6 months later…
Meet me in the library in ten minutes. Come alone. Tell no one. Darcy folded the note and handed it to Mrs. Reynolds to deliver. That he had to resort to such tactics to see his own wife in his own home was pathetic, but Darcy had not had more than five minutes in Elizabeth’s company since the arrival of the Bennets and the Bingleys the day prior. And, he had a present for her.
The housekeeper seemed to understand his urgency. “I shall deliver this immediately. Miss Darcy mentioned that she would like to give your guests a tour of Pemberley. Perhaps now is a good time?”
Thank you, Georgiana. “It is a perfect time.” It was now or never, for his family would join them to dine at Pemberley as they had the previous night at his uncle’s estate. Richard had announced his engagement to the Russian princess.
Aunt Catherine was the only relative not present. She disapproved of Darcy’s marriage to Elizabeth, and until she let go of her grudge, they were all enjoying a pleasant reprieve. Anne had sent a letter extending her congratulations and expressing her hope to meet soon. She and Elizabeth wrote to each other often.
Hastening to the library before anyone could stop him, Darcy entered the room to see the Oeben desk where he had left it. One side of the green bow he had tied around it drooped sadly. With one eye on the door, he attempted to straighten the slouching ribbon.
He heard the door click and heard Elizabeth suck in a breath before he could step out of the way. He spun around to race her.
“Green!?” Her smile reached her eyes and lightened her voice.
“I have grown fond of the color.”
She laughed. “Since when?”
“Since Bingley’s soiree.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. “Do not remind me! My mother is convinced that gown was the reason I caught your eye.”
Mrs. Bennet had been so insistent that Elizabeth wear that atrocious gown on her wedding day that Darcy had seen fit to involve Lady Matlock. Elizabeth could have worn a potato sack at their wedding and Darcy would have believed her to be the most beautiful woman in any room, but she had looked stunning in her Madame Givenchy creation. Darcy had made certain to thank Miss Bingley for the recommendation.
“I thought you were charming.” He stepped to the side, eager for her to see her present.
“Is this the desk?”
“The very one.”
“How many hidden compartments does it have?” She ran her hand over the smooth veneer, admiring the workmanship.
“Enough to keep you occupied for a week to find. I wonder what treasures are hidden inside?”
Arching a brow, she reached up to her hair and pulled out a pin. “Well, then, allow me to practice one of my newly acquired skills on this lock.” With two clicks, she had opened the drawer at the side. She was a quick learner.
Inside was a box, large enough for a necklace and earrings. “You did not do a very good job of hiding this!”
“Maybe I wished for you to find it.” Darcy plucked the necklace from the satin inlay, letting his fingers linger at the base of her neck as he pretended to fiddle with the clasp. He had hidden little trinkets and letters and tokens of his affection for her to find in every compartment.
“You spoil me too much.”
“Nonsense.”
“You are enough for me… although, I will admit that this desk is a nice touch.”
Darcy could not wait for her to find the love letters, diamonds, and poems he had left for her. Every day would bring a new surprise, just as she had infused color and joy into his life.
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and looked up at him saucily. “I have a surprise for you, too. Cook is making your favorite dessert tonight. I thought Richard would appreciate the memories the profiteroles would bring back now that he has a dashing scar on his brow and a royal fiancée to appreciate it.”
Darcy roared with laughter. He did not hear the butler knock, nor did he hear the commotion in the entrance hall, until Perkins spoke. “Her Ladyship, Lady Catherine de Bourgh has arrived, sir, along with Miss de Bourgh.”
Of course, she would descend unannounced just when Darcy had a few minutes alone with Elizabeth. He was loath to allow anyone, especially his imperial aunt who never showed any consideration to others, to ruin this perfect moment.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “We ought to receive them.”
“Have Mrs. Reynolds show them to their rooms. We shall be along… later.”
“Darcy! Fitzwilliam Darcy! Where is my nephew? I am most displeased with him!” His aunt’s voice echoed up the hall.
If Darcy’s resolve had wavered before, it was firm now. Tugging on Elizabeth’s hand, he pulled her over to the bookshelf beside the fireplace. Rising to his toes, he pulled the latch at the back of the shelf. “It is time you learned more of Pemberley’s secrets.”
He waved his arms through the space, clearing the entrance of any cobwebs.
Next thing he knew, Elizabeth was in his arms and the bookshelf swung closed with a click. “Do you miss your old life? The excitement and purpose?”
Darcy lifted her chin, his thumb gently caressing her lips. “With you in my life? Never.”
They lingered long enough in Pemberley’s secret halls for Lady Catherine to complain about it all through dinner. Elizabeth bit her lips and tried not to smile too widely, and Darcy determined to disappear into the halls again on the morrow.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like the other books in the Dimensions of Darcy series! Check them out here!
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