Elizabeth cocked her head to one side looked at her sister. “I had never complained about Will’s family and friends not supporting me. I think you speak from your own feelings. I have often seen you talking with Mr. Charles.” Elizabeth playfully nudged Jane.
“He is the most amiable gentleman I have ever met.”
“And that is saying something!”
“Do not tease me so,” Jane smiled. “I have not known so very many gentlemen.”
“Not from lack of desire on their part, my dear. I’ve seen more than one fellow become incoherent or flee at the thought of conversing with you or merely being in the presence of your beauty.”
“I am sure that is not true.” Jane smoothed her gown. “I would hope it is not. I would not wish to frighten anybody.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “It would only prove how foolish and unworthy they are. So, tell me about Mr. Charles.”
Jane immediately blushed. “There is nothing else to report. He is excessively friendly, but he is to everybody. However, I greatly enjoy his company. I will be sad when the gentlemen leave on the morrow.”
“I do not think the impending separation would affect you so much merely because he is a kind gentleman. Do you feel more for him than any other man you have known?”
Slowly, Jane nodded. “The sensations are so new. One minute I am exhilarated and can hardly catch my breath, and the next I am terrified of being laughed at or being made a fool. What if the feelings are not mutual or welcome? I am not blind to his sisters’ desires for him. I know I am not rich or important enough for them. More than this, I do not know what he feels.”
“I wish I had some advice for you, but I am unable.”
“Yes, I should have advice for you, as I am the older sister. I do not know what to say, though. When I was your age, I had a gangly youth attempting to court me, but he could not speak in my presence. Instead, he would thrust ill designed posies at me when he called at our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s house. I also had a portly gentleman nearing our father’s age attempt to write me poetry. He talked only of news and weather. My heart was in little danger of either them.”
“Would they have been suitable matches? Do you ever regret not encouraging them so that you might have a house of your own and children? It may have been the wiser choice.”
“I think you have been speaking to Charlotte a bit too much. She is ever prudent and practical but I do not know that it will lead to great happiness in her life. I’d much rather be alone and happy than in the company of others that I might find tiresome.”
“But people change so much. Who we find pleasant now we might one day find tiresome. Think of our own parents.”
“It is true that sometimes after years of knowing a person they might annoy or differences of opinions of occur. However, I think Mama and Papa would do more for each other now than they would have fifteen years ago.”
“I like that,” Elizabeth nodded. “I suppose that is part of making a family. I have been missing the girls while we have been away. It has occurred to me that although they are excessively noisy and bothersome when we are all at Longbourn together, I do love them dearly. Perhaps it is the same with our parents.”
Jane stifled a yawn. “As you are not ill, I think I had better leave you. Do not forget to pack, my dear. We will be going to the Gardiners’ after the gentlemen leave in the morning.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes. I am well on my way to finished.” She hugged her sister and said good night.
Chapter Seven
The next hour or so passed in solitude. When Elizabeth’s mother first passed away, Mr. Bennet quickly remarried. When the new Mrs. Bennet expected her first child, she found it difficult to get the adequate rest she needed with so many other children underfoot. Sam went to a nearby school while Jane and Elizabeth stayed in London with Mrs. Bennet’s brother and new bride. The Miss Bingleys had, more than once, mocked them for their address. Although the son of a solicitor, Mr. Gardiner chose to enter a trade and owned warehouses near Cheapside. His residence was on Gracechurch Street. Elizabeth dearly loved her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and did not care where they lived.
Soon, Elizabeth heard the other occupants of the house returning to the chambers and settling in for the evening. Finally finished with her packing, but unable to sleep, Elizabeth chose a book from her luggage to read. Before too many pages, someone knocked on her door.
“Enter,” she called out. She expected to see Jane or perhaps a maid.
Without looking up, Elizabeth heard the door open and close. The shuffling of feet that did not sound like Jane, or any other lady, brought Elizabeth’s head up. She started at what she saw. Will was in her bedchamber. Elizabeth blushed and immediately stood.
“Pardon me, I did not mean to surprise you, or intrude.” Will stammered and had a hard time meeting her eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Elizabeth glanced toward the bed where her dressing gown lay.
“They said you were ill and I worried about you.” Will took another step closer.
Elizabeth smiled. “As you see, I am well. I preferred my own company to some of the other ladies.”
“I am sorry to hear that they were unpleasant. Was anyone rude to you?”
“Not particularly. Or at least not more than usual.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Why do you ask? You must tell me what happened after Sam pulled you away.”
Will gathered Elizabeth’s hands and raised each of them to kiss. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat, and her insides felt like jelly.
“I need to speak with you,” Will said. “But first, I need to kiss you.”
Before Elizabeth could reply, Will had gathered her in his strong arms. Thoughts of how scandalous this meeting was immediately left her mind as his lips met hers. She had never known the pleasure found in the arms of a gentleman. She also never would have thought lips could create such sheer joy or sensation. Nor had she ever expected that kissing could involve so much more than the lips.
Will’s mouth was everywhere at once, trailing down her neck to her collarbone then back to her lips. His hands ran a frenzied path across her back and up and down her arms. The thin fabric of her night rail brushed against her skin creating goose pimples making the sensation all the more forceful. Elizabeth clung to Will, propping her arms around his neck and kneading her fingers through his hair. Will groaned and tore away from her lips. As their breathing evened, he pressed their foreheads together.
“I will never let you go. I do not care what they say. I belong with you.” To further enunciate his feelings, he squeezed her tightly.
“Will, you said they. Has someone else spoken against us? Besides my brother? My father?”
Will let out a low breath. He led Elizabeth to the bed and had her sit there. Then, he let go of her hand and took several steps away. “I cannot touch you and try to explain. I must think rationally. Touching you while you wear only a night rail and we are in your chamber is exceptionally dangerous to my honour right now.”
Elizabeth blushed, but secretly thrilled and knowing she could make Will come undone.
“Sam does disapprove of any match between us. However, that was not unexpected. I believe, in time, he will come around to the idea. He did say he has no objection to my character. No one can say I am unable to provide or would not treat you well.” Will paused and frowned a moment. “My father also noted my interest in you.”
“Yes, Jane asked me about it as well.”
“Perhaps it would have been more prudent for me to conceal my affections, but I am glad others can see my obvious admiration for you. I want them to see that you are worthy of my hand.”
Elizabeth’s heart beat rapidly in her chest. She could hardly credit the words she was hearing. Will had not asked; yet, everything he said indicated he intended marriage.
“My father has expressed some concerns.” Will began to pace around the room. “Among them was the short nature of our acquaintance, but he says he will
support my decision in the end.”
Elizabeth nodded. Yes, their short acquaintance was a matter of concern, but she could not deny her heart. She had not known Fitzwilliam Darcy for long, but she knew he would never give her any reason to distrust him or change her opinion of his honour. She had been wrong about him before, due to her insecurities; she would not question him again.
Will stopped in front of Elizabeth and the corners of his mouth tilted up in a light smile. “When I return from my holiday, I could visit Longbourn. There must be a house nearby I could rent, or I could stay at the inn.”
“We do have a guest room.” Elizabeth smiled at Will. “You are more than welcome to stay with us.”
“Oh, in that case,” Will grinned, “I thank you for the invitation. I will be sure to take the opportunity of convenience to be very near my intended. After a suitable amount of time, we could announce our engagement. If you do not mind a modest income of five hundred pounds per annum, we might marry within the year.”
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her heart. “You are speaking of things that require questions, and you have had no answers. I believe you are getting ahead of yourself, sir.”
“Allow me to rectify that.” Will dropped to one knee and took Elizabeth’s hands in his. “Marry me, Elizabeth Bennet, not because I am the heir to Pemberley or come from a wealthy family. Marry me because you love me as I love you. Marry me because you see the man I really am. Your support makes me a stronger and better man than I had ever thought I could be. Marry me because I see who you really are and appreciate every nuance. I want to discover every new thing about you every day until I draw my last breath. Marry me because I could search my entire life and never find another lady as worthy as you.” Will raised Elizabeth’s hands to his mouth.
Elizabeth shook her head and Will immediately stood, taking a step back.
“Pardon me, but I believed you would hear my proposal with enthusiasm. Do you object to something about me or the limited amount of time we have known each other?”
Elizabeth intended to hold back her laughter, but a giggle escaped. “No, not that.” She stood and threw her arms around Will. After peppering his face with kisses, she drew back. “I do love you! As terrified as I am, I will happily be your wife.” She paused as Will wrapped his arms around her waist. “I only found it amusing that not once in your well-articulated speech did you make a request. Instead, it was all demands: Marry me, marry me, marry me.”
At first, Will looked affronted, but then a smile came to his lips. “I think I will enjoy being teased by you for the rest of my life.”
“Even when admonished you still will not ask the question?”
“Oh, I have many questions. How are you so beautiful? How do you fit so perfectly in my arms?” Will nuzzled his head into Elizabeth’s hair. “How do you smell so fragrant? How soon can we marry?”
Will scooped Elizabeth into his arms and she giggled. “You are the one who told me we would have to wait for a year.”
Will set Elizabeth down gently on the bed and sat next to her. Turning, he stroked her cheek before meeting her lips. When he withdrew, he said, “I already see how my future can be improved with a wife. You are far more intelligent on these matters than I am.”
“That is a burden I believe I can bear.”
Will wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and kissed her lips once more before bringing her head to rest on his chest. For several minutes, she listened to his heartbeat.
“I offer you my hand in marriage. If I had not one penny to my name, I would still offer it. Would that be enough for you? Will you have me? Will you marry me, sweet, sweet Lizzy?”
Elizabeth smiled against Will’s chest and pulled back to meet his eyes. “I would marry you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, if I had a thousand offers from all the richest men in the world. It is you and your heart that I love. I only tremble at being selected by so great a man.”
Gathering Elizabeth into his arms, Will pulled her to sit on his lap. Once there, she placed her arms around his neck and leaned into his kiss. Will’s hands travelled similar paths as before, up and down Elizabeth’s arms and back. Soon, his fingers caressed her shoulders and slipped underneath the fabric of her night rail, causing her to shiver and gasp. Will must have enjoyed the sensation, for his kiss deepened. Next, his lips left hers and descended her throat and across her collarbone. Will pushed the strap of her night rail to the side and he pressed a lingering kiss on the exposed skin.
Elizabeth’s heart hammered in her chest and desires she had never known before coursed through her. If Will asked for more intimacy, she would never be able to tell him no. Instead, Will ceased his movements and held Elizabeth to his chest once more.
“Soon, Lizzy. Soon.” Will press a kiss into Elizabeth’s hair. “I never thought I would find this. I never thought I could combine passion and such deep respect for one woman. I am constantly in awe of you.”
“I feel the same way,” Elizabeth said. “However, I think you can articulate it better.”
The clock in the chamber chimed the hour, and they loosened their hold on one another. Standing, Elizabeth escorted Will to her door. “I think we will have to adjust some of your plans for the future. However, coming to Longbourn and publicly courting me there is a stroke of genius.”
“Does that mean I cannot persuade you to smuggle yourself aboard one of our carriages and elope while we are in Scotland?” Will smirked.
Elizabeth quite loved Will’s joke. Still, she answered soberly. “We would only choose that route if we felt we had no other option because we were afraid of the consequences of facing certain people’s disapproval. I have already told your father and, now, I will tell you, I always rise to every attempt of intimidating me.”
“My avenging Goddess,” Will said and kissed her forehead. “I agree, we will give our family a chance to come to the idea of our marriage before resorting to such desperate tactics.” Will’s lips met hers and lingered. “But I vow, I will marry you one day, Elizabeth Bennet. You are imprinted on my heart, and there is room for no other.”
Elizabeth sighed as she returned his kiss. “You have my whole heart, Will Darcy. I will never give it to another. I will wait for you. When you return to me, we will plan our future.”
Will embraced Elizabeth once more before whispering in her ear. “Fear not, my love. Fitzwilliam Darcy always gets his way, and I will find a way to marry you with the blessing of our families.”
Elizabeth nodded as she fervently believed his promise. Opening the door, she made sure the hall was empty before Will left her chamber. She fell asleep that night confident of Will’s love and knowing she needed nothing else in life.
To be continued in Reunited
Reunited
You have just read Pledged, Book One in the Loving Elizabeth Series. Each book is a novella with a complete story arc. However, for the best enjoyment read in order. Other books in this series are:
Reunited
Treasured
A companion series, Friends and Follies, is to debut in 2021. This series will follow the journey of other characters in the Loving Elizabeth Series. Book 1, Restored, will be about Sam Bennet.
Enjoy this short sample of Reunited.
September 26, 1811
Sitting at the desk in his London townhouse, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s hand shook as he attempted to read Charles’ note. Determined to not display his anxieties, Will paced around the room. Finally, he sat in a chair and browsed an agricultural report until his friend arrived.
Ten minutes past the correct time, the butler announced Charles’ arrival. Will stood to greet him.
“Will, it has been an age. I was sorry to hear Georgiana felt poorly the whole summer and we could not meet. How does she fare now?”
Will managed a small smile as both men sat. “It is always good to see you. My sister is much recovered, thank you. Tell me about this estate you have leased. Hertfordshire, is it?”
Charles gave Will a curious look
. “If you know that much, then you have read my note and know it is called Netherfield. You also know it is quite close to Longbourn, which you should recall…”
“Yes, as the Bennet estate.” Will paused. Tumultuous emotions rioted in his body. As his heart pounded, a blistering headache formed. “You cannot blame me for not being able to read through all these blots.”
Charles smiled at the tease. “Will you come and visit? I know your feelings on the Bennets, but it has been five years.”
Will closed his eyes as painful memories threatened to intrude. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, he opened his eyes and met Charles’. “Yes, of course. We must all move forward with our lives.”
Charles gave an ebullient smile and waxed long on the house and its situation. “Louisa and Hurst will come, and Caroline will be my hostess. Will you bring Georgiana?”
Fear and rage temporarily clouded Will’s vision. Regaining control, he answered, “I…I will leave it to her to determine.”
Charles openly gaped at his friend. “You will allow her to decide?”
Will shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Of course. She is growing older and must have some independence. I cannot order her life forever.”
Charles nodded approvingly, then turned serious. “I have attempted to keep in contact with the Bennets over the years, did I ever tell you?”
Will shook his head. “No, you have not. You must have worried about bringing up such a painful subject.”
Charles agreed.
Will picked at imaginary lint on his breeches. “What news have you heard?”
“Scarcely a thing. Mr. Bennet only replies around twice a year. In October and then usually in August…” Charles trailed off for a moment. “They are all quite well.”
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