Chapter 18
MY FAVOURITE THINGS
Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters.
With what delighted pride, she often visited Mrs. Bingley.
If any of the good people of Hertfordshire bothered to notice that Jane had given birth to a healthy baby girl during her sixth month of wedded bliss, no one made mention of it.
The Gardiners were amongst the guests who attended the double wedding ceremony.
Elizabeth could not have been more pleased with the intimacy between her dear aunt and uncle and her groom.
Neither of them could testify to anything other than his goodness, which gave Elizabeth a great deal of satisfaction, and she could hardly wait to have them come to Pemberley at Christmas.
Mr. Bennet was delighted with the occasion of having two daughters well settled.
With the Netherfield library being the finest in the county, Mr. Bennet availed himself to it with alacrity.
He came to know it was nothing in comparison to the library at Pemberley, however.
Not satisfied with second-hand accounts, he made plans to attest to the veracity himself.
As for Mary and Kitty, the former was assured of unfettered use of the library at either of the two fine estates, and the latter was satisfied with the promise of at least one or two balls a year.
In her letters from Newcastle, poor Lydia often opined over the injustice that her dear Wickham should not be just as rich as her new brothers, for he was certainly the handsomest of all.
Miss Bingley had yet to accept her brother’s marriage to Jane with any measure of regard approaching sincerity, for while it was true that the resolution of the Mr. Wickham debacle had been enough to quiet the scandal, her brother would forever be the brother of the son of a steward.
The stench of such an attachment was regarded differently where the Darcys were concerned.
Though deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage, Caroline in thinking it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, dropped all her resentment, was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as ever before, and paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth.
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant over her nephew’s marriage and the foul treatment afforded to her by the Bennets of Longbourn.
She declared she would not attend the wedding, and she held fast to her conviction.
Charlotte, comforted by the fact that Mr. Darcy indeed had found his way to the top of her dear friend’s list, rejoiced in the match.
The same could not be said of her husband.
He, like his noble patroness, was abhorred.
Neither could make sense of Mr. Darcy’s behaviour, and they regularly consoled each other over the terrible injustice of it all.
Georgiana arrived in Hertfordshire soon after learning of her brother’s happy news.
There she remained until the day of the much desired occasion.
In forming her acquaintance with Elizabeth, she had already learned to think of her as a sister.
From the moment she saw her brother and her friend sparring that late winter morning in Cheapside, she endeavoured to make it so.
Despite her promise to her brother that matchmaking was not her motive in throwing him and Miss Elizabeth in each other’s path, she suffered no compunction in doing just that.
After all, she never made such promises to her dear friend.
Upon seeing Pemberley for the first time, Elizabeth had every intention that she might one day see it again.
Fanciful notions of what it must be like to be mistress of such a place aside, never had she supposed that she might assume that role or that the handsome young gentleman whose likeness had held her captive might one day profess his undying love and devotion to her.
Yet here I sit, captive in his loving embrace—a living testament to the fact that all things are possible.
Intending to relish every single moment of those last miles of their journey, Elizabeth shifted comfortably in Darcy’s arms. From the carriage window, she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view.
Their carriage gradually ascended for half-a-mile, and they then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence where the wood ceased.
Her eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, sweetly situated on the opposite side of a valley.
Elizabeth was overjoyed, for this was more than a grand manor house surrounded by magnificent streams and delightful walking paths perfectly winding amongst the finest gardens she had ever seen. This was forever more, her home.
Darcy kissed her atop her head. “I have something for you.”
“You have given me so much already. You really do not need to keep this up.”
“I have every intention of showering you with precious jewels: diamonds and pearls—the likes of which you have never before beheld.”
“It is not necessary.”
Darcy tucked the box away. “If that is truly the case—”
“Of course, beautiful jewels are fast becoming some of my favourite things. How might I object?”
“I am delighted to hear it, my love.” Darcy retrieved the box, opened it, and watched her amazement. “This belonged to my grandmother. I want you to have it.”
Elizabeth fingered the precious family heirloom—a diamond necklace. “The Countess of Matlock?”
“It belonged to my father’s mother. Now, it belongs to you, my dearest, loveliest wife.”
Once he fastened the diamonds around her neck, Elizabeth endeavoured to catch her reflection in the carriage window with little success. “This reminds me of the first time we travelled together.”
Darcy kissed her on her cheek.
She smiled and crinkled her nose. “It is a good thing you did not do that.”
“I wanted to. I wanted to do that and more.”
“Yes, I do recall you saying I had lacked the opportunity to experience certain pleasures. I did not dare ask you what you meant then, but I must insist upon an explanation now.”
“How shall I describe the pleasures of which I spoke—in a manner you are now fully capable of comprehending?” Smiling, he moistened his lips. “Shall I liken its aftereffects to the intoxicating scent of our combined essence?”
Elizabeth’s heartbeat raced. “Mr. Darcy, if that be the case, it is a good thing such pleasures were not to be experienced at the time, what with Mrs. Annesley and the colonel’s presence.”
He reclaimed her in his arms, and she nuzzled contentedly against his broad chest. He buried his face in her loosened hair. “I shall not argue your point, especially when I consider the prospect of our sharing the taste of your own sweet wine fresh upon my lips—from yours.”
She laid her hand over her heart. “How scandalous!”
Darcy teased his soft lips along her neckline. He whispered against the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Last and most important, there is always the promise of a well-timed, perfectly executed crescendo.”
“Shocking!”
“There are only the two of us now. We have a bit of time before arriving at the manor house.” The gentle brush of his breath against her skin felt warm, enticing. “Shall we make up for an earlier missed opportunity?”
Elizabeth turned to face him and gazed into his beautiful eyes. “Well, Mr. Darcy, you have alluded to sweet perfume, wine, and music. As these, too, are some of my favourite things, how might I possibly object?”
???