My Beginning With Mr. Darcy [Book Two]

by Lauren King

  “Thank you, my dear. Now, let us not be down. Do you need anything else for your wedding that I can help you with?” Mr. Bennet picks up his mood so that his daughter will not remain depressed.

  “No thank you, Papa.” Elizabeth blinks rapidly to hold back the tears.

  “Now, as for the payment of the wedding breakfast, I will take care of that today if you want to go with me to the merchants. Or else I can leave the money for your Uncle to pay them afterwards.”

  “Papa, William has told me that he will be paying for everything. He will not hear my reasoning, and I do not want to keep disagreeing with him about money. He was….angry when Mama yelled at me yesterday about forcing you to pay for such a large wedding breakfast.” Elizabeth tells her Father her Mother’s discourse.

  “Your Mother said that to you?”

  “Yes, she yelled at me in front of Aunt Madeline, Jane, and Lydia. We did not know that William was standing nearby, so he heard some of Mama’s ire.” Elizabeth sighs with great discontent. “After that, he refused to budge about him paying for the entire wedding breakfast. Last week, I was finally able to get him to listen to reason about you paying for the wedding breakfast, but after yesterday, he refused to hear it.”

  Elizabeth continues to clarify. “The cost is nothing to William, and he is rather displeased every time I worry about spending his money. He said that his money is also mine, thus he trusts me with all of it; therefore, he does not want to hear me complain about spending money on what I want or need. He does not care how much I spend. He said that he knows I am responsible and not reckless, thus he is not afraid that I will put him in the poor house.” Elizabeth lightly chuckles. “I think I will not mention to him about the cost for the wedding breakfast again. If you want to talk to William about it, then you can, Papa.” Elizabeth explains carefully.

  “I will talk to him about it, then. Mr. Darcy is correct; you are responsible and not reckless. You will make a very good mistress for all of his estates. I am very happy for your marriage, Lizzy; I could not be happier. You deserve it all. You will not forget to write to me and tell me about all your adventures with your new homes and the surrounding people, will you?”

  “I will write often, Papa.” Elizabeth giggles warmly.

  After luncheon, Darcy comes to visit Elizabeth for tea. He is very joyous because the next day he will be married to Elizabeth and be free to love her forever. “Good afternoon, dearest.” Darcy says charmingly. “You look very pretty in that dress. Is it new?”

  Elizabeth smiles brightly and says, “Thank you, darling; it is new. It is one of the dresses from my wedding trousseau. I gave all of my other dresses to Jane, Mary, and Kitty. I will be a new lady wearing new clothes for my new husband.” Elizabeth jokes and then giggles prettily.

  “As opposed to your old husband?” Darcy teases.

  “Well, you are older than me.” Elizabeth giggles again; she likes to joke with William. She feels such happiness when they laugh with one another about anything.

  “I am old now, huh?” Darcy narrows his eyes playfully.

  “Yes, and you got yourself a young wife – how lucky you are!” Elizabeth continues to taunt William playfully and then kisses his lips.

  “So does my young wife want a wedding gift?” Darcy humorously smirks.

  “Hmm…does my handsome, charming, debonair husband-to-be want to give me a wedding gift?” Elizabeth jests as she looks sideways impishly.

  “All those compliments…goodness. I better give my young, beautiful wife a wedding gift, then. I have to keep her interested in this old man.” Darcy rises to her banter.

  Elizabeth pouts and remains still while looking down at her hands that she has just withdrawn from William’s hold. She knows that William is joking, but it still…troubles her that others may still think that she is a fortune hunter. William would never think that of her; however, when the disparity is this apparent, it cannot be helped but be noticed.

  Darcy notices the sudden change in Elizabeth. “Dearest, what is the matter?”

  “Nothing, darling.” Elizabeth smiles fondly and caresses his cheek to distract him. She does not want to dampen today’s mood by talking about her unsubstantiated doubts.

  “I know enough about you to know that it is definitely not ‘nothing’. Tell me, please.” Darcy gazes intently at Elizabeth, but she does not say anything. “Are we going to hide our feelings from each other, now?”

  “Darling, it is silly; it is nothing you have to worry about.” Elizabeth tries to assure William, but he is too clever and thoughtful to be convinced.

  “If I do not have to worry about it, then tell me so that I do not have to give it a second thought.”

  “Williammm!” Elizabeth teases but he is unwavering when he wants something. “Alright…it is really nothing.” Elizabeth frowns and pouts.

  “Then why would you hesitate to tell me?”

  “Alright…I was just feeling…pity for myself when you said…you had to…give me a gift so that I would stay interested in you. I know you were joking. I know you would never think ill of me; I am being silly to have those thoughts. Please, forget that I was foolishly sensitive.” Elizabeth leans in to kiss his lips to really distract him, and then she makes fun of herself. “I am your love hunter, not your fortune hunter.” She laughs openly as she holds his hands. She raises one of his hands to her cheek affectionately. She rubs his big hand on her cheek slowly back and forth as she smiles joyously at him.

  Darcy gladly accepts her kisses any time, but that does not mean he will forget his objective. “You actually thought I would think that about you?” Darcy is surprised at Elizabeth’s revelation. She is still insecure about that aspect of their relationship. He will definitely have to assure her that he thinks nothing less of her because of her small dowry.

  “No, not really – maybe, only for less than an instant. I was not really thinking that you were thinking that; I was thinking that others may think that. Sweetheart, please forget my silliness, please?” Elizabeth pouts prettily and bats her lashes coyly. She grasps his face with both hands and kisses him nonstop.

  Again, Darcy accepts all her affections. As soon as Elizabeth releases him, he continues with his questions. “Dearest, have you been feeling this way all this time?”

  Elizabeth pouts alluringly without answering.

  “Lizzy, answer my question, please.” Darcy insists lovingly.

  “Only once in a while.” Her enticing pout ensues.

  “You know not to feel that way anymore, right?” Darcy is so tempted by her delectable lips, thus he says in a low voice. “Tomorrow night, I will suckle those luscious lips until they are swollen red.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes go wide as she gasps, and she playfully covers her mouth with her hand while giggling uncontrollably. Once she is able to stop her giggling, she answers, “Yes, I will not feel that way anymore.” She giggles some more.

  Darcy removes her hand from her mouth and kisses her ardently but quickly – the drawing room door is opened. “Now, back to my wedding gift to you; please, open the box, dearest.”

  “Thank you, darling. As usual, you are too generous. You do not have to give me all these jewels, but I appreciate them, and I will treasure them always because they come from you.” Elizabeth expresses her sentiments sincerely. She kisses his lips warmly as she caresses his cheeks fondly.

  “You are very welcomed, dearest. You deserve all of these jewels and more – much more.” Darcy says genuinely as he also kisses her lips hurriedly.

  “I have your love; that is all I need.” Elizabeth replies honestly; his love means more to her than anything in this world. It might be a cliché to think that, but it is true. Obviously, she is pragmatic, thus she understands that having some money is important too.

  “I love you beyond anything.” He holds her chin still as he stares intently at her eyes.

  “You are everything to me.”

  Darcy kisses her lips quickly again, and then he remin
ds her to open her gift.

  “They are exquisite, darling! Oh my goodness! Look at how beautiful they are!” With surprise at the sheer beauty of her wedding jewels, Elizabeth holds her own cheeks with her hands while gazing back and forth at William and the jewels. “Darling, they are absolutely splendid! You astonish me each time with your jewelry gifts.”

  “You really like them?” Darcy is content to see Elizabeth happy and appreciative of his gifts.

  “Of course, sweetheart! I would be blind if I did not. The sapphires will always remind me of your beautiful blue eyes. The sparkly diamonds will remind me of your eyes’ brilliance. Is this a Darcy heirloom too, darling?”

  “No, I had these made specifically for you. I want your wedding gift to truly come from me. These jewels will always belong to you.”

  “Thank you, darling. You are so very thoughtful. I adore them, but are they not very expensive, darling? I do not want you to spend this kind of money on my jewels. I can wear anything; it does not have to be this extravagant.”

  Darcy sees Elizabeth’s honest, innocent face, and it makes him love her more. She is always caring of him, first. “Dearest, like I said, I want to give you something from me. You do not need to worry about the cost of it. As for you wearing just anything – you will wear what is befitting of being Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Darcy kisses her cheek. “Now, I want to see how the jewels look on you. Let me help you put them on.”

  “Thank you, darling.” Elizabeth says excitedly as she turns her back to him so he can clasp the necklace on for her.

  Darcy takes a few minutes to put on the necklace, the bracelet, the earrings, the brooch, the hair combs, and the ring. “They look spectacular on you, dearest. You should see them.”

  “Will you wait for a few moments while I go look at the looking glass in my chambers, darling?” Elizabeth beams with excitement.

  “Of course, I will; take your time, sweetheart.” Darcy says dotingly as he kisses her cheeks before she walks out.

  Elizabeth gleefully goes to her chambers; she sees Jane embroidering at the window chair. “Jane, look at what William just gave me! It is my wedding gift! Are they not absolutely exquisite?”

  Both Elizabeth and Jane stand in front of the full length looking glass happily admiring her jewels. “Goodness! They are beautiful, Lizzy. They are stunning on you! They will contrast with your cream colored wedding gown very well, indeed. All the stones are so sparkly.” Jane gushes unreservedly.

  “They are exceptional.” Elizabeth comes close to the looking glass and touches the matching hair combs, dangling earrings, the brooch, the bracelet, the ring, and the elaborate necklace. “Oh Jane, they’re dazzling and breathtaking.” She moves her hand and wrist back and forth to admire the ring and the bracelet and then she says, “Do you want to wear my emerald jewels tomorrow, Jane?”

  “Truly, Lizzy?” Jane asks with delight.

  “Yes, of course. You know I would share with you.”

  “I know you would, Lizzy.” Jane remembers her Mother’s awful unfair words from two days ago.

  “I just could not believe that Mama would insist that you wear my engagement jewels so others would think they are yours. They have special meaning to me and William. Apparently, Mama does not care one thing about that or about me. All she cares about is her way of thinking.” Elizabeth imparts her dissatisfaction that seem never ending these days.

  “I was also very embarrassed when I heard Mama demand and command that I wear your engagement jewels. I never would have, Lizzy; you know that, right?” Jane tries to assure her sister of her understanding.

  “Yes, I know you have sense, Jane.” Elizabeth replies with satisfaction. “So, since your dress tomorrow will be yellow then my emeralds will look good with it. Do you want to borrow them?”

  “Will William mind if I wear your jewels, Lizzy? I do not want him to be uncomfortable.” Jane asks considerately. She definitely does not want to become a silly, greedy sister-in-law in William’s eyes. She really respects him and likes him; therefore, she would not want him to be uneasy with her.

  “I think he will be fine with you wearing them. Those emeralds are a Darcy heirloom, but we trust you, and I want you to look very pretty too – not that you need my jewels to make you look pretty. You are already pretty without them.” Both sisters giggle happily.

  “Thank you, Lizzy; you are a wonderful sister as you always have been.” Jane answers shyly as she hugs her sister. “I would be very happy to wear them. Since you will be moving everything to Darcy House today, do you want me to hold on to the emeralds until you come for them or do you want me to bring them to Darcy House?”

  “You can give them to Uncle and Aunt to keep with their valuables until I come for them. There are no secure areas in these chambers, but I know Uncle has to have a safe of some sort for his very important papers and Aunt’s jewelry.”

  “Alright, I will ask Aunt to put them away for me until you come for them.”

  “I am going to go downstairs with William and give him his wedding present. When is Mr. Morgan visiting you today?”

  “At two o’clock. I will be down, then. Go down with William and tell him that he has exquisite taste, as usual.”

  “Darling, Jane and Aunt Madeline complimented you for your elegant taste and your generosity. It goes without saying that I totally agree with them.” Elizabeth grins widely as she teases him while reaching out for his hands. “Thank you, again, sweetheart. You are a splendid betrothed.” Elizabeth kisses his lips again. “William?”

  “Yes?” Darcy is very happy with Elizabeth’s natural tender reactions to him now. She is much more openly affectionate with him since after he touched her breasts and kissed down to her bosom last week. Oh, her soft smooth skin…her smell…her soft moan….stop, stop; he must stop before he grabs her into his arms and devours her mouth and every other part of her tantalizing body.

  “I have a gift for you too.” Elizabeth hands William a soft square package wrapped in tan paper that have drawings of a man and a woman in wedding clothes at a church with flowers all around the paper; it looks like a drawing by a child.

  She hopes he will like it. She worked on it for a month. Any time she got left over after auditing her Uncle’s business accounts, she spent it on making this small blanket so that they can use in the carriage during the cold months. “I hope you like it.” Elizabeth smiles adoringly with pure joy.

  “Thank you, dearest, but you did not have to buy me anything.” Darcy smiles handsomely and joyously. He has never gotten a gift from anyone other than his own family.

  “I made it myself; well…I bought the materials and made everything else myself.” Elizabeth smiles shyly.

  “What could it be?” Darcy asks playfully while he caresses and touches the package back and forth.

  “I was going to give it to you tomorrow once we got to your home after the wedding breakfast, but since I opened my gift today, then I want you to have something to open too.” She explains cheerfully.

  “Lizzy, it is our home.” Darcy caresses her cheek and kisses it.

  “Thank you, darling….our home. I will have to get used to saying that.” Elizabeth leans in to kiss William’s warm, soft, delectable lips. She is addicted to him. At night while in her bed, she would remember when she allowed him to kiss the top of her bosom so passionately. He held onto the nape of her neck firmly as he devoured her mouth and then made his way down to her bosom area as his other hand pulled her bottom tighter into his embrace. Goodness gracious, she was beside herself that time. She did not know what to do except to accept his love. She thought she was going to faint with his fervent ardor. Ever since that time, she has been more expressive with him.

  “Yes, you will. Now, let me see what my gift is. I have never received a gift from a beautiful young lady before.”

  “Oh? As opposed to a not-so-beautiful young lady?” Elizabeth teases him just as he did her, earlier.

  “Touché, dearest.” Then they b
oth laugh. “Well, only from two young ladies, before.” Darcy answers with a straight face.

  Elizabeth’s smile falters. “Oh…um…” She pushes back the jealousy that instantly shoves its way to the surface, and then she tries to act normally. She decides to move on and see what William will do or say. “Athena drew the cute pictures on the wrapping paper. Are they not cute?” Elizabeth tries hard to smile so that he cannot see her discomfort from his revelation. She hopes that those gifts that he got were not from any significant young lady…huhhh! Has William been engaged before?! She pushes the thought aside; she does not like that notion one bit! It is possible, but he said that she is the only lady that he has loved. However, he is almost eight and twenty years old; many men are married by that age.

  “Yes, Athena’s drawings are quite cute. It was very nice of her to do that for you.” Darcy enjoys looking at the drawing.

  “Yes, she is an adorable child. She likes you very much.” Elizabeth divulges with a pretty smile.

  Darcy smiles then says, “That is sweet; I will have to praise her for her drawings when I see her tomorrow. Let me open it up carefully, then.” Darcy sees what looks like a…small blanket. Darcy sees the nameF. A. DARCY across the blanket. Small flowers of different colors made of fabric are sewn together onto the blanket to form each letter of William’s name. The blanket itself is dark blue – his favorite color.

  “This is very pretty, dearest.” Darcy examines the blanket; there are similar flower appliqués all along the border of the blanket. In one corner of the blanket there are the initialsEVB. This is a special gift; Elizabeth made this all herself, just for him.

  “It is a blanket that you can use in your carriage when you travel in the cold months. If you have something like this already, then you do not have to use this one.” She never thought that other young ladies may have given William gifts or that he would tell her about them. He got gifts from two young ladies before her? Was he courting them at the time? What happened to them? Is he still friends with them like…Mrs. Crawford? Oh, no! She honestly hopes not. She knows that she will have to speak up immediately if they are of any significance to William.