Chapter 2.18 #4
Their first dinner at Pemberley was prepared with extra care, and the richness of the courses matched the elegance of the dinner table.
Elizabeth observed that the servants who brought the various plates were mostly watching her.
It was only natural; they were already accustomed to Mr and Miss Darcy’s tastes in food and were now eager to please the new mistress.
Mrs Reynolds herself entered a couple of times to inquire whether everything was to their liking.
Therefore, Elizabeth was careful to taste and praise each dish, sending her appreciation to the cook. Her words brought a trace of relief to the servants’ faces and a little smile of approval to her husband’s lips.
During dinner, both Darcy and Georgiana amused Elizabeth with stories and vivid descriptions of the beauties she would soon discover.
With great amusement, Georgiana related to Elizabeth a story from three years before when the Bingleys were invited to spend the summer with them.
“So, William, Mr Bingley, and I went for a ride. Miss Bingley and the Hursts refused to join us because the weather was too hot. When we returned, William stopped his horse, took off his coat and his vest, and jumped into the pond to cool himself after the ride. He always did that when we were children. Now, please imagine us approaching the main entrance: Mr Bingley and I on the horses, William walking all wet; suddenly, we found ourselves face to face with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. They just stood there, dumbstruck. Miss Bingley asked what happened, and William said with his usual gravity: ‘Forgive me; I am not properly attired to carry on a conversation.’ Then he entered the house while they remained there, staring at him.”
Georgiana could barely finish the story because of her laughter, and Elizabeth listened with curiosity until the last word, then lost all composure and joined Georgiana in her amusement.
Darcy attempted to contradict his sister, but he could not intervene to make them listen to him.
Finally, he managed to reply, causing even more laughter. “I must stipulate that, as soon as I came out of the water, I put my vest back on. I could not risk being seen only in my wet shirt.”
Then he gulped some wine, keeping a perfectly serious countenance, while Elizabeth and Georgiana’s faces were crimson and their eyes tearful from uproarious laughter.
With similar retellings and recollections, the evening progressed.
Excellent food, a glass of wine, and the fatigue of the journey soon overcame the joy of being home.
There was nothing more inviting than the prospect of resting in one’s own bed, so they retired for the night, and silence fell upon Pemberley together with the dark.
There was no rush; many happy days and evenings were ahead of them, and their life as a family sharing both sadness and joy had just started.
Molly helped Elizabeth prepare for the night, and in a half hour, the maid repeated several times that she had never seen a more beautiful place than Pemberley.
“I thank you, Molly, all is well now. Please go and rest; these have been exhausting days for all of us. I will ring for you when I need you tomorrow morning.”
“Yes ma’am—good night.” Molly moved toward the door then returned.
“Mrs Darcy, forgive my boldness, but I must tell you that you look even more beautiful than usual. There is something different; I cannot say what it is…”
Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you. It must be the charm of Pemberley, for sure.”
When she was alone, Elizabeth pulled the robe around her and went close to the large window.
In the room there was only a single lit candle and the light of the fire; outside, however, a row of torches lit the front the house.
A full, shining moon and countless stars brightened the sky and the lake that guarded Pemberley.
She shivered from a chill as she admired a new side of the beauty lying before her. She did not turn when she sensed her husband approaching and wrapping her in his arms.
“I cannot believe you are here, my love. I dreamt about you—about your laughter and liveliness warming Pemberley’s cold rooms—for so many days and nights that I still wonder whether it is true.”
“I cannot believe I am here, either. I was just thinking: Pemberley is so handsome—and powerful and majestic—just like its master.”
His lips fondled her neck while his hands slowly untied her robe. “I cannot claim any merit in this. Pemberley has been the same for two generations now. I only try to keep and to enhance what my ancestors built.”
“Perhaps…then I should rather say that you grew handsome and strong like Pemberley.”
She turned in his arms, facing him. The robe fell to the floor, and he stroked her bare hands, lingering on her waist, then caressed her long, loose hair.
“I have waited so long to love you here at Pemberley,” he said hoarsely then carried her to the large, elegant bed and laid her down against the soft, silky pillows.
Only a few moments later, the fatigue of three days of travel vanished under eager passion and impetuous desire. It was their first night at Pemberley, and neither of them wished to spend it sleeping. So they did not.
But they both missed the sunrise in the next morning as they were deeply asleep in each other’s arms. Yet, there was no rush; there were many other sunrises waiting for them. Their life at Pemberley had just begun.
∞∞∞
The following morning, Darcy woke up rather early, rested and lighthearted. He slowly removed himself from the bed, careful to not disturb Elizabeth, and returned to his room to dress.
Nothing could shadow his felicity, not even the rain that started to fall. He would have liked to take Elizabeth on a tour of the estate, but he had plenty of time to do so. She still needed to become accustomed to the house, and he had so many things to show her inside and out.
He entered the library, breathing deeply; he had truly missed the scent of it. He ordered some coffee while musing what his father-in-law would have to say about the room they both favoured.
Half an hour later, Mrs Reynolds entered, inquiring whether he had any special orders.
“No, thank you. Mrs Darcy will speak to you later. For now, I am just pleased to be home.”
“And we are happy to have you here, sir. Breakfast will be ready in about an hour if you approve.”
“Let it be an hour and a half, Mrs Reynolds. The ladies are still tired from the road,” he said, averting his eyes as he knew very well that it was not the only reason for Elizabeth’s late sleep.
“As you wish.” Mrs Reynolds excused herself to leave, then returned and stepped closer to the master.
“Sir…”
“Yes? Is there anything else?”
“Forgive me for being so bold but…yesterday, when you were in the drawing room and later at dinner…I heard you and Miss Georgiana laughing, sir. I have not heard you laugh as loudly or joyfully in more than ten years. Just before Lady Anne fell ill,” the lady said tearfully.
Darcy startled at her words then rose from his chair and embraced her affectionately.
“With God’s will, there will be much laughter at Pemberley from now on, Mrs Reynolds. Mrs Darcy has brought happiness to our lives—both to me and to Georgiana.”
“That is enough reason for me to love Mrs Darcy already. Forgive my boldness; I know it is not for me to judge any of your decisions but—”
“Do not worry; I perfectly understand your meaning, and your care is greatly appreciated. I count on you to share the love you carry for Georgiana and me to Mrs Darcy too. I trust you will be greatly rewarded. She is truly my blessing…our blessing.”
“So she seems, sir.”
As Mrs Reynolds left the library, Darcy resumed his place, leaning his head on the back of the armchair and closing his eyes. He truly could not remember the last time he had laughed aloud in the past nor whether Georgiana had ever done so as she had the previous evening.
Joy and laughter had entered the cold halls of Pemberley at the same time as Elizabeth.