Page 230 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Mrs. Nichols came forward and curtsied. Darcy made the introduction. “Welcome to Darcy House, Mrs. Darcy. I hope you will be very happy here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Nichols.”

Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth upstairs and opened the door to her bedchamber.

The last of the afternoon light filled the room. Soft yellow paper covered the walls, with cream hangings at the windows and bed.

Elizabeth crossed the room slowly, taking it in.

“These were my mother's rooms,” Fitzwilliam said. “I had them prepared for you.”

Elizabeth looked through the open doorway beside the fireplace.

“My rooms are through there,” he said.

She smiled and came back to him. “Then I shall have my husband very near me.”

“Always.”

Elizabeth slipped her hand into his. Fitzwilliam raised it and again kissed the wedding ring upon her finger.

She looked around the light-filled room once more. “It is beautiful, like a summer day.”

“I hoped you would like it.”

Elizabeth rested her hands against his chest.

“I think I shall be very happy here, Fitzwilliam.”

He drew her into his arms and kissed her with a passion she had longed for.

* * *

Ruth brought Elizabeth hot water and helped her out of her travel gown. Later, she dressed her in one of the evening gowns brought from Longbourn and arranged her hair before fastening the amber cross around her neck.

Elizabeth touched the cross as Ruth settled the chain against her skin.

A knock sounded just as Ruth finished.

Fitzwilliam entered in his evening clothes, his dark coat and white cravat setting off the breadth of his shoulders. Elizabeth had seen him dressed for dinner many times before, but tonight she allowed herself the pleasure of looking at her husband.

He came to her and took her hand, his eyes moving over her with equal appreciation.

“You are beautiful, Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth's fingers closed around his.

Fitzwilliam bent and kissed her before offering his arm.

She slipped her hand through it, and he covered it briefly with his own before leading her downstairs to dinner.

He led Elizabeth to the smaller family dining room.

Candlelight shone across polished wood and silver, and the table was laid with fine white damask and china bearing the Darcy crest.

Elizabeth stopped just inside the room.

Fitzwilliam looked at her. “Elizabeth?”