Hey, quick or what? Next chapter:
Elizabeth sat on her bed for a long period of time contemplating on what would be the right course of action. It took her a long time to come up with her solution but when she did she immediately stood and crossed the room to the adjoining door. She knocked on it gently and waited for a reply. There was no reply from the other room so she turned back to her own room just when the door was opened roughly.
"Elizabeth, did you knock?" Mr Darcy asked softly. She turned back to him quickly and smiled.
"Yes I did. I only wished to thank you." She replied.
"What for?" He asked.
"The dress and the diamonds of course, they are beautiful." Darcy laughed slightly.
"Did you believe that I would buy Georgiana a necklace from London without buying my wife something?"
"You are too kind." Darcy laughed again.
"I said that Georgiana was worthy of the treasures I gave her, I meant such a thing also for you, Elizabeth. I would be a very unkind husband if I did not do such a thing. Yet I have never heard Georgiana mention that I am too kind."
"You are too kind…to me especially. I do not deserve your kindness after what happened in our past."
"I thought we were not remembering the past, Elizabeth. I was under the impression that we were concentrating on the future."
"I thank you still." He nodded his head to her.
"You are welcome." He turned away at this.
"Fitzwilliam!" She called out before he closed the door. He stopped and looked at her in surprise of her actually using his given name.
"Yes Elizabeth?"
"I am a fool." She laughed slightly. "I feel that I cannot find my way to the dining room, would you be good enough to escort me?"
"Of course, come into my chamber when you are dressed, I will gladly show you the way to my own capability."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth picked out one of her new dresses quickly, a blue satin one which made her look more elegant and emphasised the darkness of her eyes and hair.
It was not long after when the servant left that she walked over to the adjoining door again and knocked. She waited a moment again before the door was pulled open to reveal Mr Darcy stood dressed in everything but his coat. Elizabeth's eyes flashed to his white shirtsleeves before they travelled back to his face.
"You need not knock Elizabeth, come in." He walked back into the room and started tidying some papers that were lying on a table as Elizabeth entered.
Elizabeth could do nothing but stare around the room at its magnificent beauty. Even the exquisite furnishings and the enormous bed caught her attention as her eyes travelled the whole width and length of the room taking in each detail.
"Magnificent." Elizabeth said unknowingly as she stared. She only realised what she said when Darcy laughed.
"I agree with you. I remember as a child, Georgiana and myself used to sneak into this room just to stand and look at it. We did unfortunately, get scolded for it from Mrs Reynolds as it contained many of my Father's important papers!" Elizabeth laughed but slowly walked over to his own papers on the table.
"Like yourself." She said as she looked down at the papers. She immediately saw accounts and a letter from Charles Bingley.
"Yes, I have the same habits as my Father." He picked up his jacket at this and pulled it roughly over his frame.
"Would you require anything else, Sir?" The manservant asked from the door of Darcy's dressing room. Elizabeth watched the servant carefully as he stood waiting for his Master's reply.
Darcy's eyes flashed to Elizabeth's attire for a moment before turning to his servant.
"Go to the jewels. Bring the blue emeralds." The servant bowed slightly before rushing off. Darcy smiled at Elizabeth slightly before walking back to the adjoining door and opening it.
"Come." Was all he said and Elizabeth obeyed. They walked into the room and he requested that Elizabeth sit at the dressing table. She did as he commanded. He quickly undone the clasp of her necklace and gently took it from her neck, placing it gently on top of the dressing table.
Darcy's manservant entered at this holding a box and Elizabeth immediately knew what the box contained, a necklace. Darcy quickly took the box and removed the jewels from it.
When placing the jewels around Elizabeth's neck his fingertip gently brushed against the soft skin of her neck. He restrained himself quickly from the urge of wanting to kiss that skin.
"These were my Mothers." Darcy said. "If she were alive she would have been honoured for you to wear them."
When Darcy moved his hands from her neck Elizabeth finally saw the beauty of the emeralds as they reflected in the mirror.
"Thank you."
"Now that new dress of yours looks perfect." Darcy wanted to say much more than this, he also wanted to inform her that she looked far more beautiful than the jewels and even though she looked beautiful he could not help but imagine her beauty outside of those clothes. Fortunately for Darcy he managed to restrain himself and regain his composure.
Dinner was a pleasant affair for all three members of the party. Elizabeth and Georgiana spent most of dinner talking but Darcy felt contented just sitting listening to their words.
When all went to bed they we so exhausted that sleep soon came upon them. However, some time later one member of the family found that they were unable to sleep without the thoughts of a certain person interrupting them. Yet, as Darcy lay in bed the tormenting fact was that the only obstacle in his way was the adjoining door that connected his chamber with Elizabeth's.
The worst part of Elizabeth's morning the following day was the sound of carriages approach Pemberley symbolising the arrival of the guests. Elizabeth watched for a moment from the window as the carriages approached until she finally tore herself away and walked into the foyer where Darcy and Georgiana were just arriving.
"Now our peace is disrupted." Darcy muttered to Elizabeth causing her to laugh slightly.
Yet, as Charles Bingley entered the foyer Darcy was the first person to walk to him and shake his hand enthusiastically.
"Darcy!" Bingley exclaimed. "How are you?"
"I am very well Bingley, I thank you." Bingley walked toward the two ladies at this.
"Miss Bennet!" Mr Bingley exclaimed before he sighed. "Forgive me, Mrs Darcy! How do you do?" Elizabeth laughed at him.
"I am very well Mr Bingley, I thank you." It was at this that Miss Bingley's voice echoed throughout the foyer.
"Oh, Mr Darcy! How miserable Pemberley is in the winter. Do you not agree Louisa?" Her shrill voice said.
"I do indeed, very miserable, I much prefer town!" This was when Louisa Hurst finally saw Elizabeth. "Eliza, do you not agree with us?"
"Of course I do not agree Mrs Hurst, I believe Pemberley should be lovely at any time of the year, even in winter." Caroline snarled slightly at this comment.
It was only a short while later when the company was situated comfortably in the drawing room overlooking the lake. The conversation passed smoothly with Caroline and Louisa sitting in a corner with Georgiana deep in conversation about London's latest fashions. However, Elizabeth who had never been invited by the women to join the conversation sat next to Darcy uncomfortably. She could not admit that she was not nervous, in fact she was terrified. She had made such a leap in social status and the thought of the sly comments that would escape from mainly Caroline troubled her only for the reason of Georgiana being present in the room. For surely Caroline's comments of increased social status would make Georgiana see just how unworthy her new sister was.
It was at least an hour later when the company departed upstairs for rest after their trying journey. At last Elizabeth had some peace and calling for her coat and bonnet she insisted on an independent walk of the grounds.
The cold wind on her face in the grounds of Pemberley was refreshing to Elizabeth but as she stood at the side of the lake she could do nothing but think of the influence Caroline Bingley could have on Georgiana.
It was only at heavy footsteps behind her that disturbed Elizabeth from her thoughts but as she turned she was the one man who she thought she needed at that moment, Mr Darcy. For he would surely allow her to express her feelings on the matter and they together may come up with a resolve.
"Pray Elizabeth, are you unwell?" Elizabeth laughed slightly and looked back to the lake.
"No I am well, I am only contemplating."
"On Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst?" He said as he walked to her side and also looked out to the lake, she looked at him in slight surprise. "I saw you leave the house and immediately knew that you were disturbed by something. Will you inform me of what it is Elizabeth?" Elizabeth sighed heavily before looking into his eyes.
"I am afraid." She said softly.
"Of Caroline Bingley?" Elizabeth shook her head and then stopped sighing slightly she nodded her head in confirmation of the question.
"I am afraid of the influence she may have on Georgiana."
"Why would Miss Bingley have an influence on Georgina? That is obscene."
"I thought that Caroline's sly remarks on my elevated social status may make Georgiana realise how ridiculous I am."
"Elizabeth," He said strongly. "I care nothing for your social status and nor does Georgiana. If Caroline Bingley wishes to utter such things they will not be said in the home where you are mistress. Charles Bingley assured me himself that his sisters will be under close scrutiny. You should know that Elizabeth, he is one person who would not like to see you harmed."
"I am still afraid of what she could say, of how she could insult me."
"What has she got to insult you with, Elizabeth?" He asked softly.
"The impropriety of my family, you admitted that yourself!"
"Your family are not improper Elizabeth, they are misunderstood. I myself made that mistake."
"Forgive me, I must sound ridiculous!"
"Not at all, I can understand your fear. Will you be more contented if I promise to stay close to you this evening to ensure that your prejudices of her are put to good use through your wit." Elizabeth asked.
"I have to admit that I would be grateful for such a thing. I do however, have one condition." He nodded to this, implying that he was listening. "You try to save me from Georgiana, she is insistent that I show her my talent on the pianoforte!"
"I am afraid that I can do no such thing, Georgiana has been waiting so long to hear your talent."
"Or lack of talent." Darcy and Elizabeth laughed.
"Show me when we return to the house how you lack of talent and I shall decide from there. If you perform terribly I shall insist to Georgiana that you do not play or sing this evening." Elizabeth was contemplating for a moment before she smiled.
"Very well."
"Come along then or you will catch your death!"
It was not long later when Elizabeth sat down to the pianoforte with Darcy stood near the fire, his head propped on his elbow which was upon the fireplace.
As music echoed through the ground halls of Pemberley Georgiana Darcy could do nothing but rise from her seat and walk through the corridors to the source. When she finally arrived at the music room she stood in the shadows of the corridor before peaking into the light of the room where Elizabeth sat elegantly at the pianoforte, Fitzwilliam stood over her with nothing but a smile on his face. Georgiana could do nothing but smile also but when the music stopped the young woman had to enter the room.
On entering the room Georgiana realised that Elizabeth stood from the stood behind the instrument, a look of embarrassment on her face.
"My dear Elizabeth, you underestimated yourself when you commented that you could play a little. I have not heard the song played so well for such a long time!" Georgiana said with slight excitement as she walked to Elizabeth and took her hands.
Elizabeth could do nothing but look at Darcy as he stood looking upon the two women with amusement.
"I am assured that Mr Bingley should enjoy your performance Elizabeth. I feel that you should perform for him tonight after dinner." Darcy said with a smile. "Do you not agree, Georgiana?"
"Oh yes, brother be sure that she does!" Darcy laughed slightly before he turned and walked steadily from the room with a slight spring in his step.
As Darcy and Elizabeth descended the staircase that evening to dinner Mr Bingley immediately crossed to them.
"Elizabeth, how well you look this evening! A present from Darcy I see!" Bingley said as he looked to the necklace on Elizabeth. "I am assured Darcy that you cannot find a jewel to match your wife!"
"Never." Darcy said shyly. Unfortunately as they met in the foyer Caroline Bingley and Georgina walked smoothly down the stair and stopped beside them.
"My dear Eliza!" Caroline exclaimed. "What a wonderful dress! It is a shame that it does not bring out the colour of your eyes more." Elizabeth smiled happily while Darcy, Mr Bingley and Georgiana stared in slight shock.
"I thank you Caroline but not every woman likes to emphasise the colour of her eyes in such a manner."
The insults from Caroline Bingley stopped over dinner and she insisted on complaining on the weather instead along with the inequality of countryside to town. Elizabeth listened intently to her insults of their home but kept her witty comments to herself, they would surely be put into use later once Georgiana had retired.
Elizabeth had to admit that she was nervous when she played and sang to the company but when she stopped and applause echoed around the room she could not help but let out a huge sigh of relief. Her eyes met Darcy's at this and she smiled when she saw he was looking at her. Her attention was quickly taken by Georgiana as she stopped at the side of the pianoforte.
"That was marvellous Elizabeth!" The young woman exclaimed.
"Not as wonderful as your own playing Georgina. You must have seen how I slurred my way through the difficult passages?" Georgiana laughed and shook her head.
"Will you play another?" She asked. Elizabeth stood up quickly.
"No it is your turn!"
"I will play but please do not make me sing." Georgiana said shyly as she sat at the pianoforte.
"Very well." Elizabeth smiled at her before she walked across the room to join Darcy on the comfortable sofa. She was however, interrupted from her destination by Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst.
"Ah, Miss Eliza!" Caroline Bingley exclaimed. "Are the militia still quartered at in Hertfordshire?" Elizabeth sighed slightly.
"No! They are encamped at Brighton for the winter." Elizabeth replied.
"That must be a great loss for your family."
"I do not understand your meaning."
"I understand society enjoyed the company of a certain, Mr Wickham." Georgiana stopped playing at this and Elizabeth turned away, quickly crossing to her sister who she knew had been affected by the sound of that man's name.
"I am sorry I misunderstand you." Elizabeth said as she stopped at the piano and turned a page for Georgiana pretending that the young woman could not play without someone to turn the pages.
As she stood at the side of Georgiana Elizabeth looked up to Darcy as he sat in his same position as before. She knew that when Mr Wickham's name was mentioned Darcy moved in his seat as if he wanted to go to his sister. Darcy's eyes met Elizabeth's for a moment before a smile crossed his lips and he turned his attention back to Mr Bingley.
Later that evening Darcy escorted Elizabeth back to her room but as they mounted the stairs Elizabeth's feelings about the night burst out in anger.
"How could she say such a thing?" Elizabeth almost shouted to Darcy. "How could she mutter his name under this roof!"
"Calm yourself Elizabeth. By morning you shall feel much better, you will forget all that was said by that evil woman and you shall be contented again."
"I do hope so." There was silence for a moment before they arrived at Elizabeth's chamber. Darcy so longed for her to invite him inside but when he opened the door Elizabeth walked in and bided him goodnight. As he heard her say this he immediately knew that there would be another night when he would be sleeping without her in his arms.
Yet Elizabeth agreed with Darcy the next morning for when she awoke. For she had completely forgot about Caroline Bingley's insults. Even as she dressed in a rather plain dress the events of the night before did not plague her mind.
However, as Elizabeth entered the dining room the next morning to find the whole company there with the exception of Mr Hurst she understood why she was so angry the previous night.
As she sat at the table Elizabeth contemplated on if she would ever be able to forgive Caroline Bingley for the many things she had said. Elizabeth however, looked up from the table to the manservant who stood next to her, a metal tray in his hand bearing two letters from Jane.
Ah! We all know what the letters from Longbourne contain don't we? BUT:
Q. Do you think that Lydia has actually eloped with Wickham or do you think that Darcy as intervened in some way to stop such a thing from happening? Let me know what you all think.