Chapter 74
Darcy wanted to stand there with her in his arms forever. He could not speak, could do nothing but stand there for as long as she permitted him, her warmth and her love enclosing him with her in their own private world.
His lips could kiss her hair, and then he rested his cheek against her head. Heaven could be no better than this moment.
Eventually, she stirred in his arms. However difficult, he would keep his promises to her, and he loosened his grasp.
She smiled up at him. “Sitting over refreshments seems rather mundane now, does it not, William?”
He wanted to continue to hold her; to kiss her; to keep her beside him forever. But — those promises.
She was a gently-bred young lady. She would not know how to express herself for what she might wish.
It seemed as if her mind was aligned with his. “Take the lead, William. I know not what to say.” Her whisper enflamed him, and he drew her closer.
“Come.”
In her new bedchamber, the door firmly closed against the rest of the world, he led her to the armchair by the window, knelt in front of her and unbuttoned his watch chain.
Her hand was over her mouth as she watched him take his mother’s ring from the chain.
He smiled at her, knowing exactly what to say and took her left hand with his right hand, lifting it to his lips to kiss.
“From this day forward, I will love you, comfort you, honour, and keep you; for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love and cherish you, forsaking all others, until death us do part — and for the rest of my days on this earth.”
He slid his mother’s ring on her finger, then enclosed her whole hand in his, and bowed over it, before lifting his head and meeting her direct gaze.
“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Love shone from her eyes, a sheen of tears brightening them. “You learned the words, William. All I can say is that I fully return them all to you for the rest of my days.”
Rising to his feet, he drew her up to him. “May I kiss the bride, Elizabeth?”
Her gaze brightened further, and mischief danced in them. “I might be offended if you did not, my husband.”
It was some hours later when he woke, at first hardly knowing where his sense of deep rest and joy was from, it being so new to him. But in another instant, he felt the weight of her head resting on his chest, a tendril of her hair tickling his cheek and her limbs entangled with his.
He sighed with satisfaction, the earlier part of the morning coming back to him. He had been determined to lead her slowly, only as far as she wished to go, but it seemed her hidden passionate nature ran as deeply as his.
Their joining had been sublime — perhaps all the sweeter for the heartache before it. He would never forget this day, and he smiled as he noted the date.
Had she remembered, he wondered? Had she chosen today especially?
It was the fifth day of December; exactly two years ago since they had married at Netherfield.
He shuddered at the memory of his behaviour.
How fortunate he was that Elizabeth had forgiven him, and it was almost inconceivable that such unhappiness could result in today’s joy.
It was Elizabeth. Only Elizabeth could have helped him so. And she was awake. He lifted his hand to her hair as she stirred and raised her head to look at him.
“Oh, goodness! I must have gone straight off to sleep. I do apologise.”
“You need never apologise to me, Elizabeth. I cannot have been far behind you into slumber. I believe the last months have weighed heavily on both of us, so it is hardly surprising.”
He was delighted when she moved up beside him and kissed his cheek. “What a pleasure to wake beside you, my love.”
He tightened his arm, and captured her lips with his own, murmuring something, he knew not what. Until his stomach rumbled loudly, and Elizabeth was caught in laughter.
“I am hungry too! I suspect we have missed lunch as well as our refreshments, and the staff know precisely what we have been about.” Her face was caught in a deep flush, and Darcy knew she was not so complacent about that as she pretended.
“They will be delighted for our felicity, Elizabeth.” He glanced out of the window at the sun. “I suspect there will not be time to move all your belongings over here and give you time to bathe before dinner.” He could hardly countenance letting her return to the dower house now, or ever again.
But … those promises. “Do you wish to move into these chambers, Elizabeth, or stay at the dower house for …” No, surely she would not choose that.
She reached for his face. “Do not be anxious, William. I am sure there will be time. After all, I do not need everything here today. And we might delay dinner for a while — your stomach might have need of a few biscuits with your coffee before you bathe.”
How he loved her, even when she teased him! He drew her towards him again, forgetting everything except the joy of having her close. He could never let her go.