Beginning, Next Section
Posted on Saturday, 18 February 2006
Note: My stories are primarily based on the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
Thank goodness it is finally over, Darcy thought. He realized that he probably shouldn’t think that way but he couldn’t help it. The past seven weeks of his engagement had held many wonderful moments and all in all had been delightful, but it had also been very trying. Daily he had wanted nothing more than to spend time with his beloved Elizabeth, yet the constant pressures of wedding plans, visits from a seemingly inexhaustive quantity of friends and family, constraints of propriety, and his own business interests which had taken him from Hertfordshire on several occasions, had conspired to separate him from her far too often. Add to that his own uneasiness with all the social engagements, not to mention his continued distaste for Mrs. Bennet, and the weeks had seemed interminable.
Nonetheless, he thought as he looked lovingly upon his sleeping wife……my wife!……, there certainly were some marvelous times to be remembered. In truth, he and Elizabeth had managed to spend many delightful hours together, alone or at least almost alone, yet it never was long enough as far as Darcy was concerned. She had teased him on occasion for acting like a petulant child whose favorite toy had been taken away. Initially he had been a bit offended, but then he realized she was correct and had to laugh at himself. Yet he couldn’t deny how he felt without her by his side and had treasured every single moment that they were together, even if it was brief. They had discovered, much to their communal joy, that the trials of the previous months when they had each so suffered, had brought them to a place of complete understanding and honesty. The conversations they now shared were open, profound in their depth, intimate, and blessedly free of all artifice and misunderstandings. He had revealed himself to her as he never had to any living soul, not even his sister or dear cousin Fitzwilliam. She had done the same. They had strived to learn as much as possible about each other. The resulting adoration and respect had only grown deeper with each passing day. And this all before they were married! Now they were truly husband and wife and Darcy could only imagine their love and communion growing stronger.
He rested his head back against the rocking carriage wall, tightened his arm around Elizabeth, and closed his eyes as his thoughts continued to drift. The ceremony itself had been lovely. The women had outdone themselves in every aspect of the arrangements. Frankly, Darcy could have cared less about any of it as long as his precious Elizabeth became his wife. However, he understood the importance of these things to the ladies and had to admit that the church and reception hall at Netherfield had never looked better.
Flowers everywhere, ribbons and bows, candles…… Darcy had only given it a cursory glance, his eyes riveted to the door. Once Elizabeth entered, on the arm of her proud father, Darcy had seen or heard very little else. She had simply taken his breath and all conscious thought away! How he managed to recite his vows was still a mystery. Elizabeth was wearing a simple but lovely white gown made of silk, with lace along the edges and a golden sash. She had styled her hair in an elaborate design of curls and braids with thin gold ribbon and little flowers intertwined. She wore the strand of sapphires that he had given her as an engagement gift around her slender neck. Her fine eyes sparkled, her cheeks were rosy, and that special smile that she wore only for him highlighted her luscious lips. It was a picture that he would see in his mind’s eye for all of his life.
Elizabeth stirred slightly and he held her even closer to his side, kissing her gently on the top of her head. He pulled the blanket further over her body and tucked it in. Once he was sure she still slept, he rested his cheek on her head and went back to his daydreams. The reception at Netherfield was joyous, filled with all their respective friends and relatives. The food was superb, the musicians top notch, the wine of the best vintage. Darcy had an extremely difficult time tearing his eyes away from his wife, but he did manage to congratulate Charles and Jane and realized with a start that Jane looked quite beautiful herself. He was embarrassed to admit that he hadn’t even noticed her presence in the church!
He and Elizabeth had previously agreed that they would make their escape as soon as good manners would allow them to. Darcy had secured lodging at an Inn several hours outside of Meryton for the first two days after their wedding, before traveling on to Pemberley. All arrangements had been made in advance and to ensure their privacy, he had rented out the entire establishment. Their luggage had been sent ahead earlier in the day, so all should be ready upon their arrival. Darcy was so looking forward to this night! Not just for the obvious reason of the promised intimacy and consummation of their marriage, but for the final peace and relief from all the hustle and bustle of the past two months. To just be alone with his beloved! Never had any one single thought been so tremendously anticipated.
The carriage pulled off the main road and Darcy knew they were close to their destination. “Elizabeth,” he whispered softly, “wake up, my love, we are almost there.”
She moaned softly, wiggled closer to his side wrapping her arms tighter around his waist. “Much too comfortable here.” she murmured sleepily, “Don’t want to move.”
Darcy chuckled. “Well, imagine how much more comfortable you shall be in our room and perhaps that will help you wake up.”
She leaned back, looking up into his eyes, and smiled. “You make an excellent point Mr. Darcy, most excellent indeed!”
They gazed at each other for a long moment, with their arms remaining tightly around each other. Finally Elizabeth could stand it no longer and said, in that impertinent way she had, “Are you going to kiss me, husband, or do I need to beg!”
He smiled impishly. “Perhaps I should have you beg. That might be interesting to watch. The proud Miss Bennet begging.”
“Ah, but I am no longer Miss Bennet and since you hold the monopoly on pride, Mr. Darcy, I don’t think I would be very amusing at all!” Her eyes were twinkling, as they always did when she teased him.
He feigned deep consideration and seriousness while lowering his face to hers slowly. “Now it appears it is your turn to make an excellent point, Mrs. Darcy.” He kissed her gently at first then deeply as she responded in kind. Who knows how far the kisses may have gone, but, alas, they were interrupted by the carriage stopping with a jolt. Darcy released his wife with a sigh.
They were met at the front door of the Inn by the owner, a Mr. Hamilton. He welcomed them both as they alighted from the carriage and hurried them into the warm and inviting lobby. A servant took their coats and gloves. Darcy spoke to Mr. Hamilton, assuring that all arrangements had been carried out, while Elizabeth looked around the room. It was all so cozy and quaint. A huge fireplace with a roaring fire was off to the right with numerous chairs and couches around. There were several rooms and hallways branching off from the main lobby. Elizabeth could see the dining area and a parlor with small tables and chairs, what appeared to be a library and a gift salon. Her attention was drawn to a stout woman with a sunny face who was approaching from around the large counter.
“Welcome, welcome!” she sang, “Mr. and Mrs. Darcy! How delightful! Newlyweds! How precious it is to have you spending your first days with us!” Mr. Hamilton turned and introduced her as his wife. Mrs. Hamilton continued in her breathless, sing song way of talking, “The dining room is all set up for you both! Dinner will be ready momentarily! All the dishes you requested, Mr. Darcy! Very private!” she took Elizabeth’s hands in hers and led her toward the far room, all the while prattling on, “You look absolutely radiant my dear! Stunning gown! And your hair!! Beautiful!”
As Mrs. Hamilton continued, Lizzy looked back to see Darcy grinning as he followed her into the dining room. Mrs. Hamilton seated them at a small table situation close to the fire, bustling about and rattling on, until finally Mr. Hamilton coaxed her out of the room with a promise that they would be left as unaccompanied as possible. Once alone, Darcy and Elizabeth couldn‘t help laughing.
“Are you pleased, dearest?” Darcy asked.
“Oh yes, William, it is all so very wonderful.” She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “You have gone to so much trouble for me and I do so appreciate it.”
“It was no trouble at all, my love, and I have to admit to not only thinking of you,” he replied with a laugh. “As we have established, I am a rather selfish man and I want you all to myself, far away from Bennets and Bingleys or anyone else!”
“Well, now you have me, for better or worse. I hope I do not disappoint,” she said with a sly look from under her lashes and a firm squeeze to his knee.
Suddenly Darcy had a difficult time catching his breath. “Oh no, Elizabeth. I am positive that it would be impossible for you to disappoint me in any situation.”
Before any further action could be taken, a maid entered with the first course. The dinner was excellent, all of Elizabeth’s favorite dishes, but suddenly neither of them found themselves very hungry. Odd, considering they had not eaten much all day, what with wedding gitters and so much socializing. The fact that this was it, their wedding night, seemed to occur to them both at the same time.
Elizabeth was no longer afraid of what would take place this night. In fact, she was actually quite looking forward to it, as scandalous as that may be in the opinion of some, such as her mother. However, it had taken a while for her to come to her current level of anticipation. She was a maiden, of course, but she understood the concept of the mating ritual. She grew up on a working farm after all! Despite her knowledge, however, she truly had previously given very little thought to the marital relations of humans.
Until William.
Upon her engagement, especially with the first tender kisses and touches of her betrothed, she found herself thinking about it quite a bit! As the weeks progressed she found herself vacillating between excitement, shyness, desire, fear, happiness, anxiety, and every other emotion possible. That she desired Darcy was not a shock, it was the depth of her desire and the most obvious depth of his passion for her that left her stunned and breathless. He was so much more worldly than she! Would she be able to live up to his expectations? Would she know what to do when the time came? Would he be disappointed?
Thankfully she had shared some of these fears with her Aunt Gardiner. Always perceptive, her Aunt had taken Lizzy aside and frankly discussed what to expect. Lizzy was extremely uncomfortable at first, but her Aunt’s warmth and sensitivity eventually put her at ease. One had only to observe the obvious affection that her Aunt and Uncle displayed toward one another to know that theirs was a marriage of love between equals. Since this is what Lizzy so keenly wanted in her marriage to Darcy, it was patently clear that her Aunt’s advice was worthy. Certainly far more worthy than the advice her mother had given her at their “talks” which had consisted mostly of phrases like “wifely duty,” and “producing an heir,” and “suffering through it,” and “separate bedchambers.”
More surprising had been the conversation she had had with Darcy just three days ago. Lizzy had found herself afflicted with a sudden onset of maidenly anxiety and fear that even her Aunt’s words could not dispel. Darcy had sensed almost immediately that something was wrong. It still amazed Lizzy how observant he was to her moods. He says it is because he has loved her for such a long time, much longer than she has loved him, and that he made a study of everything about her, dating back to the time she spent at Netherfield nursing Jane. Whatever the case, he gently and loving encouraged her to share her thoughts, which she finally did, to her severe embarrassment. He assured her that he had no expectations other than that they be open and honest with each other. He emphatically stated that he was convinced their mutual love and desire and respect for each other would overcome any shyness or obstacles that may occur on their wedding night. Most amazing of all, he revealed to her that although he was not completely innocent of the intimacies between the sexes, he himself was as virtuous as she. As awkward as the conversation had been, it put her greatly as ease and was another example of the forthright relationship they were building. She had finally been able to relax and embrace her anticipation of this night.
Finally, the courses had all been served and taken away barely eaten. With scarcely concealed enthusiasm, Elizabeth announced that she would like to retire to her dressing room to change her clothes. Darcy almost choked, but managed to maintain his calm demeanor as she rose from the table and leaned over to give him a brief but passionate kiss on the lips. “Meet me in our bedchamber in half an hour?” she asked softly, to which he could only nod. With a tender caress to his cheek, she turned and left the room.
Never had thirty minutes lasted so long! Darcy truly thought he would lose his mind. He wandered into the library and pulled a book at random. Any attempt to actually read it was ludicrous in the extreme, but he made a show of it, employing all his well perfected self control. After twenty minutes he could stand it no longer and made his way to his dressing room. The Inn’s manservant was awaiting him and assisted Darcy with his toilet. Darcy again found himself calling upon every ounce of his strength of will to not rush through the agonizingly slow procedures. Common sense did prevail, thankfully, since he didn’t think his new wife would appreciate her new husband showing up with a bleeding face! Eventually it was done and he entered the bedchamber, only to find it empty of his wife. He wandered around the room, pleased with the décor and the attention to detail Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton had ensured. There were several vases of flowers about the room, a bottle of chilled champagne, a platter of fruits and sweets and breads, a sofa, and an enormous bearskin rug with several cushions before the blazing fire. Darcy went to the window and gazed out at the moonlit lake behind the Inn. Nothing to do but wait.
Elizabeth finished her preparations, dismissed her maid, took one last look at herself in the mirror then entered the bedchamber with a happy smile. The room was lit by only the fire and two wall sconces on either side of the bed. For a moment she thought the room empty, then she noticed her husband standing by the window with his back to her. She caught her breath at the sight before her. He was standing as she had so often seen him stand with his back perfectly straight, his feet firmly planted and one arm bent with his hand resting on his waist. He was wearing a long maroon robe with a black sash that clung to every curve of his body. She found the view enchanting.
“William,” she said.
He turned quickly at her voice and it was his turn to catch his breath. For a long moment they stood paralyzed, drinking in each other with their eyes. Darcy was the first to break the spell as he moved to meet her in the middle of the room. He longed to grab her and enfold her in his arms yet at the same time he wished to study her beauty, memorize every line and curve of the vision before him.
He stopped a couple feet from her and took her outstretched hands, halting her forward movement. She looked at him quizzically. “Elizabeth,” he said huskily, “may I simply adore you for a moment?”
She smiled and matched his boldness, “Only, Sir, if I may do the same!”
Elizabeth had picked a nightgown of sheer satin, pale yellow with tiny bows down the bodice, narrow strap sleeves and a deeply scooped neckline, pleated gathers just under her bosom. Her hair was loose down her back and shoulders in a chestnut veil of soft curls. Darcy had seen her hair down on a couple of occasions, but never in such an intimate setting and the sight rendered him breathless and weak in the knees. Her face was flushed, her eyes bright and merry and completely full of love. The gown itself was thin but not totally see through, offering tantalizing glimpses of her flawless form underneath. The satin flowed over her hips in gentle folds, over her barely visible legs until just touching the tops of her delicate feet leaving her tiny toes exposed. The entire vision was delectable and so moving to Darcy’s soul. Everything about her was perfection and beauty.
Elizabeth, not completely unaware of the effect she was having on her husband, was nonetheless experiencing her own breathlessness as she carefully examined the presence before her hungry eyes. Only twice had she seen William in anything other than his full attire: at Netherfield when she spied him from her window after his ride, soaking wet from sweat and the water pump, and many months later when he strode through the early morning mist on the day he proposed for the second time. On both occasions her mind had been clouded with sleep or lack of it, daydreams and overwrought emotions. The image of him as she had seen him on those two occasions had burned into her memory to return in her dreams, but always seemed vague and hazy. This, however, was real. This time she was fully in charge of her senses and faculties and she fully intended to take note of every detail possible.
He looked so young with his face relaxed, all the tension and careful regulation that usually graced his noble features was gone. His eyes a deep blue in the half light of the room, shining and intense with bridled passion and deep love. His robe covered his broad shoulders and strong arms completely yet somehow accented the shape underneath to great advantage. His neck was bare and she could see his pulse beating rapidly in the hollow of his throat. The robe was pulled tight across his muscular chest and belted securely at his lower abdomen. She could only see a triangle of his chest to roughly midsternum, dark hairs visible, and her fingers literally itched to touch his skin. His robe covered the rest of his body, hugging his slender waist, falling to his ankles, leaving his feet bare.
Elizabeth finished her inspection, letting out an involuntary sigh and sound of surprise. Darcy broke from his reverie and looked quickly to her face.
“Elizabeth, are you alright?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem startled. Are you displeased in some way?” he asked nervously.
She blushed furiously and looked away, stammering, “Oh, no, I’m fine. It’s just that…” she trailed off lamely.
“It’s just, what?”
She couldn’t meet his eyes and her face was so red. He didn’t know whether to be alarmed or to laugh at her sudden discomfiture. He lifted her chin gently until she reluctantly met his eyes. “We promised to be completely honest with each other, remember? Please tell me what you are thinking.”
“I… well, I was just noticing… that….well,” she swallowed and looked at him boldly, “You have nice feet!”
He couldn’t speak for a moment then burst out laughing. He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. Still laughing he said, “My darling Lizzy! You are so very delightful.” He pulled back slightly so he could see her face. Grinning broadly, he said, “Thank you, my love. I can safely assert that no one, with the possible exception of my dear mother, has ever commented on my feet!”
“You’re making fun of me,” she accused, with a playful slap to his chest.
“Of course I am! How could I not? Only you, beloved, can make me laugh so.” He kissed her lips quickly then proceeded to plant tiny kisses along her jaw until he reached her ear. He breathed deeply of her scent and whispered softly, “Do only my feet delight you or did you manage to discover other equally pleasing attributes during your inspection?”
During his kisses she felt the familiar flutters and tingles that she always experienced when he kissed her, and had closed her eyes. Speaking, in fact coherent thought of any kind became next to impossible. Even so, Lizzy being Lizzy, she answered, “Perfectly adequate, Mr. Darcy, I daresay. Unfortunately, so much remains covered that I cannot in truth render a full accounting. Perhaps we can remedy this oversight on your part post haste so I can answer your query with total knowledge?”
Darcy had ceased his ministrations to her neck and was watching her as she spoke, a happy smile on his lips. Oh how he loved her! How he wanted her! But he had promised himself that he would control his desires and take this night slowly. He wanted to enjoy every moment with her, every word, every touch, every sound, every smell. He was determined that she find pleasure and complete joy in being with him, in becoming his wife in every sense of the word.
“All in due time, Mrs. Darcy. First, I have a wedding present for you.” He took her by the hand and sat her on the sofa. He went to the armoire and pulled out a square box wrapped with blue paper and tied with a thick blue ribbon. He returned to her and placed it into her lap, kneeling before her in front of her knees. “For you, my wife, to always remember this day, the happiest day of my life.”
Elizabeth was slowly shaking her head and tears filled her eyes. “William, you shouldn’t have. You’ve given me so many wonderful gifts already! All I need to remember and mark this day is you….only you.”
Darcy smiled, “Thank you dearest. Me you shall always have. Now you shall also have this meager token as well. Open it.”
Elizabeth untied the bow and pulled the wrapping away. Inside the box, lying on a bed of dark blue velvet, was a vanity set… brush, comb and mirror… made of mother-of-pearl with Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy engraved on each handle. It was exquisite craftsmanship. She was overwhelmed.
“William, I don’t know what to say. They are beautiful! I’ve never owned anything equal. Thank you so very much!” she leaned over and kissed him soundly.
Darcy beamed at her obvious pleasure. “You would have enjoyed the spectacle, my dear. I have come to realize how lacking my education is in the area of feminine requirements. I have, in fact, studiously avoided the subject in the past. Recently, I have discovered myself extremely fascinated by all the mysteries related to the fairer sex, or more specifically related to you. I scoured my extensive library and found not a single book that could answer the questions I had. I surmised that the only sure avenue open to me was to enter the shops in London which cater to the needs of women.”
Elizabeth could picture it clearly and the vision did make her smile. He went on, “I was most relieved to find that I was not the only gentlemen present in most of the establishments, but I certainly was the most ignorant! Fortunately the proprietors were most sympathetic and willing to further my education. So, I learned numerous factoids, which I am certain will aid me in being an understanding husband. As for this particular gift, considering how ardently I admire your beauty and especially your lovely hair, it seemed fitting.”
“William, you are too good to me. I truly don’t deserve you.”
“Nonsense,” he replied gruffly, “I love you and enjoy giving you gifts.” As he spoke he had absentmindedly reached up under her gown and began running his hand along her right calf. Time stood still for both of them. Instantaneously their mutual desires were awakened and their thoughts became riveted to their need for each other.
Gazing into her eyes with a deep intensity, Darcy took the box off Elizabeth’s lap, laid it on the floor, then rose up on his knees bringing himself level with her. He slowly ran his hands along the tops of her thighs and around her bottom, pulling her to the edge of the sofa. Her knees parted and he moved closer to her body as his hands caressed their way up her back, eventually entwining in her hair as he brought her lips to his and kissed her passionately.
She had watched him as if mesmerized as he stroked her body and repositioned himself closer to her. She couldn’t breathe! He was so incredibly handsome and desirable. Her need for him was overpowering. She wanted to see all of him, touch him intimately, feel him on her and in her. She ran her hands up his chest then under his robe, placing her fingers gently on his shoulders. With a slow deliberation she peeled the robe off his shoulders exposing his upper body as she lovingly ran her palms down his back. He let go of her long enough to remove his sleeves, baring his arms to her tender caress, then encircled her again never once leaving her sweet lips.
It was euphoric! The feelings, the taste, their senses overwhelmed. Elizabeth reached down and untied his sash, feeling his robe fall to the ground. Darcy moaned and in one swift, graceful motion he rose from his kneeling position, gathering Elizabeth into his powerful arms, and carried her to their bed.
Quite some time later, they lay spent and satiated, their limbs entangled. Elizabeth’s head lay partly on Darcy’s shoulder and partly on a pillow so she could watch his face. They were awake but drowsy, talking softly, enjoying simply being together in such sweet harmony. Darcy played with her hair where it cascaded over his arm while Elizabeth traced lazy circles over his chest and stomach. They spoke of silly things, small talk, more to hear each others voices then for any actual purpose.
The final act of love had been far superior to any imaginings either of them had entertained. Darcy, never a great admirer of romantic poetry, finally understood. Each day, each moment with Elizabeth had transcended the one prior. Tonight they had reached dizzying heights and it honestly seemed impossible to love her more. Darcy would have had to truthfully confess that he believed his heart would literally burst if he experienced anything beyond what he felt at this moment. He had told her when he proposed the second time, that she had bewitched him body and soul, and it was true. Now he knew that she owned him, lived inside of him, kept his heart beating, gave him purpose. If it hadn’t felt so very right, it might have terrified him.
Real life intruded when abruptly Darcy’s stomach growled loudly as if in response to Lizzy’s fingers which had been playfully examining his navel. They both laughed at the absurdity of it. “Hungry, darling?” Elizabeth asked, “Have your recent exertions increased your appetite?”
“I haven’t eaten much today, my love. Nerves, I suppose.” He rolled onto his side and began kissing her bare shoulder. “I was much more interested in satisfying other hungers so that I ignored my more basic needs. What is food compared to your love?”
“Very pretty. However, I am beginning to experience pangs of my own. The Hamilton’s have supplied us with an abundance of food and it would be rude to ignore it.” Elizabeth said, but then grinned mischievously as she ran her hand along his inner thigh. “Besides, we must take care to restore our energies, do you not agree beloved?”
He quickly snared her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each of her fingers lingeringly. “You minx! I do believe a tigress has been unleashed tonight!” He pulled her to him and indulged in several kisses before again being interrupted by a loud growl from his empty stomach.
“Poor Mr. Darcy!” she laughed.
“Stay warm, Elizabeth. I’ll fetch your robe and stoke the fire.” With a last kiss, Darcy left the bed and retrieved his robe from where it had been unceremoniously discarded by the sofa.
Elizabeth propped herself up on one elbow to better watch her handsome husband. Contentment flowed through her entire being as she lay so relaxed in the large bed. It had been a very long day full of so many anxieties and so many wonders. She was tired yet exhilarated at the same time. Happiness was this palpable entity that surrounded her and permeated her very soul. Just observing him performing the mundane task of adding logs to the fire was a pleasure beyond imagining. How is it possible to love someone this much? she asked herself. Is it normal? Probably not, but it certainly was magnificent and she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Darcy returned from her dressing room with a thick robe and helped her into it. Or more precisely he delayed the process with numerous kisses and caresses, but Elizabeth didn’t mind. Finally they sat on the rug before the now raging fire with the platter of food on the floor. Darcy popped the well chilled champagne and poured them each a glass. “To us,” he toasted, “the happiest couple on the face of the earth!”
Darcy attacked the superb provisions with relish. Elizabeth wasn’t too far behind. They had fun with the process…. feeding each other morsels, licking and sucking each others fingers, kissing honey smeared lips. Eventually even Darcy’s appetite was quenched and with a satisfied sigh he reclined on an enormous pillow. Elizabeth leaned against his bent knee and gazed dreamily into the fire. Neither spoke. Words were unnecessary. A warm blanket of peace and bliss covered them.
Darcy began to drift into sleep, so warm and relaxed by the fire. Lizzy was lazily caressing the leg and knee she leaned against and the sensation was calming. As far as Darcy was concerned, life could not possibly get any better than this. He closed his eyes and sighed.
Elizabeth turned to gaze at her husband. He had a soft smile on his lips, his hair in disarray, one arm raised above his head and the other laying across his stomach. His robe was loosely tied so most of his chest was exposed. She recognized that despite the intimacies of the last hours, she actually had not had the opportunity to closely examine her husband’s form, as she had teasingly told him she needed to do.
He was so beautiful and perfect, to her eyes. She had spent the past weeks memorizing his face and intimately knew every inch of it. The small scar on his right cheek was the result of a tree branch while riding when he was 15, he had told her. She knew how long it took from the time he shaved until his whiskers began to reappear and that they sprouted first along his upper lip. She had discovered that his eye color altered depending on his mood or what he wore. When he was thinking passionate thoughts of her, his lips would part slightly and his eyelids would flutter. When he was annoyed his jaw would tighten and a small crease would appear between his brows. When he was very angry his eyes would darken almost to black and his lips would press tightly together into a thin line. She had found that a singular expression crossed his features with thoughts of each person he loved….. He had his “Georgiana face” and his “Fitzwilliam face” and his “Mrs. Reynolds face” and his “Elizabeth face.”
At times her hurtful words came back to haunt her. Your arrogance, conceit….selfish disdain for the feelings of others. Oh, how could she have thought such things! He would be angry with her if he knew she was remembering those words because they had spent hours discussing the past, their mutual errors, and had promised to learn from it and then put it all behind them. Perhaps in time it would no longer wrack her with guilt, but she continued to loathe herself for the pain she had caused him. Knowing now the depth of his emotions toward those he loves, his loyalty, the profound grief he carries for those he has lost, his goodness, made it all the harder to forgive herself. Not for the first time, she vowed to herself that she would never cause him pain again.
Impulsively she kissed his knee, causing his sleepy smile to deepen, then gently pushed his leg down while she resituated herself between his legs. He opened his eyes, still smiling, and considered her movements with interest. She carefully opened his robe to initiate her inspection.
“Elizabeth?” he whispered.
She smiled, “I made a promise, sir, to give you a full accounting of all your attributes which are pleasing to mine eyes. Never let it be uttered that I do not keep my promises. Now, relax.”
“That may be a challenging order to follow, my beloved, if you continue in this manner.”
Elizabeth did not reply. Her fingers traveled over him, noting his muscles, counting each rib, graphing the pattern of his chest hair. She reveled in the contrast of smoothness and roughness, felt each of his breaths and the beating of his heart. She detected for the first time a bump atop one of his ribs. ”What caused this?” she asked quietly.
“I fell out of a tree when I was 12,” he answered, “Broke my rib. Lacerated my arm here,” and he rolled up his sleeve showing her a long scar along his inner left arm. “Ten stitches. My mother was furious but my father just laughed. ‘Boys must be allowed to be boys’ he said.” Darcy chortled at the memory. “My mother kept me abed for a week and Mrs. Reynolds forced all manner of hideous tasting concoctions down my throat. I am convinced they punished me for their own fright rather than any actual need of my own.”
Elizabeth loved how his eyes glowed when he spoke of his family. He did it rarely, the memories being very painful to him. His childhood was much a mystery to her. She couldn’t wait until she was at Pemberley, the place where he grew up, the place he loved more than any other. She remembered how at ease he had been there when she had spent their glorious day together, how he laughed and smiled. Somehow she knew that their relationship and understanding would reach even greater heights once in his home.
“I can’t quite picture you climbing trees,” she said, her head tilting to the side, “You seem more the library dwelling boy to me.”
He laughed, “Well, I did rather spend inordinate amounts of time in the library, but I do love the outdoors. I generally prefer riding my horse to long walks, although I am coming to appreciate what can be accomplished on long, solitary walks.” He grinned slyly and she blushed, knowing full well to what he was referring. “I wasn’t normally reckless though. It was usually George….” he stopped abruptly as a dark cloud crossed his face, “…Wickham that baited me into something foolish. He dared me to climb the tree, in fact. Of course, the fault was mine in allowing him to drive me to such follies.” He took a deep breath and with a visible shrug he shoved the unpleasant memory aside. He looked at her face, shining with pure love and devotion above him. Impossible to stay morose with such beauty to behold.
He tenderly captured one of her tresses in his hand and twined it around his fingers. For long moments they gazed at each other, enraptured by the love they felt. Thoughts of sleep vanished. Darcy started to rise up intent on taking her into his arms, but she stayed him with her hands. “I’m not finished, sir,” she murmured and lowered her face to his neck. It was her turn to bestow feather kisses to all his sensitive places, to discover the secrets of how to please him. This she did with an intensity and directness that left him beyond breathless….. and completely satisfied.
Their wedding night was not yet over.
Posted on Monday, 20 February 2006
Setting: The day after the wedding....
Fitzwilliam Darcy was having the most extraordinary dream of his entire life. Elizabeth was there, although that fact was not unusual since she had graced the vast majority of his dreams for months now. This dream, however, was exceedingly more erotic than any of the previous ones, and, yes, there had been several! Darcy was enjoying this dream enormously and did not want it to stop. So it was with tremendous dismay that he felt the beginning tendrils of consciousness return. He valiantly fought against it but the tingles in his right arm persisted no matter how many times his subconscious self tried to move the offending appendage.
The cold blast of wakefulness was like a knife to his heart. He really was liking that dream! So acute was his disappointment that one can imagine the soaring heights that were instantaneously reached when he realized that the very object of his dream was in his arms. In fact, it was her head, which had at some point during her sleep crept from his chest to the inner aspect of his elbow, that was causing his arm to burn. The irony of it did not escape him and he chuckled softly.
Memories of the fine dream coupled with the vision of her beauty before him were temporarily enough to drive away the ever increasing discomfort to his poor extremity. For some moments he manfully bore the pain and watched her sleep. It was an enchanting sight to behold. Her lips slightly parted, her thick lashes resting so peacefully on her rosy cheeks, her mane of hair scattered haphazardly about, her creamy neck and shoulders visible. Darcy could have quite contentedly stared at her all day, but now his fingers had lost all feeling.
How to solve this issue was suddenly one of the most problematical calamities of his life! He didn’t want to wake her nor did he want to remove his arm completely. He thought maybe he could roll her gently back towards his body, a pleasurable prospect, but his arm now had not only lost all sensation but refused to comply with his brain’s request. He saw no choice but to utilize his left arm, which would probably mean waking her up.
There seemed to be no other option so he began to reach for her. Just at that moment she stretched her body, sighed deeply, nestled closer to his side, and moved her head back to his chest. Darcy sent a silent thanks to whichever guardian angel takes care of these sticky situations.
His relief was short lived, sadly, due to the sudden rush of blood which ignited a firestorm of fresh pain in his unfortunate arm. His grit his teeth and his whole body tensed and shuddered in an effort to not cry out and wake his peacefully sleeping wife. Eventually the torture subsided and he was able to move his arm again. Naturally he made good use of it by hugging his wife against his side, resting his hand on her silky hip.
Well, that was interesting, he thought. Certainly a drawback to sleeping with someone that has never occurred to me, but worth it just the same. He lifted his head slightly to view the clock. A quarter to nine! Darcy couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so late. Of course, neither could he remember the last time he had slept so deeply and contentedly, nor woken up feeling so amazingly refreshed and blissful. He sighed and closed his eyes again, a joyous smile on his face.
As pleasant as his dream had been, the reality of his wedding night was vastly superior. They had ended their first night of marriage by loving each other before the fire on the bearskin rug. Elizabeth’s initiative coupled with the location of their union had added another dimension to what they had previously already discovered to be a most delicious activity. Darcy never claimed to be a particularly creative man, but how he could not have imagined being with Elizabeth in a site other than his bed surprised him. He was a tad embarrassed but he now found his mind drifted to all sorts of promising possibilities. Pemberley had any number of secluded areas, both inside and out, that would work nicely. Good God, man! Listen to yourself! But the self chastisement was ignored.
His decadent musings were interrupted by movement from his wife. She murmured something unintelligible, stretched, then rose up from his chest so she could see his face. “You’re awake,” she said with a happy smile, and reached up to brush his hair.
He caught her hand and kissed it. “Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?”
“Extraordinarily well. I had the most charming dreams….. Quite invigorating, actually.” she said with a wicked grin.
“Really? How so?”
She smiled roguishly, “There was a man there. Couldn’t quite determine who he was but he made me feel so nice.” She purposefully assumed a dreamy expression. “Black hair he had, dark green eyes, rather short…”
Darcy stopped her words with an ardent kiss, lasting just long enough to leave her breathless, then he released her abruptly. “Does that drive thoughts of this other scoundrel from your mind or must I search him out and challenge him to a duel!”
“Hmmmm…. A hazy memory remains. I fear I may need more persuading.” Darcy was eager to comply.
It was nearing ten o’clock before they finally arose from their tousled bed. Darcy was quite famished again and needed coffee. He rang for breakfast while Elizabeth retired to her dressing room to freshen up. Darcy also took the time to clean himself up, pulling on a shirt and breeches at random.
The breakfast tray arrived just as Elizabeth reentered the room. She had clad herself in a lovely burgundy gown that Darcy had never seen before. Her face was pink from washing and she had hastily pulled her hair back with a white ribbon, so it hung as a tail down her back. Darcy was struck anew by how beautiful she was and by how marvelous it was to be married so he could view her in such casual attire. Elizabeth was thinking the very same thought. She adored how handsome her husband looked with his shirt loosely tucked and open at his neck, his feet bare. He was handsome in his complete dress but here was a picture of him that only she would be privy to.
After a quick kiss, they sat down. Elizabeth curled up in the chair, tucking her feet under her. She poured coffee for Darcy and tea for herself. The simple task of serving her husband brought a surge of happiness through her heart. For his part, Darcy could not stop staring at her. After all that had transpired yesterday and last night and this morning, it still seemed surreal that they had finally arrived at this place when for so long he had despaired of ever being with her.
“You’re staring, Mr. Darcy. Do I have a distracting blemish on my face?” she teased.
He laughed, “Sorry, my dear. No, you do not have any blemishes. I am star struck by your beauty, that’s all.”
“Quite the flatterer you have become, sir. So charming. Who would believe it of you?”
“Well, as I intend to save my best flattery for when we are alone, no one would believe you even if you were to inform them.”
“So, am I to infer that you will be devising and practicing said flattery beforehand? If so, you must remember to give them as unstudied an air as possible.”
Darcy grinned at her reference. “Perhaps I shall occasionally plan my flattery, however, as you are well aware of how uncreative I am my dear, I would imagine that the pleasing compliments will usually proceed from the impulse of the moment.”
They both laughed and she threw a grape at him. “Ridiculous man! Read your newspaper and let me eat in peace!”
He did his best to comply with her request, discovering that it was quite challenging to focus on world events with her across the table. As the meal proceeded, they both relaxed. Neither of them knew it at the time, but they had innocently set the stage for what was to become a morning ritual for the rest of their lives. Except for those occasions when guests were present or business separated them, they would each day breakfast together quietly in their joint sitting room. Darcy would read the newspaper and Elizabeth would read a book. They would discuss their daily plans or estate business or items from the news. The staff would be instructed not to interrupt the Master and Mistress until they were called for. Even their children would breakfast apart. This time would become a favorite and necessary part of their day.
“What are we to do with ourselves today?” she asked at one point, “Had you made any specific plans?”
Darcy put the newspaper down and gave his full attention to his wife. “Nothing specific.” he replied. “We could always stay here all day.“ He gave his wife a naughty leer, “I am sure we could dream up something to occupy our time. Or if you'd rather, the village is quite close so we could ramble through it, see if there is anything that you wish to purchase. The Hamilton’s also have several phaeton’s available if you wished to take a drive in the country or around the lake. The weather appears to be fine enough for a drive. Too bad it is winter as a picnic would be an agreeable pastime.”
She raised one eyebrow, “Oh? Did a law pass of which I am unaware that picnics can only occur in the spring or summer?”
He was surprised. “I didn’t mean to imply that it was unlawful to picnic in the winter, Mrs. Darcy, as you well know! I am solicitous regarding your comfort, however. It is late November and quite cold outside.”
Lizzy laughed. “Really, William, I thought you knew me better than that! When has the weather ever hindered me?!”
“As you wish, madam. A picnic it shall be. I beg one concession, however. You must endure my fussing over you and not argue if I deem it is too chilly to remain outdoors. Agreed?” She nodded her assent.
They each retired to their dressing rooms to finalize dressing for their day out. Darcy finished first and crossed the bedchamber to Elizabeth’s door. He knocked tentatively. “Elizabeth?”
“Come in.” she called.
He opened the door and was startled to see her alone, sitting at the vanity with her arms up pinning her hair. “Did the maid not respond to your summons?” he asked, fully prepared to complain to Mr. Hamilton immediately.
“I did not summon her.” Lizzy said. She noted his baffled face in the mirror and smiled. “I have been taking care of my own hair for years, my love. I am aware that this will likely change once I am at Pemberley but for now I wished to do it myself. Does this disturb you?”
“Not at all. I feared the service was lacking, that is all.” He stepped behind her and ran his fingers along her neck and shoulders. “Elizabeth, I do not wish you to alter any of your habits at Pemberley. If it pleases you to attend to your own hair then it pleases me for you to continue doing so. I fell in love with you as you are. I do not desire for you to be anything other than my Lizzy.”
She gifted him with one of her dazzling smiles. Love and desire swept through him and he hastily removed his fingers, sensing a sharp and powerful urge to unfasten the buttons of her gown overcome him. He retreated a couple paces and cleared his throat.
“I intruded on your privacy only to inform you that I am departing momentarily to speak with Mr. Hamilton about our needs for today. I will return for you when all is prepared. Be sure to dress warmly.”
“I will.” She pivoted the stool around so she could face him. “And William, you do not need to knock and I will never think of you as an intruder.”
Darcy beamed, once again amazed at how dissimilar she was to any woman he had ever known and how incredibly blessed he was to have found her. “That may take some adjusting to, my love, but thank you.”
They spent a lovely day together, this first day of the rest of their lives. Darcy commandeered the phaeton with easy competence. Mrs. Hamilton had prepared a picnic basket for them and loaded the carriage with several thick blankets. Darcy looked Elizabeth over carefully before they set out to ensure she was well bundled. She laughed inwardly at his apprehensiveness but she kept silent.
To begin with, they drove into the Village. It wasn’t a large town, about the size of Meryton, but there were numerous quaint shops to browse through. It was liberating to be able to stroll along together without being halted every few feet by people wishing to converse with them. No one was acquainted with them here and no one assigned them a second glance. Elizabeth quickly realized that she had to be cautious in exhibiting interest in even the smallest trinket because Darcy would insist on buying it for her! Despite her guardedness, Darcy’s arms were encumbered with packages by the end of two hours and he was forced to rearrange the blankets and picnic basket to make room in the phaeton.
Despite Darcy’s worries, it was a beautiful day, crisp and cool, but the sun was warming and the sky cloud free.
They leisurely drove along the edge of the lake, admiring the countryside. Elizabeth sat as close to his side as she could possibly manage, a couple blankets covering them both. She rested one hand on his leg, delighting in being in his presence. They would stop periodically to marvel at a particular natural feature and take the opportunity to steal a few kisses. Eventually they discovered a level spot close to the lake’s edge that seemed perfect for a picnic.
Once Darcy was satisfied with the comfort and warmth provided by laying three blankets on the ground, he assisted Elizabeth from the carriage and nestled her snuggly, insisting on placing another blanket over her. It truly was not that cold out but he refused to take any chances that she might become ill. She was beginning to wonder if he would ever relax and thought that perhaps a picnic had not been such a great idea after all. She appreciated his diligence regarding her well being, but couldn’t help becoming annoyed.
To cover her waspishness, Elizabeth busied herself with the lunch. Mrs. Hamilton had packed provisions enough for four grown men and a bottle of red wine. The day was simply too marvelous and Elizabeth far too happy in general to remain cranky for long. She also had learned over the past weeks that Mr. Darcy was especially mellow after dining. Today was no different.
They chatted as they ate. Conversation now came so easily to them that it was impossible to imagine that they had ever struggled so. The topics ranged widely from childhood memories to current events to family matters to literature to future plans and various points inbetween. By the time they had eaten their fill, Darcy was totally untroubled. He laid his head in her lap and read out loud from a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets while Elizabeth played with his hair.
After a bit, they decided to walk for a while. They held hands as they strolled, sometimes talking, sometimes in silence. They encountered not a soul. It was as if they were the only two people in the world. When passing a large oak tree, Darcy halted, leaned against the trunk, and gathered Elizabeth into his arms. For some time he merely held her pressed tight to his chest. She experienced an almost unbearable sense of peace and protection. His warmth radiated out of him, his arms strong about her body, his cheek resting on the top of her head.
In due course his soft lips traveled through her hair to her ear and then her neck, raining gentle kisses and sweet endearments along the way. He caressed her back through her coat drawing her ever closer to him. Elizabeth gave in to the pleasure that his breath and touch elicited in her. How wonderful to be married so that they could freely allow their emotions to wash over them! Naturally there was a limit, both of them aware that although not exactly in public, they weren’t in the privacy of their bedchamber. Darcy eventually reached the edge of his endurance and they regretfully ceased, mutually deciding that, all things considered, it was high time to return to the Inn!
They packed up in haste and drove as speedily as safety permitted. Darcy bordered on curtness in his instructions to the servant that they would be dining at seven o’clock and to not disturb them for the rest of the evening. He didn’t notice the servant’s smile of understanding nor would he have cared.
The door to their room was barely latched before they were in each other’s arms, removing clothing as fast as humanly possible. Darcy’s coat and waistcoat were easy enough for Lizzy to manage. The cravat was another matter. Lizzy’s fingers fumbled with what seemed like a dozen knots and twists, the process not aided by the fact that she was kissing his neck at the same time. Darcy was distracted by her lips and focused on removing the innumerable pins holding her lustrous hair bound, but became aware of her struggles when a singularly frantic tug at his necktie choked him. They both laughed and Darcy competently removed the offending tie giving her free reign to assault his neck while he returned to her hair. Her hair finally unencumbered, Darcy momentarily was mesmerized by the sensation of her dense silky curls entwined in his fingers.
He was snapped back to reality with a gasp at the sublime currents racing up his body as her hands moved under the shirt she had untucked. The sudden intense need to feel her skin rocked him, so his hands moved to her back and attacked the tiny buttons of her gown. The ever proficient and assured Mr. Darcy was at a loss with the tightly clasped and seemingly inexhaustive row of buttons. The urge to grab the neckline in his strong hands and rend it open forcefully was overwhelming. Thankfully, prompt inspiration dawned and he moved behind her to better see what he was doing. This led to the added revelation, and intoxication for them both, of tracing warm kisses down her spine as each button was released. The rest of her clothing, all totally unique to him and rather fascinating, came off slowly as he endeavored to educate himself and also because he discovered the increased arousal they both experienced by prolonging the stimulation.
It was another novel experience and more than a little enjoyable. They laughed as they fumbled with the strange clasps and buttons, tripping more than once as discarded garments entangled around their feet. The end result of their exertions was as one would expect.
With colossal effort and regret, they left their bed with barely enough time to make themselves presentable for dinner. Maintaining etiquette and decency throughout the meal bordered on being painful. Luckily, the room was empty most of the time so between bites they shared a few kisses and squeezes. The food was delicious. They ate heartily, both ravenous from the energy expended over the past hours.
After dinner they took a stroll in the silent garden. Darcy talked about Pemberley. The plan was to depart fairly early in the morning since the journey home would take most of the day. Darcy was in a state of uncontrollable bliss that his Lizzy would finally be with him in his home…..their home. It was a dream he had harbored in his aching heart for so many months that the reality was surreal. Lizzy was excited and anxious at the same time. With Darcy by her side, his strong arms around her, it was difficult to feel any apprehension. However, she couldn’t completely erase the gnawing doubts of her competence as Mistress of an estate such as Pemberley.
For now though, her emotions were too captured by her husband. Her happiness was unlimited and her desire to just be with him transcended any fears. Before too long they returned to their room, wishing to thoroughly enjoy this last night at this place which would forever be special to them.
Posted on Thursday, 23 February 2006
Mrs. Reynolds, Housekeeper of Pemberley in Derbyshire, was in a state of jubilant expectancy which she had not experienced since….. Well, she couldn’t remember a day she had ever anticipated more! Sometime this afternoon her Master, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, would return to Pemberley with his new bride. The entire staff had hoped and awaited for the arrival of this day for years, but few of them fully grasped the inexplicable joy in this particular day, this particular union.
Mrs. Reynolds considered herself one of the luckiest servants in all of England. At the age of two and thirty she had joined the staff at Pemberley, along with her husband who had been a groom. Pemberley had a reputation throughout the country as an ideal estate. The Darcy family had for generations managed their holdings with honesty and generosity. The former Housekeeper had been Mrs. Reynolds’ Aunt. When she began to feel old age creeping up on her, the Darcy’s had authorized her to recommend a replacement. Mrs. Reynolds had been employed as an assistant to the Housekeeper at a manor in Gloucestershire and was content in her service, however the opportunity for advancement coupled with the sterling name of Pemberley swayed her to accept the position. Any trepidation she might have suffered vanished the moment she met Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. For the past twenty-four years she had served faithfully and with ever increasing happiness.
Over the years she had grown to love the family she tended to. She had watched Master Fitzwilliam mature into a fine young man and Miss Georgiana into a beautiful young woman. She thoroughly enjoyed her duties and was an excellent housekeeper. There had been tremendous hardships and grief along the way. The death of Lady Anne some eleven years ago and of the elder Mr. Darcy six years ago, not to mention the passing of her own husband three years ago, had beget a sorrow in her heart that she realized would never dissipate. Yet the affection she harbored for Pemberley and, more specifically, the two young Darcy’s could not be more genuine or profound if they had been her own flesh and blood.
It was this love which had made the past several years so emotionally tortuous. Master Fitzwilliam had from his youth been far too serious and intense, too reserved, and too apt to seek solitude. The burdens which had been thrust upon him at the tender age of two and twenty, along with his acute sorrow, had nearly overwhelmed him. If possible, he had retreated further into himself, laughed and smiled less, erecting a rigid shell about his heart. He only had a handful of true friends, including his sister whom he loved to distraction, yet even they often found his tendency toward surliness and bitterness tough to comprehend or tolerate. Mrs. Reynolds had fretted and worried but there wasn’t a thing she could do but pray.
As he settled into his role as Master of Pemberley, she had noted a loosening of his stern demeanor. Colonel Fitzwilliam was a loyal companion who would tease the Master, and encourage him to socialize more. Also, his friendship with Mr. Charles Bingley was providential. Mr. Bingley was the polar opposite of Mr. Darcy and by all outward appearances the two should have loathed each other. Luckily their relationship had created it’s own path and the two young men had formed an abiding bond of mutual affection. Mr. Bingley’s sunny, effervescent nature was a soothing balm to the frequently brooding Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Reynolds had begun to believe that her dear Mr. Darcy would break out of his self imposed prison. Her sincerest hope was that he would find a young woman to mend and fill his aching heart.
Then abruptly, this past April, Mr. Darcy plunged into a dark pit of despondency and depression unlike anything Mrs. Reynolds had previously witnessed. It was not dissimilar to the immense grief the former Mr. Darcy had succumbed to when his wife had expired. There was no basis for his anguish as far as she could ascertain. Eventually he did partially return to the world of the living but there was a lingering pain in his blue eyes that refused to lift….. until one glorious day in September.
Mrs. Reynolds remembers the day vividly, although it had initially dawned virtually identical to all other days. Mr. Darcy was in Town, not expected to return until the next day. Mrs. Reynolds had welcomed visitors to the manor, not a frequent occurrence but one that happened often enough to not register as significant this time. The visitors, an older couple and their young niece, were polite and gracious. The niece seemed vaguely uncomfortable and nervous, but Mrs. Reynolds did not dwell on it overly. She executed her duty as tour guide with pleasure, being quite proud of the house and it’s furnishings. She recalled being a bit startled to discover that the young lady was acquainted with Mr. Darcy as she didn’t immediately strike Mrs. Reynolds as being in the same class with her Master. However, as his personal affairs were for the most part outside her purview, she did not ponder on the information.
Toward the end of the tour, the niece became separated from the group. It couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes before she came bounding around the side of the house to where her Aunt and Uncle were standing by their carriage expressing their thanks to Mrs. Reynolds. The lady, Lizzy her Aunt called her, was extremely agitated. She insisted on walking back to Lambton, wringing her hands and shifting her feet the entire time. She kept glancing toward the house as if she feared something or someone was going to barge out of the front doors and attack her! It was most unusual. Mrs. Reynolds stood speechless, wishing she knew the root of her distress, fearing greatly that something terrible had happened and wondering if she should inquire. In the end, Miss Lizzy left, nigh on running across the field, and the couple drove off.
Mrs. Reynolds stood in the drive for a few minutes ruminating on the odd behavior of Miss Lizzy. She determined that she would ask the other servants if they had seen the young lady after she had been left behind in the gallery. She needed to guarantee that nothing untoward had occurred. She entered the foyer but before she could advance any further than five feet she was literally paralyzed with shock when Mr. Darcy, who she was unaware was even home, fairly flew out of the music room door. He was frantic but his face was radiant and he wore the broadest grin. He skidded to a stop mere seconds before bowling her over.
“Mrs. Reynolds,” he shouted breathlessly, “send word to the stables to re-saddle Parsifal, immediately!” Without another word he dashed up the stairs two at a time heading toward his chambers.
She stood there with her mouth hanging open, only then aware that Miss Georgiana was standing in the music room doorway, also displaying a ridiculously bright smile. “Hurry, Mrs. Reynolds! Do as he asks then come back and I’ll tell you what is happening. Oh, it’s the most wonderful thing!”
The next month had been fraught with emotions and angst. Miss Georgiana had told her the whole sorry tale. That Mr. Darcy was head over heels in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet was an indisputable fact. What wasn’t so clear was whether Miss Bennet was in love with him. Mrs. Reynolds adored her Master and was initially vexed, assuming that any lady who had refused him once was unworthy of him. However, as the truth was revealed, she did understand and eventually recognized that Miss Bennet was precisely what Mr. Darcy so urgently required to heal his wounded heart.
Two months ago she and Miss Georgiana at long last received the missives they had been longing for. Mr. Darcy’s ecstasy at Miss Elizabeth accepting his hand was uncontainable. Mrs. Reynolds had received hundreds of correspondence from her Master over the years, but none remotely similar to the letters he now wrote. Why, she could remit them to a publisher for a book of romantic musings and poetry! Her heart was overflowing with an unrelenting joy.
Mr. Darcy had been quite specific in his orders regarding the new Mistress. His mother’s chambers had been aired out and thoroughly scrubbed. Old furnishings had been removed. His plan was to allow Mrs. Darcy to redecorate the rooms at her leisure so for now they only needed to be clean and comfortable. He had purchased several items which had been sent ahead, including a new bathing tub and washbasin, a new mattress, a stationary set for her desk, and an enormous painting of a landscape. All he had hinted is that the scene was special in some way and he wished it to be a surprise for his new bride. The painting was to be hung, he instructed, in her dressing room behind the vanity.
He had entrusted Mrs. Reynolds to acquire any feminine objects that may be essential and to stock the bathing room with the finest linens. Numerous odd packages had arrived from Mr. Darcy, trinkets, he told her, that he picked up here and there: various hair accruements, perfumes, ribbons, small pieces of jewelry, a music box, a couple robes with matching slippers, a set of silk handkerchiefs, several books, and other odds and ends. These she had carefully distributed as he instructed. The last touch was numerous vases of flowers randomly placed about the rooms, the largest of all a bouquet of lavender and white roses to be sitting on the vanity.
He also had detailed directives regarding his own bedchamber and private sitting room. They, too, were to be thoroughly cleaned. New bed linens and coverings of a lighter design than the dark colors he usually preferred were sent. Some of the more masculine furnishings were to be removed and exchanged either with new pieces he purchased in Town or with a specific object from elsewhere in the manor. The small table was replaced with a larger one with two overstuffed chairs. The old rug, a remnant from when the rooms were his father’s, was discarded and replaced with a gorgeous Persian carpet of pale blues and golds. The overall effect was subtle, the rooms already being beautifully decorated, but added an airiness to them which was altogether inviting.
Mrs. Reynolds was not an innocent… she comprehended that her Master was of the conviction that his wife would be sharing his quarters much of the time. The former Mrs. Darcy had done so, except for when she was confined or ill, so Mrs. Reynolds was not shocked by this at all. In fact, it amplified her happiness to know that her Master had fallen in love with such a woman.
Mr. Darcy had written to his Aunt, Lady Matlock, soliciting her assistance in hiring a lady’s maid for Elizabeth. She had gladly done so, sending three women to Mrs. Reynolds to be interviewed. Mrs. Reynolds had settled on a Frenchwoman of thirty named Marguerite, who was employed at the preeminent Inn in Matlock. Her recommendations were impeccable and the Inn’s administrator had agreed to a probationary period pending Mrs. Darcy’s final approval.
The staff had been quite busy these past weeks ensuring all was in perfect readiness. Mr. Darcy’s last letter had arrived the day of his wedding. He directed Mrs. Reynolds to have a light supper prepared, to ignite the welcome torches on the grounds, to have their chambers warm and well lit, and to assemble the senior household staff for a quick greeting of the new Mistress. The flurry of activity that had descended on the normally placid household was concluded. Mrs. Reynolds strolled, for the umpteenth time, through the house guaranteeing that all was flawless. A sentry was stationed by the main road to alert Mrs. Reynolds the moment the Darcy carriage was spotted. Nothing for it but to wait…
The trip to Pemberley was uneventful. Lizzy was anxious and excited at the same time. I am going home! She kept repeating this to herself so it would truly penetrate her heart and soul.
She valiantly feigned composure and serenity, but the amused curl of Darcy’s mouth told her that he was on to her little charade. For probably the hundredth time, she asked him, “How much further to Pemberley?”
“Maybe two more hours, if the weather holds.” he replied, leaning closer to her so he could see around her head out the window, “Those clouds do look to burst any moment. Luckily the road through here is an excellent one, so even if it does rain we should not be waylaid.”
She continued to stare out the carriage window. “It is so beautiful here. Is this Derbyshire?”
“The beginnings of it. I will inform you when we enter the Darcy land holdings. We are close. The village off the road there,” he pointed to a small burg to the right, “is the first to the south of our estate lands. Pemberley begins some five miles north.”
Lizzy lifted her brows in surprise. “I had no idea it was so vast!” His use of the word “our” was not lost on her, but she didn’t comment.
Darcy smiled at her and stroked her cheek. “Yes, it is quite large. It requires a full day to ride straight across and at least two to circle around the perimeter. Of course, a generous percentage of the land is wild and inaccessible but for horseback.…. woods, lakes and rivers, pastures. Game runs free and birds make their homes with little to disturb them except for the occasional hunt. The farm lands are closer to the manor thus the tenants are within an easy distance.” He leaned back in the seat and lovingly caressed her back.
Elizabeth continued to stare out the window. She did not speak and Darcy could sense her tension, but he kept silent, waiting patiently until she was prepared to open her mind to him. In time she did but her voice was so low he had to strain to hear her, “What if they do not like me?”
“I does not matter if they do not like you. You are my wife and the Mistress of Pemberley. They are your servants and tenants.” She jerked her head toward him at his blunt words, a ready retort on her lips. He smiled and stopped the flip rejoinder he knew she was about to make with his fingers. That’s what I want to see from you my brave, impudent Lizzy, he thought. “However, I do not conceive, even for one minute second, that they will not adore you. Nor do I have the slightest qualm or apprehension that you will be the most excellent Mistress that Pemberley has seen in decades, no offense intended toward my dear mother or grandmother.”
She peered intently into his eyes, as if searching for any untruth or doubt in his assertions, but there was none. The deep love he felt for her was unmistakably visible, as it always was. Yet, as she examined his eyes she was again struck forcibly by the unparalleled esteem he held for her. His love for her, although all consuming, unwavering and unconditional, was not blind or foolish. He knew her faults, her flaws, her weaknesses. He also knew her quality, her personality, her strengths, and her character. His trust in her was in spite of and due to these incontrovertible facts, not out of besotted passion or bedazzlement.
She sighed and relaxed against his chest, burying her face into his shoulder. “You must think me a silly child!”
He smiled into her hair. “You are not silly and, as proven several times over the past two days, you are unquestionably not a child!” They both laughed. “I do think you are worrying too much about all this, Elizabeth. No demands will be placed on you until you wish to assume them. Good heavens, it took me a year to feel secure as Master of Pemberley and I grew up there! You will have all the time you need. Mrs. Reynolds already likes you and she will assist you in any way you require.”
“I don’t know how she could have such a fair opinion of me since I acted so outlandishly peculiar! Getting separated, spying on Georgiana, stammering like an imbecile, rushing off across the fields. I would imagine she is horrified that you would deign to be in the same room with me, let alone marry me!” She smiled up at him and he couldn’t resist kissing her.
“Well, therein lies the answer to your question, my heart. Mrs. Reynolds has known me since I was four. Few people understand me as well as she does. For all that she is technically a servant, she has in many ways been a second mother to me. She has observed me through all my years of pain and grief. She knows my character and judgment. She trusts my choices and wishes for nothing more than to see me happy. So, if you bring me that happiness, and you emphatically do, and if I trust you, then she does as well. It’s that simple.” He kissed her again, deeply.
Huskily he continued, “You must learn to have the same faith in my assertions regarding your qualifications as she does.” He paused to kiss her some more. “Of course,” he teased, “it’s all a moot point as I intend to keep you locked in our bedchamber for several weeks at least so I may have unfettered and undisturbed access to you!”
Lizzy grinned, “If you mean to frighten me by that threat, Mr. Darcy, you have failed miserably. Frankly, I can think of no place on earth I would rather be than in our bedchamber, provided you are there as well, naturally.” She accompanied her words with sensitively placed caresses, causing Darcy to groan and close his eyes in mute surrender.
It was some time before he sought to find his voice even if he had been able to. Finally, breathlessly, he begged, “Desist woman! You win! I shall exact my revenge for this torture, however, so be warned.” He moved away from her to compose himself, refusing to acknowledge the expression of amusement and triumph on her face. He glanced out the window. “We are well into Pemberley lands, Elizabeth. Look.”
The view was magnificent. The sun was low in the sky, blanketing the spectacular landscape with soft shadows. To the east flowed seemingly endless fields of orchards and perfectly manicured farmland. Small, sturdy stone cottages were scattered randomly. To the west, a sizeable lake bordered on it’s western shore by a forest of cedar and pine, which appeared to stretch to the very base of the majestic peaks of the mountains.
On her tour with the Gardiners, Lizzy had approached Derbyshire and Pemberley from the northeast, having taken a circuitous route. These were areas she had not seen with any clarity, her return to Hertfordshire being filled with too much dismay to inspect the passing landscape.
She scooted next to him and he suspiciously watched her. “Do not fear, sir,” she giggled, “I promise to behave…. for now. How soon to the house?”
“Only a few miles now. We will be arriving at twilight. I ordered the torches to be lit.” He placed his arm around her shoulders and snuggled her near to his side. He kissed her forehead then nestled his face into her hair. “My Lizzy!” he breathed, “I cannot express my joy, my elation, to be bringing you home with me. Do you have any idea how deeply I love you!?”
Her only reply was a bone crunching hug. They held each other thus as the carriage turned into the tree lined drive, not separating until the carriage slowed to a halt.
“How do I look?” she asked him.
“Stunning.” He answered truthfully. He kissed her lips tenderly and touched her cheek with his fingertips. “We’re home.”