Rocks in the Stream

by Lewis Whelchel

  “Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Good morning, Miss Bennet. You have no idea how pleased I am at the prospect of not being able to address you as anything other than Mrs. Darcy very soon.”

  “I know very well how you feel,” she laughed. “You will not be surprised to know that I spent part of the morning with both Jane and Georgiana and that all we did was talk about you. You need not fear, though. We did not say too many things that you could not hear.”

  “Your sister tells me that you slept very well, Elizabeth. I hope it is true.”

  “I have never been more comfortable in my life.”

  “Miss Bennet,” said Bingley, “I am shocked. Others have slept in that bed before and remarked that the morning could not come soon enough.”

  “I have no complaints to make, Mr. Bingley, I assure you.”

  * * * * *

  IT WAS TIME TO BE off to the church. Darcy handed Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Jane into the Netherfield carriage and then joined Bingley in his own.

  “How do you feel, Lizzy?” asked Georgiana as she sat back against the seat of the coach. She was so pleased that her brother was to marry Elizabeth. He deserved to be happy, and knowing how he had suffered when he thought he had lost Elizabeth made Georgiana’s satisfaction even sweeter.

  “I am so happy. I love your brother and I am honored that he would ask me to be his wife. I will spend my whole life endeavoring to bring him joy and happiness.”

  * * * * *

  THE CARRIAGES RATTLED SLOWLY ALONG streets filled with horses, coaches, and vendors selling their wares. At the height of Elizabeth’s anticipation, the party pulled up in front of St. Clement’s. The gentlemen rushed out of their carriage to assist the ladies as they alit from theirs. With Elizabeth on one arm and Georgiana on the other, Darcy ascended the steps to the church.

  They were met by the pastor who invited them in and explained the order of the ceremony. When his instructions were given and understood, the party advanced towards the front of the chapel. At this moment, the Gardiners arrived, having been delayed some minutes due to the demands of their children.

  “Lizzy,” said Mrs. Gardiner as she came up and embraced her niece, “please forgive us for being late. The children . . . ”

  “Aunt, the important thing is that you are here.”

  The rector joined them and delicately cleared his throat. “Mr. Darcy, shall we begin?”

  Chapter 22

  AS DARCY TOOK ELIZABETH’S HAND to lead her to the altar, he was struck once again by her beauty. She was the handsomest woman he had ever known. He could not take his eyes from her, and the service was delayed for a moment as he examined every pretty feature and delicate line she possessed.

  At last, the couple moved toward the altar until Elizabeth heard a sound that halted her progress.

  “Lizzy!” whispered Georgiana.

  Elizabeth looked back at Georgiana, and raised a hand to her mouth. She asked Darcy to excuse her for just a moment and hurried down the stairs.

  “Lizzy, I should have reminded you sooner. Please forgive me.”

  Georgiana took the ruby from its box, stood behind Elizabeth and fastened it around her neck. She brushed a wisp of Elizabeth’s hair out from under the delicate chain. “You are so beautiful. My brother is so lucky to have you!”

  “Thank you, Georgiana.” The ladies exchanged a quick embrace and Elizabeth turned and resumed her place at Darcy’s side.

  * * * * *

  FOR A MOMENT, A VISION from his past rose up before Darcy as he watched Elizabeth approach him.

  The ruby! He had not seen that in years, and immediately his mother’s portrait came to mind. He had always considered his mother to be a beautiful woman and took great pleasure in viewing her likeness in the gallery, but with that ruby resting against Elizabeth’s delicate skin, every sensation of happiness that he had ever felt passed through him. Unable to contain himself, he moved to meet her.

  Elizabeth could easily see that Georgiana had been right. She glowed under his admiration.

  He took her hand, slowly kissed it, and then placed it in the crook of his arm.

  It was time. They turned to face the rector as he fulfilled their ultimate desire — to be bound to each other forever.

  * * * * *

  THE CLERGYMAN, MR. JOSEPH EVERTON, was a young man who had recently come into the office of Rector of St. Clement’s. He was not married, though he was courting a young woman of beauty and distinction who he hoped would take his name before long. Weddings, therefore, and especially love matches, were particularly interesting to him.

  Although this was a very small gathering, there was no shortage of warmth and affection amongst the seven people present. A powerful feeling of love existed between the young couple and was expressed in the way they looked at each other, the manner in which he held her hand, and the gentle voice he used when speaking to her. This would be marriage in its purest form, a union of the deepest love and affection. Mr. Everton knew he might officiate at many more ceremonies before he experienced such circumstances again.

  Seeing that all was in readiness, Mr. Everton began.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his church . . . ”

  Elizabeth glanced up at Darcy and was pleased to see him smiling at her. All the warmth of the passion she felt from him last night coursed through her body as she recalled his tenderness and gentle manner. She turned her attention back to Mr. Everton, fingering the ruby as she did so.

  “ . . . it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity . . . ”

  In his life, Darcy had only known prosperity. Many people felt that this precluded the ability to suffer in the face of adversity, but it did not. He felt as any child might have felt on the death of his mother and the neglect of his father. It was now difficult for him to imagine how marriages of convenience could be sufferable when he remembered the joy he felt with Elizabeth.

  “Fitzwilliam Darcy, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her . . . ”

  Elizabeth could not hide a smile. She knew Darcy was committed to her, but there was a thrill in the anticipation that he would make an open declaration. She heard his deep voice proclaim the two words that were the driving force behind all the actions performed by any man or woman.

  “I will.”

  A contented sigh escaped Darcy’s lips. A goal for which he had striven was complete. He turned his attention to Elizabeth when he heard Mr. Everton pronounce her name.

  “Elizabeth Bennet, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together . . . ”

  To live with Darcy was the ultimate wish of her heart. He had promised always to stay by her side, sealing that promise with a proposal of marriage that would allow him to perform it. Never again would she be without him.

  “ . . . forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him . . . ”

  She could not hear this without a thought for Mr. Grinly. A prayer in her heart went out to heaven that he would be blessed with as much happiness as she now felt.

  “I will.”

  Mr. Everton placed Elizabeth’s right hand in Darcy’s right hand.

  “I, Fitzwilliam Darcy, take thee Elizabeth Bennet, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish . . . ”

  Elizabeth was certain that she had not been loved or cherished since the day her father died, at least until that moment when she felt her love kindle for Mr. Darcy and his for her. The comfort of such feelings was i
ndescribable.

  “Miss Bennet, it is your turn,” whispered Mr. Everton.

  “I, Elizabeth Bennet, take thee Fitzwilliam Darcy, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward . . . ”

  These words were life to Darcy. “To have and to hold.” There could be no greater gift.

  Mr. Everton gave Darcy Elizabeth’s ring. It had been his mother’s and now it was to be hers. He slipped it on her finger and repeated the words that defined the way he would treat her.

  “ . . . with my body I thee worship . . . ”

  At first, she could not meet his eye, but when she did look, she saw an expression of love and tenderness. The order of the ceremony did not require it, but in her mind, she promised to worship him with her body, and it began with a gentle press of his hand.

  Mr. Everton addressed the five individuals witnessing the service.

  “Forasmuch as Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, either to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together . . . ”

  * * * * *

  ELIZABETH FELT A RUSH OF excitement course through her body at the words “Man and Wife together.” Man and wife. He was her husband and she belonged to him!

  She felt his grasp on her hand tighten. Looking up at her new husband, she saw a tear escape his eye.

  * * * * *

  MAN AND WIFE TOGETHER.

  It was not a dream, Darcy thought. Elizabeth was his wife. What a precious moment! What an instant in time never to be forgotten! As he listened to the words of the psalms and prayers read by Mr. Everton, words of advice, counsel, and warning, he recommitted himself to the promise he had made to Mrs. Bingley that he would never do anything to make Elizabeth unhappy. His heart was softened and his spirit made tender as he considered the wonderful charge that had been given him, that of making Elizabeth Bennet . . . no, Elizabeth Darcy . . . happy. The emotion outstripped his composure, and he felt a tear run down his cheek.

  Gently cupping her cheek, he brushed his lips against hers. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

  He took her hand and held it against his heart as he leaned into her to kiss her again. This kiss was different from all the others. Before, her kisses had excited feelings of anticipation and longing. Now, he felt the deepest satisfaction in knowing that she was his wife.

  * * * * *

  THERE WAS TOTAL SILENCE IN the church as everyone witnessed the exchange between Elizabeth and Darcy. While they knew his feelings for her were deep, they did not comprehend the extent of his love for her.

  Elizabeth wiped the tear from his cheek and then leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her while he recovered himself. When she felt his breathing slow and he seemed himself again, she looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you, Fitzwilliam.”

  “I love you, Elizabeth.”

  Darcy’s vision drifted to the ruby that Elizabeth was wearing. A fresh smile suffused his face. “This belonged to my mother.”

  “Georgiana told me it was her favorite jewel.”

  Darcy fingered the stone, watching the light reflect off the facets. “You are far more beautiful than this ruby. You shine for me more brilliantly than any gem.”

  * * * * *

  ELIZABETH AND DARCY GRATEFULLY RECEIVED the congratulations of the small party that accompanied them to church, and while they were as attentive as possible, it was clear to all that their only desire was to be alone. To that end, the Gardiners excused themselves, and the Bingleys and Georgiana escorted Mr. and Mrs. Darcy to their waiting carriage.

  Elizabeth shared a private word with her sister, and then Darcy handed her into the carriage. Just before he stepped in, Georgiana approached and gave him a small box that he deftly slid into his coat pocket before seating himself across from Elizabeth.

  “Mrs. Darcy.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “May I sit with you?”

  “Would that be proper?”

  “Yes, I believe so.”

  Elizabeth moved over on the bench and extended her hand to him. He took it and sat next to her. At first, they spoke little, but sat quietly together. Words were not required. Her hand was cradled between his and their occasional glances reflected their own feelings of contentment. Her thoughts went back to that final moment at the altar when he had spoken of the gem she was wearing. His expression was penetrating. His fingers felt warm against her skin as he handled the stone. “Fitzwilliam, please tell me more about this ruby.”

  He turned on the bench to face her. “That ruby belonged to my grandfather’s first wife, Cecily, who passed away at a young age. When he was going through her possessions, he came upon a small box that contained that stone. Accompanying the ruby were instructions to a jeweler that it be set in a man’s ring, and that the shank of the ring be engraved, ‘To Edmund, with all my love, Cecily.’ Edmund was my grandfather’s name.

  “As you can imagine, my grandfather was quite moved by this discovery. Because the stone belonged to Cecily and was a gift to him, he felt it would be disrespectful to his second wife if he were to have the ring made, so when my father was approaching his own marriage, my grandfather gave him the ruby. He said it had been a gift of love, and he told my father to give it as a gift of love to my mother. My father gave it to her in that simple setting and with that chain. My mother highly prized it and wore it as often as she could. You will see when we get to Pemberley that she wore it when her portrait was painted.”

  “No wonder Georgiana is so attached to it.”

  Darcy shifted in his seat and brought out the box that Georgiana had given him. “I have something for you that I hope will someday become as important to your daughters as this ruby is to Georgiana.”

  “My daughters?”

  “Yes. When I found you after your fall, a piece of ribbon became detached from your bonnet. You are familiar with how I kept that ribbon with me. As I grew more and more in love with you, the ribbon meant even more to me. While you slept, it was a constant reminder of your beauty. When you awoke, it became a token of your attachment to me.”

  Elizabeth watched him attentively, heedless of the sounds of horses and carriages or the roughness of the road.

  “When I left Hertfordshire, I felt that the only way I could free myself from you and begin to come to terms with your loss was by returning the ribbon. How could I bear having such a remembrance with me when I could never have you? When you returned the ribbon to me, the pain of unfulfilled longing was healed. You would not have sent it to me unless you were offering me the opportunity to regain your love. Even now, I carry it with me wherever I go.” Darcy took the ribbon out of his pocket. “You see, I even have it with me now.”

  Elizabeth smiled.

  “The color of the ribbon is purple and that color is found in nature in a stone called amethyst.”

  Darcy opened the box and displayed it for Elizabeth. It contained a necklace of rectangular cut stones separated by large diamonds in a pattern that repeated itself. “I would like you to have this.”

  Elizabeth took the necklace out of the box and held it up to the light. The purple stones were dazzling against the brilliance of the diamonds.

  “It is beautiful, Fitzwilliam. Where did you find such a treasure?”

  “It was not to be found, but was crafted by a friend of mine who is a jeweler.”

  “So this is your doing? You had this created for me?”

  Darcy answered with a slight bow of his head. “The color purple will always remind me of the love you have for me, and that love is symbolized in this necklace. On the day our daughters are married, I hope to place this around their necks and send them off to their futures remembering the love their parents shared, and that love, extended to them, is something they can pass on to their children.

  �
��When you wear this, I want you to think of me and know that you are cherished. When I see this necklace grace your neck, I will remember how I am loved by you. Let this necklace seal our union, and let the love it represents be the foundation for all that we do.”

  “I will, Fitzwilliam. I will always remember how much you love me.”

  Darcy brought a hand up to her chin, raised her lips to his and kissed her with all the fullness of his heart. How he loved her! How well it felt to be loved by her!

  Elizabeth touched his cheek. “May I wear it now?”

  Darcy unfastened Georgiana’s ruby and replaced it with the amethyst necklace. “Let this be the first of many traditions we will establish in our family.”

  “Thank you, Fitzwilliam. Thank you so very much.”

  Darcy settled back in the seat and held her, her head leaning on his shoulder. With one hand, she touched the necklace and reflected on the generosity and love of her husband, and with the other, she held one of his.

  He felt her body form against his as a heavy silence enveloped the carriage and hushed the sounds of the road. In what seemed to be the passing of just minutes, the coach came to a gentle rest.

  Elizabeth looked up at her husband. “We are home, Fitzwilliam.”

  “Yes, my love, we are.”

  * * * * *

  MR. AND MRS. DARCY WERE alone. The servants were given the day off, and only Mrs. Jamison and the cook remained in the house. Georgiana had just left with the Bingleys. She was to stay with them at Netherfield until Elizabeth and Darcy joined them in two weeks.

  There had been a warm send off by Jane who knew full well the pleasures that Elizabeth could expect that night. “Are you nervous, Lizzy?”

  “Were you?”

  “I was nervous when Charles first came to me, but I trusted him. Everything was perfect. I could not have wished for more.”

  “And I trust Fitzwilliam.”

  “Then you will be very happy.”