Darcy and Elizabeth's Valentine's Day Wedding: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Anna Spencer

Author:Anna Spencer [Spencer, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

“Elizabeth, I received a letter from my steward. He spoke with Maggie and she offered to be your maid in Derbyshire but she has no wish to travel,” Fitzwilliam told her as they strolled the winding paths of the gardens at Longbourn. The flower beds were empty and the shrubs, rose bushes, and trees were bare except for splashes of red holly and vegetables growing in the kitchen garden. He always looked forward to spring and the renewal of life as the earth slowly came to life again.

Lizzy sighed. “I was afraid of that. As there was no suitable candidate at Pemberley, I shall consult with your housekeeper at Darcy House to see if there is anyone on staff capable of fulfilling the role of a ladies maid. If there is no one, I suppose I shall try an agency or perhaps Aunt Gardiner or her friends may know of someone to recommend.”

“Our housekeeper,” he corrected, pressing her hand.

“Very well, our housekeeper.”

“By the way, I have a suggestion to improve your plan,” Fitzwilliam said.

They had spent an hour speaking of wedding plans in the drawing room and Mamma had been listening and fighting not to interject her ideas. She had muttered about fruits—pineapples and oranges—but they had pretended not to hear her. Soon after, Fitzwilliam mentioned the same idea, and it was promptly added to the list.

“Oh? What is that? I think this morning went well.” She leaned her head against his arm and he stopped walking to bend and press a kiss to the top of her green bonnet that matched the cloak she was wearing.

“What if we asked Lady Lucas to help with planning the wedding breakfast?” he asked, drawing her over to sit on a stone bench behind the big oak tree.

That it screened them from the house was a bonus, and she wondered if he would steal a kiss.

“Are we genuinely seeking her help or just pretending to provoke a response from Mamma?” She turned slightly to see him more clearly, and he reached for her hand.

“We will discuss who to involve in helping us plan the finest wedding Meryton has ever seen,” he explained. “We shall list all the ladies and then decide on Lady Lucas.”

Lizzy giggled. “Oh, that is perfect! Mamma will not be able to help herself! But let us hold off on that for a few days and go back inside for tea and speak about how you wrote to Lady Matlock asking if she could help with the wedding plans. Have you written to her yet?”

“I will this evening. Let us see what your mother says first.”

They returned to Longbourn and entered the drawing room where Mamma had tea waiting. “Mr Darcy, Lizzy, did you have a pleasant walk?” Mamma inquired as they sat together on the settee under the window.

It was not the warmest spot in the room, but it usually kept her from being noticed too much by her mother. “Yes, thank you, Mamma.” Lizzy looked at her in surprise.

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