Chapter 24
Georgiana hugged Alexander and Sophie before the nursemaid took charge of them and ushered them inside the Darcy coach. They were such sweet darlings. Georgiana would not see them for some time. How she would miss them!
“Grandmamma and Grandpapa have mentioned Christmas at Richmond Castle,” said Lizzy as she grasped Georgiana’s hands. “I am certain the two of you will be invited. Do say you will come. We are not accustomed to you being away for so long. In the meantime, we shall need to ensure we visit each other often—whether your husband is feeling sociable or not.” Lizzy chuckled and embraced her with the last before she moved over to farewell Charles. “Do not forget to send me letters. We would know how you are faring.”
As Lizzy stepped to the side, her brother moved in front of her after shaking Charles’s hand. “If you need to return to Pemberley at any time, do not hesitate to come. You will always be welcome.”
She let a hint of a smile cross her countenance. “He is a good man, Fitzwilliam. I have no doubts he will take care of me.”
Her brother’s dark eyebrows drew down a bit in the middle. “I know he is a good man. I believe he has always been such in principle, but the loss of his hearing made him lose his way for a time. Elizabeth and I just want to make sure you are well.”
Georgiana rose on her tiptoes to hug Fitzwilliam and kiss his cheek. He was the best brother she could have ever asked for. “I shall be. You need not be concerned.” Richard kissed her cheek and joined Lizzy, who was farewelling her sister.
After Jane and Lizzy gave each other a tearful embrace, Jane rushed over to Georgiana with Clarissa in her arms. “I do expect you to write to me as well.” She wrapped Georgiana in her free arm. “If you have any questions at all about being with child, you know you can always ask me or Lizzy. We have both been where you are…more than once at this point.” She smiled and placed her free hand over her lower belly. “We shall see you at Christmas, yes?”
“We shall see. I shall not force Charles if he wishes to remain at Bathwick. You know he does not like crowds now.”
“I know, but he has you to persuade him. I would wager he will do so if you ask.”
Henry embraced his brother, then came over to press his hand to his wife’s back. “Come, Janey. They are newly wed, and I am certain wish our absence more than we are willing to admit.”
Fitzwilliam appeared as though he had swallowed the foulest thing imaginable, making Georgiana stifle a laugh. Her poor brother needed no reminders of her married state or what occurred as a result of it. He had not been afforded any time to become accustomed to the idea before understanding she was likely with child.
Lizzy and Jane both kissed her cheek before climbing into their respective equipages. One at a time, the coaches both began to move, carrying those they loved away from Bathwick. It was unlikely either would return soon. Jane would have her confinement in February, and Bathwick was out of the way for Fitzwilliam and Lizzy to stay on the way to London—not that they would go for the Season. They avoided it more often than not.
Her husband’s arm came around her back. “ If you would like to journey to Richmond Castle for Christmastide, I am amenable. ”
Her entire body gave a small jump. “You would not object to leaving Bathwick?” she signed.
“ The Montfords and the entire family are welcoming and treat me as they would anyone else. Why would I hide from them? ”
She lifted her eyebrows. He had a point. “Then you are eager to journey to Pemberley for a fortnight. We could depart in a couple of days.”
He stiffened and faced her. “ We just farewelled our family and have the house to ourselves for the first time since we wed. Whyever would we do that? ”
She laughed and turned to enter the house, but a hand to her arm turned her back to him.
“ You were teasing me? ”
“Of course. I love my brother and his family, but I would like some time with just you before we welcome anyone more into our home or visit someone else’s.”
He took her hand and led her across the hall and to the library where he closed the door behind them. Before she could protest, he dropped onto the sofa and pulled her into his lap. “ I am pleased you see matters as I do. We are blessedly alone at last, so what would you care to do first? ” His lips found a sensitive place on her neck that made her shiver.
“The servants could always walk in.”
He frowned as she signed. “ They had best not .” He drew closer, nuzzling under her ear.
“What would you do? Release them from your employ? We would have no servants left within a few months.”
He took her hands, entwining their fingers. “ Hush, now ,” he said aloud.
She grinned as he claimed her mouth, kissing her as though parched and she was the only relief. They had shared a bed since their marriage, but he had been recovering. Neither had initiated much besides holding each other and kissing some. Charles had seemed to regain much of his vigour over the last few days—a welcome happenstance indeed!
Her hand found its way to his chest, and she pressed him back. “Are you certain you are well enough?”
His eyebrows lifted just before the world tilted on its axis.
She blinked as he stood and began striding towards the door. How had he thrown her over his shoulder so quickly? He could not hear her, and in her current position, she could not sign so he could see, so all she could do was laugh as he carried her up the stairs.
A couple of maids giggled as he passed. Her cheeks burned at their stares and their hands cupped over their mouths as though they were swapping secrets.
When they finally entered a room, she recognised the rug without hesitation. He had brought her to his bedchamber? They had not used that one since his fever had broken. The mattress had been dried out, and the bedclothes laundered of course, but they had not had reason to return.
All of a sudden, she was dropped to the bed. Charles stood over her with a smile he had not worn since Hemel Hill—one he had worn when they were carefree that day in the poppies.
She rose to her knees and ran her fingers over his lips and his forehead, peppering kisses in their wake. When she drew back, his beloved features were blurry from the tears welling in her eyes.
“ What is it? ” he asked.
“At times, I thought we would never reach this place. I am merely so happy I believe my heart might burst.”
Charles shook his head. “If you had given up on me, I do not believe I could have lasted long without you. I would surely have been on Pemberley’s door within a fortnight, begging for you to accept my hand. You see, I had lost my heart to you long ago; I believe it was the night Clarissa was born. But for some reason, I just had to make my life more difficult than it was in truth. I had to realize my lack of hearing did not make me any less worthy.”
“No, you are the most worthy gentleman for me, and that is all that matters as I do love you so.”
He grinned and pressed his lips to hers. “I love you as well. As much as I want every moment to last, I am also eager for our future. I am excited for all we shall experience together. You stole my heart, Georgie, and I shall never demand its return. It belongs to you forever and not a day less.”
Her heart melted. “As my heart belongs to you, my love.”