by Kay Mares
A short time later, Elizabeth meets with Mrs. Reynolds in one of the salons on the main floor. Elizabeth praises the housekeeper on the pristine condition of the house and the seamless running of all household affairs. Elizabeth learns of the staff affairs including hiring and firing, reassigning duties to various staff members should the need arise as well as a schedule for routine cleaning to be undertaken unless a particular event caused a change. Mrs. Reynolds included the head cook, Mrs. Gribble, so Elizabeth could begin to oversee the menu planning in addition to household concerns. Both the cook and housekeeper share with Elizabeth the tentative plans for the Christmas tide celebrations. These plans follow the same pattern as in years past, a small gathering of family with the inclusion of friends on occasion.
Mrs. Reynolds informs Elizabeth of the inclusion of the Bingleys for the last few years and speculates the holiday season will pass in the same manner unless the Mistress wishes it otherwise. “I see no need to change the menu nor the small gathering at this time. I will confer with Mr. Darcy, but I confess to not wishing for a large gathering on such short notice. I still would like to settle into my duties. Mr. Darcy enlightened me regarding the tenant visits, and in the past, a gathering was held for the tenants. We decided to reinstate the gathering in the spring, and I would include a small gift this Christmas to be distributed with the tenant baskets. It was Mr. Darcy’s idea for me to start the visits after the first of the year.”
“Very well, Mrs. Darcy. I think that an excellent plan. I cannot express my happiness to have you at Pemberley. You have brought the Master joy, and it is refreshing to see the light in his eyes again,” Mrs. Reynolds professes as Mrs. Gribble heartily agrees. Elizabeth stands to excuse the ladies, and all make their curtsies, leaving Elizabeth alone in the salon. She reflects on how the head staff welcomes her ideas and directions. So far, Elizabeth made small changes as she yet does not know the scope of her role. Snow begins to fall outside, so Elizabeth walks to the window to watch the large flakes quickly cover the walkways, shrubs, and lawns. Derbyshire winters are colder than Hertfordshire with biting temperatures.
As she stands transfixed by the swirling flakes, her thoughts drift to her husband. The earlier shopping trip provided her with an opportunity to learn more about her new home, but she also gained a better understanding of the world she married into. She too will be expected to act in a certain manner now because of the position she holds as Darcy’s wife. Whereas before she may have found his mannerisms arrogant and haughty, she now sees some of the sense in employing a degree of restraint around those outside of the home. If he presents himself as anything less than phlegmatic and pragmatic, he could lose business ventures, respect and his position in Society. As he told her, the better he performs his duties, the more Pemberley prospers.
Elizabeth goes in search of him. Informed he is in his study, she taps lightly on the door before slowly opening it. He is seated behind the large mahogany desk and rises swiftly to his feet on her entrance and bows to her. She giggles as she returns a curtsy and waves him back to his seat. “Really, Fitzwilliam, it is just us. No need to be so formal.”
“A conditioned response I suspect. I have a letter here for you from Mrs. Bingley. Charles wrote me with a wish to visit Pemberley during the Christmas tide just as he had before. He warned me more than likely the visit would include the Hursts and Miss Bingley. What say you?”
“I would welcome a visit from the Bingleys even if they are to be accompanied by the others. Do you mind the extra guests?”
“I do not. They have stayed here for the last few seasons, so it has become a sort of tradition. The inclusion of your sister will be a most welcome addition. Georgiana will be returning soon, and I have heard from Henry,” Darcy waves a letter about as he continues, “he has secured Anne’s hand, and they plan to wed after the first of the year. Much is to be delineated at Rosings, and Henry wishes to come here also for Christmas. It seems he wants to tell me about what transpired with our aunt. Interestingly, Anne requested the time apart because she will use the time alone with her mother to help with the transition of Anne becoming Rosings’ new Mistress. Lady Catherine has not taken well to the new changes in her life.” Darcy shrugs as he set the letter down. “I received a missive from Jonesy. He will be in the area shortly and has requested spending Christmas time with us as well. Before I send out replies to everyone telling them to all stay home, I thought I would discuss the matter with you.” Darcy fixes her with a blue-eyed twinkle.
“I have no issues with having a houseful of guests provided you will not be too vexed by the onslaught of people. There is little for me to do thanks to the incredible competency of the staff. I can easily change the menus and lay plans for entertainments. I look forward to Georgiana’s return home. We began a friendship which I would like to deepen. She truly is a lovely young lady.” Elizabeth pauses for a moment. She did not expect all the information he would give her as soon as she entered the study and her prime purpose in coming is diverted. However, Darcy is keenly aware his wife has something else on her mind. He watched her for so long, studying her mannerisms and moods, so for him, it is plain she seeks him out for a reason.
“I shall inform all we welcome them to Pemberley. The first will be Henry escorting Georgiana back home. However, I sense you have another issue you wished to speak to me of?” There is that piercing stare of his with a small shadow of concern. How he can read her unnerves Elizabeth at times, but she is confident in his loyalty and love.
“There is, and, um I am not sure how to address this with you without causing offense.” The stare now contains a mild alarm, and Darcy’s senses are on high alert. He hopes she has not found anything lacking with her new home or worse with him. Elizabeth’s eyes are diverted to another part of the room, so Darcy finds trouble gauging her mood. “I hope I do not offend nor scandalize you, but I have to ask…am I…doing…well am I too wanton in our bedchamber? I would not have you think of me as anything less than a lady, and I fear sometimes I am too impertinent and impulsive. Maybe I should listen to what others have told me as to what is proper behavior for a wife but I am uncertain, but I just feel so wonderful with you and…” Elizabeth speaks rapidly before she loses her nerve. She clamps her mouth shut as she sees him shoot out of his chair. For an agonizing heartbeat, she thinks she has offended him as he makes his way to the study door. She fears he will leave the room until she hears the click of the lock. Darcy covers the distance between the door and where Elizabeth sits with alacrity. Once before her, he gathers her into his arms, lifts her up and sits them both down on the settee with her on his lap.
The kiss which follows is strong and passionate causing Elizabeth to weaken and gasp for air. His hands begin seeking her body, and she starts her own tactile travels. Clothes are shed as they commence loving each other. The location outside of the bedchamber adds to the intense feelings. Darcy tells her over and over again how much he loves her and wants her.
“Elizabeth, I cannot put into words how you make me feel. You completely fulfill me. I welcome your advances, and you must never be ashamed to display your love for me in this way. I was unsure of how I should approach you. I did not want to make you feel as if I would make unreasonable demands upon your person. But I admit to thoughts of you consuming my waking moments, sometimes making the focus on my work near impossible. I fear we are suffering from the same malady. I hope you found my remedy acceptable?” He puts his forehead against hers.
“I find your remedy inspiring. I do not wish for a cure rather more treatments if that meets with the Master’s approval?” Elizabeth pertly asks him.
“The Master approves. At any time the need arises, no matter where I am, I will attend to you, My Dear.” Darcy stretches next to her while stroking her hair. They begin a familiar ritual of dressing each other. They can accomplish the task much quicker having repeated the process numerous times before. After assuring the other of their proper attire, Darcy unlocks the door.
&nbs
p; Not all the days and nights are without some discord. Lizzy enjoys the outdoors unless the weather is simply too beastly for a walk. Most times Darcy accompanies her on her outings, but he becomes consumed with the contracts regarding the rail line. He hopes to have a sound understanding of the terms by the time Jonesy calls so Darcy is receiving and sending many letters of business to his solicitor, Mr. Cullip. Jonesy sends more information of the deal which Darcy reviews painstakingly. Darcy enlightens Elizabeth as to the burgeoning amount of facts and figures, so she holds an appreciation of what he is attempting to do. However, she feels he should take breaks at times, and a walk with her offers the perfect opportunity to clear his mind, to Elizabeth’s way of thinking. Darcy, however, likes to continue his work until he is confident he is at a logical stopping point. Their differences come to a head one afternoon.
“I thought to take a stroll around the pathways outside Fitzwilliam and would love for you to accompany me.” Elizabeth cheerfully suggests as she makes her way to his desk. He is running his fingers through his hair with muttered curses. Two broken quills demonstrate his agitation. “Come, Dearest, a quick ramble will relieve some of your tension. You cannot be wanting to stay in such a state.”
“I am afraid I must, Elizabeth. I cannot leave this work at the moment, and furthermore, I have to add you should not be out in this weather either. Look, the snow has started again, and the wind is picking up. The walkways will be iced soon making a walk dangerous.” He gestures to the window with a quill in his hand.
“Always the voice of doom. It is just a little breeze, and the snowflakes are enchanting as they twirl about. The merry dance they have upon the air will soon have you in much better humor, now come.” She holds her hand out to him.
Darcy throws the quill down in exasperation. “Elizabeth it is not that easy. Even if I were to be able to escort you, it would still be unwise. Trust me I know the weather of my home shire. It is not safe out of doors at present. Would not a ramble through the portrait gallery suffice or perhaps you would consider a trip about the third floor or the conservatory?”
“You have the answer for everything do you not? I am inclined to think you would rather not go out and are looking for an excuse to that effect. Why can you not admit, Mr. Darcy, sometimes I may know what is better for you at a given time. I will just leave you here in your arrogance while I amuse myself!” Elizabeth tartly responds.
“I will allow that to pass, but I will recommend to you that you do not go about outside! Do not force me to order you to stay indoors! ” Darcy narrows his eyes, and there is an iciness in them which reminds Elizabeth of their first meetings. His voice deepens with a warning in it.
“Condescending!” Elizabeth hurls at him.
“Churlish!” Darcy fires back. They glare at one another before Elizabeth flounces from the room. Darcy hunches his shoulders and attacks the work with new vigor fueled by anger. The result is some shrewd business maneuvers which will pay off later but at the present Darcy’s temper still brews. Another broken quill brings a fresh round of curses, but he keeps at his work.
Elizabeth meanwhile stomps to her dressing room to don heavier clothing. She talks aloud to herself. “I knew how he could be when I married him. Of course, he will do nothing unless it suits him. Everyone always at his beck and call. The haughty Mr. Darcy thinks he knows all. I will go out if I wish it. There is no danger out there, and I am in need of some fresh air!”
Elizabeth exits the manor from one of the side doors where the blast of chilly air steals her breath away. This is more than just a breeze; it is a gusty wind which whips the flakes into hard crystals. Elizabeth ignores the stinging pellets and proceeds to pace briskly about the walkway. “Who does he think he is? The Master of the place?” Elizabeth chuckles to herself at her own little jest. Her attention to her footing falters, and Elizabeth finds herself crashing heavily on her left hip. Her feet slide out from under her, and she is too far from the railing to right herself. Rolling to her hands and knees, she stands carefully and deliberately. She will have a bruise on her hip and a couple of scrapes to her left hand but no permanent damage.
When Elizabeth comes back into the manor, she puts her hands up to her hair, in addition to having loose strands hanging about, it also is soaked. Maybe Mr. Darcy is right. “Drat, I would hate to admit such to him.” Elizabeth scurries to her chamber and Ada draws her a hot bath. The mirror indicates what Elizabeth feared, a good sized bruise deepening on her hip. Nothing to be done about that, she will take her medicine when her husband notes it and questions her about it. Lizzy knows she will tell him he was right and she concedes; she will apologize for her remarks. After all, he cannot help his protective nature.
Lizzy’s battle with the elements combined with the bath does away with much of her restless energy. She is relaxing in a nightgown and robe in their private sitting room. There is a healthy fire in the hearth warming the room completely. Lizzy’s peevishness has long since dissipated and she welcomes her husband as he comes into the room. His face still holds some tenseness as he pours himself a brandy. He nods to Elizabeth indicating her wine glass and asks her if she needs any more. Lizzy shakes her head and holds out her hand to him. Darcy comes over and kisses her hand then flings himself into the other chair. He looks weary as he jerks off his cravat.
“I have finished the majority of what I had hoped to accomplish. Perhaps now, I will not be so consumed with this venture. I apologize for my harsh words earlier. There is some merit I suppose to what you suggested. It is hard to change one’s habits after so many years.” Darcy stares into the fire while taking a small sip of brandy.
“I am sorry, Fitzwilliam for my words to you this afternoon. They were uncalled for and unjust. Furthermore, I must confess that against your good counsel, I did go out the side door and angrily paced about the walkway. The wind was harsh as you warned and the flakes bit into my skin. Worse as I stomped about, I slipped and fell on my left hip. My pride and hip suffered a bruising but no lasting damage.” The sudden clink of the brandy glass on the table startles Elizabeth as Darcy kneels before her.
“Where, show me,” he demands. Elizabeth pulls up her robe and gown to display the bruise on her left hip. Darcy gently traces it with his fingertips as he asks her if she suffered any other injuries. Elizabeth reassures him she is fine and not to worry so.
“I cannot help but to protect you. The thought of anything giving you pain or hurting you tears through me. I should have gone after you and made sure you would not go out without me. The fault for your injury lies with me. I should have stopped what I was doing and been there with you. I am sorry, Elizabeth, I forgot you are not used to the weather as I am and at times you must feel cooped up. Please, Lizzy, I must know you are fine.”
After she again insulted him and deliberately did what he asked her not to, resulting in her fall, here he is asking her for forgiveness for a situation he did not create. She pulled his head to her chest and stroked his back. “It is I who should be seeking your forgiveness, Love. My impulsiveness led me to a poor decision. Please do not take this on yourself. I am indeed fine. Let me show you my vigor and my love for you.”
The next morning Lizzy awakens with a small scratchy throat and a bit of congestion. By afternoon she is on her way to a head cold. By evening her head is stuffed up, and breathing is only easier when she sits up. A pounding headache is the icing on the cake. “Perfect,” she mutters. “When you are right Mr. Darcy, you are right.” Darcy is with her in the private sitting room where she is nursing a very hot tea with some white willow bark for a headache. As Lizzy looks over the various concoctions Mrs. Reynolds procured for the head cold, Lizzy allows a small smile to play about her lips. Darcy notes her countenance and quizzes her regarding her smile. “I just recalled how Barnabas made sure you finished all of your medicines when you were ill at Netherfield. The grimaces you made reminded me of a small petulant child. I can still envision Barnabas checking each cup, ensuring you had consumed th
e total contents. I found the incident amusing despite the direness of what had transpired.”
“Barnabas has always hovered about in such a manner. He and Mrs. Reynolds tend to fret over both Georgiana and I. As to the taste of those potions, all I can say is they are foul, and I knew I did not need to finish them because the best medicine had been given to me. Your presence was the most healing balm.”
“That is touching. I must say I had started to comprehend you much better and was realizing there was another side to you which you kept hidden. Luckily for me, I came to know the real man. Rest easy, Mrs. Reynolds has prepared for me medicines which are fairly palatable.” After she consumes her tea and medicines, Darcy takes her into his arms and carries her to the bed. He arranges extra pillows and lies her on them so she can sit up more. “Is that high enough or should I obtain more pillows?”