Chapter 20: Pemberley
Elizabeth sat in the carriage along with Lady Martha and Lady Isabella. They had left the children behind. Lord Philip was out shooting with Darcy and some other friends. They were to join the ladies later at Pemberley.
Elizabeth was apprehensive about meeting Darcy again. On the other hand, she looked forward to seeing Pemberley. She had heard much about its beauty from the Ashtons and Georgiana.
Lady Isabella was silent throughout their journey. It was ten miles between Pemberley and Ashton Park. As soon as they entered the woods surrounding the estate, Elizabeth was mesmerized by the beauty. Streams were running along the road, and wildflowers filled the entire area.
"Is it not beautiful?" Lady Martha asked.
"I have no words to describe it." She said in awe.
"Well! I still remember the day I set foot on Pemberley. My husband and Mr George Darcy were childhood friends. Anne, I mean Mrs Darcy, and I became the thickest of friends soon after I came to Derbyshire. I am reminded of those days when I see you and Georgiana."
"How long has it been since Mrs Darcy died?" She asked.
"Anne died a few months after Georgiana was born. It left the entire family devastated. Mr Darcy died about five years ago. Fitzwilliam was in his early twenties when he took over the estate. But I think he has done a remarkable job."
Elizabeth nodded.
I must get over this feeling of being unsettled by the mention of his name or his presence.
When the carriage entered the official grounds of Pemberley, Elizabeth was dumbstruck.
The house was triple the size of Ashton Park. There was a beautiful lake right in front of the building.
Georgiana received them with warmth.
They met Mrs Reynolds in the hallway. Elizabeth was already acquainted with the housekeeper.
"I wish you had brought the children along." Georgiana said to Lady Isabela.
"I am sorry, Miss Darcy. We will bring them along next time." Lady Isabella replied.
They sat down to have tea, and Elizabeth enjoyed the beautiful view the parlor offered. She could see the lake.
"I would love to give you a tour of the house and gardens." Georgiana said to Elizabeth.
"Of course. I would be delighted." She replied.
They had tea, and Georgiana took Elizabeth and Lady Isabella to show the house. Pemberley was not new to Lady Isabella, but she accompanied Georgiana.
Elizabeth was impressed with the elegance of the house. Nothing seemed flamboyant. She saw a couple of portraits of the Darcy family on the wall.
"My parents." Georgiana said with a hint of sadness.
"You look just like your mother, Miss Darcy." Elizabeth exclaimed.
She then noticed Darcy's portrait. It was true to his likeliness. The smile on his face reminded her of his countenance at the bookstore. She knew he had enjoyed taunting her.
They toured the other parts of the house and finally stopped at the library.
Elizabeth was in awe of the enormous space.
"My brother loves to read, just like you." Georgiana exclaimed.
"It is beautiful indeed." Elizabeth said, impressed at the collection.
"What about the library in your townhouse? Is it big as well?" Lady Isabella asked.
"Not as big as this. But Fitzwilliam adds to the collection." Georgiana replied.
"Shall we head to the gardens?" She asked Elizabeth.
They left outside. The gardens spread throughout the property. Elizabeth noticed that Lady Isabella was in deep thought.
She saw Elizabeth look at her and immediately concentrated on what Georgiana said.
"My brother said that the rose gardens were my mother's favorite."
"I cannot imagine why? One can spend almost an entire day here." Elizabeth exclaimed.
"It was also Lady Sophia's favorite place in Pemberley." Georgiana said.
"Yes, it was." Lady Isabella said. "She has mentioned many times that she wanted to plant the same kind of roses in Ashton Park."
For the first time, Elizabeth heard Lady Isabella mention her deceased friend. There was genuine sadness in her voice.
They went back into the house. Georgiana wanted Elizabeth to see her chambers.
She hesitated.
"Please, do come." Georgiana pressed.
Lady Isabella looked at her them disapprovingly.
Elizabeth looked at Georgiana's eager face and could not want to deny her request.
They headed upstairs, and this time Lady Isabella did not join them. Elizabeth realised how lonely it must be for Georgiana to stay in such a big property without her brother.
Georgiana's room was located on the upper floor. The room was elegantly furnished, and the windows had a beautiful view of the lake.
"It must be delightful to wake up to such a view, Miss Darcy." Elizabeth said.
"It is. My mother's room has a better view of the entire lake." She said.
Georgiana showed Elizabeth the books her brother had bought her recently. Elizabeth was impressed with Darcy's taste in books. She was reminded of her father's library.
"I have read all the poetry. You could take these to Ashton Park if you like."
Elizabeth looked at all the books. She understood from Georgiana that those were the books Darcy had purchased from Lambton. She could not spot the book she had wanted to buy that day.
Maybe he felt guilty to purchase it. She thought.
They headed downstairs and joined the other ladies.
In a short while, the men joined them.
The moment Darcy entered the room, his eyes fell straight on Elizabeth and his sister.
He could see the bright smile on Georgiana's face. Elizabeth's expression was composed. Her expression was composed. But he could not say the same about himself.
Darcy could sense that she was not pleased to see him. He could not say the same about himself. He found her uncommonly beautiful. She wore a simple gown, but the lilac color complimented her skin beautifully.
They bowed formally to each other. Darcy took a seat next to his sister. Elizabeth sat on the other side of Georgiana.
She felt the same feeling when she saw Darcy. He reminded of her horrific decision on the cliff.
Georgiana conversed amiably with Elizabeth, and Darcy could not understand how his shy sister found it so easy to be around Elizabeth.
Maybe her position as an employee is easy for Georgiana. He thought. The next moment he criticized himself for such an illogical thought. He could see that Elizabeth was different from any other woman acquainted with Georgiana. He always felt uncomfortable when the women who conversed with his sister flattered him. Some did the opposite and praised Georgiana relentlessly amidst his company. Both siblings felt uncomfortable in such situations.
But Elizabeth seldom mentioned Darcy when she spoke with his sister.
It was Georgiana looked at her brother often, and Darcy realized he wanted him to join the conversation.
He did not know what to say to her.
" I hope Georgiana gave you a tour of the house, Miss Smith. " He said formally.
" Yes, sir. She did. You have a beautiful estate." She replied.
They locked eyes, and Elizabeth felt unsettled by his gaze. I am certain that he has invited me here only for his sister's sake.
" In which part of town did you grow up?" He asked.
" Grace Church street." She replied, inwardly dreading his next question.
Fortunately for Elizabeth, he did not ask anything related to her past.
" How do you like Derbyshire? Do you like the country better?"
" I do. I love to be outdoors and the trails are beautiful here. " She said and bit her lip.
Darcy nodded knowingly. Elizabeth noticed a small smile on his lips. He could not forget their first meeting.
From her expression, he sensed that her thoughts were on the same.
" Won't you play for us, Georgiana? " Lord Philip asked.
Georgiana looked at her brother. He could sense that he was eager to hear her.
She played a few of her favorite songs, and everyone was impressed.
Darcy applauded heartily, and Elizabeth could see the adoration in his eyes whenever he looked at his sister.
" Miss Smith, it is your turn." Georgiana said.
Elizabeth hesitated.
She had not played before anyone except Lady Martha and Georgiana at Ashton Park.
" Yes, dear. You must." lady Martha insisted.
She reluctantly got up and walked to the pianoforte.
Georgiana had several choices of songs. Elizabeth looked at the books and found them too refined for her skills.
" These are too complex for my skill, Miss Darcy. " Elizabeth said with a laugh.
" Oh! Do not say that? If you do not prefer these, then please play whatever you like. You do play beautifully." Georgiana said with warmth.
She could sense the critical gaze of Darcy upon her.
She did not care what he would think of her performance. She played one of her favorite songs.
Her performance was not as skilled as Georgiana's but there was something soulful in her music. Darcy had not heard the particular piece before. He was intrigued by her performance.
There seemed to be perfect harmony between her fingers and the keys. Darcy found her performance riveting. He had seen numerous women perform but never appreciated anyone except Georgiana genuinely.
There is something soulful in her performance. She did not once look in my direction.
When Elizabeth ended her song, there was a stunning round of applause. Even Mrs Annesley, who was never open with her appreciation, gave praise.
"You play well, Miss Smith. I really enjoyed your performance." She said to Elizabeth.
"Thank you, Madam." Elizabeth replied to her.
Elizabeth sat down next to Georgiana, and Darcy was surprised that she did not even look in his direction.
He cleared his throat.
"You play remarkably well, Miss Smith."
Elizabeth was surprised by his praise.
"Thank you." She said. He must say this for the sake of his sister.
"How is Richard doing, Fitzwilliam?" Lady Martha asked.
"He is doing well."
"It has been ages since I saw him. Would he join you here before Christmas?"
"I have asked him to come. I hope he can visit soon."
Georgiana explained to Elizabeth how Richard was related to them.
"My cousin Richard shares my custody along with my brother." She said.
"I see." Elizabeth said.
She does not have parents, but I am certain her brother takes care of her welfare remarkably well.
She wished she had someone like that to support her.
You did have a choice Elizabeth. Aunt Gardiner wanted you to stay with her. Uncle Gardiner wanted to take you back. But I could not go. I could never go there. He despised my mother for her choices. She thought.
The evening ended in good spirits for everyone.
"I am so glad you came." Georgiana said gratefully. When they left, Georgiana and Darcy were invited to dine at Ashton Park the following week.
Darcy handed them into the carriage.
"Thank you for being our guest, Miss Smith." He said to her as he assisted her.
"The pleasure is mine." She replied.
As the carriage left, Darcy could sense sadness on his sister's face.
"Georgi, you will see your friend in a couple of days, do not be so forlorn."
"Yes, of course." Georgiana said and looked forward to her next visit to Ashton Park.
In the carriage, Elizabeth was in deep thought.
He seems perfectly cordial to me. Why did he behave like that at the bookstore? Maybe he is just acting for the sake of his sister. She contemplated Darcy's character till they reached Ashton Park until she got tired of her own thoughts.