“What has that big lunkhead to tell about my impertinent wife’s behaviour?” Hertfordshire demanded.
“There is nothing of note, Your Grace,” Wickham read. “Her Grace remains at your estate, has had no callers—other than the doctor and midwife, and has called on no one. She is yet to receive any letters and has only posted one to her sister.”
“It pleases me she is under the care of the physician and midwife. It shows she is taking her duty to me seriously,” the Duke decided, “even if she took too long to become with child.”
Wickham kept his features schooled and allowed His Grace to rant on, as he was wont to do, spewing nonsense. As was the way of things, once the Duke had spewed his vitriol, he waved dismissively releasing Wickham.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth felt the excitement building as her coach rolled over the rise in the drive and began its descent on the other side. Her anticipation had kept her blind to the forests her coachman was driving past.
The previous night she had managed very little sleep. Each time she had felt herself slipping into Morpheus’s arms, her exhilaration at seeing her sisters, family, and friends openly and without fear on the morrow woke her all over again. It had been the wee hours of the night before she had finally slipped off to sleep. Then, less than three hours later, as dawn was fighting to assert itself, she had woken.
Loretta was sitting opposite her and as they always were when she travelled anywhere, John was next to the coachman and Brian on the rear bench.
She was unsurprised when she was met by a large group. Brian handed her out. Except for the two older men, she recognised everyone. The men seemed to be waiting andElizabeth realised as the highest ranking person there, it was up to her to request an introduction.
William could not believe this beauty was at his house. Since he had met the fiery duchess he had been having rather inappropriate thoughts about a married woman. Yes, she had been coerced into matrimony, but it did not change the facts. She was, in fact, someone’s wife, regardless of how deplorable the man was. William cared not for the Duke, but he did care about the vows the man and his wife had taken before God and he would not dishonour the Duchess in any way.
“Lady Elaine, would you introduce your husband and brother to me, please,” Elizabeth requested.
“Lady Elizabeth, it is my pleasure to introduce Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, my husband, and Mr. Robert Darcy the master of this estate, and my brother-in-law. Reggie and Robert, Lady Elizabeth Chamberlain, Her Grace, the Duchess of Hertfordshire and Marchioness of Hertford Heights,” Lady Matlock performed the duty.
There were bows and curtsies exchanged, even though Elizabeth was aware as a duchess she was not required to curtsey to those of lower rank. Ifhehad been present, it would have disturbedhisequanimity. Even though her husband was absent, she felt it was an act of freedom to defy him in any way she was able.
“Quite a mouthful is it not,” Elizabeth jested.
Both men smiled. “It is, Your Grace,” Darcy intoned. “Welcome to Pemberley.”
“As I requested of your wives and Anna, please address me as Lady Elizabeth if you will not use my familiar name,” Elizabeth responded. “And thank you for inviting me, and especially for inviting my family to your estate.”
“May I suggest we enter the house,Elizabeth,” Lady Anne stated. She did not miss the glow of happiness the young duchess demonstrated to be addressed without any title.
“Thank you for your note informing me of your exceedingly kind invitation to my family and friends had been accepted,” Elizabeth told Lady Anne as they walked down the hallway, arms linked, towards the large foyer near the main front doors. “When did they say they would be here?”
Lady Anne squeezed the younger lady’s hand in reassurance, not at all surprised Lady Elizabeth…Elizabeth was keen for information on the pending arrival of her loved ones. “According to what your Aunt Madeline wrote, they will be here after eleven this morning,” Lady Anne shared. “As it is not yet ten, you have over an hour to wash, change, and if you choose to, have a rest.”
The housekeeper was waiting for her mistress at the base of the wide, white marble grand staircase. Lady Anne made the introductions.
Mrs. Reynolds looked like a very pleasant woman to Elizabeth. Before the housekeeper could lead her away, the youngest Darcy spoke up. “Mama, may I show Lizzy…Lady Elizabeth to her suite?”
Elizabeth gave Lady Anne a nod when the latter looked at Elizabeth to gauge her feelings on the subject. Lady Anne smiled and gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Go ahead, Anna. You know which suite Elizabeth is in, do you not?” Lady Anne verified.
“Yes, Mama. The Rose Suite if I understood correctly,” Georgiana confirmed.
“That is the one. Off you go sweet girl.” Lady Anne turned to Elizabeth. “I assume you will be with us in an hour before ourotherguests arrive.”
“If not sooner, yes I will be downstairs,” Elizabeth enthused.
“Your maid is already in your suite unpacking, Your Grace,” Mrs. Reynolds informed the Duchess. “If you require anything else, please ring your bell.”
While the rest of the party made for a drawing room, Elizabeth followed the bubbly Anna up the stairs.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As they approached the biggest mansion Jane had ever beheld, she was sitting on the edge of her seat willing the carriage to speed up so she could be in Lizzy’s company already. Yes, she had seen and even touched her sister at the church, but now they were about to have unrestricted and open contact with Lizzy.
The Gardiner conveyance was in the lead, followed by the rented one, which in turn was followed by the Lucas equipage, and lastly the conveyance bearing the Philipses. The Lamberts would come to call on the morrow as both had parish work this day.
