Hey guys. just a big thank you for coming on this ride with me. I, as usual, started out with a much shorter version of this story but your support has buoyed me and its become a much more in depth piece of work. Thanks everyone.
Chapter 30 - Home
...
Elizabeth could say with absolute certainty that, although she loved the Lake District, it was the wild and untamed beauty of the peaks that called to her. The dramatically changing terrain, moving from undulating moors to drastically steep cloughs, seemed to speak to her in a way no other place had. The moment the carriage crossed the boarders of Pemberley; she knew she was home.
When Darcy called to stop the coach and brought his wife to view the house; she was mesmerised. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and she leaned in to his warmth and strength.
"What do you think of our home, Mrs Darcy?" He asked, his voice low and intimate in her ear, his breath caressing her exposed neck and causing her to shiver.
"It is simply wonderful." She said, tears in her eyes. "I do not think I have ever seen a place so happily situated. I am so fortunate to be able to live my whole life in Derbyshire."
Darcy let out a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding then kissed her on the spot his breath had caressed. "I am so relieved you said so."
Elizabeth turned in his arms peering up at him over her shoulder "I think there are few who would not approve."
He smiled down at her, a teasing tone entering his voice "Your good opinion is rarely bestowed where one might expect it to be, and so more worth the earning."
Elizabeth tilted her head to the side smiling at him, still stood twisted in the circle of his arms. "Well, I can say, I whole heartily approve of your beautiful home."
"Our home." He insisted, hand coming up to cup her cheek before kissing her gently, tenderly, then resting his forehead on hers. "Ours." He said again.
"Ours." She echoed.
They stood that way, bodies entwined and eyes closed, for several minutes. The breeze rustled around them, leaves on trees providing a soft sound that seemed to be for them alone. Birds danced on the winds, swooping and rising again. Elizabeth heard it all and nothing. The deep rise and fall of her husbands chest, pressed against her side, his warmth seeping through their layers. She had never felt so at peace, so at home. It was a feeling she wished to hold on to forever, and she vowed she would do just that.
Eventually the couple moved, the whinny of impatient horses calling their attention. The driver and footmen of their carriage were studiously looking in any direction but theirs. Three weeks ago Elizabeth might have been embarrassed to have such an intimate and unguarded moment observed. But now she only smiled and nodded to the loyal Darcy employees, before mounting the carriage to be on their way.
...
Jane and Bingley were to take a tour of the northern counties for their honeymoon whilst Elizabeth and Darcy had visited the lakes. The Bingleys were to converge upon Pemberley in the summer and Henry was to go thither also. Mr and Mrs Gardiner and their children were to bring Lydia for a few weeks and would then return her to Longborn on their way home.
Elizabeth had only a matter of weeks to settle in before the summer houseguests started arriving.
Georgiana was first, having spent the last month with the Earl of Matlock to allow Darcy to travel with his new bride.
The new sisters had corresponded often and between them was developing a warmth of affection that would match any sisterly bond. Georgiana was ecstatic to be home with her brother and new sister and spent the first week hardly leaving Elizabeth's side. She showed her all her favourite haunts and together they would meet with Mrs Reynolds and other staff members and take a phaeton out to the tenant houses
The whole of the Matlock family brought her across from Wentworth house and also stayed for a short time.
Lady Matlock had enjoyed her correspondence with Elizabeth and was pleased to further their connection. She had much to say when advising Elizabeth about plans for the little season and, for the most part, Elizabeth was happy to hear it. If Lady Matlock's interference was occasionally officious, Elizabeth could easily forgive her.
Their stay was not long, the purpose to begin to prepare Elizabeth for her entree in to society and ensure she was settling in to her home. Their visit helped to assuage any rumours of a rift in the family.
Lady Catherine, of course, did not visit. Nor was she welcome. Her vitriol towards Elizabeth knew no bounds and Darcy would not forgive the slight. Luckily her anger had been contained, by the insistence of the Matlocks. With her situation, almost exclusively in the country, her reach was far less than she would like to think.
When the Matlock party departed Pemberley; Elizabeth could, happily, say that she was contented with their relationship. She anticipated her season in London with all the enthusiasm of a young Lady who enjoyed society. She was eager to take her place as Mrs Darcy and was grateful that Lady Matlock would be there to support her.
.
Elizabeth had continued in her riding lessons, once established at Pemberley. First on a calm older mare named Star, for the shape on her forehead. When she had mastered the basics, Darcy surprised her.
"Why must I keep my eyes closed!" She complained half heartedly one morning, as Darcy walked her across the fields behind their home. "I know where we are!"
In truth she could not be certain, the grounds still being less than familiar to her, but she was not about to admit such.
"I believe that it is rather less surprising if you can see." Darcy whispered in her ear and she shivered from his obvious proximity. Several weeks of married life had not yet made her any less sensitive to his nearness. Physical closeness was uncommon, even amongst her sisters. An embrace or a squeeze of the hands was not sufficient to prepare her for the warmth of her husband's body. In public they were, of course, a proper distance apart. But in private there was no boundary, and Darcy found many occasions in a day where he could be in private with his wife.
"How much longer?" She tried to keep the childish whine out of her voice but Darcy's chuckle suggested she had not been successful.
"I believe, Mrs Darcy, this is where I remind you of your pre-marital lesson on patience."
Elizabeth scowled at him eliciting a further chuckle. As he turned her slightly she could feel him, warm and close beside her. She turned her head slightly, nose skimming along his cheek, inhaling his scent, and she was satisfied to hear his breath hitch.
"Alright, you minx. You can open your eyes."
Before her, in a paddock, was a palomino mare. She was calmly stood watching the unusual couple before her, her dark forelock falling over her forehead, a contrast to the lighter coloured mane and tail.
"Oh, William. She is a beauty."
"Your ride needs more spirit. I am assured she has a steady seat, but a little more liveliness than star. She's not a true palomino, given the hair colour, but she will serve you well."
Elizabeth smiled at him "You are very lucky I have quite overcome my fear, else this would be a rather unusual gift for one's wife." She teased.
He leaned in and kissed her, eliciting a small squeak of surprise. Darcy smiled smugly "you have no idea how many times I have wished to kiss your tease away." His eyes alight with mischief and desire.
"Well, sir." She said, slipping her arms around him "I shall have to diligently practice teasing, if this is the resp.." he kissed her again and she sighed happily against him.
"I love her, does she have a name?" She asked some minutes later, head resting comfortably under Darcy's chin.
"She did, but it was Betty."
Elizabeth snickered "well that will not do."
She held out her hand to the horse, who had come over to investigate her visitors. Darcy handed her an apple and she fed it to her new mount, who whickered in appreciation.
"What shall you like to call her?"
"Hmmm." Hummed Elizabeth, absently stroking the horse. "I suppose you feel she should be called Athena or Diana? A Greek goddess of some kind."
"There are many good names for horses to be found in Greek mythology."
Lizzie chuckled as the horse nuzzled her, clearly searching for more apples.
"Hmmm, so you have a sweet tooth?" She mused, eyeing the tan colour of the coat. "Her colour reminds me of a crumble, and she likes apples. I think I will call her cinnamon. It is the best spice for apple after all."
Darcy shook his head in mock disgust "better than Betty I suppose."
Elizabeth ignored him and turned her attention to the horse, patting and fussing over her.
It was not long before she began to have lessons on Cinnamon. She had many duties to attend to; but both Darcy and Georgiana insisted that time practicing riding was just as important as learning the menus. So it was she had two ready teachers to aid her in managing a more spirited ride, moving through trotting to cantering and even trying the odd gallop.
Once confident on Cinnamon; both Darcy and Georgiana made it their mission to show Elizabeth every beauty spot within an easy ride of their home. In the county of Derbyshire there were many to behold and it seemed that each had its own, unique, beauty. Many a pleasant morning or afternoon would find either the two sisters or a party including the master of Pemberley riding out somewhere.
Elizabeth found much to enjoy in the surrounding countryside and she agreed, many spots would have been beyond her reach on foot. The lessons had been worth it, despite her initial misgivings.