Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

Author:Rebecca Ann Collins [Collins, Rebecca Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2010-11-19T23:00:00+00:00

Emily and Caroline arrived early on Sunday, looking forward to being back at Pemberley. Emily promptly retired to the gallery. When she grew tired of reading, she liked nothing more than to go out into the long gallery and gaze at the paintings, especially the fabulous Italian collection that was housed in a special place where the light would show the paintings to advantage.

For Caroline, the treasures of Pemberley lay, not in the furniture and accessories, but in the people. She loved hearing the stories of the men and women who had lived there from anyone who had time to tell them. Mrs Reynolds enjoyed telling her stories of three generations of the Darcy family she had known. Fitzwilliam had been amused by her interest, but Darcy encouraged it, happy that some member of the younger generation was interested in the past. He told her all about the eccentric Darcy ancestors, those about whom Mrs Reynolds did not know much or was tactfully silent.

After a very pleasant day, during which both girls had enjoyed being spoilt, they had dressed for dinner and were about to go downstairs, when Elizabeth’s maid Jenny hurried upstairs to say that Colonel Fitzwilliam had arrived and was waiting in the sitting room. Darcy went down to him, while Elizabeth had to prepare Caroline for the encounter. She had already reassured her about his intention to help with Mr Cobbett’s petition, but now she had to reveal that he had been to see her parents.

Caroline was aghast. She could not have known that there had already been an approach made and so trembled at the thought that their disapproval may mean the end of her dream. “Oh Lizzie, what do you think he has said? Would Mama have been very angry?” she asked, fearful of what may lie in store.

Elizabeth reassured her, “You need have no fears of your Mama; she is the kindest, wisest person I know. Now, come along with me, we must not seem to be dawdling for no good reason.”

They went downstairs, and as they reached the door of the sitting room, Darcy appeared and said, “Elizabeth, Caroline, there you are. Fitzwilliam is waiting for you.” He said no more, but Elizabeth thought he looked pleased and took that to be a good sign. Caroline almost ran away but, taking her cousin’s hand to give her confidence, composed herself quite creditably, before entering the room.

Fitzwilliam was standing at the window, looking out over the West lawn. He turned and smiled, and Elizabeth knew then there would be no heartbreak for young Caroline. Having greeted both of them, he begged her pardon and asked to have a word to Elizabeth. After they had spoken, he returned to Caroline, who was sitting by the fire, and held out both hands to her. Elizabeth left the room, indicating she would be close at hand, if they needed her. She had no desire to intrude upon the moment of joy she knew would follow.

When she returned with Darcy later, they were still holding hands, sitting together on the couch by the window.

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