Mary replied, “It is clear now that she was following the example of the previous mistress of Pemberley. This was her model for how the previous mistress should treat the new mistress. Not that this makes it right, of course.”
“No, it most certainly does not!” Elizabeth said. “Would you not think that she would have been all the more resolute to behave differently, having been the victim of such treatment herself?”
Mary shook her head. “That would be the rational thing to do, of course, Lizzy. But how many rational people do you know? Do you think our mother will be happy to hand the keys over to Charlotte when the time comes?”
“You are right, Mary. And in any case, we are here to make amends.”
The two sisters fell silent, waiting. A maid came in to refresh the tea tray.
When Lady Anne finally returned, it was clear that she had been weeping. She settled herself on her chair and said, “There is nothing I can say that can excuse my treatment of you, Mrs. Darcy. I, of all people, should have known better. I cannot possibly excuse my behaviour.”
Elizabeth rose, walked to her mother-in-law, and curtsied. “Lady Anne, might we not begin again? I am Elizabeth, though most of my family call me Lizzy.”
Lady Anne rose and returned the curtsey, smiling through new tears. “I am Lady Anne Darcy, though I hope you will call me Mother. To you, Miss Bennet, I am simply Anne.”
After that, of course, Lady Anne heartily agreed to return to Pemberley and serve as the Dowager Mistress. She said she could be packed in just a day, and that Hannah would be delighted to learn that they were to return home. “If you will consent to spend the night here at Cresston Hall, we can travel back home together. If you do not mind my company, that is.”
Elizabeth and Mary assented readily, and were shown to their rooms to rest before dinner. “Well done!” Mary whispered to her sister before they each went into their separate rooms.
“I could not have done this without you, Mary,” Elizabeth whispered back.
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Upon hearing that the Darcy carriage had returned, Georgiana flew out the door, praying that her mother was one of the party. No words could adequately express Georgiana’s joy at seeing that her tearful prayers had been answered.
“Mother! Oh, Mother!”
Lady Anne held her daughter close, and was clearly as affected by the reunion as her daughter.
Mr. Darcy now appeared; to Elizabeth’s shock, he hugged her, in full view of a number of servants. “Elizabeth!” he murmured into her hair. Then, suddenly aware of his audience, he released her and said, “Come, let us all go inside. It is quite cold.”
Everyone was soon seated in the family drawing room. Mr. Darcy had the immense satisfaction of seeing his wife and mother on the best possible terms, calling one another “Mother” and “Lizzy.” He glanced quickly at Mary, and she gave him a brief nod, confirming that their mission had indeed been successful.
***
Colonel Fitzwilliam had elected to give the immediate family some time together before joining them, but truth be told, he was almost dancing with impatience to see Miss Bennet again. They had been apart for a week; what changes might that week have wrought? He was certain that Elizabeth knew of and supported his cause. Might she have spoken kindly of him?
His general had sent a letter to Matlock House requesting that he rejoin the regiment, and the letter had been forwarded to Pemberley. He would like very much to send a reply to the effect that he was about to be married and would be selling his commission as soon as possible! But he feared that if he spoke too soon, he would scare Miss Bennet off.
Why were women so dashed difficult to understand?
He entered the drawing room and had the immense satisfaction of seeing Miss Bennet’s face light up when she caught sight of him. He greeted his aunt and Elizabeth, and then sat beside Miss Bennet. “Did you miss me?” he whispered.
“Surprisingly enough, I did,” she returned.
His heart soared.
***
Lady Anne was almost incandescent with joy at being back at Pemberley. Fitzwilliam had watched her behaviour with Elizabeth – or Lizzy, as she would be called – until he was satisfied that the new accord between them was real, and then he had hugged her hard. Georgiana had glued herself to her mother’s side, refusing to be separated.
Every servant she had encountered had welcomed her back. Hannah had unpacked her mistress’ things with great haste, so the Ruby Room now looked and felt like home.
***
Hannah was as delighted as her mistress to be back at Pemberley, particularly as she could expect to be the center of attention downstairs for quite some time. This was particularly true as she had eavesdropped on the meeting of Lady Anne, Mrs. Darcy and Miss Bennet and had much to report to the other servants.
***
