She glared at him. “So I should ignore the tenants at Longbourn and their needs? Is Pemberley so much greater than Longbourn?” she demanded huffily.
“Yes,” he said, immediately regretting the answer when he saw her flinch. “Elizabeth, your mother is the mistress of Longbourn and has been for many years. You have done what you can, but it is no longer your responsibility. Your responsibility is here, to our tenants.”
“I have cared for these people for years, and you would have me forsake them entirely just because I married you?” she asked heatedly.
“No, Elizabeth, that is not what I am saying,” he tried again. “Your focus should be here, on our home.”
“Longbourn is my home,” she stated churlishly.
“Not anymore,” he retorted. “Remember when you promised to forsake all others? Pemberley is your home. I understand Longbourn will always be important to you, but Pemberley and the tenants here should be your focus.”
“I cannot forsake those at Longbourn,” she insisted again.
“So you would forsake Pemberley’s tenants instead?” he asked softly.
“I am here, am I not?” she asked testily.
“You are in body, but it seems you prefer to be at Longbourn,” he replied sadly. “If you wish, I will arrange for you to travel there, but you must understand I cannot accompany you this time. As the Master of Pemberley, I must remain here to see to my tenants, even if the Mistress chooses to return to herhome.”
Elizabeth interpreted his tone of voice as disgusted and believed he was unhappy that he must still deal with Longbourn. “If that is your wish,” she said coldly, marching from the study to her rarely used bedchamber.
She sat on her bed, feeling dejected and angry with her husband for his dismissal of her concerns and his refusal to travel with her to Longbourn.
“I do not want to travel to Longbourn,” she said to herself. “Mama and Mrs Hill are either doing what is needed or they are not. Mama willnever do what I suggest, and I will be miserable.” Elizabeth suddenly realised she had angered her husband and began to cry over the silly argument. Even when she lived there, Longbourn barely felt like home, so why did she insist on leaving Pemberley and her husband alone at Christmas? They had guests arriving soon; would she leave him alone to deal with their families? Upset over the argument and exhausted from carrying their child, she eventually cried herself to sleep.
Darcy was likewise concerned about the conversation and its unexpected turn. He should not have offered to transport her to Longbourn, but she had not disagreed. He was hurt and upset because Elizabeth might choose Longbourn and its tenants over him and might even leave him alone for Christmas. He realised he desperately needed to talk with her.
He found her asleep on her bed in the mistress’s chamber, with the evidence of tears clearly on her face. Sitting beside her, he watched her for several minutes before removing his shoes, cravat, and jacket. As he settled behind her, Darcy placed his hand on her waist and was startled when he felt something press against it. When it dawned on him that he was feeling their child moving, something he had been longing to feel since Elizabeth told him she was expecting, he forgot his upset as he rejoiced at the confirmation of his impending fatherhood.
More determined than ever to fix things with his wife, he settled in behind her and held her and their child as she slept. He occasionally felt movement under his hand and thrilled each time as he quietly conversed with his child. His wife would not leave Pemberley without him, and if she really thought a visit to Longbourn necessary, he would make it happen.
Elizabeth was surprised and relieved when she awoke and realised her husband was cuddling her, although she was still frustrated with their misunderstanding and uncertain how to clear the air. When she stirred, he was instantly alert. “Elizabeth, if you truly feel you must visit Longbourn, we will go, but, dearest, do you feel you ought to make such a trip in your condition? We have guests arriving soon—your sisters, my cousin, and my aunt and uncle will all arrive soon, but perhaps we could travel just after the New Year. I would rather we remain at Pemberley until the baby is born, and travelling mightbe difficult with the weather, but we could try if it is important to you.”
She sighed and relaxed into him. “I do not want to travel to Longbourn, William, now or in January. I am unsure why I was so upset; all I can say is that your child has me reacting in a less-than-rational manner at times, and my reactions sometimes frighten even me. You are right; Mrs Hill will ensure the tenants are cared for, regardless of what Mama does. After my husband and child, Pemberley and its tenants are my main concern. I sometimes have trouble letting go of the things I should.”
He smiled at her characterisation of herself. “I do understand having trouble letting go of things, my dear. I agree your condition may have also contributed to your upset,” he suggested.
Elizabeth was momentarily indignant but soon conceded he was correct. “I am irrational; I know it, but I cannot seem to help it. Carrying your child is driving me to madness, Will.”
Darcy laughed. “I felt him move earlier, dearest,” he whispered into her ear. “While you were sleeping. I felt him press against my hand.”
She turned to look at him, smiling brightly at his excitement. “Our child is a ‘he’ today?” she teased.
He shrugged. “I do not care if it is a boy or a girl, as long as you and it are delivered safely, dearest,” he replied. “I confess, I look forward to having a son, my heir, to share my love of Pemberley, but I will be equally pleased with a daughter. Of most importance to me is thatyouare well, my love. Besides, Pemberley is not entailed; a daughter might inherit, as long as her husband is willing to take the Darcy name.”
The couple spoke happily for several minutes longer about their child and their hopes for the future. Eventually, they returned to the topic of their earlier argument, and Elizabeth finally accepted that she needed to trust Mrs Hill to do what needed to be done, as she had done before Elizabeth took charge six years before.
After returningto London and paying half a dozen calls to Jane in Gracechurch Street, Mr Hastings asked for a courtship,which Jane happily accepted. Jane was of age, so his permission was not required, but Mr Gardiner was asked for his blessing, and he quickly gave it.
The Gardiners and Jane decided to remain in London for Christmas to avoid interrupting the courtship, and Colonel Fitzwilliam readily agreed to escort Georgiana, Mary, Kitty, and their companions to Pemberley.
Given the circumstances at Longbourn, Jane kept her courtship a secret from her mother. Besides those living in Gracechurch Street, Jane only told her favourite sister her news as she did not want a repeat of her experience at Longbourn when she thought Mr Bingley was courting her.
Through November and December, the two quietly courted. They attended a few events, and Mr Hastings frequently joined the Gardiners for meals and other smaller evening gatherings when his work as a barrister permitted. While that gentleman would typically return to his parents’ estate for the Christmas season, he happily accepted the invitation to celebrate Christmas with the Gardiners as he had a very particular present for Jane for the holiday.
On Christmas Day, after attending service with the Gardiners, Mr Hastings requested permission to walk with Jane in the park near their home. Permission was quickly granted, and the two set off with a maid following behind. Nearly as soon as they entered the park, Mr Hastings escorted Jane to a bench in the centre and helped her sit before sitting next to her. “My dearest Jane,” he whispered as he took her hands in his, “we have courted for six weeks, and I knew you a month before that. You have become very dear to me, and I would like it if we never have to part again. Do you think you could ever love me? For I love you, most sincerely.”
Tears gathered in Jane’s eyes, and, for a moment, she could not speak. “I could,” she finally whispered, squeezing his hands in response. “I do.”
