by Wells, Linda
“No, no not at all. I suppose that I … I realized how unlikely it is that this day has come. You are correct; I am a very fortunate man.”
“Marrying Elizabeth today is protecting the family. It is continuing the Darcy name, is it not?”
“I hope so.”
“Well it will if you do not scare the poor girl away by your screams in the night.” He chuckled and stood.
Darcy shot him a glance and smiled ruefully. “How loud was I?”
“Your valet was vastly relieved to hear of my arrival. I do not think that he would have opted for the ewer.” He crossed his arms while Darcy got to his feet. “What brings you to the mistress’ chambers?”
“I did not want to sleep in the new bed … yet.” He looked away when Fitzwilliam smiled knowingly. “What time is it?”
“Seven. You have plenty of time. Come on, let us eat and get you bathed and dressed for your bride.” He eyed him carefully. “Perhaps a nap?”
“Very funny, Richard.”
“Do you have these dreams often? Nightmares I mean?”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I do. Just curious.”
Two hours later, Darcy stood in his dressing room with his eyes closed as his valet fussed over his neck cloth. Fitzwilliam was sprawled unceremoniously in the shaving chair while he watched the proceedings. “You will amaze her with your beauty.”
“Quiet Richard.”
“Overwhelm her with your scent.” He picked up a bottle of cologne and sniffed.
“Richard.”
“Besiege her with your hooded seductive glance.” His lips twitched.
“Are you through?”
“Ah, and she will faint at the suggestion of the night to come.” He placed his hand over his breast and sighed.
“I think that I will ask Bingley to stand up with me. You are mocking me far too much.”
Fitzwilliam chuckled and waved the thought away. “Oh, you do not want a puppy on this day! You want someone who will distract you from your nerves!”
“What nerves?” Darcy felt Adams move away and twisted his neck around to adjust to the knot. “I am perfectly relaxed.”
“Then why are your nails driving into your palm, and your eyes shadowed from lack of sleep?” Fitzwilliam asked softly. Darcy looked down to see that his hands were balled up so tightly that his knuckles were white.
“Fine, I am nervous.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“I wish to remember this day, Cousin.”
“I am suggesting a drink, not a bottle.” A glass was waved under his nose and Darcy grabbed it to take a healthy swallow. He coughed and Fitzwilliam clucked. “It is well that you were a first son. You were not cut out to be a soldier.”
“You were not cut out to be a first son!” Darcy glared and took another, more moderated swallow, then drained the glass. Adams held out his new blue coat and he slipped it on, then admired his reflection while the man brushed him off. “What do you think?”
“Hmm? Well it is not red, but I suppose it will do.”
“Where is he?” A booming voice called, then was immediately followed by Lord Matlock and Layton. “There you are, Son.” He came in and looked him over. “You do look a sight.”
“What?” Darcy turned to the glass. “What is amiss?”
“Nothing that a wife cannot cure.” Layton smiled. Darcy looked at his cousin’s reflection and raised his brow to see a slight nod. Darcy smiled and nodded back.
“Well, the bride is at Matlock so we were unceremoniously removed.” Lord Matlock announced. “Georgiana is so excited I was tempted to hand her a glass of wine to calm her down.”
“Uncle!”
“No, I did not!” He snorted. “They were all giggles, a gaggle of birds in their pretty feathers.” The men all turned to regard him. “What? I can appreciate the beauty of my ladies, can I not? Of course the bride outshined them all.”
“Naturally.” Fitzwilliam nodded.
“She does.” Layton admitted. “She is glowing Darcy, much as you are.”
“Men do not glow.” He said defensively. “We …”
“Smoulder.” Fitzwilliam suggested.
The collective gaze turned to him. “I had a long recovery gentlemen, I read many novels.” He saw the rolling eyes. “Ah but I know what the ladies expect now, do you?”
“Darcy, the carriage is in position.” Singleton announced. “Mr. Bennet is waiting downstairs.”
Now all eyes looked upon him and he smiled. “He tells me that he was accompanied by Miss Mary Bennet, but she was left off with the ladies.”
Darcy closed his eyes in relief. “Thank you.”
Fitzwilliam sat up. “Ah, Miss Mary? And tell us of this one?”
“She is sixteen, I believe. Very fond of Fordyce.” He smiled to see the faces fall.
“Well then, shall we be off?” Lord Matlock cleared his throat. “Let us see this young man married!”
“THERE, YOU ARE LOVELY, LIZZY.” Mrs. Gardiner kissed her cheek, and fixed the lace covering her hair. “A beautiful bride.”
“Thank you, Aunt.” Elizabeth clasped her hands nervously, and Mrs. Gardiner laid hers over top. “I have felt for so long that you are my mother, I am happy that you are with me today.”
“Oh my dear.” They embraced and sniffed. “Thank you. You will always be my first daughter.” The carriage came to a halt before the church, and passersby stopped to see who exited the bridal coach. While waiting for the women from the other coaches to be handed down, Elizabeth looked again to her clenched hands. Mrs. Gardiner tried to rub some warmth into her icy skin. “I am sorry that your sleep was so poor, dear.”
“I do not know why my dreams were so frightening, as if anything could keep me from marrying Fitzwilliam. Why did I dream of him accepting his cousin? And why would I accept Mr. Stewart? It is nonsensical!” She laughed a little and wiped away the tears that had fallen so hard all that night. “I am silly.”
“No dear, it is simply you wanting nothing to stand in the way.” She smiled and at last the door was opened. Mr. Bennet was there to take Elizabeth’s hand.
“Papa.” She smiled and stepped out.
“You are beautiful, Daughter.” He kissed her cheek and they began walking. Mr. Gardiner was there for his wife. Curious members of society watched the party enter, and one woman asked Jane who was marrying.
“My sister Elizabeth Bennet is marrying Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, madam.”
“Darcy!” She cried and looking to her friends, followed the family inside of the church and found seats. There were already a small number of people there, all from the most prestigious families. Lady Matlock had tapped her closest friends, and they had all come to witness the event, and of course to report of it to all who were not so privileged to have been invited.
Jane walked ahead to take her place at the altar with Fitzwilliam. The two smiled at each other then simultaneously noted Darcy, standing still and straight, and staring intently to the end of the aisle. Finally, after endless seconds of tortured waiting, his Elizabeth appeared. Fitzwilliam placed his hand on Darcy’s forearm, and was surprised that he had to exert a great deal of pressure to keep the groom from striding down the aisle to claim his bride.
Mr. Bennet was not nearly so prepared. When Elizabeth’s eyes locked on Darcy’s she abandoned her father and began to hasten towards him. Darcy wrested his arm from Fitzwilliam and met her, catching her outstretched hands and gripping them tightly. He fought for control of his emotions and his desire to wrap her securely in his arms. “Dearest, you could not wait to take my hands?” He asked shakily.
“I needed to touch you.” Elizabeth blinked back her tears, and failed to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. Darcy stepped closer and bent towards her lips.
“Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Bennet spoke softly from behind Elizabeth. “There is something to be accomplished first.”
Darcy straightened. “Forgive me.” He whispered and kept his eyes wit
h hers. “We do have some vows to take, my love.” He glanced at Mr. Bennet. “I will take her from here, thank you.”
Mr. Bennet saw the devotion shining from their faces and nodded. He placed his hand over Elizabeth’s, still in Darcy’s grasp. “Take care of her, sir.”
“I will.” Darcy drew a deep breath and he lifted her hands to his lips to kiss. “Are you ready to be mine?”
“If you are ready to be mine.” She smiled and he chuckled softly.
“That I am.”
Turning to the altar, Darcy sedately walked up the aisle. He ignored his cousin’s raised brows and the congregation’s murmured comments, dropped his eyes appropriately to Reverend Hodgson, then turned to face his radiant bride. Elizabeth gently brushed the tears from his cheeks, and the service at last began. When the moment arrived to slip the ring on her finger, Darcy’s hand was rock steady, and Elizabeth’s was warm in his grasp.
“With this ring, I thee wed …” Darcy’s voice caressed the vow, and when they knelt holding hands to hear the final prayers, her fingers caressed the ring he already wore for her. Through the droning of the endless invocations, the couple closed their eyes, the relief and exhaustion at last overcoming them, and they leaned together, supporting each other. And then it was done.
And they did not rise. The reverend encouraged them to stand. Jane touched Elizabeth’s shoulder. Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. Giggles and laughter rippled through the crowd, and finally Fitzwilliam leaned down to Darcy and whispered in his ear. He startled and opened his eyes to find Elizabeth against his shoulder.
“Mrs. Darcy, are you asleep? It is safe to open your eyes now.” He whispered and she peeked at him as he helped her to rise. “I love you.”
“We are really married?” She saw his brilliant happy smile and returned it. “I love you.” She whispered to his bent head. “I was no more asleep than you. I was seeking comfort.”
“You are frightened, love?” Darcy’s eyes twinkled. “Of me?”
“I was not frightened; I was in need of respite.” Her eyes danced. “Marrying you is a trial.”
“You suffered for our love.” He chuckled as she nodded. “How very brave of you dearest.” The two were entirely lost in their banter and each other. The clerk cleared his throat a number of times and finally Fitzwilliam sighed loudly and placing his hand firmly on his cousin’s back, gave him a shove towards the registry book.
Elizabeth laughed when they lurched forward, and the family joined in. Darcy flushed to be embarrassed in front of so many, but the laugh that had caught his ear so long ago forced him to smile instead. “You have another promise to make me.”
“Have I not made enough for one day?”
“No, oh no, I will extract any number of them this day.”
“I shall consider it when I hear your demands.” Elizabeth smiled up to him.
“I wish you to promise to laugh once a day before me, for the rest of our lives.”
“Just once?”
“No less than once.” He kissed her hand and handed her the pen, keeping his palm on the small of her back, and claiming possession of her for all to see.
When they made their way outside again, the guests, invited and not, clapped and cheered their arrival as church bells began to peal. Darcy strode purposely forward, nodding to them, but hurrying along. The door to his coach was opened and he quickly ushered his wife inside. The door instantly closed and the carriage was on its way.
“Are you in a rush to have some cake, Fitzwilliam?” She laughed.
“No.” Drawing her to his side, Darcy touched the lace of her veil, then caressed her face with the back of his fingers. “I wish to taste something far sweeter.” Tilting up her chin, he kissed her. “More than anything, I want this carriage to take us home right now.”
“We must go …”
“I know dearest, but as soon as we are able, when we have been toasted and eaten our cake, I want to take you home.” He spoke softly, and wound his arm around her to rest her back against his chest. “I need you in our home.”
“And what will we do there?” Elizabeth blushed as she felt his lips nibbling her ear, and shivered when his hand gently began to caress her breasts. Darcy felt her trembling and stopped, rested his face against her neck, and held her hands.
“I will endeavour to make you very happy.” They closed their eyes and remained embraced for the remainder of the short journey. Further intimacy was impossible, he could not trust himself to stop, and would not risk embarrassing her in any way. When they arrived outside of Matlock House, they were both startled by the halt of the carriage’s motion. “Must we go in?” He looked unhappily at the house, then back to the woman in his arms, and drawing his thumb over her moist lips, sighed. “You cannot imagine how alluring you are, Elizabeth.”
She touched his mouth and smiled a little. “You are far too kind.”
“And you are lovely.”
Elizabeth smiled, knowing very well the source of the hard object that had been pressed against her, and what her new husband was thinking. She sat up and touched her hair. “How do I look?”
“Enticing. Utterly bewitching, and,” he picked up her hand to kiss her ring, “married.”
“To you.”
“Thank God.” He whispered and sat up straight when the door opened. With some difficulty he managed to exit the carriage and unsuccessfully conjuring any thought other than of her in his bed, offered his hand and walked determinedly inside of his uncle’s home. There they remained, chastely standing hand in hand while servants whirled around them, and awaited the rest of the family. Darcy took long calming breaths while Elizabeth watched him with a smile.
“I think that I am going to enjoy keeping you in this state, Mr. Darcy.”
“Be careful of what you wish for, Mrs. Darcy. I am not a man to be teased.”
“Oh, I disagree. You are a man made to be teased.” She laughed to see his head shake. At last the other coaches arrived and they received their formal congratulations. Only family and Darcy’s friends were there, the people from the church were not invited to this simple celebration.
Georgiana flew inside and threw her arms around her brother. “You are married!”
Darcy laughed and kissed her cheek. “I know!”
“Oh I am so happy, Brother! Thank you, thank you for giving me a wonderful sister!” She kissed him and turned to hug Elizabeth. “Thank you for marrying him! Now I may pass my father’s direction to you.” Georgiana stood back and said very seriously, “You are to take care of him.”
“I will.” She said just as seriously, and entwined her fingers with his outstretched hand. “And I want you to tell me if I am not up to snuff.”
“Very well then. He is the dearest of brothers.” She then turned to him. “And you must take care of my sister!”
“I have no other plans.” He smiled and held out his other hand to her. “We are a family now, we three.”
Lord Matlock waited until everyone had gathered together and had a glass of punch in hand. He raised his and called out, “To Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, may they live lives of joy and peace, may they have many healthy children, may they prosper, and may the love they share today only grow. May they be an example to us all.”
“Here, here!” Fitzwilliam cried.
“To the happy couple.” Mr. Bennet toasted them. Everyone drank and conversations burst out all around. Bingley wandered over to Stewart who was watching Darcy talk with Singleton and Lord Matlock, his hand firmly in place on Elizabeth’s back, while she carried on a conversation with her new cousins and all of her sisters. Georgiana had moved to her side, and seemingly permanently took possession of her other hand.
Fitzwilliam crossed his arms and nudged his brother. “He is ecstatic.”
“How can you tell?” Layton laughed. “He smiles but he still remains inscrutable.”
“That is because he is desperately attempting to keep his desire in check.” Layton followed Fitzwilliam�
��s gaze and watched Darcy’s hand alternately bunching then smoothing the fabric of Elizabeth’s gown.
“If he is not careful, he will release the buttons.”
They eyed each other and smiled. “And here we were so worried that he had changed into an unfeeling man.”
“Oh he is feeling all right.” Layton laughed again, and walked over to speak with his cousin de Bourgh.
“Well, so what do you think of your introduction to the family? Can you bear us?”
De Bourgh turned at his salutation. “I think that I can bear you well enough.” He smiled and looked over the small crowd. “I had no idea you all even existed, Mother never spoke of Lady Catherine. Your father’s first letter was an absolute surprise. He tells me that he has kept track of Lewis de Bourgh’s descendents ever since Cousin Anne’s health seemed be failing, just in case, but felt that to inform me of a possible inheritance would be cruel if it never came to fruition.”
“It would have been.” Layton agreed. “Why raise your expectations, unless of course, you prefer the life on a ship?”
“I love the sea, but it is no easy path. I am grateful that my son will not have to choose it.” He looked around the room and smiled. “And the bonus in all of this is that I will have the opportunity to marry now, something I never really considered before.” He tilted his head and examined Elizabeth. “The bride is jubilant.”
“She is; our cousin is very fortunate, and matches her mood.”
“And she has sisters?” De Bourgh grinned and Layton laughed as the men examined the ladies in the room. “I know; one thing at a time, I have much to learn.”
“And you will be quite a catch, as well. Just wait until the mamas hear of you!” De Bourgh’s eyes grew wide and Layton clapped his back. “Do not worry, Darcy and I will teach you how to survive being an heir.”
Bingley approached Stewart with a smile, “It is a happy day. He has loved her for a very long time, I am delighted for them.”
“Yes, she is very special.” Stewart agreed, and listened to Elizabeth’s familiar laughter.
“I heard of your dust-up. Darcy said that you were neighbours of the Bennets and became a bit brotherly about the girls.”