Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm as they stepped out of the church doors, and she hesitatingly accepted it. Eleanor, who had accepted Newbury's arm, smiled warmly at the party. The Romney carriage drew into the road ahead of them.
"I've ordered supper to be served at my home," Mrs. Romney announced, welcoming them into the carriage. "I would be pleased if you would join me."
Elizabeth swelled with gratitude toward her friend. "Thank you, Mrs. Romney."
"But of course, my dear."
As they seated themselves, Mrs. Romney continued, "You are lucky to be visiting the island in spring. We will be having ormer, the abalone, and you have never tasted anything so sweet and tender."
Her chatter filled the air, but Darcy scarcely heard a word. He was staring at Elizabeth, his wife, sitting across the carriage next to Mrs. Romney, seeming politely attentive to that lady. He feared the moment he would be left alone with her, but longed for it as well. What would she say when she no longer needed to fear making a scene unpleasant to others? He feared to dwell on it.
The carriage clattered up a steep hill to the Romney residence. It was situated not far from the town square. Newbury observed that it must be convenient to Mr. Romney.
"Oh yes, when his ship returns it is often not above a quarter-hour before he is at the door," said Mrs. Romney, smiling broadly. "And so happy to be home. This is the excellent thing about being the wife of a sailor. Would your wife not agree, Captain Newbury?"
"Mrs. Newbury wishes I were at home more, but I do agree, the sea makes homecoming all the merrier." He looked briefly between Darcy and Elizabeth, then away.
Mrs. Romney's man opened the door and the party entered the home. Mrs. Romney conferred with her housekeeper and announced that dinner would be served in a half-hour. She proceeded to lead them on a tour of the home. They ended in an upstairs parlor.
"Here, you can see, one can see the ship," she said, looking out a fine window. The lights aboard the ships bobbed with the waves all about the harbor. Wistfulness touched her smile as she gazed out. "When I am expecting him, I can see the Laconia as she comes past the breakers." She turned back to them, smiling brightly once more. "Come now, let us to supper. You two must be very hungry."
Mrs. Romney seated the Darcys side by side, noting that it was silly to separate newlyweds. "Now in a few years, when you are telling your stories differently, then we will keep you apart or you will fight. And there is nothing so unpleasant as a man and wife fighting, is it not so?"
Darcy felt a twinge of gratitude toward her, appreciating his wife's presence at his side. She had little share in the conversation, but seemed lively enough when she spoke. He was quiet as well, and Mrs. Romney and the captain carried most of the conversation.
After the covers were lifted, Eleanor led them into the drawing room, where she persuaded Elizabeth to play for them. The lovely sounds nearly melted Darcy, who watched her fondly as she played. As she rose from her seat, she found her husband's eyes upon her. Their gazes locked, and it seemed ages passed as they looked at each other.
Mrs. Romney cleared her throat. "It is late. Gentlemen, I took the liberty of having your things brought from that inn. Agnes will show you to your rooms."
Elizabeth started to go to the room in which she had slept the night before when Mrs. Romney pulled her aside. She waited until the others had gone out of sight before addressing her.
"Now remember dear, you need not share a bed with him tonight or any night until you want to have children. Or you are overcome by passion."
Elizabeth colored deeply. "I don't think..."
"Now I do not think he'll try anything, but you never know with these men. They can think they own you, and it is up to us to correct these assumptions. Tell him that if he is a gentleman, he will wait for you. If he says he will visit a disreputable woman, do not worry about this. Men will do this if they will and their threats make no difference one way or the other."
Lizzie's blush was now permanent, she believed. She stammered her thanks for the advice and quickly shut herself into her room. She could hear the faint sounds of Darcy moving about in the adjoining chamber. Agnes soon came to release her from the gown and help her into a night gown. The maid had proffered several on her mistress's orders, but Elizabeth declined and climbed into her own, familiar muslin. Thanking Agnes, she climbed into bed. It was a long while before she slept.
Darcy suffered through Gustave's ministrations, then flung himself into a chair to meditate upon his wedding night. When he had thought of this night when he was steeling himself to propose — well, it was vastly different than being alone in this cold bed chamber.
He wanted to speak with her, to explain himself to her, to earn her forgiveness. But he did not trust himself alone with her. Twice at Hunsford he had been alone with her. The first time he had removed himself quickly when he found himself losing control. The second — well, he would forever live with his conduct the second time he had been alone with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Could he more trust himself with Mrs. Darcy?
He could not. But he must speak with her, to make his thoughts known to her as he could only do when they were alone. A long walk could do. The thought of the walks near Pemberly came to mind. Would it have to wait so long? Yes, they must go into Hertfordshire as soon as possible, to visit the Bennets and assure them that all was well. Only then could they retire to Darbyshire and to the quiet that making peace between them would require.