AN: This is the last chapter before the epilogue folks, thanks for hanging in there with me.
Chapter 21
Six weeks after they left London, the Duke and Duchess of Derbyshire, Earl and Countess of Lambton arrived in Liverpool where they were met by one of the large and comfortable Derbyshire travelling coaches.
It was a party of six who departed London the day after the wedding, the Duke, Duchess, their personal servants, Biggs, and Johns. In the six weeks since their wedding, the Derbyshire Darcys were no longer inexperienced in the ways of making love and had learnt a lot of what the other found pleasurable although they agreed that was one subject which would require many hours of intense study. Both had read books prior to their marriage, but the practical application of their knowledge was so much more than either had imagined.
As the couple sat in their coach on the way to Pemberley, Elizabeth could not help but marvel at all the places she had only read about before, but they had seen while in Ireland. After a few days in Dublin, they had set out for a ten-day circuit.
They had travelled south to County Cork, where they had visited the ruins of the Blarney Castle with the famous Blarney Stone that it was said gifted one with eloquence if they kissed it. Elizabeth had joked she did not need it but had suggested her husband may need the assistance. He had merely laughed.
From there they had travelled northwest, towards the town of Limerick in the county of the same name. From Limerick they had turned northeast and headed for the estate, Glenbeg, in Country Kildare. It was named for the small glen located on the estate's western side. They decided to forgo visiting the second Darcy estate further north in Ireland, leaving it to a future visit.
Elizabeth loved seeing the horses raised on the estate and had fallen in love with a three-year-old mare. She was beige with a white chest, white socks and a white triangle on her forehead. Her husband, who held her felicity as his number one priority, gifted the horse to his wife who named her Aphrodite.
When their time in Ireland was up, Aphrodite accompanied them. The Duke paid for a special stall to be constructed in the hold for the relatively short voyage to Liverpool which led to Aphrodite being ridden by a Darcy postillion on their journey to Pemberley. As the ship had arrived around midday, they broke their trip at a coaching inn that had been reserved for their exclusive use.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As the coach crested the rise, Elizabeth's breath was taken away. She had never seen a place where nature had done more for and had so little been counteracted by the tastes of man. Across the valley on rising ground stood the manor house which gleamed in the morning sun imbuing the Derbyshire stone of the façade with a golden hue.
"William, your home if beautiful!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she squeezed her husband's hand.
"Do you not mean our home Elizabeth?" William corrected. "I am happy you approve."
"Who could not approve of such an estate? We have passed miles of forest since we passed the gate house, how big is the park William?" Elizabeth asked. She felt as excited as she used to as a girl waiting to open presents on Christmas day.
"It is ten miles around my love," William informed his wife.
"I will be able to walk or ride a different path everyday and not take the same one twice for the best part of a year," Elizabeth stated in wonder. She had thought Holder Heights big until she saw Pemberley and understood just how enormous her husband's primary estate was.
It took another twenty minutes before the carriage arrived at the internal courtyard which had the largest portico Elizabeth had seen. She supposed with the severe weather in the winter it was a necessity. Elizabeth thought she was dreaming when she saw their extended family waiting to welcome them home.
As a surprise to his wife, William had organised it so Gigi, the Fitzwilliams, Holder Bennets, Tommy (with Parrot on his shoulder), Louisa and Hurst, Jane and Jamie, and the Gardiners would be present when they arrived home. If things went according to plan Anne and the Wickhams would arrive on the morrow from Kent.
"William did you do this?" Elizabeth asked before the carriage came to a halt.
"I did my love, are you happy to see everyone again?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course, I am, I had to put up with only you for company for six weeks after all," Elizabeth teased with eyebrow arched.
"Teasing woman," William growled. He would have done more than talk had it not been for their proximity to their guests.
Just like it had been when they all reunited at Netherfield, Elizabeth did not know who to hug first. As she was hugging Jane, Elizabeth heard Parrot squawk "your Grace, your Grace!"
Jane smiled and simply said: "Tommy."
"Do you like what I taught Parrot, Lizzy?" Tommy asked cheekily. Tommy was tall and well built, the size of a man, but he was still a boy at heart.
"Very funny Tommy!" Elizabeth said with mock afront.
"You never know what a parrot is able to learn with six weeks intensive repeating," Tommy related, immensely proud of his accomplishment.
"If I hear Parrot repeat that too much it will be off the Dower House with you and him!" Elizabeth looked at Georgiana. "There is a dower house is there not?" Gigi nodded with a big smile.
"You would not dare!" Tommy retorted.
"Just try me," Elizabeth replied pertly.
"He will reside in the conservatory while he is with us, as long as he does not eat all of the fruit on the trees," William offered. "It will be like he is back home."
William called to members of Pemberley's staff forward. "Elizabeth, our housekeeper Mrs. Hannah Reynolds and our butler, Mr. Peter Douglas. Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Douglas, her Grace Lady Elizabeth Darcy.
Mrs. Reynolds had known the Duke since he was four. She felt protective over him and his sister, almost like the children she had never had. She had heard from Mrs. Killion how happy the master was, and she had hoped it was the case. Then the shy Lady Georgiana had arrived with the extended family, except she was no longer shy.
Then she saw the way the master beamed at his wife and the utter adoration in the looks the new mistress directed at him. She was convinced Lord William had found the woman who was the one. She knew this was early in observing the couple, but she had a gut feeling, and her gut feelings were seldom if ever wrong.
After all of the hugs and kisses were completed, the family followed William and Elizabeth into the house.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After dinner there was no separation of the sexes and Gigi, Cassie, and Allie delighted the assembled family with their playing. In the time William and Elizabeth had been away Allie and Georgiana spent much time working on duets, both playing and singing and were impressive when they exhibited the results of their efforts.
Elizabeth was sitting with Jane, Louisa, and Marie on a settee. "Any news from Charlotte?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, I received a letter about ten days ago. Mr. Bingley asked for her hand, and she accepted him. They will marry from Meryton in three weeks," Jane reported.
"Will you go to the wedding Jane?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course, I will—that is if I am allowed to travel," Jane stated cryptically. Then she continued before Elizabeth could enquire what it was she meant. "I have forgiven him, and he has proven many times already his change is genuine."
"It is as Jane says Lizzy. My brother strives to be a good man every day, where before, he was barely tolerated by his parishioners. From the letters I have received from Anne and Karen, he is much loved now and works everyday to improve the lives of his flock," Louisa informed her sister.
"In that case, I am happy for Charlotte and if invited, I will ask Fitzwilliam if we may go." Elizabeth paused as she remembered Jane's words. "Jane what did you mean if you are allowed? Is there something wrong with you? Please tell me Jane," Elizabeth asked with mounting concern.
"It is nothing that will not resolve itself in about seven months," Jane patted her belly. Elizabeth's mouth formed a perfect 'O' as realisation hit. "It is not common knowledge yet, so please do not share it beyond William. I should feel the quickening in the next month or two."
"That is the best news, Janey!" Elizabeth exclaimed quietly.
"How could I not tell my married sisters?" Jane asked with a beatific smile. Jamey and I discussed the subject and agreed. I have told Mother Amy as well."
Louisa Hurst loved the fact that she was included as one of the sisters without any provisos or caveats. It was something she had never experienced with her evil late mother and sister; their affection was always contingent on them receiving something. No, the world was better off without them in it.
"When do we get to see the little gift you brought back from Ireland?" Marie asked.
"I will ride Aphrodite on the morrow, and if I understood William, there are a surfeit of horses in the stables, several of them trained for side-saddle. Do you have your own horse at Glenmeade Jane?" Elizabeth asked.
"I do, she is called Calista but for good reason, I do not ride her any longer. One of the grooms will exercise her until after the confinement and I have been churched," Jane replied.
"You look very much contented cousin," Richard remarked as he sat in a group with William, Andrew, Hurst, and Jamey.
"We are brothers now Richard," William pointed out.
"True, but we were cousins first," Richard retorted.
"As to your statement, you have the right of it, I could not be happier with my wife," William looked longingly at his wife as she sat with her sisters across the music room from them.
"He just spent six weeks in his wife's exclusive company and the man is so besotted he pines for her when she is across the room," Richard ribbed.
Just you wait Richard," Andrew stated. "Do you think any of us have not noticed how you look at Cassie. You have been courting her since after his wedding," Andrew indicated William with his thumb, "so why have you not made you proposals yet?"
"Not that it is any of your concern," Richard returned, "but I intend to ask her on the morrow. I received your father's blessing today for a private interview," Richard said, looking at Jamey.
"I suppose I will have to suffer two Fitzwilliams as brothers. Well, I suppose you are my brother already Richard," Jamey said with mock exasperation. "Just look after her!"
"I intend to. Even with the legacy Uncle Robert left me, until I had Brookfield, I never started to look for a wife seriously. Cassie is perfect for me, she will never allow me to step out of line, she will be my commanding general!" Richard stated playfully. "You could have brought me a stallion from Glenbeg William, you know how much I admire the horseflesh there." Richard was only half joking.
"If my sister-in-law is short-sighted enough to accept you Richard, you may go select a stallion for yourself and a horse for Cassie as a wedding present, you will only need to pay for the shipping," William allowed.
An hour or so later, people started to drift off to bed and as was expected the host and hostess were the final two to retire. They got to sleep almost two hours later after testing the strength of the bed in the master's bedchamber.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When the riding party returned from their morning ride, they spied two of the de Bourgh carriages pulling into the courtyard. Karen Wickham told her hostess they had broken the night before less than three hours south as they had made sure the legs of the journey were short enough so Anne de Bourgh would have ample rest between the times she was required to spend in the coach.
Anne was looking better than any of her family could remember, but seeing how quickly she tired reminded everyone that her time was limited. Her body was weak, but she was at peace. She was surrounded by people who loved her, and Rosings Park was once again a pleasurable place to live, something it had not been ever since her father's murder.
After Wickham had washed and changed and while his wife remained with Anne, he met with some of the men in William's study. "How are you getting on at Rosings Park George?" William asked his friend.
"It is a process, but I am learning. It does not hurt that the steward is extremely competent and a good teacher. You know you are all invited for Easter? Anne would like to revive the tradition abandoned because no one desired to suffer her late mother's machinations," Wickham asked.
"I am sure the invitation is buried in this pile of correspondence," William pointed to the prodigious pile of post, "I suppose I need to hire a new personal secretary." He looked at Hurst with a grin, "My old one had the temerity to fall in love with my wife's sister and become my brother!" William prodded fun at his brother-in-law.
"Then allow me to assist by sorting through the candidates you have to fill the position your Gra…William. Sorry, old habits die hard." Hurst looked a little chagrined as he had been reminded more than once as part of the family, he was to use the familiar names.
"That is a most welcome offer Harold, I will take you up on that," William happily accepted. Then he turned to boyhood friend. "I am sure there will be no impediment to us joining you." He turned to Holder. "Did you and Tommy select a steward?"
"We did, Tommy decided the under-steward from Holder Heights was the best fit, nothing against the two from Pemberley, they too were strong candidates," Holder informed William.
"Before I left Netherfield the steward there mentioned he wishes to retire by the end of this year. I will speak to both and choose one for Netherfield. That way, the new man will have several months with the retiring man before he does so," William informed the group.
That evening at dinner toasts were drunk to Cassie and Richard who on receiving her father's consent and blessing, were officially betrothed. Richard's brothers-in-law made sure they pointed out how mooncalf his looks at his betrothed were when she was not by his side.
The family enjoyed their time together immensely, as would be expected in such a close-knit group. After a sennight, departures to their homes began, the last to depart being the Wickhams and Anne de Bourgh.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A month later, all the family reunited in Hertfordshire for the wedding of Charlotte Lucas to Charles Bingley. Between Longbourn, Netherfield, and Hurst Haven, there was more than enough room to accommodate the guests.
Charlotte Lucas may not have been the comeliest of woman, but on the day of her wedding, she was radiant. There was no denying Charlotte, and her groom were deeply in love. There was no financial motive on either side, she brought only five hundred pounds with her, and he was building up his money once again as he saved and invested with Gardiner and Associates, rather than gambled. Once Edward Gardiner had seen the genuine change his late friend's son made to his life, he had no reservation about accepting him as an investor.
Bingley had struck up a friendship with George Wickham, which boded well for the time when Wickham would become Bingley's patron. The proximity of the rectory at Hunsford to Rosings Park was a plus for both women, given that Charlotte and Karen were already friends.
Unfortunately, Anne's disease had progressed to the point where she no longer travelled. Her family all hoped she would be at Rosings Park still when they all came to visit for Easter.
The wedding went off smoothly and after a well-executed wedding breakfast at Lucas Lodge the newlyweds departed for Hunsford.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After the wedding, Jane, Elizabeth, and Tommy were sitting in what was now Tommy's study. "Are you looking forward to starting at Cambridge in some weeks Tommy?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am. It is time and I will be following in father's footsteps," Tommy stated.
"As both you and Phillip will be at school, who will keep Parrot?" Jane enquired.
"Allie and Gigi have volunteered. He will live at Holder Heights, but before you take offense Lizzy, he did enjoy living in the conservatory at Pemberley," Tommy replied.
"This is where I would sit to feel Papa's presence when I was not reading Utopia," Elizabeth patted her pocket. Even as a duchess she still made sure the copy her father gave her was on her person each day when she was dressed. I am happy the new steward is confident he will be able to increase the estate's yield, I only maintained it when I managed the estate," Elizabeth stated in a subdued fashion.
"What twaddle Lizzy!" Tommy insisted. "Without you there would be nothing for me to inherit. You know full well the reason the yields are increasing as we have added land, thanks to your husband, and continue to purchase any that become available. Do you know the Gouldings are quitting Haye Park? They inherited a much larger estate in Surrey. Uncle James offered to purchase the estate and they accepted his offer. The house will remain as a dower house and the land will be annexed to Longbourn as soon as the sale is final in a matter of days."
"I too feel Papa here," Jane shared, "but Mama too. You remember how much time they spent in this study together, do you not Lizzy? You were too young to remember Tommy."
"You have the right of it Jane. I forgot that. It is no wonder you can feel the strength of their love in here," Elizabeth stated, as she looked around the room where she had spent so much time with her father, as well as after his accident.
"That is why those two were never able to break you Lizzy. Their hatred was not close to equal for the love we were brought up with and still resides in this house. They never had a chance!" Jane stated with exuberance.
"No matter what they called you Lizzy, love won!" Tommy added.
Talking about love," William stuck his head around the door, "are you ready to return to Netherfield Elizabeth?" Elizabeth nodded.
The three siblings hugged in the love-filled study and then Elizabeth took her husband's hand and walked with him towards the carriage. "Take me home to Netherfield and love me, William!" She instructed.
Her husband happily complied with her wishes with gusto.
