by Linda Wells
“You will be a wonderful father.”
Darcy’s eyes opened and he tilted his head, seeking her face, his future role worried him and he sought her reassurance. “How can you be so confident? My example was poor.”
She looked at him with surprise. “But it is just that example that will make you successful. You know how not to be.”
He laughed softly at her reasoning. “I will be the opposite of my father and you will be the opposite of your mother?” Comforted, he gave her a hug.
“Oh, I hope so!” She laughed. “At least the mother I grew up knowing. Now she is changing, but then … well, both of my parents had their own demons, as you know.” She kissed his chin. “Do you hope for children soon?”
“Yes and no.” He smiled at her eyebrows climbing her forehead, and the eyes that demanded an explanation. “Oh, I look forward to it; anticipate it eagerly actually, although I do fear for your well-being very deeply.” Elizabeth gave him a gentle kiss and he caressed her cheek. “I know that most men wish for their heir to arrive right away, but I would enjoy at least one summer with you, free to just be together.”
“And what do you wish to do with me over this beautiful summer?” She smiled and then laughed at the passion that suddenly flared in his eyes. “Besides the obvious, my love.”
He chuckled and squeezed her. “I would like to show you the entire estate, and continue your riding lessons. Perhaps we could go to Scotland and visit our estate there, spend some time in the Lake District, or maybe go to the shore … or, would you enjoy going to the continent, Lizzy? We could go to Italy? Where has your imagination taken you when you were sitting in your tree?”
“So many places, but always the trip was wonderful because of my companion, so it did not matter where I roamed, as long as he was there.”
He smiled widely. “You were dreaming of your husband? I did not think you a devotee of romantic novels!”
She giggled. “I admit nothing, my love, only that I have a fairly healthy imagination without the help of novelists.” He laughed loudly and kissed her cheek. “I would enjoy any of the ideas you mentioned. I know that travel to the continent would probably be best before we have children but it is not really safe now, is it? I believe I would be just as delighted to see the beauty of England, or even this wonderful estate. I would love to see your boyhood haunts. I wish I had been with you then. I dream about it sometimes, the two of us playing as children. What fun we would have had!” She laughed and furrowed her brow at the brightness of his eyes.
“I have often thought the same, dearest, how different things would have been.” He blinked and smiled, leaning to kiss her, “I think that we are making up for that loss with our current childish antics.”
“Will you take me skating?”
He chuckled with her distracting request. “I believe we would have trouble locating the ice beneath the snow. It is just too deep for now, but I have no doubt that the wind will do its work soon enough and we will have a patch to try. Have you skated before?”
“Once, and I was an utter failure. I will rely on your strong arm to support me.” She smiled up at him and squeezed his waist.
“I do believe that I will enjoy that immensely.” He kissed her warm lips and then took her hand, studying the band of gold he had placed there. “Mrs. Darcy, I recall you saying that you began this excursion today in search of warmth. Ice skating hardly qualifies.”
“I did, and I know that skating is not warm, but I just wanted to do something with you. I would like to bring a healthy glow to my cheeks.” Her eyes danced and his grew dark. “Do you have any suggestions for warming me further?”
“Well obviously you feel that this blanket and a shared chair before the fire is insufficient, but I think that I have determined a far more productive occupation.”
“Oh, and what is that?” She asked innocently.
“You have declared that I would be an outstanding parent, I think, my love, that some work on both of our parts is required to fulfil that declaration. It is something that most definitely we must accomplish together.” He smiled his little smile, but his lips were threatening to allow it to grow.
She nodded solemnly in understanding. “Ah, and you believe that you know the best way to accomplish this desired outcome?”
“Yes my love, and as with all things, you know that practice makes perfect.” He growled softly in her ear.
“And you feel that I am lacking?”
His lips caressed her lobe as he felt her melting into his arms, and heard the soft moan he coveted. “Oh no, my dear wife, but I desire that you stay in top form. Come let me warm you from the inside out.”
THE WEEKS PASSED, and soon they would be leaving for Hertfordshire. Elizabeth strolled through the house, and taking out her Christmas key, approached the door to their little sanctuary. As always when the door was opened she was greeted with a rush of humid air and the intoxicating smell of warm earth and fragrant flowers. This was a special room, separate from the much larger orangery next door. This room had three keys, one for Darcy, one for Elizabeth, and one for the head groundskeeper of Pemberley. He was allowed in to do his work at a very specific time; otherwise it was to be left locked. Within the beautiful room were tropical blooms, outrageous in their bright colours and intoxicating scents, trees with huge, heavy leaves, and the aura of fantasy and escape permeated every nook. There were two comfortable chairs and a table, and a new addition, a long, wide, fainting couch, just large enough to accommodate two people seeking solitude in each other’s arms. The heavy greenery blocked any view whether inside or out, and a solid wooden door inside of the house gave no hint as to the place that lay behind. Darcy built this escape after his father died. In his imagination and loneliness, he dreamed of someone spending time with him there. The couple often disappeared within for hours. Today Elizabeth entered to read a letter from Jane while William met with his steward. She settled back on the couch and almost immediately began smiling and shaking her head.
Dear Lizzy,
I do hope that you and William are well, and enjoying your peace, I believe that I am quite envious of you! If our mother had never married, I think that she would have been of great use in helping people plan affairs. Does such a position exist? Well, in any case, she has taken over the staffs of Longbourn and Netherfield with her ideas for decoration and food. Oh Lizzy, at the time that you were married I admit that I felt sorry for your simple wedding, but now, I think that you and William had the correct idea. I will say no more, you will be here soon enough to experience the madness in person! At least Papa is laughing about her frenzy, and she even laughs at herself, as well.
Papa has absolutely forbidden Kitty and Lydia from speaking to any of the officers beyond common courtesies. After what happened with Georgiana, he trusts none of them. It is not truly fair to group them all together in such a state of dislike, but he says that they are too young to be so flirty and he has no intention of hosting another wedding anytime soon, unless it is for Mary. Poor Mary just blushes. She is ever so anxious to come to Pemberley. It is so kind of William to send another coach with you to take her there after the wedding. Papa was relieved to know that he was sending Mrs. Annesley and several men along as well.
John Lucas inquired after you when we saw him in church yesterday. He said that he had heard from Charlotte and that she was settling into Hunsford Parsonage, and hoped to see you when you come to visit Lady Catherine. I was not sure of your plans on that subject so said nothing. He seemed pleased to hear how well you and William were getting on. He has been very quiet, keeping to Lucas Lodge, and not really participating in the various dinners of the neighbourhood. I understand from his mother that he has thrown himself into preparations for the coming growing season, and is quite serious about learning his responsibilities.
Now, to my Charles. Oh Lizzy, I know that I had expressed some worries that he might regret choosing me, but I must tell you that he is becoming quite more admirable every
day. We have been in so much company of late, with engagement dinners and teas. There are always many pretty girls there, and he does talk and is friendly to them, but I see now how his friendliness is tempered. It is not flirting, but enthusiasm, a joy of life. I suppose it is what attracted him to me, we both want everyone around us to be happy, but he is able to express it more openly. Why would I wish to change that? I am assured of his constancy at every turn, and he always returns to my side. I am truly content. He and the Hursts travel to London tomorrow to move Miss Bingley from his home and settle her in the new apartments he found for her. He has stuck to his decisions, and not wavered at all. I feel sorry for her, but I do not blame him.
I look forward to seeing you, dear sister.
Jane
Elizabeth closed the letter and sat wondering over all of the news. It seemed that everyone in Hertfordshire had experienced some form of improvement in the past months. She did not look forward to seeing John again, but at least it appeared, from Jane’s always rosy point-of-view, that he had moved on.
JANE AND BINGLEY were wed on the 27th of February, a bright morning, and the wedding breakfast was everything that Mrs. Bennet had dreamed of producing. She outshone every woman in the area with the vast array of foods and drink. The gowns on her daughters were exquisite, the guests, curious to spot the Darcys and the rumoured return of Sarah Bennet were satisfied. John cautiously approached Elizabeth and Darcy, and gave them a friendly greeting, which was returned in kind before they quickly separated, both sides feeling relief with the accomplishment. The Darcys were polite to the neighbours but for the most part kept company with the family party. The wedded couple were oblivious to all and were anxious to be on their way to London. Darcy was delighted to see his friend appear at the altar without a single nervous twitch.
Sarah’s reunion with Longbourn was both painful and revealing. She was struck with how small the house seemed, and how tall the trees had grown. Very little had changed; other than some of the furnishing and fabrics for the drapes. It was as if she had left only a week earlier instead of nearly a quarter century. She and Angus were given her old bedroom, which was also Lizzy’s old room. She looked about the walls, remembering oddities in the plasterwork, finding old creaking floorboards, saw small nicks in the closet door showing her growth, and for a little while was once again a Bennet. Her brother and sister had done everything they could to make her stay comfortable. None of the current servants knew Sarah, which in many ways was a relief to her. They only stayed the one night, leaving immediately after the wedding breakfast. She visited her parent’s graves, standing before them in the snow, and made her peace. Angus stood behind her, ready to give her whatever she needed, and was pleased to see her turn away from the headstones with a look of serenity.
One guest was missing, and that was Caroline Bingley. The Hursts offered to transport her from London to stay at the Meryton Inn, but she declined. She instead moved quietly into her new apartments with her companion, her lady’s maid, a housekeeper, and cook. Charles turned over her dowry to her solicitor to manage and wished her well. He had received no indication of a desire to reconcile, so he proceeded with his life without her. Caroline sat alone in the window of her new sitting room, looking over the noisy street in the less-fashionable part of town and wondered what she could do now. It was a feeling of extreme disbelief that dominated her that day. Somehow, she just could not grasp that Charles would follow through with his plans. But he did, and now she was truly alone. The Season would begin soon; perhaps this was her last opportunity to find a husband before the silent apartment would be forever her home. She was six and twenty, but she had an attractive dowry, perhaps it was not too late.
On the day before the wedding, Elizabeth and Darcy took a walk through the light snow that covered the ground. The cold there was nothing to what they had experienced at Pemberley, so their walk felt like a warm spring day in comparison. They held hands and naturally headed towards their stile. Darcy brushed the snow off of the step and Elizabeth sat while she watched him draw out his pocket knife.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, we were in such a rush on our wedding day; I was not able to complete my project.” He grinned mischievously at her while he knelt on the ground and worked at the wood.
“May I see?” She leaned and tried to look past his imposing shoulder. He moved to block her view.
“No.”
“Will!” He chuckled and after a few more minutes of work he brushed a few stray bits of wood from his carving and sat back, admiring his masterpiece. Elizabeth jumped down and leaned over his back. “You added our wedding date, and, oh Will …”
“Does it please you?” He looked back at her and she kissed his hair. “I will ask your father to save this post when the wood must be replaced, but for now, anyone who passes will know …”
“Our love was born here.” Elizabeth quoted then hugging his broad back, whispered in his ear. “You are a sentimental fool, Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
He stood and swept her up into his arms, and laughed at her furious protests. “You do not yet know the extent of it, Lizzy.”
IT HAD BEEN a long day, and Elizabeth was grateful to finally arrive in London after the wedding. They ate, then wearily climbed the stairs to bathe and change into their nightclothes. She walked into her bedchamber and stood before the fire, warming her hands. Darcy entered carrying a large ebony box.
She looked up and smiled. “What is this?”
He bit his lip and taking her hand, they settled on top of a thick rug in front of the hearth. “This is my treasure box. I left it here after we married by mistake. I wanted to show it to you at Pemberley, especially after seeing your father’s gift to your aunt Sarah. I thought that you might like to see …” He looked down, embarrassed and shy.
“Of course I want to see inside!” She kissed his cheek and he leaned against the side of a chair as she cuddled next to him. He placed the box on their laps. Elizabeth caressed his face and he kissed her hand.
“This is … full of little happy memories. They are the things that … brought me comfort when I was … so alone.” He looked away and concentrated on unlocking the box. He slid back a panel on the side. Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide. “I bought this box in Germany while on my tour. There was a cabinet maker, and I was admiring his skill, and I wanted something I could bring home with me. He was very fond of secret compartments. I am not entirely sure that I have found them all.” He looked up at her and delighted in her wide eyes. “This replaced a plain box I had since childhood.”
“This is fascinating!” Elizabeth watched him withdrawing his first treasure. He handed her a faded and threadbare square of wool. She examined it, feeling the worn fabric. “This was your blanket.” He nodded. “You have always needed to hold something at night.” She teased.
“Holding you is my greatest comfort.” They leaned and kissed softly.
Darcy returned the blanket to its place and withdrew a ribbon. “From cigars?” She asked.
“My father.” Elizabeth now understood how he could hold some fondness for the man, which more than anything exposed the goodness of his heart.
One by one each treasure was revealed; special rocks for skipping on the lake, a button, a thimble, drawings, poems, letters, small toys, many, many things, each with a story, or attached to a person who showed him kindness.
He withdrew a hairpin and Elizabeth took it and looked up at him. “This looks like mine.”
He smiled. “From our carriage ride to Pemberley.” Elizabeth blushed with the memory.
Next he showed her the worn yellow ribbon and dried lavender, and a pair of small gloves. She wiped the single tear that ran down his cheek. “What is this?” She picked up a folded piece of red silk. Darcy carefully unwrapped it, and inside was a long curl of chestnut coloured hair, tied with a bow of yellow ribbon. Their eyes met. “I cut this while you slept at Longbourn, and carried it with me when we went to see Lucas.”
“Oh, Will.” She took his hand and kissed it while he swallowed hard. “I wondered why you never asked for a lock of my hair.” He softly kissed her cheek and carefully replaced her hair in the silk.
Slowly they continued opening compartments and examining each item, talking about their significance before replacing the bits in their proper places. Every letter and note that she had given him was carefully folded and secreted in a special location. Elizabeth noticed a last folded square of white silk that he had not shown her. She touched it and looked up at him. “Why is this special?”
He did not answer, and locked the box back up and set it aside, then drew her tightly into his embrace. “Will?” Darcy nestled his face in her neck. He whispered in her ear and she blushed deep red.
“You kept … that?” She said softly.
“You gave yourself to me that night, Lizzy. Of course I treasure that gift above all others.”
Elizabeth’s hand rested on his cheek and he pulled her onto his lap. They began kissing slowly, softly, taking their time. Their tongues caressed and tasted, and their lips grew increasingly swollen and sensitive, and still they did not stop. Darcy fondled her breasts and then returned his hands to tenderly cup her face. He simply could not relinquish her mouth. Elizabeth drew away, sliding from his embrace, and his searching lips followed her. “Will … come to bed.”
His eyes, dark and drunk with passion opened to see hers. He slowly stood and held out his hands, lifting her up to her feet, then walked with her to their bed. She undressed him, untying his nightshirt and lifting it up over his head, and then urged him to sit on the silk sheets. She stood before him, removing her robe and her gown, never looking away from his intense gaze. Darcy drew her between his legs and suckled her breasts, so perfectly placed before his mouth. His hands ran over her bottom and she embraced his neck. Elizabeth withdrew and he moaned in protest. She smiled and pressed him down against the pillows. “I want this night to be for you, my love.”
