Chapter 21
The evening was spent at the Wood Inn as planned. The inn was sparsely occupied, so finding rooms for Elizabeth and the colonel was an easy business, and dinner was peaceful. The party resumed their journey early next morning to ensure they would arrive at Pemberley by evening.
As the day was beautiful, the gentlemen again preferred their horses. Inside the carriage, the ladies, accompanied by Didi and Mist, amused themselves with stories of the past and plans for the future.
After noon, following their second stop on the road, a brief rain began, so the gentlemen sheltered again in the carriage.
“I am so happy to be home soon,” Georgiana exclaimed.
“As am I,” Lady Hardwick answered. “I believe I shall sleep a few days and nights in a row.”
“I confess I am anxious to see Pemberley, and I am afraid I will not be able to sleep at all for a few days at least. Dear Georgiana’s eagerness and enthusiasm are contagious,” Elizabeth said. “I hope we visit as much of it as possible tomorrow.”
“My dear, you will need at least a week to visit it. The park alone is about ten miles ’round, is it not, Darcy?” the countess replied.
“Yes it is, Aunt.”
“Truly? That is overwhelming indeed,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
“Yes, but we can start tomorrow morning,” Georgiana continued.
“I will ask Mr. Slade to have a phaeton prepared for you. Do you know how to drive? If not, Luke or one of the other stable boys will join you. I would really like to ride if you do not mind. But do not worry, Lizzy; I will stay close to you.” Georgiana’s eyes glowed with anticipation, and her voice was filled with joy.
Darcy’s heart melted; he gazed at his aunt and could see her contentment.
The shy, silent, fearful girl, who was afraid to face the world and the daylight in London, seemed replaced by this witty, voluble, lively Georgiana, who was ready —and eager —to enjoy life in all its beauty.
Darcy ventured a brief look at Elizabeth; he knew how much he owed her for this change.
The distress of Elizabeth’s nearness was endurable when compared to the extraordinary benefit of her friendship with Georgiana.
His own feelings were insignificant under the present circumstances.
His job —his duty —was to make certain this friendship was sheltered, and he would refrain from any gestures —including thoughts —that might make Miss Bennet uncomfortable.
“Who is Mr. Slade if I may ask?” he heard Elizabeth inquiring.
“He is a dear friend of our family. He lives in a cottage less than a mile from Pemberley House. He is also in charge of our horses and stables. Just wait ’til you meet him. I am sure you will like him as much as I do,” Georgiana responded with the same enthusiasm.
With a calmer voice and a little smile, Darcy added, “Mr. Slade is indeed a dear friend of our family. His father was at Pemberley when my grandfather was young. He was in the army for many years, and after he suffered a dangerous wound fifteen years ago, he decided to return to Pemberley. We happily welcomed him as he is a great help and comfort to us.”
“What an exciting story. I look forward to meeting him,” Elizabeth said.
“Mr. Slade is also an excellent rider and fencer. He taught Richard and me to ride and handle a sword,” Darcy continued.
“True,” the colonel agreed. “Even to this day, though he must be in his early sixties, I am not certain I could defeat him in a horse race or a duel.”
“Not to mention he was an exceedingly good looking man; no other was more handsome than he was,” the countess whispered to Elizabeth, whose cheeks coloured. Georgiana also blushed and chuckled while the two gentlemen stared in surprise at such a statement.
Lady Hardwick had more to reveal.
“I confess I lost my heart to him years ago. He did not know any of this of course. I used to watch him with Darcy’s father as they rode through the fields or fenced in the back garden.
He was a great favourite of many ladies, but for some reason, he chose not to marry.
Then he joined the army and now is alone with no family.
Of course, I was married twice, and I am in a similar position.
Strange, is it not? Oh well, I confess I am still a little unsettled when I see him. ”
She laughed, much to the others’ astonishment.
Elizabeth did not know what to do with such a statement, except to consider it another proof that the countess was a most unpredictable lady and one should never be alarmed about what to expect from her next.
That, together with her keen sense of observation and sharp intelligence, made her an equally admirable and frightening companion.
“Lady Hardwick, you never cease to amaze me,” the colonel said with a laugh as if reading Elizabeth’s mind.
“My dear, at my age, amazement is one of the few feelings I might hope to arouse in a young gentleman,” she replied, and the colonel laughed even louder, kissing her hand.
Darcy struggled to remain stern as he noted the mirth in Elizabeth’s’ eyes and the amusement on Georgiana’s flushed cheeks.
The sun was slowly sinking when the carriage reached a crossroad.
Lady Hardwick pointed it out to Elizabeth.
“Look, my dear, if we continued to the left, we would reach Tidestone in about an hour and a half.”
“And this is where Pemberley begins. We will be home soon,” Georgiana said. “I am so happy we arrived before dark.”
“Yes, it was worth hurrying a bit. It seemed Darcy’s travelling schedule worked perfectly,” the countess teased her nephew.
Darcy bore her jest with an unmoved expression. He knew he hurried the party more than necessary with the sole purpose of allowing Elizabeth a glimpse of Pemberley in daylight.
His goal was achieved when he saw her lean on the carriage window and gaze outside, unwilling to miss the view for a single moment. However, for the time being, there was little to see but the dense wood, its large trees coloured with the rust of autumn.
The sun had almost set, and the redness of the fields matched the crimson of the sky when Pemberley finally appeared in the valley, majestically guarding the lakes, the gardens, and the groves that surrounded it.
The expression of utter delight and profound amazement on Elizabeth’s face was Darcy’s reward. She continually whispered her admiration for the beauty before them, and Georgiana leant near her. He smiled as he watched them share the same joy and wonder.
“It takes my breath away every time I see it. I cannot believe it is my home, and I deeply miss it when I am away,” Georgiana whispered.
“I can well understand. I do not think I have ever seen a more beautiful place. Nothing I have heard about Pemberley does it justice. Thank you for inviting me here, dear Georgiana.”
As the hoof-beats brought them closer to the main entrance, silence took the place of words inadequate to express Elizabeth’s admiration.
When they finally stopped in front of the building, Darcy and the colonel hurried out and helped the ladies. Lady Hardwick remained on the arm of her nephew while Elizabeth and Georgiana slowly walked together.
Darcy was amused and pleased to see Elizabeth lost in delight, her head turning rapidly in an attempt to see everything at once.
Mrs. Reynolds hastened to greet them, followed by several servants.
“Welcome, welcome! Master, what a joyful day for us to have you finally here! Lady Hardwick! Colonel Fitzwilliam! Miss Georgiana —how much you have grown and how beautiful you are! Oh, you have been dearly missed.”
“Mrs. Reynolds, we are happy to be here,” Darcy said as Georgiana embraced the woman whose eyes were moist with tears. “Allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She is a close friend of Georgiana, and she will be a lovely addition to our family for the next months.”
“Miss Bennet, we are so pleased to have you here. Come, come —let us enter. Everything is prepared. We will take you to your rooms first. Dinner is ready when you are.”
Lady Hardwick was the first to be helped to her apartment. Georgiana held Elizabeth’s arm and continued to speak as they headed towards the stairs to reach the other bedchambers.
“I could take you on a tour of the house now if you want. Or tomorrow. You must see the music room; the pianoforte is exquisite. It was a gift from William.”
Darcy gently touched his sister’s shoulder.
“Dearest, let us take things slowly. You will have plenty of time. For now, we should settle and eat something. This has been a long and tiring journey.”
“And drink something,” the colonel added. “I will take my usual room and see you in the library in half an hour, Darcy.”
“Very well. Now, it is Miss Bennet’s turn to choose her chamber,” Darcy said.
“Come, Lizzy, let me show you. Aunt Amelia has a suite downstairs on the first floor; she cannot tolerate the stairs. Here is my apartment; William’s is at the end of the hall.
And these three are the available rooms in the family wing.
Of course, there are many others, but I thought you would like to stay closer to me.
Two of these have a view towards the back and one towards the front, but I believe it is a little smaller. ”
Elizabeth felt slightly overwhelmed by the situation.
Everything was so beautiful yet so solemn and silent that it was intimidating.
She was reluctant to enter the rooms as Georgiana opened them one by one by.
They were all large and exquisitely furnished.
Each had an impressive bed, twice as big as the one she had at Longbourn, very high windows, a fire in the fireplace, and many other things upon which Elizabeth barely had time to rest her eyes.
She turned towards Darcy, who was waiting a little distance away as if he did not want to enter a room she might occupy.
“Sir, which would you recommend? They are all so beautiful that I cannot possibly know how to choose.”