The lightness of her shawl softened her gown of dark rose. However, it was the strands of pearls draped around her neck, the pearl eardrops, the bracelet surrounding her wrist, and the pearl and diamond tiara that set fire in his heart. His mother wore the parure on his parents’ tenth wedding anniversary celebration. That night, a thousand candles lit Pemberley, and the large chandelier in the ballroom sparkled like the stars. His Father and Mother danced and then laughed the night away with one hundred of their closest friends and neighbors. In his youthfulness, he thought no one could be as lovely as his mother. He was wrong.
Elizabeth’s beauty captivated him.They both knewthat the complete set of jewelry was too much for a small village chapel, but she wore it for him.
His heart swelled.
Despite her father trying to distract her by whispering the whole time they moved down the aisle, her gaze settled on Darcy and never wavered. Her smile was for him alone.
Never had he seen a woman as alluring as Elizabeth.
He heard none of the parson’s words. When he kissed her at the end of the ceremony, at that moment, he knew he meant every word of his vows. He willingly gave his heart and his trust to her. He would love her forever.
Elizabeth flittedthrough the wedding breakfast, paying little attention to anyone other than her husband. It thrilled her to see him introduce his uncle and aunt to her family and long-time friends. No matter who he was with, even when someone engaged him in deep conversation, every few moments, he would look up and find her, his eyes seeking her out to make certain that she was well.
Eventually and gratefully, the crowd thinned. Before leaving for the Meryton Inn, Lord and Lady Matlock, along with Darcy’s cousin, extended an invitation to Matlock House in London or Alderwood in Derbyshire. Elizabeth was pleased how her husband checked with her. At her nod, he readily agreed upon a future date.
She was proud of Darcy for adapting to his new circumstances. Elizabeth would do anything for him to ease his way as they forged a path for their future.Reflecting upon all he meant to her, she never wanted to be apart from him. She trusted him. She desired him. She loved him.
Love?Yes, she was head over heels, madly in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Thank heavens!
Oh, but she was eager to tell him about these new, tender feelings bursting like buds through the soil of her heart. When had it happened that her soul became in tune with his? At what point did his happiness become far more important than hers?
Holding the sweetest of emotions close to her, she squeezed his hand, promising herself to wait until they were alone to share the gift of her love with only him.
Never wouldDarcy consider the loss of Pemberley a blessing. Yet, had it not been for the theft, he doubted he would have settled long enough in Hertfordshire to come to know Elizabeth. He might not have recognized her sterling qualities through the curtain of his own pride. Holding his wife close as the sun rose the next morning was a pleasure beyond anything he ever expected. They were now partners in every aspect of life.
He twisted a strand of her dark hair around his finger. It was as soft as she was. Elizabeth was also lean and well-muscled. She was…
Whispered voices from the corridor interrupted his vivid remembrances of her strength during the intimate moments of the night. Surely, no one dared to interrupt them on this, their first hours together as man and wife.
Yet, the tapping on the door persisted. Slipping from the bedclothes, he hurried from the warmth of Elizabeth to his dressing room. Grabbing his robe, he barely opened the door to see Bingley.
“Blast it all, and I hate to bother you, Darcy.” Bingley ran his hand through his hair, which was already standing on end. “An express rider arrived a few minutes ago with a message from Hurst. There was a fire last evening at Darcy House. According to reports, the entire building other than the brick was consumed. Everyone inside got out safely. My family is escorting the Wickhams to Netherfield Park.” Bingley huffed. “Darcy, at Caroline’s invitation, they are planning to stay here. All of them.”
Damnation!His relief at hearing his sister was uninjured weakened his knees after the shock of the news. Before he could ask for more information, Elizabeth’s arms slipped around him from behind, easing his anxiety.
“Did Hurst say what happened?”
Bingley nodded angrily to the note in his quivering hand. “He said that Wickham left a cigar burning on his desk, which was surrounded by piles of papers and ledgers. They were barely able to get everyone out in time.”
He burned my house down!Darcy’s ire robbed him of speech. Eventually, he controlled himself enough to thank Bingley for delivering the news succinctly and kindly. Then he closed the door.
Elizabeth rested her head against his back. “Fitzwilliam, you will need to see your sister. Only then will you be convinced she is safe.”
He sighed. “Wickham will be here.”
“I imagine he will.” She kissed the back of his neck.
He turned in her arms and dropped his head to rest his cheek against the softness of her hair, the scent of her, and the feel of her embrace comforting him.
“We need to consider the ramifications, my love.”
She stroked his cheek with her palm. “Am I your love?” she whispered.
“Only you. Forever you.” Holding her tightly, he considered all that was likely to happen.
His sigh shook his whole body. Of course, he longed to see Georgiana. But the timing of having them arrive at Netherfield so soon after the wedding was atrocious.
