The remaining ride towards their first destination was made in tense silence. Elizabeth began to nod off as the late evening stretched on, the excitement of the day finally taking its toll. During this time, Darcy studied her relaxed face, furious with himself for snapping at his wife the way he did. As if that is the way to her good opinion, he berated silently. He must do better.
Finally, the coach stopped at an inn just off the beaten path. Elizabeth jolted awake, momentarily confused at where she was until she saw Darcy open the carriage door and step outside. Next, only his hand appeared in the darkness, waiting for her. She sighed and took it in hers and stepped outside.
Darcy led her toward the warm entrance way. He paused for a moment to speak to her. "The Inn at Blenheim. I frequently stop here if I cannot make it to London before nightfall. The innkeeper is expecting us." His voice softened in an attempt to alleviate the mood between them. "You shall be most comfortable here."
Her mind instantly flew back to her conversations with her mother and Charlotte regarding the wedding night. With all the happenings of the day, she had quite forgotten. A blush spread across her cheeks, but thankfully Darcy did not notice in the darkness, and he led them once more towards the inn.
Indeed, the owner and his wife were expecting the newlyweds, evident joy on their lined faces as they bowed in exchange. "Mr. Darcy! Welcome, sir, welcome as always! We are so pleased to have you back with us." His eyes darted to Elizabeth. "Especially now with your lovely wife!" He bowed low again to her. "Welcome to The Inn at Blenheim, Mrs. Darcy. I am Mr. Wentworth, proprietor. And my wife, Mrs. Wentworth. We are most welcome to meet your acquaintance."
Elizabeth flinched at her new name, a reaction not missed by Darcy. His eyes clouded over, his jaw set as his wife curtsied to the older couple. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wentworth. Mrs. Wentworth. Thank you for taking us in on such short notice."
Mrs. Wentworth waved a hand to a young boy by the doorframe and called out to him, "Rooms 3 and 4, Edward," before turning to Elizabeth and smiling broadly. "Think nothing of it, Mrs. Darcy." Elizabeth tried her best this time not to wince, the stony figure of her husband very nearby. "Come, I have prepared my best stew for the occasion. You must be famished, ma'am." The older woman led her towards the small dining area, bustling with activity of other patrons, but still warm and welcoming. "I remember my wedding day," she murmured to Elizabeth, as they walked two by two, leaving the men to fend for themselves. "Such excitement that I had quite forgotten to eat a single bite all day!"
Immediately, Elizabeth knew Mrs. Wentworth's first-hand knowledge was spot on. Her stomach rumbled audibly in response and the older woman chuckled. She led them all towards a table for two in the far corner. She winked to Elizabeth before adding in a hush, "Some privacy for the newlyweds."
Elizabeth blushed crimson once more and attempted a smile in response. The hunger she just felt disappeared instantly as she was seated with Darcy across from her. Before she could thank the owners, they disappeared and in their place were heaping bowls of steaming stew and soft bread.
Darcy watched Elizabeth carefully after he took several mouthfuls. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before he quietly said, "You should eat. We have a long journey tomorrow." But Elizabeth only silently picked at the food, terrified of the situation of events due to occur immediately after the meal was over. Darcy continued to watch her silently, his heart heavier in his chest with each minute of silence that passed.
As predicted, Darcy led Elizabeth next upstairs towards their prepared rooms. Darcy paused at the first, nodding to himself as he could see her things were ready and waiting. Taking her hand in his, he brushed his lips on her knuckles and bowed. "Good night, madam."
Before Elizabeth could process anything, Darcy slid away to the next room over, went inside, and closed the door. She blinked in shock. "Good night."
After several stilled moments of confusion, Elizabeth finally went inside her own room, shutting the door behind her. Good night? She thought leaning against the frame. Good night? What has happened?
Taking a deep breath, she walked further into the comfortable, but small suite. She was surprised by its country fixings; Elizabeth thought for sure Darcy would frequently stay at more elaborate lodging while traveling. Inside the second door was a sufficient bathroom, complete with a porcelain tub, a washing sink, and another door.
Leaning her ear against it silently, Elizabeth could hear Darcy's steady footfall on the other side, as if he were pacing. Of course, she thought, The very rich must be used to having separate, private quarters everywhere, even for those who are married.
Stepping back into her bedroom, but leaving the bath area door open, Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was relieved or terror reignited. Surely Darcy was merely preparing himself for their first night together. Dash it all! Why wasn't she doing the same?
Although Elizabeth did not think highly of the man she now called husband, she also did not wish to displease him. She tried very hard not to think about why, in fact, she cared not to displease Mr. Darcy. There was work to be done.
Of her preparations for her wedding night, her mother was clear:
Wash! (but not your hair, your husband surely will not wish to wait for hair to dry),
Groom! (a simple braid will do - but not tied with whatever bit of stray patchwork you find. My God child, the man deserves a ribbon),
Dress! (but only in the night dress I have packed for you, Lizzie. Nothing else. Nothing else),
and Position! (Your husband will do the rest, dear. Just lie down in bed - the middle - and enjoy your new nightly routine).
At the time, Elizabeth had found her mother absolutely ridiculous. Tonight, she wished she had taken notes.
Elizabeth need not worry however. She had gotten ready in plenty of time, although she tried not to look at how very sheer the muslin of her gown was. What even was the purpose?
And now she waited. At first she laid in the very center of the bed, removing and replacing the pillow several times, racking her brain for any mention of cushions in the lengthy conversation with Mrs. Bennet. After what felt to be at least an hour, Elizabeth tiptoed back to the adjoining door in the washroom, listening for signs of Darcy's imminent arrival. Footsteps were long gone, but she thought the sound of clinking glass could be heard. With a sigh, Elizabeth returned to her previous position to wait.
Elizabeth awoke with a start. It took her several long moments to determine exactly where she was, but at the sound of another loud knocking on the nearby door, she was fully awake, sitting upright in the large bed - alone.
"Mrs. Darcy? You must make haste! The maid is ready to fill your bath."
Mrs. Wentworth. The Inn at Blenheim. Morning.
Scrambling, Elizabeth leapt to her feet and quickly donned a dressing gown before opening the bedroom door. With a tight smile to Mrs. Wentworth, she said good morning and watched as the older woman and a young maid immediately enter the washroom and begin the bath.
As they continued the process of filling the tub, Elizabeth sat back down on the bed, deep in thought. Had Darcy entered last night after she fell asleep? No, she was a light sleeper, and with her nerves already on end, Elizabeth knew she would have heard the adjoining door open.
So her husband did not visit their marital bed last night. But what is she was supposed to go to his? Her mother was clear that Elizabeth was meant to wait for Darcy to arrive, but what if she was mistaken? What if Darcy spent the night waiting for her to show?
Her head hurting from too much thought, Elizabeth went through the motions of a hot bath before dressing and making her way downstairs to break her fast. Whether she was meant to wait for Darcy to retrieve her, she knew not. And at this moment, she no longer cared. She was famished.
The parlor was bustling with other lodgers. Elizabeth found Darcy back at their previous night's table, and she sat down. He barely acknowledged her presence beyond a brief good morning before returning to his newspaper, cup of coffee in hand.
Pursing her lips in annoyance, Elizabeth began to eat her meal with flourish, promptly forgetting her present company and simply devouring the tray before her.
From the corner of his eye, Darcy watched his wife, suppressing a smirk at her obvious ravenous hunger. He would not intervene with small talk, as he was quite relieved to see her eat. Quietly, he continued to sip his coffee while she demolished the plate.
When it was clear that she was finished, Darcy put down the paper, catching the eye of the maid for another cup of coffee and turned towards Elizabeth. "Tis good to see you eat. I must confess to being nervous last night when you hardly ate a bite."
It took all of Elizabeth's willpower not to roll her eyes. It was now clear to her based on Darcy's silence then nonchalant small talk that she did not miss a visit from him last night; he simply did not show. She tried in vain not to let her mind run away trying to answer why.
"Happy days to be sure," she replied, sipping her tea, her brow arched.
Darcy might not know his wife very well just yet, but her sarcasm was evident. He was well aware that his behavior towards her in the carriage last evening was abhorrent, but he did not wish to have this discussion in the public. After it was clear they had both finished their meal, Darcy escorted Elizabeth back to their carriage, their horses fresh, to begin the next leg of their journey.
After several minutes of silence from her, Darcy cleared his throat, eager to break the tension. "Tis a full day's journey, I'm afraid. We shall enter the county by nightfall, but we won't make it to Pemberley."
Silence.
Swallowing hard, he continued. "We may stop whenever you feel the need. This route is very picturesque, and I imagine you may wish to stretch your legs."
Elizabeth nodded only in acknowledgment.
Annoyance was beginning to creep into Darcy, and he had to clench his jaw a moment to keep his temper in check. "I hope your stay last night was comfortable."
At that, Elizabeth stood stooped for a moment in the moving carriage, and with a huff she sat back down but no longer next to her husband, but across. She crossed her arms and continued to look out the window, anywhere but him.
Darcy snapped. "Elizabeth, you are acting like a child." When she continued to ignore him to her very best ability, he closed his eyes in pain a long moment before sighing and cooling down. "We must make the best of a less than ideal situation," he added softly.
Finally, Elizabeth looked at him, her neck snapping with the force of her glare. "Less than ideal situation, sir?" she growled. Before he could interject, all her suppressed emotions from the last 24 hours, from the last week burst from her. She sat forward, her hands clenched on the edge of her seat in anger.
"I have been removed from my family and friends within days of our forced agreement with absolutely no knowledge of your decided expedited wedding or even our journey to Derbyshire. Not only that, but I was not allowed to speak to my family before your arrival, which if you care to know, will forever pain me in memory at the shock and hurt upon my father's face as we are very close, and it hurt him even more than myself." Elizabeth took a deep breath, and she was livid to feel angry tears prick her eyes. "And most recently, I was left in a strange place, alone, abandoned by my husband on our wedding night. I have never felt more alone nor afraid as my future is not my own."
Her chest heaving, Elizabeth finally concluded her tirade. She sat back, refusing to meet Darcy's eye again, which were wide in shock. Crossing her arms again, she looked back out the window.
It took Darcy some time to digest everything she put forth. First and foremost, his failure to provide for his wife, already within one day's time as a married couple. Darcy prided himself on his unyielding loyalty and care for his family, and his inattention to Elizabeth's needs or even her opinion created a well of emotion in his chest, causing his heart to hurt. Secondly, he was stunned to learn she had waited for him last night, but that conversation was for another time.
He took a deep breath. "Forgive me, Elizabeth. I should have spoken to you earlier. I thought of only my desire to return home and show you Derbyshire. Even if the thought of being my wife is so disgusting to you, you are still my wife and therefore I consider you my equal. I will make it a priority to communicate with you more thoroughly." He could tell she was listening as her shoulders slowly lowered as the agitation seeped from her. "Again, please forgive me."
Several moments passed in silence until Elizabeth abruptly stood once more and retook her seat next to him. They continued their journey in relative quiet, but with a new degree of comfort.