“What spell is this that you are putting on me?” she asked when his lips continued their search.
“It is lust, my love, the best way to be happy for a woman and a man.”
“I never imagined that feeling to be so powerful,” she whispered still in his arms.
Then he moved away, at some distance and asked her, “You have seen the family libraries, but aren’t you interested in the family jewellery?”
“Oh,” she said with genuine wonder, “your family has jewellery?”
He laughed like a mad man making her angry.
“Stop! I do not allow you to laugh in such a way at me.”
“And how are you going to prevent this?” he archly asked.
She did not know, so she ended by laughing with him.
“Come,” he said, and took her hand, “I want to show you something.”
They went into her future bedroom, which she already adored and opened a safe box that was hidden beneath a panel. He took out and opened various boxes of all dimensions. In front of her stunned eyes, he revealed the most beautiful and precious jewellery she had ever seen.
“I once was in London to see a jeweller with my uncle….”
“They are yours, my love,” he whispered.
“Mine?”
“Yes, they belong to the mistress of Pemberley.”
“But Georgiana?”
He smiled with love in front of her precious care for his sister.
“Mama put aside a comparable box for her, these are only yours.”
But Elizabeth could not imagine such a thing, so he made her try a delicate diamonds and emeralds necklace, rings and bracelets.
“Marry me for these pieces of jewellery,” he whispered while he made her try another necklace with lapis lazuli.
“Books and jewellery, most probably I would,” she said still incredulous, wanting to play his game.
They put the precious burden back in their boxes; Darcy kept only a diamond ring that he put on her finger.
“From this evening you can wear it.”
“And the cameo from London,” she smiled.
“Yes, in fact, we will come here and take whatever will be suitable for your dresses.” And he showed her how to open the safe.
Chapter 16
At Longbourn, Jane and Elizabeth had shared the same room since their childhood. They were used to helping each other to dress and comb their hair, to give advice or have fun together.
“I need a perfect bun,” Jane said, entering her sister’s apartment. It was her way to tell Elizabeth she was delighted with her happiness. They stayed in bed hand in hand, watching the painted ceiling, listening to the sounds that came from outside through the open window.
Elizabeth caressed her hand, happy that Jane came into her room. Still, it was not the old Jane—that girl who laughed and spoke with amusement about all the little events from Meryton. Some of her joy of life had disappeared, engulfed by sadness. She wanted to be happy for her sister. Still, the idea of becoming Mr Darcy’s sister-in-law made her less enthusiastic. She did not wholly trust him and remembered that for a long time, they had the same disdain for him in this regard. How that feeling could transform into love was a mystery and Elizabeth was not the woman to marry for wealth or social status.
“I would have never suspected you could possibly like Mr Darcy,” Jane finally said. There was a trace of reproach in her tone; however, it was far from the tragedy Elizabeth feared at such news.
“He is not how we imagined, in fact, we had some false impression on more than one occasions.” She told Jane about Mr Wickham—trying not to involve Georgiana.
It was a shock that removed Jane’s coldness. She wanted to know all the story; it was the first time in weeks, maybe months when she showed vivid interest in a subject other than Mr Bingley.
“I am so happy you did not go further with him,” she said.
“I was in no real danger as Mr Wickham is interested only in an heiress. Though it seems he has no scruples in just dishonouring a young lady.”
Jane’s cheeks were on fire, most probably she did imagine such a thing. “You did not…?” she asked, and Elizabeth knew precisely what her shy sister meant. “No, we just kissed once, but it was so unpleasant that I left and decided he was not for me.”
“And how did you understand you loved Mr Darcy?” It was Elizabeth’s turn to blush although she was happy that she could tell her sister about Rosings Park and her discovery. “It was love from the beginning,” she said, smiling in front of Jane’s stunned gaze.
“Sometimes it is like that when you like someone, the first reflex is to hide and run or fight…as we did.”
“For us, it was not like that,” Jane whispered, but despite Elizabeth’s fears, she just sadly smiled and caressed her sister’s hands. “Let’s prepare for dinner, do you think your maid could make my bun?” she asked and Elizabeth thanked her for her delicacy. Jane was determined not to inflict other dramas on her family, but it did not mean she was cured of her love or that she began to like Mr Darcy.
∞∞∞
The guests arrived in the parlour long before the usual hour for dinner. Most of them had breakfast early in the morning, just after their arrival. They curtseyed with laughter and kind words and a total lack of protocol that usually appeared after a long time. The trip had indeed deepened the relationship between them and the shared memories contributed to a relaxed atmosphere.
Darcy decided not to have anyone seated at the heads of the table. Elizabeth suspected he just wanted to be near her and invented those occasions when his hand or his shoulder arrived dangerously close to hers. He liked all the games with her from the most innocent to his daring kisses and caresses. It was impossible now to decide not to marry him. She had accepted him in such an intimate way that she could not withdraw anymore.
Seeing Jane still unhappy and alone, the covenant became a constant obsession. She was eager to marry, but she feared that something terrible was going to befall them after their marriage. Lately, she had awful dreams with all the catastrophes that could happen to a married couple and woke up in tears just happy it was only a dream. The covenant was like a sword above her head. She had to keep it, or the sword would fall. She looked at her future husband and still wondered if she had the right to change his bright future to tragedy. It was what she believed and no one could change her mind.
“It is a sin,” Mrs Gardiner said when Elizabeth let her know those thoughts. “You will have to go and speak to the vicar and confess this nonsense that passed through your mind.”
Elizabeth wondered if talking to the vicar was a solution, or if a priest could abolish their covenant. She was torn apart by incertitude yet one thing was clear—she could not renounce Darcy. She was decided to go on with her marriage and close her eyes to the future.
∞∞∞
“We are expecting other guests,” Georgiana said with much enthusiasm. She was delighted to have as many as possible as she wanted a big party for her birthday. “There are friends from Kent, Lord Marchival and his two sons, William and Louis, and from the neighbourhood Mr and Mrs Robertson with my childhood friends Martha and Emily Robertson. I hope they will be here for breakfast tomorrow morning. And let us not forget my beloved uncle, Colonel Fitzwilliam, who sent me a message that he will arrive tomorrow night.”
They ate an excellent dinner prepared by the cook Darcy brought from London.
“This is the best decision you can take,” Lady Russell said to Mrs Gardiner, who was seated near her. “We have to renounce the idea that any older servant can cook and follow this new tendency to employ someone who sees cooking as a lifetime occupation. I found out our Regent has a male cook who is better than any woman.”
Mrs Gardiner looked with much sympathy and admiration at her new friend. It was so agreeable to have people around like Lady Russell—friendly and with no arrogance. She remembered how Mr Bingley’s sisters behaved each time they visited their home in London
and decided those women were the worst example of upstarts. She was eager to learn as much as she could from the ladies she would meet at Pemberley and show her benevolent nature with all people, regardless of rank or social position. A lady must behave with kindness and politeness in all circumstances. She admired her nieces’ comprehensive education that showed in their manners and the way they behaved. And now her dear Elizabeth would be the mistress of all this wealth and be received in Ton.
She could still see a shadow of concern on Elizabeth’s face, despite the happy smile of the man near her. She decided to speak again with her—make her realise the luck she had and finally determine her to put aside her childish imagination. While Jane had to end that prolonged grieving period and shine again as she did before at the parties she attended in Hertfordshire. Mr Bingley was nothing but a sad accident that must be forgotten. She looked with pleasure at her husband who discussed the fishing party with the gentlemen and agreed it was one of the best moments of their life. And all because of Elizabeth!
∞∞∞
Elizabeth was so tired that she could hardly keep her head up. She had not slept but for a few minutes the night before and the day at Pemberley was full of emotions. All the other guests preferred to rest after such a tiring trip, but she just wanted to be with Darcy.
It was so obvious she could not remain for the dessert that Darcy whispered, “I think you have to go to your room and rest.” She wanted to protest, but he said, “Cynthia is outside to lead you to your room.”
Everybody around the table smiled with benevolence when she said, “I have to apologise, but I have to retire.”
Darcy stood up, and Elizabeth was afraid he would come with her in front of all guests, but he came only to tell Cynthia to take care of her. He kissed her hand and said, “Sleep well!”
And her first day at Pemberley finished almost before arriving in the bed, as she did not remember in the morning how she got undressed or how she came to bed.
Chapter 17
The next day breakfast was much more animated than dinner. They all gathered in the parlour to meet the newcomers. There were numerous introductions and bows, the young people laughed, the older had cheerful words of greeting following the general ambience. Georgiana paced delightedly from one group to another. When they were invited to breakfast, she tried to lead each to his place. Still, it was impossible, old friendships prevailed and it took quite a while until everybody was sitting.
They knew each other, the only strangers were the Gardiners and the two Bennet sisters. There were some curious looks; however, it was remarkable how benevolent all the guests were.
Elizabeth remembered a particular visit to Netherfield and the atmosphere that reigned there—how she was greeted, the looks and the malicious comments whispered in a rather high tone. She shivered with pleasure, smiling as nobody disputed the chair near him and she wondered how many around the table already knew the truth about them. Unlike a dinner table—where the tendency was to mingle women and men regardless of their friendship, the morning table was less formal. The men were together in a noisy group on one side of the table. At the same time, the women were on the other—the one where Darcy and Elizabeth sat. This time Darcy was at the front at the table with Elizabeth at his right side. Georgiana stood between her dear friends but not before whispering a silent “I am sorry,” to Elizabeth, who made a nice gesture to encourage her to enjoy herself.
And all was because of Darcy who tacitly imposed a particular type of behaviour. In his house, the servants did not gossip, and his friends were happy to be together.
The meal took a much longer time than usual, as there were many stories to share, and the servants kept bringing dishes more suited to dinner than breakfast.
“Travellers eat a lot,” joked Darcy as a justification. “As for the days to come, we will go fishing and we need to be in splendid shape…it is quite an engaging endeavour.”
Everybody laughed.
“We have other splendid news for you!” Lady Russell said. She paused to have their attention—then continued, “As some of you might know one of the Patronesses at Almack’s is Lady Amalia Lieven, my sister.”
This caused a slight commotion, especially among the young as it was well known by everyone how vital the Wednesday at Almack’s was. A weekly ball with supper was held there on twelve occasions during the intense social season from early March to early June. To obtain a footing at this splendid assembly might almost be considered as a step towards being presented at court.
“During the last seasons,” Lady Russell continued enjoying the effect that her words had, “some new dances were introduced to London society. The quadrille—a modern French ‘square’ dance that gained enormous popularity—was first seen at Almack’s, but only after Lady Jersey had mastered it.”
Georgiana smiled as she was one of the most accomplished quadrille dancers.
“But it is not about the quadrille…as the season at Almack’s has ended, we will have some special guests here and a special dance. Countess Lieven just arrived and she is resting now, but from tomorrow we will have the occasion to learn…the waltz.”
This time all the young people around the table clapped their hands in a common eruption of delight. Lady Russell smiled delightedly at the effect her surprise had. They all wanted details, so she continued speaking. “The waltz is a continental dance for pairs. Forbidden so long in London society it is finally accepted at Almack’s under the personal patronage of the Countess Lieven…who is here with her family and…Monsieur de Bisset who was invited this year to teach the waltz at Almack’s.”
Georgiana erupted from her chair and in the general laughter she ran to embrace Lady Russell, as it was an extraordinary surprise for her birthday.
Elizabeth wondered what place Darcy had in London society for such an invitation to be accepted. She saw his presence near Mr Bingley, at Netherfield, in a different light. He had such different friends, and their social position did not matter to him. It was quite the opposite of what she felt at Netherfield when she considered him arrogant because of his social status. She looked at him with enchanted eyes when, unexpectedly, Darcy kissed her hand. It was such a shock that she blushed, but his eyes obliged her to look around to see people preoccupied only by the news and not them.
∞∞∞
As soon as the breakfast ended Georgiana took charge of the guests, they wanted to tour the grounds of Pemberley and each decided how they wanted to travel. Some rode on horses, some in carriages but nobody stayed home.
Darcy, with a firm hand, led Elizabeth to a chaise with a folding hood. Elizabeth wanted to protest, she looked around to see the others, but again nobody was looking at them. Darcy would never really endanger her reputation, but lately, he was more and more acting like she was his fiancée.
“Jane?” she asked as she got into the chaise.
Darcy pointed in the distance: her sister helped by a servant and Thomas was getting on the horse while Andrew was also near them. Her sister’s face seemed calm that morning…even smiling. Maybe she still suffered, but at least it was a secret sealed in her soul. Jane was too intelligent not to understand the benefits of such a society and her decision to enjoy that time at Pemberley was the best she could take. Most surely in autumn or winter, she would go to London and her new acquaintances would help her to forget Mr Bingley.
It seemed that Jane had entered a zone of calmness and rationality but, still, Elizabeth did not know how to treat their covenant.
“Elizabeth, you are driving me mad,” Darcy proffered as they departed and she shared her worries. “All we want is Miss Jane’s happiness, and I am sure that she is on the way to a fulfilling life. As soon as we arrive at the waterfall, I will invite Miss Jane for a short walk, apologise and have a frank discussion. This evening we will announce our marriage!”
“What if this unfulfilled covenant brings some misery on us once we are married?” she asked, and Darcy stopped the chaise.
“You are not speaking seriously, I hope!” he said, but her face was a mask with no emotions. He did not know if she meant what she said, or it was again one of her doubts.
“My love, it is not a covenant that would destroy our happiness, believe me. You are such an intelligent woman and now you are speaking like a country girl who lives surrounded by superstitions. We cannot know how our life will be, but in everyone’s life, there are joys and dramas.”
“You are not afraid to marry under such a condition?”
“No, maybe you want to marry someone else—a Collins-like gentle man and have a perfectly dull life remembering my hot hands and kisses?”
He was trying to get her out of that state that began to worry him. But Elizabeth did not smile. She shook her head and said, “I am afraid to marry you, because of the covenant, I am afraid it will bring misfortune on us.”
“Stop!” he almost shouted. “Please stop this nonsense. The covenant terms will be fulfilled, your sister will be happy in a few months with another young man, and she will forget my interference in an hour or so. It is over, our marriage will be happy, and no clouds will float above it!”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Please do not announce our marriage yet, just give me a little time, let Georgiana enjoy her birthday and be the most important person on this day…not us.”
Darcy nodded, “It makes sense, but we do not postpone because of the covenant but to let Georgiana celebrate her birthday.”
All the happiness of that day paled in front of her constant worries. The covenant was just a childish vow and she was treating it like a solemn pledge in front of God. He looked at her; how sad and worried she was and he did not understand why. What was the deep cause of her attitude? And a new decision could be seen on his face. Elizabeth would be his wife. He was as stubborn as she was but this time he knew he was on the right side. They loved each other with passion and no obstacle could stand before them. He was determined to fight even her for their love.
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