Hello, everyone! Writing this has been somewhat therapeutic for me. I haven't written this much in a really long time and I hope you all enjoy it. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving belatedly to all the Americans at home and abroad. I hope you all stuffed your faces.
-Alex
P.S. It has come to my attention by some very helpful readers that I need to work on my regency voice. Next chapter will come after I do a little research and have a better handle on it. If anyone would like to volunteer as a beta reader to help ensure I keep within the period, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Elizabeth stood atop the steps, her hands smoothing out non-existent lines in her dress. She had taken great pains to pick out the outfit to which she was going to receive her guests. Something too plain and her mother would comment that it was no longer appropriate to her station. Something too extravagant and she would be dealing with sneaking looks of envy from Lydia and perhaps Kitty. A corner of her mouth quirked up as she remembered her husband's choice when she asked for his opinion: nothing. But, she couldn't have done that either.
So, instead, after everything was said and done, she took out a deep green gown that complimented her eyes well in a style that was clearly meant to be plain but had a sort of elegance that made it anything but. She embellished her choice with jewelry, an emerald necklace hanging from her throat and a silver bracelet clinking on her right wrist-things she could take off easily once her mother was in her cups.
The sun was on the decline, though high enough in the air that it was in no danger of going dark any time soon. Elizabeth rested her hands on the balcony, tapping her fingers idly as she watched the road that opened to the courtyard for the carriage that held her family. Part of her was wary, part of her was excited, and part of her simply wanted to get this whole thing over with.
She felt an arm hug her around her middle and Elizabeth leaned back against the mass behind her, seeking comfort in the scent of her dearest Mr. Darcy.
"They'll be here any minute, I think," she mused, placing her right hand over Will's as he cradled her from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head.
"I would have to agree with you. You do look lovely, Elizabeth, though I wish you weren't so fidgety."
"I think the situation calls for me to be fidgety. My mother and Lydia are very soon to be under the same roof."
"But you secretly miss her, Lizzy. You secretly love them both. And don't forget that they come with your dearest papa, whom you openly acknowledge to missing dearly," Mr. Darcy said, squeezing his wife lightly as she scowled. He knew it was something to which she would never admit but was completely true. She didn't even deny it, choosing instead to act like she hadn't heard him at all.
"And what of your family, then? Where is my newest younger sister?" Elizabeth turned sideways to look at her husband while still being able to keep tabs on the road. Her husband eyed her warily, withdrawing the embrace but taking her hand instead, where he idly rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.
"What about Georgiana? She's in the house overseeing the servants as they prep for dinner. You don't think she should be down here in the cold, do you? She just recovered from being ill," Darcy said in a voice so stern that it was all Elizabeth could do to keep from laughing.
"No, of course not! I care very much for the health of my sister. She means a great deal to me. But, dearest Will, isn't about time that you acknowledge that she has suitors?"
His reaction was just as she expected and exactly what she had wanted. He scowled, causing his brows to furrow together to create that little crease she found so adorable. His expression hardened, as if a thought he would rather not acknowledge was suddenly barreling to the forefront of his mind.
"A young man named Charles approached me recently to inquire after her. I have not yet decided if he is worthy of having her hand."
"Oh, Will, don't be silly. You and I both know that no man will ever be good enough for your lovely sister. You just have to make sure that she falls hopeless, irrevocably, and resolutely in love with the right man," Elizabeth replied, laughing.
"And even then, Elizabeth, he still might not be good enough," Mr. Darcy muttered, his attention suddenly going towards the courtyard where the unmistakable sound of horse hooves came into hearing. Elizabeth turned immediately to face the courtyard, squinting in the distance as she saw her family's carriage and their horseman coming into view. Gripping fistfuls of her skirts, she made her way down the steps to greet them when they stopped in front of the house, her husband following behind her in silence. As an afterthought, Elizabeth beckoned one of the staff they had on hand who was holding a tray filled with wine glasses and wine. The man came swiftly, with a grace that made Elizabeth jealous, and was soon busy pouring wine into three of the glasses.
The carriage had barely made a complete stop when her mother barreled out of it, engulfing her daughter in a tight hug before Elizabeth knew what was even happening to her. She wrapped her arms around her mother, squeezing nearly just as tightly for a few moments before the pair separated and they could each inspect the other.
"Ah, Lizzy! You do look well—that's such a lovely gown on you. It really brings out the eyes," Mrs. Bennet said, cupping her daughters face before turning her attention onto her son-in-law. "Thank you very much for inviting us into your home, Mr. Darcy. It's as lovely as I remember it! Have you done anything recently with the estate? It might just be better than my memory serves" Mrs. Bennet said, her fingers lacing themselves around her hands as she looked around the grounds.
Elizabeth took a few moments to study her mother. She was wearing one of her better gowns and, it appeared, had taken care with her hair. While she had no issue whatsoever with engulfing her child in a hug, it was still rather clear that Mrs. Bennet found herself daunted when in the company of her husband, resorting to formalities—well, as formal as Mrs. Bennet can be. But, overall, her mother's health seemed pristine, with rosy cheeks, a gay laugh, and only a couple more fine lines gracing her face that were the result of raising five adult daughters and seeing all but one married. Satisfied, Elizabeth turned to the other members of her family's party.
"No, mama, we haven't done anything recently. Papa! Kitty! It's really lovely to see you," Elizabeth said, hugging each of them in turn. Her father gave her a hug that rivaled her mother's, where Kitty hugged her sister in somewhat of an awe. When both turned towards Mr. Darcy, her father held his hand out and grasped his son-in-law's hand with a firm grasp, unspoken words going between them. Kitty merely curtsied in front of Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth gave an exasperated sigh, motioning the man with the wine to pass out the glasses. The man went to her mother first, earning a smile from Elizabeth at the man's ability to read people.
"Come on, truly! All these formalities? He is my husband, not the king of England. We want you to relax; don't we, Will?" Elizabeth said, turning towards Mr. Darcy and giving him a stern look. He couldn't help but chuckle at the expression on his wife's face, going over to place a light kiss on the top of her head.
"I do agree with you, dear Lizzy. Mr. Bennet, my wonderful mother-in-law, please make yourself welcome and at home. You've given me the most happiness in the world by raising this amazing woman before me. And Kitty, Georgiana cannot wait to see you. She's in the house right now—she had a bit of a cold recently and was not feeling up to meeting guests outside, but she will be joining us for dinner when that time arrives. Go see her, she has eagerly awaiting your rival all week."
Kitty beamed, and Mrs. Bennet flushed at the words, a fan being whipped out to fan her face despite the given temperature as she took a deep swig of the wine she was given. Mr. Darcy beckoned to some of the men he had on standby and they began to unload the carriages before the Bennet's even knew what was happening.
"This is a lovely vintage, Mr. Darcy. A very fine choice of wine," Mrs. Bennet responded, a murmured agreement coming from her husband.
"Then thank your daughter. She chose this wine specifically for you. Kitty, you will be rooming close to my sister, since she specifically requested that you be there. As for you, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, you are the guests of honor and I have given you the best guest suite we have in Pemberley, including your own small staff to take care of anything you need while you're here. If you need anything at all, just let them know and it will be done for you," Mr. Darcy said, giving a small smile as he rested his hand on the shoulder of his mother-in-law and brought his face down to hers.
"Thank you very much for coming, Mrs. Bennet. I greatly appreciate your company."
With that, a maid came out to lead them to their rooms. Mr. Bennet shook hands with Mr. Darcy again to repeat his thanks and Kitty looked ten times more excited than she had when she first stepped out of the carriage at the prospect of seeing Darcy's sister, whom she greatly missed since their last visit. Elizabeth was beaming, feeling as if she could take off on a run and never stop.
"That went really well, I believe! Sometimes I can't believe your manners. They are, usually, perfect. Except with first meetings."
"Oh, Lizzy, I meant every word. Without them I would not have you and I still would have been the same miserable man I was when you first met me. Besides, your mother was quite gracious so far."
"We'll see. She hasn't often been to Pemberley, so she might still be in awe. Let's give it a day and see how she behaves. I may yet run for the hills!" Elizabeth laughed, drawing her arm around her husband's waist and resting her head on his chest.
"It's just too bad that I could never have met your parents. I'm sure they were lovely people."
"From what I remember, they were. My father was the perfect role model for any gentleman." And Mr. Darcy left it at that as another carriage was starting to make its way down the lane. Elizabeth could recognize the carriage from a mile away, and fought to rush to meet it. When the doors opened, Bingley was the first out to help his dear wife who was soon tackled by her sister.
"Jane! Oh, Jane how I've missed you! Life is just not the same without our nightly talks!" Elizabeth breathed, nearly crushing her sister. Jane gave a small laugh and smiled at her younger sister, returning the hug in nearly the same amount of fervor.
"I've missed you, too, Lizzy. The letters don't seem to carry the same amount of amusement as listening to your voice does. But, my Elizabeth, it's only been one week since we've seen each other last!" Jane said, as the men left the girls so they could catch up themselves.
"How was your journey? Was it well? We've recently cleaned up the roads. I hope it wasn't too bumpy."
"You fret for nothing, Lizzy. The road was fine. I practically slept until the carriage stopped at your door. Oh, but Lizzy! I've exciting news to tell the family and I can't wait to tell it to everyone!"
Elizabeth perked up at this, grabbing her sister's hands and smiling.
"Please tell me it is what I think it is. Should I still have the nice young man give you a glass of wine?"
"I will not say another word of the matter, Elizabeth Darcy. You will have to find out with everyone else."
Elizabeth laughed as she always did when her sister called her Elizabeth Darcy when she was trying to be stern with her. She cupped her sister's face and ran her hands down her arms.
"Alright, big sister, I'll relent but if I find out that Bingley told Will before you told me, I'm going to be very cross with you!"
"Tell her what?" their mother asked from the doorway, Mr. Bennet in tow. Pleasantries were soon exchanged between parent and newly arriving daughter and son-in-law as both daughters decided to ignore their mother's question entirely. Elizabeth distracted Mrs. Bennet by giving her another glass of wine, since she noticed that Jane has not accepted her glass.
"Jane, you look as beautiful as ever. I'm sure that your beauty will never fade. You'll be old like me and still look fresh as a baby's bottom."
"Oh, please mother, that's not true at all. Time takes away everything, especially beauty." Jane said.
"Please don't remind me, dear Jane, or you may ignite my poor nerves by reminding me that I'm no longer beautiful. I was just telling the Lucases the other day how I had nothing to wear to my visit to Pemberley and that I couldn't possibly compare to the beauty of my daughters. It was a horrible discovery, you see! Well, Lady Lucas took me shopping immediately and we had a fantastic time in all the shops in Meryton. Though not as fantastic as when you and Lizzy were there. And no where near as fun as when I would go with Lydia. Oh, I wish you two would come home more often. I hardly get to see you."
"Mrs. Bennet, you're still plenty beautiful to me," Mr. Bennet said, wrapping his arms gingerly around his wife. "Isn't that right, gentlemen."
"Oh, absolutely, Mr. Bennet. Only a beautiful woman could have begotten so many beautiful daughters." Mr. Bingley said, nodding in Mrs. Bennet direction while she whipped out her fan again.
"My dears, you flatter me so! And not a word of it is true, I am afraid. A lady must know to be humble. But, dear me, where is Lydia? She should have been here by now. And when is Mary coming?"
"Mama, Lydia will be here any moment and Mary and her husband won't be arriving until past supper. John has some things he needs to take care of before arriving." Elizabeth replied just as the sound of a carriage was heard coming up the lane. The attitude of the group shifted. Mr. Darcy stiffened, grabbing onto his wife's hand while she squeezed it once reassuringly. Jane was smiling at the thought of seeing her sister even after everything that happened though her husband was slightly more wary. The Bennets were abuzz with excitement, particularly Mrs. Bennet. When the carriage stopped in front of the doorway as the two before them had done, Mr. Wickham was the first to get out, as Bingley had done, to let his wife out of the carriage first. He looked tired, his face showing some lines around the eyes, though otherwise just as pristine as he ever was and even flashed a handsome smile towards the group waiting their arrival.
When the door opened, a small, very sleepy child was lifted into the arms of his father as Mr. Wickham held out a hand for Lydia to help her down. The hand was gloved, and it soon became quite apparent to the elder sisters that whatever clothes their youngest sister had one was more than either of them knew she could have afforded. But, as she stepped into view very slowly with pointed caution and their mother started shrieking in delight, Elizabeth wanted to melt into the floor.
"Hello, everyone! I didn't say anything about my condition, nothing at all! I even made my dear Wickham swear not to say anything at all to papa! I wanted it to be a surprise, you know! I just love surprises! Isn't it a lovely surprise?" Lydia asked, her hand smoothing over a belly so enormous Elizabeth was not sure she wouldn't be giving birth any during the stay. Forcing a smile onto her face, Elizabeth nodded and moved over to Lydia, hugging her gingerly.
"It is indeed a lovely surprise, Lydia. Welcome, dear sister, to Pemberley. I hope you have a fantastic time here."
And with that the toddler started shriek.