Across the room Jane Fitzwilliam carried on a very similar conversation with Mary Bennet and passed her the bouquet of Damask roses. Miss Bennet’s expression was wistful as she said, “Oh, Jane, there is someone I hope may make me an offer some day in the future. I realize I am far too young yet, but … ”
“Mary! Who is this wonderful young fellow? I know he must be a singular gentleman to have captured your regard. Am I acquainted with him? Is he, perhaps, a brother of one of your seminary friends? I am all curiosity.”
Mary smiled enigmatically and shook her head. “I shall not disclose his identity yet, other than to say you are acquainted with him. Now go.” She giggled and continued, “Your handsome barbarian is waiting for you.” Jane kissed her sister’s cheek, and they walked hand in hand to where Richard impatiently waited for his bride.
Miss de Bourgh was surprised when she was presented with Elizabeth Darcy’s wedding bouquet of roses. “Lizzy, how sweet … and prophetic too … albeit a tad tardy. Thank you, cousin.”
“A tad tardy prophetically? Anne Catriona de Bourgh, is there something I should know?”
“Well, I am unsure if Charles wants anyone else to be informed as yet. He is asking Mother for permission as we speak. Oh, good grief! She is very fond of our Mr. Bing, so I hope she does not assume he is actually proposing to her.”
“Anne! Do be serious. Did Mr. Bingley truly make you an offer?”
“Yes, indeed … one I could not refuse, complete with an emerald. Do you want your roses back?”
“Silly goose. May I see the emerald?”
Miss de Bourgh held out her left hand and wiggled her fourth finger. “It is an en-gag-ment ring.”
“Do you mean an engagement ring? It is very beautiful.”
“Well, yes, it is certainly that. However, I almost gagged and broke a tooth because it was in my slice of wedding cake. Ergo, it shall be named en-gag-ment ring from this day forward.”
“I would still prefer to call it an engagement ring, Anne; but as Shakespeare said, ‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.’ Congratulations, my friend. I am very happy for both of you.”
They hugged. “Thank you, Lizzy, and thank you also for the bouquet of roses. The gesture was very thoughtful of you. Speaking of roses, being married to my impeccable cousin shall not be a bed of them, you know.”
“Every rose has its thorn.”
“Yes, but if Fitzwilliam’s behaviour becomes obnoxious, you must promise me to nip it in the bud.”
“I cannot, even in my wildest dreams, imagine Fitzwilliam ever being obnoxious. Nonetheless, since we were speaking of gardening, I do remember he once had a green thumb, green hair, green shirt, and …”
The rich, resonant voice of her husband startled Elizabeth, and she jumped. “Ladies, I am almost afraid to ask about your pre-seeding conversation. When you two speak with one another, I never know the ground rules and am always garden my comments. I feel quite green and must pro-seed by trowel and error.”
“You heard?” his wife guiltily asked.
“Every word after ‘speaking of roses.’ Did I miss anything noteworthy prior to that?”
Anne waggled her left hand in front of his face. “I am en-gagged. I have snagged and bagged Bingley.”
“Ah! My best wishes then, Annie.” He bent to give her a hug and to kiss her cheek. “Poor Bingley! I hope my wretched friend shall take time to smell the roses once in a while.” He was duly rewarded by a pinch on his arm.
All guests had at last departed Pemberley except for the six newlyweds and their families. The Colonel’s fine new carriage, a wedding gift from his parents, stood at the drive ready to carry its owner and his wife to well-appointed Waterstone Inn, where the bride and groom would remain for ten cozy nights before journeying to London to stay at Matlock Manor while Richard finalized the resignation of his commission. The couple would subsequently travel to Kent and settle at Rosings Park. Leave had already been taken of the Bennets and Darcys, and Richard and Jane stood chatting with the Fitzwilliam family.
Viscount Wentletrap, the Colonel’s older brother, had a relatively enjoyable afternoon quaffing more than his share of Mr. Gardiner’s generous contribution to the festivities. As he bent to kiss his new sister’s hand for the third time that day, he nearly keeled over and took Jane with him.
With quick reflexes, the Colonel rescued them before they took a tumble. “Whoa there, James! Steady, man. Sorry, darling Jane, but I believe my brother is as drunk and wobbly as a wheelbarrow.”
The Viscount put his arm around Richard and cheerfully quoted Lord Byron. “Man, being reasonable, must get drunk; the best of life is but intoxication.”
“Well, brother, Lord Byron also said, ‘The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in pain.’ The sensation you are feeling now will not exist long, and the pain is certain to come later. Please take good care of this poor sot, Lady Isabelle.”
The Viscountess, who was with child and rather exhausted, gently took her husband’s arm. She smiled at her brother-in-law and said, “Colonel, you and I have had our differences in the past; all the same, I sincerely wish you and your wife much happiness. Years ago at our own wedding James and I vowed for better, for worse; and we have had quite enough worse, so we are attempting better for a while. Is that not true, husband?”
“Ah, Isabelle, I never knew what real happiness was until I married you … and then it was too late.” He winked at his brother and then placed a loud, wet, sloppy kiss on his wife’s cheek.
Richard rolled his eyes, patted James on the back, and led Jane over to take their leave of Lord Matlock and Lady Rebecca.
There had been tears and laughter as the Bennets, Darcys, and Fitzwilliams said farewell to the newlyweds; and servants cheerfully tossed shoes, for luck, toward the departing carriages of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming and Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Finally Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy stood alone on Pemberley’s front steps and waved as their families pulled out of sight.
Darcy and Elizabeth were to spend their first week of connubial bliss at Pemberley before heading to Northumberland. The Gardiners planned to spend several days in Lambton before returning to London; and the Bennet family, Anna Darcy and her parents, Mr. Bingley, and the de Bourghs would all be guests of the Earl of Matlock at his Derbyshire estate before traveling onward to their own homes.
Alone at last! Darcy tucked his wife’s hand into the crook of his arm as they turned toward the entrance hall. “Elizabeth, I could not help but notice you hardly ate anything at all this afternoon. You must be famished, but would you prefer to rest and refresh before we dine?”
She nodded and said, “I admit I did far more chatting, smiling, and dancing than anything else, and it is certainly later than I imagined the celebration would last. But, oh, Fitzwilliam, everything was simply perfect! Your parents are the quintessential host and hostess; and I fear, as mistress of your estate, I shall be unable to live up to your expectations.”
“Dearest, I do not expect you to be perfect.” He smiled at her as they ascended the staircase to their rooms. “Just please understand why I am not.”
“Agreed.” She nudged him with her elbow, and he nudged back.
“Is everything to your satisfaction here at Pemberley, Elizabeth? Are your chambers comfortable?”
“Yes, and you have asked me that exact same question at least a thousand times since my arrival. How could they not be? I understand, from Anna and Mrs. Reynolds, that my apartments are those normally reserved for the likes of a marchioness or duchess. I am duly flattered and honoured, sir.”
“It is true. We once had two duchesses staying here during the same week, and we thought they were going to duke it out over which of them would be accommodated in those particular rooms. Fortunately, they did not resort to fisticuffs.”
“Finally, a pun! I was beginning to speculate over our lack of knack for wordplay, sir.”
“Thi
s evening, Elizabeth, shall be reserved for play of a different variety. I will come to escort you to dinner in, say, an hour?” He kissed her hand and left his blushing bride to the ministrations of her abigail, Ann Cillary.
The romantic, candlelit repast was served in a private dining room with a small fireplace and a table only large enough for two place settings. After their hunger was sated, Darcy asked if Elizabeth would care to join him for a short stroll along the river. Never one to pass up an opportunity for a walk, she agreed; and servants fetched their outerwear.
As they sauntered alongside the bourn, the gentleman repeatedly peeked at his fob watch. “Sir, why do you so secretly and frequently verify the time? Do you have an assignation tonight, perchance?”
Darcy startled at being caught, put the timepiece back in its waistcoat pocket, and smiled down at his wife. “As a matter of fact, yes; and the rendezvous must be perfectly synchronized.”
She began to solicit his meaning, but her words were cut off when his warm lips claimed hers just as a shrill, whizzing whistle pierced the silence. An unexpected boom made Elizabeth jump; and as she stepped back and opened her eyes, the night sky above the stream was alive with colour. She laughed with delight and clapped her hands. “Fireworks yet again, Fitzwilliam! And finally they are authentic.” The impressive display lasted another few minutes, although its splendour was totally wasted on the newlyweds whose senses were more agreeably engaged.
As they ambled back to the house, gloved hand in gloved hand, the gentlemen stopped just shy of the entrance and spoke softly. “Mrs. Darcy, I just want to reiterate that to have and to hold you from this day forward shall be my greatest pleasure; and I will do everything within my power to keep the promises I made today before our family and friends.”
“Fitzwilliam, I promised to love, honour, keep you in sickness and in health, forsake all others, and keep only unto you so long as we both shall live; and I absolutely have no qualms as regards those pledges. I must caution you, however, that I may struggle mightily with the obey aspect.”
Less than an hour afterward, Darcy, barefoot and clad only in trousers and open-necked shirt, tentatively tapped on the door to his wife’s chambers. Elizabeth had previously dismissed Ann Cillary and, therefore, opened the portal herself. “Come in, Fitzwilliam.”
The spacious room, decorated in ivory and gold with burgundy accents, glowed. A radiant fire blazed in the grate, beeswax candles softly illuminated the shadows, a subtle lavender aroma permeated throughout, and chilled champagne awaited. Darcy, nonetheless, noticed not any of those niceties. He only had eyes for the glorious vision standing alluringly before him. Elizabeth’s rich, vibrant hair was unbound, her magnificent dark eyes glittered, and her voluptuous curves were clad in the single most becoming, bewitching, and beguiling gossamer piece of clothing he had ever witnessed.
“Oh, my love! This chamber has just been elevated from being worthy of a duchess, for at this moment it is surely occupied by a goddess. My God, Elizabeth, but you are beautiful!” He rushed forward to embrace his bride and met with no resistance. Their kiss advanced from tentatively tender to heatedly intense and deeply passionate within mere moments. Darcy had intended to take his time and be extremely gentle, but Lizzy was wreaking havoc with his control. When he pulled away to search her face for censure or encouragement, he was surprised to see instead her sassy, saucy smile.
“Mr. Darcy, I do believe you have another dill-emma.”
“I assure you my only dilemma at this moment is one of willpower,” he panted. To what do you refer, Mrs. Darcy?”
“The dill-emma, sir, is the enormous pickle in your pocket.”
“Madam! I have no pockets, as you are very well aware. Your teasing is frustrating my self-restraint, you little minx.” He rather roughly pulled her close, plunged his hands into Elizabeth’s hair and his tongue into her mouth, startling her. “Oh God! Forgive me, Lizzy. Be assured I will not rush you, even though I grow impatient to make you my wife.”
“I believe the Reverend Mr. Godfrey has already performed that service, sir.”
Darcy gazed at his naive bride with equally immense affection and amusement. “I most certainly trust not, at least in the manner to which I refer, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth become conscious of her blunder and blushed furiously. “You must consider me the most green girl in the kingdom, Fitzwilliam.”
“You are my beautiful blushing bride, Elizabeth … a true English rose; and you are expected to be an innocent. As for being green, you must remember the day we first met … I was green, literally. But, Lizzy, I do trust your mother explained … ah … in relation to … relations.”
“She did, and she also gave me some reading to do by Fordyce and Gregory to guide me in our marriage.”
“Good God. Elizabeth, I attempted to read those books but could not stomach such hogwash, such claptrap, such balderdash. Ah. I see by that certain twinkle you are teasing me. You must allow me the pleasure of putting another kind of passion in those fine eyes of yours tonight.” Darcy reached for her left hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed the band of gold on her fourth finger. “I have already wed thee with this ring and endowed thee with all my worldly goods. May I worship you with my body now, Lizzy?”
Afterward
Lizzy’s New Home ~ a Moving Experience
The week at Pemberley passed very rapidly for the newlyweds; and before they knew it, the carriage containing George Darcy, Lady Anne, Anna, and Miss Mary Bennet returned to the estate. Kitty, Lydia, and Robert had already returned to Longbourn with their parents and a pony; and Mary brought letters for Lizzy from each member of the family, wishing her well and expressing unending love for their daughter and sister.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had been concerned his bride, who was raised in a rather lively family, might be lonely during the twelve days of Christmas. So, with her consent, Anna and Mary had been invited to travel with them to Northumberland and remain as long as they desired. Invitations had also been dispatched to their northern neighbours in Erethistle asking them to visit on New Year’s Eve to meet Mrs. Darcy.
The journey north had been quite a lengthy one, necessitating several stopovers. Fortunately there had been no snowfall, and the roads were in passably good condition. Elizabeth, as they neared their destination, was thrilled to see Hadrian’s Wall; and Darcy was delighted to explain the remaining segment in Erethistle’s vicinity was one of the region’s best. He gladly provided his wife and sister-in-law with information about their surroundings.
“Erethistle has been in existence since Roman times, circa 122 AD; and, in fact, the stone road, Stanegate, is within easy walking distance of Northumbrella. Lizzy, I am sure you will take great pleasure in rambling about; and I shall be more than happy to accompany you on hikes but can assure you the area is quite safe from marauders. As you are aware, Hadrian’s Wall was erected to keep out barbarians.”
Anna found great amusement in her brother’s unexpected banter; and she added, “The barrier worked remarkably well up until a few months ago when a barbaric horde arrived at Pemberley. I always thought the Picts painted themselves blue, yet the barbarians that day were most definitely green-tinged.”
The surroundings contained a great diversity of scenery, including several yawning ravines with rivers rushing through them; and Elizabeth cried, “Oh, look! Some of these river valleys are absolutely gorges!”
Anna had, of course, been at her family’s Northumberland estate many times; but Mary was completely fascinated by her journey and had never traveled much farther than London. Her nose was pressed against the window as they bypassed the town; and she said, “Please tell me more about the district, sir.”
“There are mills and mining in the region; and many of the dwellings are constructed from local stone, as is our own Northumbrella. Ladies, you will be pleased to learn Erethistle is a market town with artisans, shopkeepers, and tradesmen; and our weekly market is held on Mondays. Miss Bennet, before you leave we
must make an attempt to visit some of the nearby castles … Stonetrippe, Blinkenought, Hiddenwall, Phelanwell, as well as Quillhill Hall. Ah, Mrs. Darcy, may I direct your attention to the right-hand side, for we are currently approaching our estate.”
Lizzy watched for the first appearance of her new residence with great anticipation. The park was very large; and although she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view, her mind was too full for praise and conversation. When at last Northumbrella Hall was sighted, her spirits were in a high flutter. And of this immense northern estate I am now mistress. I hope the strong, stone walls withstand such ineptitude. Please God, let them still be standing this time next year. The house was a large, handsome building on a prominence that was surrounded by woods and overlooked a vast lawn that led down to a small ice-covered lake.
“Tell me, Fitzwilliam, do you happen to swim in that pond during summer?”
Had Mary Bennet and Anna Darcy not been in the carriage, the young master of Northumbrella might have kissed the puckish smirk from his beloved wife’s mouth. Instead he merely grinned and replied, “I have yet to take the plunge, my dear. Perhaps I shall in August; but it deep-ends on whether I might, out of the blue, stumble upon a strikingly beautiful brunette woman with sparkling, intelligent eyes once I emerge. Are you aware one’s form appears to the greatest advantage while walking in wet, clinging clothing?”
“Oh! Shocking!” cried Elizabeth. “I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech, Anna?”
“Nothing so easy, Lizzy, if you have but the inclination. You must punish him severely; and as intimate as you are, you must know how it is to be done.”
Elizabeth arched her brow and gave her husband an impertinent smile. “Perhaps my intimacy with your brother has taught me a thing or two, Anna. Beware, Mr. Darcy,” she purred. The gentleman shifted uncomfortably, considered himself forewarned, and eagerly anticipated time alone with his sassy wife.
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge Page 33