Letters
Elizabeth Darcy smiled as she walked the many forest strewn paths of Pemberly. It had now been a couple of months since her and Mr. Darcy's wedding, and both of them were completely content with their lives. As Elizabeth walked, her eyes never ceased to sparkle and the gentle spring breeze made her kick up her feet before she was laughing gaily and skipping out of the woods and back toward the house.
As she neared the house, she sighed with content and began slow down until she was walking most casually. Upon entering the house, Elizabeth undid her bonnet while one of the maids came and happily inquired after her while taking her coat.
"I am well, Hill. I am very well, thank you," Elizabeth smiled, and entered the quiet sitting room down the hall. Over the course of their few months together, many of the maids and servants had come to admire Elizabeth to the fullest extent. Most of them loved to have her around for she spoke of utmost wit and kindness toward anyone in her presence. All of them were also happy to see that Mr. Darcy had finally settled upon such a charming woman and despite his constant arguing against always staring at her, all of them knew how deeply their love had progressed.
Elizabeth sat down gently on the small couch and turned toward her book she had been reading earlier that day. Mr. Darcy would be home soon, for he had decided to go off for a ride with his fine white stallion. Lizzy knew how much he enjoyed riding in the spring, and so most of the time she spent walking through the forest paths or reading her letters from home or from her family.
"Pardon me, Mrs. Darcy, but these just arrived in the post," Hill smiled entering the small room and handing Elizabeth two letters. Elizabeth smiled and thanked Hill before turning toward the letters.
The first was from her eldest sister Jane. She hastily opened it and began to read.
My Dearest Lizzy,
Oh how long has it been since we've seen each other? Nearly a month I suppose! I must confess I am greatly disturbed by our separation and I apologize for not writing sooner. I suppose Pemberly is wonderful this time of year, and Longbourne is buzzing with happy content as the winter season draws to a close. I must say that Charles and I are enjoying the spring grounds and familiar people well. However, both of us have decided that we rather would like to see you and Mr. Darcy again.
I suppose you may think my reason for inquiring after you in such a way is simply to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Pemberly. I confess that is half of which is on my mind, but I have decided I miss your wit and care, Lizzy. So, without further ado, Charles and I were wondering if it be alright to visit you and Mr. Darcy sometime in the near future. We both miss you very much. We do not need to stay the night at Pemberly, we simply would love to see you both again.
If you decide upon a date or if you even decide to have us, then we would be delighted. Enough about us. What about you? How is Mr. Darcy these days? Are you in good health? I should hope so, for I bestow no ill will toward the both of you. I suppose you have had much time to explore the grounds of Pemberly. I miss you dear sister. I know Charles has sent a letter to Mr. Darcy as well on our plans, and hopefully you will write back soon.
Love,
Jane
Elizabeth smiled as she set down the letter.
"Oh Jane! Of course we'd be delighted to have you! Of course you can spend the night," she sighed, setting the letter on the small coffee table before turning toward the other letter. To her surprise, Elizabeth found that it was from Mr. Collins. In keen interest, she unfolded the parchment and began to read.
My dear cousin,
It has come to my attention that Lady Catherine de Bourgh has actually inquired after you and Mr. Darcy's presence. She has told me to hastily write you both a letter, inquiring after you health and to discern if you and Mr. Darcy should like to join me and Charlotte for some afternoon chat in the sitting room at Rosings. Indeed, cousin, this is hardly an opportunity to pass up! You must come at once and dine at Rosings, for it has been Lady Catherine's request to see how the newly weds are doing, and it would be a disgrace to pass up such an opportune moment.
The date has already been set. You are to join Charlotte and I at Rosings on April seventeenth so that Lady Catherine will have the delight in seeing you. I must say she has taken quite a fondness to my dear Charlotte and I and Mrs. Collins has insisted upon your visiting, for we have not seen you two since you were married.
With those final words in mind, we wish you good health and fortune, and expect to see you on April seventeenth.
Sincerely,
Reverend Collins
Elizabeth huffed and put down the letter. She knew Lady Catherine's attitude toward her had not changed during the course of the few months she and Darcy had been married, and seemed to enjoy having them over as much as possible merely to criticize Elizabeth for "polluting the shades of Pemberly".
Elizabeth bit her lip. She had to admit, Lady Catherine's words still stung her deeply and she was not pleased to be attending there again. As Elizabeth reread the letters and tried to calm herself down, the door to the sitting room suddenly opened. Elizabeth quickly scrambled to her feet, but sighed happily when she realized who it was.
"No, Elizabeth, don't trouble yourself. The maids had told me you'd be in here, and so I came to inquire after you, being that I am done with riding," Darcy smiled. Elizabeth felt her knees buckle from his caring gaze. It never ceased to amaze her how much Fitzwilliam could do to her, just be entering a room. With three long strides, he had crossed the room and gently taken her in his arms.
"How was riding?" Elizabeth smiled, as Darcy held her close to him. He chuckled.
"Quite wonderful actually, and I suppose you've been up since dawn walking the trails?"
"Indeed I have. I would never miss such a chance to exhibit my health," Elizabeth laughed. Mr. Darcy smiled at the sound and stared into her beautiful eyes that were sparkling with exercise from the spring air. Making sure that no one else was around, he slowly leaned in. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat as he took her chin very gently in his thumb and forefinger and leaned in. Their lips landed against the others and Darcy soon found himself trembling with delight.
Only a few months earlier, he would have never suspected Elizabeth to even consider marrying him. Her words rang in his head.
"You are the last man on Earth whom I could ever marry!"
Yet here she was in his arms as his wife. When they both finally broke away Elizabeth was blushing and Darcy was staring at her with such a passionate intensity, she thought she might melt very soon.
"Thank you, William," she whispered. Mr. Darcy smiled even wider and slowly stepped back.
"My pleasure, Mrs. Darcy." Elizabeth giggled as she remembered the letters.
"Ah yes, I received a letter from Jane today. She told me that Mr. Bingly has already sent you a letter as well and they were hoping upon visiting Pemberly in the near future," Elizabeth explained.
"That sounds exquisite. I'd be glad to have them," Fitzwilliam replied happily. Elizabeth smiled, knowing that he had missed his dear friend the past month just as she had missed her dear sister.
"They would like us to set a date sometime and I was, perhaps, wondering if they could spend the night here. They don't have a better place to stay and they very well can't travel sixty miles in one day only to go sixty miles back again," Lizzy spoke up.
"Well of course they will stay here. I'd have it no other way," he replied quickly, stepping closer to Elizabeth who held up the next letter.
"We also received a letter from Mr. Collins, stating that Lady Catherine has inquired after us and is expecting us to dine at Rosings on April seventeenth. Do you think we could, Fitzwilliam?" Elizabeth asked, as she was excited to see Charlotte again. Darcy looked bemused, as he gently stole the letter from her and skimmed over it himself.
"Well I see no harm in the matter, however, if you may permit it, I hope that you will play for us there," he grinned, stepping closer. Elizabeth blushed.
"William, you know I play very ill," she laughed.
"You play remarkably well. I would especially love to hear you sing," he announced, stepping closer. Elizabeth colored again.
"Very well, but only if your aunt permits me. I'm sure she still thinks I am very wrong for marrying you," she whispered absently, fiddling with her hair. Mr. Darcy laughed and took her moving hands.
"Elizabeth, it surely can't bother you that much. You were never bothered by such things before we were married. We're in love with each other, and no amount of teasing will ever separate me from you. I love you," he whispered, holding her hands. Elizabeth smiled.
"Oh William, it seems but a day or two that we were married!" she cried, leaning forward and wrapping her arms around him. Mr. Darcy smiled at his wife and hugged her as well, feeling himself warming with every breath. His dearest Elizabeth. His adoring Elizabeth. He loved her more than anything in the world.
"Come, love, shall we take a turn about the gardens together? I hear Mr. Clark has done an excellent job in fixing up the flowers for spring," Mr. Darcy offered, holding out his arm. Elizabeth took it happily and after getting suited up to take a turn through the garden, the couple merrily walked through the shrubs and plants.
"All of this is so very beautiful," Elizabeth gasped as she gazed at the flowers. "I just wish Jane and Mr. Bingly could experience this," she whispered. She felt her husband's arm slide around her waist instead.
"Indeed they shall, Elizabeth. We shall have them as soon as possible. Perhaps, though, we should set a date for after our visit to Rosings, being that it would be rude to inflict such a leave toward our guests." Elizabeth laughed, which to Mr. Darcy sounded like a wind chime, and inched closer into his strong side.
"Of course! Oh how I long to see them again. I miss them so heartily," Elizabeth sighed thinking more along the lines of her family now. Pemberly was nearly sixty miles until you reached Longbourne and Elizabeth hadn't seen the rest of her family in two months, although she had managed to write to them as much as possible. The only letters she hadn't particularly liked receiving were Lydia's because they usually consisted of her babbling on about her Wickham, which very often displeased both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
However, now, Elizabeth could only think about the rest of her family back at Longbourne. How she missed the small town she had grown up in. Of course she loved Pemberly and Fitzwilliam with all her heart, but sometimes she wished she could be back at Longbourne experiencing the mad drifts through the months with her other sisters. Sometimes she wished that she could be home with the familiar smells and roads.
When Elizabeth had first arrived at Pemberly she had thought it too much. She couldn't believe she would soon become Mistress of such a great estate and had been very worried she'd get lost, misplace something or other, or the staff would not care for her at all. As it turned out, the staff loved her, and Mr. Darcy made sure she was as comfortable as possible in her new home.
Mr. Darcy watched his wife with keen interest as a faraway look entered her eyes. His brow furrowed with worry when she stopped walking altogether.
"Elizabeth, are you unwell?" he asked uncertainly, as he stared deep into her eyes. At once the clouded look faded and was replaced with a happy smile.
"No, no I am fine. I was just…reminiscing," she whispered. Mr. Darcy searched her eyes fondly.
"Something is bothering you, love. Please tell me what it is, for I hate the look upon your face when you are troubled. You were meant to always smile and be happy, Elizabeth, never to look downcast or sad," he whispered, brushing her hair back. Elizabeth smiled weakly.
"Please don't be mad or take this the wrong way, William, but I…I find myself more attached to Longbourne now more than ever. Don't get me wrong, I adore you and all of Pemberly most deeply, but sometimes I miss my family as well. I haven't seen them in two months," she whispered back. Darcy's eyes saddened upon hearing this. Of course! How could he have been so selfish? It had been two months since Elizabeth had seen her family and quite a couple of weeks since she had had time to talk to another woman her age other than the maids.
How selfish could he have been, not to notice her longing?
"I am well, however, and the past is the past. For now, darling, let us simply enjoy the gardens for I'm sure it will do me good," Elizabeth spoke up as they continued to walk. While they walked, Darcy did everything he could to encourage her to laugh, knowing that she needed joy now more than ever. Yet, as they walked and enjoyed the other's company, Darcy was forming a plan of his own.
A/N: Okay this is an attempt to a sequel for Pride and Prejudice, because that is my favorite romantic novel! I love Jane Austen! Woo! Sorry…
Anyway, I hope everyone finds this enjoyable and a good first chapter, of course I'll never write like Jane Austen, but I hope it still turned out well. R & R please!