Chapter 2.15
The next morning, Elizabeth and Darcy woke up together. They both felt lighthearted after the awkward conversation from the previous evening and remained in bed a little longer, tightly embracing and making plans for the near future.
If it were a few weeks before, they would have spent the time making love, but Elizabeth observed that Darcy’s uneasiness about the delicate subject was not completely dispelled.
She could not blame his stubborn concern since it was all meant to protect her from a danger that became overwhelming in his mind.
“My dear, would you like to leave for Pemberley at the end of the month? After the Almack’s ball?”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “That would be wonderful! You know I have long waited for this moment.”
“So have I. We will take Georgiana with us as I feel more at peace to have her under my supervision, considering the health problems of the last months. But I will warn her that she might spend quite some time alone before the others arrive. I wish to show you Pemberley with all its beauty and secrets—only the two of us.”
She smiled with delight, whispering back, “I would be thrilled to discover Pemberley with you…only the two of us.”
He rolled her on her back and leant atop of her, his weight almost taking her breath away.
They gazed into each other’s eyes; then his lips captured hers. Their bodies brushed against each other, and Elizabeth sighed as her hands glided through his hair.
“Do you think we could be a little late for breakfast?” he whispered.
“I believe so…besides, it seems you already decided we will,” she teased him, and he tasted her lips, laying kisses down her throat.
“May I hope your fears are gone?” she asked, shivering as her gown slid from her shoulders.
“They are not. But now that we spoke of it, at least my distress has vanished. I love you so much, and I want to prove it to you in many, many ways.”
She chuckled then pushed him away a little to meet his eyes.
“And may I ask, sir, where and how you acquired such extended knowledge and skills in that area?
Her tone was only half-serious, but the curiosity in her eyes was undeniable. His answer came in a hoarse voice while his hands eagerly fondled the perfect roundness of her breasts.
“You may ask, but it is unlikely that I will answer. Or you could just fully benefit from my experience. You must understand, Elizabeth, that everything I did in the past, was only meant to prepare me for cherishing you for our whole lives.”
“Then I shall not ask more,” she murmured, her curiosity quickly overwhelmed by a storm of sensations.
∞∞∞
The dinner at the Darcys finally took place on a Thursday evening.
Elizabeth was a little sad that Lord and Lady Matlock declined the invitation, but she had sympathy for her ladyship’s not feeling the inclination for large parties.
Except for regular notes exchanged with Lady Matlock, the only one in the family that Elizabeth met was the colonel.
She knew she would see the others again soon, though: Maud was steadily recovering, and it was expected that the viscount would come to talk to her.
Besides, it was likely they would all meet the following week at Almack’s.
Although it was just a family dinner, Elizabeth prepared herself with care. She chose an evening dress of creamy satin, garnished with dark blue lace on the sleeves, neckline, and along the bottom. As jewels, she selected a cameo and matched earrings.
She was pleasantly surprised to see Georgiana wearing a pale blue dress and a necklace with small blue sapphires and pearls. They smiled at each other, noticing the coincidence of their matched colours.
Darcy’s contentment at seeing them was clearly expressed by compliments and even more so by his affectionate gaze when he offered one arm to each of them while accompanying them to the drawing room.
The guests arrived at the perfect time. The first to come was the colonel, then the Gardiners, and finally, the Bingleys and the Hursts.
Jane, in her elegant gown, looked even more beautiful than usual on the arm of her husband. She and Bingley embraced their hosts warmly while Caroline and Louisa showed a polite coldness toward Elizabeth but animatedly greeted Georgiana.
“My dear Georgiana, I am so delighted to see you again! You look as lovely as always. I understand from my brother that you lived with Lady Matlock until recently.”
“I am pleased to see you too. Yes, I had the pleasure of staying with my aunt for a couple of weeks, but I am happy to be home.”
“Well, I am still living with my sister. I am not certain whether I shall ever return home,” Caroline said sharply. “I find it hard to understand why such an arrangement was needed. When Louisa got married, she did not push anyone from the house.”
Bingley helped his wife to enter the drawing room then, perfectly serene, turned to his sister.
“Caroline, when Louisa married, she moved in with her husband, and you remained with me—so the situation was different. And you must understand that newly wedded couples need some private time. You may not understand that; it is something peculiar to those who marry for love.”
Darcy appreciated his friend’s wit and his proper answer to Caroline’s rudeness. He considered adding something, but the conversation was interrupted by the servant announcing that dinner was served.
They took their seats, with Darcy and Elizabeth at each end of the table. The arrangements were elegant and tasteful, and Mrs Gardiner complimented Elizabeth.
“Indeed, Mrs Darcy, everything looks exactly as a regular dinner table should be,” Louisa Hurst said with condescension.
“Lizzy, you were very kind to invite us,” Jane quickly intervened. “We hope to meet again often; we will return the invitation soon.”
“We will certainly meet regularly. We have had a very busy week since we returned to town, but hopefully things will turn for the better,” Darcy answered. “It is our pleasure to have you all here tonight.”
“I say, Darcy, we have dined at your house many times, but somehow it looks even more handsome than before,” Bingley said, gulping some wine.
“Of course it is—since there are now two beautiful ladies in it,” Darcy replied, glancing at the two more important women in his life.
“Speaking of regular meetings—we plan to leave for Pemberley at the end of the month and hope you will all join us soon. We would be delighted to spend the summer together as a large family.”
The Gardiners, the Bingleys, and even the colonel expressed their delight at such a generous invitation.
“Spending summers at Pemberley was always an enjoyable experience. However, I never remember its being crowded. Mr Darcy has always been a private man and very strict with his choice of friends,” Louisa Hurst commented as if addressing no one in particular.
Darcy lost his patience and replied with cold sharpness. “I would say that summers at Pemberley have been rather boring in the last few years. And it is true that I used to be strict in my choice of friends, but it appears strictness does not always guarantee quality.”
“Shall we eat now?” Elizabeth invited the guests, undecided whether she should laugh or be angry at Bingley’s sisters’ lack of civility.
For a few minutes, there was silence, then Caroline Bingley addressed Elizabeth.
“I understood Lord and Lady Matlock were to be present too. Did they decline? I imagine they had more important engagements.”
Her boorishness was not even concealed, and Miss Bingley’s jeering smile only strengthened it. The colonel was the first to answer, allowing Darcy time to calm himself.
“My parents declined because my mother has been unwell in the last few days. However, they regretted their absence tonight. Lady Matlock is very fond of Mrs Darcy and takes every opportunity to enjoy her company. She often says she is now happy to have two nieces.”
Caroline paled slightly, but the colonel had even more to say.
“My mother wishes to rest so that she will be in her usual spirits by next week when we attend the ball at Almack’s. She is very pleased to have Elizabeth as her guest.”
Both Caroline and Louisa turned red, glancing at each other in disbelief.
“Oh, my dear Lizzy, you are going to Almack’s?” Mrs Gardiner inquired with the enthusiasm of a young girl. “What an honour! The only thing better than that is to be introduced at the palace! I am so proud of you, my dear!”
“Lizzy, that is wonderful indeed,” Jane repeated.
“You seem more excited than I am.” Elizabeth laughed. “I have no merit in this; I owe everything to Lady Matlock, who rightfully insisted that Mrs Darcy must have her position among London’s ton. I do everything in my power to rise to her expectations.”
“In truth, one must be very lucky to be admitted to such places only due to suitable connections,” commented Miss Bingley.
His sister’s scurrility made Bingley glare at her.
Elizabeth, however, smiled with a charm that concealed the arrows cast by her eyes.
“You are right of course, Miss Bingley. I do consider myself very fortunate. However, being admitted to Almack’s is only one of the minor sources of happiness attached to my situation as Mr Darcy’s wife. There are many other things much more important that do not require us to be out in public.”
All the ladies—either favouring or opposed to Elizabeth—were astonished at such a statement and did not know how to take her meaning. Darcy laughed.
“If it were my choice, I confess I would rarely seek any other company except Elizabeth’s. My sister and our close friends, with whom we share a mutual regard, are of course the exceptions.”
“I sympathise with you, Darcy,” Bingley admitted. “I congratulate myself every day for coming to London right after my wedding. I thank God that we are not obliged to fulfil as many obligations as you are.”
Jane blushed and silently nodded in approval of her husband’s words.
Happily, the second course was served, and everybody’s attention was drawn to the elegant plates.