The road to Pemberly went without drama. Elisabeth felt tired after the busy days she had been through and all the new things she had to learn. As there were only she and Darcy in the carriage she leaned on him, falling asleep immediately.
Darcy was happy to bring his Elisabeth to Pemberly. It had been his childhood home, but as an adult he had spent as little time as possible there, finding it too big for one man. Now he knew what had been missing the entire time…
The Pemberly mansion had been scrubbed and cleaned for weeks and had never looked better. Even though Darcy had never spent much time there he hadn't let the place fall a part. Old furnisher had been painted and pictures restored when the time was right. But, as soon as Darcy decided to marry and had gotten his yes, he had written and told how he wanted the master bedroom to appear and how they would have to rearrange the dressing room that would belong to his new wife. No one had used it in years and the carpet, drapings and curtains all needed changing! He wanted the room to be a place Elisabeth felt home and with some help from Jane he had made detailed description and sent Miss Georgiana to inspect and control them for him.
He knew Pemberly had everything Elisabeth could ever want when it came to art, music and décor, but he really hoped she would feel as she belonged there, that it would truly feel like home to her. He remembered the noise and excitement that always set the mood in Longbourn, hoping that Elisabeth wouldn't miss them too much. "I'll take her riding and show her the mountains; we'll walk long trips together and read together." He also remembered Georgiana; it would be good for both the ladies to have someone else to talk to.
As the carriage came closer to Pemberly Elisabeth woke, feeling a bit ashamed that she slept the entire day, "I am sorry I have been such a bad company today," Elisabeth whispered sleepy. "What dear?" Darcy asked, not understanding, as he had enjoyed watching Elisabeth immensely. "I mean, I have slept and you have had to occupy yourself all alone." Elisabeth gave her husband a kiss as to show him how she was able to make time fly and it didn't seem like Darcy disagreed.
They were finally at Pemberly and Elisabeth was awed by the magnificent house, or maybe castle would be more correct. As they arrived Darcy jumped out of the carriage and helped Elisabeth down himself. "Welcome home!" He whispered before taking her arm under his and leading her up the stairs. Then there were a short presentation of the staff, some familiar faces and others completely new. Mrs. Reynolds was so trilled to finally get her married master home, and she looked forward to all the changes the new mistress would make. "Welcome back Mrs. Darcy, as I said the last time we met, I have been dreaming of the day the master would bring home his wife for quite a long time now." Mrs. Reynolds told Elisabeth, saying a bit to much as usually, she then turned a bit a shamed to her master and said very strict: "Everything is done as you ordered Mr. Darcy."
Elisabeth was so overwhelmed that she forgot to question Mrs. Reynolds words to her husband, and she just kept her grip at Mr. Darcy's arm fast, trying to stay calm. After all the servants had been greeted there were one more that longed to say hello, Georgiana. "I trust you journey went well," Georgiana bowed. Mr. Darcy would probably had answered her question and that would have been that, but Mrs. Darcy didn't like formalities between family and gave Miss. Georgiana a big hug, before telling her, " I think we'll have lots of fun together," and a bit more quiet, " and I am so glad you are here to help me figure this all out." Georgiana laughed out load and her brother, who had heard Elisabeth's plea, smiled as well. "We'll help each other; there will be changes and new things for all of us!" Mr. Darcy comforted.
Chapter 5