She met his gaze to reveal tears at the corners of her eyes. She was filled with pride on his behalf, just as she had been when she first learned he had secretly helped her family solve the tumult caused by Lydia.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy spoke in a low voice, “you will think me a rake, but may I remove your bonnet and kiss your hair?”
She smiled. “Yours are not the eyes of a rake, sir.”
He inhaled the scent of her and kissed the top of her head where the hair parted in curls framing her face.
Elizabeth continued, “You have always looked at me with love though I was too stubborn or distressed to recognise it. When I told Lydia’s news in Lambton, you stood at the door looking at me for a long moment before you left. I assumed you were congratulating yourself on a narrow escape from all things Bennet. But it was, in truth, not such a look. You were trying to give me strength. I was too abashed to understand, too broken by events.”
“Let us not speak of that.” Darcy nodded his forehead against hers, a gesture in which he found great comfort.
“With your forbearance, Fitzwilliam, I do have a question about that day I have never asked.”
Darcy felt they had discussed every particular of the interview a dozen times. “I cannot imagine what I have not said about finding you in such a dreadful state and learning its cause.”
“But I have never asked why you came to be paying me a visit. You did not arrive with the intention of comforting me—you arrived with some intention of your own. And it was…?”
Darcy stepped back and smiled. “Ah! You are quite correct. You have never asked, and I never thought to say.” Elizabeth returned his smile. “My intention… We had seen each other the day before, when you and your aunt called. You were so kind to Georgiana, protecting her, and I knew, whatever your feelings about me might be, that my letter had some softening effect. You joined me in keeping Georgiana safe from the thoughtless insults of Caroline Bingley.
“That evening, Georgiana played for us, and I mused all the while about Hunsford and all you had said of me. I hoped, in the brief time we had thus far spent at Pemberley, that you had seen my improvement in civility, but I had done nothing to relieve Bingley’s suffering.
“He made it clear he was still suffering. His only topic of conversation was the miracle of you being in the neighbourhood—a miracle I was not insensible to—and how he longed to hear you speak of his Meryton friends, but I was not deceived. There was only one person of whom he wanted to speak, and it pained me to realise he felt that he must speak privately with you to mention Jane. He feared I would evidence some displeasure if he let slip her name in my hearing.
“To begin his relief, I determined to see you before you arrived for dinner to let you know I was certain Bingley’s affections had not waned, and to measure whether you would trust me enough to reveal Jane’s feelings. I planned to ask you to enter into a conspiracy with me, its purpose to reunite Bingley and Jane.
“But to be honest, I simply could not wait to see you again. Had I found you reading happier letters from home, and had you shown any amount of approval of my visit and its purpose, I cannot account for myself. I might have asked for a walk, or I might have asked you to begin a correspondence with Georgiana so I could maintain some rudimentary connection to you, or…I might have renewed my addresses. I might have asked your uncle for leave to court you.”
Elizabeth’s smile broadened as his answer lengthened. “If, as you say, Jane’s letters had only carried trivial news from home, I expect I would have entered into any conspiracy you cared to suggest. And if you had renewed your addresses, I would not have refused you. No, Fitzwilliam, I could not have refused you again. I was in love by then, though I had not yet time to frame it as a complete thought.”
She took her bonnet from his hand, hooking it over the pommel of the saddle. As she took Darcy’s arms and wove them behind her, she whispered, “I am still in love with you. It is my vow to you: I shall remain so.”
Darcy finished the embrace she had initiated, pulling her to him with their arms folded together behind her back. He kissed her with more intensity than he previously allowed himself. Her mouth responded hungrily; her lips parted willingly and welcomed his tongue. She turned her head allowing him to taste her more deeply, and she brought a hand up to the back of his collar, pressing him to maintain contact. She does not fear an ardent kiss, at least. Darcy was intoxicated. He continued until the pressure of her hand eased and released him as she gasped for breath.
“Oh! I am not yet as proficient as I would wish to be, Fitzwilliam. I am grateful for the opportunity to practice.” She spoke in a low breathy voice he found utterly beguiling.
“We both want practice, dearest Elizabeth.” Darcy brushed his lips against hers again, briefly. “The breathing is the trick.” Oh, I am too enthralled. I am aroused. I must pull back. He stepped slightly away. Their eyes met, each reading the other’s depth of desire. She does not understand her power over me.
“Fitzwilliam, may we speak, just for a moment, about your expectations of me?” Her voice was firm, though she coloured slightly and cast her eyes down.
“I thought we were.”
“Yes, we were speaking of my duties as mistress of Pemberley. Perhaps I should not be so self-assured, but I am confident of my success in that regard. You will be patient, and I shall be eager. No, I refer now to my duties as a wife. As your wife…”
There was an awkward pause. Elizabeth jumped in, unable to bear it. “We need not, of course. You deem it unseemly. I understand.”
“No, in the present case, I think you do not understand. To speak plainly, to talk of you as my wife causes me to fervently wish it were already so. It tempts me to act rather than speak.” He watched her eyes for a sign of comprehension.
Elizabeth blushed.
He spoke quickly in a constrained manner. “You wish me to speak of duties. I shall speak. I hope you will not perceive any desires of mine as duties, Elizabeth. Unless you have strong objections, I mean for us to occupy the same bed always. I have been too much alone. Once we are settled at Pemberley, you may find me sometimes indiscreet in my displays of affection. I want you to always let me know your feelings, your…desires as you learn what gives you pleasure, and certainly you must speak instantly of anything that does not.” He stopped as abruptly as he started, turned away from her and drew in a deep breath.
She stepped to him, placing a hand to his shoulder, wishing to allay the disquiet of which she knew she was the cause. He was, after all, a man in love with a maiden. “Please allow me to apologise, sir. It was not my intention to discompose you.”
He replied without turning, “No, Elizabeth, there is no need. If you will allow me to speak as much as I can, when I can, this conversation, although disjointed, may yield the information you deserve. If you are brave enough to ask, I must be brave enough to answer as truthfully as words can express.”
Her hand remained on his shoulder, and after a moment, Darcy reached to cover it with his. “You humble me, Elizabeth.”
She stepped closer to him and embraced the arm at his side. Their hands entwined. He was vibrantly aware of her breasts through her thick winter spencer pressed to his arm. It was the same embrace she occasionally bestowed upon him as they walked in the countryside before her dream, before she became distant. We shall conquer this. She has come back to me in spirit, and soon she will be mine in fact.
“I shall keep this secret.” She smiled playfully at him, shaking the arm she held. “No one need know you may be humbled. Is it not also a wifely duty to protect her husband’s weaknesses from discovery?” she teased. “You have so many; I shall be rather constantly on guard for you.”
Darcy looked into her eyes, his darkened with passion. “Loving you is my weakness, Elizabeth. It is also my greatest strength.”
They smiled fondly until Darcy said, “Let us walk. Our destination is close, is it not?”
Elizabeth looked about as they conti
nued forward. “Perhaps when we reach the viewpoint, I shall devise another question to disturb us.”
In a few minutes, Elizabeth and Darcy stood upon the rise, and they were presented with the tranquil prospect of Hertfordshire countryside in tawny autumn colours. Darcy stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. They remained thus, contented with silence until Darcy cleared his throat.
“Are you certain you will not be sorry to leave this prospect, Elizabeth?”
“Indeed, I shall not. I have been on this spot perhaps fifty times in my one and twenty years. I shall not miss it but neither shall I forget it.” Darcy was pleased and kissed the top of her head. “Besides, will we not visit the Bingleys occasionally?”
“Of course we shall, but I do not know how long they will last.”
Elizabeth stiffened. Darcy felt her shock and recognised the implications of what he had said. That was poorly worded, Darcy, he cursed himself. He had no doubts about the longevity of Jane and Bingley’s mutual affection. “Would you continue long at Netherfield with your mother not three miles away? That is my meaning. Even the placid nature of your sister seems to lose patience with your mother occasionally. Bingley is a difficult man to impose upon, but I believe your mother will apply herself.”
Elizabeth visibly relaxed and even started to chuckle. “Ah, sir. I take your point. Do you think we could convince them to settle nearer to us?”
“I would wager by the end of the coming year, Bingley will approach me for my opinions of estates in Derbyshire.”
“You think it will need so long as that? I shall take that bet, sir! A sixpence says that if they join us in midsummer, the topic will be broached sooner.”
“It is indeed my intention to invite them to spend some weeks with us around the time of the 21st of July, so I agree to your wager. But only a sixpence?”
“I would not wish to bankrupt you, and I am certain I shall win. On the 21st of July? Fitzwilliam, what does that date signify?”
“It is our anniversary, the date upon which we met at Pemberley. You have had the effect of my becoming a highly sentimental man where I was never one before.”
She turned in his arms and asked playfully, “Perhaps we should postpone our wedding until then?”
Darcy’s cheeks warmed instantly. “No, indeed not. I have waited for you entirely long enough, more than long enough. It is sweet of you to offer, madam, but no, that will not be necessary.”
Elizabeth stepped back as he sought to tighten his embrace. She was laughing. He lunged after her, realising she was teasing him yet again, and he smiled as he caught her. “Elizabeth! You must not test me on this point. You would deny a thirsty man water?”
They stood suspended in time; she was laughing into his eyes, and he was cherishing holding her. After a long moment, Elizabeth reached up to smooth the curls from his forehead, tucking them under his hat, and her fingers lingered on his cheek. Darcy was deeply moved when she continued to hold his gaze and whisper, “No, Fitzwilliam, I would not. If you believe it within my power to make you a felicitous marriage, I shall endeavour to repay your conviction.” She paused as he drew her more securely into his arms. “Please tell me what I must do, other than marrying you on the date we have affixed already, to ensure your happiness.”
Darcy threw off his hat. “For now, kiss me.”
It may be assumed the practice of kissing now occupied much of the remainder of their time upon Oakham Mount, and when, at last, they mastered the delicate art of breathing whilst kissing, and how to respond when one’s cheeks and ears were so anointed, Darcy complimented Elizabeth, saying she was in a fair way to becoming proficient. “Indeed, dearest Elizabeth,” he breathed into her hair, “I believe you have it within you to become truly adept.”
“Such praise!” She smiled in a way that reminded him of the disastrous— by his reckoning—Meryton assembly, when she danced with Bingley after he himself had so ridiculously insulted her. She had glanced his way as he watched her with his friend, as if to draw attention to her virtue as a partner, knowing the lively dance flattered her.
“I am not teasing you, Elizabeth. I am serious.”
“Much too serious, Fitzwilliam. Now where is your hat? We should start our return.”
He did not move or allow her to, saying only, “Oh, hang my hat…” He kissed her laughter away until he felt her responding. Her arms crept around his waist and back under his great coat.
All will be well, Darcy. She will let me teach her all I want her to know.
When he ended the kiss, she remained in his arms, her face upturned, eyes closed, and silent.
“Elizabeth?”
“Shh… I am savouring this,” she whispered.
“What pleases you?”
“Being alone with you, being in your arms. The quiet when we do not need to speak.” She laid her head on his chest.
Darcy took her hint, and held her for some minutes, leaning his cheek on her hair, until she sighed.
“We must go,” they both said and laughed. Their walk back to Longbourn was brisk, contented, and mostly silent.
Chapter 9
His Daughter’s Worth
“When you depart from me, sorrow abides
and happiness takes his leave.”
William Shakespeare
Much Ado about Nothing
The Bennets and Gardiners were invited to Netherfield for another musical evening and supper. After his late morning walk with Elizabeth, Darcy sent a note to Mr. Bennet asking for Elizabeth and him to arrive earlier to finalise the marriage settlement and explain it to Elizabeth.
Mr. Bennet was surprised to receive the note. He was of the opinion that Darcy and he were agreed on all of its generous terms, and he assumed Darcy had already acquainted Elizabeth with the knowledge that she was about to become a woman of substance. There was nothing more than for the documents to be drawn and signed.
Once they were settled in Bingley’s study, Mr. Bennet asked, “Has my Lizzy given you reason to over set the marriage settlement already, Mr. Darcy?” He smiled at his future son-in-law, but behind the smile was some concern.
“Indeed not, sir, but I believe you and I will benefit from informing her together.” He looked at Elizabeth with a broad smile.
Mr. Bennet glanced at his daughter, interested in her reception of the particulars. She seemed curious and oddly, he thought, embarrassed.
“Eliz… Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy corrected upon seeing Mr. Bennet’s raised brow, “I have not yet made you aware of the terms of the settlement between myself and your parents. Has your father mentioned any part?”
“No, Mr. Darcy, and you may well imagine my curiosity. I assumed I would have a chance to read the document before being required to sign it.” Her tone was slightly playful.
“I think you may gather after our conversation this morning, that I have decided to acquaint you with the particulars sooner rather than later. I hope you will find everything to your liking. I hope…I hope you will see reflected here the faith I have in you.”
Mr. Bennet suppressed a chuckle. He knew very well what his daughter’s reaction to Darcy’s largesse was likely to be.
“I am honoured, Mr. Darcy. My father will be pleased at this further proof of your confidence in me.”
Mr. Bennet watched the young people exchange a significant look of pride in each other. He leaned forward in his chair as Darcy explained the terms. This was likely to be a spectacle.
“Miss Elizabeth, the agreement states that I will settle twenty thousand pounds upon you at the time of our wedding”—Elizabeth gasped, and drew a hand to her bosom in surprise— “to which will be added five thousand pounds every year for the rest of your life. You see, I have a bit more than ten thousand a year.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were wide, and she gave her head a little shake of disbelief. Mr. Bennet chuckled, having already been apprised of how much over ten thousand a year Darcy was worth.
“It is your money; you shoul
d think of it as yours. It is separate from your personal allowance and the household funds.” Darcy took a breath. “At the time of my death, as the agreement states, you will become the legal owner of Pemberley in trust until our oldest male child should come of age. If we have no male children, then the oldest female child inherits. Pemberley is not entailed away from the female line but each generation has managed to produce a boy.”
She was aghast but managed to stammer, “I–I will do my best.”
“Now she will tell you she does not deserve it.” Mr. Bennet could no longer restrain his amusement at the turn of Elizabeth’s countenance. He took his daughter’s hand. “But you and I know better.” He nodded at Darcy.
“Indeed, sir. Your daughter has consented to become my partner in managing the estate. She has agreed to let me teach her. I am delighted she is willing to assume a role that is similar to my mother’s place with my father.
“And once I am gone, Eliz…Miss Elizabeth will direct the future of Pemberley as she and I will have planned, assuming our heir is not old enough and has not completed his schooling.”
Elizabeth leapt to her feet and began pacing behind her father. “First, sir, we must cease speaking of your being dead. We simply must.” She looked beseechingly at Darcy. “And secondly, I did not apprehend so much as this.” She continued to pace.
Mr. Bennet chuckled at the forlorn look on Darcy’s face as he watched Elizabeth pace the room.
“Mr. Darcy…” Elizabeth seemed to cast about for the proper expression of her astonishment and alarm. “Is there any circumstance that would allow me to ask, without appearing avaricious, just how much beyond ten thousand a year you are worth?”
“You have every right to know. I am…we will be, worth a little over twenty thousand a year.” Darcy’s voice had quieted. “There are investments, other smaller holdings…you will know all of it as soon as may be, after the wedding and our honeymoon. Unless you wish me to enumerate now…”
Her pacing grew more pronounced, and Mr. Bennet was glad of the thick carpet that deadened a sound with which he was quite familiar: the stomping of his daughter’s feet when she was most agitated.
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