Page 109 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
T he dreadful story of Elizabeth’s kidnapping was slowly put aside.
Wickham remained in prison for two weeks, and Darcy—through his cousin Robert and with James’s assistance—purchased his debts.
As soon as Darcy felt well enough, he spoke to Wickham in person and convinced him to leave England as his name had been tarnished enough to jeopardise his career.
Wickham opted for America, admitting he had some money from Lady Catherine, enough for a modest start in the former colonies.
Darcy agreed to purchase him a comfortable cabin on the first ship but pointed out once again that, were he ever to be seen near any member of the Darcy family, he would be thrown into debtors’ prison and left there.
Wickham was accompanied to the ship by Mr Bourne and his men and left in the care of the captain to ensure he reached his destination. The news of his departure was received with relief by everyone, including Miss Darcy.
Equally reassuring for some of the Darcys was that Lady Annabelle Stafford, together with Lord Clayton and the two French families, had left England for Italy at the end of January, and not even Lady Isabella or James Darcy had details about either of them—nor were they missed by many.
At the beginning of February, Elizabeth, Darcy and Georgiana travelled to Hertfordshire to attend Jane’s wedding to Mr Bingley. They decided to depart for Pemberley—only the two of them—soon afterwards, which made them both anxious for the days to pass.
The reunion with the Bennets was joyful. The Gardiners were already there, which diminished somewhat Miss Darcy’s nervousness at meeting so many new people.
To everyone’s surprise, Darcy declined the invitation to stay at Netherfield, choosing to remain at Longbourn instead. Mr and Mrs Gardiner already occupied the large guest room, and Miss Darcy was offered the smaller one.
Mr Darcy declared he and Elizabeth would be content to take her old room again. His words made Elizabeth turn crimson as she hurried to support her husband’s idea. Mrs Bennet was beyond herself in delight, being certain that this was further proof of her son-in-law’s affection for their family.
For Darcy and Elizabeth, the small room and narrow bed, which brought them so much distress only a month ago, proved to be larger and more comfortable than any elegant room at Netherfield.
The only serious problem was the thin walls, which forced them to struggle to keep silent through two entire nights in which neither of them slept much.
On the morning of her wedding, Miss Bennet was more beautiful than ever, her happiness clearly displayed on her perfect features.
Mr Bingley, whose smile was larger and more handsome than anyone could remember, could not take his eyes from his bride, whom he compared to an angel, and kept marvelling that she had finally accepted him.
The ceremony was as lovely and emotional as expected. Mrs Bennet could hardly bear the joy of having a second daughter married before Charlotte Lucas, whose wedding had been postponed to March due to Mr Collins’s deep mourning for his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth and Darcy prepared to leave the day after the wedding.
Surprisingly, Georgiana asked permission to invite Mary to keep her company in London.
Her idea was most welcomed by the Darcys and gladly accepted by Mr and Mrs Bennet to Mary’s great felicity.
Elizabeth calmed her younger sisters, reminding them that there was little to do in London at that time besides reading and playing the piano—which both Kitty and Lydia found not worth the effort of travelling.
***
Mr and Mrs Darcy’s journey to Pemberley from London began very early on a chilly day.
They took a warm farewell from Georgiana and Mary, as well as from Libby and Peter. Mrs Annesley received a warm half an hour of thanks and mutual gratitude as it was uncertain whether they would find her in the house on their return.
Together with his appreciation, Darcy offered Mrs Annesley a generous and unexpected reward: to assure her comfort for at least two years and his promise to always help her in any way she might need.
At dawn, Molly, Stevens—together with three other footmen and the coachman—loaded the luggage and the carriage moved slowly, soon leaving London behind.
They travelled for three days and three nights with frequent stops and changes of horses at inns and taverns.
The roads were difficult, and it snowed steadily almost the entire time.
The first two nights they slept at inns, but on the last one, Elizabeth preferred to continue travelling, eager to reach their destination.
For a few hours, fatigue overcame her, and she fell asleep on her husband’s shoulder while Stevens and Molly rested on the seat across from them.
She woke up under a soft touch caressing her face and a warm whisper.
“Elizabeth, we have entered the Pemberley estate.”
She responded with a quick smile, and then her hand grasped his as she looked through the window with perturbation for the first appearance of Pemberley.
The carriage moved through a wood and then a vast park.
Her heart beat stronger, and anticipation overwhelmed her.
They ascended for half a mile, and the carriage stopped on a high hill where the wood ceased, and her eager gaze was instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated in the valley, surrounded by snow-covered lanes and guarded by a large, frozen lake.
Elizabeth gasped in wonder, and her eyes moistened with tears. She impatiently opened the door and stepped out to fully enjoy the view while she pressed her hands over her chest to quiet her excitement, marvelling at her future home.
The stone building was remarkably impressive in its beauty, without any artificial appearance. It was simply perfect in its natural splendour, lit by the winter sun just rising.
“Oh, mistress, this is so wonderful,” Molly said from inside the carriage.
“I have never seen a place more beautiful,” Elizabeth whispered when she felt her husband’s arms embracing her. “It is so much more than I imagined!”
“I feel proud and happy to call it my home. And I am even happier that you will bring the only things that Pemberley previously lacked: joy, liveliness, warmth, and love.”
They stood in silence a few minutes, taking deep pleasure from the image of their future.
“We must go now, my darling, but I promise I will show you every spot of the estate during the next days. You will come to know it and love it as much as I do.”
“I love it already. I believe it was love at first sight!” she said, laughing with emotion.
“Unlike its master,” he teased her, and she answered with a meaningful smile.
The carriage stopped before the front door, and Elizabeth looked around, her eyes wide and her heart racing. While she heard Molly’s gasps of admiration, Elizabeth’s feet were too weak to move. She took Darcy’s arm, and he gently put his hand over hers.
“Let us enter, Mrs Darcy. We are finally home.” They were welcomed by Mrs Reynolds, who seemed overwhelmed with excitement.
“Oh, dear Lord! Master, what joy to see you back home. You have been missed! Mrs Darcy, we are honoured to receive you. Welcome! I hope you approve of Pemberley—I hope very much. Oh, I am such a fool—please enter. I am standing in the way. I heartily apologise…”
“Mrs Reynolds, please calm yourself. In four and twenty years, I have never seen you so agitated! We are very happy to be home at last. I am certain that Mrs Darcy approves of Pemberley and will come to love it as much as we do,” Darcy said light-heartedly.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Reynolds,” Elizabeth said warmly. “As for Pemberley, I feel it is already part of my heart.”
“Oh, what a wonderful thing to hear! The staff are very eager to meet Mrs Darcy. Shall I fetch them to the main hall? Oh, you must be Molly—welcome to Pemberley!”
“I would like very much to meet them. Mr Darcy speaks so highly of you and his entire staff! Would half an hour be acceptable? I would like to arrange my appearance a little. It would not do to make a poor first impression,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
“Perfect, ma’am, although, if I may be so bold to say, your appearance is quite charming.”
“Mrs Reynolds, we very much appreciate your boldness,” Darcy said, laughing, and the housekeeper lowered her eyes a moment before a hidden smile twisted her lips.
“Then I shall take the chance and say that you, sir, look more dashing than ever before. It seems marriage suits you very well, indeed. Mrs Thomason was right in this.”
“I am quite disconcerted that my housekeepers seem to talk about me behind my back,” Darcy replied with mock severity.
“As long as the talking is honest and true, I find it acceptable,” Elizabeth intervened, and Mrs Reynolds’ face lit with joy while she hurried on.
The first day at Pemberley was equally wonderful and nerve-wracking for Elizabeth.
The introduction to the staff went as well as in London due to her natural friendliness.
She asked some additional questions to be sure that she learnt everyone’s names and duties.
Her open manners and warm smile brought relief to the servants’ faces, and she smiled nervously when Mrs Reynolds confessed that they knew about Mrs Darcy’s generous help for Janey and her children.
Afterwards, Darcy took her on a short tour of the main rooms in the house, many others being left for the following days. Elizabeth asked about the family gallery, and there Darcy revealed every painting, every history, and every memory he had of his loved ones.