Epilogue #2
Georgiana often joined her, offering her company and familiarising herself with the duties of a mistress. But there were many issues related to the management of an estate which did not hold Georgiana’s interest — at least not yet — so she preferred to practise her music instead.
Elizabeth, however, was excited and eager to learn everything her husband wished to teach her and — although that statement was made in a deeply intimate moment — it also applied to his own duties and responsibilities.
She was proud and flattered that he not only shared his business with her but asked her opinion on concerns that other men would regularly not discuss with their wives.
He always told her that she was not an ordinary wife and their marriage was not an ordinary one — and she believed him, as she felt the same, with every fibre of her body, in every moment of her life.
She heard the sound of a door opening — probably his valet — and she wondered idly whether Marston had entered or left. She put her robe and her slippers on, then tiptoed towards the adjoining door.
When she entered, his eyes were already fixed upon her, and his smile gave her shivers.
Marston was indeed there, but the moment she appeared, he averted his eyes, excused himself, and exited.
Darcy stretched his hand out to her and she came closer, allowing him to embrace her and to pull her into his lap.
“Good morning, Mrs Darcy. I must say you look absolutely ravishing.”
“How fortunate that I have married a man so skilful in paying compliments,” she replied smiling at him, his closeness sending well known shivers down her spine.
“I am only being honest, I assure you. I hope you do not doubt my words.”
“Never, sir!” she said with mock solemnity. “Have you been working long?”
“I have just finished the second letter. And I spoke to Georgiana — how would you like to go for a short ride, before the guests arrive?”
“Very much so! I know I am holding you and Georgiana back. But I absolutely love it!”
“You are not holding us back, my love. Well, in fact, yes, you do, I cannot deny that,” he admitted, and she started to laugh loudly. “But you are very proficient, considering your short experience. I am reasonably sure by the end of the summer you will race with us.”
“I agree I am proficient because I have a beautiful horse and an even better teacher,” she replied.
“Yes, you do, I cannot deny that either,” he said seriously, and her crystal laugh melted his heart, inducing him to claim a kiss.
“We should prepare for breakfast and the ride,” he said, breaking the kiss too soon. “It is rather late, and the party will arrive in a few hours.”
“Yes, you are right, of course. I am sorry I woke up so late.”
“I am not sorry. I always enjoy watching you sleep, and I am relieved that you rested after I selfishly kept you awake most of the night.”
“Surely you know that I adore your selfishness, Mr Darcy, and I find it quite generous,” she continued to tease him while his hands caressed her back. “Speaking of generosity, are you sure you wish to invite all my three sisters to stay the entire summer at Pemberley?”
“Absolutely certain. I hope they will stay even longer. Georgiana missed them, and I am content that she will have company closer to her age. I know she has Mrs Annesley, but I feel guilty for neglecting her, which I have done plenty since we married and our happiness filled my life.”
“True. I also feel I do not spend enough time with the darling girl. And I am very happy to have my sisters with me. Speaking of sisters, is it true that Charles asked you to help him find an estate in Derbyshire?”
“Yes. He is determined to finally purchase one, and seemingly Jane is thrilled about it. I believe I have found a lovely place for them, only twenty miles from Pemberley.”
“My love, that would be wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!” she exclaimed, placing kisses all over his face until he stopped her.
“Mrs Darcy, if you truly wish to be ready on time, I would suggest you mind your actions. Please go and dress. I have one more letter to write to my cousin. The Fitzwilliam party will arrive at the Matlock estate next week. We must have a dinner party and invite them too.”
“I have already spoken to Mrs Reynolds to start the preparations. I am rather anxious as it will be the Matlocks’ first encounter with my family, except for Jane. Fortunately, a short one — which is perfect for the beginning of their acquaintance.”
“Lady Matlock’s manners might be different from your mother’s, but I would wager Lord Matlock will get along nicely with your father.”
“I hope so. The colonel will be there to keep the peace anyway. And I am sure he will be immensely amused.”
“He will not have much trouble. My uncle and aunt have already learnt to appreciate you. They will not mind some imperfect manners from your family since theirs are not flawless, either.”
“I am so astonished to see you so lighthearted, my dear husband. You do realise, I hope, that soon you will be invaded by every Bennet in the country, as Miss Bingley once said when she thought I could not hear her.”
“Yes, I do realise,” he laughed. “I remember that day. Caroline Bingley was always rude to your family, but I think she was punished enough when she realised she must depend on your goodwill and benevolence to be allowed to visit Pemberley again.”
“Yes, I enjoyed myself very much purposely ignoring sending the invitation for her and the Hursts until the last moment and imagining her squirming when it did not come.”
“It was rather cruel of you, madam, although in a mischievous and arousing way,” he said hoarsely, his lips touching her ear.
“Cruel? Should I assume you feel sorry for Miss Bingley? Perhaps you miss her praise of you being a man without faults? Or her offer to mend your pen? And I am still not certain about her claims of an intimate friendship with you,” she uttered with mock upset.
“Do you dare mock your husband, Mrs Darcy? Is it something an obedient wife should do? Precisely now, when your entire family is expected to arrive? Do you not fear the consequences?”
“Fear the consequences? Will you take vengeance against my family and send them back home to Longbourn?”
“Quite the opposite, madam. I shall eagerly welcome them and then complain at length to your mother of your disrespectful behaviour and the way you treat me!”
His eyebrow arched, while she exclaimed in disbelief, “You would not dare do that! It would be very cruel on your part, Mr Darcy. And quite ungentlemanlike too.”
“As I said, there must be consequences for your teasing, Mrs Darcy. You still have a little time to gain my forgiveness and avoid your mother’s rebukes,” he declared in earnest.
Their eyes locked and the teasing disappeared, replaced by other sensations. She leant forward to cup his face with her hands, and he turned his face to place a kiss inside her palm while she caressed his jawline.
“Do you think Georgiana will be upset if she must wait a little longer?” Elizabeth whispered, leaning even closer.
“I hope not. But I am ready to take that risk.”
***
Three large carriages entered Pemberley Park bringing the Bingleys, the Bennets, and the Gardiners to the end of their three and a half day journey.
Except for Miss Bingley and the Hursts, all the others were gazing outside, loud cries and gasps of admiration breaking the silence of the park.
And when Pemberley House appeared in sight, a general gasp of deep admiration was heard as they approached the lake that mirrored the impressive building.
Mrs Gardiner tried to offer some explanation, having already seen some of the park, but Mrs Bennet’s nerves barely allowed her to hear anything, still trying to adjust to the fact that her second daughter was the mistress of all that she surveyed.
By the time the carriages stopped and the scurry of servants came to help them climb out, they were all overwhelmed, only to be more stunned as they saw Darcy, Georgiana, and Elizabeth atop horses, just returning from a ride.
“Look, there is Lizzy, and she is riding!” young Thomas Gardiner cried in disbelief.
“I am sure Mr Darcy taught her!” his brother Andrew declared. “I told you Mr Darcy can do anything!”
“I am sure Lizzy learned because she is very brave,” Ellen Gardiner added a little more timidly. Before their mother could stop them, all three children ran towards the riders who were just dismounting, opening their arms to greet the little visitors.
They returned together, the children jumping and begging Darcy to show them the ponies he promised, until Mrs Gardiner summoned them and they reluctantly obeyed.
Warm greetings were exchanged and excuses were given by the Darcys for their belated arrival to greet their guests due to some unexpected matter of business that necessitated the master and mistress’s attention in the morning.
There were embraces and kisses and more cries of admiration from Mrs Bennet — who finally managed to kiss Darcy on the cheeks, once outside and once again when they entered the main hall, where another entire army of servants were waiting.
Elizabeth tempered her mother and gently directed everyone to their rooms which had been carefully selected for each of them.
Bingley and Jane received the farthest apartment to provide them the privacy a newly married couple needed; Miss Bingley and the Hursts were offered their old chambers; Lydia, Kitty, and Mary were close to Georgiana’s apartment; while the Gardiners were offered a spacious guest apartment with large bedrooms to accommodate both parents and children.
Nobody noticed that, upon entering the suite destined for her family, more beautiful than she had imagined and looking out over the grounds of Pemberley from the balcony, Mrs Gardiner could not hold back her tears any longer.
Mr and Mrs Bennet were also offered an apartment with two separate bedchambers for convenience. Mrs Bennet could not calm her nerves until the maids designated to serve her entered — one brought her tea and the other started to unpack her trunk. At that moment, her satisfaction was complete.
Eventually, more than an hour later, everyone was accommodated, and the promise of a lengthy tour of the house before dinner was made.
Darcy was engaged in a conversation with Bingley and Mr Gardiner, and Elizabeth wondered about her father’s absence. When she did not find him in his chamber, she strongly suspected his whereabouts.
Indeed, she found her father in the library, standing still in the middle of it.
“Papa, why am I not surprised to find you here?” she said, embracing him. “I thought you would be tired after the long journey, but I see you have found your way to the library by yourself.”
“No, I am completely lost, and I doubt I could find anything by myself in this enormous house. I asked a servant and he brought me here.”
“I am glad you did. Should I order some refreshments for you? Would you like some tea? Something to eat? Or maybe a drink? I know Fitzwilliam has some brandy or you might prefer port.”
“Thank you, my child. For now, I am struggling to breathe while admiring all this. I can feel the love for books and the effort of many generations as Darcy once told me. This is simply stunning.”
“I understand your feelings, Papa. I confess I am still in awe every time I look at all this splendour. And I still cannot believe this is my life!”
“I confess I cannot believe it either, Lizzy, and I have only seen a glimpse of it.”
“The library is one of my favourite places on the estate, but there are so many beauties, Papa, that it is difficult to choose. You will see for yourself.”
“I am sure, my dear. For me, I shall be content with catching fish in the company of the gentlemen and spending the rest of the time here, in the library.”
“We expected as much, Papa,” she laughed. “Come. What do you think about this armchair and this table here, by the window? Fitzwilliam arranged this spot for you. You have a perfect view of the lake, the park, and a side view of the garden.”
“This place is perfect, my dear. If you would be so kind as to allow me to sleep on this couch and to send a maid from time to time with some sustenance, I would not even need to leave the library at all.”
Elizabeth laughed again and kissed his cheek tenderly, then held him in her embrace.
“I am so happy that you are here, Papa! I missed you so much. We both did — Fitzwilliam looked forward to your visit.”
“Poor man, he did not want to listen to me when I warned him last December. Now he will have to bear all of us for more than two months.”
“And I could not be happier, I assure you,” Darcy said, entering the library. He went to them and, even without realising, he stopped by Elizabeth’s side and she immediately took his arm while he covered her hand with his and entwined their fingers.
Mr Bennet smiled with contentment.
“I was about to ask Lizzy whether she is happy, but seeing you together, it seems a silly question. And nothing gives me more pleasure.”
“I am happy, dear Papa. More so than I have ever dreamt or would be able to express.”
“There is no need to. The happiness is shining in your eyes, Lizzy. Mr Darcy, you were the last man in the world whom I imagined Lizzy would marry. Even when you wedded I still had my worries — not about your character or your worthiness but about how well the two of you would suit each other. You are so different in nature, each with your own faults.”
“We are even better suited than I hoped, Mr Bennet,” Darcy assured him heartily.
“We do have faults — especially me — and we might be different in nature, but in essentials, we are perfect for each other. And, although I have promised Elizabeth to avoid this word, I must confess that I feel deeply grateful every day of my life.”
The emotions threatened to overwhelm all three of them, and Mr Bennet cleared his throat trying to dislodge the lump.
“Well then, since we have everything settled, I shall choose a book and try this nook you have prepared for me, Darcy. And I could really use a drink. You have drunk my brandy so many times that I expect you to return the favour. I do not remember being so thirsty in a long time,” he said, installing himself in the armchair with the perfect view of the lake, watching Darcy filling two glasses and Elizabeth gazing at him adoringly.
THE END