Darcy’s face softened, and he stopped to brush a loose strand of hair from her cheek. “Still, it pains me to see you so. You are my heart, Elizabeth, and I only want to see you well and happy.Perhaps tonight I should sleep in another room, if it might help you rest more soundly?”
Elizabeth paused in the hallway, turning to face him fully, her eyes warm with affection. “Oh, no, Fitzwilliam,” she murmured, resting a hand on his chest. “That would not do at all. I shall rest far better with you beside me, keeping me warm. Since our wedding, we have not spent a single night apart, and I cannot bear to start now. I feel so at ease in your arms; without you there, sleep would surely evade me.”
Darcy’s expression softened even further, his relief mingling with something deeper, almost reverent. “Here I was, worrying that I might be imposing on your peace. But you have only given me joy in your words, my dearest. Knowing you feel as I do—that I am as welcome in your arms as you are in mine—it is all I could wish for.”
She smiled, and he leant down, capturing her lips in a tender, lingering kiss. His hand cupped her cheek as his thumb traced gentle circles, the kiss a promise of love and protection. When they parted, he gazed at her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. “You are everything to me, Elizabeth. Tonight, I shall hold you close until dawn, ensuring every bit of weariness fades away.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled as she whispered, “I am truly blessed to be loved by you; I shall always return that love, Fitzwilliam.”
Her hand still resting in the crook of his arm, they continued down the corridor, their steps slower, savouring the quiet moment together in their home. While their trip to London had been long and tiring, here, back at Pemberley, it was as though their burdens were lifted, and they revelled in the steadiness of their love.
As they entered the door to their shared chambers, Darcy’s gaze lingered on Elizabeth, his eyes darkening with a mix of affection and something deeper. He closed the door behind them with a gentle click; his hand entwined with hers. The quiet intimacy of the room wrapped around them, warmed by the soft glow of the firelight flickering against the walls.
Elizabeth felt her pulse quicken as Darcy drew her closer, his hands settling on her waist, his touch firm yet achingly tender. “I have missed this,” he murmured, his voice low as his lips found her temple, brushing against her skin. “These quiet moments with you. It has been far too long since I’ve had you all to myself. Even though we shared a chamber at the inns, it was never this quiet, and I could always hear murmurs from the rooms around us.”
She tilted her head, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that matched his own. “Then let us make up for lost time, my darling Fitzwilliam,” she whispered, her voice soft.
Darcy’s mouth curved into a smile, his hands sliding gently up her back, holding her to him as he leant down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was filled with fervour, and after days of holding back his longing, he let that restraint fall away. Elizabeth’s hands slipped around his neck, fingers weaving into his hair as she returned his kiss with equal passion, letting herself be drawn into the warmth and strength of him.
With a gentle tug, Darcy led her towards the bed, their movements languid but charged, each touch and kiss igniting a trail of warmth. He guided her down to the bed coverings, his eyes never leaving hers, as though he was afraid even a moment’s separation might lessen the depth of his desire. Her fingers found the buttons of his waistcoat, loosening each as she continued to look steadfastly at him.
“Every moment with you is a treasure, Elizabeth,” he whispered, his voice a mix of tenderness and longing. “I love you so much. It still feels like a dream to have you here, in my home and in my bed.”
Elizabeth’s breath hitched, her heart full with his words, and she let her hands wander over the planes of his chest, her own desire flaring with each caress. “Then show me, my love,” she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper, a thrill of excitement flickering in her eyes.
He needed no further encouragement, and the night unfolded in a quiet exchange of tender words and shared desires.
Afterwards, when they lay together in each other’s arms, Darcy’s hand stroked her hair, his voice a murmur that she heard with her heart as much as with her ears. “I love you, Elizabeth. I shall always be by your side.”
With a contented sigh, Elizabeth looked up at him, her smile soft yet radiant. “Just like I shall always be by yours, Fitzwilliam.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1811
True to their words, Elizabeth and Darcy devoted Saturday and Sunday almost entirely to themselves, retreating to the privacy of their chambers. After enduring weeks of challenges in their marriage and grappling with the problems of others, they decided to set aside their responsibilities and indulge in two days of well-deserved respite.
While they emerged to join Georgiana for dinner on both evenings, they spent the rest of the time in blissful seclusion. They allowed themselves the luxury of ignoring all obligations, focusing instead on reconnecting and rejuvenating after the trials they had faced together.
When they descended the stairs slightly later than usual on Monday morning, they did so arm in arm. Elizabeth had still not fully recovered from the nausea that had plagued her while in London, a fact which had caused Darcy to begin to worry about her health.
“I am well, Fitzwilliam. It is merely the result of so many changes in my life so quickly. First, we met again and eloped to Scotland, and then we spent a glorious month at Pemberley, interrupted, of course, by your aunt. Then, we travelled to London to deal with problems there, and then we journeyed to Hertfordshire to confront my father. That does not take into account that twice someone attempted to kidnap me under the orders of Lady Catherine or having to deal with Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth recited wryly.
Darcy sighed as he reflected on the events they had endured over the past two months. “It does sound rather exhausting when you say it all like that. It is difficult to believe that we have endured all of that over the last few weeks and are still standing. It is incredible.” He ran his hand across his face. “We have yet to determine what to do about my uncle. Richard is still investigating the matter, hoping to learn more about who his brother is indebted to, but he must also complete his duties to the militia as well.”
Elizabeth was pleased that her husband had brought up his cousin. “Do you think the colonel will ever marry?” she asked, startling Darcy with her question.
“What?” he asked, perplexed as to why she would ask such a question.
Laughing, she patted his hand. “Jane appeared to be enamoured of him, and perhaps, he was interested in her. She definitely preferred his company to that of your friend, and I think, at the dinner at Lucas Lodge, Mr. Bingley decided it was pointless to pay court to her since I saw him sit between Kitty and Maria Lucas during the meal. Mama and I spoke of her tendency to push her daughters at any available man, regardless of his own interest or even their suitability, and hopefully she will stop pushing Jane as she does. I have made it clear to her that she no longer has to worry about her future, for we will assist her since her husband will not.”
Darcy sighed deeply. “Dearest, please understand that I will do whatever you wish, but I would prefer not to share a house with your mother, even one so large as Pemberley. I know you love her, and I will do my best to learn to love her as well, but she is… rather exuberant.” He said the last word hesitantly, as though he feared her reaction, which made Elizabeth laugh.
“She can be trying, Fitzwilliam, which I know very well. No, I actually thought we could purchase a cottage near Meryton where she could remain near her sister and her friends. While she might no longer be the mistress of one of the largest estates in the area, she might still entertain and visit her friends. If not in Meryton, perhaps we can find her a small house within a few miles of Pemberley, but not so close that she can walk to us. Near Lambton, perhaps, close enough that she might walk into town so she would have no need of her own carriage.”
Darcy laughed this time. “You are rather devious, my dear,” he replied. Turning to look at his desk and the stacks of correspondence he needed to deal with, he blew out a slow breath. “When will Jane arrive from Hertfordshire?” he asked.
“Shortly after Twelfth Night,” she replied.
