Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Upon returning to Pemberley, Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s days fell into a comfortable rhythm.
The harvest was in, and their days were more relaxed than they might have been had they returned a few months had they returned a few months earlier.
Elizabeth met with Mrs Reynolds after breaking her fast each morning to learn about her responsibilities for Pemberley and plan for the Christmas baskets distributed on Boxing Day to the tenants and servants.
She then joined her husband in their study, where they worked together on their various business affairs.
Elizabeth’s condition soon became evident to the servants of Pemberley, and Mrs Reynolds was given permission to share the good news as she felt appropriate, so it was no surprise when the news quickly spread to Pemberley’s tenants and the residents of Lambton.
When she and Darcy ventured into that town to order supplies for Christmas baskets, those who noted her expanding waistline and were comfortable approaching the couple offered their congratulations for the expected blessing.
They received these with joy and laughed at how quickly the rumour spread from Pemberley into the town without any formal announcement.
Letters were frequently exchanged between Pemberley and points south during this time.
Jane shared her happiness about her courtship, and the responses to Darcy’s requests for information about Mr Hastings were all positive, so Elizabeth felt pleased to encourage her sister and was excited that the two were officially courting.
Mr Bennet acquired and read a used copy of a farming treatise giving greater detail on several of the improvements suggested by Darcy and Longbourn’s steward, and he consequently wrote to Darcy frequently, asking questions and discussing his ideas for the upcoming planting season.
Todd wrote about his discussions with Mr Bennet, and Darcy had some hope Mr Bennet would implement them.
Todd also informed Darcy that an additional payment had been made on the loan.
Although Mrs Bennet, who now had no daughters at home, had much to say, she was unwilling to apologise and did not write to Elizabeth.
Her other daughters received long, newsy letters at least every other week, regardless of whether her daughters were replying to her letters, as the Bennet matriarch found writing to four of her daughters filled up her time and she could avoid thinking about her relationship with Elizabeth.
Mrs Hill did write to Elizabeth, and she told her of Mrs Bennet’s ennui regarding the status of Longbourn.
In response, Elizabeth asked Mrs Hill to encourage Mrs Bennet to visit the tenants and see to their needs since none of the girls were home, and she felt this was too much for Mrs Hill to manage on top of her other tasks.
Mrs Bennet was not convinced to do this, and Elizabeth became increasingly frustrated with her failure to care for Longbourn’s tenants, which led to a frustrated Darcy as well.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy began one morning early in December, “you cannot be responsible for both Longbourn and Pemberley. You have written to Mrs Hill, and I have written to Todd, explaining what you and your sister typically have done for the tenants, but, my dear, you are with child, and this constant fretting is not doing either of you any good.”
“I should be at Longbourn caring for the tenants,” she insisted again. “I ensured the tenants were cared for, William. Jane and my other sisters helped, but none of them are home, and Mama refuses.”
“You cannot be at both Longbourn and Pemberley,” he repeated. “You are the mistress here, and your attention needs to be on our tenants.”
She glared at him. “So I should ignore the tenants at Longbourn and their needs? Is Pemberley so much greater than Longbourn?” she demanded huffily.
“Yes,” he said, immediately regretting the answer when he saw her flinch. “Elizabeth, your mother is the mistress of Longbourn and has been for many years. You have done what you can, but it is no longer your responsibility. Your responsibility is here, to our tenants.”
“I have cared for these people for years, and you would have me forsake them entirely just because I married you?” she asked heatedly.
“No, Elizabeth, that is not what I am saying,” he tried again. “Your focus should be here, on our home.”
“Longbourn is my home,” she stated churlishly.
“Not anymore,” he retorted. “Remember when you promised to forsake all others? Pemberley is your home. I understand Longbourn will always be important to you, but Pemberley and the tenants here should be your focus.”
“I cannot forsake those at Longbourn,” she insisted again.
“So you would forsake Pemberley’s tenants instead?” he asked softly.
“I am here, am I not?” she asked testily.
“You are in body, but it seems you prefer to be at Longbourn,” he replied sadly.
“If you wish, I will arrange for you to travel there, but you must understand I cannot accompany you this time. As the Master of Pemberley, I must remain here to see to my tenants, even if the Mistress chooses to return to her home.”
Elizabeth interpreted his tone of voice as disgusted and believed he was unhappy that he must still deal with Longbourn. “If that is your wish,” she said coldly, marching from the study to her rarely used bedchamber.
She sat on her bed, feeling dejected and angry with her husband for his dismissal of her concerns and his refusal to travel with her to Longbourn.
“I do not want to travel to Longbourn,” she said to herself.
“Mama and Mrs Hill are either doing what is needed or they are not. Mama will never do what I suggest, and I will be miserable.” Elizabeth suddenly realised she had angered her husband and began to cry over the silly argument.
Even when she lived there, Longbourn barely felt like home, so why did she insist on leaving Pemberley and her husband alone at Christmas?
They had guests arriving soon; would she leave him alone to deal with their families?
Upset over the argument and exhausted from carrying their child, she eventually cried herself to sleep.
Darcy was likewise concerned about the conversation and its unexpected turn.
He should not have offered to transport her to Longbourn, but she had not disagreed.
He was hurt and upset because Elizabeth might choose Longbourn and its tenants over him and might even leave him alone for Christmas.
He realised he desperately needed to talk with her.
He found her asleep on her bed in the mistress’s chamber, with the evidence of tears clearly on her face.
Sitting beside her, he watched her for several minutes before removing his shoes, cravat, and jacket.
As he settled behind her, Darcy placed his hand on her waist and was startled when he felt something press against it.
When it dawned on him that he was feeling their child moving, something he had been longing to feel since Elizabeth told him she was expecting, he forgot his upset as he rejoiced at the confirmation of his impending fatherhood.
More determined than ever to fix things with his wife, he settled in behind her and held her and their child as she slept.
He occasionally felt movement under his hand and thrilled each time as he quietly conversed with his child.
His wife would not leave Pemberley without him, and if she really thought a visit to Longbourn necessary, he would make it happen.
Elizabeth was surprised and relieved when she awoke and realised her husband was cuddling her, although she was still frustrated with their misunderstanding and uncertain how to clear the air.
When she stirred, he was instantly alert.
“Elizabeth, if you truly feel you must visit Longbourn, we will go, but, dearest, do you feel you ought to make such a trip in your condition? We have guests arriving soon—your sisters, my cousin, and my aunt and uncle will all arrive soon, but perhaps we could travel just after the New Year. I would rather we remain at Pemberley until the baby is born, and travelling might be difficult with the weather, but we could try if it is important to you.”
She sighed and relaxed into him. “I do not want to travel to Longbourn, William, now or in January. I am unsure why I was so upset; all I can say is that your child has me reacting in a less-than-rational manner at times, and my reactions sometimes frighten even me. You are right; Mrs Hill will ensure the tenants are cared for, regardless of what Mama does. After my husband and child, Pemberley and its tenants are my main concern. I sometimes have trouble letting go of the things I should.”
He smiled at her characterisation of herself. “I do understand having trouble letting go of things, my dear. I agree your condition may have also contributed to your upset,” he suggested.
Elizabeth was momentarily indignant but soon conceded he was correct. “I am irrational; I know it, but I cannot seem to help it. Carrying your child is driving me to madness, Will.”
Darcy laughed. “I felt him move earlier, dearest,” he whispered into her ear. “While you were sleeping. I felt him press against my hand.”
She turned to look at him, smiling brightly at his excitement. “Our child is a ‘he’ today?” she teased.
He shrugged. “I do not care if it is a boy or a girl, as long as you and it are delivered safely, dearest,” he replied.
“I confess, I look forward to having a son, my heir, to share my love of Pemberley, but I will be equally pleased with a daughter. Of most importance to me is that you are well, my love. Besides, Pemberley is not entailed; a daughter might inherit, as long as her husband is willing to take the Darcy name.”