by P. O. Dixon
Thankfully, the entire interaction was completely undetected by the other members of the party. In between conversations, each of the guests seemed largely in tune with his or her own thoughts. Lord Matlock, in particular, reflected upon the engaged couple. He thought, I should have seen this coming. Fitzwilliam never had looked twice at a young woman, and yet with Miss Bennet, he rarely took his eyes off her. Like his wife, Lord Matlock never once had thought that his nephew, undeniably one of the most highly sought gentlemen of the ton, would defy the dictates of society and marry someone who had been in servitude. He had thought it more likely that Fitzwilliam would make the young woman his mistress, but even that scenario was absurd. He had placed so much pressure on his nephew to honour his family and his duty by marrying well. He wondered at his failure. Still, he considered that despite all of her obvious failings and the resulting inclusion of common tradesmen into his family, the new mistress of Pemberley undoubtedly was beautiful, intelligent, charming, and likely to comport herself exceptionally well. Lord Matlock fretted over how in the world he would ever deal with Lady Catherine. Surely, she would blame him for not supporting the match with Anne. He was certain he would never hear the end of it.
Elizabeth observed that while Lady Matlock treated her cordially, and even requested that she be called Lady Ellen, she only tolerated her uncle and aunt. The Gardiners were not unfamiliar with the attitudes of some members of the ton towards people in trade, and so, were not put off by the cool condescension of Darcy’s family. They conducted themselves with poise and grace. Elizabeth was glad it was the Gardiners that represented her family. She was unsettled at the thought of how Lady Matlock would receive her mother if she acted that way towards the Gardiners. That was until she recalled Lady Catherine. Elizabeth thought, If I am to suffer Lady Catherine, the Fitzwilliams should be able to put up with anything.
The women adjourned to the drawing room after dinner, and the men moved to Darcy’s study for their enjoyment of cigars and port. Though Darcy wanted nothing more than to return to Elizabeth’s side, Richard took his time as he amused the men with various accounts of Darcy and his less risqué escapades over the past years.
Upon the gentlemen’s rejoining the women, the room took on a decidedly festive tone as everyone loosened up a bit towards one another. Lord Matlock finally had deigned to speak with Mr. Gardiner in Darcy’s study whilst commenting on the fine port. The two soon had found quite a few topics to discuss, to such an extent that they remained embroiled in robust conversation even whilst in the drawing room.
The ladies also got along well, as Lady Matlock spoke with Elizabeth of her plans to introduce her to London society as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy during the upcoming Season, starting with a grand dinner party after the Twelfth Night Ball, as well as her presentation at court. Though Elizabeth realised that she was only trying to appease her nephew, she expressed her appreciation for Lady Matlock’s pledge of support just the same.
Despite the overall success of the evening, Darcy was anxious to have his guests retire. Much to his dismay, his long-winded cousin Richard, when he was not dominating the conversation, insisted upon prolonging the evening by repeatedly appealing to Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Lady Elise to perform on the pianoforte. It was late into the night when everyone finally retired to their respective apartments.
As much as he loved his younger sister and was glad to have her back at Pemberley, if only for a short while longer, Darcy was not impressed that Georgiana had effectively monopolised Elizabeth from the moment of her arrival. With the household finally retired, he was mere minutes away from joining his bride-to-be in her apartment. She had teased him mercilessly with subtle arts and allurements throughout the entire evening. He could no longer vouch for his ability to wait until after the wedding.
Imagine Darcy’s surprise when he tapped at the door to Elizabeth’s apartment.
“What are you doing here at this hour? It is after midnight. Do you not know it is bad luck to see the bride on the day of the wedding, before she is escorted down the aisle?”
“I am hardly superstitious, so no, I know no such thing. Besides, it is very late, and I saw the light. I simply wanted to make certain everything is all right.”
“Oh, everything is fine. Elizabeth and I were just chatting. I am sorry to have inconvenienced you.”
“Now that I am here, I thought I might have a few words with my intended.”
“I will be happy to pass on any message. What is it?”
“I simply wanted to wish her a goodnight, in private.”
“Unless I am mistaken, you and she said goodnight earlier this evening.”
Aggravated, Darcy warned, “Young lady.” Georgiana looked at him impertinently in response to his patronising tone and daunting stance, the same tactics that had been effective in reproaching her throughout her youth.
Darcy immediately changed tactics. “Lady Georgiana, do you not have someone else that you might attend to at this hour?”
“Oh no, not tonight! As Elizabeth’s ‘matron’ of honour, it is my duty to be here with her tonight.” Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him on his cheek and said, “Goodnight, brother. We will see you at the chapel bright and early in the morning,” and then politely closed the door. Darcy stood there immobilised with a saddened puppy dog face, reminiscent of a young boy denied his favourite treat.
Utterly forlorn, he slowly retreated to his room. Darcy cursed his luck, and that he had not grown closer to Lord Harry during his courtship with Georgiana. Surely, HE would have been able to remove his wife from Elizabeth’s room.
Settled comfortably on the sofa in her sitting room and having overheard the entire exchange, Elizabeth light-heartedly chided, “Georgiana, you were awfully cruel to your brother.”
“It serves him right. Had he not been so stubbornly obtuse, you two might have married months ago,” she laughed.
Georgiana retrieved the box that she had set aside upon entering the room. “Elizabeth, I have something special for you. I know you have not had time to shop for a proper wedding trousseau. I have no doubt that you did not bring anything like this along with you. Though you may have purchased something in Lambton, it means so much to me as your sister to present you with this.”
Georgiana handed Elizabeth the beautifully wrapped box, which they both eagerly unwrapped to behold an elegant negligée. Georgiana explained it was one of the dozens purchased on her behalf, but she had saved that one especially for Elizabeth, for she was certain it was only a matter of time.
Elizabeth blushed as Georgiana professed, “Though I shudder to think of my brother being amorous, I believe I must put that aside for now and ask you if there is anything you would like me to tell you of what to expect on your wedding night?”
“Oh, so you are a wise old married woman, are you?”
“Lord Harry has been very... shall we say, instructive,” Georgiana confessed.
“Actually, and do not dare to repeat a word of this to another living soul, William has been an eager tutor himself,” Elizabeth confided.
They both blushed as Georgiana simply mouthed, “O.”
Elizabeth insisted, “Of course, a young maiden such as myself can always benefit from the wise counsel of an experienced woman. So, please go ahead and enlighten me.”
~ Chapter 18 ~
Sense and Education
The day that the last Bennet daughter married was quite picturesque. The neighbours, even the very prosperous, stood outside with the tenants of Pemberley to witness the joyful couple as they emerged from the chapel after the wedding ceremony and ascended to their carriage. Hearty cheers and enthusiastic shouts of felicitations all added to the tremendous excitement that the young master of Pemberley had chosen a bride.
The prominent families from among the landed gentry in the area attended the wedding breakfast. The early afternoon event was quite festive as family and guests partook in a fabulous full-course meal. Darcy proudly introduced his bride to the
neighbours with promises to call on them upon their return from the wedding journey. Georgiana and Lord Harry drew their share of attention as well, as none of the neighbours had ever met him before, what with their wedding in town and his family’s residence in Stafford.
All of the traditions consistent with estates as grand as Pemberley were upheld as servants and tenants alike benefited from Mr. Darcy’s largess on the day of his wedding. Mrs. Reynolds arranged a festive celebration for the tenants that included food, drink, music, and dancing. The servants were to be treated to a fine meal, punch, and cake later in the evening. Given the scale of the celebrations, one would have thought Mrs. Reynolds had been planning Mr. Darcy’s wedding for months. In some respects, she indeed had, for she was sure that she had met the young woman who held Mr. Darcy’s heart almost from the beginning of her acquaintance with Elizabeth.
It was with a mixture of sadness and joy that the Gardiners bid their beloved niece adieu. Thinking of the uplifting of her spirits in the two weeks since their departure from Longbourn, they felt that such happiness was well deserved by Elizabeth, and a long time in coming.
Lord Harry and Georgiana gladly changed their plans for the visit. They had originally intended to stay at Pemberley for two to three weeks before returning to London, and ultimately their home in Stafford. They decided to journey to Matlock for a week to allow the newly-weds some privacy. Thereafter, they planned to return to Pemberley for at least a week in order to spend time with Darcy and Elizabeth.
Though the prospect of losing the close camaraderie with his cousin and best friend in the world saddened Richard, one might never have known it based upon his demeanour. He was there for Darcy, every step of the way. He even offered words of encouragement, as well as his best wishes for a long and happy marriage with the woman of his dreams. Darcy tried to assure Richard that, in reality, nothing had changed, and they should stay as close as ever. Of course, Richard certainly knew better. He had witnessed such a transformation in his cousin over the past year, as one by one, Darcy let go of his carefree bachelor attitudes. Darcy had changed. Perhaps, Richard thought, it was time that he did the same.
As Lady Matlock observed how contented Darcy was with Elizabeth, she relinquished any lingering doubts over the union. She was truly happy for her nephew, and she told him so before leaving for her home. She also took Elizabeth aside for a brief tête-à-tête and a warm welcome into the family.
Finally, Lord Matlock took Darcy aside and assured him of his respect for his decision to follow his heart. He also spoke of his firm belief that Darcy’s parents would be mightily proud of their son on that special day.
~ ~ ~
Alone, at last—within minutes of the departure of their last guest, Darcy escorted his bride upstairs to show her into the mistress’s apartment. It was open, elegant, and decidedly feminine, the most beautiful room in the entire house, in Elizabeth’s view. After the briefest of tours, and with his insistence that she should decorate the room to her own taste, Darcy pulled Elizabeth into his lap as he sat on the sofa.
He traced kisses down from her face, to her throat, and ended near the centre of her chest directly over her heart, lingering, invoking incredibly powerful and soothing feelings in his new bride. He said, “I believe that you, my love, are wearing too much clothing.”
“Perhaps you should leave to allow me to change into something more comfortable for dinner. I will meet you downstairs in the drawing room in an hour. Perhaps I shall play something for you on the pianoforte to while the hours away.”
“Heaven forbid that we are apart for so long on our wedding day,” he said. He kissed her passionately. “I do not want to wait any longer to make you mine. Rather than I leave you to prepare for dinner, might I just leave you to prepare for our bed?” he whispered. Pressing light kisses behind her ear, “Dinner can wait. Do you not agree? Is a half an hour time enough?”
Thirty minutes later, Darcy stood before Elizabeth in her sitting room. “This is quite lovely,” he said, fingering the delicate silk of her negligée.
“Thank you, kind sir. It is a gift from your sister.”
“My sister?” He startled, quickly removing his hands. “Georgiana?”
“The one and only,” Elizabeth ventured. “Oh, do not look so traumatised. She also shared some advice for our wedding night.”
“Please spare me,” he prayed, mortified by the very thought. He walked away to pour two glasses of wine. Handing one to Elizabeth, he said, “Come sit with me, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth joined him on the sofa, and he immediately pulled her close into his embrace and lightly kissed her hair.
She repeated her new appellation, “Mrs. Darcy—I love it. I love you.”
“And I love you, my dearest.”
“Of course, you did not always feel that way. I recall that I was, at one time, not handsome enough to tempt you.”
Darcy coloured. “You were not supposed to hear that, my love. I apologise; clearly, I was delusional. For as long as I can recollect, I have considered you as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
“One of many, I suspect.” She sipped from her wine glass.
“Hardly,” he confessed. “I have never adored, nor loved anyone as I do you. You are by far the most beautiful woman I know.”
Elizabeth’s spirits soon rising to playfulness, she wanted her husband to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. “How could you begin?” asked she. “I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first place?”
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
“My beauty you withstood, and as for my behaviour, we butted heads more often than not. Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?”
“For the liveliness of your mind, I did.”
“You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less. The fact is that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention from the Caroline Bingleys and Theresa Ruperts of the ton. I roused and interested you, because I was so unlike them. There—I have saved you the trouble of accounting for it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly reasonable.”
“I dare not argue your point, my love.” He paused to kiss her. “Now tell me, when did you realise that you had fallen in love with me?”
“Let me see,” she started and as playful as ever, acted as if she considered her next words carefully, “It came on so gradually that I hardly know when it began. However, I believe I must date it from my first seeing the beautiful grounds at Pemberley.”
“Oh, you will pay dearly for those sentiments, Mrs. Darcy,” he uttered, as he took her glass and placed it on a side table with his. He pulled her into his arms and pressed light kisses all over her face and neckline.
“Come with me,” Darcy said as he took Elizabeth’s hand and led her to the adjoining door of his apartment. Stepping aside to allow her to enter before him, he stood back to watch her as she viewed his room for the first time.
Elizabeth walked around the room admiring his taste. It was just as she had imagined… expansive, stately, and very masculine. Recalling his words that he wished to have her in his bed every night, she stood directly beside it. It was impressive. Elizabeth had never seen a bed as large as that before. She thought, So, this is where he sleeps.
Darcy stood behind her with his hands lightly pressed to her waist, favouring her neckline with pleasing kisses. Placing himself between Elizabeth and the bed, he leaned against its side and pulled her into a tight embrace. He kissed her deeply. Slowly, he removed her negligée and allowed it to fall to the floor. As much as she thought herself ready for that moment, she trembled at the intense excitement of it all. Darcy looked at her intently.
In no clear rush, Darcy trailed soft kisses from her head to her bre
asts, giving each one its due. Lowering himself to his knees, he massaged her hips whilst his tongue explored her silken belly. Continuing his path lower and at length breathing in her sweet essence, he pleasured her as he had never done before. If not for Darcy’s strong hands firmly grasping and massaging her hips, Elizabeth would have been unable to stand. She quivered all over when, at length, he stood to lift her into his arms and lowered her onto his bed.
Entranced, Elizabeth watched as Darcy removed his clothing, piece by piece, and as with her negligée, dropped them to the floor. The taste of her upon his lips left him with no doubt that she was ready for him.
He quickly joined her on their marriage bed. Sensing some uncertainty on her part over what was to come, Darcy patiently enticed her with teasing kisses. He softly kissed her from below her ears, along her neckline and her shoulders, sending glorious sensations throughout her body. Elizabeth entwined her fingers in his soft hair as he cupped her breasts, lavished them with massaging kisses, and sucked her taut nipples. Perceiving a complete surrender of any remaining apprehensions and taking immense pleasure in her passionate reciprocation of his ardent attentions, he commenced slow rhythmic thrusts between her thighs, slightly brushing against her overly moist, sensitive lips. Elizabeth climaxed once more.
As she calmed, he entered her, slowly progressing inch by inch, only pausing when he pierced her maidenhood to acclimate her body to his presence, while urging her to stay just as still. Upon her body’s welcoming acceptance of him, he guided her to wrap her legs tightly about him and commenced an easy rhythm to which Elizabeth quickly attuned. They maintained their harmony for some time, as she matched him in pace and intensity until she cried out in rapture, a cry so utterly pleasing to Darcy that he soon moaned in ecstasy amidst the most magnificent release he had ever experienced.
