3. Derbyshire
The car roared along the tree-lined road, plunging into pockets of shadowy darkness before bursting back into the sunlight that was dappling the ground. England in the summer is just so green, mused Elizabeth, drinking in the landscape around her. Her gaze landed on the man sitting to her right, driving. He looked extra gorgeous today: relaxed, casual, tanned, wearing her favourite sunglasses. He was singing along with the radio, one elbow leaning on the doorframe, his fingers drumming the top of the steering wheel in time to the music. The other hand rested casually on the gearstick, a wedding ring gleaming in the sun. Elizabeth tenderly reached out and caressed his hand, her fingers tracing over the golden band encircling his fourth finger.
"Hey babe." Will Darcy said grinning, squeezing her hand. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Smiled Elizabeth. "Can't a girl just hold her new husband's hand?"
Will smiled back. "Of course you can, Mrs Darcy."
Elizabeth felt warm and tingly hearing her new name roll off her husband's tongue.
"Although," he continued, "most newlyweds don't spend their honeymoon visiting other people! Remind me again why we're visiting my Dad? And why we just spent five days with Charlie and Jane?"
Elizabeth pretended to pout in dramatic fashion. "William Darcy! We've been through this before! We can't go all the way to Italy on a holiday and not visit France or England!"
"Sure we can. We just don't get on a flight to France or England. Besides, we saw them all literally two weeks ago at the wedding. And it's not a holiday- it's our honeymoon!"
"And it has been a wonderful honeymoon. But I wasn't about to leave Europe without calling in on our best friends to see where they live. And I'm definitely not crossing the Atlantic without seeing your Pemberley!"
"Ours! What's mine is yours, and what's yours is-"
"-mine too!"
They both laughed, then Will's face turned serious. "Yeah yeah, fair enough with Pemberley. I have cancelled on you a few times, haven't I?"
"Just a few. Just ask Georgia. I'm sure she's keeping score of all the times you'd promised we'd visit, then had to back out at the last minute." She looked with a sly smile across at Will. "Basketball wins again."
"Hey!" he protested. "I can't help it we got to game seven of the grand final last year. Or that I needed surgery the year before that. Plus, I seem to remember a certain psychology placement cropping up that meant we couldn't go in that first year! It's not all on me! Geez!" He rolled his eyes and smirked. "You're not holding back at all, now that we're married, are you?!"
"Nope." She laughed happily."Lucky you love me so much."
"Mmm" he muttered, before bringing her hand up to warmly kiss. "And lucky for me I have an enormous manor in the English countryside to impress you with." He quipped dryly.
"I wouldn't know. I haven't been there."
"Touché."
"At least you know I didn't marry you for your money." Elizabeth winked.
And with fingers entwined, the car sped on through the Derbyshire countryside.
After a while of companionable silence, Will spoke again.
"In all honesty, it was good to see how Charlie and Jane are going in France. They're doing well, don't you think?"
Elizabeth hesitated. "Mm, they seem to be doing well."
Will looked at her sideways. "Uh oh.. I know that look. What's going on?"
"It's nothing, really. Only, Jane doesn't really enjoy living in France."
"She doesn't?"
"Not really. She doesn't have too many friends- she's not exactly outgoing-, and she struggles with the language barrier. She enjoys her job, but with Charlie playing away and training so often, she feels really isolated."
Will furrowed his brow. "But Charlie said they both love it there!"
"I don't think he knows how miserable she is."
"Hold up. She's 'miserable'?! How can he not know that? She's his wife!"
"Jane doesn't want to upset him, so she hadn't told him how she feels. You know what she's like- never one to tread on toes..."
Will stared at her in disbelief. "She's just not going to tell him? How long will that last for? And how the heck can Charlie not notice? They live in the same apartment for goodness sake!"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I don't know what will happen there. All I know is that right now she's putting on a brave face for him and he's buying it."
Will frowned. "That seems a recipe for disaster if you ask me." His hand gripped the steering wheel and he muttered under his breath. "She's going to end up resenting him, and the poor guy will have no idea why." He shook his head.
"You can't say anything to him!" Elizabeth cautioned. "It's not our place to interfere, remember."
"Oh, I hear you loud and clear, El." Said Will, rolling his eyes. "Don't worry, I've learnt my lesson there." His voice had a note of bitterness in it, and Elizabeth regretted bringing the topic up and ruining the light mood. It had always remained a tender topic, Will interfering with Jane and Charlie's relationship. Elizabeth considering whether or not to tell him the rest of it, since Will's mood had soured. As always though, honesty won out. "They're trying for a baby." She said quietly.
"A baby?!" Will echoed incredulously.
"Jane's hoping that having a baby will give her something to do and help her feel happier about living there."
Will was silent for a few minutes. "What do you think about that?" He finally asked.
Elizabeth stared out at the rocky peaks. "If they're not really communicating honestly now, I worry about what adding a baby will do. I think it's a dangerous assumption to think that everything will be better." She said softly.
"You and me both." Will muttered. "Babies aren't band aids."
They listened to the radio in silence for a full song, and then Will reached across and squeezed her hand tightly.
"Ellie?" He asked suddenly.
"Yeah babe?"
"Do you resent me? I know the basketball is pretty consuming, but what's that like for you? Do you, do you feel how Jane feels?" His face looked worried.
"Oh Will," said Elizabeth gently. "That's not our story. You've always given me the freedom to do my own thing-not that Charlie hasn't with Jane- but I'm happy knowing that I've got my degree, and able to pursue my dreams alongside yours." She paused, thinking of the best way to express her thoughts. "You and I, we've never been afraid of talking about how we feel. Jane and Charlie just smile- we laugh, and scream, and cry. Sure, they might seem happier on the surface, but I think that we have the healthier relationship." She squeezed his hand.
"So long as you know that you're my top priority, despite what it seems."
"I know, babe." Said Elizabeth earnestly. "I won't make jokes about basketball being top priority either. I can see how that might be sending the wrong message to you."
"I can handle jokes," Will replied, "so long as you make sure you always tell me what you're actually thinking and feeling, okay? Don't ever think that you can't tell me things."
"I will babe. I will." She cradled his big hand in both her little ones. His fingers stroked hers.
"I'd like to think I know you well enough to pick up when you're not happy, and I want to be able to fix that. But I need you to be straight with me."
"I promise, Will." Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "Same goes for you too."
Will nodded. The car slowed, and Will turned into a laneway hidden by a thicket of trees.
"Almost there." He told her, as he changed gears. "And just so we're clear, I don't think having a baby to try and fix your relationship is ever a good idea." His hand was now resting on her knee, caressing it gently. "When we have kids," he said tenderly, "I want it to be because we're in love and want to create something miraculous... Not because we have nothing better to do, or are trying to fix our marriage."
A lump formed in Elizabeth's throat hearing him refer to them starting a family. They had spoken briefly about children before of course, purely to determine if they were on the same page about wanting them; and how many they each wanted, but it was always in hypothetical 'one day' language. Now that they were married, the topic felt much more real. Elizabeth sighed happily. "We really have so much to look forward to..."
"I know." Will was smiling to himself. "I'd love to bring them here. They'd love it. Can you imagine?"
Elizabeth smiled at the thought.
The car rounded a bend, and just as Elizabeth remembered from the documentary she'd watched a lifetime ago, the tall stone building stood majestically on the opposite side of the valley, waiting to welcome her to her home in England. It stood waiting, much the way Will had stood waiting at the end of the altar on their wedding day. Then, as now, she'd slowly made her way to her destination, knowing that her future happiness was wrapped up in the sight before her. This house, her husband.
Overwhelmed, tears sprang to her eyes as she pictured her children scampering around the grounds of this magnificent home. As they drove over a narrow stream winding through the woods toward the house, she had a sudden vision of Will stooping down to help their little one grab hold of a slippery fish hooked to a line, while she exclaimed over treasures another had found in the woods. They could play hide and seek in these trees, she mused. Perhaps Will and his father would build them a fort...
"Whatcha thinking about El?" Will asked with a grin
"Just the future" Elizabeth smiled back.
"Me too" said Will, with a knowing wink, as the car slowed to a stop in front of the looming limestone facade, crunching on the gravel.
Will came around and opened her car door.
"Welcome to Pemberley, Mrs Darcy."
"Is that my beautiful new daughter in law?" A booming English voice called out from just inside the door.
"Yeah, and your good for nothing son too.." Called Will, breaking into a smile as he spied his father.
George Darcy strode across the gravel and enveloped the pair in a hug. "Twice in a month!" He exclaimed, squeezing them almost breathless. "It must be my birthday!"
"Let them go, Dad!" Laughed Georgia, standing in the doorway. "Haven't seen you here in a while, Will-o." She said, before flourishing grandly and walking down the steps to greet her new sister in law. "Well, what do you think, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth scrutinised the house, and sighed theatrically. "It'll do, I suppose. Certainly not what I'm used to, though."
Georgia and George both burst out laughing and Elizabeth grinned back. "Glad she didn't marry you for your estate, son!" Said George, with a slap on Will's back.
"Of course not!" Retorted Will innocently. "It was my charm and good looks that sealed the deal."
"And your modesty too, little brother." Quipped Georgia, already heading back toward the house. "Come on in, you must be exhausted after the drive."
Will grabbed their bags as Elizabeth followed Georgia to the entry portico, where they paused and turned to look out over the magnificent, manicured grounds.
"It's just beautiful!" Breathed Elizabeth, taking in the scenery and looking about. "I'm surprised there's no tourists, given it's such a beautiful day. Isn't summer your peak tourist season?" Elizabeth looked around at the empty parkland.
"We don't allow visitors on Wednesdays." Georgia explained. "You'll see tomorrow how busy it gets, then understand why we need a day off each week."
"Of course. So, is this the way the tourists come in? It looks very impressive." Elizabeth glanced up at the sandstone columns guarding the soaring front door.
"Tourists enter through the gift shop and ticketing booth, around the side there. Family and friends mostly enter from the other side of the house, straight into the new kitchen and our living quarters." She explained. "But we do use the front door when we have very important people to impress." She winked at Elizabeth. Elizabeth grinned in response.
"So next time I'll be using the side door, hey?" She quipped.
"Yup." Said Georgia without missing a beat. "No more bells and whistles for you after today. You're family now! So, shall we?" Gestured Georgia, inviting Elizabeth in through the heavy oak doors.
"Wait!" Ordered Will, dropping the bags. With one swift movement, he scooped Elizabeth up and carried her inside. "Tradition." He murmured, as his wife let out a delighted squeal. "A good husband has to carry his wife over the threshold of their new home." He laughed softly and kissed her forehead as he gently placed her down inside the foyer. Elizabeth smiled up at him warmly, before finally taking in the room before her. It was the grandest place Elizabeth had ever seen and she rushed forward in delight.
"Oh Will," she breathed softly, delicately running her fingers along the smooth oak bannisters, the marble statues, the embossed wallpaper on the walls. "It's absolutely breathtaking."
And it was. Every space she could see was exquisitely furnished, and pristine. The floors shone, the windows gleamed, and the view from each was straight from movie scenes. Will stretched out his hand.
"Let me show you around, unless you'd like a drink or a rest first?"
Elizabeth shook her head. She was just as eager to see this house as Will was to revisit it.
Will nodded his head. "Dad, Georgia, we'll catch up with you soon. My wife is long overdue for a tour of Pemberley."
As Georgia and George went back to the living quarters with the suitcases and bearing knowing smiles, Will led Elizabeth upstairs for the grand tour. Room after room they visited, each as beautiful as the last, and most with a story of the occupants of years gone by. Some Will remembered himself, others they read about on the numerous information plaques and displays within the rooms. Just as was mentioned in the documentary Elizabeth had watched, the house was kept in magnificent shape, and majority of the rooms remained exactly as they would have been several hundred years ago. Elizabeth felt as though she'd stepped back two hundred years into the past. Elizabeth marvelled at the library, which was just as wondrous as depicted on tv.
She adored the nursery, which still had a selection of antique children's toys and books on display. Peering over the glass cabinet, Elizabeth observed a little children's book that was beautifully illustrated. But what was so endearing about this book was the inscription in the front.
"My little Jane,
More adventures await us within,
Let us explore!
Your loving papa.
Christmas, 1816...
Oh how sweet!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I do believe that was written by Fitzwilliam Darcy.. my namesake." Said Will, coming up behind her.
"Was he the one who married an Elizabeth?"
"One and the same. You remember that from the documentary?"
Elizabeth nodded. "He sounds like he was a wonderful man. Buying pianos for his sister, furnishing a library for his wife, doting on his daughter..."
"By all accounts he was. For memory, Pemberley records portray him as a fair and honest landlord who was well respected in and around Derbyshire."
"A good branch in the family tree then, hey?" Elizabeth teased.
Will and Elizabeth threaded their hands together and moved on to the portrait hall. Generations upon generations of family portraits loomed above them, as if scrutinising the newest addition to the family. Elizabeth said as much to her new husband.
"They'd think you're fantastic!" He reassured her. "Especially after the last Darcy wife." He muttered, referencing his mother.
At Elizabeth's giggle and half-hearted reprimand, he continued seriously. "Truly, from what I know of family history, Dad's the one who bucked the trend. All us other Darcy's have married for love." He smiled tenderly back at Elizabeth. Her heart still fluttered hearing him talk like that, even after four years together, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Even your Fitzwilliam?" Asked Elizabeth in surprise. "That was quite unusual back in those days, wasn't it? I thought marriages in those days was all about making alliances between families and so on. At least, that's what the movies would have us believe."
Will shrugged. "I'm no expert on history, you'd have to ask Georgia for specifics, but I do know that Fitzwilliam caused a bit of ruckus by marrying who he did. It's become a bit of a family legend, really."
"His Elizabeth was not appropriate?" Elizabeth raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"No no, I wouldn't say that, but she was spirited, I suppose you could say. She wasn't your typical demure lady, nor was she of the first circles, as they say. He loved her and wanted to marry her, in spite of this, and she apparently did the unthinkable and turned him down. He went away-"
"-Wait, she turned him down?" Elizabeth interrupted in disbelief.
"Yep."
"That sounds tragically romantic for your Fitzwilliam, his wife turning down his proposal at first!"
"Hmm, tragic more than romantic I'd say. It's said that my ancestor didn't exactly mince his words when reminding her of the good deal she was getting in becoming his wife."
Elizabeth laughed. "I'm beginning to like this woman, I think. Let me guess, she tore strips off him for it?"
"More or less, from what I can gather. She told him he wasn't a gentleman- which I guess was the height of insults back then. But he apologised and they both did some soul searching and luckily for me, he eventually won her over. Despite others whispering that she'd married him for his fortune, they knew the truth. She married him because she'd fallen just as much in love with him as he was with her."
"I can't help but see the parallels between them and us.." Said Elizabeth wryly.
"Mm." Said Will, before gesturing up to a family portrait. "But let's hope the similarities end there. I don't want eleven kids."
Elizabeth shook her head, and looked up at the painted face of the other Elizabeth Darcy, smiling serenely and surrounded by her adoring husband and handsome children. "She seems an extraordinary woman." Elizabeth murmured. "Will, how do you know so much about her? About them?"
"Well, they're probably the most notable Darcy couple that we know of, so their stories are told more often. But it's also because she kept diaries, very thorough and witty writing. The originals are sealed in a special glass case in the Mistress's Suite down the hall, but the entries were transcribed beforehand so we have a full record of what they contained. Georgia could show you them if you'd like to know more."
"Oh I'd love that!" Elizabeth exclaimed delightedly.
They moved through the portrait hall, and onto the music room, as Will told her more stories about recent Darcy's- his grandparents and great grandparents. Elizabeth felt rather envious of Wills rich and detailed family history, as she slowly drifted toward the wall of windows.
Standing at the windows in the music room, which overlooked the magnificent lake, Elizabeth felt Will step up behind her and thread his arms around her waist. He kissed the top of her head.
"There's so many family ties here Will. It must have been so hard to leave here each summer." She said softly.
"Mmm, it was. I always felt.. I don't know, full, here. Just content. I had love, I had safety, I belonged. I always had good memories here." He squeezed her to him. "And now they include you too. I don't know why I didn't just bring you here sooner."
"Me either." A wry smile crossed her lips. "Maybe I would have fallen for you earlier if I'd seen this place!"
"But you had! You watched that documentary!" Will's eyes were sparkling as she turned to face him.
"So I did, so I did." The laughter in Elizabeth's eyes quickly dimmed and she rested her hands on Will's chest.
"Will," she said seriously, tilting her head to meet his eyes. He looked back in faint worry at the sudden change of demeanour. "You know I'm only joking, right? About the house and everything..."
"Of course babe, of course." Will replied softly, hugging her to him.
"Good. It's just that with everything your mother keeps saying, about me just wanting you because you're well known, and wealthy-"
Will swore. "I never should have invited her to the wedding. I can't believe she cornered you and said those things.."
"Will. That's not important." Elizabeth waved her hand away dismissively. "I know she's talking lies, but I want you to know it too. Even though this house is amazing, and I'll probably be gushing over every little thing in it the whole time we're here, I'd be just as in love with you if we were homeless and living in a park or something."
Will chuckled softly. "What, even if I hadn't showered in months?"
"Even then!" Elizabeth insisted. "You're my best friend, Will. And I'm happy to be by your side wherever we may be."
Will bent his head and kissed her full on the lips. The kiss deepened to the point where they were the only two people in the world.
Pulling away only slightly, Will whispered "I love you, Ellie. How did I get so lucky?"
"Pretty sure I could say the same about you, number 40." Elizabeth grinned and kissed the tip of his nose.
"C'mon." Will gently pulled on Elizabeth's arm. "There's a few more rooms left on the tour."
Lacing his fingers with hers, the two walked along the grand corridor to a set of beautifully carved doors. Will opened them for Elizabeth, who found herself walking into an enormous set of rooms decorated with delicate patterns. It appeared to be a sitting room, with a room opening out beyond it. As Elizabeth walked in, her eye was caught by figurines displaying elaborate gowns and some jewels, which Elizabeth surmised to be replicas of family pieces. This must be the mistress's suite, Elizabeth realised. As she trailed around the room, she marvelled at the little vanity staged with silver engraved hairbrushes, and jewelled combs. Her eyes lit upon the glass casings on the far wall, and remembering Will talk Elizabeth's diaries, she eagerly approached the displays.
She was surprised to find that the first contained not diaries, but a single letter. Through the glass, she began reading the meticulously neat script on the browned, heavily creased, well worn paper.
"Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those offers which were last night so disgusting to you. I write without any intention of paining you..."
Elizabeth frowned. This didn't seem like a letter Elizabeth Darcy had written. She looked across to the display plaque and was astonished to discover that this was a letter Fitzwilliam Darcy had written Elizabeth before they were married, or even engaged. In fact, it was written in response to Elizabeth refusing his first proposal. The plaque continued to explain that it was remarkable enough that she'd turned him down, but for him to write her a letter when there was no agreement between them was apparently quite scandalous. Turning her gaze back to the letter, she looked upon the next page, which read the end of the message and Fitzwilliam's gracious adieu. How lovely that even though she was apparently furious with Fitzwilliam, she had kept the letter all that time, Elizabeth mused. What I wouldn't give to read pages two and three on the backs of these pages, she grinned to herself.
Eager to learn more about the woman sharing her name, Elizabeth greedily moved onto the next display case, not even registering that Will hadn't followed her into this room. Inside the cabinet were housed multiple little leather bound books with the initials ED delicately stamped on them. One of the books was opened, revealing Elizabeth Darcy's elegant sprawling hand.
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she started to read the diary entry, revealing her namesake's reflections on early married life. She wrote not of her grand new home, or her fine clothes and carriages, or the fancy parties she'd attended. Instead, it seemed her joy came in reading with her husband and discussing ideas with him, and meeting the tenants on his estate and relishing the ways she could support him. She teased him, and laughed with him. Clearly, she was a woman violently in love with her husband, not the lifestyle he'd provided.
Elizabeth marvelled at how similar the two Elizabeth Darcy's were, and found herself longing to research this lady. Who was she? Where was she from? What was her family like?
Elizabeth made a mental note to ask Georgia for more information on her, as she walked through to a beautifully feminine room that was clearly the mistress of Pemberley's bedroom. This is where the Mrs Darcy's of years past have slept.
Suddenly, her attention was drawn off to one side, where her husband casually leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
"The mistress's suite." He said in a hushed voice.
Elizabeth nodded. "It's beautiful. Many a Darcy wife must have been happy seeing this."
Will's mouth turned into a wry smile. "Is my Darcy wife happy?"
Elizabeth walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Incredibly happy, Mr Darcy." She murmured into his chest.
Tilting her chin, Will kissed her gently. "Come with me." He whispered, pulling her into a cavernous room richly furnished in heavy, masculine colours and brocades and plush velvet. The window curtains had been pulled shut, leaving the room illuminated only by candlelight. A four poster bed, bigger than any she'd ever seen, commanded attention in the centre of the room.
"The master bedroom" Will said slowly.
"Oh wow..." Said Elizabeth, taking in her dim surroundings. "I've never seen anything so luxuri- Will, what are you doing?"
Will had pulled a key from his pocket and locked the door behind him.
"We are all alone, Ellie." He said in a low voice, his arms around her waist. "We can do whatever we want here.." His eyes travelled behind her to the bed.
Elizabeth's eyes went wide. "Will! You can't be serious! We can't... here!"
"Why not? It's our house."
"It would be weird! Tourists will be walking through here tomorrow! Plus," she hesitated, looking over at the immaculately made bed. "wouldn't we mess it up?"
"I've got a blanket to drape over the bed. It'll be fine." He looked into her eyes, and tightened his arms around her. "Please, Ellie. I've been wanting to do this for so long..."
And whether it was the endearing way her husband was looking at her and holding her; or the fact that he'd planned it in advance; or that she felt so connected to the Elizabeth Darcy before her, Elizabeth fell onto the bed in her husband's arms. There, on that enormous bed in the master suite at Pemberley, Derbyshire, Mr Darcy slowly made love to his wife.