Chapter 27
Mr Darcy remained for breakfast and several more hours after, as there were still many things to be discussed and established.
Besides, the exhilaration of their long-awaited reunion was too strong for them to separate again.
It was still awkward between them, they were still embarrassed by their passion that had been unleashed during their brief encounter in the library, and they could not believe that their secret had finally been revealed without causing any damage.
Two letters were sent to Mr Bennet the same day—one from Elizabeth, the other from Darcy.
In the afternoon, Darcy left and returned for dinner with Georgiana—the girl being the first one to share their happiness. The next to be informed were Jane and Bingley, and the Gardiners.
As soon as Mr Bennet’s reply arrived—containing his astonishment, disbelief, teasing, and finally his blessing—the extraordinary news of Lady Alveston’s engagement to Mr Darcy was told to their other family members and then spread across London, as well as Meryton.
It caused a storm of feelings amongst their acquaintances, from astonishment, disbelief, anger, and resentment, to joy, support, and warm regards.
Elizabeth and Darcy decided that, out of consideration and respect for Philip’s memory and to avoid any rumours that might affect their families, they would wed only after Elizabeth’s mourning period had ended.
However, gossip was spreading anyway, as the general interest in such an unexpected report was very high. But Lady Kendal’s constant presence around the betrothed couple and her publicly declared approval and support defended the ill-intended rumours.
For Elizabeth and Darcy, the opinions of others did not matter, as they entered a sweet, tender relationship that fulfilled their most dear wishes.
Once their engagement was announced in the papers, there was nothing more to hide from.
During their courtship, they walked together in Hyde Park and attended the theatre and the opera, as well as dinners with their close friends and families.
They did everything together, under public scrutiny, ready to show their affection to the world.
Often, Lady Kendal or other family members joined them, but at times they were alone.
The most surprising event for those aware of her dislike for such an activity, was Lady Alveston riding in Hyde Park on a beautiful grey mare under the close supervision of her betrothed. Nobody knew she had taken riding lessons, nor that she was even interested in that sport.
They also continued to attend to Lady Kendal’s charities, and the following spring Elizabeth planned to open the orphanage for girls.
With Darcy’s help, a plan was made for the estate—run by a knowledgeable steward—to provide the necessary means to support up to fifty girls, teachers, and all the additional staff.
Lady Kendal provided the needed financial resources and it was managed by Elizabeth.
Of the past, they spoke little, as any such conversation would involve Philip too.
Elizabeth treasured the memories of her husband, and she never considered the time spent with him as wasted.
Philip was part of her past. Darcy had stolen a moment in that past and turned it into their bright present and future.
Darcy’s presence around the two ladies was more and more visible in all the other charities sustained by Lady Kendal.
It was assumed that once married, all Elizabeth’s possessions would lawfully belong to her husband.
To dismiss any uncertainties, Darcy suggested that a settlement be made to clearly establish rules that would protect the future of the charities, offering Lady Kendal some needed tranquillity.
Lady Alveston would keep the benefits of her present positions, as well as her management of present affairs, even after she became Mrs Darcy.
And for that, she had her future husband’s complete approval and support.
However, more than once, Darcy privately complained about his betrothed’s busy schedule and confessed to Elizabeth that he intended to prove his selfish nature and keep her only for himself for at least a month after the wedding.
Elizabeth never protested, not even in jest, as there was nothing she desired more.
During their engagement, they did steal brief private encounters and shared delightful expressions of their ardent passion.
But never did they attempt to anticipate their wedding night.
Their resilience and patience were stronger.
Unlike in the past, this time they were in no hurry.
They knew their destination and chose a slower path.
They knew what passion tasted like, so they enjoyed the tenderness and the small gestures that were afforded them during their engagement in anticipation of much more to come.
After Elizabeth’s mourning period was over, they wed in London, on a beautiful, sunny day in May, and in the presence of their family and friends who truly cared for them.
Others—like the Bingley sisters and Lady Catherine de Bourgh—chose to be absent, their grudge too strong to bear the proof of Elizabeth Bennet’s happiness.
Lydia was there, the pretty mother of a healthy baby boy, but Wickham could not be excused from his regiment.
Mr Bennet felt more grateful than his eloquence allowed him to express.
He confessed to Elizabeth that he had considered Darcy the perfect match for her since he had begun to really discover the gentleman’s worthiness, but it seemed too improbable to ever happen so he had not dared voice such an opinion.
Mrs Bennet could not possibly understand how her second daughter—who was neither as beautiful as Jane, nor as joyful as Lydia or Kitty—succeeded in marrying two exceedingly wealthy men and becoming part of the illustrious ton.
She did have a small regret that in marrying Mr Darcy, Elizabeth would lose her title, but Mr Darcy’s fortune was enough to soothe her disappointment.
She did not confess it to anyone except her sister Phillips, but there were nights when she woke up from nightmares as she remembered how she had tried to force Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins.
On such occasions, she prayed and thanked the Lord for giving her such an obstinate, headstrong girl.
Oblivious to others’ musings, Elizabeth and Darcy were overjoyed with their felicity, and the soft summer breeze barely chilled the heat in their hearts.
To allow them their long-desired and deserved privacy, Georgiana moved to Lady Kendal’s house for a fortnight, until they all travelled to Pemberley for the summer.
After the wedding ceremony, still overwhelmed by emotions, Lady Kendal embraced Mrs Darcy with all her strength and affection, whispering, “Happiness suits you very well, my dear. Very well indeed.”
∞∞∞
In her marvellous apartment in Darcy’s house, Elizabeth looked out of the open window.
The streets were animated and lit by torches, as the Season had not ended yet.
The wedding breakfast had taken place in Lady Kendal’s house, and when they left, most of the guests were still there, including her parents and sisters, all the Fitzwilliams, and the Gardiners.
Nobody questioned why they wished to leave so early.
As Lady Kendal said, they were already late.
And now, they were finally alone; she was alone, waiting for him. For her husband. He had told her he would come in half an hour, but she was impatient and dismissed the maid quickly. It was warm outside but cool enough in the house. Her body shivered, while there was a fire inside her.
She thought she would not be nervous, but she was.
Why did she feel so anxious? She had memories that proved he knew her better than anyone in the world, and she recollected every part of him that she had caressed that night on the seashore.
She had already known much of the bliss he would soon offer her again. So why was she so tense?
She sensed him approaching her, and when she turned, he was there, only inches away.
“You look beautiful, Mrs Darcy,” he whispered. “Or should I call you my Elizabeth?”
“Call me Mrs Darcy…and Elizabeth. And your love. Tonight, and for the rest of our lives,” she said, then closed her eyes as she felt herself lifted into his arms and carried to the bed.
“My love, my wife. Tonight, and for the rest of our lives,” he repeated, his lips brushing over her ear.
Then he gazed at her, their eyes locked, their bodies only inches apart, almost touching but not quite.
Yearning, anticipating the moment of complete fulfilment, enjoying the torturous waiting a little longer. Only a little.
“Are you nervous, my love? I can feel you shiver.”
“I am,” she admitted. “But only a little bit. I know what to expect…I remember everything…but it was so long ago.”
His eyes darkened and a little smile twisted his lips.
“I must disagree with you. You might remember…but I doubt you know what to expect. What I shared with Miss Bennet, as intense as it was, cannot compare to my yearning for my wife. For Mrs Darcy.”
She only sighed, his hoarse voice and the promise hidden behind his bold words enhancing her inner heat.
“For two years, every fibre of my body has remembered your skin, your taste, your scent, your softness,” he whispered.
“For two years, every fibre of my body has craved your touch,” she confessed.
Then, the time for words was gone; their lips met, gentle at first and then the passion burst out, unleashed, turning into growing, insatiable yearning.
Memories faded, a poor image lost in the past compared with the glorious present, as they finally belonged to the other in every sense.