Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge

an enjoyable embrace and exchange explicit expressions of endearment ere our evening is encompassed by everyone else extravagantly expounding on, exulting, exalting, and extolling our enviable espousal.” His wife was then on the receiving end of an infuriatingly challenging look. 

“Elude and elope … excellent!” exclaimed Elizabeth. They exited the elite estate without explanation, etiquette, or excuse and executed an expeditious excursion to expel and eliminate extraneous elementary emotions. Ensconced under an enshrouding elm engraved with “EB & FD,” they were encased, enveloped, entwined, and encircled in each other’s arms; and exactly eleven exemplary, engrossing minutes elapsed ere they eventually and elegantly made an entrance as each envisioned an enticing, erotic, and early encore.

The exquisite Mrs. Jane Fitzwilliam was practically giddy with excitement and happiness as she walked arm- in-arm with her gorgeous, red-coated husband across the very lawn where she had first secretly admired his handsome face and masculine physique. Jane felt an overwhelming passion and caring for that exceptionally special man, and tears of happiness suddenly welled in her blue eyes and threatened to spill upon her rosy cheeks. 

After the solemnization of his marriage, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam could not but feel proud Jane had accepted his hand before learning of his inheritance. It was obvious she truly cared for the man inside the uniform, regardless of his excellent connections or wealth; and he was thankful his devotion was reciprocal. Her beauty, faith in him, and delicate gloved hand on his arm provoked feelings of protectiveness, overpowering tenderness, and mounting desire. 

After receiving congratulations from the congregation, the three couples had been besieged by well-wishers waiting for them on the lawn outside the chapel. The Colonel had dutifully, respectfully, and enthusiastically kissed and shook hands, bowed, smiled, and thanked everyone; and all the while he strategically planned a tactical manoeuvre to capture a few clandestine moments with his bride, a vision in slinky, silvery silk. 

When they finally escaped from the throng, he steered Jane away from Pemberley’s front entrance toward a side entry leading to the library. Once inside, he cupped her precious face in his strong hands and just stood there gazing in rapt wonder. My God, this gorgeous gentlewoman is actually now and forever my wife! “Jane, sweetheart, I very much long to kiss your inviting lips; yet I am afraid if I begin, we will not be celebrating our marriage in public but rather in an especially private manner.” 

“Richard! As persuasive as you are, we cannot simply disappear from our own wedding celebration. Surely you are not serious?” She gently pushed him away, uncertain whether he was teasing or in earnest. 

“I am seriously considering heaving you over my shoulder and carrying you upstairs this very moment, my enchanting wife.” 

“You will do no such thing!” 

“Oho, what is this now? Another facet of my demure yet passionate, quiet but brazen Jane? Married hardly … ” The Colonel checked his fob watch. “ … thirty minutes, and already I am met head-on with her shrewish side.” Richard could scarcely maintain a straight face yet crossed his arms over his impressive chest and stood his ground. 

Mrs. Fitzwilliam tapped her dainty foot and tried to glower at her husband, but her lips twitched and betrayed her amusement. 

“Jane, do you have any perception of how beautiful you are with your colour high and eyes flashing in that provocative manner? However, you are right, dear.” See, Mr. Bennet? Already I have made use of your invaluable advice. “Come, my love, we must now share in the celebration of our nuptials, dance, partake of some fine food and wine … ” He waggled his eyebrows. “ … and fortify ourselves for tonight.” 

The Colonel clasped her hand and started to walk in the direction of the door. Jane stopped him by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. When they surfaced for air, she said, “Richard, you are my rock; yet every now and then I wish you were a little boulder. I did not mean to imply we must return immediately. I cannot imagine we have been missed already, and I do not require any fortification.” 

He gradually backed her into the corner. “Speaking of fortification, mine weakened when I met you. As a soldier, I identified with Shakespeare’s character, Benedick, in Much Ado About Nothing. I believe his line was ‘When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.’ You, my bewitching woman, easily invaded the walls of this poor soldier’s soul. I had no weapons to use against the capture of my heart; for you laid siege, and it was seized without a fight. Resistance was futile, and I surrendered. But tonight, my lovely Jane … ” Richard interrupted himself to thoroughly kiss her before he continued. “Tonight you will finally surrender to me.” 

Jane breathlessly whispered against his ear, “Tonight, my handsome barbarian, will not be about surrender or submission. I am your wife and you are my husband. Society may not look upon us as equals, yet in our private chambers I expect a harmonious union.” 

They did not, at that point, return to the celebration of their nuptials in the ballroom as intended. The Colonel and Jane thought they were well secluded and concealed in a corner of the library, so, the snogging newlyweds were startled and mortified to hear an excited voice nearby. “Papa, look! We found them! And Janie and KerFitz are kithing! It does not hurt, though. Mither Darthy told me so.” 

Dazed and confused, Colonel Fitzwilliam disengaged himself from his wife’s swollen lips and slowly turned around to face her stern father and grinning little brother. Robert walked up to Richard, tugged on his red sleeve, and said, “KerrFitz, do you have any ponies?” 

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat and said, “And I wonder if you have any sense! I understand your enthusiasm, young man; however, this is neither the time nor the place. I recommend you return to the festivities currently taking place in your honour and refrain from overtly embracing my daughter in public.” 

“With all due respect, sir, Jane is now my wife. I apologize for any perceived indiscretion; even so, Pemberley’s library is definitely not a public venue. Nonetheless, we were just about to attend our celebration. Shall we, my dear?” He offered an arm to his blushing bride; but before leaving the room, he said, “Mr. Bennet, I very much respect your daughter, my wife. Today I vowed before God, you, and the rest of the congregation to love, comfort, and cherish Jane. She is mine, and I am hers, to have and to hold from this day forward; and that is all we were doing here, holding and cherishing one another.” 

“Yes, well, very good. Carry on then … ” He watched them depart and muttered to empty air, “ … just not where I shall have to witness it!” Mr. Bennet frowned down at his wide-eyed son and said, “Now, about this business of kissing and ponies, poppet … ” 

Before Jane and Richard entered the ballroom, the gentleman glanced at his wife’s neck and shamefacedly suggested she might want to retrieve a fichu from her room to put on before joining the others. 

“Oh, Richard! Not again! Whatever am I going to do with you?” Knowing full well what she was going to do with him later, Colonel Stud-muffin rakishly waggled his eyebrows. 

Jane turned to go upstairs; but Richard suddenly caught her arm, frowned, and said, “My lovely wife, did you, by any chance, call me a handsome … barbarian a few moments ago?”

Ellis Fleming’s chest puffed with pride as he and Georgiana strolled around the room chatting with their guests. This beautiful woman, so kind, so elegant, yet feisty, is finally mine; and I am the most fortunate man alive. He smiled down at her with an expression of deepest respect and affection and felt another thrill of desire as she returned his ardent regard. 

The former Miss Darcy hardly remembered the ceremony, or which guests had spoken with her, or how she had responded to them. Georgiana was lost in a blur of bliss and exhilaration. Whenever her handsome, raven- haired husband looked at her, she blushed at the feelings he provoked. Georgiana knew their marriage would be one of mutual love, tenderness, respect, and passion.

It had been a heart-warming wedding ceremony, charged with emotion; and many of the ladies, not to mention a few weepy gentlemen, needed their handkerchiefs before the service was finished. Tears of happiness were still being wiped away during the celebration that followed, and even the pretty wedding cake was in tiers. 

Lady Catherine de Bourgh blissfully sat alone at a table near the balcony and watched the world go by. After the hawk and hat debacle, Charles Bingley had been thoughtful enough to inquire whether she required a dose of