* * *

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.

Chapter 7

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 were gracious toward her and welcomed her into their home as much as if she had been a dear friend.

When they had been there a few days, Elizabeth was surprised to realize how much she had missed being in the country since leaving Longbourn. Once again she was able to ramble over hill and dale, sometimes with Emily during the day, and sometimes without her early in the morning. On the two Sundays they were there, when she was free from her duties, she took longer walks as she explored the diverse countryside. She followed path or stream, or forded her own way through the sparsely wooded areas. She could not have been happier.

Unfortunately, the rain had moved in the past three days, and she had not been able to walk at all. They were all left to entertain themselves with indoor amusements. Elizabeth was pleased that Simon Matthews was as avid a chess player as she was, and she enjoyed a few challenging sets with him.

Emily was occupied much of the time with her little cousins, both of whom were just a little younger than herself. She loved helping their nanny care for them, and Elizabeth oftentimes found that her duties as governess and regularly scheduled times of teaching were not expected as much as when they had been in Town. That frequently put her in the company of the Willstone and Matthews families. While Elizabeth enjoyed their company, Rosalyn seemed disposed to speak only on the subject of which she could now openly discuss, and which solely would satisfy her—Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth opened her eyes when she noticed that the inside of the carriage had grown dim. Looking out the window, she saw that they were riding through a dense thicket of trees. The sun, approaching close to the horizon, sent diffused streaks of light through the thick cluster of foliage, little of which was reaching them. She shuddered as a coolness suddenly pervaded the carriage.

She pulled up a blanket to cover both her and Emily, who was still sleeping, and she noticed that Rosalyn was gazing out the window with wide eyes.

“We have entered Pemberley Woods,” Rosalyn uttered softly when she saw that Elizabeth had stirred. “It is even more beautiful than I remember.”

Elizabeth intertwined her fingers together, and her heart began to pound violently at those words. It seemed to be as loud as the rumble of the carriage travelling down the road. She took in a few slow breaths in a vain attempt to compose herself. Her own gaze turned to look out her window as she felt a blush creep upon her face—or perhaps it was turning white with alarm—so as not to let Rosalyn see the effect her words had on her.

Her eyes took in everything around her. She noticed a wide, briskly moving stream that seemed to dictate to the road its curves and turns and straight paths. Sometimes it disappeared behind the trees, and at other times it burst forth from those very trees as it continued on its way.

“I had no idea…” Elizabeth whispered as she drew the blanket more tightly about her.

“The woods will become less dense as we draw nearer the home.” Rosalyn spoke with a fervent hush, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I believe we shall see it first out your window, and then a turn in the road will bring it around to my side.”

Upon hearing voices, Emily stirred. As she stretched out her arms she asked, “Are we there yet?”

“Almost,” Rosalyn replied. “Look outside Miss Bennet’s window and watch for a magnificent home. We shall see it soon.”

Elizabeth kept her head turned toward the window. She dared not look at Emily for fear of what the young girl might read on her face.