Chapter 27
On the second day of her marriage, Elizabeth woke up late. She needed a moment to realise where she was, to recognise the luxurious room, and to remember what had happened on the previous day and night.
She saw the box of jewels on the table, and the memories returned with all the pleasure and the anxiety she had felt.
The trace of Mr Darcy’s caresses, his scent, the taste of his lips, so strong yet so soft, which had made her as dizzy as the wine.
She had wanted him to stay, she had asked him to, but he had still left, while his profession of love had warmed her heart.
She wondered where he was when she realised she missed him.
She left the bed and rang for the maid; Janey entered shortly and greeted her shyly, helping her to prepare for the day.
“The master and Miss Darcy are already in the parlour, waiting for you,” the maid said.
She hurried downstairs, looking around as she could not precisely remember the direction, and finally found her husband and sister-in-law. Mr Darcy came to her, took her hand, and kissed it. Her eyes met his, and warmth spread through her body.
“Breakfast is ready,” he said. “We shall be only the three of us today. Mrs Annesley will not join us. I was just talking to Georgiana about Lady Catherine’s visit and how you responded to her offences.”
“Nobody has ever responded in such a way to Lady Catherine,” Georgiana said in a low voice, as if the lady could hear her.
“I am not particularly proud of myself, but there are times when my temper betrays me,” she said.
“Which I found enchanting,” Mr Darcy declared, and his sister chuckled. “And speaking of Lady Catherine, I have received a note from Lord Matlock. He has expressed his apologies on behalf of his sister and assured us that he and my aunt are looking forward to meeting you.”
“How kind of him,” Elizabeth said, not without an inward sigh of relief.
She was certain the Matlocks had not approved of the marriage either, but she was grateful for their politeness and acceptance, as reluctant — or even insincere — as it might be.
Placing Mr Darcy in conflict with his entire family was still something she feared.
During breakfast, the conversation was varied. Mr Darcy encouraged Elizabeth to think of what she would like to do on her first day in London, even though the weather was cold and cloudy. Afterwards, Georgiana left to practise the pianoforte, and Elizabeth found herself alone with Mr Darcy.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Quite late, I am afraid. It is not my habit,” she replied.
“Yes, I know. You are used to waking up very early and taking morning walks,” he said, much to her amusement.
“And you, sir? Fitzwilliam?”
“Well enough. Would you like to join me in the library? There is something I wish to speak to you about. Privately.”
“Of course. In truth, I am looking forward to seeing the library,” she said.
“I imagined as much. If you approve, later today we can have a tour of the house, so you can become properly acquainted with it.”
“I would like that very much. Would it be possible for me to speak to Mrs Clifford again today? I felt she went to so much trouble to welcome us, and I barely exchanged a few words with her.”
“It would be very kind of you, though she is well paid to take so much trouble.” Darcy smiled as he opened the door, inviting Elizabeth into the library.
She gasped with surprise, her face beaming with delight.
“This is beautiful! Stunning!” she whispered. “So many volumes! Such a rich collection! Papa would be thrilled to see it.”
Her enthusiasm made Darcy smile.
“I hope he will — soon. This library and the one at Pemberley, which is even larger and richer. Come, please sit down. There is something I wish to speak to you about.”
“Nothing else has happened, I hope?” she asked, worried.
“No…it is just… Last night I could not actually sleep, so I spent the time thinking.”
“Oh?” she replied.
“Yes. I mostly thought of you,” he confessed, his smile twisting the corner of his lips. The lips whose taste Elizabeth still remembered, making her cheeks and feel warm.
“Not in that way,” he said. “Not only in that way,” he added, and her eyebrow arched in challenge.
“Mr Darcy, you have become dangerously fond of teasing, sir. You should know I might retaliate, since you know I am proficient at it.”
“I am counting on it, Mrs Darcy. But some of my thoughts were quite serious. I remembered what you said in the carriage in regard to Miss Julia’s daughter. My sister. Now that I know about her, I cannot do nothing for her.”
The gravity of the subject changed his tone.
“I plan to speak to the admiral and ask for a meeting. Would you come with me?”
The question and its meaning, as well as his worried expression, touched Elizabeth.
“Of course! I am glad and grateful that you asked me.”
“I shall not tell Georgiana at first. She is too young and has faced too many problems this year. If necessary, I shall allow her to meet her…Laura Moore…as a simple acquaintance. But not until after Christmas. We shall see. Until then, I wish to avoid anything that might disturb us. I want to enjoy your company…and to court you, if you will allow me.”
She looked at him for a sign that he was jesting, but there was none.
“Court me? But we are married, sir, in case you had forgotten.”
“We might well be, madam, but I have not courted you yet,” he said, bringing her hand to his lips.
“Then by all means do so if you wish, Mr Darcy. I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, sir.”
“Nor I yours, madam,” he replied, his eyes locked with hers and her hand still near his lips. “And I shall start with something that I know you enjoy, although most people would loathe it in this weather. Would you like a walk in Hyde Park, Mrs Darcy? I would be happy to accompany you.”
Her eyes brightened with mirth. “You know my preferences too well, Mr Darcy. That is something I would never refuse.”
“I only know some of your preferences, Mrs Darcy, but I strive to discover many more.”
∞∞∞
The private meeting in the library on the second day of their married life marked the beginning of a strange and delightful mixture of courtship, teasing, and exploration, combined with serious work and learning, sharing knowledge, and acquiring responsibilities.
Under Mr Darcy’s supervision, Elizabeth started to discover the size of her husband’s wealth and of his obligations to the people under his protection.
She was eager to learn and willing to put all the effort needed into it, as she had promised.
She assumed her role as the mistress of the house, learning her duties and how to fulfil them.
She became accustomed to the house — her home — as well as to the people in their service, and she quickly obtained Mrs Thomason’s approval, which spread to the other servants.
Elizabeth also spent important time with Georgiana, with whom she formed a strong friendship and whose talent at the pianoforte humbled her, as she confessed to Mr Darcy.
On the third day of their marriage, Colonel Fitzwilliam returned from Netherfield, bringing the news that Mr Bingley had finally proposed.
Together with the colonel, Lord and Lady Matlock, as well as their eldest son, called to congratulate Mr and Mrs Darcy.
The meeting was rather short and slightly awkward, but it was the first step towards an amicable relationship, and it ended with an invitation for Elizabeth and Georgiana to have tea with Lady Matlock.
The admiral returned to London and sent a note, as he had promised, but he declined Darcy’s invitation to dinner, claiming he had some business to see to. Darcy replied, expressing his intention of meeting Mrs Laura Moore at a time that was convenient to her.
For Darcy and Elizabeth, the days were busy and allowed them little opportunity for privacy.
His courtship was tender, considerate, and proper, despite the fact that they were already married.
They walked together every day, regardless of the weather, and often came home wet and frozen, then warmed themselves by the fire, with a cup of tea and conversation.
Their little games involved kisses, touches, teasing — everything that was allowed for betrothed couples but still innocent considering they were already married.
However, their intimacy increased every day, and their bond grew stronger while their relationship enhanced.
On the seventh day after their wedding, Darcy astounded Elizabeth by offering her — in the middle of the winter — a bouquet of roses as red as the rubies in her necklace.
She thanked him tearfully, then offered him a tender, sweet kiss, as she was now used to doing.
This time, however, her lips lingered on his for longer, while her arms encircled his waist.
Tender at first, the kiss deepened, and her lips parted, while she struggled to breathe.
The shock of his tongue testing, parting, and conquering her lips, shook her.
A sigh of delight escaped her, which only increased his boldness.
She gasped and held her breath when she felt his tongue slipping inside, taking possession of her mouth.
The intimacy of the gesture made her heart skip a beat; she felt almost frightened by such an intimate gesture and by the novelty of the sensations that were growing inside her.
And then, a sudden yet strong knock on the door made them stop, bewildered, breathless, glancing at each other.
“What is it?” Darcy shouted.
“Sir, forgive me,” the valet replied, “but the admiral is here. He says there is an important matter he wishes to discuss with you urgently.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, then placed a few small kisses in her hair.
With few words, he offered her his arm, and they walked together, finding the admiral in the library.
The gentleman’s countenance showed a deep tiredness, dark circles around his eyes, and a pallor that worried Elizabeth.
The man she had known only a month ago was nowhere to be seen.
The admiral greeted them, kissed Elizabeth’s hand, and then asked them to sit.
“What I am about to tell you is a matter of the greatest importance. I have come to discuss this with you, Darcy, so you find out from me and not from others. I feel I owe you as much. However, please know that, regardless of your opinion, the matter is settled already.”
He paused a little, then continued.
“I was pleased to receive your note, Darcy. It is to your credit that you wish to meet Laura. She was flattered and moved by your generosity. I shall introduce her to you, and I hope you will come to appreciate her and to treat her as a friend. Even as a relative,” he said, and Darcy frowned.
“Not as a sister but as a friend. You see, I have been thinking about this for a long, long time, but I kept delaying my decision, until Catherine’s indiscretion brought everyone so much pain and distress.
Now, since you already know the truth, I have spoken to Laura, and she at first refused my proposal.
It required much effort and persuasion and reference to her children to convince her to finally accept it. ”
“Proposal? Do you wish to marry her?” Darcy asked, his eyes wide with shock.
“No, I wish to recognise her as my lawful daughter and give her the chances that she and her children are entitled to,” the admiral said, while two pairs of eyes stared at him in shock.
“Nobody but us will know the truth. I shall never marry and have children, so no one else will be affected by this. I shall make the public announcements and sign all the necessary papers.”
“I assume my opinion does not matter,” Darcy replied.
“No. No more than you cared about others’ opinions when you decided to marry Elizabeth. I have no doubts that both of us are doing the right thing to ensure our future peace and happiness.”