Chapter 7 Sensational Revelation #7
“How can you be so angry one minute, and then in the next minute brush it off as just gossip? Inconsequential gossip, no less? I do not understand!”
“My dearest, I am furious at my aunt for her persistent refusal to accept the fact of our betrothal. Mainly, I am furious for her unconscionable actions which have now caused you pain. I do not believe anyone is without forgiveness, but God help me, Lady Catherine is skirting the edge in my mind and heart! This is where my anger lies, not on the specifics of the rumors. You must trust me, Elizabeth, when I assure you that in the grand scheme, it does not matter.”
“But…those women today…what they said and how they acted toward me was…vile. How can this not matter, to you and to us? Is not reputation and proper behavior everything within society?”
“Consider what they said and how they acted, and tell me who is truly most vile? It assuredly is not you! Lady Westingcote and her pernicious daughter are prime examples of how people in society often behave. They preach a moral and ethical high ground, and all the while they are debauched, shallow hypocrites. Not everyone, of course, although far too many for my taste. The majority are decent people who only possess the typical, largely harmless faults and sins that plague all of humanity. The point is, as much as I hate certain aspects of that world, I comprehend the intricacies. Therefore, you must believe me when I assert that while I do not for a second minimize the pain such words have caused you, they are, indeed, inconsequential.”
He drew her hands to his lips, kissing each with a firm pressure before laying them against his heart.
“To be clear, I owe much of this revelation to you, Elizabeth Bennet.” He smiled at the questioning cast to her face.
Lizzy was sincerely perplexed as to his meaning.
“I hesitate to bring up past confrontations we have sworn to leave alone. However, not too long ago, you sternly pointed out my prejudices and ridiculous arrogance. It was your moral character, your confidence and boldness, that forced me to hearken to your words. As I have already revealed to you, I spent months reevaluating my actions and thoughts, seeking to improve my character. I hope I have succeeded in that endeavor, at least to some degree?”
The droopy mouth, sad eyes, and overblown expression of supplication was impossible to resist. Lizzy shook her head and giggled breathily.
“Ah! A laugh! Much better. I shall take that as a yes.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead before guiding her toward the sofa.
He still held tightly to her hands and did not ask if she was wanted to sit, but Lizzy discovered she was more than ready to relax beside him.
Plus, suddenly a cup of tea sounded fantastic, even if cooled to lukewarm.
He poured two cups and added the exact amounts of sugar and cream she preferred to one. Watching quietly, she waited until he joined her on the sofa before responding in a jesting tone. “It is a yes by the way. You have improved, although you never were quite as defective as I first thought.”
“Good to know. Thank you.” He lifted his cup as if toasting, flashing a grin before taking a sip.
“And I am sorry I called you hulking and domineering.”
“Oh, no need to apologize for that. I am hulking and domineering. And a man. So, guilty as charged.”
Mutual laughter eased most of the remaining tension, and the amazingly still hot tea played a significant role as well.
They drank in silence for several minutes.
Lizzy realized she was feeling almost her old self—a remarkable recovery, really, considering the extreme chaos of her emotions mere minutes ago.
Then again, being close to William was inevitably comforting and joyous—and more than a little arousing.
Even when not touching or looking at each other, those internal sensations she now identified as desire were kindled into flames.
It was an elemental, visceral reaction that she no longer denied or tried to suppress.
So when she had the last swallow of tea, she planned to set the cup aside and kiss him… but he spoke.
“Maybe I should let the topic go, but I fear you may later, in your quiet moments, revisit what happened today and begin to doubt.” He looked up from his empty cup, serious eyes scanning her face.
“Elizabeth, your words…before…did more than cause personal introspection. I removed the blinders installed by my upbringing and opened my eyes, as it were, to the world I was born into, assessing it honestly.”
Cups relegated to a nearby table, he scooted closer until their knees bumped and he clasped her hands.
“I’ve often felt…uncomfortable in society, as you know, but I was never so naive that I did not to see how people could be.
It was all I had ever known, and I suppose it is normal to make excuses or pretend.
I wanted to believe in the exalted ideals of our class structure, in elevated rank and superior breeding, the duty to family and ancestry.
I still do, to be honest. Only now I know the limitations and the failings.
I know that for all the positives there are negatives, and this isn’t any different wherever one falls on the social ladder. ”
He paused, face tight and deep creases marking the space between his brows.
Finally, after a huge sigh, “What I am trying to explain, not very well I think, is that within the somewhat indistinct group known as ‘Society’ there is a hierarchy with rules and standards. This is true. There is also corruption. Into this comes rampant gossip typically forgotten for the next round of rumors. Upon occasion, sadly, the gossip can lead to real damage, depending upon the persons involved and the degree of truth to the scandal. However, overriding any of this is rank, wealth, and power. Simply put, if one has the latter in large quantities and is well connected to others who do, no amount of scandal, even if extreme, can seriously harm them in the long term.”
Peering intently into her eyes, grave and with the self-assured nobility of his station firmly settled upon his countenance, he asked, “Need I elaborate further? You will soon be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, my wife. Do you now fully comprehend why I am absolutely certain none of the lies matter?”
It fleetingly crossed her mind to tease a bit for the arrogant boast. In reality, his supreme confidence wiped out any remaining negativity from the ugly encounter at Grosvenor Chapel.
Furthermore, the blatant authority heard in his resonant voice and seen in his autocratic features heated the simmering desire until all she wanted was for him to kiss her.
A slow smile spread over her lips and she bobbed her head once.
“Good, it is settled. Now, although I suspect the others to arrive any minute, if not already here and being entertained by Georgie, I am not letting you leave this room, Miss Bennet, until I kiss you thoroughly.”
And then he did. Quite thoroughly indeed.