I Met Mr Darcy Via Luton
Page 46
With the subject of Pemberley at hand, Darcy expressed his eagerness to be off, citing urgent business. He earnestly thanked Mrs Bennet for the delicious lunch at some length before she could exclaim at their precipitous departure and was successful in mollifying her.
Hill was instructed to pack the remains of the cold collation in a basket as they filed into the hall and proceeded to follow the footmen carrying Georgiana's trunk into the yard.
They emerged, blinking, into the sunlight to the sight of six horses harnessed to the Darcy carriage. A grinning postboy sat on the far-side leader. It wasn't often he participated in such a bang-up cavalcade.
Before going into lunch, Darcy had requested two more horses be harnessed to take advantage of the better roads near London. After dropping the Darcys at the manor house, the groom and the coachman had tooled the coach off to the village to select the horses to be harnessed for the next stage. Having determined the order in which they should be put into the traces in consultation with the ostler, the coachman supervised this operation while sipping a mug of ale, while the groom selected a good horse for Darcy to ride on the next leg of the journey.
As they prepared to enter the carriage, Argos came skittering around the corner upon being summoned, closely followed by a panting Lydia. By the time the dog had taken his place in the coach at the feet of Georgiana and Elizabeth, a red-faced Kitty had also arrived. Mary looked askance at her slightly dishevelled sisters.
After ensuring his wife and sister were comfortably disposed on the forward-facing seat, Darcy closed the door of the coach, planted his wide-brimmed beaver on his head, and swung into the saddle.
With a lurch they were off, with Darcy setting the pace on a gleaming chestnut mare. Elizabeth waved goodbye to her family and then clasped Georgiana's hand, stifling a few tears as she took flight from her nest.
Once clear of the village street, the coach swayed as they picked up speed before settling down to a cruising speed of an alarming fourteen miles an hour. Georgiana seemed totally non-plussed by the countryside racing by. Elizabeth scratched Argos's ears, trying to feign similar indifference.
Thence proceeded a coach ride unparalleled in Elizabeth's life. One of the servants on the box was equipped with a whistle, and Elizabeth soon learned to grab hold of the straps in the carriage when this sounded–for if it did not indicate they were about to pass through a tollgate at speed, it signalled they were about to overtake another vehicle. Often this was just a farm cart that whizzed by in a flash, but occasionally it was a faster vehicle, such as a curricle. When this was the case, the coach would sway as Darcy's driver urged the horses into a faster gallop. Occasionally the drivers of these sporting vehicles objected to being overtaken. Elizabeth's heart was in her mouth when they passed one such vehicle near the signpost for Luton. The nattily-dressed driver of the curricle urged on his pair with a crack of his whip when he perceived he was being overhauled, but Darcy's coachman seemed to have the devil in him and would give no quarter, leaving the offending curricle in the dust. Darcy's driver also let the horses have their heads going down hills, and they seemed to arrive at the bottom of long hills at fantastic speeds.
Throughout these adventures, Georgiana placidly read a book, swaying in synchrony with the carriage and paying no notice to anything outside the cabin. Not only did she not hold the straps, she did not even clutch her book more tightly. Elizabeth found more sympathy for her trepidation in Argos, who pricked up his ears every time the whistle trilled and listened intently to the sounds of passing wheels and the hallooing that occurred at tollgates. But the dog seemed used to these journeys and never left his spot except when let out at posting houses. Upon being released from peripatetic captivity, he tore 'round the yard at tremendous speed while the horses were being changed before returning to the carriage on Darcy's whistle.
Around an hour after their departure from Longbourn, they caught up with the post-chaise carrying Judy and Finn near the turn-off for Leighton Buzzard. Although their attendants had set out from London at the same time as the Darcys, they had not stopped at Longbourn, using the time instead to burn some miles towards Derbyshire in the hired post-chaise and four. By the time the two carriages had met, Elizabeth had resigned herself to the Darcys' mode of travel.
Judy transferred to the Darcy coach, so she could wait on her mistress in the evening, gladly accepting the basket of provisions that had been provided by Mrs Bennet. Finn, who had obviously never come to terms with his master's precipitate mode of travel, remained with the post-chaise and the remainder of the luggage. He expected to spend the evening at a respectable inn somewhere between Northampton and Market Harborough. He looked at Judy in disbelief when she offered to pass him some of the goodies in Mrs Bennet's basket through the window of the carriage. Bemused by his refusal of such tasty viands, Judy settled into the backward-facing seat. With a crack of the whip, they were off again, with Judy swigging ginger beer and nibbling on Mrs Bennet's seed cake.
Darcy was satisfied to gain Leicester shortly after dark where he had bespoken rooms at The Three Crowns. After a hearty dinner, they retired to their rooms for an early night, hoping to be on their way at the crack of dawn in the morning. They had earlier decided that Elizabeth would share her room with Georgiana. Darcy had discreetly told his wife that he did not feel amorous in strange rooms, so she offered to play duenna to Georgiana instead.
After acting as her husband's valet and receiving a tender kiss for her efforts, Elizabeth made her way to her own room where she found Judy and a maid from the inn changing the sheets. She wondered that the room had not already been made up, thinking the previous guest must have only just left it; but Georgiana disabused her of this notion when the maid went to fetch a can of hot water for their ablutions–apparently the Darcys always travelled with their own sheets.
Despite the fire in the grate, the room was quite chilly. After quickly washing and pulling on her nightgown. Elizabeth gratefully leapt under the covers and snuggled up to her sister-in-law. Giggling, Georgiana revealed she had also shared a bed during her recent stay at Longbourn. Apparently she had slept with Mary, who had finally vacated the windowless dressing room she had previously used as a bedchamber in favour of the room vacated by Elizabeth and Jane.
"Mary said that you renewed the furniture after Jane moved out," whispered Georgiana. "I greatly admired the elegant chinoiserie desk."
"Why, thank you," replied Elizabeth. "It used to be my father's, but he acquired a grander one consistent with the dignity of his study, so it was just sitting in a lumber room."
"I shall ask for one for my next birthday," declared Georgiana. "It will look very sophisticated in my sitting room at Pemberley."
"I hope you did not mind bunking with my sister when you could have stayed in the guest wing," remarked Elizabeth. "The rooms occupied by the Gardiners are well kept." She did not add that the remainder of the wing was barely habitable–many of the rooms were used as lumber rooms and some leaked when it rained.
"Your mother offered a room in the guest wing, but I much preferred to stay with Mary. It was fun," said Georgiana. "I'm so glad I have sisters now! I do hope Mary can visit in the summer."
And with that, the new sisters snuffed the candles and snuggled up to fall asleep.
As Elizabeth drifted off, she reflected that her husband's dislike of inns went someway towards explaining his strange haste in travelling.
Arriving in the coffee room at daybreak with Georgiana, Elizabeth was relieved to see that Darcy was not wearing a Belcher neckcloth, but a restrained linen cravat.
Noticing the direction of his wife's glance, Darcy explained, "Finn taught me to tie a simple knot in linen to avoid offending your sensibilities with checked cravats."
The weather turned out to be quite brisk on the second morning of their journey to Pemberley. Darcy ordered hot bricks for the carriage while they were at breakfast. These were just being placed in the tins at the ladies' feet when they emerged from the
inn. Elizabeth expected they would be warm enough under the carriage blankets, but was surprised when Georgiana emerged from the inn carrying two muffs. One of these she handed to Elizabeth with a smile, announcing "your second wedding present." Elizabeth instantly recognised the sable muff Georgiana had purchased in Harding Howell.
"You naughty girl!" cried Elizabeth in mock indignation, "you already gave me the brisé fan!"
"That was your London gift," retorted Georgiana with a smile, "This is your Pemberley gift."
Elizabeth whispered a "thank you" and received it with grace.
After scrambling inside the coach with Judy, they disposed themselves comfortably under the blankets.
Although the sky was overcast, Darcy elected to start in the saddle for the second day, mentally resolving he would only join the ladies in the carriage if the weather worsened. He was wearing a three-caped great coat and a wide-brimmed beaver that made him look even more imposing than his usual garb.
Amazed at her husband's stamina in the saddle, Elizabeth reflected that his hard body no doubt arose from many trips to and from Derbyshire.
The remainder of the journey was accomplished in good time with four horses harnessed to the coach, albeit at a slower rate than the previous day. The rain held off and when Elizabeth finally recognised the approach to Pemberley, she glanced at a smiling Georgiana, who was waiting for her reaction.
At a signal from the master, the coach stopped at the crest to enable the passengers to look down upon the estate. The sight of his childhood home filled Darcy with joy, and other emotions. He could hardly wait for sunset when he could bed his bride once more–this time on home soil.
As for Elizabeth, she could not help but remember the first time she had seen the edifice and imagined Darcy reigning there as a dark lord over his petty fiefdom. How alien these thoughts appeared to her now–so foreign she might have read them in a gothic romance!
They did not get out of the carriage, as rain threatened. With a flick of the reins, the coach began to wend its way quickly down the drive. Elizabeth imagined the coachman was keen to avoid a soaking, but it was the leaders setting the pace–they had been to Pemberley before and knew some oats and a good rub down awaited them in the stables before they were returned to the posting house on the following day.
Mrs Reynolds was glad to see the family had managed the journey speedily and sent a message down to the kitchens for the meal to be prepared while the travellers washed off their dirt.
When the Darcys sat down to dinner, the storm finally broke. As the wind howled outside and the rain pelted down, they were glad to be snug inside and not still on the road.
Georgiana was not oblivious to the looks being exchanged by her brother and sister-in-law during the meal. Shortly after dessert was finished, she politely stifled a yawn.
"Oh, pardon me!" she exclaimed. "I think I am early to bed! It has been such a long day!" And without further ado she bid them goodnight.
Darcy silently thanked his sister's tact and taking his wife by the hand, proceeded to guide her upstairs to his rooms. As they approached, Elizabeth perceived, propped upright against the door of the Master's chambers, a carpet beater, seemingly forgotten by one of the maids. She could hardly believe the irony and wondered what her husband would make of it.
But Darcy had also seen the device and instantly appreciated the hands of the Fates. "Ah, ha! I believe I recognize the instrument of my comeuppance! How galling to be humbled by a fan!" he said, picking it up and twirling it in his hands.
"Fitzwilliam," retorted Elizabeth, "only a man would think that is a fan. It is a carpet beater!"
Her husband turned the implement round in his hands, perhaps deciding if it was capable of that function. Then laying both palms beneath it, he held it out to her very solemnly, as if surrendering a sword.
She responded by laying both hands on the carpet beater in the same manner, as if to receive it, before a mischievous look stole over her face. Grabbing it, she gave his backside a quick swat with the plaited flat end, before dropping it and diving into his rooms, attempting to slam the door shut behind her.
Darcy arrested the door before it reached the jamb with an open palm and dived in behind her before batting the door shut behind him.
Downstairs, Mrs Reynolds winced when she heard the door slam and went to investigate lest one of the upstairs doors had slammed shut in the wind. Upon reaching the entry to the master's chambers, she discovered the carpet beater carelessly discarded on the floor and silently cursed maids who left the tools of their trade lying around.
Imagine, she thought, the master might have tripped on it! It would be inconsistent with the dignity of the Master of Pemberley to be injured by a piece of cleaning equipment!
FINIS
Appendix 1: Original Publication dates of serial form on fanfiction.net
Chapter in book
Original
Ch No
Publication date
Ch 1: On the way to Luton
Ch 1
21 Oct 2014
Ch 2: In the library
Ch 2
24 Oct 2014
Ch 3: Sweet medicine
Ch 3
26 Oct 2014
Ch 4: Pastorale
Ch 4
30 Oct 2014
Ch 5: Changes in the county
Ch 5
4 Nov 2014
Ch 6: The Assembly
Ch 6
5 Nov 2014
Ch 7: Postmortem
Ch 7
6 Nov 2014
Ch 8: The Lucases' party
Ch 8
8 Nov 2014
Ch 9: Nodding at Netherfield
Ch 9
9 Nov 2014
Ch 10: Nursing Jane
Ch 10
11 Nov 2014
Ch 11: A headache
Ch 11
11 Nov 2014
Ch 12: Leaving Netherfield
Ch 12
13 Nov 2014
Ch 13: Back at Longbourn
Ch 13
18 Nov 2014
Ch 14: Mr Wickham
Ch 14
21 Nov 2014
Ch 15: Mrs Long's card party
Ch 15
22 Nov 2014
Ch 16: The Ball
Ch 16
24 Nov 2014
Ch 17: The waltz
Ch 17
26 Nov 2014
Ch 18: A lost friend
Ch 18
26 Nov 2014
Ch 19: The fallout
Ch 19
28 Nov 2014
Ch 20: London
Ch 20
29 Nov 2014
Ch 21: Madame Amelie's
Ch 21
30 Nov 2014
Ch 22: The Parsonage
Ch 22
3 Dec 2014
Ch 23: Dinner at Rosings
Ch 23
4 Dec 2014
Ch 24: Brandy
Ch 24
6 Dec 2014
Ch 25: The colonel's education
Ch 25
7 Dec 2014
Ch 26: Hunsford
Ch 26
7 Dec 2014
Ch 27: Aftermath
Ch 27
9 Dec 2014
Ch 28: The pig bucket
Ch 28
11 Dec 2014
Ch 29: Not a bonnet
Ch 29
12 Dec 2014
Ch 30: Return to Longbourn
Ch 30
13 Dec 2014
Ch 31: Lydia's revenge
Ch 31
14 Dec 2014
Ch 32: The lake tour
Ch 32
14 Dec 2014
Ch 33: Pemberley
Ch 33
15 Dec 2014
Ch 34: Now, that's a library!
Ch 34
16 Dec 2014
Ch 35: Georgiana's visit
Ch 35
17 Dec 2014
Ch 36: Richard joins the fray<
br />
Ch 36
19 Dec 2014
Ch 37: The picnic
Ch 37
20 Dec 2014
Ch 38: The loft
Ch 38
21 Dec 2014
Ch 39: The Gardiners return
Ch 39
24 Dec 2014
Ch 40: Mr Bingley
Ch 40
25 Dec 2014
Ch 41: Getting to know him
Ch 41
27 Dec 2014
Ch 42: The patron
Ch 42
28 Dec 2014
Ch 43: Jane's wedding
Ch 43
30 Dec 2014
Ch 44: The wedding breakfast
Ch 44
1 Jan 2015
Ch 45: Confidences
Ch 45
1 Jan 2015
Ch 46: The hospital
Ch 46
3 Jan 2015
Ch 47: Lady Catherine's visit
Ch 47
4 Jan 2015