The Ashes of Longbourn (38 page)

             
Jane began to laugh.  “Be prepared, William, your daughter will be climbing all the trees at Pemberley.  You had best come to terms with your daughter having scraped knees and hands from climbing.  And she will prefer to play with any brothers or boys in the neighborhood, for little girls can be quite boring.  Is that not what you claimed when you were around nine, Lizzy?”

             
John Lucas was now at the door of the bedchamber, watching the joyous gathering.  “Yes, she claimed that playing army with me and Bradley Long was much better than tea settings and dolls were.  Charlotte and Jane were the only two girls she would ever play with.  And now look at her, married to a fine man, mistress of this house and a large estate, and becoming a mother.  Eliza, I could not be happier for you and William.”

             
“Thank you, John.” Elizabeth said as she welcomed him and Maria into the room.  “We just learned the news less than an hour ago.”

             
Maria came to the side of the bed and placed a kiss on Elizabeth’s cheek.  “This is wonderful news, Lizzy.  Such perfect news, as this is truly going to be a most wonderful year.”

             
“I believe you are correct.” Jane said to her young friend.  “Charlotte and Richard are soon to wed, Lizzy is with child, and the ills from last year are being corrected.  Charles and I are happily married, and Louisa gave birth to a healthy child.  So many wonderful things happening filled with love and hope for the future.”

             
Georgiana had just arrived home from visiting Matlock House and was told that she was needed in her sister’s chambers as soon as possible.  Fearing that something had happened to Elizabeth, the young girl ran up the stairs and was breathless when she arrived in the room.  Seeing everyone in the room, with smiles on their faces, Georgiana was confused.

             
“Georgie, come sit beside me.  We have the most wonderful news.” Elizabeth said as she held out a hand to her sister.

             
“Are you well, Lizzy?  Have you had a setback?”

             
“No, dearest.” Darcy said, leaning over to place a kiss on his sister’s cheek.  “Our news is that you are going to be an aunt.”

             
It took but a moment for the news to register in the mind of Georgiana, but as soon as it did, she let out a squeal of delight.  “You are having a baby? Oh, Lizzy, William, I am so happy for you.  This is the most wonderful news.  You will be wonderful parents, and I will be the best of aunts.  When will the babe be born?”

             
“We believe the end of July, near the birthday of my most adorable young sister.” Darcy said with a smile.  “Would you be pleased to have a niece or nephew share the same birth month as you?”

             
“It would truly be an honor, William.  Just wait until everyone else learns the news.  This babe will never lack for love.” Georgiana said with a smile.  Embracing her brother, she whispered. “Mamma and Papa would be so pleased to know they have a grandchild.”

             
Darcy smiled as he nodded his head. Whispering back to his sister, he said, “You are correct.  I believe they are in heaven, watching over us and smiling.”

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 29

             
The news of the next generation of Darcys was accepted with the greatest enthusiasm.  Lady Matlock and Mrs Gardiner were the diligent and loving aunts, giving their niece advice and support.  Lady Matlock was thrilled to have another member of the family to purchase gifts for.

             
News of another sort arrived not long after.  Anne de Bourgh gave birth to a son, though the boy died less than an hour after his birth.  The news of her son’s death sent Anne spiraling further into the depths of insanity.  She had to be sedated after she attempted to strangle one of the nurses.  The physicians held no hope for her recovery, and feared that she would continue to decline. When she was not sedated, Anne carried a bundle of rags in her arms, calling it Frederick, and singing lullabies. 

             
The news of her grandson’s death and Anne’s further decline affected Lady Catherine, as the woman suffered an attack of apoplexy and the grand mistress of Rosings Park died in her sleep.  Lord Matlock and his eldest son traveled to Derbyshire to have Lady Catherine buried alongside her parents.  The baby’s body was buried in a cemetery near the sanitarium.  It was the decision of the Earl of Matlock that the bastard son of his niece would not be buried at Matlock, as his own parents would have frowned on such behavior.  Instead, Lord Matlock sent the funds to have the babe buried properly with a headstone declaring him Frederick Storm, Jr.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
A fortnight after Lady Catherine died, life returned to the pleasant. The wedding of Charlotte and Richard was upon them and the joy that was freely flowing between their friends and family was contagious.  One only needed to be in the presence of the couple to feel their love, much like the Darcys and Bingleys.

             
The day of the wedding was a bitterly chilly day, though it had no effect on the couple or their family and friends.  As Sir William escorted his beloved eldest daughter up the aisle of the church, a sunbeam shone through one of the stained glass windows, causing a rainbow effect on their path.  Charlotte thought to herself that it was a perfect description of how she felt.  Being married to the imposter Mr Collins was her rainstorm.  It was filled with thunder and lightning, and a deluge of rain. But now it was over, and standing before her was her wondrous pot of gold. Richard Gerald Fitzwilliam. She knew that he was the perfect match for her, and, for the first time, Charlotte knew what it was like to be loved for who she was.  At that moment, she knew that she would do whatever she could to make Richard the happiest of husbands.

             
After the ceremony was over, the guests made their way to Matlock House to partake in the wedding breakfast.  With the news of Elizabeth expecting, Lady Matlock and Lady Lucas collaborated in planning the breakfast, allowing Elizabeth to relax and rest. 

             
At the wedding breakfast, many speeches were made.  It was when Darcy spoke that his cousin had tears come to his eyes.

             
“Richard, you have spent your life protecting and defending everyone.  As children, it was usually you who received the punishments when we misbehaved, for you always took claim for wrongdoings.  Uncle, know that Richard was not always the wrongdoer, or, at the very least, he was not alone.  But he always protected me from discipline when possible.  As an adult, you earned your rank in service of our country. You were wounded in battle several times, as you did not remain hidden in the background as your men raced into the fight; you were beside your men, fighting just as hard or harder.  Even through this past year, you have attempted to protect myself and my family, with the same caring and kindness you have always shown.  You deserve to be happy, deserve to be loved for the man you are.  Charlotte, I thank you for being the woman to love my cousin, and bring him joy and contentment.  I pray that your marriage is long and blessed. Lizzy and I are so very pleased for you both.  I raise my glass, to Richard and Charlotte Fitzwilliam.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Three days after the wedding, Darcy and Elizabeth left for Pemberley.  Georgiana would stay in Town with Lord and Lady Matlock. She wished to give her brother and his wife time alone for the first time in their marriage.  Elizabeth would need time to become accustomed to their home, and Darcy insisted on being at her side through it all.  While they were in Derbyshire, Bingley and Jane would be spending time alone at Netherfield. It would be the first time in their married life that Netherfield would not be hosting guests. 

             
The newlyweds, Richard and Charlotte, decided to spend their time in the dower cottage at Longbourn, overseeing the construction of their new home.  Everyone was starting their lives anew, as the past year was finally being put to rest.

             
Bingley was surprised when he received a letter from his aunt, informing him that she had granted permission for Mr Jamison to court Caroline.  Knowing Mr Jamison’s family, Bingley could not believe that his sister would accept a courtship with someone she would consider beneath her.  But their aunt explained to him that she had spoken with Caroline at length concerning Mr Jamison.  Mrs Bingley was surprised when her niece approached her, wishing to discuss what it was like to feel love for someone.  After many discussions, Caroline decided that she did have a tender regard for the young man.  It was quite a revelation to all of her family, but especially to Caroline herself.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
As the Darcys arrived at the top of a hill on the road leading to the main house at Pemberley, Darcy smiled when he heard his wife gasp.  The first sight of the house came into view and, like many others, Elizabeth was awestruck.  “I am to be the Mistress of all of this?  William, it is far too grand.  I could never do it justice.”

             
“My love, you only need to do as much as you wish.  Mrs Reynolds, like Mrs Lane at Darcy House, has been taking care of the house since my mother’s death.  She will have no difficulty continuing whatever duties you wish for her to handle.  Take as much time as you wish becoming used to the estate before taking on any tasks, and then take on only what you wish.  Besides, I do not wish for you to overtax yourself, for I will not tolerate you putting your health or the health of our child in jeopardy.  You are both too important to me.”

             
Elizabeth rested her head against her husband’s shoulder as she continued to watch out the window at the grand house that was now her home.  “It appears as if it grew there naturally, the way it is situated with the natural beauty of the grounds.  It is so beautiful.”

             
“Do you think that you will enjoy walking the paths of the park?”

             
“It is beautiful, even being winter. I can only imagine how perfect it will be to wander the estate in the spring, when it comes to life.” 

             
“It is the most beautiful place in the world.” Darcy said with a smile on his lips.  He ran his hand lightly up and down his wife’s back as he held her to his body.  “It is the best place in the world to raise a child.”

             
“Not that you are at all prejudice, Mr Darcy.” Elizabeth giggled.

             
“Not at all, Mrs Darcy, for I have been told by many that they wished they had been so blessed.”

             
“I know our children will be pleased to grow up in such a perfect piece of heaven.  You said that your mother had a rose garden.  Is that it, there to the north of the house?”

             
“It is.  And she had an orchard planted further north of there.  She loved fresh fruit and wished to have plenty grown locally.  Mother would go to the rose garden or the orchard and work with the gardener in making certain that all the plants were healthy and well taken care of.”

             
“And our rooms face to the north, do they not?” Elizabeth asked. “We will be able to smell the roses when they bloom from our rooms?”

             
“That is why my mother planted them there.  She loved the fragrance and when the roses were blooming, she would sit on the balcony in the evening to enjoy the coolness and the scent.”

             
“What a wonderful way to end the day.”

             
Darcy smiled, knowing that his wife would make this a nightly routine for them, as well, as soon as the weather permitted. 

             
Finally arriving at the front steps, Darcy stepped out from the carriage and turned to hand down his wife.  The staff had assembled outside the front door, and as soon as Elizabeth joined her husband, there were many cheers of delight from the servants.  Elizabeth blushed as all bid her welcome to her new home.  Darcy introduced her to many of the main staff; most importantly, to Mrs Reynolds. 

             
The lady was in her late forties, and had worked at Pemberley since she was quite young.  She became the housekeeper when the current Master was nearly four years old.  Mrs Reynolds was a caring woman, and she knew this was the young lady who had captured the heart of her Master William.  Mrs Lane had written to inform her counterpart of the new Mrs Darcy, telling her of the young lady’s preferences and style, and of the deep love and devotion that was obvious in both Mr and Mrs Darcy.

             
“Mrs Darcy, I am so very pleased to meet you.  I have heard so many wonderful things about you, and it will be delightful to have such a Mistress here at Pemberley.”

             
“I do not know that I deserve such praise, Mrs Reynolds, but I thank you for your kindness.  I look forward to knowing you better as I will be relying on your wisdom in training me as to the running of the estate.”