Fifteen minutes later, the newly married couple were aboard the carriage and traveling toward London. Georgiana was to return to town with her Fitzwilliam relations. She and her companion would reside at Matlock House for two weeks, giving Elizabeth and Darcy a chance to settle in.
They sat in silence for a time. Darcy had taken the rear facing bench, but now moved to sit beside her. He took her hand and caressed it, removing her gloves one finger at a time. She felt a thrill as his bare hands touched her now gloveless ones.
“You have remarkably small hands,” he murmured, laying hers flat on his to compare their size.
“Do I?” she choked out. “Mayhap yours are just overly large.”
He chuckled softly, tracing her fingers one at a time before lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. “You are lovely, Elizabeth.” Slowly, he leaned toward her. Cupping his hand behind her head, he kissed her tenderly, pulling away after only a few moments. Strangely, she felt disappointed that he had not continued demonstrating his affection for her.
“It is a long journey to London,” he said. “What shall we do to occupy our time?”
They settled on a book, taking turns reading aloud. He traced patterns up and down her arm as she read, making it hard to focus. Though half the book had been read before the first stop, she could not recall what she had read. At a posting inn, they refreshed themselves before returning to the carriage. Dusk was upon them as the carriage pulled to a stop before Darcy House.
Her husband helped her from the carriage as he directed the footman to remove their things. She took his arm and climbed the stairs. The door opened before them, revealing a stern-looking butler.
“Hodgens,” Darcy greeted him. “I present my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy. Elizabeth, this is Hodgens. He has been the butler here for fifteen years.”
Hodgens bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, madam.”
Next, Darcy introduced Mrs. Bloom, the housekeeper, a happy-looking lady who grinned excitedly when introduced to her new mistress. “It is a pleasure, ma’am,” she said.
The rest of the servants were introduced one by one. Elizabeth marveled at their number and felt impressed that her husband knew them all by name. Among those introduced was her new lady’s maid.
“This is Smith,” Darcy said. “She is to be your personal maid until you hire one of your own. She is well trained with curls—I do not think you will have any cause to repine her services.”
Smith curtseyed and smiled. Elizabeth liked the look of her. She did not seem so serious as some ladies’ maids she had seen.
“We can tour the house tomorrow. I have requested dinner in our shared sitting room. Come, I shall show you.” Darcy took her hand and led her up a grand staircase. There was a hallway on either side of the stairs and a set of double doors directly at the top. “That is the library,” Darcy said, gesturing to the double doors. “Our chambers are this way.” He took the hallway to the right and led her to a door part way down. He pushed it open, and they stepped inside.
The interior of the room had been illuminated by dozens of candles. The details were still hard to make out, but Elizabeth’s immediate impression was one of elegance and refinement. The furniture looked light, pleasing, and most importantly,comfortable. The enormous bed against the middle of the far wall invited her to collapse on it.
“Our sitting room is between the master and mistress’s suites,” he said, pulling her toward a door on the far end of the room. “Your dressing room is on the opposite side of your chamber.” He pushed the door open and led her into a lovely sitting room. Before the fire were two chairs and a settee. One wall had a bookcase filled with books. A table and two chairs sat near the window.
“Our meal will be brought here. Do you wish to change before we dine?” He gazed intently at her, and she blushed, wondering what he was thinking.
“I believe I wish to eat now,” she stuttered. He nodded and rang the bell, delivering his instructions to his valet, who appeared at another door opposite the one they entered. She surmised that it led to the master’s chambers.
Dinner appeared within minutes, and Elizabeth marveled at the efficiency of the staff. She said so, and her husband answered proudly, “Yes, they are wonderful. We pay them well for their service and their loyalty. Anyone who works at Darcy House—or Pemberley for that matter—knows that gossiping about our family will lead to dismissal without reference.”
They do not appear to be frightened of their master,she mused.He must treat them well.That spoke well of him. Elizabeth had resolved to do as Charlotte said and struggled to put aside her wounded pride so that she could more fully discover things to admire about her husband.
They partook of a delicious repast from the kitchens. Included were several of her favorites: lemon tarts and a delightful cake. Elizabeth marveled that her new husband knew her preferences. They spoke of books and their favorite London pastimes while they ate. When they had finished, an awkward silence fell between them. Darcy cleared his throat.
“I believe I shall just… ready myself for bed,” Elizabeth said awkwardly. Her mother’s words from that morning had mortified her, and she flushed anew thinking about them.
“How long…?” he replied quietly.
“Thirty minutes?” she said, though it sounded like a question to her ears.
He nodded, and she stood, leaving the room without looking back. Smith awaited her, helping her out of her gown and into a flattering silk nightgown. Elizabeth admired her reflection in the mirror. The white nightgown flowed from her shoulders to just above her feet. The seams followed her curves, and the sleeves were fitted from her shoulder to her elbow.
She went around the room blowing out the candles one by one until only one beside the bed remained. When he knocked, she called for him to enter. He carried a candle, and it lit his way to the bed. He placed his light next to hers, and she shifted so he could climb into the bed.
He sat next to her, gazing at her in the light. Slowly, he reached out and tugged on the loose curls that had already escaped the braid Smith had put in her hair.
“Elizabeth.” He gasped her name, and then he kissed her, his fervor perfectly matching his declaration of ardent love.
Elizabeth awoke alone the next morning. She stretched. That bed had to be the most comfortable she had ever slept in.Wealth buys the best, I suppose,she thought. Smith came out of the dressing room a moment later, and memories of the night beforecaused her to blush anew. She chastised herself for the outward expression of embarrassment.I am no missish girl.
