Elizabeth continued to kiss his face, but she managed to answer, “I told Lydia I would shoot Mr. Wickham if he ever showed his face at Pemberley. I would like to keep my word.”
Darcy took both hands and pulled her head back where he could see her expression to see if she teased him.“You are serious, Elizabeth? What brought this on?”
“You know me, Love. My mind jumps about uncontrolled. Mr. Wickham’s expenses were in the ledger today; it reminded me of my confrontation with Lydia.”
“What confrontation?”
“It was after Mr. Wickham’s congratulatory letter. I warned Lydia I would not tolerate her being a part of any plan Mr. Wickham may have. I told her if he ever tried to come to Pemberley, I would see him shot as a trespasser.”
Darcy could not control his laughter. “Elizabeth, you are amazing! I can think of no other woman who would speak as such. Although I would not wish you to experience death, a woman should be able to defend herself,” he reasoned.“I know the perfect gun for a woman such as you are. I married a woman who would shock the world if they knew.”
She began to kiss his face again. “You are right, Mr. Darcy, you married a shameless woman. I desire your constant attention; Idesire a secure future for our children; I will let no one hurt you. I am afraid you chose poorly; I possess too much gall and not enough sugar.Are you sorry for your lack of foresight?”
He kissed her deeply before answering. “Lizzy, I need no one in my life but you. In hindsight, I am blessed to have such an amazing woman in love with me. My only regret is I denied my love for you to myself and others so long.”
“You are forgiven, Mr. Darcy.” She kissed him lightly. “However, forgiveness has its price.”
“What payment shall you demand as penance, Lizzy?”
She ran her hand up his body, sending shivers of pleasure through him. “I have but one true vice, Fitzwilliam—you.” Their love was all-consuming; the world could choose to judge; but they were secure in each other, and such judgments were of little consequence.
CHAPTER 21
“Men of sense . . . do not want silly wives.”
They were in London a fortnight although they went out very little. A few evenings of concerts and the theatre, some shopping, walks in the park, and a satisfying evening with the Gardiners met their need for outside entertainment, but they decided the draw of Pemberley could be denied no longer. “Mr. Thacker, we will spend the Festive Season at Pemberley this year. I will send you word of our return to town.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
“Mr. Thacker, I want you to see Mrs. Rowling gets some rest. She has been ill for several days. Call a physician if necessary.” Elizabeth walked past her husband as she placed several items in the hands of a waiting servant to load onto the coach.
“I understand, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Do not let her tell you otherwise, Mr. Thacker. You tell her those are my orders if necessary.”
“She is stubborn, Mrs. Darcy, but I will see to it.”
In the few weeks they stayed at Kensington Place, Elizabeth established a rapport with the servants. She knew the majority of them by name already, and Darcy overheard more than one of them praise her for her graciousness. Her husband did not foresee the many facets of Elizabeth Darcy, but both he and his staff welcomed them. Darcy was pleased with himself for winning Elizabeth’s love, and he marveled how life sprang into action whenever she walked into a room. He doubted he could evercommandpeople’s respect as she did.
“Are you ready, Elizabeth?”
“That is what you asked me, Fitzwilliam, when we came here for our first night together.”
“Is your response the same as it was then, Mrs. Darcy?”
“It is, Sir.” She took his extended arm.“I am most anxious to go home to Pemberley.”The smile on his face reflected the pride in his heart at having Elizabeth as his wife.
They stopped for the evening at the same inn where he left the rest of the party the day he discovered Elizabeth at Pemberley. He delighted in the irony of the tale. “Just think,” she teased, “if you had not done so, you could be sharing your room tonight, Mr. Darcy, with Caroline Bingley.”
“Elizabeth, that is not funny!” However, he laughed because that was what they did: she teased, and Darcy laughed.
When they entered the inn, Mr. Harvey, the innkeeper, rushed to greet them properly. Darcy easily accepted such homage, increasing Elizabeth’s amazement at the customaryreverenceas being normal. She was more inclined to wait her turn where Darcy was the type to move to the head of the line. “Mr. Harvey, this is my wife Elizabeth.We will require your best rooms tonight.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy, we are honored you chose our establishment once again.We heard from Miss Darcy on her return to Pemberley you took a wife.We extend our well wishes, Sir. Mrs. Harvey will show you to your rooms, and I will have your trunks brought up, Sir.Will you be joining us in the dining room, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy looked about the room crowded with common travelers often found on the roads leading to and from London. No one of consequence was noted and inroads of his former disdain for others showed on his face and in the manner in which he said, “No, Mr. Harvey, we will take our meal in the room.”
“Yes, Sir, I will have it delivered shortly.”
