Elizabeth patted his arm. “I hope it is because she enjoyed our company,” she reassured him. “She is pleased you are happy and wants to be a part of your happiness.”
“I am delighted with my wife but do not want to remain under my mother’s roof. She repeatedly tells me how much she looks forward to grandchildren but did not seem to recognize sharing her home makes that more difficult to accomplish,” he blurted, causing them both to blush furiously. It took a few minutes for them both to recover, and they arrived home without another word.
As he helped Elizabeth down from the carriage, he whispered an apology in her ear. They mounted the steps, and at the top, Fitzwilliam scooped Elizabeth into his arms to carry her across the threshold, causing her to laugh. “You have done that in every home we have entered except for Darcy House. Presumably, it is because we were not master and mistress there.”
“I am not certain what the impetus was each time,” he replied, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “But I must admit, having the excuse to hold you close whenever possible is a privilege I relish.”
Finally, in their own home, Fitzwilliam’s words hung in the air, filled with delightful anticipation. “So,” he mused, “we finally find ourselves alone in our home, at least until we must attend the theatre. What, my dearest, shall we do to occupy our time until then?”
A playful glint danced in Elizabeth’s eyes as she pondered his questions and expressed her thoughts flirtatiously. “I dare say our trunks have been unpacked by now. Perhaps we should examine the changes we requested in our bedchamber?” Her voice held a flirtatious undertone she had only learned in recent months.
Fitzwilliam’s grin widened, an echo of mischief dancing across his features. “Ah, yes, we should go and view the redecoration of our chambers,” he echoed, his tone rich with excitement and affection. “A splendid idea, my love. Shall we pay a visit to our apartment? To see the changes?” He stretched his hand toward hers, and she took it, leading her upstairs.
Entirely too soon,his valet disturbed their solitude with the news it was time to dress for the theatre. They reluctantly rose from their bed and separated to go into the dressing rooms to allow their servants to help them dress. This was a luxury they each were still getting used to, as Fitzwilliam had forgone such a person in his rented rooms as a barrister, although he did have a manservant who was occasionally pressed into service when necessary. For Elizabeth, it was a novelty to have one servant dedicated to her service, as at Longbourn, she had shared a maid with her sisters, and more often than not, she had still dressed herself. Mary occasionally helped her, and the Gardiners had a maid who would assist Elizabeth, particularly when they would go out in the evening.
That night, her maid helped her bathe and then dress in one of the gowns she had purchased on one of the shopping trips she had taken with her mother-in-law before the wedding. It was a splendid dress made of a rich emerald green silk with a translucent overlay. It made Elizabeth’s eyes shine even more brilliantly than usual, and when he saw her, Fitzwilliam was momentarily struck dumb. In his hand, he carried a box thatwas nearly forgotten as he watched his wife descend the stairs toward him.
“You are lovely, my darling,” he whispered when he found his voice. He reached out to take her hand but was stopped by the box he held. “Oh,” he said, looking down at it.
“What do you have there, William?” she asked.
“Mother gave me this to give to you tonight. Did she know what you intended to wear?” he asked.
Elizabeth laughed, her musical laugh causing Fitzwilliam to close his eyes momentarily as her voice washed over him. “She looked through my closet yesterday before my things were packed and all but demanded I wear this dress.”
He grinned. “She has a touch of Machiavelli in her, it would seem. She pulled me aside before we left this morning, pressed this box into my hands, and told me to surprise you with it,” he said as he handed her the box. “Open it.”
Elizabeth gasped when she saw what the box contained—an emerald pendant on a delicate gold chain. It was a large stone, but it was the exact same colour as the ring she wore. Next to the necklace was a bracelet of diamonds and emeralds, set in gold, and a pair of drop earrings featuring a large emerald surrounded by diamonds. “William, this is entirely too much,” she exclaimed.
“I believe it is a loan from the Darcy family jewels, my dear,” Fitzwilliam informed her. “You can ask Mother about them tonight, but if I am not mistaken, there is a portrait of some ancient Darcy wearing this set or something similar. Mother has had a few of the older pieces reset to update them in recent years.”
“Still, it is too much,” she said. “I have never worn anything so beautiful.”
“They merely enhance your natural beauty, my dear,” Fitzwilliam told her. “You are stunning already, but these jewels will make you shine brighter. Now, allow me to assist.” He took the necklace from the box she held and clasped it around her neck before doing the same with the bracelet. “I will not attempt to put the earrings on you.”
She picked up one and then the other, attaching them to her ears. “I have never felt so lovely as I do in this dress and with these jewels. I can scarcely believe it is truly me in the looking glass,” she said as she moved to stand in front of the mirror in the hallway. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
“It is all you, my dear,” he said, kissing her hand. “I did not do anything besides give you the jewels.”
“No, I mean, thank you for loving me, for allowing me to be a part of your family. Your mother is wonderful, and I have never been as happy since I met you. I am so happy to be your wife,” she replied, tears gathering.
“Why are you crying, dearest?” he asked as his arms immediately encircled her.
“I am not truly crying, Fitzwilliam; I am merely happy. You have made me so very happy,” she said, leaning into his embrace. Taking a deep breath, she wiped away the tears in the corners of her eyes. “We will be late if we do not depart now. Your mother will send a servant to fetch us soon.”
After putting on their outerwear, they entered the carriage and quickly travelled to Park Lane to retrieve Lady Anne. Elizabeth spoke of a letter she received as they went through the streets.“I know we are just settling into our home and prefer to be alone, but I would like to invite my friend Charlotte to spend a few days with us soon. She is now courting a gentleman staying at Netherfield Park this spring, but as he had to come to town, Charlotte has been unable to see him frequently. Her father has permitted the two of them to exchange letters, but she asked to come to London for a sennight so she might see him again before he has to depart for his estate in Lancashire County.”
“I knew a man at Cambridge from that county. What is his name?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“Andrew Livesay,” Elizabeth said. “Charlotte says he knew you, and he inherited his estate soon after graduating and has not been in town often since.”
“I remember him,” Fitzwilliam replied thoughtfully. “He was studious, like me, and we saw each other most often in the library. I have never heard anything negative about him, and I believe many considered him a prude. Since I had a similar reputation, I always thought it spoke well of him. Perhaps if your friend Miss Lucas comes to stay, I can also meet with him again.”
She smiled, but Lady Anne entered the carriage before she could speak. “You are late,” she said to them both. “I had hoped we could enter the theatre before the rest of London arrived, but I am afraid the lobby will be rather crowded now.”
“It will be fine, Mother,” Fitzwilliam said. “We will not be so late; you merely wanted to arrive very early.”
Lady Anne grinned at her son. “You know me well, Fitzwilliam,” she said. “Now, what was this I overheard about you inviting a guest? After your insistence on leaving Darcy House for yourown home, I am surprised to learn you want to invite someone to stay with you.”
