“I wager you are correct, and I feel slightly strange now that I have realized it,” Elizabeth said.
“How so, Lizzy?” Jane asked.
“Well, would it not be honest to assume Mr. Darcy was in pursuit of me this whole time? Even as Mr. Bingley sought to seek my hand?” Elizabeth asked.
“Lizzy, I cannot presume to know what any other person thinks or what devices prompt their actions, but I can tell you that a gentleman like Mr. Darcy certainly knows what he wants and if he had no interest in pursuing those walks with you in private he most certainly would not have made himself available for such endeavors,” Jane said succinctly. Elizabeth smiled softly, shaking her head as she peered back at her sister.
“Jane, how is that you always know just what to say to make me feel a fool and still manage to make it sound so completely flattering?” Elizabeth laughed slightly. Jane tilted her head and smiled with a genteel quality that Elizabeth found utterly flawless.
“Lizzy, I see you for who you truly are and even with the brash behaviors you oftentimes display, I know that your heart is worn upon your sleeve. You are truly a remarkable young lady, sister. I only wish you too would see what I do when glancing upon you.”
Elizabeth shook her head, feeling the sting of tears as they slipped from her eyes. The genuineness of Jane’s words made her feel entirely overjoyed and the affection she had to share with her prompted Elizabeth to rise, walking to her sister with her arms spread wide.
“Oh, Jane! I would be most proud to share a wedding ceremony with you. If only I were engaged! Your words are full of such fondness and honesty, that I feel more wholly appraised than I feel I have in a great deal longer than I can even remember.” Jane received her sister’s embrace with a warm squeeze of her arms, a smile gracing her countenance as she held her tightly.
***
The next morning came with a bright cheeriness that surprised both Mr. Bennet and Jane once Elizabeth came nearly bounding down the staircase.
“Oh, Lizzy! What has you so excitable today?” Mr. Bennet asked curiously.
“I just feel a sense of gaiety that I have long not enjoyed. Is it not good and well to enjoy one’s happiness for no apparent reason at all from time to time?” Elizabeth inquired. Mr. Bennet shook his head.
“No, perhaps, that is the simplest of things we can do to dissuade our more melancholic states, Lizzy. I only wished to know what news might persuade you to behave so gladly,” Mr. Bennet stated. Jane chuckled slightly and shook her head.
“Oh, I know not of any one thing that Lizzy could share that would be celebratory and unknown to you and Mother,” Jane muttered.
“Is that to say my daughters share their many secrets with their beloved father?” Mr. Bennet asked smiling. Both young ladies gave curt nods as they smiled back at him.
“I adore you, Father, and I could never keep any secrets from you. Surely, you know this,” Elizabeth said pleasantly.
“Of course, dear daughter. I am ever so pleased to see you so jovial for once.”
“Jane,” Elizabeth turned to address her sister as she continued to speak, “will Mr. Bingley be calling upon you today?”
“I am not sure just yet, dear sister. However, he does tend to come call at least every other day, if not daily,” Jane answered with a smile.
“Tell me, Jane,” Mr. Bennet began, “have you and Charles decided on when you shall hold the wedding?”
“Not as of yet,” Jane’s eyes flickered toward Elizabeth as she smiled coyly. “I am awaiting some news I expect to hear very soon.”
Chapter Nine
Mr. Darcy strode across the bedroom floor for at least the hundredth time – his mind dashing back to the evening before and what Elizabeth had particularly requested of him. It was not such a strange request in all honesty. Many a young lady would have much preferred their parents’ consent when it came to such life-changing matters. Why should Miss Bennet be any different than they? Still, as much as he wished to ask her, he worried greatly about his aunt’s calling upon Longbourn and what all she had told the Bennets about his and Anne’s past – and ill-conceived betrothal. Uncertain of how to proceed without enduring the certain scrutiny that would stem from Lady Catherine, Darcy was torn. Nevertheless, a sense of bravado overtook him.
Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.
The steady sound of Darcy’s bootheels running down the stairs echoed throughout the house and as he rushed to the foyer, the servant girl, Adelaide glanced up at him with a flustered expression.
“Oh, pardon me, Mr. Darcy!” Adelaide exclaimed moving out of Darcy’s way as quickly as possible.
“Oh, my apologies, Hughes. I am in quite a hurry!” he stated, rushing out the door and straight for the stables. There was no time to waste – not with his dire need to secure himself within Miss Bennet’s life.
***
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A swift rapping at the door aroused Mrs. Bennet from slumbering within the library. A rare feat for the elder woman who instantly jumped to her feet with a bewildered expression.
“Heaven’s sake!” she announced, moving toward the door with utmost haste, “Who is calling now?” she asked aloud as she pried the door open.
“Mrs. Bennet?” Mr. Darcy began. “Good day, is it permissible for me to call upon you and your husband now?” he asked. Mrs. Bennet perked a brow curiously and waved him inside.
“I suppose it could be allowed. Please, follow me to the library and you may wait while I gather Mr. Bennet for an audience,” Mrs. Bennet stated, moving down the hallway toward the library.
“Yes, of course. Is Miss Bennet available for an audience as well?” Darcy asked. Mrs. Bennet turned and tilted her head.
“Do you mean Lizzy?”
“Yes, of course,” Darcy remarked.
Mrs. Bennet gave a curt nod as she opened the library doors, “Yes, please have a seat, Mr. Darcy. Would you like some tea?” she asked. Darcy shook his head.
“No, Mrs. Bennet, I politely decline. I shall wait patiently for your return,” he remarked. Mrs. Bennet rushed from the library as soon as the doors were closed and hurriedly searched the drawing room for Mr. Bennet. Opening the doors, she spotted him in deep conversation with their two daughters, Elizabeth and Jane.
“Mr. Darcy has just arrived and is waiting for myself, and your father in the library. He also asked that I fetch you for an audience, Lizzy. Please, let us all go to greet him and see what he wishes to speak on?” Mrs. Bennet encouraged. Mr. Bennet tilted his head and gave a light shrug, a nonchalant expression overtaking his countenance.
“Very well, show us the way, dearest,” he urged. Mrs. Bennet looked to the two young ladies.
“Of course, Mother, we shall be just behind you both,” Jane answered, glancing at Elizabeth with a knowing grin.
Is there something Jane suspects or knows about that I somehow am unprivileged and unaware of? Elizabeth wondered as she watched her parents walk ahead. And, Mr. Darcy in the library? Could it be he will honor my one request? she wondered. As their parents strode on ahead, Elizabeth leaned in to whisper to her sister.
“Jane, why do you possess this impish grin that has graced your lips so often as of late?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“Perhaps, I am privy to understanding things that you have yet to understand, Lizz,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“Ah, so then my suspicions were correct to be aroused from that smirk of yours. Do you know something I do not with particular regard to Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked. How would she have learned such a thing so early in the morning after it was just last night that I confessed to our meetings? Elizabeth wondered.
“Perhaps, it is merely that you possess a highly suspicious mind, sister. I know nothing save for that Mr. Darcy has come to call upon yourself, mother and father. One might say, I am merely here for my own amusement and curiosity.”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth remarked. There were times when Jane was positively the most elusive creatur
e that Elizabeth had ever met. The charming demeanor with which her sister maneuvered only to served to strengthen this ability for it created the perfect masking. As a result, Jane had an air of knowing that seemed to be shielded by her natural decorum and charisma. Traits which Elizabeth sadly had never possessed much to her mother’s despair. As they drew closer to the library, Elizabeth felt a sudden fluttering in her chest – her anxiety rising already, as if she too knew what was about to transpire.
***
“Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet asked as she opened the door.
“Ah, good day, Mr. Bennet. A pleasure to see you yet again,” Mr. Darcy stated, glancing at the two young Bennet ladies. “Oh, good day, Miss Bennet, allow me the opportunity to congratulate you on your engagement to Mr. Bingley. I was very pleased to hear that you accepted his request. A fine couple you shall make.”
“Good day, Mr. Darcy, and thank you so much. I am indeed quite proud and excited to marry Mr. Bingley,” Jane replied with enthusiasm.
Elizabeth stepped forward and curtsied lightly. “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”
“Good day, Miss Bennet. I am glad to see you in good health,” he remarked.
“What may I ask brings you to Longbourn this day, Fitzwilliam?” Mr. Bennet asked after all proper greetings had been made. Mr. Darcy glanced between Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Elizabeth with a deep inhalation.
“Well, I suppose there is no need to further delay my purpose. Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Darcy looked directly at Elizabeth as he continued to speak. “Since the moment that I first met your charming daughter, Elizabeth, I have not been able to free my mind from the torment of concern and worry for her welfare. I feel it only proper if I ask you both,” he returned his gaze to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, “if it is permissible for me to seek your daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, hand in marriage?” he finished. Mrs. Bennet’s eyes immediately widened.
“Oh, but, Mr. Darcy are you not already betrothed to Lady Catherine’s daughter, Miss Anne de Borough?” Mrs. Bennet asked with a shocked expression. Mr. Darcy gave a sigh.
“I understand your shocked reaction, Mrs. Bennet, but I must insist on your understanding that my Aunt, Lady Catherine, has only wished to pressure me into such an agreement. I have never, nor shall I ever, seek to marry Anne de Borough,” Mr. Darcy reassured her.
“Are you suggesting that Lady Catherine would lie to us?” Mrs. Bennet asked curiously.
“I would never accuse my aunt of such a crafty insult, Mrs. Bennet. I can only assure you that my intentions have never been to marry Anne.”
“Then,” Mr. Bennet interjected, “it would seem that your request for my daughter’s hand is indeed permissible. However, I feel the proposal would be best asked directly of her,” Mr. Bennet stated.
Mr. Darcy smiled, rising from his seat. His eyes instantly locked with Elizabeth’s as he strode across the room and knelt upon one knee. Lifting his hand, Mr. Darcy gently trailed his fingers across the tips of hers and reached to grasp her palm.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, never before in my life would I have imagined that a fiery-tongued young lady from the likes of Hertfordshire – a country girl, at that, would be the one to rouse my heart and mind beyond even my own understanding. Yet, never before had I met anyone like you either. In such little time of our acquaintance, I have developed a deep fondness for you and I cannot imagine my life without you in it. With this in mind, Miss Bennet, I humbly ask if I may have your hand in marriage?”
Elizabeth glanced between her sister and mother as her lips spread out into a delighted grin and without further ado she uttered, “Mr. Darcy, I could not be more proud than to accept your proposal. I would be delighted to become Mrs. Darcy.”
“Oh!” Jane exclaimed as she watched her sister accept Mr. Darcy’s proposition. “Lizzy, we simply must have a double wedding now!” she announced excitedly.
Mr. Darcy arose and pulled Elizabeth from her seat slipping the ring upon her finger delicately as he embraced her tightly. “Yes, I think that would be a lovely idea.” Mr. Darcy agreed. “I shall speak with Bingley straightaway about it.”
“Oh, how lovely! What about a spring wedding?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“I think that would be the most proper season for it,” Jane agreed.
***
The scent of flowers floated through the air – ribbons of just about every color of the rainbow having been ornately decorated floated on the breeze and Elizabeth and Jane both sat across from one another as their mother and sisters fretted over them.
“I am so incredibly nervous,” Jane confessed breathlessly.
“I cannot agree with you more, Jane. I feel as if knots have formed within the pit of my stomach and they have yet to cease,” Elizabeth agreed.
“Oh, nonsense. Both of you are merely apprehensive about marriage. I assure you that once this is over you will both settle into lives that will leave you both pleased and happy ladies,” Mrs. Bennet encouraged.
“I think she is right, Lizzy. I think it is simply nerves about the lives we are stepping away from. I am positive I shall miss living in Longbourn most horribly,” Jane stated.
“Oh, nonsense, Jane! You will come to call upon us often and we shall also come to see you and Charles. With the closeness of Fitzwilliam and Charles, I am positive you will see Lizzy quite often as well. Calm yourself, dear daughter, everything will be just fine.” Mrs. Bennet stated.
***
“Do you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, take Miss Elizabeth Bennet to be your lawful wedded wife,” the parson asked as he looked directly at Mr. Darcy. The four of them; Jane, Bingley, Elizabeth, and Darcy all stood lined up before him with the smiling faces of their family members all seated in support of their unions.
“Yes, I do.” Mr. Darcy stated.
“Do you, Elizabeth Bennet, take Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy to be your lawful wedded husband?” the parson asked Elizabeth. She sighed, glancing at her smiling sister who mouthed, ‘Go on,’ with a curt nod. Elizabeth smiled at the parson and looked back at Darcy.
“Yes, I do,” she stated with a smile as the parson continued down to Mr. Bingley and Jane asking them the same question – to which everyone replied”I do.”
Elizabeth smiled as the ceremony came to a close and the parson announced, “I know pronounce that these two handsome couples are now men and wives.”
***
Elizabeth whirled around the dance floor – her husband, Mr. Darcy holding her tightly as he leaned in close.
“Do you remember the first time we did this?” he asked.
“Of course, I do. How could I ever forget? You offended me beyond anything I had ever experienced before,” Elizabeth answered with a coy smile.
“Yes, I know that now, but do you know why that was?” Mr. Darcy asked her.
“No, I imagine it was the horrible sense of prejudice that you seem to have abolished as of late,” Elizabeth said with a chuckle.
“Well, just think, had you accepted Mr. Bingley’s offer you would have been much less offended,” Mr. Darcy retorted.
“Mr. Bingley is most unlike his cousin – there is a sort of rigidity about him that simply did not match with myself. Besides, you are a much better horsemen,” Elizabeth finished.
***
“Jane?” Mrs. Bennet asked moving through the crowd.
“Yes, mother?” Jane asked. Mrs. Bennet smiled as her daughter stood aside her new son-in-law.
“I just wanted to come see you two one last time – just look at you together. Such a handsome couple! Your father and I will need to return home soon.”
“Oh, yes. I know it is getting late, Mother. Have you gone to see Lizzy and Darcy?” she asked.
“Good evening, mother-in-law,” Bingley stated, leaning in to press his lips gently to Mrs. Bennet’s cheeks.
“Oh, you are too kind, dear son-in-law. You shall stain my cheeks red with such flattering behavior,” Mrs. Bennet muttered. “And no, I have not yet made my way back over to Lizzy and Darcy just yet. I wanted to ensure all wa
s well with you and Charles first.”
“Very well, Mother. Thank you so much for coming. Charles and I are beyond proud and happy with today’s ceremony.”
***
Elizabeth walked leisurely, her head resting gently atop Darcy’s shoulder as they strode through the forest.
“Do you remember the first time we met here?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, of course,” Darcy answered. “What of it, darling?” he asked.
“Do you know why I was walking alone that evening?” Elizabeth asked.
“I presume it to be due to something that had you frustrated and upset though I cannot say what that was.”
“The thought of marrying someone simply for comfort and not for love and affection,” Elizabeth stated, relishing the way it felt to have her skin so very close to Darcy’s own.
“Is that all?” Darcy asked, pausing and turning to look her directly in the eyes. “Oh, Elizabeth, what a foolish thing to think. I adore you – I have since the very moment my eyes landed upon you even for as much of a scoundrel that I may have acted at times.” He slid his hand through her hair gently and pulled her face toward his. Silky lips coming to meet with Elizabeth’s as he kissed her deeply.
Elizabeth parted her lips to receive Darcy’s kiss, her hands slipping up to brush through his hair tenderly as she stepped up on her tiptoes to reach him. After what seemed like an eternity, Darcy finally released her lips and gazed back at her with a look of pure adoration – if ever Elizabeth had seen it before.
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, and I love you more than I could ever dare say.” Elizabeth muttered – her eyes reflecting the same deep fondness that Darcy held for her. As if the two were simply always meant to be.
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Christmastime had finally arrived in Hertfordshire and the sounds of Delilah and Douglas Darcy’s deep-felt laughter echoed throughout the house. Elizabeth moved into the hall as she stared at her two young children.
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