by Rose Lorimer
That was my cue. “I do not want to overtire you. We can talk more later.”
She nodded. “Thank you, William, for everything. I could not ask for a better man…” she said, slowly blinking her eyes. But her expression took another turn and an air of concern replaced her previous contentment. “I will not be fully recovered for at least another fortnight. I mean… we cannot be together… hmm… as husband and wife…”
“I have waited for you for my entire life. Another fortnight will not make any difference. Just knowing I can stay here with you, without answering to anyone else is more than enough.” For now. “I just want the privilege of looking after you and be sure you are getting better. But if I can hold you in my arms before that time, I will not complain either,” I jested.
She brought my hand to her lips and kissed it. “If I were not so much in love with you already, I would definitively be by now. You have such a great heart. I love you, William Darcy.”
I smiled at her use of my name — and truly grateful she had not said Fitzwilliam. “I need to go, but I promise to be back as soon as possible,” I said, placing a lingering kiss on her head.
I had barely detached my lips from her face and was already feeling the loss. I stood up and walked away, giving her one last look before opening the door.
“William.”
“Yes.”
“I will ask Dr Alden to skip the next dose of the sleeping draught. I shall be more alert when you return. For our wedding. I want to marry you today.”
I left her room praying the blasted special license had finally arrived!
Chapter 24
Darcy
Our previous and sombre routine suffered yet another drastic change with the abandonment of the servants. Almost all of them were gone. The only servants remaining were Bingley’s butler and valet, two carriage drivers, two footmen and the cook, in addition to my two carriage drivers, Mrs Bingley’s maid, and Mr and Mrs Nancarrow. Fortunately, they were all very understanding and agreed to help with the extra work.
For this reason, Richard and I were going to town to buy more supplies. That morning, however, I had an additional reason: visit the mail office. It was vexing that in that location just the expresses were delivered straight to our house.
Fortunately, my prayers were answered, and the highly anticipated letter from Truro had finally arrived; in it, the special license for our marriage.
Considering the good tides, I visited the local vicar who, fortunately, was one of the few people in town who had not succumbed to this curse business, and arranged for his visit to marry me and Elizabeth at one o’clock that afternoon. We left to look for the magistrate after the vicar gave us further instructions on how to reach his residence.
Unfortunately, the narrow streets of Penzance were more like a maze to us. Some of the narrow paths led us to dead ends, forcing us to return and start again. After what seemed like forever, we finally came across the magistrate’s small cottage. It appeared to be nothing special, but its bucolic location beside a small brook and a stone bridge could not contrast more with the gloomy reason for our visit.
We knocked, and a distinguished woman opened the door. She seemed to recognise us, inviting us in. “Hedrek, the gentlemen you were waiting for are here,” I heard her saying somewhere inside the house.
Her words intrigued me. Why would he be waiting for us?
“Did you hear that?” I whispered, looking over Richard’s shoulder. “Do you think he could be involved?”
Richard narrowed his eyes, but before he could say anything, Mr Pascoe entered the room — that enigmatic half smile still on his face.
“Rowena, dear, would you mind bringing us some refreshments?” he asked before turning to us. “Well, gentlemen, how can I help you?”
The irony of his question did not escape both of us. It was the same Richard had asked him on our first meeting. Yet, I felt uncomfortable sharing what had happened to us. I looked at Richard, and he shrugged. There was not much we could do now.
Once the tea was served, Richard began his narrative of someone breaking into the house during the last night, purposely omitting the supposed ghostly detail of the intruder’s identity.
“I see. Well, I believe I need to have a look around the house, and see if I can find anything. You did not mention any missing item, Colonel. Do you have any suspicions about the intruder’s motivation?”
“I confess, we do…” Richard said, looking at me.
“I am sorry, but I need to ask,” the magistrate said, also turning to me. “Do you think this breaking in is somehow connected with your… ‘curse’, Mr Darcy?”
I pursed my lips, not sure how much to disclose. “I do. But whether there is a connection, it does not change the fact that someone broke into the house. Besides, why would a ghost need to break a window to gain entry?”
“Or how would a ghost bleed after being wounded by my sharp sword?”
As Richard added this last information, I observed Mr Pascoe’s reaction.
“I see,” he said stoically, to my intense frustration. How on earth could I decide whether the man was involved in these nefarious affairs if the only thing he could say was ‘I see’?
“Thank you for your time,” I said, standing up, hiding my frustration as best I could. “We must return now. I have another appointment. Can we expect you this afternoon?”
“I will be there before dark.”
***
On our way back, I checked the hour for the eleventh time. We were late! In my haste to plan the appointment, I had not considered that finding the magistrate’s house would be so difficult.
Richard kept looking at me with mirth in his eyes, but I did not care what he was thinking. My mind was firmly engaged on something far more pleasurable. I would finally marry Elizabeth. God had blessed me with a life beside the woman who had conquered my heart, and I could not be more grateful for it. For the first time in a long time, I could forget not just the horrible things that had happened to me and Elizabeth, but also the ghastly events that happened before that.
Happiness was finally within my grasp!
As soon as we arrived, I went to see her, but they informed me she was preparing herself for the wedding ceremony and the vicar had already arrived. Bingley and Dr Alden were with him in the drawing room playing hosts.
I looked at my watch and sighed. Yes, I was very late. I ran to my bedroom, calling for Bingley’s valet to help me. The blessed man had anticipated my needs, and had everything already prepared.
After a well-deserved bath, I dressed in my best clothes, and laughed at my enthusiasm. Even my facial muscles seemed to protest from smiling so much. It was a strange feeling.
I stopped in front of the mirror, Bingley’s valet giving the final adjustments to the piece of art he had created with my cravat. I could not believe it had been a week since our fall in that mine; a week since the prayer I had made in such sadness, asking for a miracle.
And it had happened. Elizabeth was my miracle.
A knock on the door interrupted my reverie. Richard peeked his head inside the room. “Are you ready?”
“I am,” I said, allowing myself one last look in the mirror, thanking the valet and following Richard downstairs.
There was a small gathering waiting for me in the drawing room. And the place was… beautiful.
“Darcy,” Bingley said, approaching me with an extended hand. “I hope you do not mind, but we organised a small reception for your wedding. These are just some of our local acquaintances. Jane and I would like you to remember it with fondness. It is the least we can do after…. everything.”
Bingley’s consideration touched me deeply. He was a good friend and his thoughtfulness just added to my admiration for him. “Thank you, Bingley. I appreciate it, especially for Elizabeth. I confess I am so happy that anything would work for me, but knowing I am surrounded by friends definitely makes it a much more special occasion.”
“Good. Exce
llent! I will tell Jane we are ready for Elizabeth, unless you prefer to—”
“No!” I said with more emphasis than was necessary. “I mean, we need not wait. I do not want to overtire her.”
While I was expecting Elizabeth to come down, I gave another looked around. The room was beautifully decorated with some greenhouse flowers Mrs Bingley had bought the day before in Plymouth. Fine cold meats, dried fruits and bakery delicacies covered a large table, alongside punch and fine crystal goblets.
Richard walked towards me and patted me on my back. “I am very glad for you, old man. I was just remembering the conversation we had just a week ago. You were so reticent to allow Miss Bennet into your life. You told me to pursue her myself!”
A loud laugh escaped Richard’s mouth at the horror on my face and many heads turned to us with inquisitive expressions. Luckily, none of them asked what could be so funny. It would mortify me if any other soul should ever know about this unfortunate comment.
The old vicar cleared his throat and invited those present in the room to accommodate themselves announcing we were ready to start. I took my place at his side, and Richard, as my best man, stood just beside me.
The door was opened. Bingley’s large smile was the first thing I saw before resting my eyes on the gorgeous woman on his arm. She was radiant. Her pink silk gown contrasted with the pale complexion of her skin. Her long and lustrous hair was pinned up in a cascade of perfect mahogany curls. Her eyes were bright and alive, and her smile took my breath away. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever beheld. If it not for her short intakes of air, I could swear she was free of all her previous ailments.
Our gazes met, and my heart stopped together with everything else around us. The world vanished. I inhaled deeply when my mind forced my lungs to breathe again. In her eyes, I could forget everything but our happiness.
Bingley gave me her hand and patted me on the shoulder. I took it reverently and put it in the crook of my arm, my eyes never leaving her.
We must have exchanged our vows because the vicar asked for the ring.
Then I froze.
No… No!
I had forgotten about the ring! Truth to be told, I had not left London planning to get married in three weeks.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned. Richard was holding a small box, a large smile plastered on his smug face.
My eyes widened. How did he…?
I took the box and thanked him. Inside it, my mother’s wedding ring rested on red velvet.
I looked at Elizabeth and by the way she was pressing her lips together, she knew.
The minx! Does anything ever escape her?
I swallowed hard. “Forgive me,” I whispered.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she whispered back holding back a smile.
I put the ring on her finger, said the final words and we were finally married.
***
During the small celebration, I kept Elizabeth’s hand on my arm and frequently patted it, reassuring myself she was still there. Everybody was very solicitous, and I felt an elation that I had only ever dreamed of. The sound of her laughter was like music filling the room. Just remembering that some days ago she was at the gates of death made my blood curdle. I needed to exert a real effort not to succumb to an emotional display, especially when turning to her and seeing her green eyes gazing at me with such tenderness.
After some time, and despite my endless bliss, I noticed Elizabeth showing her first signs of tiredness. As her husband now — and I was very proud of finally being able to say that — it was my duty to look after her comfort. I mentioned the fact to those present and under understanding eyes and with best wishes, we left the room.
Dr Alden touched my arm and discreetly whispered, “Darcy, just remember she is still weak.” I could see the anxiety in his eyes.
I nodded. “I love her too much to expose her to unnecessary risks.”
I helped her upstairs and turned to head to her room, but she stopped me. “We are staying in another room now,” she said, pulling my hand and looking at me with those mischievous eyes. Her words confused me until we arrived at another door. She opened it.
Peeking inside the room, I could only hold my breath. “Elizabeth, are you sure this is what you want?”
Mrs Bingley, after conferring with her sister about her desires, had changed us to a larger double bedroom. I had resigned myself to remain with our previous arrangements, in separate rooms, until she felt better.
I cannot say the surprise did not please me.
“You said you can wait until I am feeling better, but it does not mean we cannot stay together.” She lowered her eyes. “I confess I found it very comforting sleeping in your arms…”
Her words filled my heart with so much joy that I could shout to the world how much I loved her right there.
Instead, I looked at her and suddenly all mirth was gone. We were husband and wife now, in the eyes of God and society. Elizabeth was my wife.
I took her face and slowly leaned forward and touched her lips with mine. A chaste and quick kiss, just enough to leave my lips tingling and wanting more. When I pulled away, her eyes were closed, savouring the moment. She opened her eyes and smiled.
How many times can a man’s heart stop before he dies?
I smiled back, perfectly besotted. Unable to say anything else, I ushered her inside our bedroom. But I did not follow her. When she turned to me surprised, I just said, “I will ask your maid to come and help you change your clothes. I will come back when you are ready.”
Her smile gave way to a pout, almost breaking my resolve. But I could not in sound mind enjoy my rights as a husband and share the intimacy of disrobing her without being too disturbed. I was a man, after all. God knew I had my limits. “I hope you can understand.”
“I do,” she said, without looking at me. “You cannot stand to be with your sick wife, even on our wedding day…”
Her words were like a punch to my stomach, and I would have entered that room and showed her exactly how much I could not stand my sick wife had I not seen her mischievous eyes shining. The minx!
She laughed, grabbing my hands. “I am so sorry! Of course I understand… It is just my way of dealing with… embarrassing things…”
Yes, very embarrassing indeed. Just the thought of being allowed to undress her and hold her in my arms and finally kiss her senseless without being concerned with anyone else was sending shivers all over my body. God help me to keep my determination of waiting until she was better!
I sighed and kissed her smiling lips. “When you are ready, I will come and stay with you. Please do not take long.”
I rang the bell, and she closed the door behind her. I went to the end of the corridor where a large window provided a beautiful view of the sea and waited.
Anxiously.
I could not wait to kiss her again — well, if I could keep kissing her. If my kisses had the same effect on her they had on me, perhaps it would be better to reconsider.
I made a great effort not to swear. Instead, I ordered my mind to be grateful for what I was given.
When the maid finally came to call me, I could not tell if it was cloudy or sunny so lost was I in my struggles. I looked at my watch and sighed. Just a quarter of an hour… I put the watch back and headed back to the room to spend some time with my new bride, wondering if I could survive such happiness.
I stopped at the door. Should I knock? I dismissed the idea and just entered. After all, this was my bedroom too.
The sight before me made me question if I had not drunk too much punch at the party. The whole room was flooded with sunlight. The four-poster bed was covered with a beautiful bedcover. Beneath it my eyes found her creamy shoulder partially covered with her silk nightgown, her hair loose and her serene face turned towards me… and her eyes… closed.
I chuckled, inhaling a long, deep and slow breath. My desire to steal some more kisses was gone, together with my struggles of wha
t to do. She was peacefully sleeping.
Resigned, I discarded my coat, waistcoat, cravat and boots and climbed into the bed, pulling the covers over us as I lay down beside her. At first, I was reluctant to touch her and disturb her sleep, but I could not help it. My selfish need to be with her took the best of me and I gently put my arm around her waist, adjusting myself to her back, surrendering my senses to the softness of her hair.
Lavender…
I closed my eyes.
I love lavender.
And once more, I forgot about the world.
***
“William… William!”
The shaking on my arm made me leap to my feet and in the next second I was standing by the bed.
Too fast. I felt dizzy and stumbled. A pull on my arm brought me to land on something soft and giggling.
Recovered from my initial startle, I found Elizabeth beneath me, holding my shoulders and smiling.
“Good Lord, Elizabeth! Are you well?” I asked, moving away from her.
She rolled on top of me and kissed my lips. “Yes, I am just fine, especially waking in your arms… But we will need to talk about it later. Somebody has been knocking on the door. I think it is the Colonel.”
I could have killed my cousin had I not remembered about the visitor we were expecting that afternoon. Reluctant to move from my position, I stood up and went to the door.
“Darcy… Hey!” Richard said, raising his hands defensively. “Do not look at me with those murderous eyes. I am sorry to interrupt your honeymoon—”
“Richard, shut up. What is it?”
Richard pursed his lips. “I am sorry, Darcy. It is Mr Pascoe. He wants to talk to you.”
I took a deep and long breath. “Wait here,” I said, closing the door in Richard’s face.
“I am sorry, Elizabeth, but I need to go. I have a meeting,” I said, putting on my boots and retrieving my coat and cravat. Lowering to kiss her lips, I almost forgot why I should leave. She just looked at me and nodded. I kissed her again, this time taking my time.