A/N: Since it's been so long, I felt I should recap a little. The Darcys have made it to Pemberley and taken Jane and Georgiana with them. Elizabeth's father's books arrived and in that moment she realized that she loved Darcy. They've been keeping to their rooms for two days, having what should have been their honeymoon. Bingley is due to arrive today, and they need to make an appearance. Jane and Bingley are still very much wide open.
(22.5)
True to Darcy's desires, they did not leave their rooms for the entire day. Elizabeth was quite certain that if Bingley were not due the following day, they would have done the same again; not that she would have minded.
Due he was, however, and it would not quite work to meet him in dressing gowns. A few hours before his anticipated arrival they finally separated long enough to bathe and dress. Neither was particularly interested in being separated for long, and they came together in their sitting room within a half-hour to go down together.
Darcy sighed when he saw her, "I know that it is expected, but I do not like that you must cover up your glorious hair with a cap. I have been enjoying the past two days without it again."
Elizabeth reached up to touch the small white cap edged with lace and smiled, "You might not like it much, but I am appreciating it at the moment. It is hiding my impatience. I very badly needed to wash my hair, but did not want to wait for it to dry. Without this cap, I would be another hour in front of a hot fire attempting to do so. This way Nel could put it up in simple knot and cover it up."
Darcy reached out and brushed his fingers along the dampness he could not see, "I would happily suggest sitting in front of that fire with you, and even offer to brush your hair if that would help it dry faster. I have a feeling that we would not make it out of here before Bingley arrived, though."
Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath when Darcy leaned down and kissed her bare neck. She replied to him shakily, "I think it might be for the best that my hair is covered. Would we ever stay downstairs if you could always see all of it?"
"I suppose not," he said as he sighed again, pulled away and offered her his arm. "If we must greet our guest, then we had better leave now."
They walked downstairs, following the sounds of playing and laughter to the music room, and found Georgiana and Jane together on the bench at the piano forte. Elizabeth stayed Darcy with a hand on his arm and they watched their sisters for a few minutes. It appeared that Georgiana was attempting to teach Jane how to play, which periodically dissolved into giggles at the atrocious results.
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth and back and asked quietly, "I believe you said that only Mary and you play. Is this why?"
"It is," she replied on with a soft laugh. "Jane is excellent at many things, but musical she is not. Kitty and Lydia had no patience to try."
"Lizzy! Mr. Darcy!" Jane called out as she and Georgiana arose from the bench. "It is good to see you."
"Have we neglected you so poorly that you are attempting to learn the piano forte again?" asked Elizabeth.
"I did not believe Jane when she told me she cannot play. She agreed to show me," answered Georgiana.
"Now there is no doubt," added Jane ruefully.
Georgiana giggled, "I did not think it possible, but Jane is worse than Cousin Henry!"
"I will happily leave the musical entertainment to my more talented sisters," said Jane.
"I do not think they are feeling neglected at all," commented Darcy dryly.
"Oh no, we have made ourselves quite comfortable in your absence," said Georgiana.
"Well, perhaps we should leave you to it? I am certain Bingley is not coming to see me," teased Darcy.
Jane blushed, and Elizabeth came to her rescue with her own tease, "Are you so sure, husband? He may be coming to see the miracle of an always-smiling Fitzwilliam Darcy. I do believe we may even keep you from brooding on Sunday evenings."
"I believe I only brood when I have nothing to do. With you around wife, I shall never be bored," Darcy replied in a voice that caused Elizabeth to shiver.
"Shall we have tea while we wait?" she asked shakily. "If Mr. Bingley's carriage is late we may have some time time yet before dinner."
Jane and Georgiana quickly agreed, a little embarrassed themselves to see such an intimate moment between the couple.
A footman announced the arrival of Bingley's carriage a short time later and the four of them rose to gather outside and welcome him.
"Darcy! How are you, old man? How is married life treating you?" Bingley asked as soon as his feet touched the ground. He came up to shake his friend's hand.
"I find it treats me very well indeed," responded Darcy, happy to have his jovial friend join their group.
"And how could it not, with such a perfect wife for you?" he said as he turned to Elizabeth with a grin. "How do you find Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy?"
"I do not think I could have made it more perfect if I had designed the very trees myself," she replied with a smile.
"Excellent. I am glad to hear it. I must say I agree with you. I find I am never more content than I am here in Derbyshire."
Barely waiting for a response, he turned to Georgiana, "Miss Darcy, how do you like having a couple of new sisters here to stay? Are they everything you hoped for?"
Georgiana smiled happily, "Jane and Lizzy are wonderful. They have been so kind."
"I do not think anyone could treat you any other way, you are so sweet yourself, and they are wonderful," he said distractedly, finally turning his eyes toward Jane.
With a hand out for hers, Bingley moved to Jane and asked in a much more subdued tone, "How do you do, Miss Bennet?"
When Jane gently placed her hand in his own, his smile lit up his eyes.
"I am well, Mr. Bingley. I am happy to see you," she replied with a blush.
"You are?" he asked hesitantly.
"I am, sir."
Bingley leaned over Jane's hand and kissed it reverently.
"I could not be happier that you feel that way, Miss Bennet," he finally said as he straightened and gently laid her hand on his arm.
Darcy gathered Elizabeth and Georgiana on his arms and led them into the house, leaving the other couple to follow slowly behind. When they moved into the hall, Mrs. Reynolds appeared and offered to take Bingley to his room.
When Bingley looked genuinely torn between staying with Jane and leaving her to clean off the dust and discomfort of a few days travel, Darcy laughed outright at him.
"Bingley, I do not think you would wish to come to dinner at Mrs. Darcy's table in your current state."
Bingley sighed and gave his friend a rueful look before giving Jane one last longing glance and heading to his rooms.
The remainder of the party headed to the drawing room to await Bingley and the summons to dinner. They did not need to wait long, as he reappeared barely over a quarter hour later with his hair still damp.
"I say, it is splendid to be back at Pemberley," he said cheerfully as he entered the room. He sat in a chair next to Jane, but addressed Elizabeth, "And have you found enough paths to satisfy even you, Mrs. Darcy?"
"I have. Sometimes I do not think I will ever run out of new areas to explore at Pemberley. Even if I see them all, I am sure that the changing of the seasons will bring new views."
"Pemberley in autumn is the most beautiful place," said Georgiana. "The trees are like an artist's palette."
"Even as biased as I am, I am sure I have never seen a better place than Pemberley in autumn," Darcy agreed.
"Then I very much look forward to seeing it for myself," said Elizabeth.
"Do you plan to stay until then, Miss Bennet?" asked Bingley.
"I believe I would like to. I hope I have not worn out my welcome before then," Jane replied.
"You speak as though that is possible!" laughed Elizabeth. "I believe I would be quite happy to have you live here as long as you like, and I do not think Georgiana and Fitzwilliam would mind."
They both agreed that it was so, with Darcy going as far as to say, "You may make your home with us permanently, if you like."
Bingley looked as though he wished to say more to that, but then stopped himself. There was a moment of awkward silence before he recovered and asked, "Have either of you managed to get lost in the long hallways yet?"
Elizabeth replied, "Not yet, but I am sure we will sometime or another. I am more impressed every day by the staff's efficiency in such a large space. Then again, there are a few people keeping this place running. I do not believe I have learned even half of their names yet."
"You have only been here a week," commented Darcy. "No one would expect you to know everyone."
"Longbourn had less than a third that many. I fear it shall take me no small amount of time to comfortably know everyone."
"Loyalty will work in your favour, though," said Bingley. "I do not know another estate with less open positions than Pemberley. The servants rarely leave, and even those who do are often replaced by family. There will not be new faces to learn any time soon."
"I have seen that already. I also believe Mrs. Rowley and Mrs. Reynolds are in a competition for who can compliment my husband more highly. They are like doting aunts, the both of them," Elizabeth teased.
It was Darcy's turn to be embarrassed, "I can hardly see why. They have both known me for most of my life. I can vividly remember more than one dressing down from each of them when I was a boy."
They all laughed good naturedly at the thought of a thoroughly scolded Darcy. They were soon called to dinner, and the agreeableness stayed throughout the evening.
After dinner they moved to the music room as a group. No one saw need for a separation of the sexes. Elizabeth and Georgiana took turns entertaining them on the piano forte, but after a time they all were content to simply talk.
When they were finally all too tired to do much but contain yawns, they agreed to turn in. Darcy and Elizabeth left the remaining three at the top of the stairs, and headed to their own room.
With her head rested against the arm she held, Elizabeth spoke, "That was quite possibly the most enjoyable, quiet evening at home I have ever had."
"There is nothing quite like clever conversation of well-informed people, is there?" Darcy replied as they reached their door.
"The best kind of company. I hope that we may repeat this often, and for many years to come. I know that it is up to Jane and Bingley to decide what is best for them, but I sincerely hope they marry."
Darcy replied, "So that we may have good company?"
"You know that they would be happy together. They only need see it. And yes, I selfishly want it for our good company. Your best friend and my closest sister; what better couple is there?"
"If they buy a house in Derbyshire, we shall be content for the rest of our days."
Elizabeth laughed delightedly, "It is though you have read my mind."
Darcy had led her to her room by this time. He calmly began to assist in her undressing as they spoke. He had removed her cap pulled her dress fully off before she realised what he was doing and stammered, "Are...are we to dismiss our personal servants yet again? They will begin to feel quite useless."
"I took the liberty of informing Dalton that we would ring for them if we needed them, and if we had not done so within a quarter hour of retiring that they could assume we would be taking care of ourselves," he replied as he moved to her stays.
"Tonight, or every night?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.
"Every night. There is not much that would make me happier than to never need their night time services again," he said softly, close to her ear, as he finished with the stays.
Elizabeth felt her skin flush and prickle along her neck as he spoke. The feeling ran across the rest of her skin when he moved his hands up to her shoulders and ran them down her bare arms. He clasped her hands and drew them around the front of her in a close embrace, pulling her tight against him.
Elizabeth leaned her head back to rest on his shoulder and said on a sigh, "I love you, Fitzwilliam."
Darcy's response was muffled by her own hair, but she heard him, and felt it in her heart.
A/N: This was a little short, but truly what should have been the second part of chapter 22. Chapter 23 is written and just needs some finishing touches and editing. I am determined to publish it in one week. If RL cooperates, I will keep up my writing and get back to a regular schedule of weekly or bi weekly postings. An infinite thanks to everyone who has stuck with me!