Chapter 33
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As the Bennets were settling into their new life in Kirkwall, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth found themselves settling into their new home in Oakridge.
The day after the wedding, they embarked on their journey accompanied by nearly the entire family, who were en route to Pemberley and intended to spend a few days in Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam’s new home.
Following Elizabeth’s wedding in early April, the Gardiners had changed their summer plans, opting for a journey to Derbyshire instead of their original seaside destination.
On the initial evening of their trip, they met the Darcy party at the inn to continue their journey with the rest of the group.
Despite their regular correspondence with their niece, Elizabeth had much to tell them regarding the occurrences at Longbourn over the last fortnight, as several things that had occurred were best not to be written down.
She shared these happenings with her aunt and uncle as they gathered in a private room at the inn.
None were genuinely taken aback by the actions of Mrs. Bennet and Jane nor by Mr. Bennet’s characteristic inaction.
What had been surprising was his willingness to surrender his estate and travel to Scotland.
“He did not have much of a choice,” Fitzwilliam replied to a question from Mr. Gardiner. “My cousin was rather convincing when he recounted what would happen if he chose not to agree.”
“And the younger girls will remain with your mother at Pemberley?” he clarified.
“Yes, they will join Georgiana’s lessons and perhaps even go to school with her for a year or two.
They will have opportunities Jane and I did not.
Lady Anne has already begun to tame Lydia’s wildness, though we were all amazed to learn exactly how much her education had been neglected,” Elizabeth sighed.
This conversation soon shifted to another.
According to Elizabeth’s calculations, the Darcys would anticipate the arrival of their first child sometime in early March.
Although it was still too premature to confirm her pregnancy—Elizabeth had missed her courses twice and was experiencing occasional morning sickness, yet had not felt the quickening.
She had finally had the opportunity to speak to her mother-in-law about her suspicions the morning after the wedding when she had cast up her accounts after a foul smell accosted her during breakfast.
Lady Anne had offered her assurance and encouragement, advising Elizabeth to take it easy and rest as needed.
The first day of travel had been difficult for Elizabeth during this time, and the couple had stopped more frequently than the others in their party, taking longer to arrive at their final destination for the night than the rest of their party.
Mrs. Gardiner also answered Elizabeth’s questions about her niece’s concerns and offered similar advice to her niece.
The families celebrated Elizabeth’s birthday on the twelfth of August, three days after they arrived at Oakridge.
That evening, they convened for an elegant dinner featuring many of Elizabeth’s favourite dishes, followed by a joyous round of dancing.
Fitzwilliam had thoughtfully arranged for musicians to serenade them with music, providing the perfect backdrop for the intimate gathering.
He eagerly looked forward to taking full advantage of the company and dancing with his beloved wife as often as the occasion allowed.
As the clock struck midnight, the dancing ceased, and they ventured outside to witness a breathtaking fireworks display meticulously organized by Fitzwilliam in honour of his cherished wife’s special day.
Elizabeth, who had never seen fireworks before, was entranced, thanking her husband exuberantly for his efforts to make her day special.
Only a day or two after this, their guests departed, leaving Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth finally alone at Oakridge. For the next several months, the couple learned more about their new estate and each other as they learned more about being married.
This should not suggest that their life was flawless.
Even two individuals as deeply in love as they were could not coexist for months without the occasional disagreement.
Most of these conflicts were quickly settled, but a handful posed genuine challenges to their marital bond, pushing one or both of them to evolve as individuals and as a united couple.
One such argument occurred shortly after their family left Oakridge.
Elizabeth had not yet felt the quickening, and Lady Anne had spoken to her about what she could and could not do while carrying a child.
With that in mind, Elizabeth approached her husband one morning and suggested they take a short ride around the estate.
“Fitzwilliam,” she began at breakfast, “I would like to take a slow ride around the estate with you this morning.”
Fitzwilliam looked at her incredulously. “Absolutely not!” he stated but did not continue beyond that brief proclamation.
“Why not?” Elizabeth demanded.
“You are with child, Elizabeth,” he stated, then held up his hand when it appeared she intended to speak. “I know that it is not yet confirmed, but surely you know that riding is dangerous when enceinte. I cannot agree to you risking your health or our child’s.”
“The child is well protected, and I have yet to fall from a horse. I am not suggesting a gallop across the fields, just an amble with you,” she insisted. “Your mother said she continued riding during the early days of her pregnancies.”
“No, Elizabeth, under no circumstances can I condone you riding in your condition. Mother rode because she rode frequently even before she was with child. You are still a novice and do not have years of experience behind you. Too much can happen when riding sidesaddle,” he declared.
“I am doing this to protect you, my dear. I will take you on a ride in a pony cart or a phaeton if you would like.”
“I wanted to go for a ride—you ride every day, and you have told me there are places you would like to take me that a cart could never reach,” she tried again.
“And when you have recovered from giving birth, I will gladly take you to these places, but not now. That is my final word, Elizabeth, and nothing you say will persuade me otherwise.”
A petulant Elizabeth shot a sharp look at her husband, abruptly rose from the table, and moved away from him, her frustration evident.
Fitzwilliam observed her departure, convinced of the correctness of his stance in this situation and equally confident that she would eventually comprehend his reasoning.
He did not count on her going to the stable herself and demanding one of the grooms saddle a horse for her.
She was not dressed in a riding habit, having gone straight from the breakfast room to the stables, and the groom looked at her in concern.
However, he hesitated to refuse the mistress’s order and found the stable master to ask him.
“Oi, sir, what be I to do?” the groom inquired, his tone hushed and bewildered.
“She’s gone and told me to saddle up a horse, she has, but the master ain’t by her side, and she ain’t in her riding attire, no sir.
She ain’t ridden since she been here, so I reckon I ain’t the wiser on which horse she oughta be takin’, sir! ”
“Work slowly and saddle a docile mare for her, one of the older ones, and I’ll send a boy up to the house to ask the master,” the stable master replied.
Fitzwilliam was in his study, where he had gone after his wife had left him.
He was surprised when a boy from the stable came running into his office, not even knocking to tell him that the stable master had a question for him about what horse his wife should ride.
He stood and nearly ran from the room with the stable boy behind him.
“Elizabeth,” he demanded when he entered, “what the devil do you think you are doing here? I told you that you should not be riding in your condition.”
“We are not even certain I am in any particular condition, sir, and what right do you have to prevent me from doing what I want,” she asked defiantly.
“The right of your husband and as the master of this estate,” he retorted. “Smith,” he called out, and the stable master was immediately before him. “Mrs. Darcy is not to ride any horse without my express permission. Do not saddle a horse for her unless I am with her, do you understand?”
Smith nodded, as did any other grooms or boys in evidence in the stables. Seeing the looks passing between the master and mistress, they quickly rushed to find somewhere else to be.
“Mrs. Darcy, what are you thinking?” he asked, his voice quiet and calm, which would have alerted a less petulant person to his anger and frustration.
“I was going to go for a ride,” she insisted. “I do not appreciate how you spoke to me or demanded the grooms to disobey me in the future.”
“Elizabeth, I do this for your own good. I am your husband, and it was only a few months ago that you promised to obey me,” he said.
Elizabeth scowled at him. “I am not your chattel, sir,” she bit out. “You do not have the right to command me.”
“But I do, Elizabeth; I am your husband, and while I have never viewed you as chattel, I do not believe you are acting reasonably in this matter. At Netherfield, you allowed me to restrict your movements when we thought you would be in danger. This is the same—although, in this case, it seems I need to protect you from yourself,” Fitzwilliam replied.
Once again, Elizabeth turned and stomped away from her husband, not even bothering to respond.
She went directly to her rooms, where she had spent little time, and sat on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace.
“Why does that man think he can command me?” she stewed. “He is not the man I thought he was.”