Page 46 of The Sole Love

“Where is he?” he whispered.

Elizabeth could see his troubled brow. “He is coming, Papa. That is what Mr Darcy told me.”

“Oh, I hope he does,” Mr Bennet murmured.

For the first time since their distressing situation began, Elizabeth understood that her father also hoped for a happy ending for Bingley and Jane. He seized upon that idea and perhaps even decided that, were such a thing to occur, he could forget the past and go on with their life as before. But unfortunately, Mr Bingley was not at Pemberley as everyone had hoped. She could see the disappointment on her mother’s face and her uncle’s. Only Mrs Gardiner kept her poise and smiled as Darcy invited his guests into the manor.

They stopped again in the spacious vestibule of white and green marble to admire the design. It took Elizabeth only an instant to forget Mr Bingley, Jane, and everything around them. Breathlessly, she looked at Darcy with tears in her eyes. She felt as though she were returning from a long journey.

This was her home.

Darcy introduced Mr Stevenson, the butler, Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper, and the other servants. He was addressing all the guests, but everything was done for Elizabeth’s benefit.

As often happened, the servants—with that unique sense they possessed—suspected who Elizabeth was. They looked discreetly at her and curtseyed, curious to see whether their new mistress would be a benevolent person. Her gentle, bright smile reassured them; their master had brought home a lady as kind as himself. Mr Darcy could be abrupt at times, but he was honest, just, and generous. They hoped the lady he had chosen would bring joy to their house. It was the only thing lacking.

The guests were invited to retire to their rooms and rest before dinner. Footmen led them to their quarters until, finally, only Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Mary remained in the hall.

Excited by the house and their reception, Elizabeth did not notice that Darcy had disappeared, but she thought he probably had many matters requiring his attention after such a long absence.

“You and Mary will stay in the family wing,” Georgiana explained as she took Mary’s arm.

Elizabeth smiled. Her future husband would exploit even the friendship between their sisters to keep her close.

They climbed the stairs to the first floor, and the long gallery that appeared before them took Elizabeth’s breath away once again. It was decorated with precious works of art, marble statues from the Continent, and portraits of Darcy’s ancestors. She wondered whether Lady Anne was among them; she had no time to admire the artwork as Georgiana opened a door and invited her guest into the room. Then she promptly vanished with Mary, leaving a stunned Elizabeth in the midst of the most beautiful lady’s parlour she had ever seen. She admired the splendid room with a quick glance around.

She realised with delight that he had given her an entire apartment. She took a few steps towards the glass doors and gently touched the secrétaire already prepared for her correspondence, admiring the large couch meant for a leisurely afternoon talk and the curtains in light colours that cheered the whole room. Precious paintings hung on the walls, and a delicate marble clock sat on the mantelpiece.

“And you have not seen the bedroom yet.”

His voice coming from behind made her shiver. Distracted by the lovely room, she had not heard his approach. But she recovered quickly and turned to confront him.

“What are you doing here, sir? Is it the custom of the house for the master to visit a lady’s parlour without an invitation?”

But he ignored her words. He took her hand and led her into the bedchamber, kissing her before she even had a chance to look around.

Then, as suddenly as he had taken her into his arms, he moved away.

“No, madam, it is not the custom of the house, and I shall return here only when I have the right to take you to bed. To this bed,” he said, “or any other bed in this house. Rest now. I shall send your maid to help you, and in an hour, I shall await you downstairs. And stop being so naughty—you are scaring me!”

He moved to leave the room when Elizabeth took his hand and placed it over her heart. It was a sweet gesture but also daring and intimate.

“Thank you!” she said. “Thank you for everything.”

“It is what you deserve, my exquisite lady,” he answered, and then kissed her forehead.

Another moment in that room and he would no longer remain so calm. He wanted her to be his wife, and that desire had become a delicious torture.

∞∞∞

In the other wing of the house, the exchange was not as pleasant. Mr Bennet met with Mr Gardiner in a small parlour not far from their rooms, waiting for the servants to unpack their trunks.

“What shall we do now?” Mr Bennet asked with palpable anxiety. “That boy is not here.”

They drank their brandy in silence, relieved to be away from the carriage’s constant noise and the other inconveniences of travel. They both admired the room as well as the house.

“At least Lizzy is in good hands. No matter what happens, she will be married before any scandal erupts.”

Mr Gardiner just nodded.