Chapter 29
The first morning of his new life —one free of turmoil and self-reproach, without fears or inner battles —found Darcy zealous and unsettled, his heart filled with a kind of joy he never knew existed.
He —a private and restrained man who rarely spoke of his feelings —was desirous to share his felicity with everyone.
Most of all, he was impatient to see Elizabeth.
The thought that everything was now clear between them, that each knew of the other’s feelings, that they could make plans for the future was tremendous.
Three days ago, he was alone in London, feeling lost and useless.
A week ago, he left Pemberley, hoping to give Elizabeth the peace he believed she wanted.
Two months ago, he journeyed to Pemberley, carrying the burden of Elizabeth’s agonising presence.
Five months ago, he was in Town, his days spent in seclusion and darkness at war with his memories, resentment, anger, disappointment, and regrets.
Eight months ago, he had presented himself before Elizabeth, claiming her hand in marriage with arrogance and conceit, and she taught him a severe yet well deserved lesson.
And about a year ago, he had left Hertfordshire, striving to put as much distance as possible between him and Elizabeth Bennet —the woman who captured his heart and tormented his soul.
Back then, he was certain they would never meet again under any circumstances.
He was completely wrong then —as he had been before and would be later.
Lost in these musings, Darcy went to the library, asked for coffee, and considered the letters he had to write.
Around eight o’clock, the door opened, and Elizabeth entered, closing the door behind her.
She stepped towards him, a broad smile brightening her beautiful face, her eyes glowing with joy. He hurried to her and took her hands.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” she whispered with a mischievous smile.
“Good morning, my love,” he replied, stealing a kiss —still amazed that he could do that. “Did you sleep well?”
“Not at all; I had too much on my mind and in my heart to sleep.”
His fingers traced a soft line down her face then brought her hands to his lips.
“I did not sleep either, but I am more rested than I have been in months. Come, stay with me. Would you like tea?”
“Yes, thank you. It is so strange to be here with you alone…without distress or awkwardness.”
“I know…I spent so much time and effort to avoid being alone with you when all I wished was your company.”
He sat in a chair in front of her to better see all of her. Her face coloured from pleasure under his intense look.
“What should we do today?” she asked. “Shall we tell the others —and how?”
“You may decide. I intend to write your father immediately to inform him of my proposal and to ask for his blessing. Have you decided upon a wedding day?”
“Of my father’s blessing you should have no doubt. I believe he will be happy with the news. And so will my mother. As for the wedding…do you have a suggestion? You are the one who excels at making plans, Mr. Darcy,” she teased him.
“I do; if it were up to me, I would like to marry tomorrow,” he answered in complete earnest.
Elizabeth stared at him in astonishment. “Surely you jest!”
“Not at all…” He leant to whisper as he was afraid someone might hear them. “Last night I felt heartbroken that I had to leave you. I wish that to end as soon as possible. I have been away from you too long.”
She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and nodded. His whispers warmed her ear as his lips touched her skin. He continued, turning his head enough to steal another kiss from the corner of her lips.
“But I wish you to decide; therefore, we have two choices. I might procure a special licence so we could marry in less than a week, but it would mean that neither your parents nor the Gardiners would likely be able to attend. Or we could wait a few more weeks and invite them all here —or return to Longbourn for the wedding. You decide, and I will make it happen.”
“I…it is all so astonishing that I find it difficult to think clearly. But everything has happened here at Pemberley, this is your home, and it will soon be mine; so, this is where we should wed. But when —I am not certain. Perhaps my parents would like to attend. Should we ask Papa?”
She appeared suddenly uncertain and slightly overwhelmed. His lips brushed over hers again.
“I will apply for a special licence, so we could marry in a week. I shall also write to Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner today, and we will make our final plans about the wedding day as soon as we receive the answer from Longbourn. Do you agree?”
Her eyes brightened.
“Yes —it sounds like a perfect plan. I find it so remarkable that you always take everything into consideration.”
“Hardly,” he said with a laugh, and he moved next to her on the settee, placing his arm around her shoulders. “I am doing everything out of my usual selfishness. I want to ensure a short engagement so I can have what I most desire: you.”
“Your selfishness is sometimes adorable, sir,” she replied, moving closer into his arms.
“Will you continue to call me ‘sir’ on our wedding night?” he teased her.
“No indeed…but I need time to accustom myself to all this novelty…to a new you. Please do not rush me, sir…I mean Fitzwilliam.”
She chuckled. He kissed her temple. “I shall not rush you in anything, my love. But I have longed to hear my name on your lips.”
“As I have longed to hear you call me ‘my love’…Fitzwilliam. That is your name, is it not? Although Georgiana calls you ‘William.’”
“Yes and yes.” He smiled. “When she was very young, she struggled to pronounce the entire name, so I encouraged her to use the shorter one, and that is how it remained for her.”
“And what are you called by the others in your family?”
“‘Darcy.’ Or ‘young man’ and ‘dear boy’ by Aunt Amelia, depending on her disposition.”
Her laugh was suppressed by another kiss, and the softness of his lips became more important than any word or name.
“And what of our family? Should we tell them today or wait?” he eventually asked, his fingers playing with a rebellious lock of hair on her neck.
“I see no reason to wait. I desire no more secrets or pretended indifference. Besides, Georgiana and Lady Hardwick would notice immediately that something is different.”
“I agree.” He laughed, his lips pressing her hair.
They stole another moment of shared tenderness before the door opened, and Georgiana barged in.
“Brother, do you know where Lizzy is? Nobody can find her —” Georgiana stopped, astounded, as her eyes fell upon them. They drew apart and attempted to rise, but the girl allowed them no time to recover before she ran to them.
“Oh, dear Lord, you are engaged!” she cried. “Are you? I hope you are! I cannot believe it!”
“Yes we are, dearest,” Elizabeth answered, tearful at the girl’s enthusiasm. “Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy,” the girl said, embracing her tightly. “Does anyone else know? Have you told Aunt Amelia? This is so wonderful!”
“Nobody knows yet,” Darcy said. “I will write to Mr. Bennet immediately to ask for his consent, and we planned to inform the others at breakfast.”
“Brother, I am so happy for you!”
“I am very happy too, my dear. Let me embrace you.”
They continued to talk and share their joy for a time.
The ladies enjoyed more tea while Darcy attended to his task of writing to Longbourn and Gracechurch Street.
He knew he owed letters to several others: Lady Catherine, Lord Matlock, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
But those would have to wait for Mr. Bennet’s response.
Breakfast began animatedly, and Bingley inquired of the plans for the day.
“I first have an announcement to make,” Darcy declared, gaining everyone’s attention. I asked for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage, and she accepted me. I also sent an express to Mr. Bennet, requesting his blessing.”
A heavy silence fell on the dining room. Lady Hardwick had a great smile of contentment, but the others looked at Darcy then at each other, astounded and perplexed.
“Which Miss Bennet?” Bingley asked incredulously. Kitty and Mary glanced at each other with concern as if it referred to one of them.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy explained with a tender glance towards his chosen one.
“Miss Elizabeth? But…how? When? I was not even aware that you were courting her!” Bingley continued to express his disbelief.
“I did not…that is…we had some misunderstandings that have now been clarified. But I have admired Miss Bennet since last autumn in Hertfordshire. My affection for her has grown since then, and I was fortunate to win her esteem.”
Mary and Kitty were so surprised that neither dared to speak; instead, bewildered and worried, they looked at their sister as if she were in some danger.
Elizabeth laughed as she intervened to calm the situation.
“I imagine this is a surprise for my sisters and my brother. Mr. Darcy and I had a rather harsh and arduous beginning to our acquaintance. But understanding between us improved recently, and I assure you that, for the two of us, this engagement was not unexpected.”
“Well, it has come as a shock to us!” Bingley concluded. “Oh, and I am sorry that I cannot be at Longbourn to see Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s reaction.”
“Oh, Mama and Papa will be happy,” Jane offered kindly.
“I agree, my darling,” Bingley addressed his wife. “They will be happy but perplexed —unlike my sisters, who will be equally perplexed but less happy.”
The rest of the day was spent in discussion of the startling news. Lady Hardwick congratulated them with all the warmth and affection they could hope for while Georgiana expressed her delight countless times.