Read Falling for Mr. Darcy Online
Authors: KaraLynne Mackrory
Falling for Mr. Darcy (43 page)
She ran her fingers along the back of an elegant sofa in the small sitting room as she reflected on the last few hours. After the wedding, the newlyweds and all of their guests went to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast. Elizabeth smiled as she remembered the happy hours of last good-byes extended to lifelong friends. It was also the first time she had met William’s uncle and other cousin.
She was pleased they were so friendly and kind to her. She felt blessed to have joined such a loving family. Elizabeth brought her hand to her mouth as she thought of the easy way Colonel Fitzwilliam was able to bring a smile to her husband’s face. If only for that ability, she would be appreciative to his cousin for a lifetime, for she loved to see William smile.
Elizabeth was not surprised, though, after having learned from her husband what happened in Kent, to see that Mr. Collins barely spoke to either of them upon his arrival with Mary in Hertfordshire. They had arrived soon after she became engaged as Lady Catherine’s displeasure had induced them to travel early to avoid her rants. Mr. Collins was as displeased with Elizabeth and Darcy as was his patroness.
Elizabeth was startled out of her reverie by the feel of her husband’s arms slipping around her waist from behind.
“What are you thinking about, Mrs. Darcy?” he whispered in her ear, sending a tingle down her spine.
Elizabeth smiled. “I was just thinking of today.”
“Hmm. Yes, we got married today, did we not?”
She laughed as she leaned back into his embrace. “I believe we did. However, I must admit I paid more attention to the groom than the reverend.”
“That is good, for you were marrying the groom and not the reverend.”
Elizabeth laughed as she disentangled herself from his arms and turned to face him. He immediately captured her hands in his and said, “Come, wife, I have something for you.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose in question at the mischievous glint in his eye as she allowed him to lead her by the hand into the other room.
“And what is so funny, sir?”
“I am sure I do not know what you mean, my love.” He looked at her with pressed lips trying not to smile.
She looked around her and, realizing they were in the bedchamber, immediately colored and turned her head to laugh uneasily.
Darcy recognized her embarrassment and stepped closer. “Elizabeth, I brought you in here to give you this.” He reached behind her to the table near the wall and handed her a rather large package.
Elizabeth looked at the package with puzzlement. It was too big to be a book or jewelry but too small to be any kind of gown. She looked up at him with a question in her eyes.
“And what is this, William?”
She watched as her husband fought a serious battle to keep from smiling. She narrowed her eyes at him before turning around, and placing the package back on the table, she began to loosen its strings. After untying the cords, she carefully opened the paper and looked at what was inside.
She held up the garment and turned to her husband with a confused look. “Mr. Darcy, I believe your valet has made a mistake.” She lifted and showed him the pair of breeches in her hands.
Mr. Darcy smiled. “It is no mistake, Elizabeth. Many weeks ago your father told me a charming story about you as a child.”
He watched with amusement as her confused face froze in recognition of the story he was referring to. She turned wide eyes at him, and her jaw dropped, unladylike. With embarrassment and a bit of amusement, she said, “But . . . William . . . ”
She bit her lip to keep her composure as she saw her husband erupt in what started as a gentle laugh but grew to a hearty bounce of his shoulders in humor. She began to laugh, too, as she stepped towards him. Putting her palm on his chest, she pushed him backwards, pretending to be displeased. “You, sir, are in trouble. And to think you have only been married a few hours.” She shook her head at him.
Darcy covered his face to try to calm his amusement and play along with her for a moment. He schooled his features into a repentant face before saying, “If you promise not to cut off your hair or run off to join the Navy, you may wear those anytime you wish around Pemberley.” He burst into laughter again and could barely manage to add, “There are many fine trees to live in there, but I hope you will consent to live with me.”
Elizabeth could not contain herself any longer. She laughed and continued to push him backwards until he edged up against a piece of furniture.
“I will not cut my hair if it pleases you, sir. But I make no promises about the Navy, William,” she teased.
Her use of his name once again captured his interest, and he gathered her into his arms. His chuckles softened to a pleased smile. “You are so beautiful when you are angry, my dear wife.”
“Is that so?” Elizabeth asked charmingly. “I hope you will not often make me cross just to see me thus.”
Darcy brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face as he kissed her brow. “I will try my best to please you, Elizabeth,” he said, laughing softly against her skin, leaving her breathless. “If only to keep you from the Navy.”
Elizabeth boldly encircled her arms around his neck and watched with amazement as the simple act seemed to make his eyes grow darker. “I am glad to hear it, William.”
Darcy smiled at his wife and thanked the heavens she was his. He leaned down and kissed her lips tenderly. Pulling back only slightly, he whispered, “
Now
, Elizabeth, I wish to demonstrate just how seriously I take one particular vow I made today.” He kissed her lips again.
Elizabeth’s heart was beating nearly out of her chest, and she was barely able to manage a whispered, “And which one was that, William?”
He kissed her sweetly on the cheek and then on the ear. “‘With my body, I thee worship,’” he said, before returning to kiss her lips again.
The End
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