Vol 2, Chapter 7 #3
Elizabeth turned to discover Darcy staring reverently at the books. “I have always desired first editions of Shakespeare’s works but have not been so lucky as to acquire any yet,” he sighed with desire as he looked at the treasures.
“I suppose you will have to invent reasons to visit,” Elizabeth teased.
Darcy took her comment as another positive sign—an incredibly positive one.
“Richard had the right of it in his jesting. My library is smaller, though not by as much as he suggests,” Darcy avowed staunchly.
“My library has three levels to it, if one were to factor the extra area the two upper levels add, it is about three quarters the size of your library here.”
“So the opposite of what Richard intimated?” Elizabeth asked with arched eyebrow. It amused her that William felt the need to defend the size of his library. “Silly me, I always thought that size does not matter, for is it not the quality and variety of the books?”
Darcy looked anywhere except at Elizabeth after she used the unintentional double-entendre, and he felt the heat radiating from his ears.
“Are you well William, you look a little flushed?” Elizabeth asked innocently.
Seeing the saucy look that she gave him, Darcy realised she knew exactly what she had said and what it referenced, and Elizabeth also achieved her aim—for William never tried to defend the size of anything he owned to her again.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“No, Aunt Rose, you are not moving to the dower house!” Priscilla insisted.
“Until we met it was just you and Uncle Sed, and as he is awaiting your company elsewhere! He has allowed us time with you, so you are not alone. In the short time since we met,” Priscilla indicated her husband and children, “and again for myself, you have become our family and we yours. It would please us if you would select one of the two bedchamber suites on the family floor. We want you with us, not three miles away!”
“If that is how you all feel…” Lady Rose saw nods from all of the family except Mark who stood before her and took her hands.
“Please say you will stay, Aunt Rose,” he beseeched.
“How can I refuse the Earl of Meryton,” Lady Rose teased him.
“Then you will remain with us, Aunt Rose?” Elizabeth confirmed. Like the rest of the family, she had grown to love her new aunt in short order.
“It seems I have been overruled,” Lady Rose responded with a smile.
“That is good. Aunt Rose, you know it is not only love that was the genesis of my request, but it was also pragmatism as I need your help—as much as you are willing to give,” Priscilla smiled.
“If this old lady may be of use, then so be it,” Lady Rose returned, appreciating them for making her part of the family, and not allowing her to wallow in grief.
“Pish-posh! You are not an old lady, Aunt, for you are more spry than some half your age,” Jane challenged.
“Thank you, Jane dear, it is kind of you to say so,” Lady Rose emoted.
“We need to depart on the morrow, Priscilla,” Lady Sarah informed her daughter. “You know your father must return to the Lords.”
“It is the same for us,” Lady Elaine stated. “Reggie needs to return to the House as well.”
“Aunt Priscilla,” Georgiana attracted the Duchess’s attention. “William has asked me to invite you to make a stop at Pemberley on your way back to Town. He is sure that Uncle Thomas will enjoy seeing our library.”
“Please thank William on our behalf. I will confer with my husband and let you know before you depart on the morrow. As long as you know we will not be able to break our trip by more than a day or two, dear.” Georgiana allowed that she was well aware of the fact.
Elizabeth felt the compliment keenly. She was sure the invitation was issued so she could see Pemberley and realised she was hoping her father would have no objection to making the detour on their return to Town.
Later that evening, to the delight of both Elizabeth and Darcy, the invitation was accepted.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The morning before the Fitzwilliams departed, Jane and Andrew were walking in the extensive rose garden, which was in bloom, with Mrs. Ponsonby trailing them. “I will miss you, Jane,” Andrew stated.
“And I you, Andrew. We will arrive in Town in the next sennight as I do not believe we will sojourn at Pemberley for more than two or three days. Papa needs to be inducted into the House of Lords before the end of the session, so he will not dally for long regardless of how attractive the library is,” Jane opined.
“And it is less than three weeks until we marry, after which we need not be separated again. I am counting the days,” Andrew promised quietly as he kissed the underside of each wrist he held reverently.
“Andrew!” Richard called as he strode into the rose garden. “Sorry Jane, but it is time for us to depart.”
Jane walked to the drive with her betrothed holding tightly to his arm, then joined her parents and siblings in seeing the Fitzwilliams, Darcys, the grandparents, and their aunt and uncle depart.
Once their carriages had disappeared from view, it was only the Bennets and Aunt Rose in residence in the mansion.