Chapter Twenty-One
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To Longbourn
The Darcy Carriage
About Ten Days Later
Anna sat on William’s lap merrily chattering as she played with her two dolls.
“Mama, do you think the aunts will like Dolly’s and Janie’s new dresses?
” Anna had spent the day with the Gardiner children when Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Gardiner took Elizabeth and Georgiana to the dressmaker.
Margaret and Grace fashioned new dresses for Anna’s dolls from leftover fabrics Mr. Gardiner had given them from his warehouse for their use.
“They are so pretty, and I love the pink ribbons.”
“Yes, sweetheart, I am sure my sisters will like them very much.”
“Look, Papa, this is the ribbon that the cousins helped me to sew on Janie’s dress. Can you see my stitches?”
“You did very well, Anna.” He kissed the top of her head, which was no longer covered with a bonnet.
When Elizabeth removed her bonnet and set it to the side, Anna immediately did the same.
His little girl thought it very smart to copy her new mama, and he could not help but chuckle when she even insisted on wearing similar traveling clothes for their trip to Longbourn.
“Papa, Mama said she will let me do more sewing with her and Aunt Georgie when we get to Pemberley. We are going to make some things for our tenants.”
“I am glad to hear it, Anna.” He broadly smiled. “The tenants work hard for our estate and it pleases me that all three of you wish to help them in this way.”
“Thank you, Papa,” Anna simply answered. “I like to help.”
“I know you do, sweetheart.
“Georgie, our mother took great pride in aiding our tenants and in continuing the charity work which has been promoted by the estate over the years. I should like to show both you and Elizabeth the ledgers she kept for that purpose. They are in the library, and I am sure they will be quite useful.”
“Thank you, Brother. Even though I have never participated in our charity work, I would like to help as our mother did. Now that Elizabeth is my sister, I am eager to assist her whenever I can.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“Mama,” Anna interjected unknowingly changing the subject. “Do you think you will wear your princess dress when we visit my new grandmamma and grandpapa?”
“That is a lovely idea, Anna, but I do not think we shall be attending any balls while we are in Meryton. It is a very special dress. Papa has said, however, that he would like to arrange a harvest ball at Pemberley for me to meet all of our neighbours, and I should be happy to wear it then.”
“Oh, yes, Mama. You will look very pretty and our neighbours will love you, just like I do.”
When William first saw Elizabeth in her new gown, she simply took his breath away.
He had finished dressing well before she was ready and sat patiently in their joined sitting room perusing a book as he listened to his wife and daughter talking through the open door.
Elizabeth had allowed Anna to watch while Molly helped her to get ready.
Before long, Anna ran through the adjoining doors and stood excitedly before him, taking his hand.
“Papa, Mama sent me to get you. She is finished dressing and looks so beautiful in her new princess dress!”
He promptly stood, allowing his daughter to lead him to the next room. “Thank you, Anna.”
On his entering, Elizabeth was standing in the centre of the room, her curls piled high and sparkling with jewelled pins.
About her lovely neck she wore the emerald necklace he had given her on the day of their family celebration.
Her gown was a shimmery white silk bound with a deep emerald green ribbon at the waist. While the bodice was unadorned, several cascades of tiny pink rosebuds and green vines extended the length of the skirt.
Her satin slippers were a matching green, and she wore lace gloves of the finest quality.
William could not help but smile broadly as she looked to him for approval.
“My darling Elizabeth,” he said, moving to her side and kissing her gloved hand, “our daughter has the right of it; you are indeed the most beautiful woman I ever beheld.”
“Dear William,” she said, blushing. “Once again, you and Anna are spoiling me with your compliments.”
“I think not. Anna and I are merely telling the truth, and we never lie, do we, sweet one?”
“No, Papa, it is not good to tell a lie.”
Taking a small box from his pocket, he opened it, saying, “This bracelet will look quite lovely on your wrist and it matches your necklace.”
Elizabeth let out a little gasp as he took the emerald bracelet from the box, and she allowed him to fasten it about her wrist. “William, I….” She could not finish her sentence as tears began to well in her eyes.
Though Anna was standing at his side and looking on, William proceeded to brush away her tears with his fingers as he tenderly professed his love and lightly kissed her on the lips.
“Elizabeth, I am so very proud to call you my wife. You have blessed our family, and tonight it will be my privilege to honour you as your husband when we attend the ball.”
“Thank you, William,” she said beaming.
The ball celebrating William and Elizabeth’s marriage was a “grand success,” as Lady Eleanor proclaimed with satisfaction.
With the exception of Lady Catherine, who did not attend, she was supported in every quarter by the Fitzwilliam family.
Those who were curious to see how the new Mrs. Darcy would comport herself in public were pleasantly surprised, and while there might have been those who would malign William’s new bride, the affair went off without incident.
Continuing their travels, eventually Anna’s excitement began to wane and the rocking movement of the vehicle caused her to yawn repeatedly.
Even Georgiana began to tire and casually leaned her head against the window, closing her eyes and drifting asleep.
When Elizabeth stretched out her arms for Anna to come to her, she willingly agreed.
Eventually laying her little head in Elizabeth’s lap and curling up beneath her mother’s shawl, she, too, fell asleep.
William loved seeing his family thus and, looking to his wife, whispered his appreciation and love to the woman who continued to make his dreams a reality.
Longbourn
Mrs. Bennet was excessively nervous waiting for Elizabeth and her new family to arrive.
The nursery had been prepared for Anna and all of the guest rooms cleaned and aired.
Elizabeth’s wedding had been such a rush, but with the Darcys staying for the next ten days, it would be her chance to show them off in the neighbourhood.
With the exception of Mr. Bennet, who waited in the parlour, all of the family had come outside to greet the travellers.
William carried Anna in his arms so that she would not be overwhelmed by so many adults towering above her.
Mrs. Bennet, beside herself with joy, rushed ahead, eager to greet the Darcys.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet gushed unable to restrain her excitement. “It is so good to have you and Lizzy with us once again. I trust your journey was uneventful?”
“Yes, ma’am, it went smoothly. We have been looking forward to our visit. Please allow me to introduce all of you to my sister and daughter.”
Mrs. Bennet curtseyed, along with Elizabeth’s sisters. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, you do us a great honour.”
“Miss Georgiana Darcy and Miss Anna Darcy, this is Elizabeth’s family: Mrs. Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet.”
“Miss Darcy, Miss Anna,” Mrs. Bennet joyfully responded, “we are so pleased to meet both of you. Please do come into the house and greet Mr. Bennet. After you have done so, Hill will show you to your rooms. Once you have had a chance to change out of your traveling clothes, I would like all of you to join us in the parlour for some refreshments.”
Elizabeth, no longer able to stand on formality, reached out to each of her sisters with enthusiastic hugs and endearments, which prompted all of the women to chatter at once.
“Grandmamma,” Anna said, smiling at the kindly lady. Holding out a small posy, she continued, “These flowers are for you. Papa bought them when we stopped in the village. Mama said you liked roses, and pink is my favourite colour.”
“What a sweet child,” said Mrs. Bennet, taken by surprise.
“Why, they are lovely, quite lovely indeed.” Holding out her hand she said, “Miss Anna, please come with me. I should like you to tell me about everything that pleases you. It has been a long time since I had such a pretty little girl to fuss over.”
William put his daughter down, allowing her to take Mrs. Bennet’s hand, and after giving a few brief instructions to one of his servants, turned to follow the women into the house.
He knew it would be a challenge to endure Mrs. Bennet’s effusions and Lydia’s boldness over the next ten days, but for Elizabeth’s sake he would do his best. So far Mrs. Bennet had been fairly cordial, although he could not help but chuckle to himself, assuming that the matriarch would give an abundance of her attention to both Anna and Georgiana.
Not that it mattered, but he would be curious to see how many ribbons and cards of lace they would come away with by the time their visit was complete.