what she had fantasized. Never would she have entertained the concept of him pinning her to the wall and loving her beautifully and intensely right there.
Darcy sank to his knees with Lizzy entwined, time necessary to regain use of weakened muscles. Lizzy slowly planted kisses on his shoulder and neck, moving to his face. He cupped her in trembling hands, tenderly stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. “Precious love,” he whispered, “amazing, beautiful, giving.”
She pulled back and smiled at him, his eyes tear filled. She kissed each of his crystal blue eyes and then his lips, murmuring, “Was this another recommendation from those books you forbid me to view?” as she playfully nibbled his lower lip.
He chuckled softly, flushing lightly. “Yes, I confess it is. Your surprise entrance afforded the perfect opportunity. Nonetheless, I am sorry if I startled you. Elizabeth, my heart, you drive me mad and all reason escapes me!”
Lizzy laughed. “Do you hear me complaining, beloved?”
Needless to say, Darcy did not finish dressing in a timely manner and dinner was kept waiting. Luckily, the kitchen staff was becoming accustomed to these delays so the fine cuisine was served without noticeable deficiency when the Darcys, blushing and smiling and giddy, did arrive.
Later, as every night thus far since coming home to Pemberley, they relaxed in their sitting room. Darcy sat at his desk attending to business correspondence, and Lizzy had the piles of purchased gifts from her excursion to town scattered over the floor as she wrapped them for delivery.
“William,” she said suddenly, “I forgot to tell you of the invitation we received from Sir Cole. He is hosting a Twelfth Night Ball, a masquerade ball.”
Darcy nodded, not looking up from the document he was examining. “Yes, they hold one every year. It has become a standard Derbyshire event. My parents considered it the highlight of the season.”
“Do you always attend?”
“I have a few times, maybe three or four. You know I do not much care for dances.”
“Oh. Well, if you do not wish to attend, I understand.” Lizzy could not control the tone of disappointment creeping into her voice.
“Elizabeth, look at me. My reasons for disdaining these sorts of events in the past are no longer relevant. I will assuredly never be one who shines above others at an assembly, nor will I ever pretend to adore conversation with persons unknown to me. On the other hand, I am now married, most happily I must add, so I am no longer the prime bull presented for inspection. I will be the proudest man in all of England to escort you, dearest wife, to any and all social engagements to which we are invited. Who knows, I might even surprise you and be witty and charming and a veritable dancing aficionado.”
Lizzy glowed and leapt into her husband’s arms, kissing enthusiastically all over his face. “Thank you, William! I promise I will make you proud and we will have a marvelous time!”
“I have no doubt whatsoever, my heart. Of course, you realize you will need to acquire a ball gown,” he remarked with a small grin. “I daresay this is not an onerous task?”
“I have several lovely gowns, William, thanks to your generosity.”
“No, beloved, for a ball such as this you will require something special. Madame du Loire will be able to attire you properly, and I shall reap the benefit by arriving with the most stunningly beautiful woman in the entire known universe on my arm. She, in turn, will save all the best dances for me and I shall be the envy of all the men at the ball. You see how selfish I am?”
“No more than I, dearest, for I shall be attended by the prime bull of Derbyshire! How fortunate am I?”
Chapter Twelve
The Darcys approached the day of Georgiana’s return home with mixed emotions.
Darcy adored his sister and had missed her enormously. Far too often in the course of his adult life, business and social requirements had separated him from her. One of the fortunate consequences of settling into marriage had been the prospect of dwelling exclusively at Pemberley, with only occasional forays to Town necessary. All too soon Georgiana would be a woman and leaving him for another man. He lamented the very thought and did not wish to squander the time he had remaining as her guardian.
Lizzy was fond of Georgiana even though they had spent little time together. She pined for her own sisters, surprising herself, in truth, at how oppressive the quiet and solitude of Pemberley often felt when she had passed many an hour wishing for such quiet and solitude at Longbourn. The relationship she and Georgiana had forged thus far promised to be a sisterly one, and Lizzy recognized that this was a crucial necessity for both of them.
Nonetheless, neither Elizabeth nor Darcy relished having their tranquil honeymoon shattered. The three weeks since their wedding had been magnificent. The freedom to express their love in any way they desired, anywhere they desired, was liberating. Darcy, especially, felt as if a locked and guarded chamber had been opened in his soul. His entire life he had regulated his emotions, rigidly controlled his actions, suppressed his own desires, and dwelt in a world where honor and dignity and appearances were prized over compassion and happiness and passion. In three short weeks, that man had all but perished and Darcy’s spirit had danced at the wake.
His joy was not exclusively a product of his love for Elizabeth and the marvelous expression of that love, but also from the result of the peace that came from loosened strictures to his character. Where he once feared impropriety or performing in any way considered imprudent or sensational, he now dreaded reestablishing those traits. When he fully dwelt on his life thus far, he admitted honestly that careful adherence to society’s rules had brought him mostly grief. Amazingly, breaking from that mold, laughing and smiling openly, and bending the rules on occasion had not caused Pemberley or the world to come crashing down!
Now they would be surrounded by guests, mostly family to be sure, and the test would be whether Darcy reverted to his somber, serious self, or allowed joyfulness to bubble forth. One look at his lovely wife’s face and he did not doubt the answer.
They made love leisurely, cuddling afterwards as they conversed and tenderly caressed until passion ignited yet again. Rising late, they tarried in their sitting room until after noon, cognizant that, for the next two weeks, they would be expected to arise earlier than they had so far done and to break fast with their guests. Darcy caught up on correspondence and several business transactions while Lizzy wrote letters. Her gifts had already been sent, and the tenants’ gift boxes were prepared and waiting for distribution over the next several days. After lunch Darcy rode off on Parsifal to visit a couple of the farms.
The final Christmas details and needs were completed. Holly and ivy vines trailed along the terrace railings and a sizeable pile of each remained to decorate the inside banisters. The maids had gleefully pounced on the occasion to design elaborate mistletoe ornaments to dangle throughout the manor. The Yule log was dressed, Mrs. Langton had the mealtime essentials well in hand, and the guest chambers were cleaned and stocked. Pemberley and its new Mistress were ready!
It was late afternoon when a footman announced that the Matlock carriage was approaching, and Darcy and Lizzy prepared to greet their guests before the main entrance.
Col. Fitzwilliam alighted first, reaching in for Georgiana, who jumped out with all the enthusiasm of youth and launched into her brother’s waiting arms.
Darcy had never been able to contain his joy where it involved his dear sister. He twirled her about, laughing gleefully, before setting her on her feet and kissing her cheek. “I missed you, Georgie! Welcome home.”
“William! It is good to be home,” Georgiana replied breathlessly and then turned rapidly from her grinning brother to her new sister, standing cheerily at his side. “Elizabeth! It is wonderful to see you again!”
The two young women embraced each other. “Welcome home, Georgiana.”
Georgiana gestured at the bright flambeaux along the front drive and entrance that illuminated the trailing boughs of holly and ivy. “Pemberley is so beautiful! I do not remember it ever lovelier. What a sensational Christmas it will be!”
Darcy greeted his cousin heartily. “Darcy, old man, you are positively beaming! Married life surely agrees with you,” Col. Fitzwilliam decreed.
