He dimly remembered blowing out the candles and Elizabeth insisting he stay for “a little while longer,” and they must have both fallen asleep.
Darcy leant against the headboard and pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her cheek. She had a beautifully expressive face,even whilst she was sleeping.Here is the person who has made me so happy.This lovely woman was going to be his wife. An intelligent companion he could trust in, confide in. For a while, he watched her sleep, stroking his fingers through her hair until she began to stir.
“Good morning,” she said thickly. “Why are you awake already?”
“I can tell you are not used to sleeping with anyone,” he said, lying back down next to her. “You turned in your sleep and threw out your hand, striking me in the face.”
He laughed, and there was just enough light to tell that she blushed. “Well, you must have been on my side.” Elizabeth ran her hand up and down his arm. “I hope this does not put you off wanting to share a bed with me.”
Her voice had raised in question, and Darcy caught her hand and kissed it before putting an arm around her. “I should have told you: one of the conditions of marrying me is that we share a bed every night.”
She gave a happy sigh. “I am glad you were not too proud to ask me again to marry you.”
Good God, so am I.“Are you glad for anything else?” he asked, hoping that she was as content this morning as she had been last night.
“Yes, but I think I have forgotten the finer points. Would you be so good as to remind me?” She gave a smile of the tenderest satisfaction, and he met the kiss she leant forward to give him.
“I want to, but a maid will be in shortly, and I am already likely to pass a footman in the corridor as it is.” He sighed as his mind fully appreciated that today was a new day. “Besides, I must find out what happened at the pawnshops in the nearest towns, and try to?—”
“No, none of that when we are stark naked.” She leant up and rested her head on her hand. “I am happy to talk with you about all things, includingthatmatter, but not now. I will not have my happy memories ruined.”
She was serious, and he could not blame her. He nodded and kissed her lightly before leaving the bed to find his clothes.
As he drew on his nightshirt, he said, “Am I allowed to speak about business related to you? I intend to write to your father today, if you want to include your own letter, and we can arrange your return toHertfordshire to say goodbye to your parents.” He put on his dressing gown. “I would like to marry you before October, and I think everything can be settled within a month.”
“I will allow that discussion only because you are dressed, but all other business must wait until we are both clothed.”
He fastened his dressing gown and came back to the bed. “That is perfectly fair.”
She sat up to kiss him, not caring at all that the bedclothes had fallen away and she was naked. It was a natural development of the intimacy of their relationship. He looked at her as she settled herself back on the pillow, smiling up at him. He would never again be able to look at her without knowing all of this, all of her.
“I love you, Elizabeth.”
Darcy burnedwith impatience to finish his business with his distressed steward and finish meeting with the worried tenants who called during his early hours. Once these tasks were complete, he could write to Elizabeth’s father, and then hopefully spend half an hour in her company before he had to meet everyone at breakfast.
However, his letter to Mr Bennet did not come to him as easily as he thought it would. He had to convince this gentleman of his undying regard for his daughter in terms that would not offend him, but also convince Mr Bennet to grant his blessing. Whilst they were in Dovedale, Elizabeth had indulged him to write whatever account of their history he deemed appropriate, and Darcy struggled with what to confess that would both convince Mr Bennet of his long-standing attachment, but would also paint him in an amiable light.
He thought he could make Mr Bennet respect and approve of him in two sheets of paper.
Mr Bennet could not be deeply impressed with his merits based on what he had known of him in Hertfordshire, but Darcy hoped he would not be displeased thus to have him for a son-in-law. At the least, Elizabeth’s letter expressing her own convictions might reconcile him to the idea until Darcy could meet with Mr Bennet in person.
After Balfour or Utterson is hauled before the magistrate, and the rest of the flood recovery planned for, then I can be in a carriage to Longbourn.
It was now time to take breakfast with his guests, and Darcy knew he would have to make an effort to behave better towards both Utterson and Balfour to rouse no suspicion. When he entered, he received an affectionate look from Elizabeth, but no other outward indication that they had awoken in the same bed. She was talking with Mrs Annesley and Mrs Lanyon, and so Darcy listened to Georgiana’s quiet talk about what she wanted to organise for the village children since their school was currently a deadhouse.
When she asked if he approved, with such a hopeful look in her eyes, Darcy said proudly, “I think that is an excellent idea.” After he married Elizabeth, Pemberley could be Georgiana’s home too.
He heard Fitzwilliam and the other men before the door opened, and Darcy took a steadying breath. Whilst they settled themselves at the table, Elizabeth gave him a small encouraging nod.
“You must have had a pretty piece of business to keep you locked away on such a fine morning,” Utterson said as he sat. “It is finally not raining or too wet to shoot, and you missed it.”
“Aye, your man said you were working all morning,” Balfour said whilst pouring himself coffee.
“You ought to have come with us,” Utterson said. “A shame to let that fine gunroom go to waste. What could have kept you occupied again?”
“Mind your business,” Darcy said, “and I shall mind mine.”
His sharpness earned him a few surprised stares.It is so difficult to put on an agreeable face.
