by Linda Wells
The engaged couple met every morning in the groves without fail, and once upon the most secluded paths, walked hand in hand, talking about anything and everything. Darcy told her of Lord Matlock’s letter of congratulations on their engagement, and his recommendation to wait until the day of their departure to tell Lady Catherine the news. Darcy was admittedly pleased to delay the confrontation. He was delighted to instead spend their time in peaceful conversation. He could not wait to tell her all about Pemberley, and how eager he was to take her there. They discussed honeymoon plans, estate issues, and dreams of their future. Nothing was out of bounds, except they chose not to talk about the subject that pained them the most, their fathers.
Of course, they could not spend all of their time together. Darcy and Richard had estate duties to tend for Rosings and the two of them often arrived together to pay calls on the parsonage, at times that they were assured of Mr. Collins’ absence.
By Thursday, they settled into a pleasant routine of visiting and were looking forward to spending the evening together, even if it was to be spent in the company of Lady Catherine. The parsonage party had not been invited back to Rosings since the Friday before, when Elizabeth ran out of the drawing room in tears. She was relieved that the Lady chose not to bring that subject up, but once they were seated at the table, she did not hesitate to indulge her favourite pastime of interrogating her guests. Darcy and Anne were seated on either side of her, with Elizabeth beside Anne, and Richard on her left. Charlotte was on Darcy’s right, followed by Maria. Mr. Collins was next to Richard. Elizabeth was pleased with the seating because it gave her a chance to exchange glances and expressions with William as his aunt droned on. Lady Catherine returned to her inquisition of Elizabeth’s accomplishments and lack of opportunities when she finally reached the end of her tolerance.
Turning towards her, Elizabeth asked with a sweet smile, “Lady Catherine, certainly by now you know all that could possibly be known about my upbringing. Would you please share with us your story?” Darcy’s eyes widened and he looked across the table at her. She could feel Richard suppress a cough.
“What do you mean?” Lady Catherine demanded irritably.
“Well, surely you had the benefit of working with the masters, could you tell of your experiences and accomplishments? They must be too numerous to mention them all, but you could perhaps give us a flavour of them?” She smiled again.
Lady Catherine’s mouth set in an angry line. “My accomplishments are not fodder for dinner conversation.”
And mine are. Elizabeth thought. “Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I thought that we could discuss such things because you were so fond of examining me and my family. Perhaps instead you could tell us the story of your court presentation and first Season? I was never given this honour, and I know that Mr. Darcy’s sister will be presented next year. I would enjoy hearing of the experience?” She raised her brows.
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed with displeasure. Her coming out and first Season was a disappointment. She could only attract fortune hunters. No man was romantically inclined to her. Instead of suffering a second Season, she accepted the offer of the man with the largest estate, Louis de Bourgh. “I would not wish to bore this company by speaking of my own experiences, especially to people who would never be able to share them. It would be unseemly to discuss it.”
“Forgive me, Lady Catherine, I meant no offense.” Elizabeth stared unflinchingly into her eyes.
Meeting her gaze, Lady Catherine replied tersely, “Not at all, Miss Bennet, you can plead ignorance for your behaviour.”
Elizabeth knew that she had won the argument, if for no other reason, Lady Catherine was now silent. She lifted her eyes and met William’s. He was pressing his lips together, suppressing a smile. Richard’s eyes were dancing merrily. He began a new subject about books, and the rest of the party soon joined in, much to the displeasure of his aunt, who was no longer the centre of attention.
After dinner, the gentlemen remained with the ladies, and Elizabeth was asked to play by Darcy. She settled herself at the pianoforte, and Richard, with a bit too much alacrity for Darcy’s taste, took the seat beside her and offered to turn the pages. Darcy resigned himself to leaning on the instrument, and decided that it was an exceptionally good place to stand and gaze at his beloved. Richard bent to her and whispered, “I say, Miss Elizabeth that was an excellent demonstration of wit you gave us at dinner.”
Elizabeth grinned, “I hope that I did not offend her too much, I was just weary of her unending determination to point out my inferiority.”
“No, no, if she is offended, it is her own fault. I would guess that it has been quite some time since she was last so soundly put in her place.” Richard laughed with delight at her triumphant smile. “Do you not agree, Darcy?”
Startled from his pleasant musings of kissing that smile, he nodded gravely. “Of course, I always knew that I would enjoy an evening watching Miss Elizabeth enter into verbal combat with our aunt.”
“Why, thank you kind sir. I am thrilled to bring you pleasure.” She batted her eyes at him coquettishly.
Darcy could not suppress his loud laugh at her silliness, and gave her his rare dimpled smile. Oh how I love this woman! Lady Catherine’s strident demands broke through their happy exchange, and Elizabeth entertained them with several songs until the party finally departed for the evening.
THE NEXT MORNING, Darcy was waiting for her at their favourite tree, and as soon as she arrived he took her in his arms and kissed her with the fervency he wished to bestow upon her the night before. When they finally drew apart, he smiled down into her sparkling eyes, and kissed her nose. “Happy Birthday, my love!”
“Oh, I almost forgot! Thank you William!”
“How could you forget such an important day? I have been waiting for this since you first told me the date! Today you are a free woman!” He was jubilant. As of that day, nothing could stand in the way of their marrying, no matter what her father’s feelings may be.
Elizabeth laughed at his obvious joy. “How shall we celebrate?”
“I do have that special license in my bedchamber, just waiting to be used.” He said suggestively, running his hands up and down her back. She shook her head and smiled. He did not know how close she was to agreeing. “I know.” He sighed, resigned that she would make him wait to speak to her father, and decided not to press her again. “Well, perhaps I could give you something else, then. Something to remind you of me when I am away, pining for your presence.”
He reached into his pocket and drew something out in the palm of his hand. Looking deeply into her eyes, his expression changed to one of utmost tenderness. “I love you, Elizabeth. And I want to give you a symbol of my love, something that will always be with you.” Gently he took her left hand in his and slipped the diamond and ruby ring onto her second finger. She gasped, looking from the ring to his brightened eyes. “This was my mother’s ring, and her mother’s before her. I want you to have it. You are my family now. I love you my darling, you are my heart, and I count the days until I can make you mine in every way.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and gently kissed the ring. He then moved his lips to her third finger and looking into her teary eyes whispered, “The moment that I place a ring on this finger will be the happiest of my life.”
She tried to speak, to thank him for the ring, for the honour, but had no opportunity. The words were just forming, “Will. . .” when his mouth descended upon hers, and she was lost in the overwhelming feeling of his body encompassing hers. His lips brushed over her face, down to her neck, his hands lovingly, possessively caressed her body. She felt the evidence of his ardour pressing into her belly, and she responded by pressing closer to him. Her fingers wound into his curls and her lips searched for bare skin to kiss as his mouth moved over and around her face.
“I want to love you, Lizzy.” He breathed into her ear. She held his face in her hands and pulled him down to kiss his lips, demonstrating the passion sh
e felt. Darcy rejoiced in the reassurance of her welcome. He tenderly kissed her, fighting his need. At that moment he knew that there was nothing to hold them back from marrying. They needed nothing but a church. Please Elizabeth, please marry me today. He begged in his mind.
Elizabeth brought her hands back down to wrap around his waist, and rested her head on his chest, I want to marry you today. Neither one of them had the courage to voice their thoughts. Darcy took her withdrawal as a sign that he needed to stop, and disappointed, he took a deep breath and accepted her decision, resting his cheek on top of her head until they calmed.
Pulling back, he smiled and kissed the tears of emotion from her face. She sniffed and smiled ruefully, “What are you grinning about, sir?”
“I was just wondering if you will be moved to tears at every joyful moment of our lives.” He wrapped his arms back around her and whispered warmly in her ear, “I already know how accomplished you are at blushing.” Elizabeth instantly turned crimson, and he laughed, embracing her and smiling widely. “Oh, I love your blushes!”
“Sir, you are driving me to retaliate!” She glared at him, flushing all the more.
“And what exactly will you do to me, my dear, almost-wife?” He grinned, squeezing her tightly and anticipating her answer.
Elizabeth bit her lip, and then tilted her head to the side. “I will speak to your sister to find out your secrets.”
“Ha! She knows nothing!” He flashed his brilliant dimpled smile.
Her eyes narrowed, and she replied evenly. “But I am sure that the good colonel does.”
“Lizzy . . .” His grin disappeared, his eyes suddenly pleading with her.
“Ah-ha!” She grinned in triumph. “What have you done, sir?”
“Nothing.” He said quietly, pressing his lips together.
“Youthful transgressions? Embarrassing moments? Poorly chosen words? I plan to learn it all, sir.” She prodded him mercilessly.
Darcy turned red. “Lizzy, please.”
“William.” She stroked his cheek, her voice soft.
“Yes.” He said, shyly looking at the ground.
“I love your blushes, too.”
JANE LOOKED THOUGHTFULLY at the man walking by her side. She certainly liked Mr. Carrington, she found him handsome and engaging. She enjoyed his company, and felt a certain familiar comfort, almost a kinship in his company. But after a week of separation from Mr. Bingley, she was sure of her affection for him. She enjoyed Mr. Carrington’s company, yet she knew that the time had arrived when she must tell him that all she could offer was friendship. She began to formulate the words when suddenly her foot caught in an uneven spot of the pathway. As she cried out, Alex’s strong arms reached for and caught her. Turning her around to face him, he drew her closer. “Are you all right, Miss Bennet?”
Jane, staring up at him in surprise, nodded silently. Alex, taking in her expression, allowed his gaze to drift to her mouth, and back to her eyes. He was overcome with the need to kiss her, to connect with her somehow. He felt so completely drawn to her. “Jane.” He whispered, and began to lower his lips to hers.
“Miss Bennet!!” Bingley flew up the path. “Miss Bennet! Are you well? I saw you almost fall!”
Bingley rapidly caught up to the pair, noting with internal satisfaction the look of profound relief on Jane’s face at his arrival. Carrington, annoyed at the interruption also noted Jane’s relief, and instantly released her and stepped away.
“Yes, Mr. Bingley, I am well, I suppose that I should know to lift my feet when I walk. Mr. Carrington was kind enough to stop my fall in time.” Turning to him she bowed her head, “I thank you, sir.”
“It was nothing, Miss Bennet.” Then looking to Bingley, he said suspiciously, “I thought you had gone to Hertfordshire.”
“So I did, but my sister Caroline decided that she wanted to come to Netherfield sooner, and begged me to return and escort her there. I thought that I must pay a call on Miss Bennet while I was in the neighbourhood, and offer to bring a letter to her family if she wished.” He said this as he moved to stand protectively between Jane and Alex, his warning to the other man clear in his stance.
“How very kind of you, Mr. Bingley.” She looked at him gratefully.
Alex was no fool. He saw when he was defeated, and decided to quit the field with his dignity intact. “Well then, since you are assured of companionship, I will take my leave. I have many appointments to attend today.”
“Oh, must you leave so soon?” Jane asked, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I am afraid that I must.” Then taking her hand in his, he kissed it before looking into her eyes once more, “It has been a pleasure Miss Bennet. I wish you well. Goodbye.” He took a breath, and turning, walked down the path and out of the park.
Bingley and Jane stood looking at each other silently, and mortified she lowered her head and cast her eyes down, “Mr. Bingley, I, I do not know what to say. . .”
“Miss Bennet. . .”
“I, I assure you, sir, I was not trying to encourage. . .”
“Miss Bennet. . .”
“I, I, I truly did trip, and I was not wishing for him to. . .”
“Miss Bennet.” Bingley gently placed his fingers under Jane’s chin and raised her head. “Miss Bennet, I have no doubt in my mind that your clumsiness on the footpath was entirely accidental, and not at all contrived to gain Mr. Carrington’s attentions.” He smiled into her flustered face.
“You do not?” She whispered, mesmerized by his warm green eyes.
“No, Miss Bennet. I know that you are a lady of the highest honour, and besides, you made a promise to me, and I know that my trust was not misplaced.” He now took her hands in his and stood, gently caressing them. “Miss Bennet, do you not wish to know what act of serendipity brought me to this little park today?”
“Yes I do wish to know, I thought that I would not see you for some time.” She said softly.
“I found that I could not follow my own decision to stay away from you. I was determined to see if my feelings for you would change if we were to separate, and what I found was that my feelings grew. They grew so strong that I knew I must tell you of them as soon as possible. This morning at daybreak, I climbed into my carriage, and came straight here.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “And now, are you willing to hear what I have to say, Miss Bennet?”
Jane could barely stand; her knees were shaking so badly. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, please tell me.”
“Miss Bennet, I have realized that I no longer wish to be parted from you. I know for certain that what my heart told me the first time I saw you was true. You are the woman I have been searching for. I wish with all my heart to marry you, and with your help, build our family and establish our home together. I have no great estate, or old family name to give you. That is what we will begin together. Are you willing to enter this adventure with me, Jane? Will you be my wife and allow me to love you forever? Please, will you marry me?” Bingley looked deeply into her blushing face, hoping for her acceptance.
Jane drew a breath, and blinking back the tears, she raised his hand to her lips, and gently kissed it. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, yes, I will marry you and join you in our wonderful new life together. I love you very, very much.”
“Jane.” Charles kissed her hand, his eyes bright with tears. “Thank you, my love.”
They entwined their arms and started to walk aimlessly around the park, whispering of their feelings and talking of their future. Charles decided to speak with his attorney while he was in town about the settlement, return to Netherfield the next morning with his sister, and speak to Mr. Bennet after Jane returned.
ALEX CARRINGTON was walking past his father’s study when he heard his name called. “Yes, Father?”
“Please come in and close the door.” Philip Carrington regarded his son’s pensive face. “Is something bothering you?”
He smiled wryly. “It shows, does it?”
Philip returned his smile, and ind
icated the chair before his desk. “You never have been accomplished at hiding your feelings, Alex, despite your cunning wit.”
Alex sighed and took the offered chair. “Do you remember meeting two ladies at our ball; the Bennet sisters? They came with Darcy and Bingley.”
Cautiously, Philip nodded. “Yes, they were very lovely.”
“Well I felt myself oddly attracted to them, in a way I could not define. I felt a desire for friendship with Miss Elizabeth, her humour and wit seemed similar to mine and I really enjoyed talking with her. But I did not feel the attraction in a romantic way. I was very happy for Darcy.” He paused; “I did not feel the same about Miss Jane Bennet. She is so different from Miss Elizabeth, so quiet and gentle, and simply lovely, that what I felt for her, I thought was more of a romantic nature. I called on her several times, and although she never said or did anything to encourage me, she did seem to enjoy, almost seemed intrigued by my attentions. I thought that we were developing a comfortable relationship.” He paused.
“And what happened?”
“I met her today and we went for a walk. We were enjoying our conversation, and then she tripped and I caught her in my arms. I looked into her eyes and felt the desire to kiss her.” Alex’s eyes took on a look of wonder at his reaction. Philip gripped the arms of his chair tightly, waiting. “And suddenly from nowhere Bingley appeared, running up the path, calling her name. I thought that he had left for Hertfordshire, but he said that he was there to see his sister.” He laughed, “That was obviously not the case because he looked at my arms around Miss Bennet with such possession that I felt if he had a pistol he would have shot me on the spot. Of course, I immediately let go of her, but what struck me was the look of relief on her face when he came, and oddly the feeling I had was momentarily disappointment, but now I realize that it was relief as well. I think that I just want the same friendship with Miss Bennet as I did with her sister. It is so odd, the attraction. I do not understand it.” He shook his head and stared down at his hands.