If Only In His Dreams (17 page)

Once everyone was fed, the men separated from the ladies, so that details for the weddings could be accomplished.  The marriage contracts were reviewed and found to be in good order.  As Darcy was standing in as the head of Anne’s family, he went over the contract for Richard and Anne’s marriage.  Alex was surprised to see what Darcy had settled on his sister, in addition
to her dowry of twenty thousand;
Darcy had settled another forty thousand pounds.  She would have a generous annual amount for her pin money, and if she needed more, she need only ask.  She would always have a home, even after Darcy died.  Provisions were also made in regards to any children they may be blessed with in the future.

Lady Anne had informed her son that she had sent a message to their housekeeper at Pemberley, Mrs Reynolds, to have Lady Anne’s belongings moved to the dowager cottage on the estate.  Even though her son had
told her it was not necessary, Lady Anne wished to have her son and his wife begin their life together in their proper position at Pemberley.  If she was still using the Mistress’ chambers of the grand house, the staff would never treat Elizabeth with the respect that she deserved.  Elizabeth would be the Mistress of Pemberley as of Friday.  The Mistress’ chambers were rightfully hers.

Lady Catherine was having similar regards to her accommodations after her daughter was married. After having a discussion with her sister, Lady Catherine had come to the same decision and wrote a letter to her housekeeper to prepare the dowager house at Rosings. Anne was not pleased with her mother’s decision. She had spoken with Richard in an attempt for them to convince Lady Catherine to remain living in the main house. But Lady Catherine could not be swayed from her decision. “Anne, it is time for you to shine on your own accord. My dear girl, you deserve this time with your husband without your mother hovering about. As a matter of fact, my sister has invited me to spend time at Pemberley with her. It has been so long since we have spent time with just the two of us.”
“Mother, I know that you will miss being in the main house at Rosings. And Richard and I have spoken, we wish for you to remain in the house with us. When we have our own family, I wish you to be on hand to experience it all with us.”
“Dearest Anne, I will be there when you need me. It is just these first few weeks, as you decide your future as Mrs Richard Fitzwilliam, you do not need me telling you how to choose menus or how a room should be decorated. These are your decisions, not mine.”
The days leading to the weddings went by quickly. Thursday evening arrived and the families gathered for a final dinner. The weddings were to be held at the chapel at Longbourn, and it had been decided that the brides and their female relations would spend the night at Longbourn. This way, the grooms would not see their brides until they were coming up the aisle. Alex was to escort both of the brides to the grooms, and Jane was standing up for both Elizabeth and Anne, while Bingley stood up for Darcy and Richard.
After the dinner on Thursday night, the Netherfield men prepared to return to the estate earlier than usual. As the men prepared to take their leave, Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand and raised it to his lips. Placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand, Darcy whispered so that she was the only person to hear him.
“I will see you in the morning, Miss Elizabeth. But the next time I see you, I will no longer refer to you as Miss Elizabeth. You will be forever more, my beloved Lizzy.”
“And you will be my dearest William. I look forward to seeing you in the morning, Sir.”
Friday morning began with the most beautiful sunrise. Elizabeth had walked to Oakham Mount with Lady Anne, Georgiana, Jane, Lady Catherine and Anne. Each lady found a sense of peace from the experience. Lady Catherine especially found the view to be spectacular, pleased with her daughter’s future being bright with the love of a good man. Taking her daughter’s hand and placing it on the crook of her own arm, Lady Catherine smiled.
“Anne, I am pleased with your choice of husband. Richard will be a good man, and he loves you dearly. I am grateful that the men determined a method to keep my brother from ruining this most joyous day. I pray that you will be happy, my dear girl. And I pray that you will always be so loved.”
“Thank you, Mamma. I love you and am grateful for your guidance throughout my life. And I am especially pleased to not have been forced into a marriage that Lord Matlock deemed proper. He should never have say over my life, and I refuse to ever allow him.”
“You are a good girl, Anne. I have a gift for you.” Lady Catherine reached into the pocket on her gown and pulled out a small box. Opening it up, Anne found a simple necklace of pearls. “These were given to me by my mother. She wore this necklace when she married my father. My mother told me that her mother had given the necklace to her.”
Tears welled up in Anne’s eyes. “Mamma, I do not know the words to express how dear this is to me. Thank you, Mamma.”
Jane turned to her sister. “Lizzy, Alex gave this to me to give to you. It was our mother’s and he thought you would like to wear this today.”
The necklace that was in the box Jane held out was a garnet cross on
a chain. Simple, yet beautiful,
causing Elizabeth to shed tears.
“Now, ladies, it will not do for our brides to have red, swollen eyes when they walk up the aisle to their husbands.” Lady Anne stated as she embraced first her niece, and then her soon to be daughter.
The sound of footsteps was heard coming towards the sitting room door. When the door opened, the Gardiner family entered the
room. “Uncle Edward, Aunt Helen,
I am so pleased you were able to come.” Elizabeth stated as she walked to her relations. “I feared that you would not be able to come on such short notice.”
“We would never have missed such an occasion. Alex was very kind in sending the carriage to bring us.” Edward Gardiner replied.
“It was indeed pleasant to ride in the carriage rather than by post, but I would have traveled by wagon to be here for your wedding, Lizzy.” Helen Gardiner stated.
Introductions were made to the ladies, and Mrs Gardiner fell into conversation with Lady Anne in regards to Derbyshire and Lambton, where Mrs Gardiner had lived. Half an hour later, Alex knocked on the door and announced that it was time to make their way to the chapel.
The weddings were accomplished without difficulty. As the couples signed the register, then stepped outside, their friends and family all congratulated them. Darcy could not erase the smile on his face; his dimples were visible to everyone. Nor could he move his eyes from looking at his bride. If asked later who had been present at his wedding and wedding breakfast, Darcy would be unable to respond due to not being aware of anyone beyond Elizabeth.
The food was enjoyed, and the neighbors who had been invited to the breakfast wished the couple joy. Charlotte Lucas embraced her dear friend. “Eliza, I could not be happier for you. You must write to me often.”
“I will do so, Charlotte, and we will be returning soon. We are celebrating the holiday season in the neighborhood, and then we will be preparing for Jane’s wedding.”
As Elizabeth and Darcy prepared to leave, they made their way around the room to farewell their family and friends. Mr and Mrs Gardiner invited the Darcys to dine with them while the Darcys were in Town. The Darcy newlyweds would be staying at Darc
y House in Town for a fortnight,
while the Fitzwilliam newlyweds would be making their way to Rosings Park.
When Elizabeth attempted to say her goodbyes to her brother, tears began to stream down her cheeks. “Alex, you have taken such wonderful care of Jane and me, seeing to our needs and our futures. Forgive me for being so rude to you when you first made the arrangements for me to marry William.”
Matching his sister with flowing tears, Alex smiled. “I wished for the best for you and Jane. I pray that you will always be loved and cared for.”
Darcy was standing nearby and nodded his head. “I can guarantee that she will be loved and cherished every day of her life.”
The newlyweds entered their carriage and Elizabeth turned to wave to her family. Once they were out of view of Longbourn, Darcy gathered his bride in his arms. Placing feather light kisses along her neck and moving towards her lips, Darcy’s hands explored his wife’s generous curves.
“Mrs Darcy, I love you so dearly.” He whispered as his breathing became raspy. “I have been waiting for years to find you, and now you will be at my side rather than only in my dreams.”
A low moan escaped Elizabeth as her husband stirred emotions inside her. “William, I love you, my beloved husband. What you are doing to me is leaving me undone. We cannot behave so in the carriage while on a busy road to London.” Even as she spoke, she knew that she did not wish for him to stop.
“That is why I have the shades drawn, and I have no fear from our staff gossiping of our private life. I only wish for a taste of what is to come later, once we arrive at our townhouse.”
“If this is only a taste, I do not know how I will survive a full course.” Elizabeth laughed as Darcy’s tongue traced over her flesh.
The staff who traveled on the carriage wore smiles for the entire trip to Town from all the noises they heard coming from the newlyweds.

Chapter 18

Elizabeth quickly won the hearts of the staff at Darcy House.  It was quite obvious that she married Darcy for love, not his wealth.  The housekeeper, Mrs Farnsworth, was thrilled when she watched the young couple.  They only had eyes for each other.  When shown the chambers that belonged to the Mistress, Elizabeth found it quite charming.  Darcy told her that she was welcome to redecorate to make the rooms to her tastes.  The room gave Elizabeth the feeling of being outdoors in the country, on a sunny day.  This impressed the housekeeper.  Many young ladies of the Ton would have already made plans to redecorate to
show the staff that she was the Mistress, as well as enjoying spending their husband’s fortune.  But that was not the sort of person Elizabeth was.

It became necessary for
Mrs Farnsworth to only have the older, married staff to tend to the newlyweds after the first day the Darcys were in residence.  Arriving at their private sitting room, Darcy could not resist his bride any longer.  Sitting on the sofa, he pulled Elizabeth into his arms.  His lips found hers, at first soft and gentle, building in passion as she responded to him.  As his lips explored hers, his to
ngue teased until her lips ga
ve him access to taste her.  Darcy’s hands began to roam over his bride’s curves, unfastening her buttons to
begin to remove her clothing.  He had pushed down one side of her gown, exposing her shoulder for his hand to caress, when the sound of crashing china and a gasp brought the Master from his ministrations.

A young maid had been bringing the newlyweds refreshments as requested by Mrs Farnsworth.  The sight of the Master taking liberty with his bride was unsettling and unexpected, causing her to drop the tray she was carrying.  She quickly picked up the damaged china and left the room.  Mrs Farnsworth later found the maid in tears in the kitchen.

The first week of the couple being in residence, it was not uncommon to find them in the most unusual
location, and found in less than
proper attire.  The staff soon learned to expect the unexpected. 
The gossip in the servants’ quarters was that the next generation for Darcys would most likely be born in the coming year, as often as their Master enjoyed his wife.  It was obvious to all that it was a love match, and that the new Mrs Darcy was as much in love with her husband as he was with her.

One morning, early in their second week at Darcy House, Darcy was making his way down the stairs to his study to retrieve a book he wished to share with his bride.  A commotion near the entrance door alerted him that his peace was at a momentary end, as he heard the booming voice of his uncle.

“Lord Matlock, I will ask you to follow me to my study.” Darcy stated, leading the way.  Once inside the room, he offered his uncle a drink before he tackled the fury that was to come.

“I have been searching for you for days, Darcy.  Catherine wrote that you and Anne were to be married at Brighton or Ramsgate.  I made my way to attend the wedding, but was unable to find you.”

“The wedding was at Longbourn, in Hertfordshire.  As Aunt Catherine stated in her letter,
it was a private ceremony and
as we had not invited you, we did not feel the need to tell you the final date and location.”

“Of course I should be there, as you are my nephew and Anne is my niece.  It would be appropriate, being the head of the family for me to attend.”

“Your son
, Richard,
did not wish for you to attend, and I agreed with him.
  After all, it was an important day for him as well.”

Frowning, Lord Matlock looked at his nephew.  “Why was it an important day for my son?”

“It was his wedding day as well as mine.”

“Who did my son marry?” Lord Matlock was completely surprised at this news.