“Yes, my love, this is your new home, Pemberley.”
“However will I manage?”
“You will manage just fine, Elizabeth. I have many servants who will assist you, and you know that Georgiana, and Anna and I will, as well. I promise you, you will not be wanting.”
“And I promise you, all of you, I will do my best to become a good mistress and make you proud.”
“We are already proud, Elizabeth, and you must never doubt yourself. You are the perfect wife, sister and mother. Is she not, girls?”
They readily agreed and crowded around Elizabeth to embrace her. “Elizabeth,” he continued, taking her hand and kissing it, “I have waited so long for this day. We have been blessed, my love. All four of us are now a family, and today we have come home.”
“Yes, William,” she said with eyes misting. “Home. We are home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
AS IT SHOULD BE
Pemberley
August
From the very first, there had been no question in anyone’s mind that a love match had been made between the master and the new mistress. Laughter and joy had come back to the manor house and those long-time servants and workers who had watched William suffer after the death of his parents as well as his first wife and stillborn son could not be happier that he was no longer morose. Fitzwilliam Darcy was an honest and just master, and in their minds his happiness was long overdue.
To that end, Elizabeth Darcy was revered by all who worked on the estate. She was not withdrawn or cold as their former mistress had been. Nor did she look down on those who worked for the family but instead praised their efforts and encouraged them. Miss Darcy and Miss Anna cherished her and she made the master happy, so what could be better?
Shortly after settling into her new home and becoming acquainted with the house servants, Elizabeth was eager to meetPemberley’s tenants. Being that there were so many cottagers, she knew it would take many weeks to accomplish her goal. To her delight, William insisted on riding out with her and the girls to facilitate the initial introductions and deliver baskets. From Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth had learned much about the various families, which made it easier for her to assess their needs when meeting them in person. Eventually, they would add to the baskets by sewing items for the infants and young children. While the Darcys would be going back to Longbourn near the end of September, Mrs. Reynolds assured Elizabeth that these practices would continue as much as possible during her absence.
Since Georgiana had never participated in this type of venture, it proved to be a good learning experience with Elizabeth often asking for her opinions when making their way from cottage to cottage. Little Anna loved going anywhere with her mama and was delighted to meet children close to her own age whom she could play with during the visits.
In addition to the tenant visits, Elizabeth had asked William to invite the rectors of Lambton and Kympton for a meeting to begin discussing the possibility of establishing a Sunday afternoon school for the children in the area who were not able to attend the village school. The school would be particularly important for those children who were needed to work at home during the week. Following her charity work with Lady Gwendolyn, this was an undertaking which Elizabeth was committed to, and one which William wholeheartedly supported. Once established, the estate would provide qualified teachers, and like the programs offered in Town, additional provisions would be distributed to the families who were in need.
With the third week in August drawing near, activities at the manor house increased significantly. Georgiana’s birthdaywas on the seventeenth, and the Gardiners would be arriving a few days before that time and staying for the remainder of the month.
Mrs. Gardiner, having hailed from the village of Lambton, could not be happier bringing her family to where she had spent her childhood. Although her parents were no longer living, she had several cousins with children who lived in the area and was delighted when William invited her neighbouring relations to Pemberley for a three-day house party where they could renew acquaintances.
Those days were filled with picnics and fun activities for the children while the women spent time together and the men indulged in an abundance of hunting and fishing. Little Anna was thrilled with so many children to play with, and Georgiana was particularly happy since there was a young girl her age who was also interested in music and played the pianoforte. William had purchased a new instrument for her birthday, and Georgiana was pleased to share her talents with her new friend while they practiced duets together.
Elizabeth had hoped the Gardiners could stay on for the harvest ball the Darcys were hosting for the landed gentry on the sixth of September, but Mr. Gardiner was obliged to be back in Town by that date. Nevertheless, Elizabeth was happy to include her aunt in the final preparations she had been making with Mrs. Reynolds. One afternoon, when Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth were reviewing some of those arrangements, the conversation took an interesting turn.
“Aunt, I hope you do not mind me asking, but I was wondering what signs might I expect should I become with child?”
“Oh, Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Gardiner, taking her hands. “Tell me, my dear, have you not had your courses since marrying Mr. Darcy?”
She blushed, not having spoken this privately with her aunt since Mrs. Gardiner informed her of what to expect with the marriage bed. “Aunt, the last I had them was shortly before our marriage took place. Perhaps it is a bit premature to speculate, but I do wish to give William another child more than anything.”
“Well, that is about two months, so it is entirely possible you may be with child. Tell me, have you noticed any differences, such as aversion to certain foods or perhaps a slight tenderness in your breasts?”
Elizabeth’s face was hopeful. “Yes, Aunt, I have. There is a bit of tenderness, and it seems the bodices on my dresses are becoming a bit snug. My stomach is often upset in the morning, but it quickly passes once I have had tea and toast. Moreover, I can no longer abide the smell of mutton and have asked that it be removed from our menus. The same is true with cigar smoke. Fortunately, William never smokes them unless he has guests. When your cousins were here and the gentlemen removed for cigars and port each evening, I do not know if you noticed, but I could barely keep from casting up what I had eaten after they returned to join us in the music room. Had I not left the room for some fresh air, I certainly would have embarrassed myself.”
“Oh, my dear, I had not noticed, but I am very hopeful for you. Of course you cannot be certain until you feel the babe quicken, and that may be another month or so. Have you shared your suspicions with Mr. Darcy yet?”
“No, Aunt, though if I continue on as I have been, I plan to tell him before we return to Longbourn. I do not want to purposely deprive him of our joy, yet, at the same time I do not want him to be disappointed should nothing come of my suspicions.”
“I understand.”
“Truthfully, Aunt, William is very observant, and it is a wonder he has not mentioned anything to me thus far. Thenagain, we have been quite busy since coming to Pemberley. I only pray that if I am with child, all will be well and I shall deliver a healthy babe. William was devastated after the loss of his stillborn son, and I could not bear for him to have to endure such pain again.”
“Thankfully you are young and strong, Elizabeth, which is in your favour. I wonder if we should pay a visit to the village midwife who could answer more of your questions.”
