Epilogue
“Please, can you fasten it?” Elizabeth motioned for Darcy to secure the clasp of her necklace.
“I thought I employed a servant to help you with your preparations?” he replied with a laugh and took the delicate chain into his large hands. He did not hook the two ends together immediately, choosing instead to place kiss after tantalising kiss upon her neck and exposed shoulders.
“You actually employ two.” She leant back into him. “And you best be thankful that neither of them is here to witness their master’s scandalous treatment of his wife.”
He chuckled deeply. “You call this scandalous?” He closed the clasp and let it drop, the chain cold against her skin. He bent his head and softly caressed the sensitive spot just below her ear. His hands ran down her body, lingering on her hips. “I beg to differ.”
She turned in his embrace and traced her hands up his arms, marvelling how in all their months of marriage she was still affected by their masculine strength.
“You know full well that this is an argument I long to continue, but we have been invited to Lady Shefton’s ball.
The last time you used your considerable charms to delay us, I was forced to suffer the estimable Mrs Hobbs tutting at the creases in my dress all evening.
Would you like me to suffer such embarrassment again? ”
Darcy drew her closer, murmuring softly. “A short delay would harm no one, my dearest Elizabeth.”
“You are incorrigible!”
Heat soared through her as his mouth trailed down the column of her neck. “What if I promise not to crease your dress?”
In the end, Elizabeth and Darcy were an hour late to Lady Shefton’s house in Mayfair, but it did not matter because the ballroom was thronging with people, and everyone was having too much fun to take any notice of Mr and Mrs Darcy or their slightly rumpled clothes.
Elizabeth knew that Darcy did not like dancing with anyone other than her.
Out of politeness, he had approached the widowed Mrs Gateshead, and she had watched him gallantly escort the elderly lady through the steps of a slow country dance.
Afterwards, Darcy had returned to Elizabeth, and they had danced a reel.
He had the habit of touching her whenever she was near.
His hand would brush against her waist. When their hands met, his fingers would trace along her wrist. When they broke apart, his gaze followed her about the room, and her pulse skipped every time she met his eye.
It was as though a fire was always burning between them, and it only took the merest spark for it to consume them both.
After the reel ended, Darcy’s attention was drawn away by an acquaintance from university.
An old friend of Darcy’s father requested a dance, and Elizabeth accepted with pleasure.
She spun and curtseyed, politely conversing with the delightful Mr Aylesford, but all the while her body itched to return to Darcy’s arms. He had promised to dance the supper set with her, and then one more dance before they returned home.
Mr Aylesford escorted her to the dining room where she hoped to find Darcy. Assuring the gentleman that she was content to be left alone to await her husband, she accepted a glass of wine from a nearby servant and moved to a quieter part of the room.
Darcy was not long from her side. “I have some news for you,” he murmured in her ear. “Mr Beresford has just informed me that Miss Bingley is to be married. Should you like to know where she will live?”
The hint of mischief in his air was very alluring. “Please enlighten me.”
“The unfortunate gentleman has a modest estate in St Albans.”
Elizabeth gave a huff of laughter. “Well, there is plenty for her to do there. I am glad she fulfilled her wish to visit.” She frowned. “But why did Bingley and Jane not tell us of it first?”
“The arrangement is a recent occurrence. Although Bingley knows how annoying I find his sister, and how little interest I take in her affairs. I pity her husband.”
The mention of St Albans reminded her of their trip to the castle. So much had happened since then, it almost felt as though she had dreamt it. I cannot believe there was a time where I did not know Darcy as well as I do now. Our lives are so entwined that I cannot imagine my existence without him.
She thought of the other members of the party that day. “I would like it very much if Charlotte came to Pemberley for some time in the summer. Georgiana enjoyed her company when they last met—I am sure Charlotte’s sensible kindness would be just the sort of friendship Georgiana would appreciate.”
“You know as well as I that Georgiana does not require any other friends when her adored Lizzy is nearby. Sometimes, I think my sister loves you more than she does me.” Darcy traced his fingers along Elizabeth’s arm in a lingering, private motion.
Elizabeth shivered at his touch. Valiantly, she continued, attempting to appear unaffected, “In Charlotte’s last letter, she explained that her brother is yet to find a wife, and I fear that Lady Lucas has become even more overbearing.”
His expression darkened. “Your friend is always welcome, but I do not want to ruin our evening by discussing Mr Lucas. He is not even worthy of your scorn.” He placed a finger on her chin and raised it to his face.
“I am not sure I ever told you how beautiful you looked that day at the castle. I knew then that my heart was in some danger of being yours. There are times even now when I still cannot believe how lucky I am.” His voice lowered.
“Must we stay until the end? Tomorrow we depart for Hertfordshire with Georgiana for your godfather’s birthday celebrations.
I do not wish for you to be tired for the journey… ”
Elizabeth recognised the amorous glint in his eyes and replied playfully. “Oh, it is for my benefit that you wish to retire early? How chivalrous.”
A deep laugh rumbled in his chest, and he drew her closer to him. His voice suddenly serious, he met her gaze, and she saw the love within his eyes. “Dearest Elizabeth, I think you must know by now that all my thoughts are consumed by you.”