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Another post with explicit instructions from William had arrived yesterday, and in response, she had begun airing out the Mistress’ rooms and moving the items that Elizabeth had left behind into the closets and dressers that had once belonged to his mother. Subsequently, all of the bed coverings and curtains in the Mistress’ bedchamber were removed. Lady Anne might have preferred dark reds and royal blues, but William assured her that Elizabeth would prefer lighter colours—green, lavender and cream. These colours would work with the embossed ivory wallpaper with a delicate green vine woven throughout—until Elizabeth could select her own.

A quick trip to a shop in Lambton late on the previous day had confirmed that fabrics in those hues were available. The merchant, Mr. Thacker, long accustomed to Mr. Darcy’s propensity to request that an item be made overnight, and equally aware of his habit of paying extraordinarily well to accomplish that, assured her that bed sheets, counterpane and curtains for all the windows would be ready today. Cheerfully, he spoke of calling in extra seamstresses to work through the night to accomplish the task. What he did not say was that he was conscripting an order begun for another estate, done almost entirely in those exact colours. He reasoned that he would just explain to Lady Throckmorton that some of the fabrics for her order had been delayed. The completed curtains needed only to be hemmed and an exquisite satin counterpane was not so far along that it could not easily be converted to what Mr. Darcy desired. Satin sheets in all of the requested colours were already stacked and waiting. And since Thacker was more than willing to put off the Throckmortons than fail his foremost customer, he was certain to deliver the items with time to spare.

In William’s Coach

Near Pemberley

Knowing they were close to home, William smiled down at the dark head of curls resting under his chin. Long since convinced that she would rest most comfortably by sitting in his lap with her legs stretched along the seat, Elizabeth had taken advantage of the last hour to do just that. Her upper body was turned so her head lay on his chest and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. This pleased him tremendously, not only because he loved holding her thusly, but also because he had done nothing since they had left the inn but fantasize about the night to come, their first at Pemberley as man and wife, and he did not want her to be too tired to participate fully.

Suddenly smiling in spite of himself at the memory of Elizabeth’s cries of completion which had alerted practically the entire inn to their activities, he just as swiftly frowned at the remembrance of the knowing smiles of those they had passed on their way to the dining room. For once, he was grateful that Elizabeth had brought a bonnet, which he usually forbade her to wear. At least the bonnet’s large brim had hidden the smirks of the gentlemen they had encountered, including Richard’s. Aware that his cousin would do more than tease him when they were alone, he was prepared for that eventuality. However, he worried that somehow Elizabeth might learn that their amorous activities at the inn had become general knowledge and be mortified. That she was so uninhibited in their lovemaking had been a wonderful discovery, and he wanted nothing—absolutely nothing—to affect that!

William ran a finger down the small nose peeking out from under the curls, finding himself aroused by that simple gesture. She did not awaken, so he took a deep breath to quell his growing need and tried again. “Elizabeth?”

This time his touch caused her nose to twitch as though a fly might have landed thereon, and he could not help laughing aloud. The sound of his guffaw woke Elizabeth, and she squinted up at him curiously.

“I apologise, darling!” he declared, hugging her tighter. “You look so sweet when you do that!”

Still sleepy, she resumed snuggling into his chest, completely unaware of how that simple act reminded him of their lovemaking. In fact, he admitted with some dismay that her every gesture reminded him of making love—biting her bottom lip, raising a quizzical brow, even smiling her crooked grin. He concluded that it was almost impossible not to desire her constantly, his hardening groin area demonstrating agreement. He took a deep breath, trying to gain control.

Hearing that sound and seeing the now familiar hardness, Elizabeth pulled back to study William. In his passionate gaze was raw desire, and it fuelled her own. She whispered desperately, “Do we have time?”

Lost in yearning, William could not think clearly as his pounding heart echoed in his ears. “You ... you will not think me a barbarian?”

Her lips crashing into his was the only answer he was to receive, and quickly she found herself lifted to sit astraddle him. Frantically now, both fought to remove the clothes that obstructed their joining, and it seemed only moments before they were united. At first content just to be joined, their desires quickly progressed into the rhythm of the act itself, and they made love to the rocking of the coach. Unbeknown to them, just as they had reached fulfilment and clung to each other in utter happiness, the coach entered the gate that began the long drive towards Pemberley.

Rosewood Manor

The foyer

“Do you suppose we should just find our rooms and ignore them?” Richard asked Mr. Williamson as Georgiana and Evan continued their endless welcoming kiss.

Hearing his retort, Evan pulled back to give him a pretend glare. “Wait until you are married, my friend, and see how you greet your wife after a long absence!”

“Yes, Richard!” Georgiana replied over her husband’s shoulder. “I daresay you have much to learn about greeting a wife after you have been gone for days. You should watch my dear husband, instead of trying to disconcert him. I assure you that you will learn valuable lessons in how to have a happy marriage.”

“Well I, for one, love to see married couples display affection. I have counselled too many couples who do not get along well to object to displays of affection between a man and his wife,” Mr. Williamson interjected.

Then he bowed towards Georgiana’s questioning gaze. “John Williamson, madam. I am the vicar at Meryton.”

Georgiana smiled sheepishly at her visitor. “Please excuse my poor manners. Evan wrote that you would be staying with us, and I am indeed pleased that you are here. Elizabeth spoke of you quite often, and any friend of hers is welcome in our home.”

“Yes. My Lizzybet is like a daughter to me.”

“Lizzybet?”

“An endearment from her childhood which I have never forsaken. She will always be Lizzybet to me.”

Displaying mock exasperation, Richard exclaimed, “So now that we are all acquainted, could you please desist these displays of domestic felicity long enough to direct me to my room? I am in great need of a hot bath and a bit of a nap before dinner.”

Everyone chuckled, and Mrs. Jenkins stepped forward as Georgiana addressed her. “Please show my cousin and Mr. Williamson to their rooms and have hot baths prepared for them as well as for Mr. Ingram.” She winked surreptitiously at her husband. “I believe they all will want to wash off the dust of the road and then rest before dinner.”

“Please follow me, gentlemen,” Mrs. Jenkins instructed, turning towards the grand staircase.

As the two men followed the housekeeper up the stairs, Richard’s braggadocio began. “I love to stay with my rich relations, as it is the only time I am treated as a gentleman of leisure! I am sure you will get quite used to it and dread returning to your calling as much as I do mine!”

More outrageous statements followed, echoing throughout the two-storied foyer and then down the upstairs hallway, causing those listening below to shake their heads in wonder.

“Your cousin certainly has a way with words!” Evan chuckled.