Between Elizabeth’s boundless energy and Lady Anne’s decades of experience, Pemberley hosted a Harvest Dance for tenants and servants, as well as a Christmas Ball for neighbours and any family members who cared to make the journey.
The Harvest Dance had been a tremendous success, and both the current and dowager mistresses of Pemberley were thanked, again and again, by everyone who attended.
The Christmas Ball was attended by over sixty people, including neighbours such as Sir Bragg and Lady Bragg with their two daughters and three sons, Lord and Lady Wilson with their four daughters and two sons, and Lord and Lady Haversham with their two daughters and two sons. Georgiana had been permitted to show off her newly acquired dancing skills with her brother and cousin, as well as a few young guests who had been deemed suitable by Lady Anne.
The Bennets thought it too far to travel, particularly as they would see everybody in January for Mary’s wedding, but the Gardiners were happy to attend, as were the Marlocks.
The musicians had been brought in from London; a man to chalk the floors had also been persuaded to risk the roads and the weather. The menu had been extensive: white soup, vegetable pie, pork pie, mincemeat pie, chicken pie with stuffing, roast goose, poached salmon, glazed carrots, leeks and onions, pickles, jellies, and a variety of breads. Cook had made fifteen Christmas puddings, and a footman had been assigned to each one to set it alight at a nod from Mr. Darcy. The spectacle of fifteen puddings set alight simultaneously had been widely applauded.
The guests were full of praise and admiration. The gowns – ah, such elegance had not been seen at Pemberley since old Mr. Darcy had passed on to his reward! Such jewels! Such bobbing of headdresses!
It was noted that Mr. Darcy had been unable to take his eyes from his wife, who had been bedecked in a white gown covered with a sparkling overlay. And at her throat and ears were – yes, those were diamonds, and she even had a diamond tiara on her shining curls!
“My mother finally gave them up to you?” he whispered, as he twirled her around the floor.
“She left them here when she went to Cresston Hall. I tried to give them back to her, as I truly did not care, but her mind was quite made up. And I find they are not so very cold after all!” she replied, laughing.
She looked over at Lady Anne, who was waving her new ivory fan, and the two exchanged warm smiles.
Pemberley had indeed come back to life.
***
Lady Anne finally answered her sister’s increasingly irate letters, each demanding to know what was going on there at Pemberley. Had Elizabeth left Pemberley and returned to her unfortunate home in the country, wherever that may be? Had Lady Anne’s plans met with success? Did Darcy now understand his error in marrying that nobody?
Alas, Catherine de Bourgh would not be best pleased by her sister’s long-delayed response.
Dear Catherine,
I take pen in hand to tell you that we, you and I, got it entirely wrong. Elizabeth – or Lizzy, as I now call her – is the best thing that could have happened to Pemberley. She is young, energetic, clever, andutterlydevoted to Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and Pemberley.
I know that you wanted Anne gone so that no one could take Rosings Park from you. But take my advice, dear sister: find an energetic husband for your daughter so that Rosings Park will continue. You and I, we will die and someday be forgotten. But it is our responsibility to ensure that our legacy continues, that the estates that have been entrusted to our care continue to prosper.
Incidentally, Richard Fitzwilliam might have done for Anne, had we but thought of it, but it is too late, as he is now engaged to Lizzy’s next younger sister.
I hope you will heed my words, dear sister! Give my namesake a kiss from me.
Your loving sister,
Anne Darcy
Chapter Eighty
On the twenty-fifth of January, eight months after Elizabeth’s wedding, the Bennet family gathered again in Meryton’s chapel.
The Colonel was introduced to everyone in Meryton, and not a single soul had a word to say against him. He was approved of by everyone he met, and his willingness to stand drinks to anyone and everyone at the Red Lion had almost nothing to do with it.
Jane Bingley was now visibly with child, and her husband was absurdly solicitous of her health. “He would carry her about, if he could manage it!” Lydia had been heard to giggle, and though her mother scolded her, it was the simple truth.
The Earl and Countess were present, as they had been eight months before, and their faces were wreathed in smiles. Their second son had given up the army and was about to marry a young lady who was perfect for him in every way! Their eldest son, the Viscount Darwood, was also in attendance; he delighted both Kitty and Lydia by praising their gowns, saying that his wife, the Viscountess Darwood, had nothing so fine.
Charlotte had refused to give in to pressure from her husband and their patroness, and had journeyed alone from Kent to see Mary’s wedding. Like Jane, she was with child; unlike Jane, she had always enjoyed ruddy health and did not fear travel whileenceinte. She spent a good deal of time making up to Mrs. Bennet, who was now almost –almost! – resigned to leaving Longbourn tothose Collinsshould Mr. Bennet predecease her.
As a beaming Kitty walked up the aisle (she had been warned not to stick out her tongue at Lydia), Mr. Darcy whispered to Elizabeth, “Marrying you was the very best thing that ever happened to me; I am truly grateful to Caroline Bingley.”
And as Mary followed Kitty up the aisle to her groom, Elizabeth whispered to Mr. Darcy, “I am delighted to hear you say that, William, as I believe I may be with child.”
Mary and Richard spoke their vows in clear and ringing tones, but neither Elizabeth nor Mr. Darcy heard a word of it.
