Chapter 10
Elizabeth missed Darcy while he was gone. She had not realized how much she had come to rely on the comfort and joy of his presence. She continued her visits to the Tanner farm, and looked forward to the day when she could bring Jessica home with her for good.
Mrs. Bennet meanwhile was filling Longbourn with her wedding mania. She was determined to present the grandest wedding that Meryton had ever seen. Fortunately, with Mrs. Gardiner's gentle persuasions, Elizabeth had managed to avoid most of the lace her mother had pushed on her, so she was relatively pleased with her wedding dress and trousseau. Mr. Bennet was mainly avoiding all the tumult by hiding in his library. Elizabeth knew he loved his family, and cared for their safety, but she wished he would spend some time with them rather than his books. She was going to miss him when she married.
It was about a week before the wedding that Darcy finally returned. He had been gone for three weeks, and Elizabeth felt that time had never passed so slowly. When she saw him emerge from the Darcy carriage with his cane before the steps of Longbourn, she longed to rush forward and kiss him. She had never been kissed on the lips, and she was finding the idea more and more enticing the closer it came to the wedding. She still was not certain how she would handle the intimacies of marriage, but kisses sounded very pleasant to her indeed.
It was that afternoon that she finally had a chance to fulfill her wish. They had gone on a slow walk in the Longbourn gardens, Jane and Georgiana lax chaperones who quickly outstripped them.
"I am so very glad to see you, Fitzwilliam," she said.
"As I am to see you, Elizabeth," he smiled at her.
"I was wondering …" she came to a stop.
"What is it, my dear?" Darcy asked.
"I was wondering – if you might kiss me," she blushed bright red but met his eyes.
"I should be delighted," he said. She tilted her head up and he leaned down to meet her. His lips brushed hers softly, then pressed more firmly as he deepened the kiss. Elizabeth felt as if she would melt into a puddle on the spot. It was the most lovely thing she had ever felt.
"That was wonderful," she said, when he straightened.
"I thought so too. We have both had our first kiss today." He smiled.
"Really?" she asked in surprise.
"Of course," he replied. "I have waited for you, my Elizabeth." Then his smile fell and he became serious. "I want you to know, my love, that I will wait as long as you need for … further intimacies, once we are married. I do not wish to push you before you are ready. I can wait however long you require."
Elizabeth was consumed with love as she realized what her fiancé was telling her. It was a very generous gesture, that not a lot of men would make. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam," she said. "I do love you so very much."
"I love you too."
They shared another soft kiss, and then continued on their walk.
They day before the wedding, they made their planned trip to the Tanner's cottage. Mrs. Tanner had been expecting them, and had sent out her other children to play at a neighbour's house. The twins were sleeping in their crib and Mr. Tanner was out working.
"Have you told her anything yet?" Elizabeth asked Mrs. Tanner in a soft voice while Jessica was greeting Darcy, of whom she had become very fond.
"No, Miss Elizabeth. I thought to leave that to you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tanner."
"I have the two dresses here that I had made for her."
"Very good. Her nurse, Mrs. Mowbry, will be here in about two weeks to take her to her new home in Derbyshire."
There was a pause, then Mrs. Tanner said softly, "You are doing the right thing, Miss. She will have a much better life with you and Mr. Darcy. And she loves you so."
Elizabeth felt reassured as they all took seats in the kitchen, and Jessica came over to sit on her lap, as she always did.
"We have some news to tell you, Jessica," said Elizabeth, whose heart was fluttering madly with nerves. What if Jessica did not want to come with her?
The girl, who had just taken a bite of a biscuit, turned to look at her. "Yes, Miss Lizzy?"
"Mr. Darcy and I are going to be married tomorrow."
"Oh," said the girl, clearly not understanding the significance of this.
"That means I am going to be his wife. I am going to go to his home in Derbyshire and live with him for the rest of my life."
Jessica's face twisted, and Elizabeth could tell the girl was about to cry, so she spoke quickly. "You may come with us, if you wish."
Jessica's face smoothed out at once, and she looked from Mrs. Tanner, back to Elizabeth, and Mrs. Tanner again. Then she asked, "Why would you take me with you? Why not Ned or Amy?"
"Because you are my daughter, Jessica," said Elizabeth, swallowing hard. "I am your mama."
Jessica looked delighted at this, and then confused. "But I have a mama."
Mrs. Tanner put in a word. "I have raised you as my own, Jessica, but I am not your mama. Miss Lizzy is. She and Mr. Darcy will be your new mama and papa, and you will have a wonderful life with them, with new toys and dresses, and proper learning. You will live in a mansion with servants and everything you need; and most especially, all the love you wish for."
"And someday you will have younger siblings," added Elizabeth. "You will get to play with them, and guide them. You will be a wonderful big sister."
Jessica seemed delighted to hear all of this. She turned to Darcy. "And you will be my papa?" she asked.
Elizabeth knew that Mr. Tanner had never bonded with Jessica the way he had with his own children, so she was pleased to see her daughter's happiness when Darcy declared that he would.
"When do we go to Der – Dershire?" asked Jessica eagerly.
"Derbyshire," Elizabeth corrected. "You will travel there in about two weeks, with a new nurse that we have hired for you. Her name is Mrs. Mowbry," replied Elizabeth with a sigh of relief. She had been afraid that Jessica might not want to leave her current home. "I know you will be very happy with us at Pemberley."
Jessica began to chatter in her excitement, and Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged a relieved glance. Elizabeth had not realized that Darcy was concerned about Jessica's reaction until this moment. She knew he was growing to love her daughter, and she loved him all the more for it.
The next morning, as Jane was putting the finishing touches to Elizabeth's hair and gown, they both looked into the mirror with approval.
"You look so beautiful, Lizzy," said Jane, with tears in her eyes. "I just know you will be happy with Mr. Darcy."
"I know I will," said Elizabeth, beaming at the picture she presented in the mirror. The light green gown was ornamented perfectly by the garnet cross her father had given her when she turned sixteen, and the butterfly brooch from Mr. Darcy. Her curly chestnut hair was decorated with seed pearls, and one lone ringlet bobbed by her ear. "I never thought I could be so happy."
This time her eyes filled with happy tears. "I never thought I would marry at all, let alone to such a noble, handsome, intelligent, and honourable man. I love him so much, Jane."
"I know you do, Lizzy. But you value yourself too little if you thought you would never marry. Has not Mr. Darcy proven that way of thinking wrong?"
"He has indeed. He is a wonderful man."
Just then there was a knock at the door. It was Mr. Bennet, ready to escort his second-eldest to the church. "You go on ahead with your mother, Jane," he said. "I will escort Lizzy."
Once Jane had departed with a smile, Mr. Bennet looked at his favourite daughter with admiration. "You look lovely, Lizzy," he said.
"Thank you, Papa," said Elizabeth, with tears filling her eyes again.
"Your mother and I told you a good man would come along for you. I am glad you found Mr. Darcy."
"So am I," she replied.
"Well, let us head to the church then. We do not want to think you have changed your mind!"
Elizabeth giggled and left Longbourn on her father's arm.
Darcy thought he had never seen such a vision as Elizabeth in her wedding gown, processing down the aisle toward him. Bingley was standing next to him, and he was giving Jane looks that proved that he might have not completely overcome his infatuation for her. Jane herself appeared rather uncomfortable with his attention. The Matlocks were there, as was his cousin Richard, but the de Bourghs had not come. Darcy was thankful for the absence of Lady Catherine, but he soon became too distracted by Elizabeth to notice any more.
The ceremony passed in a haze, although Darcy was sure he made all the right responses. He was just so enchanted by his lovely bride that he could focus on nothing but her. At the end, he offered her his right arm, and with his cane in his left hand, limped down the aisle with her at his side.
It was done. Elizabeth was his wife.
He did not know if he could ever feel happier.
When the wedding breakfast was finally over, Darcy and Elizabeth set out on their journey north to the Lakes. Darcy had made reservations at all the best inns, planning their trip so everything would go smoothly for his wife. She deserved a perfect honeymoon, and he wanted to give it to her.
Georgiana was going to travel to London to stay with the Matlocks for a few weeks, before returning to Pemberley. That way the newlyweds would have time to settle in before a new family member intruded.
When Darcy had been at Pemberley, he had ordered the nursery cleaned and prepared for a four-year-old's habitation. Darcy was not sure exactly all that a four-year-old needed, but he was certain Mrs. Reynolds knew. He was already planning to buy Jessica a new wardrobe when they reached Pemberley, as well as a winter wardrobe for Elizabeth, who was not used to the harsh Derbyshire winters.
When they were finally in the carriage headed north, Darcy and Elizabeth were able to exchange all the kisses they wished. Darcy made sure to keep his kisses light; he did not want to become too aroused. He was certain Elizabeth was not ready to consummate their marriage that night, and he did not want to become overly excited.
So, after a while, they simply held hands as they discussed the trip ahead of them. Darcy thought he had never seen Elizabeth so happy, and he flattered himself that it must be at least partly because of him.
When they reached the inn for the night, they were both tired from a day of travel, and Darcy was looking forward to a good night's sleep. Fortunately, his foot was not bothering him, since he had been in the carriage most of the day, but he still had his valet do his usual massage to the crippled limb. He found that always made his foot less painful the next day.
Darcy had ordered adjoining rooms for him and Elizabeth, but after their dinner, she requested his presence in her chamber.
"I was wondering if you might stay with me tonight, Fitzwilliam. Just – just to sleep," she said.
"I would be delighted," he said with a smile. He went to have his valet change him into his night clothes, and then came back to hold Elizabeth as they both drifted off to sleep. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.