A week after their return to Pemberley, the Darcys awoke to falling snow and the loud excitement of children gathered downstairs.
Mr. Harley had planned an outing for the tenant children and Richard was to be his second in command. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy found it to be a fine plan but the noise of children when the first snow flies was not anticipated.
When the company had gone to explore the snowy fields of Pemberley, Elizabeth settled in the parlor with hot tea and the wedding invitations that were to be sent that day.
Miss Darcy came to help but before they had written half of the things, she spoke up. “Elizabeth, before we send the invitations, I wanted to confide in you.”
Georgiana's voice was strained and Elizabeth grew concerned. “What is it dear?”
The words rushed out as though Miss Darcy was afraid she might not be able to speak them otherwise. “I love Philip, but I fear I have accepted his proposal too soon.”
Elizabeth knew a case of nerves had overcome the lady. “It is only natural to have such feelings, Georgie. Jane and I both felt much the same before our weddings.”
Georgiana seemed relieved to know it. “I am sorry to worry you, Elizabeth. I thought I must be so foolish to feel such a way.”
“Not at all! I am certain most young ladies feel the same and perhaps some gentlemen as well.”
Georgiana's eyes widened at this news. “Do you think Philip may wish to postpone our wedding?”
Elizabeth took her sister's hand. “He wishes no such thing, Georgie. Your wedding will be the most wonderful day of both your lives. That is, until your children are born. You must not worry so, you'll make your forehead wrinkle much too soon.”
Georgiana leapt from her seat at this and went to check her face in the mirror above the fireplace.
Elizabeth laughed and stood to walk about the room. She hoped to persuade Mr. Darcy to walk in the garden later when she and Georgie were finished with their task.
There would not be many more such opportunities as winter grew colder and her condition made her heavier with child.
The butler entered and announced Lady Hull as Elizabeth made her final circuit of the room. She smiled in welcome though she truly did not feel any type of emotion nearing happiness to see the woman. “Lady Hull, how very nice to see you this afternoon.”
Georgiana went to greet the lady and usher her into the room. “We were just writing the invitations for my wedding, but you must sit and tell us of your family. How are they?”
Elizabeth received the embrace Lady Hull offered before she sat with her guest and Miss Darcy by the fire.
“My cousin is well. She and her husband have returned from Scotland recently and make me wish I had gone with them on their trip.”
Georgiana smiled. “I hope Philip and I may travel to his family's estate there the first summer we are wed.”
Elizabeth was not acquainted with Lady Hull's cousin nor had she known that Georgie's viscount held property in Scotland. She remained silent as her guest spoke of the castles there.
“Mrs. Darcy, have you ever been to Scotland?” Lady Hull asked.
“I have not. I would love to visit the Darcy home there. Perhaps we may go next year.”
Before Lady Hull might reply, Mr. Darcy entered the parlor. “If it pleases you my love, we shall go once the babe is old enough to make the trip.”
He came to stand beside his wife after welcoming Lady Hull to Pemberley. He asked Elizabeth about the task she had set for herself “Have you finished the invitations?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I fear not. There are still many to be done as I wish to have them sent today. We must delay no longer.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I had a sleigh brought round so I might surprise you with a romantic outing before dark.”
Georgiana stood and hurried to the table where the invitations sat undone. “I fear I was more distraction than help. Please Elizabeth, go and enjoy the sleigh ride. I will finish these.”
Lady Hull turned to the Darcys. “Indeed, you must! I would love nothing more than to do my part and help Georgiana. I feel it is a duty to this family. You have been so kind to my family through the years.”
The lady’s offer surprised Elizabeth and she could find no reason to object. Mr. Darcy took his wife's hand and thanked Lady Hull. “Your kindness is most appreciated and shall not be forgotten.”
When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had gone, Lady Hull made her way to the table where Miss Darcy sat dutifully completing the remaining invitations. She sat and held one of the rich, cream-colored letters in her hands.
“How very lovely it all is to be a bride. Your wedding will be the event of the holiday season, Georgiana. Is there anything else I might assist Mrs. Darcy with before the day arrives? She seems paler lately. I did not want to mention it in front of her, but she must be so very tired from all that has passed since her marriage to your brother.”
Georgiana looked up from her work. She did not like to think Lady Hull’s estimation of her sister was true. “I thought she seemed much livelier since returning to Pemberley, but we have only been home a week.”
“Oh, she is lovely to be sure, but when a lady is in a delicate condition, it is only natural to tire easily. I only wish to be of some use since I am nearby.”
Georgiana smiled at the woman. “I cannot think what remains to be done. Mrs. Reynolds and Cook have been most helpful with menus and the plans for decorating the ballroom. My dress was finished while we were in London and Brother had to hire another carriage to bring it home.”
Lady Hull laughed with Miss Darcy over this extravagance. “Oh, the Strathams will be most honored and pleased to see you marry their son in all your finery, my dear. The match has been the talk of London and Derbyshire for months. It is no wonder there are so many invitations. These hardly seem enough though.”
The woman waved her hand above the missives on the table. Miss Darcy shook her head. “These are the only ones that remain to be done. Knowing what terrible luck befell my brother and Elizabeth in London, I began sending invitations there with the help of Aunt Margaret, before she was sent home by my uncle.”
Lady Hull’s attention was pulled away from the growing pile of completed invitations. “I had not heard that your uncle banished Margaret from London. I thought she went because she was angry with the Darcys. Will she come to the wedding?”
Georgiana blushed furiously. She had not meant to gossip with their guest. “I cannot think why she would not come. Since I was a little girl, she has always spoken of my wedding day.”
Returning her attention to the invitations, Lady Hull sighed. She would speak to her old friend and find why Reginald Fitzwilliam had banished his wife from London, though she suspected it had to do with young Richard Fitzwilliam and the ill-fated kidnapping attempt her friend had made.
She picked up a stack of invitations and thumbed through them. There were many families she knew included. All were from around Pemberley.
A wicked idea came to mind that would delight her friend Margaret Fitzwilliam. “Allow me to take these into town to the post for you, darling. It is on my way, you know.”
Georgiana finished the final invitation with a flourish of her pen and called for a footman to bring a basket from the kitchen. “It will hold them quite nicely for you. I am very grateful to have you as a friend, Lady Hull. It is most kind of you to do me such a favor.”
The footman came quickly and Miss Darcy placed the invitations into the basket. She handed it to the footman and asked that he take it and send for Lady Hull’s carriage. “Have her footman place it on the bench inside and tell him he must deliver it to the post on their way home.”
Lady Hull rose from her seat and embraced Miss Darcy. “I will be most happy to see you wed in two weeks’ time, dear. You must allow me to be of service again. Perhaps when you return from your wedding trip and hold your first tea as a married woman. Oh, how lovely it will be!”
Georgiana promised Lady Hull she would be needed for such an event and walked her to the entry of Pemberley. “You are almost like a godmother, Lady Hull. You must come early the day of the wedding and see that my dress and hair are perfect.”
“I would be honored! Now, I must be off and deliver these last invitations to the post and return to my cousin’s home before darkness falls. I do not care for traveling at night, you know.”
Georgiana waved as the carriage rolled away with her aunt’s friend. She was eager to tell Elizabeth the invitations were done and there was nothing more to worry them before the wedding.