Chapter 10 Dramatic Interruption
Dramatic Interruption
For the hundredth time in the past hour, Lizzy glanced away from the dress she was attempting to sew and peered out the window.
A fragment of the main road connecting Netherfield with the thoroughfare leading to London was distantly visible through the trees and shrubs surrounding Longbourn.
The sofa positioned by this window had been her favorite spot for years when doing any task that required unobstructed sunlight, yet until a few weeks ago, the fact that the angle afforded a view of the road had not registered as a noteworthy detail.
This recent discovery had benefitted her enormously so she could see her beloved’s arrival, providing some ten to fifteen minutes for ensuring she looked her very best. Today the awareness only brought sadness.
Lizzy glanced at the mantel clock. Since the last time she’d checked, the minute hand had inched another whopping two strokes.
It is after ten o’clock, she thought forlornly, so surely he has already left for London.
She was torn between disgust for wasting two hours trying to sew while pathetically riveted to a gap in the trees, and desolation for apparently missing the passing of his carriage during one of those brief minutes she completed a stitch.
As if a flash of horses and the Darcy crest would make me feel any better. What utter nonsense.
Cognizance of her idiotic actions and emotions did not prevent another pitiful sigh, probably the thousandth in the past hour.
“Try not to be too sad, Lizzy. I understand your feelings, but he will only be gone a few days.”
“He said it might be a whole week.” The correction to Jane’s kindly meant consolation burst out as a plaintive whine.
Cringing, Lizzy tossed the error-riddled gown into her sewing box.
“Sorry, Jane. I am silly, I know. I shall try to exhibit calm restraint, as I know you would if the situation reversed. You would never stare out of a window for hours in the vain hope to glimpse Mr. Bingley’s carriage passing by. ”
“Believe that if it helps. I shan’t comment upon the numerous attempts to peer through the miles in the vain attempt to draw Netherfield into focus.” Together they laughed at their joint whimsies instigated by hearts giddy with newfound love.
“I believe it is imprudent to squander the time God has given us in pointless anxiety. As the wise proverb of Solomon instructs, ‘Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.’”
Normally, Mary’s pious lectures stirred nothing but annoyance within Lizzy.
Perhaps it was her newfound appreciation for scripture, thanks to William, or maybe it was the truth of the words that pierced her heart.
Whatever the root, Lizzy gazed at her sister seriously and nodded.
“Thank you, Mary. While I do believe Mrs. Price would scream if I went anywhere near her garden or demanded to make bread, the metaphor is valid. I shall take it to heart.”
“Might I suggest a visit to the Lucases? Kitty heard from Susie Ashe, who heard from Maria Lucas, that Mr. Collins has returned to Hunsford, but Charlotte is staying to help her mother. Lady Lucas has the gout, you know.”
“I think that was an excuse,” Kitty piped up.
She sat cross-legged on the floor, teaching her puppy to balance a treat on his nose, attention focused but never so much so that sharing gossip wasn’t possible.
“Susie and I saw Lady Lucas buying fabric from the draper yesterday, and she seemed fine to me. I think Charlotte wanted to be away from Mr. Collins and that horrid Lady Catherine. Who can blame her? And it was Mia Putman who heard it from Maria Lucas and told Susie, but I’m sure it is true. ”
“However the message passed along, it is good news.” Rising from the sofa, Lizzy pointedly turned her aching back toward the window and stretched until her spine popped.
Inserting vigor and positivity into her tone, she said, “The suggestion is a marvelous one, Mary. I haven’t visited with Charlotte as frequently as I should have, I am ashamed to say. ”
“I am sure she understands, Lizzy,” Jane said. “Not too long ago she was newly engaged so must know how it is to be centered on one’s betrothed, romance, and future happiness together.”
At this absurd declaration, hilarity erupted. Even Mary joined in, as well as Kitty’s puppy if his spirited yaps counted. Lizzy’s snort blended with a burst of uncontrollable laughter, the emitted sounds not at all ladylike. “Oh Jane! You are simply priceless! Bless your heart.”
Into the bedlam walked the butler. No one noticed until he cleared his throat.
“Pardon the interruption to your entertainment, ladies. Miss Elizabeth, you have a visitor.”
Before Lizzy had no time to run through the possible visitor's list, Mr. Hill stepped aside and in walked Mr. Darcy.
“William!” she exclaimed, shocked despite having done nothing but long for him all morning. They had said their emotional goodbyes last evening, so it had honestly not occurred to her to hope he would pause for a visit.
“Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet flew into the room, from wherever she had been, faster than the speed of light.
“How absolutely delightful to see you! Oh my! I am all aflutter! We were not yet expecting guests. I am afraid you just missed breakfast, although I am sure Mrs. Price can prepare something in no time at all. We have fresh biscuits with strawberry jam made not a week ago, and coffee of course, with cream as you like it—”
“Please, do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy hastily interjected when she finally paused for air.
Tearing his eyes away from Lizzy, who was literally breathless, he bowed respectfully toward her mother.
“I dined well this morning, thank you. I apologize for calling unannounced and unexpected. I am, as you know, departing for a short trip to Town. However, as I approached Longbourn, I felt it my duty to pause and pay my respects, yet again, for your outstanding hospitality these past weeks. I also regretted not asking if you have need of anything from the city, Mrs. Bennet. It would be my greatest honor to acquire anything you may need or want. The same is true, of course, for all of your fine daughters.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy! You are so very kind!” Mrs. Bennet dabbed her teary eyes with her handkerchief. “My Lizzy is the most fortunate of women to have gained the notice of such a great man.”
“Thank you, madam. I judge myself the truly fortunate one. With your permission,” he said, rushing on before another word passed Mrs. Bennet’s parted lips, “may I be granted a moment alone with Miss Elizabeth?”
“Mama.” Jane gently clasped onto her mother’s arm and steered toward the door.
“I completely forgot that Mrs. Price wanted our opinion on the marzipan for the wedding cake. Safe travels, Mr. Darcy.” At an added head bob to Kitty and Mary, they suddenly had vital duties elsewhere.
In a matter of seconds, Lizzy and Darcy were alone, the women’s voices drifting through the narrow crack in the door from farther and farther down the hallway until they finally faded into silence.
Well before the last retreating murmur, Darcy had crossed the room in three long strides and enfolded her hands in his.
“I could not bear to leave without seeing you—”
“I am so surprised to see you—”
Soft laughter stayed their jumbled confessions.
Apparently deciding to forego unnecessary explanations altogether, Darcy bent for a tender kiss.
A mere brush of his lips sent a jolt of desire through her body.
Instinctively leaning to increase the pressure and parting her lips invitingly, Lizzy released a whining moan when he stepped back a pace.
After drawing a shaky breath, he professed teasingly, “I do not trust myself with you, Miss Bennet. For some bizarre reason, I lose all sense of propriety when kissing you. The gentleman Mr. Darcy vanishes as if he never existed.”
Smiling, he led her to the same sofa she had perched on for close to two hours that morning. “You appear amused, my darling. Then I haven’t disturbed you by dropping in unexpectedly?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. As if I would ever be disturbed to see you, William.”
“Glad to hear it. Honestly, I did not plan to stop. I thought I had convinced myself that our affectionate parting last evening was sufficient to hold me for the days I shall be in London. Alas, as my carriage neared Longbourn, the vision of you here, perhaps yet in your bedclothes, was too tempting. It was quite simply beyond my capability to resist.” Grinning, he reached up and tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips playfully tickling her lobe.
Another tingling current cascaded through her until it created butterflies in her belly.
“So,” she stammered, “the stalwart Mr. Darcy confesses to weakness, does he? Unfathomable!”
“Indeed, it is true. Daily, I find my strength and control waning. I am helpless to do anything about it, other than pray for time to defy the laws of physics and bring November the twenty-eighth sooner than normal. It is entirely possible I may lose my mind for wanting you if the next ten days creep by.”
“Oh, the tragedy! A fine mind such as yours, sir, must be protected at all cost. Then I shall increase my prayers. Perhaps with the joint effort, along with Jane and Charles who are likely appealing to the heavens as well, God’s heartstrings will be tugged to perform a small miracle.”
He was still fixated on her ear, which was wreaking havoc with her insides. It didn’t help that his eyes had assumed a dreamy glassiness and were darkening with desire.
Goodness gracious but we are a pathetic pair of romantics.