Chapter 2.19 #4
It was dinnertime when Miss Darcy received the excellent news about their growing family.
The restrained and always proper Miss Darcy could hardly temper her joy and enthusiasm.
Although there was a long road ahead, Georgiana eagerly anticipated the moment of holding her first niece or nephew in her arms and started thinking of a proper name for the youngest member of the family.
Later on, alone in their room, neither Darcy nor Elizabeth could find rest. They chatted until close to midnight, wondering about the miracle that was about to happen. When she eventually felt tired, Elizabeth cuddled to her husband and sighed when his arms encircled her.
“William, your heart beats rapidly and loudly,” she said, placing a gentle kiss upon it.
“That is because it is too small for the happiness that fills it, my beautiful Elizabeth.”
∞∞∞
Two weeks later, the peaceful silence of Pemberley was broken by the sound of horses, carriages, voices, and cries of surprise, together with the arrival of the Bennets, Gardiners, and Bingleys.
Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana, along with Mrs Reynolds, waited in front of the house.
Six carriages stopped at the main entrance, and small steps running along the alley announced the presence of the Gardiner children.
Thomas and Henry bowed solemnly to Mr and Miss Darcy then hurried to embrace Elizabeth.
After them, Becky appeared, looking around with curiosity then stretching her hands toward Darcy as a sign for him to lift her in his arms.
“Have you travelled well, my dears?” Elizabeth asked, kissing the girl.
“We did; Pemberley is very far away. Lizzy, I missed you. I could not wait to be finally here. I kept asking Mama how long we still had to travel. Mr Darcy, is this your house alone? It is as big as ten Longbourns. Now I see why Mama says you are a very important man. Do you have some biscuits, please? Did you know that eating in the carriage makes you even more hungry? And sleeping in the carriage makes you even more sleepy. Mr Darcy, did your hair grow since I last saw you?”
Before any of them had time to answer Becky’s flow of questions, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, together with Margaret, greeted them, thanking their host for the invitation. The Gardiners’ awe for their surroundings was as obvious as their uneasiness.
“Lizzy, my dear, I can hardly believe we are here. It takes my breath away only thinking I am at Pemberley. Oh, but you look just beautiful!”
“Dear Aunt, welcome. We are happy to have you here.”
There was no time for other words as Mrs Bennet’s cries of admiration burst from the carriage.
“Mr Darcy, what an honour to be here! At Pemberley? Who could guess you would marry Lizzy after you refused even to dance with her? And to bring her here? Kitty—come here, child, and help me get out of this carriage.”
Bingley offered to support his mother-in-law, but he was not rewarded with much attention.
Mrs Bennet hurried to meet her second daughter.
“Oh, Lizzy—pardon me, Mrs Darcy—let me see you! What a lady you are! And of all this you are the mistress? This is more than an earl, I am sure. Oh, look, what a lake! I must write to my sister Philips tonight. Nobody in Meryton can imagine what you have here.”
“Mama, I am happy to see you. I trust your journey was not too difficult.”
“It was horrible, but I would gladly bear ten times worse for what I see around me. Mary, pay attention and write down everything. I want to be sure I do not forget anything by the time we return to Longbourn.”
Elizabeth finally embraced her three sisters and her father then invited the guests inside.
“Come, Mama, let us all enter. You must be hungry and tired.”
Servants hurried to help everyone find their rooms while Mrs Reynolds discreetly supervised every move.
In two hours, all were settled in the comfort of their own chambers.
At their mother’s demand, the four children were almost forced to eat and to rest. Any opposition was defeated by Mrs Gardiner’s determination, and not even tears were enough to convince her otherwise.
The prospect of playing and visiting the horses was enough inducement to finally accept their “cruel fate” as Becky repeatedly pointed out, and all her siblings agreed with her.
Mrs Bennet’s nerves calmed miraculously under the assistance of a personal maid, and she refused any other entertainment for the time being. Three days on the road were enough to defeat even her interest in Pemberley’s magnificent interior.
Kitty and Mary benefited from Georgiana’s company to see the house while Elizabeth and Darcy took the Gardiners, the Bingleys, and Mr Bennet on a tour of their home. Elizabeth held her father’s arm, enjoying his surprise and wonder.
“My dear Lizzy, for once I can find no fault in your mother’s loudly expressed appreciation.
Until now, my understanding of your new position and responsibilities was far from the reality.
One might easily envy your husband, but I certainly do not.
It must be the work of a lifetime to be the master of such a vast estate. ”
“It is, Papa, but for William all of this means home. And it is the same for me now. He is the best master and the best landlord, and no effort is too much for him to accomplish his duties. I feel proud to be at his side.”
“And so you should be, my dear child.”
They walked together, following the others. From time to time, Darcy cast a glance at his wife to be certain she was well.
Mr Bennet turned to his favourite daughter and whispered, “If I am to be honest, I rather envy Bingley. He has less than half of Darcy’s income and surely less than half his responsibilities.
His only reasons for distress seem to be his sisters and your mother.
Quite a relaxing life this young man has.
I confess I am quite fond of him; he is an excellent hunter. ”
“Please do not make sport of poor Mr Bingley. He is your only son-in-law who lives near you.”
“Yes, I know that—poor fellow. Quite unfortunate.”
“Papa, you are incorrigible! Mr Bingley and Jane look very happy together. I have no doubt he is the perfect match for her.”
“Well, they seem happy, but I cannot be certain; they both smile all the time. Now, how long do we have until we reach the library? You may abandon me there; I will not complain. No dinner for me—some cold meat and a glass of wine would do perfectly well.”
“I will let William have the pleasure of taking you gentlemen to the library while I talk to Jane and Aunt Gardiner. I hope we will have your company for dinner, Papa. The library will still be there.”