“Elizabeth, this is Emily. She will see to your things and assist you with whatever you need.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Emily, as we are to attend a musicale after dinner, my gown and accessories are in the trunk. Will you please see that all is made ready for this evening?”
“Yes, of course, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said.
She and Georgiana then joined Fitzwilliam in the parlor and had tea together.
“Elizabeth, please forgive me,” Fitzwilliam began. “I neglected to mention that a few of my relatives will be joining us for luncheon. Lord and Lady Matlock, their eldest son, Stafford, and of course, Fitz. They are eager to meet you.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth said in surprise, “I look forward to meeting them.”
“You will love them,” Georgiana assured her, smiling.
How likely this was to be the case, Elizabeth could not say, but she returned Georgiana’s smile as convincingly as she could.
“Would you like a tour of the house?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“Yes, I would,” Elizabeth replied.
They stood, and he offered her his arm.
“Where should we take her first, William?” Georgiana asked, preceding them out of the parlor. “The drawing room?”
He nodded. “Lead on.”
Whereas the parlor was cozy, the drawing room was very spacious and more conducive to entertaining. The next room on the tour was where Georgiana spent most of her time, and it was easy to see why. The music room had large windows that allowed natural light to pour into the space. Sitting in a position of prominence was a Broadwood grand. It was a very handsome instrument with a gleaming walnut finish. The walls were covered in a light gray paper with traces of a shimmering gold leaf pattern. There was a serene atmosphere that was no doubt enhanced by the monochromatic color scheme achieved with various textures and shades of gray.
“This room is lovely. I can see why it is easy for you to spend so much time here, Georgiana,” Elizabeth said, her eyes moving around the room.
“Indeed! It is my favorite room in the house,” Georgiana replied.
They visited the breakfast room, the dining room, the study, the ballroom and dining hall, as well as the adjacent card room.
“Since we have about thirty minutes before my relations arrive, we can save the rest of the house to show you another time. However, I would be remiss if I did not show you the library on this visit,” Fitzwilliam said, meeting Elizabeth’s eyes with a crooked grin.
“Yes, you would indeed!” Elizabeth declared, her eyes wide but lit with humor.
He chuckled, then led her upstairs. When they reached the third floor, they walked across the landing. There, situated between the family wing and the guest wing, was the library. When Elizabeth entered the room, an expression of delight came over her face.
“Elizabeth, I think this must be your favorite room in the house!” Georgiana teased after seeing her reaction.
Elizabeth chuckled. “I think you are right! This is remarkable!”
“I am glad you like it,” Fitzwilliam said. “However, I must tell you, Elizabeth, this library is nothing to the one at Pemberley.”
She looked at him with her mouth slightly open in surprise. “What?”
Fitzwilliam nodded, a slight grin on his face.
“The library at Pemberley islarger?” Elizabeth asked, stunned by the prospect.
“Several times larger," he replied. "It is the work of many generations.”
Elizabeth was amazed at this. She tried to imagine a library that was several times larger than the one before her. This library was not insignificant by any means. It was a large room. The walls were lined with shelves, and the shelves were filled with books. Bookcases, too, were filled to the brim with new and old tomes.
“It sounds wonderful!” she said.
