Chapter 15 #2
Elizabeth nodded and took her husband’s arm.
“I assume they know our uninvited guests have departed, so let us go into dinner. Since we are such a small party, we are eating at a smaller, more intimate table, and I would prefer to sit next to my husband tonight if it is all the same to the two of you,” she laughed as they walked toward the dining room.
The others readily agreed with the suggestion, and both couples were quickly seated at the table.
A footman whisked away the extra place settings as fast as they had been added, and the two couples were soon eating and chatting companionably.
They spoke of the wedding, and both had only glowing things to say about the event and those in attendance.
Both Mrs. Bennet and Lydia had been too ill to attend, and Mr. Bennet had spent much time discussing with both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Gardiner as they attempted to make plans for, at the very least, Lydia and how to deal with her during her confinement.
Elizabeth noted that Jane was silent during this discussion but left it alone. Eventually, she knew Jane would have to face the realities of Longbourn; however, Elizabeth did not want to further ruin this night with that discussion.
All too soon, the evening was over. Elizabeth noted several times that the previously close relationship she had had with Jane was not the same, and she began to wonder if it would ever be fully restored.
Granted, as a married woman, William was now her most intimate friend and partner, and the role Jane had played in her life would naturally have changed regardless.
Still, she felt as if there was something else that was causing the distance between her and her sister.
The next morning, the couple visited Lord and Lady Matlock and informed them of the events from the previous night with their uninvited guests.
Lady Matlock promised to whisper a few quiet words in the right ears to ensure that Miss Bingley could no longer trade on the Darcy name for invitations to events.
Within the week, Miss Bingley was again travelling north with the Hursts.
That bitter lady was to go and live with an aunt in Yorkshire, the same place she had been sent to after her antics at Pemberley.
This time, however, she had been publicly disgraced after being denied entry into the drawing rooms of several of the ladies she had attempted to ingratiate herself with by speaking poorly of the new Mrs. Darcy.
She had not realised when she spoke that Lady Matlock had already informed several ladies of Miss Bingley’s bitter grapes because she had been unable to trap Mr. Darcy.
She was still bitterly angry but was impotent to do anything about it.
Her reputation in shreds, she had little hope of ever being able to return to London to find a husband there.
Her only hope was to find a reasonably wealthy husband in Yorkshire, or she would remain an old maid.
Perhaps, in time, her brother would allow her to visit him again, but she would find it difficult to live in a house where Jane Bennet was mistress.
It was with a distinct sense of ill use that she departed, and while she never accepted her role in her banishment, banished she remained. She never returned to London, and although her brother and sister did write and visit, she was never again in company with the Darcys, nor did she marry.
The Darcys and Bingleys were in company twice more before the former left for Pemberley nearly a fortnight later.
Jane remained slightly distant from Elizabeth in these meetings, leaving Elizabeth to wonder about the cause.
However, she was incandescently happy with her husband of not quite two months.
She accepted that she and Jane had been bound to grow apart with their marriages, especially considering the physical distance that separated them.
It was early November when the Darcys returned to their estate, having remained in London much longer than they intended.
The entire staff was waiting outside to greet the new mistress, and after the necessary introductions were performed, Darcy lifted Elizabeth in his arms to carry her over the threshold.
Elizabeth laughed as he did so, causing Mrs. Reynolds to smile broadly and wipe a tear from her eye at her master’s happiness.
Soon, she knew, there would be new life and new little Darcys at Pemberley again.
Their first week at Pemberley was spent exploring the estate.
William ignored all business except an item or two that his steward had determined needed his immediate, personal attention.
These were easily handled, and William took the opportunity presented by one of these items to take his new wife on a horseback ride.
While riding, he introduced several tenants to their new mistress, and Elizabeth, as he had expected, had charmed them all.
It was too cool for a picnic, although their rides did give William several ideas about places to visit privately with Elizabeth when the weather warmed.
They took several rides that week, and William slowly introduced his wife to the principal rooms in the house.
He used this tour to further their education into marital relations as well, utilising several rooms for that purpose.
After being nearly caught out once, they became more diligent about locking doors behind them, and the staff was seriously encouraged to knock before entering any closed doors where the couple might be.
If a door were locked, they learned to find something else to do for some time before attempting to complete the original task.
Several servants remarked to each other that they would be surprised if they did not learn that an heir was expected soon.
After this first week, William and Elizabeth returned to their roles as master and mistress of the estate.
Elizabeth began by meeting with Mrs. Reynolds, who instructed her in her role as mistress of such a vast estate.
She had started learning many of these tasks in August while still engaged, so they had reviewed these and discussed the harvest celebration, which had taken place while they were still in London.
After discussing several issues needing attention within the house, they began reviewing previous Christmas celebrations for the staff and tenants.
Elizabeth was determined to host a Christmas celebration for tenants and staff on the 23rd of December and wanted to begin making the arrangements immediately.
They perused Mrs. Reynold’s journals and Lady Anne’s and discussed what must be ordered.
Elizabeth realised soon that she needed some journal or notebook to keep track of these arrangements.
When she and the housekeeper were finished, she sought out her husband, finding him in his study.
He did not look up when she entered and, after shutting the door carefully, quietly approached him.
As she stood next to him, his arm shot out, and he quickly pulled her into his lap, kissing her soundly.
When Elizabeth moaned as his hand caressed her, he stopped kissing her long enough to whisper, “Elizabeth, is the door locked.”
“Not locked, but no one will enter this room, will they?” she whispered.
“No,” he said, kissing her again and continuing with his intent.
It was sometime later when Elizabeth made her request. “I need to go into Lambton,” she said. “I need a few things from the milliner, and I need a journal to keep track of information about the tenants. Maybe another one for myself.”
“We can go in about an hour, perhaps sooner, if you would like to assist me with some of this correspondence,” he said. “That is, if you do not mind me going with you. I need to ensure you have been added to the accounts and make a few introductions around town.”
“I would be delighted for you to join me,” she said. “Will we take a carriage or go on horseback?”
“That depends,” he said teasingly. “How much do you intend to purchase?”
“Remind me, is there a bookshop in Lambton?” she enquired with an arched eyebrow.
“There is,” he replied, smiling. “So, a carriage it is, then?”
“Yes,” she smilingly answered. “We can kiss more easily in the carriage.”
“Scandalous, Mrs. Darcy,” he teased in return. “But an excellent observation. I recall hours of travelling toward Pemberley when that was our main occupation.”
“Travelling with a husband was decidedly more entertaining than travelling with my aunt and uncle,” she goaded.
He peppered her face with kisses for a moment before groaning and releasing her. “We have business to attend to, my dear, and if we keep this up, it will be hours before we can head into town.”
“Should I open the door, William? Would that help keep you in check?” she enquired.
He barked a laugh. “Opening the door would not rescue me from your impertinent comments, my love, which often lead to our … interludes. You are far too teasing.”
“Would you like me to stop,” she asked sweetly.
“Never, dearest,” he said before once again kissing her passionately.
Once again, they were distracted from their task and involved in far more entertaining business for some time. It was not until after luncheon that they could travel into Lambton.