Chapter 10 #2
Finally, the bishop proclaimed, “FORASMUCH as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have consented together in holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Darcy captured his bride in his arms and kissed her with barely restrained passion.
His cousin’s hand clapping down on his shoulder brought him back to himself, and he ended the kiss when the chuckles and applause from the gathered guests finally reached their ears.
The newly married couple and witnesses signed the register, making the whole thing official and greatly relieving Darcy’s mind, knowing that nothing could justly separate him and Elizabeth ever again.
As their family gathered around the new couple and congratulated them, they were sometimes separated but maintained their gazes on each other while accepting the embraces and congratulations.
When the Matlock’s housekeeper announced breakfast was ready to be served, and the families made their way to the dining room, William took Elizabeth’s hand in his, holding her back from the rest. When the door closed behind the last person to exit, he pulled her into his tight embrace and kissed her deeply.
“I have missed you, my dear, and it has only been a few hours since I saw you last night,” he said as he kissed her hair.
“I love you, my darling Elizabeth, and I am so glad you are finally mine to hold as I will. Now, do you think anyone will notice if we slip away to Darcy House and skip the breakfast?”
She laughed before kissing him lightly on the cheek.
“While I would like nothing better than to be alone with you, my darling William, I do believe our family will miss us if we are not in attendance at our own wedding breakfast. Now kiss me again quickly before someone comes looking for us. We can make our escape in an hour or so.”
Obediently, he complied with her request and kissed her deeply, careful not to muss her hair or dress but desperately wishing they were alone at Darcy House.
He broke the kiss when they heard a voice in the hallway.
They were still attempting to regain their breath when Richard entered the room, grinning.
“Ahh, I knew you two would still be in this room,” he said. “As you cannot miss your wedding breakfast, I urge you to come to the dining room before my mother comes for you herself. We will only keep you here for a few hours.”
Darcy glared at his cousin. “One hour, Richard,” he said before he escorted his new wife to the dining room.
Mr and Mrs Darcy enjoyed visiting with those of their family gathered for the wedding breakfast, and the hour passed pleasantly. Darcy was anxious to get his wife alone, and once the breakfast was over, they took their leave.
“Aunt, I thank you for hosting our wedding and wedding breakfast, but it is time my wife and I depart for Darcy House,” William said. “Thank you, everyone, for attending; we are pleased you could share this day with us. Miss Bennet, we hope to see you at Longbourn soon, but do write.”
Mrs Gardiner spoke first, “Actually, Jane will remain in London with us for the next month or so. Jane will attend the ball Lady Matlock is hosting to celebrate your wedding in three weeks, so she will stay until at least then.”
After a few more embraces, the newly married couple were finally in their carriage for the short trip to Darcy House.
William closed the shades and kissed Elizabeth deeply, a kiss lasting for most of the ride.
When they arrived at Darcy House, there was a moment’s delay before the carriage door opened, and the couple departed the carriage, much to the amusement of the grooms who accompanied the carriage.
At the top of the steps, Darcy lifted Elizabeth into his arms and carried her over the threshold and into their home.
She laughed at his uncharacteristic impetuousness and snuggled deeper into his arms. “I love you, my dearest Elizabeth,” he whispered into her ear as he gently set her down inside the foyer where his, now their, staff had gathered.
Most were carefully smiling, even as they were slightly shocked at their normally staid master acting in such an affectionate way.
However, they reasoned it was his wedding day, and he was clearly in love with the new mistress, which pleased them.
Darcy performed the introductions, requested a light repast be delivered to their sitting room later that afternoon, and then dismissed the staff to return to their duties.
He introduced his valet, Mr Stevens, and Miller, her maid for the present, to Elizabeth.
These personal servants were sent upstairs, and Darcy and Elizabeth slowly followed.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy spoke softly as they walked arm in arm towards the stairs, “are you ready to retire to our rooms, or would you prefer to tour the house? I was assuming you would like to change out of your wedding finery, but I may presume too much. Please tell me if you prefer to dine downstairs rather than in our sitting room. I will admit to being anxious to be alone, but if you prefer to do something else …” he trailed off, uncertain how to continue.
She stopped, caressed his cheek with her free hand, and smiled softly at him.
“I am fatigued, my dear, and ready to retire for the afternoon. I would enjoy dining with you in our sitting room after we have … rested. I have seen my rooms, but I could not peek into yours. Will you … would you show me now, my love?” she asked, trying to be bold in the face of her uncertainty.
She was ready to be his wife in truth, but at the same time, she worried about appearing wanton before her new husband.
Darcy stared down at his wife momentarily as he watched colour flood her face. She dropped the hand caressing his face and began to speak, “Oh, William, I … I apologise if I was too forward …” her voice trailed off as she dropped her eyes.
He started, realising she had misread his response.
“No, no, Elizabeth, you are not too forward.
I am delighted, my dear, but had not expected …
“ He stopped and took a deep breath to start over.
With his free hand, he lifted her chin until her eyes met his.
“Elizabeth, I would be thrilled to show you my bedchamber. Would you like for us to change into something more … comfortable first?”
She considered the question for a moment. “Yes, William, I will change first. Shall we meet in the sitting room in half an hour?”
He led her upstairs through their shared sitting room to the door to her room.
“I will see you in half an hour, my love,” he said, giving her a quick parting kiss.
However, as she lifted her hand to touch his cheek, she touched her tongue to his, and he deepened the kiss.
Her hands found their way into his hair while his drifted to her waist and clasped her tightly.
Several moments later, the need to breathe caused them to separate, touching their foreheads together as they caught their breath.
William reached around Elizabeth and opened the door to her room. “Sweetheart, I will see you back here in thirty minutes,” he said huskily. He kissed her forehead and watched as she walked through the open door.
She leaned against the door, watching him as she closed it, and he heard her whisper, “I love you, William,” just before he heard the door latch fall into place. He noted she did not lock the door.
Desperate to follow, as he quite literally ached for her, he took several deep breaths to calm himself before moving to his chambers.
His valet waited in his dressing room and helped him remove his wedding attire.
Not wanting to presume too much and make Elizabeth uncomfortable, he removed his shoes and dressed simply in a loose shirt and breeches, covering both with his banyan.
He nearly laughed when his valet handed him a small finger of whisky, but he downed it, hoping to ease his nerves.
“Stevens, please quickly bring a bottle of wine and two glasses to the sitting room,” William requested, as he realised if he was nervous, Elizabeth was likely more so. A bit of wine would help calm her nerves and relax them both.
Well before the half-hour was completed, Darcy was sitting in their shared sitting room with a book in his hand that he was not reading.
His entire focus was on the door to her room.
He was briefly distracted when his valet returned with a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice, two glasses, and a small tray of cut fruit and cheeses.
“Thank you,” Darcy said. “I will ring for you if you are needed again.” He picked up his book and pretended to read until Elizabeth’s door opened, and he forgot to breathe.
She stood there, bathed in the sunlight from the window, clad in a silk dressing gown, her hair down around her shoulders, and her face a lovely shade of pink.
Darcy stood and stared at her for several moments as her cheeks became even rosier.
Somehow, that was the impetus for him to speak.
“You are so beautiful, Elizabeth,” he said huskily as he strode the several steps to meet her.
She gazed back at him, taking in the open neck of his shirt under his banyan.
They kissed passionately until he pulled his head back and loosened his hold on his wife. “Now, Mrs Darcy, I believe you asked to visit my bedchamber,” he said in a serious tone. Holding out his arm very formally, he asked with a teasing wink, “Might I escort you there?”
Elizabeth laughed, taking his arm as though she were not dressed in her nightgown and dressing robe, and allowed him to escort her into his bedroom. However, she noticed very little about the room once the door was closed.