The Darcy Bennet Arrangement: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation by Harriet Knowles & a Lady

Author:Harriet Knowles & a Lady
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3
Published: 2017-03-28T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 29

Elizabeth’s face was at the coach window again, waiting for the first sight of Pemberley as they came to the end of the trees. She was longing to see it again, to see if it was much changed from the summer, and she wondered if she would look at it differently now that she was mistress of that great estate.

And then it was there. “Oh, it’s so beautiful,” she sighed. She could sense him leaning forward beside her, watching too, and she turned to him.

“Is it always new to you?”

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “I never fail to look for that first glimpse. Never.”

He reached for her hand and she felt that heat of desire that still filled her each moment. She’d been married nearly one week now, and it was still new, still exciting.

She turned to her husband, her hand still in his. “A new beginning, Fitzwilliam.”

He smiled, relaxed. “A new beginning. Although I would venture to say that we have begun well. Do you not think so?”

She blushed, the best memories of the journey being the nights in a different inn each time. The lack of space in those inns meant that they spent the nights together, he did not have another bed to disappear to after she was asleep.

She’d slept much better as a consequence, knowing that she was safe in his arms.

“Elizabeth?” his voice was so gentle, she had to blink hard to keep the tears at bay. He was mostly silent, those nights. He had never said he loved her, never kissed her.

She wondered if she might conceive their children in those times, without any love acknowledged between them.

“What is the matter, Elizabeth?” he sounded almost devastated. “What can be wrong?”

“There is nothing wrong, sir.” She could not tell him she wanted him to declare his love. It wasn’t part of their agreement.

She drew a deep breath. Her job was to be a good wife to him. She must not demand more of him that that.

“I have been looking forward to getting to Pemberley. I am just happy we are here now.” She was good at keeping her real feelings hidden, she knew that.

He looked faintly unsure of her answer and she wondered how long it would be before she could no longer lie to him.

“Then I too am glad we are here now.” As they drew up to the main steps, the housekeeper stood to welcome them, and Elizabeth remembered her name from her visit with the Gardiners from the summer.

She curtsied to them. “Welcome to Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy. Welcome home, sir.”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Reynolds.” Elizabeth knew the housekeeper must be feeling unsure how the management of the house might change now it had a new mistress, but she must not be too accepting. “I am very glad to be here again.”

It seemed very different to her as she looked around, being here as mistress of her new home, rather than as a curious visitor, or even as a dinner guest.

“Let me show you your bedchamber, Mrs.

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