Hi, lovely readers! Wow! I cannot believe just how many people have read my story already! Truly amazing! I do hope you are enjoying it so far. I don't have any set timelines for when I write or publish chapters. I simply write if I am inspired to write. But, these characters lately just keep playing in my imagination, wanting me to write down what they're up to next. So, do enjoy! Also, a big thank you to those of you who have taken the time to write a review or send me lovely positive messages. I do appreciate them and they put a huge smile on my face. So, thank you very much!

Chapter 4

Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe the day had finally arrived! Never had she taken as much time or care with her appearance. Elizabeth's hair was pinned up, much as it had been at the Ball at Netherfield months ago, dotted with pearls that stood out prominently against her dark hair. This time, however, there were many loose, curled strands that lightly brushed the sides of her neck and framed her face in a most flattering way.

Her dress, meanwhile, fitted her better than any other dress she had worn before. Both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had insisted on ensuring that their brides be fitted by the most popular French modiste in London. Both Jane and she had tried to tell them that it was not necessary, but upon hearing that, Mrs. Bennet quite loudly thanked the gentlemen and accepted for her daughters. Mrs. Bennet certainly gave them quite a talking to after the gentlemen had left, getting the point across that it was unseemly to refuse gifts from their intendeds.

The modiste had closed her shop to attend to the two brides-to-be. She was most pleased that both young ladies were so svelte in their appearance. She thought it the most romantic thing that the two sisters would be marrying in a double wedding with such dashing, well-to-do young men and she promised to make them the most beautiful brides she had ever outfitted.

'She certainly kept her promise,' thought Lizzy as she looked at herself in the mirror. This was the finest dress she had ever worn. And, while Jane's dress was slightly more conservative, as she preferred to add more lace to her gown, Lizzy allowed the modiste to have free reign over the design of her dress, trusting she would know what style would best suit her. She wondered if that had been entirely wise now in retrospect. While she thought that the low, square neckline was a bit more risqué than she was used to, she was not expecting small, crystal-like beads that caught the sunlight and sparkled to grace that neckline, drawing even more attention to her buxom attributes. The rest of her dress was soft and supple, accentuating her every movement. There was no doubt about it, Lizzy looked quite different in this attire. She had never thought she could ever look quite so elegant and regal, but she certainly felt like it at the moment.

She heard her mother outside her door calling her. It was time to go. It was time to meet her husband-to-be at the altar. Her mouth curled up in a brilliant smile and she called out, "Coming, mother"!

Meanwhile, at the church, Darcy stood beside Bingley at the altar as they both awaited their brides.

Darcy was relieved that the day was finally here! It had been so incredibly difficult for him to keep the small intimacies he shared with Elizabeth during their courtship just that – small. He loved kissing her and from her enthusiasm, he knew she loved kissing him too. Which, made it that much more difficult to stop, especially when they stole a few moments alone. Yes, Jane and Bingly often would be in the general vicinity, as each couple served to 'watch' over the other, though in reality, they were both so engrossed with their beloveds that it was easy enough to slip away for a moment of privacy here and there.

He had to stop thinking about intimacies with Elizabeth! He was about to marry her and he needed to get his head on straight! 'Think about something else,' he said silently to himself. It was at that moment, that he could hear Mrs. Bennet's voice that carried from all the way outside the church. Hearing how loud her voice was now reminded him of how loudly she had exclaimed her happiness upon hearing from Jane about her engagement at dinner the day both he and Bingly had gotten Mr. Bennet's blessing. Darcy allowed Mrs. Bennet to voice her profuse exclamations of congratulations for quite a few minutes before Elizabeth looked upon him with her mischievous eyes that challenged him to tell her mother about their good news as well. Elizabeth had told her father that she had asked Mr. Darcy to tell her mother the good news. And, as Darcy quickly glanced in Mr. Bennet's direction, he could see that he too seemed to be waiting with glee not only to see how he would tell Elizabeth's mother, but also to see his wife's reaction to the news. 'Well, there's no time like the present,' Darcy thought, and then proceeded to interrupt Mrs. Bennet.

"Mrs. Bennet," Darcy said, startling her momentarily as she had likely completely forgotten he was even in the room.

"Yes, Mr. Darcy," she remarked, slightly annoyed by the interruption.

"I heartily congratulate you and your family on such wonderful news. Mr. Bingly is a most loyal and good friend and I am very happy to see him settle with such a lovely young woman as your daughter. Though I am generally not one for such insights, might I suggest a double-wedding?"

Mrs. Bennet looked confused. 'What does he mean a double-wedding,' she wondered. She was flummoxed. Who else was getting married? It certainly wasn't Charlotte Lucas, as she had already married that Mr. Collins that Lizzy had let slip through her fingers. 'Good Lord, when will Lizzy ever learn the importance of making a good match,' she wondered. And, she knew of no other ladies in the village who were engaged.

"I see I have confused you. Please do, forgive me, as I simply hoped to increase your happiness exponentially, as your beautiful daughter, Miss Elizabeth, has said yes to my proposal and agreed to become the new Mrs. Darcy, mistress of Pemberley."

Mrs. Bennet said not a word. Her eyes had widened impossibly at this news. She simply sat back in her chair, her mouth gaping as if to say something occasionally, but the sounds did not seem to want to come out of her mouth.

"Mr. Darcy," said Mr. Bennet gleefully, "I see you have rendered my wife speechless in her happiness. As such, I can only say, thank you and welcome to the family, young man!"

Yes, Mrs. Bennet had been rendered speechless that evening, but she was certainly quite vocal now. Darcy and Bingly could hear her praising both her daughters on their beauty from outside the church courtyard. But, the moment the doors opened, they no longer needed Mrs. Bennet's narrative, for they could see that they were indeed the luckiest men in the world.

Jane was stunning in her dress, even with the extra lace that covered her a bit more modestly. Bingley thought she was an angel come down from heaven just for him as she walked toward him.

But, when Darcy clapped eyes on Elizabeth, it was his turn to be struck dumb. Elizabeth was no angel. No, she was a divine seductress! Her movements toward him seemed almost sinuous as the material of her dress clung to her curves and swished around her body. And, as the light from the stained-glass windows shone down upon her, the light reflected in a myriad of color around the crystal beads upon her low neckline, embellishing further the lush fullness of her bosom. Meanwhile her loose, dark tresses seem to kiss the sides of her neck, with each step she took.

Darcy was a dead man. He wanted to drag her out of the church and take her to Pemberley, or more specifically to his bed, right this minute. She tempted him like no other had nor ever would. Thankfully, however, he then looked at her lovely face, which was shining with such happiness that it simply took his breath away. He was floored once again by the love that was so clearly visible in her eyes. That love was meant only for him and that love is what anchored him to the moment. From this moment on, Elizabeth would be his and he would be hers. Theirs was a true love match, as everyone in the church could very easily see. He was eager to be married to this amazing woman and have this union blessed under the very eyes of God. He wanted all to know that she was his wife and that she had chosen him to be her husband.

The ceremony had gone by quickly and the celebratory breakfast thereafter not quickly enough, for Darcy's taste. But, once they had spoken to all their well-wishers and enjoyed the well-set table Mrs. Bennet had arranged, they were eager to get underway. Elizabeth and Darcy said their final goodbyes to her family, especially to Jane and Bingly and entered their awaiting equipage, beginning their journey towards Pemberley, though they would rest at his house in London first.

The moment they closed the carriage door, Darcy held Elizabeth's hand and brought it to his lips. Finally, they were alone with no one to disturb them. The carriage curtains were drawn, so they were entirely in their own little world together where no one could disturb them.

"Elizabeth, my love, you are the most stunning, amazing and bewitching woman I have ever beheld. Thank you for becoming my wife," Darcy said.

Elizabeth was blushing from the compliment and from the feel of his hand in hers. She felt the intimacy that their enclosed carriage provided. She was finally alone with her new husband! When she had entered the church and saw Darcy there waiting for her, she did not miss the heated looks he had given her as he looked upon her body. She had seen his desire and she had been greatly flattered to have pleased her soon-to-be husband in this way. Yes, over the past month of their courting, she knew that he was greatly attracted by her intellect, as he often sought topics to discuss with her. He knew her to be intelligent and it only served to make him seek her opinion on many subjects. But, she also wanted to be physically wanted by this handsome, virile man in visceral way.

She decided that as he was honest with her, she would be honest with him and leaned over to whisper in his ear.

"And you, my love, are the handsomest, strongest and most loving man I have ever known," Elizabeth whispered. "But, do not let that go to your head, sir. For, in such cases as these, it is most prudent to keep levelheaded, lest we lose ourselves overmuch to pride."

Darcy grinned and playfully said: "Is that so, madam? Do you find me to be handsome? And, may I ask what your favorite feature might be, wife?"

Happy to finally be able to touch her husband freely, Elizabeth decided to try to show him.

She took his hands and lifted them to her lips, kissing them. "These hands are wonderfully strong, especially when they hold me." Darcy made a soft, low humming sound of appreciation when she kissed his hands so tenderly. Then she leaned into him, as if to whisper in his ear again and softly said, "Your ears are wonderfully attentive whenever I speak, because you actually care what I have to say." Then she nipped his earlobe and quickly licked the small portion of his earlobe that was caught between her teeth. She then heard William gasp deeply and moan at the unexpected touch. But then, she brought her face right in front of his, her lips barely touching his as she said, "But, I may love your mouth the most, because it makes me feel truly alive whenever you kiss me."

Darcy could take no more. He leaned in just a fraction more and quickly coaxed her lips open with his own. Darcy lifted Elizabeth to sit upon his lap as they both did their best to slowly devour each other.

Of course, Elizabeth's actions had excited Darcy. Again, he wanted to take her. He could take her, he thought to himself. She was his wife now, he tried to reason with himself. But, this was Elizabeth and she, the new mistress of Pemberley and the love of his life, deserved so much more than a fumble together in a carriage during their first time together as man and wife. He wanted that moment to be truly special and memorable. They would be resting for the evening in Darcy's home in London soon enough before continuing on to Pemberley. And, after they kissed many, many times, he finally told her this, which made Elizabeth love him all the more as well as wish for a faster carriage.