by Head, Gail
Elizabeth could not help a tiny gasp of delight. Joyous tears flowed freely as she witnessed the passionate expression of love shining in his eyes – wondrous, inviting windows into his very soul. Eagerly, willingly, she was held captivate by his gaze, feeling more blissfully complete than she ever imagined possible.
An ember snapped loudly in the hearth, breaking the enchanted spell and reminding her that she had made no reply. Looking down, she quickly gathered her scattered thoughts and then glanced shyly back to Darcy. Returning his encouraging smile, she drew a shaky breath and began.
“At our first encounter and for some time afterward, I was foolishly blinded by prejudice and a very imprudent rush to judgment. It is unforgiveable that I misjudged you so; for in truth, you are a discerning, honorable man who cannot be seen for what he truly is because of the impossibly high expectations society has placed upon him.” Elizabeth reached out and lovingly caressed his cheek. “But I have seen who you are, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I love you for it. I have seen your patient dealings with the Mr. Collinses and Miss Bingleys of this world; I have seen your genuine concern for your friends; I have seen the great liberality you show to the people who rely upon you for employment and their very lives; and best of all, I have seen your tender care for Georgiana. By that example alone, I am certain any woman who accepted your hand in marriage could want for nothing more.”
“Shall I take that as a yes?” Darcy murmured playfully.
“Yes!” cried Elizabeth, wiping at her tears. “Yes, I will marry you if you are certain you want such a foolish, headstrong girl for a wife!”
Rising slowly from his knee, Darcy took the ring and tried it on her finger, slipping it easily into place – it was a perfect fit. He kissed her hand, then pulled her to him, gently kissing her forehead. Filled with inexpressible happiness, he held her close, breathing deeply the scent of lavender in her hair. Her instant response brought a tender smile to his face and he wrapped his one arm around her tightly, kissing her again, this time finding her deliciously soft and inviting lips. He had meant only to kiss her lightly, but Elizabeth's arms wound around his neck in a passionate embrace that promised much more and he was lost. It was some minutes before reason caught hold enough for him to remember that he was a gentleman. A fire had ignited within them both, but this was not the time nor the place. He lifted his face and caressed her hair with his cheek, taking a deep, cleansing breath.
Darcy stood very still, holding her close. Exhaustion began to pull at him and his jaw clenched in stubborn determination. They had at last crossed that great gulf which had separated them for so long and he did not want it to end; however, the toll of the last few days and the burning in his shoulder finally forced him to concede. Reluctantly, he released her and took up her hand instead, unwilling to completely sever his connection to her.
“If I am certain? Elizabeth, you must know that I am more certain than I have ever been about anything in my entire life. You are my heart and soul! Words cannot describe the joy you have given me. When you left Burnham House those many weeks ago, I was afraid I would never hear those happy words. Without you, there was nothing here but a great emptiness,” he said, bringing her hand up to lay on his heart, “and now it is filled to overflowing! I shall spend the rest of my days endeavoring to make you as happy and contented as you have made me.”
“I do not think it is possible to make me any happier than I am right now,” Elizabeth looked up at him, her contented smile turning at once to a worrisome frown. His smile was broad, but it did not conceal the dangerous pallor in his face. “With the exception of you returning to your bed, sir,” she amended quickly. “You look very ill and I will not lose you now that we have come this far!”
“Very well, I shall oblige you – on one condition.”
Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously. “And what is that?”
“That you promise to marry me within the week.”
“A week?! You cannot be serious!”
She busied herself guiding Darcy back to the bedside. “Please be so good as to get back into bed. Dr. Lawrence will be very upset with me for having ever allowed you up in the first place. It was too much. We can talk about our plans tomorrow when you have rested.”
“I am quite serious, Elizabeth. I shall speak to your father, and short of his refusal – you do not anticipate his refusal, do you? – everything can be arranged in a few days. Special license, wedding clothes, travel arrangements. I took the liberty of making some tentative arrangements before I left London and – ”
Elizabeth had taken Darcy's jacket from him and turned discreetly as he climbed onto the bed, but now she spun around in surprise. “Before you left London?”
Darcy fumbled with the blankets, avoiding her gently accusing gaze. “Yes, well…I thought…that is, they were only tentative. It is just that I wanted to…I mean, if I were able to convince you to accept me…” He finally dropped the covers around him and looked straight at her. “Elizabeth, I have loved you almost from the first moment I saw you and have thought of nothing else but making you my wife. If I was fortunate enough to secure your good opinion and have you accept my proposal this time, I wanted to have it done as soon as possible – providing you were agreeable to it, of course.”
“My mother would never agree to such a thing. She takes great store in appearances, as you know, and she will not be denied her opportunity to show us off to all the neighborhood. A few days will not satisfy her.”
Darcy captured her hand and drew her down to sit beside him. “Before I concern myself with your mother's opinion, I should like to know yours, for it is your opinion that will guide my planning. Would you be happy marrying at once, or would you prefer a longer engagement?”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “A long engagement? Being paraded around the neighborhood by my mother like a prize mare while pretending not to hear ill-concealed remarks about my scandalous behavior? No, sir, a long engagement is not what I would wish for by any means! Besides…” She stopped abruptly and began to rise, but Darcy held her back.
“Besides?”
Elizabeth looked down, playing with a corner of the bedsheet as a bright pink colored her cheeks. “Besides,” she whispered, “I can think of no greater pleasure than that of becoming your wife.”
If Elizabeth could have met his eyes at that moment, she would have seen how well an expression of heartfelt delight became him. Although she could not bear to look at him, she could feel the comforting squeeze of his hand and hear the joy and pleasure in his voice as he replied. “Then I shall speak to your mother, and we shall marry as soon as may be!”
“You – speak to my mother?! I do not think that a very good idea. You do not know how truly difficult she can be!”
“I know well enough how to approach her, believe me. I have had years of practice with the most determined mothers of marriageable daughters that society has to offer, and now I can finally put that experience to good use.”
“Very well, you may try – and if you are successful, you are a better man than I thought! When shall you speak to my father?”
“I will send a note this evening asking him to call on me here tomorrow morning. If you will ask Mrs. Bingley to extend an invitation to Mrs. Bennet for lunch, then I shall be able to speak with her shortly after I have secured your father's permission. I will send Denham to London with instructions for completing the arrangements I started, and all should be ready in four or five days.”
“That seems a very good plan, indeed; however, I would ask one condition.”
Darcy's brow rose cautiously. “And what is that?”
“Nothing as remarkable as yours, I assure you! I only ask that I speak with my father before he comes tomorrow. This is all quite astonishing – even for me, and I have had some prior knowledge of your feelings for me. I fear your request for my hand, without the slightest hint of its coming, would be too great a shock for him.” She lightly traced the stitching on the cuff of his shirt before rais
ing her eyes to examine the effects of her words. “Would you mind terribly? Of all his daughters, he will feel my absence the most. It would make me very happy if I could ease the separation just a little.”
“I live for no other purpose than to make you happy,” Darcy replied with a smoldering look, “Is there anything else you wish?”
“No, sir, that is all.”
“Then it is settled and I should like to seal the bargain.”
He quickly pulled her in, stopping any further conversation with his lips. Elizabeth eagerly returned the kiss, completely lost in the utter delight of knowing he was everything she had ever wanted and that he would be hers for the rest of her life.
Epilogue
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam's face hardened as Pemberley's impressive façade came into view. In a matter of minutes, he would be greeting its master. Had it really only been a little more than a year since their last meeting? It seemed a lifetime ago that he stood in the tiny Meryton church, signing his name as witness for Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. He had scarcely discharged his duties as best man when news of General Wellesley's advances in Spain arrived, calling him back to his regiment. Within a few short weeks, he had found himself in Spain, facing the French forces at Vitoria.
Slowly dropping his gaze, Richard noticed a perfect miniature of his grim countenance staring up at him from the polished knob of his walking stick, and he forced his features into a more agreeable expression. It was imperative he not allow any weakness to show.
The Darcys were well aware of his crippling injury and difficult recovery, thus he anticipated a full measure of doting sympathy from them. It would be unavoidable. Nevertheless, he would not tolerate any pity nor would he be treated as an invalid. Richard threw a stern glance to the valet seated across from him as the carriage rolled to a stop.
“I shall manage this on my own, Daniel. You may see to the luggage.”
“I am sorry, sir,” the younger man braced for yet another battle with his employer's son, “Lord Matlock's instructions were to attend at all times. Any further injury to your leg would –”
“Nevertheless, you will keep your distance. I agreed to bring you simply to appease his Lordship, nothing more. If and when I need your assistance, I shall ask for it.”
“Colonel, your father was quite explicit. If I should fail in my duties, I shall be dismissed.”
“Get in my way and I shall send you packing. Do I make myself clear?”
Daniel stubbornly returned Richard's stare for a moment, then gave a curt nod. “Very well, sir.”
In the next moment, a footman approached the carriage, opening the door and letting down the steps. Giving one final look to Daniel, Richard turned his attention to exiting the carriage with as much grace as his leg would allow. Every muscle in his body tensed in anticipation of what was to come.
In spite of his cane bearing most of the weight, bolts of white-hot pain shot through his leg as he stood, escalating to agonizing spasms when he stepped down to the graveled drive. Standing next to the carriage, he was forced to pause, allowing for the searing pain to settle back into a more tolerable ache before he attempted the broad flight of steps before him.
A minor disagreement between the head footman and Daniel, which skillfully diverted the remaining servants' attention away from Richard's situation, signaled an opportune time for him to begin the arduous climb. Locking his jaw in staid determination, he managed to complete the task without any outward signs of distress, and paused only when he finally entered Pemberley's main hall.
His leg was throbbing in tandem with his pounding heart and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. A footman cautiously came forward to take his coat, making Richard realize he must look as terrible as he felt. If he had this effect on a servant, what would Darcy and Elizabeth think? Quickly he wiped his brow and took several fortifying breaths. He was grateful he had recovered tolerably well by the time Darcy and Elizabeth appeared.
Darcy's warm greeting was accompanied by a gentle clap on the back. “Richard, we did not expect you until tomorrow! It is good to see you at last! I am glad you finally decided to accept our invitation.”
“Welcome, Colonel,” Elizabeth added with a concerned smile. “I hope the journey was not too difficult. You look a little tired.”
“Thank you, Darcy, I am glad to be here. And I thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Darcy, but the journey was no more than expected. A small price to pay for the pleasure of visiting Pemberley.” Richard saw the apprehension that their smiles could not hide and returned the greetings with a resolute enthusiasm. “I thought it time I come and see how you two are faring. Obviously marriage suits you both very well!”
“Yes, indeed! Marriage, and living at Pemberley.” Elizabeth beamed. “The country air will do you good as well, Colonel. Much more than the dirty, smoke-filled air of London. You shall see.”
“I am feeling better already! Pemberley has always been my favorite, you know.”
“Then I hope your stay with us will be a long one; but let us not stand in the doorway!” Elizabeth took Richard's arm and gently guided him down the hall. “Come have some tea and tell us all the news. How are your parents – are they well?”
They entered a sitting room Richard recognized as one that had not been used since the death of Darcy's mother. Except for a few minor changes that were distinctly Elizabeth, the room was as he remembered it. He smiled at the thought of it now being used by the new Mrs. Darcy.
Following her direction, Richard took a seat in a wing chair covered in deep blue silk as Elizabeth settled herself on a matching couch opposite him. Darcy glided smoothly down next to his wife. Without appearing to even think about it, they moved in a perfect, seamless complement to one another. A spark of envy flared in Richard's chest at the idyllic life Darcy had found – something the future was not likely to hold for him, not now.
“My parents are both in excellent health, thank you. Mother sends her love to you, Mrs. Darcy; but I am to say, for you, Darcy, she sends no regards.” Richard leaned back in his chair, stretching his leg and walking stick out before him. “She is cross with you for having lured me into the country instead of coming to town yourself. But I dare say she will get over it soon enough. She never could stay angry with you for long.”
“Fortunate for me,” Darcy grinned shamelessly. “I have already explained that Georgiana has elected to wait another year before being presented at court, and quite honestly, we are glad for it. We have other, more pressing business here at Pemberley this year.”
Richard saw the brief, enigmatic smile that lit Elizabeth's face as she spoke. “Besides, the thought of missing Pemberley in the spring was too much to contemplate.”
“The family will be disappointed, you know. Mother tells me you have been very little in town since your marriage and they are all quite anxious to spend more time getting acquainted with Darcy's bride. Having said that, I suspect you are much better off staying here at Pemberley. I believe the real motive behind Mother's invitation was to have an accomplice in her quest to push me into society. She has the mistaken impression that I am still a desirable prospect for the ladies.” Richard fought to keep the bitterness from his voice. “But I am a realist. No one is in the market for damaged goods – and a second son to boot! Your invitation to Pemberley was vastly more appealing than a season in London.”
Coming had indeed seemed more appealing than remaining at his father's house and facing the ton, but now that he was here, Richard was beginning to think this choice would prove to be the more painful of the two. The tenderness in Elizabeth's voice as she spoke again only made his own circumstances all the more dismal.
“This is the perfect place for you right now, Colonel. Pemberley's fresh air and a little exercise will go a long way in improving your leg – and your spirits. You must not give up on the ladies just yet.”
“As I said, I am a realist. It only took one dinner party to dispel any doubts I may have had. Whil
e the ladies may be amiable for the sake of a wounded soldier, I can tell you that facing the charge of a French cavalry is nothing compared to the charge of marriage-minded mothers who see an unwelcome suitor engaging their daughters in conversation.” Richard snorted softly. “No, unlike my mother, I have no false hopes.”
The spark flared in his chest once again as he watched Darcy's arm unconsciously encircle Elizabeth in a gentle embrace. He was at least grateful there was encouragement and not pity in his cousin's next words.
“I am told the doctors have every hope your condition will improve substantially. It is only a matter of time. Perhaps next season will be a better time for you – after you have had more time to recover. Injuries such as yours require patience to mend properly.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right. But patience is one commodity I seem to have in short supply these days.” Richard stifled a sigh. This season or next, he would never be fortunate enough to find so perfect a match as he saw in Darcy and Elizabeth. In spite of his morose thoughts, he could not begrudge their blissful union. He truly wished them every happiness. With renewed determination to enjoy his visit, Richard summoned a cheerful smile. “So, tell me what has happened since I went away. Did the inquiry into Wickham's death go well?”
Darcy's face darkened. “Yes, well enough. Mrs. Younge was sent to Newgate almost immediately. You can well imagine the conditions there. She tried to blackmail her way out, threatening to disclose the details of that summer in Ramsgate if I did not help her.”