She smiled slightly to herself. She clung to the fact that he had said he was content for her love to grow after their marriage, like her love for her sister had developed after their relationship was set. And she was secure in knowing he loved her, was able to acknowledge it.
Whatever she’d heard about him before, whatever she had thought about his proud and disagreeable manner at Netherfield, she had seen nothing but tender concern and gentleness towards her. She had to trust her feelings.
She made herself think about the days before she’d left Longbourn. She knew she was having to leave the easy familiarity of her old life, she had decided to think of a new life as an adventure. She must do that.
She smiled into her pillow. Being married to Mr. Darcy would be a new life, an adventure indeed. It wouldn’t be the same as being in service to a family, dependent on them for employment, food and a roof over her head. It must be easier than she had feared her life might be. But it would mean new experiences, new responsibilities.
And the biggest joy of all would be that she could keep in touch with Jane, would be able to have her visit them.
She turned over. She must think on this and be happy. She must seem happy for Mr. Darcy. Smiling, she realised she still thought of him as Mr. Darcy, even though she was getting used to calling him by his given name, and loved the warmth in his eyes when he heard her say it.
She lay with her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling, dim in the starlight.
It was going to be fun. She must think of that and forget those in her past who could not forgive her.
It was going to be fun. She must smile and be happy. She would be doing it for him.
She examined her feelings towards him. Did she love him? Certainly her feelings were becoming more affectionate. But was that because she was grateful to him? Certainly she had much to be grateful for. She would be in very great trouble had he not saved her from both difficult situations. And since then, she had been welcomed into his own home, furnished with a maid, fine gowns and good food. She sighed, she had so much to be grateful for, and yet it might be masking the true development of her feelings.
They were marrying tomorrow. She owed him her love, as much as she owed him for so much else. She pushed away the thoughts that would make her sad. On this wedding day of his, she would try to be everything he wanted.
The next morning, she gazed out of the coach window as they crossed into Scotland. Mr. Darcy was riding beside them and she admired his easy seat and his upright bearing. It was most certainly not evident that he had ridden the length of England. She could hardly keep her eyes from his handsome figure and could feel herself growing hot as she thought of what would happen after they were married.
She heard Georgiana’s little cough and forced her eyes away from him.
“I am sorry. I am in quite a dream today, Georgiana.”
“I can see that.” Georgiana smiled slightly. “I am much looking forward to calling you my sister.” She glanced up through her lashes. “I will also attempt not to be in the way in the evenings.”
“Indeed you will not be.” Elizabeth sought to reassure her. “As we have discussed, Mr. Darcy has plans that we will stop only two evenings more before we reach Pemberley. There is plenty of time and I will need you in the evenings to help me gather my courage.” She shivered a little.
“I had not thought I would be so nervous about being a married woman.”
Georgiana laughed. “I am sure I will be much more nervous than you seem to be, Elizabeth. You appear composed and confident.”
“I am very happy that my efforts are bearing fruit.” Elizabeth laughed. “I would be very unhappy if all my attempts to appear calm could be seen through too easily.”
“I wonder, perhaps, if you might need to let your feelings show to my brother on occasion, though.” Georgiana met her eyes. “I think he is the kindest and most caring brother any girl could have. But even I must admit that he sometimes does not discern what I am really feeling unless I am a little obvious about it.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I thank you for the warning, my sister. I will remember it.”
“I do like hearing you call me your sister. And I think it will not be long until we really are sisters.” Georgiana drew in a deep breath. “I think we are there now.”
“Oh, goodness!” Elizabeth’s hand went to her mouth. The coach was slowing, ready to turn into a roadside inn.
Chapter 39
She climbed out of the coach, accepting the support of Mr. Darcy’s hand and hoping fervently that he couldn’t feel her trembling.
“Be calm, Elizabeth,” he murmured. “Remember, I love you most sincerely.”
She drew comfort from his quiet reassurance, and wondered suddenly at the great change in him from what she had seen at Netherfield, where he had been most reticent and appeared proud and distant.
Noticing his smile, she looked at him enquiringly.
“You are thinking too much, I believe, Elizabeth. Come, we will have an early lunch and give my servant time to discover a place where we can marry.”
“Thank you.” She followed him into the inn, where a private room had again been procured.
He held the chair for her and her heart began to race. Her last meal as a single woman. Things were moving fast and her life was changing. She reminded herself what she had been reciting to herself the previous evening.
It is going to be fun. I must smile and be happy. I am doing it for him.
She smiled up at him, genuine amusement in her eyes. If she acted as if it was fun, it was fun. She had much experience of this, and she had much to anticipate.
He smiled down on her, and took his seat. “I am most pleased you have recovered so well, Elizabeth. You are one of the strongest and most determined people I know.” He looked across at his sister.
“Do you agree, Georgiana?”
“I do. Most certainly I do.” She looked at Elizabeth. “And most beautiful too.”
“Agreed.” Mr. Darcy appeared slightly bemused, and nodded approval of the wine offered without taking his usual grave consideration.
Elizabeth managed to keep her features calm, but Georgiana spluttered with laughter. Elizabeth heard Mr. Darcy growl very slightly under his breath.
He didn’t like to be laughed at. She stored the information away in her mind, knowing her whole life now would be bound up in him and making him happy. He deserved that for what he had done for her, and she needed to know every way in which she could satisfy him.
His gaze was on her, she could feel it, and her face grew hot. He smiled and she watched the servants set the table.
His servant arrived and stood deferentially after handing over a slip of paper.
“Thank you.” Mr. Darcy glanced at the paper. “That one.” He pointed at one of the lines and the servant nodded.
“Yes, sir. I will arrange it.”
Elizabeth looked at him, and he smiled back at her, picking up his napkin.
“I have chosen a Scottish minister to conduct our marriage. He will provide us with a certificate to prove that we are formally wed and it might seem a less sordid affair.”
“You are most thoughtful, sir.”
“Fitzwilliam,” he corrected, smiling.
“Fitzwilliam,” she amended. “I am sorry. I need much reminding until the habit is established.”
“Then I shall not hesitate to remind you — provided it will not cause you any distress.”
“It will not, sir. Provided that I may occasionally make some lively comment in return.”
His eyes seemed to be alight with amusement over the rim of his glass. He drank unhurriedly, then placed the glass on the table.
“I will wait for such remarks with curiosity, Miss Bennet.” His smile was almost lazy. “I believe we will indeed live an interesting life together.”
She stared at him, a sudden realisation intruding over the import of his comment.
“What is it?” he was suddenly
concerned.
She shook her head. “It is nothing, I just …” her chin went up. “I suddenly realised this might be the last time I hear myself referred to by the name Miss Bennet.”
He did not seem to know how to respond to her, and she hurried to explain herself more clearly. “It is nothing, nothing at all. It was just an observation.”
“You have had to give up a lot, I know, Elizabeth.” He pushed away his plate. “But for now, I hope to give you my name.” He stood up. “Shall we proceed?”
Her heart was in her mouth, but she nodded.
It is going to be fun. I must smile and be happy. I am doing it for him.
They walked along the path towards the pretty little kirk, where she could see the minister standing waiting for them.
She smiled, this was what he wanted. He’d been prepared to travel all this way because she wasn’t of age in England and he didn’t want to wait, didn’t want her to be unsure of the future a moment longer.
There might not have been complicated preparations, and she might not have all her family around her. But she was wearing a gown of fine silk, finer than she’d ever worn before arriving in London, she had a new friend who was about to become her sister, and she admired and trusted the man who was going to be her husband.
She smiled, deciding to remember this day with pleasure.
“Good afternoon, sir!” the minister bowed.
“Good day, ladies.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana curtsied.
The minister spoke to Mr. Darcy. “I see you have one lady as a witness, sir. I have a neighbour who is willing to witness the marriage, if you would like me to send for him?”
“Thank you. I would be grateful.” Mr. Darcy turned and spoke to Elizabeth.
“It is time. Are you well, Elizabeth?”
“I am quite ready, Fitzwilliam. This is a beautiful little church.” She looked around at the light stone walls and the stained glass windows. “Most beautiful.”
The minister beamed. “I am so pleased you have come here. Many couples are in such a hurry, they do not look as far as their surroundings.” He considered his domain proudly. “But you are not here to be delayed with conversation. We can begin with the paperwork, perhaps.” He produced a great ledger and noted down Mr. Darcy’s name and place of abode. Then he asked Elizabeth the same question.
She hesitated before giving Longbourn as her address, and Mr. Darcy offered that she use his London residence as her address.
“No, thank you, sir. I am from Longbourn and I would wish it to be noted here. If it is seen by any visitor, they cannot declare the wedding invalid, can they?”
“Indeed not, Elizabeth. We may note down whatever you wish.” He looked indulgently at her.
“Ah, my neighbour is here.” The minister watched as the man came forward and nodded at the party. Then he turned to Georgiana and indicated with a smile where she could sit.
“Let us begin.” They stood in front of him and he spoke to Mr. Darcy first.
“Did you come here of your own free will and accord?”
“Yes, I did.”
The minister turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, did you come here of your own free will and accord?”
“Yes, sir, I did.” Her voice was low as the unfamiliar words confused her.
Her confusion was compounded when she felt Mr. Darcy’s hand creep around hers and give it a comforting squeeze. She took a deep breath and lifted her head high. Of course he would touch her. They were very nearly married.
The words now were faintly familiar, very similar to those she knew and she was reassured. When Mr. Darcy produced the ring and the minister led him through the words as he placed it on her finger, she thought her heart would burst. Surely this was love and not just gratitude?
The priest declared they were man and wife and all present signed the certificate and the ledger he kept in the church.
Finally they were outside and Mr. Darcy — her husband — shook the priest’s hand.
Georgiana embraced her. “I am so happy for you, my dear sister.”
Chapter 40
“Thank you,” Elizabeth whispered. She turned the ring round and round on her finger. It felt heavy and strange and she wondered when he had obtained it.
“Congratulations, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana reached up to kiss her brother who stood stiffly beside Elizabeth.
“Thank you for your assistance, Georgiana.” He smiled at her, then turned to Elizabeth.
Taking her hand, he lifted it, tracing the gold band around her finger.
“I’m proud you’re wearing my ring, Elizabeth. It was my mother’s. I have carried it with me since she died, hoping one day I would place it on my bride’s finger.” He smiled.
“It is made from gold mined in Wales, the north of Ireland, and here in Scotland.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth gasped. “I’m honoured to wear it.” She glanced at Georgiana. “But shouldn’t it be yours, Georgiana? I …”
But he was shaking his head. “No. The man she marries will wish to provide a ring from his own family, as I have for you.” He smiled. “But you are most considerate. It is a part of what makes you the lady I love.”
Georgiana went a little pink, and turned towards the road.
Elizabeth turned to him. “I think we must be careful in the coach not to embarrass her.”
He chuckled. “It will be difficult. I seem to have waited so long for you.”
“I still cannot believe how much has happened. And so quickly.”
“Well, let us begin the journey home. I would hope to reach Penrith for the first night, and then we might keep to only two nights more before reaching Pemberley.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth climbed into the coach after Georgiana, and settled into her seat.
“I am so happy it’s over.” She made a face at Georgiana. “I mean, I enjoyed it, but I was so nervous that I’m glad I didn’t make a mistake.”
“It was very informal, wasn’t it?” Georgiana was thoughtful. “But I thought it was beautiful.”
“I agree.” Mr. Darcy swung in and settled himself beside Elizabeth. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt his body press against hers. She didn’t like to move away and risk offending him. She must get used to this.
The jolting of the coach as they set off wasn’t helping her. She was being bumped against him with every rut on the road.
Georgiana on her other side tactfully leaned back and closed her eyes, and Elizabeth finally dared look at him.
He was regarding her with warmth in his eyes, and he moved a little away from her, as if he was sensible of the fact that she was uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“We will stop after an hour and change horses,” he told her. “Then I will send two grooms separately with my own horses at their own pace and we will be able to travel further each day. I believe we will arrive at Penrith in time for dinner.”
“Thank you.” She was certainly more comfortable with not being in such intimate contact with him while Georgiana was with them.
She was very tired when they reached the inn at Penrith, but she stood outside by the coach for several minutes and stared at the spectacular landscape around the town.
He stood beside her. “The scenery is dramatic, is it not? Perhaps we can come back here soon and stay a few days.”
“I’d like that very much when you can spare the time from your business affairs, Fitzwilliam.”
“Good. But now, we will go in and have dinner.”
As she and Georgiana went to their rooms after dinner, Elizabeth knew her new status would mean she and her husband would be in the same room. Undoubtedly it was why he had stayed downstairs to allow her some privacy to prepare for the night before he came up too. She was thankful for his thoughtfulness. Once at Pemberley she knew they would occupy adjoining rooms and she would have a little more space to prepare herself at night.
She bade Georgiana goodnight, and went
into the bedchamber. Over a week now of a different place, a different bed each night, and she knew she would relish some quiet weeks at Pemberley.
She stared at her reflection in the glass as her maid brushed out her hair although there was no longer enough length to braid it, and she wondered what he thought of her appearance. She knew she looked very different to the high-born ladies of his acquaintance.
She shivered. Despite the fire, the room was still chill, and she hurried to the bed once she had dismissed her maid. But she had to be honest with herself, she was certainly shivering with nerves as well as with the cold.
As she waited for him, she thought of her family and wondered how they would feel when they knew she had married Mr. Darcy. And Jane, how was she finding married life? She smiled. She knew Jane would be happy.
Perhaps she could write to her tomorrow. She smiled and closed her eyes against the dancing firelight while she waited for her husband.
Then he was there, taking her in his arms. “Dearest Elizabeth.”
Chapter 41
He woke with her in his arms, a deep contentment in his heart. It had been a long, hard journey from the day he had met her, but he had won her trust and her acceptance of his offer, and she’d married him yesterday.
Now he could spend his life with her and things would never be the same again. He sighed and drew her body closer. In sleep, she was very beautiful and her face was calm. He watched her tenderly.
How could such beauty, such intelligence have been born and nurtured in such a family? He didn’t know, but he was so thankful that chance had taken Bingley to Netherfield or he would never have found her.
He watched as her face clouded over and an anxious look appeared. He was saddened that her dreams were still so troubled and he gently smoothed back her hair from her face. It was still full early. He need not wake her yet.
Lying still so he didn’t disturb her rest, he pondered over the last few weeks. So many times when he had thought he had lost her, those times when he had seen her in such danger. The short brushes with her family, Collins and his aunt, all determined to prise her from him.
Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation Page 16
