Lieutenant George Wickham was laid to rest the week before Christmas in the kirkyard of the church in Carlisle, Scotland with his wife and best friend present to mourn his passing. Elizabeth stood with her father and Mr. Darcy as Lydia leaned on Captain Denny for support.
A cold wind swept across the kirkyard and Elizabeth shivered. She would wed Mr. Darcy on Christmas Day at Fitzwilliam Manor. They would remain there while Mr. Bennet and Lydia traveled home to Hertfordshire in the company of Captain Denny and several armed footmen.
Mr. Darcy pulled her close when the wind blew around them again and turned for the carriage. “Captain Denny will bring her home when they have said their final goodbyes.”
Elizabeth looked to her father and he gestured for her to go with Mr. Darcy. “I will care for Lydia. I expect she will not be able to join us for dinner.”
Mr. Darcy helped Elizabeth into the carriage and they returned to Fitzwilliam Manor. When they stepped inside, Fiona met Elizabeth at the door and took her arm. “Ye must come upstairs, lass. There is a surprise in your room.”
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy but he only winked at Fiona. Wondering what her future husband had done, Elizabeth followed the maid upstairs.
When Fiona opened the door to her room, Elizabeth saw a lovely scarlet silk skirt upon the bed with a soft, cream-colored blouse beside it. The blouse was a delicate fine muslin and Elizabeth exclaimed in surprise when Fiona brought out a crimson corset that would go under the blouse. “Why, I cannot wear such a thing in front of my father!”
Fiona laughed. “Ye are not meant to wear it for him, lass. Mr. Darcy asked me to make a fine wedding dress for ye and this is all I could manage on such short notice. Yon skirt is from Lady Anne’s closet and the blouse, too. It has real pearl buttons, ye see, along the wrist. The corset is mine, brand new from London mind ye, but it goes so very well beneath the blouse and matches the skirt perfectly. The red of Christmas, love. And ye’ll have this fur stole to wear over it to guard your modesty.”
Elizabeth could not believe her ears. “I must try it all on now, Fiona, in case you must fix something before our wedding on Christmas Day.”
The maid shook her head in agreement. “Hurry now, a week’s no such a long time to alter garments.”
Elizabeth turned and twisted and helped Fiona dress her and soon she stood before the long mirror. The effect was dazzling and the long red skirt fit her perfectly. She swirled before the mirror and laughed, her cheeks bright with her joy. “Oh, it is the perfect dress Fiona!”
“It is, lass. Now, I must go and find me pins and such. I will be right back.”
Fiona left and Elizabeth thought she heard laughter in the hallway, but her eyes would not leave the mirror. The fur matched her blouse and the ruby on her hand flashed against its pale beauty.
“I say, you are the perfect picture of a Christmas bride.”
Elizabeth spun to find Mr. Darcy in the doorway. He was dressed in evening attire and held out his hand for her. She went to him and wondered what he was about, dressing to match her finery.
He kissed her cheek and ran a finger along her bottom lip. Elizabeth felt her insides melt and longed for him to place his lips where his finger had just dwelled. Instead, he pulled a velvet case from his coat pocket and held it out for her. “A wedding gift my love.”
Elizabeth took it with shaking hands and opened the lid. There, nestled in silk, was a stunning pair of earrings and a necklace that matched her ring. Mr. Darcy took them from the case and placed them gently on her ears. He took the necklace and fastened it on her neck. He bent and kissed the clasp causing his lips to rest upon the nape of her neck.
Again, Elizabeth trembled. His touch always made her weak. She hoped it always would. “Mr. Darcy,” she said, her voice husky with emotion, “I have nothing to give to you for a wedding present.”
He came around to face her and lifted her chin. “Oh, but you do my dearest.”
He lowered his head to kiss her then, his lips gentle at first and then passionate as Elizabeth returned his ardor.
When she was certain she might ignite into flames where she stood, Elizabeth broke the kiss and breathed deeply. Her lips were as red as her jewelry and Mr. Darcy chuckled.
“Come then, let us go and see a friend of mine. I mean to call you Mrs. Darcy before this day is done.”
He offered his arm and Elizabeth took it, but she was all astonishment. “Mr. Darcy, you mean to elope with me?”
“I do Elizabeth, now come along before we are found out. It will not do to have your father come and stand over the anvil with us will it?”
Elizabeth laughed and allowed Mr. Darcy to lead her from her room. Downstairs, they were met by Fiona and the rest of the staff of Fitzwilliam Manor. Fiona held a lovely winter bouquet of greenery and bright flowers. Elizabeth took them and thanked her.
She turned to Mr. Darcy. “Where on earth did you find such lovely flowers in this weather?”
“I have a greenhouse behind the stables. It was difficult to tell the staff no fresh flowers while we have been at Fitzwilliam Manor for they know how much I enjoy them in the winter when I visit.” Mr. Darcy said. He seemed pleased with himself.
Elizabeth lifted the bouquet and breathed deeply. It smelled of pine and the rowan berries were bright against the white flowers and deep, dark greenery.
Mr. Darcy leaned down and whispered that the berries were made into wine as Cook produced several pitchers of the drink to toast the happy couple.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy drank deeply from their cups as toasts were made all around. Before speeches might begin and delay their progress, the master of Fitzwilliam Manor swept his bride up in his arms and dashed for their carriage.
Soon, the couple were off on their way to Gretna Green to make their vows. As they went, Elizabeth began to worry. “I do hope Papa and Lydia will not be upset with us for sneaking away.”
Mr. Darcy took her hand and kissed it lightly. “Why would they? We shall still be married at Fitzwilliam House on Christmas Day.”
Elizabeth turned, a happy smile upon her face. “Will we? Oh, Mr. Darcy I am happy to marry you this day but I will be just as happy on Christmas Day.”
She threw her arms around him and Mr. Darcy pulled her into his lap. He kissed her soundly and his hands slipped beneath her fur stole to caress her back. Elizabeth grew still and gazed into his eyes, wondering at the love she saw there.
Slowly, with her eyes open, she leaned in and kissed him back, long and slow while he kept his eyes open too. It was a gentle kiss and meek at first but as his hands settled on her hips, Elizabeth closed her eyes and deepened the kiss. Mr. Darcy moaned his appreciation and Elizabeth pressed against him, eager for what would come next.
When the carriage stopped, Elizabeth nearly fell from his lap but Mr. Darcy kept hold of her, his laughter causing her to give way to nervous giggles. “We are here, love. If you have any doubts, we may turn this carriage around and return to Fitzwilliam Manor. Speak now.”
Elizabeth touched his cheek and shook her head. “I have no doubt, William.”
He was touched by her use of his Christian name for it was the first she had made use of it. Groaning with the frustration of a man who wishes to make violent love to his beloved, Mr. Darcy placed Elizabeth on the bench beside him and opened the carriage door. He rushed out and stood waiting for her allowing the cold air of the night to temper his passion.
She appeared in the doorway and he took hold of her before she might take one step out of the carriage. He lifted her easily from the conveyance and placed her feet on the ground.
“Let us hurry and marry my Elizabeth before I put you back inside my carriage and ravish you on the way home.”
Her cheeks flamed a bright pink at his words, but she took his hand and led him into the blacksmith’s shop.
There was another couple before them and Elizabeth watched as they were wed. The blacksmith brought the hammer down on the anvil and the ringing hurt her ears but she stepped forward with Mr. Darcy when the other couple rushed into the night hand in hand now husband and wife.
When at last Mr. Darcy promised to love and cherish her, Elizabeth repeated the vows back to him and the blacksmith waited while Mr. Darcy reached into his pocket and pulled out a smaller ring to place on the finger that held her simple ruby ring. It was a band of gold that was burnished with time. She knew it must be a family heirloom and she swallowed her emotion at being honored in such a way by the man she had come to love so dearly.
She thought again of how she had nothing to give to him and her heart squeezed. Mr. Darcy took her hand and dropped something in the palm, a smile upon his face.
Elizabeth looked down to find a matching golden band that would fit him and she eagerly placed it upon his finger. Bringing his hand to her lips, she kissed it as he had kissed the clasp of her necklace.
The blacksmith struck the anvil again with the hammer and Mr. Darcy swept her off her feet again and thanked the man. He carried her to the carriage and kissed her until she was breathless.
“Home as quickly as you may, driver!” he called as he helped her into the carriage.
Elizabeth sat and waited as he climbed quickly in beside her. He pulled her into his lap again and kissed the rings upon her finger and moved to her neck pushing the rubies aside. His mouth was hungry for her and Elizabeth hoped they might make it home before he consummated their vows.
“William,” she whispered, her voice brimming with joy, “you must regain your composure, dearest. I would not wish this carriage to be as our marriage suite.”
Mr. Darcy stopped and looked into her eyes. “Mrs. Darcy, surely you must think me a brute! I only wish to kiss every inch of your perfect skin and declare you mine. Would you deny your husband that thrill?”
Elizabeth cradled his face. “I would not for your kisses are my due and I will have them in full measure.”
He left all propriety aside and seared Elizabeth’s skin wherever it was exposed with the brand of his tongue. Mrs. Darcy truly melted before this onslaught and the short miles from Gretna Green back to Carlisle passed far too soon for her taste.
When they arrived at last to Fitzwilliam Manor, he helped her arrange her hair again and replaced her fur stole. She straightened his cravat and smoothed his jacket as he shrugged his shoulders to hurry and put it back on.
The servants were gathered in front with Mr. Bennet. Lydia and Captain Denny had not come out and Elizabeth was grateful for she did not wish to have her joy displayed before her sister.
Mr. Darcy carried her over the threshold and declared to all present she was their new mistress. Cheers went up and soon the crowd was inside filling the ballroom of Fitzwilliam Manor. It was decorated for their second wedding in a weeks’ time and Elizabeth danced until the wee hours of morning with her new husband.
THE END