Chapter Fourteen
THE CHALLENGES CONTINUE
Rosings Park
Later That Evening
It was well after sunset by the time the Darcy party arrived at Rosings Park.
With the exception of the lamps used by a few servants who usually stood watch, the manor house was fairly dark.
Lady Catherine, who had been known to stay up late, was no longer in her study but sleeping in her bedchamber.
On arrival, Richard had willingly taken over the supervision of the men and began making preparations for continuing their journey to Ramsgate, allowing William some time alone with Elizabeth before leaving.
Because of the very late hour, it was decided they would travel by carriage until first light, thus giving the men a chance to rest a bit before going on by horseback.
As with Darcy House, after Anne’s death William had changed his quarters to ones which were nearer to Anna’s rooms and the nursery.
Not only did he not want the reminder of what his previous bedchambers had symbolised, but he felt the need to be close to his daughter, lest she should want for anything during the night.
If truth be told, with so many disappointments, having her nearby gave him solace.
Now, however, he had Elizabeth, and though he would have to deal with Wickham, his new wife was a great comfort after so many years of loneliness.
With her, he could look forward to building the kind of life he was never able to have with Anne.
He longed for stability and a loving home where he and his wife worked together for the good of their family and for each other.
Once Molly finished assisting Elizabeth with her outer garments, William sent the maid to deal with the rest of her belongings while he escorted her to his bed chamber and shut the door.
Pulling her into his embrace, he said, “Forgive me, Elizabeth. I cannot finish what I long to start, but I must have some part of you before it is time to leave.”
Having travelled the final miles in darkness and saying little, William wanted her reassurance and tender caresses before leaving with Richard and the others.
Claiming her lips in a torrid kiss while pulling her into his hard body, he could scarcely get enough.
Haphazardly pulling the pins from her hair and releasing her dark tresses, he picked up Elizabeth and carried her to his bed.
“My darling wife, would that I could make you mine this very minute and spend the rest of the night loving you, but I cannot.”
“William,” she moaned, “I love you so very much.” Soon, the two were locked in a passionate embrace where a multitude of caresses and endearments would have to sustain them until he came back from his mission.
Only then would they be able to consummate their marriage and begin their lives as husband and wife.
On hearing Richard making his presence known in the hallway, William reluctantly stopped his ministrations, pulling Elizabeth from the bed so that they might straighten their clothes.
Quickly finding a few hairpins so Elizabeth could secure her hair into a twisted bun, the two of them left the bed-chamber, somewhat flustered, but ready to meet Richard.
“Everything is ready, Cousin,” Richard announced as soon as William opened the door.
“Thank you. Just give me a few minutes. I wish to take Elizabeth to Anna’s room before we come down. We shall join you directly.”
Anna’s Bedroom
“Elizabeth, this is our daughter,” William proudly whispered, not wanting to wake Anna.
The little girl looked angelic sleeping peacefully in the bed, her dolly clutched in her arm and a slight smile on her face as she embraced dreamland. Elizabeth could not help but turn to him, her eyes misting. “Oh, William, she is so precious.”
Embracing her he quietly said, “I hope the two of you will become very well acquainted in my absence.”
“I know we will.” She reached up to caress his face. “And we shall both be praying for your safe return.”
At that moment, Anna began to stir. “Papa,” she yawned, her eyes still closed. “Is it you?”
“Yes, sweet one, I am here and I have brought you your new Mama.”
Anna made two little fists and began rubbing her eyes as William placed a loving kiss on her forehead and Elizabeth took a seat on the side of her bed.
“Are you Princess Elizabeth?” Anna said sleepily, pushing up in the bed and stifling a yawn.
“Papa said he would bring you back, but Dolly and I were not sure,” her voice quivered as though she was about to cry.
“Grandmamma said I would never have another mama.”
“Sweetheart.” Elizabeth could see the disapproval on William’s face as she reassured Anna by taking her into her arms. “Grandmamma must have been mistaken. Your Papa and I were married earlier today. I am your Mama now, and you are my daughter.”
“Mama, Mama,” she began to sob, holding tightly onto Elizabeth. “Mama, please say you will stay with me and Papa.”
“There, there, my precious.” Elizabeth picked up the child and rubbed her back as she cuddled and soothed her with endearments. “Mama has you now, and I am never going to leave you or Papa. Not ever, dear one. We are a family.”
“A family,” the little girl sighed with contentment.
Elizabeth sat in the rocking chair, still holding the child close, and began to hum a familiar tune causing Anna to look up at her in wonder. “Mama, Papa always sings that song to me when he puts me to bed. How did you know?”
“Lavender Blue is a favourite of mine, too, and one my Grandmamma would sing to me when I was a small child like you. Would you like it if Papa and I sang it together?”
“Oh, yes, Mama.”
Elizabeth smiled at William, who nodded. “Very good, we shall both sing, but it is late and you must go back to sleep. And tomorrow, when you awaken, you and I shall spend the entire day together. Would you like that, little one?”
“Yes, Mama. Dolly and I would like that very much.”
While William and Elizabeth softly sang the child’s favoured song together, William covered Anna with a small blanket and knelt beside the rocking chair, taking one of her hands in his.
Watching his daughter continue to snuggle into Elizabeth’s embrace, he nearly lost his composure when he heard Anna whisper, “I love you, Mama.”
Soon after, Anna was sound asleep and Elizabeth was able to put her back into bed.
Before leaving the room, William pulled his wife close, saying, “Elizabeth Darcy, today you have made me the happiest of men, and I love you more than life itself. God has blessed me and my family beyond measure, and I am grateful.”
A little later, when it was time for William to take his leave, Elizabeth pulled her husband to the side and tenderly whispered, “Dear, dear William, my heart is so full of love for you and Anna. Please be safe. We shall be waiting for you to return with Georgiana.”
William’s Bedchamber
Although William and the others had left hours ago, sleep did not come easily to Elizabeth.
Her thoughts were filled by William and all she had experienced in the last two days.
Not until she wandered into his room and lay on his large bed was she able to find any solace.
Leaning into the pillows, she could still smell a hint of sandalwood from when the two of them had lain together mere hours before.
Would that she was still in his arms, holding him close and offering comfort.
The man had faced so many trials during his short life, and here he was off to face yet another.
Reverently touching the emerald cross about her neck, she said another prayer for his safety and for her new sister.
William had promised to keep her informed once he knew anything, and she hoped it would not be long.
Deciding to spend the rest of the night in his room, she pulled a blanket over her weary body and closed her eyes.
As she drifted off, her dreams were invaded by the loving father who sang Lavender Blue with her in his deep baritone and of the sweet little child who called her Mama.
First light came early, but Elizabeth did not mind, as there was much to do on this new day.
Stretching, she kissed her husband’s pillow before swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
Since it was so dark when they arrived, this would be her first chance to take a glimpse of Rosings Park.
Moving to the window, Elizabeth pulled back the curtains and looked over the expanse of the formal garden below.
In the distance, she could see a small pond and a fountain with running water.
Perhaps she and Anna might take a picnic there later in the afternoon, weather permitting.
Her windows were moist with the morning dew, but the sky was clearing and it looked to be a fair day.
For now, she would return to her room and seek the assistance of her maid, since she was not sure when Anna would awaken or when Lady Catherine would want to see her.
Just then, the patter of little feet running in the hallway alerted her that Anna was also an early riser. All at once there was a frantic tapping on the door.
“Papa, Papa! Mama is not in my room and Dolly and I think she might be lost. Please open the door and help us find her,” the little voice pleaded.
Opening the door and stooping down, Elizabeth cheerfully said, “Good morning, Anna! I am not lost, and I was wondering when you might wake up.”
“Mama!” Anna squealed with delight, putting her little arms around Elizabeth’s neck.
“Come, sweet child,” she said, picking up her daughter. “Papa is away for now, so let us go into my room. I will send Molly to let Nurse know where you are.”