Pemberley’s servants were lined up before the great home as their master and mistress returned in the cold air of early winter. The sky looked as though snow might fly at any moment and several of the maids rubbed their hands together for warmth.
Elizabeth’s heart soared as their carriage crested the hill and began its descent. She cradled her middle as Mr. Darcy placed an arm behind her and slid closer on the bench. “I never thought I would be so happy to see my home again, Elizabeth. It is because of you and Richard and the babe. Pemberley will swell with the sounds of children and family once again.”
She turned and smiled at him. “Do not forget Georgie. She will marry soon and of course there will be her children to welcome when she comes to visit.”
Mr. Darcy had not forgotten for his sister had filled several trunks with a most magnificent trousseau in London while he lay ill. They had hired another carriage to carry her treasures home. “I must say I am most pleased she will marry the viscount. He is a true gentleman with enough wealth to support my sister and any children they may have. It is a great solace that his estate lies only a few miles to the North.”
Elizabeth was pleased for her sister as well. “Indeed, it will be lovely to have her close at hand. I cannot think of her far from us for any reason even though she will be mistress of her own home.”
Before the carriages halted at the huge, double doors of Pemberley, Mr. Darcy took his wife’s hand. “I know you miss Jane terribly. I have thought of persuading Bingley to purchase an estate nearby. Perhaps when the spring comes, they will visit. I will show him Derbyshire will be better for his family than Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth delighted at this news. “You are ever thinking of my happiness, William. How lucky I am to have such a thoughtful husband.”
She kissed him softly, her lips eager and wishing for more. Mr. Darcy responded in kind and the two were unaware their carriage had stopped and a footman stood waiting to open the door.
Georgiana called to them, her voice filled with mirth. “Come you two! Have you not had quite enough of sitting in that carriage?”
Young Richard jumped down from his conveyance with Mr. Harley following behind. He called to his mother and the romantic spell between the Darcys was broken.
There was a wave of quiet laughter through the servants until Mrs. Reynolds turned and glared at them all. Still, when she faced forward again, a smile graced to her lips. She was thrilled the family had returned and that the Darcys still behaved as newlyweds.
Mr. Darcy stepped down and waited to assist his wife from the conveyance. When she gained the steps, Elizabeth stopped and looked out across the gathered servants. Her heart was full of joy and peace at last. She did not think she might wish to return to London ever again.
In the flurry of footmen and trunks that followed, young Richard scurried to the gardens with Mr. Harley and Georgie made her way inside after hugging Mrs. Reynolds and speaking with the butler.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy lingered among their servants, thanking each of them for keeping Pemberley ready for their return. After a half hour, Elizabeth wished to be seated in her salon that looked out on the gardens. “I would so love it,” she said when Mrs. Reynolds offered tea.
Mr. Darcy saw her to the salon and kissed the top of her head. “Forgive me darling, but I must visit my study for a time and attend the correspondence that has amassed since my illness. It will please our friends to know we have come home at last and all is well.”
Elizabeth watched him go and thought of her own correspondence that might have come while they traveled from London. When Mrs. Reynolds came with the maid who brought tea, Elizabeth asked whether any letters had come to Pemberley for her.
Mrs. Reynolds nodded and left promptly for the small study Elizabeth had set aside for herself in the library. In a trice, she returned and gave her new mistress the few letters from her desk.
“If you have need of anything more, Mrs. Darcy, please call for me. I am most grateful you have returned.”
Elizabeth thanked the woman and gave her own little prayer of thanksgiving at being home. Perusing the three missives Mrs. Reynolds had brought, it surprised Elizabeth to find a letter from Lady Hull. They had only met the one time in London when she came to Darcy House with Georgiana.
Opening the letter, Elizabeth recalled that she suspected Lady Hull had been the one to spread the gossip of the quarantine at Darcy House. And she was a good friend of Lady Matlock.
She found she was in no mood to give consequence to such a gossip, but the letter intrigued her. Perhaps there might be a way to bring peace with Lady Matlock through Lady Hull. She truly wished for her son to know the Matlocks.
Reading the page of perfect penmanship, Elizabeth found it was just as she thought. Lady Hull would be in Derbyshire, near Pemberley, visiting relatives. She hoped to attend Elizabeth before Georgie's wedding.
Elizabeth arose and went to the small desk by the window and wrote a short invitation to the lady. She addressed it to be delivered to the relatives who lived nearby.
When she had finished with tea, Elizabeth made her way upstairs to her rooms in the same hallway as her husband's rooms.
The portraits lining the hallway seemed to welcome her home. Elizabeth stopped before the one of Lady Anne with her very young son standing beside her. Mr. Darcy looked at his mother with such devotion and Elizabeth thought of young Richard.
Someday, when she had finished bearing children, she hoped to have such a portrait of herself with them.
Yawning as she left the painting, Elizabeth felt a sharp pain along her side. It took her breath and she stopped before her door. She breathed deeply until the pain passed.
Elizabeth knew pains while carrying a child were common near the time of birth, but she had several months yet before her babe would be born. It must be the traveling that caused her discomfort.
"I need rest," she said to reassure herself. Opening her bedroom door, Elizabeth moved as quietly as she might to the bed and lay down. In moments, she fell asleep. Her last thought was how wonderful it was to have come home.
Some hours later, she awoke to find Mr. Darcy beside her. The most tantalizing aroma filled her room. She struggled to sit up and her husband assisted her, his strong hands gathering her pillows.
“My sleeping beauty, I could not bear to awaken you so I brought dinner to you.” He smiled with pride and carried a large, round tray to her bed.
Four courses awaited and Elizabeth found she was famished. Her first thought was for her son, for she recalled the thread of a dream interrupted. “Is Richard well? I dreamt of the time he was kidnapped in Hertfordshire.”
Mr. Darcy sat beside her and held up a fat, purple grape and popped it into her mouth. “Richard is very well, my dear. He is in the nursery and poor Mr. Harley has gone to his bed. I fear the excitement Richard felt at being home resulted in quite the adventure for your butler.”
Elizabeth busied herself with her dinner once she knew her son was safe. “We must see Mr. Harley is given time off, I fear. He has been at Richard's side since we were in Hertfordshire.”
Mr. Darcy poured himself a glass of port and then offered tea to his wife. “Mr. Harley must have a new title for the work he does, I think. I do not believe he would like to be called Nanny. I propose we make him Richard's valet.”
Elizabeth looked thoughtful as she ate her soup. “What a wonderful idea, William!” she said as she finished that course.
"It seems I am full of those lately,” Mr. Darcy said with a twinkle in his eye.
Elizabeth agreed. “I have a good idea myself. When I have finished my dinner, I would like you to stay with me tonight. I know you are accustomed to your own rooms, but I would not like to leave my bed.”
Mr. Darcy leaned over and clinked his glass of port against her teacup. “I would not like to leave your bed either, my dear. It is decided then, the master shall pass the night in his lady’s chambers.”
When she had eaten her fill, Mr. Darcy swept the tray away and left it in the hallway so the maid would know not to disturb them. Elizabeth held her arms open and welcomed her husband to her side. “Welcome home, Mr. Darcy.”