Pemberley Celebrations - the First Year

by Kara Louise

  *~*~*

  Three weeks prior to Easter, the Darcys set off at daybreak. Their plans were to go first to London and stay a little over a week, visiting family and friends, before setting off for their journey to Kent.

  The first night in London they met with Colonel Fitzwilliam and acquainted him with all the details of what he might expect from their aunt. He was going to leave London the following day, making a few stops along the way to visit acquaintances. He assured them that when he arrived in Kent, he would prepare the way for their visit by giving Elizabeth the highest praise.

  They also had several enjoyable visits with the Gardiners, whom they had not seen since their visit to London at the beginning of the year. The couples grew closer with each visit, and Darcy left them with an invitation to Pemberley whenever they desired to come.

  The morning they left for Kent was dreary. Fog had settled over London like a heavy veil, and mist covered everything in a layer of dew. The roads were good, however, and they set out with a great deal of uncertainty as to how their visit would transpire.

  When at last the carriage neared Rosings, Elizabeth’s thoughts were drawn back to a year ago. The carriage crossed the lane that separated Hunsford from Rosings, prompting Darcy and Elizabeth to glance at each other, knowing what the other was thinking. Elizabeth reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

  The carriage pulled up to the front of Rosings, and the servants arrived to help the threesome disembark and unload their belongings. Elizabeth's heart pounded with dubious feelings. How were they to be received? Lady Catherine had made no mention in her letter of what her feelings toward them might be, but was she one to forgive and forget so easily, or was she planning some exacting retaliation against her nephew for going against her wishes? It was not for her own sake, however, that Elizabeth wondered. It was out of concern that her husband would receive the respect he deserved.

  Her concerns quickly disappeared when she heard a cheerful greeting called out to them. She turned to see Colonel Fitzwilliam coming from the house.

  “Well, my cousins, how good it is that you have arrived!” He came up to Georgiana and gave her a warm embrace; to Darcy, he extended his hand in an enthusiastic hand shake before approaching Elizabeth. “My dear cousin Elizabeth, how pleasant it is to see you again.” He took her hand and kissed it.

  “Richard, it is good to see you, too. How do things fare with your family?”

  “They are all well, thank you.”

  Darcy looked toward the door, keeping his eye out for his aunt. Then, as the servants proceeded to remove the luggage, he asked, “Were you able to establish exactly how my aunt views our coming?”

  “I sensed no disapproval from her. I have been here three days and have heard nothing to indicate that she still holds any contempt towards either of you.” He looked at Elizabeth and winked. “She has heard nothing come out of my mouth except what a wonderful wife you are to Darcy.”

  Elizabeth mouthed a ‘thank you’ to him.

  “Well, then, shall we?” Darcy extended his hand, and the four walked to the house.

  Georgiana silently prayed for strength to face whatever this week brought.

  Elizabeth steeled herself to endure any attacks this woman might wish to formulate against her again. She had stood up to her once before, having had no reason in their last encounter to check her words. This time she would have to consider everything she said, if she wished to help assuage the situation rather than provoke another confrontation.

  Darcy, however, readied himself for battle.

  They stepped into the great entryway and at once heard brisk steps marching across the marble floor. “Is that my nephew? Has my niece finally arrived?”

  Lady Catherine entered with all the self-importance her rank allowed. She eyed the three and a faint glimmer of wariness crossed her features, but it was quickly replaced by her usual stern demeanour. “How is my nephew?” she asked as she came up to him and put her arms around him in a very inconsequential embrace.

  “I am well, thank you. And yourself?”

  “I am quite well. And you, my dearest niece, does your brother treat you well?”

  Georgiana was a little perturbed that she had not yet addressed Elizabeth, and boldly declared, “He does indeed… especially since he is so happily married now. And Elizabeth could not be a finer sister for me.”

  Lady Catherine raised her eyebrows at the words that came from this timid young lady.

  She slowly turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, may I…”

  “She is Mrs. Darcy, Aunt!” Darcy angrily corrected her.

  Lady Catherine glanced at Darcy with her eyes, not willing to turn her head. She then looked back at Elizabeth. “Forgive me, Mrs. Darcy. You are well?”

  “Yes, I thank you, Lady Catherine. I hope you are, as well. And please, call me Elizabeth.”

  Lady Catherine sighed and gave a slight nod in answer to Elizabeth. “Your things are being taken to your rooms. Darcy, I fear that your usual room is being redecorated, so I shall put you up on the third floor in the Crescent Room. Georgiana, you have your usual room, and Elizabeth…” she paused, for effect, “you shall be next to Georgiana in the Canopy Room. The servants will show you.”

  Darcy's eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. “My dear aunt, there is no need for my wife and I to be in separate rooms.”

  Elizabeth, Lady Catherine, Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana all turned to Darcy.

  “And pray tell me, why not?” she demanded to know.

  Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise, and Georgiana turned the other way to hide her blushing face. Fitzwilliam openly grinned, and Lady Catherine held Darcy’s gaze with one as defiant as his own.

  Darcy waited to answer until he felt he had control and knew exactly what he was going to say. Slowly he answered, “Because since the day we were married, as long as we have been in the same house, we have slept in the same bed.”

  Lady Catherine looked from Darcy to Elizabeth, and back to him. “Well, in that case, you will have to settle for the Canopy Room. The Crescent Room only has a single bed, but it is so much nicer.”

  Georgiana turned quickly and walked away, knowing where to find her room. Darcy mumbled a “Thank you, Aunt,” as she directed the servants to show them to their rooms. Fitzwilliam remained where he was, a grin still etched upon his face.

  They stepped into the Canopy Room, which was decorated in all yellows. Elizabeth was grateful for the subtle hue on the walls, but was not at all fond of the ornate patterns of the draperies and heavy comforter on the bed.

  Elizabeth sighed and directed a half smile at her husband. “Well, that was not too bad.”

  Darcy breathed out agitatedly through his nose. “But it is only the beginning, I fear.”

  When Elizabeth walked over to the bed and sat down upon it, a loud creaking sound was heard. Her eyes widened as she looked up at Darcy. “What was that?”

  Darcy came over and pressed both hands up and down on the bed a few times, causing it to repeat its jarring sound. He let out a groan. “This fool bed sounds as if it might break with the slightest…”

  He was interrupted by a light knock upon the opened door, and they turned to see Georgiana standing there. “I thought I heard you come in. I am just in the room next to you. I am going to return downstairs and see if I can find Anne.”

  Darcy closed his eyes and combed his fingers through his hair. Elizabeth smiled sweetly at Georgiana and thanked her for letting them know. When she left, Elizabeth closed the door and looked up at her husband’s pained face. He returned to the bed, pressing his hands up and down upon it. The noise grated against their nerves.

  “This would wake the dead!” Darcy said disgustedly.

  Elizabeth could not help but smile. “Do you suppose this was intentional?”

  “By all means, it was! First she addresses you as Miss Bennet and she thinks to put us in separate rooms. Now this! We cannot stay in th
is room!”

  “Fitzwilliam, it is only for a week. And what would we say to her?” she asked, beginning to laugh as the situation seemed so absurd as to be quite humorous.

  “I do not know at the moment, but I shall think of something!” Presently he was so incensed he did not notice his wife's smile and laugh. “And a week would be too long!”

  Elizabeth looked down at the plush rug that lined the floor. “The floor might not be so bad. The rug looks as though it might be quite comfortable.”

  “What?” Darcy looked up at her incredulously and saw her smirk. “You are not serious, are you?”

  She only smiled.

  His eyes narrowed. “Would you please wait here? I shall return shortly.”

  Darcy departed, leaving Elizabeth to wonder what he was up to. They had been here but a half an hour, and his aunt had already caused him a great amount of consternation.

  When he finally returned, he smiled. “It is all taken care of.”

  “Truly? What did you do?”

  “I went to my room… the room I usually stay in… the one that is supposedly being redecorated. All I found in there were some bolts of fabric that, I suppose, might someday become a new drapery or bedcover or upholstered chair. But it is perfectly suited for us! I have asked that our belongings be moved to that room.” He paused, and with a smile added, “And I checked the bed. It is very quiet!”

  “What will you say to your aunt?”

  “Leave that to me. Come, let us go downstairs.” Suddenly he smiled. “I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!”

  They walked downstairs to the sitting room where Anne and Georgiana were talking in subdued voices. Lady Catherine and Fitzwilliam were sitting in silence when Darcy and Elizabeth entered. Lady Catherine watched them through pinched eyes, but said nothing at first.

  She finally broke the silence with her shrill voice. Looking at Darcy she said, “I am sorry I was not able to attend your wedding, Nephew. I… uh… Anne was not up to it.”

  Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in hearing her broach the subject of their wedding. She noticed an almost imperceptible look of surprise on Anne’s face. “I am sorry to hear that, Lady Catherine,” she said. “We would have loved for you and Anne to have witnessed our vows.”

  Lady Catherine turned to Elizabeth. She narrowed her eyes at her, as if to determine whether she was being truthful. “Is that so?” She steeled her gaze at Elizabeth as if hoping to intimidate her, which she was not able to do.

  “You would have been most welcome.” Elizabeth’s smile seemed to confuse Lady Catherine.

  In a more softened tone she added, “I truly would have come if I could have. I felt the loss of missing your wedding exceedingly.”

  Elizabeth inwardly questioned, but outwardly continued to smile. Darcy remained stone faced, unwilling to give his aunt any benefit of the doubt. At least not yet.

  “I suppose, Miss Ben… Mrs. Darcy… that you are desirous of seeing your friend Mrs. Collins and her new baby.”

  “Yes, I should like that very much.”

  “You shall go tomorrow. I have arranged for the carriage to take you and…”

  “There is no need of the carriage, Lady Catherine. I would most happily walk.”

  “No, no, I insist upon it! It is the least I can do! I fear the weather might be most unpleasant.”

  “Aunt, allow me the honour of walking with my wife to Hunsford. If indeed the weather does not allow it, we shall accept your offer of a carriage. But we both enjoy walking, and your grounds are some of the most agreeable.”

  “If you insist, but my dear nephew, please do not stay long. I think your wife would enjoy having some time with Mrs. Collins on her own.”

  “You can count on it,” Darcy said emphatically.

  Darcy and Elizabeth were quite surprised by his aunt’s behaviour, and the evening meal passed smoothly. Anne excused herself early in the evening, as the exertions of the day had worn on her. Later, when Lady Catherine announced that she would retire for the evening, Darcy offered to walk her to her room. When he returned, he winked at Elizabeth, walked over, and sat down beside her.

  Finally Colonel Fitzwilliam had the opportunity to spend some time with his cousins without the formidable presence of Lady Catherine. They sat in the drawing room, being warmed by the fire that had been lit.

  “Well, Darcy,” began Fitzwilliam, “can you quite comprehend just what is going on inside our aunt's exceptional head?”

  “I cannot quite make it out. At first it appeared she was trying to make us uncomfortable, punish us, so to speak. I thought she was going to be difficult. Now, I am at a loss to know what to think.”

  “Did she say anything to you just now?” asked Elizabeth.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact she did.”

  “What did she say?”

  Darcy seemed a little embarrassed, somewhat at a loss for words. He finally said, “She told me to have the bolts of fabric moved to the Canopy Room so they would be out of our way.”

  Georgiana gazed at him with a confused look on her face. Elizabeth gave a start, and Fitzwilliam let out a “What?”

  “I… uh… asked the servants to move our things to my usual room. Although she had said they were redecorating it, the only indication of any remodelling being done were a few bolts of fabric. The servants must have mentioned to her that I requested we be moved, and that was her only response to me.”

  Elizabeth smiled and looked down.

  Fitzwilliam, still not understanding, asked, “Why would you want to change your room? What was wrong with the other one?”

  Darcy rolled his eyes. How was he to answer this question with Georgiana in the room? “I just prefer that room. It has always been mine to use when I am here.”

  “So you are no longer in the room next to me?” asked Georgiana.

  “No, my dear, we are down the hall.”

  Fitzwilliam looked from Georgiana to Darcy and a knowing look came across his face. He was about to say something, when he thought better of it. He simply leaned back in his chair and smiled smugly.

  The four of them soon found themselves enjoying good conversation and getting caught up on all that had occurred since their last visit.

  It was just before midnight when Colonel Fitzwilliam slapped his hands down upon his knees. “Well, I for one have had a long day. It has been a fine visit, but I think I shall bid you all a good night.” He rose, gave a slight nod, and left the room.

  Georgiana soon did the same, and Elizabeth and Darcy remained alone in the drawing room, watching the embers of the fire slowly fade. He drew her close to him, wrapping her in his arms. Very quietly he whispered, “I did inform my aunt that – as she most likely was unaware – the bed in the yellow room was in need of a bit of repair. She most profusely thanked me for letting her know.”

  “Did she?” asked Elizabeth, leaning against her husband’s chest.

  She heard him groan, and then he quickly, but gently, turned her toward him and leaned in to kiss her. His mouth found hers warm and inviting. The thoughts and feelings overtaking each soon erased any cognisance of where they were. At length, Darcy pulled slightly away. His heart pounded fiercely, his breath was deep and raspy, and he stood up. He reached for her hand, and as she stood up, a pained expression suddenly swept his features.

  “What is it?” Elizabeth asked.

  Darcy shook his head. “I suddenly had the thought that I am about to take you up to the room where one year ago, I wrote my letter to you, paced the floor all night, and berated myself for the fool I was after asking for your hand in such a horrific manner.” He looked at her sombrely. “That was the last night I slept there.”

  Elizabeth pulled him close and whispered, “Then I feel it is imperative we make a much more pleasant memory in that room tonight.” She stepped in front of him, turned to face him, and smiled provocatively as she took his hand. “Shall we?”

  *~*~*

  The next morning bloss
omed with all the freshness of a spring day after a shower. It had rained just enough during the night to settle the dust, but not to make things exceedingly muddy. Darcy and Elizabeth set out for Hunsford in the late morning, and Elizabeth anxiously looked forward to seeing her friend and her new baby boy. They took their time walking there, enjoying the woods that bordered the lane between Rosings and Hunsford. Elizabeth had so enjoyed her walks here last year, although she usually had become quite perturbed whenever Darcy happened upon her. Now, as she took pleasure having her husband by her side, she chided herself for those times when she had frequently desired his absence.

  They came to the parsonage and rang the bell. A young girl greeted them and told them that Charlotte was with the baby and would be down shortly. She then ushered them into the drawing room. When Darcy and Elizabeth walked in, they both felt instantly overcome by the history that was within this room.

  Elizabeth glanced at the mantel where Darcy had stood angry and distraught after she had rejected his proposal. Darcy looked to the chair where Elizabeth had been sitting while he poured out his heart and his struggles, only to be brought down like a bird stopped in flight by an unexpected shot. They looked at each other and weakly smiled.

  “I fear we are being continually confronted by the memories of that day,” Darcy began. “So much transpired here.”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth walked over to take her husband's hand. “But what happened here, although at the time it seemed terribly distressing, was actually the beginning of what was needed to improve both of us.”

  “I am so thankful, Elizabeth, for how things turned out.” He pulled her to him, and kissed her forehead. He held her close, as if commanding the demons in that room to depart, and to make room for the love that now existed between the two. Mrs. Collins, upon entering the room with her son, Jacob, quickly put an end to both of their reflections.