Chapter 28
The days that followed Elizabeth’s brief moment of courage —her letter to Darcy —were not in the slightest easier to bear than those that came before. Embarrassment and uncertainties troubled her as she wondered whether he had received the letter and when. What would he think—and feel—about it?
She also slept as poorly at the night as she had before. During the day, her effort to appear cheerful for Georgiana and Lady Hardwick’s sake was even more of a struggle.
Three days before Christmas, late in the afternoon, Elizabeth had the joy of welcoming her sisters and new brother to Pemberley.
The reunion brought tears to Elizabeth’s eyes as she embraced Jane —more beautiful than ever on her husband’s arm and blissfully gleaming —and Kitty and Mary, who stared about them in silent, astounded admiration.
Georgiana’s genuine delight and warm behaviour towards her guests melted Elizabeth’s heart. Miss Darcy’s manners were no different at Pemberley than they had been at Longbourn, and that helped the guests to slowly feel more comfortable.
“Upon my word, every time I see Pemberley, it looks even more beautiful,” Bingley declared, caressing his wife’s hand on his arm.
“Miss Darcy, I have never seen such a splendid place. How can we thank you for your kind invitation?” Jane said.
“The pleasure is ours, I assure you, Mrs. Bingley. I am so glad you arrived safely. I hope you travelled comfortably.”
“We did, thank you. It is such a pity that Darcy is not here,” Bingley continued. “I have never been here without him.”
“Indeed. We all share your feelings, sir. Now please allow me to show you to your rooms.”
“I still hope I will see him soon. Miss Darcy, I presume my old chamber is assigned to me?”
Georgiana blushed slightly and glanced at Elizabeth.
“No indeed, sir. I discussed this with my aunt and Lizzy, and we decided you and Mrs. Bingley should stay in the emerald apartment in the west wing.”
“Emerald apartment? I do not remember even seeing it before.”
“That is because you have never been married to this beautiful lady before and in obvious need of privacy,” Lady Hardwick said, approaching slowly.
Kitty and Mary immediately curtseyed to the countess while Bingley bowed. Jane coloured and, in her embarrassment, almost forgot her manners. The countess laughed.
“Come and let me embrace you. How are you all? You had a safe trip, I hope?”
Once the guests were settled, Elizabeth had the pleasure of spending some private time with Jane while she helped her accommodate to the new apartment.
She happily heard good news from Longbourn and Meryton, struggled to provide lighthearted answers to Jane’s questions about her visit to Pemberley, and listened with enchantment to her sister’s praise of her husband and her new life.
“Dearest Lizzy, if I could only see you as happy as I am! There is nothing else that I want in the world. For myself, I dare not pray for more as I feel as if I am in a dream.”
“My dear, your happiness is enough for me.” Elizabeth embraced her tenderly. “I missed you so much, Jane! There was not a single day I did not think of you.”
“I missed you too, my dear…but I confess I did not think of you as often as I used to when we were separated,” Jane teased her then blushed and smiled at her sister.
“To be honest, I hoped as much,” Elizabeth replied in the same manner.
“But, my dear, how is Mr. Darcy? How is your relationship with him now?”
Elizabeth hesitated to answer.
“Mr. Darcy is kind and amiable and an excellent host. Since I arrived here, I have been treated no differently than the family. He is careful and generous. And…oh, there are many things that I have to tell you, my dear, but not now. We have plenty of time. You should rest; I will see you later at dinner. I hope the apartment is to your liking.”
Jane looked around. “It is truly wonderful, Lizzy! Perfect!”
“I am glad you like it. You can easily imagine that all the rooms at Pemberley are splendid, but Lady Hardwick suggested this one for you. She said it was proper for a newly wedded couple. Mr. Bingley’s old room was too small.”
Jane hesitated a moment, then blushed even more, and averted her eyes.
“Oh, I doubt that…we do not need too large a room. At Netherfield, we never use both of the master suite’s chambers at the same time. One of the beds is never disturbed.”
Elizabeth stared at her sister in disbelief at such a confession, then her cheeks coloured too, and she chuckled.
“Upon my word, Mrs. Bingley, what have you done with my sweet, shy, proper, and restrained Jane?”
Her elder sister embraced her again. “She mostly disappeared on her wedding night, but only you know that, dearest Lizzy. I would never dare to confess that to anyone else.”
That evening, dinner was brief; the guests were tired, so Mr. and Mrs. Bingley retired early, followed by the countess.
However, Elizabeth and Georgiana, together with Kitty and Mary, moved to the music room and remained there until late, talking and playing the pianoforte.
“I am glad Mr. Bennet allowed you to come,” Georgiana said animatedly.
“Oh, we were so excited when Papa told us about Mr. Darcy’s invitation! We could not believe his generosity! Lady Lucas and Mrs. Philips pretended something was strange about that, but Mama said they were only jealous because they would never see Pemberley.”
“There is nothing strange, I assure you. My brother is the kindest and most generous man. I hope you will have a pleasant time with us. So please let me know what you wish to do.”
“I just want to stay here at the piano to play…and to read,” Mary declared.
“I want to do anything you want,” Kitty replied, much to Georgiana’s amusement.
Elizabeth watched her sisters and her friend in contentment. The girls seemed perfectly at ease with one another, enjoying every moment spent together. At least for them, she had no reason to worry.
The next day started pleasantly and continued the same. The guests went for a walk —it was not warm enough for horseback nor cold and snowy enough for a sleigh —but every moment outside was a delight.
The evening found them in excellent moods and was among the most joyful that Pemberley had hosted in quite some time, the countess declared.
Mr. Slade was invited, and his addition was as impressive as it was delightful to everyone.
Bingley’s admiration for the gentleman was obvious as he related to the ladies a variety of stories about Mr. Slade’s courage, learnt from Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The gentleman, however, denied them humbly and vehemently.
After the first course, conversation engaged everybody. So caught were they in their discussions that they completely ignored the new arrival looking at them from the doorway.
“Upon my word —welcome home, my friend,” Bingley cried and jumped from his seat, immediately followed by Georgiana.
Sitting with her back to the door, Elizabeth did not dare turn —or breathe. Silence fell in the room for a moment, then Georgiana’s joyful voice and a hoarse one, made Elizabeth shiver and froze her in her place.
“What a joy to see you all here. I could not hope to return home to better company.”
Then steps sounded sharply in the room, and Darcy stopped at the head of the table and bowed to them. She ventured a brief look at him and met his gaze. His eyes glistened with mirth, and his face —although betraying his fatigue —was brightened by a smile that twisted the corners of his lips.
Kitty and Mary seemed too intimidated by him to do more than nod to him, but Jane and Mr. Slade greeted him happily.
Lady Hardwick raised her eyebrow.
“Well, well —look who has returned. Have you increased the income of our estates, Nephew?”
“I am happy to see you, Aunt,” he responded, kissing her hand. Then he bowed to Elizabeth, who remained silent.
“Miss Bennet…”
“Mr. Darcy…”
Nothing further was said as he excused himself to change from his travelling clothes.
In his absence, dinner was interrupted and his return discussed, but Elizabeth was too discomposed to engage in any discussion.
She was furious at her silly behaviour, and that made her even more restrained.
He had returned as she hoped. He appeared pleased to be home and to see her.
But that was all she knew for the time being.
She was still uncertain whether he had received her letter and —if he had —what he thought of it.
She felt the scrutiny of Lady Hardwick and Georgiana, and she forced herself to project calmness she did not feel, doubtful of her success.
The thought that Darcy would join them at dinner in a few minutes thrilled her, and he did so less than half an hour later, completely changed and refreshed.
He took his usual seat at a distance from Elizabeth.
“Darcy, I am quite excited that you returned. I was just telling the ladies yesterday that Pemberley is not the same without you —still beautiful, but different,” Bingley said.
“Indeed, everything is different without Darcy,” the countess added. “And yet, he thought his absence would be helpful in some way.”
“I did, but I am ready to admit my fault,” Darcy replied. “And as soon as I understood that my decision was wrong, I admitted it and acted to remedy it.”
“It is proof of worthiness that a man can recognise his errors and correct them,” Mr. Slade offered.
Darcy responded with a trace of bitterness.
“Of course, it would be an even greater proof for a man to closely analyse a situation and judge it properly before making the erroneous decision —especially ones that might affect those closest to him.”
“True,” Mr. Slade replied. “Except that no man is perfect; so all we can do is accept our errors and make amends.”