Chapter 9 #2
“My mother would faint,” was her reply.
“Tomorrow, I will meet with my great uncle and take care of the licence. We can discuss dates and times with your aunt and uncle and with mine, and we can marry one day next week here in the library with my great-uncle officiating,” William summarised.
“This seems unreal, all of a sudden,” Elizabeth said somewhat shakily.
He squeezed her tighter. “How about now,” he said as he bent his head to kiss her lightly.
“You are very real, my love. It is all the rest that has me unsettled,” Elizabeth said. “I was certain I would never marry, and now we are discussing being married by special licence with the archbishop himself officiating the ceremony. Forgive me if it takes a moment to come to terms with it.”
He kissed her again and then released her, smiling broadly. “Just think, Elizabeth, next week at this time, we could be husband and wife.”
She sank back into his chest and sighed. “That sounds lovely, William.”
They sat that way for several more minutes, not speaking, just enjoying the presence of the other.
Before too long, though, the dinner bell rang, and they separated to dress for dinner.
William escorted her to the door of her chambers, and she kissed his cheek before entering her room and shutting the door.
Richard arrived for dinner just as William came back downstairs. He was still grinning, remembering the time with Elizabeth in the library, and his cousin slapped his back as he approached. “You are grinning like a fool, cousin. I never thought I would see you this besotted.”
“I am to be married next week, Richard. I have wanted to marry Elizabeth for months, so forgive me if I am relishing the idea of finally making it come to fruition,” William said.
“So, the two of you obviously made a decision about the wedding,” Richard prompted.
William laughed. “She agreed with the suggestion that we obtain a special licence and marry in the library here at Darcy House. I plan to ask my great-uncle if he would be willing to officiate. We still need to speak to her aunt and uncle, though, about the date and time.”
“I will tell my father you would like him to accompany you to the archbishop in the morning, then,” Richard offered.
“If you would,” William replied. “I must visit my solicitor after finalising the marriage settlements.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana joined them in the drawing room just then.
The four sat and talked for several minutes before dinner was announced.
William escorted Elizabeth into the dining room, and Richard followed with Georgiana.
The four enjoyed the dinner, and the conversation was lively.
After dessert had been served, they moved into the music room, where Elizabeth and Georgiana played several songs, including a duet.
In the middle of this, the butler delivered a message to William.
“Your uncle writes they have arrived home safely with the children. He spoke to Mr. Phillips for some time apparently, and he wants to speak to us about what he has learned tomorrow; he requests that we come early to dinner and bring the Colonel. Richard, are you free tomorrow night?” William related to the group.
Richard agreed and then excused himself. Georgiana followed, and William asked Elizabeth to play another song for him. He sat next to her at the piano and turned the pages for her, lightly brushing her arm as he did so, which caused her to stumble more than once.
“William!” she admonished. “You are distracting me.”
He grinned. “It is retribution. You distract me regularly.”
She laughed. “Whatever can you mean, William? How do I distract you?”
“You are beautiful, Elizabeth, and you draw my eye every time you enter a room. Your voice has a musical quality that captures my ear whenever I hear it. You haunt my dreams, my love. And knowing that we are so close to being wed has me quite distracted,” He leaned over to kiss her ear and then her neck.
She moaned his name. When he pressed a kiss to her lips, she gasped, and he deepened it. When he broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. “I think you should head to bed, my dear,” he said when he could speak.
She stared at him. “You are right, William, though I do not want to.”
“I do not want you to either, Elizabeth, but I think you should,” William said huskily.
She stood, and for the first time since she had known him, he did not. “I will not escort you, Elizabeth. I think it is best I stay here a few minutes longer,” he told her.
Elizabeth eyed him for a moment before quietly wishing him a good night and heading upstairs to the room assigned to her.
As she readied for bed, she thought about the kiss and dreamed of the day when William would not have to stop, and they could continue that kiss until it reached its natural conclusion—whatever that was.
She had some ideas though few details, and thinking about it made it difficult for her to find sleep.
William proceeded into his study after Elizabeth went upstairs. He took care of several business matters before seeking his own rooms. It took him a long time to fall asleep, and his dreams were full of Elizabeth. Since becoming engaged to her, his dreams had become more frequent and vivid.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke later than usual. When she entered the breakfast room, William was just finishing his breakfast. She lightly kissed his cheek.
“Good morning, William,” she said.
He smiled. “Good morning, love. You caught me as I was about to leave. It will be close to lunchtime before I will return. I have several matters of business to attend to this morning. Richard intimated last night that his mother may call on you and Georgiana this morning as well.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Aunt Rebecca is lovely. I look forward to getting to know her better. I have a feeling she is rather formidable in her own way.”
William laughed. “She most definitely is. Georgiana will likely sleep late this morning and have breakfast in her room. Aunt Rebecca will probably call around 11. Let the housekeeper know if you need anything—she offered to show you the mistress’s suite this morning if you like.
Otherwise, you have the run of the house as its future mistress. ”
“Thank you, William. I hope you are successful this morning,” Elizabeth called as he rose. He walked over to her and kissed her lightly.
“Until lunchtime, my dear,” he replied, stealing one more kiss before leaving. “Less than a week to go.”
She laughed and began to eat her breakfast. The housekeeper came in about fifteen minutes later and offered to give her a tour when she finished her meal.
Elizabeth laid down her fork and rose from the table before following the housekeeper to the second floor, where she viewed the rooms that would be hers and William’s.
The rooms needed refreshing, and the housekeeper told her the tasks already being undertaken.
Elizabeth discussed colours and made suggestions for the bed coverings and curtains.
For her room, she asked for a writing desk to be added and a bookshelf or two.
The sitting room that connected the two bedrooms needed the most work.
For that room, Elizabeth asked for some comfortable chairs to be found to sit in front of the window and a settee for in front of the fireplace.
She also asked for some bookshelves to be brought in there and a table to go with each seating arrangement.
She made a mental note to look for a chess set for this room.
Later, before they returned to Pemberley, she would order more substantial work to the room, including updating the paint and wallpaper to lighten the room.
It was too heavy and dark, but she wanted to consider William’s tastes before making any decisions.
The housekeeper followed along, noting Elizabeth’s wishes and requirements for the rooms. She was pleased with the new mistress and appreciated the master’s choice of spouse.
She looked forward to working with her in the future and hoped the master would spend more time in London in the future.
However, knowing that both the master and mistress preferred the country, she doubted they would spend too many months in London each year.
Lady Matlock did call just before eleven. Elizabeth worried since Georgiana had not appeared when she finished the tour but had been told she was taking a breakfast tray in her room. She was worn out from travelling and would likely stay there most of the day.
“Aunt Rebecca, it is good to see you again this morning,” Elizabeth greeted her.
“I have been touring the house this morning, and the master’s and mistress’s suite will need to be updated.
I have some vague notions of what I would like to do there, particularly in the sitting room, although I may. need some help.”
“Absolutely, dear, I can assist however you need me,” she agreed. “Do you want to show me now?”
Elizabeth thought for a second before agreeing.
They called for the housekeeper, who showed them upstairs again to the suite of rooms. “William retained his bedroom but intends to move into the master’s rooms when we wed.
So, nothing has been done in any of these rooms in several years.
The rooms are being cleaned, and a few basic housekeeping tasks are being attended to, but I would like to brighten these rooms and make them more comfortable.
The mistress’s suite at Pemberley is much lighter.
Even the other bedroom is dark and foreboding.
Different window coverings will make a lot of difference, but I realise William will have ideas about how to decorate as well… ”
Elizabeth trailed off, slightly overwhelmed for a moment. Aunt Rebecca led Elizabeth into the sitting room and asked the housekeeper for privacy.
“What do you know of marriage, Elizabeth?” she asked gently.
“My parents live entirely separate lives. I do not even remember any closeness. My aunt and uncle are partners, sharing everything and working together. They each have their role, but they work together.
“At Pemberley, it felt like William and I were building a partnership. That is the kind of marriage I want, the kind where each spouse is an equal partner. Almost more important than love, I think, is mutual respect for the other, a recognition of the other’s strengths as well as their weaknesses.
Again, I feel this is true of William and myself,” Elizabeth told her.
Rebecca nodded. “And what about the physical aspects of marriage?”
Elizabeth blushed profusely. “I grew up in the country, and I have seen animals mating. I know there are similarities.”
Rebecca laughed lightly. “Very few. The physical aspect of marriage is a part of that partnership. It can be enjoyable for both parties. Has William kissed you?” Elizabeth nodded and blushed brighter. “Do you enjoy his kisses?”
Another nod and renewed blushing.
“To what do these questions tend, Aunt?” Elizabeth found her voice briefly.
“I want you to consider the possibility that you and William will likely only require one bedchamber,” Rebecca said softly.
Elizabeth just looked at her for several moments.
She knew her parents always had separate bedrooms, but when they travelled, the Gardiners always shared a single room.
She wondered which arrangement William would expect.
She wondered what she would want, especially as she remembered sleeping in William’s arms in the carriage. Her face turned red again.
“Is that common?” She asked.
“It is when couples marry for love. Not so much when they marry as a part of a business transaction.” Rebecca explained, and Elizabeth nodded in acknowledgement.
“I should probably talk to him about it, should I not?” Elizabeth asked, and this time it was Rebecca’s turn to nod.
“One last thing and I would imagine your aunt may have a similar conversation with you before the wedding, but trust is incredibly important in a marriage. When it comes to marital relations, trust is equally as important. William is an honourable man, and I know that he has refrained from the activities many young gentlemen in the ton see as a part of their birthright. Trust him and trust his love for you to guide you,” Rebecca told her.
Elizabeth nodded, but nothing else regarding decorating was discussed that day.