Chapter 2.18 #3
“Oh…I never imagined the estate to be quite so vast.”
Georgiana chuckled. “Now you see why we told you that it would not possible to know it by walking.”
“True…I begin to understand many things better,” Elizabeth answered, her attention focused to admire every remarkable beauty before her eyes.
It was full spring, and every tree, thread of grass, and flower was alive, blossoming in a harmony of green with colours that took Elizabeth’s breath away.
The carriage drove for some time through a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent. They gradually ascended for a while until they arrived at the top of the hill. There was a grove where the sunshine glittered through the trees’ leaves to light and warm a carpet of wild flowers.
“Stop the carriage,” Darcy demanded then opened the door and allowed Elizabeth out.
“There is something I want to show you, my love.”
She released a cry of surprise and rapture when she stepped onto the high grass that caressed her ankles. Careful not to harm the flowers, she held her husband’s hand and followed him while Darcy pulled her forward.
“Here. This is the highest point of the estate. And there is our home.”
Elizabeth remained still as if she had fallen under a spell.
Her eyes, widened in astonishment, were instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated in a valley in the midst of an impressive park backed by a ridge of woody hills.
The green of the land perfectly complemented the serene blue of the sky, and in front of the handsome building was a majestic lake of natural splendour.
“Oh, William…this is…I have no words…”
Elizabeth pressed her hands over her chest to quiet her racing heart as she marvelled at her future home. She felt her husband’s palms on her shoulders and his gentle whisper.
“We should go now; we are expected. But I promise we will return soon. I have so many places to show you, my love.”
“Only a moment longer, please,” she pleaded, reluctant to take her eyes from the sight before her. Eventually, she followed Darcy back to the carriage while a cold shiver ran down her spine as she slowly began to understand the meaning of being the mistress of Pemberley.
Georgiana was waiting with a smile. “What do you think, Elizabeth? Do you approve of our home?”
“Do I approve? I have never seen a place more charming. It is equally as impressive as it is astonishing in its beauty. I still cannot believe that I will live here.”
“You will—for the rest of our lives. And I hope you will love it as much as we do,” Darcy said, holding her hand.
“I already do…” She felt her eyes burning with tears, and she forced herself to laugh to hide her emotions. “My dear Georgiana, now I fully understand why you prefer not to marry rather than leave Pemberley.”
Miss Darcy laughed too. “And you have not even seen the inside of the house.”
The carriage followed the road down the hill through the woods, and slowly approached the house.
When they stopped in front of the main door, Elizabeth remained still, astounded, gazing at the remarkable stone building. She hesitantly left the carriage, glancing around, and took Darcy’s arm as her feet seemed unable to obey her will.
Darcy kissed her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “We are finally home, my love.”
Georgiana almost ran inside, and in front of the elegant stairs, a lady of middle age hurried to embrace the young mistress, wishing her welcome home.
“Oh, dear Lord! Miss Darcy, you are so beautiful! And so grown up! And here is the master! We are so happy that you came home earlier this year! Oh, forgive me, Mrs Darcy; we are honoured to receive you at Pemberley. Oh, I am such a fool—I am standing in the way. I heartily apologise…”
“Mrs Reynolds, we are happy to see you too. Elizabeth, allow me to introduce Mrs Reynolds. She has been with us since I was four, and she is in charge of Pemberley’s management. Things are going so well here because of her efforts and competence.”
Elizabeth greeted the lady with a warm smile, and Mrs Reynolds answered in a trembling voice, equally pleased and embarrassed by the praise bestowed upon her.
Finally, inside the house, Elizabeth’s rapture increased at each step. She felt enchanted, awestruck, and humbled by the exquisite elegance that surrounded her. It was not only a house beautifully furnished but also a home whose beauty was equalled by its warmth and character.
Darcy briefly showed her the main rooms while Georgiana retired to her apartment.
“Sir, will Mrs Darcy want to meet the staff today?” Mrs Reynolds asked when they were visiting the drawing room.
“Yes, I would, thank you,” Elizabeth answered. “I am quite anxious to meet them. Perhaps in an hour or so?”
“Oh, thank you, ma’am, that is so kind of you.”
“Mrs Reynolds, I will show Mrs Darcy her suite, and we will refresh ourselves after the journey. We will have dinner very early tonight—around six o’clock. I believe it would be best if Mrs Darcy meets the staff right before dinner. Miss Darcy and I will also assist.”
“That would be perfect. Please excuse me; I will retire now. If you need anything just ring.”
Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s temple. “I have never seen Mrs Reynolds so unsettled. I believe she is worried about you. She surely wants to make a good impression.”
“Oh, I hope I am not so frightening. I confess I am rather unsettled too. This is so much more than I expected...such grandeur! Now I understand why people worried I might be a fortune hunter. I am quite certain any woman would put up with a great deal to be the mistress of all this,” she said, her voice mixing seriousness with teasing.
“Should I be content then that you accepted me before you saw the true extent of my fortune? Can I put my mind at ease about your not marrying me for my fortune?” he teased her back, placing small kisses on her hands.
“Sir, I fell in love with you in a cottage when you were all wet and dirty. Do you need further proof? But I do understand why Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock accused me of trapping you in this marriage. If we had a son, I would share the same worry! Anyone he intends to marry, I shall put through many tests to be certain of her real affection.”
Darcy laughed out loud. “I am slightly frightened. I hope you will not turn into Lady Catherine…”
“I am afraid I shall in regard to this point,” she said with such seriousness that he laughed again then trapped her with his strong arms and her mouth with his eager lips.
She rejoiced in the tender interlude a few minutes then gently pushed him away.
“Sir, let us not risk being caught in improper situations on the first day of my arrival here.”
“Have no worries—nobody would enter this room unannounced. But you are right: we should go upstairs. I will show you our chambers now and perhaps you will rest a little. You have plenty of time to become accustomed to the house.”
“Very well—but tomorrow I must visit the library. My father asked me to send him a detailed report of it,” she said with a laugh while clinging to Darcy’s arm. He laughed again in the main hall and stole another hasty kiss.
The discovery of the master suite brought Elizabeth new reasons for delight and enchantment.
It was warm and welcoming but elegant. The furniture of dark wood showed exquisite taste—similar to that in their London house.
On a small table near the window, there was a rich bouquet of fresh, red roses.
Darcy did not allow her much time to admire her surroundings but invited her to the windows.
Only then did she notice that her apartment—consisting of a chamber with a cabinet, a smaller room, and the bedroom—was situated on the corner of the wing.
The generous windows offered a magnificent panoramic view of both the front yard and the back gardens.
The trees and flowers were blossoming under the soft sun of mid-spring, and delicate, white clouds were mirrored in the clear blue lake.
Elizabeth hurried from one window to another, spellbound, glancing to her husband, then outside, and back to him again. He trapped her in his arms.
“Your eyes tell me how happy you are, my beautiful wife.”
“I do not think my eyes are enough, William. Only if you could see deep into my soul would you perhaps have a glimpse of my felicity. But I cannot stop wondering whether I truly deserve to be here—whether I fit here.”
He cupped her face and gently kissed her lips. “Nothing makes me happier than your happiness, my beloved. And never doubt that your place is right here—in our home and in my arms. There was never a better fit.”
∞∞∞
The introduction of the staff was successful. Elizabeth graciously greeted each member—assisted by Darcy and Georgiana—asked for their names and responsibilities in the house, and promised to spend the time to know everyone.
Each of them studied the new mistress with interest and curiosity, and Elizabeth could feel their scrutiny.
She knew she still had to prove herself to them, especially to those who could compare her with Lady Anne, and she was ready for the challenge.
The complexity of her new duties was revealed to her step by step.
The staff members were more numerous than she anticipated, which was only natural since Pemberley was so much larger than the house in London.
Besides these individuals, there were the tenants and their families—not to mention Mrs Darcy’s involvement within Derbyshire’s society—and many others she could not even guess at the time.
She was not worried about her capacity to live up to the demands of her position—not anymore.
Her husband showed his complete trust in her so many times that she had no doubts remaining.
She would have to learn, to discover, and to acquire all the information and skills she was lacking, but she was certain she would succeed.
The Darcy name, the Darcy legacy, and the Darcys’ love were at stake.
And failing any of them was unthinkable.