Jane and Jamey waited for Elizabeth and William outside Netherfield's ballroom. They would be announced one after another. Mr. Hill stood ready to open the doors, Mr. Nichols stepping aside so the former Bennet girls and their husband could be announced by Longbourn's long serving retainer. At a nod from the Duke, and Mr. Hill opened the door.
"My Lords, Ladies, and gentleman, their Graces Lord William and Lady Elizabeth Darcy, Duke and Duchess of Derbyshire, Earl and Countess of Lambton. James Bennet Junior and Jane Bennet, Viscount and Viscountess Glenmeade." Mr. Hill proudly stepped aside. Mrs. Hill was standing just outside the doors and each former resident of Longbourn squeezed her hand as they passed her.
A loud cheer went up from the assembled guests as the two couples entered the ballroom. Although the cheer was rightfully to celebrate the two couples, there were not a few Meryton residents who did not add some extra effort into their cheering to celebrate the permanent removal of the two hated women. Although happy they were not in the neighbourhood any longer, no one allowed the names of the two to pass their lips.
Departing in opposite directions, the couples made their rounds of the guests. No matter how many times the neighbours heard the story of their survival, they were always hungry to hear it again just in case there was a detail they had missed on the prior retelling, or in several cases, the re-retellings. Those who asked were indulged by Jane and Jamey without impatience.
When the Viscount and Viscountess reached Charlotte, she was on the arm of Charles Bingley. It had taken some getting used to by both the Bennets and many in the neighbourhood, but as it became evident the changes the pastor had made were both genuine and permanent, the number of those against him had dwindled too almost nil.
"If that coy smile is anything to go by you have some news to share, do you not Charlotte?" Jane asked her head cocked to one side in question.
"We were going to wait until the morrow to say anything but as you have asked, Charles requested a formal courtship and I consented and my parents gave their blessing," Charlotte smiled widely.
"I am very happy for you Charlotte," Jane told her as she leaned in to hug her friend.
Jamey shook Bingley's hand and leaned forward some so only Bingley would hear him. "Charlotte is a best friend to my wife and sister Elizabeth; do I need to point out what will occur should you ever hurt her?" Jamey stated quietly.
"My purpose in life will be to make sure that Charlotte never repines accepting me if she does when the time comes," Bingley averred sincerely.
Jamey nodded to Bingley as the couple continued with their rounds to greet and thank their guests for helping celebrate their marriage. The two couples met their family members were seated, near where the musicians would normally be for a ball.
"I hope this is a little better than your first wedding breakfast Jane," Elizabeth teased her older sister.
"The best part about it is there is no fish!" Jane exclaimed. She and the rest of the former castaways had steadfastly stuck to their decision to give fish a break. Some, like Jane said forever, but certainly for a while.
"I take it you will not want to join us when we go fish at Pemberley Jane?" Uncle Edward teased his niece.
"Edward!" Madeline admonished.
The newlyweds sat with Jane and Jamey as both couples had some repast and quenched their thirsts. After they felt refreshed, the couples walked in opposite directions as they had when they started, to greet the guests. Another hour later, no guests had been missed and the couples were able to relax with their families.
Elizabeth arched her eyebrow when she and her husband arrived where Charlotte and the rest of the Lucases were seated. After greeting and accepting well wishes from the rest of Charlotte's family, Elizabeth cocked her head to Charles Bingley.
"I know you have made a change for the positive Mr. Bingley, but if you ever hurt my friend, a sister of my heart, you know I will not rest until you are dealt with," Elizabeth told Bingley quietly as they stood a little apart from the rest of the Lucases.
"I will tell you the same thing I told your brother the Viscount your Grace, if Charlotte accepts me, it will be my life's work to make her happy," Bingley related sincerely.
"I hope so. Talk is cheap, we will see by your actions. Charlotte looks happy and she is a good judge of character, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt," Elizabeth allowed. Bingley inclined his head to the new Duchess.
After talking to Sir William and Lady Lucas for a few minutes and extending an invitation to Pemberley, the newlyweds continued their walk around the second half of the room.
"When will you depart for Holder Heights?" William asked when he sat down after completing his duties to their guests.
"The three men arrive on the morrow for us to interview them for the position of Longbourn's steward, so I believe we will depart Meryton within a sennight. I am in anticipation of seeing our estate again," Lord James clapped his son-in-law Andrew on the back, "I owe this young man an enormous debt of gratitude."
"It was my pleasure to look after your interests for you Holder. You would have done the same for me," Andrew averred humbly.
"It is time William, I am going to change for travel," Elizabeth told her husband as she stood. Jane and Louisa accompanied her to assist her if needed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
"It is hard to say goodbye to you after just getting you back Janey," Elizabeth told her sister as she hugged her tightly in the front of the house while the last of her luggage was loaded.
"We will see one another in about six weeks Lizzy, Glenmeade is near to the Derbyshire and Leicestershire border, just a little more than four hours from William's—your—estate I am told. I promise that we will try to make sure to see each other at least once a week! This is as much a new adventure for me as for you. We both remember Holder Heights, but we never saw Glenmeade before, so it will be another first for me. Now go Lizzy," Jane told her sister and sent her back to her husband after a kiss on the cheek.
Like she did with Jane, Elizabeth spent time with Tommy, who took pleasure in calling his sister your Grace. She also spent time with each of her cousins—well sisters and brother now— with whom she had so recently been reunited. After hugging and wishing everyone else goodbye, the last two she hugged and kissed were her Aunt Amy and Uncle James.
Tommy was the last to shake his new brother's hand. "I could give you the 'never hurt her speech' however I know it is not needed William. Lizzy could not have asked for a better husband for herself and brother for Jane and me. Have an enjoyable wedding trip and hopefully your voyage to and from Ireland will be uneventful." Tommy clapped his new brother on his shoulder.
"And I believe you, Jane, and the rest of the Bennets will be the best of brothers and sisters. Both Gigi and I are happy our family has expanded so greatly," William, returned.
With all the goodbyes completed, the new Duchess was handed into one of the large and extremely comfortable Derbyshire coaches by her Duke. With a rap on the roof with his cane, the driver gave a flick of the reins, and the conveyance gave a little jerk and then started rolling forward away from Elizabeth's childhood home.
Before the coach had made the turn from Longbourn's drive to the lane beyond, William moved to the forward-facing bench with his wife and had her on his lap with alacrity. Each time they kissed, Elizbeth felt her heart skip a beat. Some kisses were so passionate as his tongue sought entry into her mouth she granted with pleasure, she was sure her heart skipped two beats or more.
After some time, William pulled back a little. "Elizabeth, as much as I want you, the carriage is not where I envisioned us experiencing our first time joining. Like you, it will be my first time ever, and I want us to be able to take our time and have pleasure in our bed."
"You are not experienced? I thought men always…" Elizabeth did not need to say the rest.
"For most men, I dare say it is the norm, but not for me…" William explained his philosophy and when he was done the respect Elizabeth already felt for her husband had grown exponentially.
In a world where women were no more than chattel, she had found one of the few who saw them as equal, as partners in every way. As much as she had missed her father not walking her up the aisle to William, Elizabeth was mollified by the fact her father, had he met William, would have more than approved of the man. His wealth and rank, like it was not a factor for her, would have meant nothing if he had not thought his daughter would be protected and above all else loved. Her father would never have entrusted her to one less worthy.
She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt her mother would have loved William as well. Even though Elizabeth had been young when her beloved mother was lost, she still retained many warm memories of the late Fanny Bennet.
William was having similar thoughts of his parents as he hugged his wife close, she rested her head on his shoulder. It was not long before he heard the change in her breathing as she fell asleep snuggled up to him. He wished his parents could have lived to meet this woman he loved so ardently.
William had not known it was possible to love with the depth of feeling he felt for his sleeping wife. He would never regret the day she launched the apple at him, and it would be an amusing story to tell their future children and grandchildren. With the pleasant thoughts of his new wife in his head, William too succumbed to sleep.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Both were still sleeping when a footman opened the carriage door at Darcy House and coughed politely. The plan was to sail from London on the morrow. Although it made the trip to Ireland longer, it saved them three or four days travel to Liverpool. It also allowed for a night in the comfort of Darcy House. Another advantage was for Elizabeth to be able to see Darcy House; she would see Derbyshire House when they came to town for the season.
It took the couple a minute to put themselves to rights and wake up completely. After the footman woke them, he closed the door and waited until his master rapped on it once before opening it again. The Duke stepped out and then turned and handed his Duchess down.
The Killions, their housekeeper and butler at Darcy House were waiting for the Duke and Duchess on the top step. Welcome home your Graces," the Butler intoned with a deep bow as the housekeeper curtsied.
"Our butler and housekeeper, Mr. and Mrs. Killion," William told his wife.
The housekeeper smiled broadly. Even the normally stoic Killion's lips curled up when the Duke swept his bride up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. The servants, who were waiting to greet their master lined-up and welcomed the new mistress to the home in three neat lines. All smiled at the playful display by their normally always proper master.
William put his wife down gently and then turned to the servants, "I introduce you to her Grace, Lady Elizabeth Darcy. From this day forward, your mistress." The was a rousing cheer from the servants.
"It may take me longer than I would prefer to learn all of your names, but that will be my aim in short order. I thank you for taking the time to welcome me and his Grace home on this happiest of days in our lives. Please carry on," the new Duchess dismissed the servants.
"As you do not have a lady's maid your Grace, I have assigned Barker to you. She is fully trained in that role. Please let me know if and when you would like to interview permanent candidates if she is not your choice," Mrs. Killion informed her new mistress.
"I am sure she will fill the role well Mrs. Killion. I will let you know if I need to make a change," the Duchess replied.
"She is waiting for you in your chambers your Grace," Mrs. Killion returned.
William gave his wife a tour of the public rooms on the entrance level which included a large ballroom, three dining parlours, two drawing rooms, a music room, and three parlours. Elizabeth was impressed at the understated elegance of the décor and furniture in the rooms they viewed. It seemed from what she saw that her husband was more interested in comfort than show.
William led Elizabeth up the grand marble staircase to the first floor—the family floor. To the right, the doors to the mistress and master's study and the library were pointed out before they turned to the left and William led her to three doors.
"The left door leads to my bedchamber; the middle is our private sitting room. This door," he pointed to the righthand door, "is your bedchamber. It was last decorated over thirty years previously. You are free to redecorate it and any other room, in this and any of our other houses." With that, William led his wife into their sitting room.
"So far in the rooms I have seen, including this sitting room, there is nothing I would care to change William. I will not make changes because I am able to, only if and when they are needed," Elizabeth stated.
"Enough about décor," William growled as he captured his wife's lips, who was more than willing to be caught. It seemed as if their hearts were beating in sync as kiss followed kiss with each sending their hands roaming exploring the other's body through their clothes. "How much time do you need Elizabeth?" William asked his voice gruff with passion.
"Half an hour," she answered almost lightheaded from the burst of passion she felt. With one more toe-curling kiss, the couple separated and made for their own chambers. The Duke dismissed his valet as soon as he gained his chambers. He removed everything except his breeches and lawn shirt, which he untucked.
When Elizabeth entered the large mistress chambers, she was met by her new lady's maid. "You must be Barker?" the Duchess enquired. The maid curtsied in reply. "I would like to change into the yellow nightgown and matching robe."
The nightgown and robe had been a wedding gift from Aunt Maddy. Once she donned it with her maid's assistance, Elizabeth looked at her image in the full-length mirror. It was as sheer as sheer could be revealing all her womanly assets but seeing herself and knowing William would soon be the one looking at her caused only pleasure, no embarrassment whatsoever. Barker held the robe open for her and Elizabeth slipped her arms into it. Elizabeth tied the bow loosely and then dismissed her maid telling her she would ring when needed.
Almost to the second when the half-hour had passed, there was a knock on her bedchamber door. When she called enter William walked in. She had always thought him handsome, but she was not prepared for how good he looked in only his untucked lawn shirt and breeches.
She looked over her incredibly handsome husband from head to foot causing her breath to hitch and her heart rate to speed up. The shirt was open halfway down his torso revealing a thin covering of black hair on his muscular chest.
William could not believe the vision that met him. His wife was clad in a yellow robe over what seemed from the little of it he could see, a sheer yellow nightgown. He felt his appendage start to become tumescent as he drank in the beauty before him. He wordlessly reached his hand out which Elizabeth took without question and he led her through the sitting room into his bedchamber.
Elizabeth thought his rooms were exactly as she had suspected, very masculine and tastefully decorated. She did not miss the most enormous bed she had ever beheld. As William stood transfixed, she untied the robe and allowed it to pool on the floor behind her.
If William had been aroused before, the vision of her body, from her well-rounded breasts with the pert nipples in the centre to the dark triangle of hair between her legs, brought him to the brink of release as his member strained to escape the confines of his breeches.
Cheap words were not needed. As they looked at one another and spoke wordlessly, William lifted the lawn shirt over his head and flung it away. Seeing his whole well-muscled torso caused Elizabeth to suck in much air as her heart skipped more than one beat. As they looked at one another, they came to the same conclusion simultaneously.
As he opened his breaches and peeled them off his well-defined legs, Elizabeth pulled the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor around her feet. With perfect timing they kicked the garments at their feet away—the clothing meeting in the air and falling to the floor in one pile.
She reached out her hand and his met hers as their fingers intertwined and he led her to the bed. As they were both inexperienced and aroused beyond belief, their first joining was over before either would have liked. However not long after William was aroused once more, and the next time was slower and longer. By the third time of their joining, William had learnt what to do to bring Elizabeth to release before he did.
They both ascribed to the theory that in order to be proficient, one needed to practice prodigiously. It was already dark out when they rang for baths and requested trays of food in their sitting room. It was after one in the morning before they finally allowed sleep to claim them, intertwined in one another's arms.
