Chapter Twenty #3
After nearly a fortnight, they decided a walk through the park would do them well as each was of a nature to spend time out of doors.
With Elizabeth on his arm, Darcy felt he saw London for its beauty for the first time.
They walked along busy streets, but they saw no one.
Reaching the park, they chose one of the lesser-traveled paths.
When they emerged from the secluded path to the main one leading through the park, Darcy stopped short hearing someone call his name. “Darcy, is that you, my boy?”
“Your lordship!” Surprise reflected in his voice while Darcy made his bow.
“It is you, Darcy. It is good to see you.”
“If I had known you were in London, sir, I would have left my card.”
“Nonsense, do not fret. Is this your new bride?” The man looked closely at Elizabeth.
“My apologies, sir. My lady. Lord and Lady Pennington, may I present my wife, Elizabeth?” Elizabeth made her curtsy to Darcy’s companions. “Elizabeth, Lady Pennington is my mother’s cousin.”
“I am honored for the acquaintance.” Elizabeth dropped her eyes in the manner of a well-bred lady.
“Darcy, she does not appear to be a witch with magical powers,” her ladyship smirked.
“Am I to understand that you have heard from Lady Catherine?” Darcy added as he pulled Elizabeth closer.
“Do not think twice on it. No one pays Catherine much attention in such matters. Her strict nature makes her opinions less than appealing,” Lady Pennington assured him. “We have received news of Anne and Edward’s engagement. Lady Catherine was kind enough to add her note to the announcement.”
“I am pleased to hear Edward has won Anne’s heart. I hope they will be happy.” Darcy’s affection for his cousins was true.
“Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Pennington turned to Elizabeth, “would you care to join his lordship and me for tea?”
Elizabeth looked to Darcy before she responded. He nodded his acceptance. “We would be pleased to join you, Lady Pennington.”
They found a confectionery shop, which also served tea.
Although Elizabeth consciously controlled her tendency to be too mirthful, the conversation happened naturally.
Darcy and Lord Pennington discussed the current political scene while Lady Pennington questioned Elizabeth for details of the wedding.
“A double wedding with your elder sister? How delightful! Is Mr. Bingley that amiable young man you brought with you to the earl’s birthday celebration, Darcy? ”
“He is, your ladyship.”
“Is that not romantic? Sisters married best friends.”
Darcy and Elizabeth smiled at her words of approval, but Lady Pennington’s smile quickly became a look of alarm. “Darcy, please tell me you presented Mrs. Darcy your mother’s necklace. Her desire to pass it on was one of the last things Lady Anne said to me before we lost her.”
“I did, your ladyship.”
“Good. It was important. It was Lady Anne’s request for your wife to have it. She always said the green reminded her of Pemberley in the summer and the white of it in the winter. Together the jewels were a history of Pemberley worn about her neck. Were they not beautiful, Mrs. Darcy?”
“The necklace was a splendid gift from my husband, but your story has made it priceless. Thank you for sharing it with me, Lady Pennington.”
“Naturally, my dear.” She patted the back of Elizabeth’s hand before standing to take her leave.
“This place was adequate, but I cannot say I enjoyed it as much as Gunter’s on Berkeley Square.
You must have Darcy take you there in the spring.
Just drive up in an open carriage, and the servers will deliver the finest teas, sorbets, and ices.
I adore the burnt filbert cream ice.” Then she turned to Darcy.
“William, you have chosen well. Your mother would be very pleased. It will give me great pleasure to inform the rest of the family that your wife is exactly what you require, and Lady Catherine remains a bitter old woman. When you are prepared to rejoin society, you will come to stay with his lordship and me. You will bring Georgiana too. It has been too long since we have seen the girl.”
“We will do so as soon as possible, your ladyship.” Having made his promise, he bowed. Darcy realized any censure had been resolved. Lady Pennington’s opinion easily outweighed anything Lady Catherine could offer.
Although it was the middle of the afternoon, Darcy and Elizabeth lounged lazily across the counterpane on the bed. Exhausted, Darcy lay back with his arm across his eyes while Elizabeth lightly kissed the upper part of his arm. Her touch brought him to life again.
They had spent several hours the past few days going over the books of expenses for Pemberley and his other holdings.
Once she agreed to learn something of how to run the estate, his wife had taken to the information with a desire to please him.
How quickly she grasped the basic information surprised Darcy.
There was still much for her to learn, but her readiness brought true satisfaction.
Elizabeth’s security and that of their heirs depended on her understanding the business of running Pemberley.
Most gentlemen would never consider sharing such information with their wives.
It was not in the woman’s domain, but Darcy realized having Elizabeth as his partner, and not his dependent, would offer his family security, as well as providing him a happy home.
Her strength of character would be an asset for their future success.
Lost in his thoughts, he had not expected her to slide her arm across his chest and bring his attention to the present moment rather than future plans.
He circled her with his arms, turning on his side to enclose her in his embrace.
“William,” she murmured in a tone of uncertainty, “would you purchase a gun for me? I wish to learn to shoot.”
This was clearly not the conversation he expected in the middle of a tender moment. “Dare I ask what brought on this request? Does my embrace drive you to violence?”
Elizabeth laughed easily. She kissed his chest and moved up his neck. “You, sir, create a strong emotional response in me, but I would not call it violence.”
He could barely remember her request by the time her kisses found his mouth. “Then why do you require a gun?” He finally managed the question.
Elizabeth said in all sincerity, “I told Lydia I would shoot Mr. Wickham if he ever made an appearance at Pemberley. I would like to be in a position to keep my word.”
Darcy took both hands and pulled her head back where he could observe her expression. “You are serious? What brought this request on?”
“You know me, love. My mind jumps uncontrollably. Mr. Wickham’s expenses were in the ledger today. It reminded me of my confrontation with Lydia.”
“What confrontation?”
“It was after Mr. Wickham’s congratulatory letter. I warned Lydia I would not tolerate her being a part of any plan Mr. Wickham held. I told her if he ever attempted to come to Pemberley, I would see him shot as a trespasser.”
Darcy could not control his laughter. “Elizabeth, you are amazing! I can think of no other woman who would speak as such. Although I would not wish you to experience death, a woman should be prepared to defend herself,” he reasoned.
“I know the perfect gun. I have married a woman who would shock the world if they knew.”
She kissed him again. “You are correct, Mr. Darcy. You have married a shameless woman. I desire your constant attention. I desire a secure future for our children. I shall tolerate no one harming you. I am afraid you chose poorly; I possess too much gall and not enough sugar.”
He kissed her deeply before answering. “Lizzy, I require no one in my life but you. In hindsight, I am blessed to have such an amazing woman. My only regret is that I once denied my love for you to myself and others.”
“You are forgiven, Mr. Darcy.” She kissed him lightly. “However, forgiveness has its price.”
“What payment shall you demand as penance, Lizzy?”
She ran her hand up his body, sending shivers of pleasure through him. “I have but one true vice, William: You.” Their love was all consuming. The world could choose to judge, but they were secure in each other, and such judgments were of little consequence.