Standing together, they announced their intentions, and though Darcy saw several heads nod in agreement, no one moved to follow them, likely from some sense of allowing their privacy. Elizabeth remained close to him as they walked, her arm around his waist, his around her shoulders. It was silly, for Wickham was apprehended and the danger removed. Darcy knew, however, that they would continue to exercise caution, a legacy of the uncertainty and terror of the night. Someday, he knew they would heal, but it would take some time. Even Elizabeth’s claim of wishing to explore the estate would not materialize at once despite her courageous words.
The outer room was dark as they had left it, while the bedchamber contained a pair of candles sitting on each nightstand next to the bed. Darcy glanced at Elizabeth in question, and she nodded, understanding his unspoken question. He guided her to the bed and then blew out each candle, knowing that while the light might be comforting, leaving an open flame overnight could be dangerous.
Then Darcy eased into bed next to his wife, cradling her to his breast as she sighed with both relief and contentment. For some time, they remained that way, each wide awake, far from sleep.
“You could not find the catch to release the door,” said Elizabeth, a statement of fact rather than a question.
“I did not look for long—my focus was on ensuring that Wickham could not escape with you.”
“Will you want to explore it yourself?”
It was an excellent question, such that Darcy considered it for a time, wondering if it served any purpose.
“I will,” said he at last. “It would be best to know the secrets of the house, or as many as we can uncover.”
“Then I will guide you, as it is yet vivid in my memory.”
Elizabeth fell silent for a moment. “Can we stay like this all night?
With a chuckle, Darcy drew her again closer. “The love of my life staying in my arms throughout the night? I know not how I shall endure it, Elizabeth.”
“You will endure it for longer than a single night. I mean to have you for a lifetime, Fitzwilliam Darcy—a long and fulfilling lifetime.”
“That, my dear Elizabeth, is no trial. I look forward to it.”
It took some time for them to attain enough calm to fall asleep, though when it came, they fell into slumber at the same moment. For that night, night phantasms did not tormentthem, probably because they remained wrapped in each other’s embrace until they awoke the following morning.
Chapter XLI
Lady Susan’s arrival with Miss Anne de Bourgh in tow came two days later, the carriage entering Pemberley’s drive in the early afternoon and trundling toward the house in the distance. Elizabeth and William were on hand to greet them, as were Colonel Fitzwilliam and the earl. When the carriage stopped, the two Fitzwilliam men approached to assist the ladies to descend, and when they had exchanged greetings, they made their way to the Darcys.
“Lady Susan,” said Elizabeth, curtseying to her. “And Miss de Bourgh. Welcome to Pemberley.”
“None of that Lady Susan business, Elizabeth,” said the countess, stepping forward to greet Elizabeth with an embrace. “Please call me Susan or Aunt Susan. I would not be so formal with those I esteem so highly.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, and when Lady Susan pulled back, she regarded them critically for a moment. “Either Mr. Wickham has already made his move and failed, or you have not seen or heard from him.”
“Let us take this to our rooms, Susan,” said Lord Matlock. “You may also attend us, Anne. Wickham made his move, but I think the company would prefer not to be a part of the explanation.”
Lady Susan nodded and turned to Elizabeth. “Are you well?”
“Yes, Aunt Susan,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Wickham attempted to implement his plans, but we thwarted him. He will not trouble us again.”
“That is well.” Lady Susan took the earl’s arm and gestured to the house. “Then I would appreciate knowing what has happened. Elizabeth and I can speak at greater length this evening.”
Lady Susan did not make an issue of the events of the past days when she returned to the company, other than to inform Elizabeth how pleased she was that she had escaped without injury. Then she sat and spoke to her, inquiring after her wellbeing and that of the babe, and how she was getting on managing the house.
“If I can be of any help,” said Lady Susan, “please inquire.” Her ladyship smiled. “I know you are capable, my dear, but managing Pemberley is more complex than managing even your husband’s manor house in Hertfordshire.”
“It is,” agreed Elizabeth. “I think I have everything in hand, and Mrs. Reynolds has been a treasure. Should anything arise, I should be pleased to have your assistance.”
Lady Susan assured her it was no trouble and then allowed the subject to rest. Now, two days after the event, the company had recovered from the shock of that night, though it would take some time for full healing. Elizabeth had noticed that William now watched her wherever she went, not in a possessive way, but as if he was determined to be near at hand should she require his protection. They both understood the danger had faded, but he did not relent his vigilance and would not for some time.
The genuine surprise of the evening was the behavior of Miss de Bourgh. Though not well known to Elizabeth, she had been on friendly terms with her in London—her disposition was not one that warmed to friends, and Elizabeth suspected that her mother’s teachings about the distinction between the classes held sway over her, rendering closer friendship problematic. While they remained in the sitting-room after dinner, she saidlittle, appearing deep in thought, though at other times she cast her gaze around as if she had never seen the place before.
“Mrs. Darcy,” said she later that evening when she was nearby. Or perhaps it was not happenstance, for Miss de Bourgh had moved from her previous position to one closer to Elizabeth. While Elizabeth had not noticed it, she now understood from the woman’s look that she wished to say something she did not wish the entire room to overhear.
“Miss de Bourgh,” replied Elizabeth, her voice more cautious than she had intended. “I hope your room is comfortable?”
