Chapter 57 The Wedding #2
Elizabeth was beside Lady Helen when she heard her father say, “Henry Fitzwilliam. Cambridge, was it not? You were a year ahead of me.”
Lord Matlock looked at him with recognition. “Bennet. Trinity. Of course.”
Elizabeth watched as the two men walked to a window, deep in conversation.
Jane sat beside Charles at the breakfast table, eating thinly sliced cold roast beef with mustard. Elizabeth had never seen her sister happier.
Her attention shifted from Jane and Charles when Fitzwilliam’s hand covered hers.
“We managed it, Elizabeth. Both our families are here, safe and happy. So much that we lost has been restored to us.”
Elizabeth turned her hand beneath his and entwined their fingers.
His eyes met hers. “Even this. I feared we might save everyone else and lose what we had together.”
Her throat tightened. “So did I.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “Yet here you are, my wife once more.”
* * *
Before the Matlocks left Netherfield, Georgiana embraced Elizabeth.
“I shall miss you, but I am very glad you have Fitzwilliam to yourself at last.”
Elizabeth kissed her cheek. “I shall miss you too, dearest. We will see you very soon.”
Georgiana held her a moment longer before going to her brother. Fitzwilliam kissed her forehead, and Lady Helen slipped her arm through Georgiana's as they went toward the waiting carriage.
At four o'clock, Elizabeth came downstairs dressed for travel. Fitzwilliam brought her pelisse and held it while she slipped her arms into the sleeves.
Elizabeth kissed Mary, Kitty, and Lydia before going to her father.
She put her arms around him and held him tightly. When she drew back, she kept hold of his coat.
Mr. Bennet took a handkerchief from his pocket and placed it in her hand.
“I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.”
Elizabeth pressed the handkerchief to her eyes before embracing him again.
When she finally released him, she kissed his cheek and went to Jane.
The sisters embraced and held one another, both smiling through their tears.
“I am so happy for you, Jane.”
Jane tightened her arms around her. “And I for you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth kissed her sister's cheek before they separated.
Fitzwilliam waited nearby with Elizabeth's gloves. He placed them in her hand but kept her fingers in his for a moment before offering his arm.
Elizabeth slipped her hand through it and looked back.
Mr. Bennet stood beside his remaining daughters.
A few minutes later, they were on the road to London.
* * *
It was early evening when the carriage stopped before Darcy House.
Fitzwilliam descended first and held out his hand. Elizabeth placed hers in it and stepped down beside him.
The front doors opened as they approached. Higgins stood inside with Mrs. Nichols, and the London servants waited along the entrance hall and staircase.
“Welcome home, Mr. Darcy.” Higgins bowed before looking to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy.”
Fitzwilliam's hand settled lightly at Elizabeth's back.
“Thank you, Higgins.”
Mrs. Nichols came forward and curtsied. Darcy made the introduction. “Welcome to Darcy House, Mrs. Darcy. I hope you will be very happy here.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Nichols.”
Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth upstairs and opened the door to her bedchamber.
The last of the afternoon light filled the room. Soft yellow paper covered the walls, with cream hangings at the windows and bed.
Elizabeth crossed the room slowly, taking it in.
“These were my mother's rooms,” Fitzwilliam said. “I had them prepared for you.”
Elizabeth looked through the open doorway beside the fireplace.
“My rooms are through there,” he said.
She smiled and came back to him. “Then I shall have my husband very near me.”
“Always.”
Elizabeth slipped her hand into his. Fitzwilliam raised it and again kissed the wedding ring upon her finger.
She looked around the light-filled room once more. “It is beautiful, like a summer day.”
“I hoped you would like it.”
Elizabeth rested her hands against his chest.
“I think I shall be very happy here, Fitzwilliam.”
He drew her into his arms and kissed her with a passion she had longed for.
* * *
Ruth brought Elizabeth hot water and helped her out of her travel gown. Later, she dressed her in one of the evening gowns brought from Longbourn and arranged her hair before fastening the amber cross around her neck.
Elizabeth touched the cross as Ruth settled the chain against her skin.
A knock sounded just as Ruth finished.
Fitzwilliam entered in his evening clothes, his dark coat and white cravat setting off the breadth of his shoulders. Elizabeth had seen him dressed for dinner many times before, but tonight she allowed herself the pleasure of looking at her husband.
He came to her and took her hand, his eyes moving over her with equal appreciation.
“You are beautiful, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth's fingers closed around his.
Fitzwilliam bent and kissed her before offering his arm.
She slipped her hand through it, and he covered it briefly with his own before leading her downstairs to dinner.
He led Elizabeth to the smaller family dining room.
Candlelight shone across polished wood and silver, and the table was laid with fine white damask and china bearing the Darcy crest.
Elizabeth stopped just inside the room.
Fitzwilliam looked at her. “Elizabeth?”
She tightened her hand upon his arm. “Everything is so fine, Fitzwilliam. I was comfortable at Pemberley, but tonight I feel very much the country girl who grew up at Longbourn.”
He moved in front of her and took both her hands.
“Do not look at the house, Elizabeth. Look at me.”
She raised her eyes to his.
His thumbs moved gently over her fingers.
“You are here with me. You are what was wanting. This grand house is a home now.”
Elizabeth rose onto her toes and kissed him.
Fitzwilliam drew her closer and returned her kiss before settling his hand at the small of her back and leading her to the chair at his right.
She sat down to dinner with her husband..