I have been having trouble finding time to write lately so chapters might be a bit slower coming. Thank you all for your opinions. :) Thank you for reading.
They made their way to Lord Matlock's study. Once Mrs. Lawson was safely in the sitting room, the couple departed to visit the Gardiners. The ride across town was filled with light conversation. Upon reaching the house on Gracechurch Street, Mr. Darcy assisted his wife down. They were welcomed cheerfully by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.
"Thank you for sending a note yesterday evening, Mr. Darcy." Mr. Gardiner said as their took seats. "I am glad I did not miss Lizzie's visit."
"You are welcome, sir. I know Elizabeth wanted to see you all before we departed for Hertfordshire."
Once assured of Elizabeth's health and continued recovery, Mrs. Gardiner called for the children to be brought down. Two boys and two girls entered the room a short time later. It was apparent that the older boy and girl were trying to restrain their behavior. They wore large smiles and greeted everyone politely with bows and curtsies. The younger two forgot the formalities, running straight for Elizabeth with shouts of 'Cousin Lizzie' before throwing themselves at her. Elizabeth enveloped them in a hug.
"Samuel, Melody, mind your manners." Mrs. Gardiner chided.
"Sorry Mama." they replied in unison.
"We missed you." the older girl remarked.
"I missed you as well, Rebecca." Elizabeth said making room for the younger girl on the settee. "There is someone I would like you all to meet. This is my husband, Mr. Darcy. "
The children all turned to him.
"William, these adorable little cherubs are my cousins, Rebecca, Joshua, Samuel, and Melody."
"Lizzie, I am too old to be adorable." Joshua stated.
"I apologize. Handsome then."
"Thank you."
She nodded with a smile.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth speaks highly of all of you." Mr. Darcy commented.
"Do you like stories?" Melody asked curiously. "Cousin Lizzie likes stories."
"I do like stories."
"Do you like cherry tarts?"
"Yes."
She turned to Elizabeth, "He will be a good husband."
"He is a very good husband." Elizabeth replied smiling.
"Will you read us a story?" Samuel asked. "You promised you would before you left. You said you would read when you returned."
"I did. What story would you like?"
"Papa bought us Aesop's Fables." Joshua said.
"That sounds perfect."
The book was retrieved and brought to Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy moved to a nearby chair so the children could all sit with Elizabeth. He watched as Elizabeth read to the little group. A smile came to his lips as he thought of Elizabeth reading to their own children in the future. He could picture them all seated in the day nursery gathered around Elizabeth, little girls with wild curls and little boys with mischievous eyes, all with their mother's teasing smile, the sounds of their laughter and joyful chatter filling the rooms and halls of Pemberley. When the story finished, Samuel asked when Elizabeth would visit again.
"I do not know. I have to go visit everyone at Longbourn, but I am sure I will see you again before the summer."
"You are going north with Mama and Papa in July, are you not?"
"I am afraid not. I will likely be in the north already."
"I was meaning to speak to you about your trip." Mr. Darcy said turning to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. "I would like to invite you to stay at Pemberley while you are in the area."
"We would not want to impose." Mr. Gardiner replied.
"It would be no imposition, I assure you. I have a stream and a pond full of fish and I am sure Elizabeth would enjoy showing you around the park."
"I cannot turn down a chance for good fishing. Thank you. We would love to visit."
"Wonderful."
"When do you leave for Hertfordshire?" Mrs. Gardiner asked.
"We depart in the morning. I am not sure how long we will be gone but I hope you will join us for dinner one evening once we return."
"We would be happy to."
Upon departing from the Gardiners', the couple returned home. They passed their outerwear to the waiting footman. Mr. Darcy led his wife through the house to his study.
He opened the door and led her inside. Elizabeth looked over the room. A large oak desk was the main feature of the room. One set of chairs were situated in front of the desk while another set were near the fireplace. A smaller roll top desk sat in the corner of the room near a set of bookshelves.
"I thought you might wish to write your letter to Mrs. Collins while I write mine to Bingley." he said leading her to the smaller desk.
"Yes. Thank you."
"Everything you need should be in here."
"This is a lovely desk." she remarked as he opened the top for her. "Do you use it often? It seems a bit small for you."
He smiled at the teasing glint in her eye.
"I was not always so tall." he replied and she laughed as she took her seat. "When I was young my father had me sitting here often to attend lessons with him. Georgiana used it a bit when she was young. She prefers the desk in her sitting room now. I thought you might like to use it until the Mistress's study is set up."
"I had not even considered a Mistress's study."
"Does your mother not have her own study?"
"No."
"Where does she keep household ledgers?"
"She has a desk and a cabinet in her private sitting room. That is where she gave Jane and I lessons when we were younger. Mrs. Hill keeps a set of ledgers in her office as well."
"You need not give up space in your sitting room for such things. There is plenty of space for you to have a separate study." he said stepping toward the larger desk.
"What if I should like to keep such things in my sitting room?"
He turned back.
"A separate study would be more secure, Elizabeth. You would also have more room for the correspondence you are likely to receive once Aunt Rachel introduces you. You will also have letters from Mrs. Reynolds at Pemberley when we are in Town and letters from Mrs. Taylor when we are at Pemberley."
"Perhaps I would prefer to change the sitting room to a study." she replied. "There are many other sitting rooms and parlors in the house. It certainly would not detract from anything if I did so."
"There is no need to..."
"Perhaps I would prefer it."
He stood silent for a moment then nodded, "If you prefer it then you may do so."
"Thank you."
He gave a stiff nod.
"Perhaps once we are both finished, you could show me the room that was the Mistress's study. To be fair, I should look it over before I say which I would prefer."
He offered a small smile, "Of course, dearest."
She gave him a smile and turned to begin her letter. He retreated to his desk to write his own.
Mr. Darcy finished his letter and glanced at his wife. She was still writing. He rose quietly and took his letter out to be sent express. When he returned he returned to his desk and read over a few other letters that had accumulated on his desk since his marriage. Several times he noticed Elizabeth pause in her writing for a few moments before continuing. She sanded the letter and sealed it then took a deep breath and released it.
"Are you well, Elizabeth?" he asked coming over.
"I told Charlotte the truth." she replied, her eyes still on the letter in front of her. "Well the truth as well as I know it. I told her what Anne said about the attack, how I arrived in London, and our marriage. She will be quite pleased to know she was right about your feelings for me."
"She knew?"
Elizabeth smiled up at him, "She remarked that your visits to the parsonage were because you enjoyed my company and must be in love with me."
"What did you say to that?"
"I must admit my own foolishness for I laughed and said it could not be so. I did not think you took any pleasure in my company."
"Why did you think I visited so often?"
"I thought you were merely tired of being inside or perhaps that you wished to be away from Lady Catherine. The walk was pretty and visiting might have been more pleasant than being idle. You did not speak much when you came."
"I was often without words in your presence."
"I am glad you overcame that." she said rising. "I enjoy our conversations."
"As do I. Though I do not think I have completely overcome my silent affliction."
"Is that so?"
"It is but thankfully, I have discovered another way to share my thoughts with you."
He slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. He pressed his lips to hers.
"I believe I comprehend your thoughts very well, sir." she teased when they parted. "Allow me to reply in kind."
Their lips met again. A knock interrupted them. They parted with a smile and Mr. Darcy called to admit their visitor. Mrs. Taylor entered.
"The Mistress's study is ready for inspection, sir."
"I had not expected it to be done so quickly." Mr. Darcy remarked.
"I had it cleaned last week when I had the Mistress's chambers cleaned. It only needed a light cleaning today."
"Your foresight is appreciated."
"Shall we go inspect the room, William?" Elizabeth asked. "Once we finish, we can continue our conversation upstairs while I rest."
"You could rest now, if you like. We can see the room later."
"Mrs. Taylor and the maids have gone through the trouble of making it ready. It should not take long to look over the room."
He agreed and they followed Mrs. Taylor out.
Their inspection of the Mistress's study was short. The view of the garden settled Elizabeth's opinion fairly quickly. Mrs. Taylor promised to have new curtains in place by the time the couple returned from Netherfield.
"My mother's former desk is now in Georgiana's sitting room." Mr. Darcy stated. "We can purchase a new desk for you when we return."
"I do not need anything new, I am sure there is an unused desk sitting about somewhere."
"Elizabeth..."
"As long as it is sturdy and has a flat top for writing, I shall be satisfied."
"There are a few about the house. I could make a list while you are away." Mrs. Taylor said. "Then you could choose which you like best when you return."
"That would be perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Taylor."
"Of course, Mrs. Darcy."
Mr. Darcy excused them soon after for Elizabeth to rest. Mrs. Taylor curtsied and departed while Mr. Darcy escort his wife to her chambers.
They emerged a few hours later. After a walk in the garden they settled into the library. When it was time to dress for dinner they returned upstairs. Their trunks had been packed. Dinner was again eaten in the sitting room. They retired early and woke soon after the sun broke the horizon. Elizabeth was dressed quickly and awaited her husband before going to breakfast.
"Are you looking forward to the trip?" Mr. Darcy asked as he escorted her to breakfast a short time later.
"I am looking forward to the destination." she replied as they entered the breakfast room. "I am a bit anxious as well though. I worry about how everyone has reacted to the news of our marriage and how we will be received. I hope no one has been unkind to my family or Mr. Bingley because of it."
"Do you think someone would be unkind to them because we married?"
"I do not know. I am just worried. I feel silly for it but it is the truth."
"You have no reason to feel silly. Worry in this case is natural."
"Are you worried?" she asked as they filled their plates.
"I tend to always have some worry or another." he replied. "I am not the best among those I am not well acquainted with, as you know. I hope I do not cause offense among your friends."
"You only need find a preferred topic and I am sure you will do well enough among most."
"Most?" he asked as they moved to the table.
He assisted her with her chair and took his own seat.
"Well some of the matrons I fear you will find little common ground with as they only think about marrying off their children and the latest gossip."
"They sound like most matrons everywhere."
Elizabeth nodded. They enjoyed their meal for a time in a companionable silence. A footman entered and delivered a letter to Mr. Darcy. He set aside his silverware and opened it. Elizabeth watched as he moved the paper closer then further away to his face. He turned it slightly one way then another.
"Is everything well, dearest?" she asked after a few minutes.
"From what I can decipher everything is well." he replied squinting at the paper.
"Are you in need of spectacles?"
He lowered the page and gave her a stern look.
"I do not need spectacles. It is from Bingley and his handwriting is terrible."
"I recall you saying so before, but surely it cannot be so bad as to warrant such a performance as you are putting on."
"Have a look for yourself." he replied passing over the page.
Elizabeth took the page and looked it over while her husband resumed eating.
"We are to dine at Longbourn tonight." she remarked after a moment. "I do hope Mama is not too overcome by our marriage. Mr. Bingley said she was rather quiet when he called the past two mornings."
Mr. Darcy stopped eating his fork almost to his mouth.
"You can read that?"
Elizabeth nodded. She cleared her throat and began to read aloud.
"Darcy, I am glad to hear you are arriving soon. Your sister and cousin are very welcome at Netherfield. Your express found me at Longbourn so that is where I am writing you from. My sweet Jane sits with me at her embroidery. Mrs. Bennet was quick to invite us to dinner on the day you arrive when she discovered the reason for your letter. Jane cautioned her that you may wish to rest after your journey. This seemed to caused her some distress. She was rather quiet when I called on Tuesday and today she still seems not quite herself. Jane believes she is missing Elizabeth, that she is happy to have a daughter married but sad to have her gone. Her spirits seemed bolstered when I said I would write you straight away to inform you of the plan so I do hope the trip is not too taxing. There should be time for you to rest before the evening given you said you planned to leave early. The Bennets are looking forward to seeing you all as am I. I shall leave off now and send this to you so it will reach you before you depart. Your Friend, CB."
Mr. Darcy looked as his wife in amazement, "How? I usually spend nearly an hour deciphering his letters."
"You have never read anything Lydia has written. Her writing has improved a bit but not much. My aunt allows my cousins to write us as well. Samuel and Melody are improving but their letters look much like this currently." she replied setting the letter aside to finish her breakfast.
"Your cousins are about five or six, are they not?"
"They are five."
"So Bingley writes like a five year old."
"I did not say that. I said his letters are similar."
"To those of a five year old." Mr. Darcy replied with a smirk.
"And Lydia. She is nearly sixteen. She does not write much though."
Mr. Darcy merely nodded and continued to smirk. They finished their meal and rose. Mr. Darcy gave some final instructions to Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Davis then the couple collected their outerwear and bid them goodbye before departing.
Thanks again for reading. Up next: Hertfordshire