Page 157 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Elizabeth shook her head lightly. “Do you suppose this is all going as your aunt had hoped?”

“Absolutely. You are the most fascinating woman in the room, everyone wants a part of Lady Elizabeth, and they will soon learn they can have very little of you. When we return to London next Season, nobody will doubt your status, and you will be highly sought after.”

“Fabulous.” Elizabeth sighed.

“It is not so bad, Elizabeth. You will have all the friends you want and the freedom to choose with whom to associate. And we may retreat to our own home or even back to Pemberley at any time. We are in control of our own lives, and we are not responsible for how anyone else feels about us.”

Elizabeth smiled at her husband contentedly. “Is that something you learned when you were deciphering what love means?”

His face turned pink, and her smile grew. “Yes, my dear. I had to discover that my love for you was deeper than the opinions of others. In the end, whether people like us or not is up to them. If we live with the integrity and compassion I have always seen in you, then we need not concern ourselves with their views.”

“I suspect we are going to be far happier than any two people could ever deserve.”

In response, Fitzwilliam whisked her to the edge of the dance floor to a darkened alcove and kissed her until the music ended. No, people would not be terribly surprised by the announcement of their recent wedding.

Chapter Sixty-Five

The Darcys had to stay in London for a week and a half after the ball, as they did not wish to miss Elizabeth’s family dinner for her birthday on the twenty-seventh of February, but they kept the knocker off their door and savored lazy mornings.

Elizabeth had been excited by the view from their bedchamber. “Berkeley Square is lovely with all the trees. No wonder you do not mind being in London for so long.”

Darcy approached and slid his arms around his wife from behind her, where she stood at their window. “You are the reason I do not mind being in London for so long, my love. I do not think I have ever been in town as long as I have been this past year.” He bent to press a kiss to her temple.

“Less than half a year? That is the longest you have ever been in town?” She turned in his arms, so he could see her nose scrunched in question.

“I believe so. But you are correct that we are blessed with a fine view out this window. Shall we walk in the square after breakfast?”

Elizabeth grinned. “I would like that. I am not yet used to being able to walk out the front door, cross a street, and be in nature. And look.” She turned to point at the park before them, a soft breeze evident in the swaying of the branches. “Those are plane trees, are they not? I have never seen so many in one place. I was overjoyed to find one in Cheapside years ago. It was completely out of place in the city, but it made me happy. I was able to grow and flourish in a strange place, too.”

Darcy held her tighter. “I am quite delighted by your progress.”

“As am I.” She turned back into his arms, and nothing more was said about breakfast for some time.

After leaving Darcy House when the newly married couple returned from the Cotswolds, the duke had decided to stay at Gracechurch Street until Elizabeth’s birthday, after which he would return to the north. He insisted on getting to know the people Elizabeth had lived with for five years. They told him all about his granddaughter, and he adored having small children to entertain him.

During their last week in London, Elizabeth visited her family and friends most days. She and Darcy went together to visit the Bingleys and Hursts. Miss Bingley’s false friendship had turned somewhat desperate, but Elizabeth was kindness itself, as usual. They had agreed not to invite anyone to Pemberley this year, but Darcy was not sure Sir Abraham would have accepted in any case. He was determined to get his bride out of London in a few weeks and may never let her out of the country again.

When Miss Bingley had learned that Rowe Manor was in Yorkshire, she tried to gain an invitation there, stating how close it was to Sir Abraham’s estate in Durham. Darcy gently informed her that His Grace lived in the southern part of Yorkshire, not far from Pemberley.

Darcy had learned that Mr. Holman still resided in Cardiff and was most likely there now, so he and Elizabeth would travel to Wales at the beginning of March.

On the Tuesday after the ball, Darcy and Elizabeth returned to the Foundling Hospital. She had been there less since returning from Hertfordshire the month before, but she had still been volunteering there once or twice each week when she was in town.

“Miss Bennet! It is good to see you. I did not know whether you would have a chance to come back after your wedding. Oh, forgive me. You are Mrs. Darcy now. Congratulations! Welcome to you, too, Mr. Darcy.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Legg. We would like to help with the children today, but I will not be able to come regularly anymore. We are leaving London on Monday. I will, of course, stop in to help when we come to town, but I will not live in the city anymore.”

Mrs. Legg embraced her. “That is understandable, my girl. You have been such a support to us all these years, but I do understand. You will always be welcome even for brief visits.”

“Thank you. You are doing such wonderful work here. My husband wished to give you a gift before we go.”

Darcy corrected her. “My wife and I decided together to give this gift. It is a long story, but we found ourselves with some spare funds and have set up an investment for the hospital. We will add our regular donation to it each year, unless you have an immediate need for the larger sums, so the interest will provide for the children for years to come.”

They left Mrs. Legg with tears in her eyes as they went to teach the children and bid them farewell. Many in this group would have moved on to apprenticeships and paid positions by the time they returned the following year.

The next afternoon, while Elizabeth went to visit Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Hopper, Darcy had one more task of his own to complete. As soon as he entered White’s, he wished he had not agreed to meet Richard here. He was immediately greeted by old friends and men he would be content never to see again.

“It seems the boot is quite on the other leg, eh, Darcy? You sly devil, making us believe such Canterbury tales.”