Elizabeth woke in the early hours of the morning, her body curled within the protective embrace of her husband. The room was lit only by the dying embers of the fire, just enough to see the line of his jaw and …
Oh! … his eyes were open and he was watching her with amusement.
She could feel herself flush, but thankfully the room should be dark enough for him not to see it.
She gave a sigh of satisfaction. She felt replete, content and the tight knot of unease over the last week had loosened to leave a great sense of security.
She closed her eyes again, she wanted to examine her feelings. I like being married, and married to William.
She was surprised at her thoughts, she’d always thought she would never marry for anything other than love. That love could grow so quickly, and in such circumstances, surprised her.
She jumped when she felt him wind a tendril of her hair round his finger, then tuck it behind her ear. She murmured and moved even closer.
22
Epilogue
Elizabeth stood on the stone terrace in the early dawn light, looking out over the dew-laden lawns towards the lake. Beyond, in the distance, she saw William galloping back towards the house, and she smiled. He needed those early morning rides as much as she needed the quiet, peaceful moments before the rest of the household began the new day.
As the season had ended, guests had begun to arrive in increasing numbers, and, while Elizabeth enjoyed having friends and family call, she loved Pemberley most when she and William were here alone together.
She leaned on the balustrade. How different her life was now from anything she could possibly have imagined last year — right up until the day she had met him and received that extraordinary proposal.
She smiled wryly. How foolish her acceptance had seemed to her then, what a risk she thought she had taken when accepting him. And all on behalf of her family.
But all their lives were different now, William had kept all his promises — and in ways she could not even have imagined.
She jumped as his arms snaked round her waist as he came behind her. “William! That was quick. Why, only a moment ago you were the other side of the lake!”
He dropped a kiss on her head. “I promise that I took my usual time to arrive.” He chuckled. “But I think you were dreaming of something pleasant, and the time passed without your knowledge.”
She leaned back against his strong, warm body. “Perhaps I am.” She smiled secretly to herself. “Perhaps I was just enjoying the peace of Pemberley before today’s guests arrive.”
His arm tightened round her. “It will seem different now that your aunt and uncle will be arriving for the day and going home after dinner, rather than staying for a few weeks at a time.” There was warmth and respect in his voice. “But with their new estate so near, they will be able to call much more often.” His lips kissed her throat. “I think you will enjoy them being close by.”
Elizabeth turned properly into his embrace. “And I have you to thank for your assistance to them. I’m sure it could not have been done without you.”
He shook his head. “Very little. Your uncle is a redoubtable man, and most astute. His business is going to thrive now, with this new direction, and I’m glad your aunt looks less anxious for the future.”
Elizabeth lifted her face to his. “And the Bingleys. They have purchased nearby, too. I’m sure you have assisted in that matter, too.”
He nodded. “We both know Bingley needs considerable encouragement to take a decision that is important.” His eyes laughed at her. “And you will enjoy having your sister living near here, too.”
Elizabeth nodded contentedly. “Were you pleased to hear of the marriage of Miss Bingley?” She laughed when he nodded fervently.
“So very much. I think Mr. Noakes will appreciate her fortune, and he seems to be a man who will permit her to control the household, especially his mother.”
Elizabeth didn’t permit herself to laugh. “And his estate in Dorset is hundreds of miles from here — that is an advantage, too.”
“Oh, yes.” William sounded as if he wore a satisfied smile. “It took some time.”
“What did?” Elizabeth twisted round and caught a strange look on his face. “You didn’t!”
“Perhaps,” he shrugged. “It was important to me that she did not live close to Bingley and your sister as they make their lives together — and most certainly as far from Pemberley as possible. And I also needed to find someone who would not be made too unhappy by her manner.”
Elizabeth stood happily within his arms. “You have helped so many. Even Lydia — I hope she is happy being the wife of an officer, and I’m sure the money helped him to make her an offer.”
“Well, we needed to right the wrong done to your family,” he murmured, and rested his head on hers. “Besides …”
There was a silence. “Besides what?” Elizabeth was puzzled.
“Well,” he sounded unsure of himself. “I believe a lady needs her mother, especially at certain times in her life, and I could never take you to Hertfordshire while your sister was not married.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I know she can be embarrassing, but she is Mama. And it was good to see her again.”
“And …?” He was asking again. He must suspect something.
She smiled. “I am not going to respond to questions like that, William. If you have suspicions, then you must say so.”
He laughed. “Do you need to sit down, Elizabeth? You must rest enough.”
She leaned into him. “I have you to rest against. But, before I can no longer travel far, might we go to Scotland? Just for a very short tour?”
He hesitated. “It’s been a very cold winter, Elizabeth. The roads are not yet good enough to go so far to the north in safety. And when summer comes, you might be uncomfortable travelling.”
She sighed, supposing she should acquiesce in this. But she had longed to see Scotland. It was nigh on six months since they had married, and they still hadn’t actually made the tour, there had been so much at Pemberley that she loved.
“We could go to Wales.” His voice was persuasively close to her ear. “Mount Snowden is almost as lovely. And the Glyders — the mountains are too high for you, but walking in the foothills and driving along the valleys with you will be pleasing.”
“Oh!” Elizabeth closed her eyes, imagining it. “I’ve read about it, and seen the illustrations.” She smiled and looked up at him. “I never thought I’d be fortunate enough to go there.”
William drew her face to his, his hand behind her head tangling in her hair. His lips touched hers.
“William!” She expostulated. “The servants will see!”
He growled slightly. “We are married, Elizabeth.”
She blushed a little, and he laughed. “All right, Elizabeth. I will have to deny myself in patience for the rest of the day, I suppose.”
For another moment she stayed still, pressed against her beloved husband. Then he dropped another kiss on the top of her head.
“Come and have some breakfast, Elizabeth. You must stay well.”
The day was over. Elizabeth had much enjoyed their guests, but she was glad as they all said their farewells and gradually Pemberley was restored to peace again.
They returned to the drawing room for a few moments.
“You look tired, Elizabeth.” Georgiana looked concerned. “Perhaps we should all retire early.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “You’re very thoughtful, Georgiana. Perhaps having everyone here at once was a mistake.”
“Oh, no! We don’t often get the chance, and now Uncle Henry and Aunt Alice are up at Hayden Hall, it was so nice that they could meet your uncle and aunt again.” Georgiana tried not to smile. “Although I think William wasn’t happy that they were congratulating themselves for your successful marriage.”
Elizabeth reached out to her husband. “We can allow them that, can’t we, William? After a
ll, we are the fortunate ones.”
His smile was taut, but it hadn’t reached his eyes. “Of course, Elizabeth.”
She wondered what the matter was, but she couldn’t ask now. “I think Mr. Bingley was a little embarrassed — talk of our wedding is quite a reminder of his sister’s behaviour.” She watched his expression clear, and he even managed a smile.
Elizabeth turned back to Georgiana. “But I do think you’re right that it might do us all good to retire early.” She rose to her feet. “Goodnight, Georgiana. Goodnight, William.”
He bowed over her hand. “I will be up very soon, Elizabeth.”
She waited for him in her bedchamber, sitting in the darkened window, sipping a glass of water, and wondering what had disturbed his countenance downstairs earlier.
Then he was there, through the connecting door from his suite, and she rose and went into his arms.
“William. I’m so glad you’ve come up.”
His fingers traced her jaw and turned her chin up towards him. “It’s been a long wait since your promise at dawn,” his voice held a hint of laughter.
“What did I …?” then she realised, “… oh.” She reached up and put her arms around his neck, pulling him down. “Now I remember.”
He drew her close and just stood, seeming to want to draw comfort from her presence. His musky scent, sandalwood and sage, rose about her and she rested her head against his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat through their nightclothes.
“You’ve heard something today which has discomposed you,” she murmured. “I’m sorry.” she pulled him even closer. “Do you wish to share it? Would it help?”
After a few moments, he sighed deeply. “Thank you, Elizabeth. You’re very good for me. I’d like to tell you about what I have done.”
He picked her up and carried her over to the sofa by the fire. “Do you want a blanket?”
“No, thank you,” she nestled in closely to him. “You can keep me warm.” She looked up at him. “What is the news?”
“It’s Richard,” he shrugged very slightly. “He tells me that he was soon to be posted to Spain, where the battle against the French is particularly hard.” He grimaced. I was most concerned for his safety.”
Elizabeth stared at him in shock. “We cannot allow that to happen, surely? Are your uncle and aunt not making some arrangement?”
William shook his head. “He has not told them.”
Elizabeth tried again. “If you made the money available, would he agree to buy out his commission?”
He looked down at her. “You always find the heart of the matter, Elizabeth. Yes, the difficulty was in gaining his agreement. He is, of course, very loyal to his regiment. But I have given him the money today and he has agreed to buy out. But he is apprehensive that people will think him a coward for doing so.”
Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder. “Then we must ensure that no one knows he was about to be posted. After all, if he has not told his family, then he is unlikely to have told anyone else.”
Her husband nodded. “I think the same.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “We will forget the subject entirely and never mention it again, then he will get over it sooner.”
“Mention what, William?” she said innocently.
His deep, rich chuckle warmed her through. “You’re an inveterate tease, Mrs. Darcy.” His arms tightened round her. “Now I am going to hold you to your promise of the morning.”
“I have no issue with that.” Elizabeth wrapped her arms round his neck as he lifted her and carried her to the great bed. As he climbed in beside her and drew the covers over them both, she reached for him.
“I love you so much, William. Be sure never to leave me.”
His hand traced her gently rounded form. “How could I ever leave you, dearest Elizabeth?” He bent and kissed her. “Do you know when our child will be born?”
I am not certain, William, but I believe around Michaelmas.” Elizabeth placed her hand over his. “I still can’t quite believe it.”
“Nor I,” his voice held a touch of wonder. “You have told your sister, I suppose. What about your aunt?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone, William. And I think you are the only one who has guessed — unless any of them has spoken to you?”
He shook his head. “It is our secret, then, my love.” He tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Although, may I call the physician? I must make sure you are well, and have everything needed.”
Elizabeth laughed and pulled his face closer. “No, William, I would rather you didn’t do that. I really am very well, and there is quite a long time to go.”
She let her fingers thread through his hair, and gave it a thoughtful little tug. “This morning, you mentioned something about Wales. We could …?”
“We could,” he growled, suddenly seeming to tire of the conversation, and pulling her lips to his. “But enough talking tonight. I am bewitched and I need you close.”
Elizabeth yielded to him and let her hands roam over the flickering muscles of his back through his nightshirt. He groaned and lifted his head to look at her, his eyes hazy with desire. “Mrs. Darcy, I cannot imagine what would have happened in my life had you not been the lady chosen by my uncle to be my wife.”
She smiled. “We were meant to be together, William. Nothing can separate us, nothing.” Her fingers traced the line of his lips. “Please kiss me again.”
Afterword
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“It is a truth universally acknowledged,” the bustling lady guardian told her young charges, over the clatter of the stagecoach and the thunder of the horses' hooves, “that a young man in possession of a good parcel of land must be in want of a fresh young bride.”
As the weekly stagecoach heads into Pemberdale, Wyoming, it carries on board the hopes of the men of Meryton. All the way from Saint Louis, shaken and weary from many days of travel, the five Bennet sisters are about to embark on a tumultuous sequence of adventure and mishap that will take their reputations and their futures into perils that no-one would have predicted.
From a ridge, high on his gray Arabian, Fitzwilliam Darcy watches the arrival of the stage with mixed feelings. He wishes the best for the fortunes of the townsfolk, and for his friend Charles Bingley, but he holds no such optimistic hope of the stage bringing a suitable bride for himself.
But as a tall and slender, dark-haired young woman descends from the coach and glances up, Mr. Darcy’s heart pounds and he feels the hand of fate touch his shoulder.
Romance and love beckon, and in many guises, but who will answer the calls call?
This Mail Order Brides and Prejudice novella is a sweet and clean Pride and Prejudice variation. Vividly conjuring the ways that the characters from Jane Austen’s classic novel might fare, transplanted into the pioneering West of 1870, this re-imagining is a fast read. Thirty-six thousand words have been lovingly crafted to delight enthusiasts of the romantic canon and newcomers alike.
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Forever, Darcy Page 10
