Chapter 12
Ruth grew by leaps and bounds in the next month. She was a big, healthy baby, with excellent lung capacity. After the first few days of exhaustion, Darcy had brought in a wet nurse so that Elizabeth could sleep through the night without having to breastfeed, but could still nurse her daughter during the day.
Elizabeth was pleased by how much interest her husband took in their baby. He was an attentive and doting father, and had even surprised and scandalized the nurse one day when she had discovered him changing his daughter's nappy.
Elizabeth and Darcy had certainly bonded over their child as well. Elizabeth even felt it might be safe soon to tell him she loved him. She had never seen such affection and tenderness in him before as when he dealt with her and with Ruth.
Jane, Mary, and Georgiana doted on their new niece, and once the Bennets arrived for the wedding, Ruth was always in someone's arms being cossetted. Elizabeth declared teasingly that the baby would grow spoiled if this continued for long. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were delighted with their first grandchild, although Mrs. Bennet admonished Elizabeth for not birthing a boy, and even Kitty and Lydia showed an interest in her. Elizabeth had noted her two youngest sisters were much improved from last fall, although Lydia still showed contempt at Mary's choice of husband.
"He is handsome, I will say that, but to marry a clergyman! How boring! I favour a man in a red coat. But I suppose you need someone as dull as you," Lydia pronounced.
Mary was too happy to be offended by her youngest sister's words. She and Mr. Wickham had both been irked by the zealous chaperoning that had surrounded them since their engagement, although both knew and accepted the reasons for it. It would not do to have the parish see their vicar and his soon-to-be-bride behaving indecorously.
Wickham and Darcy had together looked over candidates for a new curate, and he had arrived a few weeks ago. He was the one who would be performing the ceremony.
The Darcys were seated in their front pew with the new Miss Darcy on Darcy's lap, and the Bingleys and Bennets sat arrayed near them. But Wickham was not looking at them. As he stood in front of the church, waiting for the service to begin, he was watching for his bride.
Mr. Bennet appeared at the back of the church, Mary on his arm. She was arrayed in a light yellow dress with scalloped hems and a white sash. She was wearing a white bonnet adorned with yellow flowers, and holding a bouquet of multicoloured flowers from the Pemberley hothouse. Wickham's eyes were fixed on her as she came up the aisle to his side. He thought she had never looked more beautiful. Her lovely green eyes shone with golden flecks as she took his hands and the service began.
Wickham hardly heard the service, although he knew he spoke his vows correctly when prompted. He heard Mary's low musical voice repeating her vows, and then they were husband and wife. He walked down the aisle proudly with her on his arm. He wanted everyone to see what a lovely bride he had. He thought those poor fellows in the pews must be jealous of him.
The wedding breakfast was sumptuous, and though Mrs. Bennet had not organized it, she took credit for it all the same. Wickham took the time to quietly thank Mrs. Bingley for her help in organizing the festivities.
His wife looked radiant as she accepted congratulations, and Wickham could hardly wait to get her back to the parsonage for their wedding night. For, while he had been celibate for some years, in university he had been a bit of a rake, and he anticipated the moment when his lovely Mary would strip away her clothes and he could make love to her at last. He knew she would be a passionate creature, as evinced when she stood up for the poor and indigent despite all opposition.
Wickham knew the Bennets would remain at Pemberley for at least another week, so he felt no guilt in hustling his wife away from the wedding breakfast as soon as decently possible.
Mary had been in the sitting room of the Parsonage before, but Wickham took her by the hand and all but dragged her toward his bedroom while she looked about her curiously.
"George!" She giggled when she saw him already taking off his wedding finery. "It is only four in the afternoon!"
"It is never too early for one's wedding night," he said with a rakish smile, which caused Mary to giggle even more at the unfamiliar expression on his face.
Wickham thought for a moment she might balk, but to his relief she began to undress as well. He helped her undo the buttons at the back of her dress until she was naked. Quickly and modestly she dove under the covers, watching him disrobe with interest. He was glad she did not appear frightened.
"Do you know what to expect, my dear Mary?" George asked, as he climbed in beside her, now naked himself.
Mary nodded. "Yes. Jane spoke to me."
George nearly sighed with relief. He had been afraid that Mrs. Bennet might frighten his wife with tales of horror. "It will hurt a little bit the first time, I have heard," he warned.
"I know. I am not afraid, George." Then, to his delight, she learned forward to kiss him.
He returned the kiss enthusiastically, and was soon arousing her body with his hands and mouth. He remembered enough to find her pleasure point and manipulate it carefully with his fingers until she was coming apart in his arms. Glad she had found her pleasure, he was now feeling desperate himself. He asked if she was ready, and at her lethargic nod, he slid inside her.
It was over embarrassingly quickly. He only lasted a few delicious thrusts in her wet warmth before he was spilling his seed inside her. As he rolled off her, panting, he threw his arm over his eyes.
"I am sorry, Mary," he said.
"What for?" she asked, puzzled. "I thought it was marvellous!"
He realized then that she was too inexperienced to realize what a poor showing he had just made, and resolved to do better in future. "I am glad," he said instead. "Give me a little while to recover, and then I shall show you how much better it can be!"
"I cannot imagine its being better!" Mary exclaimed with wide eyes.
"I hope I did not hurt you?" He looked at her with concern.
"Hardly at all," she reassured him. Just then her stomach growled and they both laughed. "I am rather hungry, however. I ate so little at the wedding breakfast, too busy talking with everyone. Perhaps Cook has something prepared for us?"
"I am sure she does." Wickham got up to dress in a robe, and Mary searched through her belongings that had been brought to the parsonage yesterday to find one for herself. She had not had time to unpack yet.
They went to the small kitchen to find that Cook had, indeed, prepared a cold collation for their supper, leaving them in privacy for their wedding night. They sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed the fare.
Darcy had been kind enough to hire a full-time cook for them as a wedding present. He had not wanted his sister-in-law to have to work in the kitchen, although Mary had protested that she would not mind.
"You will have enough on your mind tending to your husband and the parish, Mary," Darcy had told her. "And children, too, soon enough. Let this be my wedding gift to you both."
"Very well. Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I'm sure George will appreciate as well not having to choke down my cooking!"
As soon as they had eaten, they returned to bed, and George made good on his promise that it would be even better than the first time. Afterwards, they lay together, limbs entwined, waiting for their breathing to slow.
"Do you think we made a baby tonight?" Mary asked.
George was startled at the question. "I had not thought about it. I admit my first thought was getting you naked."
Mary giggled. "I just thought, maybe I would conceive soon. I cannot wait to have children, and Lizzy and Jane both conceived quickly after their weddings."
"I would like to have a little girl who looks just like you, with your gorgeous green eyes," said George.
"But I want a boy with your blue eyes and dark hair," said Mary.
"I suppose we shall have to compromise and have one of each," said George with a mischievous smile.
"I think we have a deal, Mr. Wickham," said Mary, returning his smile.
The new couple spent the next three days secluded in their bedroom, except when they emerged to eat. The servants whispered among themselves that it was a pleasure to see their master so happy, and the mistress was certainly a kind and generous lady.
Finally, George had to admit that he must get back to work. "I have not even started the sermon for Sunday service yet," he said.
"And I must send a message to Pemberley House for my sisters to come visit. I want to show them my new home."
While George went to his study, Mary sent off a note, and her sisters and mother arrived soon after to view the parsonage. Like Mary, they had all been in the sitting room before, but now Mary was able to show them the four bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, her own private sitting room, and the gardens at the back of the house. When Mary said that three bedrooms had been set apart for guests, and then for the children, when they came, Mrs. Bennet exclaimed with dismay that Mary would have to share a room with her husband. "You may find that he becomes very demanding," she warned.
Mary did not reply, but smiled inwardly, reflecting on how much she enjoyed her husband's "demands."
"And how do you find married life so far, Mary?" Elizabeth asked in a low voice while the other ladies were exclaiming over the flowers in the garden.
Mary blushed bright red. "It is very agreeable."
Elizabeth chuckled, looking pleased. "I am glad to hear it."
Jane came over to their side. "I am glad Charles and I are here to see you settled, Mary. We will be leaving Pemberley in a couple of weeks."
"Oh? Has Mr. Darcy found an estate for you nearby?" Mary asked.
"He and Charles found one a few weeks ago, but with the excitement of your wedding, I did not speak of it until now. Briarwood Manor is in good condition. It was recently sold by an impecunious lord who needed to pay off his debts. We only need to have the staff move in and clean it thoroughly. Charles and I are going to travel to Netherfield soon to take care of ending the lease and have all our possessions packed and sent to Briarwood. Then we can move in." She beamed.
"I am so happy for you, Jane!" Mary exclaimed. "It seems God has blessed all three of us in His choice of husbands."
"He has indeed," said Elizabeth with a smile.