A/N - this has been updated to correct grammar and spelling - a big thanks to my beta reader Ann (goclimbatree), who has begun reading through and helping me fix errors and ensure clarity. I took down several chapters and am slowly adding them back. Some chapters have been split, so this is not the same as the original chapter 18.

Let me know if you continue to see any issues. This story will be published on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited at some point once it is finished (August 30?).

Chapter 18

The Darcys attended church with Elizabeth's family on Sunday, and she was pleased to see many of her friends and neighbours, although perhaps not as pleased as she would have been if not for the rumours. While Lady Lucas had made some effort to retract her tales, a few comments were made regarding the hasty marriage, and Elizabeth and Darcy explained that Lady Catherine's interference was the only reason for the rush. Of course, Elizabeth's svelte appearance did much to dispel the most hateful of rumours of a compromise in November and a forced marriage when they became reacquainted in Kent. Some of the worst rumours had declared Elizabeth to have been in an "interesting state" when they married, and several had expected to find her in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

After taking the meal with her family, Elizabeth and Darcy spent a good portion of the Lord's Day holed up in a little-used sitting room, making changes to their plans and writing letters to friends and relations. They would invite Jane to accompany them to Derbyshire for her protection, and this would necessitate another change in the Gardiners' plans. They had originally intended to tour the Lakes that summer with Elizabeth, but now planned to visit Derbyshire and stay at Pemberley during the month of August, leaving their children at Longbourn with Jane, who would now be in Derbyshire with the Darcys. Mary would be most affected by her elder sisters' departures, and Elizabeth and Darcy thought it would be good for her to visit the Gardiners for the time being, where she would benefit from a music master until they visited Pemberley.

With all of this considered, Elizabeth wrote a letter to her aunt, suggesting they invite Mary to stay with them in London for a time and bring her and their children with them to Pemberley for their visit. She felt certain her aunt would agree to this plan, as Mary was good with the children and would benefit from the steadying influence of her aunt. Getting her away from Mrs Bennet and Lydia was an added bonus. Darcy included his own note to Mr Gardiner, making an additional carriage available for them to help convey the children and extra luggage to Derbyshire if they agreed.

While Elizabeth wrote to her aunt, Darcy wrote several letters requesting information regarding schools for the two youngest Bennets or recommendations for a governess. The letter to his aunt covered multiple topics, from the needs of the youngest Bennets to the change in plans regarding Georgiana.

They sent the letters to the Gardiners and Lady Matlock by express and hoped replies would be received at Pemberley before or shortly after their arrival, as they wanted to be prepared to act quickly when Mr Bennet informed them whether he would send the girls to school or keep them at home with a governess. Elizabeth believed going away to school would be best for both girls but wondered if her father would choose the easier route of simply employing a governess. If he chose that option, they would need to find a governess strict enough to deal with Lydia yet able to help Kitty in her more artistic endeavours.

That night, Elizabeth and Jane discussed their father's actions and Jane agreed to accompany the couple to Derbyshire. Georgiana would return home from Matlock sooner than initially planned, and she and Jane would remain at Pemberley while the newly wedded couple travelled to the Lakes for a short wedding trip.

It was no surprise that Jane had not taken the news of their father's debt and the threats to take and sell her for the debt very well; her eyes were still red-rimmed when she boarded the carriage early on Monday. Fortunately, most of the family had not arisen to see them off; Mrs Bennet was upset with Elizabeth for not inviting the whole family to Derbyshire, Lydia remained annoyed that her sister had not brought her all the things she had wanted from town, and Mr Bennet was angry at the conditions he had been forced to accept, so only Mary and Kitty were downstairs when they departed. Mrs Hill had wished them well earlier; she was very sorry the eldest Bennet sisters were departing Longbourn but glad Jane would go with the Darcys, as she had heard some of the conversations between the master and the men to whom he owed money. Once the Gardiners approved Elizabeth's request for Mary to stay with them, a Darcy carriage would travel to Longbourn to bring her to London.

The inclusion of Jane on their trip north changed the Darcys' intention of travelling slowly and stopping frequently. Instead, they travelled longer each day and passed through Lambton late in the afternoon on the third day. Shortly after, Darcy proudly informed the ladies they were on Pemberley land, and they began to straighten their clothing, put away their needlework, and, excited for their first glimpses of Pemberley, turned to watch the passing scenery.

When the carriage rolled to a stop at the top of a hill, as previously arranged with his coachman, Darcy stepped out and helped his wife down. He offered the same service to Jane, but she graciously declined, recognising this was a moment where her presence would be an intrusion. Darcy smiled his gratitude for her understanding and escorted Elizabeth to a nearby spot for one of the best views of the manor house.

Elizabeth was delighted by her first view of Pemberley. "Never have I seen a place where nature has done more, or where natural beauty has been so little counteracted by an awkward taste," Elizabeth whispered to Darcy as she took in the stone house, standing tall and blending in so effortlessly with its surroundings. Behind the house was a large, hilly, wooded area, with the Peaks visible in the distance. A stream ran in front of the house and flowed into a large pond in which the house was reflected, and in the evening sun, it shone brightly. "Of all this, I am to be mistress?" she inquired tremulously of her husband.

He took her into her arms and, after ensuring they were out of sight of the carriage, kissed her deeply. "You will be a wonderful Mistress of Pemberley, dearest. I have every faith in you," he said when he released her.

She squeezed him tightly. "I know, William, and I do not doubt. It will take some getting used to the idea, that is all."

Darcy turned her around in his arms so her back was to his chest and tightened his arms around her waist before pointing out a few features of the park and the surrounding area. They remained this way for a few minutes, with Darcy occasionally pressing a kiss to Elizabeth's cheek or neck before finally sighing, "We should return to the carriage, dearest. The servants will be anticipating our arrival, having been notified of the carriage's approach." The couple returned to the carriage for the short ride to the house.

When the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the manor house, the servants lined the steps, with the housekeeper, butler, and a few other senior servants standing at the top. Darcy exited the carriage before handing Elizabeth out and escorting her toward the stairs as the footman assisted Jane. He halted at the top of the stairs, turning to issue a general introduction of his wife and Jane to the staff and nodding to dismiss them back to their tasks. That done, he introduced his wife to Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper; Mr Pembroke, the butler; and Mr Douglass, his steward.

Elizabeth exchanged greetings with the men but spoke with Mrs Reynolds for several minutes, knowing it was essential to establish a relationship with her quickly as the housekeeper would be integral to ensuring Elizabeth knew all she needed to know about the running of the house. That done, the entire party entered the house, and Darcy once again took Elizabeth's arm in the proprietary manner he had.

"Mrs Reynolds," Darcy said, "I trust you received my message that my wife's sister would accompany us and have prepared rooms for her?"

"Of course, sir," Mrs Reynolds replied in her efficient tone. "Miss Bennet, if you will come with me," the housekeeper's voice trailed off as she led Jane toward the family wing. Darcy and Elizabeth followed, but when Mrs Reynolds turned right at the top of the grand staircase, Darcy led Elizabeth to the left.

"Before I show you to our rooms, I wanted to show you my study. If I am not with you or out on the estate, I will likely be found here," Darcy whispered. "It is also next to the library, which I know you have been rather anxious to see."

She grinned mischievously at him. "I seem to recall your mentioning something about an assignation in your study when we were in London. Are you certain you merely mean to acquaint me with its location, sir?"

He grinned rather boyishly at her remembrance of his comment. "Do you, madam? Exactly what sort of assignation are you proposing?"

She laughed at that. "I am not proposing anything, you silly man. I am certain you have no untoward intentions. You are quite proper, are you not?"

Laughing, he moved quickly toward his destination. Upon entering the room, he shut and locked the door behind him before pulling her toward him and capturing her his lips with his own. "I love you, Elizabeth," he whispered. "Now, come here."

They made it to their rooms some time later, looking somewhat dishevelled and very well pleased with themselves.

Darcy had intended to spend his first week at Pemberley ignoring estate business and showing Elizabeth the house and its grounds, but the presence of Miss Bennet altered those plans, and instead, he spent the first week catching up on the business he had neglected during his stay in London. Typically, he would not have remained so long in town, but his wedding to the former Elizabeth Bennet had necessitated an extended stay for the season. That first week, each morning after breaking his fast with his wife in their rooms — their one indulgence in recognition of their recent marriage — he spent several hours in his study or riding out on the estate. Afternoons were devoted to his wife and her sister, although Jane graciously allowed the couple privacy on some of their excursions.

While Darcy worked, Elizabeth became better acquainted with Mrs Reynolds and her own duties as mistress. Jane attended some of these meetings, in particular when the three ladies viewed rooms the housekeeper felt needed updating. They viewed the mistress's chambers first, and Elizabeth was unwilling to make many changes to that room given that she did not expect to use it. She had several suggestions to make their sitting room more comfortable for the two of them, as Darcy had not considered a wife's preferences when having it done over following his father's death.

Several days after their arrival, they received the much-awaited letters from Longbourn and London. The letter from Gardiners arrived first, expressing surprise and dismay at Bennet's actions. In particular, they were upset on Elizabeth's behalf that Bennet had so readily agreed to Elizabeth's marriage because he hoped Darcy would pay off his debts. They were pleased with the conditions Elizabeth and Darcy had set in the loan and offered their support for anything that might be needed, including hosting Mary in London and bringing her with them to Derbyshire. To that end, they expressed appreciation for Darcy's offer of a second carriage for their travel to Pemberley.

Bennet's letter arrived a few days later as he had delayed sending it until the last moment. It was an act of petulance on his part that surprised neither Elizabeth nor her husband. They were, however, somewhat surprised by what the letter contained and by the contents of the letter from Mrs Bennet that accompanied it.

The note from Bennet was terse and stated he had informed his wife of the loan with its conditions. As expected, he elected to keep his two youngest daughters at home with a governess and expressed annoyance with the Gardiners having been informed of the situation and Mary's invitation to visit them in London and Derbyshire.

Mrs Bennet's note was abusive in its language toward her least favourite daughter.

How dare you act in such a way, you selfish girl? How could you force us to live in penury while you live in elegant wealth far away? And you have taken my dear Jane away with you, so you had best see that she marries a lord. She deserves so much more than you, and I am still amazed that you managed to capture such a wealthy man. He would have been much better suited to Jane, although I suppose since you compromised him, he had to marry you.

Nonetheless, you need to immediately write your father and forget this idea of repayment. What is five thousand pounds? Your Mr Darcy has so much more that it should matter little for him to give such a gift to your family. In fact, I intend for you to sponsor Lydia and Kitty in London next season. Lydia surely can capture a man of much greater consequence than your husband, as she is so much livelier and more beautiful than you. It is the least you can do since your father says they can no longer be 'out' in Hertfordshire, and we will be required to house a governess. I do not understand why you think they need a governess — there is absolutely nothing wrong with their behaviour. Just because you have married such a wealthy man does not mean you are above us now.

The rest of the letter carried on in this vein, alternately hateful and abusive, or demanding. One particular complaint she repeated several times was that while her pin money could not be decreased, Mr Bennet was requiring that she use more of it for the household, as the estate's income would be spent on improvements to increase its income and repay the loan from the Darcys. Mrs Bennet clearly did not know or understand why her husband had required a loan, or she did not care, but Elizabeth and Darcy were both incensed to have received such a letter.

For the first time since they married, Darcy insisted Elizabeth obey him and forbade her to respond to either parent. "Elizabeth, you cannot respond to such a letter as that. It is clear your mother has little regard for you, or she would not have written in such a way. Allow me to respond," he argued.

"It is my mother, and she has insulted me. I have always been her least favourite," Elizabeth replied. "Truly, William, I have become inured to her criticisms of me. It does not disturb me as it does you."

"Nonetheless, Elizabeth, if I will not allow my aunt to speak of you or to you in such a way, you cannot think I will allow your mother to do so," he insisted. "No, Elizabeth, you must allow me to respond to your father and send a copy of this letter with my own. She cannot be allowed to abuse you or make demands of you, not when we have rescued her from true penury. If your father were thrown into prison for his debts, what kind of life would she have? How long would your father survive?"

Elizabeth sighed heavily. "I do understand your point, William, and my mother is truly awful, I know. But I still think you should allow me to respond to them."

"Elizabeth, one of the conditions of the loan was that your father explain the entire situation to your mother," he said patiently. "It is clear he has not done so, especially the threat made to Jane, and your mother was not to say anything negative to you about it. As your husband and the one to whom the debt is owed, I need to be the one who informs him of his failure to comply. It is obvious he is not taking this seriously."

With a huff, Elizabeth agreed that her husband should write to Longbourn. He did, however, allow her to read what he had written, and when she finished, she hugged him. "You do write a very good letter, William," she teased.

He kissed her in reply before he sealed the letter and sent it by express.

Copyright 2023 by Melissa Anne