“We are so happy for you both. When do you leave for Longbourn?” Aunt Maddie asked.
“I have some business I need to take care of on the morrow, so we will leave on Wednesday morn,” Darcy replied.
“When do you depart, Aunt Maddie? If you are here on the morrow, I would love you to come shopping with me while William completes his business,” Lizzy requested.
“We depart on Thursday, so if my wife has no conflicts, as far as I know, she is free on the morrow,” Uncle Gardiner informed them.
“Yes, Lizzy dear, Edward is correct. I am available, so what do you say I meet you at Darcy House at ten in the morning?” Aunt Gardiner asked.
“That sounds perfect, Aunt Maddie, I look forward to spending some time with you on the morrow,” Elizabeth smiled brightly.
At the end of the meal Lilly and George said their good nights and took themselves upstairs to the nursery and then there was a brief separation of the sexes. Darcy sat with his new uncle discussing mutual business interests while the ladies retired to the drawing room.
“You look so very happy, Lizzy; you are glowing with contentment,” Madeline offered as soon as they were alone in the drawing room.
“Oh, Aunt Maddie, being married to William is better than my wildest imaginings. He is so solicitous of my thoughts and feelings; we truly have a partnership in every sense of the word. He is so generous with me, and I love our private time together.” Although she blushed as she said the last, Elizabeth Darcy knew she could share anything with her aunt without censure or judgement.
“I am going to assume what your mother told you about the marriage bed is true?” Madeline smiled as her niece nodded emphatically. “Being in love and caring one for the other makes all of the difference. I could never imagine what things must be like in a marriage of convenience. It would be dreadfully horrid to be in a loveless marriage.”
“Luckily no one in our extended family will ever be in a cold, heartless marriage,” Lizzy responded “None need to marry if they do not want to and come Friday morning two more of my sisters will enter the marriage state, both very much in love with their fiancés. How was the time with Mary and Jane while they were here shopping? What was it, about ten days ago?”
“The girls had an enjoyable time shopping. I was with them as well as your mother, Anne de Bourgh, Louisa Hurst, and Ladies Matlock and Hilldale. They decided on perfect wedding dresses at Madame Chambourg’s modiste shop. The wedding dresses, along with each trousseau, were delivered to them after the final fittings. Anne ordered herself a whole new wardrobe, she was so happy to get rid of the horrid fashions Lady Catherine used to choose for her,” Madeline conveyed happily.
“I dare say she was. I cannot wait to see what my sisters acquired for their trousseaus and Anne’s new clothing as well. As much as I have loved the time with my husband, I have missed my family and am looking forward to seeing them on Wednesday. We will leave early and be there well before luncheon.” Lizzy squeezed her aunt’s hand to share her excitement.
The men re-joined their ladies, and they spent a comfortable evening enjoying each other’s company then the Darcys took their leave after thanking the Gardiners profusely and returned home to go to sleep, well at least to go to bed.
Chapter 23
Early Wednesday afternoon when the Darcy coaches came to a halt in front of Longbourn, everyone, including the Netherfield Park party, spilled out of the house to welcome the Darcys back to Hertfordshire.
As soon as her husband handed her down from the carriage, Lizzy was surrounded by four sisters all wanting to hug her. Next, her mother approached with a tear in her eye, she told her second eldest she could see the glow of happiness emanating from the couple, and she was overjoyed her beautiful Lizzy had found felicity in her marriage.
Darcy was swarmed by his four sisters after they had hugged his wife. Georgiana Darcy hugged him especially tightly and kissed his cheek. The rest of the party welcomed them more sedately, but still with enthusiasm.
Once the welcome and hugs subsided Elizabeth looked around and noticed who was missing. “Mama, where is Papa?” Lizzy frowned.
“He left on Monday to go get your brothers from Cambridge. Do not make yourself uneasy, you will see him by dinner on the morrow.” Mother and daughter held onto each other as everyone preceded them into the manor house. “You are glowing; I see you are as happy in your marriage as we suspected you would be. AreALLaspects of your marriage good, my Lizzy?”
“Mama, you were so correct in your advice to me before my wedding. The marriage bed only adds to the felicity and love we both feel. He is my other half in every sense of the word; I could not imagine anyone being happier than I am with William.” Lizzy blushed happily.
“It warms my heart to hear this. I knew how it would be, but to hear you confirm what your father and I suspected fills me with happiness and gratitude. I have assigned you and William to the lavender suite, unless the two of you want to fit into your old bedchamber?” she teased.
“No, Mama, the lavender suite is perfect. I am so happy to be visiting Longbourn, but it no longer feels like home, my home is whichever of our houses I am residing at with William,” Lizzy admitted, hoping her mother understood.
“As it should be!” Fanny agreed. “Now, away with you, go change out of your travelling attire,” Fanny said as she gave Elizabeth a playful tap on her posterior.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Her husband had just left to go down to the drawing room after changing and Elizabeth was finishing up with the help of her lady’s maid when there was a knock on the door. After she called out for the person to enter, the door opened to reveal Jane and Mary Bennet, who would be resigning their last names when they wed on Friday.
“Come in, Jacqui is done.” Elizabeth smiled in welcome and motioned for her sisters to sit down. “Jane and Mary, how I have missed you. To what do I owe this honour of a visit before I join everyone in the drawing room?” she teased them.
“Well...” Jane said tentatively with much embarrassment, “We were wondering if, as anold married lady,” the statement caused Elizabeth to playfully swat her sister’s arm, “if there was any wisdom you can impart to us about married life...ahem...well about the wedding night.” Jane and Mary were both blushing furiously but seemed hopeful.
“Has Mama given you her pre-wedding speech yet?” she asked first.
“She has not spoken to me yet. Has she done so with you, Jane?” Mary inquired.
