There were also several rooms on the top floor set aside for education of children, and six suites of chambers for tutors. As they toured, Lizzy’s apprehension about becoming mistress of all she surveyed faded away.
She was sure she would receive whatever support she needed from William, Georgie, Mrs. Reynolds, and the rest of the servants watching her unobtrusively and with the hope to please and be pleased.
Elizabeth was amazed at the size of the mistress suite as they entered through the left-hand door of the shared sitting room between the mistress and master suites. It consisted of an oversized bedchamber, with a sitting area that led onto a balcony overlooking the grounds at the rear of the house and the woods that grew on the hill beyond.
There was a larger than she could fathom sized dressing room with a walk-in closet. Lizzy imagined it would take her a long time to fill half such a space. In the bathing room off her dressing room was the twin of the enormous brass tub she had seen in Darcy’s rooms at Darcy House.
She blushed a deep scarlet as she remembered this tub could easily fit both her and William. That was a very pleasant thought, but it made her blush even more and feel warm in places she was sure she should not be, no matter how good it felt.
Like at Darcy House, the mistress’s chambers had not been updated in over thirty years, so this was the only room for which Lizzy, in consultation with her mother and Mrs. Reynolds, planned major redecorating.
The sitting room did not need any changes as William used it all the time, unlike the one he had never used at Darcy House, so it was up to date and very comfortable. Darcy listened to the conversation, loving how she was going to make the chambers her own. That way he would feel like he was surrounded by his Elizabeth when he walked in, rather than ghosts of memories past. But it occurred then that he had hardly heard her speak of changes until now.
“Is there anything you would like to change in our sitting room?” he frowned, wanting her to know she could and worried she was not requesting changes she would prefer.
“No, William. I love the furniture and colours in our sitting room, and I especially love the fact that there are bookcases so that there will always be reading material for us here.” Elizabeth looked in William’s eyes so he could see she was in earnest.
“In fact, William,” Fanny interjected, “when we walked in, I wondered if Lizzy had already sent ahead her wishes. Bookshelves on two walls so you can place each of your favourites nearby, and a shared one for those you discover both of you always want close by. It is a perfect way to connect a shared favourite hobby. I believe I will suggest the same to Thomas. I think I could surprise him yet with some of my favourite books that I have discovered while reading with our daughters.”
“I confess, if I am indoors and have a moment to spare that is not spent writing to those I miss, I prefer it is spent reading. Our sitting room is perfect as it is, William,” Elizabeth agreed.
“I am well pleased you like it, and that I am assured you do. Your mother assuring me eases my worry you were not refusing to ask for changes just to placate me.” He bowed his head to Mrs. Bennet and offered a private, loving smile to his Lizzy.
‘I cannot wait to see the look on her face when she sees the library,’ William thought to himself.
They then proceeded into the master suite, which Lizzy felt could not be more perfect for her William. Just like his rooms at the house in Town, it was very masculine. The walls were in hunter green with light browns used for highlights and the trim.
Lizzy blushed all over again when she saw the bed in his bedchamber was the twin of the giant one in London. When Darcy turned to see her expression, he caught her looking at the bed with a blush deepening the longer she looked.
Darcy looked down with heightened colour at having divined her thoughts because he could barely hold himself in check now that she was in his bedroom where he had long imagined their spending many nights and some days. His colour deepened when Mrs. Bennet cleared her throat.
“Were there any other rooms on the tour?” Fanny asked Mrs. Reynolds, giving the young couple a moment to collect themselves, the older ladies sharing a smile that agreed it boded well.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
In the drawing room where all had initially assembled, a somewhat apprehensive Bingley asked Jane Bennet if she would like to take a turn in the garden. Louisa and Hurst said they would like a walk as well and would act as chaperones.
As they left, Richard shared with the rest how nervous Bingley had been that morning and he had finally decided to take the bull by the horns and ask Jane what she felt. Thinking they would be slightly amused; he could not understand why those ladies and Bennet who had come from Snowhaven for the afternoon were doing their best to hold back laughter.
Once he was informed of Jane’s proclamation that morning as they were breaking their fasts, he knew Bingley would return a very happy man, and probably engaged to Jane Bennet.
Richard was happy for them, but he was also envious. He knew there was a little more than a week to go before they returned to Hertfordshire, but he steeled his resolve to talk to Thomas Bennet before the Snowhaven party returned to that estate after dinner later that evening.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane and Bingley were slowly walking through the very extensive rose garden in the front of the house. The Hursts had ensured they stayed behind at a distance they could see but not hear the couple.
“Jane, will you sit here with me for a while?” Bingley requested, indicating one of the benches that were placed to allow moments of quiet reflection or conversation amidst the beauty of the garden.
“Thank you, Charles.” Jane sat elegantly on the indicated bench. At seeing their brother and Jane sit, the Hursts found a bench to sit on which was out of hearing distance.
“Jane, I feel I must ask you something. If it is too forward, I will understand if you choose not to answer.” Seeing Jane nod her agreement he plunged ahead, knowing his future happiness and the direction of his life was in the balance.
Regardless of how anxious he was, he knew this was what he had to do. Cowardice was not acceptable when one had a chance at winning a life with Jane Bennet. “Three weeks ago, I requested, and you granted me the honour of a formal courtship. When I asked, I admitted I loved you, and I can tell you my love has only got deeper during these weeks of our courtship. At the time, you said you were not in love with me, and you would not enter any marriage without love.”
“Yes, that is correct. That is what I said then.” Jane smiled, which for him seemed too serene and he almost stopped himself, dreading hearing her say that she did not love him still.
“My question, Jane, is if there has been a change which would further my suit. Or do you wish for longer to learn if you could love me, or have you determined you will never be able to love me in return?” Bingley asked, a slight tremor in his voice the only proof he was deeply afraid of her proclaiming the last.
