by Nicky Roth
They opted for unloading the car, but storing the majority of stuff in the back of the kitchen for the time being. Only Elizabeth's overnight bag was brought upstairs by Mrs Reynolds, while the rest of them made their way through the seemingly endless corridor once bustling with the servants busy with their errands, and into the main hall.
It was large and imposing, as was to be expected, rather sparsely furnished and yet surprisingly bright and welcoming, just like the exterior had been. Rosings, by comparison, seemed somewhat over the top, thinking about the painted ceilings alone... - Phew, none of that stuff here. Even though there was plasterwork, it was painted white and that was that, as were all the skirting boards, no matter how intricately they were worked.
The only thing that seemed a bit out of place was a large black mat in front of the entrance door that reached far into the middle of the room. Since her mother had once, under the protest's of her husband put down a similar mat, Elizabeth knew fair well that it was meant to trap any dirt brought in from outside and not have it spread all over the house. It was the one indication that part of Pemberley was open to visitors.
There also were a couple of reception rooms, a ballroom, a boudoir, the indeed very formal dining room, a breakfast parlour, Darcy's study, that looked just right and comfy even with the very modern computer sitting on the ancient cherry wood desk and, last but not least, the library.
Wow, it put even her father's substantial collection of books to shame. She could not help staring open-mouthed at the hundreds, nay thousands of volumes all neatly packed into the sheer endless rows of shelves. There was hardly a vacant spot.
'Hm,' Georgiana mused, 'I think I have an inkling that whenever I am looking for one of you, I know exactly where to go and look first...'
'And I have to admit that I have another couple of shelves upstairs...' Darcy added sounding slightly embarrassed.
What?! This place was like a miniature Bodleian, for a private collection it was massive and he had even more books? Wow!
By the way, speaking of university libraries, she needed to sort out her change to Derby soon.
By the time they reached the upstairs, Elizabeth was knackered and certain that she would not find her way back to the kitchen...
'So, I'll leave you here then,' Georgiana grinned, opening the door to her room, the one that had been illuminated upon their arrival.
From what Elizabeth could see, it was a surprisingly modern room, with only the odd old piece of furniture right next to a shelf made of stacked bricks and rough boards, modern art and an IKEA sofa with a couple of cheerful cushions, while the couch table was very obviously an antique as was the most stunning pianoforte she had ever laid eyes on. Oddly enough, the effect of the room was pleasing. Very much so.
They bid each other good night and while Elizabeth wondered how she could best persuade Darcy to have the rest of the tour on the morrow, she was gently pushed towards another chamber a little further down the corridor without even realising it.
'Time for bed, my dear,' he whispered into her ear while reaching around her to open the door.
'Can you read minds?'
The bedroom was very obviously Darcy's own. It smelled of him, some of his clothes lay neatly folded on a chair and there was also her bag.
'Hm, I might. Can you read mine?'
The grin on his face was positively naughty. Okay, she was tired, but not all that much. But a shower was absolutely necessary at this point. There was, after all, a lot of cold sweat to be washed off.
Chapter 45:
Ice-skating in hell
Lizzy was still in the bathroom while he had gone ahead to warm up the bed, - Her side, naturally, to have it all nice and snuggly. Darcy had just turned around and made himself comfortable when his phone rang.
He really should have left it on silent...
'Hello?'
'Darcy? Thank goodness! I tried to call you for the last hour or so, ever since Jane got the news that Lizzy has disappeared. I don't know the particulars, but apparently, she just upped and left. I'm just now on my way to Kent to meet up with you. Care to tell me what happened? I mean, she was supposed to be with you, right? Did you have a row or something? Did she wander off? Anyway, she seems to have dropped from the face of the earth. We need to find her, Darcy. Asap!'
Bingley's voice sounded as if it made somersaults so excited was he, one word toppling over the other in an endless stream. Did people not need to breathe anymore? Hm, apparently not.
'Charles, calm down. We're both at Pemberley. All safe and sound.'
'WHAT?!'
'Ouch! Bloody hell, could you please refrain from shouting into my ear?'
'Sure. Sorry. But shit, have you any idea how worried we were. - That is Jane and I. When Mrs Bennet called Jane she was so beside herself, we could hardly understand her. Yelling something about Lizzy having eloped or something. I know that is ridiculous, right?'
Okay, deep breath, and then drop the bombshell... - Simple.
'I'm sorry about the trouble, Charles, but as a matter of fact, Mr Bennet, as well as Mary, Kitty and Lydia know very well where we are.'
One, two, three - nothing. Bingley was apparently speechless.
Only after a couple of minutes did he find his voice again, sounding, surprisingly enough, only mildly baffled: 'Really? Okay... - But then why did Mrs Bennet make such a fuss?'
Presumably, because she alone had not been filled in as yet and for good reason?
At any rate, thank God Bingley had Caroline for a sister. He was used to accepting weird situations at the drop of a hat and had plenty of experience at that. Monty and his band of misfits had only been one in a long row of peculiar surprises...
'Dunno,' Darcy shrugged, suppressing a yawn.
'Ah well, never mind. I'll quickly call Jane then to tell her all is well. She's on a night shift, you know? And then I head back home. Oh, and perhaps Lizzy should call Jane tomorrow morning. Jane tried to get a hold of her, but as yet hasn't managed. Obviously.'
'I think Lizzy has turned off her phone after we left Longbourn with all her stuff.'
'Ah, that explains it. Eh, wait a sec... - All her stuff? As in literally everything?'
Okay, there were still things that could surprise Bingley it seemed.
'Yes.'
'Eh, what's really going on, mate?'
'Lizzy and I are getting married in November. By the way, Mr Bennet asks, that in case Jane and you want to marry anytime soon, to please join us, so we can get it over with...'
'Okay... - WHAT? Oops, sorry, I didn't mean to shout but you are getting married? You, as in Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn?'
'I just said so, yes. In November. You'll get an invitation as soon as we know the exact date.'
'Right. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow then.'
'And that is?'
'Go ice skating down in hell. Always wanted to do that, but obviously, hell hadn't frozen over then as it obviously has of today.'
'Ha-ha. - Have fun and be careful that Satan doesn't keep you down there. I've been told he likes his place rather crammed.'
'Thanks for the advice... - Hey, what a wanker! - Sorry, Darcy, someone just nearly hit me coming out of a driveway without so much as looking left or right. Okay, the number plate fits. You won't believe it, it's actually ID10TS. Idiots!'
'Oh, I know the man, his name is Sucker. Richard Sucker.'
On the other end, he could hear Bingley chuckle: 'How do you always come up with that kind of stuff?'
'In this case I didn't. He and his wife stayed at Pemberley two weeks back. Wait, what are you doing in Oxshott?'
'Getting lost because I forgot to take my sat nav... - So I take it it's safe to say that he's an actual dick?'
'Yep, but he has gotten slightly better lately according to his wife. She's already booked another stay at my hotel for early spring.'
'Right. Okay, he's just stopped and beckons me to pull over.'
'And?'
'Oh, I just waved at him with a friendly smile and drove past. He waved back... - Ah, finally a roundabout! Why is it, that there are so many roundabouts in this country unless you desperately want one to turn around?'
'Why don't you meditate over it? Like on how do you clap with one hand?'
'Yeah, I'll do just that. Right after calling Jane, going ice skating in hell and planning your stag night. Nighty-night.'
Hung up. Just like that!
Wait, what? Stag night? Oh no! No, no, no. No stag night for him. Not when it meant a night out with Charles and Fitz.
'Hey, what's wrong, Will?' Elizabeth's voice sounded up in front of him as he was still staring at the phone in his hand.
'Your mum called Jane to tell your sister that you had disappeared and now Bingley has set out looking for you. He's back on his way home but he has threatened me with a stag night. Seriously, why do we just have to tell someone we're getting married and all hell breaks loose?'
'To test our fortitude?'
'That must be it. Now come, my dear, this bed feels very empty without you in it.'
And that was nothing but the truth. One night with her beside him, okay admittedly not only that, was enough to make him wish never to sleep without her ever again. Well, it obviously was a wish about to come true. Here they were, engaged to be married in a few weeks, both determined to make the best of things. Of course, there would be the occasional quarrel, yes, he was realistic there, but hey, that was part of life, wasn't it? Even Georgie and he quarrelled occasionally. But then there was always the making up... Ah, and with a wife he could get quite creative there, right?
While he pondered thus, Lizzy was already falling asleep in his arms, a small smile on her face. So lovely, so sweet. Damn, how could one love someone so very much?
He didn't find out that night, for he, too, had fallen asleep shortly after. It had been a long day, after all. How was it, so much chaos managed to squeeze itself into one single day? Okay, apparently easily enough when it involved Mrs Bennet and Aunt Catherine... - Oh, and Penny who appeared quite unable to mind his own bloody business.
The next morning dawned to a bright sunshiny autumn day. Perfect for showing Lizzy the grounds. Ha! At least the weather complied to his wishes.
Right, but first she had to call Jane, and then breakfast might be an idea.
Just like himself, Elizabeth was an early riser and sure enough, while he had been up a quarter of an hour already sneaking about the room without her stirring, when he stepped out of the bathroom, she was just climbing out of bed all dishevelled and lovely, her hair standing in every direction, if such a thing was even possible with its stunning length and thickness. Okay, obviously it was. Proof stood before him.
'I hope I haven't overslept?' she yawned, stretching herself, which, considering that she wasn't wearing anything, was quite a sight.
Hm, it wasn't that much of a problem to take his clothes off again, was it? Then again, good things came to those who waited...
Nope, no wait. What a stupid notion? What man could seriously resist his bride standing before him all naked, tempting and sexy beyond belief? Not he, that much was clear. It was actually quite a mystery how he had managed to get out of bed without ravishing her thoroughly when upon opening his eyes they had immediately rested on her sleeping form, the top of her breast just visible from underneath the cover.
Twenty minutes later... - Yep, that was so much better. Now the day could begin in all seriousness.
'Lizzy, I almost forgot, but can you give your sister a call.'
'Which one?'
Of course. Duh! She had four of them, after all.
'Jane. Your mum called her last night telling her you've gone missing. Bingley was already on his way wanting to pick me up when finally he reached me. No, don't look worried, he said he would call Jane and tell her everything is alright, all is sorted.'
'Really, all this isn't normal, is it?'
'Probably not. But you know, your mother loves and cares for you, even though she might be a bit exuberant at times.'
'A bit? That, Will, is the understatement of the year. I have always known her to be overly enthusiastic, but this is taking the cake. I mean, she's been pestering Jane and me to get married and have a bunch of children ever since we turned eighteen, but this? This exceeds my wildest nightmares.'
While speaking, Lizzy reached for her phone and pressed Jane's speed dial: 'Hi Jane, it's me. - No, all is well, I swear, Jane. Dad knew where we went, but you know how mum can be when she's excited and believe me, she was exactly that yesterday. - Why? - Jane, are you sitting down? Okay, even better. Will and I are getting married. - What? NO! Of course not. It wasn't even supposed to be that quick, but seriously, if mum's got any more time to plan she'll go completely overboard. And it's not only her! - No, Will's aunt is also throwing in suggestions and nope, no-one has as yet asked us what we want. - What it is we want? A nice quiet wedding among family and close friends. - Yeah, I know, sounds reasonable, right? I think that is the problem. - When? We'll find out tomorrow after we've been to the registrar's office. - Yes, I've got all my papers on me, Kitty and Lydia took care of that. - Yes, they also knew. They helped me make the escape, so to say. By the time Will and I arrived at Longbourn, they had packed all my stuff and off we were. - Yes, Mary, too. - Okay, I think you should sleep now, you do sound tired. Night shift must be a bitch! Talk to you later, sweety. - Bye.'
So, that was obviously taken care of.
Breakfast was as unceremonious an affair as always, though
under no circumstances would Mrs Reynolds allow anybody to eat cereals unless it was a good old-fashioned porridge. But normally a couple of slices of toast scrambled eggs and bacon, or even simpler, toast and Marmite with an extra layer of honey was more than sufficient to please everybody - alongside a nice cup of scalding hot tea, naturally. Oh, and no baked beans had ever managed to sneak into this kitchen, though unfortunately, he did not get around having them served at the hotel.
Taking care of some Sandwiches and a Thermos of tea, eventually, they set out to wander around the park, which with the visitors soon to arrive, was always a good idea. Not that they were all that much of a bother, and far and few inbetween at this time of year, but sneaking around in comfy clothes on a weekend was not exactly an option lest one happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since Elizabeth had not yet unpacked her things, she borrowed Georgiana's wellies and off they went.
It was slightly muddy from the rain the previous week, but the air was nice and fresh and this early in the day the park was all but deserted and by the time the first people would arrive for the day, they would be far to the back of the property, where hardly anybody ever ventured.
'This place is so beautiful, it's almost surreal,' Elizabeth sighed when they had turned into a walk that led them to the woods, meandering alongside a small river, passing behind the hotel and then into wilder terrain. On their way back, they would pay a visit down at the stables. Elizabeth might not be a horsewoman, yet, but perhaps in time...
And if not, taking a nice long walk was something he could get used to just as well, though sometimes getting around on horseback was just more convenient, especially since his property reached actually far beyond the boundaries of the park.
It was almost three miles to the chapel he wanted to show her, and an hour later they had finally reached it.
Fortunately, he had thought about bringing the keys, unlike the unfortunate Mr Rushworth in Mansfield Park.
Okay, the small church was in worse shape than he remembered, but at least the roof was not leaking and the windows were unbroken. But had he thought that Elizabeth was somehow disappointed, at the sight of the flaking paint and dusty benches and floors, he soon found that she was far from it.
'With a bit of cleaning, this is just perfect, Will. It is small, but we'll make it fit. Do you think the organ still works?' she pointed at the rusty looking pipes
that were so covered in cobwebs, Darcy felt almost ashamed for not having come here first to clean a little.
Then again, in his eagerness, he would have dragged her along this or the other way.
'I doubt it,' he answered, 'but we could bring down Georgie's electric piano for, believe it or not, this place is actually fitted out with electricity, though I have to say, the fuse box would make any electrician cringe. She never uses that thing anyway, not since we had the old pianoforte restored and tuned. You should ask her to play sometime, the sound is amazing.'
'I will. - Are these tomb slabs?'
'Yes. They are hard to decipher nowadays, but they are mainly family.'
'Then tell me the story of this particular place, Will. I have to say, suddenly it is very easy to understand why you are so interested in history, and how you've come to know so much about it in the process. How come you haven't studied it as a subject? It would have suited you, I'm sure.'
'So am I, but I had to be practical. I had a business to run, and though I was tempted to go down another path at one point or another, there are quite a few people dependant on me, and I could not let them down.'
'And so you studied agriculture and business.'
'Yes. And as you well know, the former is yet another subject that is quite interesting. What about you? Why did you choose biology?'
'Because it is an interesting topic, of course. Though I have to admit, I am unsure what to do with it, once I have finished uni.'
'Hm, why don't we set up classes for kids, especially those from town, to show them nature at its finest? And how a farm works, where milk is actually coming from, and how crops are grown.'
'That, Will, sounds like an actual plan. Though on second thought I have to say that after Friday night, I am not quite sure I have the nerves for it.'
'Okay, point taken. Then again, you would have the power to throw them out, of course. - So, are we making a list of what has to be done here?'