Chapter 2.2
After a warm farewell, the Darcys headed toward Cheapside. It was around three o’clock, the snow and the wind grew stronger, and the streets were almost empty.
The carriage was freezing inside, so Darcy carefully arranged the curtains then warmed his wife in a tender embrace while his lips claimed hers.
“I missed kissing you,” he whispered. “I missed kissing you, and I missed loving you. I am so sorry we promised to call on the Gardiners too. I want nothing more than to lock myself away with you in our chamber.”
“Oh, I…” She decided to cease speaking and abandoned herself to his kiss.
She briefly wondered whether the curtains allowed them to be seen; then she put away any concern, trusting that her husband knew how to protect their privacy.
As if guessing her thoughts, he pulled a few inches away, gently arranged her bonnet, and then stroked her lips with his thumb.
“I cannot afford to ruin your appearance before visiting your relatives. I fear Becky would notice any detail, and I still do not know how to handle most of her remarks,” Darcy said as Elizabeth laughed.
“Well, you have no reason to worry. She has already proved how ‘very good at compliments’ she is—especially towards you. And she confessed she has found you ‘pretty’ since the first day she met you.”
“Indeed. That was one of the most important days of my life. I walked with you, arm in arm, and I invited you to visit Georgiana…and I was overwhelmed by the storm of compliments from Becky.”
She laughed again; then her eyes moistened while she leant and placed soft kisses on his face. “Becky is so right—dimples are good,” she said, caressing his cheeks, his forehead, the strong line of his jaw…
He turned his head so that their mouths met, then his hand slid inside her coat, around her waist, climbed slowly, and stopped upon her heart.
“I am starving for you. I am sorry if I frighten you and if I am not as patient as a man should be with his new wife, but this is true. I can think of nothing else but being alone with you—and loving you.”
“I would not want you to be different in any way, my husband. Not more patient, not less starved…”
“You are a dangerous woman, my dear wife. You find great pleasure in torturing me…”
Their teasing was completed with daring caresses and touches, their words broken by kisses.
“You already knew that when you proposed to me, sir, so you cannot put the entire blame on me.”
“I never blame you, madam,” he concluded, then hastily separated from her as the carriage stopped at their destination.
With the snow falling and the wind blowing, Elizabeth’s imperfect appearance was no surprise to their hosts, more so since the children surrounded her, claiming her attention.
Becky kissed Elizabeth’s cheeks then turned her interest toward Darcy, who raised her in his arms and followed the others into the drawing room.
Refreshments were ordered, and their conversation began with the weather and the journey from Longbourn to London while Becky hurried to tell them how she played with her brothers in the snow and they pushed her down. The boys protested and asserted their innocence.
Darcy bore the din bravely, grateful for the glass of wine Mr Gardiner offered him, but he refused an invitation to the library.
“We cannot stay long. It was a pleasure to see you all, and I hope to have dinner together soon.”
“Lady Matlock said you will have tea with her tomorrow,” Elizabeth added.
“Yes, her Ladyship is exceedingly kind and generous. She insisted I bring the girls too. I hope someone will not be too tiresome and will behave properly.” Mrs Gardiner glanced at her youngest daughter, who returned an apparently puzzled look.
“I am sure Becky will be as sweet as she always is.” Elizabeth kissed her youngest cousin. “You will tell me how the visit was when we next meet. And please be careful how you play in the snow, my dear.”
“But, Lizzy, are you leaving? Do you not stay to sleep with me tonight?”
“I cannot sleep with you, dearest. I must go home.”
“Home? To Longbourn?”
“No, here in London.”
“But you always stay with us when you are in London!”
“Becky, Elizabeth is now married. We already talked about this. She must stay with Mr Darcy.”
“But this is easy: Mr Darcy can stay here too!”
“That would not be possible. They must return to their own home.”
Becky looked at her former favourite with disappointment and disapproval.
“I did not know you planned to take Lizzy from me. I liked you better when you were not married.”
“Becky!” cried Mrs Gardiner, pale with embarrassment. “We shall end the discussion this moment!”
Darcy nodded discreetly to Mrs Gardiner and turned to the girl.
“Becky, I am sorry you are upset, but I promise you will have many opportunities to see Elizabeth from now on. And although she will not remain to sleep at your house, we will arrange an apartment for you and your sister and brothers in case you might come to visit for a few days. That is—if your parents will allow it.”
“Really? In that beautiful house? Do you have dolls? If not, I can bring some in case I come and visit,” Becky said, quickly changing her point of interest. “I hope you will keep your promise,” she concluded, and Mrs Gardiner scolded her again.
“Do you not trust me? I always keep my promises. Elizabeth may testify to this,” Darcy said, smiling.
The girl was silent a moment. “I trust you.”
“More so, your father agreed that you all will spend the summer at Pemberley with Elizabeth and Georgiana and me. You will learn to ride, you can fish, play in the garden—everything you enjoy.”
All four Gardiner children hurried around him, asking for more details.
Becky suddenly had a second thought. “Well, Lizzy does not like to ride, so I shall stay with her.”
“I trust that both you and Elizabeth will learn to ride properly at Pemberley. I will teach you, and I am sure you will like it,” Darcy answered.
Becky glanced at Elizabeth, who nodded in approval.
“Very well. But you have to remember that I am a small child and you must take care of me. You may have to carry me in your arms quite often as I cannot walk for too long,” Becky concluded in earnest to her parents’ shock and embarrassment and Darcy’s complete amusement.
“It is quite strange, young lady, how it is possible that the more you are offered, the more you demand. You are quite ungrateful,” Mrs Gardiner said sharply, throwing Becky a meaningful gaze.
The girl turned to Darcy and whispered in his ear. “When she calls me ‘young lady,’ it is not good, you know. She is upset with me.”
“Yes, I would imagine so,” he whispered back. “You should not upset your mother.”
“I know, but I am stubborn and disobedient—Mrs Burton said so,” the girl of four and a half years wisely explained, and Darcy could not restrain his loud laughter, soon joined by Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner. The lady of the house, though, was still watching her young daughter severely.
For half an hour, Darcy did little else but to answer the children’s enthusiastic questions about Pemberley. Elizabeth watched him, enchanted, her heart melting at his warm kindness and the patience he generously showed to her relatives.
Finally, the visit came to an end, and the children reluctantly separated from their guests.
While her aunt and uncle thanked them for the call, Elizabeth felt ashamed to admit even to herself that she was eager to leave.
The mere thought of soon being alone with her husband caused her to shiver more than the cold wind.
She held his arm, and he tenderly covered her hand with his; she could feel his warmth even through the thick fabric of their gloves.
Again, the carriage started slowly, the horses barely progressing through the fresh snow.
Darcy embraced his wife, and Elizabeth touched his face with her gloved fingers.
“You have been wonderfully patient with my cousins. You are the kindest and most amiable man ever.”
“Not at all—I am only doing it to impress you, my love.” He smiled.
“You cannot accept a compliment graciously, Mr Darcy. Why would you want to impress me?”
“Well, since I was so hasty in showing you all my flaws from the beginning of our acquaintance and I offended you from the first evening we met, it is my goal to do anything to improve your opinion of me. As I told you a few months ago, I hope in fifteen years I will succeed in changing the first poor impression I made.”
“Please rest assured, sir, that my impression of you could not be better. However, I am delighted by your effort to impress me. Please continue to do so.”
“That is precisely my intention, madam, as soon as we get home,” he answered, stealing a kiss.
Elizabeth laughed and blushed. She was still unaccustomed to this surprising side of the aloof Mr Darcy: his teasing, his flirting, his improper small gestures and words, his passion that seemed difficult to control.
And she could not help wondering—and worrying—about what would have happened had they not met that rainy day in the cottage.
Was it possible that their love—their happiness—was entirely due to a mere coincidence?
Would she ever have gotten to know his real disposition if not for that chance encounter?
Would he have been willing to show his true character to her—to admit his feelings for her and follow his heart, despite the differences between their families?
Or would such a deep love have remained forever undiscovered?
“What is it, my dear? Why are you suddenly so serious?”
“Oh, it is nothing, really…just some silly thoughts. I am so happy to be your wife.”
“If happiness makes you solemn, I am afraid I will rarely be able to guess your feelings.”
“I doubt that, my darling husband. You have proved to me that you can read my mind.” Elizabeth smiled then leant her head on his shoulder. It was already dark, and she counted the minutes until they would be in the comfort of their home.