It was a passing remark, ingenuously made, and she did not comprehend its impact until she turned back and observed his horrified countenance.
“How did you—” He clamped his lips closed and ran a hand over his face.
She pulled a wry face and set about removing a stocking. “I may have come to your bed a maiden, but I did not come to it a simpleton.”
“Elizabeth, I…it is not?—”
“Fitzwilliam,” she interrupted, holding a hand up to stay a conversation neither of them wished to have. “I harbour no resentment for the life you lived before you met me, but I have absolutely no wish to dwell on it. I ought not to have teased you.”
She bent to remove her other stocking. By the time she was done, Darcy was by her side, tenderly turning her towards him.
“You are the most remarkable woman I have ever known. I do not deserve your clemency after my behaviour this evening.”
“It has not been your finest few hours as a husband, but there were a few redeeming performances. You have not done as badly as you think.”
He was so very serious, his eyes black in the candlelight. “I love you.”
She slid her arms about his neck and pulled herself up to lightly kiss the scar on his cheek. “I know. That is why you are forgiven.”
He rested his forehead against hers and wrapped his arms around her, whispering his heartfelt thanks. “Though I would have you cease walking alone in gardens,” he added. “You are entirely too prone to being propositioned in them.”
“Fear not. I only accept propositions in churchyards.”
He smiled the understated smile she loved so well.
“And bedrooms.”
He stopped smiling and upon having his propositions agreed to, bestowed upon her such attentions as went a considerable way to earning him the clemency he claimed not to deserve.
DISTINCTIONS IN CONNUBIAL FELICITY
Pemberley
8thNovember
To Jane,
Be not alarmed by the apprehension of this letter containing any mention of those events which transpired at Netherfield. I have no wish to dwell upon them, and since you have offered neither explanation nor apology, I must assume neither do you. Nevertheless, we cannot continue to ignore one another, else family occasions will become impossible, and our husbands’ friendship will suffer. Moreover, I miss you, Jane, and I worry for you. If we can exchange letters without animosity, perhaps in time we shall be able to meet again as friends and forget these few difficult months. With the sincerest hope of achieving such an end, here is my beginning.
Darcy and I have been back at Pemberley for three weeks now. He indulges me almost every morning by walking out with me, and the countryside hereabouts is growing dearer to me by the day. The view from the rise behind the house has become my favourite in all the world, though the one from Oakham Mount shall forever retain a special place in my heart.
We are to dine tomorrow evening with our neighbour, Mr Peterson. He is shortly to be married to Miss Hawes, whom I have met twice now and like very well. I hope we shall see much of them and believe they will make charming neighbours.
I imagine it is much the same for you as it is for me, being thrown into new circles. Quite apart from becoming acquainted with all of Mr Bingley’s friends, with Charlotte and me gone, your own circle is depleted to fewer people your own age. I heard from Kitty, though, that Marianne Etheridge has returned from London. Have you had opportunity to see much of her?
12thNovember
Mrs Ferguson, whom I met in London but whose husband’s estate is in Dumfriesshire, has written to invite us to their Twelfth Night Ball. I should have loved to go, but apart from being quite unequal to the journey, we shall have a houseful of guests of our own to entertain. There will be Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and the children, of course, then Lord Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mrs Sinclair and, I have recently been informed, Lord and Lady Ashby. Lastly, Lady Catherine, Mr and Mrs Montgomery and their son, Master Jonathan, will join us from Kent. I hope especially, despite all our differences, to make their Christmas enjoyable since it is likely to be Lady Catherine’s last. Indeed, I believe that is why Lord Matlock insisted Lord and Lady Ashby join the party.
I own I am a little daunted by the prospect of being hostess to so many, but anticipate it nonetheless. To have such a gathering, such a mix of characters, it ought to be entertaining at the very least!
18thNovember
I am a little forlorn today. Mrs Annesley, Georgiana’s companion of above a year, has given us notice. I shall be sorry to see her go, but weshall not replace her for, barring the weeks of my confinement, I ought to be able to act as companion whenever Georgiana requires it.
Just as she is leaving us, we must begin the search for a monthly nurse and nursery maid. I should be happy to employ one person to fill both positions, but though it seems a sensible economy to me, it has been impossible to achieve. Have you been required to appoint any new servants as yet? I should be grateful to hear how you went about it.
25thNovember
