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Two days later, the Darcys and Bingleys descended on Netherfield. The Bennet ladies returned to Longbourn. The younger sisters greeted the elder ones excitedly. Mary and Kitty were happy to have their best gowns returned to them. Kitty fussed over the new flounces and ribbons that updated them to the latest style. Lydia cooed over the bonnets her mother brought her, as the ones in the Meryton shops were too ugly to be endured.
With the gifts distributed, the drawing room conversation turned to the betrothals. “What did Bingley say when he proposed?” Kitty asked. “Was it terribly romantic?”
“I cannot remember the exact words he used,” Jane said, “only the sentiments. It was terribly romantic, because I had loved him for so long, and he was mine at last.”
When talk of Bingley waned, the room descended into silence. At last, Mary said to Lizzy, “In your last letter, you told us Darcy is not the proud man we thought him to be.”
“He has no improper pride,” Lizzy said, regretting every unkind word she had spoken of him. “He is reserved by nature, but sociable with those he knows well.”
Mary nodded a moment. “Then we must extend to him the balm of human sympathy, and open our hearts with Christian charity and filial affection.”
“Oh, lord,” Lydia said with a roll of her eyes, flopping back against the sofa cushion.
“Lydia,” Lizzy warned, “I must ask you not to blaspheme around your new relations. Such speech is undignified and marks you as a vulgar country girl. In two days’ time, you will meet Darcy’s aunt, the Countess of Matlock. She will not hesitate to scold if you behave in an unladylike manner.”
Both Lydia and Mrs. Bennet opened their mouths as if to protest, then closed them again.
Aunt Philips came and shared the latest gossip from Meryton. Lizzy had never been so happy to experience the familiar rhythms of home. The idea of leaving Longbourn for Pemberley was bittersweet. It brought a heaviness to her chest even while her stomach fluttered with delight.
Once aunt Philips had gone, Lizzy’s father called her into his study for a private interview. The familiar scent of books and wax candles hung in the air. Her father sat at his desk wearing a sly expression. She took the chair opposite him, unable to suppress a grin.
“Well, my dear,” Mr. Bennet began, “I hope Mr. Darcy is worthy of you.”
“Oh, Papa, I admire him above all men—except you, of course.”
“You need not flatter me. I do not expect a woman in the first flush of love to give a thought to her old papa. But you must assure me that it was the man who won you, and not his fortune.”
She squeezed the arms of her chair, disliking her father’s suggestion. “As you may recall, I did not care a fig about Darcy’s fortune last autumn. My stay in London did not change that. I only gave him my heart after I discovered him to be an honourable man. He has a tender side he rarely shows in company.”
“I would not have guessed it.” Mr. Bennet shook his head. “If you are certain he can make you happy, then you have my blessing.”
She said gravely, “I do not believe I could be happy without him.”
That evening, the Bennets went to Netherfield to dine. When the men retired to the drawing room after finishing their port, Darcy joined Lizzy on the settee. The wooden back was honey maple and the thick seat cushion upholstered in green silk moiré.
“I have been thinking about what to do for a honeymoon.” Darcy took her hand. “Since travel to the continent is out of the question, what think you of a trip to Scotland this summer?”
She bestowed a soft smile on him. “The poetry of Walter Scott has enticed you, I see.”
“Perhaps. We could stop at Pemberley for as long as you like, then make the rest of the journey from there.”
She sat up straighter, a new thought sending a tickle to her belly. “Can we also see the Lake District?”
He brightened. “Of course. It could be a poet’s tour of the North.”
She chuckled. “I admit I am curious whether the countryside is as beautiful as Wordsworth describes it.” She pondered a moment. “What of Georgiana? Shall we bring her with us?”
“That is a fine idea. And perhaps Lady Cressida Marlowe as a companion for her. Lady Cressida once expressed a desire to see the Scottish moors when the heather was in bloom.”
“Oh, I do like Lady Cressida. We will have great fun together—I shall write to her mother and propose the scheme. But in the meantime, could we not go to Pemberley directly after the wedding? Will the roads be passable?”
He nodded pensively. “There is the chance of a snowstorm, but I am well acquainted with the inns along the way. We should be able to travel there in three days’ time, weather permitting.”
“We will have to return to London after Easter. I promised Lady Matlock to help chaperone Arabelle.”
“Normally the activity of the season is not a great draw for me. In this case, however, I shall enjoy showing off my wife to the ton.” He kissed her hand. “You are a true original, and I shall be the envy of the single men.”
It seemed likely to her that most single men would rather have a bride with a substantial fortune. Preferably one from a titled family. But she did not argue that point. Instead, she met Darcy’s eyes and basked in the love she found there.
***
THE GARDINER AND FITZWILLIAM families arrived. They occupied all the spare bedrooms at Longbourn and Netherfield. The next days were a whirlwind. Nearly every moment before the wedding was filled with planning and entertainments. Lizzy was so busy she could barely think.
Before she could catch her breath, she was standing at the front of the church in Meryton with Darcy at her side. Fulfilling his hopes, they were declared man and wife within a week of their engagement.
Wishing for privacy for their wedding night, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy rented rooms at an inn. They took the entire floor for themselves. Lizzy would have been loath to allow the extravagance under any other circumstances. On that occasion, however, it seemed appropriate.
The suite they occupied had two bedrooms with a sitting room in between. The valet and lady’s maid unpacked the clothes the bridal couple would need for their stay. Waiting for them to finish, Lizzy stood at the window.
In the garden below, early spring bulbs were coming into bloom. Crocuses and snowdrops and dwarf irises. Beyond was a line of trees and a field planted with winter wheat. Above, the sky took on a pink hue as sunset neared.
After the servants had gone, Darcy came and took her hands. He kissed her temple. “Do you have a preference as to sleeping arrangements? Would you like your own room?”
She looked up at him, surprised by the question, unsure how to answer. “That is the way of the ton, is it not? But my parents have always shared a room. I assumed we would do the same.”
He grinned. “I was hoping you would say that.” He nibbled her ear.
A knock came on the door, and the servants brought in a bath. In the spare bedroom, Lizzy washed away the day’s travels. Darcy followed. After the bath was taken away, supper was served.
The newlyweds dined in the sitting room, wearing their dressing gowns. It was wonderfully intimate and a little bit terrifying. Lizzy tried not to think about what was to come, but it was impossible not to.
Her mother had been of no help whatever in instructing Lizzy on what to expect. Fortunately, aunt Gardiner had stepped in to fulfil the lack. Lizzy was nervous of course, but she loved Darcy and trusted him.
When at last they went to bed together, he showed all the tenderness she had anticipated. A hot flame of passion burned between them, far surpassing her imagination. She would have been happy to explore more of the pleasures of the married state. But the exhaustion of the day overcame her.
She awoke in his arms the next morning and nuzzled his stubbled cheek. Without opening his eyes, he pulled her close. “Mine,” he murmured in a voice gravelly with sleep.
“Your possessiveness quite frightens me,” she teased.
“Why?” he asked, opening his eyes. He rolled towards her so that his body half covered hers.
She suckled his earlobe. “Under the law, I am your property now. I took a vow to obey you.”
“And I took a vow to worship you with my body—a pledge which I intend to observe diligently.” He trailed kisses along the curve of her neck. Then, he turned onto his side and rested his weight on one elbow. “If I had wanted a submissive wife, I would not have chosen you. I want a wife who is my equal—one who will challenge me, and whose judgement I trust.” He kissed her temple. “You are not truly worried I shall turn into a tyrant?”
She shook her head. “No,” she said aloud to reinforce to the gesture. “I trust you—more than I have ever trusted anyone. You have my best interest at heart, which has been true of very few people in my life. Jane, of course. My aunt and uncle Gardiner.” Emotion swelled her throat as she realized the list ended there.
Her father favoured her over his other daughters. Perhaps over any other living person. But that love had not spurred him to provide for her as he ought. If she had not found Darcy, and Jane had not found Bingley...
But Lizzy would not think on that. She had made a spectacular match, and Jane would soon be wed as well. Her family’s future was secure. Her younger sisters were as silly as ever, but now at least they had no need to fear poverty. They might even come to find husbands as eligible as Mr. Collins.
Lizzy snuggled up to the man who had made her happier than she had ever hoped to be. She remembered the first time she had seen him. How stunningly handsome he had been. And how quickly her admiration had turned to disdain when he insulted her. That night, she had little thought that within six months, she would find herself in his bed as his lawful wife. How strange life was!
She ran a fingertip along his muscled arm. The sight of his athletic physique still astonished her. Paintings and sculpture had not prepared her for the delights of flesh and bone. “I am glad Sally and I got caught in the rain outside the bookshop that day.”
“And I am glad I had the presence of mind to hoist you into my carriage.” He threaded his fingers through her long, loose tresses. “I look forward to introducing you to the staff and tenants at Pemberley. They will love you as I do.”
“Perhaps not quite as you do,” she said suggestively.
Pulling the covers over them, he tickled her neck with kisses until she squealed.