The mistress' chambers were the only rooms that Elizabeth asked to be redecorated. The furniture was to her liking, but the colour scheme in pastels with a fair number of pink flowers was not. Elizabeth chose greens, some blue, and a touch of light yellow for the wall coverings and drapes.
When they walked through the master’s chambers, Elizabeth looked with expectation at the huge bed within and hoped that Will would not want to spend their nights in separate chambers. Will had not put his stamp on his chambers yet, having just become master of the estate, but he was happy with the colours of hunter-green and browns used last time the room was redecorated.
Last, they walked about the third floor where the Bennets’and Elizabeth’s chambers were. There was a total of twelve guest suites and a sitting room on the floor. Mrs Ralston explained that the male servants had rooms in the attics while the female servants’rooms were near the kitchens.
The cook proved her worth to the new master and his fiancée that night when they all enjoyed a very well-cooked meal. Elizabeth, Lady Anne, and Tammy took turns entertaining in the music room after dinner, where there had been no separation of the sexes. Before everyone retired, Elizabeth expressed her approbation of Rivington and her belief that they would be content and happy starting their lives together there.
After a restful night’s sleep, where both Elizabeth and Will had fallen asleep wishing they were already married and in each other’s arms. They wished Richard a safe ride to Brookfield; the party began the return journey, though not all returned to Pemberley. The Bennet parents and Elizabeth had been invited to Longfield Meadows to look in on Jane, Perry, and Lady Rose. It seemed like the ideal opportunity, as the Rhys-Davies estate was less than three hours away.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane welcomed her parents and sister warmly as she reclined in her sitting room. Elizabeth was happy to see her sister looking so well, even if she could not stay on her feet too long at a time.
“There my babe goes again,” Jane stated as she placed her hands on her belly,“This little one never rests and is already practicing dancing on my insides.”
“That is how Marie was before she joined us,” Lady Rose remembered,“Mayhap, you have another active young lady in your belly Jane.”
“How did you like Rivington, Lizzy?” Jane asked, changing the subject.
“I liked it very well indeed. It is situated at the base of Cloud Peak and could not have a prettier prospect of the Peaks. It does not have as much forested area as Snowhaven for me to explore on my rambles and rides, but there is more than enough space for both, and Will and I are looking forward to long rides up to the crest of Cloud Peak,” Elizabeth informed her sister.
“I cannot but agree with Lizzy, Jane.” Tammy added,“It is a good situation, and there is almost naught that Lizzy needs to change in the house.”
“Jane, has any progress been made on finding a location for the clinic, school, and home for children in Bedford yet?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes indeed,” Jane responded.“Mother Rose has been leading the effort given my girth and how hard it is for me to walk too far at any one time, so I will leave it to her to inform you of the progress that has been made.”
“Working with Bedford’s vicar and physician, we found structures to be used for all three. The buildings for the school and clinic are being refurbished as we speak, and we just purchased a house that will be able to house up to twenty children to start,” Lady Rose reported.
“That is wonderful!” Elizabeth exclaimed.“We have found facilities in Hilldale-on-Derwent, Matlock, Lambton, and Kympton. The project is exciting a lot of interest. Not only will it help the local populace, servants, and tenants of the surrounding estates, but it will offer several well-paying jobs that in turn will help support the town’s economies.”
“Are you still looking for land to build a house like the one Mama and the Meryton committee built where the Black children reside?” Jane asked.
“We will start the project after Will and I return from our wedding trip,” Elizabeth informed her sister.“I have spoken to my mother, Mother Tammy, and Mother Anne, and I am going to request about fifty acres. I plan to create a mini-estate so that the children can help in any area that interests them, and then they can study in that direction as well. It will allow the children, who are already traumatised by losing their parents, to live the best lives that they can. In addition, we should try and place as many children with loving families who would like to adopt and make sure that siblings are not separated. The other ladies feel it is a sound plan. What are your thoughts, Aunt Rose and Jane?”
“Your plan has my full support,” Jane stated.
“As you have mine too, Lizzy,” Lady Rose stated.“Are you still considering moving the Black children to Derbyshire once the new facility is built?”
“As much as I would like to, I realise that it was my own selfish desire to have them near me that drove me to want them to be uprooted again. Unless I am told that they are not completely content with their new situation, or if they talk of wanting to move without my prompting, I will not ask to have them moved,” Elizabeth explained.
“That is a very wise way of approaching the situation, Lizzy,” Tammy agreed with the logic, as what is best is not always what one wants, and it took someone special to accept that.
“Jane, are you sure you will be well to attend my wedding?” Elizabeth asked, concerned for her older sister.
“I have foregone the betrothal ball as it is. If I rest well and keep off my feet, it will not be a hardship. I already had to cede my duties to stand up for you to Georgiana, but unless I enter my final confinement beforehand, Iwillbe at your wedding, Lizzy,” Jane said with determination.“It was very good of you and Will to ask William to officiate at your wedding; I know that he is much honoured by the request.”
“The twentieth of June cannot arrive soon enough. Speaking of which, I am missing my betrothed so very much,” Elizabeth shared.
Just after she spoke, Perry and Bennet entered the drawing room after the former had been showing the latter some new first editions acquired for the estate’s library. And while it too did not rival Pemberley’s, it was larger than Snowhaven’s and a bookman’s haven.
“Tammy and Lizzy, are you ready to depart? Do not forget we are expected at Pemberley for dinner tonight,” Bennet pointed out. Within an hour, the carriage and security were on the road back to Pemberley.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Richard returned to Snowhaven a few days later, having made sure, more than once, that everything was ready to receive his betrothed and her family in about a sennight. He knew that being separated from Loretta would be trying, but he never expected it would be so hard as this. He thought of her anytime he was not busy with an occupation and missed her more than he could have imagined that he would miss someone outside of his immediate family.
He knew in a roundabout way that what he considered at the time was his sister’s officious pleading with him to leave the military had led him to the happiness he had now. Until he resigned his commission, he had not allowed himself to be open to a future with a lady. He could not imagine making someone a war widow if it came to that. He thought about the conversation he had with Lizzy the day of his return to his brother’s estate.
