by Kay Mares
One of the accompanying footmen leads the horses to the stables while the other assist Darcy with the packages. He managed to pick out a few things for Elizabeth and Georgiana while he was away. In the grand foyer, Darcy stomps his feet and blows into his chilled hands. Soon he hears the footsteps of his family. Georgiana reaches him first breezing into his outstretched arms as she addresses him, “you always add extra days to your trips, so we are pleasantly surprised at your early return. I did not enlighten Elizabeth so she would know joy in your safe and prompt return.”
“Thank you, Dear One. I told Elizabeth with the weather and road conditions that I could be away for as long as three weeks. Instead, I have returned after only eleven days.” Darcy bends to kiss his sister to the cheek. As he straightens, he hears his wife gasp her delight, and without thought to who is there to witness her joy, she flies into Darcy’s arms. He picks her up, spins her about once then gives her a hearty kiss. He brushes away the tears from her cheeks and looks deeply into her eyes. “You are well, Love? I have missed you so.”
“Fitzwilliam, I have missed you, and I am elated you have returned to us hale and sooner than expected. I love you.” Elizabeth cannot release her grasp from around his waist as she sees his eyes sparkling and dancing.
“If you ladies allow me to freshen up, I have something for you both I think you will like.” Darcy too has not relinquished his grip on Lizzy. “Meet me in the parlor in about one-half hour.” He slowly extracts himself from Elizabeth then turns with a wink and orders to the footman to secure the packages in the parlor. Georgiana has a knowing smile on her face as she orders hot tea and snacks to be delivered to the parlor. Lizzy excuses herself saying she wants to touch up her hair and she makes her way to the Master’s quarters.
Darcy is fishing around in his closet, humming as he pulls out a change of clothes. Lizzy excused Barnabas so she could be with her husband without interruption. She watches as he pulls his shirt over his head then before he can don another one, Lizzy stops him by coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist. Darcy grasps her hands with his and pivots in her embrace, bringing his mouth down on hers. Neither communicates their desire verbally; Darcy is making sure the doors are locked. They join there in his closet. Flushed and deliriously happy, they make their way to the parlor.
Darcy gifts Elizabeth and Georgiana with a pelisse each. The ladies are thrilled with their gifts, but Darcy is not done yet. Also, he acquired each a necklace. Georgiana’s displays pale blue sapphires to match her eyes while Elizabeth receives a gorgeous ruby necklace to accent her hair. The matching earrings top it all off. Both Lizzy and Georgiana thank him profusely for the gifts. As they sip tea, Darcy tells them of the dealings with the railwaymen and his satisfaction regarding the final result. As he expounds about how Jonesy and Colin each did their part to move negotiations along, Elizabeth guesses at Darcy’s role.
“You were the taciturn, brooding Mr. Darcy with the formidable stare. Should the debate become too heated or stall, it was your displeasure which radiated from your being which put them back on track, pardon the pun.”
“Ah, my clever Lizzy. How well you know me. My native charm and wit rose to the fore as you indicated and the deal is closed.” Darcy chuckles. “You are aware if people knew what a kitten I am, as you once put it, then I would be ineffective in my negotiations.”
“So tell me, did you give the railwaymen and their solicitors fits?” Lizzy asks him archly.
“Indeed I did. I suppose in some ways the annoying shortening of my name does give a small amount of insight into my character. I believe I gave you fits at the beginning of our acquaintance?” Lizzy is glad Georgiana excused herself to practice her music. Lizzy would not want her to hear the flirty and slightly sexual teasing discourse they now sport. Lizzy taps her chin with her finger as she stares ahead as if pondering a deep issue.
“You know Fitz…william,” she draws his name out as he raises a brow, “I believe I gave you fits just an hour or so ago.” Lizzy then laughs as he actually blushed. Funny how such a confident and sure man still acts like a stuttering youth. Darcy narrows his eyes as he readies a retort.
“I must say you did, but I could point out some of your responses to my ministrations earlier to highlight the scintillating fits I gave you.” Now it is Lizzy’s turn to flush, and she does right down to her toes.
Chapter 29
That night in their chambers, Lizzy and Darcy talk about the upcoming wedding. Darcy sorted his mail and was pleased to inform Lizzy not only would Miss Kitty be returning but Jane and Bingley plan to attend the wedding and bring the first load of their possessions to the Kerfoot estate. Mrs. Bennet bemoaned the departure, but Jane remains firm and eagerly looks forward to her own home. After the subject has been exhausted, Lizzy told Darcy of reading his journals. Lizzy admits some parts were difficult to read, the parts in which he gave way to his sorrow after the loss of his parents and then the utter despair he wrote about when he thought Elizabeth was lost to him. Lizzy tells him how she wishes he would have trusted her just a little with the knowledge of his pain when they first met, but she understands his reluctance and reserve.
“I will tell you at times I questioned my wisdom in reading your journals especially the more difficult parts because you were not here for me to comfort nor for me to seek succor from you. However, and this may sound strange, I received comfort from reading your musings, even the troubling entries. They helped me to see both in your writings and my own, how we came to where we are. The past no longer holds pain for me. At times, I even found enlightenment in some of the hurtful memories as I looked upon them in a new light. You truly knew not how to court a woman.” Lizzy smiles at him as he cocked his head and gazed at her thoughtfully.
“I suppose I can see your wisdom and as you have read as well as ascertained for yourself, I am, admittedly shy. However, in light of your greeting to me in my closet, I have no worries that anything you found within the pages changed your exalted opinion of me.” He grins his grin waiting for Lizzy’s rejoinder.
“No indeed, rather I was reminded of your conceit and arrogance,” comes Lizzy’s saucy reply. She grins back at Darcy. Darcy is naturally cautious around others but for now, they are alone, and as they can freely do, they discuss any topic which comes to mind, joke when the opportunity presents itself, and of course cuddle when the mood strikes. Lizzy speaks again. “I am pleased for Kitty and Jonesy. They have found each other without the difficulties we faced. I would not have thought them to be a likely match but then I saw how Kitty had conversations with Jonesy which seemed to indicate common interests as well as some lively debates. Both of them have good humor, and Jonesy has encouraged Kitty to be a bit more open. Such a contrast to the silly girl who ran about in pursuit of officers.”
Lizzy taps her finger to her lips as she thinks. “I suppose, just like I found in reading our journals; Kitty too needed to go through some trying times in order to grow and become a better person. Father made her spend time with her studies and would not allow her to put her reputation at risk. Mary did not give him the same worries, but he is determined to pay better attention to his youngest daughters. Kitty benefitted from this, and then Jane took her under wing. Kitty admitted to me she saw the errors of her earlier ways and strove to correct them. She even told me you are a most honorable gentleman.” Lizzy laughs as Darcy cocks a brow at that. “You are not surprised are you that someone else saw past your defenses and glimpsed the marvelous man you are? Do not be alarmed; I am sure no one else will ferret out your secret.”
“I have no worries. Remember I am a most disagreeable man. In fact, I think I will show you how disagreeable I am!” Darcy declares as he carries Lizzy to the bed. Instead of starting with tender kisses and caresses, he begins to tickle Lizzy’s ribs. As she giggles and thrashes, she begins her own assault causing Darcy to laugh and squirm. He is more sensitive about his ribcage than Lizzy. Soon Lizzy gains the upper hand as Darcy succumbs to laugh
ter as he loses his grip on Lizzy. She nuzzles and blows on his neck just so which induces him to shrug his shoulders and giggle more. “Desist! You win! I need to catch my breath. It is not fair I should be more ticklish than you. It is hardly manly.”
“Oh My Love, you are manly in all the ways that count, and I welcome you to show me just how manly you are,” Lizzy puts her arm around his neck and brings his head to hers for a slow lingering kiss. Afterward, they talk more about the upcoming nuptials of Henry and Anne. Lizzy expresses her desire to forward a friendship with Anne.
During the time before the arrival of the wedding guests and the happy couple, Lizzy begins her tenant visits. Universally the people are charmed by Lizzy and warm quickly to her open personality. The tenants’ children draw her to them as she is fairly certain she is with child herself. But she still wishes to be assured by the doctor before she tells Darcy. Of course, she knows from reading his journal he has his suspicions too, but as he wrote, he allows Lizzy the freedom to decide when to tell him. However, this does not keep him from peering at her in the early mornings when an upset stomach disturbs her, and he tries to monitor her food intake without being too obvious. A few times he frowns dramatically when Lizzy opts to walk outside, and he makes certain he accompanies her on these ramblings.
The anticipated wedding guests begin to visit, Henry and Anne are the first to arrive. Henry eagerly escorts Anne out of her carriage, placing her hand on his arm as they enter the foyer. Darcy greets them both warmly while Georgiana does not contain her glee. It has been a long time since Georgiana has seen Anne and the visit promises to be a good one without Lady Catherine controlling every detail. Lizzy welcomes them both to the manor as they thank her for her hospitality then the party makes their way into the parlor. A crackling fire awaits them along with refreshments.
“Pemberley is as magnificent as I remember it, Wills. I find myself delighted that I am here. I have looked forward to this trip, not just for my wedding but to renew my bond with you and Georgiana.” Anne swings her gaze to Lizzy as she continues, “Mrs. Darcy, I am eager to forward our acquaintance, and I am glad to call you family.”
“Please then, call me Elizabeth. I too have told Fitzwilliam how I have anticipated your stay. If there is anything you require, please let me know. I hope your visit here will be pleasant.”
Anne smiles brightly. Elizabeth sees she is a comely woman. Her hair is dark similar to Darcy’s, but Anne has very dark brown eyes. They are intelligent and friendly. Her clothing is fashionable but not pretentious, unlike the ponderous gowns she wore during Elizabeth’s visits to Rosings. Elizabeth suspected Lady Catherine forced the clothing styles upon Anne. In the past, Elizabeth noted Anne to be small and sickly. Now while Anne is a petite lady, Elizabeth notes color in her cheeks with a healthy glow. “Then you must call me Anne. Henry has told me much about you, and of course, Wills there made it well know your beauty and charm took him. Of course he never directly said so, but those of us who know him well could tell he was lost to you.”
Darcy coughs and shifts a bit. He does not want any of the negative feelings associated with Rosings to dampen the gathering, but one look at Elizabeth shows she is amused and ready to hear Anne’s interpretation of Darcy’s behavior during that time. As the thought takes root, he frowns slightly while running a finger across his lips. Anne picks up on his nervousness even though she does not know his true thoughts. “Come now Wills,” she laughs, “I will not embarrass you. By now I would think your wife would know all of your dark brooding ways.” The twinkle in Anne’s eyes is dancing.
“Indeed My Dear, what you say is true. There is little my wife does not know about me. I rather was contemplating how I will know no peace between Henry and Jonesy being present and now you working in tandem with my wife. I do not know if I will be able to persevere.” Darcy rolls his eyes. Elizabeth loves how truly at ease he can be especially when surrounded by his closest family.
Soon Anne’s maid announces her rooms are set up, and a bath is drawn. Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne’s companion goes above for a brief rest. Anne excuses herself, again thanking the Darcys for their hospitality, and leaves in the company of her maid. Henry follows Anne’s movements, and he cannot contain his affection and love for Anne.
“Anne is not how she used to be, Fitz. You can see the difference in her. Her mother never allowed her to reach her potential. The less grasp Lady Catherine has on Anne, the more Anne has blossomed. Really Fitz, what she has already accomplished at Rosings with the renovations and reorganizing the staff is astounding. The estate has started to run smoother, the servants at the main house appear happy in their duties, and the tenants have breathed a collective sigh of relief. I may just leave her to run the whole estate while I become a man of leisure.” Henry’s grin broadens with Darcy’s huff of indignation.
“You have within your power the ability to make Rosings stronger than it was before. We will be reviewing estate management during the time before your nuptials. I will not tolerate you becoming indolent.” Darcy adopts his aloof air, but everyone sees the lightness in his eyes. However, Henry does not doubt he will be subjected to a lecture from Darcy on the running of an estate. Even though he may tease Darcy, he recognizes his cousin’s skill and abilities. Darcy continues, “I agree with you, cousin Anne has improved, and for that Henry I thank you. I had long worried what would become of her especially when I made my wishes known. She will be a wonderful partner for you, and I wish you every happiness.”
“You almost brought a tear to my eye, Fitz. That was actually kind. I am not sure my heart can take the strain.”
“When will you tire of calling me Fitz? You do realize I will have to exact my revenge?” Darcy narrows his eyes as he takes Henry’s measure.
“Never!” comes the defiant cry. “I have no qualms regarding your revenge, old man. Besides, I suspect married life has softened you. Remember you actually spoke rather sweetly about my upcoming wedding.” Darcy pulls one side of his mouth down in a frown. He knows he must be on guard. The supper meal is a jovial affair. Lizzy enjoys the telling of various childhood memories by Darcy, Henry, and Anne. Anne speaks softly but with emotion and a quick wit.
The gentlemen retreat to the billiard room giving Lizzy, Anne and Georgiana some time for female chatter. Naturally, much discussion is given over to the wedding. Anne is pleased with the plans thus far and is grateful to the Matlocks for hosting the wedding breakfast. Anne selected a simple gown for her big day, shunning the ostentatious displays her mother would have insisted upon. No one brings up Lady Catherine during the conversation, but Elizabeth notes Anne is frustrated with her mother’s continued obstinacy. In the meantime, the talk shifts to Darcy and Lizzy’s obvious felicity.
“I cannot convey my pleasure to see my beloved cousin so well suited. The change in his demeanor is profound. It has been too long since I’ve seen him lighthearted.” Anne beams with happiness.
“What you say is true,” Elizabeth injects. “I found an easy rapport with Henry, but Fitzwilliam unnerved me with his stare. I know now he was unsure of himself and I can recall him twisting his ring.”
“He has that habit with his ring whenever he feels nervous. My brother is careful to regulate his emotions, but his hands sometimes betray him.” Georgiana asserts.
“Yes, I can remember him worrying objects in his hands whenever he felt anxious. To see him twist that ring about when you were near, Elizabeth, told me more of his thoughts than if he would have expressed them himself.” Anne then relates stories of her youth with Darcy and Henry, but as Anne had grown, the contact between Darcy and her became limited. Neither wished to give hope to Lady Catherine’s designs to marry the two and by mutual consent, they decreased the amount of time spent in one another’s company. Anne tells Georgiana and Elizabeth of the budding romance between her and Henry which arose during his time away in the military. Henry wrote to Anne about some of the natural fears of going into battle and making command decisions, and in Anne,
he found a confidant.
Georgiana is surprised to hear of how they had corresponded with each other for so long without hinting at the burgeoning affection. “I suppose it is just as Elizabeth found with Wills. The more someone reveals himself to you, the more affection you find you have for that person.” Anne’s eyes flash with warmth as she continues, “Do you know, Elizabeth, Wills wrote about you in his letters to me? He only mentioned other women if they were part of a bigger story but you were always the whole story. Why he would even write of the color of your gown or how your hair was styled. He never noted things like that in the past.”
Georgiana is nodding her head in agreement. “It is just like I told you before. Fitzwilliam never wrote anything specific about any woman until he wrote of you. He would describe your clothing, eyes, and hair. I do not believe he even was conscious of how much detail he noted about you.” Georgiana snickers a little.
“Georgiana is correct. His letters were very descriptive regarding you, and I could hardly wait to see you when it was announced you would be visiting Hunsford. Mother wrote to him about Mr. Collin’s marriage to your friend and that some of Mrs. Collin’s family would be visiting along with her particular friend, Miss Elizabeth. Mother was pleased to receive Will’s reply that he would come to Rosings earlier then he had planned. I suspected he altered his plans just to see you.” Anne finishes.
“I had no idea he felt so strongly. I already mistakenly believed he looked at me only to find fault. When he pierced me with that stare of his, well I really thought he disdained me. How foolish I was.”
“It all turned out for the best. You came to know Will’s affected you and you returned the sentiment. I again must state how pleased I am to see your felicity for myself.” Anne delicately swallows some tea. “It seems as if you have come to be comfortable in your role as Mistress here. It is a role I am slowly learning to adjust to at Rosings. Henry and I look forward to furthering some of the plans my late father outlined in some of his writings. Henry assures me that Wills has agreed to provide him with counsel should he require it.”