Pemberley was soon full of guests come for Georgiana Darcy's wedding. Elizabeth was amazed by Mrs. Reynolds’s mastery of the house with so many guests underfoot.
The Matlocks had arrived late knowing their usual rooms would be held for them. When she entered the salon, Lady Matlock was surprised to see the Fairbornes and ladies from families she had been assured did not receive their invitations.
Somehow, Elizabeth Darcy had bested her again. Instead of showing her anger, she went to Elizabeth's side where she stood speaking with Lady Fairborne.
“These decorations Elizabeth, how plain! Did my niece truly choose such a provincial style for the most important day of her life? I should have been here to guide her.”
Elizabeth excused herself and smiled convincingly at Lady Matlock. “The choices were Georgie's and they are lovely ones that reflect the season. I am certain she would have loved to have your assistance. What kept you away?”
Lady Fairborne gave a titter of laughter that she covered with a delicate cough. “Yes, Margaret dear, we have missed you so!”
Lady Matlock raised her chin and glared at Elizabeth. “I grew quite tired of London and returned home earlier than planned.”
Elizabeth's smile grew when Lady Fairborne spoke. “But your grandson was there and Elizabeth had a terrible time with Mr. Darcy so ill. Seems an odd choice to quit Town when you were most needed.”
Lady Hull came to stand beside Lady Matlock before the woman could make a reply. “What unusual decor for a wedding, Mrs. Darcy! Is it the fashion in the country?”
Lady Matlock laughed with her friend. “I said the same only moments ago.”
Elizabeth would not allow the two to goad her. “It is! I declare it thrills me to know the two of you are quite enamored with the style. Georgie will be pleased to know it, too.”
Lady Fairborne took Elizabeth's arm and led her away before more barbs might be traded. “My how they wish for you to shrink before them, but why?”
Elizabeth did not reply, for Lady Matlock was still family. Instead, she thanked her friend for her support.
A footman came to them and Elizabeth left her guest to speak with him. “What have you found Henry?”
“A basket of invitations was hidden beneath the bench,” the footman replied.
Elizabeth thanked him and asked that he bring the basket to Mr. Darcy's study. Returning to the salon, she found Georgiana and whisked her away. “Come, there is something you must see.”
The two hurried to Mr. Darcy’s study. Elizabeth knocked before entering. “William, Henry has found our missing invitations.”
Mr. Darcy opened the door and the ladies entered. The Earl of Matlock was seated before Darcy's desk. “It is true, then. Lady Hull hid them hoping to delight Margaret with her treachery.”
Georgiana looked to Elizabeth. “But she is my friend. Why would she wish to ruin my wedding day?”
Mr. Darcy shook his head. “She is Aunt Margaret's friend first, poppet. I suspect she meant to hurt Elizabeth, not you. But she did not think through her plan to its conclusion. It is a difficult lesson to learn, but everyone who declares they are your friend is most assuredly not. You will learn the difference as a Viscountess.”
Henry came with the basket and Miss Darcy gasped. She took it from the servant and sat it on her brother's desk. Slowly, she thumbed through the invitations. “It is the basket I gave her that afternoon.”
Mr. Darcy took her hand that rested on his desk. “Would you like for me to ask her to leave?”
Georgiana swiped at a pesky tear with her free hand. “I would, but that might incite such gossip as to ruin the occasion. No, we must behave as though all is well. I shall never receive her in my home when I am wed.”
“Wise choice, my dear," the earl said as he rose from his chair, "but I will have a word with my wife on the matter.”
He left them and Elizabeth embraced Georgiana. “Oh, your mother could not have been prouder than I am at this moment. You prepare for your wedding and I will see she is not admitted to your rooms.”
Georgiana kissed Elizabeth's cheek and embraced her brother. “I could not ask for a more loving and supportive family.”
After she had left them, Elizabeth settled into Mr. Darcy's lap for he had returned to his desk.
“Poor girl, it is difficult to find a friend has been untrue,” she said as she smoothed back a curl that had fallen across her husband's forehead. Idly, she wondered if their child would have curls like his father.
Mr. Darcy pulled his wife closer in his arms. “It is, but we have gained a true friend and love in you, my dear. I would wager that is fair consolation.”
Elizabeth allowed him to kiss her until her head grew light for his attentions stole her breath away.
“Now, my dearest husband,” she said as she rose to her feet, “you must allow me to attend my sister so she is perfect for her wedding.”
Mr. Darcy watched his lovely wife go and desired her more strongly than ever. Elizabeth was the perfect woman for him and a fine mistress of his home. His Aunt Margaret would have to cease her scheming or he would banish her from Pemberley.
Georgiana and Philip waved as their carriage left Pemberley in the evening under falling snow. They would spend their wedding night at Thorncrest, the home the young Viscount had inherited from his mother’s side of the family. They would leave Derbyshire come morning for their wedding trip.
Elizabeth and Darcy turned to their guests and led them back to the ballroom to dance in celebration of the happy couple.
Lady Matlock danced with the earl but kept her eye on Elizabeth. The wedding had been a grand achievement for the new mistress of Pemberley. There was nothing she might do to make a fool of the woman before their friends and neighbors.
When the music ended, she sat with Lady Hull as her husband saw an old friend across the room. Lady Hull saw how her friend looked at Mrs. Darcy from their table.
“Margaret, perhaps you ought to make peace with Mrs. Darcy. She is not of our circle, but she has married well twice. She was gracious enough not to strike you from the guest list today.” Lady Hull kept her tone cautious.
“She would never countenance such an affront!” Lady Matlock declared.
Lady Hull dared to disagree. “She certainly might one day, Margaret. Think of that which is important to you, the next Earl of Matlock. Do you not wish to have a part in his life?”
Lady Matlock eyed her friend. All the woman said was true. Still it rankled her not to be in control of her own family, and young Richard was her family. He was all that was left of her youngest son.
Instead of allowing Lady Hull to see her sadness, Lady Matlock rose and made an excuse for her abrupt behavior. She moved around the perimeter of the ballroom. Soon, she found herself at the terrace doors. Lady Matlock went out to escape the music and indulge her feeling of melancholy.
In the shadows, she saw a small figure moving a toy horse along the top of the stone railing. It was her grandson!
“Richard!” she hissed into the darkness.
Instead of being frightened, the boy turned calmly. He saw the shimmer of a tear on her cheek. “Grandmother, are you sad? Do you miss my father too?”
Lady Matlock searched the surrounding shadows before joining her grandson. “Why, of course I miss my son. He was a fine boy, like you, but then he grew up and went away.”
Richard took her hand and she knelt beside him. “I see him in my dreams though I never met him. I know it is him because he is in his red coat with the buttons that match the one my mother kept. He told me to come down to the terrace. Did you have that dream too, grandmother?”
Feeling the hairs rise on the back of her neck, Lady Matlock stared at young Richard. “No child, I was in the ballroom and became sad. I wanted to hide here in the dark for a time.”
The boy wiped away the lone tear on her cheek. “Mother used to be so sad. But now, she loves Mr. Darcy and she is happy again. Papa said in my dream he wanted my mother to be happy.”
A sob escaped Lady Matlock before she might hide it from Richard. He left the horse on the railing and put his small arms around her neck. “It is okay to cry grandmother. Papa said I was to come here tonight and let you cry. He said you would be happy again if you got to cry with me.”
Lady Matlock pulled the boy close and dissembled there on the terrace with him. Mr. Harley slipped to the terrace doors as stealthily as a barn cat to allow them privacy. Lady Matlock had not known he was there, but the old butler always kept a watchful eye on his young charge.
When the lady and her grandson were done with their tears, the boy spoke again. “We will have him with us always, Grandmother. Please say you will come to Pemberley to see me again.”
“I will come as often as I might and you must visit too, when your mother allows.” Lady Matlock could not believe she had just paid Elizabeth the respect she deserved as Richard’s mother.
She took the boy’s hand and led him further down the darkened terrace. For a moment, Lady Matlock considered that she might take him and be well on her way north to the family estate. But she would not take him from his mother. Instead, she led him through Mr. Darcy's study and back upstairs to the nursery.
Mr. Harley stood by the door awaiting their arrival. “I will see him back to his bed, your ladyship.”
Lady Matlock nodded and knelt again as Richard tugged on her skirts. He kissed her cheek and she placed her hand there to hold it. Then she pulled the horse from her pocket and held it out for him.
He took it gently and then gave a little whinny that made her and the butler laugh before he galloped off to his bed.