Chapter Seventy-four

 

 

…Welcome to Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy…

 

The trip to Pemberley proved to be much more of an undertaking than either of the Darcy brothers had anticipated. Traveling with two babies was indeed a chore.

“Fitzwilliam, are you sure you need all of this?” David glanced quizzically at his brother’s packed Jag.

“Yes, this and more, and I probably need a bigger car, too. Mrs. Reynolds had the nursery cleaned and made ready, but we still need many things that aren’t there, and we’re not even taking the half of it.” Fitzwilliam grinned. “We’re going into Lambton later today to buy the rest of what is needed. It’s my plan to move to Pemberley when we come back from our honeymoon.”

While readjusting a few boxes, David asked, “How are you going to handle Pemberley, PLC from Derbyshire? Have you thought this through?”

“Of course I have. My intentions are to open an office in Lambton. I’ll split my time between Lambton and London. I’m also going to purchase a helicopter for the back and forth trips. That should solve the travel problems. I want to be in Derbyshire most of the year.” Grunting as he wedged Elizabeth’s needlework bag in between two suitcases, he looked up at his brother. “I want to go home, David—to Pemberley, and I want to be at home with my family.”

David sighed as he took the car seats a servant had just brought. “I understand, and the helicopter is an excellent idea. So you’ll be at Pemberley by autumn then?”

“Yes, that’s the plan. I want my children to know the beauty of growing up in the countryside like we did. We’ll come to London in the late autumn and winter when they’re older for cultural and educational purposes. We’ll tour Europe and the Americas, too. However, for Christmas, I intend to be at home, and I want to invite my family and friends to join us.” He grinned as he took the first car seat from David to secure in the back of the car.

“Then I take it you’ll no longer be pursuing your dream of teaching at university even part-time.”

“It’s still a part of my dreams, but for now, I’ve too many responsibilities, and you’re not going be here to take up the slack. So no, I guess I won’t, but then I’ll at least have these two here to teach, and I think I’ll rather enjoy that. I’ve already introduced them to the Brothers Grimm.”

David shook his head and laughed. “Indeed you have. I guess children are never too young for fairy tales. How about Eton? Are you going to send your son off when the time comes? You know it’s been a family tradition for centuries,” David asked, handing him another bag for the boot.

“I don’t know, but I doubt it. I want to instruct them myself, and Elizabeth is capable of doing much of it, too. So it may be just the two of us with tutors to fill in as needed. Elizabeth is going back to work next year, so I suppose when the time comes, I’ll be doing the largest share of the task, or at least overseeing it. It’ll all depend on how I can arrange my schedule. In a few years, I plan to hire a governess to begin the elementary phases.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Cecilia and I are thinking along the same lines,” David said, handing his brother one last small package. “Speaking of future plans, I need to make the preparations to have my dogs, cars, and horses shipped to America. Do you think we can arrange it whilst in Derbyshire? I want it taken care of before I leave for Charleston.”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll have my new estate manager, Jenson Millbrook, attend to the details. But I hate to see that Lamborghini go. It drives like a dream. Won’t you consider leaving it?” Fitzwilliam asked, casting a fleeting glance at David’s car being loaded by a servant.

“Not on your life! I’m having it, my jag, and the Romeo changed over to the American model. They’re going with me.”

Fitzwilliam laughed. “You and that car. I’ll have to buy one of my own someday.”

“You do that, but put your order in now. It takes a year to have one built.”

“Umm…I’ll certainly consider it,” Fitzwilliam replied.

Turning to survey the cars one more time, he continued. “Georgiana will ride with us, as I think your Merciélago is a bit cramped.”

David laughed. “Two’s company and three’s a crowd, especially in a coupé.”

Fitzwilliam returned his laugh. “I’ll get the kids and ladies, and we’ll see you there.”

 

~*~

 

Once they exited the city, the drive north was peaceful and picturesque. Elizabeth absorbed all that she saw—the rolling hills, the pasturelands, the grazing sheep and cattle, the horses running across open fields, and the beautiful late spring flowers all gave evidence of the beauty of the English countryside.

When they crossed over the stone bridge and followed the long drive that led to Pemberley House, Elizabeth was mesmerized. The Elizabethan manor, built and landscaped in the style of an Italian palazzo, was surrounded by a scenic park with beautiful flowerbeds and fountains, pits and statues. A large lake bordered by Spanish chestnuts and low-growing evergreens covered much of the back of the property. Multitudes of ducks, geese, and graceful swans glided across the smooth blue waters, creating a lovely scene she might have seen in one of her childhood picture books. Her breath caught as she took in the vastness of the estate.

As they entered through the stone gate, Fitzwilliam explained the particulars concerning the land. The park encompassed seventeen acres with a Victorian garden that included a sunken parterre edged in stone, various flowering shrubs, herbs of all kinds, stately trees, and an elaborate rose garden which had been his mother’s favorite. With her love for roses, Elizabeth knew it would soon become hers, too. He also told her the garden was enclosed by a medieval deer park with herds of red and fallow deer. There were pasturelands where horses, cows, and sheep grazed. She couldn’t wait to see it all.

And off to the left, he directed her attention, was the orangery. The orangery! That she was anxious to see as well. Fitzwilliam explained how his grandmother had imported tropical plants, fruit trees, flowering shrubs, orchids, and all manner of exotic plants from all over the world. Holding her breath like a small child entering a fantasyland, she mused. …And this is to be my home, and my children will play and grow up here. This is really beyond belief!

“Elizabeth, do you like it?” her husband asked, beaming. “Are you pleased?”

“Are you kidding? I love it,” she said with a smile. “It’s more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed, and the pictures you showed me do not do it justice. The grounds are so green—like a field of emeralds—and the flowers so bright. It’s like a Thomas Kinkade painting. I bet it’s beautiful in wintertime, too, when covered in snow.”

“Yes, it is.” He chuckled. “I’m glad you like it. It’s to be our home by autumn. I want our children to roam these woods and hills like David and I did as boys,” he said, glancing at his sleeping son and daughter.

When they pulled up to the front entrance with David’s car right behind, two servants came to greet them followed by a short, thin, older woman. Fitzwilliam and David stepped out of their cars simultaneously and greeted her in unison, “Mrs. Reynolds!”

“Welcome home, Master Fitzwilliam and Master David,” she said as she pulled them into a warm embrace. “It’s very good to see you and your ladies.” Peeping inside the car, she exclaimed, “Oh, and what do we have here? These must be the darling children Mrs. Anderson told me about,” said the housekeeper, taking a few steps to observe the two children yawning as they woke up.

Gesturing to Elizabeth as she exited the car, Fitzwilliam said, “Mrs. Reynolds, I’d like you to meet my wife, Elizabeth.” Helping Elizabeth remove the children, he soon turned to display two tiny bundles. “And this is my son, Alexander, and my daughter, Emmaline.”

“It’s so good to finally meet you, Mrs. Darcy, and the lovely children, too.” Mrs. Reynolds greeted Elizabeth with an affectionate hug as she peered under the blankets at two little faces looking around in wonder.

“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Reynolds,” Elizabeth said.

David stepped forward with Cecilia. “Mrs. Reynolds, allow me to introduce my fiancée, Miss Cecilia Lawton of Charleston, South Carolina.”

Mrs. Reynolds turned to greet them. “Miss Lawton, it’s a pleasure. I’m very glad to see my boy finally settling down, and I know he’s happy. It’s written all over his face,” said the housekeeper with genuine warmth.

“Indeed I am, Dorothy. I’m the luckiest man I know.”

“And Miss Georgiana, too!” She greeted the younger woman as she stepped forward. “It’s so good to have you home—all of you.”

“I’m glad to be home, Mrs. Reynolds,” Georgiana said, giving the older woman a hug and a kiss.

“Now let’s go into the house and get you situated.” Mrs. Reynolds gave final orders to the servants concerning the luggage and all the other things to be brought into the house.

Walking down the corridor, Mrs. Reynolds continued. “Mrs. Darcy, I have prepared the nursery as you instructed, and I have two nursemaids in case you need them.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. We’ll settle in, and then Fitzwilliam and I will go into Lambton to buy the personal things we need.”

While the servants took their baggage to their rooms, David and Fitzwilliam gave the ladies a tour of the house, which was more massive than any either Cecilia or Elizabeth had ever seen. Fitzwilliam explained that it was partly Elizabethan with 18th and 19th century additions. It contained ninety-four rooms in total, all elaborately decorated in four centuries of period interiors.

After concluding the main floor, Fitzwilliam led them up the staircase to begin the tour of the family rooms. When they reached the picture gallery, Fitzwilliam pointed out the portrait of the original Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“Look, Elizabeth. That is the man whose life I told you about. Do you notice a resemblance?”

Elizabeth stood before the portraits, transfixed by the images. “Yes, you and David strongly favor him. It’s as if he was your father, and the lady is a beautiful woman.”

Fitzwilliam chuckled. “Look at her closely. Examine her eyes and hair color. You resemble her. It’s evident there’s a relation.”

“Yes, Elizabeth, there is. Who is she?” Cecilia asked, glancing between the portrait and Elizabeth.

“She was the niece of my ancestral grandfather, John Thomas Bennet, from the late 1700s. I apparently carry her name just as Fitzwilliam carries her husband’s.”

“Hmm…well, all of the Darcy men are very handsome, especially that one. Who is he?” Cecilia asked.

“That one? That is Edward Darcy, and those around him are his brothers. Alexander and his wife and children are to his left, with Charles and his family to his right, and George with his is next to Charles,” David answered.

“That woman looks vaguely familiar,” Cecilia said pointing to the portrait next to Edward Darcy, “but I can’t place her.”

“Hmm,” Elizabeth said. “They were all very handsome, and their wives were beautiful.”

“Yes, they were.” Placing his arm around his wife, Fitzwilliam responded, “Elizabeth, I intend to have your portrait, along with those of all our children, added to the family collection, but let’s move along for now. I have more that I want you to see.” Guiding her down the corridor, he continued. “Over there are David, Georgiana, and me along with my mother and father.” Turning to his brother, he said, “David and Cecilia’s portrait and any children they have will be added to this gallery, isn’t that right?” Fitzwilliam smiled fondly. David only laughed and nodded in agreement.

Walking a little further, they came the oldest part of the gallery. “This is the other section I wanted you to see.” Placing his hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder, he pointed to a selection of paintings. “There are the pictures of our Medieval ancestors—Thomas, Richard, George, William, Henry and their wives and children—the ones I told you about when we first discussed our family histories. The rest are a little further down. We’ll explore those portraits at another time once you’ve had a chance to read about them in the library annex.”

“I’m looking forward to it. You never did tell me about The Hundred Years’ War,” Elizabeth said.

“All in good time, my love, all in good time.”

Once they finished with the gallery, the brothers took Cecilia and Elizabeth to the music room, the saloon, guest wings, studies, and finally, concluding the tour with the family rooms, they each settled into their own quarters.

 

~*~

 

When they were unpacked and settled, David and Cecilia took a stroll in the garden while Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam went to do the needed shopping. After lunch, both couples decided to ride out over the estate. David and Cecilia had already left in one direction while Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth prepared to go in another.

Saddling her mount, Elizabeth said, “I never imagined Pemberley being so vast. How much land do you own?”

Chuckling as he checked her cinch, he answered, “We own about six thousand acres. Much of it is pastureland and woods. Although it has been a long time since my family made their living from agriculture, we have kept a lot of it for pleasure. Even though we raise and sell cattle, sheep, and horses, it’s more of a hobby now. We have about five hundred head of cattle, two hundred head of sheep, and around fifty horses.” Glancing over at her while placing the bit in her mare’s mouth, he replied, “I’ve acquired some chickens and a dairy cow for you and the children. I have several hunting hounds and shooting dogs, but I’m afraid there are no Black and Tans in the group.” …yet

“If I can find the time, I’m going to play around with the farming aspect. That short time I spent helping your uncle was one of the best times I’ve had since I lived here as a boy. I find farming rather relaxing.” He smiled. “Mr. Tillman, the manager of that aspect of Pemberley, is very old and wishes to retire, so I’ll have to find someone else by autumn.” Rubbing his stallion’s mane, he continued. “I’d like to replant the orchard, and if you would like, you can have a garden and berry patches much as you did at Longbourn. We’ll hire some additional help for you, and if you want, you can preserve food, dry herbs, and bake as you did all the years you were growing up at Longbourn. In fact,” his lips curled, “I think I would rather like it if you did. You have a lot of wonderful memories from those years, and I would like for our children to have memories like that, too.”

“I’d love that very much. It would remind me of home.” She smiled.

Mounting their horses, they headed out across the field in a full run.

Pulling his mount in the direction of a wooded copse, he shouted, “Do you think you can jump that fence?”

“If the horse can, I can.”

“I assure you the horse can.” He kicked his charger in the side with Elizabeth following, and they easily jumped over the dry-stone wall, heading out into the open pasture.

When they came to where he intended, he slowed, continuing on into the heart of the cove at a gentle gait. Pointing in the direction of an opened area, he said, “See there. It’s Pemberley’s cove. There’s a waterfall and stream coming down from the hills, forming that natural pool. David and I spent many hours here swimming and playing. The stream cuts across the estate, flowing into one of the lakes. This is what I was telling you about when we toured the one at Longbourn.”

“Yes, it’s very similar to the cove at Longbourn, and every bit as beautiful. We should have a picnic here someday, just the two of us. We never did go skinny dipping, you know,” she said with a sly smile.

The thought of her naked here in his special place was too much. Watching her eye him closely, he knew she was very much aware of his state.

“It doesn’t take much, does it, Fitzwilliam?” she asked, cocking one brow.

“No, it doesn’t,” he replied. With a soft sigh, he dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby low branch. Then he reached up to help her down before he tied her horse as well.

“I hadn’t exactly planned this, but now that I think about it, I believe we will become well acquainted with the area,” he said, unfolding a blanket he had brought with him and spreading it out on the thick moss-covered ground. When the blanket was in place, he reached for her and began to unbutton her blouse while she unbuttoned his shirt. With their clothes discarded, he took her hand and gently guided her to sit down, folding her into his arms.

“You don’t know how often I have dreamt of you—of us—in this very place,” he murmured.

Her emerald eyes flashed. “Take me,” she said. “Fitzwilliam, if you want me, take me.”

Gathering her even closer, he whispered with tenderness, “I love you, Liz.” Closing his eyes, he bent down and touched his mouth to hers in an embrace that was meant to be warm and loving. But, as soon as their lips touched, his restraint broke as she kissed him back with an ardent desire that instantly set him ablaze.

With the sound of the crashing falls and the birds calling in the distances, he made passionate love to his wife in the wilds of the outdoors. When their breathing returned to normal, he rolled over, taking her with him, holding her close to his chest. They lay there perfectly satisfied, having done what he had wanted to do since the first time he had seen her in the cove at Longbourn.

“Welcome to Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy,” he said with a contented smile.

Reaching over to brush a damp curl out of his eyes, she caressed his face. “It’s a pleasure to be here, Mr. Darcy.”

After lying in one another’s arms a little longer, they finally dressed to return. A chill had settled in and the temperature had dropped since they’d left the house, but neither of them felt cold.

“Do you think we’ve been missed?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m afraid so. We should be there by now for tea, but frankly, darling, I don’t care. This means more to me than proper protocol. Tea can wait!”

“Do you think David and Cecilia will suspect something?” she asked as she picked bits of moss and debris from their hair.

“So what if they do? We’re married, and I plan many more such encounters in several of my childhood haunts. I’ve wanted to do this since that day you showed me the cove at Longbourn.” He cut his eyes across at her with a bemused smile. “If you hadn’t been a virgin, well, who knows what might have happened back then. Besides,” he said, giving her a mischievous grin, “don’t be surprised if David and Cecilia are late themselves.”

Catching his meaning, she smiled.

“Oh!”

As they were about to mount their horses, she turned and asked, “Fitzwilliam, did you really want to do this before we were married? It was cold then, or have you forgotten?”

“Yes, it was cold, but I distinctly remember starting a blazing fire in the cabin. We almost went too far. It took all the willpower I had not to take you right then and there,” he laughed, “for I almost thought you might’ve let me.”

“Well, you never tried, so we’ll never know.” She grinned.

“No, I suppose not.”

He smiled, looking at her in amusement. Even though he knew things might have turned out differently had he pushed it, he wouldn’t have changed a thing, even if he could.