by Louise, Kara
Elizabeth fingered the diamond necklace Fitzwilliam had given her. “It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, aside from the ring.” She held her hand up so the large marquis diamond, flanked on either side by two sapphires, shone with brilliancy.
“I thought you would like my grandmother’s ring best.”
“You have excellent taste, my dear Fitzwilliam.”
“Yes, I do.” Darcy let out a contented sigh and looked into her eyes.
“And speaking of gifts, I have one for you!”
“For me? Elizabeth, you should not have done that!”
“And why not?” She reached down at her feet, pulling out a wrapped parcel. She held it out to him. “It just arrived last evening. I thought it would not get here in time.”
“What is it?”
“I believe you must open it to find that out!” Elizabeth laughed gaily.
Elizabeth held the bundle while Darcy slowly pulled at the ribbons. Finally growing impatient with the slow pace in which he was proceeding, she opened it the remainder of the way.
Elizabeth peeked sideways at her husband as she watched him pull out a beautifully carved wooden ship. It was a faithful replica, laden with unfurled sails and even tightly wound cordage. He reached over and carefully ran his fingers against the polished wood. “Elizabeth, it is beautiful!”
Elizabeth bit her lip. “I thought it might look nice on one of the mantels and be a reminder of our adventure.”
“It will look splendid in the library! You could not have chosen a more perfect gift! But this must have cost you a fortune!”
Elizabeth shook her head, her eyes flashing with mischief. “Are you not aware that you married a lady of great fortune? The reward for the jewels was more than enough needed to make the purchase.”
Darcy shook his head. “You should not have spent your money on me!”
“And why not?” she asked. “You specifically told us we could spend the money however we wished. Did you not?”
Darcy chuckled, fingering a loose strand of her hair and bringing it back to the side. “You are correct. I did say that.”
He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her close. “Thank you very much, my angel!” He then met her lips with his.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and when he drew away, she exclaimed, “Angel?”
“Most definitely! You looked just like a heavenly angel, robed in silver, as you walked towards me this morning.” He let out a sigh of contentment and looked at her with a wide smile.
“That will not do, my dear Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth laughed.
His smile wilted. “What will not do?”
“Charles has already claimed angel as his endearment for Jane. You must choose another.”
“Oh, dear,” he replied. He eyed her from the top of her head down to her feet. “Well, if you are not an angel, you are then the very substance of my dreams.”
Elizabeth cocked her head. “Would that be a remnant of your dreams, then?” When he turned to look at her, she pressed her finger into the corner of each of his eyes. “I fear I see no remnant, now.”
Darcy smiled and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That is because my dreams have come true. Oh, Elizabeth, if you only knew how often you were in my dreams. If this is a dream, I hope never to waken.”
*~*~*
They rode for several hours, arriving late in the afternoon at the inn Darcy had selected for their first night. The carriage door opened, and Elizabeth and Darcy stepped out. As he walked her to the inn, Elizabeth looked about her, admiring the secluded area surrounded by dense trees.
She smiled. “This is lovely, Fitzwilliam!”
“I hoped you would be pleased. There is also a lake on the other side of the inn we can walk down to.”
“It sounds heavenly.”
They entered the inn, preceded by Darcy’s valet, who was securing the key to their room. The servant then got the key to the room for him and the footman.
Darcy decided that Elizabeth would use a lady’s maid from the inn. He wanted her to take her time in choosing her own once they arrived at Pemberley.
The valet and footman led the way to Darcy and Elizabeth’s room, where the footman opened the door and stepped aside to allow them entrance. He carried in their overnight luggage and set it down in the bedroom.
“The meal is served in the dining room at six o’clock,” said the valet. “We are down the hall at the end on the right. Feel free to summon us if you need us. We shall be ready to leave by nine o’clock tomorrow morning, as you requested.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said and closed the door.
Elizabeth looked about her. She suddenly felt awkward and wondered what she was supposed to do.
She walked over to the window and gazed out. “Oh! You can see the lake from here! It is lovely!”
Darcy came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “It is an easy walk down to it. We have plenty of time to do that before dinner.” He leaned down and kissed her on the back of her neck, then wrapped his arms about her, clasping them at her waist.
“Yes, that would be nice,” Elizabeth said, clasping her hands over his.
“Shall we change into something less formal and set out? Shall I send for the lady’s maid to assist you?”
Elizabeth moistened her lips with her tongue and shook her head. “No, I shall not need her now.” She directed Darcy to a large overstuffed chair. “You can wait here for me while I get ready.” She looked nervously about her. “I shall return directly.”
Elizabeth began to walk into the bedroom but stopped. She looked behind her at her husband. “Would you mind terribly unbuttoning the back of my dress? In that, I believe I do need some help.”
She watched him slowly rise and come towards her. She turned back to look straight ahead as his fingers seemed to fumble with the tiny buttons. Neither said a word; the only sound Elizabeth heard was her heart pounding and Fitzwilliam’s deep breaths. As he quickly became quite adept at unbuttoning it, she also felt his breath along her back.
When he finished, she felt his lips press against her back between her shoulders.
“Do you need any more assistance?” he whispered in her ear.
Elizabeth’s breath caught. “I… I… perhaps later.”
She quickly walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. She was nervous and filled with anticipation at the same time.
*~*~*
It was some time before Elizabeth stepped out of the bedroom. She walked into the sitting area, where she found Darcy holding a newspaper that his valet had left for him to read. He did not seem to be reading, however, as he was staring at the wall.
He heard her come in and asked, “Are you ready?” When he turned and saw her, he bolted to his feet. “Elizabeth!” He sucked in a breath and held it, finally letting it out in a soft whisper. “Elizabeth.” He quickly walked towards her.
She reached out her hand, and he took it. She had no desire to walk around the lake now, and she was fairly certain he had other things on his mind. She had gone to their room and pulled out the sheer nightdress that her aunt had given her that morning. She and Jane had each received one, along with a gentle talk about what to expect that night; a talk that had been so much more beneficial than the one their mother had given them. Elizabeth had loosened her hair from its upward styling, allowing it to flow down her shoulders and back.
She felt very exposed, but the reaction of her husband was well worth it. She began to pull him closer to her, but he resisted.
“No, allow me the pleasure of just feasting my eyes on you for a moment.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks blush at his perusal, but when he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, she smiled. He drew her to him and wrapped his arms about her, stroking her back and shoulders.
He then pulled back and placed his hands on either side of her face. He searched her eyes and then leaned down and met her lips in a kiss. His fingers wound their way up th
rough her hair and out to the ends. He pulled back and asked breathlessly, “Are you certain, Elizabeth? It is only four thirty.”
Elizabeth looked up at him with beguiling eyes. “I was not aware of there being any rule as to the time one…”
Darcy pressed his lips to hers again as he nudged her towards the bedroom. When he reached the door, he picked her up in his arms, and then with his foot closed the door behind them with a decisive thrust.
*~*~*
At the first sign of light the next morning, Darcy awakened and turned to his bride. He still could not believe she was his. The most magnificent and satisfying thing about it was that she appeared to love and desire him just as much as he did her! He could not now imagine what would have happened had she accepted his first offer of marriage out of an obligation to her family or because she merely wished to marry a man of fortune.
He let out a sigh as he watched her sleep. Her hair was splayed across both pillows, and a smile tugged at her lips. He thought back to the joys of yesterday and her willing playfulness when their coming together could have been something she had looked upon with trepidation. He was completely sated and contented.
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Her eyelids fluttered, and the small smile that had played around her lips widened. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
“What time is it, Fitzwilliam? Must we get up and hurry to ready ourselves?”
“It is a little after seven, but it is up to you to decide whether we need to hurry. The earlier we get to Pemberley, the more you shall be able to see of it before dusk.”
Elizabeth let out a long sigh and stretched her arms out as she did. “Yes, I suppose we should try to leave as soon as possible.” When she brought her hands down, she fingered the scar above Darcy’s brow and leaned in to kiss it. Then she took his hand and brought it up to her lips. She turned it over and began to kiss his palm, stroking his fingers with hers.
“Elizabeth…” Darcy said, thinking to warn his wife that she had best know what she was doing. She looked up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. He softly chuckled, knowing his wife knew full well what her actions would lead to.
*~*~*
They left the inn at ten o’clock. The trip would take them almost the full day, and they each had brought books to help them pass the time. Elizabeth, however, was fascinated with the scenery they passed and found great delight in imagining herself amongst the woods and trails. She enjoyed studying her husband, as well, in the quiet moments of solitude they shared.
He often looked up and smiled as he noticed her looking at him and finally asked what she found so intriguing.
Elizabeth tilted her head. “When an artist does a portrait, I imagine he has to look at his whole subject in various lighting so he can fully do it justice. I am merely getting ideas to put into my sketch of your character.”
“So you are sketching my character again?”
Elizabeth tossed her head back with a laugh. “You said it might take a lifetime; I had best begin right away, do you not think?”
“And what is your success?” he asked.
She laughed with a quick shake of her head. “Oh, I agree with you. It shall take a lifetime.”
Darcy leaned in to her with a raised brow. “I might request, Elizabeth, that you not sketch my character at the present moment.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened and met his teasing gaze. “Why?”
“I would ask that you wait until you see me at Pemberley. It is there that I feel I can be my true self and am more comfortable in those surroundings.”
“Then I look forward with great anticipation to observing you there!”
At length the carriage came to a stop. Elizabeth had fallen asleep in her husband’s arms, and she awoke with a start. “Have we arrived?”
“Not quite yet, but I wish to show you something.”
The door was opened, and they stepped out. He took her arm and guided her across the road. They were surrounded by a deep, dense wooded area, but walked a short ways to a clearing.
Elizabeth looked out and gasped. Her jaw dropped as she looked down at a magnificent structure. “Is that… Pemberley?”
Darcy murmured the affirmative. “This is one of my favourite views, although not many see it as it cannot be seen from the road.”
Elizabeth cast her eyes across the expanse. Her grip around her husband’s arm tightened. “Oh, my dearest, it is just as you described, and yet…”
“Yes?”
“It is far grander than my imagination allowed it to be.”
“Are you pleased with Pemberley, then?”
Elizabeth turned back and mutely nodded. “I know I shall treasure it as much as you do.”
“Good!” He wrapped his arms about her. “Welcome, Elizabeth, to your new home. We have just entered Pemberley Woods, my dearest. Of all this, you are now Mistress!”
Epilogue
One Month Later
Elizabeth sat on a bench seat and rested her arms on the railing of the sailing ship. She looked out at the glassy waters and felt the fresh spray on her face. An occasional gust of wind prompted her to hold down her bonnet with one hand. She looked back at her husband, who was enjoying manning the ship as it sailed across the waters of Windermere Lake.
The scenery was ever changing as they sailed across the largest of the lakes in the Lake District. The green meadows contrasted with the blue sky above and crystal waters below. In some parts, the lake mirrored the large bluffs across from them. They passed alder-fringed meadows, wooded islets, cottages, and an occasional farmstead off shore.
“Is this not the loveliest sight?”
Elizabeth looked up and saw her Aunt Gardiner coming towards her. “It is wonderful! I am delighted that my husband invited you and Uncle Gardiner to accompany us.”
Mrs. Gardiner bit her lip and she looked at the helm of the ship towards her niece’s husband. “That was so kind of him. I had no idea he would invite us to join you when I told him he could thank us that the two of you met in the Isles of Scilly. It was all due to the necessity of us having to cancel our trip to the Lake District.”
“It was a delightful surprise to see you here!”
Looking back at her niece, she asked, “Speaking of the Isles, what have you heard from St. Mary’s?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
Elizabeth clasped her hands and smiled. “Melanie writes that her mother is doing tolerably well. She is still weak, but they are grateful that she seems somewhat stable.”
“Does she speak of David?”
Elizabeth silently nodded and smiled. “She is grateful that David returned to help her through this. She does not know what she would have done without him.”
“Can this be taken as an indication that she might grow to love him?”
“I think she already does. She needs only to realize it. When I replied to her, I gave her some strong encouragement in that area.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked again towards the helm. “Both of our husbands seem to be enjoying taking turns manning the ship with Captain Bellows.”
“It was so good to see him again. I think they came to respect each other a great deal, having to depend on the other to get them through quite a bit.”
“Captain Bellows is certainly fortunate that he and five of the crew were able to purchase this ship with the prize money they received.”
“Yes, I believe they shall have a good business here. In addition to providing tourists with a wonderful outing on the lake, they will be transporting people and merchandise from one port to another.
“Would ye care fer some tea?”
Elizabeth looked up and saw Edward Webber standing before them with some refreshments. “Why thank you, Mr. Webber. Are you enjoying your new employment under Captain Bellows?”
“Very much. We was very grateful to Bellows fer allowin’ us to go into business wi’ him. Me thinks he was tired of sailin’ the high seas and is enjoyin’ this so much more.”
At length, Darcy came over and put his arm around his wife. “Are you enjoying your visit, my dream?”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “I most certainly am, but I must say, Fitzwilliam, I do not think I have ever seen you enjoy yourself more, even at Pemberley.”
“Truly?”
Elizabeth gave a firm nod of her head. “I believe that I will need to add to my sketch of your character this whole new side of you; one that I shall have to call Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“But you already have a lengthy description of me as Captain Smith!”
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, no, my love. You were suffering from a great deal too much concern, trying to protect a bunch of silly passengers and a novice crew from the treacherous Lockerly. Besides, you were in a most abhorrent state of disguise.” She shook her head firmly. “No, despite performing admirably in such dire conditions, this is quite different.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, rewarding her with a warm smile. “Me dearest Lizzy, as long as ye promise to always remain by me side as me most precious first mate, I shall always be the ’appiest of men.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kara Louise lives outside Wichita, Kansas with her husband and a variety of animals, including a dog, several cats, goats, and horses.
They have a married son who lives in St. Louis.
Other books by Kara Louise:
Darcy’s Voyage
Only Mr. Darcy Will Do
Assumed Engagement
Assumed Obligation
Master Under Good Regulation
Drive and Determination
and
Pemberley Celebrations: The First Year
