Page 101 of Compromise & Consequence
“No!”
“I tease, Elizabeth. She and George were a love match. One day, you will have to ask William about their courtship. It has many parallels to your own.”
“I have yet to receive a courtship, Aunt Lucinda. I literally fell into marriage.”
“You cannot tell me your husband has not been courting you these past months. You may be married, but he is besotted and looks to find ways to please you. He spent weeks scouring the lady’s shops on Bond Street to find a particular perfume you like to wear.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “He was very upset to discover my scent is a concoction Jane and I have always prepared ourselves in Longbourn’s stillroom. He has made me promise to make more once I am set up at Pemberley.”
“I did not know you had a talent for mixing scents. I should have you make me something. I have always liked what you wear.” Lady Matlock held out her wrist and invited Elizabeth to sniff. “What do you think? Could you make something similar?”
Elizabeth drew in air and then pulled away, putting her hand to her mouth because she felt as though she were about to cast up her accounts.
“My dear, whatever is wrong?”
“I do not know. I think my nerves have finally gotten the best of me.”
Their carriage slowed to a stop in front of Darcy House.
“I insist you lay down and have a nice nap before dinner. We cannot have the lady of the hour looking like she has not slept a wink in months.”
Elizabeth prepared to exit the carriage and squeezed her aunt’s arm.
“Thank you for all your support. Today, as well as in the past.” She accepted the aid of the footman who helped her disembark amidst her hoops and yards and yards of material. “I will see you tonight, Aunt Lucinda.”
“Rest easy dear girl. Drive on,” Lady Matlock said and the carriage lurched forward.
***
Darcy searched the drawing room upon entry, feeling a surge of love and energy when his eyes finally lighted upon Elizabeth. The gentlemen were joining the ladies after enjoying an after-dinner drink, and he had had more than one man clap him on the back, congratulating him on capturing the attention of such a lovely, accomplished woman for his wife.
His gaze lovingly caressed her rounded cheeks, pausing in concern at the slight exhaustion and paleness that she had done her best to hide with the merest hint of rouge. Another thing he appreciated about his Elizabeth. She did not feel the need to paint her cheeks and lips to be beautiful. Still, he was glad after tonight they were that much closer to their return to Derbyshire, where they could throw off the mantle of polite behavior and truly relax, and his bride could walk to her heart’s content through the wooded paths of Pemberley.
Like a moth to a flame, he moved to stand beside her, quietly enjoying the conversation she was having with Lord Blake, a friend of his from Cambridge days.
“Do not let this tall rascal tell you he spends all his time behind his desk. I know for a fact he is an avid horseman and even though he grimaces at every ball he attends, he is an excellent dancer.”
“Lord Blake, I am well aware Mr. Darcy is light on his feet. I am a lucky woman indeed in the fact that my husband is my favorite partner on the dance floor. He covers for my missteps with nary a raised brow.”
Lord Blake was about to speak again when Uncle Robert cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.
“We are all gathered here tonight to celebrate the presentation of our niece, Elizabeth Darcy. Lucinda and I cannot begin to tell you how proud we are of her and Darcy, and wish nothing but the best for them in their future.” He raised his glass and amidst cheers of ‘hear, hear’, everyone toasted the newlyweds. Before anyone could resume their conversations, he cleared his throat again. At their confused looks, he smiled wide. “I also have the joy of announcing the betrothal of my son Richard to Elizabeth’s cousin, Miss Jane Bennet.” He turned to face the happy couple and continued with his monologue. “Never did we think William’s good luck would bring such a woman, who is beautiful inside and out, into the life of our second son. Thank you for putting him out of his misery Jane, by saying yes. We could not have survived him if you had declined.”
Once again, the guests raised their flutes and glasses and toasted the newly engaged couple. Jane blushed a becoming shade of pink, further deepened when her betrothed kissed her on the cheek. Darcy’s heart overflowed with happiness for his favorite cousin and also his cousin by marriage. They would have a wonderful life together, and with Richard’s estate only thirty miles from Pemberley, keeping a close-knit friendship would not be difficult.
“Are there any other Bennet ladies left in Hertfordshire?” Lord Blake teased Elizabeth when the toasts were complete.
Darcy’s attention flicked back to his wife, awaiting her answer, which he was sure would be playful and teasing.
“There are four, my lord.” At his obvious interest, she continued, “There is my Aunt Frances, but she is happily married to my uncle,” Lord Blake rolled his eyes at her tease – “then there is Catherine and Lydia, but they are not yet out, leaving Mary, who will be nineteen this summer.”
“Nineteen, eh?”
“Yes, nineteen with absolutely no desire to come to London, or leave Hertfordshire at all. I am afraid you will have to look elsewhere for a bride, Lord Blake.”
“My eye had been caught by your eldest cousin, but that reprobate colonel had already scooped her up,” Blake said with a slight nod in the direction of Jane and Richard.
“Richard knew he had to mark his territory before Ashton laid eyes on her,” Darcy informed his friend. “He was quite worried over all the other pups fighting over a raw bone.”
