Page 42 of Five Gentlemen at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice Variations)

Pemberley

The Next Morning

Elizabeth, following a neatly dressed maid down the stairs, could not refrain from her awe as she passed through the corridors of Pemberley.

A vast hallway arched regally above her admiring head, while the main staircase was sweeping and majestic.

Thick blue carpet muffled the footsteps of the two women as they attained the bottom of the stairs.

The maid turned left, and Elizabeth hastened after her while somewhere further down the hall, a clock struck eleven.

It was an astonishingly late hour for Elizabeth to be breaking her fast, but she had not woken until ten, some hours past her usual rising time.

She had fallen into bed the previous night, utterly exhausted, with Mr. Darcy's kind urgings to rest ringing in her ears.

Scarcely had her head landed on her pillow before she had succumbed to her accumulated weariness.

Her sleep had been sweet and deep and dreamless, and she knew nothing at all again until the warm late morning sunshine was slanting through her windows and carrying with it the distant, muffled sound of birdsong.

Elizabeth had risen and pushed aside her curtains to look out on a world that had been rain-washed.

She had dimly noticed the previous evening a rainstorm approaching heralded by light pattering drops.

It must have arrived in a deluge after she was asleep.

She was not surprised to have slept through it, for the sound of rain had always eased her sleep.

Indeed, all her circumstances seemed designed for her rest; the rain lullaby, the peaceful guest room far from the hectic stresses of Longbourn, the bone-deep weariness that Elizabeth was beginning to realize might be alleviated after all.

For now, though, she was hungry and glad to see that they had reached the breakfast room at last. The maid opened the door and gestured for Elizabeth to enter, and she did so with a nod and a smile.

The parlor was far smaller than the formal dining room, but it was still quite large, and Elizabeth’s eyes immediately went to Mrs. Gardiner and Mary, both of whom were seated at the near end of the oak table, breaking their fast with coffee and muffins and fruit.

“Good morning, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a smile. “I hope you slept well?”

“I did,” she returned, making her way to a sideboard where coffee and tea and milk and fruit and muffins and eggs were waiting. “I cannot remember the last time I slept so long. How about you?”

“I slept soundly,” her aunt said, “though I woke up early because I was a trifle concerned about the children. I checked on them at about seven o’clock, and they were all still asleep and looking like angels.

I am grateful that the nursemaids took them out yesterday afternoon so that they could run around for a few hours! ”

Elizabeth placed a muffin on her plate and took a seat across from her sister.

“I am thankful as well,” she remarked. “The children did remarkably well during the journey, but it was a long time for them to sit still.”

“Indeed,” Mrs. Gardiner said and looked out the lone window in the room, which displayed an extremely wet landscape.

“They will not be out playing today, but the nurseries here are large, and there are a great many toys, so they will be kept well entertained. I understand they once belonged to Miss Darcy and were pulled out of storage for our visit, which was kind of the Darcys.”

“Indeed it was,” Elizabeth agreed warmly, and then looked at Mary. “How did you sleep?”

“It was wonderful,” Mary replied. “The bed was comfortable, and I love the sound of rain when I am tucked up cozily. By the by, both Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were here a few minutes ago. Mr. Darcy has some letters to write, and Colonel Fitzwilliam is checking on a horse, but they suggested we repair to the library after we eat, and they will meet us there soon.”

“The library!” Elizabeth cried out, and then took such a big gulp of coffee that her tongue was momentarily scalded. She recovered in seconds and continued, “I have longed to visit the library since I first heard of it!”

“As have I,” Mary said eagerly, and their aunt said cheerily, “That seems an excellent plan then. I intend to go up to the nursery and spend some time with the children, but we will meet again later in the day.”

***

Pemberley

An Hour Later

Fitzwilliam Darcy was nothing if not a dutiful, conscientious man.

A long letter to his man of business in London sat already written, signed, sealed, and waiting on the salver to be dispatched to Lambton and from thence into the post. He now had the rest of the day at his disposal, and he intended to use it to the fullest to spend time with his darling Elizabeth.

A passing maid, when queried, had informed him that Mrs. Gardiner was in the nursery with her children, and that the Bennet sisters were in the library.

Darcy found his steps carrying him ever more eagerly and rapidly towards the library.

He paused momentarily beside the door, his hand on the ornate latch, to take a deep breath and compose himself.

Only after he was outwardly calm did Darcy open the door, which swung open noiselessly on well-oiled hinges, and he took a moment to look within.

Miss Mary stood at one of the shelves, running her finger slowly along the spines of the books there.

Darcy's eyes slid right past her without noting any further details, his complete attention fastening on Miss Elizabeth.

She sat in the armchair beneath the window, illuminated by the sunlight pouring down over her until she seemed to glow, her hair a halo of mahogany and amber and cherry and chestnut around her face.

A leather volume lay open in her lap, her full focus on the page, lips parted slightly and eyes wide and intent in a face transported by sheer delight.

Darcy thought he had never seen a sight so beautiful.

“Mr. Darcy, good morning,” Mary Bennet said, and he turned and bowed to her. “Good morning, Miss Mary.”

“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth exclaimed, leaping to her feet and hurrying toward him, her face glowing with joy, “you have an absolutely amazing library!”

“Thank you,” he replied. “It has been the work of many generations.”

He winced at his own awkwardness, as that response was hardly romantic, but the lady smiled and said, “I admire that tremendously, as there are many ways one can spend money and to acquire books is such a marvelous way to increase not only the wealth, but the wisdom, of one’s family.”

“It is,” he agreed with a grin. “Now, before we discuss books any further, may I ask if you are well?”

“Yes, I am well, thank you,” she said, and while the reply was conventional, he was heartened to see that her face was not quite as pale and her eyes not quite as tired as they had been the day before.

“I am glad,” he said simply, just as the door opened and Richard Fitzwilliam entered the room.

“Miss Mary!” he said enthusiastically. “Miss Bennet, good morning!”

“Good morning,” the ladies chorused, and Richard said, “Darcy, I know that you would like to spend time with Miss Bennet, and I would like to talk to Miss Mary, so shall we take positions on opposite ends of the room?”

“Certainly,” Darcy said heartily, and Elizabeth gestured toward a pair of chairs near the fire. “Colonel, you and Mary should sit there. I overheat rather easily.”

Richard nodded, and Mary, with a blush, took a seat near the fire, and her suitor took his place across from her.

Darcy guided Elizabeth to a sofa that backed up to a large window and was in close proximity to a bookshelf full of novels.

He knew that his guest enjoyed novels, and he had read most of the books on that shelf.

It would provide an easy source of conversation for him, which he needed rather desperately.

He was always awkward in company, and having the lady he adored so nearby made him somewhat tongue-tied.

“Ah,” Elizabeth remarked, leaning over to pluck a leather book from the shelves, “ The Mysteries of Udolpho . Do you like this book, Mr. Darcy?”

He peered into her face, trying to evaluate her views on the book. Did she like it? Not like it?

But it did not matter, did it? One of the things he loved about her was that she did not mind honest disagreement.

“In truth, I do not,” he said. “I think it overly dramatic.”

“I agree,” she said with a smile, “but I admire Miss Radcliffe’s use of language in painting pictures of scenery. She captures the beauty of the Pyrenees and the gloominess of the castle with rare ability.”

“You do not think it is overdone?”

“I do not,” she declared and opened the book, hunted for a few seconds, and then handed it over. “What do you think of this section, sir? Is it not marvelous…?”

***

Richard looked over at his cousin, who was speaking animatedly with Miss Bennet, and then turned his attention to Miss Mary.

The young lady was dressed in a blue muslin gown, and her hair was in a simple knot.

She was still pale, and her eyes were weary, and he said with concern, “Are you truly all right, Miss Mary?”

“I am, though I realize I look tired,” she promptly replied.

“I have never been quite as sturdy as Elizabeth, and these last months at Longbourn have been difficult. I slept very well last night, at least, and I do feel better, although I know it is not obvious from my appearance. The guest bedchambers of Pemberley are very comfortable, along with the rest of the mansion, of course. It is incredible.”

“I agree,” Richard replied. “The Darcys have done an excellent job of managing their estates for many generations, and the estate has flourished.”

Mary looked around and said, “This library attests to that, I believe. Books have value, and if one of Mr. Darcy’s recent ancestors had been a spendthrift or a gambler, it is likely many of the books would have been sold.”

Richard looked around as well, and said, “That is likely true, though the books themselves may be tied to the estate in a particular manner. But in any case, the Darcys have had a long history of being sober, sensible men.”

“That bodes well for Elizabeth if she marries Mr. Darcy. How would you describe yourself, sir? Are you a sober, sensible man?”

Richard leaned back in his chair and forced himself to consider this. “I think that I would describe myself as reasonably sober and sensible, but Darcy has a more solemn character than I do. You know Mr. Charles Bingley, I believe?”

“I do.”

“Mr. Bingley is a congenial and charming man, more so than I am, but I am far easier in company than my cousin Darcy has ever been.”

“I wonder how much Mr. Bingley’s outgoing nature has been shaped by his position in the world.

He is obviously wealthy, but since his fortune was gained through trade, he has doubtless been forced to overlook subtle insults from those in a higher position in society.

He has probably been required to be more outgoing than you and Mr. Darcy have been. ”

“That is very shrewd,” Richard said, regarding Miss Mary with admiration.

“I think you are entirely right, and it is reasonable to make assumptions regarding my own personality with regards to fortune. Darcy has been pursued for his fortune his entire life, and my brother Zachary has likewise been chased by women more interested in his position and future wealth than his person. It has jaded them both to some degree.”

“How is your elder brother?” Mary asked curiously.

Richard shrugged and said, “He was engaged only last week to Lady Aurelia, daughter of the Earl of Sorston. She is wealthy and well-connected, of course.”

Mary narrowed her eyes. “But you do not like her?”

“I do not dislike her,” he replied with a shrug.

“She is a very typical society lady and seems pleasant enough. I think she and Zachary will do well, but they are drawn together primarily because of societal position, which holds no appeal for me. In truth, I suspect my mother is the primary driving force behind this betrothal. She is a determined woman, and the last time we were in company, it was obvious to me that she had decided it was high time for my brother to wed. We both love and admire the countess, so Zachary’s engagement is not unexpected. ”

“I understand,” Mary said, and looking around, added, “Oh, how happy I am to be here among genuine friends! It is so peaceful and beautiful.”

“I am very glad that you are here as well,” Richard said. “I can well imagine that Longbourn has not been peaceful for some months thanks to your father’s illness.”

“In truth, it was not peaceful even before that,” Mary said with a sigh.

“Thanks to the entail on Longbourn, my poor mother has been nervous and high-strung for years, and she talked incessantly of the need for Jane and Elizabeth to marry as quickly, and as well, as possible, even from the age of fifteen.”

“But not you?”

Mary scrunched her nose and said, “Not me, no, as I am not as beautiful as my sisters and she had little confidence in my ability to catch a husband. Then, of course, I inherited a fortune, and her view of me shifted from indifference to excitement.”

Richard shook his head in disapproval. “She looks on you as her savior now in the event of your father’s death?”

“Yes, though as you may know, the money is tied up tightly under the oversight of our two uncles. If not for that, I daresay Kitty and Lydia would have spent all of their own money already, encouraged by my mother. If we marry, the money will be transferred to your control, of course.”

“ If we marry,” Richard said, leaning forward a little, “I am determined that a large part of your fortune will be set aside for your marriage portion.”

She gazed at him directly and then leaned back with a smile. “I am glad to hear that, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”