Page 52 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)

Elizabeth pressed Jane’s hands one final time before stepping into the waiting carriage.

Her sister's steady presence would be sorely missed.

Darcy clapped Bingley on the back, then swung into the saddle and turned Rowan toward the road.

The day was grey, the wind damp and sharp, and the sky promised rain.

The three young women spent the first hour in light conversation until the rhythm of the wheels lulled the two younger girls to sleep.

Elizabeth opened her journal and began writing notes.

She had hoped to begin work in Pemberley’s stillroom that week, only to discover the once-busy chamber now stood silent and unused.

Mr. George Darcy had closed it upon the death of his wife, and the shelves remained empty.

Mrs. Reynolds procured all their medicinal needs from the village apothecary, an arrangement Elizabeth appreciated, but she yearned for the satisfaction of working in a well-stocked stillroom.

Elizabeth had spent two hours compiling a list of everything she would require to restore the stillroom to function.

She would ask Mrs. Reynolds to recommend a maid with aptitude for such work, as there would be enough work for two.

The stillroom would serve not only the Darcy family, but also the household staff and the tenants across the estate.

She believed it was a proper way to contribute to the welfare of Pemberley.

As the clouds thickened and the first drops fell, the carriage slowed. Moments later, the door opened, and Mr. Darcy stepped in and took the seat beside her. The girls stirred and blinked sleepily.

"The Romance of the Forest, anyone?" Elizabeth asked.

Darcy produced the book he had purchased in Scotland. For two hours, they read aloud, taking turns. When Elizabeth grew tired, Kitty assumed the role. And when the girls once again nodded off, Elizabeth turned to her husband.

"William, I wish to speak with you about the stillroom. I would like to bring it back into service."

"Elizabeth," he said, taking her hand, "won’t that be too much work for you?"

"I had no intention of doing it all myself," she replied with a smile. "I hope to teach a maid, someone with an aptitude in mathematics, who might take it on as her full-time work. If no one at Pemberley suits, perhaps someone from the village might be found."

Darcy nodded, thoughtful. "We currently obtain our extracts and powders from the apothecary. He may resent the loss of income. I wish to support him as best we can."

“And we shall,” Elizabeth replied. “Perhaps we might provide him with a weekly supply of tinctures and salves prepared at Pemberley, specifically for the poor. He could distribute them freely. I imagine he would be grateful not to bear the entire cost himself."

"He may appreciate that assistance," Darcy said. "And if we find ourselves with a surplus, we might ship it to the Orphanage in London. I’ve long wanted to support their work."

"Then let us make that our aim," Elizabeth said, pressing his hand. "When we return, I will invite the apothecary and physician and their wives to dine."

"A good thought," he said. "We will offer each man a monthly stipend sufficient to cover the cost of caring for the indigent of Lambton and Kympton. I ought to have done it years ago, but it is not too late to begin."

"That may ensure that none hesitate to call for assistance," she said. "We might pay the sum into a parish fund. "People might be more willing to seek help if they believe it comes from the community, not from us directly. And it may encourage others in the parish to contribute as well."

Elizabeth hesitated, then asked, "William, have our tenants and servants received the cowpox inoculation?"

He turned to her, surprised. "I do not know of what you speak."

"It is a smallpox preventative. Dr. Jenner makes it available for purchase. Although it has not gained wide use yet, it is effective and safe. If we can obtain the vaccine, I should like to offer it to our servants and tenants."

Darcy considered this. "I will ask the opinion of my physician in London. If it proves sound, I will purchase the vaccine for our people."

Elizabeth nodded, satisfied. “Thank you.” Privately, she hoped the London physician was competent and abreast of recent medical advances.

Georgiana sat beside Kitty in the carriage, her eyes misty despite her best efforts at cheerfulness. "You will write to me from Hunsford Parsonage?" Georgiana asked, her voice soft with concern.

Kitty nodded. "I will write every week. I shall miss you dreadfully, Georgiana."

"I shall miss you so much I’m tempted to write to Aunt Catherine and ask for an invitation to visit," Georgiana said, half in jest. "Then we could see each other every day."

Darcy, seated across from them with Elizabeth, looked up from his paper, visibly alert. "Georgiana, that is not a good idea at present."

"Whyever not?" she asked, frowning. "I know Aunt Catherine is severe, but she’s always been good to you. I’ve never met her, but perhaps she’d receive me kindly for Mother’s sake."

Darcy folded the paper and set it aside. "Ordinarily, I’d agree she might. Though I do not think a visit to Rosings would ever be thought agreeable. Have you never noticed I always take Cousin Richard when I go?"

Georgiana blinked, then nodded.

He glanced at Elizabeth and continued carefully. "Georgiana, Aunt Catherine is likely to be furious when she learns of my marriage to Elizabeth. I doubt she would receive you with open arms this year."

"Oh," Georgiana said faintly. "I didn’t realize."

Elizabeth stiffened slightly. "She would cast you off for marrying me?"

Darcy reached for her hand. "No. But she has long expected me to marry her daughter, Anne. My father forbade it. He feared the match would be an unkindness to both parties."

"Anne is often ill," Georgiana murmured.

"Indeed," said Darcy. "And my mother, like Aunt Catherine, had difficulty bearing children.

My father considered himself fortunate to have had two children and lived in constant dread of losing my mother, which, in the end, he did.

She passed away from childbed fever two weeks after Georgiana was born. "

Georgiana’s eyes widened, and Darcy fell silent.

Elizabeth said gently, "She has a right to know, Fitzwilliam. It is her history, too."

Darcy hesitated, then nodded, glancing between the two young ladies. "Very well. But if either of you is uncomfortable, stop me."

Both young women sat silently, waiting.

"My aunt was nowhere near Pemberley when my mother died. She was in Ramsgate, chasing after my uncle. There were rumors he had gambled away his fortune and taken to drink. In truth, the fortune remained untouched. He drank himself into a stupor, collapsed, and never rose again. He aspirated and died of pneumonia. My aunt’s claim that my mother begged her to arrange a marriage between me and Anne is pure invention. "

Elizabeth listened in silence. She could feel his pain still fresh beneath the calm delivery.

"My father loved my mother from the day they met. They married after three months of courtship. I was born five years later, Georgiana twelve years after that, after many miscarriages in between."

He paused, then looked at Elizabeth. "I only hope this does not affect Kitty’s situation in Kent."

Elizabeth smiled wryly. “What newspapers does your aunt subscribe to?”

Darcy chuckled. “The London Chronicle . She’s too much of a scrape-penny to take more than one subscription.”

Elizabeth laughed quietly. “Well then, if Lady Catherine subscribes only to the London Chronicle , we need only ensure the announcement appears everywhere else.”

Darcy nodded. "I like that plan."

Elizabeth turned teasingly to Kitty. "My dear, you are now under some pressure. Do be swift in securing your intended before scandal threatens your prospects."

Kitty laughed. "That’s easy for you to say, Lizzy. You and Jane are beauties; men fall over themselves trying to secure your attentions. Mary and I are not so fortunate."

Darcy smiled kindly. "That is not true, Kitty. You and Elizabeth resemble each other more than you know. Once you’re properly dressed and your hair styled, you will turn heads.

If Mr. Grant is too much of an addlepate to recognize your charms, never fear.

Elizabeth and I shall find you a husband in London. "

Kitty flushed. "That is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy. It is a fine thing to have an older brother."

Georgiana squeezed Kitty’s hand. "He is right. And you are still young. You have time to find a good husband."

Three days later, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Darcy House on a gray, wet London afternoon.

Despite the drizzle, the entire staff had turned out, lining the steps to greet their master and his new bride.

Elizabeth descended with quiet composure, her arm tucked in Darcy’s.

Her voice was low, resonant, and kind as she greeted the butler and housekeeper.

Once upstairs, Elizabeth paused on the threshold of her new chambers. The late Lady Anne Darcy’s rooms were elegant, spacious, and beautifully appointed. She stood admiring them when Mrs. Nichols appeared.

"Mrs. Darcy," the housekeeper began, "Mr. Darcy wrote ahead. The master’s chambers were refurbished after his father’s passing, but the mistress’s rooms have not been altered in seventeen years. We are to take your instructions and begin refurbishing upon your return to Pemberley."

"Thank you, Mrs. Nichols," Elizabeth replied. "Please have books of wallpaper patterns sent up. I favor jonquil; it makes any room feel like summer. The drapes and bedcovers should match, but otherwise, the furnishings and floor coverings suit me perfectly."

"Very good, ma’am. Shall I send up hot water for your bath?"

"Yes, and for my sister’s as well. We dine at seven, I presume?"

"Yes, ma’am."

"Then I shall rest after my bath. Please send up a maid at six to assist me in dressing for dinner."

"Certainly. I’ll send one of the upstairs chambermaids."

As Elizabeth’s trunks were delivered and a maid began to unpack, she turned to Mrs. Nichols once more. "Where are my sisters' rooms?"

"They flank yours, ma’am. And through that door is a private parlor shared with the master. Beyond that are the master’s rooms."

"Thank you, Mrs. Nichols."

Elizabeth stepped next door and found Kitty and Georgiana lying side by side on Kitty’s bed, giggling.

"I see you survived the journey. I’m bathing now, and you should do the same. The maid will bring water shortly. Dinner is at seven."

As she finished bathing, a knock came at the interior door. Darcy’s head appeared. "Elizabeth, is there anything you need?"

She smiled. "No, I am well cared for, William. And so are our sisters."

He crossed the room to whisper in her ear. "I’m going to bathe. When I return, I plan to visit my wife."

The maid gathered the towels and curtsied as she exited. Darcy locked the door behind her and turned the bolt on the door to her private parlor.

"I doubt anyone will disturb us, but just in case, I’ve locked the outer door as well." He held up a small key and placed it on a side table. "This is your key. The only other is on the housekeeper’s ring."

He stepped close and kissed her, and she caught his lower lip lightly between her teeth, her fingers threading through the lock that always tumbled over his brow. He drew her close, kissed her deeply, then stepped back.

"My darling, I’ll be back soon," he said.