Chapter 21

Elizabeth received letters from Georgiana and Lady Rose Darcy. She met the lady once through her friendships in town, and she seemed to be Elizabeth's favourite kind of elderly dowager. A force to be reckoned with over what Elizabeth suspected was a heart of gold, not that you could ever tell by the Lady's sharp tongue. She was much like her friends Lady D_____ and Lady O______, and Elizabeth hoped to be just like them all someday when it was her turn to terrorise the ton with her cane. She was surprised that there was no letter from the housekeeper at Pemberley. She received one the day after Darcy left for town from the housekeeper at his house in London. Elizabeth included a note to the housekeeper of Pemberley, who she knew to be called Mrs Reynolds, with her reply to Georgiana. Her letter from Georgiana was delightful. The girl used up four sides of paper with her effusions and wishes for Elizabeth and her brother's happiness.

Colonel Fitzwilliam officially resigned his commission, and Colonel Brandon executed a few small tasks while he was in town. The gentlemen thoroughly enjoyed the dinner at Darcy House, and getting to know Elizabeth's uncles. In a way it was a bit of a stag party, and Darcy enjoyed himself immensely in the company of such excellent gentlemen.

The next morning, the carriage of Darcy's solicitor, with a clerk from Montague, and that of Lord Matlock pulled up in front of Darcy House as the gentlemen prepared to mount their horses for their journey. The solicitors would follow them to Windmere and notarize the settlement, then return with it to town. They had prepared eight copies, which would all need to be signed and kept with their solicitors and in strongboxes at their many estates in case of fire or loss. Elizabeth's uncles would each also keep a copy. They arrived at Windmere before lunch. Darcy, Elizabeth and the solicitors withdrew to the study with a request for lunch on trays as the settlements would take quite some time going over. Each copy of the settlement was several pages long, and Elizabeth and Darcy had to review every one before signing. They finished after a few hours. The solicitors were given a room for the night and would return to London the next morning, along with Mr Banks who had a stack of business to take up to Montague.

Elizabeth and the rest of her party would also leave the next day. Lord Matlock would remain at Windmere for two days and then begin his journey to bring Lady Catherine to Matlock. Elizabeth hated leaving Lord Matlock alone with Lady Catherine at Windmere, though it was only one night. There was much to be done at Netherfield to prepare for the wedding, and Elizabeth and her little family's permanent removal to Pemberley. Luckily, one task that did not need to be worried about was the wedding gown. Madame Clarisse insisted that Elizabeth have at least one stunning ball gown in a non-mourning colour each season so that she would have it if needed, so there was a stunning cream silk gown waiting in Elizabeth's wardrobe. Elizabeth would however, need to go to London for two days on their way to Netherfield to meet with Madame Clarisse and order a new wardrobe in lighter colours, for it was time to throw off her dark colours. She, Diane, and the other ladies would need sturdy winter attire and furs before the cold Derbyshire winter set in, and Elizabeth had a list of everyone's measurements for the order.

The party left Windmere the next morning, which was Tuesday. Lord Matlock waved them off. He would leave with Lady Catherine the following day, and Mrs George would see to the closing of the house. Elizabeth gave handsome bonuses to all of the staff who were accustomed to having Sundays off but were unable to while managing the crisis and parting bonuses for all of the temporary staff who would be returning to their homes. The party separated on the road out of Hunsford. Darcy escorted Elizabeth and Diane to Astley House in London. Brandon and Fitzwilliam escorted Mary, Lydia and Charlotte to Hertfordshire. All of the gentlemen would reside at Lilac Cottage until the wedding, and Charlotte would be an appropriate chaperone for Mary until Elizabeth arrived in Hertfordshire. Lydia would return to Longbourn upon their arrival.

Elizabeth stayed at Astley House. She visited Darcy House later in the afternoon on the day she arrived. She toured the house and dined with Darcy and her Uncles Gardiner and Hexham and their families at Darcy House and Darcy was given a tour of Astley House. Early Wednesday, Darcy escorted her to her uncle's warehouses and she selected fabrics for her new gowns and to several haberdasheries, milliners, and cobblers after luncheon. Later that night, they dined with Lady Matlock and Anne at Matlock House.

Thursday morning they rode in Hyde Park in an open carriage during the fashionable hour before spending the rest of the day at the modiste. Darcy also escorted Elizabeth to her bank, where she placed all but a precious few of the jewels given to her by Sir Christopher into her vault to wait for Diane to be old enough to wear them. Elizabeth had a great deal of jewellery even without what had been given to her by her late husband, some which had been left to her by her mother and grandmother. There was also a fair amount that she commissioned herself. She felt it was time to retire the jewels from her previous marriage until Diane was ready to use them.

Friday morning Darcy arrived to join Elizabeth and Diane for breakfast, and to escort them to Netherfield. They arrived shortly before luncheon, and Elizabeth was happy to be back in Hertfordshire, even for a short while. She would keep Netherfield Park ready to use after her marriage, and hoped to spend at least a few months a year there. Once Rosings was rebuilt, she would finally have Montague find a tenant to lease Windmere but for now, the house would remain partially open so Colonel Fitzwilliam and his family could use the place while the work was being done.

Elizabeth asked Charlotte to be her hostess for the wedding breakfast. She was not marrying from Longbourn, and she could not very well host it herself since she would be leaving for London immediately after the breakfast. Since she would be hosting the breakfast for her relative whom she lived with, there was no impropriety regarding Charlotte's mourning, particularly considering it would be a country wedding, and there would be no ball. Charlotte would oversee the arrangements the day of the event, then close the house and follow the Darcys to Derbyshire. Shewould travel with Mary and Diane a week later, under the escort of the two Colonels, Mr Banks, and Miss Carmichael. Aunt Gardiner did not plan to leave Derbyshire until the beginning of September, so she and Kitty would miss the wedding, but Elizabeth would see them soon after arriving at Pemberley. Charlotte and Elizabeth spent Friday afternoon going over the wedding plans with Mrs Nichols. Mary and Charlotte did a marvellous job over the last two days getting everything ordered and the plans finalised; the invitations had even been delivered.

*****

Elizabeth and Darcy made a good influence upon her sisters, attending church together even though the banns were not being read due to the special licence, and going about the neighbourhood visiting the local matrons to receive felicitations on their engagement. A letter arrived from Darcy's grandmother the day before the wedding.

Pemberley

Derbyshire

Dear Grandson,

I regret to tell you just before your wedding, that Georgiana has been declining again. It came to my notice a week ago when she became profoundly ill after one of her meals. It has been a difficult week, but Georgiana has forbidden us to write to you, for she says you will be here soon enough, and she will not throw a cloud over your wedding.

I was inclined at first to heed her request, but it has come to my attention that yesterday, Mrs Reynolds and Georgiana's companion Mrs Bower panicked at her condition and her reaction to another meal, and sent for Mr Wilkes, who bled her. This occurred while I was visiting our tenant, Mrs Mead, who has just been delivered of a fine son. Georgiana has grown much weaker since this event, and I am furious with Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Bower for disregarding Mr Gibson's instructions, and your explicit orders. If it were not for my age and hers, I would have turned Mrs Reynolds out. Their excuse is that their concern and worry for Georgiana made them desperate to try anything. I have told them you must deal with them when you return.

I am not certain she is in danger, but I am very concerned about this turn. For Georgiana's sake, do not let this news cast a pall on your wedding day, but please, when you have been married, please return to Pemberley with all haste rather than visit London. I wish you every happiness in your marriage. I believe you have found a very worthy lady. I knew that when you finally chose, that you would choose well, and as always, you never disappoint me. I am exceedingly proud of you Grandson, for gaining such an excellent wife. Your father and mother would be so proud and happy for you.

Your Affectionate Grandmama,

Lady Rose Darcy

Darcy was incensed at this news. "How dare they! For Mrs Reynolds, who has been trusted by my family for over forty years, to blatantly disregard my orders in such a fashion! How am I to respond to this!" he exclaimed.

"Has she ever disregarded your instructions before?" inquired Elizabeth curiously.

"Not once in the whole of my life," replied Darcy. "I am quite astounded by her behaviour. Mrs Bower, I can believe. She is fiercely protective of my sister, I can imagine her getting carried away."

"Perhaps Mrs Reynolds was also carried away by her worry for Miss Darcy. It concerns me, however, that it seems clear that she and Mrs Bowers waited until your grandmother was out to send for the doctor. There is no evidence that they planned it this way, of course. But it certainly does not appear to be in their favour," observed Elizabeth.

"No, it does not. My grandmother rarely visits the tenants any more. She is beginning to show her age, which is nearly eight decades, and she only ventures out to visit tenants if there is a birth or serious problem, and I am not there to assess the situation. I do not expect she would even have been gone from the house for very long," returned Darcy.

"If I were you I would speak to them very sternly, and make sure they understand that any recurrence of such an action will not be tolerated. You must be respectful of Mrs Reynolds' long service, of course, but if she has been in service so long that she begins taking over in the decision-making then perhaps she ought to retire. She must be rather old? Why has she not retired already, after so many years? Have you offered her a pension?" asked Elizabeth.

"I always believed she was waiting to settle in my bride, but due to her age, the last few years I have encouraged her to retire and offered her a pension and a cottage for life, but she will not hear of it. I rather dread her retirement, for she will not hear of assigning a deputy housekeeper. I cannot imagine what we shall do when she goes and there is no one to step into her shoes," said Darcy.

"No deputy housekeeper?" Elizabeth gasped. She was beginning to be apprehensive of what she would find at Pemberley. "Surely in a house such as Pemberley, she must have an understudy of some kind. Some house maid in particular who assists her more than the others?"

Darcy sighed, "There is a head housemaid, Gretchen, but she is not prepared enough. Mrs Reynolds holds the reins very tightly. She compares herself to a jester. She jests that she is juggling the household, and if someone took one of her tasks she would drop them all. But you must make whatever changes to the staffing that you see fit. You will be completely in charge of the management of our homes. You must add any new positions that you wish. Indeed, Pemberley has been quiet for so many years that I quite expect you to expand the staff significantly with so many more people in the household."

"It has always been my policy that every member of staff, no matter how low, must have an understudy. Someone that they mentor and pass on their knowledge to, who can take over for them when required. Only menial positions such as hall boys are excluded, for there is no one beneath them to teach. It is good for the house, and good for the staff, who benefit from broader experience and new skills. I will be bringing a number of my servants with me, who I will blend into your existing staff. I will likely hire more as well, because I dislike making servants work such long days, and they must have Sundays off. I must admit I am nervous at the idea of a housekeeper who has been in charge so long that she may refuse to do as I ask," Elizabeth replied.

"I am still interested to see how you will integrate Sundays into the ways of Pemberley, but as you insist it will be possible I remain open minded. I have enjoyed the last two Sundays here, if we can make it work at Pemberley, I believe I shall quite enjoy the new tradition," Darcy said easily. He and his cousin and Colonel Brandon made an amusing spectacle learning how to make their own beds in the dower house, but they found it entertaining and enjoyed the experience. The officers made their own beds while with their regiments, but of course their beds at the dower house were much larger, and why were there so many pillows and cushions?

Elizabeth related to Darcy that she wrote to Mrs Reynolds and received no answer, although Georgiana found time to send two replies. Darcy was aghast that Mrs Reynolds had not chosen to respond to her new mistress's letter and wondered if this boded ill for the woman who had been in charge of Pemberley for so many years. Elizabeth and Darcy discussed the matter. The couple determined that they would wait until they arrived at Pemberley and observed the housekeeper's behaviour in person before they decided how to address the situation.

The day of the wedding dawned beautiful and sunny, and Elizabeth dressed with her sisters and her maid assisting her. Charlotte saw to all of the details of the wedding breakfast, and as Elizabeth dressed, Sarah entered the room with a box from Mr Darcy. The stunning set of ruby jewels paired beautifully with Elizabeth's cream coloured wedding gown, and the younger ladies gasped as Sarah placed them about Elizabeth's neck and secured the clasp.

Uncle Hexham gave her away when she married Sir Christopher, so this time his lordship stepped aside and allowed her Uncle Gardiner, who had raised Elizabeth in his home, to give her away. There were whispers in the church about Mr Bennet not having done the duty, but Elizabeth disregarded them. Uncle Gardiner handed Elizabeth up into a stunning white carriage, hired from London by Elizabeth to pair with the two golden Palomino Horses sent down from her stables at Newmarket. She was informed only a week before of the birth of two more Palominos, one a lovely mare with distinctive white socks, mane and tail.

All the village turned out for the wedding, and the church was filled to bursting as Uncle Gardiner led Elizabeth down the aisle to Darcy, who waited at the altar. Richard stood beside him, gazing at Mary, who along with young Diane, stood up with Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Darcy were both choked with emotion as they said their vows and were pronounced husband and wife. Elizabeth signed her name as Lady Elizabeth Astley for the last time, and left the church with her new husband as Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The village cheered and threw rice as Elizabeth and Darcy held hands and raced to their carriage. Elizabeth looked back and laughed at the astounded look on the face of Harry C______ as he stared slack jawed at the golden horses pulling her carriage. Elizabeth had not invited many of her friends from town, but Lady B_____, Lady O_____, Lady D_____, and a handful of the C_____ clan were present. The neighbours were in awe of so many august personages, and Elizabeth could not help but enjoy her friend and rival's outrage as he saw the stunning golden horses pulling her carriage, horses whose colour had never been seen in England before, only spoken of by those who visited Spain and seen the royal carriages there. He had spent most of his time since arriving the day before in her stables, but the Palominos were hidden in the stable at Lilac Cottage until after the wedding, just for the delight of shocking him.

The wedding breakfast was grand, Charlotte enlisted the help of Mrs Bennet, the county's most enthusiastic and accomplished hostess, and Fanny Bennet did not disappoint, easily procuring ingredients difficult to find in Meryton, sending the gentlemen out fishing as well as shooting for birds and venison, and using the local foods currently in season to design an incomparable menu. Charlotte was careful to keep the arrangements elegant, and kept Elizabeth's sisters from getting too carried away with the flowers, but for the breakfast, no expense was spared, and all of Meryton's society was invited.

*****

Elizabeth and Darcy left the wedding breakfast in Elizabeth's largest carriage, with their servants and luggage following behind in Darcy's. Their original plan was to spend a week in London alone before heading north, but with the news of Miss Darcy's decline, they decided to leave for Pemberley immediately after the wedding. Darcy apologised to Elizabeth profusely, and she teased him and said there were worse things than spending one's wedding night at an inn. As they left Meryton and turned onto the road north, and after a passionate interlude that lasted several moments, Elizabeth sighed and relaxed in Darcy's arms. After a moment she spoke, "Would you like me to move over? This cannot be comfortable for you, Mr Darcy."

"On the contrary, at this moment, with the wife of my dreams finally in my arms, I am more comfortable and happy than I have ever been in all my days. I must insist that you remain just like this all the way to Pemberley. I cannot think of a better wedding present than to hold you just this way for the rest of the week. But that aside, must you call me Mr Darcy for the rest of my days, or shall you call me Fitzwilliam?"

"What a mouthful! Shall I call you Will instead?" Elizabeth asked.

"I believe I like that. No one has ever called me Will before. It can be just for you," he replied happily.

Elizabeth opened her reticule and pulled out a folded document. "Speaking of wedding presents, I must thank you for the lovely jewels, they are quite breathtaking, and I have a wedding gift for you also."

Darcy unfolded a document deeding the lands from Brightling Abbey that were not retained by The Order of Saint Camillus de Lellis, to himself. "You may contact your solicitors to make the lands a permanent part of Pemberley," Elizabeth said as Darcy perused the document in shock.

"With everything that happened at Rosings, I forgot about these lands completely by the time you agreed to marry me. This is too generous a gift. You cannot give me something so valuable, you should allow Pemberley to purchase it," Darcy protested.

Laughter bubbled up from Elizabeth. "I purchased the property with no clear intentions of what to do with the extra land. You know that I can easily sustain the cost, and the deed has been made, the lands are already yours. Besides, it is a gift for our home, which will benefit us and all of our family, and everyone who lives upon the estate. What else would I do with it?"

Darcy grumbled a bit as he settled back with Elizabeth in his arms. "That land will make a tremendous difference to Pemberley. It will likely raise the income of the estate by at least a third, if not more. It is an enormous tract of land, not even all in use. I will likely build several more tenant cottages, and find some additional tenants, because the land was not being worked to its potential. Of course, like you, most are unaware of my true income. Pemberley is rumoured to bring ten thousand a year. It's true income is closer to fifteen thousand, and the returns from my other estates and investments brings the total amount of my annual income closer to thirty-five or forty thousand. I cannot deny that this is an incredible improvement to the estate."

"I am glad to hear it. All the better for our future heir, when we have one. Speaking of heirs, are you hoping to have one right away? I realise that this is an awkward subject you would never have had if you married a maiden, but since I have been previously married, I am aware that there are steps that we can take to avoid conception for a short time, while still being able to enjoy marital relations fully. If it is not an unwelcome plan to you, I would like to wait a year or so before we begin trying for an heir. I would like some time for us to be a married couple, and learn my new role at Pemberley, as well as see your sister to health, before I must worry about a confinement and a new baby. I arranged the preparations in case you were in agreement with such an idea," Elizabeth suggested nervously.

"Do not make yourself uneasy. I too, am aware that there are methods that can be used, and I am not averse to employing them for a time. I am not ready to share you just yet, and you are correct, it would be difficult for you to manage a confinement while we are caring for Georgiana and you are making changes to the household. To be honest, I am nervous about the idea of you being with child at all. My own mother suffered many disappointments after my birth and it weakened her. There is no entail upon Pemberley. It can be left to a daughter, or to Georgiana or her children, as long as they do not mind changing their name to Darcy. I do not wish for you to feel pressured that I am counting on you for a male heir, and certainly not to the detriment of your health," said Darcy.

"I carried and birthed Diane fairly easily. I am not afraid to do it again another time or two," smiled Elizabeth. "but I shall relish the opportunity for us to truly settle in as a family before we begin adding to it. And once we do have a child, I will want to wait two years before we attempt another, as I too, value my health."

They spoke as the carriage continued on, making plans for their future, sharing ideas and dreams, and enjoying the intimacy of finally being alone together as they longed to be for many weeks. Just as the sun was beginning to set, the carriage pulled into the stable yard at a comfortable inn. Darcy handed Elizabeth down and led her into the inn, and to the first night of their life together…

The End

Look For:

Volume II of the series:

Chivalry & Chauvinism

Available August 5, 2024