Turning in his arms, she reverently touched the pendant and gifted him with a brilliant smile. Kissing him, she said, “I shall wear it every day while we are parted and say a prayer for your success each time I feel it about my neck.”
“I would like that, my love.” Again they kissed. “Now, I fear we must not tarry. If you show me where you have the garnet cross, I shall package it and ask a footman to take care of it this afternoon.”
“It is on my dresser,” she said, holding William’s hand and pulling him towards her room. “It is just over here and will be quite lovely once it is repaired.”
“Anna will treasure your gift, Elizabeth,” he said examining what needed to be repaired and placing the necklace in hispocket. “Come, let us go now. The carriage should be ready, and Mrs. Troutman has arranged a lovely repast for our travels. Since neither of us ate much at the wedding breakfast, you must be hungry.”
“I confess I am and will be sure to thank her on our way out.” With that, William and Elizabeth left Elizabeth’s room and descended the stairs. Once William penned a request for the jeweller, they joined the others and began the next leg of their journey to Rosings Park.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE CHALLENGES CONTINUE
Rosings Park
Tuesday, 25 June
Later That Evening
It was well after sunset by the time the Darcy party arrived at Rosings Park. With the exception of the lamps used by a few servants who usually stood watch, the manor house was fairly dark. Lady Catherine, who had been known to stay up late, was no longer in her study but sleeping in her bedchamber. On arrival, Richard had willingly taken over the supervision of the men and began making preparations for continuing their journey to Ramsgate, allowing William some time alone with Elizabeth before leaving. Because of the very late hour, it was decided they would travel by carriage until first light, thus giving the men a chance to rest a bit before going on by horseback.
As with Darcy House, after Anne’s death William had changed his quarters to ones which were nearer to Anna’s rooms and the nursery. Not only did he not want the reminder of what his previous bedchambers had symbolised, but he felt the needto be close to his daughter, lest she should want for anything during the night. If truth be told, with so many disappointments, having her nearby gave him solace. Now, however, he had Elizabeth, and though he would have to deal with Wickham, his new wife was a great comfort after so many years of loneliness. With her, he could look forward to building the kind of life he was never able to have with Anne. He longed for stability and a loving home where he and his wife worked together for the good of their family and for each other.
Once Molly finished assisting Elizabeth with her outer garments, William sent the maid to deal with the rest of her belongings while he escorted her to his bed chamber and shut the door. Pulling her into his embrace, he said, “Forgive me, Elizabeth. I cannot finish what I long to start, but I must have some part of you before it is time to leave.”
Having travelled the final miles in darkness and saying little, William wanted her reassurance and tender caresses before leaving with Richard and the others. Claiming her lips in a torrid kiss while pulling her into his hard body, he could scarcely get enough. Haphazardly pulling the pins from her hair and releasing her dark tresses, he picked up Elizabeth and carried her to his bed.
“My darling wife, would that I could make you mine this very minute and spend the rest of the night loving you, but I cannot.”
“William,” she moaned, “I love you so very much.” Soon, the two were locked in a passionate embrace where a multitude of caresses and endearments would have to sustain them until he came back from his mission. Only then would they be able to consummate their marriage and begin their lives as husband and wife.
On hearing Richard making his presence known in the hallway, William reluctantly stopped his ministrations, pulling Elizabeth from the bed so that they might straighten theirclothes. Quickly finding a few hairpins so Elizabeth could secure her hair into a twisted bun, the two of them left the bed-chamber, somewhat flustered, but ready to meet Richard.
“Everything is ready, Cousin,” Richard announced as soon as William opened the door.
“Thank you. Just give me a few minutes. I wish to take Elizabeth to Anna’s room before we come down. We shall join you directly.”
Anna’s Bedroom
“Elizabeth, this is our daughter,” William proudly whispered, not wanting to wake Anna.
The little girl looked angelic sleeping peacefully in the bed, her dolly clutched in her arm and a slight smile on her face as she embraced dreamland. Elizabeth could not help but turn to him, her eyes misting. “Oh, William, she is so precious.”
Embracing her he quietly said, “I hope the two of you will become very well acquainted in my absence.”
“I know we will.” She reached up to caress his face. “And we shall both be praying for your safe return.”
At that moment, Anna began to stir. “Papa,” she yawned, her eyes still closed. “Is it you?”
“Yes, sweet one, I am here and I have brought you your new Mama.”
Anna made two little fists and began rubbing her eyes as William placed a loving kiss on her forehead and Elizabeth took a seat on the side of her bed. “Are you Princess Elizabeth?” Anna said sleepily, pushing up in the bed and stifling a yawn. “Papa said he would bring you back, but Dolly and I were not sure,” her voice quivered as though she was about to cry. “Grandmamma said I would never have another mama.”
“Sweetheart.” Elizabeth could see the disapproval on William’s face as she reassured Anna by taking her into her arms. “Grandmamma must have been mistaken. Your Papa and I were married earlier today. I am your Mama now, and you are my daughter.”
“Mama, Mama,” she began to sob, holding tightly onto Elizabeth. “Mama, please say you will stay with me and Papa.”
“There, there, my precious.” Elizabeth picked up the child and rubbed her back as she cuddled and soothed her with endearments. “Mama has you now, and I am never going to leave you or Papa. Not ever, dear one. We are a family.”
