Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (76 page)

“I do not know why my dreams were so frightening, as if anything could keep me from marrying Fitzwilliam.  Why did I dream of him accepting his cousin?  And why would I accept Mr. Stewart?  It is nonsensical!”  She laughed a little and wiped away the tears that had fallen so hard all that night.  “I am silly.”

“No dear, it is simply you wanting nothing to stand in the way.”  She smiled and at last the door was opened.  Mr. Bennet was there to take Elizabeth’s hand. 

“Papa.”  She smiled and stepped out. 

“You are beautiful, Daughter.”  He kissed her cheek and they began walking.  Mr. Gardiner was there for his wife.  Curious members of society watched the party enter, and one woman asked Jane who was marrying.

“My sister Elizabeth Bennet is marrying Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, madam.”

“Darcy!”  She cried and looking to her friends, followed the family inside of the church and found seats.  There were already a small number of people there, all from the most prestigious families.  Lady Matlock had tapped her closest friends, and they had all come to witness the event, and of course to report of it to all who were not so privileged to have been invited. 

Jane walked ahead to take her place at the altar with Fitzwilliam.  The two smiled at each other then simultaneously noted Darcy, standing still and straight, and staring intently to the end of the aisle.  Finally, after endless seconds of tortured waiting, his Elizabeth appeared.  Fitzwilliam placed his hand on Darcy’s forearm, and was surprised that he had to exert a great deal of pressure to keep the groom from striding down the aisle to claim his bride. 

Mr. Bennet was not nearly so prepared.  When Elizabeth’s eyes locked on Darcy’s she abandoned her father and began to hasten towards him.  Darcy wrested his arm from Fitzwilliam and met her, catching her outstretched hands and gripping them tightly.  He fought for control of his emotions and his desire to wrap her securely in his arms.  “Dearest, you could not wait to take my hands?”  He asked shakily.

“I needed to touch you.”  Elizabeth blinked back her tears, and failed to stop them from spilling down her cheeks.  Darcy stepped closer and bent towards her lips. 

“Mr. Darcy.”  Mr. Bennet spoke softly from behind Elizabeth.  “There is something to be accomplished first.” 

Darcy straightened.  “Forgive me.”  He whispered and kept his eyes with hers.  “We do have some vows to take, my love.”  He glanced at Mr. Bennet.  “I will take her from here, thank you.”

Mr. Bennet saw the devotion shining from their faces and nodded.  He placed his hand over Elizabeth’s, still in Darcy’s grasp.  “Take care of her, sir.”

“I will.”  Darcy drew a deep breath and he lifted her hands to his lips to kiss.  “Are you ready to be mine?”

“If you are ready to be mine.”  She smiled and he chuckled softly. 

“That I am.” 

Turning to the altar, Darcy sedately walked up the aisle.  He ignored his cousin’s raised brows and the congregation’s murmured comments, dropped his eyes appropriately to Reverend Hodgson, then turned to face his radiant bride.  Elizabeth gently brushed the tears from his cheeks, and the service at last began.  When the moment arrived to slip the ring on her finger, Darcy’s hand was rock steady, and Elizabeth’s was warm in his grasp. 

“With this ring, I thee wed . . .” Darcy’s voice caressed the vow, and when they knelt holding hands to hear the final prayers, her fingers caressed the ring he already wore for her.  Through the droning of the endless invocations, the couple closed their eyes, the relief and exhaustion at last overcoming them, and they leaned together, supporting each other.  And then it was done. 

And they did not rise.  The reverend encouraged them to stand.  Jane touched Elizabeth’s shoulder.  Fitzwilliam cleared his throat.  Giggles and laughter rippled through the crowd, and finally Fitzwilliam leaned down to Darcy and whispered in his ear.  He startled and opened his eyes to find Elizabeth against his shoulder.

“Mrs. Darcy, are you asleep?  It is safe to open your eyes now.”  He whispered and she peeked at him as he helped her to rise.  “I love you.”

“We are really married?”  She saw his brilliant happy smile and returned it.  “I love you.”  She whispered to his bent head.  “I was no more asleep than you.  I was seeking comfort.” 

“You are frightened, love?”  Darcy’s eyes twinkled.  “Of me?”

“I was not frightened; I was in need of respite.”  Her eyes danced.  “Marrying you is a trial.”

“You suffered for our love.”  He chuckled as she nodded.  “How very brave of you dearest.”  The two were entirely lost in their banter and each other.  The clerk cleared his throat a number of times and finally Fitzwilliam sighed loudly and placing his hand firmly on his cousin’s back, gave him a shove towards the registry book. 

Elizabeth laughed when they lurched forward, and the family joined in.  Darcy flushed to be embarrassed in front of so many, but the laugh that had caught his ear so long ago forced him to smile instead.  “You have another promise to make me.”

“Have I not made enough for one day?”

“No, oh no, I will extract any number of them this day.”

“I shall consider it when I hear your demands.”  Elizabeth smiled up to him. 

“I wish you to promise to laugh once a day before me, for the rest of our lives.” 

“Just once?” 

“No less than once.”  He kissed her hand and handed her the pen, keeping his palm on the small of her back, and claiming possession of her for all to see.

When they made their way outside again, the guests, invited and not, clapped and cheered their arrival as church bells began to peal.  Darcy strode purposely forward, nodding to them, but hurrying along.  The door to his coach was opened and he quickly ushered his wife inside.  The door instantly closed and the carriage was on its way.

“Are you in a rush to have some cake, Fitzwilliam?”  She laughed. 

“No.”  Drawing her to his side, Darcy touched the lace of her veil, then caressed her face with the back of his fingers.  “I wish to taste something far sweeter.”  Tilting up her chin, he kissed her.  “More than anything, I want this carriage to take us home right now.”

“We must go . . .”

“I know dearest, but as soon as we are able, when we have been toasted and eaten our cake, I want to take you home.”  He spoke softly, and wound his arm around her to rest her back against his chest.  “I need you in our home.”

“And what will we do there?”  Elizabeth blushed as she felt his lips nibbling her ear, and shivered when his hand gently began to caress her breasts.  Darcy felt her trembling and stopped, rested his face against her neck, and held her hands. 

“I will endeavour to make you very happy.”   They closed their eyes and remained embraced for the remainder of the short journey.  Further intimacy was impossible, he could not trust himself to stop, and would not risk embarrassing her in any way.  When they arrived outside of Matlock House, they were both startled by the halt of the carriage’s motion. “Must we go in?”  He looked unhappily at the house, then back to the woman in his arms, and drawing his thumb over her moist lips, sighed.  “You cannot imagine how alluring you are, Elizabeth.”

She touched his mouth and smiled a little.  “You are far too kind.”

“And you are lovely.”

Elizabeth smiled, knowing very well the source of the hard object that had been pressed against her, and what her new husband was thinking.  She sat up and touched her hair.  “How do I look?”

“Enticing.  Utterly bewitching, and,” he picked up her hand to kiss her ring, “married.”

“To you.” 

“Thank God.”  He whispered and sat up straight when the door opened.  With some difficulty he managed to exit the carriage and unsuccessfully conjuring any thought other than of her in his bed, offered his hand and walked determinedly inside of his uncle’s home.  There they remained, chastely standing hand in hand while servants whirled around them, and awaited the rest of the family.  Darcy took long calming breaths while Elizabeth watched him with a smile. 

“I think that I am going to enjoy keeping you in this state, Mr. Darcy.”

“Be careful of what you wish for, Mrs. Darcy.  I am not a man to be teased.”

“Oh, I disagree.  You are a man made to be teased.”  She laughed to see his head shake.  At last the other coaches arrived and they received their formal congratulations.  Only family and Darcy’s friends were there, the people from the church were not invited to this simple celebration.

Georgiana flew inside and threw her arms around her brother.  “You are married!”

Darcy laughed and kissed her cheek.  “I know!” 

“Oh I am so happy, Brother!  Thank you, thank you for giving me a wonderful sister!”  She kissed him and turned to hug Elizabeth.  “Thank you for marrying him!  Now I may pass my father’s direction to you.”  Georgiana stood back and said very seriously, “You are to take care of him.”

“I will.”  She said just as seriously, and entwined her fingers with his outstretched hand.  “And I want you to tell me if I am not up to snuff.”

“Very well then.  He is the dearest of brothers.”  She then turned to him.  “And you must take care of my sister!”

“I have no other plans.”  He smiled and held out his other hand to her.  “We are a family now, we three.”

Lord Matlock waited until everyone had gathered together and had a glass of punch in hand.  He raised his and called out, “To Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, may they live lives of joy and peace, may they have many healthy children, may they prosper, and may the love they share today only grow.  May they be an example to us all.” 

“Here, here!”  Fitzwilliam cried.

“To the happy couple.”  Mr. Bennet toasted them.  Everyone drank and conversations burst out all around.  Bingley wandered over to Stewart who was watching Darcy talk with Singleton and Lord Matlock, his hand firmly in place on Elizabeth’s back, while she carried on a conversation with her new cousins and all of her sisters. Georgiana had moved to her side, and seemingly permanently took possession of her other hand.

Fitzwilliam crossed his arms and nudged his brother.  “He is ecstatic.”

“How can you tell?”  Layton laughed.  “He smiles but he still remains inscrutable.”

“That is because he is desperately attempting to keep his desire in check.”  Layton followed Fitzwilliam’s gaze and watched Darcy’s hand alternately bunching then smoothing the fabric of Elizabeth’s gown. 

“If he is not careful, he will release the buttons.”

They eyed each other and smiled.  “And here we were so worried that he had changed into an unfeeling man.”

“Oh he is feeling all right.”  Layton laughed again, and walked over to speak with his cousin de Bourgh.

“Well, so what do you think of your introduction to the family?  Can you bear us?” 

De Bourgh turned at his salutation.  “I think that I can bear you well enough.”  He smiled and looked over the small crowd.  “I had no idea you all even existed, Mother never spoke of Lady Catherine.  Your father’s first letter was an absolute surprise.  He tells me that he has kept track of Lewis de Bourgh’s descendents ever since Cousin Anne’s health seemed be failing, just in case, but felt that to inform me of a possible inheritance would be cruel if it never came to fruition.”

“It would have been.”  Layton agreed.  “Why raise your expectations, unless of course, you prefer the life on a ship?”

“I love the sea, but it is no easy path.  I am grateful that my son will not have to choose it.”  He looked around the room and smiled.  “And the bonus in all of this is that I will have the opportunity to marry now, something I never really considered before.”  He tilted his head and examined Elizabeth.  “The bride is jubilant.”

“She is; our cousin is very fortunate, and matches her mood.” 

“And she has sisters?”  De Bourgh grinned and Layton laughed as the men examined the ladies in the room.  “I know; one thing at a time, I have much to learn.”

“And you will be quite a catch, as well.  Just wait until the mamas hear of you!”  De Bourgh’s eyes grew wide and Layton clapped his back.  “Do not worry, Darcy and I will teach you how to survive being an heir.”

Bingley approached Stewart with a smile, “It is a happy day.  He has loved her for a very long time, I am delighted for them.”

“Yes, she is very special.”  Stewart agreed, and listened to Elizabeth’s familiar laughter.

“I heard of your dust-up.  Darcy said that you were neighbours of the Bennets and became a bit brotherly about the girls.”

Stewart started and smiled at Darcy’s scant explanation.  “Oh, yes . . . I suppose that I did.” 

Bingley nodded.  “I understand; I have a sister to marry off, although she may have found a man, law student.”

Stewart turned his attention to Bingley.  “Really?  I am a barrister myself.”

“Yes, I know, Darcy was telling me about you, I am in the market for an estate in the next few years.  Miss Bennet mentioned Netherfield as being available, and Darcy recommended that I ask your opinion on it sometime.  I understand that your cousin leased it?”

“Yes, but they are gone.  You are welcome to come by the inn and I can give you the particulars.”

“Excellent!”   Bingley smiled.  “Yes, it will be good to have a home, although I had figured my sister would serve as hostess, but if she marries, I will have a difficult time arranging events.”   He mused.

Stewart spoke thoughtfully.  “Well, if her husband is studying law, he likely has no estate of his own.  He would probably be happy to loan his wife as your hostess if he had the opportunity to enjoy your home.”  He shrugged, “Younger sons are always guests.”

“That is a good point! 

Audrey watched Stewart as he spoke to Bingley, then turned to pay attention to the ladies’ conversation.  When she next looked up, she realized that Stewart was standing beside her.  “Good Morning, Mrs. Singleton.”  He smiled and bowed.  “I did not have the opportunity to greet you in the church.  You look lovely today.”

“Oh.”  She said softly, then broke from her thoughts.  “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome.”  He smiled warmly, and glanced at Singleton who had looked to him with a concerned expression, and back to her.  “I understand that some improvements are being made to your townhouse.”