by Kate Speck
Elizabeth laughed, “No, I dare say it will not. I actually believe he has been holding himself back and I am wonderous of what is to come tonight.”
“Does he often…” Jane blushed again, “three times? I do not know how it exactly works but it sounded as if you were congressing and then again after another hour, and then again this morning.”
“Yes, he is very ardent, Jane. Every morning and night, at least twice daily.” Elizabeth giggled, “Sometimes we make love for five minutes, sometimes, nearly an hour. I do enjoy it and if Charles is as skilful as my dear betrothed, you will be in for a pleasant surprise.”
“And do you sleep with him every night?” Jane continued as Elizabeth nodded. “Even during your courses?”
“Yes. He cannot bear to part with me and we have slept together every night since the beginning. He holds me and kisses me and we fall asleep together even if we do not congress.” Elizabeth honestly replied. “I cannot imagine sleeping well without him now.”
Jane fanned her face, “Oh, Lizzy, I do not know if I can be as brave as you but I am very much looking forward to marrying Charles. I hope he will be pleased. Mama told me that she will speak with me about the marriage bed before the wedding but I am so glad you can educate me first. I am truly happy for you, dear sister. You deserve all the happiness in the world and you are marrying a good man. Papa will be pleased when he sees you together.”
“Thank you, Jane. I appreciated his letter of apology and I forgive him and will ask for his forgiveness as well. I am so glad you are with me to stand up with me. Mr. Darcy will only have his cousin attend the wedding and it is unfortunate that his relatives cannot be here due to the distance, but he did not wish to wait a day longer.” Elizabeth stated.
There was a knock on the door and her maid entered. “A note just came for you, madam. The boy awaits your reply.”
“Thank you, Nancy.” Elizabeth opened the letter and read. “Oh! It appears we shall have additional guests after all. Allow me to reply, Jane.” She quickly wrote her response and gave it to Nancy. “I hope William will be pleased.” She grinned.
“Come, now, Lizzy. We have to make you into a glowing bride and I can tell that Mr. Darcy kept you up late and woke you up early to enjoy his time with you.” They laughed. “You still have to bathe and pack and you will be a glowing bride.”
“Yes, sister. I will do as you command.” Elizabeth beamed. “I am getting married today!”
The ladies spent the rest of the day to prepare for the evening’s celebrations and reminisced their childhood days. They knew the next time they gathered, one would bear a different last name and belong to another family.
Chapter 6
“Ellie,” Darcy breathed as soon as she walked into Darcy House. “You look beautiful. You have always been so beautiful but tonight, you are extraordinarily bewitching.” He placed her hand on his arm, “Please excuse us a moment, Jane.”
Darcy walked her into his study and kissed her yearningly. “I cannot believe it. You will finally be mine. My own. My wife.”
“I have been yours for some time now, William.” Elizabeth smiled as she returned his kisses. “But yes, I will be yours and you will be mine. I love you.”
Darcy’s lips landed on hers again and he gripped her tightly in his arms. “I love you so much. I promise to make you happy. I know I still need a lot of work but I will be a good husband to you. You will never regret me.” He spoke breathlessly.
“We will both work hard to be the best for each other. I know I have many faults but I promise to be the best wife to you and I will spend the rest of my days by your side.” Elizabeth responded. “I will never regret you and I hope you never regret me.”
“I will treasure you for the rest of my life, my love.” He kissed her once more before they joined Jane in the drawing room.
“The reverend should arrive in the next half hour and the rest of the guests in thirty minutes or so. If you would like, Ellie, you can tour the mistress’ rooms with your sister. We did not have enough time for the wall papers to be changed yet but the drapes and a few furniture pieces were updated as you requested. Here is Mrs. Mason. I must prepare the special license for the reverend.” Darcy saw Elizabeth smile and nod. “I will see you in a few minutes, my love.”
Elizabeth and Jane walked with the housekeeper up the stairs. “Oh! I forgot to tell William.” Elizabeth exclaimed. Turning to Mrs. Mason, she asked, “Is everything set for three additional guests tonight, Mrs. Mason?”
“Of course, madam! Thank you for sending a note to alert us. Cook always makes more than enough and it will be no problem at all.” Mrs. Mason beamed at the young lady that Mr. Darcy enthusiastically introduced to the staff yesterday.
The housekeeper remembered her from last November, when the lady had demanded entrance without an appointment during evening hours and had been closeted in the master’s study for over an hour, and she had guessed the young woman was very special to Mr. Darcy then. The master never, ever entertained any ladies within his own homes and refused to be alone with any of them, even if Miss Bingley had attempted it several times in the past.
Mrs. Mason was thrilled to gain a wonderful mistress, who was considerate of all the servants and not at all demanding. The new Mrs. Darcy was within her rights to have everything replaced with new furnishings and spend a fortune for her rooms but all Miss Bennet wished for was colourful curtains and a comfortable chair for reading. The whole household knew that this was a love match and although they suspected that the master had been spending the past three months out of his own bed, they knew he was an honourable gentleman and was pleased that whatever obstacle prevented him from marrying this woman earlier was no longer an impediment.
Elizabeth was pleased with her new rooms and saw Nancy busily unpacking her belongings.
“Such a number of dresses, Lizzy! These are beautiful!” Jane commented as she fingered through the most beautiful silk and muslin dresses she had ever seen.
“Did you know I left Longbourn with two dresses? I did not know what I would do but I had only wished to stay with the Gardiners until I could find employment and left everything else behind. Once William made his offer, he had a modiste come to take my measurements and imagine my surprise when two dozen dresses arrived the next week. He also ordered another three dozen to be delivered in two weeks. He wanted to ensure I had something decent to wear for your wedding.” Elizabeth jested. “He is extremely generous and will be gifting you six dresses and made arrangements with Aunt Madeline to begin your shopping tomorrow. He wishes to keep the knocker down until we depart for Hertfordshire but he will take me to the theatre and a few outings to show me off in society.”
“You are marrying a good man, Lizzy.” Jane smiled. “You are very fortunate. He truly loves you very much.”
“I know, Jane. He is the best of men.” Elizabeth wiped her tears. “I know I do not deserve him but I will do my best to be a good wife.”
Jane embraced her sister and kissed her cheek. “You both deserve the best and will live for each other. No more tears, Lizzy. You cannot have puffy eyes for your wedding!”
The girls laughed and returned downstairs to meet the reverend.
After introductions were made and a few questions were answered, Reverend Parks was pleased that the couple was deeply in love and that this would be a lasting marriage.
~*~
Several minutes later, the Gardiners arrived.
“Uncle, aunt, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Elizabeth began the introductions. “Mr. Darcy, Edward and Madeline Gardiner, my favourite uncle and aunt.”
Darcy tensely bowed. “Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, it is an honour to finally meet you. I have heard so much from Ellie... Miss Elizabeth and I thank you for your care for her. I am glad she had family to turn to when she was distressed, and although I comprehend your apprehension at my whisking your niece away, I assure you that I will care for her for all of my days and after as well.”
The Gardiners were impressed with his candid statement and could see that Elizabeth held his arm and looked up to him adoringly while he spoke. They knew that he was a great man and had feared that he would dispose of her once he tired of her but he had been steadfast for over three months and Lizzy only had glowing reports of his affections for her.
“We are more than relieved that this event is finally taking place after the past several months, sir.” Mr. Gardiner replied. “We love our niece dearly and only wish her the best and it seems she has found it.”
Darcy smiled broadly, surprising the couple. “I can only hope, sir. Mr. Gardiner, as you are the nearest male relative here, could I trouble you to look at the settlement papers to sign on her behalf? Mr. Bennet has sent word to give us his blessing and I had Ellie review it and she has signed it already but I would also like your approval.”
Mr. Gardiner was pleased with the request. “Certainly, sir! It would be an honour!”
The two gentlemen went into the study and looked at the document while the ladies sat with the reverend and chatted together.
“It is incredible, sir!” Mr. Gardiner exclaimed. “Such an amount! This is too much! I cannot imagine such generosity.”
“Mr. Gardiner, I assure you that your niece will be cared for with everything within my power to do so.” Darcy looked out the window. “I know you did not condone that I took her as my mistress but I had no choice when she refused my proposal on November the twenty-seventh. I convinced Bingley to leave Netherfield that morning because I had felt so strongly for your niece and I was afraid of losing my heart to her, but when she showed up on my doorstep and demanded a meeting, I saw the indignation in her eyes and fell in love with her deeper than I ever thought possible. After she urged me to send back Bingley to Miss Bennet’s side and then asked me to help her find a position as a governess or companion, I could not let her go. I could not chance her being mistreated by an immoral man and I committed my own sins to keep her as my own. I knew I could not live without her by my side and when she finally agreed to marry me yesterday, I did not want to wait longer than today to marry her, sir. I did not wish to give her a chance to change her mind.” He chuckled. “I know I am being selfish to marry so quickly and quietly, but I can only hope she will feel for me half as much as I feel for her. I love her with all of my being and I will cherish her always.”
“Well, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner declared, “I am content with the settlement and I am pleased for your future. I know Lizzy has a stubbornness about her and although we were disappointed that she would choose to give herself to you like that, she must have felt you worthy to come to you and ask you for help. All her life, she rarely ever asks for help and for her to come to you, you must have had gained her regard enough for her to agree to being with you.” He chuckled at seeing the young man’s astounded face. “She would have never gone to Bingley or anyone else to be their mistress, no matter their wealth. You may have wealth and good looks but she had written scathingly of you when you first arrived in Hertfordshire, but she seemed to have softened and she approached you in her time of need. She did not go directly to Bingley. He would have listened to her and returned to Netherfield; he would have helped her find an occupation or even gifted her with enough funds until he married Jane, but she went to you, Mr. Darcy. She came to us to seek shelter for a while but never mentioned becoming a governess. Lizzy went to you because she saw something in you.”
“I had not considered it.” Darcy acknowledged in surprise. “I will have to ask her about it. Thank you, sir. Let us return to the ladies.” He smiled as they entered the drawing room and his eyes met Elizabeth’s.
Mr. Gardiner sat next to his wife and softly whispered in her ear. Mrs. Gardiner gasped and Elizabeth knew they were discussing her settlement amount. She squeezed Darcy’s hand and whispered, “I love you.”
“And I love you, Ellie.” Darcy whispered in return. “Where is my cousin? I wish to get started now.”
“Oh, William! I need to tell…”
There was a knock on the door and Darcy stood, fully expecting his cousin to arrive. He was eager to become a married man but froze when he heard a booming voice.
“DARCY! You can proceed now that we are here!” The elder man declared loudly.
“Uncle!” Darcy gasped. “I thought you were still in Matlock! Do you know what is to happen tonight? I hope you are not here to stop me. I will not allow…”
Elizabeth gently rubbed his arm. “William, your cousin Richard sent me a note earlier today as the future mistress here, to ask for permission to invite his parents and I had agreed to it. I did not have a chance to tell you of it yet. Your uncle and aunt arrived only this morning with your sister.”
“Georgiana!” Darcy called out as his sister timidly walked in. He ran to embrace her and spoke softly to her. He brought her near Elizabeth and introduced them. “Georgiana, this is Elizabeth Bennet, the love of my life and my betrothed and my wife in the next ten minutes. Ellie, my sister Georgiana. Uncle, aunt, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her elder sister Jane Bennet, and her esteemed uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner. My relatives, Lord and Lady Matlock and their son Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.”
“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Elizabeth.” Georgiana spoke quietly, almost a whisper. “He has written to me about you but I was surprised when Richard told us that William would be marrying tonight. I did not know he had been courting you for so long.”
“And I am sorry that we did not meet until today, Miss Darcy. I know that William had desired for us to be introduced before you departed for the north but I was being... shy about it and I only wish I had accepted your brother earlier.” Elizabeth sighed, “He is the best of men.”
“He is the best of brothers.” Georgiana stated at the same time.
The ladies looked at each other and giggled.
“I am prodigiously proud of you, nephew,” Lord Matlock tapped Darcy’s shoulder while his wife kissed his cheek. “We left Matlock earlier than planned and brought Georgiana with us for the season and then Richard told us that you were marrying a most worthy lady that you have loved for a very long time. I know you have waited for years for your perfect wife and we are so happy you have found her!”
Lady Matlock was kissing Elizabeth’s cheek and speaking excitedly with the Gardiners and Jane. Darcy smiled seeing his sister speak animatedly with his beloved. He saw Richard flirting with both ladies but was secure in Elizabeth’s love for him and was eager to take his vows.
“Darcy,” Lord Matlock spoke quietly as to not be overheard. “Is she with child? She does not look large. I do not understand the rushed wedding. It is obvious that you love her but it could not have waited a week or two? At least in a church?”
“Uncle,” Darcy growled, “she is not with child and I am marrying her tonight because I love her. I will not spend one more day without her by my side and no one will stop me.”
Lord Matlock raised his hands in concession, “I am not here to change your mind. I only wanted to know if there was a rational reason for the rush but I see that you love her very much and you are anxious to be wed. I only care for your happiness, nephew. I can see for myself that she loves you and you will have a good life with her. Congratulations, Darcy.” He knew Darcy rarely lost his temper and for him to be so determined, Lord Matlock knew his nephew was set on marrying this woman today.
“Thank you, uncle. I have waited for her too long and after she accepted me yesterday, I will not give her a chance to change her mind.” Darcy finally relaxed and smiled. “Let us get this started!” He turned to the reverend, “Shall we?”
Reverend Parks smiled and stood. He faced the couple with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane Bennet at their sides while the other guests took their seats. He spoke the words of the wedding ceremony and read from the Bible, and when the vows were said and repeated, he pronounced “man and wife” and permitted them to kiss.
“I love you, Ellie.” Darcy breathed.
<
br /> Elizabeth replied, “I love you with all of my heart, William.”
He leaned and kissed her. It started chaste but as his passions grew to finally hold his wife in his arms, he kissed her deeply and held her as close to his body as possible. When they finally broke for air, the Gardiners and the Matlocks clapped in joy and Georgina giggled to see her usually stoic brother so affectionate and beaming with joy.
Darcy coloured and Elizabeth blushed profusely but could not contain their happiness and accepted everyone’s well-wishes. They moved to the dining room to celebrate and took the seats as master and mistress.
The guests sat down for dinner and intelligent conversation ensued and everyone’s stomachs were fully satiated. After the last course was served, Darcy stood and walked to the other end of the table to raise Elizabeth to standing and beamed.
“Thank you for joining us in our celebration. If you do not mind, I have some pressing business to see to and I will be taking my wife with me. Please enjoy yourself and stay as long as you wish. We will not be available for the next three days but I will send a note to make our personal calls before we depart for Hertfordshire in a week. Georgiana, you are more than welcome to join us for Miss Bennet’s wedding and we can bring you back to town for the season with uncle and aunt. We will make the arrangements later, dear sister.”
Elizabeth curtseyed, “Good night, everyone. Thank you for comi...” She squealed as Darcy lifted her up into his arms and carried her out of the room.
The guests laughed hearing Elizabeth’s merry giggles and soon departed to give the newlyweds as much privacy as possible.
Chapter 7
“May I bathe first, my dear husband?” Elizabeth asked as she walked up the stairs with Darcy.
“Yes, my wife. I plan on bathing with you.” Darcy grinned. “Your husband will not let you out of his sight, wife. I plan on spending every minute with my wife for the next two days until you tire of me. My wife. My love.”
They entered the mistress’ rooms and began to disrobe. Elizabeth kissed his lips. “I will need help undressing and loosening my hair, husband. I will be in my dressing room. Five minutes, my love!”
