Chapter 2.1 #2
Wrapped in heavy clothes, Elizabeth took her husband’s arm; her shoes slipped while the wind stung her cheeks. She smiled and breathed the fresh air as Darcy hurried to help her inside the carriage.
He joined her, closed the small door, and put his arms around his wife. Her hands searched for his, and their gloved fingers entwined while the horses stepped hesitantly along the snowy street. Glancing outside, Elizabeth smiled at her husband, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“William, I was thinking…can we go to Pemberley for a few weeks? I am sure Georgiana will not be upset to stay with Lady Ellen a little longer. With the Season starting and Jane’s wedding, I do not see how we can leave for Derbyshire until the summer.”
His surprise was obvious. “My love, I would like nothing more than to show you our home. But it is not wise to travel so long for such a short time. The journey to Pemberley takes almost three days even in the best of weather. Now it gets dark very early; the roads are in very poor shape. We could be trapped in the middle of nowhere any time by snow and a blizzard.”
Her eyes shadowed, and she lowered her gaze outside.
“You are right, of course. It would be very unwise.”
He brought her gloved hand to his lips. “I hope you know my only concern is your well-being. It is my pleasure to comply with your every desire, but more important is your safety. But this does not mean that I am not touched by your request, my dearest,” he concluded, turning her face so he could claim a kiss.
Trying to fight her disappointment, Elizabeth could not resist her husband’s passionate attentions for too long. Fortunately for the propriety of their appearance, the sweet interlude was soon interrupted as the carriage stopped in front of the Matlock townhouse.
They were received with warmth by both Lord and Lady Matlock, and Georgiana’s joy was openly displayed as she embraced her brother and sister.
The colonel kissed Elizabeth’s hand then teased Darcy about paying calls on the second day of his marriage—a joke that drew embarrassed glances from Elizabeth and Georgiana and a sharp, wordless scolding from Lady Matlock.
“I am glad that you decided to visit us. The weather is quite bad, but I imagine neither of you is bothered by that. I was expecting Thomas and his wife, but he postponed the call until a more suitable day. I easily recognise to whom these words belong.” Lady Matlock concealed her displeasure behind the cup of tea while smiling elegantly to her guests.
Georgiana exchanged an amused glance with Elizabeth.
“You know, Beatrice resembles Caroline Bingley very closely,” the colonel said with a laugh. “Both are handsome and annoying. The difference is Beatrice has a title. Oh yes, and both chased Darcy at some point.”
Elizabeth almost choked on the hot tea while Lady Matlock put aside her cup to avoid dropping it. The earl frowned, and Darcy cast a most disapproving look at his cousin.
“Robert, so many years of education and such a long time in the army, yet you still do not know what can be said and when,” Lady Matlock said coldly.
The colonel’s amusement increased. “Mother, I apologise if I upset you. But we are among close family, and I am sure Mrs Darcy can appreciate a good joke—especially when it is true.”
“Cousin, I always wondered at your ability of always making fun of the very few women who had ‘chased’ me, but never of the many others whom you keep chasing,” Darcy intervened.
The colonel laughed again. “Point taken, Darcy. But it is amusing, precisely because you loathed the chase while I truly enjoy it. And you must admit that I am right about Beatrice and Caroline. They are very much alike.”
“One can hardly reject such an obvious truth,” Darcy admitted, meeting his wife’s mocking gaze. She seemed to have something to add to the conversation but she chose to remain silent.
“I know men speak much nonsense when they are by themselves, but I was hoping to avoid it while in our company,” Lady Matlock interfered once again. “I am exceedingly pleased that I have Georgiana with me to carry on a sensible and elegant conversation.”
She turned to her niece then again to Elizabeth. “I hope to have Georgiana staying with me a few more weeks. She already agreed—I hope you will not mind. Besides, I believe it would be best for you to spend a little time alone.”
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with her husband and blushed.
“Aunt, I approve of everything that Georgiana decides,” Darcy answered, swallowing some more brandy.
“Of course you do—especially when it suits you.” The colonel laughed again, and it was Darcy’s turn to choke on his drink.
Elizabeth desperately attempted to change the delicate subject at which everybody—except Darcy and her—seemed to be amused.
“I was just talking to William about this…about Georgiana staying with your ladyship. I tried to persuade him to go to Pemberley for a few weeks. I long to see it. I am sure it is wonderful in winter. Unfortunately, I received a decided refusal.” She smiled.
“Going to Pemberley now?” Georgiana asked. “But Elizabeth, the road is difficult, the weather is bad, and it turns dark very early. It can be dangerous. Can you not wait a little longer? Forgive me for interfering. I would be worried about you.”
“Do not trouble yourself; it was clearly an unreasonable idea. Since you are staying with Lady Ellen, I thought it a good time for us to travel. I am not scared of bad weather or roads. But I admit you are both right.” She glanced at her husband then at Lady Matlock, whose expression was stern.
“Elizabeth, I am completely against such an idea too. You will have a lifetime to stay at Pemberley—no reason to put yourself in danger. Besides, with the Season opening, we still need to order more gowns. There will be many occasions for you to attend. I already informed the modiste. Mrs Gardiner will come for tea tomorrow with Becky and Margaret. I am sure she will agree with me. She is a lady with remarkably good taste and wisdom, and I truly enjoy her company. Would you join us?”
“I thank you for your kindness to my Aunt and cousins…and for the invitation. Your ladyship is correct; I need to order more gowns. But I am not yet certain of our plans.” Elizabeth blushed, glancing at Darcy once more.
She could not declare that they did not intend to leave the house for the next few days.
“We will briefly call on the Gardiners today too. Tomorrow we intend to stay at home,” Darcy answered. “But we will take very seriously your advice regarding the Season, the modiste, and all.”
“Good. Elizabeth will be my guest at Almack’s balls as soon as they start. I am confident that she will be accepted as a permanent participant in no time,” Lady Matlock continued.
“I, too, am confident since the patronesses are your friends, Lady Ellen.” The colonel laughed once more.
Lady Matlock frowned at her son. “This is not a subject for mockery, Robert! Mrs Darcy deserves all the appreciation due to her position.”
“Forgive me, Mother, for mocking your excellent strategy, but I have never been too fond of Almack’s balls and all those stiff rules around them. And neither has Darcy.”
“That is because you are both stubborn and always wish to have your way. You are a colonel, and yet you often lack discipline. Darcy is a man of rules and self-control, but somehow he mostly uses the rules for his convenience.”
“Well, Mother, let us be grateful that you will no longer have to worry about Darcy since he will have Elizabeth to bear him for the rest of his life. As for me, any sort of worrying will be pointless; therefore, you must avoid troubling yourself entirely. I am a hopeless case.”
“I am glad you find a reason for amusement in anything, Son. Amiability should be limited at times,” Lady Matlock concluded, and her son, even more amused, bowed humbly and kissed his mother’s hand in a gesture of love and respect—and begged her forgiveness for his teasing.
Lady Matlock rolled her eyes, declaring herself defeated. There was little to be done with her younger son at the age of thirty.
The conversation flew for another half hour, mostly around the modiste, dresses, and balls, and the gentlemen wisely retreated to enjoy a drink in the library.