Chapter 32 #4
“Slow down Georgie,” said Elizabeth as she took her soon to be sister’s hand and led her to a settee.
Once seated she continued as her mother and betrothed listened with interest. “The house is all that is lovely, and yes, I like Darcy House very much indeed and I am sure that I will love living here when we are in town. If it had the forests and walking and riding paths that Pemberley has, then I would like it just as much as I do Pemberley!” She teased her newest sister.
“I should not say that I prefer one over the other, but I will always prefer the country to Town. No Georgie, there are but few changes to make outside of what will be my personal chambers and the shared sitting room. Before the renovations are made to my future chambers, and only if you would like to as I offered you at Pemberley, please go retrieve any mementos you desire that remind you of your dear late mother.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Georgie whispered as she held Lizzy’s hand tighter as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I was only three when Mama passed, but I would love some things that used to belong to her so I can feel nearer to her in my chambers.”
Darcy watched the scene unfold with unbridled happiness. He knew with certainty that his mother, Lady Anne Darcy, would have loved and approved of his betrothed without reservation, as his honoured departed father, Mr George Darcy would have.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Brookfield in Derbyshire, Jane had employed the butler’s wife as the estate’s seamstress.
With that addition and with the additional maids, under-gardeners, and footmen that had been added to the staff, the staffing needs were complete.
It was no longer just a house but a home.
Although both Jane and Richard could speak passable French, her maid, Antoinette de Chambé, was not unhappy that Lady Elizabeth’s maid would soon be at Pemberley, as the two maids had gotten close over the time that they had served the two eldest Bennet daughters.
It did not hurt that Pemberley employed a French chef either.
Jane was meeting with her housekeeper when a note arrived from her mother-in-law to let them know that she, Marie, and the grandchildren would be leaving the next day for London to assist with plans for Mary and Lizzy’s double wedding.
The men had planned to follow a week later.
After consulting Richard, they changed their plans to depart with the ladies and children for London.
Richard had worked with Lefroy to accomplish all he had intended. He and his steward had implemented many changes and the estate was starting to run like a well drilled cavalry unit, so there were no matters to prevent him from joining Jane’s early departure to London.
A return note was sent to the Countess informing her of their arrival on the morrow by six in the morning to join them on the journey to London.
Jane sent a note to Charlotte at Pemberley, who having spent two days at Brookfield, had just returned, to let her know that they were leaving earlier than planned.
While visiting with Jane, Charlotte had been invited to travel with the Fitzwilliams into Surrey.
Charlotte was glad to have the company for the trip so she could not stay quiet with her own thoughts.
When that happened, she always got worried about whether or not it was all true and needed it to be.
When in Jane’s company, her innate pleasure and goodness helped Charlotte remember that anything was possible, as had been proved with her ability to win the affections and love of Mr Elliot.
Charlotte was sitting on a bench in the rose garden with her betrothed while Gracie was frolicking on the lawn playing with two of Darcy’s pointers.
The head gamekeeper could not refuse the cute but precocious five-year-old girl whenever she asked to play with the dogs.
It had the benefit of allowing the dogs to expend their excess energy as much as Gracie did.
“Jane writes that they leave tomorrow to join the Fitzwilliam ladies for travel to town. Lady Longbourn asked the Snowhaven ladies to assist with the planning of the double wedding and Jane and Richard have decided to join them. She wants to know if I desire travelling with them or wait a fortnight and then travel on my own,” Charlotte explained to her betrothed, blushing when he lifted her hands in turn and bestowed a lingering kiss on the inside wrist of each.
“As much as I do not want to be parted from you, sweetheart, you should go. I know how close you and Lady Elizabeth are, and it will be a good chance to spend time with her before she marries. We will not be apart for long since I will join you as we originally planned. Also,” he smiled the smile only she brought out in him, “you can visit the modiste and order your clothing. Remember the winter here is much more severe than what you are used to in Hertfordshire or Kent.”
“I will do that, Patrick, but Jane tells me that David and Gillian Fitzwilliam will be travelling with them and May Gardiner is in Town. What say you to Gracie coming with me? I am sure that Lady Gardiner will welcome her to stay with May at Gardiner House.”
“Gracie,” Elliot called her over.
“Yes, Papa and Mama?” Grace smiled sweetly at Charlotte. Grace had started calling Charlotte ‘Mama’ right after the betrothal.
“Mama is to leave for London tomorrow.” Grace’s smile slipped and she looked at both with alarm. “Would you like to go with Mama? May is in Town and we are sure that you will see her.” He chuckled when her smile lit up the day like it had its own power, as all children do.
“Yes, yes, yes! I want to see May and go with Mama! Thank you, Papa, I love you ever so much. What an adventure this will be!” Grace exclaimed, not in the least daunted, even though she had never made a trip of this magnitude before.
After kisses were awarded to the cheeks of both and tight hugs granted, Gracie returned to the dogs who had waited almost patiently for her in anticipation of more petting.
“I will send a note to Jane right away and go and ask Watson to pack for me.” She turned to Miss Jones. “Miss Jones, I suggest that you pack as well as we will leave very early in the morning,” she smiled gently at her companion and chaperone.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It was common knowledge that the Queen and some of the royals would be attending the wedding.
This led to Bennet House being inundated with callers still in town and not a few members of the Ton returned to London a lot earlier than they otherwise would have.
Those who had an intent to somehow work on the new countess to garner a coveted invitation to a royal sponsored wedding, were vastly disappointed.
During the initial calls they faced Lady Longbourn flanked by her Grace, the Duchess of Bedford, Lady Madeline Gardiner, and Ladies Elizabeth and Mary.
Not too many days later they found Ladies Jersey, Matlock, and Hilldale also included in the group during visiting hours.
As word spread that the Countess of Longbourn would not bend to anyone’s will and that she had a cadre of supporters, the visits slowed to a trickle. Word also was spread that if one had not already received an invitation, then it was likely that one would not be forthcoming.
The day that Elaine, Marie, Jane, and Richard Fitzwilliam arrived accompanied by Charlotte Collins and her soon to be daughter Grace Elliot, was a very happy day for all because since their wedding the family had little or no time with the newlywed Fitzwilliams.
It was also the first chance to see Charlotte since she announced her betrothal, and for those who had not, to meet her daughter.
For Elizabeth, the arrivals made her happiness complete.
She had her best friend at her side, who also happened to be her favourite sister.
It was an added delight that her very good friend Charlotte arrived in advance of her original travel plans.
Lady Gardiner had been forewarned that Gracie was arriving that day, so May too had come to Bennet House so she could be there to welcome her friend. After a hug and kisses to her Mama, Grace left with the Gardiners to reside with May at Gardiner House.
Jane and Richard Fitzwilliam were but a few doors down at Matlock House.
After changing and washing off the grime from the road, Jane and Tiffany returned to Bennet House and joined the families’ matriarchs, their sisters, and friends in the family sitting room.
Once the Fitzwilliam sisters crossed the threshold, both were mobbed by their sisters as Tiffany too had been invited to reunite with her sisters and Georgie, who was soon to be her sister as well.
Lily Gardiner had swapped places with Grace to stay at Bennet House with her cousins.
The young girls went off to entertain each other under the watchful eyes of their companions. The men headed to the billiards room; the cousins happy to be in each other’s company again as it had been above a month since they were all together before Richard’s wedding.
Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary, along with Charlotte repaired to the sitting room in the suite now shared by the two betrothed sisters.
As soon as the door to the sitting room closed the interrogation Jane expected was foreshadowed with three inhales to see who could get their question out first. Jane pre-empted them all by holding her hand up and they complied.
No one was foolish enough not to, and she asked to see the rings her sisters had received.
There was much to admire, though they only afforded her a brief respite, then Lizzy led off the interrogation.
“How was your wedding trip, sister? Was Seaview Cottage pleasant to stay at?” Lizzy started with a less embarrassing topic and was truly curious about one of the properties she would soon manage with her husband.