Chapter 13
Trying to contain his nervous energy, Richard stood under the portico, waiting for the carriages which sported the Jersey crest to come to a halt. He knew he had driven his staff to the edge of their patience and vowed he would reward them after, regardless of the outcome of this visit.
Richard was normally perfectly cool and calm in high-stress situations, but he had never stood on the precipice of matrimony before, nor had he ever welcomed someone of this import to his home, or anyone for that matter. To say that he wanted the visit to go well was an understatement.
The house, of similar size and style to the one at Rivington, was situated on rising ground.
Richard’s ancestors who founded the estate and built the house had cut out part of the hill to make the flat section of ground for the house; about a hundred yards from the rear of the edifice where the hill had been cut into it resembled a giant series of steps.
There was an intricate drainage system utilising retaining walls and sluices in place that assured that water flowing down the rise would be diverted around the area where the manor house was built.
The time for worry was over as Richard stepped forward to welcome his betrothed and his in-laws-to-be as they exited the carriage. “Welcome, my L…Father Cyril and Mother Sarah, Loretta, and Wes,” Richard bowed.
“I do not remember permitting you to address me so familiarly,” Wes ribbed him, grinning. “I am sorry that I was away from home when you proposed to my baby sister; I missed my chance to work on you before my father consented.”
“You may attempt if you like, Wes,” Richard challenged, “but given our history, I am sure you remember how many times you tried and how you seldom succeeded in discomposing me.”
“I could not think of a better man to marry my sister,” Wes clapped Richard on the back.
“If you two hens are done clucking, mayhap you will lead me into my future house, Richard,” Loretta said with a smile.
“Already henpecked, I see,” Wes said near Richard’s ear sotto voce. Wes backed away from Richard and knew that he would have to be careful; his soon-to-be brother-in-law would repay the courtesy when he least expected it.
Richard introduced the three senior staff to their soon-to-be mistress and her family. The housekeeper led the de Melville's to their chambers on the guest floor, the second floor. Once they had washed and changed, a footman led them back to the main entrance where Richard was waiting for them.
Besides the mistress' chambers, Loretta found little that was in urgent need of updating.
Some of the décors were very much out of date, but she only asked for work to be done in the one or two rooms where the wall coverings were peeling.
The same paper would be used, so the repaired rooms would match the rest. At some point in the future, if the master and mistress decided they wanted to do a major redecoration, colour and furniture changes would be considered.
As Loretta loved horses as much as her betrothed did, the highlight for her was when the steward showed them around the stables and explained the breeding programme that was one of Brookfield’s biggest income producers.
Given the proximity to the peaks, there were not a lot of arable lands.
Besides the home farm, only about fifteen percent of the land was allocated for agriculture, which was enough to grow vegetables, oats, and the grasses needed for hay.
Not far from the stables were two large barns, and next to each one, an equally large shearing shed, as long-haired merino sheep were herded in numbers at the estate.
Lastly, cattle, both milk cows and those raised for food were kept on the estate.
As they sat in the drawing room after dinner, Loretta said, “Richard, I will be thrilled living here with you.”
“I am most pleased to hear you say that, Loretta. The housekeeper and the butler will tell you that I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off as I was so worried that all should be in order for your visit,” Richard owned.
“There was no need, Richard. So long as you are with me, anywhere that we live will be home,” Loretta assured him.
“As you are aware, we do not have a house in Town, but Andrew has gifted us Hilldale House to use at no cost as a wedding present, at least until Reggie comes of age,” he informed his betrothed.
“It would be pleasant to have our own home in Town, but not so important as we have so many family members with townhouses. We could stay with one a season for close to ten years and not stay at the same one twice,” Loretta joked.
The following day, Loretta, Richard, and Wes mounted their horses for the relatively short ride to Pemberley, where the de Melvilles would be hosted.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Georgiana was delighted; she was to be allowed to attend the ball in honour of Lizzy and Will. She would only be allowed to remain for one set after dinner and could only dance with family or close friends that her father approved beforehand.
Kitty Bennet was on the opposite end of the happiness spectrum. As she was only fourteen, her mother and father had decided that she and Tom would not attend. Her parents explained that it would be her turn soon enough.
At fifteen, James had the same restrictions as Georgiana.
He was pleased that he could attend, but it was not as big an event for him as it was for his cousin.
He would stand up with his cousin Franny for the first, and he and Georgiana would dance the supper set.
He could dance well, but like several boys his age, he had not had a major growth spurt yet, and his partner for the supper set would be a little taller than himself.
Graham Phillips was one and twenty. After Cambridge, where he read law, he had joined the firm of Norman and James at the Inns of Court where he was studying to become a barrister.
He would have liked to have danced the first with Cara Long, who had just turned sixteen, but her father had claimed that honour, so, as she would have a shortened evening like the other young ladies and men not yet out in society, he had managed to secure the supper set with her.
The bulk of the guests started arriving two days before the ball. Most were being hosted at Pemberley as the family and friends that had been staying at the Darcy estate were now residing at Snowhaven.
There was a knock on the chamber door where Elizabeth was getting ready, and she nodded to her lady’s maid to open it. “Marie! I am so glad that you came. Where are my niece and nephew?” Elizabeth asked.
“In the nursery while grandmothers and other relations visit, making the poor nursemaids superfluous. Tiffany is almost a month old, and it is such a short distance to Pemberley, making it an easy decision to be here,” Marie informed her sister-in-law.
“Where is my brother Andrew?” Elizbeth asked.
“He is waiting in the attached sitting room to see his sister, who will be married in four days,” Marie replied.
“Do you know what Will has planned for the wedding trip, Marie?” Elizabeth probed.
“Even if I did know, and I am not saying that I do, I would not tell you and spoil Will’s surprise,” Marie told Elizabeth, who put on a fake pout. “Lizzy, that deep burgundy silk gown is perfect for you. The short sleeves will help keep you cool on this warm summer’s night.”
“I am most pleased with all that Madam Chambourg produced for me. I thought that I owned many gowns before, but that was nothing to what was made for my trousseau. If I never need to be poked and prodded again, it will be far too soon!” Elizabeth was one of the rare breeds of lady that did not enjoy too much shopping.
“I understand that Jane and Perry have remained at Snowhaven as my sister is fatigued. Was she well when you departed, Marie?” Elizabeth asked with concern.
“She seemed as well as could be expected, Lizzy. I agree with her decision about tonight; she wants to rest as much as she is able so that she will be able to attend your wedding,” Marie responded.
“I cannot but agree with you, Sister. I would be a little sad if Jane were not with me when I marry Will,” Elizabeth sighed dreamily as she was wont to do whenever she discussed marrying Will.
When Thénardier was happy that her mistress was just as she should be, Elizabeth stood, and she and Marie entered the sitting room. “You are definitely not a sprite any longer,” Andrew said as he saw his sister.
“It only took you five years to determine that I had outgrown that nickname, brother?” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow as she smiled at Andrew.
“When will I outgrow ‘Itch’ Sprite?” Elizabeth heard from behind her. She turned to see Richard and Anne Ashby enter the sitting room.
“I will leave the four Fitzwilliam siblings,” Marie said as she gave Elizbeth a light peck on the cheek, making sure not to undo any of the lady’s maid’s work.
“Did you manage to tear yourself away from Loretta’s company?” Elizabeth teased Richard. “Anne, it so good to see you; you seem to have put on some weight,” Elizabeth teased. It was the first time seeing her sister since she had announced that she was finally with child a month before.
“I love you too, Lizzy,” Richard stopped himself from enfolding her in his arms as he did not want to run afoul of Thénardier as she watched closely from the bedchamber door.
“At your ancient age, I suppose that you are not Itch any longer. I will call you Richard or Rich. To me, you will always be my big brother Itch,” Elizabeth conceded.
“If you two are done debating names, perhaps I could command your attention, little sister,” Andrew asked dryly.
“Not before I ask Anne how she is doing in her state,” Elizabeth replied.