Darcy was angry with himself for capitulating to her demands as he strode away from the garden. No matter how desperate he was to marry her, he had no intention of ruining her reputation or his own with such foolish behaviour. By the time, he reached the formal lawns in front of the house his inward berating's had his body under control and a plan of action in his head. Instead of entering his study as he entered the house, he instead headed upstairs to his bedchamber where he called for his valet to ready his riding clothes. Once dressed he popped his head into parlour where Edward was sitting with Richard going through court reports from the daily newspaper. He offered his apologies to the two men.
"Edward, I'm going to have to put off our fishing expedition this afternoon as urgent business matters call me away for a few hours. Please feel free to explore any part of the house and grounds, nothing is off limit; treat it as if it were your own home." With those few words, Darcy was off and within moments had mounted his horse to canter down the driveway.
"I wonder what has caused the bur under his saddle? It's very nearly three o'clock, what on earth can be the matter this late in the day?" Edward commented as he turned back to the reports with Richard taking careful notes.
"I wonder indeed?" Lucy murmured in agreement, catching a glimpse of a very rumpled Elizabeth making her way upstairs. Georgiana happened to look over in the same direction and had to smother a shocked gasp at her appearance. Elizabeth looked well and truly ravished and Lucy tipped her head slightly to one side in an effort to convey to Georgiana not to let slip what they had seen. With a slight nod, Georgiana accepted the suggestion and sat back in her seat to pick up her needlepoint once more. Making her way up to her borrowed bedchamber, Elizabeth was still astonished by her brazen behaviour towards Darcy. She had practically forced him to reveal his very private habits and to then beg him to ravish her in return! Doubts were beginning to creep into her mind, what on earth had she been thinking? Collapsing backwards onto the bed, Elizabeth threw a hand over her eyes and groaned aloud. Whatever must he think of her now? She had revealed herself to be far less of a lady than even Caroline Bingley! No, she would not go to his room tonight no matter how temptation tugged at her.
Darcy meanwhile had arrived at his destination at Matlock, a devilish grin still tugging at his lips. How lucky could one man be? To find a woman that not only shared his desire of the countryside and family, but also was not afraid to show her passionate nature. He still found it hard to believe that she had actually accepted his proposal this time around, and her insistence that he reveal the secrets held within the marital chamber as well. The fact that she was so insistent had led him to Matlock and to one of his late father's best friends, who also happened to be the local bishop. A few hours later, a much happier Darcy strode back through the front door of Pemberley patting the envelope of his coat jacket, just to reassure himself that the contents were still securely held. After much reflection he felt almost certain that Elizabeth would not hold him to his promise made earlier, but just in case she would; he was secure in the fact that he had an insurance policy of sorts tucked away in his pocket.
"What ho, Darcy! Where have you been hiding all afternoon?" Richard looked over from where he, Charles and Edward were playing a lacklustre game of billiards in the games room. Darcy raised a hand of welcome and brought forth a smile.
"I had a little business to take care of in Matlock," He explained as he walked over to select a cue and started to chalk the end.
"Did you happen to see my sister's at all? I dropped them off at the Inn this morning." Charles asked as he moved around the table to line up his next shot. He looked up expectantly to see the puzzled expression cross his friend's face.
"No, Charles I didn't see them. I thought that you all had decided to stay at Pemberley for a few weeks and then Mr. Hurst would return them to London?" Darcy scratched the side of his head in confusion, had he misheard the plans that Charles had spoke of only yesterday?
"Caroline and Louisa decided that they would much rather return to Town earlier than expected. Mr. Hurst will travel down in a few weeks and then they all travel on together for a short holiday…Florence, I believe we finally settled on."
"Charles…you didn't have to…" Darcy started to protest, only to be interrupted by Richard's guffaw.
"Oh, yes he did. Charlie here has been telling us what dear Caroline had planned for your Miss Bennet, and Darcy believe me – you are well rid of that one!" Darcy listened at the plans Caroline had to denounce his Lizzie and to ruin her reputation as well as his own. His face grew tight with anger and his fist clenched alarmingly. If Caroline were still in the house…
"Now laddie. Calm yourself, she's well gone now and cannot bring any harm to you or Lizzie." Edward placed a hand on Darcy's shoulder and forced him to release the tight muscles. Darcy summoned a tight smile and tried to smooth the worry from his brow.
"Ed, you know what cruel gossips a scorned woman can be. If one word got out…" Darcy turned around to face Edward fully, "Even though, I assure you – nothing too unto wards has happened between Elizabeth and myself…" Darcy stumbled over his reassurance wanting Edward to know that although he had not remained a perfect gentleman, a gentleman none the less he was. Edward clapped a hand across his back and rumbled in laughter.
"Away with you, lad. I know that, of course. Otherwise I would never have agreed to let Lizzie stay here alone last night!"
"But still, Ed. There's something that I want you to know…" Darcy nudged his head slightly in Richard's direction. Capturing his glance, Richard took the hint and turned toward Charles.
"Come on, Charles. Let's go and annoy Mrs. Reynolds and see whether we can scare up an early afternoon tea."
"But…!" Charles started to protest as he was lead out of the door, one wink from Richard and a nod towards Darcy's anxious expression had him falling in with the plan. "Ah, yes. I am feeling a little peckish." He practically fell over his feet to get out of the door, dragging a smiling Richard behind.
"Now, Darcy tell me what is really bothering you?" Edward leant against the side of the billiard table and waved a hand in the other man's direction. Darcy paced up and down a few times and then gestured for Edward to follow him out of the room and into his private study where he could ensure that they would not be disturbed. Closing the door firmly behind them, Darcy bade Edward to take a seat by the fireplace. Instead of seating himself behind the desk, Darcy took the armchair opposite Edward and leant forward, resting his elbows on the arm of the chair.
"Edward, I should start by telling you that your niece has finally consented to be my wife…" Darcy held up a hand to stay the congratulations that Edward began to heap on him. "Before you go any further, Elizabeth wishes to keep the engagement between just ourselves until we return with her sister from Hampshire. However, something she said today – well…you see…." Darcy stopped his explanation and held his hand over his eyes, wondering how to continue. He certainly didn't want to reveal their most intimate of moments, but needed to explain that little piece of paper that was still in his coat pocket. He took solace in patting his coat pocket again and decided just to be blunt. "Ed, she wants me to…well…she insists that…Bloody Hell! How can I say it?"
"Spit it out man, what does she want?" Edward leant closer, he could clearly see that Darcy was distressed, honest to God what could be worrying him so much, Elizabeth had agreed to marry him after all!
"Ed, what kind of housekeeper do the Bennet's have?" The strange question out of the blue made Edward sit back in his armchair in surprise.
"She's a bit of an old sourpuss really, her husband died early in the last war and she never remarried. Well, that's the story she tells anyway, I'm not at all convinced he died – she's the type of woman that would make even the most devoted of husband's would weary of. A little too harsh and judgemental…"
"I thought so…and how much time have the Bennet sister's spent with you and your good wife over their formative years?"
"Not as much as we would have liked, Lizzie was always her father's favourite and found it hard to get away; we've had Jane along with us for many a holiday but this is the first time we've been blessed with Lizzie." Edward could simply not grasp Darcy's line of questioning, first the housekeeper and then how long the girls had spent with himself and Lucy…
"Hmmm…. That might explain a little…" Darcy sat back in the chair, and steepled his fingers in front of him, lost in thought for a moment.
"Darcy, for heaven's sake man! What on earth has you in such a tizzy?" Edward was rapidly losing patience and leant forward again.
"Ed, Lizzie revealed something to me earlier today that the housekeeper at Longbourn had been telling the girls as preparation for their marital duties….Well, Edward, I was truly shocked, shocked and appalled." Darcy looked Edward straight in the eye and grimaced a little. "Ed, those girls have been taught that nothing but pain and frustration wait for them on their wedding night."
"Ah, so that's what is bothering you. Well you needn't worry, Lucy has had that conversation with Jane only a few months ago and I'm sure that as soon as your engagement is announced, she will not hesitate to speak with Lizzie also." Edward smiled a little, pleased with the fact that after their conversation together, Jane seemed far more relaxed with the very idea of marriage.
"No, Ed…you don't understand. Lizzie is not satisfied with a verbal explanation – she wants a practical demonstration!" Darcy practically leapt from his seat and started to pace about the room. "Do you understand, now? She practically asked me to strip naked there and then so she could…well, you know…" Darcy dragged his hands through his already rumpled hair tugging at the unruly locks. He could hear Edward's sharp indrawn breath from behind him and turned around ready to face the wrath of an angry uncle. Edward's shoulders were shaking alright, but not with anger. No, Edward was struggling to control his mirth. The very idea that his very restrained and proper niece would allow herself to drop her guard with the very man standing before him, well! He struggled to contain himself and cleared his throat.
"Well, I can see that must have been very difficult for you." He said from behind his hand.
"You have no idea…" Darcy muttered, and strode across to the window to stare sightlessly out into the garden.
"Oh, I think that I have some idea…So what are you going to do about it, then?" Edward stood up and strode across the study to join his new friend at the window. Darcy didn't reply and merely handed the other man the slightly worn envelope, warm from within his pocket. Edward withdrew the piece of paper held within and simply stared for a moment, before returning it back to the envelope and returning it to the rightful owner.
"Well, you have my blessing if that is any comfort to you. But, what did you do to distract Elizabeth?"
"Umm, well I tried to tell her that I would explain it all on our wedding night, but she refused to wait. I mean …I didn't really know what to say, as I've never….well, finally agreed to meet her later in my room where we could talk without being overheard. Believe me, Edward I have no intention of taking it any further than talking, but thought it would be best to cover every eventuality!" Darcy wanted to make that point very clear with Edward, who merely nodded.
"I see, you mean that you've never actually…with a woman?" Edward finally realised what Darcy was trying to put across, he had never actually experienced the whole sexual act himself so found it difficult to explain things to his young fiancée. "At all?" Edward asked again, and could see that Darcy was beginning to feel very uncomfortable with this line of questioning.
"I mean, I know how…but never really felt the need…until I met her."
"Mmmm, I can see that my boy, but that piece of paper is dated from April not July!"
"That's because I've had it since then, when I returned from Rosings I left it with a good friend of my fathers who happens to be the Bishop of Matlock. Despite my asking him to destroy it, he had not – a fact that I was immensely grateful for today. All I have to do is name the date and time…"
"Look, Darcy I am not a man to judge either one of you for acting on your very devout feelings. However, I will say one thing – get a ring on her finger beforehand. Whether that be an engagement or wedding ring, it doesn't matter. Satisfy me on that point and we'll say no more about it. I know just how determined our Lizzie can be - we nearly didn't make it to Pemberley at all because of that determination, I'm only thankful that her aunt can be just as determined. Just don't let her father know that we ever had this conversation, or else neither one of us will get to see Christmas!" Edward may have made that last comment light heartedly but Darcy could quite clearly get the hidden meaning behind the words. Darcy reached into his trouser pocket and revealed the ring that he had also been carrying on his person that fateful day in April. His mother's shining ruby had been taken back out of the safe in the study ever since he had left Elizabeth on the stairs that very first morning at Pemberley.
"Okay then. Now if you will excuse me, I had better go and apologise to my wife for neglecting her so severely this afternoon." Edward gave a little bow and left Darcy turning the ring over and over in his hand before clenching it tightly in his fist.