Chapter 23: Meeting her family

Darcy introduced his wife to all the staff lined up inside the house. Elizabeth met the housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds. Darcy told her that she was with the family since he was a child.

"It is very nice to meet you, Mrs Reynolds."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Darcy. We are so happy to have you here at last." Elizabeth smiled at her, feeling welcomed.

Darcy's eyes searched for Georgina and Emma. "They are in the drawing-room, Mr Darcy." The housekeeper informed him, sensing his eagerness.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, she was anxious to meet them.

When they entered the drawing-room, she saw them. Georgiana and Emma, finally I get to meet them.

Both of them ran towards Darcy and flung themselves on him, to Elizabeth's surprise. She saw him kiss his sister and lift Emma with such love and affection.

Is this the same man who accompanied me in the carriage for two days? Elizabeth thought.

Darcy sensed her staring at him and felt guilty for neglecting her.

He made the introductions.

"This is Elizabeth Darcy."

"This is my sister Georgiana."

Elizabeth watched Georgiana struggle to speak to her.

"I am happy to meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard so much about you."

"I am so happy to meet you too. You can call me Georgiana."

Elizabeth smiled at her. "You can call me Elizabeth."

Darcy pushed forward the young girl who was clutching his coat.

"This is Emma."

"Emma, meet Elizabeth."

Darcy saw how Elizabeth immediately sat down to the child's level.

"How are you, Emma? It is so nice to meet you. Your dress is so pretty."

Emma smiled at her.

"My dress is blue. I like it too, Ebibabeth."

Elizabeth and Georgiana laughed.

"Emma, it is "Elizabeth". Can you say "Elizabeth"?" Georgiana asked, kneeling beside her.

"Ebibabeth." Emma said more confidently.

This time Darcy joined them in their laughter. So, he can laugh as well. I never knew.

"She cannot pronounce the alphabet zed. That is why she calls Fitzwilliam as "Uncle Darcy"." Georgiana explained.

"Emma, can you call me "Lizzy"?" Elizabeth asked, stroking her hair.

"Yes, Emma. Can you say "Aunt Lizzy"? Georgiana asked.

"Aunt Libby." Emma said, smiling.

"You almost have it right Emma." Elizabeth said, as she lifted the child and kissed her.

Darcy watched them adoringly. Elizabeth noticed him smile. For a second, they locked eyes. There was something genuine in his eyes, and she felt it. She looked away, unable to hold his gaze.

Darcy could not hide his happiness on seeing the warmth she showed towards Emma.

Darcy introduced Emma's nanny to his wife. She was a middle-aged woman, and Elizabeth liked her.

"I shall give you a tour of the house after dinner. You must be hungry." Darcy said.

Elizabeth nodded her head. He made the housekeeper show me the house in town. What has changed now?

Darcy offered her his arm to take her to the upper floor. She saw good taste in the decorations of the property and no flamboyance just for the sake of it.

On the way to the stairs, she stopped to look at a portrait of Darcy's family. Darcy watched her look at his parent's portrait.

"My father George Darcy and my mother, Anne Darcy."

"Your sister looks just like her."

Darcy nodded in agreement. They both had blond hair.

He led her to a long flight of stairs. As they climbed, Darcy noticed that she held on to his arm stronger than usual. She must be tired after the long journey.

He led her to her room and stopped at the door. "I will take you to the dinning room in some time. Unless you want a tray sent to your room, in case you are tired."

"There is no need for that. I shall come down."

Elizabeth entered the mistress chambers and saw an adjoining room used for private dinning for them. What a waste? We shall never make use of it.

She was surprised to find the room twice the size of her room in town. The room had a balcony, and she eagerly walked out to see the view. It overlooked the lake, and she could see miles away.

Beautiful!

She saw that the balcony was long, and it connected to the adjacent room. Oh! It connects to his room.

She hurried inside and laughed on seeing the door in her room, that connected to his chambers.

There seems to be everything connecting us in this world except our hearts. How ironic.

Her new maid was a very young girl named Clara, and Elizabeth was happy with her.

She changed into a new gown and left her room. Darcy was waiting for her.

"Do you like your room?" He asked. Elizabeth noticed something different about him. He has never smiled at me like this before.

"I do. The view is beautiful." She said, returning his smile.

Darcy stood rooted to his spot staring at her. You look so enchanting when you smile.

"Shall we go down?" Elizabeth asked him.

"Yes, of course."

They walked down to the dinning room, and Georgiana was waiting for them.

Elizabeth searched for the little girl.

"Emma is asleep." Georgiana informed her.

"Does she take her meals in the nursery?" Elizabeth asked.

"She does. But if she is awake, she joins us here."

Darcy watched in admiration as Elizabeth and Georgiana conversed happily. Elizabeth drew out the shy girl by talking about music and books.

After dinner, he took Elizabeth to show around the house. Elizabeth was sure she would need help to find her way around the house for many days.

He took her to the library first, wanting to show her the place she would enjoy the most.

Elizabeth could not hide her astonishment at the vast size and collection of the library. Oh! God! This is incredible.

Darcy watched the astonishment on her face and smiled.

"It is a work of many generations. I try to add to the collection."

She watched the bookshelves almost reach the roof. "It is incredible. How do you even reach the books on the top shelves?" She asked with a childlike curiosity.

Darcy laughed.

"There is a ladder. If you need anything from the top shelf, please let me know."

Elizabeth smiled at him.

There was something different between them, that moment they spent standing in the library. They knew they had a mutual love for reading.

Elizabeth felt that the tension between them was mysteriously absent. Darcy had the same feeling.

He showed her the rest of the house. He took her to the nursery where Emma was awake. Georgiana was with her.

Once she saw Darcy, she immediately ran to him. He lifted her.

"Uncle Darcy, this doll is so beautiful. It has a blue dress just like mine."

Elizabeth recognised the doll from the shop in town. So that is why he bought another one. Why was he reluctant to disclose about her? He must think very ill of me.

The evening passed quickly. Elizabeth enjoyed playing with the little child. She reminds me of my cousins. She is so adorable.

Darcy smiled whenever he heard Emma address his wife as "Libby."

Georgiana was eager to take Elizabeth to the music room. Darcy knew she was tired but had agreed to spend time in the music room with his sister.

"I would be happy to hear you play, Georgiana." Elizabeth said, sensing how eager she was to perform.

Georgiana played well, and Elizabeth was very impressed.

"That was a wonderful performance. You play beautifully."

"Thank you. Will you not play for us? Fitzwilliam wrote to me saying that he has not heard anything else which gave him more pleasure."

Oh! Georgiana, what have you done? Darcy thought.

He wrote to his sister about me? Elizabeth was stunned.

"I have many more books if you want more choices." Georgiana said, eager to hear Elizabeth play.

Darcy knew about her reluctance to play. I do not understand why she detests it.

"Georgi, you can ask her to play later. We had a long journey. She must be tired."

"Oh! I am sorry I did not realise that you must be sleepy."

"That is all right, Georgiana. I will play for you tomorrow." Elizabeth said unable to disappoint her.

They retired for the night, and Darcy left her at her door with a formal good night.

She sat in her room pondering. He seems so different here. As if a weight has lifted off his shoulders. Maybe it is the happiness of seeing his sister.

She looked at the bed. It was far more elegant and comfortable than the one she had in the Darcy house.

Comfortable! Yes! Comfortable indeed!

She remembered his words on their marriage night. I can never forget his insult. He may be amiable and kind towards me now. But he does not trust me, and probably never will. If I had gained his respect or trust, he would not have kept the details about Emma from me.

She pulled the blankets and threw them on the floor. I do not want that bed. That is for the materialistic woman he envisions in his mind, not me.

The next day, Elizabeth woke up early. She loved the view from her room and watched the sunrise from her balcony. She wondered whether her husband would be able to spot her from his windows.

She knew she had to get acquainted with the duties of the household and got ready. She felt like seeing Emma before she went downstairs.

She decided to pay a visit to the nursery. Emma's nanny was surprised to see her.

"Good morning, Mrs Darcy."

"Good morning, Mrs Thomas. I wanted to see Emma before breakfast. Is she awake?"

"She is still sleeping. She wakes up a little later."

Elizabeth peeped in and saw the sleeping child. She saw the doll in her hand and smiled. Such a lovely child. How cruel can fate be to orphan her?

She felt a sense of admiration and respect for Darcy to have taken her responsibility. Is there no other relation for her?

She headed downstairs. She saw her husband filling his plate.

"Good morning, Mr Darcy." She said.

Darcy turned around.

"Good morning, Elizabeth." He wanted to ask her whether she had a good sleep, but he stood there staring at her.

There he goes, he has started staring at me. Maybe he thinks my clothes are not befitting the status of Mrs Darcy. I feel Aunt Madeleine has bought me grand ones even for daily use.

Elizabeth filled her plate and sat down.

"Won't Georgiana be joining us?" She asked.

"She will. She should be here any moment. If you have the time today, you can discuss with Mrs Reynolds about your household responsibilities."

Is he asking me? Instead of demanding?

"I shall be happy to do it today."

Georgiana entered in a few minutes. "Good morning, Lizzy."

Elizabeth smiled at her. She reminded her of all her sisters. I miss them so dearly.

After breakfast, Elizabeth met with the housekeeper and spent a good time discussing her duties as the mistress of Pemberley.

She was a little intimidated to look at accounts and other matters.

Mrs Reynolds patiently explained all the details to her and answered her questions.

She had not seen Emma since morning and was eager to see her. She met Georgiana and Emma in the drawing-room.

"Libby! Libby! Will you come with me? I want to show you my dolls."

"Of course, Emma. Do you have a lot of them?"

"Uncle Darcy gave me many for my birthday. Now I have a new one."

The little girl chatted away happily. Elizabeth lifted her and placed her on her lap. Darcy entered the room to saw them laughing together.

She is so perfect for Emma.

"Uncle Darcy. I am going to show Libby my dolls. Will you come with us?"

"I have seen your dolls so many times that I know all the names by heart, Emma." Darcy said to her.

Elizabeth noticed that he was the same way with her cousins, at ease and happy.

Who is the real Mr Darcy? She wondered.

The day passed swiftly, and Elizabeth loved spending time with Georgiana and Emma. Georgiana felt comfortable with her new sister.

"Lizzy, I was worried that you would not like me." She said that evening.

"Why would you say that?" Elizabeth asked puzzled.

"I mean… Fitzwilliam says I am too shy sometimes. I was worried that you would find me boring."

"Georgiana dear, I like you very much and I wonder who would not. It is not wrong to be shy, Mr Dar…I mean your brother was very shy too when I met him in Hertfordshire."

"I missed being at your wedding so much. I wanted to come. But Fitzwilliam wrote to me that you both would be in Pemberley soon, so he did not want us to come."

Elizabeth felt very guilty. Poor girl! She missed being at her only brother's wedding. If not for the compromise, she would not have this regret.

"We missed you too. But we are here now. We have all the time in the world."

Georgiana liked Elizabeth a lot. She does not flatter me like Miss Bingley. She is so kind.

Darcy noticed how Emma had got attached to his wife in just a few days. He saw Elizabeth spend a lot of time with the child.

As much as she loved spending time with Emma, Elizabeth could not stop the questions arising in her mind.

Does she have no other family than Mr Darcy? How did her father die? Does Lady Katherine even know that she has a grandchild?

One afternoon in the nursery, Elizabeth had a conversation with Emma's nanny that made her more curious.

"Emma has got attached to you, Mrs Darcy. From the way you play with her, I assume you have spent a lot of time with children."

"I have three cousins, and the youngest is about Emma's age. Emma is a very polite child. I must give you credit for her good manners."

"It is very kind of you to say that. This is merely not a position for me. I was Mrs Nash's companion here since she moved from Kent. She was very attached to me. I sincerely hoped she would recover after childbirth, but fate took her."

"Mrs Nash" must be Anne, Emma's mother.

Elizabeth felt embarrassed to be ignorant of so many details.

"It is indeed sad." She said, unable to hide her uneasiness in not knowing much about Emma.

"Emma loves Mr Darcy. She is never happy when he leaves to town. And I can say the same about him. He adores the child."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. She wanted to ask the nanny so many questions about Emma's father. I cannot. I need to ask these questions to Mr Darcy. How does he expect me to establish a bond with Emma without knowing her history?

She got up and headed to his study with determination. She knocked on the door and entered to find him occupied in his work.

"What brings you here?" He asked with a surprised look on his face.

"We need to talk. And I need some answers."

Darcy stood up feeling apprehensive about what she wanted to discuss.

Another verbal battle? What now, Elizabeth?