Chapter 3.5
It was still dark when Darcy awoke, startled by complete silence. The voices had long since ceased, and the rain had stopped.
He had slept little, but his mind and heart were light. He checked the time, wondering how soon they could leave.
Darcy slowly abandoned the bed that wore traces of their passionate interlude. He changed into travelling clothes then looked outside. The sun was tentatively making an appearance, and the sky was brighter than the day before.
Elizabeth still slept peacefully, her hair falling over her back as she slept on her side. Quietly, he left the chamber and went downstairs. The Notts were already attending to their duties.
“What news do you have about the roads?” Darcy inquired of the innkeeper.
“The rain stopped several hours ago. No carriage has passed yet, but the creek is lower, and the bridge is usable. If the weather does not worsen again, you should be able to leave safely.”
“Yes, that is what I hope, Mr. Nott.”
“Shall I prepare something for your journey?”
“That will not be necessary. We should be in Town within an hour. We shall have breakfast here before we depart. Are Mrs. Johnson and the children well? Mrs Darcy will no doubt inquire.”
“They are. The young lady is awake, and we sent her milk and food.
“Good.”
“Sir, would you like me to send a maid to help Mrs. Darcy prepare for the day?’
He hesitated briefly. “I shall let you know if that is needed. Mrs. Darcy is still asleep.”
Pleased with the preparations, Darcy returned to his wife. Her face was bright, and a smile twisted her lips, still red from his kisses.
He sat on the bed and caressed her hair.
She sighed and murmured something but did not awaken.
He gently removed the sheets, and her body was exposed to his admiring eyes.
The gown, gathered up around her legs, was sliding down from her shoulders.
He pressed his lips to her cheek, and she finally glanced at him.
“Good morning, my love.”
“Good morning, my dear husband. How is the first day of our marriage?” she asked teasingly.
He lay on the bed by her side, fully dressed, and embraced her. “Better than the evening. The storm has gone. I hope we shall be home soon.”
“Thank God. Then allow me to prepare so we can leave without delay,” she said as she cuddled to his chest.
“There is still time. We shall have breakfast and wait until we are certain the roads are passable. But I shall do more than let you prepare. May I help you?”
Elizabeth’s smile broadened. “I would appreciate your support, dear sir.” She paused, her smile becoming slightly nervous. “Do you know how to do it?”
“Do what?”
“Help me dress. Where could you possibly have gained such knowledge?” she asked, only half in jest.
Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “I have no knowledge of the kind, Mrs. Darcy. But since you ask, I shall gladly answer that I have never been in a position to perform such an activity before. But I am willing to learn. I trust I can accomplish everything a maid can do.”
“I am sure you can. And I apologise for my inquiry, it is just that…”
“Yes?”
She rose so their eyes met. “I know I am being childish and unreasonable, but I cannot escape a sense of jealousy. It is not that you have done anything to justify such a reaction. But I keep wondering and worrying…there, I said it. What do you now think of your foolish wife?”
He appeared amused at first, but her earnest expression made him frown. “My love, is this true? I am glad you told me, but how can you be jealous? What have I done to arouse such worries?”
He kissed her hands, and she forced a laugh.
“My aunt once told me I have sense and wisdom and I should use them, but it seems I have failed—both in the past and recently. I keep imagining other women resting in your arms. I wonder whether you have travelled with another woman before or spent the night at an inn. I know a woman of consequence should not think of such things and, even less, to speak of them with her husband. You must be appalled by my behaviour, and I apologise if I am a bother.”
“My love, never imagine you might bother me or that anything you do would ever appal me. And yes, I have been intimately acquainted with several women before. I am a man of almost thirty years with my share of worldly knowledge. But no, I have never travelled with a woman outside my family, and I absolutely have not spent the night at an inn with any of them. Why would I? Any such connection never involved a romantic attachment. I was never in love before I met you, my beloved. That is why I was frightened by the feelings you aroused in me and by my complete lack of control over my desires. That had never happened to me, and I needed time to recognise the depths of my affection for you.”
She caressed his face and kissed his jawline with tenderness.
“I know that without any doubt. So do not fear that I need other proofs. I feel your love and devotion in every gesture, every glance, every word. But there is a silly feeling that squeezes my heart from time to time. I shall defeat it in time, I promise.”
“Just let me know what I can do to help you in this quest, my dear wife.”
Darcy lifted her impromptu and placed her upon him, her body stretched out atop his. Her face was a breath away, her bare shoulders, revealed by the fallen gown, were under his gaze, and her breasts were pressing against his chest. She was almost naked while he was fully dressed.
Gently, her lips found his for a deep, passionate kiss, and her scent intoxicated him—but only an instant, as she leapt up, leaving him aroused.
“Mr. Darcy, it is time to keep your promise. Help me prepare so we can quickly resume our journey.”
He reluctantly obeyed. She searched her luggage for the gown she would wear while he stood enthralled by her appealing curves.
Her skin was shining, and her long hair danced with every move.
Her feet and ankles were a thrilling sight while her lips—licked in preoccupation from time to time—invited him to taste them.
She held up a gown. “Is this appropriate? I know I shall meet the staff for the first time, and I need to make a good impression—at least on them since I failed to impress their master at our first meeting,” she teased him.
“Your failure to impress me on our first meeting was entirely my fault, and no blame can be laid to your dress or appearance. But you will be happy to know that you made an exceedingly good impression on our second meeting—and the third and each successive one that followed.”
She laughed and returned to his arms, embracing him. “Then why are you so serious, sir?”
“I just realised that my offer to help you dress was unwise. If I watch you or touch you a moment longer, we are in danger of not leaving here in a timely manner. I shall ask Mrs. Nott to send you a maid, and I shall wait downstairs,” he said with complete sobriety.
She laughed again and refused to let him leave; eventually, she opened her arms, and he moved to the door.
“So you have broken your promise, Mr. Darcy. It will be the first time,” she said demurely.
“I have, and I apologise. You must think of a punishment for me, Mrs. Darcy—when we are finally home.”
∞∞∞
As opposed to the previous day, the weather was excellent for the journey. The sun shone although it continued to be cold.
In the Darcy carriage were the newly wedded couple and Mrs. Johnson with her children huddled in a corner and desperate not to disturb them.
“Mrs. Johnson, in what part of town is your uncle staying?” Darcy asked. “I believe it is safe to take you to his house if that is acceptable to you.”
“Thank you, sir. If it is not too much trouble. My uncle, Mr. Silas Cramton—I am not certain I mentioned his name before, forgive me—he will repay you for everything you have done. I have no words to thank you. My uncle lives on Grosvenor Street at number...”
Darcy tried to conceal his surprise. “I see. That is rather close to our house. No trouble at all, I assure you, and no repayment is required. We are happy we could help.”
“My uncle would like to make your acquaintance and thank you nevertheless,” the woman said shyly.
“We would like that too. We shall be rather busy for several days, but if Mr. Crampton sends his card, I should be happy to meet him next week,” Darcy answered politely, much to Elizabeth’s amusement.
For another hour, while the carriage rode steadily, the two eldest children found enough bravery to speak to the Darcys. They were smart and well behaved and made the time pass more easily.
Even with guests, both Elizabeth and Darcy were painfully aware of each other’s nearness and the fact that they were moving closer to the long-awaited solitude and comfort of their home.
London received them with animated streets, clouds, and fog. The Season had begun, as the elegant appearances of ladies and gentlemen proved.
Mrs. Johnson and the children were left at Cramton’s house—a handsome building situated at the end of Grosvenor Street. Darcy waited with them until a servant opened the door then returned to the carriage, his attention quickly directed to his wife.
Elizabeth laughed at his eagerness to avoid further delay. As the carriage began to move, a woman’s voice called his name. Both curiously looked outside and saw two elegant young women approaching, followed by their maids.
“Mr. Darcy! What a surprise. I have not seen you in Town for the Season in at least two years.”
Darcy looked disconcerted. He opened the door and exited again, greeting them.
“Mrs. Egerton, Miss Finch.” He bowed.
“How are you, sir?” Mrs. Egerton asked. “We have asked Colonel Fitzwilliam about you many times.”
“I thank you for your concern; I am very well. You might have heard that I am recently wed—yesterday actually.” He helped Elizabeth out then said, “Mrs. Darcy, allow me to introduce Mrs. Egerton and Miss Finch.”
The encounter was brief with proper greetings, curious glances, and careful scrutiny on both sides.
“This has been a difficult journey, so you will excuse us if we cannot stay longer. I hope we shall meet again soon. We wish you a good day,” Darcy concluded as he returned rather unceremoniously with Elizabeth to the carriage.
The ride continued silently, and Elizabeth did not miss the two ladies gazing after them.
“That is Bingley’s house,” Darcy pointed out, and Elizabeth’s interest was caught instantly.
“It is beautiful,” she said.
“Yes, it is a good house with an efficient staff. The late Mr. Bingley was a wise and judicious man. He used the fortune he made in trade with much consideration.”
“I am glad to hear that. My dear Jane will be so impressed with her new house! I shall write her first thing.”
Darcy kissed her hand. “I hope not the very first thing. She can wait until tomorrow, can she not?” he pleaded to Elizabeth’s utter amusement.
“Yes, she can. Anyway, I am sure she has better things to do than read my letters. I was wondering…Mrs. Egerton and Miss Finch are old friends?”
The question surprised Darcy. “Not friends but old acquaintances,” he responded.
“They seemed happy to see you,” Elizabeth continued.
“I would not take their words too seriously. They say many things. In several ways, they remind me of Bingley’s sisters.”
“Do they? Should I presume that they also praise your faultless character and offer to mend your pen?” she teased him, and a grimace of disapproval twisted his features.
He moved closer to her on the seat and seemed tempted to answer but suddenly changed his mind and simply kissed the impertinent smile off her lips.