Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One

“More than I could possibly verbalize, cousin. Someday you must give up your reckless bachelor ways and discover the joys of matrimony.”

Richard shuddered. “Not too hasty, Darcy, not too hasty. Mrs. Darcy, if I may be so bold, you are radiant. Shocked I am, to tell the truth,” he said, with a sly glance at Darcy. “Personally, I thought you would be weary of this old codger by now!”

Lizzy laughed as the Colonel bowed and kissed her hand. “Not yet, Colonel. Perhaps in a week or two.”

Lord and Lady Matlock had approached the small group on the veranda and were smiling pleasantly. Darcy welcomed them formally to Pemberley, and they both greeted Lizzy with warmth.

“Please,” Darcy said with a step toward the house and the offer of his arm to his aunt, “let us hasten to the parlor where it is warm and tea awaits.”

Georgiana linked her arm through Lizzy’s, smiling shyly. “My brother is glowing, Elizabeth, and so are you.” She blushed. “I cannot convey in words how delighted I am for you both.”

“Thank you, Georgiana. We are blest, especially now that our family is with us. I trust your trip here was not overly arduous?”

“Not in the least, aside from being anxious to arrive. Cousin Richard is thoroughly entertaining. His stories nearly induce me to wish I were male so I could join the military.”

Lady Matlock laughed her throaty laugh, “Richard exaggerates, my dear Georgiana. I am certain you would discover that the realities are contrary to his stories. Nonetheless, his wit does pass the time.”

Col. Fitzwilliam raised one brow and feigned shock, “Exaggerate? I?” while Lord Matlock chuckled.

Tea was served in the main parlor, to the particular relief of the fatigued travelers. The ladies sat on settees by the table while the gentlemen conversed in a knot by the fire.

“Lady Matlock, William and I have readied your suite if you and Lord Matlock desire to abide for the night.”

“Thank you, my dear; however, I believe we will recommence our journey after dinner, if you do not object. It is not much further, and I am afraid our older bones prefer the comforts of home.” She smiled and lightly touched Lizzy’s hand, “I would be honored if you would address me as Madeline. We are family now, Elizabeth.”

Lizzy blushed, “I am touched, Madeline. Thank you. William and I are pleased you and Lord Matlock will be sharing Christmas with us. I admit I am rather fond of Christmases with copious masses of friends and family underfoot.”

“Georgiana informs me that your uncle and aunt will be celebrating here as well?”

“That is correct. They will arrive three days hence. Also, a gentleman friend of William’s from Leicester, a Mr. Lathrop and his wife, are expected the same day. The poor man lost his father this past year, and my husband extended an invitation as a way of cheering him. Plus, I do not think they have visited together for well over a year.”

“I do believe I met Mr. Lathrop a time or two, several years ago. He was at Cambridge with William, correct?”

“Yes. They met there.”

“Ah, yes, I do recall. He sojourned at Darcy House one summer while the two men were off term. Agreeable young man, I seem to remember, serious and reserved yet generous and polite.” Lady Matlock laughed softly. “Quite like William, in point of fact! I contemplated at the time whether the two of them ever actually conversed with each other, both being so taciturn.” She glanced pointedly toward the man in question, who was smiling, effulgent, and laughed loudly at some anecdote of his cousin’s. “How changed he is now. Perhaps Mr. Lathrop has found the same fount of joy in his marriage as my nephew has.”

Lizzy blushed prettily. Darcy sensed the scrutiny upon him and turned his radiant face, eyes immediately alighting on Elizabeth. For a moment only their gazes locked, yet that moment spoke volumes of the love and devotion the two shared and it was nakedly visible to all in the room.

Lady Matlock smiled and Georgiana positively glowed.

Dinner was a lively affair. Even the generally shy Georgiana was gregarious. Darcy said little, preferring to observe his family and to bask in the joy of the occasion. It had been more years than he cared to recollect since Pemberley had hosted such a gay party, and it would be even more festive with the arrivals of the Gardiners and the Lathrops.

Richard and his parents resumed their journey to Rivallain shortly after dinner. The Colonel planned to return in two days and would stay at Pemberley for a week during the holiday before he was expected to return to his regiment in London. This left Georgiana alone with Lizzy and Darcy, a pleasing prospect as they all desired to enjoy this brief episode of intimate family time.

For the first evening since Elizabeth had arrived at Pemberley, they lounged in the parlor. Georgiana eagerly seated herself at her new pianoforte and graced her brother and his wife with her marvelous playing. Lizzy accompanied Georgiana by raising her voice in song for three tunes while turning the pages. She had a lovely voice, a sweet lilting alto. Darcy sipped his brandy and contentedly smiled at his wife and sister, feeling a profound sensation of fulfillment wash through him.

Georgiana’s yawns signified time for retiring. Together they walked along the lengthy corridor to her second- floor chambers where Darcy kissed his sister tenderly. “Sleep well, Georgie.”

Lizzy accompanied Georgiana into her room, telling Darcy she would be up shortly. However, shortly ended up being nearly two hours as the two young women gratified a mutual craving for the type of conversation that only females appreciate. Lizzy entered their bedchamber with a big smile on her face, missing her husband yet oddly serene in the happiness and completeness that had permeated her life and soul. Darcy had fallen asleep propped up on several pillows, hand with book atop lax where it had fallen by his leg.

He is so beautiful, she thought, standing beside him and tenderly caressing his hair. She put the forgotten book on the bed stand and crawled cautiously under the covers. He was covered to his waist but unclothed and, with a start and pang of guilt, she felt the cool skin of his shoulders. She gently touched his cheek and said his name. He sighed but did not waken initially, so she was forced to speak louder and tug on the pillows and his body to facilitate repositioning him supine and under the blankets. Darcy was a tall man; broad shouldered with not an ounce of unnecessary fat and heavily muscled. Additionally, she had discovered that her husband slept deeply, practically comatose in his slumber. Luckily for Lizzy, he stirred groggily but enough for her to communicate his need to lie down, which he did, naturally gathering her into his arms and nestling close. For the first time it was Lizzy’s warmth seeping into her husband’s body and in short order they were soundly asleep.

The next two days passed in a whirlwind of activity, affording the lovers scant time together, and they were both exhausted by nighttime. Darcy was on horseback from sunrise to after sunset, traveling from north to south over Pemberley lands and attending to numerous affairs that had been neglected. For this separation Lizzy could honestly declare she was too busy to miss her husband… not greatly anyway.

The entire first morning after Georgiana’s return was spent abetting and directing the final garnishing of the house. There was such a profusion of greenery scattered about the manor that it resembled a forest that had sprouted over night. Small candles were tactically nestled amongst the branches to be lit at night, representing the twinkling stars of the heavens. The dozens of mistletoe ornaments that the maids had so delightfully created were strategically suspended over doorways and alcoves. The Darcy kissing bough, a century old heirloom constructed of silver and finely polished china painted with Christmas scenes, had been meticulously cleaned and restored to pristine condition with fresh, aromatic greenery and ribbons hanging from the bottom. It was hung reverently in its traditional place over the fork of the grand staircase.

Another heirloom of the Darcy family had taken Elizabeth’s breath away. It was a nearly life-sized creche carved from wood and intricately detailed. The set was complete, including the traditional stable animals and the Wise Men. As per custom, the creche was situated in one corner of the dining room. The entire chamber had been elaborately decorated with a fine gold tablecloth, ivy, autumn leaves, Christmas candles, and more. Tableware of fine Chinese porcelain was brought forth, five different patterns with a holiday motif. These, along with freshly polished utensils and sparkling crystal glasses, were a crowning touch to the already dazzling room.

That afternoon and all the next day, Elizabeth and Georgiana visited the tenants and delivered the holiday gift boxes. Georgiana agreed to go, reluctantly. Her shyness was acute and Lizzy felt guilty for coercing her into it, but Darcy had insisted and Georgiana would not dream of disobeying her brother. Thankfully, by the end of the first day