I also wanted to inform you Colonel Fitzwilliam escaped just in time as Mama was hoping a third marriage would be coming to one of her daughters. I suspect she wanted Lydia to win the Colonel’s affections.
I will write again soon.
Your loving sister,
Jane
Elizabeth went to find her husband, whom she found in his study. He looked up when she entered, and he smiled, “I have just received a letter from Jane. She has informed me she and Mr. Bingley will be getting married.”
“I am not surprised.” Darcy grinned as he patted his lap, which was a signal for his wife to join him.
She went to him and straddled his body as she faced him with a kiss. “Elizabeth, you drive me crazy with desire.” Darcy secured her against his body, and she felt his response, “I want you right here, right now.” He groaned.
“I am all yours, darling.” Elizabeth feathered kissed down his neck with a desire she did not try to conceal.
Fitzwilliam Darcy pulled his wife to him and did not let her go until they reached the height of their pleasure with a spasmodic release.
When the honeymoon was nearly at an end, Elizabeth received a letter from Charlotte. She opened it quickly and hoped Charlotte’s marriage to Collins was satisfactory. She wished the best for her friend, but she knew life with Mr. Collins would never be the sort of life she had with Fitzwilliam. She felt sorry that her friend would never experience such happiness. I could not have survived being married to such a man. Elizabeth glanced over at her husband and with a self-satisfied grin.
Lizzy,
I know things have moved rapidly since your accident and subsequent marriage to Mr. Darcy. I am afraid I will not be leaving Hunsford for a long time, so I am begging you to come to Kent as soon as you are able.
I understand Mr. Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam come to Rosings to visit their aunt every Easter. However, I was hoping I would see you sooner because I have missed you terribly.
I want you to know I am comfortable and content in my marriage to Mr. Collins.
Please write to me soon,
Charlotte Collins
Elizabeth could feel Charlotte’s loneliness and went to her husband. She told Fitzwilliam what Charlotte had asked. He agreed to arrive at Rosings a little earlier than expected. He was pleased to have the opportunity to enable Elizabeth to spend more time with her friend.
“I just want you to be happy, my love.” His voice was soft as he kissed his wife.
“I feel so blessed to be married to you.” Elizabeth smiled affectionately.
“Are you prepared for the wedding ball my aunt has arranged for us?”
“You should know by now I am always prepared for a ball.” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at her husband, “But do you think you can cope with the dancing and crowd?” Elizabeth placed her hand into his and pulled him towards their bedroom.
“With you at my side, I can face anything.” He moved her against his side, “I remember the last time we were at a ball together, so I think I can cope.”
“Since we are now married, I am sure I can come up with a great range of distractions.” Her smile was radiant as she joined him in their marriage bed. She showed him just how distracting she could be.
Chapter 18
Elizabeth and Darcy stood on the steps of his aunt and uncle’s house.
“I am excited to see Georgiana.” Elizabeth reached up and kissed her husband, “We shall finally be starting our real life together.”
As they were shown to the sitting room, Elizabeth looked around at the décor and was pleased to see Lady Matlock had a sense of understated elegance.
“Lizzy, William, I am delighted to see you.” Georgiana burst into the room and rushed to the couple. She hugged Darcy, but she asked Elizabeth worriedly, “Are you completely healed?”
“I am perfectly healthy. You will not hurt me if you embrace me.” Elizabeth smiled as Georgiana threw herself in Elizabeth’s arms.
“I have missed you so much.” Georgiana’s voice was filled with emotion, “I am also highly anticipating your wedding ball. I have been helping Aunt Ellen make plans all week.”
Lady Matlock swept into the room and said with a chuckle to her niece, “I am glad to know you have not been bored while you have stayed with us.”
“Lady Matlock.” Elizabeth greeted the lady who was now her family.
“Call me Aunt Ellen.” Her smile was assured, “Everyone in the family does. On the subject of your wedding ball, I have invited everyone in the ton. You shall both be on display. Your behaviour will be analyzed and talked about.” She looked at her nephew with an appraising look, “You will not be at liberty to stand on the side of the room and glower since that would not reflect well on your marriage.”
Elizabeth smiled and took her husband’s hand, “I believe we have worked out a solution should the need arise.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy turned slightly red and drew his wife close to him, “Elizabeth has been a good influence on me when it comes to crowds.”
“Well I certainly hope that is true.” Aunt Ellen watched the two with a discerning eye, “It will be very important for your standing and position in the ton to make a good impression at this ball. Your uncle and I will do everything in our power to ensure your standing within the community, but the two of you shall have to shine.”
“Mother, anyone who meets Darcy and Elizabeth will realize how special they are together.” Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the room and headed for Elizabeth. “How have you been?”
“I am very happy and completely healed.” Elizabeth smiled as he embraced her.
“Fitzwilliam, unhand my lady.” Darcy’s tone was light. However, there was a glint of jealous fire in his eyes, “Elizabeth is my wife now.”
“How could I forget that?” Fitzwilliam looked at his cousin with his eyebrows raised in a mocking salute, and whispered to him, “You have managed to marry the woman I wanted.”
“I am in love with her.” Darcy hissed in a low voice.
“I am too.” The reply was even softer as Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to Elizabeth and his mother, “When is the ball to be held?”
“It will be two days from today, on Saturday night,” His mother answered as she wondered what the conversation between her son and Darcy had been regarding.
“We shall be in attendance. For now, we must take our leave. However, I want to thank you for all the plans you have made on our behalf.” Elizabeth expressed her gratitude as her husband guided her out of the door.
Elizabeth and Georgiana decided to take a walk before returning to Darcy House.
“I have the best looking women on my arms.” Darcy smiled as they walked arm in arm through the park.
“I am so thankful you are now my sister.” Georgiana confessed to Elizabeth, “I am especially glad William decided to let you into his heart.”
“I am delighted for that as well because otherwise I would not have known your brother to be such a wonderful man.”
Darcy bent to kiss his wife, “Your presence in my life brings a joy so profound I am unable to express my feelings properly.”
Elizabeth gazed into her husband’s face with an over-abundance of love.
The small party enjoyed the rest of the walk before making their way home.
In the afternoon, Colonel Fitzwilliam called on Darcy House and was shown into the sitting room where Elizabeth was working on her embroidery.
“What a delightful surprise,” Elizabeth stood to welcome the gentleman, “I was not expecting to see you as we were just in your company earlier in the day.”
The Colonel’s face flushed, and he looked a little sheepish, “My apologies Mrs. Darcy,” He smiled, “I am accustomed to coming and going as I wish.”
Elizabeth’s eyes danced, “There is no need for apologies. You are Fitzwilliam’s family. I have no desire to interfere with any prior arrangement you may have had with my husband. Let us also dispense with the formality as it is m
y wish for you to call me Cousin Elizabeth, and I shall call you Cousin Richard.”
“Cousin Elizabeth,” His face flushed with pleasure and respect for his cousin’s wife grew as he felt his heart swell. “I am surprised to find you alone this afternoon. Where is my very lucky cousin?”
“My husband is in his study answering his business correspondence this afternoon.” Elizabeth explained with a smile and walked to the door, “He should be finished by this late hour, and I was just about to interrupt him myself so I will escort you.” Colonel Fitzwilliam followed Elizabeth down the hall to Darcy’s study.
Darcy looked up at the knock on the door, “Enter.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam has graced us with his company this afternoon, my love, so I thought you could take a break and join us for a while.”
Darcy saw the gleam in his wife’s eyes and knew the time had come to put their plan into action, “I was just finishing up, so I would be delighted to join you.” He took hold of Elizabeth’s hand and kissed the back, “In fact, I was hoping for a game of billiards, Richard.”
“Cousin, when will you learn? You shall never be able to compete with my skill?” Fitzwilliam laughed with a raise of his eyebrows at his double-entendre.
Elizabeth winked at Darcy, “I would attest to the fact that no man has greater skill than my husband.”
“No man…” Darcy muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Darcy suspiciously.
“I said no man has more skill than me.” He smiled down at Elizabeth with pride, “The only person beside you, Dear Cousin, to have won against me on the billiard table just happens to be my wife.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam burst into convulsive laughter, and when he was finally able to get control of his amusement, he croaked, “That is the funniest thing I have ever heard, you cannot even win a game of billiards against your own wife.”
Fitzwilliam missed the conspiratorial look which passed between Darcy and Elizabeth. “I was not his wife when he first lost to me.” Elizabeth smirked with a lift of her eyebrows.
Darcy confided, “My wife is very skilful. I bet not even you could beat her, Cousin.”
Fitzwilliam’s eyes danced with merriment at the challenge, “I accept your bet.”
Darcy demurred, “I was merely pointing out how adept Elizabeth is at billiards, but I was not suggesting a wager on my wife’s skill.”
“You challenged me, and I have accepted.” Colonel Fitzwilliam elucidated, “No gentleman would refuse to honour a wager.”
“I will accept your wager,” Darcy agreed with a sidewise glance at Elizabeth, “If we may come to equitable terms.”
Fitzwilliam raised his eyebrows, “If I win I receive the right to escort Cousin Elizabeth to the theatre, just the two of us.”
The blood rushed to Darcy’s face as he flushed with rage, “If you think I would allow you to…”
A gentle squeeze from Elizabeth interrupted what Darcy was going to say, and he conceded when he remembered their plan, “I accept your terms, but when you lose,” Darcy’s face was blazing with revenge “You will be required to dance with every one of Elizabeth’s sisters, and her mother at our wedding ball. You shall also be obligated to keep them entertained for the whole evening.”
Fitzwilliam shuddered with horror at the thought. However, he stiffened his shoulders in acquiescence, “I will accept your terms since I am assured of my victory.”
The trio made their way to the billiard room. While Colonel Fitzwilliam racked the balls, Darcy handed Elizabeth his stick. “For you, my love.”
Elizabeth smiled lovingly up into her husband’s face, and she glanced up at him through her lashes, “You certainly know what I like to play with.” Her hand slid up the stick in a gentle caress.
The Colonel made a disgusted noise, “Do you two ever take a rest?”
Elizabeth blushed, and Darcy laughed, “You forget, dear cousin, we are still newlyweds.”
Fitzwilliam grabbed a stick, “Shall we play.” He grinned at Elizabeth, “Ladies first.” His eyes were dancing with amusement.
Elizabeth skipped lightly to the table and made her first excellent shot. Darcy was pleased to see comprehension dawn on the Colonel’s face as the amusement faded from his expression.
The game proceeded quickly as the two waged battle on the billiard table. Toward the end of the game, Darcy surveyed the table and had to give his cousin a slight edge for winning. Darcy’s smile was bright as his cousin prepared for a shot, and he winked at Elizabeth. This is where the results of their own previous wager would come to fruition.
Elizabeth strode over to her husband. She gracefully lowered herself onto his lap still facing the billiard table. She saw Colonel Fitzwilliam’s jaw drop with an exhaled gasp, and knew her husband’s plan was going to work.
Timing was essential, and Darcy whispered, “Now.” when he saw his cousin had pulled back his arm to make his shot. Elizabeth moved against her husband’s lap seductively, and Darcy moaned with pleasure.
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s shot had gone off the mark since he had been riveted by the couple’s sensual interaction.
Elizabeth fluttered her lashes in mock innocence, “Oh, Cousin Richard, how terrible, you have missed your shot. What a horrible blow… to your ego.”
Elizabeth sauntered up to the table with confidence and made her own shot with precise skill thus securing her victory.
Darcy crossed the room in a few strides. He picked up his wife and swung her in a circle, “I knew you could beat him.”
When he lowered Elizabeth to her feet, he heard his cousin chuckle, “I must applaud your devious triumph, Cousin Elizabeth.” He shook his head, “I should have known better than to oppose you. A great military man should always know when to retreat.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam took his leave of Darcy house after they finished tea. Upon his departure, he whispered to Elizabeth, “You are very good for Darcy, but I cannot help envying him his good fortune in securing your affections, as well as your devious mind.”
“You give me far too much credit, Cousin Richard.” Elizabeth responded in kind, “This was entirely the work of my wickedly cunning husband. I was just fulfilling a wager I had lost to him.”
Fitzwilliam shook his head in disbelief as he made his way to the carriage.
“What was my cousin saying to you?” Darcy enquired.
“He was just envying your good fortune in marrying me.” Elizabeth smiled, “Once again, I was given credit for your brilliant plan.
Darcy laughed as he took Elizabeth’s arm, “That was fun. I knew we both would be winners when you fulfilled our wager by playing with Cousin Richard. He shall pay accordingly at our wedding ball.” He smiled angelically, “Shall we play a game?”
Georgiana walked downstairs a short while later and asked Mrs. Nelson, “Have you seen my brother and Elizabeth?”
“They are in the billiard room.” Mrs. Nelson answered automatically.
“I will join them.” Georgiana decided as she made her way to the billiard room. When her hand was on the doorknob, Mrs. Nelson caught up with her and stopped the young lady with a shake of her head.
“Always knock on the door before you interrupt the master and mistress.” The housekeeper rolled her eyes, “Otherwise, you might catch sight of more of them than you would wish to see.”
Georgiana’s eyes grew wide as Mrs. Nelson continued, “There is not one servant in this house who has not learned that lesson the hard way.”
Georgiana softly knocked on the door and was relieved when she heard her brother call, “Enter.”
The next day Elizabeth’s family descended upon Darcy house. Her parents would be staying with the Gardiners, but Elizabeth thought it would be best for her sisters to stay at Darcy House. She wanted Jane to be in the same house with her. It would be convenient for Mr. Bingley to call on the Darcy’s to visit Jane. As for her younger sisters, they would enjoy spending more time with Georgiana.
The Bennets dropped off their daughter’s at Darcy House before they proceeded to the Gardiner’s home. Mrs. Bennet was in awe of her daughter’s new home. In an act of spontaneity, she gave Fitzwilliam Darcy an embrace and kissed his cheek.
Darcy’s face flushed red, and his eyes opened wide as his mother-in-law openly gushed about his home. She profusely thanked him for inviting her daughters to stay with them.
Leaving her sisters and mother in the capable hands of Mrs. Nelson, Elizabeth and Darcy showed Mr. Bennet the library, and he was in heaven.
Elizabeth left Mr. Bennet in the library. She took advantage of a moment of privacy as she rose onto her tiptoes to kiss her husband. “How are you doing, my dear.” Her voice was full of love.
“I will admit, I was a little startled when your mother embraced me.”
“She is just trying to show you her affection.” Elizabeth laughed with a toss of her head.
“It was still strange.” Darcy smiled sheepishly, and he shook his head still disbelieving, “I have grown accustomed to her hating me. This reaction seems to be against the natural order of things.”
He pulled his wife to him and held her tight. He kissed her with a passionate ardour, “Nevertheless, as long as I have you, I am happy.” His lips found hers again, and his hands moved up to cup her rear end.
“Uhumm.” The sound of Mr. Bennet clearing his throat drove the couple out of each other’s arms with guilty expressions. Mr. Bennet laughed with a smirk, “Glad to see some things have not changed.” His head tilted sideways as he arched his eyebrow, “Remember young man, even though she is your wife now. She will always be my daughter.”
“Papa, can I help you with something?” Elizabeth offered as she walked to her father.
Darcy’s face grew dark, and he did not try to hide his annoyance at Mr. Bennet’s intrusion on their privacy. However, before he could say anything, a maid came to find him.
“Mr. Darcy, sir.”
Change of Heart Page 15