Chapter 27

W hen the Darcy carriage arrived at Lambert Hills two days after Christmas, it was not just the two Darcys within. With them were the Hilldales, their son, and the Colonel.

The Viscountess had sent a note to Mrs Lambert expressing how much Joshua would like to play with Rory again. Hence, an invitation to visit their estate had been issued for any of those at Pemberley. It was everything Lord Hilldale could do to stop his son bolting to see his friend as soon as the conveyance slowed. Once the door was opened by the footman, Hilldale stepped out with his squirming son in his arms. It had begun to snow the day after Christmas, but the snow did not slow down the little mite as he ran inside the house to play with his new friend.

Once divested of their outerwear, the arriving adults were shown into the drawing room. Greetings were exchanged as Lady Hilldale approached the hostess. "Please pardon my son; he has been wild to play with Rory since you all departed Pemberley."

"As the mother of two sons, I understand and there is nothing to forgive. Please do not make yourself uneasy. Joshua is with the other children in the nursery which has two governesses and a surfeit of nursemaids watching over them," Gweneth reassured the viscountess.

No sooner had Darcy greeted everyone than he made his way to Miss Bennet's side. "Did I hear talk that Hertfordshire's great walker has learnt to ride horses?" he jested .

"Indeed, Mr Darcy, your sources are impeccable," Elizabeth replied with an exaggerated curtsy. "My Uncle Tim taught both Mary and me."

"Pemberley has many places not to be missed by a nature lover, which are only accessible on horseback," Darcy responded. Elizabeth blushed at the inference that she would see those places one day.

"As of yet I may not be the most proficient rider, but I have come to enjoy the exercise," Elizabeth related. "Until Mary and I learnt, Jane was the only one of us…" A wave of sadness overtook her and her eyes teared up. "Please forgive me, Mr Darcy, it is still hard to remember things my late sister enjoyed doing."

"You mean like the day you met my sister and cousin at the bookseller in Metting?" She nodded. Darcy handed Miss Bennet one of his monogrammed handkerchiefs—this one sans Sweet Williams—to dry her eyes while he kept his body between her and the rest of the room. He waited until she was done. Rather than hand the linen square back to him, she worried it between her fingers, and Darcy made no attempt to reclaim it. Both of them thought about the fact it was not the first of his handkerchiefs in her possession. He held back until she had put herself to rights. "After my mother passed away when I was barely twelve and even though I believed boys should not cry, I did when I saw anything which reminded me of her. Slowly over time it got better.

"By the time my father was called home to God a little more than five years past, I was able to master my emotions better than as a young boy, but I felt the same inside no matter the mask I displayed externally. The truth is, each of us mourns as we see fit. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Never be embarrassed to express your love for your late sister. It will take you time, and you are the only one who will know when it is right for you to move on. "

"Charlotte," Elizabeth cocked her head to her friend, "gave me very similar advice soon after we lost Janey." She placed the linen square he had given her with its mate in her pocket. She decided to be a little bold. "I have decided to listen to my late sister's words and not mourn her for too long, so rather than a year, I will observe six months complete."

"That means you will be out of deep mourning in the middle of January?" Darcy verified, fighting to tamp down the excitement that rose because she had seen fit to inform him about her shortened period for mourning.

"Correct," Elizabeth confirmed. She felt her cheeks heat up again. The tenderness and understanding in his voice gave Elizabeth warm feelings, warmer ones than she already had for Mr Darcy.

Darcy was fully aware he would need to wait the full six months as they had had no understanding prior to Miss Bennet's sister's passing. That meant he would be able to begin courting her—if she agreed, that is—in mid-April. He was fully aware Miss Bennet was a woman worthy of pleasing, and if she judged him lacking, she would refuse him. He decided to change the subject to more mundane topics as he did not want her to feel pressured.

"I assume, when you see your father, you will be able to report that the books he sold me are being cared for as they should be," Darcy stated.

Elizabeth appreciated the safe topic as she was sure no one had missed how she had been blushing, even with Mr Darcy's broad shoulders protecting her. "Yes, I most certainly will. I know my father will be greatly relieved to know you revere the tomes as much as he did."

"There is a question I wanted to ask, one at which I hope you will not take offence," Darcy said.

"Until you ask it, we will never know." She arched an eyebrow at him .

"As you pointed out at Pemberley, when I met them in Hertfordshire, your three younger sisters were vastly different than how they act now. What, if I may be so bold, has affected such a change?" Darcy enquired.

"If you mean Mary looked like she wanted to join a convent, and the younger two were abrasive and wild?" Darcy nodded his head, not looking her in the eye. "With Mary, after Jane was taken, she followed some advice Jane had given her about her manner of dress, while at the same time, rather than being the forgotten middle child, she and I became very close. Much to my shame, I never considered how lonely Mary had been. I had Jane, while Catherine and Lydia had one another. Mary had to be her own friend. She has started to blossom, and once she followed the advice Jane had given her, rather than look plain, her true beauty, both inner and outer, was revealed.

"The changes in the younger two occurred out of my sight. Evidently, it started when Father put them back in and then employed a companion who also has experience as a governess. Her name is Mrs Perkins, and a good friend of my Aunt Maddie's."

Lady Hilldale was close enough to hear the name of her beloved former companion. She turned to Mrs Gardiner, "Did your niece refer to Mrs Camile Perkins who is now companion to Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia?" she verified.

"Indeed, Lady Hilldale. Camile and I have been close since shortly after she was employed by your family," Madeline confirmed. "So far she has done wonders with them, and even with their mother."

Charlotte who was sitting and speaking to the group which included the viscountess and Mrs Gardiner nodded her head. "Until it is seen with one's own eyes, it is hard to believe they are the same girls they were only two months past," Charlotte mused. She looked at Mrs Gardiner, "Your sister is much changed as well. "

"That she is," Madeline agreed. Changing the subject, Madeline asked, "Is it just me, or does the Colonel favour Mary's company? He talks to her rather than the viscount, my husband, and brother. I hope he will not excite expectations in our Mary. It is only recently she has blossomed to be the lady you see now."

"Richard is as honourable as the day is long. He would never engender expectations he does not mean to fulfil in any lady," Lady Hilldale reported. "In the years I have known him, never have I seen him pay as much attention to one lady before now."

"There is little to worry about, Maddie," Gweneth opined. "They have only just met. Speaking of which," she turned and looked at Charlotte, "was it just me, or did Mr Parker enjoy your company when we were at Pemberley?"

"He is a godly and learned man who is an interesting conversationalist," Charlotte brushed off the comment, but her blush belied her words. "Miss Parker was in company with us, and I spoke to her as well." Charlotte did not add that the majority of her conversation had been with the shy but kindly vicar.

Taking pity on the blushing woman, Madeline looked to where the group of younger girls sat. Even though Lilly and Addie were a few years younger than Catherine, Miss Darcy, and Lydia, the older three were including them in their conversation, and all five looked extremely comfortable together.

The visit lasted some hours, and before the group from Pemberley departed, Mr Darcy reiterated the invitation to Pemberley on the final day of the year. The mistress of the estate confirmed all the residents of Lambert Hills would be present.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"Brother, Catherine and Lydia are nothing like you described them when you told me about your time in Hertfordshire," Georgiana stated shortly after the Darcy coach departed the Lamberts' estate.

Darcy related a synopsis of what Miss Bennet told him. "It seems the death of his daughter shocked Mr Bennet out of his indolence," Darcy remarked.

"You seemed to monopolise Miss Bennet's time," Lord Hilldale observed.

Thankfully it was dim in the interior of the cabin, so no one saw the tips of Darcy's ears turn red. "She did share a change in her length of mourning with me," he revealed and told what she had decided.

"Does this mean we will join Mr Bingley in travelling to Hertfordshire?" Georgiana enthused. "Catherine mentioned they will be traveling together with Mr Bingley and the Hursts when they all journey southward. Would it not be perfect if we travelled with them too? If we do so, I will have friends to be with for the hours in the coach." She saw her brother's raised eyebrows. Giana blushed. "I am not saying your company is not desirable, Brother, just that being with girls close to my own age is very enjoyable. Especially, when all they want is to be my friend and are not looking to get to you through me."

"When did you decide to use familiar names?" the Colonel enquired.

"While you were keeping Miss Mary's company to yourself," Georgiana declared. "And thanks to Wills here, there was not time to converse with Miss Bennet past the greetings and farewells."

"She has you two there," Lord Hilldale stated as he clapped the man either side of him on his back. The three were seated on the rear facing bench.

"I have only just met Miss Mary," the Colonel deflected. "I will, however, admit she is an intriguing woman with intelligence and a sharp, but dry wit. I enjoyed speaking to her because she is unlike the simpering debutantes one finds in London."

Lord and Lady Hilldale gave one another knowing glances. Their brother had not said much, but it was volumes more than he had ever spoken about any other lady. They both suspected Richard would find much time to be in Miss Mary's company for the two days the party from Lambert Hills would be at Pemberley. It was far quieter in the coach on the return journey. Thanks to expending so much energy with his new friend, Joshua was asleep on the bench with his head being cradled in his mother's lap.

The Colonel was not the only one looking forward to the two days there would be guests at Pemberley. Darcy was hoping the weather would cooperate so he could take Miss Bennet on one of the rides he had been speaking of earlier. If there was enough snow on the ground, the sleighs would be utilised.

From the minute Miss Bennet had entered the drawing room at Pemberley on Giana's arm, Darcy had not stopped thinking of how well she fit at his estate.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Once they had changed into their night attire that evening, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Mary met in the sitting room between their bedchambers. "I always suspected Mr Darcy was interested in Eliza, but it seems our Mary has an admirer as well. Did I not tell you Mr Darcy was not looking at you to find fault, my friend?"

"You did, as did Janey," Elizabeth agreed. "I had accepted that fact in Hertfordshire, but with everything that subsequently happened, it was not something on which I could spend time cogitating."

"And now?" Charlotte probed.

Mary was pleased the conversation had moved back to Lizzy and Mr Darcy and not her and Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was an interesting man, but it was far too soon to know anything beyond that. She did admit, however, if only to herself, that she enjoyed spending time in his company.

"I informed him of my decision to mourn for six months and not a year complete," Elizabeth responded. "In doing so I am fulfilling one of Janey's last charges to me."

"Even with how close you two were, a year seemed long to me," Charlotte revealed. "However, three months also seemed not enough, so I believe you have made a wise decision." Charlotte looked at Eliza whose cheeks had pinked. "Do you think he will ask to court you after your mourning period is completed? More importantly, would you accept him?"

"As it is all speculation at this point, there is nothing for me to say on the subject." The blush gave lie to Elizabeth's words. "By the by, Charlotte, speaking of possible suitors, what of Mr Parker?"

"What of him? We did nothing but speak a little at Pemberley," Charlotte obfuscated.

"Time will tell." Elizabeth turned back to Mary who was doing her best to blend in to the settee. "You do not think we have forgotten about you and the Colonel, do you?"

"Just like Charlotte articulated, there is nothing to tell. All we have done is spent time talking. I hardly know the man and besides, he is almost thirty," Mary averred as her cheeks turned a shade of scarlet. It seemed she would not escape some interrogation after all. She felt the heat in her cheeks and hoped she was not blushing too badly.

"That is ten or eleven years between you. In our society that is more than an acceptable difference in age," Charlotte pointed out.

"We will not tease you anymore," Elizabeth promised. She decided to change the subject to one which would not be embarrassing to her younger sister. "What of your mourning, Mary? You had said you would mourn a full year as I had originally intended."

"I will still mourn the same time as you," Mary decided. "I was not as close to Janey as you were, but I still feel her absence keenly."

"Please forgive me for not including you before Janey's death," Elizabeth stated contritely. "Both Jane and I always loved you, but we thought you preferred to be left alone with your practicing on the pianoforte, the sermons, and the Bible. As your older sisters, we should have seen you were lonely."

"It is not your fault. I rebuffed attempts to get close to me which might have been wrong of me. However, it made me feel righteous to be an island on my own," Mary admitted. "Looking back though, that was really not a very righteous attitude."

"Much has changed since Janey was called home to God," Elizabeth stated stoically.

The Bennet sisters wished Charlotte a good night and then made for the bedchamber they were sharing. Mary climbed into bed first, after reciting her nighttime prayers. After her own prayers, Elizabeth followed her into the large, soft, and warmed bed. She blew out the final candle, leaving only the glow of the fire in the grate.

As she lay there waiting for Morpheus to claim her, a realisation hit Elizabeth. She had not spoken to Janey since spending the day at Pemberley! Just like Charlotte and Mr Darcy had told her, it seemed the hole in her heart left by her sister's death was slowly but surely getting smaller. Elizabeth still missed Janey when she was alone, but now when she was with others, especially in a certain gentleman's company, Janey was not constantly in her thoughts. Had she not understood this was a natural part of the grieving and healing process she would have felt much guilt.

That night before she fell asleep, Elizabeth told Jane all about the occurrences since the last time she spoke to her. She admitted to Jane that she thought she may be beginning to fall in love with Mr Darcy, and how she hoped he would request a courtship once her mourning period was complete. She promised Jane that she had not adjusted her time of mourning because of Mr Darcy, but because her heart had begun to mend faster than she had ever believed possible.

Because Mary was in the bed beside her, even though her younger sister was a very deep sleeper, Elizabeth spoke to Jane with her thoughts and not aloud. When sleep did claim her, she had a smile on her face.