Author's notes: There are still two chapters left (Epilogue)
Edited by SamH294
End June 1812 – Mid-July 1812
At last, the long-awaited day arrived, and a group of about fifteen people gathered at Pemberley's chapel to witness Elizabeth Bennet's wedding to Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Among the guests were Lord Frederick, Lord Sebastian, the Matlocks, and the Campbells. Unfortunately, Mary and her husband could not attend because she was assuredly pregnant and after her first experience, no one wanted her to take any chances, especially with all the traveling required to go up north. The Bingleys sent Darcy a long letter congratulating him but they did not attend.
As the organ played, Mr. Harrison entered the church arm in arm with his niece. Elizabeth was radiant in a new pearl-colored gown embroidered with silver threads, and she had an adornment of beautiful flowers and pearls in her hair. Darcy was wearing a dark blue suit that brought out the color of his eyes and a huge smile on his face.
When he saw his bride, Darcy was immensely moved and his eyes became moist with the glistening of happy tears. He had never seen his Elizabeth so beautiful. At last, her uncle, with a slight nod, kissed Elizabeth's forehead and placed her hand on Darcy's.
It was clear to the priest who officiated the ceremony and to everyone present that this was a love match. The couple said their vows with conviction and feeling, both of their voices trembling with emotion.
The wedding breakfast was hosted at Pemberley, and everyone agreed the food was delicious. To give the young couple privacy, Georgiana left for two weeks with the Matlocks to their estate for two weeks, following the wedding.
Wedding night
The first night they spent together as husband and wife was beautiful, a memory they would both cherish until the day they died.
Miss Harrison had gifted Elizabeth a beautiful lace nightgown for that special night. She was sitting at her vanity combing her long dark hair when Darcy entered her bedchamber.
For several moments Darcy was both petrified and enthralled looking at his beautiful wife and he soon gently approached her. Tenderly he took the hairbrush from her hand and began to brush her hair while, with his other hand, he caressed her shoulders and hair.
"Your hair is so beautiful and it's even silkier than I imagined. You cannot know how many dreams I had of seeing you like this, with your beautiful hair down. How many times have I dreamed of touching and caressing your hair." They looked at each other through the mirror and both smiled.
She looked into his eyes. "Please, let me know, what other things have you dreamt of?"
He kissed her right shoulder. "I have dreamed of kissing every part of your beautiful body and being so close to you that not even the air fits between us. I love you so much Elizabeth."
"I really like those dreams. You have my permission to make them come true."
Darcy helped her to her feet, while he passionately caressed and kissed her, untying the laces of her nightgown until it finally fell to the floor. Within minutes, to Darcy's delight, Elizabeth was completely naked in the middle of the room.
He looked at her in wonder and murmured, "You are so beautiful my love, so beautiful." He swept her up and carried her to the bed and in a few seconds, Elizabeth was lying in the middle of the bed with her hair spread out on the pillow.
Darcy took a long look at her, staring with a mixture of desire, love, and passion. He fulfilled his dream of kissing and caressing her with abandon, and when they did come together as a couple, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Their first two weeks spent alone as husband and wife passed in the blink of an eye and were the happiest of Darcy's life. To Darcy's surprise and delight, as the days passed, he fell even more in love with his beautiful wife. Elizabeth was a passionate and curious woman, and their lovemaking was even better than his wildest dreams.
Darcy never tired of looking at her, either when she was sleeping or when she was awake. He never tired of caressing her hair and her body. He never tired of hearing her voice, hearing her laugh, and kissing her until they were both breathless. Each day that passed, he was discovering little additional details of his Elizabeth; from a small mole on her right hip to the slight smile she often had while she slept, and with each passing minute he became even more under her spell. To Darcy's joy, they agreed on their first night together that they would always share a bed, from that day forward. Every night, before retiring to their shared bedchamber, she played the pianoforte and sang for him.
For Elizabeth, those days they spent alone together were also a beautiful experience. She had never imagined a man could feel that kind of passion, love, tenderness, and devotion for her, and she felt completely adored. In every way, Darcy was respectful and considerate, and he took her opinion into account before making decisions about their future.