Meant to Be: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Andreea Catana

  Mrs. Bennet had become a woman of importance in the community of Meryton due to her two daughters’ excellent marriages, but she supposed that her newly found privileges and influence could easily disappear in the event of a scandal, as this promised to be. Thus, she took the serious role of keeping her daughter under close supervision, at least until Lydia renounced thoughts of the unfortunate soul imprisoned in London. Little did she know that she would spend the rest of her life guarding the family against her daughter’s impulsive plans for some scandal or another.

  Elizabeth rejoiced gladly each time a letter arrived from one of her sisters, but more so when she received one from Jane. She and Bingley were now living comfortably at Netherfield Park, and their life could not have been better, knowing their kind natures. Elizabeth also knew she was happier than Jane, but in her letters allowed her sister to make a claim for it; she felt no need for words to prove the contrary to anyone. Her happiness was her own, and she was thankful for feeling it.

  With their letters, Elizabeth also noticed the evolution of sisters Mary and Kitty who, even though they were different from each other, shared a common interest in a better future. Mary confided in Elizabeth when she became interested in the son of a clergyman visiting Meryton. Of course, Elizabeth never promised a happy ending for such an event, but she was glad to offer her advice and support when Mary informed her of their impending wedding. Kitty, on the other hand, although not as diligent a student as Mary, was aware that her own chance of making a good marriage largely depended on her reputation. Lydia had no power over her after she understood this simple truth, and she preferred the company of Miss Caroline Bingley when she was a guest at Netherfield Park and later in London when Jane invited her to visit.

  Elizabeth offered her most sincere advice on the matter to Jane, advising her to keep a close eye on Miss Bingley’s influence over Kitty, but Jane, trusting as she was, allowed the friendship to run its course with little interference. As a result, Kitty became a vain young woman with interests that were often ridiculous and. of course, prevailed on her connection to the Darcys in front of those she desperately wanted to impress. Elizabeth tried to intervene and amend her behaviour, but she had little success, for Miss Bingley’s influence was stronger than she had suspected. However, Kitty and Miss Bingley’s friendship ceased in London the following winter when both received claims of love from the same gentleman. A scandal of small proportions ensued, and Kitty was invited to return home. With this humiliation came an adjustment of character, much to the contentment of the family, excepting Lydia who saw herself surpassed by her older sister in her intent to cause family distress.

  ***

  Elizabeth brushed her hair as she sat on the edge of the bed, lost in happy thoughts; she smiled from time to time, knowing she had reason to do so. Darcy’s voice interrupted her, and she watched him approach. He kissed her briefly on the forehead and then proceeded to take off his vest. She watched him, amused at how delightfully ordinary it felt to have Fitzwilliam undress before her. It was a sight she desired for the rest of her life

  “Lizzy…” he whispered, which made Elizabeth turn to face him with a serious expression. “Are you well, my love?”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I am.”

  “If you want me to retire to my chamber, tell me. I would not want to press you…”

  Elizabeth extended her hand to him, pulling him towards her. He sat next to her, gazing profoundly into Elizabeth’s eyes, questioning what she wanted to say to him. Elizabeth allowed a moment before she gave her response, acknowledging once again how much power he had over her.

  “No, why would I ever want that? Why would I ever want the man I love away from me?

  She closed the distance between them, parting her lips in expectation of a kiss.

  “Fitzwilliam…” she began, before being surprised by the intensity of his touch. His mouth took claim of her own, making her feel that she wanted so much more than that kiss—first tender, then bold and daring, making Elizabeth moan, which only enticed him further. Once they parted, Elizabeth moved into his arms as she continued to place small kisses all over his manly face. His fingers pushed aside the night robe, revealing her white skin, so warm and so inviting to be touched. As he did so, Elizabeth shivered, making a sound that proved too much for him to endure.

  “Lizzy, I wish to tear the walls down, so there can be no room between us, to have you always here with me.”

  Amid contentment for his words and a trace of pleasurable embarrassment to be so vulnerable in front of him, Elizabeth uttered with a smile on her face, “You have no shame, Mr. Darcy!”

  “When I am not with you, I feel lost, Lizzy. I honestly do not know what you have done to me.”

  “The only thing that I can do: love you as honestly and wholeheartedly as I can. And even more than that. I have never thought it possible to be as complete as I am with you. Not being afraid of your rejection, you make me feel beautiful.

  “You are, Lizzy. You are the handsomest woman I have ever seen.”

  Elizabeth caressed his face lovingly, as she felt his grip upon her waist tighten.

  “I love you, Fitzwilliam! As long as you shall want me, I am yours and yours alone.”

  Elizabeth’s words poured into his soul like liquid fire ready to consume all that it contained. He had always seen Elizabeth as handsome, but this night he could swear she was changed. He had no desire to know another woman; there was no one who could match his Elizabeth.

  She moved slowly in his embrace; he watched every move and kiss she placed so gently on him. She commanded her movements with ease, yet they were seductive to the point where he could resist no longer and grabbed her by the waist with both his hands, encircling her.

  She breathed deeply while her lips parted, ready for another kiss. Elizabeth knew she was more daring than ever; she was no longer a blushing maiden as she had been on their first night together. She was no longer shy in expressing the love she felt in her heart.

  Love does get better with the passing of time, she thought as a brief smile appeared.

  “You must tell me what you are thinking, Lizzy!”

  Elizabeth briefly averted his questioning gaze, before returning to her husband equally amused.

  “I was thinking…how wonderfully divine it is to be a woman, my dear husband. To be able to kiss your husband at will and feel absolutely natural doing so.”

  Fitzwilliam spoke in apparent seriousness. “Well, it appears my cousin was right after all. Women have quite a few advantages to use at their will.”

  Elizabeth smiled briefly then became serious again as she took his face into her palms, holding his gaze. He pulled her even closer to his body; they were almost as one.

  “I would wish all women to have my good fortune.” Elizabeth spoke more seriously than before. “To love someone like you, Mr. Darcy, is a felicity that is not bestowed upon many. I desire it for the rest of my life.”

  “I can give you more, Lizzy, for my love is boundless. Do you not believe me? Tell me what you want; I shall give it to you.”

  “You cannot, Mr. Darcy! For all I want I already have. You…and possibly an heir soon.”

  His face changed in an instant, inferring the meaning of her words.

  “Lizzy, do you speak in earnest? We are going to have a child?

  She nodded shyly, never losing sight of those beautiful eyes fixed on her.

  “Yes! I was not sure of it, but I am now. You are to hold your son early in the New Year.

  “I rather wish it were a girl—stubborn and opinionated just like you.

  Elizabeth’s surprise could not have been greater. “You really mean it, Fitzwilliam? You would not mind that your firstborn could be a girl?”

  “Of course, a son would wonderful, for it would settle things here at Pemberley once and for all, Lizzy, but imagine a girl…just like you. Stubborn and opinionated.

  “Are you going to hold it against me for the rest of my life?” she
replied in jest.

  “Yes, because it is the best thing that could have happened to me—to meet someone who would challenge all that I know, making me a better person. And I cannot wish greater luck to any man than this.”

  Elizabeth smiled then added, “Then we shall see, Mr. Darcy! For what is meant to be…”

  “…will happen one way or another!”