Georgiana was silent, her mouth a perfect “o” of consternation. She was silent for a long minute before venturing, “But that was always going to happen, Mother, was it not? Even had William married Cousin Anne, she would then have been mistress.” Georgiana thought that Cousin Anne would have been a very poor mistress of Pemberley; perhaps that was why William had looked elsewhere for a bride.
Lady Anne continued, “They are on their way here even now, Georgiana.”
“Do you need help to move your things, Mother?”
“My things?”
“Well, William has never yet moved into the master’s quarters because you were still in the mistress’ rooms. Surely, now he will want your room to go to his bride. I would be happy to help you decide which room to move into and what furnishings to take. Oh, that would be such fun!” And Georgiana clapped her hands together in excitement.
“I have no intention of moving into a different room, Georgiana,” her mother said, in her sternest Mistress-of-Pemberley voice.
“But –“
But Lady Anne Darcy had already sailed from the room, head high.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy spent a very enjoyable four days together as they journeyed to Pemberley. They stopped frequently, for meals, to sleep and occasionally simply to walk in a lovely meadow. They played the First Line game, each impressed with the other’s breadth of knowledge. Mr. Darcy teased his wife, saying that it was very likely she had not read any of these books in their entirety, choosing only to memorise the first line. They discussed the possibility of a delayed wedding trip to Bath, perhaps next spring.
Though they had separate bedrooms at the inns – indeed, Mr. Darcy could not trust himself not to bed his tempting wife, had he the opportunity – he helped her to dress and undress, as she could not manage without a maid to assist her. These occasions were simultaneously the best and the most difficult parts of his day, for her smooth skin and tempting figure made these duties both immensely pleasurable and torturous. It took every ounce of his self-control not to claim her as his own on this journey, and he could scarcely wait for them to be alone at Pemberley
For Elizabeth’s part, she still felt that they had been rushed into the marriage, but she too experienced almost unbearable pleasure and tension as he helped her into and out of her clothing. He had promised that they would wait until they reached Pemberley, and she would wait as patiently as possible, but – oh! – it was becoming more and more difficult to do so. She did not dress or undress him, of course, but feeling his hands on her skin…well, she could scarcely wait for them to be alone at Pemberley.
She was told about Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, and Mr. Barton, the butler, both of whom had been with the Darcy family for decades, as well as about the many tenants of the estate. Elizabeth also learnt a little about the new sister waiting for her at Pemberley. She was told that the girl was fifteen, loved music, and was quite shy.
“Will Georgiana like me?” Elizabeth asked, aware that she was asking to be complimented.
He did not disappoint, replying immediately, “How could she not?”
“Your Aunt Catherine and your mother managed to withstand my charms,” she said, dryly.
“My mother will come around,” he said. “It may take some time, but I am certain you will win her over.”
“Is there a Dower House at Pemberley?” Elizabeth asked.
“There was one, long ago; it burnt to the ground in my grandfather’s time and was never rebuilt.”
“So there is no place…” Elizabeth trailed off.
Her husband understood her at once. “She has an estate called Cresston Hall in Cumberland, but she has not been there in many years.”
***
When they crested the final hill, Mr. Darcy tapped the ceiling of the coach with his stick, and the coach stopped.
“Why are we stopping?”
“This rise provides the best view of the house. Come, see your new home.”
Anyone would have caught their breath at the sight of Pemberley, but Elizabeth, a lifelong lover of natural beauty, could feel her heart stop for a moment. The house was enormous and lovely, of course, but such grounds! And the clear sapphire water of the lake, reflecting the image of the house! She had never seen such beauty, and tears rose to her eyes. She turned those shining eyes to her husband, and he could not resist – he kissed her heartily.
But when they pulled up to the house, his tender mood turned dark. He had sent a message by rider that morning, in addition to the letter ten days earlier; where was the line of servants he had requested? They should all be standing in front of the house to welcome their new mistress. Elizabeth could not be ignorant of the custom, as she turned her dark eyes to his in confusion.
He tried to remain calm, saying, “No matter, Elizabeth; you will meet everyone soon enough.”
Barton opened the front door and gazed at him in astonishment. “Mr. Darcy, sir! We did not expect you.”
“I see that, Barton,” his master replied, walking past him into the house. “Where is my mother?”
