“In the drawing room, sir,” the butler replied. He then turned his eyes to Elizabeth, who had followed her husband. His confusion was plain on his face.
“My mother did not tell you of my marriage, I take it?” Mr. Darcy spoke softly now, emphasizing each syllable; those who knew him well were aware that this was a sign of great displeasure.
“No, Mr. Darcy, she did not,” Barton replied, rather indignantly. “Had I known, sir, I would have had all the servants here to welcome the new Mrs. Darcy, of course.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “I know you would have, Barton. In any case, this is Mrs. Darcy. Mrs. Darcy, this is Barton, who has been the butler here at Pemberley for fifteen years.”
Elizabeth trembled inside, thinking this a very poor beginning to her tenure as the mistress of the estate; but recalling her aunt’s words, as well as those of her husband, she lifted her head higher and met the butler’s eyes calmly. “I am pleased to meet you, Barton; Mr. Darcy speaks very highly of you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” he replied. “It is kind of you to say so.” With that, he bowed deeply and led the way into the drawing room.
Elizabeth’s first impression of the drawing room was that it was tastefully decorated, if a bit old-fashioned, but her attention was quickly taken by the two figures sitting together on the sofa. She recognised Lady Anne, of course; the young woman beside her must then be Georgiana Darcy.
“Lady Anne,” she said, curtseying. She had not yet been introduced to Georgiana, so she could not greet her.
“What in the world areyoudoing here, Miss Bennet?” Lady Anne’s voice was all astonishment, though Elizabeth had no difficulty in identifying it as false. The woman knew very well what Elizabeth was doing at Pemberley.
Mr. Darcy strode toward his mother, eyes flashing. “What are you about, Mother? I know you received my letter several days ago, as well as my message this morning, as the riders confirmed placing both directly into your hands as I directed.”
Lady Anne shrugged. “You must have chosen your riders poorly, Fitzwilliam, as I have received nothing from you.”
Elizabeth saw Georgiana look at her mother quickly and gasp, her hand over her mouth.
Her actions did not escape her brother’s notice, as he promptly said, “You see, Mother, Georgiana has a better character than you; her face tells me that you received my messages.” Mr. Darcy’s face was angry, his tone taut.
“Well, she is quite wrong. In any case, here you are and heresheis.”
Elizabeth said, quietly, “William, will you not present your sister to me?”
“I apologise, Elizabeth; things are not as they should be, as you can see. Elizabeth, this is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, this is my wife, Mrs. Darcy.”
The young girl rose to her feet and curtsied, glancing at her mother uncertainly, and said, almost inaudibly, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I hope you will call me Elizabeth, as we are to be sisters.”
The girl looked at her mother, who scowled and shook her head at her daughter.
Elizabeth intercepted the glance. “Evidently that familiarity will not be permitted by your mother. Very well, we shall be Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy. It seems unnecessarily formal, but as you prefer.”
Barton then appeared, asking, “Where shall the new mistress’ trunks go?”
“In the mistress’ rooms, of course – hold, Mother, are you still occupying the mistress’ quarters?”
“Of course; I am the mistress of Pemberley.”
Mr. Darcy’s anger was barely contained as he spoke. “That is no longer the case. Elizabeth’s things will be brought there, and your things will be moved to the – which room do you prefer, Mother? There are rooms enough to house most of the county; pick which one you prefer.”
“I prefer the mistress’ rooms, as I have always done.”
Mr. Darcy stared at his mother as if he had never seen her before, as his next words confirmed. “I hardly know what to make of you, Mother. I would have expected such behaviour from Aunt Catherine, but not from you.”
Georgiana said, timorously, “The Ruby Room is the largest of the remaining family rooms.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Quite right.” He turned to the butler, whose eyebrows had been up near his forehead throughout the conversation. “Bring Mrs. Darcy’s trunks to the mistress’ rooms, and have my mother’s things packed up and taken to the Ruby Room. And my own things must be brought to the master’s rooms, as I have never yet occupied them.”
Lady Anne rose, head held as high as if she were the Queen, and said, “I shall supervise the packing of my own possessions, of course.” And she sailed past Elizabeth without a word. At the doorway, she paused and said, “Come, Georgiana.”
The girl gave Elizabeth a quick, frightened glance and scurried after her mother.
