Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Richard left the following morning before breakfast. Since most guests had departed, the ladies decided to forgo the picnic to spend the morning shopping in Lambton.
Georgiana had spoken to William about Elizabeth’s desire to order a few dresses, and he had encouraged her to speak with the dressmaker about obtaining for Elizabeth some of the things she would need for a Derbyshire winter.
Before the women left for Lambton, he had a similar conversation with Mrs. Gardiner, who had just smiled at him before nodding her agreement.
Gardiner joined Darcy in riding out on the estate.
Although he had made his fortune in trade, Darcy found the man to be knowledgeable in estate matters, having advised his brother Bennet on occasion.
He was also good at dealing with people and provided valuable insight into managing them.
Darcy had already been impressed by the man, and his help that morning raised him even more in his estimation.
Gardiner likewise was impressed by Darcy, and the two made strides in further cementing a solid friendship.
The ladies arrived back from Lambton just before the gentlemen returned from their ride.
After refreshing themselves, the entire group gathered for lunch and discussed what they had all accomplished that morning.
The dressmaker had been pleased to perform the task of updating the riding jacket to fit Elizabeth’s form and with the order for several additional dresses and other items appropriate for a Derbyshire winter.
She had scrutinised the young woman, confident that this was an indication there would soon be a new Mistress of Pemberley.
When the conversation turned to what the gentlemen had been doing, Darcy was impressed by Elizabeth’s knowledge and understanding of estate matters as well. They had not discussed these things before, but it was apparent that Elizabeth would be even more of a partner than he had anticipated.
Darcy excused himself after lunch to complete some necessary business in his study. He had several letters he needed to send and to meet with his steward about the upcoming harvest, especially since he would be spending a significant amount of time in London that fall.
While the Gardiners once again called on some of Mrs. Gardiner’s friends from Lambton, Elizabeth and Georgiana went for a walk in the gardens, with Georgiana pointing out many of her favourite spots and telling her of the history of the estate.
Apparently, each mistress of Pemberley had added something, and Elizabeth wondered what her contribution to this grand estate would be.
The thought occurred to her that it was something she needed to discuss with William, but she realised that nothing needed to be decided right now.
Darcy found the two of them sometime later in the gardens after he had met with his steward. He moved to escort both ladies, but after a few steps, Georgiana excused herself to return to the house.
“Ahh, finally alone, Elizabeth,” he said, smiling down at her as he moved his free hand to cover her hand resting on his arm. She brought her other hand to cover his as well, entwining their fingers and smiled up at him.
“Yes, it has been hours since we walked in this same location this morning, William,” she grinned.
“But I did want to ask you how you managed to convince both your sister and my aunt to order far more at the dressmaker’s than I ever would have considered necessary.
We are not married yet, sir.” She fixed him with a hard glare, but it quickly became a smile as she looked at his sheepish expression.
“Georgiana spoke to me this morning after our walk. It was her idea to ensure you had clothing for a Derbyshire winter, and she wanted to purchase it for you as a gift,” he told her.
“But I wanted to speak to you about this anyway; would you wish to winter in London, or would you prefer to return to Pemberley after we are married?”
“If I am to spend most of September in London, I will be eager to return to the country soon after we are wed,” Elizabeth said. “I know that we will return to Longbourn for the wedding, but I would prefer to avoid too much time in London.”
“I would like to return to London briefly after the wedding, Elizabeth. I, umm, I do not wish for you to have to spend our wedding night in an inn if it can be avoided. We could return to London for a fortnight and then return to Pemberley until Spring.”
Both coloured slightly as they discussed this, and Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “Whatever you deem best, William,” she spoke in an almost whisper, and her face was rosy.
He pressed his lips to her hair, not trusting himself to do or say more. “We should go back to the house, my love,” he said when he could finally speak.
They were quiet for a time as they walked back to the house. “When are you due to depart for Hertfordshire with your aunt and uncle?” he asked after several minutes.
“We had planned to stay for about ten days in Derbyshire. We arrived on Saturday and should leave Monday next. Three days or four days of travel would have us at Longbourn on that Wednesday or Thursday,” she told him.
“If I can manage it, I would like to travel with you and the Gardiners to Hertfordshire. With Georgiana travelling as well, you could perhaps ride with us part of each day, or I could ride with the Gardiners if they permit it. The longer you are here, the less I wish to be parted from you,” William breathed.
She smiled up at him. “I dread the idea of being separated from you, as well. I would like it if you could accompany us.”
He kissed her hand as they mounted the stairs into the house.
The days at Pemberley passed all too quickly for the couple.
Most mornings, William and Elizabeth walked in the gardens before breakfast, discussing estate matters and the tenants, along with their plans for the future.
After breakfast, time was spent in the larger group, taking shopping excursions into Lambton or practising Elizabeth’s new-found skill of riding on horseback.
William spent most afternoons in his study, attending to his business and correspondence, while the Gardiners visited friends, and Georgiana and Elizabeth laughed and talked as sisters.
On several occasions, Elizabeth rode out to visit tenants with William and Georgiana and was introduced as the future mistress.
She also joined him in the study for brief periods during the afternoon, and he acquainted her with details about the harvest. Quickly, they found a harmony as they worked together, and they made plans for the harvest celebration, as well as planning gifts for their tenants for Christmas.
On the Saturday before they were to leave, Elizabeth finally received a reply from Jane, and William received a letter from Mr. Bennet.
Elizabeth was surprised by Jane’s letter, as it did not mention anything related to her engagement or wedding plans but did mention that Mr. Bingley had returned and had called on her several times.
She had been surprised when Bingley mentioned he had met with Elizabeth at Pemberley.
Elizabeth went in search of William, carrying her letter. She found him in his study reading his letter, a strange look on his face. He looked up at her entry.
“Jane wrote but chastised me for not writing before and mentioned nothing of our engagement or my letter to her. Mr. Bingley is there but has not mentioned it, but of course, we told him not to discuss it. I had assumed Jane and he would discuss it since she was supposed to know about it. She relates that he has visited Longbourn a few times, but they have not had an opportunity to speak privately,” Elizabeth told him upon entering.
William grimaced. “Your father must have withheld your letters to her. I know you have written to her more than once since you have been here, not counting the letter the day after I proposed. I am afraid to inform you that he is not pleased with our engagement.” His hand pinched the bridge of his nose as though he were fighting a headache.
“His letter to me,” he held it up, “expresses his unwillingness for our marriage to proceed. He refuses both his consent and his blessing and states that if you choose to marry me, you will not be permitted to do so from Longbourn. I know I made a poor impression in Hertfordshire, my dear, but I do not know what I have done to garner this abuse from him. From his letter, he is very angry with both me and your uncle.”
“May I read his letter?” she asked tentatively.
“I think it is better that you not, love. At least not without your uncle having read it first,” he replied. She made a face but nodded, willing to defer to her fiancé and uncle.
He rang a bell for a servant. Within moments, a footman appeared and was sent to bring Mr. Gardiner to the study. He arrived quickly and looked between the two, a letter in his own hand.
“I take it you heard from Mr. Bennet as well,” he stated. “Just you, Darcy, or did Lizzy also receive one?”
“Only I had that pleasure,” Darcy replied, his voice displaying his emotion. “Elizabeth received a letter from Jane, but it appears she has not received Elizabeth’s letters to her. Would Mr. Bennet have withheld it?”
“Not normally, but with so many letters arriving simultaneously, he may have kept it back until he read his. I do not know if he would have read her letter or merely kept it from her sister,” Gardiner stated.
“I do not understand his level of vitriol directed toward you in general and myself for permitting Elizabeth to be in your company. May I read what he sent to you?”
He handed it over to the man, and they exchanged their letters. “Elizabeth asked to read it, but I asked her to let me consult you first. I would prefer she did not.”