She rose from the bed where she had been waiting for him. As she approached, the faint scent of his cologne reached her. Rising on tiptoe, she buried her nose in the hollow behind his ear. His scent proved intoxicating, masculine, unmistakably his.
While she unbuttoned his waistcoat, she pressed a kiss to the base of his jaw. A low sound, a raw, abandoned tone, escaped him, and he captured her lips in a lingering kiss. Time itself seemed to stand still. His embrace became her entire world, and nothing intruded upon those private moments together.
It took six days to reach Pemberley rather than the usual four, but Elizabeth feared for her sister’s health, and so they traveled at an easy pace. Each evening when they stopped for the night, Elizabeth massaged Mary’s feet and calves before raising her sister’s swollen legs upon pillows. Each morning, she insisted that Mary walk out with her. The movement helped lessen the swelling in her lower limbs.
“Sir, I am sorry for all the trouble and delay, but I do not see how we might travel with fewer stops.”
“Do not distress yourself, Elizabeth. The horses benefit from the rest, and it also allows us to water them properly. We are in no particular hurry. The weather has favored us thus far, though I believe we may be delayed at our next stop. Those storm clouds are exceedingly dark.”
Indeed, they remained at an inn for two full days and nights while a heavy rainstorm passed through the area. The roads were too wet to travel safely. Fortunately, Mr. Darcy hired the inn’s only private parlor for their use, and the evenings passed pleasantly enough. They played cards together, and he andElizabeth occupied themselves with chess on the small traveling board she carried.
They were a cheerful party, and despite the delays, the journey proved a pleasant one. On the sixth day, they reached their destination by midafternoon.
Mr. Darcy halted the carriage when they reached the summit of a gentle rise. He escorted Elizabeth to a vantage point from which she could view Pemberley in all its splendor. The elegant stone building stood upon elevated ground at the far end of a lovely valley. Elizabeth saw a brook, a shining lake, and beyond the house, hills covered in thick woodland. Everything was lush and green.
“This entire valley is covered in wildflowers during the spring. You shall enjoy the walks and the paths that crisscross the estate. And if you wish it, I shall teach you to ride, or you may learn to drive a gig or phaeton.”
Elizabeth blinked back tears. “It is so lovely, Fitzwilliam. I am truly honored that you believed me worthy to be mistress of such a place.”
He looked steadily into her eyes, his expression earnest. “You are the only woman I have ever believed worthy to be mistress of Pemberley, Elizabeth. With you as my wife, I have no fear for the welfare of our children, the servants, or the tenants.” He took her hand. “Welcome home, darling. I would invite you to walk to the house, but the meadow will be flooded after the rain. Come, let us return to the carriage and finish our journey.”
Chapter 52: Life At Pemberley
When they reached the house, Elizabeth saw the servants lined up on either side of the staircase. She turned her gaze toward her husband. He was looking at her, a smile in his eyes, as he led her into the entrance hall.
Though usually a reserved man, Elizabeth could tell from his expression and the slight curve of his mouth that the welcome gratified him. He took great care to present her and her family to his loyal servants, especially his housekeeper.
Elizabeth realized this woman had likely, in many ways, filled the place of a mother after his own had died. She took the older woman's hand and said, “I am very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Reynolds. I am certain you have been the heart of this household, and I shall depend upon your guidance as I take my place here at Pemberley.”
“You are very kind, mistress. It does us all a great deal of good to see the master so fortunate in a wife. Mrs. Nichols wrote to tell us of his happy marriage to a kind and beautiful young lady.”
Elizabeth was smiling when she turned her gaze upon him, and for a brief moment, their eyes held. He wore that rare, beautiful smile she cherished above all others, and she felt truly, blissfully happy.
The party entered the house, and Mrs. Reynolds showed them upstairs to their chambers. Elizabeth took the arm Mr. Darcy offered. He escorted her to her suite of rooms himself.
He opened the door to her bedchamber. The rooms had been newly refurbished in soft colors that reminded her of spring. She turned toward him. He looked gorgeous, even after a long day in the saddle with his long, shapely limbs and broad shoulders.Every inch the gentleman, his dark eyes were fixed on her, and standing so near, she caught the familiar scent of his cologne.
Drawing herself from her thoughts, she said, “It is lovely, Fitzwilliam.”
“I engaged a man much admired in town for his skill. I am pleased his work meets with your approval.”
She stepped farther into the room. “It is more than I could ever have wished for.” She walked to the window and gazed out over the valley below. “This is almost too much, Fitzwilliam. I can scarcely believe this grand manor is my home.”
Relief softened his expression.
“Sir, did you fear I might not like it here?”
“To speak honestly, darling, I feared you might find my northern home too isolated for your taste.”
She moved close to him and slipped her arms about his neck, rising onto her toes to brush her lips against his. “Sir, anywhere is home so long as we are together. And since I am a girl, born and bred in the country, I find this place to be the embodiment of a fantastic dream.” His long-lashed eyes were fixed on her. She added merrily, “or a fairy tale.”
He relaxed and rested his cheek against the crown of her head. “All is well then, darling. I believe Pemberley is the loveliest place in the world. Now that you are here with me, I want for nothing more.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I must confess, Elizabeth, I have often been lonely. Had I realized I was longing for you, I should have gone out in search of you years ago.”
She pressed her lips to his and whispered, “And I should have known you at once.”
Reluctantly, they parted. Darcy went down to his study to review his correspondence while Elizabeth went to see to the comfort of her two sisters.
