Page 118 of Obligation and Redemption
“I ruined that for you,” Elizabeth said softly as she looked to the distant trees. “You needed to marry an heiress to protect your family’s future, yet I had nothing to bring to the marriage. I see that now.”
“Elizabeth, you certainly brought no financial benefits, but to say that you had nothing to bring is not so.”
Wanting to change the subject to one less painful for her to contemplate, she said, “I commend you for the way you manage Pemberley. Your diligence impresses me.”
“Those are panegyric words indeed, for I know that you are not easily affected by anything I can offer.”
“You make me sound harsh.”
“I can assure you that is not my intention. As I said before, your praises are meted out only after due consideration and only when the highest commendation is warranted. My money and homes – which I have only inherited – have not impressed you, I think.”
“What, no mention of your fine form?” This brought on a chuckle from her husband.
“I will have you know that I find your commitment to all of your responsibilities admirable. My own father rarely stirs to do anything outside of the necessary. I just assumed that was standard behaviour, but you seem to be involved in the minutiae of anything within your purview.” He blushed at her praise.
“I feel safe and secure here at Pemberley with you in charge. I know that my future is in good hands.”
Darcy glanced down at his wife and saw that she too could blush, although much more prettily than he.
Darcy shared with Elizabeth more stories of the house and the gardens whose flowers would soon make a showing, pointing out objects of interest as they strolled.
His knowledge of the estate continued to inspire her as she considered his great capacity for delivering enlightening tales and anecdotes from his family’s past. The chill of the air, once the sun had made its descent behind the hills, finally brought them inside to prepare for dinner and each contentedly pondered many more days shared in like manner.
THE EVENING MEAL WAS SPENT in pleasant but familiar conversation as Darcy questioned Elizabeth about her day while not in his company.
Elizabeth had been progressing on her instrument and experienced newfound delight in her improvements.
She also told him of her nap that took place before their walk and how well she had slept in her lovely chamber.
“You have been sleeping quite a bit during the day, have you not? Are you unable to sleep at night?”
“I cannot account for it. I am sleeping better than I have in ages. Maybe it is your comfortable beds here at Pemberley. Do you have fairies that come and sprinkle magic sleeping dust on the pillows at night?”
“You have seen them?”
“No, I cannot say that I have seen them, only experienced the evidence of their visits.” She smiled becomingly .
“Instead of music, would you like to play a game this evening?”
“Hide-and-seek?”
“No, we will save that one for another time. I was thinking of chess. Do you play?”
“Mr. Darcy, I love to play chess. My father taught me to play when I was six. I think he wanted a ready companion to play with him at his whim, but his little strategy backfired when he found that I came to beat him more times than not.”
“I would only want to play chess with a skilled adversary.”
“So you asked me despite lacking knowledge of my proficiency?”
“Well, I supposed that if you could not play, I would teach you and then apparently fall into the same trap as your father.” He stood up and pulled Elizabeth’s chair out for her. “Shall we retire to my study?”
“Only if we sit by the fire, for your desk intimidates me.” He smiled down at her. She naturally took his arm as he led her down the passageways.
Darcy was enjoying the game in contented quietude.
He had rarely derived more pleasure playing chess than on this occasion.
Not only was he well matched with his opponent, but he had a beautiful woman before him to study as much as the game.
He relished watching her bite her lower lip as she considered her next move, or how she smirked when he would make an answering manoeuvre just before she would take one of his pieces.
Although the game was close, Darcy did pull through in the end.
“Elizabeth, again you have surprised me with another accomplishment. If I had known, we could have been enjoying the game for months now.”
“I saw no need to tell you. A discerning husband would figure it out eventually. I must say, it did take you longer than I would have expected, since you have been stuck out here in the wilds of the Peak country for so long with no one to provide entertainment except for myself.” She laughed. “Next time I shall not be so kind.”
“Is that a challenge? Tomorrow night I will be ready for you.”
She laughed as she yawned. “Excuse me! I cannot account for being so sleepy! Maybe I should retire for the night even though it is still early.”
“No, please stay a little longer.”
“If it pleases you. What shall we do now? I cannot read, for I will surely dose off, and then you will have to carry me to bed.” The words had not finished leaving her mouth before a large blush spread over her.
“Oh my. Forgive me. That was awkwardly done. I did not at all mean what that sounded like.”
“I know what you meant, Elizabeth.”
She tried to change the subject and landed upon a topic that had been on her mind throughout the day. “Do you think that perhaps one day Jane could visit me here?”
“Of course. Your sister will always be welcome to visit.” At her look of relief, he said, “Elizabeth, this is your home now. I know that you love Miss Bennet. I would never exclude her or anyone from visiting you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Maybe this summer?”
“Summer would be a fine time. By then, Georgiana will be here as well. Perhaps they could travel together.”
Elizabeth wanted to say more, but apprehension fed her reluctance.
“What is it?” said he as he noticed her start to speak but then stop.
“Your sister, Miss Darcy, she detests me. I am not so sure that having them travel together would be wise.”
“Georgiana loves her brother; she does not detest you. She just needs time to accept our marriage. By summer all will be well. We will have spent time in town together, and she will have come around. She is in truth a sweet-natured girl, much like Miss Bennet.” Then he casually added, “Where is your sister now? Is she at Longbourn?”
“No, she is with my aunt and uncle Gardiner in town. She is to spend the rest of the winter months and then the Spring Season with them. I, well … I wish I were there for her, but being at Pemberley has been such a blessing for me, I don’t know if I could bear to leave.”
“I am glad you are fond of your new home.”
“I like Pemberley so well, it almost makes the owner tolerable.” He looked at her with brows knitted.
She laughed. “That was cruel. I find that the owner has begun to grow on me, despite his officious meddling into my life. Yes, seeing him in his magnificent home has improved his looks and my partiality considerably.” This time her laugh increased in volume as she found amusement in her sport and in his countenance.
“You have come a long way to accepting a tease, but we still have room for improvement.”
Finally he smiled. “I am not used to being teased by anyone but Fitzwilliam. You and he are a lot alike you know. I cannot help but imagine that you two would have been well-matched.”
“He is a kind man and his conversations do divert me, but I wonder if he and I are too much alike for a truly happy marriage. No, things are as they should be.” Elizabeth blushed again as she seemed destined to continue saying the most discomfiting things.
“I think it is now time that I retired before I make a bigger muddle of this conversation.”
Darcy walked Elizabeth to her room, all the while thinking about what she had left unspoken.
Perhaps there was hope for happiness in marriage.
After she had gone to bed, he returned to his study and began planning another trip to town.
He was already dreading leaving the life they now enjoyed together as friends, if not lovers.
This trip would go over much differently than the last, and when he returned Elizabeth would find comfort in Jane’s returned hopes.