Chapter 27 #2
By the time the two carriages bearing the Viscount and his new Viscountess, and the Honourable Mr. Charlotte is the perfect helpmeet for our father. He looks younger than he did before his marriage to her, and I love how engaged he is, especially how she evicted him from his study.” Elizabeth smiled as she thought about the improvements in their lives since Charlotte’s intervention.
“It is time, Lizzy,” Jane leaned in and hugged her favourite sister one more time.
By the time Jane and Elizabeth descended the stairs, Kitty, and Mary on Richard’s arm, were already in the entrance hall.
Andrew waited for his wife at the base of the stairs and offered his arm to her, which she happily accepted.
The Bennets, Darcys, and Fitzwilliams joined the two couples in front of the house where the two coaches stood ready in the drive.
After many hugs, a few tears, and much well-wishing, the brothers each handed his wife into their conveyance.
Richard and Mary’s former de Bourgh carriage departed first, followed a minute later by the Hilldale carriage.
The family waved them off until the second conveyance turned out of the drive and was no longer visible.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A little more than four hours later, the two coaches arrived at their destinations in London, one at Portman Square and the other at Grosvenor Square.
Both couples elected to take trays in their rooms, as no one was hungry, thanks to the hampers of food each found in their carriage after leaving Netherfield Park.
There was so much food and drink within, the uneaten—which was most of the food—was gifted to their servants when they arrived at the halfway rest stop.
Mary and Richard were in a large suite on the family floor at Darcy House.
After a bath, it did not take long for husband and wife to be in each other’s arms. As Richard had long suspected, once Mary’s passion was unleashed there was no putting that genie back in its lamp—and neither desired for it to be, even had it been possible.
Less than a mile away, Jane and Andrew had not waited even so long as that.
It had taken much will power from both of them, but, in the end, they did not want their first time together to be in a travelling coach.
Agreeing that the delay was for this one reason only, they started to discuss some improvements to make their future travels more pleasurable.
Once they gained Jane’s newly decorated chambers, they dismissed their personal servants and their restrained passion burst forth like water escaping though a crack in a dam.
Andrew had always believed that Jane’s serene countenance hid depths of passion, and he was thrilled to discover he had been correct.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That evening after the feast at Netherfield Park, the four remaining Bennets and Georgiana had a light meal at Longbourn. After dinner, Gigi entertained them with some airs on the pianoforte, and all retired before nine o’clock due to the early start they had had that morning.
After loving his wife thoroughly, Bennet was lying with Charlotte in his arms. “The day you took charge of the situation and came to see me has turned out to be one of the most significant and best days in my life, my sweet.” Bennet kissed his wife languidly.
“It was never my intention to take charge of anything, my love,” Charlotte replied softly, revelling in the feeling of home she found in his arms. “I just knew after the offensive words I heard Collins speak in the park and then his disgusting speech to me, I had to do something. I almost lost my nerve to come see you that day, you know.”
“I will forever be grateful you did come, but what convinced you of the rectitude of your actions?” Bennet asked.
“Thoughts of Collins and the viciousness just under the surface. I could not allow him to even attempt to inflict his plans on your daughters,” Charlotte shared.
“Look where we are now; you are to gift me with another child in about six months,” Bennet stated as he rubbed his wife’s thickening belly.
“Will you be disappointed if I bear you another daughter, Thomas?” Charlotte asked softly.
“No! As long as you both are healthy, I will be content. With the estate no longer entailed away, it makes no difference, and even if it were I would not feel otherwise,” Bennet replied emphatically. “You have become my world, Charlotte; so long as I have you by my side, I will be fine.”
“When will you tell Eliza we are to travel with them to Pemberley after Matti and Franklin’s wedding?” Charlotte asked with raised eyebrows.
“Are you a mind reader, Charlotte?” an astounded Bennet asked. “After we take Lydia back to school, it was my intention to surprise them; how you knew I will never know.”
“Your thought processes are no longer so secret, Thomas,” Charlotte relayed. “But I suggest informing them, so they are not caught wholly unprepared.”
“I will talk to Lizzy and William on the morrow,” Bennet conceded.
Not much later the couple fell asleep in each other’s arms, and if one had been watching from the outside, they would have marvelled that even in repose, they both were still smiling contentedly.