by Kara Louise
“And go horseback riding.”
“Yes, she was quite proficient on a horse. She was sweet and cute, and I often considered waiting for her to grow up.” He met Elizabeth's gaze with a smile. “But alas, she did not wait for me. I understand she is betrothed to a gentleman quite a bit younger than me.”
Elizabeth smiled and breathed a sigh of relief at his disclosure. As they both laughed at the humour in the situation, a great burden was lifted from them.
“Now, Fitzwilliam, my first and only true love, are you going to open your gift?” Elizabeth tried very hard not to show her disappointment in his forgetting the day. She concentrated on letting him know how much she cared.
He took his time pulling the ribbons off the package. Elizabeth watched him closely, wanting to witness his expression when he saw the gift.
He opened the box and pulled out a small framed painted portrait of her. He stared at it silently for a few moments. Elizabeth held her breath, waiting for some sign of approval.
Finally he smiled. “This is wonderful, Elizabeth! It is a remarkable likeness! You remembered what I said about wanting a portrait of you. I thought the silhouettes were well done, but this…” He looked intently at it. “He perfectly captured your sparkling, fine eyes! When did you have it done?”
“I heard about a man in Lambton who did portraits. I contacted him immediately after we returned from London and he was able to start at once.” She placed her hand on his. “So you are pleased?”
“I shall be most delighted to always have your beautiful face with me!” He leaned over and kissed her. “Besides, I hardly ever see the silhouettes! You seem to have claimed both of them for the window ledge in your study.”
Elizabeth tilted her head at her husband and her eyes sparkled. “I can admire them all the better while sitting at my desk! What will you do with the portrait?”
“Well, I assure you that I will not hide it away beneath some false bottom in a drawer!”
“I would hope not!” Elizabeth laughed.
He looked back down at the portrait and then up at her. “I shall always keep it near my heart.”
“You are too sweet.” Elizabeth stroked his face with her fingers.
“By the way, Elizabeth, I inquired of Mrs. Reynolds last night about the letter and framed portrait. She believes she knows who it was.”
Elizabeth turned to him with a look of anticipation. “Who?”
“She believes it was an Alexander Harriman. He had been an acquaintance of my mother when she was but a young woman of seventeen or eighteen, and he had fallen deeply in love with her. She, however, did not return his regard and actually turned down a proposal from him.” He cast a glance at Elizabeth.
“Sounds familiar,” Elizabeth said to him softly.
“Yes.” Darcy looked up at her smiling. “He was in the Royal Navy and unfortunately, while engaged in a skirmish with the French, he was killed. The letter was the last – and possibly the only one – he wrote to her. He may have left the portrait with her before he left with the hope that she would eventually turn her affections toward him when he returned. Mrs. Reynolds believes she may have kept the letter and portrait because she realized he had died loving her.”
“How sweet… and how sad.”
“Mrs. Reynolds and I feel that she probably forgot about placing both of those items there, as you thought.”
“At least that mystery is solved.”
When Darcy turned his attention back to eating his breakfast, Elizabeth could not hold her thoughts in any longer. “Fitzwilliam, did you perchance forget today was Valentine's Day?”
He met her glance and firmly answered, “What makes you think I forgot?”
“Because I do not see anything.”
“That is precisely the point.” He leaned back in his chair and reached for his cup of coffee, taking a sip.
“I do not understand. What do you mean by that?”
“What is it you do not see?”
She looked around her, and then suddenly realized. “I… I do not see any of the servants.”
“Exactly. I have given everyone leave for the day. All the household and outdoor staff have the day off with orders not to leave the servants’ wing or come anywhere close to Pemberley if they live elsewhere. Georgiana has gone to visit a friend. We, my dear, are all alone… to do whatever we wish wherever we wish!”
Elizabeth's heart fluttered as the look he gave her told her everything he meant by that. She suddenly thought of the food set on the table. “But who did the…?”
“I did have a little help from Mrs. Reynolds earlier. She has now returned to her apartment, only to make an appearance if she is summoned by you or me.”
“And your business trip?” she asked, as she resumed eating.
“What business trip?” Darcy picked up a roll and took a bite.
“The one you mentioned yesterday.”
“I have no plans to go anywhere today.” He took his napkin and brought it up to his mouth, concealing a grin.
Elizabeth set down her fork. “Fitzwilliam Richard Darcy, you were purposely trying to make me think you had not remembered that today was Valentine’s Day!”
“And you thought I had forgotten! Now, finish eating before it gets cold.”
Elizabeth took a few more bites, feeling at first foolish, until a thought came to her. “But… wait a minute!” she cried.
“What is it now?”
“I asked Mrs. Reynolds to have the staff prepare your favourite meal for dinner. Now my plan is ruined because you have given them all leave for the day!”
“Hmmm. Not necessarily so. I have a note here from Mrs. Reynolds that she asked me to give to you.”
Elizabeth took the note and opened it. She read:
Dear Mrs. Darcy,
I have been suffering under the dilemma of having requests from you and Mr. Darcy that did not at all seem compatible. You obviously know by now that I have been given strict instructions by your husband to stay away from the main part of the house. But do not fear. We shall prepare Mr. Darcy’s favourite meal, as planned, in the servant’s kitchen. When you wish to eat, just ring for me and I will have it brought to the dining room. Then we shall obediently and quickly, disappear, as per your husband’s request.
Yours, Mrs. Reynolds
“So, my dear,” Darcy said, “it seems as though they have accommodated both of our requests.”
Elizabeth smiled at the thoughtfulness of her husband. She could not imagine being completely alone with him throughout the house, as there was usually one servant or another passing through.
“Oh, one more thing,” Darcy said as he reached into the pocket of his coat, pulling out a small box. “This is for you.”
Elizabeth put her fork down and took the small package gingerly. She lifted the lid to find a necklace inside with the initial E in gold, and a single diamond embedded in it. The bottom flourish of the E formed a tiny heart. “This is beautiful, Fitzwilliam. I love it! Thank you!”
“I hoped you would like it.”
“I do, very much! Will you help me put it on?”
Darcy accommodated her request by bringing it around her neck as Elizabeth held up her long hair in the back. When he finished his task, he could not help but place a gentle kiss on the back of her neck.
“And now, my dear, since it is still bitterly cold outside and ankle deep with snow, I say we begin our day by taking a tour of the house and exploring all the hidden treasures we can discover in the music room, drawing room, sitting room, and library. What do you say to that?”
“No more secret letters or strange framed likenesses, I hope.”
“You shall certainly not find any of mine.” Darcy gave a hearty laugh. “I cleared them all out before you came here as Mistress of Pemberley!”
“You are insufferable, Fitzwilliam!”
“I hope by the end of today you may find that I am a bit of a romantic, as well,” he replied with a loving smile. “If
you have finished eating, I propose we start with a tour of the music room. I believe I am in the mood to make a little music.”
Elizabeth smiled at him and blushed, and as they stood up from the table and began to walk to the music room, she said, “Shall you be performing on the pianoforte, or shall I?”
Darcy looked at her with a glint in his eyes. “I think, my dearest, that we have no need for an instrument to make the kind of music I have in mind.”
*~*~*
When they walked into the music room, Elizabeth gasped at what she beheld. Despite being morning, a fire was burning in the hearth, candles were lit around the room, and several quilts were lying on the floor. Placed atop the quilts were two goblets of wine, a small plate of chocolate candies, and another small wrapped gift.
Elizabeth turned to her husband, her eyes glistening. “Did you do all this?”
He shrugged modestly. “I did. Are you pleased?”
She did not answer, but turned and brought her hands up around her husband’s neck, clasping her fingers behind. When she gently pulled his head down so she could kiss him, Darcy had his answer.
They lowered themselves onto the quilts, and he offered a goblet to Elizabeth and took one himself. He lifted his toward Elizabeth, his eyes full of love and warmth.
“To you, my beautiful, most wonderful wife. You have given me your love fully, and I could not be happier or more content.” He touched the goblet to hers. “To many more years of sharing our love and lives together.”
Their gazes locked as they took a few sips of wine, and soon they were both slowly putting their goblets down. Darcy drew Elizabeth close to him, cradled her in his arms, and handed her the small box.
“But you have already given me a gift!”
“True, but this is your music room gift!”
The warmth and glow of the fire added to the warmth they both felt. As Darcy leaned over to kiss his wife, she suddenly pressed her fingers to his lips.
“What is it, my dear?” Darcy asked.
“Do I recollect correctly that you said we would be taking a tour of the music room, drawing room, sitting room, and library?”
“I believe I did.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Fitzwilliam, you cannot have a gift waiting for me in each of those rooms!”
“And why should I not?”
Elizabeth let out a soft breath. “Oh my!”
“Is anything wrong?”
A smile appeared and Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled as she shook her head. “Certainly not! I am merely contemplating what all you may have planned.”
Darcy lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Plans? I have made no definitive plans. I believe between the two of us we shall be able to come up with some very pleasant and diverting ways to spend our first Valentine’s Day together!”
Easter
Spring came early to Pemberley. The snow that had fallen earlier in the year was completely melted, thanks to the sunshine that persisted in pouring down its warmth. The flowers were beginning to bud, and the birds chirped noisily as they fluttered about in anticipation of attracting a mate to help raise a brood of babies.
Elizabeth and Darcy were sharing a light afternoon tea when Mrs. Reynolds walked in with a letter. She had a look of concern upon her face as she handed it to Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth readily noticed the pinching of her husband’s brows as he read the missive. He took in a deep breath and clenched his fist. Looking up, he met Elizabeth's eyes.
“What is it?” she asked.
“A letter from my aunt. She has written to ask… no, by her wording I would say insist… upon our coming – you, me, and Georgiana – for Easter, as has been my tradition for the past five years, since my good father passed away.”
“Does it seem that she desires to make amends?”
“She does not say. She writes as though nothing ever happened.”
“Do you think we should go?”
Darcy put the letter down and rested his chin upon his fist. He shook his head. “I do not know what would be best. I have no reason to believe her feelings toward you have changed. I understand that my cousin will be visiting as well, and he has indicated his desire to have us join him.” He pounded his chin with his fist as he contemplated this. “I am not certain that I am willing to put you in a position to be violently abused by her again.”
Elizabeth gently placed her hand on his. “But, Fitzwilliam, you have had no communication with her since before the wedding. I know she was rude to me and angry on the subject of our marriage. But I am willing to go if there is any chance at all to reconcile. Can I persuade you to agree to her invitation? Easter is, after all, about forgiveness. Perhaps it is time to try and resolve this discord amongst us.”
He turned to look at Elizabeth and placed his other hand on top of hers. “I will agree to go only if she is willing to apologize to you. I cannot help but regard the things she said to you as inexcusable. And she does tend to hold onto resentment an insufferably long time.”
Elizabeth smiled, knowing her husband's tendency to do the same, or so he had once told her. She hoped to soften her husband's mood. With a teasing smile she said, “But certainly you remember that what I said to her after she came to me gave you the assurance and hope that my feelings toward you had improved.”
Darcy took in a deep breath. “This is true, but it was still very wrong of her. I do not know what to expect from her. She can often behave unpredictably even under the best circumstances.” He grasped Elizabeth's hand tightly. “When Fitzwilliam and I are there, I endure her behaviour. I am very adept at turning a deaf ear to her. But if she were to behave rudely in your presence – and Georgiana's – I fear I would become very angry the moment she steps over the boundaries of respectability.”
“Fitzwilliam, she is your mother's sister. Do you not think it would be best to at least try to work things out? I would be most willing. I cannot see going through life harbouring ill feelings against your very own flesh and blood.”
“You are too gracious, Elizabeth.”
“Besides, I should like to see Charlotte again and the new baby.”
“And Mr. Collins, as well?” he asked with a teasing smile.
Elizabeth’s brows rose and she smiled. “Certainly! He has a way with words that always brings a smile to my face!” She brought her husband’s hand to her lips and kissed it softly as she leaned closely toward him. “I know that the prospect of this visit is not the most pleasant, but sometimes we must suffer things which bring us a little discomfiture in order for good to come out of it.”
“So you are firmly of the opinion that we ought to go?” he asked.
“I would hate to not do something we would later regret.”
Darcy picked up the letter again and set his eyes upon it. Elizabeth noticed a frown set across his face as he contemplated what to do. “All right,” he said slowly. “We shall go. I will agree to it only on the stipulation that she treats you with the utmost civility. I am resolved, however, that if she brings up any of her idiotic assertions about who I should or should not have married, we shall leave directly.”
Elizabeth suddenly smiled, her eyes betraying a mischievous twinkle. “We need not necessarily leave. If we find your aunt’s behaviour at all unacceptable, we could simply go to Hunsford to stay with the Collinses. I am certain they would be most happy to have us. Now would that not be punishment for her?”
“Hah! For her? What about for us?” Darcy cried. “I cannot fathom staying in the same household as Mr. Collins! I should much prefer taking a blanket into the stables!” He caught her teasing smile, which readily prompted him to smile in return.
Elizabeth stood up and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Well, let us not worry about what may or may not happen in regards to your aunt. Let us just decide what we shall do and do it.”
“Elizabeth, do you truly think this is wise?”
“Fitzwilliam, I believe we both must go back. There is reconcilia
tion on all sides that needs to take place.”
Darcy stood and picked up his wife’s other hand, placing it on his other shoulder. He then wrapped his arms about her waist and pulled her close. “All right then, my dearest, we shall go. However, I still dislike the possibility that going back to Rosings might put you in a most repugnant situation.”
Elizabeth let out a long sigh. “Our first trip back to Rosings… and Hunsford.” Elizabeth said it quietly, and Darcy tensed. Her thoughts swirled as she considered the fact that they would be returning to the very place where he had offered up his insulting proposal, and which Elizabeth had so acrimoniously rejected. She knew he was likely thinking the same.
Darcy rested his chin atop Elizabeth’s head as he spoke. “I should like to talk with Georgiana about this before we go. She knows that Aunt Catherine refused to come to the wedding, but I do not think she is aware how exceptionally rude she was to you. I want her to be fully aware of what we may encounter there.”
“I think that is a very good idea.”
He drew back and placed two fingers under his wife’s chin, lifting her face. He looked intently into her eyes for a brief moment before bringing his lips down to meet hers in a kiss.
Darcy wrote the necessary letters to confirm their plans to visit their aunt. He wrote to Colonel Fitzwilliam and settled upon the date they would arrive. Darcy wanted to ensure that his cousin would be there upon their arrival to help stave off any unreasonable attacks his aunt levelled at his wife.
Elizabeth was grateful her husband agreed to go and hoped his aunt’s anger and resentment had lessened in the few months since their wedding. She knew first-hand how hurtful Lady Catherine could be if there was anything that did not meet with her approval. Elizabeth had felt her intense scrutiny and chastisement the last time she was at Rosings, before Lady Catherine was even aware of any attachment between them. She would have greater reason now to dislike Elizabeth, who had married the nephew she had desired for so many years to marry her own daughter.
Darcy wrote to his aunt, thanking her for the invitation, and confirming that the three of them would be coming the Wednesday prior to Easter, but would have to leave the following Wednesday. He knew a week's time would likely be construed by her as too short, but presently he viewed it as far too long.