PART THREE
Chapter 1
True to his word, Henry Fitzwilliam remained completely and utterly convinced that he had married the right Bennet sister. His dear, sweet wife, so very nervous and innocent that first night of their married life, quickly gained confidence in their marriage bed. Thankfully, this confidence coincided with what Henry considered to be his own complete return to health: he no longer needed to worry that his poor wife was nursing three invalids within Willicot; still better, he found that his old lustful pursuits paled in comparison to being with a wife who treated him with such fervent adoration, and inspired the very same in him.
The earl had been right, that it would be useful to him to have a companion his own age while the newlyweds were so focused upon each other. He and Mr. Bennet continued to spend their days in the library with either their books or their chessboard, each content with the other's company although pleased with those few hours Henry and Kitty spared each day for a visit. The earl could feel the end more keenly, now, pulling him back towards his maker. Yet he did not mention this to any of his companions. There was one more event he wished to see, and although he could not feel any confidence towards lasting so long as to see it, still he hoped.
At Pemberley, Julia remained a presence within the nursery for some weeks, but then the Colbournes found an estate that met their requirements precisely, nearly equidistant between Pemberley and Willicot. They closed directly and took up residence as quickly as they could, the Darcys pleased to see them go: although they loved the Colbournes, both felt it was time to have Pemberley to themselves. They had learnt how to be a family in Mousehole; now they needed to do it in the place where such awful events had occurred.
They were not alone permanently, however, for after they passed a few lovely peaceful months in privacy, their Mousehole family came to Pemberley. A few weeks before Christmas, Arthur arrived bearing a letter from the Trevillses stating that Jory thought the Teague boys well enough established with the lugger to begin thinking of their own migration to Will's estate. The recipient of this letter had already been preparing for this: there had been tenants in the cottage he preferred for them, and thus negotiations were required. Fortunately, Darcy had always found that a good alternative and a goodly sum of money made such negotiations easy, and the family had been moved into a larger cottage, pleased with their lot.
Thus the Trevillses began to pack up those items of their home that they did not wish to live without, encouraged by Will that any furnishings without sentimental value would be better left in Mousehole. They heeded his direction, donating much of their household goods to those in need, trusting in Will to see to their comfort. In this, they were aided by Arthur's active efforts, and although penned by his hand, their reports back to Pemberley were so simple and unaffected – and so reinforced by all that had come before – as to make the Darcys determine that the young man was their preference to take over as butler for their London house. Lewis, a bit bored at his sister's home, was readily convinced to return to residence there, mentoring Arthur in the specifics of the role for as long as was necessary. The Darcys had no doubt that even if Arthur was not fully up to snuff when next they returned to town, they would still be much better pleased by their new butler than his predecessor.