“I have never heard of Meryton.” The earl began shaking his head. “No, I cannot allow you to do this to the family, son.”
“You are not the head of the Darcy family, and I have no duty or obligation to you.” He met his uncle’s eyes and firmly set his jaw.
“A man of your stature and connection in life to be wed to some unknown country miss! How has she seduced you when you have avoided entanglements thus far? Pay her off. Harold knows a good solicitor—”
“I am uninterested in the assistance of your wayward heir. Miss Bennet has not seduced me, and I will not countenance any talk against her. I have made my decision and will not change it.”
“You will ruin us!”
“I hardly see how marrying a woman you did not expect will ruin the family.” Darcy took a sip of his port. He did not usually indulge in the middle of the day, but his uncle grated his nerves.
“Her family will be after your connection to me. They will constantly hound you for money.”
Inwardly, Darcy rolled his eyes. It took one to know one. His lordship always sought ways to gain from the Darcy purse. “I do not know that she even knows of our relationship.”
“So, she is a simpleton, too, then?”
Darcy sighed. “Sir, I have told you about speaking ill of my betrothed. She is likely unaware of our relationship because she cares little for the trappings of London Society. It is one of the things I admire most about her. As to your assumption that they will bleed me dry, you and I both know that I have far too much money for that to ever happen—which is why you are so interested in my affairs. If they attempt to garner favours from you, you may simply say no.”
The earl frowned before downing his drink. “This requires strategy, then. We cannot have her embarrass the family. Matilda will—”
“My aunt shall do nothing. If Elizabeth enjoys my aunt’s company and desires a relationship with her, then that is one thing. However, the countess is not to meddle in my marriage and attempt to shape my wife after her. If that does not suit your hopes, then that is entirely on you.”
Darcy met his uncle’s eyes, unwilling to back down. The battle for control was not a new one between them, but Darcy had always prevailed and, when it came to his household, always meant to. Something about announcing his intentions to his family and arguing Elizabeth’s case before others filled him with satisfaction. How had he struggled over courting her for so many weeks? If he had found a lady like her at a London ball, he would have been speaking with her father after their third encounter.
“I will not be moved,” Darcy said with finality.
After a few more minutes of locked eyes and disgruntled sounds, Darcy’s uncle stood. “I can see you are determined to be stupid. Do not complain to me when you regret it.”
Darcy made no acknowledgment of his statement. He allowed the earl to see himself out, merely shaking his head when the front door slammed a moment later.
Staring down at his correspondence, Darcy smiled to himself before murmuring, “I will never regret choosing you, Elizabeth.”
*****
Elizabeth looked out the library window and sighed. If everything went as planned in London, Darcy would have the license in hand and arrive at Netherfield this afternoon. She did not expect him to call on Longbourn immediately. That would be far too lover-like for their business arrangement. Still, one could not blame a lady for desiring to see her betrothed.
In truth, Elizabeth had been plagued with worry. What if Darcy thought better of his proposal once he reached Town? What if his family talked sense into him? Mr. Bennet weakened by the hour. Breathing was a laborious process, and he could consume only water and broth. He slept much of the day. Elizabeth fought to keep him from over-exerting himself when he was awake. It seemed to her that he attempted to put an entire lifetime’s worth of interest into his final days. He spent his precious breath instructing Elizabeth and Jane on how to see to their mother and sisters. He dictated several letters to Mr. Darcy, including his thoughts about how best to care for his family.
Despite her father’s state of near-constant sleep, Elizabeth could not rest. The unbearable agony of waiting for the terrible inevitability plagued her mind day and night. Last night, she was nearly asleep when her mother entered the room. Mrs. Bennet hovered over Mr. Bennet’s bedside for a moment, watching his unsteady breaths before raising his hand to her lips.
Elizabeth watched in silence as tears streaked down her mother’s cheeks, and she stroked her husband’s forehead, brushing aside the hair that had fallen over it. Mr. Bennet nuzzled into the touch, his breathing calmer.
“Fanny,” he said on a quiet exhale, seemingly still asleep.
“Do not leave me, Thomas. I cannot bear it,” Mrs. Bennet whispered into the night.
Elizabeth expected her mother to launch into one of her usual series of complaints on being left alone with so many daughters. Typically, she then expounded on the horror of expulsion from her home.
Instead, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I have always loved you.”
Through one half-open eye, Elizabeth saw her father raise a hand and cup his wife’s cheek. “And I you. Do not fear, my love. All will be well. I am sorry to leave you, though.”
Mrs. Bennet held a sob in check, and Mr. Bennet let out a deep breath, resulting in a coughing fit that sprang Elizabeth into action. It took several minutes before he calmed. When it was all over, Elizabeth feared the worst, but he had survived another night. When at last Elizabeth had thought beyond her worry for her father, she turned to see her mother crying quietly in the corner of the room.
“What is it?” Elizabeth asked quietly.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head. “You were always such a good girl. I am sorry I did not see it enough. I know…I know I embarrassed you, and I did not set the example for you that you thought I should have. I wish I had shown how in awe I am of you. You were always so strong and his darling favourite.”
Mrs. Bennet had never been a very affectionate mother towards Elizabeth, and even after such an unexpected speech, all she offered was a squeeze to Elizabeth’s hand.
As she stared out the window recalling the scene, it stirred something in Elizabeth’s soul. She had misunderstood her parents. She could see now that while their love did not conform to her expectations, it was no less real. Even more so, her mother had always loved and valued her. The gift of seeing them such was almost worth the pain that would follow in a matter of days.
Elizabeth stretched her back and rolled her shoulders. She had grown tense from her constant vigil. Lost in her thoughts, the sound of a carriage brought her mind to the present. Surprise filled her upon seeing the Darcy crest. When her aunt descended, a small gasp escaped Elizabeth before she went dashing from the room. Her sisters, who had heard the carriage as well, joined her outside.
Elizabeth allowed the others to greet their aunt first. When it was finally her turn, she held Mrs. Gardiner in a tight embrace. “I am so pleased you have come. I did not expect you yet.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Your Mr. Darcy put the matter rather bluntly.”
“I hope you or my uncle have not been put out by him. I know he can be…commanding.”
“My dear, if all his commands are in your best interest, as was his very civil request that we join him for your sake, then I should become his loyal servant.”
“For my sake?”
“Indeed! Honestly, if we put weight only on the words of your letter, we would not have known how serious matters were. It sounds as though Mr. Darcy is ready to help, but even if there was no anxiety or moving required at all, how could you think that we would not wish to be here to support you? We have always known that things regarding your parents’ demise would fall mostly to you.” Mrs. Gardiner paused and glanced at Darcy. “Now, it looks as though your young man wants your company. Later, we will talk privately about how this engagement came to be and why you have been so sly and reported him as arrogant in your
previous letters.”
Elizabeth nodded at her aunt’s words, but rather than greeting Darcy right away, she spoke with her uncle for a few moments. Finally, as the assembled group made their way inside, she addressed Darcy.
“Thank you for bringing them. I did not expect such kindness and admit it eases my heart considerably. You must have discovered by now that they are very genteel, and it will be a boon to you to have such sensibleness around when dealing with my family.” Only after the rush of words did she hazard a glance at her betrothed.
A small smile played on Darcy’s lips. “I have enjoyed the company of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner very much, but even if they were the silliest couple in the kingdom or lived on the edge of the Earth, I still would have brought them to you. I believe I thought only of you and your comfort.”
Elizabeth’s breath left her. She looked away as Darcy spoke but peeked up at him now. She found his intense gaze upon her.
“I have missed seeing you, Elizabeth.” He raised her hand to his lips. “You look in need of rest. Do you have the energy for a walk around the garden?”
Elizabeth looked at her watch. “I was about to bring my father some tea, but I would enjoy walking with you. I confess I have rarely stirred from the library since you left.”
“Allow me to sit with your father. Visit with your aunt and uncle, and after your father is finished, we shall have our walk.”
Elizabeth agreed, and Darcy continued to the library while she entered the drawing room.
Chapter Nine
In the drawing room, conversation swirled around Elizabeth as though this were a regular visit from her aunt and uncle. Inquiries were made about news from Town and the health of her cousins. It seemed no one wanted to address the reason for their journey.
At last, Elizabeth could bear it no more. “Shall I take you up to my mother now, Aunt?” Her voice had a sharp tone to it. “And Uncle, would you sit with Papa? He has much to discuss with you, but do not fatigue him.”
For a moment, everyone silenced and stared at her. Kitty and Lydia stilled, and even Jane looked mildly ashamed of herself. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, however, looked at Elizabeth with a mixture of sympathy and what she thought was censure. Raising her chin, she declared, “I make no apologies for breaking up this merry little party. My father lies very close to his death, and that is why our aunt and uncle have come. We ought not to pretend otherwise.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Gardiner stood and made her way to Elizabeth’s side. “You must be very fatigued after all you have borne. Pray, go and rest while your uncle and I see to matters.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to disagree that she should rest when she heard Darcy’s voice over her shoulder. “I agree with Mrs. Gardiner. You ought to rest, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stood to face her betrothed. “No, thank you. I may rest later, but for now, I would rather stretch my legs. Do you still care to walk with me in the garden?”
Darcy’s jaw set in displeasure, and his face grew dark. If she were a servant or even perhaps his sister, Elizabeth might have been afraid of the look. As she had always felt herself to be his equal, she would not begin to cower now. Everyone else eased out of the room. Once alone, Darcy took a step towards her.
“Do you delight in arguing with me at every moment, even when it is in your best interest?”
“On the contrary, sir. I would much rather if you did not provoke me at all times. As it happens, I believe I am to judge what is best for me.”
“I provoke you! Surely not!”
“It is words like that which urge me to prove just how exasperating you can be. Do you find it so difficult to believe that you might ever be in ill-humour? Is it beyond belief that your manners and words might not suit all who come in contact with you?”
“Well, no.” Darcy folded his arms across his broad chest. “However, I would not say that I go around intentionally seeking to argue or disagree with others. That is far more your domain.”
“Ah. As you said at Netherfield, my flaw is to wilfully misunderstand everyone, to take life as a joke.” Elizabeth attempted to jest but felt hot tears prick her eyes.
Rather than pulling her to him, offering a handkerchief, or awkwardly excusing himself in the face of her feminine weakness, Darcy tucked her hand around his arm. “Come, Elizabeth. You are correct. A walk is exactly what you need.”
Darcy pulled her outside, not even pausing to allow them time to put on their outerwear. She struggled to keep up with his long legs as he led them some distance from the house.
“Now,” he said once they were seated on a stone bench, “tell me everything that has happened since I have been away.”
“There is not much to tell.” Elizabeth shrugged. “My father continues to decline, and most of my family acts as if nothing has changed at all.” She was unsure why she had hesitated in telling him the truth when only a few moments before she had anticipated their next meeting.
“I did not see Mr. Collins, and it seems unlike him not to play lord of the manor when there are guests.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth fidgeted with the sleeve of her gown. “He decided to stay at the inn.”
“Did he? And why was that?”
“The concern was raised that he was practically chaperone-less in a house of unwed ladies.”
“I see,” Darcy said through gritted teeth. “And why was this necessary to point out? Did he take liberties with any of you?”
“Oh, goodness!” Elizabeth laughed at the thought. Turning her head to see Darcy, the laughter died on her lips. “No. I do not think he would ever do such a thing.” Why should he seem so disapproving at the thought? If Mr. Collins did compromise any of her sisters, then it would be one less unwed in-law for Darcy to be concerned about.
“You are certain?” His eyes searched Elizabeth’s for truth, and he gathered her hand in his. “I know he had hoped to have you for himself. He did not take advantage of my absence, did he?”
“What would you do if he had?”
Darcy blew out a breath and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand a little tighter. “I would hope someone would talk some sense into me before I killed the man. The thought of any man touching you or harming you makes me—”
He had paled at the first mention of this hypothetical situation but grew increasingly red. Elizabeth saw the tension in his body rise. She laid a hand on his arm. “Be at peace. It was nothing of that sort at all which drove him away.”
Darcy nodded in understanding, but his breathing remained heavy. Elizabeth could hardly understand his reaction. She supposed he would have viewed her as damaged goods, then, and all his plans would be for naught.
After a few minutes of silence, Darcy asked, “And your sisters are well?”
“Yes. I shall tell you now—with no more attempts at jesting—why Mr. Collins is no longer at Longbourn.”
Elizabeth told Darcy of Collins’s insulting ways and Mary’s sacrifice. It felt so good to air her feelings to someone, to put aside pretences of strength. She told him next of Miss Bingley’s reaction to the news of their engagement. As expected, Darcy laughed. However, Elizabeth could not have foreseen the light in his eyes as they met hers. She never would have guessed the way her heart skipped a beat to hear his unrestrained laughter or the lightness she felt at a shared sense of humour.
“I like laughing with you,” he said when he had finished.
Elizabeth smiled. “I enjoy laughing with you as well.”
“I know that I can be dour and aloof. However, I was always drawn to your liveliness.”
“I thought you hated it.”
“Never!”
Darcy’s vehemence shocked her. “Then I shall make it my primary occupation as Mrs. Darcy to find something in every day which will make you laugh.”
“I like that notion very much.”
In the instant before Darcy’s lips touched hers, Elizabeth realised how much she had desired his kiss. She had attempted to provoke him earlier. It was part of her resp
onse to him. Energy had always surged between them, and she had never known what to do with it until now. She sighed into the kiss, yearning for more. Abruptly, Darcy pulled away.
“Forgive me. I do not want you to think that I am a beast and will paw at you morning and night.”
Although dazed, Elizabeth could not help but laugh at the image Darcy’s words provoked. “I am no shrinking violet. I shall tell you when I tire of your attentions. Could you not tell that I enjoyed your kiss?”
Darcy smirked. “I suppose most men assume their kisses are welcome. I believe you might call me conceited if I said I was confident you enjoyed mine.”
Elizabeth shook her head and laughed at his playfulness. She truly enjoyed this side of Mr. Darcy. It calmed her more than she could explain to know that they had humour in common and there would be laughter in their lives.
She rested her head against Darcy’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side. “Now, I have told you all my news while you have been in London,” she said. “I demand the same from you. Have you told your relations of your plans to wed? Have any of them died of fright yet?”
Elizabeth listened as Darcy spoke in his clear, deep voice. He told her of his sister’s delight at the news of their engagement. She would not attend the wedding but would live with them when they returned to London. Elizabeth looked forward to meeting the girl who would become her newest sister. Darcy also informed her of a visit from his uncle, the earl. Darcy did not repeat any of the words spoken at this meeting, and she believed he hedged on the man’s reaction for her sake. By the time Darcy got to the particulars of applying for a license and drafting up the settlement, she was more than half asleep. Attempting to keep her eyes open and failing, Elizabeth at last welcomed sleep cocooned in Darcy’s warm embrace.
*****
Darcy eased out of his coat, careful not to jostle the sleeping Elizabeth, and draped it around her shoulders. She fit against his side and in his arms so perfectly! He knew she still doubted their potential happiness and wondered at his professions of not caring about her status in life. How could he fit into words that as he held her, he felt whole in a way he never had before? He had gone through the last seven and twenty years of life without knowing he was missing some essential part of him. Now he found it in the small woman he tenderly held.
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