another double upload. I know some of you are frustrated with not knowing what is going on with D. stick with me, he's gonna explain soon. Then you can shout at me if you think he's being unreasonable, or console if you think he's trying!
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Chapter 16
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My dearest Sam
I know I should not address you so but I cannot call you anything else in our private correspondence. I cannot say how much joy I felt at being able to see you at Billingham manor. I know my arrival was quite unexpected but your warm reception was most appreciated. I have taken your advice and my sister Jane is to bring Kitty with her to visit. I expect them imminently.
I do miss the warmth of your embrace, my dear, but...
...
Elizabeth looked up at the knock on her sitting room door. This room was most pleasant as it had just a hint of morning sunshine. She had moved the mistresses desk in here and had chosen a few other comfortable pieces of furniture. It was her preferred morning room for writing letters and attending to household business as well as reading when she got the chance.
She folded her letter and called for the person to come in.
"My apologies Mrs Darcy, but you asked to be informed when the carriage was spotted."
"Already? I am surprised, thank you Peter. Might I ask you to let the kitchen know to prepare some water if anyone should wish for a bath?"
"Of course ma'am."
Peter was one of the footmen whom Elizabeth called upon to walk with her when she wanted to leave the house. She did not like her restrictions but she knew Darcy was being protective and so she complied, not wishing to cause more problems between her and her husband.
She rose and straightened her skirts, setting off to find the man who occupied her thoughts.
...
Darcy and Elizabeth stood waiting on the steps of Pemberley as the Bingley coach came to a halt. Bingley was out first and helped Jane out and then Kitty. Elizabeth thought the look Kitty sent her way was odd, it was one conveying irritation, not at her but at something else, what could have vexed her? It was then that she realised Mr Bingley was reaching his hand in to the coach for a third time and she sighed as she saw Caroline Bingley descending. She had temporarily forgotten she was coming, kicking herself again for her slip back in December.
"Mr Bingley, Jane, Kitty and Miss Bingley. Welcome to Pemberley" Elizabeth smiled, almost genuinely, at everyone. "We have refreshments in the parlour or I can send for a bath if you would prefer to rest?"
"Oh the roads were awful, and the inn we stayed in last night was so uncomfortable" Caroline stepped forward "nothing to Pemberley, it is such a pleasure to be here again." She took Darcy's arm and started in to the house chattering away. Darcy threw them an alarmed look and Elizabeth grinned at him.
"Jane dear, how lovely to see you, and thank you for agreeing to bring Kitty!"
"Of course, I wish I had thought of it."
The sisters linked arms and walked together with Charles bringing up the rear. The whole party went to the drawing room for refreshments and then the travellers were shown to their rooms.
...
"Elizabeth"
"Yes?"
"I" Darcy stood in the doorway watching her arrange some flowers, the sun was glinting off her hair and she looked beautiful, she turned and caught him smiling. She couldn't help but smile back.
"Yes" she said again, arching an eyebrow.
"I am wondering if I should invite Richard here. It feels like a lot of women are residing at Pemberley."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Not coping with all the talk of lace and fripperies?"
He smiled at her, this was the first conversation they had had without being snippy for a while.
"Indeed, would you mind?"
"Of course not. It would be lovely to see him again."
"Did everyone settle in to their rooms alright?"
"Well Kitty and Jane were very impressed. Caroline was concerned that she was not in the family wing. Did she used to be?"
Darcy frowned "no, although I think you have put Kitty in the room that she had on her last visit."
Elizabeth laughed, "that will be why she is upset. But it made sense to put Kitty there, she will be staying the longest and that room is the nicest."
"No arguments from me."
They stood for a moment and Darcy looked like he would say something else when they were interrupted.
...
Richard arrived a few days later. Elizabeth was so pleased to have her guests there, she made sure their every need was catered for and promoted a friendship between Georgiana and Kitty with the hope that she might be happy to stay on for a while with them.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, welcome to Pemberley."
"Cousin Elizabeth" he deliberately pronounced each syllable and was rewarded with her laughter.
"I take your point. Cousin Richard, it is a pleasure to have you here."
"I am sure the pleasure is mine!"
Darcy's face darkened at the light hearted banter between the two and he abruptly interrupted.
"Let me show you to your room Richard. If you've finished flirting with my wife" the last was said under his breath but Elizabeth understood his displeasure and frowned briefly.
...
"Georgiana dearest"
Georgiana did her best not to flinch at the harsh nasal tones of the houseguest. Ever since Caroline Bingley had come to stay the happy atmosphere of the house seemed strained somehow. So far Caroline had done nothing worse than a few snide insults that Elizabeth had deftly deflected, but even Georgiana could tell that all was not right.
"Miss Bingley" the young girl chided herself for sounding so timid, but honestly Caroline was overbearing and it was hard to maintain a confident demeanour in the face of such a person.
"I was wondering if Eliza keeps a spare set of pens anywhere nearby, I was writing to my sister Louisa and mine has broken beyond repair."
"Is there not some in your rooms? We would usually provide guests with supplies like that in their own room."
"Well Georgiana, I cannot deny that you were the perfect hostess on my last visit but Eliza comes from a different background and these sorts of refined notions clearly have not occurred to her."
Georgiana sighed inwardly at the insult to her lovely sister-by-law, she did not know what had happened with regards to Caroline's stationary supplies but she doubted Elizabeth had forgotten them.
"Let me show you her desk, I am sure she would have some spares she does not need."
They began walking and Caroline chatted away about all sorts of inane things.
"Here we are."
"Oh, is this the room Eliza spends her mornings in? How... Quaint" the sneer on the last word was unmistakable.
"It is pleasant, Elizabeth has changed very little from how my mother liked it. I shall find you a pen." she turned to go in.
"Oh Georgiana do not let my troubles bother you, you were on your way to meet your music master were you not? I can find a pen by myself."
Georgiana hesitated, Elizabeth had never put restrictions on her personal space but she did not feel comfortable letting Caroline rifle through the desk, just at that moment a maid appeared and informed her that her master was awaiting her.
"The pens are in the drawer on the left." Georgiana pointed
"I thank you for your help my dear."
Caroline moved to the desk and opened the drawer on the left as Georgiana turned and hurried away.
She took out a pen and then turned to the rest of the desk. Each of the little drawers contained items of use; ink, a knife, some wax and a few candles. In the main compartment there was a finely engraved wax seal stamp, Caroline could make out the ED and the Darcy family crest and scoffed.
She picked up the papers that were neatly folded to the side. Household accounts, Caroline noted how little Elizabeth had spent on herself, she did not know what her pin money was but the majority of the expenses seemed to be things for the poor. Caroline scoffed again.
She picked up a letter
Dearest mama
Jane has arrived safe and sound, she reports that the roads were quite clear and there were no theives to be seen...
Flick
My dearest Sam,
I know I should not address you so but I cannot call you anything else in our private correspondence...
Now this was interesting. Caroline chuckled, closed the desk and walked away.
..
Darcy was having a bad day. He had invited Richard to come as there were so many women in the house he was hoping Richard would even the number. But all he had done so far was flirt with his wife and make innuendos in public which were causing no end of embarrassing situations. And now he had to leave his office due to Richard invading his study continuing with his bawdy comments.
He grumbled as he made his way to the library, pushing open the door with more force than necessary. He stopped as he saw Caroline inside, that was unusual, the way she jumped and stammered was also unusual.
"Oh Mr Darcy, you gave me quite a fright."
He just stared, cursing her internally for being there.
Caroline smirked "I was just leaving."
Darcy kept his mask on but inside he was confused, was she voluntarily leaving a room he was going in?
He saw her pick up a book, a piece of paper fluttered out and she left, rather speedily. He picked up the paper and turned around but she was gone. He looked down at the paper, it appeared to be a letter, he would not have read it if he had not recognised the writing as Elizabeth's.
My dear Sam.
His blood ran cold as his eyes scanned the half written letter. He staggered to the sofa and sat down, what did this mean?