Thank you all for the birthday wishes.
I want to offer a warning, in this chapter Elizabeth discusses her experiences and feelings a bit.
It was some time later when Mr. Darcy woke. He shifted slightly and felt someone move beside him. Opening his eyes he gazed down at the sleeping face of his wife. Elizabeth laid close beside him. Her hair was loose, draped across the pillow, and her bare shoulder peeked out from under the blanket. He smiled at the memory of how she had reached such a state. Carefully, he moved his hand from beneath the blanket. He took a loose curl between his fingers. He marveled at its softness. Beside him, Elizabeth shifted again. A wave of love came over him suddenly as he watched her sleep, safely ensconced in his arms.
"She sleeps so peacefully now." he thought with a smile.
A stray thought ventured then into his mind. Had he seen her sleep? Was she awake during all those visits he made to her room? He considered the matter carefully.
"She was awake when her finger moved but what of the times before that?"
His fingers wrapped and unwrapped the curl as he thought over the occasions he visited Elizabeth during her convalescence. She had assured him she would not scold him for the occasion the morning he had discovered that she was awake but what of the others. Did she know of them?
"You seem very thoughtful." Elizabeth said quietly.
His eyes drifted to her face. She was looking up at him.
"That is because I was thinking of you." he remarked.
"I did not know you could flatter so well, sir."
She moved to sit up but quickly realized she was lacking clothing save for the choker around her neck. Her realization came with a squeak of surprise and a quick grab of the blanket to cover herself. A blush began at her hairline and disappeared below the blanket which was now secured around her neck. Mr. Darcy was distracted for a moment wondering how far below the blanket it went.
"You need not be shy, Elizabeth." he remarked. "Do remember I am the cause of your current state of undress."
Her blush deepened and he leaned in to kiss her.
"Would you be more comfortable if I retrieved your chemise for you?" he asked when they parted.
"Yes, thank you."
He nodded with a smile. Pulling back the blanket he stood and strode around the bed. Elizabeth's eyes widened and she quickly covered her head.
"Are you well, dearest?"
"You are not dressed, sir." came the slightly muffled reply.
"Nor are you, my love." he replied picking up her chemise.
"I am not striding about the room like some Grecian statue come to life."
He sat beside her on the edge of the bed, a smile on his face. Reaching out, he tugged the blanket from her head. Her face was still held a blush.
"You think I look like a Grecian statue come to life?"
Her cheeks darkened a bit.
"You are very...statuesque."
"We could take a turn about the room. Two statues striding about."
"I am far from statuesque." she replied. "I am may be considered pleasant-looking on most days and perhaps even pretty when dressed for a ball or other such occasion..."
"You are far more than just pretty, Elizabeth." he said leaning in to capture her lips once more. "So many times your beauty robbed me of my ability to speak."
"You withstood my beauty quite well at the beginning of our acquaintance."
"I spoke abruptly at the assembly. I have never uttered a more false sentiment, I assure you."
She studied him for a moment before asking quietly, "When did you begin to love me?"
"I have considered that myself, but I cannot name the moment when I lost my heart to you. I was in the middle before I knew I had begun." he replied. "I was intrigued by you when you sang at Lucas Lodge. I was enchanted when you arrived at Netherfield to nurse your sister."
"I looked a fright when I arrived."
"You looked like a wild wood nymph."
"I believe the wild part but the rest I am skeptical about."
"You may be skeptical but I stand by my description." he said with a smile. "Your appearance that day has played a large part in my imaginings since then."
"Imaginings?"
"Indeed. Some innocent, some not so innocent. All maddening when I thought they would never be."
"And now?"
"Now I am quite looking forward to seeing how accurate such thoughts were. Thus far they have fallen short. The real Elizabeth is so much better than the one that haunted me." he replied.
She caressed his face and he captured her hand. He placed a kiss on her palm and was rewarded with a smile.
He held her hand for a long moment. Again his mind drifted to the times he visited her when she was recovering. He wondered what she would think of his actions.
"What thoughts have stolen your smile?" she asked.
"When did you wake after you arrived?"
She paled slightly and shuttered. Mr. Darcy moved closer and pulled her into his arms.
"Forgive me, dearest. I should not have mentioned it."
She clung to him and shook her head, "You are not at fault. I simply recalled when I first woke. The fear I felt then came back. Do not worry, I am well now."
She loosened her grip and took a breath.
"I woke in the trunk." she began. "I did not know I was in the trunk. I only knew I could not move or open my eyes. I wanted to call out by I could not. Every sound outside was muffled. I thought I was moving but did not know how I was traveling or where I was going. I felt pain at every bump in the road."
He caressed her as she spoke.
"I am not sure how long it was before I felt the movement stop and heard voices. I could not understand what they were saying. They moved the trunk. I felt...panicked, terrified. There were more voices and more movement. I heard the latch being undone. The fear became so strong I could not breathe. I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears. It was all I could hear."
She looked up at him suddenly. Tears glistened in her eyes.
"Then I heard your voice. You called my name and begged me to open my eyes."
"We thought the worst in that moment." he whispered tightening his arms around her. "I thought I had lost you."
"When I heard you say my name I could breathe again. I knew I was safe." Her body relaxed in his arms. "The sound of your voice chased away all my fears and I knew at that moment that I did love you completely. That I would love no man as I love you. The joy I felt when you said you still wished for us to marry blocked out all the pain. All the fear was forgotten. I only wished to open my eyes to see you again, to tell you I love you."
He kissed her softly.
"So you were awake every time I visited you?"
"I believe so. I only slept during the day after I took the tonic. I recall you coming in the mornings and talking to me."
He nodded.
"Then you stopped."
"Once we knew you were awake, I forced myself to stay away unless Georgiana or one of the ladies were with you. I should not have visited before that, it was improper for me to come, but I needed to see you. We did not know if you would wake. I hoped that you would hear me, that you would fight to stay."
"I understand though I must admit I did miss your visits."
"You did?"
"Stolen kisses brought me joy as well." she replied.
He smiled and kissed her again. Passions soon overtook them again.
"I found it." Mr. Darcy declared as he pulled Elizabeth's chemise from the tangle of blankets.
"Thank you." she said taking the garment and pulling it on. "Now I believe it is time you showed me around my new home."
"Are you sure?"
"I need to walk to regain my strength, William."
"I suppose that is true."
"Let me refresh myself then we can begin the tour."
"Shall I call your maid?"
"No, if you will assist me to the door, I am sure I can manage well enough."
He was hesitant but nodded. He retrieved his own clothing and the rest of hers then assisted her to the door of the dressing room.
"I shall refresh myself as well and rejoin you here." he assured her.
She nodded and disappeared into her dressing room. He hurried to his own room to dress properly.
Returning to Elizabeth's room a few minutes later, he found her sitting at her vanity table.
"I held the wall to reach the bench, I promise." she remarked seeing him.
She was dressed in a simple morning dress and was pinning up her hair. The choker had worn for the wedding had been replaced with a wide ribbon. He crossed to her.
"I found two pins when I began brushing my hair. I should have known that we missed some. My hair has always taken more pins to tame than any of my sisters."
"It is lovely when it is free and wild." he commented caressing one of the curls hanging along her face.
She gave him a smile as she slipped the last pin in place.
"I have thought of cutting it."
"Cutting it?" he replied surprised. "Why?"
"There is a fashionable style from France I have seen in some ladies magazines as of late. The hair is cut very short..."
"The Titus cut?"
"You have heard of it?"
"Georgiana told me about it. Several girls who attended school with her had their hair cut in such a way."
"I thought I would be considered more fashionable if I had mine cut so. I would not want anyone to think you married an unfashionable lady."
"I forbid you from cutting your hair in such a way."
She turned on the vanity bench and looked up at him. The curl he had been enjoying slipped from his fingers.
"You forbid me?" she asked incredulously.
He shifted uncomfortably.
"I do not believe...You should not have to..."
He fell into silence as she studied him. She sighed.
"I see we wholly disagree on this matter, husband." Elizabeth remarked. "I suppose as your wife I must bow to your wishes." She rose. "Shall we begin the tour."
Mr. Darcy studied her confused.
"So you will not cut your hair?" he asked slowly.
"No, in this I will give way to you, but do not think all our future disagreements will be as easily won."
He paused, "Future disagreements?"
"Indeed." she remarked with a smile. "I hope your cousin is not too disappointed over his loss."
His smile quickly matched hers, "It is not the first he has suffered and likely not the last."
He offered her his arm. She took it happily and they departed the room.
I hope no one is too disappointed for Colonel Fitzwilliam. There will be an update on what is happening with Lady Catherine soon.
Thanks for reading.