Beginning, Previous Section, Section V
Chapter 23
"Elizabeth?"
Will touched her shoulder gently. Elizabeth turned to bury her face in his shoulder and cried. He held her tightly, unable to offer any words of comfort, his own anger was so great. After a few moments Elizabeth lifted her head to look at him.
"I'm sorry."
Will's mouth fell open in surprise. "You're apologising for your mother's wretched behaviour?! Please don't debase yourself so!" He brushed the tears from her cheeks with his hand. "I am continually amazed that such a woman could produce a daughter as intelligent and wonderful as you."
"Oh, Will!" Elizabeth let the tears fall once more. "What am I to do?"
"Shhh." he soothed, and drew her close again. "We leave for Pemberley tomorrow, and you won't have to see your mother again until you choose to."
Again they were silent except for Elizabeth's soft sobbing.
"Elizabeth, I have an idea."
She looked up. "What is it?"
"What would you say to getting married next weekend?"
She looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Next weekend? But how can we ---- Oh, no!" she laughed. "I'm not running off to Scotland with you!"
"Scotland was not what I had in mind." Will chuckled. "But would you consider an elopement as opposed to a traditional wedding? Or did you have your heart set on a big formal affair? I just want to marry you, my dear. Preferably sooner than later." He softly kissed her cheek.
"Well, all things considered, a large public wedding has the potential of disaster written all over it with my mother as a participant." Elizabeth flashed him a brilliant smile, her eyes sparkling. "Let's do it!"
Will kissed her again, soundly this time. "I'll make all the arrangements tomorrow. But let's keep it between the two of us, eh? Not a word to anyone until we've returned?"
Elizabeth readily agreed. "So where did you have in mind to go?"
"That's a surprise." Will smiled mysteriously. "Shall we walk for a while, at least until the others have finished their meal? I assume that you aren't up to returning to the dining room at the moment. I know I would rather not."
Elizabeth nodded, and they retrieved their coats to set off on a walk about the grounds.
When they returned an hour later the guests were in the drawing room. Jane looked at her sister anxiously when they entered. Elizabeth gave her a reassuring smile and took a seat beside her on the sofa.
"Are you okay, Lizzie?"
"Yes, Jane, I'm fine. Will and I had a nice long walk in the gardens and I feel a lot better."
Jane frowned. "The gardens are hardly pleasant at this time of year, but then I don't suppose you would have noticed with Will there anyway. I'm sorry that Mama was so cruel, Lizzie."
Elizabeth took her sister's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry, Jane. I don't care anymore what our mother has to say. Tomorrow I'll be leaving for Pemberley with Will and our son. I may never see Mama again!"
"Oh, surely you don't mean that!"
"And I suppose she was repentant for her remarks to me?" Elizabeth said sarcastically.
"Of course not," came her aunt's voice from behind them. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder. "But I'm sure once she comes to realize how wrong she has been about the whole situation, she will be."
"Somehow I doubt that." Elizabeth said skeptically. "Anyhow, I'm not going to wait around for her to see the light! Will and I shall just get on with our lives, and Mama can go whistle her tune elsewhere."
With that she got up and sought out her father's company. Considering that she was unlikely to be returning to Longbourn, Elizabeth wished to spend as much time with him as she could before they were to leave. She regretted not being able to tell him about the planned elopement, but trusted that her father would understand their motives when it all came to light.
They spent only another two hours at Longbourn before Jane and Elizabeth agreed that it was time to return to Netherfield. William was very tired, and so was Jane. Will warmed up the car and brought it around to the front entrance, thus avoiding any further contact with her mother. Elizabeth said her good-byes to everyone and hurried William off to the car, Jane and Charles following quickly with the baby.
"So what did they say?" Will asked.
Elizabeth grinned from ear to ear. "I can start three weeks from today. It's mostly copy writing, and primarily computer work. Some of the work I'll be able to do at home, too, so I'm not tied to the office. They'll set me up with a computer at home if I opt to do it that way. This really is too good to be true! We may not even have to consider finding a place in Leeds after all. Not if I can work from home!"
Will gave her a kiss. "If you believe you can work at Pemberley without distraction......." and his lips began to wander towards her earlobe.
"Stop that, Will! If you set me up with an office at home, I see I'll have to have a lock put on the door, so that I can actually get something done!" She laughed and twisted away from him, playfully calling over her shoulder as she ran down the hall, "Come on! We don't want to worry Mrs. Reynolds. She's expecting us sometime today, you know!"
The bags were in the car, and all that was left to do was say good-bye to Jane and Charles. The couple was waiting for them at the front door.
Jane looked at her sister with a mixture of sadness and joy. "Lizzie, I will miss you so much. Please ring me often to let me know how your wedding plans are coming. I'll help you with anything you need. Don't worry about Mama interfering because I'm sure Papa has set her straight on that."
"Jane, I know that Mama will have nothing to do with my wedding plans from now on! And I will miss you, too." Elizabeth hugged her sister and thought, Oh I wish I could tell you, of all people, what we are planning!
Will shook Charles' hand and gave Jane a kiss. "Thanks to both of you, for everything you had to do to throw us together! I'm just sorry it was so difficult for us all."
Charles laughed at his friend. "Difficult! Will, I've never met two people so reluctant to be happy! Just remember you're on your own, now. Jane and I are going to be a little preoccupied from now on."
"I doubt we're going to be needing your help anymore. Besides, I have a key to my own library at Pemberley!" Will avoided Elizabeth's good-natured slap at his arm.
In a few minutes they were in the car and on their way, waving good-bye to Jane and Charles as they drove off.
This time, the trip to Pemberley was much more pleasant for Will. With Elizabeth for company on the long road, and William asleep in the back seat, the time passed very quickly and before long they were approaching the front gates to the grounds.
"Will, can you slow down a bit? I'd like to enjoy the view as we come up on the house. I remember how beautiful it appeared when I was last here."
He obliged, and was delighted as Elizabeth caught her breath when the house came into sight. He steered the car around the curve of the drive to the front steps and stopped. Their arrival was obviously noted, as members of the household staff appeared, one to open Elizabeth's door, another to slip into the driver's seat to take the car to the garage. Will helped William out of the back and motioned to yet another man to retrieve the bags from the boot. Then he took Elizabeth's arm and they mounted the steps to the front doors. The great double doors opened to admit them, but Elizabeth hesitated before stepping through. Will looked at her in concern.
"Don't be nervous. Just remember you'll be mistress here in less than a week." He planted a kiss on her cheek and took a firm grip on her hand to lead her inside.
Elizabeth blinked as her eyes adjusted to the change from bright sunlight to the dimmer interior lighting. She became aware of a flurry of activity as people rushed to line up along the length of the hallway. Then someone approached them and she saw that it was Mrs. Reynolds.
"Welcome home, sir. Welcome to Pemberley, Miss Bennet, Master William." She nodded stiffly. Elizabeth was reminded of Georgiana's words that this woman considered Will Darcy more as a son than her employer.
"Mrs. Reynolds," Will said cheerfully. "I see you've anticipated us. Really, this formality wasn't necessary."
The housekeeper leaned toward him and said in a quiet voice, "Yes it was, sir. Otherwise they'd all be creeping around the house trying to catch a glimpse of the young lady where they could." Straightening up once more she continued "Would you like some refreshments, sir?"
"Yes, thank you. A light lunch would do us nicely. In the dining room I think." He looked at Elizabeth thoughtfully. "In about a half-hour. Elizabeth, would you like to see some of the house, and refresh your memory of the layout, until then?"
Elizabeth nodded eagerly. Before they could indulge in that, however, the introductions to the staff must be done. Will led her down the line, naming each person and his or her position in the household. Elizabeth knew that she wouldn't remember most of their names in five minutes, but she did attempt to commit some of them to memory. Particularly the ones that she knew she would likely come in contact with most frequently. Most greeted her with a genuine warmth, but some met her with a wary look in their eyes. Mrs. Reynolds was the wariest of all. Elizabeth was sure that Will never noticed, since between introductions he was busy trying to keep William from dragging him away. At last they made it to the end of the line and, dismissing them to their respective tasks, Will directed Elizabeth up the main staircase to show her where William's bedroom was.
"This is incredible!" she exclaimed upon entering William's room. "It's almost as big as the entire flat we had in Manchester! Where does that door lead to?" She pointed to a closed door to the right of the main one.
"That's the bath." Will replied. He pointed to a door on the opposite wall. "That one leads to my----I mean— our bedroom." He smiled and took her hand to lead her over to the door in question.
Elizabeth willingly followed; William was busy rummaging through the pile of toys that he had left behind from his previous visit. Will pulled her through into the next room. He watched her face as her eyes roved over this room, and finally came to rest on the man standing next to her.
"Does this room meet with your approval?" he asked with a smile.
Elizabeth pulled him closer and wound her arms around his neck to give him a kiss. "Very much, especially the gentleman who comes with it."
Will lowered his lips to meet hers, but there was a light knock on the connecting door.
"Yes?" he enquired impatiently, his eyes never leaving Elizabeth's face.
"Excuse me, sir. Your bags have been brought up, but what would you like done with this.....animal?"
Both Will and Elizabeth looked over to see the man holding the carrying cage with William's kitten safely stowed away in it.
"Oh, I'd forgotten about Darcy." Elizabeth laughed.
"Darcy?" Will looked at her enquiringly.
"That's what your son elected to name his kitten! Didn't he tell you? We found the poor thing on our way to Longbourn the morning after we had arrived at Jane's. William wanted to name his pet after the new friend that he'd met in the garden at Netherfield." Elizabeth laughed again at Will's expression of distaste.
"I'm sure I've never been so honoured before, as to have someone's cat named after me! Do you think William will notice if I relegate the beast to the barn with the other cats?" he asked hopefully. "We've never had a cat in this house in my lifetime, and I don't relish the thought of our son roaming the halls yelling out 'Darcy' every day, in hopes of its appearance!"
Elizabeth touched his cheek and smiled. "I think William can be made to understand that his kitten will be much happier with the other ones in the barn." Then she added cheekily, "But don't you think it would be even more embarrassing to have him calling your name out there?"
"I believe that a name change will be in order as well." he said firmly. Addressing the man still waiting at the door, he said "To the barn with the creature, Richards. And as for us, Elizabeth, it's time we went back downstairs for our lunch."
They retrieved William from the next room and returned to the main floor. Following their light meal, Will continued the tour of the rest of the house. William ran ahead many times, thrilled with the number of rooms to race in and out of, while Elizabeth found new ways to distract Will in each one of them. After more that an hour, Will reluctantly told her that he had to make a number of phone calls to make the arrangements for the weekend.
"Oh, by all means, then. Go. Go!" she shooed him from the music room where they had ended their tour. "And don't come back until it's all set," she called to his departing figure.
When she and William were alone in the big room, Elizabeth approached the piano and leafed through the music on the shelf beside it. The sound of keys tinkling in the stillness of the room indicated her son's interest in the instrument.
"Shall we play something together?" Elizabeth smiled down at the boy.
Seating herself beside him, she took his tiny hands in hers and guided them over the keys in one of the few songs she remembered learning in her own childhood. It had been many years since she'd had access to a piano, and was reluctant to try her hand at anything more complex than a simple child's melody. William enjoyed it thoroughly, however, and laughed delightedly.
"Excuse me, Miss Bennet."
Startled at the sound of a voice, Elizabeth looked up to see Mrs. Reynolds watching her from a few feet away.
"Yes, Mrs. Reynolds?" She tried to sound confident and assured as she met the stern gaze of the housekeeper.
"In light of your addition to this household, Miss, I would like to enquire if there are any dietary restrictions or special instructions regarding yourself and young master William, of which I should be aware?"
Elizabeth wondered if it was her imagination that the she heard a slight stress on the word 'Miss'. "No, Mrs. Reynolds. We have no particular food sensitivities." She paused, then decided to brave the waters. "Did I understand correctly, that William was a bit of a handful when he was here the other day? I hope he didn't cause you any real trouble."
The older woman smiled. "No, he was no trouble for me. I believe his father was of a slightly different opinion, however." Her gaze softened as it appeared to focus somewhere far away. "Some things never change. What goes around, comes around." Then the softness was gone, and she was all business again. "I shall inform the kitchen staff that there are no changes to the menu, then?"
Elizabeth bit her lower lip. "May I see the menu for the next few days? Then I can determine what William will eat and what might need to be added. He can be a bit particular with unusual foods, or rather, dishes that he hasn't encountered previously."
"Very well, Miss. I shall return in a few minutes with the list." Mrs. Reynolds turned on her heel and left the room.
Elizabeth let out her breath with a 'whew'. "William, I think I have my work cut out for me with that lady. It's a good thing she likes you already." She tickled the boy's neck and laughed as he giggled and scrunched up his shoulders in defence.
Mrs. Reynolds returned as promised, and just as silently as the first time. Elizabeth was once again startled at her appearance. It did not help that she and William had been engaged in a serious tickling match at the time.
"The menu, Miss." She handed Elizabeth a sheaf of papers and waited silently as the young woman read through them.
"Everything looks simply delicious, Mrs. Reynolds! I shall look forward to the next few days' meals." Elizabeth handed the sheets back into the housekeeper's waiting hand. "My son should have no problem with anything on the list. Breakfast would be the only sticky bit, but as long as there is cereal on hand he'll be quite content with that." Was that a note of approval she saw in the older woman's eyes? "Mrs. Reynolds," Elizabeth said hesitantly. "I will take very good care of Mr. Darcy. I promise."
Mrs. Reynolds eyes widened slightly. Her lips pressed together in a tight line as she contemplated this Miss Elizabeth Bennet seated before her. She wanted to believe the young woman was sincere in her feelings for Mr. Darcy, but it was warring with her sense of protectiveness toward the young man. She finally opted to wait a little longer before pronouncing judgement on Miss Bennet. "As you say, Miss. It's not really my business, now is it? I would not presume to interfere."
I hardly believe that to be true! Elizabeth thought. "Perhaps not, Mrs. Reynolds. But I suspect you have a vested interest in his welfare nonetheless. I understand that you have been here a good many years, and have known Will for most of his life. That would certainly give you ample reason to be concerned about my role in his future. I assure you that I shall guard his heart as carefully as my own."
Mrs. Reynolds didn't know what to say at this candid revelation from the young lady. It certainly encouraged her to think more favourably of Miss Bennet. "I am pleased that you feel so, Miss, but as I said earlier, it really is not my place to interfere in Mr. Darcy's personal life." She smiled, however, showing Elizabeth that she appreciated the lady's confidence.
"I think we understand one another, then." Elizabeth smiled as well.
"Elizabeth?" Will's voice was heard as he approached the music room from the front hall. "Elizabeth, I've worked out all the details. Oh, Mrs. Reynolds, I didn't realize you were in here. Is there some problem?"
The housekeeper smiled at him as she passed by on her way out of the room. "No, sir. No problem at all."
Will stared after her, then turned to Elizabeth. "Did I miss something?"
Elizabeth shook her head and looked at him enquiringly. "You were saying?"
"Oh, yes. I've made all the arrangements, and we can leave on Saturday morning. Tomorrow we have three young ladies to interview---"
"I beg your pardon?" Elizabeth interrupted. "Interviews? Young ladies? What are you talking about?"
"A nanny." Will replied. "We will require a nanny to look after William while we are in.....while we are away. I thought you'd want to take him with us. Don't you?"
Elizabeth was having trouble keeping up with the rapid pace of this conversation. "Wait a minute. We are going somewhere, you won't tell me where, but anyway, we are running off to get married. You want to bring William along, and in order to keep him occupied so that we can enjoy our honeymoon, you propose to bring a nanny along with us. Am I right so far?" Will nodded. "Okay, I suppose it would look a little suspicious if we left William behind with someone while we disappeared for a few days. What time are these interviews?"
"Tomorrow between ten and noon."
"Fine."
"And we leave on Saturday." Will waited for her to comment.
"How did you manage to get three tickets to 'wherever' at such short notice?" Elizabeth wondered.
"We don't need tickets, dear. I have access to at least three private jets through my various corporations, so that was the easy part. It was the accommodations that were the challenge. But I managed to get that all sorted, along with the arrangements for a wedding while we're there. All we need to do now is see my solicitor to finish the paperwork and pack our bags!" Will concluded excitedly.
"But won't you tell me where we're going? Please?" Elizabeth never did like surprises very much.
Will grinned. "No, dear, I'm not telling you where we're going. I'll only tell you to pack plenty of summer clothing and even more sun lotion." He moved closer and whispered in her ear "I hope you have a sexy bikini, Elizabeth!"
She blushed and replied, "I might need to do a bit of shopping over the next few days if that's the sort of wardrobe I need to take."
"By all means! We'll take a trip into Derby, or Leeds if you like." He released her to intercept William on his way to the harp in the corner of the room. "Count the days, Elizabeth! Only four more to go!"
The rest of the week passed by in a flash for Elizabeth. On Tuesday they interviewed the prospective nannies and decided on a young lady named Emmy. William adored her already, so they knew that she could be trusted to keep him out of the way when they most required it. On Wednesday, Elizabeth and Will drove to Leeds to buy the rest of the things Elizabeth needed to take on their trip. While he visited his solicitor to draw up the necessary papers, she made the rounds of the shops, making a point of purchasing a new selection of lingerie, since she had discovered how lacking she was in that department the previous weekend. Then Will took her to a very upscale jewelers, where they picked out their rings and arranged to have them engraved before picking them up on Friday.
It was difficult to keep the nature of their trip a secret, especially from Mrs. Reynolds. Will had told her that they would be going to London for a couple of weeks, but Elizabeth was sure she suspected their real motives.
By the time Friday evening arrived, Elizabeth's wardrobe was sufficiently enhanced, William was outfitted with his own little tuxedo for the wedding, carefully hidden from view of all staff, and Will had returned to Leeds earlier in the day to pick up their rings. The papers were all in order and the bags were packed. They would be leaving from Manchester airport in the morning.
But Elizabeth was restless. She longed to talk to Jane, to Georgiana, to any other woman on the eve of her wedding! But she couldn't allow herself the luxury, not without letting slip what she and Will had been careful to keep under wraps. So she sat in William's room, in the dark, long after her son had fallen asleep, trying to curb her rapidly escalating nervousness.
It wasn't that she had any doubts about marrying him. She had never wanted anything in her life as much as she wanted Will Darcy. No, it was just the traditional apprehension that every bride felt before her wedding day. And Elizabeth wanted so much to be able to talk through those apprehensions with another woman who would understand, and offer her solace with a sympathetic ear.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her introspective reverie. The door slowly opened and Mrs. Reynolds's face appeared.
"Would you care for some company?" she quietly enquired.
Elizabeth nodded. "But I think I should leave William to sleep in peace. Is there somewhere else we could go?"
The housekeeper smiled. "If you like, we could sit in my room for a bit."
Elizabeth agreed, and after tucking the blanket more firmly around her son, she followed Mrs. Reynolds through the darkened halls until they reached her room. The older woman indicated a chair by the fire and offered Elizabeth a drink.
"I'm afraid I only have a bit of sherry. I don't go in much for drink."
"Sherry will be fine." Elizabeth assured her. She didn't feel much like drinking anyway, and could nurse a sherry for a good while.
Mrs. Reynolds handed her a glass and sat in the chair opposite. She looked at Elizabeth a moment before daring to speak. "I thought you might like a bit of female company tonight, before you leave tomorrow."
Elizabeth eyed her companion uneasily but said nothing.
"Come, lass. I know what you two are about." Mrs. Reynolds raised her glass in a salute. "I want nothing but the best for Fitzwilliam, and it seems that you are just what he needs. I thank you, Miss Bennet, for restoring his life, for he wasn't much more than the walking dead the last few years."
"Please call me Elizabeth." She was astounded at the change in the older woman's attitude.
"For tonight, perhaps. But after that it will be Mrs. Darcy." Mrs. Reynolds wiped a stray tear from her eye. "I am still a member of staff, and you will be mistress of this house in a very short time."
Elizabeth looked down at her drink. "Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. I appreciate you making the effort to help me relax. I won't confirm your suspicions, though."
"I never expected you to. I know my Fitzwilliam. He's planned something very special, and sworn you to secrecy. He's a little boy in men's clothing." She sighed. "There's nothing more romantic than running off to an exotic place to get married."
"Strangely enough, the last thing I ever thought Will to be when I first met him, was romantic." Elizabeth said, more to herself than to Mrs. Reynolds. "It took me so long to see what a wonderful man he really is."
"He adores you. I hope you know that."
"I do," Elizabeth whispered.
"Well, now," Mrs. Reynolds briskly changed the tone of the conversation. "I presume it will be a big change for you to be in charge of a house of this size?"
"Yes, it will be a big change, indeed. The last few years I have been rather self-sufficient, having to look after William's and my needs alone. I'm afraid it may come as a bit of a shock to some of the staff when they occasionally find me in the kitchen making my son's favourite foods! But I became used to doing for myself, and it will be difficult to stop."
With the change in subject, conversation was a lot easier for Elizabeth, and she found herself becoming very comfortable in the presence of the housekeeper. Before she was aware, two hours had passed and she realized that she must be off to bed if she was to get enough sleep before their departure in the morning. Not to mention the fact that Will would be sending out a search party soon to track her down.
Thanking Mrs. Reynolds for her kind attentions, Elizabeth returned to their bedroom to find Will anxiously waiting for her. He was surprised to hear where she had been, but pleased that his future wife was making an effort to get along with the head of his household staff.
"She knows what we're planning."
Will chuckled. "Not surprising. I never could keep anything from Ruth. She can read me like a book!"
Elizabeth, amused, looked at him fondly. "Who else has figured it out, I wonder?"
"Not my sister! I rang her earlier this evening to tell her that we wouldn't be here tomorrow. She would have come home this weekend otherwise. She asked me to pick up a tin of her favourite tea from Fortnum and Mason's while we are in London!"
Elizabeth smiled as she snuggled up to him under the blankets. "Then I'll have to bring back something special for her from wherever it is we're going." She peered up at him with a wide-eyed expression. "Won't you tell me where you're taking us?"
Will laughed, but wouldn't give in. "No, Elizabeth, not tonight. But I promise that once we're on the plane I'll reveal all."
"Can't you at least tell me how long we'll be traveling? I'll never be able to sleep unless you tell me something!" she whined.
"All right, all right," Will relented. "If I give you a hint will you stop asking?" Elizabeth nodded eagerly. "Okay. The flight will be long, very long. Just be thankful that we won't be traveling with a commercial airline because it would take us at least a day that way."
Elizabeth frowned and pursed her lips together. "That's supposed to be a hint? Now I really will be awake all night trying to figure it out! Do you have an atlas up here?"
Will laughed at her and reached over to turn out the light. "Perhaps I can do something to distract you from this obsession you have with discovering my plans."
Elizabeth pouted. "Hardly......well, maybe.......yes, that's definitely taking my.....mind.....off the......subject......."
Chapter 24-Conclusion
Mrs. Reynolds saw them off early the next morning, clutching a handkerchief and waving as they drove away. Elizabeth restrained herself from asking any more questions all the way to the airport.
They met Emmy at the boarding gate. Once they were all settled into their seats, the pilot came aft to inform them that they were cleared to take off in a few minutes. Elizabeth turned to Will at this point and said, "Okay, now you can tell us. Where are we going?" Her expression was demanding.
Will looked from Elizabeth to Emmy to William. Then he settled his gaze on Elizabeth once more. "How does Tahiti sound?"
Emmy's mouth fell open, while Elizabeth stared disbelievingly.
"Tahiti!" Elizabeth finally cried. "Oh, Will! I never thought you'd pick such an exotic destination! It's perfect!" If she hadn't been restrained by her seatbelt, she would have been in his arms in an instant.
Will's smile went from ear to ear. "It's our wedding, Elizabeth. I could hardly settle for anything less than exotic!" He turned to Emmy to see her reaction. "What do you think, Emmy?"
"I think it's dead romantic!" she replied in awe.
Will laughed. "The actual ceremony won't be until Monday afternoon, to give us enough time to recover from the jet lag. But since it will already be Sunday when we get there, we won't have too much time on our hands."
The sound of the engines firing up ended conversation for the moment. Elizabeth and Will were content to merely look at one another, anyway.
It was a very long flight, with three stops for refueling along the way. William was the only one fortunate enough to have somewhere to sleep comfortably, sprawled across Will's chest as he lay on the sofa in the cabin, feet hanging over the end. Elizabeth found the galley well stocked and, after dinner, she and Emmy sampled the various herbal teas in the cupboard.
The two ladies had a quiet discussion about William while the other two slept. Elizabeth related amusing stories about her son's mischievous pranks, and Emmy laughed at the antics of her young charge, looking forward to getting to know him better.
"I can't believe that I'm going to Tahiti! For my job!" Emmy exclaimed. "None of my friends will believe a word of it."
"I'm not sure my friends and family will believe it when we return home, either!" Elizabeth agreed. "My mother was counting on a huge wedding. I'm only sorry that my sister and Will's will be disappointed to miss it. They've been so good to us."
"I hope someday I find a chap who's so romantic." Emmy said dreamily. "I'll snatch him up in an instant, just like you."
Better snatch him faster than I did mine, Emmy! Elizabeth wryly thought. In an effort to get to know her better, Elizabeth enquired about Emmy's family, and they shared stories about their foibles until both grew too tired to speak anymore.
Candles, flowers, moonlight streaming in the lightly shuttered windows; nothing else was required in Elizabeth's mind. She had everything.
She inspected herself in the mirror one last time. The pale satin of her outfit caught the reflected glow from the glass and caused it to look almost transparent. She smiled, thinking of what Will's reaction would be to the sight of her.
A flash sparkled on her hand, and Elizabeth raised it to let her eyes linger on her rings. Will undoubtedly had exquisite taste. The diamonds of the engagement ring were dazzling, and the wedding band, with its complement of tiny stones, was a perfect match. She knew that Will's ring was just as impressive. He was proud to display his status as a married man to the rest of the world.
Again, she checked her appearance in the mirror. Silly! Stop wasting time. He's waiting for you. Still, she tucked a few loose curls behind her shoulders, then turned to the door.
Will was sitting in the chair near the French doors which opened onto the courtyard. He was wearing a black satin robe, the front laying open to expose his chest as he lay back in the chair. Beside him, on the table, was a bottle of champagne, chilling, and two filled glasses. He rose when Elizabeth entered the room, his robe fluttering about his body teasingly. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat as he approached.
"Mrs. Darcy." His voice was low, the words uttered with a kind of reverence that made her heart leap wildly in her chest. The scent of the flowers was heady enough to make her dizzy, and she stumbled when she stepped toward him. Will caught her easily, and smoothly brought her face up to meet his. Their lips met, softly at first, then the fire began to build.
Just as suddenly, Will pulled back to smile teasingly, "Not so quickly this time, my dear Elizabeth. I have something else in mind."
Taking her hand, he led her to the doorway, picked up the champagne glasses, and said, "This way, if you please."
Elizabeth accepted a glass and followed him out into the warm tropical night air. The courtyard was a private one, surrounded on three sides by their bungalow. The fourth side was a tangle of lush vegetation and gorgeous flowers, effectively ensuring that no curious onlookers would be able to glimpse the young lovers.
Will led her around the gardens, along the mossy path until he reached the centre of the courtyard. There, he stepped aside to reveal the blankets laid out on the soft ground, baskets of fruit and another bottle of champagne on a small table beside them. His eyes roved over Elizabeth's form, taking in the way her scanty clothing clung to the curves of her body.
"Are you warm enough?" he asked when he found his voice once more.
"Yes, thank you." She shivered despite her reply, but knew it wasn't due to her lack of clothing.
"Here, allow me." Will relieved her of the champagne, placing the two glasses on the table, then moved to draw her into his arms and pull her into the warmth of his own body. "Is that better?" he murmured as his lips gently caressed her closed eyelids.
"Yes, very much." Elizabeth tried to say, but no there was no sound. Will's lips had moved to her mouth by this time, making any conversation impossible. She could feel the warmth of his bare chest against her, the heat from his hands as they moved slowly down the length of her back and then up again. Elizabeth moaned softly and pressed her body closer. She felt herself being slowly lowered to the blankets at their feet. Then the soft fabric touched her bare thigh, her shoulder, and finally her head came to rest on the velvety softness, as her hair twined about Will's hands and he buried his face into her fragrant curls.
Elizabeth heard the sound of his ragged breathing in her ear, sending her own passions soaring. She ran her hands under the silky material of his robe to slowly trace the contours along his back, smiling wickedly to herself when he uttered a deep moan in response. As Will raised himself up to look into her face, she turned her attention to divesting him of his robe, pushing it back from his shoulders and slipping it down his arms. He was forced to lower his body onto hers in order to remove the garment completely, an action which neither of them found unwelcome, and subsequently reluctant to change.
Will's lips returned to the exploration of the nape of Elizabeth's neck, as his fingers toyed with the lacing on her bustier. Elizabeth brought her own hand up to grasp the lacing and pull it away, the scanty piece of satin falling open.
Will looked up in surprise.
"It was getting a trifle warm." Elizabeth's smile was more of a command than an invitation.
"Oh," he said simply, his smile matching hers.
10 Months Later.......Christmas Eve.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy sat comfortably snuggled together on the sofa in the west drawing room at Pemberley. The lights were low, the fire burning in the grate casting a warm glow into the room.
Elizabeth leaned back into her husband's shoulder. "Father Christmas has been exceptionally generous to our son this year."
Will smiled. "Yes, indeed. Can you forgive me for indulging his every whim?"
"Yes. This time," sighed Elizabeth. "As long as you promise to mend your ways and not spoil this one, too!" She gently patted her swollen belly.
Will placed his hand next to hers and chuckled when he felt the baby kick. "I can only promise to try not to. My promise, however, will not prevent Mrs. Reynolds from indulging them. You noticed that there are several gifts under the tree addressed to William in her hand?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Georgiana added a fair number as well."
Will frowned in thought. "I still don't understand why Georgiana came here for Christmas. She could just as easily have flown down to Spain to be with Brian."
Elizabeth patiently smiled at her husband. "Because, dearest, this is the last holiday she'll be able to spend with us exclusively. Next summer they'll be married, and she'll have to split her time between her two families. Besides," she shifted her position to ease the pressure on her back, "he's only been gone six weeks, and Georgiana plans to join him on her spring study break."
"I see." Will pressed his lips against Elizabeth's forehead. "At any rate she'll still be in England for our daughter's birth."
Elizabeth gave a light laugh. "Why do you insist that this baby is a girl?"
"Because it would make a splendid family portrait! Unless you prefer to be surrounded exclusively by men?"
"If you put it that way......" she chuckled. "Well it's only another seven weeks and then we'll know either way."
"I find it ironic that this baby is due on our first anniversary."
Shaking her head, Elizabeth argued "Babies are rarely born on the date they are due. William was a week early."
"As long as she is healthy, Elizabeth." Will gently caressed her stomach.
They sat in silence for some time, each content in the other's nearness, until the clock on the mantle chimed midnight.
"I think it's time we were upstairs, my dear. Your son still enjoys waking up at the most ungodly hours." Will rose and offered his hand to assist his wife in standing.
Elizabeth groaned as she attempted to extricate herself from her seat. "Your son still has a fondness for creeping into bed with us in the middle of the night!"
They both laughed softly, and arm in arm proceeded out of the room. Elizabeth paused in the doorway, her eyes raised to the mistletoe dangling above them. Will placed a soft kiss on her lips, then drew her into his arms and held her close. After a moment they continued on their way upstairs to their bedroom, each thinking of the many Christmases yet to come for this Darcy family.
C'est Finis!