Posted on Tuesday, 7 November 2000
Election Day-181_:
Lizzie woke with great anticipation that morning, for this was Election Day, and her dearest William was standing for the House of Commons as Member from Derbyshire. The campaign had been a very hard fought one, and Lizzie also knew that her Husband's opponent had been well known, if not well loved. Even though Lizzie knew that it was commonly believed, that women had no real say as they had no vote, Lizzie was of the belief that it was the women who could make a difference in how her husband, father, or brother voted. So she had been the hardest campaigner of all. She could not recall how many dinners, routs, and balls she had went to, and in the process spoke to the Ladies of the district that her Dearest William would be the right choice for MP.
Sorry so Short. I have to go now. Hope to finish this later tonight.
Lizzie's yawning and stretching, woke a usually heavy sleeping Darcy, who smiled at his Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth. This startled Lizzie, who began to apologise for waking him, but Darcy put his finger to her lips.
"No apologies, Dear Elizabeth. I just wish to thank you for being my staunchest supporter during my campaign." said Darcy, as he brought his mouth down onto Lizzie's, and kissed her thoroughly.
"I have done naught but what a good wife should do, stand by your side, and believed in you." replied Lizzie, her face colouring.
"But that I believe will make all the difference in the world, Elizabeth. You have put up with me during the times when I was in the worst of bad moods because I was not able to convey the correct meaning in a speech that I was writing. You gave me ideas for speeches, and helped me out of those bad moods, and I thank you." said Darcy, as he rose from his bed.
"I will speak to Mrs. Reynolds about a special supper menu for tonight, after we find out the results, William. Now I have one question, William Dearest, are you nervous about the election?" said Lizzie, who also rose from bed, and began to put on her dressing gown.
"Perhaps just a bit, but anyone who decides to stand for the House of Commons for the first time, and faced the sort of campaign that I did, and says on Election Day, that he is not nervous, is either a fool or a liar." replied Darcy, as he opened his dressing room door.
After Darcy left their bedchamber, Lizzie rang for Anna Rose, her abigail to help her dress. When she was finished, Lizzie went downstairs for breakfast, after which she asked Mrs. Reynolds and Cook to join her, as she wished to have a special menu planned for that night's dinner, and for a special supper menu for after the results of the election were known by the Darcys. When this task was done, Lizzie went to the nursery, where she watched the Twins playing. Lizzie was amazed at how well they adapted to their Father's campaigning. Lizzie was sewing a hem on one of Charlotte's dresses, when Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Darcy's butler came to inform Lizzie that the Marchioness Thornewood and the Viscountess Marsden, and the Countess of Matlock and Rebecca Fitzwilliam had arrived as they had written they would. Lizzie also knew that Jane and Charles would also be arriving that day, to either rejoice or console Mr. Darcy after the results of the election were known. Lizzie placed her daughter's dress on the nursery rocker, and picked up both her daughter and son, who were a lively pair of two year olds, and carried them down to the drawing room where she knew her guests would be. Lizzie was greeted warmly by her family members, and the Twins were exclaimed over. Lizzie rang for tea, and as the cart was being wheeled in, Jane and Charles Bingley were announced, as was Jane's daughter, Cassandra Olivia, who was," the picture of her Mother", according to the communications that they had received from the proud father.
After seating Jane in a comfortable chair, Charles Bingley left the drawing room, to join the gentlemen in Mr. Darcy's billiards room, for a few friendly games, as the husbands of the aforesaid Ladies had arrived with their wives to spend Election Day with the Darcys. The room was soon filled with male laughter and talk, along with the scent of the Earl of Matlock's pipe. Yes, even though Mr. Darcy was doing his best to keep a good face, he was more nervous than even Lizzie knew him to be, for he was not sure how this new chapter in his life would go, he had never been one for standing up before a group of people to speak, and yet he did not have that problem now, since Lizzie came into his life. Would his fellow MPs laugh at his ideas for reform? Lizzie was for reform. When they were in London for the Season, she spent some of that time helping at Good Samaritan House. Just that spring, Lizzie had taken it upon herself to rescue a chimney sweep's climbing boy, when he came to clean the chimneys at Darcy House. He, himself had instituted some of his friend, Thornewood's reform ideas at Pemberley and Darcy House, so he was for reform. While his friends, cousins, and Uncle played billiards, Darcy went over his speech once more, but the more he read and reread it the more nervous he became. He decided that he needed to speak to Lizzie.
Darcy found Lizzie in the library, sitting at his desk obviously waiting for him. She smiled at him, and he smiled back at her.
"More nervous than you thought you would be Dearest William?" asked Lizzie.
"And so are you." replied Darcy, as he went around to the other side of his desk, and helped Lizzie to her feet.
"Yes, but just remember, William, whether you win or lose, you will always have my vote. You will do just fine. Your speech will be well received. I will be there with you when you make it, and you can pretend that you are making it to me." said Lizzie, as she slipped her arms around her husbands neck.
"I will not need that, as you have helped me the most in that respect Dearest Elizabeth. You have always been my staunchest supporter, and I thank God every day for his giving you to me. I thank you for all your help during my campaign." said Mr. Darcy, as he brought his arms about Lizzie's waist, and held her close.
It was thus that, the news was brought to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy Esq. , had been elected by a wide margin as MP from Derbyshire.
P. S. The House of Commons gave Mr. Darcy's first speech a standing ovation, and everyone felt that Darcy's career as a statesman was made.