Chapter 9 #3
“I was remembering the conversation Richard and I had about Lady Catherine’s role in my current felicity.
She loves being useful, although I doubt she would be pleased if she knew she was useful in allowing us to marry so quickly.
I am beyond pleased to be able to marry you on the morrow, as I am not certain I would have survived a month or longer of waiting,” William confessed.
He sat up straighter and looked at Elizabeth.
“I meant to ask you earlier–are you comfortable with the speed of our marriage? I do not understand the circumstances that require it, and while it means you are my wife much sooner than I could have anticipated a week or so ago, I must know, my dear, are you regretting the speed of our union?”
She lightly kissed his forehead before smiling softly at him.
“Not in the least, William. I would have liked my father to give me away, but he seems content to give that responsibility to someone else, so I will not be sorry. Jane and the Gardiners will be with me, but the person I most need at the wedding is you, my love. Mama would have wanted a big affair and two or three months to plan it all. I always wanted a small ceremony without the pomp Mama would have felt was necessary, and I admit I am glad to escape the spectacle I am sure our wedding would have been.”
They shared one more quick kiss before he helped her stand.
“Love, you should return to the drawing room now, and I will follow after I put these papers away.” He needed a few moments away from her before he would be fit to return to company.
He doubted she was aware of his body’s reaction to her words and kisses, but she would be well acquainted with it after tomorrow.
Stop it! He silently scolded himself. Thoughts like that will not help me calm myself.
After she left the room, he took several calming breaths as he brought himself back under regulation.
Gardiner was waiting for him in the hall.
“I did not hear all that was said, but as a happily married man of more than a decade, I wanted to reiterate your father’s advice to never go to bed angry.
Lizzy has a passionate nature and sometimes reacts before thinking things through thoroughly.
You have been the master of your estate for several years, and you will have to learn to give way to your wife, just as she will need to learn to give way to you.
There will be a period of adjustment where you will learn more about each other, and you will both need to take care not to allow little hurts to fester and communicate with each other frequently about all manner of things.
“I would add to your father’s advice to not allow your feelings to control you.
Once something is said, it is impossible for it to be unsaid.
Lizzy tends to speak first and think later, requiring her to apologise later.
I have a feeling you may have the same tendency, so you both must be conscious of that and avoid speaking to the other in anger.
If you allow those things to build up, it will create serious problems later. ”
William pondered this. “You are wise, sir,” he acknowledged. “I will speak to Elizabeth tomorrow about your advice.”
Gardiner laughed. “My wife intends to impart the same advice to her tonight. I cannot replace your father, Darcy, as I am only a little more than a decade older than you, but my wife and I have a good relationship. It has taken a lot of work and a lot of understanding, so I hope to spare you and Lizzy some of the problems that Madeline and I have faced. But perhaps not, because our Lizzy prefers to learn from personal experience, and she is one of the most stubborn individuals I have ever known. She is often quick to judge, is capable of carrying a grudge, and does not like to be directed. You can imagine how well she likes to be told what to do; she wants to have a say and be heard. Learn to talk to your wife, Darcy; explain things to her; you are not marrying a simpering miss who will look to you for your superior wisdom in all things.”
It was Darcy’s turn to laugh. “I have noticed those aspects of her character and confess that her intelligence and wit are among the things that drew my attention to her, and we have already battled over my tendency to direct rather than request or suggest. I thank you for sharing the advice, Gardiner, and I will do my best to remember it. But do know, I love Elizabeth and intend to make her as happy as I can for the rest of my life. I do not doubt we will sometimes argue, but I hope we will always be able to work out our differences.”
“I can see that, son,” Gardiner said seriously. “I do not think there is a better man for Elizabeth than you, and I am thankful you have both realised it with a minimal amount of trouble.”
“I am just grateful she was able to forgive me for my behaviour when we first met,” Darcy said. “I did think for some time that I ruined my chances with her.”
“You seem to be doing well enough now, Darcy, since she is to marry you tomorrow,” Gardiner said, chuckling again. “Now, we should join the ladies for a few more minutes before my family needs to leave, as we have to prepare for a wedding in the morning.”
Not long after they returned to the drawing room, the Gardiners and their nieces took their leave.
Darcy and Elizabeth were afforded a mostly private leave-taking where they whispered endearments to each other and exchanged a chaste kiss or two.
Before long, Elizabeth was in the carriage with her family, happily thinking about the changes that would be taking place in her life on the morrow.