Chapter 9 Relative Transition #6
Still more absorbed by the game than the topic, he had nodded sagely and then shrugged.
“You might be surprised just how many of the gentry, and even the aristocracy, invest in businesses related to trade. They will often deny it and pretend it is beneath them, but the fact is, a wise man with a head for business is prudent to seek ways to increase his capital. I will admit, however, that my insatiable curiosity inspires me to diversify more than most and to get personally involved, which is atypical.”
At her silence, he had finally looked up, noted the ludicrous expression upon her face, and smiled. “Have I shocked you, my dear?”
Then, he had gestured toward the dining room where, visible through the open door, was the frame edge of a huge painting hanging over the sideboard.
“If you recall, we Darcys have a long history of delving into various outside endeavors, Clara Steen being only one example. My grandfather tended to dabble in outside business, although not as much as me, whereas my father was totally uninterested. He said I was more like his brother George, my uncle the physician.” Darcy had shrugged again.
“Perhaps, but I don’t see it. I’ve done my fair share of traveling abroad, but it isn’t a passion as it obviously is for my uncle George.
Then again, the trait is evinced in differing ways.
For me it is the aforementioned insatiable curiosity.
One curiosity leads to another and to another, and on it goes until now I have far too many financial fingers stuck into places that are taking up my precious time! Solving that is now my new priority.”
Darcy had spoken a bit more on the subject, enough so that when he broached the prospect of transporting Lizzy’s possessions to Pemberley, she wasn’t at all taken aback when he insisted on utilizing the company he employed to carry cargo.
Between Pemberley estate, the cotton mill, and the ships he shared ownership of—she learned about those in another conversation—readily available and reliable land transport was essential.
He and his partners didn’t own or invest in a cargo company, nor exclusively contract with a particular one, but they knew of the best wagoners in London and paid very well for their services.
Hence his familiarity with the company whose wagon was now parked in front of Longbourn and his comfort with the drivers.
As he had said to her flabbergasted father, after sharing a truncated version of his business affairs, “It will ease my mind to use a wagon I know to be sturdy and have it driven by competent men I’ve personally interviewed and seen in action.
There will be no doubt that Miss Elizabeth’s prized belongings will reach Pemberley safely. ”
While she mused, the discussion around the wagon had veered away from London crime to the road conditions between Hertfordshire and Derbyshire.
Now kneeling inside the wagon bed, Darcy was frowning at something she could not see.
“This padding is not thick enough for my taste. I can’t risk this being harmed.
Hand me one of those blankets, Mr. Scott.
We can move it in between the boxes of books and wrap the blankets tightly around.
Better stability and less space to slide around if items do shift from the bumpy roads. Do you agree?”
As the driver identified by Kitty as Tims lithely climbed into the wagon, Mr. Darcy lifted the canvas away from the object in question.
Gasping, Lizzy saw the small curio she had received for Christmas nearly fifteen years ago.
The poor old thing was cracked along the bottom edge and the door no longer closed straight.
For days she debated bringing it, certain it would look even more pathetic amid the splendor of Pemberley’s furnishings.
It was perfect for her miniature teacup collection, however, and the sentimental value tugged at her heart, so in the end she had been unable to part with it.
Nevertheless, her cheeks flamed red to watch William fuss over it, as if it were the most precious object in the universe, when it probably cost less than a single china plate at Pemberley—even when brand-new. He was either the silliest man alive or the most thoughtful, wonderful, dearest…
Her heart touched, she pivoted from the window and dashed out of the room. Down the steps in a bound, she reached the wagon just as Darcy leaped over the side to land gracefully on steady feet.
“Miss Elizabeth! Excellent timing. I believe we have secured your belongings unless there is more we have missed?”
At her shaking head, he nodded. Smiling gaily, he indicated the two workmen. “Mr. Scott and Mr. Hocking are two of the most capable drivers I know. They promise with their lives to safely deliver every last hair clip and handkerchief to Pemberley. Is that not so, gentlemen?”
They bobbed their heads and offered their assurances, adding that they planned to drive through the night so as not to risk thievery at an inn.
Lizzy stammered her thanks, which took a bit of time with the gregarious fellows, and then walked to the end of the wagon where Darcy had moved.
He was bent over, inspecting the wheel or something underneath, and when he straightened, he took a step toward the far side.
Grabbing his hand, he stopped and turned toward her, one brow lifted.
“This is all so very kind of you, William,” she whispered.
Feeling the heat spreading across her cheeks, she darted her eyes to the drivers, who were thankfully busy with the horses.
“You are a dear man to exert yourself. I do hope you know how tremendously appreciative I am. But…these things are not worth fretting over or consuming so much of your time. Frankly, I am embarrassed to bring most of this into Pemberley.”
Her gaze drifted to the dirt by her feet to avoid his penetrating stare, so she didn’t see the arm bent her direction until his resonant voice made her peek upward.
“Walk with me please, Elizabeth? Gentlemen, carry on. You are free to go whenever ready, but do not forget Mrs. Price has a basket waiting in the kitchen.”
Holding onto his arm, they walked in silence around the corner to the sheltered garden where they had shared their first kiss a little over six weeks ago.
Utilized numerous times since when wishing to be alone but within proper monitoring distance, leading her here was not at random.
Only on this occasion, rather than kissing her, he gripped her upper arms firmly and looked down with a severe glower.
“Listen to me carefully, Elizabeth. My home will soon be yours. With very few exceptions, and even those are negotiable, every room down to the smallest closet will be under your jurisdiction as Mrs. Darcy, the Mistress of Pemberley. Foremost, you absolutely must be comfortable within your private chambers. Strip them bare, transform them into a replica of your suite here at Longbourn, furnish them with battered furniture, or decorate in Chinese or Egyptian motifs for all I care. As long as you are happy dwelling within, that is what matters to me.”
He paused only long enough to slide his hands upward and cradle her face.
He softened his expression but maintained a serious cast and a stern tone as he continued, “You are precious to me, do you not understand? By extension, your belongings are important to me, especially a treasured childhood cabinet. If it adds to your happiness, it will break my heart to see it harmed. Tell me now if you have chosen to leave anything else behind for fear it would somehow be at odds at Pemberley. I am emphatic about this. I shall be extremely vexed to learn you have done so.”
He was so serious, as if the weight of the world depended on her answer.
“No, nothing else,” she choked out, the sound a cross between a laugh and a sob. “I promise,” she added when he cocked his head and arched a brow dubiously.
“Very well, then. I shall believe you, although I do think I will inform Mr. and Mrs. Bennet to keep an eye out for anything they think you might regret leaving behind.”
Then he smiled, and she laughed. Steering her to their favorite bench, he clasped her hands and settled them upon his thigh.
“I suppose it is time to disabuse you of an erroneous conclusion. When you were at Pemberley, both on your tour with Mrs. Reynolds and later with me, you saw only the public rooms. Those are formal and thus furnished with the best. You have yet to see the private parlors, breakfast room, and, of course, the bedchambers.”
Stopping, he pressed his lips together and glanced away.
Speaking in a low tone, he explained, “You are not alone in having prized possessions from childhood, Elizabeth. Or in owning items worn from constant use that are too comfortable to part with. Honestly, I highly anticipate sitting together as you show me your possessions and recount any memories attached. It is a way to learn more of your heart. Mayhap you have gleaned of my sentimental nature, but you might be surprised to discover just how maudlin I can be. I’ve done my best to hide it, but hopefully, our engagement is too far advanced for this to frighten you away. ”
He flashed a grin, knowing the answer to that nonsensical statement, but with a hint of embarrassment and uncertainty in his eyes. In cases such as these, as they both had learned, words were not the best way to reassure.
Slipping her arms around his shoulders, she leaned in to deliver the kiss he was already bending to accept. Expressing her understanding and acceptance through kisses and caresses was not only more enjoyable, but it also conveyed a depth of emotion words never could.
Without any doubt, Darcy received the message loud and clear.