Chapter 2.20
June stood for “joy” at Pemberley.
The presence of such a large party changed the entire schedule, starting with breakfast and ending with dinner, but the general happiness was a most worthy reward for the master and mistress of the house.
Two days in a row, Darcy took their guests to visit the estate—the ladies and the children riding in two phaetons and a carriage, and the gentlemen following them on horseback.
Mr Bennet reluctantly left the library, which he declared to be the room of his dreams, but could not oppose all his daughters’ insistence and his wife’s nerves.
“My dear Mr Bennet, you cannot possibly refuse to visit Pemberley,” his wife said.
“What will you tell Mr Philips and Sir William and Mr Collins when they ask you how large the estate is and how many tenants work on it? Surely, you cannot talk about the library only—nobody cares much about the library. And Kitty—please stop coughing, my dear. We are at Pemberley now; nobody coughs here!”
The grandeur of the estate and its natural beauties aroused the visitors’ curiosity and interest, as well as their profound admiration.
Mrs Gardiner had vivid memories from the occasions when she had seen those grounds several years ago, but the view from the mistress’s phaeton—having the master as a guide—was more astounding than her recollections.
They passed near a stream where, Mr Darcy informed the gentlemen, there was an excellent spot for fishing. Therefore, plans were immediately made for a fishing party in the following days.
For the children, long tours in a carriage under the strict supervision of adults were not their cup of tea.
But they were beside themselves with joy when Darcy presented them with Shetland ponies for the girls and gentle colts for the boys.
From that moment, Thomas, Henry, Margaret, and Becky spent several hours daily in the company of their new friends and declared that riding was absolutely their favourite activity.
After the first week of excitement, life at Pemberley slowly settled down.
Mr Bennet’s days were dedicated to reading; Mrs Bennet divided her time between resting in her room, sitting on a small bench at the edge of the lake with her sister Gardiner and her daughters, and dictating to Mary long, detailed letters for her sister Philips and Lady Lucas.
Lydia and Mr Wickham were rarely mentioned by either Mrs Bennet or Kitty.
Mrs Gardiner mentioned to them some long past disagreements between Wickham and Mr Darcy, and from that moment Mrs Bennet took a clear side.
No matter how much she liked her first son-in-law’s charms and uniform, she favoured by far Mr Darcy’s handsome features and his amazing estate, and she would not risk upsetting him for anything.
Georgiana discovered that she enjoyed a noisy and crowded Pemberley exceedingly.
Along with her warm relationships with Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Bingley, a new friendship blossomed and grew between Miss Darcy and the two Miss Bennets.
Miss Darcy’s practising at the pianoforte was admired every day by Mary and Kitty.
Slowly, Mary started to evaluate her own performance more objectively and to ask Georgiana’s advice in becoming more proficient.
Kitty had no interest in learning to play, but she was enchanted to listen to the outstanding music.
And both of them were astonished by Georgiana’s knowledge of art, literature, and theatre and were fascinated simply to listen to her.
Moreover, Miss Darcy was very proficient in riding—a sport that Kitty and Mary began to learn at the same time with their younger cousins.
The Bingleys, Gardiners, and Darcys became closer with each day, spending most of the time together, both indoors and out.
Elizabeth had not shared her great news with them yet.
She planned to host a small private ball for the entire family, including the Matlocks, and they chose that occasion to make the official announcement.
Despite the large company and busy schedule, Elizabeth and Darcy still managed to steal at least few minutes of privacy for themselves every day.
In the evening, when they finally retired to their suite, the delight of being alone was even greater and always ended in passionate lovemaking and deep, restful sleep.
A week before the party organised by Elizabeth, Lord and Lady Matlock, together with the colonel and their niece Anne de Bourgh, arrived at Pemberley.
Despite her mother’s demand to behave, Becky ran and greeted her ladyship with so much genuine eagerness that she caused Lady Matlock to shed a few tears.
Elizabeth and Darcy welcomed them, and Darcy formally introduced his wife and his cousin.
“Mrs Darcy, forgive me for my impromptu visit. I hope I am not intruding,” Anne said hesitantly. “And please allow me to apologise for the incident caused by my mother a few months ago—”
Elizabeth touched her arm and stopped her with a warm smile.
“Miss de Bourgh, I am very pleased to finally meet you. We are all family now, and I trust you will consider Pemberley your home too. Please, let us enter; the others are waiting,” she directed them, taking her husband’s arm.
Becky held Lady Matlock’s hand tightly. “I missed you very much, Lady Matlock. I hope you do not mind if I say that. Mama told me you are a very important person and I should not upset you. But I really missed you.”
“You never upset me, my dear Becky. I have missed you too.”
“Mr Darcy gave me a pony, and I learnt to ride. May I show you how good I am? But I must ride like a girl; for the boys it is much easier to ride. Miss Georgiana said I could ride like a boy if I want because I am very young. I love my pony.”
Lady Matlock laughed and patted her small hand. “I am glad you enjoy yourself, my dear.”
“I also used to ride astride when I was very young. My father taught me,” Miss de Bourgh suddenly said, to everyone’s surprise. Becky immediately discovered a new point of interest and turned to the young lady who was walking arm in arm with the colonel.
“You did? Truly? Is it not much easier?”
“Yes, it is. But if you have a proper saddle and a good riding gown, it might be easy either way.”
“I do have a special saddle. Mr Darcy gave one to me and one to Margaret. Mr Darcy is very kind—I am his third favourite after Lizzy and Miss Georgiana. And he is my favourite too after Papa,” Becky informed Anne, who was slightly overwhelmed by the gush of information.
“Indeed, Mr Darcy is a very generous and kind gentleman.”
“Yes he is. And he is very pretty too because he has dimples,” the girl whispered to a perplexed Anne.
Lady Matlock laughed. “You better become accustomed to this, Anne, because Becky is very proficient at making compliments. She might surprise you several times a day.”
Once inside, the introductions were made.
The Matlocks addressed the Bennets and Bingleys with kindness and greeted the Gardiners with warmth and familiarly.
Mrs Bennet was more restrained than ever in the imposing presence of Lord and Lady Matlock, and her manners were mostly an example of decorum.
Anne de Bourgh behaved reservedly and spoke little, mostly to Georgiana or the colonel. However, Elizabeth easily observed that she was by no means proud—only quite shy.
Lady Matlock found a few moments to speak privately with Elizabeth.
“You look lovely, my dear. Every time I see you, you look more beautiful than before.”
“I thank you—your ladyship is very kind. It must appear so because every time we meet I am happier than before.” Her genuine smile met Lady Matlock’s approving gaze.
“That might be the reason indeed. I hope you do not mind that we brought Anne.”
“Of course not—quite the contrary. I confess we were worried for her: Had she been ill? She looks quite charming now.”
“I think she pretended she was worse than she actually was. Catherine brought her to London, and she was seen by three doctors. Nobody found anything particular, only a general weakness. Then she insisted she was too ill to travel back to Kent and preferred to stay with us for a couple of months. Catherine made a huge scene, but Anne would not alter her decision. She was strangely determined in comforting Catherine. It is also true that she had Lord Matlock and Robert standing by her side, but still…”
“It is quite a relief to know she is well.”
“She is; the doctors confirmed that. And she looks very well too. I have not seen Anne this animated in years—before Louis de Bourgh passed away.”
“She must enjoy living with you. Are Lord Buxton and Lady Beatrice in good health? Did they leave London too?”
“Yes, they are at their estate in Berkshire. It seems they have several friends invited there for the summer. I see Bingley did not bring his sisters this time?”
Elizabeth did not miss the change of subject. “Miss Bingley and the Hursts preferred to remain at Netherfield, I was told.”
“Wise choice—I doubt it belonged to them. Elizabeth, did Maud move to Lambton after all?”
“She did. William sent a carriage for them. They live in Lambton, and she has already started her new employment in Mr Martin’s shop.”
“This is lovely news. I hope Mr Martin offered her a fair arrangement.”
“William settled things with him. He provides the fabrics, the rooms, the needles, and everything else needed, and he takes two-thirds of their earnings. Maud and her mother are giving their hard work and taking one-third. They have had a very encouraging start.”
“I am content to hear that. I may visit Lambton tomorrow. Now, may we have some tea, please?”
By dinnertime, the new guests had adjusted perfectly to the happy company. The five courses were accompanied by spirited conversation, and afterwards, both Georgiana and Elizabeth delighted the party with playing and singing.