a/n Thanks to all my readers and reviewers. shout out to jansfamily4, motherof8 (seriously 8 kids? how do you find time to read! :) vaarin and dizzylizzy.
There were many staff lined up outside the main entrance to the house when Elizabeth stepped out of the coach. Her eyes widened at the number of men and women who worked to keep Pemberley going. How was she ever to remember their names? She felt a moment of uncertainty before her courage rose to the occasion. She managed a warm smile as she stepped up to greet the first of the staff.
In the end, only Mrs Reynolds, the house keeper, some of the footmen and the upstairs maids that particularly look after the master suites were introduced. Along with the cook and head gardener whom she may need to be familiar with in the first few weeks as she found her way around. She noted many more footmen, maids and scullery maids whom she hoped to learn the names of later. The gardeners and groomsmen were numerous and would likely be difficult to remember everyone. But she resolved to try at the very least.
Once she had passed the receiving line she was shown to the family sitting room. There were many rooms downstairs for entertaining as well as the many more private rooms. Miss Darcy had a favourite sitting room and Mr Darcy told her that any room she took a fancy to could be made up as she wished.
She sat down for tea and turned to Charlotte saying
"My dear Charlotte. I am sure I will get lost in this vast house. After today I will almost certainly not see you again until you are to leave!"
Georgiana didn't realise that she was teasing and hurried to assure her that she would ensure that she would not get lost.
Elizabeth smiled warmly at her "thank you my dear. I am sure between us we can muddle through. At least I will not worry about not getting enough exercise. Why surely the walk from my rooms to the dining room alone would equate to a trip from Longbourn to Netherfield!"
Darcy smiled but she could tell he was worried about her so she smiled at him and squeezed his hand gently before serving the tea. Once they had all partaken of refreshment she suggested that they all find their rooms to refresh and rest before dinner was to be served.
Charlotte was to be situated in the family wing in a room not far from Georgiana's. They all went to visit these rooms first. Once they ladies were happily settled with baths on their way Darcy escorted Elizabeth to the other end of the family wing and their suites. She walked in and gasped. The main sitting room was beautiful, freshly appointed in light and pleasing colours. Apart from that she had her own small morning room with a beautiful desk for letter writing, a separate bathing room with a magnificent tub and a whole room for her gowns and dressing. She could not imagine using so much space.
There was a connecting door to another set of rooms which she was informed could be converted to a nursery when the time came. She blushed furiously when Mr Darcy mentioned this. Of course, there were a few ladies in London newly married who were already expecting. She looked up at Mr Darcy who was looking at her with a wry smile and she looked down flushing again. They had been married for almost a month now and she had just finished her courses again, she knew she wasn't pregnant yet. She was aware it could take time to conceive, but she was still somewhat disappointed. She knew she hadn't brought much to the marriage but was hoping that she would be able to perform as Mrs Darcy. Part of her job was to provide an heir.
She hadn't told Darcy but her mother had taken her aside just before they parted and asked her if she was doing everything she could to produce the heir. She had just started her courses at that point and so had foolishly told her mother she could not be with child yet. Mrs Bennet would have scolded her more had Mr Bennet not interrupted her flow and practically dragged her away. But still the damage was done, Elizabeth felt chastised and try as she might she couldn't shake the seed of doubt that had been planted.