Thank you so much for the interest you all have shown in this story. I can never thank you enough.
Guest, Elizabeth was 6 years old when her parents were murdered.
PPFan, thank you for pointing out my mistake. As for the Duke of Devonshire, I have taken creative liberties. Besides, it is not feasible to bring about that change now that I have already posted that chapter. It may confuse readers in future. But, thank you so much for your advise. I really appreciate it.
AN: Sally was Lady Anne's maid, before she was sent to Longbourn with Elizabeth. I apologise for my typo.
I have posted Chapter 11 of my other story, The Lost Child.
PLEASE REVIEW. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS MOST WELCOME.
CHAPTER 4 : PEMBERLEY
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth spent the long trip to Pemberley engaged in intellectual discussion to distract themselves from their shared grief at the recent loss. Furthermore, their happiness on their reunion after so many years prevented them from getting despondent. So, right from Chaucer and Shakespeare to history, politics and economics, nothing was left untouched.
Having not participated in such intelligent debate in quite some time, Mr Darcy felt as if he was flexing his long atrophied muscles. Indeed, Elizabeth kept him on his toes. Although she was not as knowledgeable as him for he certainly had the advantage of age and a formal education at Cambridge, in her he found a keen intellect and and an insatiable thirst for knowledge that rivalled his own.
She was interested in perusing newspaper for more than just scandal sheets, had thorough knowledge of Italian, French, Greek and Latin, and shared his love for history and economics. On the other hand, Elizabeth was vociferous in expressing her distaste for, what the society deemed as the attributes of fashionable ladies, such as embroidery and painting. Although she knew of them passably enough, she admitted to never practicing diligently.
Then again, the girl who trounced in the brooks and climbed trees could hardly find pleasure in such tedious arts. Mr Darcy thought wryly.
Thus, so favourably engaged, the long journey passed and soon they were nearing Pemberley. With each passing mile, Elizabeth's excitement increased, though it was tinged with sadness that it was her cousin and not her dear uncle who was bringing her home.
"Sit still Elizabeth, or you shall rock the carriage right off the road." Mr Darcy grinned at her child like enthusiasm.
"I am not fidgeting." Elizabeth admonished, tapping her foot impatiently.
For the past hour, she had kept her unwaivering gaze out of the window, eagerly watching the familiar vignette pass by. As they reached Lambton, Darcy pointed it out to Elizabeth, which further increased her excitement. Finally, a few minutes later, they got their first glimpse of the house.
"Pemberley." Elizabeth whispered reverently, her eyes glassy with unshed tears on beholding her beloved home after nearly a decade. Although Meadowbrook had been her father's estate, bequeathed to him by an Aunt, it was Pemberley where her heart lay...like a true Darcy. A fierce amalgam of emotion burned in her chest as she watched her home.
A convoluted tangle of happiness, sadness, longing and love, triggered by a deluge of memories of her family overwhelmed her.
"Welcome home Miss Darcy." Mr Darcy said softly and watched as tears rolled down her face.
"Shh Lizzy. It is alright. Everything will be fine. I promise." He whispered soothingly, pressing his handkerchief in her hand.
Few moments later, the carriage rolled down the hill and came to a stop. As they approached, the Butler, Mr Alberts stepped out with a warm smile to greet them. However, when the man's eyes fell on her maid Sally, his eyes widened and he gaped at Elizabeth for just a moment before a grin stole over his face. Clearly, he was well aware of the secret.
The reaction of Mr Alberts was shared by Mrs Reynolds, who then quickly proceeded to welcome Elizabeth in a soft whisper, as Miss Darcy. Mr Darcy was quick to request them to refer her to as Miss Bennet for her own safety, before inquiring about Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
After ridding themselves of their travel dust, he impatiently led Elizabeth to the Library where, he was told, waited his sister and the Colonel, just as he had requested.
"Fitzwilliam!"A tiny girl, she knew to be Georgiana nearly flew to Darcy and threw her arms around him. She had already seen her portrait when Uncle Darcy brought it to Longbourn on one of his visits.
"Hello, little dove."Darcy greeted her softly, returning her hug.
However, Colonel Fitzwilliam affixed his astounded stare on her, an indecipherable expression on his face.
"And may we have the honour of introduction to the young lady, Darcy?" He said coolly, nodding towards her and Elizabeth realized how odd her appearance at Pemberley must appear to him.
Georgiana let go of her brother and stepped back bashfully, having just registered her presence. A curious look flickered on her face.
"Well yes, I have something of import to discuss." Darcy said, offering his arms to both Georgiana and Elizabeth. He guided his sister to a settee, where she was joined by the Colonel and pulled Elizabeth forward.
"May I present to you, Miss Elizabeth Amaryllis Darcy...our cousin."
The Colonel and Georgiana gaped at them, their abject shock evident on their face.
"Darcy, how can that be possible? She died a decade ago."
"No Richard, that was a ruse. As you know, that fateful night when my aunt and uncle were murdered, Elizabeth was rescued by Mrs Hill, who then ran all the way here to seek refuge. However, what none of us knew, except a very few, was that whilst Elizabeth was recuperating here at Pemberley, several attempts were made to murder both her and Mrs Hill. In order to ensure their safety my father and the Duke devised a plan to announce her death and spread rumour about Mrs Hill. Elizabeth was moved to the Dowager house whilst she recovered and then given to the Bennets of Hertfordshire.
Mrs Hill in now employed in the position of Housekeeper at Longbourn, the Bennet's estate. Even Sally, who was my mother's most trusted maid went with them. Apparently, my father had been looking after Elizabeth all these years." Darcy's monologue was met by a shocked silence.
"Baby Bessie, it is so good to see you." Colonel Fitzwilliam finally breathed softly, after a long pause.
He rose to his feet and approached her. Gently lifting her hand to his lips, he bestowed an affectionate kiss.
"I missed you too, Richie." Elizabeth returned his sentiments, her eyes filled with tears.
Indeed she had missed Richard and his brother, Malcolm, as dearly as she had Darcy. Owing to Elizabeth's lively nature and propensity to behave as young lads, she was great friends with all three boys. They had been thick as thieves, gallivanting in the woods surrounding Pemberley, riding horses and engaging in all sort of mischief that was usually associated with boys.
Despite admonition she received whenever Lady Catherine was in residence at Pemberley for behaving like 'a hooligan', their friendship was as unaffected and as strong as ever. It also did not help that being the only girl child in the Darcy family, she was doted on by not just her parents, but also her aunt and uncle.
Barring Lady Catherine, Elizabeth could indeed count on one hand the number of times she had been admonished by anyone in her family. It was what had made her stay at Longbourn unbearable at first for she had never known anything but love and affection from everyone who met her.
Elizabeth inquired about the rest of the Fitzwilliams and de Bourghs, and then turned towards Georgiana who was watching her timidly. Darcy had told her about inherent shyness that her younger cousin possessed and she knew she had to make efforts go draw her out.
"Pray tell me Miss Darcy, does Richard still steal girls' bonnets?" She teased softly.
"What? Richard didn't. .." The poor girl looked positively scandalised whilst the Colonel groaned loudly, colour rising on his cheeks.
"Ah, but your cousin was quite the trouble maker. Had it not been for Fitzwilliam, I shudder to think how he would have pranked me." Elizabeth grinned.
"Oh yes, Darcy was always your knight in shining armour. Although you fail to mention that you too used to be out for my blood, giving as good as you received." Colonel Fitzwilliam retorted, his eyes narrowing.
"I never behaved as monstrously as you did with me. Why I still remember finding those ugly toads on my bed." She exclaimed, glaring.
"That was only because you thought it funny to..."
"That's enough you two. God, you too are bickering worse than children." Darcy glowered at both his cousins, though it was only a pretence. He had a firm control on his composure, however, the same could not be said for Georgiana who burst out in peals of laughter.
It was the first time he had seen his sister laughing without inhibition. Even before their father's death, Georgiana had always been quiet and reserved, yet here she was now giggling, not attempting to disguise her mirth as she usually did.
Not for the first time since his astonishing discovery, Darcy thanked God for bringing Elizabeth back to them. Even when she was a child, she had always brought joy and comfort to everyone, brightening each life she touched.
And in the difficult times that they were facing, they needed it.