Chapter Seventeen #4
Your brother is mistaken. I know no hurry in becoming his wife; I am only eager to claim you as my new sister.
In reality, your brother has honored me, and I am truly blessed to know his love.
William has told me of your part in bringing the two of us together, and for that reason you have won my heart.
Even when I was foolish, you recognized how much I required your brother’s influence in my life, and you did not permit him to turn away from the task.
Our love is because of you. Your brother says you are a true romantic, and now I believe him.
I am the happiest of God’s creatures. We will share Pemberley as our home—you and I.
Your sister, Elizabeth
Looking over her shoulder, Darcy teased, “You are not eager to marry me?”
“Why would I wish to marry such a dark figure as you, Mr. Darcy?” Her eyes betrayed her joy as she traced the line of his jaw with her index finger.
“It could not be for my good looks or my wealth so it must be for the new pianoforte in my music room. You may finally practice and become an example of an accomplished young lady.” Darcy saw her eyes flicker in anticipation of what she would say next.
Elizabeth laughed at his levity. “Speaking of being accomplished, who is to tell Miss Bingley of our marriage?”
“Charles claimed that pleasure.”
“Having the Bennet sisters as part of Miss Bingley’s extended family should vex her greatly.”
“I should offer an additional apology to you, Elizabeth. If I had better hidden my fascination with you, you would not have suffered so many rebukes at Caroline’s hand.”
“It appears everyone knew of your love except me.”
“Why is that exactly, Elizabeth?” Darcy taunted.
“Because I was so busy finding fault with you, my dear William, I never saw the core of the man you are. Until I was at Pemberley and heard Mrs. Reynolds and the Lambton residents praise your generosity, it never occurred to me how many people’s welfare depends on you. How could I have been so foolish?”
“I never meant to criticize you, Elizabeth. We have both changed. You were correct when you said that anything arbitrarily changed in our relationship would not have brought us to each other.”
“It must be the rain which brings out my gloom,” she sighed heavily. “Speaking of which,” she said with teasing resolve, “when shall you write to your aunt to inform her what has become of all her warnings about my arts and allurements? The shades of Pemberley are to be polluted after all.”
“It will take courage to face her wrath again, but it ought to be done, so if I may plead for another piece of paper, I will inform her ladyship of my joy and ask for her blessings.”
“It is unfortunate, my love, that I, too, have a letter to write to an aunt or else I would sit close beside you and admire your meticulous handwriting as Miss Bingley customarily chose to do. Aunt Gardiner’s letter explaining your part in Lydia’s marriage hinted at what she perceived to be your fondness for me.
I did not answer her directly because I could not believe she recognized my dearest wish.
Now, I may happily present her the news and promise her a phaeton ride around the grounds of Pemberley. ”
Darcy’s letter to his aunt was short and very formal.
He knew she would not welcome anything he said, nor would Lady Catherine change her mind.
On the other hand, Elizabeth’s letter to her Aunt Gardiner was full of mirth and happiness and fondly acknowledged the Gardiners’ part in bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together.
Darcy dispatched a third letter to Edward.
9 October
Cousin,
Your interference in my life may come to a close.
At last, Miss Elizabeth has agreed to be my wife.
I am the happiest of men, but our aunt, I fear, will find herself in more distress.
Hurry yourself to Rosings and claim Anne for your own.
If you are as fortunate as I, you will know heartfelt delight.
Elizabeth and I will marry on Monday fortnight in a double ceremony with Mr. Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet.
We desire your presence for the ceremony.
Although it is probably too much for which to hope, we would enjoy seeing Anne as well.
Miss Elizabeth sends you love and respect.
She thanks you for your part in bringing us together.
F
Once they finished the letters, Darcy and Elizabeth again retreated to the privacy of the alcove.
To be with Elizabeth provided him more pleasure than Darcy had ever imagined possible.
Most of the conversation between them dealt with their foolish behavior over the past year, but among these moments of mirthful self-reproach hatched nuggets of plans for their future.
“Do you have preferences for our marriage travels before we return to Pemberley? Would you wish to view the Lake Country?” Darcy asked during one of these moments.
“I have traveled so little, each new place has its own wonder. Yet, I do not imagine the roads will be in such good shape at this time of year. May we not wait until summer to travel? I would love to see the Lake Country through your eyes, William, and perhaps visit Scotland. Papa says you have traveled there recently.”
“It was one of the many ways I attempted to forget you. I threw myself into the running of Pemberley, but it was a futile effort.” He allowed a moment of reflection. “Scotland offered me no beauty at the time.”
“Then we should travel there together.”
“There is so much of the world I wish to share with you, Elizabeth.” He kissed the back of the hand he held.
“Where shall we go first as man and wife? Jane and Mr. Bingley have chosen to spend their time at Netherfield. They wish to complete the renovations and refurbishing before celebrating Christmastide in their new home.”
“I had thought,” Darcy hesitated, not wishing to speak of where they would spend their wedding night for fear of offending Elizabeth, “we could travel from the wedding breakfast to our London home. You have never seen it, and we could control our privacy there. After that, we could decide where we will travel next.”
“William,” Elizabeth blushed profusely, but she held his gaze.
“That is an excellent idea. To think I will have a house in London,” she giggled.
“Everything is changing so quickly. It is a bit daunting!” Unfortunately, the more she thought on all the changes, apprehension crept across her countenance.
“Elizabeth, I watched you for months.” He caught both her hands within his and turned her to face him head-on.
He would explain how much he already knew of her nature.
“I can tell your moods by the manner in which you attack your needlework or by the shift of your shoulders or the biting of your lower lip. I know the gamut of your many smiles. There is the smile you have for friends when they require your support, the one where you are excessively happy, the one when you are embarrassed or uneasy, the one when you think of something witty to say, and the one when you laugh to be polite. While I have studied those many mannerisms, I have also learned about the woman with whom I mean to spend my life. Your transition into my world will be no great conquest. You already possess all the qualities to be Mrs. Darcy.”
She said hesitatingly, “London and some privacy would be heavenly. I fear, as the news of our engagement spreads, we will be beset upon with guests who will demand much of our time. If we could spend several days in London without interference, I would be delighted. We could choose to attend the theatre or a concert or simply just be together.”
“London could offer me no better draw. Darcy House will finally be a home.” Darcy’s face reflected his love.
“May we ask my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to dine with us—say, later in the week?” she asked tentatively.
“Assuredly,” Darcy smiled. “We will have the supper we canceled at Pemberley. We will come full circle.”
Although Mary remained in the room, Elizabeth hugged him. “My aunt and uncle will be so pleased! Thank you, William.”
“I would do anything for you to know pleasure, Elizabeth. You will have time to look over the house and to decide what changes you may want to make. I wish to offer you my mother’s favorite room for your private quarters.
You will find the room quite comfortable, but it is a bit out of fashion.
After her death, neither my father nor I could ever think of changing it. ”
“William, I am honored. Having part of your mother’s belongings for my use is a distinction beyond words. I am assured the room is elegant.”
“Then may I send word to Mr. Thacker to prepare the house for us? I will insist no one be made aware of our arrival in London. No one will call or leave words of congratulations until we are prepared to receive them.”
“Those sentiments are likewise mine,” she said huskily. It pleased Darcy that she appeared to want him as much as he desired her. She teased him by tracing lines up his arm with her fingertips. Unconsciously, Darcy stiffened, and she looked confused. “Have I offered an offense?”
Her simple touch had sent shards of desire through his veins. “Heavens, no!” He softened as he beheld her concern. “I love your touch on my arm.”
“Then you still love me?” she taunted. She tempted his lips with the warmth of her breath.
“Elizabeth,” he said, the trembling in his voice evident. “If love could be compared to a grain of sand, my love for you would be a universe of beaches.”
Elizabeth’s prediction of their being beset upon with intrusions on their time became all too accurate.
She attempted to protect him from both her mother’s frequent notice and her Aunt Phillips’s vulgar questions regarding the size of Pemberley and his wealth.
Sir William Lucas pompously complimented Darcy on carrying away “the brightest jewel of the county.” Darcy bore it well and only shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes once Sir William had departed.
Mr. and Mrs. Collins escaped to Hertfordshire to avoid Lady Catherine’s wrath once her ladyship became aware of Darcy’s plans to marry.
Having her friend to share in her happiness thrilled Elizabeth, but Darcy paid the price by receiving Mr. Collins’s attention.
Collins, as usual, paraded about as if he were a man of importance rather than a mollifying clergyman whose living came at the whim of a bitter old woman.
Darcy bore all of the pomp and silliness with admirable calmness.
Tolerating Mrs. Bennet and her sister and now Mr. Collins and Sir William had taken its toll on some of the pleasure of the season of their courtship. The chaos of the Bennet household increased his need to be away from all the madness. He required only Elizabeth’s company to know happiness.
On one such evening, as Darcy departed Longbourn, Elizabeth stood before him in the entryway.
Evidently, she recognized his agitation and decided to send him to Netherfield in a better mood.
She gripped the lapels of his jacket and pulled him near.
“William,” she huskily whispered his name.
Darcy found her disturbingly beautiful in the flickering candlelight.
He edged her into his embrace. Although she blushed with her own boldness, she said, “I, too, have observed you for some time, sir, and you have multiple smiles, but the one I love the most is the one when you look upon me.” She brazenly kissed him before parting.