Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1811
T he leave-taking at Netherfield the following morning was far more subdued. Only Colonel Fitzwilliam rose early enough to see the three Darcys off, while Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove, who were not early risers, had said their goodbyes the night before. The Hargroves would depart later that same day, planning a night in London before continuing to Rosings.
During their farewells the night before, Anne extended an invitation for the Darcys to visit Rosings at Easter. Elizabeth hesitated slightly before agreeing that they would try to make the journey. If Darcy noticed this subtle change from what they had previously discussed, he kept his thoughts to himself and said nothing to his wife or cousin.
Just as the sun began to rise in the east, casting a soft light over the grounds, the three Darcys boarded their carriage. With the days growing shorter as it approached the winter solstice, they were eager to set off early and make full use of the daylight hours for their journey.
Unlike the journey south, the one headed northward was uneventful. It took a full four days to make the journey, mostly because of the limited daylight, and they arrived home on Friday.
As the carriage crested the final hill before Pemberley came into view, Elizabeth exhaled a contented sigh. “After the last few weeks in London and then Hertfordshire, I must admit, I am very glad to be home once more,” she said, her voice warm with relief. “I have always longed to travel, and while I am certain family matters made this particular trip far more draining than most, I believe I could happily sleep for days and not set foot beyond Pemberley’s gates for quite some time.”
Darcy and Georgiana both laughed at the exaggerated look of weariness on her face. “It has indeed been more demanding than usual,” Darcy agreed, his tone laced with sympathy as he slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Drawing her closer, he leant down and murmured softly into her ear, “I would gladly see to it that you remained in bed for days, my love—if only for entirely selfish reasons.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink at his words, and her eyes darted to Georgiana, who seemed preoccupied with the view out the window. Her hand shot up to swat his stomach, the gesture lacking any real force. “Behave yourself, sir,” she hissed under her breath, her embarrassment mingling with affection.
Darcy chuckled, clearly unrepentant, and kissed her temple. “As you wish, my dearest,” he replied, his amusement evident in the way his eyes sparkled.
Though she could not hear their words, Georgiana watched the pair of them, and upon seeing the smiles on their faces, could only grin in response. Her brother had not acted like this, so light and carefree, in many years, probably since the last time Elizabeth had been at Pemberley. She was delighted that he had found Elizabeth once again, both for him and for her.
Footmen and grooms were standing at the front of the house ready to meet the carriages. The second carriage carrying their trunks and servants went around to the back of the house to be unloaded while the Darcys descended from the carriage. Darcy helped down first his sister, then his wife, taking her by the arm to lead her up the stairs and into the great hall. “In the winter months, I have told Mrs. Reynolds to keep the servants inside, instead of greeting us outside as is so often done. It is too cold out here to keep so many standing waiting on our arrival.”
“That is wise of you, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth agreed before turning to look at her sister. “It is rather late in the afternoon, Georgiana. Would you mind if I did not return downstairs for a formal meal, but instead requested a tray in my room?”
“You are tired, Elizabeth, so please, do not go to any trouble on my behalf. I will take my meal with Mrs. Annesley and will see you in the morning,” Georgiana replied.
After greeting Mrs. Reynolds and requesting a meal in their shared sitting room along with a bath, Elizabeth and Darcy slowly ascended the stairs to their chambers. Darcy’s hand rested warmly over hers as they walked, his concern evident in the gentle furrow of his brow. He studied her closely, his eyes tender and searching. “Are you certain you are well, my love? The confrontation with your father still seems to weigh heavily on you.”
Elizabeth glanced up at him, touched by his care, and gave him a gentle smile. “I am well, but I confess I am also rather weary. Worrying over my father has taken much of my strength these past weeks, and I am not accustomed to travelling so often. I believe a day or two of rest will restore me.”
Darcy’s face softened, and he stopped to brush a loose strand of hair from her cheek. “Still, it pains me to see you so. You are my heart, Elizabeth, and I only want to see you well and happy. Perhaps tonight I should sleep in another room, if it might help you rest more soundly?”
Elizabeth paused in the hallway, turning to face him fully, her eyes warm with affection. “Oh, no, Fitzwilliam,” she murmured, resting a hand on his chest. “That would not do at all. I shall rest far better with you beside me, keeping me warm. Since our wedding, we have not spent a single night apart, and I cannot bear to start now. I feel so at ease in your arms; without you there, sleep would surely evade me.”
Darcy’s expression softened even further, his relief mingling with something deeper, almost reverent. “Here I was, worrying that I might be imposing on your peace. But you have only given me joy in your words, my dearest. Knowing you feel as I do—that I am as welcome in your arms as you are in mine—it is all I could wish for.”
She smiled, and he leant down, capturing her lips in a tender, lingering kiss. His hand cupped her cheek as his thumb traced gentle circles, the kiss a promise of love and protection. When they parted, he gazed at her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. “You are everything to me, Elizabeth. Tonight, I shall hold you close until dawn, ensuring every bit of weariness fades away.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled as she whispered, “I am truly blessed to be loved by you; I shall always return that love, Fitzwilliam.”
Her hand still resting in the crook of his arm, they continued down the corridor, their steps slower, savouring the quiet moment together in their home. While their trip to London had been long and tiring, here, back at Pemberley, it was as though their burdens were lifted, and they revelled in the steadiness of their love.
As they entered the door to their shared chambers, Darcy’s gaze lingered on Elizabeth, his eyes darkening with a mix of affection and something deeper. He closed the door behind them with a gentle click; his hand entwined with hers. The quiet intimacy of the room wrapped around them, warmed by the soft glow of the firelight flickering against the walls.
Elizabeth felt her pulse quicken as Darcy drew her closer, his hands settling on her waist, his touch firm yet achingly tender. “I have missed this,” he murmured, his voice low as his lips found her temple, brushing against her skin. “These quiet moments with you. It has been far too long since I’ve had you all to myself. Even though we shared a chamber at the inns, it was never this quiet, and I could always hear murmurs from the rooms around us.”
She tilted her head, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that matched his own. “Then let us make up for lost time, my darling Fitzwilliam,” she whispered, her voice soft.
Darcy’s mouth curved into a smile, his hands sliding gently up her back, holding her to him as he leant down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was filled with fervour, and after days of holding back his longing, he let that restraint fall away. Elizabeth’s hands slipped around his neck, fingers weaving into his hair as she returned his kiss with equal passion, letting herself be drawn into the warmth and strength of him.
With a gentle tug, Darcy led her towards the bed, their movements languid but charged, each touch and kiss igniting a trail of warmth. He guided her down to the bed coverings, his eyes never leaving hers, as though he was afraid even a moment’s separation might lessen the depth of his desire. Her fingers found the buttons of his waistcoat, loosening each as she continued to look steadfastly at him.
“Every moment with you is a treasure, Elizabeth,” he whispered, his voice a mix of tenderness and longing. “I love you so much. It still feels like a dream to have you here, in my home and in my bed.”
Elizabeth’s breath hitched, her heart full with his words, and she let her hands wander over the planes of his chest, her own desire flaring with each caress. “Then show me, my love,” she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper, a thrill of excitement flickering in her eyes.
He needed no further encouragement, and the night unfolded in a quiet exchange of tender words and shared desires.
Afterwards, when they lay together in each other’s arms, Darcy’s hand stroked her hair, his voice a murmur that she heard with her heart as much as with her ears. “I love you, Elizabeth. I shall always be by your side.”
With a contented sigh, Elizabeth looked up at him, her smile soft yet radiant. “Just like I shall always be by yours, Fitzwilliam.”