Chapter 2 Realisation
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Elizabeth
Elizabeth struggled to comprehend all the surprises she had experienced the day before.
Here she was, waking up in the softest bed she had ever known, in one of the grandest chambers she had ever seen.
Everywhere around her, opulence and grandeur met her gaze.
However, unlike her recollections of Rosings from years past, Pemberley was more than a mere building; it was a home, brimming with personality in every nook and corner.
It stood as a haven of love and togetherness, not merely an extension of its owner's wealth.
She vividly recalled her first sight of Pemberley.
She had travelled in the first sleigh. Jane and Charles accompanied her.
Sam sat in her lap, and Beth, having awoken by that time, rested in Charles's embrace, who was also holding on to a shivering Jane.
Jonny took charge of the sleigh. For a brief moment, Elizabeth dreaded the possibility of Mr. Darcy taking over the duty, but to her relief, he relinquished the responsibility to Jonny.
Though she was consumed with a whirlwind of emotions, she couldn’t help appreciating the scenic surroundings on both sides during their journey.
Sure, there was snow everywhere. But still, the woods they passed through were among the most captivating she had ever encountered.
After a point, the wood ceased and they found themselves on top of a considerable eminence.
It was there she beheld Pemberley for the first time.
Nestled on the opposite side of the valley, it presented a grand sight.
It was a large and handsome stone edifice, perched gracefully on rising ground, with a backdrop of lofty wooded hills.
Charles indicated a vast snowy expanse and shared that it was a frozen stream, its beauty even more pronounced in the summer season.
Even in this winter, Pemberley was a beautiful home. A home where she would have been the mistress had she not been a foolish, headstrong girl all those years ago.
Upon their arrival at the entrance to the building, they were swiftly wrapped in additional blankets and led into a spacious and inviting parlour.
The room radiated with warmth, thanks to the presence of not one, but two crackling fireplaces adorning its sides.
Every conceivable comfort was thoughtfully provided - warmth, refreshments, and the offer of a soothing hot bath.
The staff were cordial and Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, was both kind and authoritative at the same time.
Even a wet nurse was present, as Jonny had conveyed the presence of an infant within their party.
Such foresight proved fortuitous, for Jane was so consumed by her fever that Mr. Ashton, the apothecary, deemed it prudent for her to refrain from nursing little Beth for a time.
The very notion of Jane's condition roused Elizabeth from her bed.
It was already well past the hour of breakfast. The previous night, she had kept watch over Jane as Charles and Louisa slept, and it was well past midnight when Charles awoke to relieve her, permitting Elizabeth to retire to her own chamber.
Truthfully, the vigilant Mrs. Reynolds had already assigned two maids to attend to Jane.
However, Charles was uneasy about entrusting Jane's care entirely to others, especially in this unfamiliar environment.
Thus, he had requested Elizabeth and Louisa to ensure that Jane was never left alone, always accompanied by at least one of the three of them.
She slowly walked towards the large window, captivated by the spectacular view outside.
In the distance, she could see the winding road she had travelled yesterday.
A lone rider approached the building. It didn't take Elizabeth much time to identify the rider.
She quickly moved away from the window just as a maid entered with her breakfast.
"Good mornin', miss. I've brought yer breakfast on a tray. Mrs. Reynolds told me t' do it, 'cause the usual breakfast time's over," the maid said.
It was a thoughtful gesture. Elizabeth had no desire to partake of her breakfast alone at a large table.
"Thank you. May I inquire as to your name?" Elizabeth asked the maid.
"It be jus' Hannah, miss."
"Thank you, Hannah. Do you know whether my sister, the one who was sick, has woken up?"
"No, Miss. The ailing miss is still slumberin'. Her gentleman is sittin’ near her bedside."
Oh, Charles. I must eat breakfast and relieve him. He should be resting. Where is Louisa?
"Do you know about my other sister, Hannah? Has she woken up?"
"No, miss. She's still in her room. I reckon she was sittin' with th' sick miss in the mornin' afore the gentleman took over. Shall I fetch yer hot water for a bath?" the maid inquired.
"Yes, Hannah, you shall," Elizabeth replied.
She peered out of the window once more. The solitary rider had reached the stable at the far end. Hannah was nearly out of the door when Elizabeth voiced her next question.
"Hannah, I didn't happen to see the lady of the house yesterday? Is she not here?" Elizabeth regretted the question the moment it left her lips.
"Which lady, miss? There ain’t anyone. My master ain't married."
With those words, Hannah walked out of the room, leaving Elizabeth grasping for answers.
Darcy
Darcy gently stroked the horse's neck, waiting patiently for the stable boy to attend to it.
The usual solace he found in riding seemed to elude him today.
The weather was miserable, to begin with.
Furthermore, he had caught a glimpse of her at the upper window, only to watch her swiftly retreat upon noticing his approach.
It was clear that, like him, she was also making an effort to avoid encountering each other.
He could also discern that Bingley, and possibly Mrs. Bingley, were oblivious to whatever had transpired between him and Elizabeth.
It did not seem as though she had confided his proposal to anyone in their party.
To all others, he and Elizabeth were merely acquaintances, and in a sense, that was true.
There was nothing binding them beyond a superficial acquaintance.
But in his heart, it was never that simple.
Elizabeth remained the only woman he would ever love in this lifetime.
As he walked towards his home, Darcy pondered ways to avoid conversing with her during her stay at Pemberley.
He could remain in his study, citing estate matters as an excuse during the morning hours.
Though there weren't many pressing affairs to oversee in these winter months, no one needs to know about that.
He was more concerned about the dinner. Yesterday, everyone took a tray in their chambers, citing fatigue.
However, such a departure from the customary dining practice could not be sustained.
It was impossible to completely avoid her company.
He would need to ensure he sat as far away from her as possible, engaging in conversation with others even when she is present.
Completely immersed in his thoughts, Darcy was oblivious to the attacker stealthily approaching him from behind just as he entered the entrance.
“Stop there, I got the gun! I am the brave knight!” a resolute voice declared.
Feeling a gentle tap on the back of his leg, just above his knee, Darcy turned to face his valiant assailant.
There, before his eyes, stood the young boy, Bingley’s eldest, wielding a humble stick as though it were a gallant weapon.
Darcy promptly raised his hands in surrender.
Just like Bingley, no inhibitions. What is his name? Sam?
Elizabeth
Elizabeth remained rooted to the window even after Hannah departed to arrange for the hot water. The revelation that Mr. Darcy had never taken a wife utterly unsettled her.
Why, oh why, did he eschew marriage? Did he not require an heir for Pemberley?
Just then, she caught sight of him striding towards the grand entrance of the house. To her horror, she also spotted young Sam scampering behind him, brandishing a stick in his hand. Oh no!
Events unfolded as if in a dream. Little Sam aimed the stick, his make-believe gun.
Mr. Darcy responded in playful surrender, raising his hands in jest. As Sam approached, Mr. Darcy swiftly lifted the boy high above his head.
Sam's delighted squeals echoed through the air, and to Elizabeth's astonishment, Mr. Darcy's laughter resonated in harmony.
She had never witnessed such levity from him before.
Carrying Sam in his arms, Mr. Darcy gracefully made his way towards the entrance, gradually disappearing from her view.
She remained by the window, unable to comprehend all she had seen.
Thus she remained for some more time, until the necessity of relieving Charles from attending to Jane compelled her to attend to her duties.
An hour later, after a rejuvenating bath and a hasty breakfast, Elizabeth made her way towards Jane's chamber. Before she could reach her sister's room, she encountered Charles.
"Charles, how is Jane? Who is attending to her now?" she inquired.
"Elizabeth, Jane’s condition is worse than yesterday. I am really worried. I was on my way to speak with Darcy. Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine, is with her now," Charles replied with a heavy sigh.
Heavens, Lady Catherine is here? Oh, Charles, why did you leave Jane in her care?
"I can see the apprehension in your eyes, Elizabeth. I also did not wish to depart. Lady Catherine, however, insisted that I take some rest, and I must admit, her counsel is wise. If you have taken your breakfast, could you attend to Jane?"
"Certainly, Charles. Go and take your rest. I shall attend to Jane's needs," Elizabeth assured him, already hastening towards her sister's chamber.
What in the world could Lady Catherine be doing, tending to Jane like a nursemaid?
Darcy