A/N many thanks to my beta reader/editor, goclimbatree / Ann
Chapter 30
Darcy House stood empty in the first week of June except for servants, as all the occupants departed. Anne and Charlotte had relocated to Matlock House a few days prior, and after asking Charlotte for a courtship and going to Hertfordshire to obtain the permission of Sir William Lucas, Fitzwilliam had relocated into his own bachelors quarters, choosing not to take advantage of Darcy's hospitality and reside at Darcy House. Fitzwilliam was in the process of selling his commission, and the paperwork had been signed regarding the partnership between himself and Darcy for the horse farm in Kent. He would relocate to Rosings after the summer, hopefully as an engaged man, if not already wed. While he had assured Darcy he was in no hurry to marry, he became increasingly anxious to claim his wife and take her to their home once Charlotte had accepted his courtship.
The men had agreed that the manor house at the original horse farm would be repaired for the manager's use. It was a large manor house, similar to the size of Longbourn, and some wings were in better condition than others. Fitzwilliam hoped the repairs to the house could be done quickly, and he would be able to bring Charlotte home to live with him there instead of at Rosings.
Bingley escorted Jane and Mary to Longbourn, his carriage accompanying the Darcy carriages until they left the Great North Road to go toward Meryton. Mary had been invited to accompany the Darcys to Pemberley but, ultimately, had chosen to return home to Longbourn to help her father through the summer. She promised to let the Darcys know if things with her father improved, but it was uncertain if that would be the case. Elizabeth had told her sisters about the confrontation with her father and had received mixed responses. Jane did not understand Elizabeth's ire toward the patriarch, nor did Kitty, although she appreciated that she was no longer called silly while living with the Darcys. Mary, however, did understand, having felt the same treatment since taking over Elizabeth's role in the household. So long as Mary was useful, she was respected, but when someone or something better was available, her significance to her father decreased significantly. It was an odd feeling, but Mary knew what she was doing at Longbourn was valuable and necessary, and that alone made her want to stay.
While Elizabeth was no longer nauseous as frequently as she had been, the Darcys still took the journey slowly, travelling for six days instead of the usual three. The stopped often to allow for walks and visits to interesting spots along the way, taking in many sights and touring homes as they made their way home to Pemberley. They arrived late on Saturday, and everyone immediately made their way to their rooms, where warm baths waited while their dinner trays were prepared.
Sunday was spent recovering from the journey, as six days in a carriage, no matter how few miles were travelled each day, was enough to leave them all feeling stiff and exhausted. All that is, except for Darcy, who arose early, left his sleeping wife in his bed as he dressed, and rode out to survey some of the issues the steward had previously brought to his attention in preparation for their discussions the following day. After a long ride, he returned to his rooms to find his wife in their sitting room, breaking her fast.
"Good morning, dearest," he said as he entered. "Give me a moment to change, and I will join you."
She nodded her agreement as she sipped the peppermint tea she still drank each morning before she could eat breakfast. Her nausea was nearly gone, but she found that upon waking, she still sometimes struggled with the feeling, and drinking the tea helped her to be able to eat breakfast.
"You were up and about early this morning," she commented when he reentered the room, dressed in his robe as he had not wanted to take the time to summon his valet or to dress more formally.
"Aye, I wanted to take a ride during the cool of the morning to see how things were going. I did not see any obvious issues, but I am sure the steward will have much he will want to discuss, despite his frequent letters," Darcy replied.
Their discussion continued along this way for several more minutes as they discussed the estate and its tenants, and Darcy offered to accompany Elizabeth on her visits to the tenants later in the week. "In your condition, I think it better if you allow someone to accompany you on your visits, and I would like to escort you as time allows. I know that you have met all the tenants, and I do not fear you in that way, but I would be more comfortable if you waited for me to be able to go with you. I also ask that you allow a footman to accompany you any time you venture out for a walk on the estate – you do not yet know it well, and I do not want you to take any risks."
Elizabeth smiled gently at her husband before leaning against his chest. "As much as I want to refuse your request, I know that it is best that I not wander alone, however much I might like to. I have not yet begun to show, but according to our aunts, that will happen soon, and as I increase, I will become more ungainly, and the danger of a fall will become greater. I would appreciate your accompanying me as I visit the tenants – you knew I would desire to do so without my ever mentioning it to you. I have not seen many of them since the first of the year since it was too cold before we left for me to venture out much."
Darcy hugged her to himself. "Although we have not been married even a year yet, I know your sense of responsibility dictates that you visit our tenants as soon as you are able. I imagine when you meet with Mrs Reynolds tomorrow, you will begin discussing their needs and start arranging for baskets to take with us as we go on our visits." Darcy paused, and as he lightly caressed her back, he considered his next words. "Dearest, after you are no longer carrying this precious little one, I hope you will allow me to teach you to ride. I know you are not particularly fond of horses, but as the mistress of an estate, it would be beneficial if you knew how to ride. I do intend to take you on many drives this summer and into the autumn, as long as you are able, but there are also places that I want to take you that can only be reached on horseback. Do you think, perhaps, you would be willing to let me try to teach you? We can begin now by acquainting you with our steadiest saddle horses, so you can choose your own mount. You could ride double with me, but I think you would prefer your own mount."
She sighed before moving slightly so she could look up at him. "I had already been considering this before we discovered I was with child. Part of me wishes to refuse and allow my fear to guide me, but I agree that it is a skill that I need to learn and I would enjoy the freedom riding would allow me. Pemberley is simply too large for me to tramp around as I did in Hertfordshire, and I am no longer a plain miss; I am now Mrs Darcy of Pemberley. Aunt Matlock impressed the importance of that upon me while we were in London, and I have had time to consider what being Mrs Darcy means. The Mistress of Pemberley rides and you will not allow me to come to harm. I must trust you in this; I will bow to your wishes, my dear William."
They remained snuggled together for a while longer after this, talking of little things. Darcy gently caressed Elizabeth's growing bulge and spent a few minutes conversing with their child, speaking of the estate and its legacy before they eventually rose regretfully to dress and go downstairs to find their sisters. They found both girls in the music room practising on the piano, and they spoke about their plans for the coming weeks.
Georgiana and Kitty would Mrs Darcy in some of her meetings with the housekeeper and others around the estate as they began to learn the duties of the mistress of an estate. They decided they would go into Lambton later in the week to purchase cloth for sewing, as the three of them wanted to sew items for Elizabeth's child, the tenants' children, and as donations to the poor house. Darcy had received a letter from the rector in Kymptom just before they returned home about several significant needs there, and he intended to inquire of the rector in Lambton about similar needs. Along with their lessons, these projects would give the girls plenty to do while they remained at Pemberley.
Elizabeth and Darcy were much occupied as they settled into their roles at Pemberley, but they made time to discuss their expectations for the birth, care, and parenting of this child and any future children. Elizabeth wanted the support of Aunt Matlock and Aunt Gardiner during her labour and for at least a short while after the child was born. Although it was not considered fashionable for women of their station to nurse their children themselves, Elizabeth was adamant that she wanted this experience with her children. Aunt Gardiner had shared her experiences nursing her own children, and after discussing this with Darcy, he agreed they would hire a wet nurse only if it was necessary for the health of the child or if Elizabeth needed the relief to rest and recover from the birth.
After this discussion, she sent letters to both aunts asking if they would visit in September when they expected the babe would be born. She also informed them that they might be assisting Darcy, as her husband intended to break with convention and remain by her side throughout her labours.
Mrs Reynolds had been absolutely ecstatic when she learned of Mrs Darcy's condition and began to watch over her mistress carefully. At times, Elizabeth felt her housekeeper was nearly as smothering as her husband, but she chose to laugh at both of them and attempted not to be too aggravated by it. Elizabeth found that her housekeeper was more responsive to her gentle suggestions to take a step back than her husband was, and the couple had a few spats that resulted in ears that Elizabeth was quick to blame on her condition.
Of particular concern to Darcy were Elizabeth's quick swings from anger to tears to joy. At times, he struggled to understand her, especially as her mood shifted so rapidly that it often left him shaking his head. However, both his uncles and a few married friends reassured him that this was normal during this stage of her pregnancy and he would simply have to learn how to deal with these temperamental swings and the tears that would appear for seemingly no reason.
One of these temperamental times was the day Elizabeth received two letters, one from Jane and the other from Charlotte, announcing their engagements and weddings scheduled to occur in August and September in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth had cried tears of joy at the happiness conveyed in the letters and then, immediately after, tears of sadness that she would not be able to attend either of their weddings. She cried again when she realised Darcy would not be able to attend and encouraged him to go, but he refused to leave her in her condition for any reason, and certainly not for a wedding. Instead, he suggested she invite them both to Pemberley for Christmas, or sooner if she preferred. She cried again at his suggestion, and while he was tempted to throw up his hands, he elected instead to hug her and hold her as she cried.
"I am so sorry, Will," she sobbed. "I am… I am completely irrational, and I know I must be driving you mad."
He gently caressed her hair. "I love you, Elizabeth, and you may be as irrational as you like as you are carrying our child. We will endure this, and I will do whatever I can to be of aid to you," he whispered into her ear.
She held him as she cried until finally, exhausted, she fell asleep in his arms. Darcy looked down at her and shook his head, feeling confused and off-kilter but desperately in love with his wife and child. Chuckling, he remarked quietly to himself, "You drive me mad, my love, but I have a feeling you are equally confused with the wealth of emotions you are currently feeling. You are carrying our child, my dearest Elizabeth, and I cannot imagine that I could love you more than I do right now. However, given that I felt the same when we married seven months ago, I imagine that love will only continue to grow. Sleep now, my dearest. Sleep, and perhaps you will wake feeling a little more yourself than you do at present."
Charlotte and Fitzwilliam's wedding day came at the beginning of August. Fitzwilliam had managed to get a considerable amount of work accomplished towards expanding the horse farm and, utilising the stables at Rosings, had made a good start on their goal to double their breeding stock. Using Darcy's funds as a start, Fitzwilliam had purchased a stallion and half a dozen mares with impeccable bloodlines to add to their existing stock, and they now had a solid foundation for their breeding programme. Fitzwilliam had also hired a former cavalry officer to aid in their endeavours and was able to move his wedding date forward a few weeks. The Fitzwilliams would travel directly to Kent after the wedding and visit Pemberley for Christmas.
Jane's wedding was scheduled for the end of August. When informed of the plans, Mrs Bennet had desired to be involved in the planning. Jane, being far too forgiving and too unwilling to risk anyone's displeasure, had allowed her to participate, but after a week of her mother's raptures, she regretted it. Bingley held firm on the wedding date when Mrs Bennet insisted it be pushed back several months. Mr Bennet had likewise taken a stand when Mrs Bennet demanded she accompany Jane to London to obtain Jane's trousseau, claiming that Jane had already received many beautiful dresses from the Darcys that spring. Jane would go to London for a sennight, accompanied by her aunt Gardiner to shop for a few things, but Mrs Bennet was expressly ordered to remain at the dower house.
When the Hursts left Netherfield the previous autumn with Caroline, they had delivered her to her aunt in Scarborough and then retreated to his father's estate near Bath. They had cut off all contact with Caroline, given the verbal abuse she had meted out on their travels to Scarborough, and had not received any replies to their letters to Bingley. Bingley had finally written to Louisa after his return to Netherfield Park and shared the details of Caroline's behaviour and his actions to protect the Hursts and himself from the consequences. Louisa had replied with a scathing letter to her brother for his lack of communication and for not asking for help in dealing with Caroline. Eventually the relationship was repaired, although brother and sister were firmly resolved to have no further association with they Hursts received the wedding invitation from Bingley, Louisa sent their regrets and invited her brother and new sister to visit with them some time in the new year.
Despite Mrs Bennet's involvement, the wedding did occur, and things did go smoothly, but it was Mrs Gardiner's assistance that made it work out as well as it did. Jane was too complying and went along with many suggestions that her mother made, regardless of her feelings about them. While Mr Bingley did well in standing up to Mrs Bennet on occasion, it was not until a fortnight before the wedding that Mrs Gardiner arrived and Jane was finally encouraged to put a stop to some of the unnecessary decorations and other such nonsense and take charge of her wedding.
"You will be a married woman in a matter of days, Jane," Mrs Gardiner had admonished after just an hour of listening to Mrs Bennet and seeing her niece interact with her betrothed. "These plans are obviously not what you want, and you need to speak to your mother to express your wishes. How will you ever be able to deal with servants or tradesmen who want to cheat you if you cannot express your desires and wishes?"
Jane hung her head as she considered her aunt's words. "I know, but Mama has been so disappointed, and this seems like such a small thing to allow her."
"But it is your wedding, Jane, and you should be happy with the plans. Your mother will be miserable regardless of what you permit, and you should have what you want for your wedding. I can tell already that Mr Bingley is not pleased by how easily you allow yourself to be pushed around by your mother," Mrs Gardiner replied.
Jane considered these words that night and, the next morning she took a stand against her mother. It was difficult, and she nearly fainted afterwards, but both her aunt and her betrothed looked at her proudly for having done it. It was a turning point for Jane, making her feel more confident. That new-found confidence was tested frequently in the days leading up to the wedding, but with her aunt's support at home as well as support from her betrothed, the wedding met all her desires and not those of her mother. The breakfast, too, was far less grand than her mother would have desired, but it suited Jane and Bingley, and they were content. Through conversations with her aunt, Jane realised that this experience of standing up to her mother was significant for her as it would aid her as she became the mistress of her home, wherever that would be, and in managing her relationship with her mother. As long as they remained at Netherfield, her mother would be a problem, and now Jane knew she would be able to stand up to her.
Following the wedding, the Bingleys travelled south to the sea, stopping to visit with the Fitzwilliams on their return journey. A few days after they returned to Netherfield, they departed once again, this time to the north, intending to stop at Pemberley on their way back from Scarborough, where they were going to meet some of Bingley's family. They would also make arrangements for Caroline to move to a cottage in Scotland that Bingley had purchased for his sister. Bingley would not accompany her but would make arrangements for her to travel there from Leeds, now that she was mostly recovered from the birth. Bingley's aunt would journey with the newlyweds after Caroline had departed, accompanying them first to Pemberley and then back to Netherfield. Jane had been more than happy to invite Bingley's aunt to join them, as she had liked the woman very well when she had been Bingley's hostess in the autumn. Jane was pleased that Miss Bingley would not live them now or ever in their marriage – she had insisted upon this agreement from her husband before they had said their vows.
