Page 50 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)

Although they dined that evening in the smallest of Pemberley's three dining rooms, the one used for informal family meals, the room was anything but modest. Elegantly proportioned, it was adorned with fine mahogany furniture, silk wallpaper in a pale damask, and paintings so expertly rendered they might have graced a gallery.

A sparkling chandelier hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the polished table where they were all gathered comfortably.

But Elizabeth, though outwardly composed, was struggling to reconcile the grandeur of her surroundings with the course her life had taken.

That she was now mistress of such a house, a house with three dining rooms, twenty bedchambers, two drawing rooms, numerous saloons, a music room, a ballroom, an orangery, a nursery, two libraries, and separate offices for both the housekeeper and the butler, seemed nothing short of absurd.

Eleven days ago, she had been the second daughter of a gentleman with a dwindling estate and an anxious, often mortifying mother.

She had always been her father's favorite, but even that small distinction came with quiet sorrow: he had admired her wit but never shielded her from the wounds inflicted by her mother’s favoritism toward Jane and disdain for Elizabeth herself.

And now, now she sat here, in the lap of luxury, with a husband who adored her.

Across the table, Darcy watched her with quiet perception and recognized the expression in her eyes. She was overwhelmed.

To draw her from her reverie, he said lightly, "Darling, has Kitty told you about her visit to Hunsford Parsonage? I am quite eager to hear about Mr. Daniel Grant."

Elizabeth smiled and turned toward her sister. "No, Kitty, you’ve been holding out on me. When will you visit Mary, and what are the travel arrangements?"

Kitty beamed. "We leave the second week of March. The roads should be a little drier by then. Sir William Lucas will drive Charlotte and me down in his carriage, but he will only remain two nights, just enough time to rest his horses. After he returns home, Charlotte and I will remain for two months. However, Mary writes that I likely won’t return at all!

She is certain Mr. Grant will make me an offer. "

Elizabeth tilted her head. "Does Mary say why she believes the match a near certainty?"

Kitty giggled. "Yes! She says Mr. Grant is extremely reticent, rarely speaks to anyone, never dances, and almost never attends the Hunsford assemblies. She thinks what he needs is a young woman who is friendly and brave enough to draw him out."

Elizabeth laughed. "Well, Kitty, you are certainly friendly and fearless. But do not be too distressed if the match fails to blossom. We don’t yet know what Mr. Grant thinks of marriage. How old is he?"

"Four and twenty," Kitty replied quickly. "That is plenty old for a man to marry."

Elizabeth smiled. "It is for some men, yes. But others view marriage as a leg shackle, a fate to be avoided until absolutely necessary."

"Lizzy!" Kitty gasped through another laugh. "You say the funniest things."

Elizabeth turned to Bingley. "Mr. Bingley, do tell us, am I wrong? Do not many men delay marriage until compelled by duty or dwindling options?"

Bingley laughed. "Not wrong at all, Elizabeth. Most men enjoy their freedom until a parent or their pocketbook demands a change."

"Then, Kitty," Elizabeth said with a wink, "I wish you happy hunting. You know your own mind, and if you choose marriage at seventeen, who am I to advise otherwise?"

Darcy interjected with a new question. "Who is Miss Charlotte Lucas? What makes her such a welcome guest at Hunsford Parsonage?"

Jane replied warmly, "Charlotte is our dearest friend. Lizzy’s and mine. She is not especially close to Mary, our friend is seven-and-twenty, and Mary is only nineteen, but she’s much loved by all our family. Mary is hopeful that she has found a possible suitor for her."

"Are there truly no eligible men in Meryton," Darcy asked, "or do they overlook Miss Lucas for a particular reason?"

Elizabeth replied, "Charlotte is plain. Not unattractive, but plain. She’s also exceedingly practical, kind, and good-humored. A very good woman."

"And she dresses poorly," Kitty added. "Her gowns are all so drab."

Jane defended her gently. "Only because she and her sister help in the kitchen. Her gowns must be serviceable. And with four brothers and two sisters, the family resources go to the boys’ educations and futures."

Elizabeth looked at Darcy. "Fitzwilliam is taking me to London for a new wardrobe. I believe I’ll send Charlotte my Scotland gowns and the two habits Papa gave me. We are of the same height, and with slight alterations, they’ll suit her well."

"I’ll add two or three of mine," Jane offered. "Though most of my colors are too pale for her dark hair."

"Speaking of her hair," Kitty said, shaking her head. "She wears it in a tight bun like a spinster!"

Elizabeth laughed. "Very well, Kitty. Alice and I can work with her hair. Perhaps we can find her a more flattering style."

Darcy watched his wife and her sisters conspire to improve their friend’s prospects. Their affection and practicality charmed him.

When the ladies withdrew to the drawing room, Darcy lingered behind with Bingley.

"Tell me truly," Darcy said, "are you worried about Caroline? Might she do something outrageous? Run off, perhaps?"

Bingley shook his head. "Not likely. Caroline always spent beyond her means and frequently begged loans from me when her allowance ran dry. Jack doesn’t indulge her.

He’s halved her quarterly funds and insists they save for life in America.

Her funds are now legally his. If my sister wants comfort, she must support his success.

Caroline is clever. If she applies herself to the right ends, they may do very well. "

Darcy nodded. "If only she had learned that lesson years ago."

They joined the women in the drawing room, and the rest of the evening passed quietly.