Chapter 16 #4
How pleased I am to address you thus. Thank you for accepting my hand today—I shall never do anything to make you regret your decision.
Shortly after his wedding, Darcy told me he was happier than he ever dreamt possible.
My love, I feel the same way. I love you with my whole heart and shall do everything I can to please you.
I shall always be your best friend and someone you can always rely upon.
My beautiful Jane, how I wish we were already married, and I could whisper my words of love for you whilst holding you in my arms all night.
I shall count the days until we are wed, and I must tell you—my patience is already being tested.
I pray you are as eager as I am to begin our wonderful lives together.
My love, I am yours forever,
Richard
Jane had tears in her eyes as she clutched the paper to her heart.
My Richard, my dear, dear man. Oh, that she could read the letter again and again, but alas, she could not see through her tears.
She would marry the most romantic man in the world.
Did he realize how very much she loved him and wished to enjoy the shelter of his arms as quickly as possible?
Her marriage to Richard would push all the sad memories of the past from her mind—of that fact, she was more than confident.
Jane placed her head on her pillow and turned towards the other side of her bed and ran her hand across the cold pillow.
Soon, my love, soon your head will grace the pillow next to mine every night for the rest of our lives.
I am so full of joy, so entirely blissful, I can barely believe my good fortune.
* * *
The following day
Richard unexpectedly appeared at Stockton Hall early in the morning and was shown into the drawing room where Jane was reading.
In fact, he would have gone there on his own, his senses towards her proximity were so strong.
He sat close beside her, and she thanked him for his letter. “How did you know I would accept you?”
“If you did not say yes yesterday, I would have kept the ring and the letter in my pocket until you did. You may have noticed it was undated because I planned to continue my efforts to win your hand for as long as it took. My darling Jane, I have loved you for so long and I was determined to convince you that I was the perfect man for you—no matter how long it took!” They both laughed at his resolve.
“I wish to ask you a question about something you wrote. You said, ‘I shall whisper words of love while I hold you in my arms all night.’ Did you mean that?”
“Of course, my love. It is all I can think about. Why do you doubt me?”
She tried to speak through her tears. “I never slept with my husband. After. . . well, you know, he left me to sleep in his chambers.”
Richard rose and locked the door. “I meant what I wrote with a full heart. No matter what, I shall always hold you in my arms at night, and that is where you will find yourself when we wake in the morning. Do you believe me?”
“I love you so much, Richard.” He took her in his arms and brushed her lips gently. She could not help herself and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss. They soon lost themselves in expressing their love for each other.
* * *
Elizabeth was grinning as she greeted Jane when she came to visit the next day. She was probably going to ask too many questions! “How are you today, my dearest sister?” asked her host.
“I am ecstatic. After what happened with Bingley, I never dreamt I could be so overcome with joy. Here we are—both happily in love!”
“I am so relieved to hear it. Darcy and I were anxious that you accepted Richard because you did not wish to be alone.”
“Did Mr. Bingley hurt me? Yes, but I realize now that my heart was never truly engaged. Richard wrote me the most beautiful love letter and I slept with it clutched to my heart. I feel safe and protected with him and I can assure you that I love him and trust he will be true to me. He is the best of men and I wish we were married already!”
“Sister dear,” Elizabeth teased, “whatever do you mean by that?”
“Yesterday, he came to Stockton Hall, and we were alone in the drawing room and. . .” After watching her sister’s face, she continued.
“You need not look at me like that—we have not consummated our love, but I must confess, I look forward to it. I have been embarrassed to tell you that Henry and I never slept together. If he came to me at night—well, he left me and slept in his room. When I was in Richard’s arms and we were.
. .you know, for the first time in my life I enjoyed the physical aspects of love—more than I can say.
I need not remind you I have never felt that way before. ”
“I could not be more pleased to hear it.”
“Hear what?” Darcy asked as he entered the room.
The two women tittered, and Elizabeth told her husband, “It is a private matter which will remain between sisters.”
“Very well, I shall not press you for more information. Jane, I have been thinking about your wedding and would like to suggest you and Richard marry here at the Pemberley Chapel or at the church in Kympton. Your sister is not able to travel, and I am certain you will want her there. We can discuss a date when we are all together. Unless you plan to run off to Gretna Green, we would be delighted to host the celebratory breakfast at the manor house.”
“Thank you for your offer. I cannot imagine marrying without Lizzy there. I am sure Richard will agree to marry here but I must speak to my betrothed before anything is decided.” Jane smiled and added, “I never grow tired of saying that.”