Chapter 21 The Afternoon of The Wedding
When the Darcy carriage drew up before Netherfield, Elizabeth turned wistfully to her husband.
“Sir, would it greatly disrupt our plans if we remained one more night here? I did not sleep well last night, and I am fatigued. I should like to change my gown and take a walk to stretch my legs, and afterward, a nap would be most welcome.” She looked at him with quiet entreaty.
His laughing eyes held hers as a wry smile touched his lips.
“Mrs. Darcy, at the risk of granting you far too much power in this marriage, I must confess that when you look at me in that way, I find myself unable to refuse you. There is no urgency to depart for London. I had merely wished to remove us from Miss Bingley’s unpleasant influence, but if she remains in her rooms, we may spend a pleasant evening with Charles and the Hursts. ”
Her brow puckered. “I had forgotten all about her. I understand now why you wished to leave this afternoon.”
“It is well, Elizabeth. Bingley will manage her.”
As soon as they entered the house, Darcy sought out the butler to inform him of their change in plans, then escorted Elizabeth upstairs to her chamber. She opened the door, and he paused. “May I enter?”
Surprised by his request, she answered cautiously, “Of course.” She stepped inside as he followed.
“This may seem trifling,” he said, “but it would be awkward for me if the servants believed I passed the night in my own room rather than yours. There is no connecting door between the chambers. Would you prefer that we continue to London, or shall I ask the housekeeper to move us into a suite with an adjoining door? If we make my bed in the morning, it will appear as though I slept in your room.”
His face was faintly flushed. Elizabeth giggled. “An unexpected complication.”
“I expected it,” he said, smiling, “and hoped to avoid it by taking you to London, where the servants are discreet and would never dream of gossiping about my sleeping arrangements.”
Elizabeth considered the matter for a moment. “We need not make your bed in the morning if you simply sleep here. It is not improper now that we are married. No one needs to know that the only thing that occurred in this chamber was slumber.”
He raised an amused brow. “You are very devious, Mrs. Darcy. Should I be concerned?”
She laughed. “No, sir. My cousin assures me that my eyes betray every thought that crosses my mind.”
He chuckled. “That much is true. You must never attempt to deceive me, my darling. Your expressive eyes would betray you instantly. If ever you must hide something, lower your gaze or close your eyes.”
She laughed again. “Is that your first lesson to your new wife, a lesson in intrigue?”
As she moved further into the room, he thought to himself, “It is one of many lessons, madam, though I mean for the others to be of pleasure, not deceit.”
She suddenly stopped at the edge of the bed and turned to him. “I forgot. Mary and I share this chamber. You cannot join me, but as you have your own room, I can join you there.”
He grinned. “Very well, my dear. Ring for your maid and advise her. You may dress and undress here, but she need not move your belongings.”
Elizabeth tilted her head thoughtfully. “I agree. I shall change into my night shift here, wear my wrap to walk to your room, and once the candles are extinguished, I can remove it.”
He laughed. “Or we could simply travel to London this afternoon.”
She stifled a yawn. “No, sir, please. I wish to walk and then nap.”
“As you wish. May I walk with you?”
Her eyes lifted to his. “Would you care to? I always walk alone, for I can never persuade anyone to join me.”
“It would be my pleasure to walk with you, Elizabeth. Let us change into walking clothes and meet at the front entrance in half an hour.”
As he departed, her sisters entered. Mary glanced anxiously toward the closing door. “Lizzy, shall I move my things?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, my dear. We are to remain at Netherfield one more night and travel in the morning. For that reason, I shall leave my things here, but I will join Mr. Darcy in his room tonight and return in the morning to bathe and dress.”
Her sisters exchanged puzzled looks. Jane asked softly, “Do you not wish to make tonight special?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, tonight will not be our true wedding night. We will share the same chamber only to satisfy appearances. I have no wish to spend my wedding night among company and face them all the next morning. We shall sleep only. When we reach Pemberley, then we will consummate our marriage.”
Jane’s brows rose. “You spoke of this to him? He was not angry or disappointed?”
“This was a forced marriage, Jane. He understands there has been no courtship and that he has twice insulted me. He wishes to make amends, and as a show of good faith, he has agreed to wait two months.”
Mary said quietly, “Lizzy, you are very brave. I would die of embarrassment to speak of such things with a man.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I thought so too, but Mr. Darcy is remarkably easy to speak with, and he has been very charitable about everything.”
Mary shuddered. “Mr. Collins would never have agreed.”
“No, he would not,” Elizabeth said with feeling. “And I am grateful beyond measure that tonight is not my wedding night with him. Did you hear that he and Miss King are to be married next week?”
Jane covered her mouth. “Poor Mary King. She is too young to know what she undertakes.”
Mary protested. “Too young? She is my age, nineteen.”
Jane said gently, “She is too silly and thoughtless to understand what awaits her.”
Elizabeth agreed. “Yes, she is. She has never been in the habit of reasoning things out, though she is capable of it. She is a vain, simple girl, fond of pretty gowns and the attention of men, with no notion of where such flirtations may lead.”
Jane asked hesitantly, “Did Mama ever speak to you about… You know, it?”
Elizabeth smirked. “Mama? Since when have you known her to do anything kind for me? No, Aunt Gardiner took me aside and explained everything regarding… procreation.”
Both sisters stared at her expectantly. “You are not expecting me to share the details, are you?”
They nodded gravely.
Elizabeth sighed. “Very well. We shall discuss it tonight while you help me dress for bed. That way, you may sleep on the knowledge and not blush too fiercely at breakfast.”
Jane covered her mouth, and Mary hid her face. “Is it so dreadful?”
Elizabeth giggled. “It sounds worse than it is. Aunt Maddie says it brings great pleasure. It seems to me that the intimacies of marriage are like anything else, a learned skill. Now come, help me out of this gown.”
Fifteen minutes later, Elizabeth ran down the staircase, only to halt abruptly when she saw Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam look up in surprise. She descended the remaining steps decorously. “Forgive me, sir. I was late and hastened my pace so as not to keep you waiting.”
“Never mind, my dear. There is no one here to be scandalized. Miss Bingley remains in her room. It is only the two of us.”
His eyes were alight; he was amused. She grinned back, “Shall we go, sir?”
He offered his arm. “And you, Richard?”
“I am for a ride. I have been inactive all day and must have exercise if I hope to sleep tonight.”
“Very well,” Darcy replied. “We will see you at dinner.”
The newlyweds stepped outside. “Where to, Mrs. Darcy?”
“I had planned to walk to Oakham Mount one last time. I wish to see my favorite tree, where I spent so many hours reading.”
“So that you might not be underfoot at Longbourn?”
“Exactly so. My life has been divided between my father’s study and that old oak tree.” She glanced at him. “I understand from Miss Bingley that Pemberley is very grand. You must have an incomparable library, sir.”
“I do, Elizabeth. It has been the work of generations.”
“How many books are there, do you think?”
He looked ahead. “Perhaps thirty thousand.”
She stopped and stared. “Thirty thousand books?”
“Yes. The house is three hundred and fifty years old, and each master has added to the collection. This year alone, I purchased over one hundred volumes.”
“What kind of books?”
“I acquired a collection at an estate sale through Sotheby’s, which included a set of rare prayer books. The heir, being in financial distress, thought it more expedient to sell the collection as a single lot.”
“Were there any Greek works included?”
He grinned. “Yes. The complete set of The Odyssey.”
“Have they been delivered?”
“Yes, they are at Darcy House. I mean to sell them, since I already possess two sets at Pemberley and one in London.”
“Why so many?”
“One set is ancient and rare, stored behind glass in a room that is kept as dry as possible. The other sets are for reading.”
“Mr. Darcy, may I keep the new set in my chamber? I love to read at night, and it would be so convenient.”
His eyes were warm. “You are a curious young woman, Mrs. Darcy. I expected your first request to be for jewels or gowns, yet you importune for books.”
Her eyes widened, but when she understood he was teasing, she relaxed. “Will you consider it, sir?”
He laughed. “Yes, my dear. I will have Higgins pack them for our journey north.”
She jumped to her feet, rose on tiptoe, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, sir. It is the best gift I have ever received. I have no books of my own, only those I borrow from my father’s library.”
Darcy was caught off guard, but as he returned her embrace, he kept it carefully fraternal. Her hair was fragrant, and her body soft as she pressed against him. He was tempted to bury his face in her curls, but he restrained himself.
When she had released him, Darcy said, “Your father told me the large leather chair in his office is yours. Did you study there?”
She did not answer. He noticed her gaze turn distant, her composure faltering, and he feigned not to notice and waited while looking out into the distance.