Chapter 50: Wedded Bliss
Mr. Darcy handed Elizabeth into his carriage and seated himself beside her. She waved to her family until they were no longer in view. She was unsmiling.
“You seem troubled, Elizabeth.”
She turned to him. “Much of my life in Meryton has been unhappy, sir. I was just thinking that I shall never again suffer as I did while my mother lived. I am grateful to be leaving Longbourn.”
He regarded her with concern. “What did she do?”
“She did not cause me any physical harm, sir; her cruelty was of another sort. I was never my mother's favorite, and she made my life difficult. I must confess I have held some resentment against my father for not opposing her.”
He took her hand and remained silent, listening.
“I see now that my father and Jane share the same disposition. Neither is fitted to confront conflict. I have only recently come to understand that it is unreasonable to expect anything more from my father, for he was as unable to protect himself or his daughters from my mother as Jane is to counter anything Miss Bingley may employ to distress her. I shall endeavor not to hold it against him in the future.”
“Elizabeth, I can see that this matter between you and your father is troubling you.”
“I am a little low in spirits, sir. My father and I have always been close, but these past months have been especially trying,and in the past few days, I have made my resentment toward him known. I pray that I have not done lasting harm to our relationship.”
“We shall see him again when we return in a fortnight to collect our sisters. If you wish, we may invite him to Pemberley for the winter.”
Her eyes brightened. “Are you certain, sir?”
“He would be most welcome.”
“I shall write to him. He will spend all his time in your library, for he delights in the Greek classics. And perhaps, over the long winter months, he and I may repair our relationship. Life is uncertain and I wish to make amends before it is too late.”
Darcy took her hand and removed her glove, drawing it carefully from each finger before turning to the other. He lifted her bare hands and pressed a kiss to each palm, then leaned nearer and brushed her lips with his.
Two hours later, as they entered the city, his gaze passed over her, a rakish smile upon his face. Several loose curls had fallen upon her shoulders, and her bodice was undone. He tugged lightly at a strand of her hair.
“My dear, you are not fit to meet the servants.”
Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “You, sir, are in no better condition. Your cravat is crushed, your shirt and waistcoat are undone, and I do not see your coat.”
She glanced about the carriage. “It lies in the corner, Mr. Darcy, on the floor, there beside your foot.”
“Elizabeth, as much as I hate to, I must set you down that I may restore my appearance.”
She slipped from his lap and gathered the scattered hairpins while he set his clothing to rights.
“Sir, your shirt is quite beyond recovery.”
He chuckled. “I will hide it beneath my jacket. Tend to your hair while I see to myself.”
She turned her back. “Will you assist me with my buttons, sir?”
As she secured her hair, he fastened her gown. When he had finished, she put on her pelisse and bonnet. He struggled with his cravat, though the rest of his apparel appeared to be in good order.
She studied him closely. “I have never said so, sir, but you are very handsome.”
He smiled. “So are you, my dear.”
He adjusted his cravat. “There. I am properly dressed, and you appear well enough to be presented to the servants.”
“It seems strange to be presented when I have already lived among them for nearly a week.”
“They feel they know you, and they admire you, Elizabeth. I have been congratulated by all for securing a wife who is kind and without the pretensions so often found in society.”
