Page 65 of A Different Impression

She turned within his embrace and slipped her hand into his. “That sounds absolutely lovely, my dear William.”

Darcy raised her hand to his lips, but instead of kissing her knuckles, he turned it and pressed a lingering kiss to the inside of her wrist. Her pulse fluttered beneath his mouth.

“It does indeed,” he murmured.

CHAPTER 28

An Expected Joy

Elizabeth’s first winter at Pemberley passed more quietly than she had expected. After Lord and Lady Matlock and Richard departed in early January, the household settled into a comfortable routine. Georgiana, Kitty and Anne found ready companionship in one another, allowing Elizabeth to devote much of her time to learning her duties as mistress of the estate. Although Anne still retired earlier than the younger girls and occasionally remained abed in the mornings, she seemed healthier and stronger with each passing week.

While a private study had been prepared for her use, Elizabeth preferred to carry her letters and household books into William’s study and work beside him. The pleased glances he sent her whenever he looked up from his correspondence assured her that he welcomed the arrangement. Her own work occasionally suffered, however, for she blushed nearly every time she caught him watching her. She could not mistake the warmth in his eyes—or the memories inspiring it.

It did not take long for Elizabeth to suspect that their affection had also attracted the notice of the servants. Anyone entering the study knocked with exaggerated care and waited for a clear invitation before opening the door, whilst even their personal servants approached the private chambers with particular caution.

Her suspicions were confirmed one afternoon when she passed a half-open door and overheard two footmen quietly wagering upon whether an expected heir would be announced before the end of winter. Elizabeth slipped away before they discovered her, her cheeks burning. Mortification soon gave way to reluctant amusement. Their speculation might have been impertinent, but she could hardly call it unfounded when she and William had given the household ample reason to wonder.

Beyond her new responsibilities—and the pleasurable distractions of sharing William’s study—much of Elizabeth’s winter was measured by the letters that travelled between Pemberley, Longbourn, Matlock and London. She corresponded regularly with Jane, Mary and Charlotte, whilst Kitty occasionally received a disgruntled letter from Lydia in Northampton.

One January afternoon, Kitty entered the study carrying several closely written sheets.

“Lydia has written again, Lizzy,” she said, handing the letter to Elizabeth. “She wishes me to persuade you to invite her to Pemberley.”

Elizabeth unfolded it.

19 January 1812

Dear Kitty,

Father continues to leave me here in this terrible school while you go about having a good time with Georgiana Darcy. Lizzy and you have all the luck. I hate it here. The girls are rude, and the headmistress is very strict. I have absolutely no rights at all! They keep telling me I must earn privileges through “proper behaviour” and dedication to my lessons, but their lessons are no fun, and besides, what is the point of “proper behaviour”? Ugh!

Please invite me to join you at Pemberley. I am certain that Lizzy would agree, and Papa would not say no to her if she were to ask. Besides, she is married now, and to a very rich man, so what does it matter how I behave? Shouldn’t the headmistress have better things to do with her time than to worry about my behaviour? Anyway, they make me practise by writing letters to my family, and I much prefer to write to you. Mama rarely bothers to reply to my letters; when she does, all she does is complain. Perhaps you have something interesting to share? Did you meet any officers in London? Or other handsome gentlemen? I heard Lizzy’s new cousin is a colonel. Did you flirt with him?

Tell me all your news. Do not forget to ask Lizzy to invite me to Pemberley!

Lydia

“What do you intend to tell her?” Elizabeth asked as she returned the letter to her sister.

“That she should apply herself to what she is being taught,” Kitty replied. “And that I will not ask you to invite her until Papa and her headmistress agree that her behaviour has improved.”

Elizabeth regarded her sister with pleased surprise. “That is a very sensible answer.”

“Mrs Annesley says that proper behaviour does not mean allowing everyone else to decide what one ought to think. It means knowing one’s own worth whilst behaving in a manner that does not injure anyone else.” Kitty hesitated before adding, “She is also teaching Georgiana and me how to recognise those who cannot be trusted.”

Elizabeth suspected Lydia would find little pleasure in such an answer, which might explain why her letters to Kitty had grown increasingly infrequent. Still, Kitty’s progress pleased her. Time spent with Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, Lady Matlock, and Anne had given her a confidence Elizabeth had never seen whilst Lydia remained her chief companion.

By early March, the household began preparing for their journey to London. Elizabeth and William would depart first so that she might begin ordering what was required for the Season. They intended to stop at Longbourn on the way to collect Jane and Charlotte.

Mary declined their invitation. In her most recent letter, she explained that she preferred to remain at Longbourn, where their father had begun teaching her about the estate whilst Mrs Hill instructed her in household management. Mary’s satisfaction in the arrangement was evident in every page. Elizabeth was pleased that her sister had finally been given an opportunity to develop confidence in her own abilities.

Charlotte, however, had agreed to accompany them to London and act as Anne’s companion at those events Anne felt well enough to attend. The friendship between the two women had begun almost accidentally. Anne had overheard Elizabeth repeating something amusing from one of Charlotte’s letters and asked her to include a message in her reply. After carrying several such messages between them, Elizabeth had laughingly suggested that they correspond directly.

Anne had since persuaded Charlotte to accept a wardrobe suitable for the Season, although it had required considerable effort from both Anne and Elizabeth before Charlotte agreed. Anne would follow the Darcys to London a week later with Georgiana, Kitty and Mrs Annesley.

Mrs Jenkinson had remained in London throughout the winter. Anne confided to Elizabeth that she no longer required a constant companion now that she had the support of her cousins and new friends. She had therefore settled a comfortable pension upon Mrs Jenkinson, allowing the woman to divide her time between her daughters in Kent and London.

Elizabeth’s own correspondence had not been equally gratifying. Her letters to her mother felt increasingly stilted, but she continued to write occasionally from a sense of duty. Mrs Bennet never replied.