Page 66 of Midnight at Pemberley

“I will be of excellent standing when I have met this lovely young lady holding so tightly to your arm.” The white bushy eyebrows rose and fell playfully.

“Mrs. Darcy, may I present Lord Eddington of Edsterton Abbey in Dove Dale, a distant neighbor in Derbyshire.Your Lordship, this is my wife, Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth dropped a quick curtsy before Lord Eddington took her free hand in his and brought it to his lips. “My pleasure, Mrs. Darcy.” The old man gave Elizabeth a wry smile before returning his attention to Darcy. “I heard you married. Does this mean you will be spending more time at Pemberley?”

“That is our plan, Your Lordship,” Darcy explained.

“We are glad to hear it. It is time you claim Pemberley fully. Your dear parents are gone and life is for the living. Raise a family!”

Darcy motioned to Bingley to lead the others to their seats. “Mrs. Darcy and I will do our best to live up to your expectations, Sir.”

Lord Eddington puffed up with self-importance. “George Darcy and I were at Cambridge together. He was a fine man, and he would want this for you. I never saw a man so proud as the day you were born. It was as if the world righted itself.”

Darcy could not imagine his father celebrating bringing another into the curse, but he held his tongue. “Thank you, my lord. Now, if you will excuse us, I believe the performance is about to start.”

The man eyed Elizabeth again. “Mrs. Darcy, I understand why this scoundrel hid you away until he secured your hand.” He winked at Darcy. “Your wife is lovely, Darcy.”

Elizabeth leaned in close to Darcy as he held the curtain leading to the private box. “Lord Eddington is quite the character.”

“An old man can get away with outrageous remarks,” Darcy commented.

“Do you not think I am lovely, my husband?” She asked flirtatiously.

“You know perfectly well I find you to be the most exquisite of God’s creatures.”

When they were seated, Elizabeth leaned forward to whisper in Jane’s ear, “Do not forget to tell Mama we have a private box, but be sure to have a bottle of vapors close at hand when you do.”

Jane smiled brightly. “Mama will tell all of Meryton and probably several strangers passing through.”

When the performance began, his wife turned to him. Only inches apart, she whispered, “I wish we were alone so I could thank you properly for all of this.” She gestured first to the theatre and then to her family. At length, she allowed her fingers to touch the necklace.

“I will accept your gratitude later,” he teased.

“Guaranteed.” She smiled upon him before turning towards the stage.

Darcy gazed at the effect the dampened lamps had on her eyes. They glowed as if every point of brightness in the room began and ended in her eyes. They were the green of limes and of new leaves and of moss, all at the same time.

He smiled. Her eyes danced with happiness, and he knew he married the one woman who God meant for him. Without Elizabeth, Georgiana might now be dead, and he would surely be. Moreover, she brought hope with her—hope for a different way of life. Just for a moment, Darcy wondered, If we destroy Wickham, will I change, also? Will I still carry the curse? Will I still create another vampire if we have a son?

At the intermission, Darcy and Gardiner sought refreshments while Bingley escorted Jane about the building, showing her the architecture of what was once a royal residence. Alone with her aunt, Elizabeth asked, “Do you still suspect Mr. Darcy of crimes most heinous?”

“I no longer believe Mr. Darcy could take a life violently because I believe in you, Lizzy. You could not love the man as you do if there was such evil in him.” Mrs. Gardiner patted Elizabeth’s hand.

Elizabeth looked about to see if anyone might hear her confession. “Aunt Madelyn, I do love William, and I do not speak of the man who gives me diamonds. I speak of the man who holds me when I have a nightmare—of the man who purchases a horse from his friend because I love the animal—of the man from whose eyes I cannot look away.”

“The necklace is enchanting.” Mrs. Gardiner touched the jewels with her fingertips. She spoke in a lower tone, “I noted the red mark on your neck, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth blushed thoroughly. “Does it show, Aunt?”

“Your husband cleverly covered it with the necklace. I, too, have the mark.” Her aunt rolled back the netted scarf draped around her neck and tucked in at the bodice of her gown.

“Uncle?” Elizabeth could not believe her own ears. Her uncle could not be a vampire. Moreover, he was her mother’s brother, not a relative of Lord Thomas.

Mrs. Gardiner blushed. “Your uncle enjoys my femininity.”

“Are you saying, Aunt, that my uncle—your husband—kisses you in such a manner?”

A bit sarcastically, Aunt Madelyn responded, “Yes, Lizzy, your uncle and I still share a bed, even after all these years.”