Page 54 of A Different Impression

“I do not doubt that you will be an excellent mistress of all our homes,” he reassured her. “I have complete faith in you, and the servants will do everything possible to assist you. Mrs Reynolds has managed Pemberley for years without a mistress, and Mrs Stewart has been at Darcy House nearly as long. They will help you learn whatever is required in due time.”

They remained entwined during the final quarter-hour of their journey. When the carriage slowed before Darcy House, Elizabeth felt some of her nervousness return.

William descended first and reached inside to hand her from the carriage. The senior servants waited at the top of the steps to greet them. Their expressions appeared warm and welcoming, and Elizabeth felt some of her uneasiness fade as William introduced her formally as the new mistress of Darcy House.

She had scarcely acknowledged everyone before William swept her into his arms.

“William!” she exclaimed, laughing as he carried her through the doorway.

He dismissed the servants without setting her down and continued upstairs towards their suite. Opening the door while carrying her proved rather more difficult than he had apparently anticipated, and Elizabeth finally took pity on him by reaching out and turning the handle herself.

Once inside, he placed her upon her feet but did not release her.

“Welcome home, dearest,” he whispered before bending to kiss her.

The kiss differed from any they had shared before, even those exchanged in the carriage. For the first time, Elizabeth knew that neither duty nor propriety required them to stop, and the last of her uncertainty disappeared as she surrendered herself to her husband’s embrace.

Elizabeth awakened sometime later, aware first of her hunger and then of the warmth of William’s body beside her. His arm remained wrapped securely around her.

“William?” she whispered.

“Yes, dearest.” His deep, sleep-roughened voice rumbled near her ear, sending a shiver through her. “Good morning—or perhaps good evening. I confess I do not know which it is.”

“We ignored your servants,” she murmured. “What must they think of us?”

“They will think we are in love.”

“I am hungry.”

“So am I. We can ring for something to eat.”

Only then did Elizabeth remember that she had neither a nightgown nor a dressing gown within reach. Indeed, she did not know where any of her belongings had been placed.

“I have nothing to wear.”

“I shall retrieve one of my dressing gowns for you, although you do not require it. You may remain in our bed.”

“Eventually, William, I must leave this bed, and I would prefer to be clothed when I do.”

“I see no necessity for either of us to leave it today.” He leant over and kissed her. “Possibly not tomorrow either.”

“You are being entirely too silly tonight, Will.”

He drew back. “Will?”

“You are behaving rather like a mischievous boy, so it seemed appropriate. Has no one ever called you that?”

“Never.” His expression softened before he kissed her again. “God, how I love you, woman.”

Elizabeth sat up, holding the sheet against herself. “And I love you, but I need food. Bring me a dressing gown—or one of your nightshirts—and we shall find something to eat. Dare we venture into the kitchens?”

“You would scandalise the cook upon your first night as mistress?”

“Do you never enter your own kitchens, Mr Darcy?”

“Not since I was a child. I frequently tormented the cook at Pemberley by stealing food from her counters. I was particularly fond of her biscuits.”

Elizabeth smiled at the image of a young William pilfering biscuits. “Then you may use your considerable experience to find something for your starving wife.”