Darcy laughed. “I rather doubt Aunt Estella's consternation would be too severe, Uncle, warning or no, but naturally you may stay at Darcy House as long as you wish, and Dr. Penaflor as well, of course.”
“You will return to Pemberley before you leave England, George?” Lizzy asked, truly concerned.
“Not weary of me yet, Elizabeth?” He smiled fondly, Lizzy emphatically shaking her head. “I am touched!” He stretched his arms above his head with a deep sigh, still gazing at his niece speculatively, “No, I think I shall stick around for a while. I am rather enjoying being decadent and useless, at least for now. Perhaps in a few months I will feel the urge to work for a change, maybe volunteer my services at the hospital in Derby, deliver a baby or two,” he said shrugging and grinning at Lizzy's blush and Darcy's arched brow. “Besides, I deem wild horses could not drag Raja away.”
Dr. Penaflor merely smiled, Anne hastily averting her eyes.
“Then it is settled,” Charles declared with a slap to his knee, “all shall ride to Netherfield, whereupon the final separation will occur. Two days hence.”
Kitty was silently crying. “Oh Lizzy, please can I stay? Please?”
“I am sorry, dear. Mama and Papa need you, too. The quiet in the house is likely driving them mad. Think of poor Papa who only has Mama to keep him company! Besides, you will all visit after the baby is born, perhaps at Christmas.” Darcy winced involuntarily at that thought, but luckily Lizzy did not notice.
With this decision made, the usual bustle of pre-departure activity ensued. The dinner party planned was a simple affair, the Darcys aware that the staff would yet be busy with restoration. They had scheduled the event a week before, knowing it would likely be the last soiree preceding the scattering of their guests. Aside from the imminent exodus of the Pemberley visitors, the Matlocks were also embarking on a month-long tour of Wales with their eldest son, Jonathon, and his wife, Priscilla. Therein came the final surprise.
“William, if I may have a moment of your time?” Lord Matlock lightly clasped his nephew's elbow, indicating the emptiness of the hall. Once alone, he continued, “I know this is rather short notice, but your aunt and I were discussing our trip and Georgiana came to mind. We would very much like to take her with us if this meets your approval?”
Darcy frowned slightly, to be replaced instantly with a smile as it abruptly occurred to him that Georgiana's absence would provide complete privacy for him and Elizabeth. Attempting to not appear the utter lovesick fool, he gruffly cleared his throat and stroked his chin as if deep in serious contemplation. Naturally, Lord Matlock was not the least bit duped, but he played along.
“I know you fret, especially after Ramsgate, but rest assured she will be well chaperoned. Mrs. Annesley can accompany her if you wish, and we will not let her out of our sight. It would be good for her to travel a bit, and she has never been to Wales. Besides, you and Elizabeth have earned some solitude. You shall have precious little once the child arrives. Consider it a belated wedding present or early baby gift to you both.”
Darcy laughed. “Very well, Uncle! The truth is, I need no persuading as it sounds delightful to be alone with my wife. Perhaps it would be wisest to postpone Georgiana's enlightenment until after Miss Kitty departs. It may be too much of a blow to her heart to see Georgie ecstatic when she is so depressed at leaving.”
Therefore, exactly seven days after the Festival, Darcy and Lizzy stood on the Pemberley entryway and waved adieu to a smiling Georgiana. It was very early in the morning, Lizzy rising far earlier than she was becoming accustomed to. Darcy was dressed for riding, in truth having assumed that his wife would not wake to kiss Georgiana goodbye, having said her farewells prior to retiring last night. Now, however, with the house essentially empty and his desirable wife still with a sleepy face and hair hastily pulled back, the thought of walking away from her side even for the thrill of a morning race was unappealing.
The carriage turned the final corner, Lizzy sighing deeply and leaning against Darcy's side with a yawn. “You know, I have all my life considered myself an early riser. Meet the dawn with a smile and all that.” She lifted her eyes to meet Darcy's brilliant ones. “Perhaps my early rising became habit out of a necessity to escape the craziness of Longbourn before it began each day! Here, with you, I find life so peaceful that I do not wish to leave the comfort of our bed and chamber. It is all your fault, you know. Your charms are magnetic, my love. I am not only a hopeless wanton but slothful as well!”
Darcy was smiling happily. “If you are anticipating an apology, I fear I shall disappoint you, beloved. I am perfectly content to wake preceding you and stare at your beauty as you sleep. Furthermore, I live for the opportunity to rouse you with kisses and caresses. As for being wanton, well, I need not address my opinion on that subject surely?”
“No, you do not. In fact,” she glanced about but they were alone, and then reached up to toy with his open collar as she continued, “if you think Parsifal would not be too terribly annoyed with me or heartbroken, perhaps I could induce you to forego your morning excursion for the time being? My wicked mind is suddenly conjuring all sorts of alternate ways for you to work up a healthy sweat.”
Darcy nodded sagely, glittering eyes belying his calm pose. “Do you think the servants would gossip overly if we sprinted up the stairs?”
Lizzy pivoted with a giggle, leading him sedately inside. “Maybe we should maintain proper decorum until the second floor landing, at the least.”
Thus began a lazy pattern that would be embraced for the next several months with few exceptions. It was akin to their first weeks at Pemberley after their marriage, only now they were incredibly bonded and all the shades of newness or discomfort were wholly dissipated. They did, in fact, laze about quite a bit. Naturally, Darcy had a fair amount of work to do, letters to write, and the occasional trip about the estate but nothing terribly time consuming or critical. Aside from his study and the informal dining room, they rarely visited any of the other rooms, and the majority of their time was spent in their chambers.
Darcy, as always, rose with the sun. There was absolutely no doubt that his immediate preference was to wake his wife and make love with the sunrise. On occasion, his hunger was such that he did just that, Lizzy responding with only mild pique before passion flared. However, Darcy was a gentleman and recognized his wife's need to sleep, so usually he kissed her gently, cautiously detaching her body from his as he slipped away. Either a ride followed or quiet paperwork of some sort at the desk in their sitting room. On occasion, he scheduled morning sessions with Mr. Keith to attend to estate affairs. Whatever the case, the bulk of the morning hours were delightfully and rewardingly lapsed in the company of his love.
Despite Lizzy's jesting, she did tend to rise fairly early compared to most women of leisure. Generally she was up and freshened, nibbling on toast or fruit to curb the worst of her stomach pangs, awaiting Darcy's return from whatever endeavor he was tending to that morning. Whether he was sitting at the desk when she rose, or entering the room to discover her placidly reclining in her chair, they greeted each other with eager enthusiasm and bright smiles. Neither desired to part for the remaining hours of the morn and rarely were they forced to.