Chapter Seventeen #2
Mrs. Gardiner blushed. “Your uncle enjoys my femininity.”
“Are you saying, Aunt, that my uncle—your husband—kisses you in such a manner?”
A bit sarcastically, Aunt Madelyn responded, “Yes, Lizzy, your uncle and I still share a bed, even after all these years.”
Elizabeth’s mind churned. What if what Darcy thought to be the perversion of the curse was actually just part of what he desired during lovemaking?
What if he was not a vampire? But he was a vampire, she reasoned.
She had witnessed his powers. But what if he isn’t?
Aloud, she said, “So every time you wear a scarf, it is to cover up Uncle’s affectionate attention? ”
Her aunt laughed. “Not every time.”
Elizabeth’s eyes danced in delight. “Oh, Aunt, I do so love you,” she said and gave her a hug.
“I love her, too,” her uncle attested as he entered the box, followed closely by Darcy. He handed his wife a glass of lemonade. “Of what were you two speaking?”
Elizabeth shot her aunt a shy glance. “Of Pemberley, Uncle.”
“I should have known.” Mr. Gardiner settled himself beside his wife. “Shall I have no peace until summer, Madelyn?” he teased.
“None whatsoever.”
Elizabeth sipped the lemonade Darcy presented her. Throughout the second act, she could not resist sneaking peeks at her husband. Perhaps she knew something he did not.
They spent four more days in London, visiting museums and art galleries and allowing Elizabeth time to learn the city. They would not return until the social Season. Elizabeth thought she might rather face Wickham’s wrath than come face-to-face with the ton.
Although Darcy continued to fight his desires for her, their private time became more routine.
When they were out as a couple, she could almost believe the lie they presented to the world.
She and Darcy were in love and were planning a family.
He would have his heir for Pemberley. But, they both knew, life would never be normal until they disposed of Wickham.
On their journey to Pemberley, they spent two days at Matlock with his aunt and uncle.
His family welcomed her. The earl declared upon their departure, “It will be good to have you at Pemberley. Your estate and the neighborhood require your attention, Darcy. Mrs. Darcy will bring you contentment at last. A good woman settles a man. You were never known as a rakehell, but you always lacked a point of reference. With Mrs. Darcy, you appear prepared to meet your destiny.”
Although she would not admit it to her husband, Elizabeth watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with perturbation.
And so, when, at length, they turned in at the lodge her spirits were in high flutter.
This was her home, where she would spend her days and nights with Darcy.
Looking out the coach’s window, she noted the expanse of the park.
They entered it at one of its lowest points and drove for some time through a wood stretching over a wide extent.
“Pemberley in the spring and summer is the most beautiful of places,” Georgiana assured her.
Elizabeth nodded. Her mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot.
They gradually ascended for half a mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased and Pemberley House caught the eye.
She remembered Darcy’s words from that first night in the Netherfield library.
It is a large, handsome stone building, standing well on high ground and backed by a ridge of high woody hills with a stream of some natural importance in front.
Its banks are neither formal nor falsely adorned.
He had described it perfectly. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more or where natural beauty was so little counteracted by an awkward taste.
At that moment, she felt that to be the mistress of Pemberley might be something. “It is magnificent, William.”
Darcy permitted himself to release the tension he held high in his shoulders.
He had watched Elizabeth’s reactions as the coach drew nearer to the house.
“Your approval is important to me, Elizabeth.” He clasped her hand in his.
If Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley did not travel with them, he might have pulled Elizabeth onto his lap and kissed her properly.
Instead, he leaned across her and pointed out places along the route where he planned to make improvements.
He spoke of maintaining the natural order of the land.
Finally, they crossed the bridge and entered the circle.
Once his footman let down the carriage steps, Darcy descended first. He assisted Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley, and then he reached into the coach to take Elizabeth’s hand. “Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Darcy.”
She glanced up at the pink gold brick facade of the house.
The late afternoon winter sun reflected off the rows of windows, making the place glow with light.
“What is the superlative form of magnificent?” she murmured.
She accepted his proffered arm, permitting him to lead her forward, all the while keeping up a litany of adjectives to describe Pemberley, intent on finding the right one.
“Splendid. Resplendent. Glorious. Grandiose. Sublime. Stately. Superb. Imposing. Radiant.”
Darcy chuckled at her nervousness. “I believe the house cannot live up to such praise,” he whispered.
“Was I saying those words aloud?”
“You were, my love.” He locked her arm close to his side. “Let us meet the assembled staff.”
Two lines of servants graced the entrance steps. He knew great pride when Elizabeth addressed each servant courteously. She told them she would learn their names in time and begged for their patience while she became their new mistress.
“Behold the conquering hero.” He whispered his tease after excusing the staff to their various duties.
He lifted her gloved hand and planted a kiss on the inside of her wrist. Then he made the last of the introductions.
“These three, Elizabeth,” he gestured to the remaining servants in the front foyer, “are the real experts on Pemberley. Among them, they have nearly seventy years of service to the Darcys. They keep the house and land running in my absence. This is Mr. Harold, my steward. Mr. Nathan, my butler. And Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper.” The men bowed and Mrs. Reynolds curtsied.
“It is with great pleasure that I present my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”
Mr. Nathan spoke first. “Mrs. Darcy, we were elated to hear of the master’s marriage and of his return to Pemberley for Christmas. I speak for the entire staff in saying your presence is a welcome renewal of this household.”
“That is very kind of you, Mr. Nathan.” Darcy noted how tears misted Elizabeth’s eyes. He was confident she grieved for the future’s loss.
With the servants’ exits, he asked, “May I show you some of the lower rooms before we freshen up?”
“That would be pleasant.” Her voice trembled.
“Would you rather see your chamber first? You appear quite pale.” Darcy felt her sag against him.
Elizabeth looked up at him sheepishly. “Would you be offended? I do want to see the entire house, but it is a bit daunting. Might I bolster my reserves first?”
“We will change for the midday meal. I am eager for you to see the house and grounds, but we will have a lifetime to explore it together.”
“A lifetime with you, William? How horrendous!” she teased.
He chortled before kissing her cheek. “Yes, my darling, it will be horrendous for me also.” They ascended the main staircase, arm in arm.