Page 84 of I Thee Wed
Lady Helen intervened smoothly. “Georgiana, how do you feel about attending a family ball this year? I am planning one for Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, and another for Richard and Anne. Phillip must also attend because I expect him to marry by the end of the season.”
Georgiana laughed. “Cousin Phillip is not so very old, Aunt. He is but two-and-thirty.”
“Two-and-thirty is old enough. He must begin his nursery, for your uncle grows no younger.”
The Countess turned to Elizabeth. “I should be happy if Phillip were to bring home a bride like you. Do you have any unmarried sisters?”
Elizabeth answered politely. “No, my lady. Jane, my eldest, is married to Mr. Bingley. My youngest is only fifteen. The rest of us are all settled.”
“Are your sisters as handsome as you, my dear?”
Elizabeth blushed. “Thank you, my lady. Jane is accounted the beauty of our family.”
“Then she must be a Venus indeed,” Lady Helen said with a laugh. She sobered slightly. “Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam is a possessive man. You may not yet have seen it, but I warn you not to be surprised. You will need to temper your natural liveliness. You are a beautiful woman and will be much admired. I fear that my nephew will not bear it well.”
Elizabeth blinked. “Yes, my lady. I will remember.”
The three ladies spent the rest of the day at Lady Helen’s modiste. The day was consumed by everything Elizabeth most detested. She was measured to within an inch of her life, and then she was required to select patterns and fabrics. By the time they left the shop, Elizabeth felt like she would scream. She was ready to agree to anything, but Lady Helen was very particular and would not approve a pattern or fabric until she had looked at it from every angle. That evening, Elizabeth picked at her dinner, and both she and Georgiana retired early.
Darcy entered Elizabeth’s chamber at half past nine and was surprised to find the candles out and his wife asleep.
He slipped beneath the counterpane, content to share the same chamber and bed with his lovely wife. He counted himself privileged to be in her company.”
What seemed a moment later, Elizabeth reached out to touch him, and he peered through the darkness. She was looking at him. “Fitzwilliam, come closer.”
He kissed her. “You are tired, darling. I will not tease you tonight.”
She lifted her head to kiss him. “I am never too tired for you, my handsome husband. Did you not know that you are my prince? You’ve walked straight out of my favorite French novel, and now you are here in my bed with me.” Her laugh was low and seductive.
He grinned down at her. “My dear Elizabeth, what did you drink with your dinner tonight? Surely not ratafia? Tell me, that I may see it served to you again tomorrow evening.”
She laughed as he moved nearer and began to kiss her collarbone. Much later, his weight pressed warmly upon her,and she yielded with growing desire to the charms of her husband. She sighed. “Fitzwilliam, are you the same man I once thought was cold and dispassionate? How did you manage to trick me so completely, sir?” He chuckled into her hair as he moved to kiss her again.
Chapter 62: The Ball at Matlock House
The Darcys’ ball took place in the last week of April. Lady Helen pronounced it a success, and the society papers wrote that it was a ‘sad crush,’ the ultimate accolade any hostess could attain. The house was so crowded that guests had difficulty navigating through the various rooms and on the dance floor.
The Earl, the Countess, Viscount Stafford, Darcy, and Elizabeth stood together in the receiving line. Darcy bent close to his wife and murmured, “You will reserve your first, your last, and the supper dances for me. Any waltz is mine as well.”
Phillip, who stood beside them in the receiving line, laughed. “Darcy, you astonish me. I had not supposed you knew the steps to any dance. I have only ever seen you holding up the walls and glowering.”
Darcy frowned at his fair cousin. “Phillip, I should be obliged if you kept such observations to yourself.”
Amused, Elizabeth smiled at the friendly sparring between the cousins.
Phillip also asked for a dance. “Cousin, reserve your second set for me. I’m afraid that if I delay speaking, I shall not obtain one at all.”
The guests advanced easily through the line, and Elizabeth’s dance card was filled before she had met all Darcy’s friends.
Sir Lawrence Pembroke arrived early and bowed low before Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, may I claim your first free dance?”
She liked this man. He had always been accepting of her and her family without prejudice. She smiled at him affectionately. “My third set is open, Sir Lawrence. I am very pleased to see you again.” Darcy frowned at him, and Sir Lawrence raised an eyebrow and walked away.
Other acquaintances of Darcy pressed forward, asking for a set. Anthony Brook, Frederick York, and Robert Sinclair each secured a set. Elizabeth's sweet smile and her warmth made each man feel himself favored.
When Mr. and Mrs. Bingley passed through the receiving line, Bingley bowed low to Elizabeth. “Sister, do you still have a dance for me?”
“I saved one for you, Charles,” Elizabeth lifted her card so he could see which dance she had set aside for him. Jane kissed her sister and moved down the line.
