Chapter Twenty-Four #5
“We will both be aunts,” Georgiana chimed in. Georgiana hugged Elizabeth for a long time. “From the first day I met you at the Royal Crown, I knew you would bring happiness to Pemberley. I love you, Elizabeth.”
“I love you too, Georgiana.” Then Elizabeth hugged Kitty again. “Kitty, would you stay at Pemberley to assist Georgiana and me in preparation for this child? I will write Mama tomorrow if you agree.”
“I would be delighted, Elizabeth.” Kitty hugged her sister warmly.
Anne offered her congratulations. “I apologize for the offense earlier, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth said, “I wished to tell William tonight, but your announcement of a June wedding created a problem. I did not know how to respond without exposing the news.”
“Fret not, Mrs. Darcy. William’s countenance speaks of my cousin’s happiness.”
Finally, her Aunt Gardiner made her way to the arms of the happy couple. “All is well, Lizzy?”
“It is not as I planned, but William is happy.”
“Life is rarely as we plan, Lizzy. You and Mr. Darcy are meant to be together. I knew that from the moment I met him in August. You will live a life of which others may only dream. You have found a great love, Elizabeth.”
“I have, have I not? To think I once refused him, and now I cannot breathe without him. William will have an heir for Pemberley.”
Unable to be more than an arm’s length from his wife, Darcy joined Elizabeth and the ladies. Mrs. Gardiner said, “Mr. Darcy, thank you for presenting our Lizzy with the life she deserves. You have a love which will transcend time.”
When the gentlemen returned, they too offered their congratulations, but naturally Bingley, Edward, and Mr. Gardiner showed their excitement the most. “I remember when you were a mere babe yourself, Lizzy.” Her uncle hugged her and offered Darcy his hand.
The colonel accepted Elizabeth’s apology, before placing a kiss on her cheek. Then he embraced his cousin with true-felt admiration and a hearty slap on Darcy’s back. “Lady Catherine will be most displeased,” he whispered to Darcy.
“Tell her the shades of Pemberley are polluted.” Darcy was too mirthful to care what his aunt thought.
Bingley’s smile could not be contained. “Darcy, next to hearing those words from Jane, I cannot be happier than I am now. I must practice my legible handwriting once again. Caroline will be beside herself with envy.”
“She and Lady Catherine must console each other.” Darcy laughed.
Jane joined Darcy and her husband. “Mr. Darcy, be thankful the roads are poor this time of year. They will keep Mama from coming to Pemberley immediately.”
“Without wishing offense, Mrs. Bingley, even your mother could not defer my happiness this evening.”
Jane hugged him. “I am pleased you are in Elizabeth’s life. You were correct. She is your other half. To have Elizabeth so happy gives me more joy than you could know.”
“I will devote my life to loving her, Mrs. Bingley.”
The party took on a whole new level of enjoyment. No one wished to know his bed. New Year’s Eve and a new baby provided everyone with much joy. Mrs. Annesley played, and all the couples enjoyed impromptu dancing, providing Darcy and Elizabeth the pleasure of starting the first dance.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said knowingly as she passed him in the form, “you have the reputation of despising dancing.”
“I am very discerning in my choice of partners is all the censure one should give to my reputation.” He smiled happily at her. Each time they came together, their conversation continued. “I was disappointed when you refused me at Lucas Lodge.”
“Then I cross-examined you at Netherfield.”
“Why did you finally honor me with your hand, Elizabeth?”
“So you would always be in a humor to give consequence to a young lady who has been slighted by other men.” She reminded him of his first cut to her at Meryton.
“I was a fool, Elizabeth.”
“As was I, William.”
The last time they passed, Darcy caressed her cheek. Their eyes, as always, found each other.
Unusual for him, Darcy also danced with Jane, with Georgiana, with Mrs. Gardiner, with Kitty, and even a slow minuet with Anne, but he still watched Elizabeth as he completed each form.
She spent time with Bingley, Edward, and Mr. Harrison.
Kitty was happy to dance with Bingley, Mr. Harrison, and several times with Mr. Winkler.
Not being a formal ball there were no strictures on multiple dances.
The group simply enjoyed being together.
Georgiana cornered Darcy as the evening progressed. “Are you happy for me, dearest one?” he asked when she came near.
“William, to see you so well-situated is the most joyful of times. Elizabeth is so beautiful. See how she beams with love.”
“Georgiana, I may have abandoned my pursuit of Elizabeth if you had not intervened; and if you had not realized she was in danger, I may have lost her forever. What might I say to you to explain how much you are loved?”
“Words are not necessary, William. I am thankful you finally have love in your life. You gave up your youth for me and for Pemberley. It was never fair for you to assume so much at such a young age.”
“I never regretted what I did for you.”
“Now we are creating our own Pemberley, William. I believe we are repaid ten times over for our good deeds. God gives us blessings because of what we do for others.”
“You are more devout than I, but since Elizabeth has come into my life, I have a new understanding of the infinite power of God. I have never known such love of life.”
“Love life and Elizabeth, William.” She kissed his cheek.
As she turned to leave him and rejoin the others, Georgiana paused with one last remark.
“Did you know, brother, the Greeks did not extol a man’s accomplishments upon his death?
They simply asked one question of his family and friends: Did he live his life with undying passion?
” She presented him with her own version of an enigmatic smile upon her departure.
As the evening wound down, Darcy offered a toast to Elizabeth.
“To my wife, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, a woman of unexpected wit, a devotion to her family, silent courage and strength combined with innocence and sweetness. From you, I have learned how to be a brother, a man, and a husband. Soon I will learn to be a father. You are the love of my life.” He noted how her eyes welled up.
There was a time when Darcy had looked for love—a fiery cannonball of emotions; now he knew true love, deep compassionate love was a consistent flame, which was never extinguished.
When the others retired for the evening, Darcy and Elizabeth remained in the drawing room.
He reclined against the padded arm of a settee, one leg stretched out and the other dangling to the floor.
Elizabeth rested against him, lounging lazily between his legs.
He held her head to his chest and kissed the top of it as he rubbed the side of her arm.
She stroked his chin line and lightly kissed his neck.
The fire was burning low, but neither of them wished to move, fearing the spell would be broken.
“Are you truly happy to be a father so soon, William?”
“Dare you ask?”
“We have been together for such a short period of time; I feared you would think it too soon.”
He replied seriously, “Georgiana said earlier that I gave up everything for her and for Pemberley. The truth is I relinquished part of my youth to know true happiness. My blessings are just coming closer together than I expected.” He offered a soft chuckle to lighten the moment.
“What if our child is not a son? Would a daughter disappoint you?”
“There was a time I felt anything other than a son would be settling for less, but I will admit to seeking the approval of Cassandra Gardiner more so than her brothers. I would walk across England for one of my little cousin’s hugs.
Holding her in my arms yesterday evening as she fell asleep offered me such ease.
Having three females in my household would be a blessing.
I remember how small Georgiana looked as a babe.
At first, I was afraid even to touch her, but my mother taught me to hold her and to look upon my sister.
Georgie would wrap her hand around my finger and hold on so tightly I knew she expected me to protect her from harm. ”
“You will be a phenomenal father, William.”
“You have taught me to love spherically, Elizabeth—in several directions at once. I have learned so much about love from you.”
His wife rose up so she could press her forehead against his and caress his cheek.
How quickly his passion rose the first time they came together had surprised him, but his wife’s equally passionate response had been more astounding.
British women in fine houses were not expected to express their emotions to their husbands.
Marriage was to be a convenience, not a time of seeking pleasure from one’s partner.
“Elizabeth.” His body shifted to press against hers. She snickered in a bit of embarrassment.
“William, I told you the bed at Darcy House held special appeal.” She teasingly rubbed her lips across his mouth.
“May we conceive other children there?” Darcy’s voice betrayed his thoughts. She silenced his lips with a kiss. His fingers kneaded her hips.
“Elizabeth.” A moan started in the back of his throat. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“You, sir, have no idea what I want to do to you.” Elizabeth giggled as the moan became a distinct groan. Her mouth found Darcy’s as she slid up his body, and his arms encircled her.
“Lizzy …” he began.
“Good. I love it when you call me Lizzy.”