Page 11 of Shadows beneath Rosings (A Darcy and Elizabeth Quick Read Interlude #5)

D arcy stood with his wife — his wife! — beside the coach which had stopped so he could show her the view of Pemberley, the view he always anticipated whenever coming home.

He bent his head to murmur in her ear. “Well, Elizabeth? Of all this you are now mistress. I hope it meets with your approval.”

She leaned back against him. “It does,” she said simply. “I think there would be few who would disapprove.”

His answering chuckle reverberated through her. “Shall we walk together the rest of the way, or would you rather be at the house sooner? I know you are anticipating a cup of tea — and I can assure you that the tea service here has good-sized cups.”

Elizabeth turned her head and kissed his chin, which was about all she could reach. “I am glad to hear it. But let us walk together. Just us.”

His response was merely a whisper. “Just us, and our future here.”

She stood straighter. “And I suppose an army of servants once we arrive at the house. So we will enjoy our time alone while we walk.”

The housekeeper curtsied as she supervised the maids placing down the trays of tea and pastries, the enticing smells rising with the steam of the hot treats. “Will that be all, Mrs. Darcy?”

Elizabeth smiled up at her husband before turning back to the woman. “It looks wonderful, thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. Might I just trouble you for a glass of your freshest spring water, please? Mr. Darcy has enticed me here by telling me it is the best-tasting water in the world.”

“Of, course, Mrs. Darcy. I will send a footman at once to the spring. You will certainly not be disappointed!”

Elizabeth was not disappointed. “Even Longbourn water will never taste right again, William. This tastes of the peaks and the air and the wild winds. And it’s so beautifully cold, even in this weather.”

They sat close together on the sofa. “We will walk out the the spring tomorrow when I am showing you the gardens, my love.” He leaned closer to her.

“But today, as soon as you have finished your tea, I wish to show you our apartments. We have had too little time alone together where I can properly show you how much I love and adore you, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth.”