiet growing heavier by the minute. Suddenly, Mr Darcy burst into the room, his face flushed as he mumbled and slammed the door behind him.
“Mr Darcy, are you alright?” Elizabeth asked, though she already knew the reason he was so Friday faced.
“I’m as well as one can be with a woman like that in my house,” he sighed, sinking into a chair. “Tell me your sister isn’t staying much longer. I can’t bear it.”
“You need not worry. My parents are coming soon,” Elizabeth reassured him. Mr Darcy slumped in relief.
“Thank heavens,” he sighed. “Lydia cannot stay. If she does, Georgiana might start emulating her.”
“Fear not dear brother, I shall not do that,” Georgiana replied with a frown.
“I agree. You know better than to mimic such behaviour,” Elizabeth said.
“I’m not so silly,” Georgiana added.
“I only wish to prevent any chance of you becoming presumptuous or improper,” Mr Darcy said, looking apologetically at his sister.
“I didn’t know you thought me capable of such things,” Georgiana frowned.
“Don’t take it as a slight,” Elizabeth said. “Your brother worries because you have never had someone like Lydia around.”
“If it will ease his mind, I will agree to more walks together,” Georgiana said after a pause. Mr Darcy sighed with relief.
“Thank you both,” he said gratefully. “I do not know what I would do without you.”
“Well, you wouldn’t be in this situation without me,” Elizabeth teased.
“Perhaps that is true, but I’d rather be here with you than without,” Mr Darcy said with a nod.
Just as the tension seemed to lift, Lydia walked in, oblivious to the atmosphere.
“Good morning! I hope you all slept well,” Lydia said cheerfully, sitting down.
“Good morning,” Elizabeth replied, while Mr Darcy stayed silent.
“I hope you slept well too,” Georgiana said thoughtfully.
“Of course I did,” Lydia said, as food was placed before them. “I’ve not slept so well since I married George. I’ll sleep even better in two months.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply, the tension thickening.
“Perhaps, but wouldn’t it be more restful to be in your own bed?” Elizabeth suggested gently.
“Pemberley feels like home now,” Lydia replied, not noticing Georgiana’s discomfort. “You’ve all been so lovely to live with.”
“I am happy that you feel that way, the house will certainly be different when you leave,” Elizabeth said calmly.
“Why on earth would I leave?” Lydia asked, genuinely confused.
“You have a child to raise, and your husband will want to be with you. I’m sure he’ll come for you soon,” Elizabeth said. She had not told her sister that their parents were coming. Given Lydia’s propensity for dramatics it seemed better that they enjoy another day or two of relative peace.
“Oh, he wouldn’t do that. He doesn’t wish to see Mr Darcy, and I haven’t told him I’m here.”
“I’d hope Mr Wickham would not abandon his child because of his dislike for Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said, which earned a subtle snort from Mr Darcy, unnoticed by Lydia.
“You don’t understand George’s dislike for Mr Darcy,” Lydia said with a laugh.
“And you don’t understand the point of this conversation,” Elizabeth sighed. “Besides, there are others who could have informed him of your presence.”
Lydia stood abruptly, and said angrily, “Well, if others have told him, that’s their choice. But I will not be pleased if that is the case.”
With that, she stormed out. Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. The meal was spoiled.
“Shall we take a walk?” Georgiana suggested, breaking the silence.
“Yes, let’s go to the gardens,” Elizabeth said, standing. She slipped the letter into her pocket, and they left Mr Darcy to stew.
***
The gardens of Pemberley were in full bloom, the air thick with the fragrance of roses. As they walked, she wished that Jane was there, as she had always been able to deal calmly with Lydia, but her older sister was still on her long overdue honeymoon in Scotland.
Once Elizabeth and Georgiana had returned from their walk, Mr Darcy approached them.
“Elizabeth, may I speak to you for a moment in my study?” he asked, his tone calm, though she could see the tension on his face.
She nodded, and once inside he led her to the window, taking her hand.
“I wanted to thank you for handling this morning so well,” he said softly. “I don’t know how you manage Lydia.”
“I am used to her by now, I only wish it weren’t so hard. Oh, Mr Darcy, why must everything be so difficult?”
He didn’t reply, but instead pulled her into an embrace. She held him close, resting her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence, even if only for a moment.