Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (93 page)

“You are doing just fine.”  She whispered. 

“Keep telling me that.”  He whispered back, then turning, performed the official introduction of the mistress to the staff.  Mrs. Reynolds nodded her head and they all returned to their duties.  Darcy then took Elizabeth’s hand and led her forward.  “Mrs. Darcy, this is Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley’s housekeeper.  She has looked after me in one capacity or another since I was a boy of four.”

Elizabeth smiled and was pleased to see her smile in return.  “Mrs. Mercer told me how you cared for Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy after their father’s death, and Miss Darcy told me of her fondness for you.  I am fortunate to have such a dedicated woman to teach me all that I need to know here.”

“That was very kind of her, thank you madam.”  Mrs. Reynolds flushed with pride.  “I will be glad to help you.  The staff is very pleased indeed to see the master happy.”

“Mrs. Reynolds, please.”  Darcy said quietly.

“Yes sir.”  Elizabeth saw how his expression changed, and wondered what was behind it.  “Pemberley is not too unlike what Mrs. Mercer has told you of Darcy House, madam.”

“Only vastly larger.”  She looked at the enormous house and again felt Darcy’s grip on her hand.

“Shall we look it over?”  He said softly, “Or would you like to rest?”

“I believe a walk would feel good after so many hours confined in the carriage.” 

“Then let us change out of these things and I will gladly begin your education.”  He kissed her hand.  “Mrs. Reynolds, I am disappointed that Mr. Nichols is not present.  Is there a problem on the estate?”

“No sir, he asked me to inform you that he would leave you alone today, but would like a meeting tomorrow afternoon.  He assumed that you would not be interested in business upon arriving with Mrs. Darcy.”  She smiled as his eyes crinkled.

“He is correct.”  He nodded and she left them alone in front of the house.  Darcy turned and took both of her hands in his.  “That was not so bad, was it?”

“Why did you stop Mrs. Reynolds?  Was I wrong to speak of Mrs. Mercer to her?”

“No, not at all.”  He sighed.  “Mrs. Reynolds fancies herself as a bit of a mother to me and Georgiana, and she is rather effusive in her praise when she speaks of us.  We often have visitors who apply to see the house and grounds, and of course she leads the tours.  Some acquaintances of mine did just that last year when I was in London, and when I saw them, well, they were quite amused with how wonderful she described me to be.  It was very embarrassing.”

“It is clearly not without reason.”  Elizabeth reached up to caress his cheek.  “I think that I will have to hear this speech of Mrs. Reynolds’ myself.”

“Do not encourage her, Elizabeth.”  He said seriously.  She just smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him, and he sighed.  “Very well then, do not tell me about it.”

“Agreed.”  She looped her hand onto his arm and looked towards the house.  “I am ready.”  She squared her shoulders and said determinedly.  “Show me our home.”

13 JULY 1809

My dearest Elizabeth sleeps now.  She is a wonder.  We arrived and the moment we had changed clothes, she had me by the hand and demanded her tour.  I do not believe I have ever fielded so many questions, laughed so hard, or run so quickly in my life.  And I know that I have never been kissed and embraced so often.  She was overwhelmed and awed, it was clear, but she did not give in to intimidation by all that she now has.  My wife expressed delight, insisted that not one thing be changed, and amazed me with her ability to bring smiles to the faces of every staff member we encountered.  I know already that she will be a beloved mistress, but I also know enough of her that she will run her household with efficiency and fairness.  Any maid who thinks that she can shirk her duty under the sharp eyes of my young wife will be in for a surprise, I think. 

My happiest moment in a day full of them was when we retired last night.  Darcy House is a beautiful and important part of our lives, but Pemberley is home, and when I took her into the master’s chambers and loved her, I at last felt that Pemberley was mine.  Before I felt that I was merely the caretaker for my absent father.  The two of us in that most private of rooms, lost in our love and embrace established absolutely that we are the master and mistress, and I pray that it shall remain that way for us, together, until we are very, very old.

When my love wakes, I will begin my plans.  I hope that she is pleased; I have spent so many hours imagining her here with no hope of it ever coming to fruition.  Today many dreams will be fulfilled
.

Elizabeth’s lip caught in her teeth, and she took the ribbon from where he kept it in the front cover and placed it back over the page she had just read.  It had become a signal between them that she had been reading his journal.  Hearing him clearly dismissing his valet, she dashed out of their private sitting room and back to her chambers to finish dressing.  Darcy strode into the master’s chambers then into the sitting room.  Immediately he noticed that the ribbon had moved and a smile spread across his face.  He stepped up to the writing desk, fingered the lover’s knot then picked up her journal, and casually paged to the last entry.

13 July 1809

Yesterday we arrived and Fitzwilliam introduced me to our home.  To say it is breathtaking would be an insult.  Words cannot describe it.  When I first entered though, the atmosphere was so still, I can hardly express it but to say that the very house seemed to remain in mourning.  The splendour in every direction was exceptional, but the veil of sadness was almost smothering.  I understand so much of Fitzwilliam now.  His personality is stamped throughout the home, even if he has not changed a single thing since his father’s death.  It is he who preserved it all, which tells me that everything around us is important to him.  I will not touch the physical reminders of his family; however, I am determined to change the heartbeat of this place.  We explored so much of the house, until it grew far too dark to see more, and I know there are scores of rooms to go.  The stories behind the decoration will fill our conversation for a lifetime, I think.  What I enjoyed most of all was seeing his face as he told me his memories, they were not sad or painful, and when they became so, I would stop him from dwelling on his losses and instead ask that he tell me how his parents enjoyed this home.  I want him to remember his life with pleasure.  I want to make sure that my husband is happy with his past.  I firmly believe that will give us the strength to face our future, whatever comes. 

I am frightened beyond expression to fail him, but every time I feel myself slipping into despair, I know that all I need to do is look into his eyes.  He loves me, and he needs me, just as I do him.

“Oh Elizabeth.”  Darcy whispered.  “When did you become so strong?”  He felt her hands sliding around his waist and smiled to feel her head pressing against his back.  “You caught me.”

“I do not see a thing; your back is far too broad.”

“I thought that you liked that.”  He set down the book and turned around in her embrace to wrap her up in his.  “I seem to recall some poetry about the width of my shoulders as well.”  He chuckled and smiled at her sparkling eyes.  “Not quite worthy of publication, but satisfying nonetheless.”

“Well if you would like me to work harder on my poetry of your form and send it to the
Times
to be published . . .

“No, no.”  He laughed.

“Ode to a Lover.”  Elizabeth grinned.   “My lover is . . .”

“Shhh!”  Darcy kissed her smile to silence her, and they remained pleasantly engaged for several minutes.  “Mmm.  Now, my dear, are you prepared for your first adventure?”

“I think so.”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Am I dressed for it?” 

He stepped back and looked her over.  “It will do.  However I suggest riding boots.”

“Oh!”  She was gone in a flash and returned ten minutes later in a new dress and boots.  “There! What do you think?”

“I am flabbergasted with your speed!”  Taking her hand he led her down the stairs to the breakfast room, and after enjoying the meal they walked first to the kitchens to inspect the repairs, then examined the rooms that were scrubbed free of smoke, and finally outside to stroll towards the stables. 

Elizabeth looked down at their clasped hands and back up to his face.  The slight smile was there, but again she could tell that he was lost in thoughts of the estate.  “The kitchen is unlike one that I have ever seen before.”

Torn from his reverie he looked to her.  “It is the newest and most efficient design, I understand.  I wonder what our cook thinks of it.” 

“From what I could see she is delighted.  Did you not notice her practically caressing her new things?”  She laughed.  “I can see her bragging of them to any who would listen.”

“I missed that.  I suppose that I was more concerned with the structural changes.”  Darcy smiled.  “I am not always so obtuse.”

“I suppose I will find that out.” 

“Hmm.  I was just thinking that we need a house steward and a new butler.  Both of the positions became available when one man died and the other retired this spring, but I have not been home to interview candidates.”

“Would you promote from within?  That might encourage a better working environment; the men would be already loyal to Pemberley.” 

“I thought that as well.  I will speak to;
we
will speak to Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Nichols about it.”  He kissed her hand and then swung it back and forth as they walked.  “Here we are.”  They entered the stables and he walked up to a stall holding his black stallion.  “This is Onyx.”  He rubbed the horse’s nose and he nickered in recognition of his master.  “He is a nervous beast, but fast as the wind.”  Darcy offered him a carrot and rubbed his forelock before moving along.  “This is my favourite gelding, Richard.”

Elizabeth giggled.  “First a pearl, and now a horse?  What is the story this time?”

He laughed softly as he opened the stall and a groom ran up to lead the animal out to be saddled.  “When he was a foal Richard stood a little too close and received a rather painful kick in a treasured area of a man’s anatomy.”  Elizabeth blushed but her gaze fell on Darcy’s breeches.  He cleared his throat and took her hand to walk out to the paddock.  “When the horse was castrated, I naturally thought of my cousin.”

“Fitzwilliam!”  She gasped then covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.  “You have a very wicked sense of humour!”

He smiled a little but his eyes were twinkling, then leaning forward he whispered in her ear, “That is a story I never could have told you only a few weeks ago.”

“Are there more?” 

Darcy shrugged.  “I am not given to bawdiness.”

“No, but I love to hear you laugh.”  She smiled at him and he looked down, then led her to the mounting block.  “Let us see if I remember what to do.”  She put her foot in the stirrup, and grabbing a bit of mane, bounced for a moment before pulling herself up. 

“Well done!”  He said happily.  “I thought you were a novice.”

“I just prefer walking.  I really did fall off twice, but I did have some lessons between the accidents.  Besides, our riding horse is very old and tired, and sometimes I felt I was moving faster on foot than Jane was on Nellie.”  She settled into place.  Darcy swung up behind her and gathered the reins.  He nodded to the boy who was holding the horse’s head and they began to move off and out the gate.  “I did not realize that Jane rode.”

“Oh yes, but of course with one old horse, that was not a favourite past time.”

“She did not tell Harwick, did she?  He would have liked to have known that.  It may have helped to have some mutual interest.” 

“I cannot imagine why, unless . . . maybe she was actually trying to give him reasons to reject her?”

“I do not think that he needed much help.” 

“Fitzwilliam!”  Her eyes flashed and he raised his brow and looked at her with his head tilted.  “Well . . .”  Darcy kissed her and she sighed.  “Why are we talking about my sister?”

“Good question.”  He smiled and hugged her.  “I have thought so much of riding together like this.”  Leaning down to her ear he whispered, “It has been the subject of dreams.”

“How so?” 

He kicked the horse and they picked up speed, until they were galloping rapidly across the field.  They moved together with the horse’s gait, and Elizabeth leaned back against him as he kept one arm firmly around her waist while she held onto his with both arms.  He pressed his mouth to her ear.  “Does this remind you of anything, my love?”  Their eyes met as they continued to rise and fall in harmony.  “Your letter made me imagine so many things.” 

“I did not mean to put ideas in your head, truly.”

“I know.”  Darcy kissed her.  “I know.”  He slowed and stopped the horse and put the reins in her hands.  “Now, you take control, show me what you remember.”

“It is not a great deal.  I observed more than I actually rode.”  She said nervously.  Darcy smiled and she drew a deep breath, then slowly urged Richard forward.  “Where should we go?”

“Do you see that ridge over there?”  He pointed ahead.  “Just follow the trace here in the pasture; it will lead you right up.”  Elizabeth nodded and putting her lip between her teeth, focussed completely on her task.  Darcy placed both hands lightly on her waist and gazed from her hands, to the path, to her determined eyes.  He did not break her concentration, and only a few times did he involuntarily reach for the reins to resume control, but managed to stop before he wrested them from her.  He limited himself to speaking softly and giving her directions to improve her skills.  “Perhaps we should have given you your own horse.”

“I like this better.” 

“I do, too.”  He squeezed her and kissed her cheek.  “I do have a new pony for you, just waiting for a name.”

“Not Richard.”

He chuckled.  “No, not Richard.” 

They gained the top of the ridge and Elizabeth hesitated.  “Where do I go now?” 

“Nowhere, we have arrived.”  Jumping down he led the horse to a tree and tied him off, then held up his arms to help her to slide down.  When she reached the ground they naturally paused to kiss, then he took her hand.  “Come Mrs. Darcy.”  They walked to the edge of the precipice and he stood behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.  “What do you see?”