Mr. Darcy's Proposal (48 page)

As she distracted him with a kiss, her fingers found their way to his ribs, and she began to tickle him. She had only recently discovered this weakness and planned to take advantage of it at every opportunity. When Darcy rolled to the other side of the bed to escape, Elizabeth moved quickly to pin him to the bed with her body, and her fingers continued to search for his ribs.

“No, stop! Stop!” he cried breathlessly.

“Only when you tell me how much you love me,” she teased. As she looked down into his dark green eyes, her heart melted, and she forgot everything else. No longer able to resist, she lowered her head and kissed him deeply. When she laid her head on his shoulder, he whispered in her ear all she had been wishing to hear and more.

***

During the ceremony, Elizabeth sat very close to Darcy. She knew it was not acceptable for even married couples to display affection for each other in public, but she risked putting her hand in his. Without looking down, he closed his hand around hers, and she saw the shadow of a smile play across his lips.

Jane looked aglow that morning. Her dress was perfect. Her golden hair was swept up and held with her special wedding gift from Elizabeth—pearl covered hair combs that were a perfect match to the necklace Charles Bingley had given her the night before.

As the bride and groom exchanged their wedding vows, Elizabeth thought about repeating those words at her own wedding. Now with everything so different, the words held new meaning for her. At one point in the ceremony, tears came to her eyes. Sensing her discomfort, Darcy offered his handkerchief. Patting her eyes, she thought about the small stack of fine linen handkerchiefs she kept in the drawer by her bed. She had saved every one Darcy had given her. Somehow they were symbolic of how their relationship had grown. Smiling at the thought, Elizabeth looked over at her husband. Watching his face was something she knew she would never tire of. Darcy chose that exact moment to glance in her direction. He returned her smile and squeezed her hand gently.

***

The doors of the church opened to a world that had been covered by a light snow while they were inside.

“The snow is wonderful! Just enough to make the city beautiful, but not enough to cause difficulties with our travel,” said Elizabeth taking Darcy’s arm.

“In a few hours, I fear it shall all be a gray mush.”

“Then let us enjoy it now,” said Elizabeth. “I think it is a good omen for their marriage.”

“Ever the optimist!” said Darcy as he lifted her hand, kissed it, and then tucked it back under his arm as they descended the steps of the church and waited for the others to emerge.

Mr. Gardner exited with his wife on one arm and his sister on the other. Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice cut through the quiet caused by the snow as it muffled the sound of the carriage wheels on the street.

Although Elizabeth had carefully warned her mother to maintain a certain amount of decorum at the wedding, the occasion quickly went to Mrs. Bennet’s head.

“Oh, is my dear Jane not beautiful! Was she not the most beautiful bride you have ever seen?” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet.

“My dear sister, our Jane is the perfect bride. No one could be lovelier,” Mr. Gardiner said in a much softer voice than normal, hoping she would follow suit.

“Jane’s beauty is only exceeded by her sweet and gentle nature,” added Mrs. Gardner also in a low voice.

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were right behind them on the arm of Mr. Hurst. Elizabeth cringed as she saw Caroline Bingley roll her eyes whenever Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth. Instead of trying to diffuse the situation, for once, Elizabeth turned her back and left it for someone else to manage.

***

The Darcys hosted the wedding breakfast in magnificent style. No one could fault any of Elizabeth’s plans. When the double doors to the main dining room were thrown open, the guests almost gasped at the splendor. The table was set with snow-white tablecloths and the Darcy family’s finest china, crystal, and silver service. The sun streaming through the windows reflected off the crystal glassware throwing rainbows around the room. Elizabeth had arranged to have fresh flowers sent from Pemberley’s green house, and the large bouquets on the tables were clusters of white, yellow, green, pink, and lavender.

Guests streamed into the room and began to search for their place cards on the table. Elizabeth had lost more sleep over the seating arrangements than any other detail. She had taken great care to keep certain personalities apart.

When it came time for toasting the bride and groom, their Uncle Gardiner again stood in for Mr. Bennet. On this occasion, Elizabeth felt her father’s absence exceedingly and knew Jane must be having similar thoughts.

“I have known our dear Jane all her life. She has grown from a sweet little girl with golden curls into a truly beautiful and gracious young woman. This is a most joyous occasion for us to see her joined today to this fine young man. May they always be as happy together as they are today. To Mr. and Mrs. Bingley,” he said, raising his glass and winking at his niece.

Jane blushed at the compliments. Charles Bingley took Jane’s hand and kissed it. No one could miss how much they loved each other.

Sixty Five

When all the guests had departed except the bride and groom, the two sisters slipped away to Elizabeth’s private sitting room to share a few moments alone. Both knew that it could be several months before they saw each other again.

“Oh, Lizzy! I could never have dreamed of being so happy! This is the most wonderful day of my life. Thank you so much for everything you have done for Charles and me.”

“It was our pleasure.”

“I can never repay you. Your husband is generosity itself. He is such a good man,” said Jane.

“Yes, he is the very best of men,” said Elizabeth with a smile.

“Lizzy, I have observed that something has changed between you and Mr. Darcy. Since I have been in London preparing for the wedding, I have noticed you both seem different.”

“Oh, dearest, I cannot even begin to tell you. Let me just say that I am no longer sorry to be married to Mr. Darcy. In fact, I now believe that we are very well-suited for each other. I have even discovered he has a sense of humor although he generally keeps it for when we are alone.”

“Hearing you say that makes my joy in this day complete. To see you happy has been my most fervent wish.”

Suddenly, Jane blushed and lowered her eyes. “Lizzy, what is it like…hmm…being married,” she stumbled through the question with some embarrassment.

Elizabeth put her hand on her sister’s. “I can only speak for myself, but it is more wonderful than anything I could even have imagined.”

“I confess to being a little nervous about tonight.”

“I believe our Aunt Gardiner gave me the best advice. She said to trust my own feelings and my husband, and she was exactly right. If you have enjoyed Mr. Bingley’s kisses, then you may look forward even greater happiness tonight.”

Although Jane’s face was still flushed, she looked into her sister’s eyes and tried to smile. “Will you come to the house this evening and help me prepare for bed?” she asked.

Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand. “It would be my pleasure to return the favor you once did for me.”

***

While the sisters talked upstairs, Darcy and the groom shared a glass of brandy together in the study. Bingley, who had barely stopped grinning all day, still glowed with happiness.

“You are a very fortunate man, Bingley, to have found a wife who is so sweet-tempered and beautiful,” said Darcy. “It is not often that you find both qualities in one woman.”

“She is an angel, is she not?” Bingley looked dreamily into the fire, and Darcy, never one to say too much, simply sat with him as they drank their brandy in companionable silence. Finally, Bingley spoke. “Thankfully, my sister Louisa and Mr. Hurst will be staying on here in London, and Caroline will be joining them as she wishes to stay in town.”

“I am certain you and Jane will be very happy to have some time to yourselves.” Darcy swirled the brandy around in his glass and held it up to the light as he thought about how pleasant it was to be alone with one’s wife.

“You will be interested to know I finally found the courage to tell my sister to hold her tongue. After Jane told me about the ladies’ disastrous shopping excursion, I felt I could not ignore Caroline’s rude behavior any longer. She was so shocked that she was actually speechless. I think that may be the first time in my entire life that I got the better of her. I am not certain I would have been able to do it without the encouragement of my dearest Jane. It is something I should have done years ago.”

“Then Jane truly is a remarkable woman,” said Darcy smiling to himself.

“Once you and Elizabeth were married, I was hoping Caroline would begin to look elsewhere for a husband. At first, she was too angry, but then she settled down. In fact, much to my surprise, she snapped out of her black mood much more quickly than I had expected.”

“She is an intelligent woman. If she spent as much time being kind to people as she does being spiteful, she would find life much more pleasant.”

“My sister is her own worst enemy when it comes to attracting a husband, but I am pleased to say that it appears she finally has a serious suitor.”

“Who is he?” asked Darcy. This was indeed good news for a variety of reasons.

“His name is Wilson, Edward Wilson. He is a little older, a widower from a good family, not of the first circles but accepted by most of society here in London. His first wife was very wealthy, and he was able to use her money to make much needed improvements to his estate. After about ten years, his wife died, and now he is looking for another wealthy wife to improve his position even more.”

“What kind of man is he?”

“I do not know him well, but he has a good reputation. He is as eager to advance in society as Caroline, and he believes that her money will help him in that endeavor. Needless to say she is delighted to find someone whose social interests so closely coincide with her own. I am simply pleased to find anyone who will take her off my hands!” Bingley’s eyes glowed with mischief as he looked at Darcy over his brandy glass.

“To the happy couple then,” said Darcy raising his glass.

Bingley returned the salute with a wicked grin.

Sixty Six

When Elizabeth returned from settling Jane in at the Bingley’s townhouse, she found Darcy in his favorite chair in the study. He looked up from the book he was reading and smiled when he heard her enter. With a sigh, she sank into the chair next to his.

“It was a wonderful wedding breakfast. You should be proud of yourself for all you did to make things so perfect,” said Darcy setting aside his book.

“Thank you, my love. Of course, I could never have done it without the help of Mrs. Hawkins. She is such a gem.”

Darcy suddenly looked quite serious. “My dear, I know it may not be proper to ask, but how was your sister feeling when you left her?”

“I know she is nervous and I tried to talk to her, but even as well as I know her, it was difficult. I made sure she looked beautiful, and now the rest is up to them.”

“Ah, as it should be. Bingley is a good man. He will treat her very well I am sure,” he said. “Would you like a sip of my brandy?”

Elizabeth made a face. “A small glass of port would not be unwelcome.”

Darcy poured her drink and settled back into his chair. Elizabeth took a sip of the sweet liquid and smiled contentedly. “I am so very glad you introduced me to port. This is divinely delicious.” After another small sip, she sat watching her husband. Even after all these months, she never tired of looking at his handsome face. Once again she thought of how very glad she was that he had persisted in his pursuit to win her love.

“When we return home, I have a special present waiting for you,” he said, breaking the silence.

“You do? What is it?” she asked, sitting forward in her chair.

“I am not sure I should say. It might be better if you were surprised.”

“But my love, if you did not want me to know, you should not have mentioned it at all,” said Elizabeth, her lips forming a sweet little pout.

“Perhaps I might be convinced to tell you,” he teased.

“You do know how relentless I can be once I make up my mind about something.”

“Very well, I will tell you if you come here,” he said, patting his knee.

She threw him a look, which he answered by patting his knee again. Elizabeth sighed, knowing that the only way she would get more information was to cooperate. Of course, sitting on his lap was really no hardship to her. When he pulled her closer, she laid her head on his shoulder. Darcy kissed the top of her head and then began working his way down her neck tantalizing her with more sweet gentle kisses in all the places he knew would increase her pleasure. Elizabeth could feel the familiar heat building inside her.

As she began to relax, he started to pull at the ribbons on her dressing gown. At first, her mind was occupied with the sensations his kisses were invoking in her. Then suddenly, she realized what he was doing and she tried to sit up.