Page 55 of Through the Eyes of Love

One day he said, “I would like you to see one of my favourite views in the park.”

They rode for half an hour until they reached their destination. She gazed all around her until she turned back to him. “It is magnificent, my love! Did you plan our arrival so the sun reflecting on the waterfall looks like a rainbow?”

“Well, I do know the best prospects on the estate,” Darcy said in a teasing manner. “When I can dismount on my own, we shall have a lovely picnic here and stay all day.”

“How delightful that sounds! Perhaps one of the grooms can accompany us, help you dismount, then return to help you mount whenever we ask him to.”

“I am so happy I married a clever woman.” How was it possible that he loved her more every day?

CHAPTER 13

October 1812

Elizabeth nervously fidgeted with her skirt as she and her husband stood outside the cottage awaiting the arrival of the Gardiners’ carriage. When the first passenger was helped down, the two Bennet sisters were instantly lost in a tearful embrace. “Oh Lizzy, I have missed you so much!”

When she gathered her wits enough to remember where she was and that she was the mistress of the house, Elizabeth stepped away from her sister. “Pray forgive me—I have been remiss in my duties as hostess, but I shall blame Jane for that. Allow me to introduce you all to my husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. Fitzwilliam, this is my uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner of London, and my sister Mrs. Horton of Meryton in Hertfordshire.”

“I am pleased to meet you. My wife has spoken about you all often.” Fitzwilliam bowed before her aunt and Jane and shook Mr. Gardiner’s hand. “You are most welcome here.” She looked upon her husband’s sincere greetings to her family with gladness.

“Lizzy, I never expected your trip to Lambton to result in you marrying the master of Pemberley.”

“My dear aunt, no one was more surprized than me, but I could not be more delighted that I came to Derbyshire. Come inside, and we can share all the family’s news over tea. I warn you now—even though my husband will disagree, I must insist that cook’s lemon biscuits are not to be missed.”

Mr. Gardiner stared at his niece. “Your face. Where is your birthmark?”

“Fitzwilliam’s aunt, Lady Matlock, showed me a face cream which covers the red quite well. I usually go without it, but today was a rather special occasion.”

Her aunt asked, “How did I never think of it?”

Her husband beamed at her. “You are always lovely, Mrs. Darcy.”

“I thank you, sir, but you are hardly objective!”

The group was all full of smiles as they entered the cottage. Mrs. Gardiner leaned over to her niece. “I told you that my father always said that when one window closes, another one opens.” She spoke quietly so only Elizabeth could hear.

“After the celebratory breakfast, the enchantment of the cottage eliminated all the problems we had,” said Elizabeth.

“The enchantment?” asked Jane about her sister’s remark.

“I shall tell you all about it when we are alone.”

Jane gazed all around herself. “This cottage is charming. One gets a sense of being in a special place when they enter.”

“We have been very happy here.”

“Your necklace is lovely. Is it new?” asked Aunt Gardiner.

“It seems all the Darcy jewels are now mine, and wait until you see them—they are extraordinary. These pearls belonged to Fitzwilliam’s mother and grandmother. I feel closer to them when I wear something of theirs, and my husband appreciates seeing me in them.” She guided them into the drawing room. “Before we sit, allow me to show you these windows.”

“Is anything different about them?” asked her uncle.

“Yes, indeed, they are rather special.”

Everyone stood before the leaded glass windows, and Elizabeth pointed out her and her husband’s names and the year of their wedding.

“There are so many couples. Here is one from 1765,” said Jane.

“The tradition of staying here on your wedding night and etching your name in the glass is believed to have started with Fitzwilliam’s ancestor, Maude Darcy. You must ask Mrs. Reynolds to tell you Maude’s story—it is quite enchanting. Oh, I did not mean to use that word, but itisthought the enchantment of the cottage began with her. Whatever the reason, those who stay here on their wedding night are joyful for the rest of their lives.”