Elizabeth laughed and drew her forward into a sisterly embrace. “I, too. In the first place, I can hardly wait to see my new home, and in the second, I have missed you, Georgiana.”
“And, I, you!” Georgiana exclaimed. “I have been so impatient for your arrival. I hope you will find Pemberley exactly as you wish it.”
“I am not likely to be disappointed,” Elizabeth replied. “Even my first impressions have convinced me that I have never seen a place of more comfort and grace.”
Darcy said nothing, but the look he gave her was enough.
They were soon joined by the housekeeper, a sensible and kindly-looking older woman by the name of Mrs Reynolds. She welcomed Elizabeth with respectful warmth. “We have all been expecting you, ma’am,” she said. “I hope you will be comfortable here.”
“I am sure I shall be,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “Everything I have seen gives me confidence of it.”
Darcy suggested they walk through the house, and Elizabeth agreed with alacrity, eager to know the place that would be her home. They moved from room to room at an easy pace. Nothing felt overwhelming. Nothing demanded admiration. The beauty of the place revealed itself naturally with each step she took.
At last, Darcy opened the door to the library, and Elizabeth paused. “This,” she said, stepping inside, “I had looked forward to with particular curiosity.”
Darcy followed her. “I hope you will enjoy it, for I confess it is perhaps my favourite room in the house.”
The room was large without feeling imposing. The shelves were well-filled, and the arrangement showed care rather than display. It was a room meant to be used, but more than that, it was a room that showed how much love and care had been poured into it over not just a lifetime, but generations of a family with a particular appreciation for the space. Elizabeth could not wonder that it was Darcy’s favourite room in a most wonderful house. Quite the contrary. She suspected it would soon be hers as well.
“I believe,” Elizabeth said, turning toward him with a broad smile, “I shall spend a great deal of time here.”
“I had no doubt of it,” Darcy replied with a chuckle.
From the library, they passed upstairs, where Darcy showed her the rooms intended for her use. Though once very fine, and still in good repair, the style showed that they had not been updated since the last generation. “The mistress’s rooms must be brought up to date,” Darcy said, “but I thought it best that work should not begin until you may direct it yourself. I should wish them to be to your taste in every particular.”
Elizabeth looked from one room to the other, then back at him. “And until they are finished?”
Darcy met her gaze. “You will remain with me.”
Elizabeth smiled. “An excellent arrangement.”
Georgiana, who had paused just inside the doorway, chose at that moment to look elsewhere with sudden interest.
They returned downstairs together, and as they walked, their conversation turned naturally to those they wished to see there.
“Mary and Mr Greene are now settled,” Elizabeth said. “I think they would greatly enjoy a visit here. The church at Lambton would interest them both.”
“I should be glad to have them,” Darcy replied.
“And perhaps,” Georgiana added, “if Miss Mary enjoys music as you have said, we might play together.”
Elizabeth smiled. “She would like that very much.”
“There is other news you may enjoy,” Darcy said with a smile. “I had forgotten to tell you, but I received a note to our lodgings in Bath before we departed. To judge by the hopes he expressed, I think Bingley is not likely to delay much longer.”
Elizabeth smiled impishly. “I hope you are right. Jane is never impatient, but her last letter came near to it.”
Darcy chuckled. “Then when I write back, I shall advise him to have courage.”
“See that you do,” Elizabeth jested. “After all, I should like to see Jane again, and she will not be much inclined to go far from Meryton until they can go together.”
“Then we must hope the wedding is arranged quickly, so we can persuade them to visit as soon as possible,” Darcy replied. “Then, too, if the Bingley can be encouraged to settle nearer to us, I should like to have one of my closest friends near enough to visit.”
“There is nothing I should like better,” Elizabeth told him. “Pemberley is already wonderful, butif my Jane lived within five or ten miles, it would become quite perfect.”
Darcy glanced at her. “Then I shall put all my attention into looking for a suitable estate.”
Elizabeth felt the meaning of it and smiled. “And my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner must come,” she added. “I should very much like you to make their acquaintance, for they are my favourite relatives.”
