Page 47 of Wedding at Pemberley

Elizabeth was particularly fond of the path leading towards Oakham Mount. Jane and Bingley used to jest that she knew every tree and stone along it. Indeed, she preferred the peace of this path, where she and Darcy could stroll together.

Autumn was already approaching, gradually replacing the warmth with a refreshing coolness, and the wind whispered through the trees like a marvellous symphony.

That morning, as on every other, Elizabeth listened with delight to nature’s melodies, impatient for the sound of a horse approaching. She turned and stood motionless in the middle of the path, a smile on her face. For once, she was alone, for Jane had a mild cold and preferred to remain at home. The foliage hid the rider from her view, yet her heart assured her who it was.

When he drew near, Elizabeth saw his smile. The sweetest moment of her morning came when their eyes met, full of happiness. Elizabeth refused to dwell on the fears that occasionally troubled her. Had he failed to come that day, she would readily have run all the way to Netherfield to discover why. Whenever they met, she studied his face, trying to discern his mood, so deep-rooted was her fear of receiving news that might darken her happiness. Despite Darcy’s repeated assurances that nothing untoward could happen, she followed her aunt’s counsel and resisted the temptation to dream of her life at Pemberley. Many unforeseen things could happen, and she thought it better to restrain her hopes.

“My beloved wife!” Darcy often called her, only to receive her usual reply.

“Not yet, sir!”

Yet they laughed at these exchanges, for it was a playful game. He tried to persuade Elizabeth to think of herself as the future mistress of Pemberley, and she reminded him that they were not married yet.

“Look at the leaves. They are turning red,” she remarked.

“Forget the leaves!” he urged. “Think instead of our mornings at Pemberley, when we shall stroll and swim in the lake.”

Elizabeth gave him a reproachful look. “You are mistaken, sir. I shall never swim!”

However, he knew better. He had only to entice her into one of the beautiful lakes near Pemberley once, and she would never refuse him again.

“You must listen to your husband, madam. Pray attend carefully to every word the clergyman says at our wedding!”

They did not dare to touch, for someone might appear at any moment. Yet Darcy’s words made her cheeks flush as she remembered his hands upon her body and his tender kisses.

“You would wear only a chemise,” Darcy continued, amusement in his voice.

“Fitzwilliam, please stop imagining such things!”

Despite her words, she found herself increasingly drawn to the idea of swimming. She realised that most of their lives had been spent within walls. At Pemberley, they would enjoy new pleasures in the open air.

“Imagine yourself wholly immersed in the water, feeling things you have never felt before, with my arms about you and the water surrounding us,” he continued, his voice full of longing.

∞∞∞

One day, when she asked her father’s permission to remain at Netherfield after dinner, Mr Bennet regarded her affectionately, with a gentle smile. “Lizzy, you know how much I trust you, and you have never betrayed that trust.”

“But…” Elizabeth prompted, her smile resembling her father’s.

“But after Lydia’s disgraceful conduct, let us spare our family further gossip, at least for a time. You have only a fortnight to wait, after which you may go wherever you please with your husband.”

Despite her disappointment, Elizabeth knew her father was right. She longed to be by Darcy’s side, yet it seemed prudent to wait until they reached Pemberley and their splendid bedchamber.

“You made so many promises in London!” Darcy reproached her, longing to have Elizabeth under the same roof.

“In London, I did make promises.” She blushed at the memory. “But Papa is right, Darcy! We have a lifetime to be together. It is better not to give Meryton further cause for gossip. Lydia has put our family’s reputation in enough danger.”

∞∞∞

“I understand why we must wait for the banns to be read, yet it is so difficult! I used to count the days, but now I count the hours,” Elizabeth complained. “Why must we wait a week before the banns are first read? Do you realise we have lost two weeks besides the three needed for the banns?”

“Are you, madam, impatient to join me in our bedchamber?” Darcy asked, knowing she would blush. Lately, Elizabeth hardly knew whether it was embarrassment or desire that brought the colour to her cheeks.

“Pray, explain it to me once more. What have you asked the new solicitor to do?” Elizabeth enquired, looking earnestly at Darcy.

Darcy hesitated, then remembered that he could share his deepest secrets with this woman, who would remain steadfast and loyal throughout their lives.

“After speaking with my uncle, I realised that our family solicitor, who has served us faithfully for many years, was not taking sufficient pains to settle so delicate a dispute within our family.”