Elizabeth's Wedding Night: A Fateful Turn

Elizabeth Bennet, now Elizabeth Darcy, experiences a mixture of emotions on her wedding night with Mr. Darcy. She feels nervous about her new role as mistress of a grand house and is unsure of what to expect in the marriage bed. However, Mr. Darcy reassures her and expresses his love and devotion. They share a romantic and passionate evening, and Elizabeth is relieved to find that her husband is kind and gentle. The following morning, Elizabeth wakes up feeling content and happy, snuggled close to her new husband.

Elizabeth's thoughts and feelings as she travels to her new home with Darcy

However, Darcy's presence provides her with comfort and reassurance. She reminds herself that she can trust her husband and that he will always take care of her. As they approach their destination, her anxiety gives way to anticipation. She is curious about the house and her new life with Darcy. When they arrive, she is greeted by an array of servants, which only adds to her nervousness. But Darcy is there to support her, and he proudly shows her their new home. He has even had a bedroom furnished especially for her, wanting to ensure her comfort and happiness.

As they settle in, Elizabeth's thoughts turn to the night ahead. She feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, especially when Darcy mentions that they have separate bedrooms. However, she teases him about her preference for sharing a bed, and he assures her that everything will be arranged for her comfort. As the evening progresses, their attraction and desire for each other build, and they both look forward to consummating their marriage. Elizabeth's apprehension fades away, replaced by a deep trust in Darcy and the knowledge that their love will guide them through this new phase of their lives together.

Mrs Bennet's advice to her daughters about their wedding nights

Mrs Bennet's advice did little to reassure her daughters. Elizabeth, in particular, found it absurd and told her sister Jane not to take their mother's words to heart. She reminded Jane that their husbands were "humane men" and that they could trust them to be kind. She also said that she was "intrigued" by the prospect of married life and that perhaps they would be among those women who took "pleasure" in it.

Despite Mrs Bennet's unhelpful advice, Elizabeth approached her wedding night with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She was nervous about her new role as mistress of a grand house, but she also felt a sense of anticipation and desire as the day approached. Ultimately, she and her husband, Mr Darcy, abandoned their wedding supper and retired to their bedchamber, where they consummated their marriage.

Elizabeth's first glimpse of her new home

As they drew closer, her thoughts became more unruly. She wondered what she had been thinking, consenting to marry Mr Darcy, who was so far above her station. She felt unprepared for her new duties as mistress of the great house and as Darcy's wife.

Her apprehension grew as they arrived at the house and she was greeted by each servant in turn as Mrs Darcy. She was disconcerted by the number of servants but was relieved to find that Mrs Adams, the alarming housekeeper, was a plump, motherly woman who greeted her warmly.

Darcy gave Elizabeth a tour of the house, which she attended with great interest, although her thoughts kept returning to the night ahead. She was not surprised to find a well-used library and paused in the dining room, where a portrait of a woman who resembled Georgiana hung over the mantle. Darcy confirmed that it was his mother and said she would have liked Elizabeth.

Elizabeth relaxed in his arms, but Darcy's response was far from relaxed. He bent his head and began to press gentle, slow kisses on her exposed neck. She whispered his name with longing as he moved to explore the hollows of her shoulder.

The couple's wedding supper

The wedding supper was a pleasant but brief affair, as the newlyweds wished to depart early enough to reach London before nightfall. The menu included delicately roasted quail and parsley potatoes, but the couple hardly touched their food, their appetites engaged elsewhere.

Elizabeth's thoughts were occupied with her new role as mistress of Darcy House and the prospect of what awaited her in the marriage bed. She was reassured by her husband, who managed everything for her comfort. Darcy settled a wool rug over their laps and his arm around her shoulders, promising to make all the arrangements for her ease.

The couple abandoned their supper and moved upstairs for the much-anticipated main course of the evening. As they made their way up, Darcy held his wife's hand, squeezing it with an intensity that communicated his restrained passion. Elizabeth could feel her excitement building in response, and her last misgivings vanished.

In their rooms, they parted ways, each preparing for the night ahead. Elizabeth's maid helped her undress and get into her silk nightgown and matching dressing gown, a gift from her aunt for the occasion. Darcy, meanwhile, reviewed his plans for the night, determined to be patient and gentle with his new wife.

Soon, Darcy knocked on the door connecting their rooms. Elizabeth bade him enter, and they stood transfixed, full of awe and wonder at the nearness of the other and their tremendous good fortune. Then they were in each other's arms.

The moment Darcy and Elizabeth are finally alone

Darcy, ever the gentleman, had ensured their journey to his London house was comfortable, even as Elizabeth's thoughts betrayed her with nervousness and self-doubt. Her mother's awkward attempt at a "serious-minded discussion" about the duties of a wife had done little to ease her apprehension. But now, as they stood gazing at each other, all her fears melted away.

Elizabeth's heart swelled with love and gratitude for this man who had so tenderly pursued her, and she knew that she could trust him implicitly. She had seen his kindness and patience, and she knew that he would always put her comfort and happiness first.

Darcy, for his part, was overwhelmed by a surge of desire as he beheld his beloved Elizabeth, dressed in her bridal finery. He had waited so long for this moment, and his passion was barely in check. He knew that he had to move with care, mindful of Elizabeth's innocence and the potential for an unpleasant experience. But his planning and resolve were tested as he stood so close to her, feeling her excitement building in response to his restrained passion.

Their mouths met in a deep kiss, and they surrendered to the desire that had been building between them. Elizabeth, no longer passive, responded with a hunger that matched Darcy's intensity. Their embrace grew more urgent, and they moved as one towards the bedchamber, where they would finally be united as husband and wife.

The door that divided their rooms would not stay closed that night, for they had become one flesh, their lives forever intertwined.

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