Perceiving her apprehensions, and holding her hand firmly in his, William declared, “Elizabeth, you are not to be intimidated by these surroundings or your new position in society. I shall stand by you every step of the way, and there are people in our employ who will help guide you with the required necessities of our homes. Despite the circumstances which brought us together, I would have no other but you, my love.”
She smiled with affection. “Then know this, dear William, I shall do my very best to never disappoint you.”
“Elizabeth, you could never disappoint me. I only regret that I cannot give you all I had planned for our first night together.” He tenderly caressed her, saying, “After we have rescued Georgiana, I shall make it up to you, I promise.”
As soon as the door was opened and the steps let down, William graciously assisted his new wife out of the carriage for all to greet. The servants lined on either side of the walkway were eager to welcome their master and new mistress. Mrs. Troutman, the housekeeper, had everything ready per William’s revised instructions, and once the couple was in the house, she and a housemaid guided Elizabeth to her rooms while William made haste to speak with the men who would serve as outriders. He had promised to join her within the hour.
Stepping into her new bedroom, Elizabeth looked around in awe, taking in every aspect of her surroundings. The room was spacious with inviting pastel colours of yellow and green. It was well-furnished with accessories and had a lovely window seatfacing the garden below. William had told Elizabeth they would not occupy the rooms he and Anne once shared. The suite, which he had taken, following her death, was the one which his mother preferred when she and James Darcy resided in Town, since it was closer to the nursery and the children’s bedrooms.
Walking about the room, she smiled to herself while continuing to note the elegant furnishings and a bed far grander than the one she and Jane had once shared. In her estimation, the floral coverlet was a work of art, and the fluffy pillows and matching canopy something she never dreamed of owning. On one wall there was a large marble fireplace where the mantelpiece displaying a lovely floral arrangement was surrounded by family miniatures on either side. When spotting her husband as a youth and seeing the same dark curly hair and vibrant blue eyes she had come to love, she immediately took it in hand. As expected, his demeanour was reserved, yet upon his face was a shy smile which prompted her to lovingly hold his picture to her breast before kissing it and returning it to the shelf.
Elizabeth could not help but wonder if her own children might take after their father in that respect or if they would display some of her playfulness. Next to William’s picture was that of a younger child, a girl of perhaps two or three. With this being Lady Anne’s favoured room, she assumed it was Georgiana who indeed looked very much like the miniature William had shown her of Anna. Reverently fingering the edge of the frame, she quietly prayed for her new sister to remain unharmed while William and the colonel sought to recover her.
At that moment the housemaid who was assigned to Elizabeth reappeared from the closet where she was attending to the trunks brought up from the carriage. Molly had been employed by the Darcy family for many years and was informed by the housekeeper that she would serve as Mrs.Darcy’s personal maid until a permanent assignment had been arranged.
“Mrs. Darcy,” she enquired, “might I be of assistance before we depart for Rosings Park?”
“Thank you. I should like to change my dress and quickly repack my bag and the smaller trunk for our travels.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Moving towards the closet, Elizabeth added, “Let me show you what I have in mind. Also, I have a few items that I would like to add to this small chest, since it has presents for my new daughter and Miss Darcy.”
“You will like the little Miss and Miss Georgiana,” the maid kindly remarked while assisting Elizabeth.
“I am sure I will,” Elizabeth said cheerfully. “Mr. Darcy speaks warmly of both his daughter and sister. I believe this blue gown and pelisse will show the least amount of wrinkles and should be perfect for the rest of my travels.”
Without too much effort, Elizabeth changed her clothes and her bag was repacked, along with the small trunk. Wanting to give William his present before leaving, she had taken the box from her bag and set it on the vanity.
About this time William lightly knocked on Elizabeth’s door, speaking her name. As soon as he entered, Molly excused herself, shutting the door behind her.
“William!” Elizabeth stood, brightly greeting him as he rushed to her side and swept her into an embrace.
“How I wish we had more time, love, but we must be off within the half hour.”
She could see the strain on his face as he spoke. “You need not explain. We will do what is required, and after you and the colonel have retrieved Georgiana, we shall have all the time in the world.”
“All the time in the world,” he tenderly echoed. “I like that,” he said, kissing her again. “I trust this room is to your liking.”
“Very much so. I can see why it was a favourite of your mother’s. It is so cheerful.”
“I suspect you have not had time to explore the rest of our suite.”
“No, not yet.”
He smiled broadly, “I have something for you in the sitting room. Shall we?” He gestured, taking her hand.
“Please,” she answered, reaching for the box on the vanity as they turned to go. “I have something here for you as well.”
“For me?” he murmured, somewhat surprised by her gesture.
“‘Tis not much, but it is something I know both of us will enjoy.”
“I should like that.” He tenderly kissed her hand. “Come; let us make time to look at our gifts before joining the others.”
Opening the door, William showed Elizabeth into their sitting room. He placed the box on the table next to her present, then guided her around the perimeter, pointing out little things that might be of interest. The door to his bed-chamber was partially open, and she could easily see the décor was darker and decidedly masculine. She could not help but note the size of his bed, which was even larger than the one in her room. And while they did not linger, she unknowingly held her breath, wondering what it might be like to spend the night with him in that chamber.
Trying to suppress his own desires, William remarked, “I have always enjoyed this room. My mother often allowed me to sit with her in the afternoon while my father was occupied in the study. Many times we would enjoy tea and cakes as we read together. I look forward to the day when we can do the same, my love.”
