The Ashes of Longbourn (39 page)

             
“Whenever you wish to learn, do not hesitate.  I do hope that you will take some time to settle in here first, as I know that you and your husband have not had a great deal of time to yourselves.  It is winter and that means that there are not as many priorities for the Mistress. Now, I have ordered baths drawn for you, and trays will be sent up to you when you are ready for them.  Cook has prepared some wonderful treats for you to enjoy over the next few days.”

             
Darcy smiled.  He had sent a letter to Mrs Reynolds asking that all preparations be made for he and his wife to remain locked away in their suite of rooms for the rest of the week.  Though she had said baths, he knew that she would have had the new tub, which had been delivered recently, filled for the couple.

             
When the couple entered the Mistress’s Chambers, Elizabeth gasped.  The bedchamber was filled with vases of roses and lavender, as Mrs Reynolds had the gardener raid the hothouse for every available blossom.  The room was decorated in such a way that Elizabeth felt she was hidden away in a forest, with rich woods and lush greens being primary through the room.  Around the base of the walls were small flowers which had been hand painted.  The furniture was cherry wood, lending a rich feeling to the room. The shades had been pulled back, allowing the sunlight to enter the room, as if peering through tree limbs.

             
On the right side of the room were a door into her personal dressing chambers and another door leading into the birthing room and nursery.  It brought a smile of joy to Elizabeth to see the sweet room where she would give birth in just a few months.  This sent a sense of thrill coursing through her body.  Mrs Reynolds had already been told the wonderful news of the future of Pemberley already on its way.  “I had the rooms cleaned thoroughly and aired out.  If there is anything you wish changed, we will begin on such as soon as you wish.  It is such a wonderful gift, a new generation of Darcys.  We are excited to have little ones in the house again.”

             
Elizabeth’s hand covered her belly as a strange look came over her expression.  Darcy noticed the change in his wife and was instantly at her side to tend to her. “Lizzy, perhaps you should rest for a while.  The trip must have taken more from you than you thought.”

             
She shook her head as she looked into her husband’s eyes.  “William, I just felt it.  Like fluttering inside of me, our babe is moving around.”

             
It was clear that her husband was disappointed in not being able to feel their child moving about inside his beloved.  “It is not painful, is it?” he asked.

             
“No, it is an incredible feeling.  I cannot begin to describe it to you.”

             
Mrs Reynolds had tears in her eyes as she watched the exchange between the couple.  Though she had been told that it was a love match, seeing the young couple before her made her heart leap for joy.  “Does it feel as if you had a batch of butterflies flitting around inside of you?” she asked.

             
Elizabeth nodded her head.  “It is such an unbelievable feeling.  I know that we have been aware of my increasing, but this makes everything so much more real.  This is a new life growing inside of me.  The babe is a piece of you and me that will grow into a fine person.  William, I love you so very much.”

             
Mrs Reynolds was amazed when her master scooped his wife into his arms and kissed her soundly in front of those in the room.  He walked, with his wife in his arms, to the Mistress’s bedchamber, closing the door and locking it.  After depositing his wife gently on the bed, he walked to the other side of the room and made sure the doors to his rooms and the sitting room were secure as well. As he began to walk back to the bed, he was removing his clothing, leaving a trail behind him.

             
Reaching his wife, he captured her lips again, as his hands wandered to the back of her gown.  Quickly, he was able to dispense with her clothing, leaving the items in a pile on the floor beside his own.  He knew that his valet would be scandalized to see the clothing tossed about in such a way, but that did not matter. 

             
Once he had divested his wife of her clothing, Darcy moved his lips down her body, placing light kisses along the trail.  When he reached the swell of her abdomen, he ran his fingers over the skin, caressing gently.  “Hello, Sweetling.  I cannot wait until I can feel you moving about.  I love you and your Mamma so very much, and I am so very grateful for your letting us know that you are with us.”

             
“William, I believe your child must have approved of the room where I will deliver him or her into the world.”

             
“It is a daughter, I am sure of it.  My little Sweetling; I will have a small version of my beloved wife.”

             
Elizabeth began to giggle.  “I would never have thought that the taciturn Fitzwilliam Darcy could be so silly.  Fortunately I learned of this sweet side of you, the kind and caring man that you are.  I cannot imagine what my life would have been had I not realized how much I love you.”

             
“You are my world, Elizabeth Darcy, my heart and soul. I will be grateful for the rest of my life for your giving me a chance to win your heart.  We will have a long and happy life together, I am sure of it.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
The bath was taken nearly an hour later, followed by the couple partaking in the delightful morsels that the cook had prepared.  Mrs Lane had sent a list of Elizabeth’s favorite foods as well as other likes, so the cook made certain to have many of them prepared.  There were pastries, cheese, fruit, cold chicken and roasted beef.  There was fresh made bread, some still warm from the oven.  Elizabeth had not realized how hungry she was until she smelled the heavenly fragrance.

             
After they ate, the couple dressed simply so they could step down the hall.  Darcy wished to show his wife the library of their home.  “I have not given you a full description of the size of our library.” He said as he opened the door and escorted his wife inside.  Laughing at her expression, Darcy wrapped his arms around her from the back. 

             
They wandered through the room, and tears came to Elizabeth’s eyes as she remembered the times she sat in the library at Longbourn, reading while her father worked on his books or read.  Seeing this room made Elizabeth think of how dearly her father would have loved to see it.  The smell of leather binding and parchment were like coming home.

             
Darcy noticed the tears that had escaped and trailed down her cheeks.  “Dearest, what is wrong?”

             
“I was thinking of Papa.  He would have loved this room; we would have never been able to get him out of it.               We spent so many hours in his bookroom; it just touched on some wonderful memories.”

             
“Forgive me for not thinking.  Of course, you and your father shared your love of books.  It was thoughtless of me for not realizing that it would bring memories of your family.”

             
“Pleasant memories, William, and they need to be cherished.  If we do not hold on to the memories of those we have loved and lost, they disappear as if they never existed.  I wish to remember my parents and sisters.  They were all very important to me and I do not wish for them to be forgotten.”

             
“Very well, dearest, but if you find something too painful to accept, please tell me.”

             
Elizabeth turned around and reached up to kiss her husband.  “I know that you will do everything in your power to protect me.  You are truly the best of men.”

             
Once they returned to their rooms, Darcy guided his beloved to the rug before the fireplace, encouraging her to rest her head on his lap when he sat down.  She did so, relishing the feel of Darcy playing with her curls.  Seeing how relaxed she was, with her eyes closed and a delighted smile on her lips, Darcy knew his life was extremely better than it had been twelve months prior.  Twelve months before, Darcy was sulking in London at his townhouse, as he fought against his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet.  What a fool he was to have not declared his feelings for her while he and Bingley were first at Netherfield.  Then, the end of March of the previous year, he had found her at Rosings Park when he had gone there for Easter.  Fate was telling him that it was meant to be, they were meant to fall in love.  Less than a year later, after all that they had been through, and here they were, married and expecting their first child. 

             
Darcy decided that this year, their Easter would be the start of new tradition.  They would plant a new tree each year in the orchard at Pemberley, and have a picnic there as the weather permitted.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 30

             
The weeks went by quickly, as Elizabeth and Darcy settled into their married life.  Elizabeth took over the household books and planning the menus, as well as many other duties that the Mistress of Pemberley would handle.  Mrs Reynolds instructed the new Mistress, and gave her opinions in private when asked.  She was proud to see Elizabeth take to the position easily and with confidence.

             
Darcy had a great deal of catching up to do, after being away from Pemberley for so long.  His steward met with him daily, spending a great many hours going over the books, the plans for the planting season, and the list of repairs that needed to be done to the estate.  They rode out many days, inspecting buildings and bridges, checking over the livestock.  Darcy had also planned to begin breeding horses on a larger scale than he had in the past.  When he and Georgiana had traveled the previous year, his sister knew of his passion for horses and made sure that they saw some of the best breeding farms in the countries that they visited.  He knew that his love of horses would only grow now that the rest of his life was working out the way he wished.

             
Georgiana decided to return to Pemberley at the end of June, as the heat of summer in Town was not enjoyable.  She was also dying to spend time with her sister and brother.  Never having a sister before, Georgiana was thrilled to have someone with which to talk with.  When Georgiana first arrived home, she chattered on about the latest fashions and gossip in Town.  Elizabeth laughed as she watched the once quiet and shy Georgiana acting as many young girls did.  She also reminded Elizabeth of Lydia and Kitty with the animated way she was behaving. 

             
While Georgiana had been in Town, she had continued her studies with masters.  Her musical talent was to be envied previously, now they were near perfection.  Each evening, after the family dined together, Georgiana would entertain her family with music as they sat together on the sofa in the music room.  A peaceful bliss had come over Pemberley and even the staff noticed.

             
A letter arrived near the first of June from Jane, announcing two events. The first was that she was increasing, and the babe was expected around the end of January.  Elizabeth was thrilled for her sister and prayed for her and her baby’s good health. 

             
The second piece of news was shocking to everyone.  It was the announcement that Miss Caroline Bingley was to marry Mr Jamison on the first of July.  The couple would marry from Scarborough, from her aunt’s home, as Caroline felt she had finally come to life while living there.  In her mind, it was her home.  Charles found no offense from this, and was pleased to be giving his sister into a marriage built on love and mutual respect.  After the wedding, the Jamisons would take a trip to Scotland for a week before returning to the new home which Mr Jamison purchased for his bride.

             
Bingley and Jane planned to travel to Pemberley in June, to be able to enjoy a few weeks with the Darcys, before making the journey to the wedding.  They would remain in Scarborough at Mrs Bingley’s house for a fortnight, before returning to Pemberley.  They would stay at Pemberley until after the birth of their niece or nephew.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
By July, Elizabeth felt she was as big as a house.  She could not remember the last time she was able to look down and see her own feet, which were swollen and ached from time to time.  Fortunately, her husband was quite attentive and massaged them often for her.  A smile grew across her lips on afternoon as she watched her husband massaging her left foot.

             
“And what is bringing such a sweet look to your face, my love?” Darcy asked.

             
“I was just thinking that my accident did have one positive result.”

             
Darcy’s eyebrow arched with curiosity.  “And just what could that be, Mrs Darcy?”

             
“You have developed an amazing ability for massaging sore muscles.  You have quite a talent, my lover.”