Yay. ive found some new reviews. loved your responses to the matlocks and the lady c visit. thanks. :)
almost there now! maybe one or two more chapters and an epilogue..
Chapter 29 - the end, or the beginning?
Elizabeth smiled in delight when she beheld Darcy on his horse, evidently having just that moment ridden up. She turned her horse, inwardly cursing that Nellie was so slow, and made her way across the field to meet him. He started towards her also.
His face showed all the admiration and respect she could have wished for.
"You are riding."
She blushed "not well, at least not yet."
"You looked magnificent." He said, eyes boring in to hers, conveying more than words could.
She just stood there, drinking him in. "You are back."
A side of his mouth quirked up "Yes, so it would seem."
Henry audibly groaned. "Come on you two. Let us get back so I can go inside rather than watch you make moon eyes at each other."
"Henry." Elizabeth scolded
But everyone turned their horses in the direction of the stables.
"Is this the result of two days of lessons?" Darcy asked.
Elizabeth smiled "yes, well almost three. Henry and your sister have been very patient." She looked down "I wanted to surprise you."
He was silent, waiting for her to look up "a wonderful surprise." He said, once their eyes met.
When they reached the stables Darcy threw his leg over his horse and dismounted smoothly. He tossed his reins to one of the stable hands and moved to aid Elizabeth; beating Henry, who mock glared at him before returning to his own horse.
Darcy reached up and rested his hands on Elizabeth's waist. She shivered slightly before sliding down, resting in his arms briefly.
"Well that is a pleasant way to dismount." She smiled up at him and planted a quick kiss on his lips before stepping out from behind the horse.
Henry looked knowingly at them before gesturing for them all to go inside. Elizabeth took Darcy's proffered arm, unable to contain her smile.
"I am happy you are back."
Darcy frowned briefly. "I had intended on returning sooner, but the papers took longer than expected to get together." He sighed "And Lady Matlock hosted a dinner for me, to introduce my newly engaged status."
Elizabeth shot him an incredulous look.
Darcy rolled his eyes. "I know. But she insisted it would be better coming from me. It was taken rather well, through judicious selecting of company I presume. But it is done. By this afternoon half of the ton will know your name."
Elizabeth grimaced. He went on to tell her about his aunt's plans and she agreed they seemed best, albeit with some reluctance on her part.
"You did not ride all the way from London?"
Darcy shook his head. "No, I found myself too impatient when the carriage was not far from the turn off of the great north road. It will be a half hour or more behind me. Mrs Gardiner has sent a rather large number of packages. I did feel rather silly, as a single male occupant of a well loaded carriage."
Elizabeth laughed "people might mistake you for a dandy if you are not careful. My mother will be exceedingly grateful. For the packages, not for you to be a dandy."
Darcy chuckled "It was no hardship, I assure you."
She squeezed his arm and they passed in to the drawing room, where both of their attentions were called by others.
...
The next five days passed in a blur of lace, ribbons and stolen moments. It is not at all surprising that Darcy infinitely preferred the latter but, for the sake of Elizabeth, tolerated the former admirably. Henry despaired of being able to adequately chaperone the couple and so set Lydia to the task instead. Oddly enough, this was a clever tactic; for although she was less vigilant, the engaged couple were less inclined to be caught setting a poor example. Darcy was less complacent about the lack of opportunities for stolen moments, but every time he complained Elizabeth would tease him.
"Patience is a virtue, one I'm certain lady Catherine would recommend practicing."
She would turn her face up to him, tilting her chin just so and the impulse to kiss her would only magnify.
"Do you know, minx." He answered, the first time she teased him thus. "I think you say such things just so that I may come up with ways of taking my revenge." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "After we are married I intend to exact my revenge in many ways."
The suggestive tone of his voice left her in no doubt of his intention. Unfortunately this did not have the desired effect of reducing said teasing. Verily she teased him so often that he would be all the more determined to use kisses as a way of silencing her, once he was able to do so.
...
Happy was the day that Mrs Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. She may not have needed the security of daughters well settled, but a mother's life is dedicated to seeing her children well settled and all her maternal instincts were excited by the combination of wealth and affection found his her new sons-in-law.
Henry could not boast the same felicity, already feeling the loss of both his favourite sisters' company. Both Jane and Elizabeth held special places in his heart and he was loath for them to leave him.
The improvement in Mr and Mrs Bennet's relationship did leave the household more steady and Lydia was becoming quite a reasonable companion. He was grateful for this, as it would counterbalance the inevitable quiet that seemed to be seeping in.
Darcy was ecstatic to be married and the moment the carriage pulled away from Longborn he set about proving to Mrs Darcy that her impertinence the last few days would not go unpunished. Mrs Darcy did not seem to complain about such an intense and instructive lesson.
They only travelled as far as a half a days ride north, but it was long enough to leave swollen lips and a completely undone hair style. Elizabeth flushed red as the carriage pulled to a stop and she hastily repinned her hair before descending to the inn. One knowing look from the owner and she swore she would never stay there again. Mr Darcy's laughing response, when she whispered said declaration, only making her blush harder.
Luckily said innkeeper was a discrete sort, part of the reason his establishment was so well respected. The Darcys were extended every courtesy, the rooms were clean and the food hearty. When it came time to retire Elizabeth rose, dabbing her mouth delicately before taking her husbands arm, eyes downcast, cheeks red.
When Darcy left her at the door, kissing her hand, he looked deep in her eyes. "Half and hour?" His voice was husky and Elizabeth detected a note of nervousness in it.
It reassured Elizabeth more than placating words might of. She exhaled, relaxed her shoulders and nodded her agreement. She hurried through her toilette and was ready for the knock. When Darcy entered she was stood ready for him, chin raised and a smile upon her face.
"You are trying to hide your nervousness?" He asked, pouring and handing her a small glass of wine.
"This is all so new." She murmured, sipping the wine.
"For me also." She raised her eyebrow, Darcy only shrugged. He had no intention of discussing his prior experience with Elizabeth, but it was not extensive.
"How do we..." She let the question trail away.
He smiled, put down his glass very deliberately and moved toward her. Elizabeth almost took a step back, noting the predatory gleam in his eyes, but she held her ground. When he swept her in to his arms she gasped in delight.
"I believe, Mrs Darcy, dearest loveliest Elizabeth." He punctuated each word with a kiss as he moved them towards the bed. "That it is best to start at the beginning."
He lay her down, taking a moment to gaze upon her before joining her on the bed and delivering a searing kiss.
The inn in question became one of Elizabeth's favourite places in the world and she took every opportunity to stay there on future travels.