“If I recall correctly, Miss Darcy seemed most pleased to extend the invitation, and Mr. Darcy assured us that we were all invited,” Mrs. Willstone continued. “I believe he may have even mentioned your name. I would not fret, my dear, as you will most likely be tending to Emily most of the time. Why, you may hardly see Miss Darcy or her brother at all!”
For some reason, those words of assurance left Elizabeth even more unsettled. She knew, and rightfully so, that her position of governess would prevent her from socializing with the family at Pemberley as she had recently become accustomed to doing here.
“I understand your meaning, Mrs. Willstone.”
“Elizabeth,” Mrs. Willstone looked at her with compassion. “You know we dearly love you and have been thoroughly elated at the friendship you and Rosalyn have developed, but… taking into consideration the stature of the Darcys and Pemberley… well, we must act in a way that is deemed appropriate.”
“Certainly.” The smile that formed on Elizabeth’s face was forced and not one that came from her heart.
The subject of conversation then turned to the logistics of their travels. They would depart in two days for Northamptonshire, where Rosalyn and Lorraine’s brother now resided. After spending two weeks there, they would take their greatly anticipated detour to Derbyshire and Pemberley, where they would stay an additional two weeks. Finally, and for Rosalyn most likely reluctantly, they would depart Mr. Darcy and Pemberley and travel to the Willstones’ manor in Nottinghamshire.
Later that evening, after discussing the details—and all the possibilities—of their stay at Pemberley, Elizabeth went to bed with her head in a whirl. She truly wondered why Mr. Darcy would have extended this invitation to the Willstones, knowing it would likely include her.
Miss Darcy would certainly not want her there as a constant reminder of Mr. Bingley forsaking her for Jane. This scheme that everyone in this household looked upon with great anticipation was for Elizabeth a most disconcerting prospect.
A stray thought played around Elizabeth’s mind that perhaps Mr. Darcy had some vengeful plan to punish her. Perhaps he did wish to pursue Rosalyn, and he would do it all before Elizabeth’s eyes. He would make sure she knew exactly all that she had turned down. He would ensure that she would come to regret the very words she uttered against him.
“No,” she said aloud softly. “I do not believe him to be that sort of man.” She did not know why, but she felt with a certainty that it was not in his nature to resort to that manner of behaviour. At least she hoped that it was not.
The last two days in Town provided continued speculation and every expressed hope and dream that Rosalyn had ever hidden in her heart. What greater opportunity could there be for him to get to know her, and her to get to know him, his sister, and Pemberley, than a stay of a fortnight? To Rosalyn, it was most apparent.
To Elizabeth, however, things did not seem as clear. She often found herself reflecting on his character and what she thought she knew of him. Again and again she came to the conclusion that Rosalyn did not seem to be the type of woman with whom he would have formed an attachment. Yet just as often she chided herself, for what did she really know of his character? She had been blind, so completely mistaken, when it came to realizing he had such a strong affection for her that he wanted to ask for her hand. When he came to her to make her an offer, it had been the last thing she had ever expected from him.
No, he was not a man who was easily understood.
She knew not what to expect once they arrived at Pemberley and could only hope that she would be able to stay sequestered away with Emily as the remainder of the Willstone family enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Darcy and his sister.
Elizabeth was seated beside Rosalyn and across from little Emily as the carriage rambled down the dirt road, full of ruts and pits from recent rains. The travellers were tossed by the swaying of the carriage, much like Elizabeth’s thoughts. Their last few days in Town and their recent stay at the Matthews’ home in Northamptonshire had passed far too quickly for her spirits to remain calm. They were now on their way to Pemberley.
She had endeavoured time and again to view this as judiciously as she could. She had, after all, been acknowledged in the invitation to Pemberley and therefore should have no reason for the feelings of awkwardness and confusion that she was experiencing. She would make every attempt to view Mr. Darcy as the gentleman that he was, and not merely the man whose offer of marriage she had turned down.
The mere thought caused a tightening in her chest and a quickening in her pulse. How she wished she could easily push down those feelings that arose with every reminder of their destination and with every word from Rosalyn of her hopes and expectations.
Elizabeth let out a frustrated sigh.
Rosalyn turned to her. “Elizabeth, is the trip too much?”
Elizabeth forced a smile. “I am well. Perhaps a little tired.”
Emily looked at Elizabeth and tilted her head as she asked, “Are you not pleased to be going to… Pem… Pem…” She turned to her aunt with a frustrated sigh. “Where are we going again?”
Elizabeth lifted her eyes to the perceptive little girl; so much like herself when she was younger.
“It is Pemberley, and why would you say such a thing, Emily?” Rosalyn inquired of her niece. “I am certain Miss Bennet is quite pleased at the prospect of seeing it, as much as I am.”
Emily looked at her aunt with an air of youthful self-assurance. “Perhaps, but every time we talk about going to Pemberley, her eyebrows pinch together.” She turned back to Elizabeth. “Like that.”
Elizabeth nervously laughed, bringing her fingers up absently to smooth the crease between her brows. She was able to honestly say to her young ward, “Emily, I have indeed been out of sorts recently. But it is due to having left my sister in Town.” She reached over to take Emily’s hand and said, “Forgive me if I have appeared troubled.” She hoped that would answer Emily’s concerns.
A jolt in the carriage turned their thoughts back to the conditions of the road. “This road is certainly not allowing for a smooth ride,” Rosalyn grumbled. “I am sure the recent rains have only served to make them in dire need of repair. I do hope the weather will be cooperative and allow us to see all there is to see.”
Rosalyn let out a giggle. “On the other hand, perhaps if it does rain, the men’s days of sport will have to be abandoned, and we will just have to tolerate Mr. Darcy’s company inside. Do you think we shall be able to endure being in his presence all that time?” Another giggle followed, and she turned to Elizabeth. “I must confess that perhaps a little rain might be the very thing we need!”
Elizabeth turned her head abruptly and looked out the window. She wanted nothing more than for this to be all over. Perhaps the two weeks at Pemberley would pass quickly, and before she knew it they would be on their way to Nottinghamshire, away from Pemberley and away from Mr. Darcy. He, however, would continue to be with Rosalyn, even if only in her thoughts and dreams. Elizabeth knew that after spending a fortnight at Pemberley, when they finally departed, things would likely not be the same for either one of them.
The three carriages conveying the Willstones, Elizabeth and her travelling companions, and the servants and luggage stopped for a short time at an inn. They all eagerly stepped out, grateful to be able to stretch their legs, eat, and freshen themselves. As Elizabeth took a short walk to calm her ever-rising nerves, she breathed in the country air that had been cleansed by the recent rains and thought ahead to their next stop.
The next time she stepped out of the carriage, she would be on Pemberley’s soil: the place where Mr. Darcy was born and now bore the title Master, the home she could have called her own.
Upon returning to their carriages, it was midafternoon, and after a short while, Emily grew tired and put her head on Elizabeth’s lap. She fell asleep quickly. Elizabeth closed her eyes as well, but her thoughts prevented her from attaining any rest.
She tried to direct her thoughts to the previous two weeks spent at the Matthewses’ country home instead of the two weeks that were to come. Elizabeth found their home comfortable and spacious, and the hospitality delightfully warm. She had enjoyed the company of Rosalyn and Lorraine’s brother, Simon, and his family. They
