Chapter Nineteen #2
At length, a clearing of Georgiana’s throat announced his sister’s presence. He and Elizabeth ceased the kiss, but they did not jump apart as one might expect upon being found in such an intimate embrace. They parted naturally, not ashamed of the affection they shared.
“Elizabeth, my brother wished to present you something special for the wedding.” Georgiana handed Elizabeth a box tied with a ribbon.
“William?” Elizabeth beamed at him. “I require nothing else. The lace for my wedding attire was enough.”
“This was my mother’s wish,” he said reverently. “She left this in my father’s care. When he passed, he presented it to me. It was to be a gift for my wife from Lady Anne Darcy.”
“My brother asked me to carry it to London. We agreed it must be reset for you. I hope you like the design. I chose it. I thought it was simple sophistication.” Georgiana looked on with anticipation. “Open it.”
Brother and sister crowded around as Elizabeth, hands shaking, removed the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. The emerald and diamond necklace sparkled with the light. “William, I cannot accept something so expensive.”
“Have you not heard, my love?” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I am worth ten thousand pounds per year.”
She laughed but remained without words.
“Turn around, Elizabeth, and permit me to assist you.” Georgiana giggled. His sister draped the necklace about Elizabeth’s neck. “There,” Georgiana said, setting the lock. “Look in the mirror. What do you think?”
“It is not often I am at a loss for words. Georgiana, the design is exquisite! I do not know what else to say.” Elizabeth hugged her soon-to-be sister excitedly.
“What about me?” Darcy chuckled.
“To you, sir, I will offer my gratitude later,” Elizabeth teased.
He turned her towards the mirror, catching her eyes in the reflection.
He knew she understood that the necklace was more than jewelry.
The necklace was a token of his love, but it also announced to the world: This is my wife!
You will respect her as you respect me! Elizabeth nodded her acceptance of his protection, and Darcy’s lips turned upward in a satisfying grin.
“Elizabeth and I meant to stroll the gardens. Would you care to join us, William?”
His laughter was contagious. “Georgiana, you have no idea how often I have imagined a family for us. Elizabeth will complement us nicely.” They turned to Elizabeth. The joy written across her face told them they should remember this moment. It was a promise of things to come.
Walking the paths of Netherfield with his ladies, Darcy had never thought such happiness could exist. Elizabeth and Georgiana bubbled enthusiastically at his side. “William,” Elizabeth began hesitatingly, “Georgiana and I have been talking about our home.”
He interrupted her by saying, “Pity is the man who is at the will of two beautiful ladies.”
His intended swatted playfully at his chest. “William,” Elizabeth paused, “I wish to speak to you of a matter of some importance.”
Darcy’s amused countenance faded. “Then speak your mind. I am pleased to give you what you request.”
“I am assured you will want to share in what I ask, sir. Once we return from our wedding holiday, I wish for Georgiana to return to Pemberley with us. There is no reason for your sister to stay in London.”
“Eliza … Elizabeth,” Georgiana stammered, “I am … I am so inclined, but you and my brother require your privacy.”
“Nonsense.” Elizabeth took his sister’s hands.
“Pemberley’s size can easily provide your brother and me all the privacy we desire.
Yet, your presence can present me with the confidence I require to become its mistress.
I want you with me. Your brother desires it also.
We cannot celebrate the Festive Season at Pemberley if you are in London. ”
“We have not been at Pemberley,” Georgiana explained, “during the Festive Season since the passing of our father.”
Darcy watched in stunned disbelief. Both women turned to him with beseeching eyes. “Georgiana,” he began slowly, “it appears my marriage to Elizabeth is a new beginning for Pemberley, and we have grieved for its losses long enough. Would you prefer to be at Pemberley?”
“Oh, yes, brother.” She was all smiles. “Pemberley bedecked for the festivities, is the most beautiful of houses. May we return to our home as a family?”
“It is settled. The Darcys will celebrate together at Pemberley.”
Georgiana pleaded, “William, may I send word to Mrs. Reynolds to reopen Pemberley to its greatness?”
“Absolutely, my dearest,” he said as he pulled Elizabeth close to his side. “Your soon-to-be sister and I will be distracted elsewhere. You may inform the household and grounds staff that the Darcys will be in residence.”
Georgiana first hugged Elizabeth and then him. Her excitement showed as she nearly skipped along the path. Neither brother nor sister noted how Elizabeth’s eyes misted with tears as she took in the pair. The piercing darkness of his eyes mirrored his sister’s elation.
Darcy tossed and turned through most of the night.
One would expect him to rest. After all, his wedding day awaited on the threshold.
In a few fleeting hours, Elizabeth Bennet would be his forever.
Lying diagonally and wrapped haphazardly in the bedclothes, Darcy replayed all the details of the day.
He often doubted this day would ever arrive.
Elizabeth won his heart, but he was a different man from those early days.
He had known little of himself, nor had he really known Elizabeth.
Their relationship began as physical attraction, but she was so much more to him now.
There could be no Darcy without Elizabeth.
Knowing sleep would not be his, he tossed the counterpane aside.
Slinging his long limbs over the bed’s edge, he reached for the bell cord.
Although it was still dark, his man appeared within moments of being summoned.
A light tap on the chamber door signaled Sheffield’s presence. “Come,” Darcy called.
“May I be of service, sir?”
“Yes, Henry, please tell the stables to saddle Cerberus at first light.”
“Do you desire riding clothes, sir?”
“No, Henry, I do not want the full riding frock. I simply wish breeches, boots, and a shirt. Cerberus will rid me of my premarital anxiety.” He chuckled at his foolishness.
His valet smiled at Darcy’s disheveled appearance and exited the room.
Meanwhile, Darcy ran his fingers through his hair and attempted to compose his thoughts.
He wished to be at Pemberley instead of at Netherfield.
Being Bingley’s guest had required Darcy to curb his eagerness on this momentous day.
If he were at Pemberley, he would be pacing the halls of the east wing by now.
Sheffield returned shortly and assisted Darcy to dress, and then Darcy followed Henry down the narrow back stairway leading from the servants’ quarters.
He had used the same steps only a few days prior in order to surprise Georgiana and Elizabeth.
Darcy paused briefly as the images of that day sparkled brilliantly in the candlelight of his mind.
Free of the confines of Netherfield, he strode quickly through the morning mist to the stables.
Cerberus awaited him at the mounting block.
He took the time to pat his favorite mount before swinging up into the saddle.
With a “cluck” of his tongue and a light tug on the reins, he turned the cream-colored stallion towards the rolling hills and woods of Netherfield Park.
He wished to melt into the horse’s haunches and absorb its strength, and without realizing it, Cerberus carried his master to the rise from which Darcy had first seen Elizabeth.
A deep laugh escaped his throat and was carried upon the morning by the withdrawing mist. As Darcy looked intently upon the place he had first observed Elizabeth, Cerberus turned in circles as if wanting to chase the sound of a fairy.
Darcy pulled the reins to the right, “Come on, boy, I know where we can go.” A three-mile journey, which Darcy had traversed daily since Elizabeth accepted his proposal, led to Longbourn, so why not do so today?
Obviously, he would not call upon the household on his wedding day.
Mrs. Bennet’s renowned “nerves” would never survive such an intrusion, but he would go close enough to observe the house in which Elizabeth prepared for their life together.
Instead of following the road, Darcy set Cerberus along the hedged fields, where a smattering of sheep gazed attentively on the remaining shoots of grass.
He brought the horse up to crest the hill leading to Longbourn then dismounted, letting the reins drag the ground.
He walked slowly to an overhanging boulder before leaning against its dampness and allowing the coolness of the rock to calm his heart.
Longbourn in the morning sun took on a pictorial solemnity; peacefulness falsely exuded from its walls.
Yet within, Darcy imagined Mrs. Bennet scolded servants and daughters left and right, while Jane Bennet’s knowing smiles met the roll of Elizabeth’s eyes.
Soon, he would take Elizabeth away from all this chaos.
Staring hard at the house in the distance, in his imagination, he could see Elizabeth at the window.
She was beautiful in the morning light. At length, he turned to pick up Cerberus’s reins but a movement in the morning haze caught his attention.
There, coming through the rising mist, was Elizabeth clothed in her night shift and a pelisse.
For a brief second, he thought it a trick of the mind, but the clutching of his heart told him she was real.