Author's Note: Getting closer to finishing this. The wedding, then the honeymoon and then a wrap-up. Let me know what you think. Also, does anyone familiar with a Scottish dialect want to give me pointers on the dialogue? In this chapter or any others.
Chapter 20
Georgiana and Richard planned on a big send-off for the newly married couple, but they had been deterred by Mrs. Reynolds helping William and Elizabeth leave unobserved. Not only that, but no one knew where the couple was going for their first night as husband and wife, well, as far as anyone knew.
The first night they were staying in a small villa not far away from Fort Augustus, and a car and driver conveyed them there directly from the wedding. The details had been arranged ahead, and so they were quickly able to change from their wedding finery into something more comfortable. With Elizabeth's pregnancy, they were too tired to indulge themselves very much, though they did exchange a few rather feverish kisses before Elizabeth begged for sleep.
William had planned the rest of the honeymoon as a surprise to Elizabeth. He had found a villa to rent for the week in Duisdalemore, located on the Isle of Skye, with stunning views over the sound of Sleat toward the Scottish mainland. To allow them to chance to make the most of their time together, he had arranged for a car and driver to take them on the two-hour drive.
As the car wound its way through the scenic views between Fort Augustus and Duisdalemore, William couldn't help but watch his beautiful bride as she took in the surroundings. He had been there before, but seeing it through Elizabeth's eyes was an entirely different experience. He was delighted to have yet another chance to spend time with his wife but even more excited as they now knew they would soon be parents.
When they reached their villa, they were greeted by the soothing sound of waves and the crisp sea breeze. As each time before, the kitchen was fully stocked and the cottage itself was warm and lovely and an ideal retreat for the newlyweds. The view from their window was nothing short of breathtaking, with a view of rolling hills in one direction and the vast expanse of the sound of Sleat stretching out before them in another.
The days unfolded with a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. William had planned activities that catered to Elizabeth's desire to see all she could while taking into account her frequent need for rest. They strolled hand in hand through the quaint villages, their laughter echoing in the narrow streets. As they explored the rugged landscapes, Elizabeth marveled at the untamed beauty of the Isle of Skye, and William couldn't help but marvel at the beauty beside him.
One day, William surprised Elizabeth with a private boat tour to explore the nearby lochs and hidden coves. Wrapped in blankets, they shared tender moments as the boat gently rocked on the water. The air was filled with the invigorating scent of the sea, and seagulls circled overhead, witnessing the quiet joy that radiated from the couple.
Each day held its own surprises, from impromptu picnics overlooking the cliffs to quiet moments of reflection in the island's hidden corners, while evenings were spent cozied up by the fireplace inside or the firepit outside and exchanging stories. On a particularly clear evening, with the sun setting in hues of orange and pink over the sound, William and Elizabeth found themselves on the secluded terrace attached to their villa. William held Elizabeth close, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched the sky change colors.
Elizabeth sighed contentedly as she snuggled closer. "This place is a dream, Will. I never imagined this honeymoon trip would be so perfect."
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm glad you like it, mo ghràdh. Everything is just the way I hoped it would be. Lazy days and long, languorous nights." He gave her a rakish wink, and despite their having been married for more than two months, she still blushed.
However, she still managed to look up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "You certainly know how to surprise a girl, Mr. Darcy. I certainly didn't expect any of this when I came to Scotland in April."
He chuckled. "Well, I had to make sure our first week as an 'officially' married couple was memorable. And there's more to come."
"More surprises?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
William grinned. "Oh, aye. But they're a secret for now. I wanted every moment to be special for you, leannan."
She kissed him softly. "You've already made me the happiest woman alive, Will."
As the night descended, they moved inside, the warmth of the fireplace casting a cozy glow around the room. Elizabeth curled up on a plush chair, and William joined her, their fingers entwined.
"Do you ever wonder," Elizabeth mused, "what life will be like for our little one? It will have citizenship both here and in the States, but we will mostly be here. I loved growing up in the mountains in Tennessee, but this is still so much different from what I experienced."
William nodded thoughtfully. "Aye, I do. The fresh air, the open spaces—it's the kind of childhood I always wanted for any bairns. I hope that we will have more than just the one, and while I dread the idea of Georgiana getting married someday, I do hope our little ones will have cousins and other family about. Richard will someday settle down and get married, or I hope he does."
She smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "I like the sound of that. Our own little adventurers and lots of family around. You and Richard have stayed good friends, and you had a lot of good friends who came to the wedding."
William nodded as he thought about that, and they sat in companionable silence for a while, the crackling of the fire providing a soothing soundtrack to their thoughts.
Finally, Elizabeth broke the quietude. "I still can't believe how lucky I am, Will. To have you, to have this beautiful place, and soon, to have our little family. I spent so much time alone before, and now, well, now I am so very happy with you."
He squeezed her hand. "The luck is all mine, Elizabeth. I never knew happiness until I met you."
Elizabeth shivered slightly in the breeze. William, noticing, wrapped his arms around her. "Is it too cold, mo ghràdh?"
She nestled into his warmth. "A bit, but it's perfect here with you. I never thought I'd get to experience something like this. This place feels like a dream, Will. I never imagined I'd be here, and to be with you, it's like a fairy tale."
William chuckled, a low, soothing sound. "If this be a fairy tale, lass, then it's our own, and it's just the beginning."
Their week of honeymooning was over too soon. After being driven to the house, William had arranged for a car to be waiting there for them so they could get around the island to explore on their own, and the food items had been ideal for the couple to enjoy, taking into account Elizabeth's new food aversions and random cravings. Nothing required too much prep work, and the meals were easy to pop into the oven when needed. There had also been lots of snack foods, so they could eat when they liked and what they liked. Nothing had been scheduled other than one boat tour of the island, meaning they had been able to sleep when they liked, eat when they liked, and be alone when they liked.
They had, of course, visited the famous Fairy Pools, a place that held an allure for both of them. As with most things, William had been here before, but still, he enjoyed showing Elizabeth the crystal-clear waters, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and lush greenery that created a serene atmosphere that seemed to capture the very essence of the Isle of Skye. As they stood hand in hand, Elizabeth marveled at the natural beauty around them.
"William, it's still so much like a dream. I can't believe I'm here," Elizabeth whispered, her eyes tracing the meandering path of the pools.
He squeezed her hand affectionately. "Aye, mo ghràdh, the Fairy Pools have a way of making ye feel like time stands still. I wanted ye to see this place, to feel its magic."
They continued their exploration of the island, driving along winding roads that offered breathtaking views of the landscape. William, in his rich Scottish brogue, shared stories of the local history and legends, weaving a tapestry of tales that made the journey even more enchanting.
One day, they stumbled upon a hidden beach with golden sands, the waves gently lapping at the shore. Elizabeth kicked off her shoes and waded into the cool water, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the sea. William watched her with a fond smile, captivated by her joy.
When she finished, the couple sat together on a hill overlooking the cliffs, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink hues. Wrapped in a blanket, they spoke quietly.
"Elizabeth," William began, his eyes fixed on the horizon, "I cannae believe how quickly this week has passed. But I'm looking forward to all the days ahead, the adventures we'll share, and our family growing." He moved his hands to cover her stomach, which was not yet showing anything, but he thought there was a slight bulge that had not been there before.
She leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. "Me too, William. This week has been everything I never knew I needed. I love you so much."
"I love you, too," he whispered, feeling her slowly lean more heavily against him as she fell asleep. He laughed to himself, amused at how quickly this seemed to happen of late and wondering what else would come as her pregnancy advanced.