When they went down to breakfast, Georgiana could not understand their smiles as they were different from anything she had seen before. She said, "Both of you have such huge smiles that something must have happened. What is it?"
Lizzy blushed and said, "Georgie, remember I said that there are some things we can talk about and some things that we cannot? Let me just say that we really opened up to each other and now we have achieved a better understanding. I can only hope that when you marry, you will be as pleased with your husband as I am. I am a very lucky woman. Now, no more questions about this, please. Of course, you can join us in our happiness without knowing the full details." With these words, Lizzy went to hug Georgie and whispered in her ear, "I love your brother very much. He has made me very happy." With these words, tears appeared in Lizzy's eyes. "Georgie, please do not worry about my tears, they are tears of joy. Remember that tears are the eyes' ways of showing that your heart is too full for your lips to express."
Georgiana could not resist one more tease. "Fitzwilliam, does that mean you are more than just half in love with Lizzy now?" Darcy just about choked on his coffee when he heard his shy sister tease him like this.
"Georgie, if you were still a little girl, I would put you over my knee and spank you for saying that. But in answer to your cheeky question, yes, I am completely smitten with my wife. Now will you let me eat my breakfast without risking my choking on it?"
Georgie went to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "I am so happy for both of you. I do hope I will be just as lucky and you will not arrange a marriage for me with some fat old man just because he has a title."
Both Lizzy and Darcy laughed at this and Lizzy said, "If he does, I will make sure that the fat old man is not too ugly and at least has some hair left on his head!"
Darcy could not believe how changed things were for them with Elizabeth as his wife. His shy sister was blossoming and laughter and joy were in their lives. He felt his love for her increase even more.
After breakfast, Darcy went to his office and called for his steward. He eyed the pile of correspondence waiting for him. The two ladies went into the small sitting room that had been designated as Lizzy's to use however she wanted. She called for Mrs. Reynolds and sat at the writing desk, ready to make notes. When Mrs. Reynolds entered, she said, "Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds, please sit down. Mr. Darcy has agreed that we should make this Christmas season more festive and suggested that you would know what entertainments used to be undertaken when his parents were alive. We thought we would try to revive only one or two of these this year as we do not have much time left to plan them. What do you think we might be able to accomplish?"
While Mrs. Reynolds had long undertaken much more than the normal housekeeping responsibilities ever since the previous Mrs. Darcy had taken ill and died, she had assumed that her role would be restricted with a new mistress of Pemberley. She had not yet had much time to get to know the new Mrs. Darcy, but with this request for her opinion, her hopes for her rose considerably. "Thank you very much for asking. We used to have a very merry time every Christmas, plenty to do and many visitors. Things just stopped when Miss Darcy's mother became ill. It will be so nice to start some things this year, even though we do not have much time before Christmas.
"We used to have a large party for all of the staff and tenants and a separate party for all of their children. We decorated the house with spruce boughs and holly, and even mistletoe that was much enjoyed by the more adventurous. We had children singing carols and a formal ball at the New Year for the local gentry. The ballroom was much in use, for both the staff and children's party, and, of course, the formal ball.
"For the staff and tenant's party we had plenty of food, ale, and dancing; nothing like dances for a formal ball, mainly reels and country dances. It ended with everyone singing carols. For the children's party, we had games, gifts, and food, and the children's choir sang their carols with all of them joining in for the easier songs. We even had entertainers when we could find them, either magicians or an acrobatic troupe.
"The formal ball was well attended, with all the local gentry coming. Usually the musicians came from either Derby city or somewhere else. I doubt we have enough time to arrange for a formal ball.
"What are Mr. Darcy's thoughts on this?"
Lizzy had been making notes as Mrs. Reynolds was speaking. She looked at Georgie and saw how excited she was on hearing these descriptions of past events. "Mr. Darcy has asked us to decide on what we could achieve on so short a time. Today is the thirteenth, so that leaves us only ten days or so. He said he would approve of whatever we decide. Georgie, what do you think?"
"If Mrs. Reynolds and the cook agree, and with their assistance, I think we could have both parties if we start planning right away. I would love to find some children to teach them to sing carols and entertain everyone. I have the music for some very simple ones that would be suitable. For the staff and tenants, what if we included a competition for the best singer of carols, with small cash prizes for the winners? They would not have to be large prizes; just the prestige of winning would encourage many to participate. I agree we likely do not have enough time to organize a formal ball, but what about a dinner on New Year's Eve for our neighbours? I know that my brother would like to have everyone meet the Mrs. Darcy. We could have a few dances after dinner, nothing formal.
"What do you think, Lizzy?"
"Georgie, everything you said makes sense. We always had small parties at Longbourn at Christmas, so I know something about what it involves. I agree we should have the two parties and a dinner, but I will ask Mr. Darcy about the dinner. Mrs. Reynolds, can we count on the staff's co-operation with helping us get this all done in time?"
"For sure they will help as they will be excited about having a party for them all. I believe that having a carol-singing competition will make everyone excited and we will have plenty of competitors. I will draw up a list of all of the staff and tenants and their children."
Lizzy said, "Yes, we will need to know how many we are talking about. Mrs. Reynolds, if you have time now, I think we should draw up detailed plans and decide who will take charge of each event." Lizzy did not appreciate that she had just clearly been recognized as the mistress of Pemberley and that she had accepted that role. The three of them spent the next several hours deciding exactly what was to be done and who would look after each assignment.
Then, Elizabeth went to the kitchen to talk to their head cook about what needed to be done. The kitchen staff was very surprised to see their new mistress in the kitchen, and they all curtsied and bowed very politely. She impressed them even more when she took the time to chat, albeit very briefly, with each person, even the lowliest scullery maid. She unknowingly began to develop the deep devotion to her that quickly spread among all of the staff, and even the tenants, as many of the staff were hired from tenant families. When Elizabeth talked to the cook, she did not just issue orders, she asked for her opinion about menus for the three events, thus ensuring the cook's full co-operation.
While Lizzy was in the kitchen, Georgie spoke to Mrs. Reynolds about children who might be suitable for her children's choir. She then went to the music room decide on which carols would be easiest for the children to learn. She was very pleased to be able to put her musical training to use.
That afternoon, Lizzy found time to write several long overdue letters. The first was to her beloved sister Jane.
Dearest Jane,
First of all, let me assure you that I am quite all right; in fact, wonderfully happy, happier than I ever imagined I could be; happier than I have any right to be. You will be even more amazed to learn that I owe my happiness indirectly to our cousin, Mr. Collins! You will find it hard to believe, that horrible offer from him led me to my husband, the most wonderful man I could ever meet. I left home as I knew that if I married Mr. Collins, it would destroy two people, both him and me. We are completely the wrong people ever to be satisfied together as man and wife. I was devastated when Father insisted that I must marry him to save our family, and decided that there were other ways to save us. If you married your Mr. Bingley and if I left home, then Mother and our three sisters would be able to be cared for if the worst would happen and we lost Father.
You know that I left early on November 29. I walked some miles to a coach stop so I would not be traced quickly. However, two ruffians stole everything I had, my reticule, all my money, and my spare clothes. Mr. Darcy's carriage happened to pass by then and he drove them off before they could do anything worse. When I told him why I had left home and intended to go to London to find a position as either a governess or companion, he asked me to marry him instead! He said that he loved me and had decided that we would be very happy together as we were perfectly suited for each other. I would not accept him until we talked about my dislike of him and the reasons for this. He cleared up all of my mistaken beliefs and I accepted his offer as I realized I had been attracted to him even while I had felt that I disliked him. When I told him of our dreams to marry only for the deepest love, he suggested that we have the wedding first, then a courtship, before we truly became man and wife. That was such an interesting and unusual idea that it convinced me that he must truly care for me.
We went first to his house in London, then to Pemberley in Derbyshire, then to Scotland to his estate there. We married in Dumfries on December 9. He was always a complete gentleman and I soon learned to love him, very much so. I now know that I must have felt something for him as my love developed so quickly. Oh, Jane! You will not believe how wonderful it is to have a good husband who is gentle and kind and loves you. We are now at Pemberley and plan to be here until the weather improves and we can come to you. I cannot believe that I am Mistress of Pemberley, as Pemberley truly is a great estate with several hundred staff and tenants. Mr. Darcy's sister, Georgiana, is with us and is just like another sister to me. I now have five sisters, not four.
Enough of my news. Please tell me about your Mr. Bingley and our family. I did not write directly to Father as I was not sure if he would even read my letter. Is he still very unhappy with me? Please tell him I love him very much and always will. You may also tell Mother and our sisters my news.
Your loving sister,
Elizabeth Darcy
Elizabeth also wrote to her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to tell them her news as she assumed that her father would have asked for their assistance in searching for her. She did not tell her all the details that she had written to Jane, just the key facts plus an assurance of how happy she was. She knew that her aunt was originally from somewhere in Derby, so she asked her where and if she had known about Pemberley. She said that when Mr. Darcy had learned she grew up in Derbyshire, he invited them to stay with them at Pemberley for as long as they like when they next came north.
That night at dinner, Darcy was surprised to learn how quickly their Christmas plans had advanced in such a short time. He again repeated that he would support what they had decided and asked what he could do to help. When asked about holding a dinner on New Year's Eve for their neighbours rather than a formal ball, he readily agreed and volunteered to distribute the invitations in person. He was pleased at the idea of a dinner as he wanted to be able to introduce his new wife to his neighbours. He knew that his marriage would amaze them as he had been a bachelor for so many years.
As he wanted his wife to appear to her best advantage, he asked, "Elizabeth, you need a new gown for that dinner. Tomorrow is Saturday, so you two should go to Lambton to see about fabrics and a seamstress? Georgie, I believe there is a good seamstress there, do you know of her? Will she be able to finish a gown in two weeks? Of course, get nothing but the best.
"Lizzy, why do you not order a few other things as well? Whatever you need. You need to build up your wardrobe even more. I have not had a chance to talk to you about the funds I am setting aside for your personal use; I will do that when I receive the drafts of the settlements from my solicitors. Do not worry, I believe you will find it to be sufficient for anything you want, and if you need more, just spend it. Tell the shop and the seamstress to send the bills to me, whatever they are."
Lizzy protested, "Fitzwilliam, I will not need much once I have built up my wardrobe."
"As mistress of Pemberley, everyone will expect you to be dressed very nicely. Please do not worry about the cost of anything."
Georgie added, "Lizzy, my brother is very generous with me, and you should have even more. A shopping trip will be fun. You know how much I love buying clothes. I will make sure the carriage is ready for us after breakfast. Fitzwilliam, another question, should we invite the pastor, Mr. Thompson, for dinner on Sunday? I assume we will all be going to services? Lizzy, we normally do go every Sunday when we are here and we invite the pastor to come for dinner. The service is usually quite enjoyable."
Lizzy assured her that she had not objection to their going as she knew that it would be expected of the master and mistress of Pemberley. She certainly did not want to disrupt their normal routine, whatever it was.
That evening, they again went to the music room where Georgie had them practice singing the carols she had selected. She wanted to practice playing these pieces so it would be easy for her to play them at their parties. She truly enjoyed seeing her brother and his wife enjoying activities together. Besides, their voices blended well together.