Chapter 10 #3
Once in her room, her aunt presented her with a box from the dressmaker.
“Elizabeth, tomorrow you will be married to one of the kindest, best men you have ever known.
He is desperately in love with you, which I think you already know, but I wanted to speak to you about the physical expression of love in marriage.
I know you and William have exchanged a few kisses, so I know you know a little of which I speak, but the best advice I can offer is to trust your husband.
There is an emotional aspect to marriage.
It will bind you two together even more as you experience it together.
“The first time, it may be painful for a moment, and you may bleed a little. William loves you and will want to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And there is much potential for pleasure in marital relations for both parties. Again, follow your husband’s lead and trust him. Speak to him about what pleases you.”
Elizabeth was blushing as her aunt spoke, but she nodded her agreement. Aunt Rebecca has said something similar.
When her aunt left, she thought she would have difficulty sleeping, but before she knew it, it was morning. She quickly dressed, as they were to head to Darcy House early to get ready. By eight in the morning, she had eaten a light breakfast and was on her way.
William was getting ready at Matlock House. Richard was in the way, offering ridiculous advice about the wedding night and was generally aggravating. Finally, William’s valet kicked Richard out so he could finish getting his master ready.
At Darcy House, the preparations were more easily done. While both of her aunts and Georgiana were assisting the maid, they allowed the maid to do what was needed without causing the bride too much concern.
By half past nine, almost everyone had arrived for the wedding.
The kitchens were putting the final touches on the wedding breakfast, and servants had moved most of Mr. Darcy’s things into his new room.
Elizabeth’s things were already there, although she was dressing in the guest room she had used before.
The ladies left her alone for a few minutes to check on the decorations in the library and the dining room.
Georgiana also checked to ensure her trunk was ready to be taken to Matlock House, where she would stay for the next fortnight so William and Elizabeth could have a honeymoon.
Since William did not intend to leave his rooms for the first week, he had thought it best Georgiana had some company during that time.
Just before ten, Edward Gardiner knocked on his niece’s door to escort her downstairs. When she opened the door, it took several attempts before he could speak.
“You look beautiful, Lizzy,” her uncle said.
She smiled at him. “Thank you. Shall we go down?”
He escorted her downstairs and to the library doors. Two footmen opened the doors, and they entered the room.
William had to remind himself to breathe. When her uncle placed her hand in his, he squeezed it and whispered, “You take my breath away, Elizabeth. You are stunning.”
“That’s a far cry from ‘merely tolerable’, William,” she teased quietly. He groaned at the reference to his initial slight of her, and she became serious, “Thank you, my love. The emeralds are beautiful.”
The ceremony was blessedly short, and soon enough, the archbishop declared them man and wife, and he turned to her before capturing her mouth briefly in a kiss, aware of the audience.
Family members approached them to offer their congratulations.
Darcy had his back slapped at least once by every male family member in attendance.
Soon enough, the earl and countess lead the way to the dining room for the wedding breakfast, but William put his hand out to hold Elizabeth back.
Instead of leaving the library, he pulled her into his study and immediately captured her mouth in an ardent kiss. “Finally, Mrs. Darcy, I have you alone. Do you think we will be missed at the wedding breakfast?”
She laughed lightly. “I think our families might notice if we did not appear. A couple of hours more, William, and then we will be alone for a sennight.”
He sighed, kissed her again chastely, and then escorted her into the dining room. Their lateness had been noticed but was not commented on, although Richard winked at Darcy.
Breakfast was a joyous celebration, and Elizabeth enjoyed speaking with the archbishop, as well as the other members of her new family. It felt strange to be marrying without at least Jane in attendance, but overall, she was ecstatic to finally be married to William.
When everyone finished eating, they repaired to the drawing room for a time before the cake was served. When Mr. Gardiner announced he needed to depart for a business meeting, others began to withdraw as well. Within half an hour, William and Elizabeth were left alone in the house.
He grinned at her. “Well, Mrs. Darcy, would you like to check on the progress in our rooms?”
She laughed at his rather obvious ploy. “Would you like the housekeeper to join us so she can take notes on any changes still needed?”
William growled. “I would prefer she not attend us just now. I rather hoped to have you all to myself.” He moved to stand before her and pull her out of her chair. He proceeded to pick her up into his arms and carried her upstairs, only setting her on her feet when they reached his room.
He paused. “If you would like time to prepare yourself, I will call your maid to attend to you and escort you into your rooms.” His eyes grew dark. “But if you would allow me, I would like to play lady’s maid for you this afternoon.”
Elizabeth smiled lovingly at her new husband. “William,” she breathed, remembering what both of her aunts had said about trusting. “I would be delighted for you to assist me.”
When he grinned, she knew she had made the correct choice.
He began to undo her buttons, kissing her skin as it was exposed.
Her dress was simple, but there were still many buttons and ties that had to be carefully handled.
However, before too much time had passed, she was dressed only in her shift, and he was gazing at her admiringly.
He kissed her again as he had in the study, and when he finally released her, both were breathing hard.
“You, my dear, have too many clothes on,” she commented.
He laughed as he reached to untie his cravat.
Sometime later, when he woke, Elizabeth was wrapped tightly in his arms. He pushed up on one elbow and watched his new wife sleep. After several minutes of observation, she woke and smiled when she noticed him. “Hello, love,” she said sleepily, eliciting a matching smile from him.
He kissed her then until her stomach grumbled. He laughed. “Should I request a meal served in our sitting room, dearest?”
“I think you had better,” she replied when his stomach grumbled.
They both laughed, and he got up to ring for a servant.
She blushed slightly to see him thus but recovered quickly.
While he spoke to whoever answered through the door, she fumbled around looking for her robe but remembered that it was likely in her dressing room, several rooms away.
As she considered what to do, she failed to realise her husband was watching her.
“Is there something you need, my dear?” he asked, his concern evident in his voice.
She blushed. “It is nothing, really, but I just realised my robe is several rooms away, and I cannot rise from this bed as I am.”
He grinned at her. “You can,” he said slowly.
“But I have nothing on,” she said, blushing profusely.
He waggled his eyebrows at her. “And I am your husband now, love. Besides, I am in the same state.”
She raised her eyes to his and blushed again before looking back down and raising her hands to cover her face. “Yes.”
William approached her in the bed. “Elizabeth,” he began tenderly. “Would you like me to fetch you a robe?”
“Yes, please,” she said, her face still hidden in her hands.
He raised her face and brought his face down to hers. “You are beautiful, my love. But I will refrain from teasing you until you are more comfortable. But I hope you will soon become comfortable in my presence and not be afraid of sharing yourself with me.”
“I am being silly, I know,” she said.
“You are not silly. Society has taught you to feel as though you must hide your body from men, but now that you are married, those rules have changed. It is not easy to make that adjustment overnight,” he replied, speaking tenderly and understandingly.
He kissed her softly at first but with rising passion.
When they eventually made it into the sitting room to eat the food delivered there, each was wearing a nightshirt that William had fetched from his dressing room.
It enveloped Elizabeth, who had to fold the sleeves many times to leave her hands free to eat and was tied up on the side so she could walk without tripping.
William had tried to convince her that was unnecessary as he would happily carry her wherever she wanted to go.
Still, she had insisted on a certain level of mobility for herself.
The repast was good, a variety of sliced meat and cheese, along with fruit and fresh bread.
A bottle of wine was included as well. Enjoying their first private meal together, they sat in the sitting room between their chambers, discussing many things, including observations about what would make the room more comfortable.
Eventually, though, they had eaten enough to satisfy one type of hunger and returned to William’s bed chamber and, much later, fell asleep again in each other’s arms, having satisfied another.
The next several days passed similarly. Only their personal servants saw them, and the only way most of the staff knew they were in residence was through requests for food and water for bathing.
Finally, on Tuesday, they rose from their shared bed at a reasonable hour, although later than usual for both, and dressed to head downstairs for breakfast. Elizabeth had an appointment with the modiste that morning, and William was delighted to escort her there, as well as accompany her on a shopping expedition to Hatchards.
Lady Matlock and Mrs. Gardiner were due to join them at the modiste, which would allow William to make a quick visit to his solicitor and to place the announcement for his wedding into the papers.
Lord Matlock had offered to do so immediately, but William had wanted to guarantee his peace for a few more days.
After returning to the modiste, William escorted the three ladies to the shops. They were greeted by several friends and acquaintances of Lady Matlock, and she introduced Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner to several.
Those whom Lady Matlock did introduce were all surprised to learn about her nephew’s marriage but were pleased to see him looking happy and content as he squired his wife and her aunt around London.
“William,” Lady Matlock said following one of the introductions. “Your lovely wife would enjoy an outing to the theatre. You should see about arranging an evening out. I believe you still keep a box.”
“That is a wonderful idea, Aunt. Elizabeth, what do you think?” William asked.
Elizabeth beamed at him. “I would love a trip to the theatre, William. You have a box?”
“We have a box, my dear. And I will send a servant around when we arrive home to obtain a schedule to make our plans,” William informed her.
“Elizabeth, I would like to call on Thursday morning to discuss my plans for your introduction to society. I have received several invitations, and I am certain William also has. We need to decide which events you will attend.” She held up her hand when William opened his mouth to protest. “I know you prefer to keep your wife to yourself, and I understand that, but I will not subject you to too many events. You need to be seen out and about, at least a little, but I will not expect you to attend more than two or three events a week.”
“Aunt, we do plan to return to Pemberley before too long,” William offered when he was finally given a chance to speak.
“Yes, I realise that, but you should plan on spending at least a month in town. You can return to Pemberley in October. And do not try to tell me you need to return for the harvest. You had not planned to be there anyway, and you cannot use that as an excuse now,” Lady Matlock cut off any protests and then smiled when he scowled.
He grumbled slightly but relented. “And, since the wedding announcement will appear in tomorrow’s paper, as planned, we can expect to see Lady Catherine soon to express her displeasure. Although I am tempted to bar the door for the next several more days.”
“So long as it is open for my call two days from now,” Lady Matlock agreed, smiling.