Chapter 72

72

T hey reached Carlisle in the evening. William had sent a man ahead to the inn he knew, and reserved their rooms and a private parlour.

Elizabeth tried to hide her increasing nervousness as the afternoon drew on, but the conversation slowed, and William took her hand again.

"I know this is all new to you, dearest, but I intend to take the greatest care of you. You have given up so much, and left all your family and friends to embark with me on this greatest of adventures." His eyes were dark with passion. "I love you more than I have ever known such deep love was possible, and I vow to give you no cause to distrust me."

The inn was welcoming, clean and the rooms quite spacious, which alleviated Elizabeth's nervousness somewhat. William kept up a steady flow of reassuring conversation about Pemberley's park and woodlands.

"I hope you will consent to permit me to walk with you there, Elizabeth. I can think of little else that would give me as much pleasure as watching you explore the grounds of our home."

She smiled, a little tensely, and he drew her closer on the sofa. "Let us walk along the lane a little before dinner, my dear. And after dining we might retire. I know you will not be easy in your mind until tomorrow."

She rose to her feet. "I will fetch my pelisse and bonnet."

They strolled along the lane which ran beside a millpond. "I feel so foolish, William. I love you dearly, and yet, the … the marriage act seems so frightening."

"Your aunt is a very wise and kind lady. She has prepared you?" He sounded concerned.

Unexpectedly, Elizabeth found herself giggling. "Oh, yes. She was very helpful. Poor Jane said she'd had to endure Mama's explanations first, and was very relieved when Aunt did her own clarification. But Jane will not tell me what Mama said, so I have been imagining all sorts of things!" She blinked. "But Aunt says I can trust you and you will show me what to do."

William drew her a little closer. "I would be honoured if you can trust me, Elizabeth. I know your aunt will have told you there may be a little discomfort on the first few occasions, and it concerns me that I must cause you pain. But I will be very gentle." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and she leaned against him.

"I do trust you, William. I have never felt this way about anyone before." She tried to sound more confident, although when his expression softened, she understood she had not been so successful as she had hoped.

"Come, Elizabeth. Our meal will be ready. I saw you did not eat much at the wedding breakfast, so I hope you can now manage rather more than that." He grinned at her. "You no longer have the excuse of many guests to speak to."

She smiled at him. "I will try." So much had happened; and there was much she did not know. But she needed to be the wife he wanted her to be, and after tonight, she hoped they could talk more in the coach tomorrow.

Her aunt had appointed her a maid for the journey, and Elizabeth was relieved that Emily could assist her. As the girl brushed her hair, Elizabeth was soothed by the memory of Jane doing the same for her during their childhood. Finally, she was ready, and dismissed Emily, and waited by the window, trying not to shiver in the draught. There was no connecting door, being an inn; but she knew William had taken the adjoining chamber and he would … but there was a soft knock on the door, and her heart went into her throat.

Her husband was there, and he strode across the room to her, his eyes darkening as his arms went around her.

"Elizabeth! You must not get cold waiting. Let me assist you into bed." He glanced at the fire, which had just been banked for the night. "Shall I …"

She reached up. "No, then it would need to be made safe again. I believe there were plenty of warming pans in the bed that Emily has only just removed. So we will be warm." She was pleased her voice was steady, although he looked askance at her, before lifting her in his arms and carrying her over to the bed.

She tensed as he climbed in beside her; I must trust him, I must trust William . He did not seem in any hurry to do more than run his fingers through her hair and tease her fingers with kisses, all the while murmuring of his delight that he could now be beside her.

Soon she could hardly think of anything but his hands and his whispers; of his kisses and his lips as they touched along her neck and shoulders. A heavy ache within her longed to be satisfied, and she tightened her arms round him to draw him closer still.

She woke in the night, the heaviness of his arm lying protectively across her body, and she turned her head slowly to see his face, relaxed in sleep, faintly visible in the glow from the dying fire.

A surge of love washed through her. What an honour to wake every morning to see her husband lying beside her, to have his ardour during the night, and she blushed at the memory of what they had done.

She could not think of that any more, so she let her gaze wander over the line of his jaw, stubbled overnight, and the firm mouth. She reached a finger up and touched her own lips. How inflaming it was when his lips touched hers, and when he deepened the kiss, murmuring incoherently. And what joy to know how he desired her.

His eyes opened, and she dropped her gaze. How wanton she must seem. But the arm lying over her tightened and drew her closer. "You may look all you like, my love. Nothing is wrong, and you have made me the happiest of men, sharing my passionate love for you." His brow creased. "I did not hurt you too much?"

She smiled and let her hand reach out to run through the little curls at the nape of his neck. "You did not hurt me. And you already asked me that last night."

"So I did." His lips searched out hers. "Thank you. And it will be easier next time."

"Thank you," she murmured back. "For your patience and care of me."

He groaned and hugged her closer to him. "Temptress!"

Pemberley was beautiful. Elizabeth sat in the coach on the evening of the third day of travel as the great house came into view, the windows flashing orange in the low evening sun; and reflected in the still water of the lake below the sloping lawns.

"Oh! So lovely." Her gaze could hardly take in the grandeur and stately position of one of the largest homes she had ever seen.

William's arm was over her shoulders, and he drew her closer. "Pemberley. Our home. I am hardly able to wait to show you around."

It was several days before Elizabeth could begin to find her way around with more confidence, and she was happy that William seemed to take great delight in showing her the public rooms; especially the library — the soaring two level room holding more books than anyone could read in a lifetime. The first day, she stood in the doorway. "No," she laughed. "I am not going in there!"

William had been halfway through the door, and he stopped and turned to her, looking bemused. "Why ever not?"

"Because I would never leave it again!" Elizabeth laughed at him and he picked her up and swung her into the middle of the room.

His chuckle wrapped her round with warmth, as it always did. "There! You are here now and I promise to always be here to rescue you from the room when you need it."

"Who said I would need rescuing?" she said whimsically. "I would never wish to leave again."

His expression took on an exaggerated look of disappointment. "Not even when it is time to retire?"

"Oh, well. You know how to tempt me." She turned away and pretended to peruse the nearest titles, knowing he would be approaching her. Soon his arms would enclose her, and his lips would nuzzle at the base of her neck. She shivered in anticipation, knowing it would not be long unfulfilled.