He groaned, thrusting forwards as he emptied himself inside her. He was aware of her gentle touch, first on his hair, then his shoulders, her soothing words in his ear as he tried to recover his senses. His body was limp, and he did his best to keep the bulk of his weight off her, but he felt utterly boneless with pleasure.
“I’m sorry,” he panted when his senses were regained.
“Why?” Elizabeth asked from somewhere beneath him. “That was lovely. When can we do it again?”
He laughed, leaning back and kissing her cheek.
“I will require some respite – but whenever you demand it of me, Elizabeth, your husband shall oblige.”
“I believe,” she said, rising up and covering her body with his, “you will regret making me such an offer.”
∞∞∞
21st June 18 -
Summer has arrived, the longest day of the year. For me, it has come to be one of the very happiest of my life.
This is the first page in my new diary, and the first time I have written an account of my thoughts in over six months. It feelsstrange, to put pen to paper and know the outcome will be read by no other eye than my own. In truth, I have done precious little correspondence of late, leaving the matters of my affairs to my steward and valet, for my wife and I have been occupied in far more pleasurable duties.
Elizabeth is everything that is good in the world. She is my constant companion, my friend, my equal, my heart. How she manages to be so light in spirit, so sharp in wit, and so boundless in tenderness all at once is beyond my comprehension. To walk beside her each day, to wake and find her at my side…It is more than I deserve, and yet it is mine.
This morning, beneath the shade of the great oak at Pemberley, she placed my hand upon her stomach and told me the news that has filled me with a joy beyond words: we are to be parents.
I can scarcely write the words without wonder. A new life, born of us both. Our child. God willing, I shall be equal to the task of fatherhood. With Elizabeth beside me, I believe I cannot fail.
And so, on this brightest of days, I close my diary content. I no longer need to find solace within these pages, for my wife is the person I may confide anything in. She gives the sagest advice, listens without judgement and corrects me when it is needed. My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth has given me happiness beyond measure. Today, she has given me the promise of our family’s future. My own future was set the day I met her – a lifetime of a love I never dared dream of.
I could not ask for any more.
The End
