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Chapter 55 - Elizabeth & Darcy's Enlightenment of Sisters

Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

One afternoon later that week Lord and Lady Matlock deemed Elizabeth quite recovered enough for them to be apart from her for a short duration and decided to go to Lambton for an outing. Georgiana wanted to practice music on her harp and so was given the solitude she required to concentrate. Charles and Jane had disappeared shortly after luncheon, citing how much they enjoyed walking the wonderful paths around the grounds. Darcy, Elizabeth, and her two younger sisters had settled in the library for a few hours. Elizabeth and Kitty were both busy with embroidery while Darcy and Mary were scanning the bookshelves.

Since meeting Miss Darcy at Elizabeth's wedding, a correspondence had ensued between Mary and Georgiana, which began as musical discussions, and deepened into more serious philosophical ones whereby Georgiana expressed opinions that she had gleamed from living with her brother. The result of these discussions being that Mary began to observe and question those things around her that no longer made sense. Although quite in keeping with her religious zeal as her still read from Fordyce's Sermons, she also kept her Bible on her nightstand, which she read from, especially the New Testament and the epistles. This inspired her to not be so worrisome about how her own life would unfold, and thus she became a more serene individual who could find joy in simple things, much like her older sisters. It also gave her courage to look at herself and make an effort to change those things she was not happy about, one of which was to avoid reading those authors she had before found lacking in religious fervor. Her father's library was a veritable smorgasbord of learning.

Indeed the change was not lost on either William or Elizabeth who were constantly surprised when Mary began to include herself in dinner discussions along with the earl and his wife whenever certain literary topics arose. Her opinions were insightful and profound showing everyone that she had indeed improved her mind with extensive reading. Her mask had dropped as much as Darcy's and the two enjoyed debating, and were today in a lively discussion on the merits of both Milton and Coleridge which Elizabeth had the wisdom not to opine on. This discussion was continuing from last night's dinner even as they scanned the shelves for other works on which to expound. Elizabeth smiled listening as Mary defended her position against the more knowledgeable Darcy, that many of Coleridge's works should be suspect because many were drug inspired rather than Milton's works that were inspired more by his religious zeal. Darcy held the position that it was irrelevant from where the inspiration came, it was the literary work itself that mattered. As the debating continued with each citing sources to defend their positions, Elizabeth was sure it would end in a draw whereby each would agree to disagree. It was Darcy who finally acquiesced to agree with her on several of the works cited if she would agree to reevaluate others. Elizabeth's brows arched as she watched the usually dour Mary beam with pride at her victory. The discussion moved on to a more current author as Elizabeth smiled and went back to her embroidery.

That was when Elizabeth noticed that Kitty had been silent, and Elizabeth glanced over at her. When she looked her younger sister, Elizabeth understood why. Kitty's eyes glazed over while listening to the heady debate, having not understood nor had any interest in it. Finally shaking her head she took her sketchbook and charcoal pencil out to draw the scene instead. Elizabeth watched as Kitty's drawing took shape, and was impressed with her abilities.

"This is very good, Kitty," she whispered so as not to interrupt her husband and Mary's discussion.

"No, it is not, Lizzy," corrected Kitty exasperated with her effort. "The proportions are incorrect here and here, and the shading it wrong here and-"

"Still," Elizabeth insisted, "there is merit in your work, Kitty. Would you show me some other of your drawings?"

With a little bit more enthusiasm Kitty shuffled back through the book to show Elizabeth the previous endeavors. Elizabeth viewed each drawing with the eye of one who simply sees objects as being right or wrong, not with an artist's eye, but even she could see the talent that exuded from each page. With each leaf she turned Elizabeth became more impressed with the realization that Kitty was an extremely good artist.

"These are wonderful, Kitty," Elizabeth finally said. "I had no idea you were so talented."

Letting out an exasperated sigh that came from years of neglect, the young girl said, "I don't see why you are so surprised at knowing that I can sketch, Lizzy for you know that I have been doing so since I was a child. "

"I never knew you were this talented, Kitty."

Kitty shook her head still miffed as she sighed. "How could you know when you never took any interest in me before, Lizzy?"

A surprised Elizabeth opened her mouth to defend herself against so blatant an accusation, but then she dropped her eyes into her lap as she thought back, and realized there was some truth to what Kitty had just stated. She then put her hand under Kitty's chin and made her look into her eyes wet with tears.

"Kitty, I am sorry you feel that way. Both Jane and I tried to interest you in our own pursuits, but you and Lydia seemed to care little for anything we had to offer you."

"I know," the younger girl admitted, as it was low esteem and loneliness that had been the main factor in following Lydia's lead though Kitty was older.

"But now that you have my undivided attention," quipped Elizabeth teasingly, "tell me what interests you have that I can be a privy to it." She smiled at her younger sister, encouraging her to speak.

"Well," began Kitty, not used to being allowed to speak much, "I do love to draw all manner of things, either inside or out of the house, and once even had cook give me fruits that I arranged for still life drawings. Mother came in before I'd finished and made me put all the food back before it spoiled, she said." With that she sighed deeply, and Elizabeth sympathized with Kitty at her mother's antics and insensitivity. Elizabeth touched her hand and tried to illicit more from the now open younger sister.

"What else do you like to draw?"

"I...have always wanted to try my hand at landscapes...but I doubt that I could even attempt them," she said sulking. Her eyes watched her fingers in her lap.

"Why would think that?"

"Because I have not the knowledge or the ability-" Here Elizabeth had to stop her before Kitty launched into another statement negating her talents.

"Kitty, I do not wish to hear you say another word about how you do not have a talent for drawing. This sketchbook belies any statement to that effect. You have a great talent, and if you wish to pursue it, I will be more than happy to encourage you in any way that I can. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, ma'am," was Kitty's mumble of a reply, obviously not yet believing her, but not wishing to argue further. Elizabeth arched her eyebrows, knew exactly what Kitty was about, and not wanting to end this discussion with Kitty thinking less of herself, Elizabeth had an inspired idea.

"Would you be willing to draw some landscapes while you are here? I can obtain some colored chalks for you, and an easel so you may go out at different times of the day to see how the sky changes with each hour."

"Well..." began Kitty, not too enthusiastically. Elizabeth took her hands, and stressed her point with all the feeling of her love for her new home.

"Kitty, if you but go out into the grounds and see what Pemberley has to offer you, I am sure that you will not be disappointed."

Kitty noticed the difference in Elizabeth's tone and looked up into her face to see how hopeful she had become that Kitty share her love of this estate, saw Elizabeth's confidence in her younger sister, that Kitty hesitated only for the second it took to smile at her older sister. For the first time in her life Kitty felt that Elizabeth was there for her, encouraging her, to have her be truly happy.

"Yes," she whispered back. "I...should like that very much. Thank you, Lizzy. Your are a dear sister."

"As are you, Kitty," whispered Elizabeth.

And Kitty hugged Elizabeth with more feeling than she had ever done, realizing now that Lizzy had always been there for her had she only had the courage to ask. Elizabeth felt Kitty's arms tighten around her, and could feel Kitty sob against her. But Elizabeth knew this was not the whiney crying so often witnessed by all the Bennett family. These were tears of joy as Kitty finally began to believe her own self worth, and knew how much she was loved for herself by this older sister.

"I wish I could have felt this way while still a child, Lizzy. I wish I could have understood all this while we were growing up at home," she sighed. "It would have saved me a lot of pain."

Elizabeth smiled, and repeated what she had told her husband once. "Only remember the past as it gives you pleasure, Kitty."

"Yes," agreed Kitty drying her tears and smiling. "That's what I will try to do from now on."

"Now," Elizabeth encouraged. "There is still plenty of light out. Perhaps we could take a walk, and see which scenes you might like to begin your landscape sketches."

"Would you mind if I go alone...just to get a feel for it? Sometimes I have a harder time deciding when I converse, and I now wish to be more concentrated in my efforts."

"Of course, if you wish."

Kitty looked up into her sister's cheerful face, and nodded. Elizabeth turned to rise, but Kitty stopped her wanting to hug her newfound enjoyment in her older sister's tender embrace that felt so loving, and she suddenly whispered so that only Elizabeth could hear.

"You are going to be a wonderful mother, Lizzy. I am already jealous of your children, that they will have your insight at a much younger age than I."

Elizabeth covered her mouth to stifle a gasp as tears formed in her eyes as she stared at Kitty who had not been told of the incident that had occurred so recently.

"That is...truly the most beautiful thing to say, Kitty. It is both William and my wish to one day have a family to love and care for."

"And so you shall, dear Lizzy. I can just feel it," Kitty said softly, kissing her sister's cheek. She then arose and left the library through the French doors to the balcony that would lead her first to the rose garden and beyond.

As Elizabeth calmed herself she felt as if someone was watching her, and looked up to see Darcy had arisen to go to the bookshelf to retrieve a certain book for Mary to read, his loving gaze upon her. She smiled at him as she brushed away the last tear letting him know that everything was fine. He smiled back and took her hand and kissed it so tenderly as Mary watched their silent exchange. Mary sighed wondering if she would every find such devotion as they had?

Finally Darcy turned and gave the book to Mary, and said, "I wish for you to read some of Mr. Wordsworth's writings and tell me what you think of them."

She took the book and opened it to begin, but he smiled and closed it for her with a smile and added, "Miss Mary, you may read it at your leisure. It is a gift."

Mary looked from his face to open the book once more, and protested, "Mr. Darcy. I cannot accept this. It is a first edition and must have cost a great deal. I can find exerts of this in my father's library."

"I wish you to have this one," Darcy reiterated. "You are one of my relations who can truly appreciate its worth. I insist."

Mary blushed with a pride and embarrassment of his knowing her true feelings for the printed word, and realized they shared that interest.

"I...thank you, sir. You are very kind."

"Not at all," he informed her. "I wish to have a discussion with you on it, whenever you feel ready to voice your opinions."

Mary smiled as she looked up into his face; her eyes shining with unshed tears, and she found that she had to readjust her spectacles. "That would be...most pleasant, sir." She glanced from Elizabeth to Darcy and added, "And now if you excuse me, I would like to go to my room to rest before dinner."

With that statement she rose and left the library. As Darcy stood and watched her depart, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, and turned to see Elizabeth smiling at him, and his hands went about her waist and hers held his arms.

"I think you have found her Achilles' heel*, my love," she whispered. "Jane and I have always wished for her to come out of her shell, and have pursued many avenues toward that end, but you seem to have found the way into her true self as we could not."

He silently gazed at her and smiled, and leaned in and kissed her lips gently, instantly conveying the wish for more, but sensing she was not capable of it at present. He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. "Because I have you by my side, Elizabeth, I have discovered the man I am suppose to be, which has brought such a peace to my soul. You are my compass and lighthouse lantern, always guiding me to you."

She leaned against his chest, and sighed thinking of how wonderful he is. His arms tightened around her, and they stayed thus for a long moment relishing the contentment they felt in each other's arms. Finally, they parted in silence, and both began gathering up the books strewn about the library. She helped as he began to replace them appropriately back on the shelves as she smiled at her fastidious husband who wanted everything in its place.

*In Homer's Iliad, the son of Peleus, Achilles was the bravest hero in the Trojan War. As an infant he was held by his heel by his mother, Thetis, and dipped into the river Styx to make him immortal. So the only vulnerable spot on his body was his heel.

Lady Matlock and Kitty in the garden

Over the next several days Lady Matlock noticed that Kitty excused herself each morning after breakfast to walk the grounds of Pemberley for some hours, taking her sketchbook and chalks along. One day Lady Matlock made it a point to follow her, only to find that they had traversed a long path that led to one of Kitty's favorite spots to see how the light had changed on the same bush she had been drawing for a week.

Sitting down before it, Kitty stared at the entire bush, at the trees behind it, at the shrubs beside it, at the sky just above, at how the sun reflected on the leaves. For the longest time she simply stared motionless at the entirety of the scene before her. Finally for what seemed like an eternity to Lady Matlock, she saw movement from Kitty. With barely taking her eyes from the bush, Kitty began to draw yet again the same bush, detailing everything she saw.

Lady Matlock stood mesmerized in the shade, as Kitty was busy drawing for at least an hour. Finally Kitty's hand stilled, and she sat back to view her work, staring again at her drawing and the reality before her for long time to see if she had captured its essence in her drawing, making sure she had not missed anything. When Kitty sighed satisfied at last, she began to put away her chalks, closing her book, and rising to return to the house. Only then did Kitty see Lady Matlock approaching now.

"Hello, Kitty," she began giving the young woman time to react to her coming near.

"Lady Matlock, I did not know anyone was about."

"What are you sketching?" Asked the older lady.

"This bush. I come here everyday to see how the warming weather and sun change how I perceive it."

"May I see?"

"Of course. It isn't very good-"

"On the contrary, my dear," replied Lady Matlock as she viewed each image of the same bush noting the subtle differences in hues and leaf shape and position. "You have a remarkable talent for rendering. Have you had any formal training?"

"No," she responded quietly. "I never had the courage to ask my father, and in truth I have been so distracted of late with other diversions that he would most likely think me not disciplined enough to practice. And until now he would have been correct."

Lady Matlock glanced over at this young girl noting how introspective her statement was, and how she must have begun to wish to change those aspects in her own character that she now found lacking. The lady smiled at seeing this change that comes to every young person when they finally begin to grow into adulthood to see their own flaws.

They walked casually back toward the house down an alternate path while Lady Matlock continued to gaze at Kitty's attempts. Lady Matlock smiled knowing that this young girl had an artist's eye, and with more formal instruction may make an excellent painter one day.

"Am I correct in assuming that perhaps you would now be willing to put in the time to hone your craft if such formal training were at your disposal?"

Kitty glanced over at Lady Matlock who was still viewing the sketchbook and acting as though she had merely asked an innocent question. Kitty thought about the question pose before answering.

"I think now that I am come here and witnessed not only the grounds of this great estate, but also my dear sister's love of it..." Kitty stopped and looked directly into the eyes of this older woman before continuing her thought. "Yes, perhaps I now wish to pursue more formal instruction with a renewed interest in the craft."

Lady Matlock smiled and gave her back the sketchbook, and took her arm as they walked back to the house. "That is good to know, my dear, for the pursuit of one's talent always begins with a willingness to practice, as Georgiana will attest to."

Kitty smiled and nodded in agreement that her newest sister is much a proficient due to her constant diligence, and Kitty was glad that she had established another relationship to one that took an interest in her pursuits.

Lady Matlock silently began to form a plan in her mind as she wondered if perhaps Kitty would warm to taking lessons from a qualified instructor in London to begin over the summer. Yes, thought Lady Matlock, that could be something within my power, and she smiled at this thought.

Chapter 56 - Tour Of The Smithson Estate

The day came and was near the appointed time for Charles and Jane to tour the Smithson estate. Lizzy and William rode with them in the carriage, and Lord & Lady Matlock and the girls decided to join them in the large carriage. After a short distance, they arrived at the estate's wrought iron gate with a large "S" incorporated in its design. The coachman jumped down from the top to open the gate to allow the carriages entry. The drive was a long winding affair that took them through a dense park to the front of the large spacious manor.

"Ooh," sighed Kitty as she looked up at the enormous house of light colored stone facing a forest of tree standing in the front lawn. They all descended from the carriages and began to look around the grounds before the owner had the chance to greet them. But he arrived at the front door presently, and smiled at Darcy with whom he'd had a long previous acquaintance and who was the first to greet him.

Mr. Grayson Smithson was a man 3 or 4 years Darcy's junior, and the picture of health as his tan face, and sparkling dark blue eyes attested to. His blue topcoat was impeccable but of a less ostentatious design than was the current fashion, his brown hair pulled back in a ponytail reminiscent of older times, and his cravat simple but elegant all seemed to belie Smithson's wealth.

The first one he approached was Darcy who shook his hand, both smiling remembering shared childhood memories.

"William, it is good to see you again," began the younger man.

"Grayson, I am glad to have you back from America even if it is to be for only a short duration. How is Bartholomew?" Darcy asked of Smithson's brother.

The younger man began to laugh, and said, "He goes by Barty now. It seems that people in America are quite informal when it comes to names, the simpler, the better. And I must admit I was impressed by what he has accomplished on his ranch thus far."

"When next you write him, give him my regards."

"I shall." Darcy looked over to Bingley, and cleared his throat and switched to a more formal mode of address.

"Smithson, this is Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bingley who are interested in the property. May I introduce Mr. Grayson Smithson."

"How do you do, sir," Bingley said, elated to be there, and smiling and shaking Smithson's hand in greeting. "It is good of you to have us all come."

"Not at all," Mr. Smithson replied. "You are all very welcome to take the tour."

"You are most kind, sir," Jane sweetly reiterated.

"Thank you, Madam," Mr. Smithson beamed as he looked into her lovely face. She seemed a vision with a sweet smile, and sparkling blue eyes that told him she was a very happy wife to her young man beside her. He then turned his eyes on the dark haired lady beside her whose gaze was taking in the beauty of the grounds, and he smiled.

"Smithson, may I present my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy," Darcy said softly.

Mr. Smithson bowed and she curtsied to him finally bringing her eyes to his.

"How you do," she replied.

"I am happy to at last make your acquaintance, Mrs. Darcy," he said with a smile and thought that his friend was a very lucky man to have gained the love of this enchantress.

"Thank you, sir," Elizabeth smiled back, wishing she were back at Pemberley.

Then as Darcy motioned him on, Mr. Smithson tore his eyes away from Elizabeth to meet the rest of the party gathered around him.

"Smithson," Darcy said motioning to his aunt and uncle. "Lord & Lady Matlock, may I present Mr. Grayson Smithson."

Mr. Smithson bowed to the couple, and then gazed into their faces smiling, stating that it was an honor for them to tour his house.

"Thank you, sir," replied the earl. "But we are just part of the family tour at present."

"Of course," Mr. Smithson nodded with a quick bow before he turned to the last of the party.

Darcy said, "These are my sisters, Smithson. Georgiana you already know, and Miss Mary Bennett, and Miss Katherine Bennett."

All three girls curtsied and Mr. Smithson bowed, smiling broadly at all three at once, replying, "Ladies." He then motioned for them all to proceed into the entryway with, "Let us begin the tour then."

The massive structure of the outside of the ancient house seemed to give way to a light and airiness inside. The grand staircase in the foyer attested to the elegance of the house. And with each room they visited both Charles and Jane were in awe with the elegance and grandeur of the house. The vaulted ceilings in all the lower rooms complemented the perfectly situated windows to display the manicured lawn about the house, and the grounds beyond. Charles felt Jane's fingers tighten on his arm as they both realized that the Smithson family must have had a special affinity for the house to keep it up so well. Although some of the downstairs rooms were sparse due to the fact that Mr. Smithson had sold most of the furnishings, there were still enough couches and chairs to accommodate them at present.

After the formal tour, Smithson invited them to walk about independently to view the rooms and grounds at their leisure while he made arrangements for refreshments to be served in the parlor in half hour. Having given them permission, Georgiana and Mary entered the music room where Georgiana wished to show Mary the grand piano that Smithson had. She began to play a piece she was just learning while Mary turned the pages. Wonderful strains of the Sonata in C-major by Haydn* seemed to echo off the ceilings and down the hallway to reverberate throughout the entire house. Kitty listened to the glorious instrument and to Georgiana's playing as she was gazing out the window at the beautiful grounds this spring day when Smithson returned. He listened to the wonderful music and smiled and then noticing Kitty he joined her at the window, and she peered over to his smiling face.

"I cannot believe you are willing to part with such a magnificent home, sir," Kitty sighed realizing it must have had a long history. Mr. Smithson looked about the room.

"Thank you for saying so. But after my parents died, and my brother left for America where I am to join him, it did not seem right to keep it vacant. I wish for it to be occupied by another family who will care for it way our family has."

"You would have no fear of that should Charles and Jane acquire it, sir. They are very appreciative of fine things, and will care for it in much the same manner as you have."

"That is good to know."

"And you say you are going off to America to live? And so you must travel by ship just to get there?"

"Yes," he laughed at her childlike questions, but he knew she was still quite young, and looked on her as a little sister, similar to his relationship to Georgiana. He teased back, "It would be very difficult to get there any other way."

She blushed at him teasing her, but took no offense. "I meant to say just that the journey on a ship would be an adventure in itself," she explained. "And then to be in the wilderness-"

"Some of America has been civilized, Miss Katherine," he kept teasing. "I doubt New York City has too many Indians within its boundaries."

"Indians?" Her eyes widen.

"There are many tribes of them living in the vast wilderness," he told her, leaning in and adding in a whisper, "some of them still very savage." He nodded for effect.

The fearful look on her face was priceless to him, and he couldn't help himself but laugh at it. She lowered her eyes and shook her head.

"You really should not tease me so, Mr. Smithson. Never having been beyond my own home village of Meryton until now, you know I must believe everything you tell me."

He cleared his throat at her admonishment, and smiled at her saying, "I was not teasing you." He now said in all honesty. "There are many tribes there, and most of them are uncivilized by our standards. They live on the land, and are hunters mostly, so they travel where the game is within the vastness of the continent."

"And why have you and your brother decided to move to such a desolate place?"

"But it is not all desolate. It is a place where...there are so many opportunities for young men. My brother has acquired great amount of land and wants me to help run it. I have other plans at present."

"And are your plans private or may I be privy to them?" She asked wishing to be part of his secret.

"I...wish to wander around this new continent and see all the wondrous sights, taking jobs where I can get them, live out in the open, sleep under the stars-"

"You are teasing me again."

"No, that is my plan."

"You would choose to live as the Indians do? Just to wander about without home or family?"

"Yes."

"You are very brave then. I doubt I would even be brave enough to go about alone in my own back yard as Lizzy does on her walking excursions."

"Mrs. Darcy?"

"Yes. She has been always fond of walking any park or wilderness where she finds herself, and has a great love of the grounds of Pemberley. She says..." Here Kitty closed her eyes to concentrate on Elizabeth's exact phrasing. "that it fills her soul with joy.... and revives her wounded spirit whenever she is sad." Kitty opened her eyes again to look into Mr. Smithson's dark blue ones, the color of mountain lake. He smiled and she averted her eyes.

They looked out the window of the front parlor and saw Elizabeth and Darcy walking arm in arm around the grounds.

"She is very lively and gay with a demeanor that can charm even animals." His brow knitted in concentration at this description so opposite from the one he perceived when he met her.

"She has some sadness about her at present then," he offered as they gazed at the couple.

Kitty sighed. "Yes, I know not what, but Mr. Darcy is so attentive, and kind, and she is happy when he is with her."

Mr. Smithson watched the two and saw how much his friend was in love with his wife, and was glad that his friend who he had never known to be anything but...here Mr. Smithson had to think of the correct word, and then it came to him. Darcy had tried to be jovial and witty, but in truth he had always been sad too...lonely...yes, Smithson thought. He had never known Darcy not to be lonely until now. His demeanor had changed over night after his marriage to this young woman who brought such a joy into his life, that even Smithson could not mistake it. He knew Darcy would be happy finally, and he smiled and he and Kitty turned away from the window.

Jane and Charles had gone upstairs to view the grounds from one of the higher windows, both sighing at the beauty of gentle hills and forest that surrounded the manor, holding hands at the thought that they may be the next owners. But Jane was worried that perhaps it was too elegant and expensive for them, and quietly voiced her opinion only to Charles while they stood by a corner window, looking out at the vista.

"Janey, this is beautiful, almost the equal to Pemberley. And do you approve of it?"

"Yes," she whispered, but he knew from her tone that she had something else to relate. She turned from the window to gaze at him.

"Is it not too large for us? We are just starting out, Charles. Perhaps this is too great an expense for what you had in mind for a home."

"Is this not what we both envisioned when we talked of purchasing an estate in Derbyshire?"

"Yes, it is very beautiful here, Charles. I think we would be very happy to live here so close to Lizzy and William."

"But you think the cost is prohibitive?" Her silence was her agreement to his statement.

"Do you not? What are your thoughts, Charles?"

He gazed out the window again, falling even more under the spell or this wonderful estate. Then he looked into the eyes of his wife, so sweet and trusting. More than anything he wanted to give her a house that was worthy of her.

"I have yet to see a place that I thought was so well suited for us, where we could be far enough from your old home...and near enough to your sister, and where I could find enjoyment of my other pursuits that the country holds. The house is magnificent, and just as was described in Mr. Smithson's missive. I can find no fault with it, and would be extremely happy to stay all my life here. Jane, it is perfect for us. It is quite costly, much more so that I thought we could handle at this time..."

"Then," she suggested, "perhaps we could wait for a year-"

Charles interrupted her. "I doubt Mr. Smithson would wish to delay his departure for America as his brother wishes him there as soon as may be."

She smiled and began again. "Can we not...lease the property, Charles? As you did Netherfield?"

He began to see where her logic was going, and his face brightened.

"Are you proposing that we could lease it with the option to buy after a year, say? Give Mr. Smithson a down payment so he would be well paid for his trip to America, and then finalize the sale in year?"

"Yes," she agreed with all he said, smiling.

He hugged her and whispered, "I loved you for how wonderful you are, dear Jane. But you are surprising me with just how lucky a man I am to have married such a clever lady as well." He then sat her down on the couch beside the fire and sat beside her and held her hands.

"Jane, that is a wonderful suggestion had the circumstances been the same as it were when I leased Netherfield. At the time, I knew not where I wished to purchase an estate with the moneys left to me by my father for that purpose. Having friends recommend Hertfordshire to me, I found that Netherfield has done quite well for what I desired at the time."

He then gazed out the window again at the wonderful park surrounding this estate, and he sighed. With renewed conviction to help her understand, he again looked into her eyes and continued. "I recouped my financing of the year's lease of Netherfield through the rental of the lands around it by the tenants, but now realize that I have a different plan in mind than in its purchase. This estate is everything I would wish for the remainder of my life, Jane, so there is no need to lease it. The cost is steep I grant you, but not something that we could not afford if this is to be our home. And perhaps with Darcy's help, we could make it more profitable in years to come. The only question that remains is would you be happy here, Jane?"

She smiled at him for taking the time to explain all to her in terms she could understand, and answered back without reservation now. "Yes, Charles. I would be very happy to live here with you for the rest of our lives."

He smiled and kissed her without regard to anyone should they have been in the room, but they were alone.

"Charles!" But he ignored her admonition, and grabbed her hand.

"Come, let us find Mr. Smithson to see if he would be warm to our idea."

"Our idea, Charles?" She asked.

"I insist that you be given credit as well, Janey." She smiled.

*Sonata in C-major by Franz Joseph Haydn is off a CD titled 'Piano Classics From the World of Jane Austen' by Karlyn Bond

Chapter 57-A Family Dinner

"But Georgiana, the heroine was a chaste young girl as they always must be."

Darcy and Elizabeth, who were talking of how to implement studies at the tenant school, stopped talking as they waited to overhear Georgiana's reply.

"Yes," Georgiana answered, "as I told you, but she did not remain so in the later chapters."

Lord Matlock who had been saying to his wife how he wished to go fishing with Darcy in the morning if the weather permitted also stopped talking and looked to his niece, the normal clatter of silverware on china covering the silence that had begun.

That was when Mary joined the debate between the two younger sisters as she replied, "You must also note that it was the hero who used his powers on her in a manner that was very ungentlemanly."

Jane and Charles were discussing whether to have Netherfield drainage ditches re-dredged during the summer to accommodate the winter thaw, but when they heard Mary's comment they too came silent.

As she finished her sentence and ladled soup on her spoon, Mary stopped midway to her mouth as she noticed the dead quiet in the dining room, and looked around to see all eyes upon her.

"Of what are you talking?" Darcy asked in as non-threatening a manner he could muster, looking from one girl to the other, his eyes finally resting on his sister. She blushed and looked down at her soup not wishing to reply.

Kitty had no reservations by this time, and smiled at him and said, "We were speaking of one of the books in your library that both of us have read, and disagreed on some of its aspects."

"And which book are you referring to?" Darcy asked as Elizabeth noticed he too began to blush.

"The Mysteries of Udolpho, the novel by Mrs. Radcliffe, of course," replied Kitty not the least embarrassed. She saw Jane and Charles exchange looks and then Jane lowered her eyes and blushed.

"You have read that book?" Darcy asked his sister, never thinking she would be interested in novels.

"Yes, we both have, have we not, Georgiana?" Kitty remarked.

Darcy held his gaze over his sister, who finally took a deep breath, and raised her eyes to him. "Yes, William. I have," she admitted, hoping he would not be angry at her choice.

"And what do you have to say of it?" Darcy asked her but noticed that Charles's cheeks seemed just as pink as Georgiana's.

"Oh, she found it very entertaining," piped in Kitty. "And you also said it was very enlightening. Were those not your very words, Georgiana?"

Georgiana's cheeks were crimson now, and Elizabeth thought perhaps she should intervene. She looked at Mary whose cheek had also begun to pink.

"Am I correct in understanding that you too, Mary, have also read this particular fiction?" Now all eyes moved from Georgiana to Mary who stared only at Elizabeth. Finally, she broke eye contact with her older sister's and she replied simply, "I had the pleasure of scanning its pages, and found it mildly amusing although...not a great work of literature."

Elizabeth was trying not to smile as she touched her husband's hand gently. He responded by gazing to her.

"I too have read this novel, William, and admitted to you as much at our first dinner with your aunt and uncle. Do you not remember?"

His face softened at her confession, realizing that perhaps he was overreacting to his innocent sister's perusal of such fiction.

Lady Matlock looked at her husband, and blushed, finally saying, "And at that same dinner, did I not also admit to having read the exact book when it was compared to Shakespeare?"

Darcy's eyebrows rose as he remembered the dinner, and began to realize that he had overstepped the bounds of his parental shield his sister at finding out of Georgiana's having read Mrs. Radcliffe's latest fiction.

"Well," began Charles after exchanging another look at Jane. He smiled and stated, "Actually, I too must have come across that novel not two days ago and Jane and I have been reading it together. Have we not, my dear?"

"Um...yes...that is true," Jane stammered, her cheeks turning rosy pink, and daring to look at Darcy.

The earl cleared his throat, and all eyes came to be on him. He sipped his wine and said, "Well, as we are all seeking absolution, I must confess that when I found the exact book in your library, William I too was curious as to the contents which would hold a discussion for both our wives, and so read the silly thing cover to cover in one night."

Lady Matlock looked at her husband with surprise that he had read such drivel, and also at where he had found it. "You say you found Mrs. Radcliffe's novel in William's library?"

Elizabeth's gaze passed from Georgiana to her husband. She had thought when she had noticed the novel that it had been Georgiana's, but as she noted Darcy's cheeks crimson, she knew that was not the case, and she bit her lip to keep from smiling.

"Yes," the earl replied to his wife's questions of where he found the book. "I was certain that it had been purchased by Georgiana-" But as he looked at his niece's gaping mouth, he too knew it was not the case. The only other person to purchase any books would have to be...he gazed over to his nephew who was red with embarrassment.

At this time Elizabeth could keep her countenance no longer, and exploded in gales of laughter which she tried to stifle with her napkin. Darcy glared at her for a few seconds, but when he saw the mirth in her eyes at how ridiculous it was that he had been caught reading such nonsense, he too began to laugh at himself.

Their laughter seemed to be infectious as the earl's rich warm baritone guffaws came from the other end of the table, followed soon by Lady Matlock's chortles. Bingley and Jane were next to begin laughing quietly. The three younger girls looked at this foolish behavior first with alarm and then glee that it seemed that everyone at the table had read the infernal book. Mary was the first to join in with a little twitter to be followed by Georgiana, and Kitty who could not stifle a snort which made the entire table erupt with more laughter that lasted a good five minutes before all tried to catch their breath, and settle down.

Needless to say soup was not the right course to be served when laughing, as each found out after trying to settle down to a serene dinner. It only took but one person to make eye contact with another to start another wave of laughing, and soup spray across the table.

Finally, Darcy could take it no longer, and rose from the table saying, "I think dinner should be delayed." And with evidence of his own struggle to keep from reverting to laughter, he pulled Elizabeth's chair out for her, and escorted her out to the balcony for some air.

The night breeze did more to give him some control over his countenance as he held Elizabeth to him. Never in his entire life had a dinner ever disintegrated into such a degree of merriment. He looked down into Elizabeth's eyes that had begun to sparkle again as they had before all this sadness had visited her, and was overjoyed that she was almost back to herself again. Her kissed her in full view of those in the dining room, who had begun to walk about the room in order to recover. He didn't care at this juncture who saw him.

"Oh, Elizabeth," he whispered as he hugged her to him. "Your laughter is as music to me."

"Then I shall endeavor to keep your ears filled with such music in the future," she promised, reveling in his embrace.

"See that you do," he ordered happily. He tried to stifle more laughter and finally took a huge sigh signaling that he had some control at least over his own countenance.

She asked him after another moment. "Are you recovered now? Should we not now continue with dinner?" She felt him begin to laugh softly again.

"I suppose we should, however," he added smiling down at her. "Perhaps, the next course should be served, and the soup taken away."

She looked up to him, and began to giggle, and nodded. "I think you may be right."

So they turned to the door to re-enter the dining room that had become calmer after their departure. Lady Matlock had taken it upon herself to have the servants remove the soup and call for the next course. Dinner was less animated, but no less enjoyable.

Chapter 58

Lady Matlock and Darcy in his study

It had been almost a month after Elizabeth's miscarriage when just before luncheon there came a knock on the study door where Darcy had fled for a particularly trying morning. With thoughts of being with Elizabeth in mind, his steward had come to him with a dispute between three tenants over the ownership of a certain property. This stretch of land that contained water each tenants claimed as his own, and it was up to Darcy to read through the old land deeds to see who indeed owned the property or to come to some kind of agreement where everyone would be satisfied. He had yet to read through the entire pile of documents.

"Come," was heard behind the door, and Lady Matlock turned the knob and entered to find Darcy rubbing his eyes, and with a pensive expression, sitting behind a desk strewn with maps and parchments of old land deeds. When he looked up and saw whom it was, he immediately rose and proceeded to don his topcoat from the back of the chair. She stood silently before his desk waiting until he felt attired.

"Aunt, how can I be of assistance to you?" He motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, and sat down beside her in the other chair.

"I am sorry if I am disturbing you," she offered her apology.

He shook his head saying, "No, no. In fact I welcome the distraction as I cannot see a way out of the dilemma for the moment, and need to be away from it in order to get a new perspective." He shifted in his chair and added, "Now, what is it you have come to speak of?"

She looked up and had his undivided attention for the moment, and it was suddenly disconcerting. How much he had grown up since she had seen him as a teenager losing his mother, and then his father not long after. He was no longer that person, but rather a grown man dealing with so many challenges all at the same time, and for the most part handling them well. She smiled at him, and touched his face as any proud mother would.

"When I first came, I had planned to discuss how you are raising your sister which I have often found fault with," she began. She looked down at her hands then to not see his piercing eyes on her. He was silent to let her say what she wished, even though this old argument never seemed to end. But since he had met and married Elizabeth, he had changed. Now he was a man who could forgive even those persons who although misguided, had the best of intentions. He reached for her hand and kissed it and kept hold of it as he smiled when her eyes gazed upon him again.

She sighed and said, "When I married your uncle, I came to have Anne and Catherine as my sisters. I had never before had anyone to share secrets with, share my thoughts with as ladies do, share my time with when your uncle was busy. Catherine had a hard shell, which was difficult to get through, but Anne was the sweetest soul that ever walked the earth, and it was a joy to be around her. A sibling, especially a sister was one of the greatest gifts your uncle bestowed on me."

Knowing that she was not finished with her story, Darcy simply sat silently holding her hand, gazing into her eyes.

"When she fell in love and married your father, your uncle and Catherine were furious for very different reasons, but outraged just the same at George for taking Anne away from them. But resigning themselves to it, things settled down for a few years for Anne as the rest of our lives became more complicated. I had just delivered Richard, and your Aunt Catherine had agreed to marry Lewis De Bourg who was almost twenty years her senior. The family was in such an uproar, and did not realize that Anne had become with child with you. When you were delivered of her, and she became ill, your father and your uncle had such angry words; they stopped speaking for nearly a year."

He nodded letting her know that most of this history he was aware of, but let her continue unabated. He stood, poured both a glass of water and handed one to her before sitting again.

"Thank you, William," she said as she sipped before she continued. "Some time later, when Anne recovered, your father and uncle came to be friends once more, and you and your mother were happy here with George. We visited you and you seemed to relish having your cousins to play with, and were always upset when we had to go. It was not your fault that you had no siblings, but your mother saw how much you wanted them. I cannot ever recall you voicing those longings, but then you did not wear a mask to hide your feelings as you flawlessly did when you grew older."

Here Darcy sighed and closed his eyes remembering back many years when he did voice his wishes to both his parents, and said simply, "You are too kind to me."

"William, I watched how Anne had begun to raise you, which was to enjoy nature and touch and feel how growing things add to our lives, enhance us, comfort us, uphold us when circumstances make our lives go awry. She tried to instill in you a sense of wonder about the beautiful world around you. Your father as well as your uncle and I maintained that you should learn pride and propriety, superiority at being in the highest social circles. But your mother taught you how to obtain joy in your life."

"When she was so ill after Georgiana was born, I think she somehow knew she was not long for this world. But instead of sending you both away, she kept you children close to her to teach you all there was to know about how to live a life, even one as short as hers. I disagreed with her, and have fought against what I thought was incorrect in the way she brought you up. It was not until I came here this time that I finally understood, and saw what the fruition of her teachings had produced. This house and the grounds that you have maintained as she would have, yourself, who you chose to marry, and how Elizabeth in turn deals with the lives of the people around her, all of this is by Anne's hand."

Lady Matlock sipped her water, and smiled at her nephew so grown up now, and added, "Henry and I were always worried about the two of you, orphaned at such young ages. We did not know how you would grow up, but I must allow that we are both pleased. Anne, who I loved so dearly, taught you well, William."

"Elizabeth's love for me has made me the man you see before you, aunt," he ventured. "My life before she accepted my hand was so...lonely."

"But it was through Anne's tutelage that you knew that Elizabeth would complete you. Why else would you have waited half your life time to find someone so perfect for you, that your mother and father would have been proud to have as a daughter? Because of what Anne taught you of life, you saw past your wealth, and connections, family, social rank, and propriety into the very soul of the woman who was your true love. Like your father, you cannot live without your wife. But unlike Anne, Elizabeth is strong enough to withstand whatever life deals her."

At this statement Darcy dropped his eyes as he sighed, his heart aching for the pain that Elizabeth was still feeling at the moment, and wishing to be at her side. His emotions were unmistakable as his aunt looked at him, and she squeezed his hand.

"William, I know this pain she feels, and believe me when I tell you it will pass in due time, especially the way you are caring for her."

He gazed into her eyes as his mind registered what she had revealed to him, and he swallowed in the recognition that he was not alone in this sorrow.

"You have chosen your wife well, my son, and will be happy sharing your entire life with her. I do not worry about you any longer."

She rose from her chair to depart as he too stood before her. And when she looked into his eyes with unshed tears, she hugged him in a way so reminiscent of the sister she missed so much. When without reservation to propriety his strong arms encircled her in a warm embrace she felt the security that he brought to all the people he cared for.

As he released her from his embrace, he smiled at her, happy that she finally understood him after all these years.

"I will leave you to your tenant problem again."

He laughed softly and replied, "There is no need. For you have solved my dilemma, Aunt."

"How so?"

"The solution is for the tenant all to share ownership of the water rights." He smiled at her and kissed her hand.

She shook her head, and replied, "So like your mother. You will do well, son."

Departure of the Matlocks

After Lord and Lady Matlock had extended their stay at Pemberley an extra full month to make sure that Elizabeth was truly on her way to a complete recovery, they made plans to depart. Lady Matlock had by this time happily resigned herself to the knowledge that Elizabeth was to be the equal of Anne in the role of Mistress of Pemberley, and that she approved of her exceedingly. Not only had Elizabeth taken Darcy into her heart, making him contented and happy, but also she had begun to shape the manor and surrounding area into the glorious vision, as Anne would have done had she lived. Lady Matlocks promised Elizabeth that she would return within a half year for a Christmas visit.

There were many tears shed when all gathered at the carriage on the morning of departure for truly this couple had been taken into the hearts of Elizabeth and William as well as Charles and Jane.

Lady Matlock hugged Jane as though she were another niece now, and whispered, "I am so happy for you." Jane did not know what she meant, but thanked her all the same. For Jane assumed that Lady Matlock wished her well in her marriage. Turning to Charles, Lady Matlock kissed him on his cheek to let him know he was indeed considered part of her family too.

Lord Matlock shook Charles' hand, and kissed Jane warmly saying, "I hope all turns out all right." She thought he meant about the Smithson estate. "I thank you, sir."

Lady Matlock hugged Georgian tightly and kissed her face repeatedly, missing her company already, and happy in the knowledge that Darcy was correct in all his decisions as regards his sister, and Lady Matlock had nothing but approval. Turning to Kitty, she hugged her and made her promise to keep up with her art. Kitty happily promise that she would, hugging her back with tear filled eyes, knowing she had a wonderful new aunt who understood her and encouraged her.

Lastly, Lady Matlock opened her arms to the reluctant Mary, who gently hugged her, still not comfortable with all this physicality. Lady Matlock embraced her warmly and whispered, "I know exactly how you feel, but given the alternative of not having any contact, this is much more preferable of late. Do you not agree, Mary?" Mary had to agree with Lady Matlock's assessment, and deepened the hug.

"Promise that you will write to me, Mary. I wish to know what you are reading, and your opinions."

"I shall from this day forward enjoy a correspondence with you...aunt," Mary finally whispered back hugging Lady Matlock again, and smiling.

Finally turning to Elizabeth, Lady Matlock looked into her eyes, both of them smiling in their shared sorrow and knowing that it would pass in time, she brought her niece into her embrace. Tears formed in her eyes as she felt the love of this young woman radiate through her, so like Anne, she thought.

"I shall miss you, child," she whispered.

"Oh, Aunt," replied Elizabeth, with eyes glistening. "You are so kind. I will write to you informing you of all our days here," she promised.

"I depend on it," responded Lady Matlock, sniffing back tears as Darcy stood before her smiling.

"Do you not have a hug for your silly sobbing aunt, William?" She teased looking into his face.

"You may depend that as well, Aunt," was his reply as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek. "I wish you both back as soon as you can," he added in whisper. She nodded.

"Elizabeth, you are a fine niece. I am glad you are come, and wish for you both to visit us when the chance arises," Lord Matlock said as he kissed Elizabeth's hand.

"Oh that will not do, sir," she said into his confused face that smiled as she opened her arms for him to give her a hug good-bye. He pulled her into a warm embrace, and kissed her cheek.

"Promise you will come when you can. I know in future I shall have the need to be bested again at chess," he teased.

"Oh, Uncle," she began, but he interrupted her saying, "I would also wish to show you off to the rest of the family. You would enjoy meeting Richard's brother and sister."

"I look forward to it, sir," she said smiling at this kind man, very much like her husband.

After all forms of well-wishing were expressed by all, the earl handed his wife into the carriage, and pulled himself in as well. Both leaned out the window to wave good-bye as the carriage started with a jolt down the drive toward the road. The younger girls waved until the carriage left the drive and found the road. Then they turned and hurried up the steps intent on whatever they had planned for this day.

Charles and Jane exchanged a warm look and then they too turned back toward the house to plan their own departure in not too many days time. Only Elizabeth and Darcy were left on the steps, his arm securely around her waist as they watched the now invisible carriage. She sighed and leaned against his chest, allowing him to tighten his embrace around her. So much had happened in the short amount of time since their marriage, but with all the help, they had endured. She buried her face in his chest and breathed in his scent, and he kissed her forehead lovingly. He finally looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Come," he said holding her arm as they ascended the steps of their home, happy in the thought that they could withstand anything so long as they were together.

Chapter 59 - Jane and Elizabeth

A few days after the Matlocks' departure Elizabeth was walking the garden paths close to the house before dinner alone. Darcy had to complete a letter from his solicitor regarding a parcel of land to the north of Pemberley. She happened upon Jane walking from the other direction. Jane smiled and Elizabeth spoke.

"Jane, I am surprised to see you and without Charles at your side.

The elder sister smiled and blushed deeply assuming what Elizabeth was referring. "Oh, Lizzie. It is not nice to tease."

"I am sorry, dear Jane," Elizabeth said as she linked arms with her sister, and smiled. "Forgive me."

"This is nothing to forgive, Lizzie," Jane said sweetly, and then changed the topic with, "I have just been admiring all the grandeur of your wonderful Pemberley. William has put so much of himself into it that it is truly a Paradise here."

"But what of the Smithson estate that you and Charles wish to acquire? Surely it has the potential to be an equal to Pemberley."

"I doubt it, but when Charles finalizes its purchase, I am sure he will be asking William for all kinds of advice."

"And it will be gratefully given for to have both of you so close would truly be a wish fulfilled for us, Jane." Elizabeth noticed that perhaps Jane was not quite so sure of the plan. "Jane? What is the matter? Do you not think it is a good idea to buy the estate?"

"It is not that, no, Lizzie. It is just that I have had so many changes in my life in so short a time. I was just getting use to being with Charles at Netherfield though I suspected it was but a temporary home. And even with mother's constant visits, I was still near to my family and friends and all the familiar places where I grew up. The thought of moving so far from them seems like a drastic step after all the other happenings." She looked into Elizabeth's concerned face, and smiled and both sat on the bench among all the roses.

"Jane, if you think this move is not one that you can feel comfortable with, you can tell Charles. He would understand your not wishing to move now."

"No, he has his heart set upon it, and I wish him to be happy. And after we move and are near you, there will be no more moving, and then I can feel finally at home as I do not as yet feel. Are you understanding me?"

"Actually, yes, I am," admitted Elizabeth as she thought back when she and Darcy were in the townhouse in London where she knew no one except her aunt and uncle. She was happy because he was with her, and had kept her distracted, but she never felt completely at 'home' until they arrived at Pemberley. "The truth is neither William nor I felt totally at ease until we returned here. There is something about this place that seemed to call to us, and an ache to return here whenever we are away."

"Yes, that is how I am feeling just now," acknowledged Jane. "I do not feel 'home' yet, and it gives me unease at present."

"Do you feel that the Smithson estate will give you that ease knowing how much Charles wishes to purchase it?"

Jane looked out over the vista that was Pemberley, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Finally she replied. "Yes, Charles says once we are come, we will be content to live out the rest of our lives there."

"That sounds like a permanent move."

"Indeed. I trust Charles to know what is best for us, and I am sure in my heart I will feel at home once there. My mind is just unsettled yet. I shall be fine when it is done and then will be as contented as you, Lizzie."

She smiled at her younger sister, and hugged her tightly, knowing that soon they will have to say good-bye again, already missing each other's company. "You must write me with all the news of the neighborhood so that when we come we will not feel so alone here, Lizzie."

"I promise I will meet as many of our neighbors as may be and that give you detailed descriptions of them all so you would know them on sight without need of proper introductions!"

"Oh, Lizzie," Jane admonished only to be hugged by her sister again along with a kiss on the cheek.

"I will have you so up to date on all the happenings here that when you come you will feel quite at home, Jane."

"Thank you, dear Lizzie. You are a wonderful sister."

"As are you, sweet Jane." They stayed hugging for a long while on the bench among all the roses of the wonderful garden.

Departure scene for the Bingley/Bennett clan

It seemed only a few days previous that Lord and Lady Matlock had left when at the week's end Elizabeth and Darcy and Georgiana were again on the front steps bidding good-bye this time to Charles, Jane, Mary and Kitty. The month of April had gone by much too quickly for them, and all seemed sad that they would be missing each other's company so soon.

Jane hugged Elizabeth saying, "Please write me often and tell me how you are fairing."

"I will, Jane. I promise," Elizabeth sighed back, hugging Jane tightly, not wishing to let her go.

Then Darcy smiled down into her smiling face and embraced her. With his own smile spreading wider, he inhaled softly as he realized, and he couldn't help but kiss her cheek as he would his own sister, making Jane blush with such tenderness. "We shall miss you, Jane," he whispered softly, adding "Please write us when you have any news."

"I promise I shall," she replied back, feeling such warmth from his embrace that left her breathless, realizing his love for her.

Jane then hugged her newly acquired little sister, and smiled down at her, whispering, "I shall wish to have you visit us often when we move into the neighborhood to play that lovely piano Mr. Smithson left in the house, he said as a gift for you."

"I shall be delighted to come, Georgiana replied. And reflecting she added, "All my life has been without a sister, and now I have so many, I am quite contented." Georgiana tried not to cry as she hugged Jane again.

Elizabeth hugged Mary, and truly wished her well. By this time Mary had warmed to all this embracing and deepened the hug for her older sister who she could share so much more with now. She would truly miss her. Mary kissed Elizabeth's cheek.

"Write to me, Lizzy," she ordered. "For I have a need now to hear all your thoughts."

"I promise I shall, dear Mary," Elizabeth responded, as her eyes filled with tears. "And I am sure you and father will have much to discuss now."

Mary laughed and said, "Of that I have no doubt."

Darcy smiled at this and made her promise to write to them as well about her opinions of the additional books he had gifted her. She hesitated, and then hugged him with more feeling than she'd ever allowed herself. She inhaled at the great security of his embrace surrounding her, finally realizing what it was to have a kindly older brother. When he released her, she had to take a breath and re-adjust her spectacles.

Georgiana hugged Mary next, and gave her sheets of music that she wished for them both to learn for when she next visited either here or perhaps in London with Kitty.

"I will work to master them," promised Mary smiling at yet another younger sister, but this one she truly felt a bond with, and hugged her again.

Darcy hugged Bingley as the brother he had become. "Safe journey, Charles."

"Thank you, Darcy. We shall be a merry party on our return home."

"And write me when you have news."

Bingley thought he was referring to the matter of the Smithson estate. "Of course. But surely Smithson will keep you informed even before I could."

A surprised expression crossed Darcy's face. Then he nodded his head, knowing both Bingley and Jane were unaware. He smiled and kept his counsel, wishing for them to discover on their own the wonderful news.

Georgiana hugged Kitty and they were already making plans as she said, "I will be in London in summer so that we may meet and have a wonderful holiday there."

"I look forward to it, Georgie," replied Kitty smiling. "We will have such a grand time there, I am sure with my aunt and uncle Gardiner and all my cousins."

"Oh, yes," agreed Georgiana. "They are so kind. I look forward to meeting all their children, now part of my family too." She began to sniff back tears again. Kitty turned to Elizabeth to say farewell.

Elizabeth kissed and hugged her younger sister who began to cry. "I already miss you, Lizzy, and your wonderful Pemberley."

"But you have all your sketches to begin some paintings."

"I know not when I shall ever be ready for that," Kitty said sounding much like the old doubting Kitty. Elizabeth's eyebrows raised and she was going to take Kitty to task for reverting back to her negative attitude when Kitty raised her hand to stop her.

She said, "I know, Lizzy, but that is not what I meant. It is just that...I would want to do justice to your Pemberley, so that everyone who sees my paintings of it will be as enthralled as you. So I must be diligent in my studies that Aunt Sophie had kindly given me access to. She is to have me visit her in London this summer with an instructor to teach me. In the mean time, there are all my sketches to practice on. It will be wonderful to keep them up, Lizzy, and you will write to let me know when I can return to see how Pemberley changes during a different season."

"I promise," Elizabeth said hugging her again. Darcy hugged her then, and she had to look up to see his eyes, and she began to feel for him as the older brother she never had.

"You are most kind, sir, and I will forever remember this visit as one of the highlights of my life."

Darcy's eyebrows rose as he smiled at such a sweet thing for this young girl to say, for he knew she would have many more highlights in her future. He cradled her head and kissed her forehead in a kindly good-bye kiss.

After Charles and Darcy handed each lady into the carriage, Bingley entered also to sit beside his wife. They all waved as the carriage began its journey south back to Hertfordshire and their home. Georgiana sighed and hugged Elizabeth and William to her, and then turned to go back up the stairs into the house. Elizabeth and William exchanged a look of sadness that all their company was now gone. He took her hand in his, and used his other to pull her to him as he kissed her on the steps of their house in full view of all the windows. She sighed and buried her face in his chest letting his strong arms encircle her for the moments they stood there. Finally he pulled her up the stairs and back into their home.

Chapter 60 - The Secluded Glen

As the summer months at Pemberley began to unfold, Elizabeth came to enjoy once again the gentle rides atop Sampson while Darcy rode Simian. The two horses were again inseparable just as were their two riders. True to her word, Elizabeth began on many of these rides to be introduced by Darcy to many of the populace of the neighboring estates as well as quite a number of the tenants. She tried to remember names and descriptions to write to Jane about them.

One morning as Elizabeth came down for breakfast, a letter in hand, she saw a picnic luncheon being prepared by the staff.

"What's this?" She asked as she sat down with her cup of tea. She sipped the hot liquid relishing in the mint flavor.

"The master asked Cook to make it up for you two as he wanted to show you a part of Pemberley he said you have yet to see," remarked the scullery maid. She began to place the items not in a basket, but rather saddlebags.

"On horseback?" asked Elizabeth.

"As you see," replied Molly.

She ate her muffin and wondered where the master was. She had a few questions.

She had just finished her breakfast when Darcy entered and came to sit beside her and he kissed her sweetly. She began their conversation.

"I have had a letter from Mary that is most intriguing to me," she ventured as he brought a cup of tea from the tea tray and sat down beside her to listen.

"How so?" He asked smiling, thinking he knew what the missive contained.

"It seems that Mary has finished Wordsworth and desires a conversation of it...with you, and asks me if I thought it inappropriate for her to write to my husband."

"Oh," was his only reply as he smiled and drank his tea.

Elizabeth gazed at him, waiting for him to reply further, and when he did not, she merely remained as silent as he. Their test of wills was now a game with them. So long as he didn't gaze into her eyes he knew he could outlast her, but he gave into her quite readily with the reply, "And what would you write back in answer, my love?" He looked at her then, and smiled. She was already smiling at him as she arched her lovely eyebrows.

"I have already responded my wishes to her, husband, as to my preference," she voiced without actually answering his question to his satisfaction. He leaned closer to her, his chin resting on his elbow, and teased back. "Which was?"

She leaned closer to him, her hands taking his as she gazed into his eyes. "You should be receiving her opinions in the post in a short duration of weeks, I am sure if I know my sister. She is quite an adequate letter writer, and you will most certainly enjoy her missives."

"I shall read them to you so that we may both enjoy them," he responded kissing her hand, and finally realizing that there was one missing from the table. "Is Georgiana still asleep? Or has she already left us to her own pursuits?"

"She is at present I believe still abed. However, she informed me last night that she plans today to practice for several hours on her harp before taking a ride into Lambton with her maid for some shopping. She then has the afternoon planned out to practice her piano. So we probably will not see much of her today." He smiled thinking they will not see any of her today if all goes according to his plan.

The maid who had just then re-entered the dining room smiled and ignored their handholding as she finished packing the bags.

"Will that be all, sir?" she asked as she placed the last item in and buckled the straps to close the saddlebags, ready to exit the room again.

"That will do," was his reply, but he was still looking at Elizabeth. The manservant took the saddlebags to the stables.

"Molly said you planned this to show me somewhere-"

"Special," answered Darcy, a sparkle in his eyes. He leaned over and kissed her quite ardently, and felt her responding to him in such a way that he had long missed this past months.

He pulled back to see her eyes staring back at him with a fixed gaze. She swallowed and licked her lips. And panting, trying to catch her breath, she whispered.

"Are we to leave now or...do you have some other activity in mind at present?" Her tone was teasing much as she had been before the incident in March.

God, he thought, she makes me want her with just a look. He tried to decide which he preferred at present, and it was a hard decision indeed.

Finally he made up his mind. He pulled her up to stand and hugged her and sighed.

"This is an adventure I have planned for a long while, and so wish it to occur today."

He looked down at her in his arms, inviting him, and he smiled.

"That does not follow that we will not also have time for other activities later."

"Then lead on, my dear," she sighed. "I am all yours."

Yes, yes you are, he thought trying to keep his mind trained on their ride, hoping that the time had finally come.

He helped her mount Sampson, and made sure her stirrup of her sidesaddle was perfect. She took hold of the reins and patted the large horse's neck. He was as gentle as ever. Darcy then mounted Simian telling Wilkins that they would be in the north end of the estate should anything of importance arise to require his return.

He smiled at Elizabeth, and turned his horse toward the gate. Sampson followed with very little effort by Elizabeth.

They began with a leisurely ride through the meadows and the fields, with only a few jaunts of cantering here and there to give the horses some exercise. Soon they were far from where Elizabeth had ever ridden with Darcy. It was unfamiliar to her from this point on.

"It is beautiful, William," she sighed as the vista atop the hill came into view. He merely smiled and they continued on, knowing she was truly beginning to appreciate Pemberley as he did.

They had ridden for a good three hours* when apparently they had arrived at their destination, for Darcy dismounted, and walked over to Sampson's side to help her off.

She leaned down and put her hands on his shoulders, and he held her by her waist. As she slid down his body he did something unexpected. He held her against him in his arms as he stared into her eyes.

She smiled and put her arms around his neck and kissed him without provocation. He was at first astonished that she had initiated it, but his desire deepened the kiss until she pulled away gasping for air.

With a smile he released her to the ground. He handed her one of the saddlebags, and pulled the other off Simian and then took Elizabeth's as well. He started down into a copse of trees leaving the horses to the grass.

She walked beside him silently as she sensed this was a place special to him from long past. Finally, after entering the trees they came to a small shady clearing where the gentle morning light filtered through the branches many of which had grown together to give a dappled glow to the soft green grass. She smiled and could almost imagine fairies springing from every bush.

And it was quiet also due to the circle of the trees around. He put the bags down and opened one. He pulled a blanket from it, and spread it over the ground. She smiled as he took her hands and sat her down on the blanket.

He pulled the other bag over to her and sat down beside her. He removed his straw hat and rolled up his sleeves as well. Her eyebrows arched and he smiled.

"There is no one here to know if I am properly attired, Elizabeth."

She hesitated, and then she removed her gloves, and then untied the ribbon of her bonnet, and removed it, and undid the buttons of her Spencer as the morning sun had begun to warm her. He helped her remove it so she would be more comfortable in her summer frock. He also untied and removed his cravat so that his neck was bare.

"Are you hungry?" he asked searching in the bag. "Cook packed some delightful dishes he said were your favorites."

"Mmmmmm." She said as an array of simple but wonderful foods began to emerge from the saddlebag, chesse, bread, fruit, wine along with a book or two. She smiled at the thought that he could not go anywhere without a book tucked in somewhere, and turned her head to read the titles. Sonnets.

They ate at their leisure while seated on the blanket. She opened the nearest book which fell open to the seventeenth** sonnet, and she began to read.

"Who will believe my verse in time to come,
If it were fill'd with your most hight deserts?
Though yet, heaven knows, it is but as a tomb
Which hides your lfe and shows not half your parts."

Here Darcy began to recite from memory.

"If I could write the beauty of your eyes
And in fresh numbers number all your graces,
The age to come would say "This poet lies:
Such heavenly touches ne'er touch'd earthly faces..."

She smiled as he spoke and then gazed into her eyes, knowing that those words were how he perceived her, how he would always think of her. He smiled back.

Elizabeth looked around to take in the surrounding.

"What is this place, William?" she ventured knowing he had taken her to his private domain.

"I use to come here as a child and play. I pretended all sort of imaginary creatures to ride or defeat whichever the case may be. I think I was happiest when I was here. There is some kind of charm that keeps it a magical place."

Here he stopped and smiled thinking back to a memory of his childhood. She was looking at all the lovely trees that seemed asking to be climbed. He gazed over to her and seemed to know her thoughts and smiled.

"I know of a wonderful tree that when climbed to the very top, you can see all the way back to the main house."

"Am I that easily read?" she asked smiling back, knowing he had been the only person who could read her very thoughts regardless of how she masked them.

"I have seen you in trees many times, Lizzy. You seem to enjoy the vistas that their heights afford." She sighed.

"I suppose it is only that I had not traveled much, and always wanted to know what a grand world was beyond my own sphere."

"We can travel wherever you desire, Lizzy."

She looked into his eyes with so much love, knowing he would deny her nothing, and smiled, "I have traveled as much as I wish to at present, but would you walk around here and show me all your childhood haunts?"

"If you wish. Come. Let us see some of them now."

"All right," she replied smiling and began putting the dishes back in the saddlebag.

He took her hands and lifted her to stand, and together they wandered all along the perimeter of the trees taking their time as he pointed out many of the nooks and spaces that he had enjoyed as a child, showed her where he carved his initials in a tree with the first pin knife he'd been given as a boy, where he had fallen out from a low branch on one of the trees to break his forearm. Coming at last to a great tree that towered over all the rest, its huge bough denoting how very old it was. He glanced at her sideways and smiled and sat on the ground removing his boots and stockings. She stood before him, eyebrows raised in question.

"Well?"

"Well...what?" She asked.

"Surely you do not climb trees in shoes?"

She stood still before him, but beginning to smile. "No...are you serious that you wish us to climb this tree...together?" He grabbed her hand and brought her down beside him with a resounding, "Yes!"

She began to giggle at the thought of her husband in a tree.

"What?" He asked, tugging at one of her boot ties. She pulled her foot away from him, staring at him with a more serious look. He stared back at her quite serious, sitting barefoot with his arms casually draped over his bent knees.

"Are you coming?" He asked in a challenging tone as he stared at her. She smiled and removed her half boots and pulled her stockings off her feet. He stood up and put out his hand. She stared at it and then at him, and then took his offered hand and he pulled her up.

They began to climb the enormous tree with him guiding her to the best footholds, pulling her up branch by branch, holding her hand until she reached the preferred hand holds in the branches, giving her time to gather her dress material as they ascended. They had climbed well over the tops of the other trees and very near to tree's top when the wind began to sway the branches. She gasped at how very high they were, and she began to tremble as he held her hand.

"You have never been this high before?" He asked, but knew the answer as he saw how pale her face had become. She merely shook her head in affirmation.

"Here, let us lean against the bough, and go no further," he offered, guiding her to the safety of the tree trunk. The large branches were wide enough even here to feel secure atop. Leaning against its massive breadth, he pulled her to him in an embrace so tight that she could not have slipped from it should she have wanted to. She closed her eyes to the height, burying her face in the warmth of his chest, trying no pant so hard while her heart pounded in her chest. She kept whispering of those calming phrases he used...you are safe...there is nothing to fear...calm yourself...he is here...trust him...he is with you...he will not leave you. And she clung to his torso and its wonderful safety in order not to be overwhelmed with panic that would put them both at risk.

"Take all the time you need to calm yourself, Lizzy. We have no fixed engagements," he whispered teasingly, kissing the top of her head.

She tried to laugh at his teasing, still panting but now able to tease back with a voice that was still unsteady. "That is a very good thing then, for I am sure it will be some time before I am able to descend again."

He laughed softly and she felt it as she hugged his chest, and breathed in his cologne of sandalwood mixed with musk. It was such a pleasing aroma, that she slowly began to calm and breathe more normally, finally able to open her eyes once more. She looked up into his eyes the color of newly plowed field, so rich and warm with gold flecks, so solid like the rest of him. The light breeze was blowing his hair around his face, and he was smiling at her.

"Do you feel secure now?" He asked. She nodded, and he gazing into her face to see if she was being truthful or merely brave. When he knew for certain that she was indeed calm he said, "The branch is quite wide enough should you feel you can manage to turn around."

She looked at him in confusion, and he smiled replying, "The view of the main house is behind you."

"Oh," she whispered, not sure she could do what he asked.

"I have hold of you, Elizabeth. Trust me," he encouraged.

She bit her lip trying to decide if she trusted herself. But then she looked into his warm eyes, his smiling face and trusted him with all her heart, and so nodded. While he held on to her tightly she slowly moved her feet inches at a time until she at last had turned to face out from the tree. As he held her tightly against his chest, she looked out at the great expanse all around them. It put her in mind of when she had climbed the hill in Bletham on holiday with the Gardiners last summer. How vast and wild that terrain looked from her vantage point then. This vista was more tranquil and serene with sloping hills and low growing bush and not a boulder in view, nor craggy scapes. This was a sea of soft green hills that appeared warm as the embrace around her.

As Darcy sighed and his arm-hold on her tightened, his cheek touching hers, she thought this is so similar to the time when he held her terrified person next to him to allay her fear of horses. She closed her eyes and like then his cologne filled her head with thoughts of loam and earth and solid ground though they were now 60 feet above. She was no longer afraid as he stood by her. He felt her relax against him, and he smiled. He pointed to the south directing her eyes to where the top floor and the roof of the main house were just visible over the tree line.

She pulled his arm around her again and held it just above her waist, and smiled. He knew her action was not compelled by fear, and he squeezed her tighter and she felt him breath in her fragrance that rested on her neck they just stood in the tree for a long while looking over Pemberley in all its beauty saying, "Look at it, Lizzy. Everything you see belongs to you now."

"It is beautiful, William," she replied, and he knew she loved it as he did. Turning her head he kissed her deeply, wanting it to never end. He hugged her tighter as they silently looked at the beautiful world before them.

After a long while they did slowly manage to descend from the great tree with him again helping her attain the hand holds, finally alighting from the last branch. Elizabeth was grateful to be back on the ground, and breathed a sigh of relief as they gathered their boots and stockings and made their way back to the blanket. When she sat down she attempted to replace her stocking, but he pulled it from her smiling as he sat on bent legs in front of her.

"I see those feet so seldom, Lizzy, please allow me a bit more viewing before you imprison them again." She laughed as he ran his finger down the bottom of her foot.

"I will agree to your request if you will but stop tickling them."

"Agreed," he said retracting his hand from near her feet. He was still smiling, so she knew he was not yet done with his jest, but she knew not how it would manifest itself until he attacked her stomach with his tickling hands.

"No, no, please, no," she begged him; laughing and trying to cover her middle and move away from his assault. He stopped tickling her, and pulled her instead into a warm embrace.

"Are you more at ease now?"

"Indeed."

He kissed her cheek and sighed and looked about the shady glen with the sunspots dappling all around them.

"My father told me this place had a significance for him as well. It seems he brought my mother here when they were first married. They came here to be completely private."

The look Darcy gave Elizabeth spoke to her very soul. She sighed and smiled leaning against his chest.

"It's wonderful here. I would never want to leave it now that I am come."

He tilted her head up and leaned his toward hers. He kissed her so lovingly that she began to cry. But the tears were of the joy she felt at knowing more about her wonderful husband. He cradled her head in his hands, his thumbs wiping away her tears. His thumbs then caressed her lips followed by his own lips on hers.

He slowly removed her hairpins so that her waist length hair cascaded and spread down her back. He laid her down on the blanket kissing her cheeks. Then his lips kissed hers in a way that she couldn't resist, and she began to pant as her body responded to his caresses.

"William?" she whispered pulling her lips away from his mouth. Her gaze asked so many questions at once.

He smiled down at her unspoken questions, and gently teased her smiling. "We are completely alone, Lizzy, not even a wooden creature about." His finger caressed the side of her face, his touch so tender, he felt so calm next to her. "You are well, Lizzy. And everything is perfect here. Can we now begin again?"

When she still hesitated, he added, "Lizzy, I...can give you no assurance that what happened will not re-occur, but I promise I will do everything in my power to give you the children we so wish for."

There was a long pause as she thought over what he had said, what she had also thought of during all the time it took for her to grieve. Finally she came to her own resignation as his thumbs caressed her lips and he stared into her face, waiting for her to decide.

She smiled at him nodding, knowing he was right. Enough time had passed now that she could put her grief away and move on.

"I can accept that now, William," she replied coming to the realization that whatever happens, they would endure it together to ensure their vision of a family.

He began to kiss her temple, then her cheeks and finally his lips hovered over her mouth as he gazed into her trusting eyes, which seemed to say that she wished him to continue. His lips brushed hers so softly at first, and then touched hers with more pressure. She sighed, and smiled as her hand touched his face. He deepened the kiss until she could barely breathe, and then his lips moved on to the spot behind her ear. She began to pant as she continued to respond to his touch. His caresses were gentle and constant. Their breathing became pants between kisses. She felt totally fulfilled when they finally became one in this beautiful place. Then he held her lovingly as she trembled in his embrace, kissing her tears away.

For a long time they laid in each other's arms on the blanket in the glen. Neither wanted to move or speak for fear the spell would be broken. It was so quiet in that special place that the two of them fell into a peaceful sleep.

The morning sun had risen high in the sky when he finally awoke to the birds of the meadow singing. He looked down into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever known, and smiled as she still slept in his arms.

He bent down and kissed her lips in a warm slow kiss. She stretched her arms out and stifled a yawn opening her eyes.

"Good morning," she whispered up to him as she smiled.

"I think it is long past morning now," he said still gazing down at her. His hand caressed her face; it's skin so soft to his touch. He kissed her neck and she closed her eyes turning her head to allow him complete access.

"This is a wondrous place, William," she sighed. "I am glad your father told you of its special meaning to them."

"He told me one thing further of its significance to them," Darcy murmured while kissing her on that spot at base of her neck. She gasped and tried to concentrate on his words.

"Which was?" She could feel him pulling her closer to him.

He whispered to her as his mouth returned to kiss her lips. "He said this was where she became with child."

"Oh, William," she sighed as she looked at him soberly for an instant.

He was smiling at her, shaking his head, conveying his meaning that is was merely wishful thinking, nothing more.

She smiled back as he fell into her embrace once more.

The couple did not return from their ride to the glen until almost twilight. They alit from the horses both tired and rested at the same time. Both knew their marriage was as solid as the stones of the house. They would never be parted.

Author's note: *I figured horses walk at a pace of about 3-4 miles per hour, so with a short canter or two in 3 hours they would be 10 to 15 miles from the manor house. I'm not sure exactly how big Pemberley is supposed to be, but figured it had to be quite large. If someone would enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

**Shakespeare's Seventeenth Sonnet

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