Chapter 14 #3
The joy which flooded his face made her wish with all her heart for Georgiana’s complete recovery to youthful innocence.
Georgiana would never know how close she’d come to ruining her life, but she and Fitzwilliam would and right now, that’s all that mattered.
They’d protect her to the ends of the earth and back.
During one of their promenades, they passed Jane and Mr. Bingley.
Knowing the true state of how their relationship would progress, Lizzy smiled and when the dance concluded, all four of them gathered near the refreshment table.
Miss Bingley was seen, cleaving through the crowd like a knife through butter, when suddenly she veered to the right and exited the room.
If Lizzy hadn’t seen the wide smile on Mama’s face, she’d have always wondered why the sudden diversion of course.
As it was, Mama explained the next day when the gentlemen came to visit along with the Lucas ladies.
“Poor Miss Bingley.” She said, shaking her head as though distressed, “She took violently ill and did not make it to the chamber pot in time and ruined her dress. Alas, she was but six inches from the porcelain bowl. Such a shame.” She pinned Mr. Darcy with a mischievous look.
“Can you imagine, a mere six inches ruined her chances of dancing with the most eligible man in the room.”
Fitzwilliam laughed out loud and later on, when they had a moment alone, he explained to what her mother alluded.
More proof Mama had always looked out for her, and that she’d heard every vile word Miss Bingley had spewed at the Netherfield Ball.
Poor Miss Bingley. To have lost her deepest held ambitions and gained the ire of magical royalty.
She’d have to beg Mama to let Miss Bingley live her life without further incident.
She could no longer harm them, or Jane, in any fashion.
~~oo0oo~~
Three months later, with her bonnet dangling from her fingertips, Lizzy made her way to the top of Oakham Mount.
Now that her powers were fully released, she marveled at the movement of the trees and the sigh of the breeze with tickled her cheek.
How had she survived not knowing the wonder of creation?
Everything sang praises to the Creator, even the blades of grass.
And to think Mr. Wickham sought to destroy that which was good.
All for a false sense of power. For one brief moment she felt a pang of pity for the man who’d believed in the lies of that ancient serpent.
With the knowledge she now held, she realized the tales of old, of knights fighting great dragons, had a ring of truth.
This battle between good and evil had gone on for millennia, and would likely continue until that great and final day.
She had done her part, unknowingly and laughed out loud with the brook that bubbled alongside her path. Her joy could not be contained.
As she crested the hill, and beheld the valley which held Longbourn spread out before her, a tingling sensation covered her like a welcome blanket on a cold winter’s night.
“Fitzwilliam,” she sighed out and closed her eyes, a smile gently lifting the corners of her lips. He had come.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and she was drawn close to his body, her back to his chest, his heartbeat steady and true. When warm lips traced the sensitive area behind her ear, she couldn’t help the shiver of anticipation that coursed through her body.
“I knew I’d find you here, my Elizabeth,” he whispered before she turned in his arms, dropped her bonnet, and lifted her lips to his.
“You could find me anywhere, Fitzwilliam. Our love is a shining beacon, calling to us, leading us home.”
“And are you ready to call Pemberley home?”
“Yes. I’ll miss Longbourn and all that is familiar, but you are my heart and home will always be where you are.”
“And also, this one.”
He placed his large hand on the slight bump beneath her gown. Although the threads of time had been pulled and woven to bring them back to Meryton unscathed, her grandmother made sure the life they’d created was not lost.
“I cannot wait to meet our son or daughter.”
“Neither can I. I must say, I hope for a son, so that he’ll have magic?”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam. All our children will have magic. Male or female. I am Ellorian and Miatharan. You are Miatharan. We are the start of new era.”
“Our daughters will be born magical?”
“Every single one.”
The smile that lit his face was a sight to behold.
“I knew when I met you, and couldn’t figure out why my magic didn’t work on you, that you were destined for something greater.”
“I’ve wondered about that as well. We are soul mates as are my mother and father. She was Ellorian, he was Miatharan and because of that joining, my sisters and I were born.”
“How have your sisters taken the news they have magical gifts?”
“Jane was a little taken aback and worries she’ll harm Charles.”
“Your sister couldn’t hurt anyone no matter how hard she tries.”
“True. Kitty has delved into painting with a new passion and Mary is slowly allowing her magic to come through her music. She played a sonata last night that was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes.”
“You, my dear have been crying at the drop of a hat lately.”
“‘Tis the babe. Mama says this is quite normal.”
“She should know.” He trailed a finger down her cheek. “What of Lydia?”
Lizzy stepped out of his embrace and moved to a small bench Papa had placed on the hill for her to sit and contemplate the view.
Fitzwilliam joined her and took her hand in his.
She loved how he always needed to touch her in some small way.
Twining their fingers beneath the folds of her skirt whenever they sat beside each other, his warm hand on the small of her back in a crowd, or lightly taking her elbow as they moved from one room to another.
“She is embittered. Although she has no memory of Wickham, she senses something has been lost. Mama has confined her and Kitty to the nursery until they’re eighteen.”
“I for one, am glad all traces of Wickham are gone. You have no memory of that time in the clearing, but he gloated over what he’d done to my sister and now I know why she couldn’t forgive herself.
He’d been truly heinous. She is back to being the lovely, yet shy girl she was prior to his treachery. ”
“The power I was given is humbling, Fitzwilliam, and at times I’m so very afraid I might do something like that again.”
He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her fingers.
“No, you won’t. What happened in the clearing was unique. Yes, you are protective but you are not malicious. You would never seek to destroy lives as Wickham did.”
“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
“And I love you, my Ellucia, my Elizabeth.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Are you ready to get married alongside your sister and Bingley?”
“I am, although I wish we could stay like this forever.”
“What? And miss the wedding breakfast your mother has labored over for weeks?”
She pulled out of his embrace with a gay laugh. “Her joy and Papa’s satisfaction at life has been a great source of entertainment, although his satisfaction stems mostly from spending time in your library at Pemberley.”
“He does enjoy my library. We may have to set strict rules as to when he visits because I do not want your father to accidentally come across us dishabille.”
“In your library?”
He reached for her again and kissed her with a hunger that made her toes curl.
“I plan on taking you in every room of Pemberley,” he almost growled, “and there are almost one hundred bedrooms of all shapes and sizes, plus over four hundred little nooks and crannies. That takes care of the first year and then, we start all over again.”
“You have forgotten Darcy House.”
“That, my dear, is reserved for our first-year anniversary.” He undid her pelisse and pushed it from her shoulders. “In fact, I think you should have a taste of what I see in our future.”
Warm lips caressed the base of her neck and moved across the exposed plump curves of her breasts.
Her nipples pebbled in response and she clung to him.
Impatiently he tugged at her dress and exposed one breast, latching onto her nipple like a new born babe.
Shafts of pleasure jolted straight to her midsection and lower as he suckled and laved her breast.
He lifted his head and held her gaze, his hooded eyes dark with desire.
“Elizabeth. I think I’ll keep you in this state our entire life as your breasts are fuller and very” - he kissed the fullness of her breast - “much’ - he suckled her nipple, releasing it with a satisfying pop - “to my liking.”
About to agree with him, she stayed silent because he straightened his posture and hastily dragged her dress back up her body.
“Fitzwilliam?” she queried, wondering if she’d offended him somehow. “What is it?”
“Your grandmother just reminded me we are not wed.”
Lizzy looked upward to the clear sky and laughed.
“I’ll let you intrude this time, Grandmama, but in the future our privacy is guaranteed.”
Yes, my Ellucia. I’ll not intrude upon you and young D’arcionage. But until the wedding, he will honor you as I commanded.
She arched an eyebrow at Fitzwilliam.
“I heard Queen Aurolea along with you.” He stood and scooped up her discarded bonnet and handed it to her. He looked toward the sky as well. “I am a man of my word, but your granddaughter is not only the brightest jewel in the country, but highly desirable.”
I am well aware of that. I will see you at the wedding.
He waited while Elizabeth put on her bonnet and fixed the ribbon into a jaunty bow on the side of her chin. He held out his hand, palm up.
“Shall we go get married, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, my love.” She placed her hand in his and stood. “I cannot wait to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“As do I, Elizabeth. As do I.”
The End