“I told Fitzwilliam the same,” Mary shared and Lizzy looked at her in surprise. “Someone had to warn him. Mama was too busy planning a wedding and was just so pleased to see Jane so happy. Papa was relieved to have such a protective man help him with all of us, so someone had to make him understand he had better take good care of our sister.”
“I would have loved to have heard our father’s speech,” Darcy chuckled then with a more serious mien added, “Our sister Jane issued me a similar warning to the one you did Mary. I would never do anything to hurt my wife; she is my everything. If I were one so inclined, I would think long and hard before I did anything knowing the wrath that would be unleashed against me for such a transgression.”
“We have no doubt that you will treat our sister like the queen that she is William,” Mary said as she squeezed her brother’s hand. She looked at Lizzy and the three of them burst into laughter. The image of Darcy being pummelled by the sisters was too amusing to ignore.
Darcy looked at his wife on his right, his new sister and her husband to his left and lifted his glass, “Here is to many more enjoyable experiences together. Perhaps in the not too distant future the continent will be free of the little tyrant and we will be able to make trips there.” They all echoed his sentiments.
“When will you and Hugh leave for Hertfordshire, Mary? Perhaps you and Jane and Richard can all meet here and we can travel together?” Lizzy asked Mary, not wanting to lose an opportunity to spend time with the sister she was just now getting to know and who constantly surprised her.
“I do not see why not Lizzy,” Mary agreed after a quick glance at her husband. “It will be very good to see Jane and Richard again. Will you send a note to Jane to let her know that we have all returned, please?”
“I will do so first thing on the morrow with pleasure. William and I would love to visit them at Brookfield before we depart to the south as we have never seen the estate,” she added, slipping her hand into Darcy’s as she could see him but missed his gentle touch that always centred her.
“I am sure that Richard and Jane will be very happy for us to visit them at their home,” Darcy postulated. “If it is not a good time for them to host us, we can return the same day as it is so close,” he promised, kissing the back of her hand.
After the enjoyable dinner there was no separation of the sexes and the four adjourned to the music room to be entertained by their wives. As they were tired from traveling, they retired early, although sleep was not sought for some hours later that night.
The next morning, they broke their fast together while the Birchington coaches were being loaded. Mary was excited to see their estate as she had not had a chance to see it since they had stayed in Hertfordshire while Lizzy had visited Derbyshire. By nine that morning, Hugh and Mary were on the road heading to their estate. As soon as she entered the house, Lizzy wrote a note to Jane that would immediately be delivered by a groom who was instructed to wait for an answer.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane was completing her meeting with Mrs Ross when Mr Durand knocked on the door and held out a silver salver with a note addressed to her. Jane smiled, excited because she recognised Lizzy’s handwriting assuming that they must be back.She walked to her study, sat at her desk, and broke the seal on the short, but to the point, note.
Pemberley
10 September 1812
Dearest Jane and Richard,
First, I would like to extend an official congratulations for the elevation to a Baronetcy. I do hope your return trip after the weddings went well and that our brother Andrew and sister Marie also travelled with you as suggested and hoped for.
We returned home yesterday after a truly enjoyable wedding trip with our sister and her Hugh. I cannot wait to tell you both all about it.
We (Mary and Hugh included) would like to accept the invitation to see you and your estate so, with that in mind, please let me know when you are open to receive us. We can stay for a day or two or return home the same day, whichever is more convenient to you.
Your loving sister,
Lizzy
Jane stood up and went next door to her husband’s study where he was meeting with Lefroy. She gave a single knock and entered as both men stood. With a big smile on her face she handed Richard the note.
Fitzwilliam waved his steward to stay seated and grinned at his wife. “Anytime, and for as long as they want is good for me. Let us see if we can get them to abandon Pemberley and Birchington and just live here,” Richard teased his wife into her airy laugh that always seemed to brighten the room and all those in it.
When the groom returned to Pemberley, he handed the return note to Douglas. An excited and expectant Lizzy opened it and read:
Brookfield
10 September 1812
Dearest Lizzy and William,
Welcome home Sister and Brother, and thank you for your congratulations. Richard and I look forward to seeing you as well as Mary and Hugh if they want to join us now. If it is convenient, why do you not arrive on Friday afternoon and stay with us until Monday?
I cannot wait to see you, sister dearest, and hear all of the stories you collected this trip.
Much love,
Jane
