Thanks for the reviews! I love to hear what you think. Ignore the random date that begins this chapter, it just allows me to follow the time table I have set in my mind! Enjoy!
January 22nd, 1812
She woke up in his arms. They had not consummated their marriage yet, but had decided that sleeping together was far more comfortable then sleeping alone. She twisted in his arms, so that she could look upon his face. To her surprise, he was already dressed, and watching her.
"Good morning darling" He said with a smile.
"Good morning" She replied, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. "Why are you dressed?" She questioned.
"Mr. Elders had urgent business this morning" He stated, referring to his steward, "Also, a letter from Jane has arrived." He held out the piece of paper. After several kisses, his payment for the letter, he finally relinquished it to her.
She read through it quickly, and then gasped.
"Mr. Bingley proposed!" She stated happily. He smiled at the news.
"You knew, did you not?" She accused. Her smile made her fake anger obvious. He smirked and nodded.
"It took him two weeks to ask," He admitted. Both shared a laugh at the expense of their friend.
"Jane writes that mama wants a long engagement. They plan to wed next year" Darcy nodded next to her.
"Charles wishes to settle his affairs, namely buying an estate. I believe he is to buy one rather close to here, about an hours carriage ride"
"Oh, that would be lovely!" Lizzy exclaimed. "May we visit them soon? Please?" She begged, looking up at him from under her lashes.
He was powerless to her puppy dog expression. Georgiana was quite skilled at it, and it appeared his new wife was even more so.
"Charles has extended an invitation for us to visit during the Easter holiday." Darcy revealed.
"Oh, we cannot go then, we have plans to travel to Kent, to see your Aunt" Lizzy said sadly.
"I am quite displeased with my Aunt as of late, therefore I believe we shall spend the holiday with your family instead. Georgiana shall be quite pleased to meet them" Lizzy smiled largely and launched herself at her husband, engulfing him in a hug.
"Oh, but what of the militia?" Lizzy asked. "As much as I love my family and would love to see them, I do not want Georgiana to be in harms way, nor do I wish for my silly sisters to hurt her further as they were quite enamored with Wickham"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam shall be joining our party. As for Wickham, Georgiana has given me leave to inform your father about his actions. I will also inform Captain Forrester, as well as the shop owners. Tis something I should have done when I realized he was in the town"
"His actions are not your fault" Lizzy reminded him, gently kissing his brow. "Mr. Wickham is his own person, in charge of his own actions. You did not force him to act as he does"
Mr. Darcy had heard it all before, but coming from his wife, it was something different. He smiled gently at her, and thanked her for her encouragement.
"Oh, but Easter is so far away" Lizzy sighed.
"I know love, but the snow is not safe for carriage travel yet, besides we are supposed to still be honeymooning" He reminded her. It was true, he had taken nearly half a year off of his usual work schedule to spend time with her.
"Easter shall come soon enough" He reminded her.
"Come, let us tell Georgiana about the wedding!" Lizzy leapt from the bed and pulled Mr. Darcy up. In her haste, she nearly forgot that she wasn't quite dressed for the day. With a laugh, Mr. Darcy pointed it out to her.
"Lizzy, dear, you may want to get dressed" He said with a tight smile. It was getting harder and harder to resist her tempting form. She was utter perfection beneath her thin silk nightgown. Last night she had pressed against him in her sleep, driving him mad. This morning she kissed him, bringing fire to his blood, and then pulled away. He was struggling to maintain a gentleman like attitude around her, when all he wanted to do was toss her upon the bed and have his wicked way with her!
"Oh, of course" She blushed as she noticed her semi sheer lilac nightgown. "I will meet you outside in ten minutes!" She told him quickly as she dashed into her dressing room, looking around frantically for a morning dress. She did not want to waste time calling on Mira, when she would have to dress for the day after breakfast anyways. She hastily dressed in a cream and brown colored dress, which only required a sash to be tied in the back to stay in place. She slipped her naked feet into a new pair of satin slippers, before rushing out the door again.
He was waiting for her against the wall. He smiled when he noticed the slippers.
"She will be ecstatic that you are wearing them" He told her. Georgiana had decided to surprise her new sister with the slippers, which were an ornate Indian design. Fitzwilliam had procured them in London for her to give as a welcome gift. Lizzy had taken to them at first sight, and once she learned of their comfort, she wore them constantly around the bedroom.
"Come, let us tell her the good news!" Lizzy grabbed his hand once more, and resumed her carefree run down the hall. Georgiana's room was a corridor away, on the East side.
"Georgiana" Lizzy called, knocking on the door. A few moments later a groggy Georgiana Darcy opened the door, dressed in a frilly pink morning dress, her blonde tresses messily plaited down the back.
"Oh, good morning Lizzy, brother" She smiled shyly. "Why are you here?" She asked. She was fully dressed, but had just woken up from a nap after breaking her fast, as was her wont.
"We are going on an adventure!" Lizzy announced. She led Mr. Darcy into his sister's sitting room, pulling him down onto the settee with her. As her much elder brother, he was accustomed to seeing his sister's room. She hated to be alone when ill, or when a summer storm struck.
"An adventure?" She asked, looking to her brother. "To where?"
"To the wild, uncouth Meryton wilderness!" Lizzy announced, a smile upon her face. "Where the inhabitants are barely tolerable, and the match making mamas are on the prowl like lions"
"The prowl?" Mr. Darcy questioned with a snort.
"Like lions." She stated, glaring playfully at him. "And everyone knows who the Queen Lion is, as she has married off two daughters to wealthy men! She deviously plots out her plans, preying on innocent wealthy young marriage men. Just recently she succeeded in affiancing her daughter, a gentle, beautiful, -" Lizzy faltered for a second, "rabbit, to the equally gentle spaniel down the road"
"A rabbit and spaniel Lizzy, really?" Darcy was laughing at his wife's antics. Georgiana was engrossed in her words though. "I suppose a spaniel does describe Charles, but a rabbit? Seriously?"
"A cute little bunny rabbit" Lizzy proclaimed. Georgiana laughed. "We shall be traveling forth for Easter, to celebrate the engagement!"
"So we are going to your home Lizzy?" She asked. Lizzy nodded in excitement. Georgiana squealed in a most unladylike manner before wrapping her arms about her sister.
"Will we stay with them?" She asked. Lizzy shook her head.
"Tis not enough room" She told her. "We will stay with the Bingley's" Georgiana paled.
"Miss Bingley?" She asked. Lizzy smiled and nodded.
"She is not so bad" Lizzy told her. Georgiana cringed. Mr. Darcy patted her shoulder gently.
"We shall have to get new dresses for Easter" Georgiana stated, looking slyly at her brother. He smiled and nodded.
"Of course." He agreed. "We have several months before Easter Georgie dearest." Georgiana looked saddened. It was only January after all.
"Shall we head into Lambton today? The snow should be cleared and the sky is brightening" He suggested.
They both nodded in assent, happy smiles upon their faces. Mr. Darcy excused himself to take care of the carriages and such while Lizzy finished getting ready with her sister.
Hours later, after dinner was served and Georgiana had retired to her piano, the couple sat outside on a large deck, watching the stars. It was a cold evening, but it was dry. The Pemberley landscape was beautiful in the moonlight, which reflected off of the snow.
"I have to go to London for a few days for business" He told her, carefully watching her expression. She seemed saddened by his news.
"I knew you would have to leave eventually," She told him, smiling slightly. "Do not fret, I am quite capable of taking care of myself," She told him. "When do you leave?"
"On the morrow" He replied. "I will return on Saturday"
"Can I not go with you?" She questioned.
"In time yes, I hope that you will always accompany me. But the roads are still too dangerous for carriages, I will be riding horseback. And I ask that you would watch over Georgiana, as we are still awaiting her new chaperone" Lizzy nodded in agreement.
"I will miss you," She told him, wrapping her arms about his person. He leaned into her embrace, inhaling the enticing aroma that was rosewood and something else.
"As I shall you," He replied kissing her lips gently. He pulled away and looked into her soulful eyes.
The next morning he gently untangled himself from her limbs. Her nightgown had ridden up in the night, exposing a silky smooth leg to his sight. He sighed and resisted the urge to stroke said leg. He left the room and dressed, returning only minutes before his departure to kiss her goodbye.
She was still asleep, her brown hair a tangle of curls around the pillows. He bent gently over the bed and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I love you Lizzy. I shall be back soon," He whispered.
"I love you too William" She replied, her voice thick with sleep. He smiled, she was barely awake. He kissed her lips, surprised that she was awake enough to respond in kind.
"I must go now Lizzy," He whispered, removing her arms from their resting place atop his back.
"Be safe," She told him, curling back into her pillows and warm blankets.
He was at the door when she called his name.
"Mr. Darcy?" She asked, looking at him from half opened eyes. He turned and arched his brow.
"Yes Elizabeth?" He asked, confused.
"When you return, I wish to consummate our marriage" She told him, before settling back against the bed. He was left shocked, standing in the middle of the doorway. She seemed to have fallen back asleep. He could not believe what he heard.
The way she had looked at him, under heavy lidded eyes, the salacious curve to her lips, the faint blush upon her cheeks as she uttered that statement left his breeches uncomfortably tight, and his mind curiously blank. Surely she would be the death of him.