Chapter 2

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy was in shock, she had realised that her husband was rich, but when they pulled up to the town house, a mansion to her, on Grosvenor Square she was not prepared for the imposing edifice that she spied. There was a couple standing on the top step just outside the open front door.

Darcy saw the direction of his wife's gaze. "My, no our, butler and housekeeper, Mavis & Amos Payton. They have served the Darcy family since before my dear mother left this world," Darcy informed his wife.

Darcy stepped out of the coach and handed his wife out. She extended her hand to him but made sure there as little physical contact as possible. As it was cold, no one lingered outside. The conveyance was driven to the mews where the trunks would be unloaded.

If she had been in awe when she saw the façade of Darcy House, it was nothing to what Elizabeth felt when she stood in the entrance hall as the butler and a footman divested them of their outerwear. Given the circumstances of her marriage, Elizabeth refused to consider the purchase of a trousseau. As she drank in her surroundings and saw the looks that some of the servants gave when seeing her mode of dress, she acknowledged that her refusal had been short-sighted.

The thing that surprised Elizabeth more than any other was the lack of gaudy and ostentatious decoration. She had assumed that his house would be a place similar to the tastes of Caroline Bingley or more like the descriptions of Rosings that Cousin William had told them about. He had not spared his opinion of the distasteful way that Rosings had been decorated. As she remembered her cousin's narrative, Elizabeth had a feeling that after Anne and Richard married there would be many changes made to that estate.

Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm and she placed her hand on it lightly as he led her up to the master suite. He stopped in front of three doors. "To the right are my chambers, the centre door is our shared sitting room leaving your chambers to the left. Would you like me to give you a quick tour of the master apartments?" Darcy asked.

"That would be nice, thank you William," Elizabeth answered with a little more warmth than she had previously used when talking to Darcy.

Darcy opened the centre door and indicated that she should go ahead of him. "This is our sitting room," he indicated the room with a sweep of his arm. It looked like an extremely comfortable room and surprisingly, it seemed to have been designed for comfort. Like she had seen so far in the house, everything was of the highest quality, but with understated elegance.

There were two sofas, two comfortable looking arm chairs, a bookcase, filled with tomes, a sideboard, and a low table between the two sofas. Elizabeth noticed a small table with two chairs near the big windows, that had a window seat. She guessed this was where Darcy had eaten many a meal when alone in the big house. Elizabeth could visualise herself, feet curled up below her, sitting in the window seat a volume of poetry or prose in her hand.

Next, Darcy opened the door that led to the master's chambers. Elizabeth did not feel comfortable entering his domain, so she gave a quick look from the doorway. The room was decorated for a man with greens and browns. She did not miss the biggest bed that she had ever seen. She made a quick turn as Darcy closed the door and led her to the opposite door that led into her new chambers.

Elizabeth walked into the chambers ahead of her husband. She saw a maid waiting for them. "This is Upton, she is your lady's maid. Mrs. Payton assigned one for you as you do not have your own. If you are not happy with the housekeeper's choice, you are free to hire a maid of your own choosing," Darcy informed Elizabeth.

To Elizabeth it seemed like an unnecessary extravagance, but she remembered that she had to get used to her new station in life. She was about to accuse him of being officious again and felt ashamed that once again she was ready to jump to the worst possible explanation. Thankfully, she did not embarrass herself by accusing him of ignoring her in the choice of her personal servant before he offered her the explanation.

'I have to stop doing that!' Elizabeth remonstrated with herself.

"If you would like to wash or bathe and then change, dinner will be in an hour. Also, please feel free to redecorate anything that you feel needs changing, especially your chambers. They have not been updated for nigh on thirty years when my mother was a new bride at Darcy House," Darcy told her before he turned and left her alone with the maid.

Her chambers were as big as all her sister's chambers at Longbourn combined and then some. She could understand why Miss Bingley coveted this place given that her chambers made those at Netherfield look small, and they were anything but. The décor was not what Elizabeth would have chosen for herself. Pinks, peaches, and light violets were not colours that Elizabeth enjoyed so she would indeed redecorate her chambers. If her husband would allow it, she would invite Aunt Madeline to come view the area as her aunt was one of the best decorators that she knew.

As far as the house at large went, nothing she had seen of it so far looked like change was needed, but she would reserve judgement until her tour of the whole house, hopefully with her aunt to aide her. She would not do as some would and make changes just because she could.

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As there had been a fair amount of food remaining from the wedding breakfast, Mrs. Bennet sent a note to Netherfield Park inviting Bingley and the Hursts for a family dinner. With the house empty besides the three, since Darcy's family returned to London after the wedding breakfast, Mrs. Hurst responded with a grateful affirmative.

Bingley was impatient to see Jane again. They had not been courting for long, but he was itching to propose to her. He was sure that she was the one for him, the only one. He had been infatuated with a few women before Jane, but he could tell the difference, he had never been in love with any other, and he was in love with Jane Bennet.

If he did not feel like he was pushing her before she was ready, Bingley would have proposed already, but especially with Darcy's compromise of Miss Bennet's sister, he wanted to be sure that she was ready to take the step without undue pressure. There had been a time that he believed that her mother would have pushed her to accept his proposals regardless of her feelings, but the changes in Mrs. Bennet's behaviour since her daughter's sojourn at Netherfield had been marked removing the issue as a concern.

Bingley had been around his angel enough to tell the difference in the way that she smiled and looked at him and the way that she looked at others. Yes, she smiled at others, but the warmth and pleasure in her eyes was for him only. This observation led him to the conclusion that even of Jane Bennet was not in love with him yet, she would be soon enough.

The Bingley carriage arrived at Longbourn at exactly five in the afternoon and the three were welcomed into the Bennet's drawing room. On greeting one another Bingley noticed that only three of the Miss Bennets, their father, and cousin were present. Jane noticed his questioning look.

"Lydia is feeling somewhat indisposed and had decided to take her meal above stairs this evening and Mama is resting," Jane informed the guests.

Bennet was sitting with Collins when they were joined by Hurst. It had not gone unnoticed that once Miss Bingley had been sent away that Mr. Hurst no longer over imbibed or slept when not eating or drinking. Miss Bingley's absence had been a boon to everyone and none of them repined her absence.

Mrs. Hurst went and sat with Mary and Kitty. "Is your mother well?" she asked out of concern.

"Mama was feeling a little fatigued after the wedding and celebratory meal. She went to rest and should be down soon to join us for dinner," Mary informed her guest.

"I wonder how Lizzy is doing in London," Jane asked Bingley with concern.

"I am sure that she will be well Miss Bennet," Bingley assured her. "What Darcy did was out of character, but he is honourable and will make sure that your sister is treated as she should be."

"To tell you the truth, I worry more about how Lizzy will treat Mr. Darcy. She can be very obstinate and slow to forgive. At least she knows that most of her opinions about the man were not true and all led from his slighting her at the assembly," Jane opined.

"His outburst at the assembly was because I would not leave him alone when I knew that he was in no mood to dance, it was either the assembly or remain at Netherfield with my younger sister. You can understand why he chose the assembly," Bingley owned. "Let us not canvass the past. How are you doing Miss Bennet? I know you and Mrs. Darcy are the closest of sisters, I am sure that you will miss her terribly."

"I am quite well thank you Mr. Bingley," Jane replied. "Yes, Lizzy and I are more than sisters, we are best of friends and I will miss her. We used to talk every night before bed for as long as I am able to remember, so it will be very strange not to have her here tonight. What a selfish creature I am thinking of myself when Lizzy is on her own in a new home!"

"You Miss Bennet are the least selfish person that I know," Bingley stated with meaning as he lifted one of Jane's hand and bestowed a kiss on it forgetting that they were not alone. "It is my hope that you will soon have another to confide in." Both blushed profusely when Bennet cleared his throat. The blushes deepened as the giggles from the three females on the settee were heard.

"What is so amusing?" A refreshed Fanny Bennet asked as she took her normal seat in the drawing room.

"Nothing particular my dear, our daughter's suitor forgot that he was not alone," Bennet informed his wife with a knowing smile.

Jane and Bingley were rescued from further sport at their expense when Mr. Hill announced that dinner was served. Bennet waited until the younger people had stood and were on their way to the dining parlour and then approached his wife to escort her. "I think we need to have either Mr. Jones, or the midwife examine you Fanny my dear wife," he told Mrs. Bennet in a whisper.

"That would be a good idea, Thomas. I think that we both suspect the same thing. Oh Thomas what if it is another daughter?" Mrs. Bennet worried.

"Then we will love her as we love all of her sisters," Bennet responded and gave his wife a comforting kiss on the cheek.

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"Do you think our nephew will be able to win over his wife?" Lady Catherine asked her brother and sister.

"Win her over!" scoffed Ulysses Fitzwilliam, Viscount Smithtown. "A country nobody should be falling over herself to please one as high as our cousin Darcy."

"I could not agree more," his wife Lady Jaqueline added spitefully.

"Are you two addlepated?" The Earl growled at his oldest and daughter-in-law. Lord Reginald Matlock had no idea how his older son had become so snobbish and disdainful of others. He and Richard had grown up in the same house and yet were so vastly different in character. "How many times have you been told who compromised who and that our niece, your cousin did not desire a marriage to William!"

"I-I was only jesting father," the Viscount stammered. He did not want to anger his father and have his allowance shrunk once again. His habits had already been restricted. His father refused to cover any overspending or his debts of honour. He had fritted away almost all his wife's dowry at the tables, if only the Earl would up and die so he would control all of the Matlock fortune, but unfortunately the old man was the picture of health. Ulysses Fitzwilliam led a dissipated lifestyle but harming or having others cause his father harm was beyond the pale even for him.

"Before my son and daughter-in-law interrupted us," Lady Elaine gave both a look of censure, "I was about to say that William will have to work extremely hard to win her approbation. In the little time that I spoke to Elizabeth before the wedding I could tell that she cares naught for wealth and position in society, so those atributes will not help William. She has an independent streak in her that our nephew will run afoul of if he tries to order her life without consulting her beforehand."

Anne de Bourgh who had needed a long rest after the exertion of attending the festivities of the morning and the journey to London after entered the drawing room with her companion. "Where you talking about my new Cousin Lizzy, Aunt Elaine?" Anne asked.

"Yes, niece we were," Lady Elaine responded with warmth. She was overjoyed that Richard was at that moment at his general's office resigning his commission and putting it up for sale. Richard would not be sent into harm's way again!

"Where is my betrothed?" Anne asked innocently aware that her older cousin and his wife, who she had no time for, were not aware of her impending nuptials to Richard.

"Who are you betrothed to Anne? Darcy is married already is he not?" came the Viscount's snarky comment.

"You are very familiar with my betrothed, he is your brother after all," was the saccharine sweet answer with a smile.

"Richard! You are to marry Richard!" the shocked Viscount spluttered. He had always lorded the fact that his brother was naught but a poor second son over him. Now he was no longer poor, but would be the master to a very profitable and large estate with a hefty fortune to boot long before Ulysses inherited Matlock!

"Yes, your brother, Richard!" Anne confirmed.

"Aunt Catherine, I thought that you always wanted to combine Rosings and Pemberley!"

"Neither Anne nor Darcy desired the same," Lady Catherine informed her nephew. She used to think a lot more like the Viscount. Now that she could see how his supercilious behaviour was perceived by others, she felt even more shame for the way she used to behave. "Besides, that would not be possible even had they desired it as your cousin was married this very morning!" The Viscount and Viscountess, to the pleasure of all in the drawing room decided to depart.

"Cathy, we will have to help introduce Lizzy to society. I am sure that she needs a new wardrobe so let us take her with us so the ton will see that she has our full support and approbation," Lady Elaine suggested.

"That is a grand idea, Elaine. It is so good to be welcomed back into the bosom of my family and not have to hide away at Rosings like it is my personal fiefdom any longer," Lady Catherine stated somewhat sadly as she thought about all the time she lost with her family because her behaviour had pushed them away.

"I, we, are very happy to have my sister back Cat," Lord Reginald emoted. "I always hoped that I would see this day. It is just a pity that Anne and George are no longer with us to see us all as a family once again."

"We know that the Darcys are not having a traditional honeymoon, so what say you that we call on them on the morrow sister?" Lady Elaine asked.

"That is a good idea, Elaine. What about your daughter-in-law? Will she be trouble with regards to the new Mrs. Darcy?" Lady Catherine wondered. "Anne, would you like to join us for a shopping expedition with Elizabeth?"

"I would Mama, and before you ask, as long as I am able to sit at the various shops, I will be well," Anne responded.

"We will have to take the Viscountess with us whether she wants to or not," Lady Elaine decided. "If she then says anything bad about Elizabeth, she will look like a bigger fool than she is thought to be by society."

"What are we to do with our son and daughter in law? You know that one day soon they will drag the House of Matlock through the mud. Our son's penchant for married women will not end well and given that we know that his wife commits infidelity as well, how could we know that if she bears a son, he will be legitimate?" Lord Reginald mused.

"Mayhap this is a discussion that we should have when my maiden daughter is not present," Lady Catherine objected.

"Mother I have heard the whispers, I am not as clueless as you think," Anne replied with some impertinence.

"It seems that your new cousin is rubbing off on you Anne," Lady Elaine smiled.

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The following morning Captain Carter came to see Mr. Bennet. He was shown into the master's study. "The sentence has been carried out," the Captain informed Mr. Bennet. "Neither Wickham nor Denny will harm a young lady again."

"Please convey my thanks to Colonel Forster for sending you to inform me. We can only pray that the blacksmith's daughters do not become with child," Bennet responded.

The Captain agreed and bade Bennet a farewell. Bennet walked him to the door just in time to welcome Mr. Jones to the house. "We suspect that my wife may be with child again Jones." Bennet shared.

"Let me examine her and we will see," Mr. Jones returned as Bennet escorted the apothecary up stairs to the shared bedchamber.

It was under ten minutes that Mr. Jones exited the bedchamber. "Your wife would like to see you Bennet," Mr. Jones told the expectant man.

"Thomas, it is confirmed! I am with child. Who thought fifteen years after Lydia that I would be in this state again," Fanny told her husband. "How can this be?"

"You know how it happened Fanny! We were both there. It is good news Fanny, as I said, whatever we have, as long as both mother and babe are healthy, will be a blessing from God above," Bennet responded happily.

"Are you in agreement that I wait for the quickening to inform our family?" Fanny asked.

"Yes, my love, I agree whole heartedly," Bennet replied. "Did Jones give you an estimate of when our blessing will arrive?"

"It should be in May or June of next year, so I should feel the quickening somewhere around Twelfth Night," Fanny informed her husband.

Bennet informed his wife of what the Captain had told him, after what the one miscreant had attempted to do to two of her daughters, Fanny had no sympathy for the men. Bennet kissed his wife soundly and returned to his study to give her time to dress.