Chapter 47 Return to Hertfordshire
Elizabeth knelt in the straw, cradling the black Newfoundland puppy that had fallen asleep against her chest. She was large, warm, and heavy.
The long hair on the top of her head was soft against Elizabeth’s neck, and Cinder still retained the lovely smell of puppy.
Elizabeth drew her closer and buried her nose in the soft black fur.
Georgiana sat beside her, playing with the chocolate-colored pup Fitzwilliam had purchased for her.
“I do not want to leave Cinder behind. What if she forgets me?” Elizabeth murmured.
Georgiana wrinkled her nose. “Mrs. Nichols would have a frightful tantrum if we arrived at Darcy House with two dogs. There would be hair everywhere.”
“Perhaps they might live in the stables with the horses and only come in for short visits? How else will they learn who they are meant to protect?”
“Chocolate is so precious,” Georgiana sighed. “I shall miss his puppyhood if we leave him behind. Perhaps Fitzwilliam will allow them to come with us.”
Elizabeth mused. “The stables at Netherfield are warm and dry. Is there room in the London stables?”
“Yes, Darcy House stables are large and well-maintained. They could secure space for two puppies. We shall not return until just before Easter. By then, these babies will be full-grown and may have forgotten us.”
Elizabeth straightened. “Then I know what I must do. I must ask Fitzwilliam if they may come with us. Jane does not care for dogs, but she may travel with the Hursts or the Lewises.”
“We shall have to bring some old gowns with us, Lizzy. To wear to the stables.”
“That is easily done. I kept all my old gowns for work in the stillroom. I will take two or three with me.”
That afternoon, as they sat alone in the library reading, Elizabeth hesitantly broached the subject of the dogs.
“Fitzwilliam, may we take the puppies with us?”
He looked up from his book, his eyes laughing.
“I was waiting for you to ask. I knew you would not be parted from those rapscallions. Peter and Robert have been assigned to care for them while we travel, and when we arrive, I will place them in the charge of the stable hand. Jimmy has care of my old setter; he can look after the puppies over the winter.”
Elizabeth’s smile was broad, her white teeth flashed as she reached up to kiss him.
She ran her tongue lightly along his lower lip, and before she knew it, he had drawn her into his lap and folded her in his arms. After a time, he drew back and said, “I love you, Elizabeth. These fleeting weeks in which you have been my wife have been the happiest of my life.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. “Mine too.” She shifted a little to see his face. “Fitzwilliam, I am dreading the visit to Hertfordshire for Jane’s wedding.”
“Because of your mother?”
“Yes, mostly because of her. She cares not who is near when she delivers a set-down. But Papa wrote that Mr. and Mrs. Collins will also be there.”
Darcy stiffened. “Why?”
“He makes a quarterly visit to learn about estate matters. Mamma invited him to Jane’s wedding, so he will combine his visit with the festivities. It would not surprise me if she did it on purpose to make me uncomfortable. She knew I hated to be near him.”
She pressed a hand to her forehead; her expression had turned comical. “Oh, my wretched tongue. Forgive me, sir. How can I possibly know my mother’s motivations? Perhaps she wishes to build bridges with the heir to secure her place when Papa has passed on.”
“You grow more adept at catching yourself, darling. Soon you will be Saint Elizabeth, and I will not know what became of my Lizzy, the obstinate, headstrong girl who first caught my eye.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then sobered.
“Now that Mr. Collins is married, his thoughts are most likely wrapped up in his wife. You may have nothing to fear.”
“Yes, but now that I am married, I have a better understanding of what his intentions were when he looked at me the way he did, and I find it revolting and embarrassing. I do not want to be anywhere near him, knowing he thought of me in that way when we were mere strangers.”
“Elizabeth, it is that way with some men, and in such cases, it is best to keep your distance and remain busy with those you care about. The wedding breakfast will not last more than four or five hours, and if he pays you undue attention, we may leave earlier. But perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised. As I mentioned before, he is now a married man.”
She let out a breath she had been holding. “Perhaps.”
“And your mother?”
“She was polite, though cool, at our wedding breakfast. If she behaves as well during Jane’s festivities, I shall be satisfied. I only pray she will not embarrass me before our neighbors and friends.”
She sat up suddenly. “Do you suppose Caroline will come down for her brother’s wedding?”
Darcy shook his head and drew her back onto his shoulder. “No. Charles wrote to announce his betrothal, but he did not provide a wedding date and asked Mrs. Hurst to remain silent as well. He wishes to be safely wed before making any announcement to the rest of his family, Caroline most of all.”
“Well, at least I have that comfort.”
“Darling, this visit to Hertfordshire will give you time to see your girlhood friends and to spend time with your father. Georgiana and I will be with you as well. Try to relax and look forward to the visit. It may prove a pleasant reunion.”
“I will write to my father and tell him that if Mamma misbehaves, I shall walk away. I will no longer allow her to berate or embarrass me in public. And I will write to Charlotte. Perhaps we may have tea together and catch up. I wish I could do something for her. There is a dearth of men in Meryton.” She looked at her husband with expectation.
“Have you any unmarried friends in want of a wife? She is considered plain, but she is the salt of the earth, and I like her so much more than I could ever like someone such as Miss Ashbrook.”
He chuckled. “Perhaps. I will keep your request in mind, and I may think of someone.”
She sat up again. “How about the rector?”
He drew her gently back to rest upon his shoulder. “Perhaps next summer, Elizabeth. He will remain here in Derbyshire for the winter, and we shall be in London. But you are welcome to invite her next summer, and perhaps you may do for her what you did for Richard and Isabella.”
Satisfied with his reply, she nestled her head into the hollow of his neck just beneath his ear and blew softly. He drew her closer and then kissed her thoroughly. By now, she had learned how to reciprocate, and they were quickly lost to each other’s charms.
The journey to Hertfordshire was completed in easy stages.
Elizabeth and Georgiana were much entertained by the two puppies.
Jane preferred to travel with Mrs. Hurst and asked questions about her pregnancy, how she had known she was with child, and the discomforts she was suffering.
Mary and Mr. Lewis also traveled with the Pemberley party, and Elizabeth was gratified to see how attentive Mr. Lewis was to her sister.
He was much changed from the man Mary had described after their first disastrous meeting.
As Elizabeth sat having her hair dressed for an evening out, her mind turned to ordering all the insults and indignities she might be made to suffer at the hands of her mother and Mr. Collins.
Ellis’s practical voice brought her back to the present. “Mrs. Darcy, will you wear your sapphire necklace with this evening gown?”
“It is a small party. Would I not be too dressed up?”
“It is a small necklace, ma'am. It will not look ostentatious if that is your concern.”
“I only want to avoid the appearance of displaying myself.”
Ellis laughed. “Though this necklace is exquisite, it is tasteful. Since another family will be present, it is not strictly a family dinner. And because of your station, it is likely expected. This is one of the least assuming of the Darcy jewels. I believed it would work well for dinner in your hometown.”
“Very well. I shall wear it, since you believe I shall not be overdressed.”
Darcy tapped at the door and entered. He waited while Ellis fastened the earbobs and placed a cloak around Elizabeth’s shoulders. He secured it, and then they went down together.
“You look regal, my darling. That shade of blue suits you.”
He offered his arm, and they went down together.
When their carriage pulled up to the entrance of Longbourn, it stood behind the Bingleys and the Lewises.
Elizabeth glanced out the window as they waited for their turn to disembark.
She saw that the house and gardens were neat and well-maintained, but everything seemed smaller.
The rose garden was tiny. No wonder she had overheard Caroline’s insult.
The lawns and hermitage were miniatures of what she had grown used to at Pemberley.
Everything was on a smaller scale as seen through her new eyes.
Yet it was dear. She had spent many hours in her father’s study with him.
She could almost smell the leather-bound books and the fragrance of his pipe.
At last, their turn came, and Darcy handed her down. Just outside the door, she turned to him. “I remember that you apologized to me here, on this very spot, when we returned from Bailey Castle.”
He smiled sheepishly, and the dimples in his cheeks appeared.
“I was sweating blood then, darling. I feared you would refuse to pardon me and would hold my wretched words against me for the rest of my life.” He grinned at her.
“I was grateful when you deigned to forgive me, and you were actually kind.”
She pressed his arm and then turned to follow the others inside.
And there at the entrance stood Mr. Collins, his bright gold hair shining in the candlelight.
He stood tall and handsome, and his eyes were fixed on her.
Her first impulse was to shrink back, but instead she straightened and held his gaze.
Then, by an act of Providence, Mrs. Collins appeared, took his arm, and he followed her into the house.
Darcy looked down at Elizabeth. “Are you well, my dear?”
Her eyes were sad. “I am well, sir. But I am forcibly reminded that this is no longer my home. It already belongs to him.”
“That is life, Elizabeth. Nothing lasts forever.”
He led her inside. The introductions for Mr. Lewis had been made, and Mr. Bennet now approached.
“Lizzy, you look well. Elegant. Do I dare touch you?”
She relaxed and went to him. “Papa, I have missed you.”
He kissed her cheek, and she embraced him tightly. Then he turned to Darcy. The two men shook hands.
“You have done well for my daughter, Darcy. I see that she is very happy and she looks well. I believe she has gained a little weight.”
“Thank you, sir. It has been my pleasure to care for her.”
Mrs. Bennet approached. She inclined her head. “Elizabeth, you look well.” She curtsied to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, welcome, sir.” Then she turned and walked away.
Elizabeth looked up at her husband with arched brows. He winked at her. Everything would be well. He placed her arm in the crook of his own and led her to the drawing room.
He gestured toward an empty couch. “Shall I take you there?”
But Charlotte stood and motioned to Elizabeth. “Come sit with me, Eliza.”
Elizabeth looked up at her husband. “Do not leave me for too long.”
“I will keep an eye on him for you,” Darcy whispered.
Elizabeth nodded and went to her friend.
“Lizzy, look at you. I hardly knew you. I believe you have put on a little weight. Your curves are more seductive, and your face is not so lean. You are more beautiful than ever.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Perhaps it is because I eat breakfast every day now, Charlotte.”
“You mean, now that you do not need to flee your mother?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes. It is such a pleasure to take my time savoring each bite. I have discovered that I love breakfast foods.”
Charlotte gestured to the necklace. “That is a lovely piece. Did he purchase it for you?”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “I do not believe so. I believe it is part of the Darcy collection.”
“Tell me all. How do you spend your days?”
They were soon deep in conversation, and Elizabeth forgot all about her mother and Mr. Collins.
Darcy, however, had not. He searched the room until he found Mr. Collins standing in a corner, watching Elizabeth. He requested a drink from the footman and, with glass in hand, approached Mr. Collins and bowed.
“You are conducting the quarterly review? How is the crop doing?”
Collins studied the man’s face, then relaxed. “Bennet was telling me it has been unusually cool this year, but the crops were not affected. He hopes that whatever has caused this cool weather will not extend into next year.”
Darcy nodded. “The effect is more pronounced in the north. I have kept a careful record. The temperatures in 1810 were colder than in 1809, and they have been colder still this year. Should this trend continue, I fear next year will be colder yet, and those temperatures may affect the crop yield.”
Elizabeth glanced about the room until she located her husband. He and Mr. Collins were deep in discussion. She relaxed and turned back to her friend.
“We are bound for London and shall remain there until just before Easter. Fitzwilliam has agreed to have you visit next summer. There is a bachelor rector in our parish and a widower with four children. I am certain to find more eligible men by the time you come. What think you, Charlotte? Will you visit?”
“I will, and I am very happy to do so. I have grown tired of Meryton now that all the Bennet sisters are gone, and Mary King as well. Let us plan it, Lizzy.”
“Very well, my dear. Ask your father to set aside your pin money, for you shall visit my modiste. Ellis, my maid, is a magician when it comes to dressing a woman to her advantage. Only look at what she has done for Mary.”
Both women turned to regard Mary’s hair and gown.
“And she dresses hair,” Elizabeth continued. “She cut Mary’s fringe. Who would have thought it would frame her eyes so prettily that a man, once caught in those brown depths, would be unable to look away from her?”
Charlotte’s eyes brightened. “Lizzy, may I come tomorrow and have her cut my hair? It falls past my waist and hangs like strands of dead grass. Perhaps she can do something for me before you leave.”
Elizabeth patted her friend’s hand. “Yes, come in the morning. Jane is to meet with Mamma at that time about the wedding breakfast, but I shall remain at Netherfield, and Ellis can work on your hair.”