Page 54 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)
In her happiness, Elizabeth felt almost as though she were walking on air.
All her hopes had come true. Mr Darcy loved her with all his heart, and they were to be wed!
If love was both suffering and joy, then her suffering had been amply repaid, for she would soon be Mrs Darcy.
Preparations began the day after the proposal, for in their eagerness to belong to each other forever, they had decided to be married as soon as the banns could be read.
Some days after the proposal, Elizabeth sat with Georgiana at Netherfield Park, talking of the new gowns they would wear for the occasion.
After a slight internal struggle, Elizabeth had chosen to have the gowns made in Meryton rather than by a London modiste .
The Meryton shop was highly skilled for a seamstress in a small town, and the advantage of being nearby for fittings was considerable.
“Was it not fortuitous that my brother had the materials brought specially from London so quickly?” Georgiana asked.
Her gown would be of navy blue silk. It would look wonderfully becoming with her blonde hair and blue eyes.
Elizabeth had chosen a silvery emerald green, which looked like starlight every time she moved.
It would be beautiful with her dark hair and fair complexion, Georgiana assured her.
“You are becoming more of a fashion-forward lady every day. It will not surprise me in the least when you surpass me in knowledge and taste.”
“Never. I shall always be your grateful student. And, I am pleased to say, your younger sister, in only a few weeks more.” Georgiana beamed over at her.
“I already see you as my sister, Georgiana. Indeed, I would still have seen you as such if your brother and I were not to be married. But it is so much sweeter now that we will be sisters not just of the heart, but in name as well.” Elizabeth laughed.
“You will think me very impatient, but I can hardly wait until my dress is ready. I have never had anything so fine.”
“Did your mother approve of the colour? I know she was eager to see it before the material was delivered to the shop.”
“She approved most heartily,” Elizabeth said.
She laughed a little, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Mr Collins’ face turned the shade of the deepest purple beets when he saw it being taken out of the parcel wrappings.
He said it was a most unsavoury extravagance,” she added, mocking Mr Collins’ peculiar clipped way of speaking, along with the slight lisp.
“This material could have been sold, and the money given to the poor of your community.”
Georgiana frowned. “And what did you say to that?”
“I said nothing, for Mary chimed in before I could. She asked him about what the Good Lord said to the woman who washed His feet with her tears and anointed them with perfumed oil from an alabaster jar. He was not much amused to be outdone in quoting the Scriptures by a young woman, as you can well believe,” Elizabeth replied. She winked.
Georgiana gave a wicked smile and sipped her tea. “I still cannot believe that Mr Collins thought the proposal was announced as a jest.”
Elizabeth shook her head and sighed. “Mr Collins certainly is persistent.” Thankfully, he had finally accepted that Elizabeth was to marry Mr Darcy, and had settled into a stony silence and moping about the house.
“I am surprised Mr Collins remains at Longbourn,” Georgiana said laughingly.
“Doubtless he will leave soon,” Elizabeth replied. “Though it cannot be soon enough for my taste. At least he believes me now. I think he was not entirely convinced until he heard the first banns being read last Sunday.”
“Well, no matter. I am delighted that we’ve only to wait four more weeks to be sisters.
” Georgiana sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
“You will love Pemberley, Elizabeth. The house itself is breathtaking, with large rooms and plenty of windows that let in the most delicious sunlight.” She smiled over at Elizabeth.
“And the gardens that surround the house are unrivalled. I know your love of nature, and I assure you, you will have plenty of room for your long walks.”
“I am eager to see it,” Elizabeth said.
The clock on the mantel struck four times, and she sighed, setting down her teacup.
“I am afraid it is time for me to go.” She had been spending much time at Netherfield Park of late, for it was not only an opportunity to enjoy the company of her love and her dear friend, but an opportunity to escape how strained things had been between her and Jane since the proposal.
Still, she could not spend all her time away from Longbourn.
Her family was expecting her for supper, and it would not do to be late.
Georgiana rose. “Come again as soon as you can, Elizabeth. I cannot wait until we live together all the time.” She rang for a servant and had them ready the carriage to take Elizabeth home.
They went out into the foyer, where they met Mr Darcy coming toward them.
“I stayed away for as long as I could, for I thought you might like a little time to talk together as sisters,” he said, and reached for her.
She placed her hands in his, and even though she had donned her gloves, the touch made warmth steal through her body.
“I could stand it no longer, though. I hope you do not mind, Georgiana, if I steal Elizabeth away for a few moments?”
“Not at all. I have called the carriage for her, so she might arrive home in time for supper.” Georgiana leant in and kissed Elizabeth’s cheek before she turned and started back toward the drawing room.
“It was good of you to let me have Elizabeth to myself for so long, Fitz. I shall let you have a few moments with your intended now.”
“I thank you,” Mr Darcy replied with a smile. He turned to Elizabeth. Her heart skipped a beat, for he was simply too handsome when he smiled.
Better still, now that they were engaged, the expression appeared on his face more often than she had ever imagined it might.
He offered her his arm and led her toward the front door.
By mutual and unspoken agreement, they walked rather slowly, so that they might have as much time together as possible.
“It took all my self-discipline to stay away so you and Georgiana could have some time together. I believe you were discussing the fabric from London, were you not? If anything more is needed, only tell me.”
“You are very thoughtful, but nothing more is needed,” Elizabeth said.
“The gown will be beautiful, and I believe Mrs Stanton is almost as delighted to sew with such fine material as I will be to wear it. And she tells me there will be a little material left over. Perhaps enough for a little girl’s dress, one day.
” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, unsure if she should have mentioned children.
Mr Darcy’s smile grew even more brilliant. He turned at the door and took both her hands in his. “As long as she takes after you, love,” he said. He hesitated, his eyes travelling from her eyes to her lips. He leant in, as if tempted to steal a kiss.
Elizabeth’s heart hammered with anticipation.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured, looking into her eyes. Delicately, he caressed her cheek. “May I?”
She could not have spoken for the world. Though it was difficult to meet his gaze, she gave a quick nod.
Bringing her closer into his embrace, Mr Darcy bent his head to hers. Their lips met, and Elizabeth could feel his heartbeat, as thunderous as her own. Time seemed to stop. There was only the two of them, together in a single, perfect moment.
So, this is a kiss. Elizabeth half thought she would have fallen if he had not been holding her in his arms.
Quickly, Mr Darcy stepped away, though he continued to support her with his hands on her arms. To her private amusement, he looked nearly as affected as she felt herself to be.
“We must not dare more before we are wed, but I shall count the days. For now, I have delayed you long enough. I wish I could keep you all to myself, but your family craves your presence as well.”
“We shall have plenty of time alone together once we are married,” Elizabeth assured him. She, too, could not wait for that day; even though it was fast approaching, it could not come soon enough.
Mr Darcy nodded to the footman, who opened the door, revealing that the carriage was waiting outside.
He escorted her to the carriage door and handed her in, lingering for a beat longer than necessary.
Elizabeth took a quick breath. Her whole being seemed to come alive every time he touched her. What sweet torture waiting was!
“Until the morrow?” he asked, his eyes filled with hope.
“Until the morrow,” she promised. She seated herself, and Mr Darcy nodded to the driver to indicate that he should proceed down the lane.
It took a long while for her heart to slow its rapid pace on the way home.
She could not believe it was possible, but she seemed to grow more in love with her fiancé every day.
How she had ever thought him cold and aloof, she could not know.
His serious temperament concealed a wealth of other gifts from those not privileged to know the real Mr Darcy, for his quietness was matched by great warmth, and his seriousness by a surprisingly wicked sense of humour.
When she arrived home, it was nearly time for supper.
She thanked the driver and sent the carriage back to Netherfield, racing up the steps to get herself ready for supper.
She changed into one of her more subdued gowns, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Though perhaps it was effort wasted. It seemed that no matter what she wore or what she did, Jane accused her of flaunting herself or lording her engagement over her sisters.