by Jane Angwin
Mrs. Bennett kept Elizabeth busy during the entire breakfast, and she had no time to speak to Mr. Darcy. Every time she would see him walking toward her, her mother would call for her, and she had to do her bidding. Her mother did not like Mr. Darcy at all, and it was obvious she was intentionally keeping him away from Elizabeth. To keep her nerves at bay, she had not been told about the events in Derbyshire, and she had no idea regarding his gallantry and affections for Elizabeth.
"Stay away from that odious man, Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy is rude and arrogant, and he thinks he is much better than we are." She steered her into the music room, making her serve tea and biscuits to the old spinster ladies and widows that sat around the edges of the room, reliving their own wedding memories, trying to outdo each other with their unfathomable stories and giggling at some of the more bawdy comments that made Elizabeth wish she was anywhere else but in the room.
By the time the elaborate wedding breakfast was over, and Jane and Charles had departed on their wedding trip to Brighton, Elizabeth's mother had taken to her bed from nerves, and all the guests had finally gone. Elizabeth had not had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Darcy at all, except to say thank you for coming as he escorted Miss Bingley and the Hursts to their carriage to take them back to Netherfield. She had walked with them outside, and without realizing it, she stood near the rope swing as they boarded their carriage. He had looked back at her, staring as if in a daze and then nodded his head, once again smiling at her before boarding the coach.
The following morning, Elizabeth awoke while it was still dark. Once awake she could never fall back asleep, so she slipped out of bed and dressed for a walk. It had been a long time since she had walked to Oakham Mount, but now that both of her sisters' weddings were over, and her mother would stay in bed with her elixir for days, she knew that she wouldn't be missed. She began the long climb up the hill grabbing the hanging branches to help pull her upward. The higher she climbed, the more exhilarated she felt, and she knew that the sun was just about to come up, so she hurried to reach the top. At last, she finished her climb and stopped to catch her breath. She stepped forward to near the edge of the precipice, and stood still as the sun began to peek over the horizon. "This is my private heaven" she said out loud. "There is nothing more beautiful than this."
"Yes, there is, Elizabeth," a deep voice said aloud. Elizabeth swung around at the sound of a man's voice, and there, standing behind her on the precipice was Mr. Darcy. She gasped and stepped backward, almost losing her balance much too close the edge. Darcy reached out and grabbed her hand to keep her steady and gently pulled her back. He held her hand and looked into her eyes, overwhelmed with their affect on his heart, and with his voice shaking, he said, "You, Elizabeth, are more beautiful."
Fitzwilliam Darcy was always at a loss for words - until this moment. All the feelings of loneliness he had kept pent up inside for so long, and all the strange occurrences that had brought him to her at this very place came bubbling to the surface, and he began to speak. "Elizabeth,my beautiful Elizabeth. I have dreamed of finding a woman to love that would fill my life with joy and happiness, and that woman is you." He stopped, and Elizabeth thought her heart would burst. "I have fallen in love with you, Elizabeth, and I have wanted to say this to you for so long. I love you, and I want you to be my wife. You have bewitched me body and soul, and I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
Elizabeth was never at a loss for words - until this moment. She was stunned by his words, and she stood listening as he spoke and looking at this man who she had dreamed of for so many long months. This man who she thought could never be hers was now holding her hand, professing his admiration of her beauty, declaring his love, and she could not make sense of what was happening. She stood absolutely still, her heart pounding and her eyes wide open, staring at him, finding no words to speak. Could this man truly love her, a mere country girl with no dowry and no connections? Could he stand up against the strict rules of society and marry her, exposing himself to the criticism and scorn of his family? Would he risk all that for her?
Elizabeth looked down at his hand that was holding hers, and said, "But, your family ...."
He nodded his head, knowing what she was thinking and feeling. "No, Elizabeth, I care not about my family and what may come. I care only about you and loving you for the rest of my life." He got down on one knee, and looking up her, he implored, "Please tell me that you feel the same. Please tell me that you will make me the happiest man in the world. Please, my lovely Elizabeth, please tell me that you love me too."
Hardly believing what she was hearing, Elizabeth closed her eyes and whispered "I have waited so long to hear those words." She opened her eyes, pulling him up to stand with her. "Yes, I do love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, with all my heart, and I dearly wish to be your wife. I cannot bear to live another day without you."
Darcy stepped closer to Elizabeth, their faces just inches apart. At that moment, a slight breeze brushed past their faces. "Did you feel that, my love?" Darcy asked.
"Yes," she said, overwhelmed by the sensation. "I did."
"And what do you notice in the air?" he asked.
"I smell lavender," she said, closing her eyes again, inhaling the gentle scent. "Such lovely lavender."
He leaned down, gently kissing her lips for the first time. He held her for what felt like an eternity, silently thanking his mother for guiding him to this perfect woman. As they stood together on the high cliff of Oakham Mount, the sun rising over the verdant valley below, Darcy whispered quietly in her ear. "At last, my darling Elizabeth. At last."
to be continued. . . .
Definitions and Further Information
The reading of the banns had the advantage of being free and consisted of the minister reading out the names of people who wished to marry during church services on three consecutive Sundays. If no one objected, the bride and groom would then be permitted to marry in their parish church within the next 90 days between the hours of 8 am and 12 noon. If the bride and groom belong to different parishes, it was required that the banns be read in both and the couple could then marry in either parish church. http://storyandhistory.com/2009/03/marriage-licenses/
A special license was the most expensive type of license, costing between 4 and 5 pounds, and was issued at the discretion of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A special license permitted a betrothed couple to marry at a time and place of their convenience, though they were encouraged to marry in churches. The only people who could obtain special licenses were peers and peeresses, their children, baronets, knights, members of Parliament, Privy Councilors and Westminster Court Judges. Fitzwilliam Darcy would not be eligible for one, though his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam would be. For the purpose of this story, George Darcy obtained a special license to wed Anne Fitzwilliam, who was a member of the peerage. http://storyandhistory.com/2009/03/marriage-licenses/
The Royal Academy of Arts was founded on 10 December 1768 when George III gave his personal approval to a document proposing its creation. The purpose of the Royal Academy was to establish the professionalism of British art through education and exhibition. Membership was initially limited to a maximum of forty, with new members being elected by current members. Associate membership was introduced in 1769, providing a means of preselecting artists suitable for election to Academy membership when a vacancy should arise. https://www.regencyhistory.net/2014/03/the-royal-academy-of-arts.html
The Instrument of Foundation listed the names of the 34 founder members including Joshua Reynolds, Benjamin West, Thomas Gainsborough, Paul Sandby, Thomas Sandby, Angelica Kauffman, Mary Moser and William Chambers. https://www.regencyhistory.net/2014/03/the-royal-academy-of-arts.html
"The ton" is a term commonly used to refer to Britain's high society during the late Regency and the reign of George IV, and later. It is a French word meaning (in this sense) "manners" or "style". The full phrase is le bon ton, meaning "good manners" or "good form" – characteristics held as i
deal by the British beau monde. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton_(le_bon_ton)
Hennessy Cognac Richard Hennessy founded the House of Hennessy in 1765 in Cognac, France. https://www.hennessy.com/us/heritage/legacy/#/1765-Hennessy-Maison-Fondee
Aliens Act of 1793 The number of refugees fleeing into Britain reached its climax in autumn of 1792. In September alone, a total of nearly 4000 refugees landed in Britain. The number of displaced persons who found themselves in Great Britain was high, although the exact number is debated, it is believed to be in the thousands. The uncontrolled influx of foreigners created significant anxiety in government circles and the wider community. After much debate, the Parliament of Great Britain passed the Aliens Act of 1793 which served to regulate and reduce immigration. Those entering the country were required to give their names, ranks, occupations, and addresses to the local Justice of Peace.[12] Those who did not comply, were deported or imprisoned. Community concern at the influx of French refugees slowly abated as time passed and the circumstances of the French Revolution became better known, and there is considerable evidence of charitable and hospitable acts toward the émigrés. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_emigration
"Le Maison Blanc", 21 Soho Square. In 1776 the house, known then as "The White House", was bought by Thomas Hopper, who, between 1778 and 1801 styled it as a hotel, although all contemporary accounts point to its real business being as a high-class magical brothel. The White House is described as being garishly decorated and had lavish themed rooms including the "Gold Room", "Silver Room" and "Bronze Room", a "Painted Chamber", "Grotto", "Coal Hole" and most famously the "Skeleton Room" which contained a mechanized human skeleton designed to scare the staff and patrons alike. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manor_House,_21_Soho_Square
Come Out, or Coming Out – A young lady’s first entry into society. She would first be presented at the Royal Court to the ruling monarch, and a ball would usually be held in her honor. Then she would be free to attend society events and seek a husband. https://sharonlathanauthor.com/regency-glossary/#C
Madame Louise Le Fontaine Dupin, 1706 - 1799. Claude Dupin, acquired the Château Chenonceau from the Duke of Bourbon in 1777. His wife, Louise restored the chateau to its former splendor with new furnishing and decorations. She spent every Autumn with her friends from the world of finance and the elite of literature, arts and sciences. She started a salon by entertaining leading intellectuals such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau became Louise’s secretary and tutor to her son. https://twoinfrance.com.au/places/chenonceau/#9/47.4021/0.8528
White's (37 St James’s Street) White’s is a gentleman’s club situated in St James’s Street, London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1693, it is the oldest and also widely considered the most exclusive gentleman’s club in London. https://www.mayfaireccentrics.com/listing/whites-club/
Abigail A ladies maid; https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abigail
Modiste One who makes and sells fashionable dresses https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modiste
Pelisse Ladies' 0uterwear, coat http://www3.hants.gov.uk/austen/austen-pelisse.htm
Bedlam Bethlem Royal Hospital, a London psychiatric institution and the origin of the word for chaos or madness
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bedlam
Beethoven's Sonata #14 The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata, is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was completed in 1801. This piece is one of Beethoven's most popular compositions for the piano, and it was a popular favorite even in his own day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._14_(Beethoven)
Marriage Laws in Regency England "A marriage contracted in a foreign county between natives of France, and between a native of France and a foreigner, shall be valid, if celebrated according to the forms used in that country". http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/WR-08.html
Transportation Transportation was an alternative punishment to hanging. During the 18th and 19th centuries, convicted criminals were transported to the first penal colonies in Australia. It had the advantage of removing criminals from society and was quite cheap. http://vcp.e2bn.org/justice/section2196-transportation.html