A Wife for Mr. Darcy

Pemberley.”
    When Mr. Jackson opened the double doors, Lizzy saw that the foyer and double wrought-iron staircase were all hung with Christmas greens and red ribbons. Assembled in the entrance hall, in two lines, was the entire staff of Pemberley in their spotless uniforms, shined shoes, and freshly pressed caps. Mrs. Darcy smiled at every servant and tried to commit their names to memory, but there were so many, and there would be more in the summer. At the end of the line were Mrs. Bradshaw, Mrs. Reynolds, and Lizzy’s lady’s maid, Ellie.
    After quickly squeezing Ellie’s hand, she addressed the housekeeper. “Mrs. Reynolds, how good it is to see you again.”
    “And you, ma’am. Welcome to your new home. May I remind you of the time when I took you on the tour of the house? I said that I did not know who was good enough to be the wife of my master, but now I know.”
    Mr. Jackson then introduced Mrs. Bradshaw, Pemberley’s iron-willed cook. By her very posture, Lizzy could see that she was a woman who was used to being obeyed, and so Lizzy would follow Will’s suggestion and agree to everything she said.
    Elizabeth thanked the staff for their warm welcome and told them she was grateful for their service. In his role as lord of the manor, Mr. Darcy stated that Pemberley was very much like a family and that all must work together so that everything ran smoothly. The thought occurred to her that some members of the family worked a lot harder than others.
    After Georgiana dismissed the servants, Lizzy realized that Christmas was in two days, and she had done nothing for them.
    “I have seen to it,” Georgiana reassured her, “my last duty as mistress of Pemberley, and I gladly turn the keys over to you.”
    Lizzy had butterflies in her stomach just thinking about all these people looking to her for direction. She only hoped that her husband was right when he said that the servants ran Pemberley.
    Will directed Lizzy to the staircase leading to the first floor and told his wife that unless there were guests in the house, the public rooms were used infrequently in the winter. “We have a sitting room upstairs, and that is where we spend most of our time, especially on a day like today.”
    Georgiana led Lizzy to her apartment. “This was our mother’s room. I think it will give you an idea of what she was like, and of course, she had the best view of the gardens.”
    The canopy over the bed, the draperies, bed covers, and upholstery were decorated with fabric with soft green colors with tiny white flowers and gave the room a warm feeling, and the picture frame paneling, embellished with Classical Greek designs in each panel, created an aura of elegance. Will, who was standing by the door, looked to her for her approval, and she nodded enthusiastically.
    “In the morning, after breakfast, we shall bring in the Yule log because it will be Christmas Eve,” Georgiana said, “and I shall acquaint you with our traditional holiday supper with our servants. It is held below stairs in the servants’ quarters, and it is great fun. But you have had a long journey, and so I shall say good night and sleep well.”
    When Georgiana left, Lizzy put her arms around Will’s neck, and standing on her toes, she kissed him and thanked him for loving her and for bringing her to Pemberley. He picked her up and carried her to the bed and lay beside her.
    “Will, you have your boots on.”
    “They are not on the bed.”
    “But still…”
    “Very well. How quickly you have taken to being a wife, but if you insist that I remove my boots, I am going to remove everything else and get ready for bed. Pemberley is warmer than Wick Manor, but it is chilly enough.”
    “Shall I send for Ellie?” Lizzy asked.
    “I will be happy to perform the same duties that I did last night.”
    “Then I shall not ask her to come in. It will be easier tonight. Fewer pins.”
    “Don’t move. I will be right back,” and Darcy went to his room, realizing that when provided with the proper motivation, preparing for bed could go very quickly, and he hurried Mercer along.
    Darcy had been pleased with their first night together. Although there was some evidence of nervousness, Elizabeth seemed to respond to his every kiss and caress, and he wondered if she would be completely at ease tonight now that she had known him. But he did not have to wonder long as he watched her remove her nightgown and climb into bed. As they lay together, Elizabeth