~~P&P~~
It took nearly half an hour to meet all the staff. Elizabeth let out a squeal when they reached the entrance as Fitzwilliam swooped her up into his arms. "It is tradition for the groom to carry his bride over the threshold of her new home" he explained at her surprise. Elizabeth was still surprised that he would do so in front of all the staff and his sister, however she was interested to find that she was flattered not bothered that he would do so.
She withheld on a full formal tour until tomorrow since she had already had one when she visited with her Aunt and Uncle in the summer. She knew that the tour as the new mistress would be much more comprehensive than that of a guest and she remarked that she would like to wait until she was able to give her full energy to the task.
Elizabeth was surprised to find that her nausea seemed to be returning despite being landed for half an hour and really wanted to rest. Sara drew her a bath and helped her get changed. Elizabeth was so exhausted she felt that if she did not rest she may pass out so she told Sara to tell Mr. Darcy she was going to have a rest and that she would join him and Georgiana for tea in a hour and that Sara should wake her in 45 minutes so she could ready herself. Two minutes after Sara left Elizabeth was already half asleep when Fitzwilliam entered from the door that she assumed must connect the two rooms. "Are you alright my love?" he inquired.
"Just tired" she replied sleepily.
"Would you mind some company?" he questioned. She immediately lift the covers to beckon him in, which he readily complied drawing her into his arms, she immediately fell asleep his touch seeming to quell the nausea.
What seemed like mere minutes later they heard a knock at the door "Mrs. Darcy, it is time to get ready for tea" came Sara's voice from the other side of the door.
Fitzwilliam squeezed her a little tighter to help waken her fully. "5 more minutes" she grumbled.
"I am sure Georgiana would understand if we skipped tea this afternoon" he supplied.
"No, no" she said sitting up "we did skip lunch and I am sure Georgiana is eager to hear about our trip."
"Ok I will return in 10 minutes to escort you to tea my love" he said while giving a dramatic bow.
"Come in Sara" Elizabeth called and Sara entered stalling when she spotted Mr. Darcy and giving a awkward curtsey.
"You need not curtsey while we are in our private courters" Mr. Darcy instructed kindly, "I shall leave you laddies to dress" he finished then turned to leave.
"Sara to expand on what Mr. Darcy said I would like to add that you may call me Elizabeth as well, unless we are in unfamiliar company or a formal setting" Elizabeth explained.
"Of, course Mrs.. I mean Elizabeth, I confess it may take awhile to adjust to it though mam. I brought a dress for you if it is to your liking" she said displaying the dress in her arms.
"Of course, I suppose we must hurry, we don't want to keep Georgiana and Mr. Darcy waiting" Elizabeth replied while starting to ready herself.
Ten minutes later Mr. Darcy arrived fully dressed to escort his wife to afternoon tea, "you look lovely my dear" he remarked, "although you always do, so I suppose I am stating the obvious" he added.
"Well it is still nice to hear, and I am sure there are many who would not hold the same opinion."
Curious Fitzwilliam questioned her about her remark.
"Oh its nothing," she replied "I just suppose that many who view me when in the company of my sisters do not hold me in the same regard, it is no matter though, yours is the only favour I care about."
He saw some hurt in her eyes and hoped that his thoughtless remark the first night they met did not still bother her, although on second thought he knew it had to be something else, and stored that insecurity of hers in the back of his mind for reflection at another day. The thought that someone had belittled her in the past upset him and he silently vowed he would never allow anyone to do so again.
When they reached the parlour where they were to take tea Georgiana immediately rose to greet them with a big smile "Fitzwilliam, Lizzy are you somewhat settled now?"
"A little although I feel like I could sleep for a week" Elizabeth replied.
"Elizabeth you need not push yourself if you are not recovered from your travel illness" Fitzwilliam said.
Georgiana grew concerned at this, "you are unwell sister? You should return to bed I can wait to hear of your travels, and can come visit you in your chambers later if that is easier for you."
"I am fine Georgiana, Fitzwilliam is just fretting, I have simply never traveled so long by carriage before day after day. Even on our way to Windermere we stopped in multiple places along the way for a few days to break up the trip." Elizabeth provided.
"I wanted to delay our trip another day so Elizabeth could recover but she would not allow it" Fitzwilliam defended.
"I am glad that you are here but Lizzy you must take at easy for a few days and do not feel like you need to take on all mistress duties at once we have done without a mistress here for a long time and Pemberley will not fall apart if you take a few days to rest. Mrs. Reynolds and myself will be more than happy to help." Georgiana encouraged her sister.
"Relax you two we will have a light tea and I will relax in the library until supper after we finish, and I will retire early tonight" Elizabeth compromised.
Satisfied Georgiana asked them about their trip while Fitzwilliam seated Elizabeth.
Elizabeth remarked about the places they'd been and the tours they took but Georgiana was pressing her for more and Elizabeth flushed as she privately realized there wasn't that much to tell they had stayed to their rooms as much as possible but she would not be telling Georgie that.
Elizabeth found herself unable to eat very much as the nausea seemed to be ever present, not debilitating right now but enough to make her uncomfortable. When Fitzwilliam and Georgiana expressed concern she replied "I find, lately that I prefer to eat smaller amounts but at more regular intervals, I will have another snack before dinner if I am hungry again."
"I will let Mrs. Reynolds know about this preference so that cook may ensure there is always something available for you when you feel so inclined" Georgiana stated.
"I don't want to trouble anyone, a simple piece of fruit or a pastry in between meals would be more than adequate" Elizabeth said.
"I am sure you will meet with cook tomorrow to let her know about your preferences, for now I have let them know a little about the preferences I have observed thus far so hopefully dinner and breakfast will be to your liking" Georgiana added.
"The fact that you have done so much to make me feel comfortable, dear Georgiana means so much to me" Elizabeth said surprised to find tears in her eyes.
Georgiana noticing the tears grabbed Lizzy's hand "do not worry Lizzy it was no bother I am so excited to have you as a sister anything that I have done was done with pure joy I assure you, although I can not take full credit, Fitzwilliam has been filling me in on some of your favourite things in his letters."
"Georgie, you must never marry so that you can stay with us forever, I feel extremely jealous that Fitzwilliam has had you for nearly 17 years to himself and demand that you stay with me here for at least as long as well" Elizabeth teased.
"Fine with me" Fitzwilliam supported although his tone did not hold any teasing like Elizabeth's had.
"I suppose I would be content with that as well as long as I had many nieces and nephews to keep me entertained" Georgiana replied.
Elizabeth blushed right down to her toes she was sure and when she looked to Fitzwilliam she saw he to was blushing but when he caught her eye she swore she also saw longing there and worry, she wondered what he felt about having children they haven't discussed it yet, she just assumed it will happen when it happens no use borrowing trouble.
When they finished, Darcy excused himself to his study to catch up on some correspondence, and Georgiana said she was going to practice the piano forte.
"oh, I will join you if you like" Elizabeth offered.
"I would love that but you promised to rest with a book in the library maybe tomorrow" Georgiana answered seeing that Lizzy did look exhausted and her colour seemed a little pale.
"Well I was hoping that I might improve under your example and I know I should practice more I regret now that I never bothered to practise as much as I should have" Lizzy protested.
"I would be more than happy to have your company and to encourage you but I think you need to rest today you look as if a strong breeze would knock you over."
So they all dispersed to their separate tasks.
