Page 49 of A Life Diverted
C illa sat next to Ellie in the coach as it turned past the gateposts which announced they were at Willowmere.
As much as she had prayed it would come to pass, her belief that Ellie was alive notwithstanding, Cilla had not thought that she would live to see this day.
This was the day when Ellie was at the estate of her birth again.
They were here, just a mile from the manor house, and Ellie was, as she had been most of the way to Derbyshire, looking out of the window with great interest as she eagerly observed everything.
For part of the journey, Fanny and Thomas had ridden with them in the lead conveyance; other times it was Jane and David. Between a few rest stops, Elaine and Fanny had ridden with them, but one thing was constant; Ellie was in the carriage with Cilla and Joseph whenever they were in motion.
As soon as she saw the name of the estate on the brass arch which connected the gateposts, Elizabeth felt her anticipation growing.
Rather than being afraid of the memories, she hoped that being back in the house where she was born and taken from on that fateful night would allow her to remember more and possibly even allow the face in her dream to come into focus.
The one thing which was disappointing was that, like the previous day, there had been low clouds, so there had been no view of the Peaks yet. Although she was impatient to see the mountains, Elizabeth was sure it would not be long before they were revealed to her .
Mother and Father, as well as other family members who rode with her, had not grown tired of the myriad of questions and comments from her along the way.
They had departed Hertfordshire on the Monday after the ball. Elizabeth was well pleased that most of her family would travel with them; the only exceptions were Barney and Uncle Stephen, who would make for Glenmeade with the Lucases.
Ever since their dances at the ball, Elizabeth had discovered she had tender feelings for William.
She had not a clue of how he felt about her.
It was entirely possible he only saw her as a cousin, but if that was true, would he have requested and danced two sets with her?
More than that, he requested two significant sets.
She supposed that could be one cousin supporting another, but then again, none of the other cousins or her brothers had asked for more than one set.
Thanks to society’s rules, all she could do was to wait until, if, he declared himself.
She reminded herself that now may not be the most opportune time for romance, as there was so much to do and see.
Another thing Elizabeth considered was how Mother and Father would feel if she married and left them right away.
That led her to cogitate on from whom her future betrothed would have to ask for consent and blessings to marry her. She knew that her preference was that both Papa and Father be asked.
Elizabeth did not think she was in love with William…
yet. However, she had never before been in romantic love and had no idea what it felt like to be in that state.
At some point, when things were settled, she would speak to Mama or Mother about her feelings.
Elizabeth was sure they would be able to provide her the answers she was seeking.
Darcy was in his coach with Richard, Giana, and Mary.
He looked to his left where Richard sat, lost in his own thoughts.
He was very seldom jealous of anyone, but Darcy felt that towards Richard, who he was sure was sitting and counting the minutes until he could dash off to Granville to visit Lady Melody.
His feelings of envy were not that Richard knew who he wanted to make his wife, but that he was able to make the declaration and that it would be gladly received.
He was fairly certain he was falling in love with Ellie, and although she had accepted his request for two dances, Darcy did not know if Ellie was willing to have more than friendship with him.
If that was not enough of a question, even if he felt she was open to hearing a declaration from him, there was the matter of her recent recovery.
He chastised himself and reminded himself that he had promised to give her time before he attempted to advance his suit. He was, under normal circumstances, a very patient man.
Having waited so many years to find a lady with whom he wanted to share his life, Darcy supposed that his head and heart were at war.
The latter organ wanted him to charge forward like a cavalryman, while the former was preaching restraint.
As much as he wanted to follow the dictates of his heart, he knew it was prudent to do what his head was urging.
The last thing he needed was to push Ellie away with a premature declaration.
In the lead coach, Elizabeth was looking at the manor house as it came into view. It was a little larger than Longbourn’s, but it was built in the Tudor style, speaking to the many years it had been standing.
So far, nothing she saw sparked any memories for Elizabeth. Then again, given the age she had been when she had last been here, it was not so very surprising. Elizabeth did not miss the way Mother and Father were watching her with looks of joy on their countenances.
As much as she regretted the pain her kidnapping had occasioned her Wendell family, Elizabeth would never feel discontent that she had come to know and be part of the Bennet family.
The only thing she was sorry about was that Grandmama Beth had not accompanied them.
A long journey, even in a comfortable coach, was too much for her.
Before they departed Longbourn, Elizabeth had made a promise to her grandmama that it would not be too long before she came back to see her.
Grandmama’s sadness when farewelling everyone was understandable; she was no longer young and her old bones could not withstand long travel, and no one knew when God would call her to His side.
Even though it was approaching winter, and noticeably colder than in Hertfordshire, there were many servants lined up in front of the house. There were three standing just a little ahead of the servants, who Elizabeth correctly assumed were the senior staff.
With the added guards and footmen, it took no time at all for the steps to be placed, and carriage doors opened.
Wendell waited until everyone had alighted before he addressed the staff and servants. “It is my great pleasure to introduce our daughter, Miss Elizabeth Elaine Wendell to all of you.” No sooner had the last word left his mouth than the assembled staff and servants loosed a loud cheer.
Elizabeth did not miss the lady she believed was the housekeeper sobbing uncontrollably.
“We will all repair inside out of the cold, and then individual introductions will be made,” Wendell announced.
Those who had assembled to welcome them home waited until the Wendells and their guests entered the house before they returned to their duties.
Once they had all been relieved of their outerwear, Elizabeth was led over to the three senior staff members.
The lady was not sobbing as she had outside, but there were still tears in her eyes.
“Ellie, this is our steward, Mr Edwin Gibbs, the butler Mr John Sandiford, and this lady is our housekeeper, Mrs Matilda Malfoy,” Cilla told her daughter.
“Ellie, I am sure you do not remember, but Mrs Malfoy, she was Miss Malfoy then, was your nurse. When she became the housekeeper, she took on the title of a married lady. I believe she is almost as relieved as I was to see you again.”
“Oh, Miss Ellie, I am overjoyed to see you. What a beautiful lady you have become,” Mrs Malfoy gushed as she attempted to stem the tears of relief.
Even though Mr and Mrs Wendell never blamed her for Miss Ellie’s disappearance, she always blamed herself and expected to be sacked. She was not, as evidenced by the fact she was the housekeeper now.
Elizabeth’s mother having explained that the then Miss Malfoy was the nurse when she had disappeared, and that the lady felt tremendous guilt, made Elizabeth understand the housekeeper’s reaction at seeing her. She hoped any residual guilt would be lifted from the woman’s shoulders.
As soon as the housekeeper had composed herself, she led the Bennets to the chambers they would use while Mrs Frost and the twins made for the nursery.
Cilla had the pleasure of guiding Ellie to her suite. “Jane will be in the other bedchamber in this suite as I supposed you two would prefer to remain close to one another,” she told her daughter. The two seated themselves on the large, four-poster bed.
“Thank you Mother, this will be perfect.” Elizabeth paused for a moment. “This is the family wing, is it not?”
“It is. I would not put you anywhere else. Why do you ask?” Cilla wondered.
“Does David not have a chamber in this wing?” Elizabeth enquired. “I know neither he nor Janie would ever breach propriety, but if society discovers it, there will be rumours and innuendo spread. ”
“It has been some years since David had a chamber here.” Cilla saw the questioning arched eyebrow.
When he turned seven and twenty, he moved to the dower house.
It is a good size with all of the amenities.
After David and Jane marry, when they are at the estate, that is where they will live for the first few years.
As Barney is courting Charlotte, when he and the Lucases arrive, he will join his brother at the dower house.
Propriety will be observed at all times.
By the by if you and he come to an understanding then William will have to join your brothers there. ”
“Mother!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she blushed scarlet. “We are nothing but cousins.”