Chapter 17 #2
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam stood behind his beloved Mary.
‘I need to talk to Uncle Thomas, I will beg if need be, but I, we, do not want to wait almost a year to find the bliss William will have in a short time when he marries his beloved Lizzy,’ he thought as he looked longingly at the Bennet that he was courting.
As William looked at the glow on his fiancée’s face, he smiled, “I am very pleased you approve Elizabeth, especially as your approval is the most important one to me.”
After absorbing the Bennets’ approbation for Pemberley, a very happy and proud Fitzwilliam Darcy suggested that everyone return to the carriages so they could make the short journey to the house.
Lizzy could see her beloved had no improper pride, anyone would be proud of such a home, she was already.
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The coaches came to a halt in front of the manor house in an internal courtyard. Standing at the base of the wide half dozen stairs leading to the house’s massive doors in anticipation of their first look at the new mistress were the butler and housekeeper.
They had both received glowing reports from the Killions at Darcy House and wanted to see if there really could be such a wondrous lady as had been described to them.
Before they arrived, Darcy had explained Douglas had been promoted to butler fifteen years before while Mrs. Reynolds had been the housekeeper since he was six.
He further explained all retainers who did not have family to go to after retirement were given one of a good number of pensioner cottages that the Darcys had built for their loyal staff over the years.
As soon as the conveyances drew to a halt, footmen all wearing the distinctive green and gold Darcy livery materialised and opened the doors and placed the steps for the occupants to descend and others started to unload the trunks of those staying at the estate.
From up close the house looked even more impressive. Once everyone had alighted, the Bennets who were the only ones in the party previously unknown to the two head staff members were introduced and received polite bows and curtsies.
Darcy took special pleasure introducing his fiancée as the soon to be mistress of Pemberley to the two senior members of staff. Both Reynolds and Douglas were already impressed by the gentility and amiability they could see in the Bennets.
The lady who would soon be the mistress after the master married her in a little more than a fortnight seemed, at first blush, to be completely without artifice.
Mrs. Reynolds smiled as she watched her dear boy as the happiness radiated from him.
He was the best landlord and best master that could be and there was not a single servant or tenant who would contradict that fact.
Based on the longing and loving looks that passed between the couple, the senior staff members were very happy to see that this exquisite young woman loved the master, seemingly not his possessions.
When Mrs. Reynolds spied Bingley and the Hursts, she scanned the rest of the party then let out an audible sigh of relief when she noted Miss Caroline Bingley was not a guest.
As they all entered the house, Lizzy could see right away, that like Darcy House, Pemberley exuded wealth and comfort with only the best of everything, but also was in no way ostentatious or gaudy. The furniture was acquired for comfort, not to impress.
Darcy had told her the house had four more stories above the first floor and an extensive cellar and cold room below.
There was an extremely impressive marble grand staircase that rose up from the rear of the entrance hall with various doors that lead off on both sides.
The vaulted ceiling went all the way up to the second floor and was tastefully painted with a fresco.
Georgiana, as she was still hostess until she gained Lizzy as a sister in about three weeks, led everyone to the larger orange drawing room for refreshments.
As they entered, Lizzy turned to William and gained his immediate focus, “When we return here from our wedding trip William, am I to be given a map so I do not get lost and cannot be found for days on end? How am I to learn to be mistress of all of this?” she asked playfully with a subtle hint of impertinence.
This caused a round of good-natured laughter from the whole party.
“My dearest, departed sister Anne was intimidated when she first married George, and she grew up at Snowhaven which as you well know is quite large, but it only lasted some few days. And you, Lizzy, have always stated your courage rises at every attempt to intimidate you,” the Earl countered.
“That is true, Uncle Reggie.” Jane laughed gently then looked at Lizzy.
“This house will be another challenge for you; however, we all know how you enjoy, and rise to, a challenge.” Jane supported her sister in the best way possible, reminding her that she was happier when she was faced with new things than when things were the same.
“Yes, my Lizzy,” Fanny said affectionately as she squeezed one of Lizzy’s hands, “remember this is only a house. You and all of my girls have been well educated in the running of a house. However, like ours, I can already see this is a home, not just a house for show. That, my dear, you know very well how to maintain. It only takes love and a plan for dinner,” Fanny teased her Lizzy, winning a laugh from many in the room.
“You my dearest loveliest Elizabeth,” Darcy said in a teasing manner, “have always told us how you do not allow anything, or anyone to scare you so I have no doubt you will soon know your way around like a native. Besides, I would never allow you to stay lost for more than a few minutes. Where would I be without my beloved?”
Elizabeth relaxed as the momentary self-doubt, which had been disguised as humour, passed.
The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint William.
As she looked into his eyes and saw the most ardent love shining back at her, she knew he would never allow her to fail, and he had already promised her they would have a true partnership.
When one faltered, the other would provide the support to move on together. Looking into her fiancé’s eyes, she was sure all would we well as long as she was with him.
The party enjoyed refreshments consisting of tea, water, and lemonade, served with finger sandwiches, and the most delightful selection of biscuits, cakes, and fresh fruits from Pemberley’s conservatory, which included the very hard to acquire and rare pineapple.
Once all were sated, Lizzy, accompanied by all of the Bennets and Darcy, followed Mrs. Reynolds as she gave them a tour of the first floor of the house.
There were two public drawing rooms, the music room, a welcoming receiving room, a study for the master and another next to it for the mistress, a breakfast parlour, and a large and small dining parlour. The large dining parlour could seat up to seventy people.
They also saw the magnificent ballroom and were informed that the last time Pemberley had hosted a ball was before the death of Lady Anne Darcy.
Mrs. Reynolds pointed out the entrance to the kitchen and the rest of the service area, expecting the soon to be mistress would just note where the kitchen and servant areas were, and they would proceed with the tour.
To her joy, Miss Elizabeth wanted to see the kitchen, the pantry, storerooms, and the housekeeper’s office.
This boded well to Mrs. Reynolds because she could see Miss Elizabeth wanted to be in their spaces with them, not expect to always be met somewhere outside the busiest areas of the house.
This indicated the lady respected the time of those that worked in these areas.
In the kitchen she was introduced to their cook who had been born in Scotland, Gertrude McInnis, and had been raised in England, and the French chef, Claude-Michel Henri who she charmed as she employed her impeccable French to greet him.
Miss Elizabeth impressed all the servants by giving a cordial greeting to those present from the scullery maids on up.
She was happy her French lady’s maid would be in a house with a French Chef to talk her native language to as she was leaving the company of the other French lady’s maids employed by the Bennets.
Once the tour was concluded, the Bennets minus, Tom and James who would remain at Pemberley, and the Fitzwilliams minus the Colonel, were assisted into four of the coaches to make the short fifteen mile trip to Snowhaven.
After so long with so many women, Georgiana was relieved Anne and Louisa would stay at Pemberley with her so she would not be devoid of female companionship, and they were all gladdened by knowing the two parties would be in each other’s company almost daily at either Snowhaven or Pemberley.
As they departed Elizabeth Bennet was lamenting the separation from her beloved, as he was from her, but both were consoled that all too soon they would never have to part again.
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Snowhaven’s manor house consisted of the old Matlock Castle which looked like it had welcoming arms reaching out on either side of the drive. Over the more recent generations, and finished by the current Earl of Matlock, two wings had been added for additional living space and chambers.
Unlike many others, the Fitzwilliams had not allowed their castle to fall into disrepair and ruin over the years.
The Castle and lands had been presented to the first Earl of Matlock in December of 1485 when Sir Fredrick Fitzwilliam; a knight at the time, had supported and significantly helped the winning side in the Wars of the Roses.
As his reward, he had been elevated to the title of Earl of Matlock and presented with the Castle, renamed Matlock Castle at the time, and the vast Snowhaven estate.