Chapter 25 #2
Kitty sighed a little, “Perhaps, assuming we receive offers. Not all of us are as fortunate as Lizzy and Jane.”
“Nonsense. We are now the sisters by marriage to Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and connected to the Earl of Matlock. Our dowries of five thousand pounds are attractive, you and I are handsome and Mary is accomplished. We will find someone who wishes to marry us, not that I will marry just anyone. I am thinking I will marry an army or naval officer.”
Her sister shuddered, “I cannot imagine such a thing, Lydia! Would you not be fearful for your husband’s life and health if he were fighting the French?”
“If no one would fight for our country’s freedom, we would have been invaded by Napoleon long ago,” Lydia said seriously.
“I suppose,” her sister replied in wonder. The old Lydia would never have said such a thing, but they had all changed significantly since Mr. Bennet had died.
“In any case,” Lydia continued briskly, “I will not be marrying for a few years since I am not quite seventeen. Elizabeth says that I will be presented to London Society with Georgiana Darcy so long as I follow Mr. Darcy’s requirements regarding my behavior and demeanor.”
“And you will?”
Lydia tossed her head at this, “Of course I will, Kitty. Father used to say I was stupid but I am not. I know what I want, and when Father still lived, I could get what I wanted because Father did not care and Mama indulged me. Now Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are providing for us and I have no intention of exasperating them. Mr. Darcy has shown me that he is entirely capable of restraining my behavior.”
Kitty quailed at these words, her mind returning to the Christmas holidays when Lydia had imbibed too much punch and started flirting outrageously with Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam at a Darcy dinner party.
Lydia had been firmly escorted out of the dining room and into her bedchamber, where she had been confined for the next three days.
Mrs. Bennet had wailed and howled at her favorite’s punishment, but Mr. Darcy stood firm.
“Are you angry at Mr. Darcy for what he did at Christmas?” Kitty inquired timidly.
Lydia shook her head absently as she opened the book again, “I was at the time, of course, but not now. I understand Lizzy’s husband quite well, I think; he is as strong willed as I am, but he is older and more responsible. I quite respect him and even like him. Now do be quiet. I want to read.”
/
Fitzwilliam Darcy stepped into his wife’s sitting room and gazed fondly at his wife.
Elizabeth was curled up on a chair near the fire dressed in a simple white day dress, her dark hair cascading freely around her shoulders.
It was still early, and the winter sun was only barely peeking above the horizon.
Elizabeth was reading a letter and thus did not observe his arrival, allowing him to consider the joys and challenges of the last months.
As anticipated, Elizabeth had been welcomed with enthusiasm by Mrs. Reynolds and the rest of the staff at Pemberley.
His wife had always been a kind woman, but her time in St. Croix had given her insight into the needs of those who served the great estate.
Elizabeth insisted on learning about the tenantry and had immediately revived some of the traditions which had lapsed when Lady Anne Darcy died.
Christmas had been a merry time for the entire household and the shops of nearby Lambton were nearly stripped of toys for the sake of the tenants’ children.
In addition to the playthings for the little ones, the usual baskets to the poor had been augmented by monetary assistance when appropriate.
The servants had also found their schedule altered so that they could visit their family homes every three months if they desired.
In truth, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley had never realized how lonely his existence had been without Elizabeth.
He had been content as the austere master of Pemberley, but he had not been happy.
Elizabeth brought animation and liveliness and passion to his life.
They argued on occasion but always made up quickly, and he thanked God once again that he had followed Elizabeth across the sea to claim her as his bride.
“Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth cried out, breaking his reverie, “I am sorry, I did not see you!”
“You seemed engrossed, my love. What are you reading?”
“It is the letter from Mrs. Kendall which I received yesterday!” his lady replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. “She gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Christmas Day!”
“That is fabulous news. I hope that Mr. Kendall and the rest of the occupants of the parsonage are also well?”
“Yes, Sarah’s little girl is several months old and healthy, and her sister Althalie is engaged to be married to a local fisherman. All seems well.”
“May I ask how our own child is today?”
Elizabeth looked down at her own mostly flat stomach, “He is making me tired and a little sick, so I suspect he is happier than I am.”
“Or she,” her husband commented, sitting down next to her.
“Or she,” his wife agreed without enthusiasm. “I really do hope the babe is a boy. Anne de Bourgh is correct; Pemberley needs an heir.”
“And I will be entirely content if the child is a girl,” her husband insisted. “There is plenty of time for more children, and a darling little girl with her mother’s fine eyes and glossy hair would be a gift from God.”
“Helena tells me that her baby son is entirely bald. The baby will probably not emerge with a cascade of curls.”
He kissed her at this and drew her into his arms, “Truly, do not worry about the gender of our child. What will be, will be.”
“I know,” Elizabeth answered with a sigh. “My mother was so distressed that she was not able to bear a son. I suppose it is affecting me somewhat, which, when I think about it, is utterly ridiculous.”
“Your mother’s anguish was tied into the entail, and Pemberley is not entailed.”
“That is true. Very well, Fitzwilliam, our child is allowed to be a girl.”
“That is gracious of you, Elizabeth.”
She jabbed an elbow into his side and laughed. He grabbed her gently in return, they kissed, and a few minutes later, they were on their way back to their bedchamber.
After all, Mrs. Reynolds was a thoroughly competent housekeeper. It was quite all right if the newly married Darcys did not emerge for some time.