The wedding of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet was very emotional. The groom's voice shook when he said his vows and the bride shed tears of happiness. Everyone gathered in church agreed that the young couple was deeply in love.
Mrs. Bennet was very excited and proud of herself since the Earl and Countess of Matlock attended the wedding breakfast and complimented her on the quality of the food and her skills as a hostess.
Darcy and Elizabeth departed for London at midday; they wanted to have their first night as husband and wife alone.
The first week of their marriage was the happiest of Darcy's life. Elizabeth was a passionate and curious woman, and their lovemaking was even better than in his dreams. In addition, he discovered that she was an excellent chess opponent, and she was always eager to learn new things. Every night, before retiring to their shared bedchamber, she played the pianoforte and sang for him.
At Lizzy's request, they attended the opera once; it was a magical experience but Darcy spent more time watching the expression in his wife's beautiful eyes than the happenings on the stage. They went to the modiste together, because he didn't want to be parted from her.
The only awkward moment was at Gunter's, where they had a chance encounter with Lady Victoria. The Lady greeted them and asked some impertinent questions about their wedding, and especially about Elizabeth's family; Darcy was furious with the hateful Lady. He chose to finish the conversation by commenting he had seen her husband with a young lady at the opera, but he hadn't had the pleasure of seeing Lady Victoria there, as well. He knew as well - as well as all of London - that Lady Victoria's husband preferred the company of his mistress to his wife.
Darcy was daily most grateful for his narrow escape, because, if he had married that shrew, he would now be deeply unhappy and trapped in a marriage to an insipid and vapid woman. The idea of living his life without his Elizabeth was inconceivable.
January 1813 - March 1813
After their short honeymoon in London, Darcy and Elizabeth continued on their trip to Kent. Richard and Anne were very glad to see the young couple again. Anne was still sickly, but she was now making an effort to improve her health and put her depression behind her. Richard was eager to discuss with Darcy the new crop techniques that his steward had proposed.
Three days after their arrival, Mary entered her confinement. Thankfully, there weren't any complications and a healthy boy was born. After a few days, Mary felt good.
Mr. Collins was the happiest man in the kingdom - his boy was perfect and healthy, and his beautiful, beloved wife survived childbirth and was doing very well. Mary and her husband asked Anne and Richard to be godparents for Thomas Collins; both Fitzwilliams were pleased and proud to accept.
Although Mary had the means to hire a wet nurse, she decided to feed her baby by herself, and Mr. Collins always agreed with his wife's decisions.
Lizzy sent letters to her parents, her uncle, her sisters, and her friends telling them the joyous news. Her parents, as expected, were very happy, and they promised to visit Hunsford in February for the baby's christening.
After spending two weeks in Kent, Darcy and Elizabeth continued on their four-day journey to Pemberley. Lizzy was very curious about her future home and, during the long trip, she asked Darcy many questions about the house, the grounds, and his childhood memories.
Despite Darcy's detailed descriptions, Lizzy was in awe the first time she saw Pemberley. The house and the grounds were more beautiful than Lizzy had imagined, and all of this was hers.
The servants and Mrs. Reynolds, in particular, were pleased to have a new mistress, especially a mistress who was obviously deeply in love with the master.
Their first week at Pemberley was spent touring the house, the gardens, and the park. Lizzy, as a voracious reader, fell in love with the house's impressive library and, to her great surprise, she discovered that Darcy had bought all the books that her father had sold over a year ago to increase his daughter's dowries.
To Darcy's delight, Lizzy was enchanted by Gigi and, in a short time, she loved her dearly. The sweet baby was growing very fast and soon, she started to call him "pa-pa".
Darcy watched his beloved wife sleep in his arms. The doctor had confirmed their suspicion - they were expecting their first child. Every day, he was more in love with his beautiful Elizabeth. He could never have imagined one year ago, that he could be so happy with his life. Elizabeth and Gigi were the light of his life, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the best decision he had ever made was to accept Bingley's invitation to visit Netherfield Park.