“I would never,” Elizabeth began before swallowing her protest.
She clamped her lips together.
Darcy took pity upon her. Gently, he cupped Elizabeth’s jaw to lift her chin.
“I realize my tactics are not to your liking, and it is not my purpose to laud over you. I also do not expect you never to disagree with me, though I might ask you not to speak contrary opinions before others. A man in my financial situation cannot be seen as permitting his wife too much latitude; even so, know that I will never relegate your objections to the level of foolhardiness.”
Elizabeth stared deeply into his eyes, and Darcy wondered if she could view the depth of his affections for her. At length, a simple nod said she accepted Darcy’s promise.
“Our situation is not ideal, but I will attempt never to disappoint you,” he whispered.
Elizabeth’s closeness flamed his desire for her.
“Nor I you,” she murmured.
“Then will you accept my hand?”
Nervousness skittered across Elizabeth’s features. Nerves and something, which Darcy prayed was not dread, claimed her stance. She licked her dry lips before responding.
“It would be my honor, Sir.”
Darcy despised his selfishness…despised that part of him that demanded he claim the woman so set against him. Nevertheless, he bent his head to claim Elizabeth’s lips. A gentle press. A nip of her bottom lip. A brush. And then he gathered her into his embrace to claim her mouth fully. Elizabeth leaned into him, her body warming his chest. She clutched at Darcy’s jacket, and for a moment Darcy pretended the woman in his arms returned his regard…pretended that Elizabeth Bennet loved him as much as he did her.
When reality became reason, Darcy eased from her mouth, before closing his eyes to drive the desire from his veins. It did him well to have Elizabeth cling to him; perhaps in this manner, they would know contentment in their marriage.
He kissed her forehead.
“I will ride for Longbourn tomorrow to secure Mr. Bennet’s permission. In that manner, the banns may be called twice before Miss Lucas returns to spread her tale. No one will consider our indiscretions from the ordinary if they learn of it.”
Elizabeth’s voice remained breathy, but her sensibility did not falter when she explained, “Sir William will carry news of our engagement to Kent, which will stifle Miss Lucas’s immaturity, but will likely upset Lady Catherine when your aunt learns of it.”
Darcy bared his teeth in the parody of a smile.
“I will address Lady Catherine’s concerns when they are known.”
“You will call at Gracechurch Street once you earn Mr. Bennet’s permission?”
Unable to resist, Darcy again tightened his hold on Elizabeth. If they could remain as such always, they might know felicity in their marriage. It did Darcy’s pride well to know she did not reject his gestures of affection.
“Nothing will keep me from you, Elizabeth,” Darcy promised. “I warrant that we will deal well together.”
* * *
Elizabeth’s nerves were well frayed by the time Mr. Darcy called in Cheapside on the third day after their outing in the park. She could not shake the memory of the gentleman’s kiss nor the manner in which her body betrayed all her Aunt Gardiner’s lessons on propriety. Moreover, when Mr. Darcy did not call the previous day, Elizabeth feared the gentleman changed his mind or her father refused Mr. Darcy’s request. For many months, she peppered her conversations with disparagements of her betrothed’s character. Elizabeth was certain her father would know surprise at her change of heart for she knew something of the wonder of her transformation.
“I understand Mr. Bingley continues to call upon Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said as they sat together in her aunt’s parlor. Mrs. Gardiner conspicuously placed a maid in the room as a chaperone.
Elizabeth was rarely anxious in social situations, but this new connection to Mr. Darcy had her struggling for even the simplest response.
“Yes…yes, Jane appears quite satisfied…with Mr. Bingley’s attentions. I suppose he will return to Netherfield soon. For my opinion, I hope the gentleman returns before Jane and I travel to Longbourn. I would not wish others to think my sister the type for which a man upends his life.”
She noticed Mr. Darcy’s frown. Was the source of the gentleman’s disapproval her opinions or his friend’s return to Jane’s side?
“Needless to say you know more of Mr. Bingley’s plans than do I,” Elizabeth added.
Mr. Darcy shrugged off her statement.
“In truth, I spoke not to Bingley since I left him in this very parlor some four days prior.”
“You did not inform Mr. Bingley of our upcoming joining?” Elizabeth asked with renewed curiosity.
She credited part of Bingley’s continued presence at Jane’s side as occurring with Mr. Darcy’s permission. Elizabeth would need to rethink the influence Mr. Darcy held over Bingley’s decisions.
“I spoke only to your father of our engagement,” Mr. Darcy clarified. “Not even to my sister.”
Again, Mr. Darcy took her by surprise. Elizabeth’s jaw snapped shut before she could say something unwise.
“I am certain you possessed your reasons for secrecy,” she said in false calm.
Another of Elizabeth’s recent fears was Mr. Darcy would know shame with his connection to her.
His lips tightened, and an emotion, which appeared to be bitter grief, darkened Mr. Darcy’s eyes.
“I did not wish to make the betrothal known until all arrangements were in place,” he assured.
“Do you pray I shall withdraw, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth challenged.
It hurt her more than Elizabeth would admit to anyone that the gentleman was not proud to claim her to wife. Certainly, she was not of his social circle, but she was a gentleman’s daughter.
“I pray you do not withdraw, Miss Elizabeth,” he corrected. “And I would venture you said nothing to your family for if you had I should be accepting the congratulations of your sister and the Gardiners.”
“I thought it best to wait until you spoke to Mr. Bennet,” she confessed in resignation.
Her misplaced fears and her impetuous tongue placed another wedge between them.
Mr. Darcy shrugged philosophically.
“We are quite a pair, both accustomed to our words and our decisions being above reproach. Both fearing others will recognize our foibles. We will either thrive or destroy each other.”
“What a delightful portrait you paint of our marital felicity, Sir,” she retorted.
“I am nothing if not earnest,” Mr. Darcy countered.
Elizabeth wished again for the return of the Mr. Darcy of the love letter rather than the ever-practical man of Society.
“Brutally earnest,” she quipped. “I must keep your character in mind when I speak my opinions. Such will be my first lesson of merit in claiming the name of ‘Mrs. Darcy.’”
* * *
She and Jane remained in London a little over a sennight before they returned to Longbourn. Those final days in Town were quiet busy for after Vicar Williamson called the banns, an express arrived from Mrs. Bennet with specific orders on the purchase of bride clothes for Elizabeth: Therefore, it became necessary for Elizabeth to inform her aunt and uncle and Jane of her betrothal. She remained uncertain as to the necessity to keep her news from her family. It was as if by silent agreement, she and Mr. Darcy thought not speaking of their understanding kept their situation less real.
Elizabeth sent a discreet note to Mr. Darcy of her mother’s letter to warn him of the change in the status quo. Later that same day, Mr. Darcy called upon her to issue an invitation to join him for supper that very evening and a night out at the opera the following evening.
At the supper, Elizabeth took the acquaintance of Mr. Darcy’s sister. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as she. From Mr. Wickham Elizabeth heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud, but
the observation of a very few minutes convinced Elizabeth that Miss Darcy was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from the girl beyond a monosyllabic until they found a few moments of privacy prior to being summoned to the meal.
Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, the girl’s figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good humor in the girl’s face, and Miss Darcy’s manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who expected to discover in Miss Darcy as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings.
“I shall be glad to claim another sister,” Elizabeth declared. “When your brother and I speak our vows, I shall leave behind four dear ones in Hertfordshire.”
Miss Darcy shot a quick glance to where her brother shared a conversation with the Gardiners. Elizabeth assumed her uncle meant to ascertain Mr. Darcy’s affection for her: It bothered Elizabeth that her emotional refusal of the gentleman quashed any bits of regard practiced by Mr. Darcy.
“My brother knew loneliness for too long. I shall be pleased to view William satisfied in his life,” the girl said softly.
William. Elizabeth’s mind registered the familiarity of his name. Why had she not called him such? He remained Mr. Darcy, and that particular fact grieved her.
“My brother spoke often of you in his letters from Hertfordshire, and I thought having your acquaintance would be pleasant,” Miss Darcy continued. “I shall be delighted to share Pemberley with the woman Darcy esteems.”
“Esteems” was not a word Elizabeth could claim either for her emotions or for Mr. Darcy’s.
“I thank you for your generous welcome,” Elizabeth assured, but the girl’s words cut a swath through Elizabeth’s heart: She desired the return of the man who proclaimed his affections for her: The man with whom Elizabeth wished to share her blossoming regard.
When she and Jane departed London, Mr. Darcy promised to follow as quickly as was prudent.
“I must inform my family of my decision, as well as arrange for our removal to Pemberley after the exchange of our vows, but I will arrive in Hertfordshire soon. Mr. Bingley reopened Netherfield so he might continue his courtship of Miss Bennet. Despite my full confession of my perfidy in his life, Bingley claims to be worth of your sister’s affections he must practice Miss Bennet’s form of forgiveness. Bingley extends his hospitality for my return to Hertfordshire. I will bring Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam. My cousin will stand with me as witness.”
Elizabeth nodded her understanding. She prayed Mr. Darcy’s long absence would not provide him the opportunity to change his mind, especially now that the world knew of their intention to wed.
“Mrs. Bennet shall be beside herself to entertain the son of an earl,” Elizabeth said with common mischief.
“My cousin is not of the nobility,” Mr. Darcy declared with a frown. “Only my uncle and his wife claim that distinction. Even Rowland Fitzwilliam owns only the courtesy title of Viscount Lindale. The colonel is a commoner, the same as you and I and the same as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.”
“I am well aware of the distinctions, but you most know my mother will care little beyond the colonel’s parentage. It will be a feather in my mother’s hostess bonnet.”
As they both recognized the shortness of their time together, Mr. Darcy did not argue instead, he caught Elizabeth’s hand and brought it to his lips.
“I will miss our afternoons together,” he said as he brushed a kiss across Elizabeth’s bare knuckles.
To her horror, she found herself leaning closer to Mr. Darcy. In the past, she often declared her dislike for the man, so how could she now find him so fascinating?
“As will I,” Elizabeth admitted. “You will write?” she asked on impulse.
She hoped for a return of Mr. Darcy’s expressed affections.
“I would consider it an honor, William.”
The familiarity of his name upon her lips brought shock to Mr. Darcy’s expression, but in a pleasant manner. The gentleman’s eyes sparked, and he gathered Elizabeth into his embrace.
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” he murmured as he brushed a kiss across her temple. “I long wished to hear you acknowledge me beyond the formality of our relationship.”
A clearing of a masculine throat kept them from saying more. Her uncle stood under the frame of the open door.
“Mr. Bennet’s coach awaits you, Lizzy. Jane is already aboard.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Mr. Darcy released her from his embrace, but he kept possession of Elizabeth’s hand to lead her to the waiting coach.
“Soon,” he whispered as he assisted her inside. I will follow soon. Confirm a date for the ceremony with Vicar Williamson and send me word.”
And then the door closed, and Mr. Bennet’s coachman set the horses into motion. Elizabeth scrambled to window for a final look upon Mr. Darcy’s countenance. It pleased her that the gentleman remained upon the street looking after the coach until the distance was too wide and the London traffic too heavy to maintain the contact.
She would not see him again until days before their wedding, and the prospect frightened Elizabeth more than she would admit to anyone.
* * *
Darcy addressed the salutation of the letter he wrote to Elizabeth. He would give everything he owned to possess the liberty to tell the woman on the other end of his correspondence how much he cherished her and how happy he was to claim her, but he and Elizabeth held not that type of relationship.
“Perhaps some day,” he whispered. “If it is God’s will, the lady will learn to love me over time.”
Resigned to the situation before him, Darcy permitted his ego a bit of passion in writing, “My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.” Following the endearment, he chronicled his progress in his business by explaining the negotiations with a group looking to expand a railroad line into his part of Derbyshire.
Such expansion would provide my tenants more opportunities to sell their crops and their craft works outside the circle surrounding Pemberley. Moreover, the line would bring the world’s products to our door.
My enthusiasm is only dampened by the news that the considerations will likely keep me from joining you in Hertfordshire as quickly as I would like. Please know this is not my wish, but I cannot abandon my cottagers until this business knows satisfaction. I pray you will forgive me.
In a previous letter, Elizabeth informed Darcy that the Meryton cleric would marry them on the Thursday after the third calling of the banns, and Darcy prayed his business complete by that time. He wished to remove to Pemberley after he exchanged vows with Elizabeth in hopes that his estate would soften her dislike for him and permit him time to woo Elizabeth properly. However, it could be necessary to return to Darcy House for a few days to complete the paperwork for the rail line.
Darcy would prefer not to return to London for he feared his mother’s family would express their objections to the joining of the Darcy name to the Bennets and to Elizabeth. Darcy would cut ties with the Fitzwilliam faction if they persisted in their disapproval. He would know great pain in doing so, but Elizabeth would be his future whether Lady Anne Darcy’s brother and sister accepted the situation or not.
Georgiana confided that Lindale questioned Darcy’s sister extensively regarding Georgie’s true opinion of Elizabeth. Thankfully, Darcy spent time with Georgiana beforehand in which he professed his affections for Elizabeth and in instructing Georgiana on how to thwart the Fitzwilliam family’s manipulations.
Yesterday, Darcy called upon Rundell, Bridge, and Rundell to create a special ring for Elizabeth. He thought to present his betrothed with one of Lady Anne’s jewels, but Darcy desired a ring to mark Elizabeth’s unique femininity and to express his declaration to win Elizabeth’s heart. The craftsman promised to complete the work by Monday next, in time for Darcy’s departur
e for Hertfordshire.
“Everything will come together,” Darcy pronounced as he sanded his finished letter. “I simply must bide my time until Elizabeth pronounces her vows; then I mean to earn the lady’s heart. I am convinced if we are in constant company, Elizabeth’s disdain will soften to my favor.”
* * *
Elizabeth’s jaws ached from the need for a constant smile. Another group of neighbors called upon Longbourn to learn something of Mr. Darcy’s courtship.
“I thought Mr. Darcy would return to the area by this time,” Mrs. Connor hinted. “When do you expect your betrothed in Meryton? We all wish to extend our felicitations.”
Elizabeth understood what the woman wished to know: Had the gentleman experienced second thoughts?
Mrs. Bennet snatched away Elizabeth’s response.
“Lizzy had a post from Mr. Darcy only this morning.”
Her mother meant for the village gossip to know that Mr. Darcy did not abandon Elizabeth.
Elizabeth wished she knew more of Mr. Darcy’s nature. Then she might determine if “this railroad business” was a convenient stall or just the unexpected claiming a bit of mayhem.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy engages in business negotiations to benefit his cottagers,” she said with more enthusiasm than she felt. “I am very proud of my affianced’s benevolence. His actions mark Mr. Darcy’s character.”
“Does he not possess a duty to the wedding?” Mrs. Connor persisted.
Again, Mrs. Bennet fended off the woman’s cattiness with practiced aplomb. Elizabeth never was so thankful for her mother’s ability to manage the most difficult “tabby.”
“All men must do for a wedding is to stand before the altar and pronounce their vows. A wedding is a woman’s domain. I assure you Mr. Darcy is quite besotted with our Lizzy. Mr. Bennet claims this is so, and you know my husband never freely speaks of what he terms feminine ‘nonsense,’ unless Mr. Bennet makes an earnest observation. Mr. Darcy courted Elizabeth while my daughter resided with our cousin Mr. Collins in Kent. I thought Mr. Darcy quite clever to visit with his aunt Lady Catherine De Bourgh at the same time as Lizzy’s sojourn with the Collinses. We all know the only lady in the neighborhood to which Mr. Darcy presented any preference was our Elizabeth. He danced with her at the Netherfield Ball, placing Lizzy at the head of the line in a place of honor.”
Elizabeth Bennet's Excellent Adventure: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary Page 4