by Jan Hahn
~ * ~
We had just returned to the great hall and the party when I looked across the room and saw none other than Colonel Fitzwilliam enter the room with Georgiana on his arm and Mrs. Annesley follow close behind them. The older lady quickly joined acquaintances who greeted her, and our cousin and sister moved further into the room. Richard appeared thinner and older than last we saw him, and he now relied upon a cane to assist him in walking; however, his experience had only added a distinguished air and done little to mar his looks. We quickly crossed the room to greet them and from the sparkle in their eyes, I surmised that all was well. They joined us at the head table and partook of the sumptuous feast laid before us. After dinner the colonel asked Georgiana to dance, but she protested, saying she was perfectly happy sitting beside him. He insisted, however, and led her to the floor. I know not how much pain he endured to go down the line of that dance, for he hid it well with the smile upon his face. Afterwards, though, he did not dance again and my sister-in-law, who enjoyed the art more than anything, was content to remain seated by his side for the remainder of the evening.
Two days later I came upon Mr. Darcy sitting at his desk, his face turned toward the window, so deep in contemplation he did not hear me enter the study. When I called his name, he appeared startled, as though he returned from a great distance. I, of course, immediately questioned his inattentiveness. He said Colonel Fitzwilliam had just asked his blessing on his marriage to Georgiana. Needless to say, I was thrilled, but I attempted to temper my reaction until I knew William's response.
"It seems that Lord and Lady Matlock are settling the bulk of her fortune upon him immediately. His father's title and majority of wealth will go to his elder brother, of course, but because of his mother's generous endowment, my cousin feels he can provide for my sister more than adequately."
"And did you give your approval?"
"Yes, of course, if Fitzwilliam is Georgiana's choice."
"Oh, he is, I am sure."
He looked at me curiously. "Elizabeth, something tells me this announcement is not news to you. Am I correct?"
I looked away, searching for the right words. "I have long suspected Georgiana cared for him."
"Of course, she cared for him; we all do. I have the feeling, however, you have known for some time that she loves him not only as a cousin, but as a man. Am I wrong?" I shook my head slightly and he pressed on. "What do you know of the matter?"
"William, I guessed that Colonel Fitzwilliam was in love with Georgiana before he left England. When I asked him, he confessed it, but he requested I keep it in confidence. I feared he might never declare his intentions, for he insisted she have time to grow up, time to reach her own conclusions as to her feelings for him. He left without expressing his desires to her. He was too much of a gentleman to do that."
"And yet he told you," William said, a frown crossing his face. "What other secrets do you harbour that you have kept from me?"
"None. Believe me, this is the only one and I am much relieved that it is out in the open, that it has turned out well."
Just then the colonel and Georgiana entered the room and she ran to embrace first her brother and then me. "Oh, Elizabeth, did you ever think I could be so happy?"
"I did and I rejoice with you!"
When William did not add his felicitations, I nudged him slightly with my elbow and he immediately gave voice to them. Well, I thought, we are an old married couple after all, for here I am elbowing my husband, an action I thought I would never resort to!
Georgiana returned to Richard's side and tucked her hand inside his arm, her face wreathed in smiles as she looked up at him.
"Richard," I said, offering my hand, "let me congratulate you! You have won the prize."
"I have, indeed, Elizabeth. I have won the fairest flower in all of England, for my little 'Sprout' has blossomed into the loveliest rose!"
~ * ~
Some five weeks later, Mr. Darcy and I set out for London to attend Richard and Georgiana's wedding. It was a short engagement, to be sure, but they both declared they had been apart far too long. When Mr. Darcy voiced some objection, I reminded him that we, ourselves, had been engaged less than a fortnight before our wedding took place. Our sister elected to be married from the majestic sanctuary in which we worshiped when we lived in town. I was somewhat surprised, thinking she would choose the small church at Derbyshire, but it turned out that both bride and groom preferred London. Mrs. Annesley, once again, had aided us by traveling to London with Georgiana some weeks earlier to shop for her trousseau and wedding clothes and remaining with her in the townhouse until we joined them. That enabled us to refrain from taking the little ones into town with all its germs and possible fevers. We left the children with Jane and Mr. Bingley, as she was expecting her third child and, upon doctor's orders, could not travel. Although I had weaned my babe by that time, it was difficult to leave him and his brother, but William promised we would return within a week.
Unfortunately, it began to rain the day we set out and the farther we traveled the harder it rained. The roads soon vanished, becoming soggy, muddy ruts, and we bounced around inside the carriage much as we had done on our own wedding day. When we stopped at a small village to change horses, we were dismayed to learn that up ahead the river had risen sharply and the bridge was now four foot deep in swiftly rushing water. The local villagers warned us not to proceed until the rain let up and the water receded. By that time, evening reigned, the storm causing us to make poor time.
As I entered the small, rustic inn with Mr. Darcy, a sudden wave of familiarity brushed over me and I looked around, wondering when I could ever have been there. Mr. Darcy and I rarely stayed at an inn, for he much preferred the comfort and luxury of our own homes, or that of our friends and family.
"You be in luck, sir," the innkeeper said, bustling about in anticipation of entertaining paying guests for the night, "the best suite - the only suite - in the house is free. Two connecting rooms, sir, right up these stairs. Just follow me."
That voice! I turned to look upon our host and yes, it was the same little man who had ushered us up those stairs in years past. This was the very place in which we had spent our wedding night. As I reached for the handrail, I remembered the burnished chocolate colour and when I looked down, I saw those same wooden steps worn to an even duller shine. At the head of the stairs, the man led us past a closed door to the so-called suite at the end of the hall. Inside, Mr. Darcy walked around inspecting the two rooms, an impatient, displeased air about him.
"Is this the best you can offer, man?" he asked.
When the innkeeper nodded, William looked at me with an apologetic expression. "Well, we have no choice. I suppose we shall have to make the best of it."
"Yes, sir." The man hurried to the grate to lay a fire. "Let me get a blaze started and then I'll have my wife bring up what's needed."
"Before you do that," I said, "did I not see another room at the head of the stairs? Is it vacant?"
"Oh, yes, Ma'am, but it be only a single room, not near as nice as this one."
"Could we see it?" I asked. Mr. Darcy frowned at me. "I would truly like to see it."
"Yes, Ma'am," the innkeeper said, a look of confusion about his face, as he led us down the hall and opened the door. We walked into the room and immediately a rush of memories flooded my senses. Was it only yesterday I had followed my new husband into that chamber, a most reluctant bride, fearful and angry that I had been forced into an arranged marriage? The same lumpy old chaise sat to one side, its middle sagging even more, if possible. The furnishings had not been altered in the slightest during the years; even the same worn quilt covered the bed. I walked around the room, running my fingers lightly across the small table sitting before the cold fireplace.
"I should like to stay in this room, Mr. Darcy." I turned to observe his reaction. I was not disappointed, for I could see the shock of recognition in his eyes, as well.
"Here, Ma'am?"
The owner of the inn's voice was incredulous. "But the other rooms be much grander."
"We shall take this room," my husband said. "Light the fire and see that our things are brought up, if you please."
The man shook his head in wonderment, but he did as he was told. When he finished, his wife and serving girl furnished the room with clean towels and poured fresh water in the ewer. Upon their final departure, Mr. Darcy took my hands and brought them to his lips.
"What are the chances we should find ourselves in this room once again?".
"And after all this time?" I replied.
"The very room we spent our wedding night." He shook his head. "A poor beginning, you must admit."
I smiled and walked over to the bed, running my hand across the quilt. "A very poor beginning. But I must confess the room holds an appeal for me."
"In what way?"
"This was the first bed in which we slept together."
"A pity that neither of us were conscious of it."
"Yes," I said, turning to him, "a very great pity."
He ran his finger along the side of my face and under my chin. "I can still see the fire in your eyes that greeted me that next morning. My, but you were angry!"
"And why not?" I retorted. "You promised to sleep on that lumpy old chaise, as I recall."
He looked at the referenced piece of furniture and then at the bed. "I did, but something drew me to your bed, Elizabeth."
"Nothing drew you, William. In truth, you were somewhat worse the wear from drink, and you stumbled into bed with me by mistake."
He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. "I think not, my love. I may have been inebriated, but it was never a mistake. I think an unseen force drew me to you as clearly as though we were somehow tied together. It was that same force that caused you to find your way into my bed when walking in your sleep, that led you to my portrait at Pemberley when I was still in London that took me to the assembly at Meryton where I first laid eyes on you. We were meant to be together, to love each other, to be drawn one to the other forever. It is a force that cannot be denied."
I opened my mouth to speak, but he covered it with his own sweet lips. That delicious taste of heaven caused that familiar quickening deep within me. "Do not deny it, Elizabeth," he managed to mumble between kisses. "Do you hear me? Do not deny it."
In truth, I had no intention of denying it, but if he thought that I was and insisted on kissing me to prevent my doing so, I saw no reason to tell him otherwise. I simply surrendered to his love, an action I continue to enjoy to this day.
The End