Chapter 9

Mr. Collins left to bring Mary to her new home at Hunsford Parsonage, and soon after, Elizabeth and Jane made a journey to London. Mrs. Bennet insisted on accompanying them. Elizabeth was rather dreading all the lace that would no doubt end up in her trousseau; but she had her aunt Gardiner's assurances that she would try to rein her in.

All three Bennet ladies travelled in the Darcy's coach with Darcy and Georgiana, who dropped them off at Gracechurch Street, declining an invitation to dinner, but promising to sup with them the next day after the ladies had done some shopping.

When they arrived at Darcy House, Darcy went up to the mistress's chambers, and imagined Elizabeth inhabiting them as his wife. The idea gave him great pleasure, although he was unsure when they would consummate their marriage. He had not even attempted to kiss Elizabeth yet, since he was unsure what level of intimacy she would be comfortable with. He himself had never been intimate with a lady, so his level of experience was nil. He knew of at least one book, hidden in the Pemberley library, however, that would give him all the advice he required. He had never looked carefully at those particular books before, since he had not needed the knowledge; but now he wanted to make sure that when he and Elizabeth did finally come together, it would be pleasurable for her. He would have to make a trip to Pemberley before the wedding, to ready everything for his new bride and catch up on business, so he would retrieve the book then, he decided.

Georgiana had wanted to go shopping with the ladies the next day, and so Darcy, supposing she would want a few new gowns anyway, gave her permission to accompany the Bennet ladies and Mrs. Gardiner. He himself dropped her off at Gracechurch Street in his carriage, and he had barely returned home when Colonel Fitzwilliam entered Darcy House without a warning.

"Say, Darcy! How are you doing, old man?"

"Richard! It is a pleasure to see you!" The two cousins shook hands.

"I have just a brief holiday from my duties, and came hoping to meet your fiancée."

"She should be at Darcy House tomorrow to look at the mistress's chambers and meet the household. But I want to have her and her relations over for dinner one night. Perhaps you might come then? And are your parents in town?"

"They are. I am their messenger, in fact. They have ordered me to inform you that they will be meeting your fiancée while she is in town."

Darcy chuckled. "I suppose they had better come to dinner too, then. As long as Aunt Catherine stays away."

"James is keeping Lady Catherine under very strict rule," said Richard with a smirk, clearly delighted with the new circumstances. "She has tried several times to leave Kent to confront you or your fiancée, and he has stopped her every time. Last I heard, he had threatened to confine her to the dower house."

Darcy could not keep his lips from twitching into a smile. "I am glad to hear it, although I am sure Elizabeth could hold her own against Lady Catherine."

"Indeed, could she?" asked Richard with delight. "Tell me about her."

Darcy spent the next half an hour expounding on his betrothed's virtues, until he observed Richard's wry smirk.

"What?" asked Darcy defensively.

"Nothing. I am just glad to see you so happy at last. I thought no lady would ever snare you."

"She had not snared me. She is nothing like that. It was her natural beauty and wit that enchanted me."

"I believe you," said Richard. "I suppose I had better wait until I meet her to form my own opinion."

After he had written to the Matlocks informing them of his engagement, Lady Matlock had written back asking about her circumstances. He could tell the countess was not completely pleased by hearing of Elizabeth's background, but she had added at the end of the letter that she was glad he was getting married at last; Pemberley needed an heir, after all.

Darcy was not sure how soon an heir would happen, given Elizabeth's past, but he was willing to wait as long as she needed. He was not certain how to discuss the matter with her. He did not want her worrying before the wedding that he would press her for intimacies she was not ready for once they married; but at the same time, it was not proper to speak with an unmarried lady about such a thing. He simply prayed that the Lord would give him guidance in the matter.

He and Georgiana enjoyed an evening at the Gardiner's, and then the next day Elizabeth came to Darcy House to meet the staff and look at the mistress's chambers. If Mrs. Bennet was a little vulgar in her description of the expensive furnishings, he could overlook it.

Elizabeth examined the mistress's chambers, and declared them lovely. Darcy knew his mother had had good taste, but he wanted Elizabeth to make the rooms her own. He left her and Jane to discuss it while he went to get the jewelry box he had had retrieved from the bank the day before.

Mrs. Gardiner discreetly took Mrs. Bennet and Jane aside as Darcy asked if he might have a moment alone with Elizabeth. Then he opened the box and showed her the gems there.

Elizabeth gave a little gasp of surprise. "They are beautiful, Fitzwilliam!" she cried.

"They were my mother's," he said. "They belong to the mistress of Pemberley. Georgiana has her own jewelry from my mother, but these are for you."

"They are gorgeous! When should I ever wear such beautiful things?"

"We shall be out in society, at least a little bit. You will need to be presented, and Georgiana will have her come-out in a couple of years. Otherwise we can spend our time at Pemberley, if that suits you."

"It does indeed. I do not care much for town, except in small doses."

"One thing you may wear very soon, and that is a wedding ring. Should you like to choose one?" he asked.

Elizabeth's lips parted in delight as she looked at the jewels again. "I would love to."

In the end she chose an emerald that had been formed to the shape of a flowering blossom. Darcy declared with pleasure that that had been his mother's wedding ring. He also encouraged her to pick out a piece of jewelry to wear for the wedding, and she chose a brooch with multicoloured jewels in the shape of a butterfly that would match well with her light green wedding gown.

Darcy asked what changes she wished to make to the mistress's chambers and she sat down to make a list while Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley served the other ladies tea.

While they were alone, Darcy thought to mention something that had been on his mind. "Perhaps while you are in town, you might interview for a nurse for Jessica. It is a little over a month before our wedding, and we should have someone chosen and prepared to care for her."

"Yes, that is a good idea," replied Elizabeth. "How shall we go about such a thing?"

"Your Aunt Gardiner does not know about her?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Only Mama, Papa, and Jane."

"Then I shall put out an advertisement and you may interview the candidates on a day when your aunt is not here."

"I hope you shall take part in the interviews too."

"I will, if you wish."

"I do wish it. You are to be Jessica's papa, and I admire your advice very much."

Darcy was pleased to hear this.

"Perhaps at the same time you might interview a lady's maid as well. I asked my housekeeper, and she can recommend two maids who work here now who might be good candidates. That way you have an excuse to come over here. Mrs. Gardiner need never know you are interviewing for a nurse."

"That is a wonderful idea, Fitzwilliam. Thank you."

She leaned up to kiss his cheek. Both of them blushed hotly at the gesture, but Darcy was very pleased by her show of affection. Perhaps the physical side of their marriage would not be as difficult as he thought.

Darcy was all set to advertise for a nurse, but to his surprise Mrs. Annesley, who had learned of his intentions, said that her daughter was a young widow with no children and was looking for employment. "She is my oldest, and cared for all her younger brothers and sisters throughout their growing years."

"Perhaps we may meet her then," said Darcy. "May I rely upon you to contact her?"

"Certainly, sir. It would be no trouble."

A few days later, Mrs. Molly Mowbry arrived at Darcy House for an appointment. Both Darcy and Elizabeth liked her exceedingly, and thought she would be perfect for Jessica's nurse.

"The child has been living in a tenant farm," explained Darcy, "but I mean to take her in as my ward. Therefore, she will be raised as a gentleman's daughter, and will need to be taught to behave as such."

"I understand, sir," said Mrs. Mowbry. She herself as well as her mother had been forced to live in genteel poverty, and go into service; but as a gentleman's daughter, she would know how to teach Jessica how to behave properly as she grew.

They covered up the appointment with the nurse with two interviews for lady's maids, so that neither Georgiana nor anyone else grew suspicious. It would be a surprise enough for everyone once Jessica arrived at Pemberley after the wedding.

The Matlocks and Colonel Fitzwilliam had been invited to dinner the next day. The earl and countess's oldest son, the viscount, was in the North in expectation of his wife's second confinement. Darcy was privately glad he was absent. The viscount had always rather looked down on Darcy. He had never hidden his opinion that Lady Anne, as the daughter of an earl, could have done better than marrying a plain Mr. Darcy, even with all his grand estate and lineage.

Fortunately, his parents and brother were not so snobbish, and they welcomed Elizabeth, if not warmly, as least not coldly either. They were clearly reserving judgment until they knew her better.

Lady Matlock was obviously making a start on that tonight. Elizabeth was nervous to meet the earl and countess, and especially concerned about her mother's behaviour; but fortunately Mrs. Bennet was too in awe of them to say much of anything. Colonel Fitzwilliam had begun flirting with Jane as soon as he arrived, but Elizabeth could tell he was not being serious in his attentions. Darcy had told her that the colonel needed to marry a fortune.

Elizabeth found the earl and countess stately, but amiable overall. She was glad they were willing to give her a chance. Darcy had told her about his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her delusions that he would marry his cousin, Anne. Elizabeth was interested to meet James and Anne de Bourgh, whom, Darcy told her, would be coming to town for the little season during the coming winter after the mourning for their father was over.

Overall, Elizabeth thought the dinner went well, and when she had some private conversation with Darcy later, he agreed.

"My aunt has offered to sponsor you when we come to London during the little season. With her patronage, no one would dare snub you."

"How very kind of her," said Elizabeth, aware that not many ladies of such high rank would show such kindness to a woman of her background, even if she was a gentleman's daughter.

Soon the Bennet ladies and the Darcy siblings travelled back to Meryton together, all their shopping complete. Darcy was only going to stay for a few days before making the journey to Pemberley, where he would remain for a couple of weeks. He had been gone too long, he said, and needed to catch up on business as well as prepare the house for its new mistress, and the nursery for his new ward. Georgiana begged to stay behind with the Bennets again, and so, with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's permission, he left his sister behind and made the journey to Derbyshire.