Chapter Seventeen #3
“Mama, the water is cold and everything is dark.”
“I know, sweetheart. It will only be a few more minutes.”
Taking another breath, William went back under the water. Moments later Elizabeth was able to release the buckle on the last strap and pull Anna from the trunk. Resurfacing, William pushed the sinking trunk out of his way and reached for his daughter.
“Papa, Papa!” Anna cried holding onto his neck. “Please, take us home.”
“Yes, sweet one, I promise, we will be there soon.” Continuing to hold Anna, both he and Elizabeth pushed more floating debris out of the way as they swam towards the embankment where Mr. Gardiner and a few others were waiting to pull them from the murky water.
“Elizabeth,” shouted Gardiner through the howling wind and rain, “thank God all three of you are safe!” He quickly took off his great coat and wrapped it around Elizabeth and Anna, who were shivering.
“My carriage is not far,” he continued. “Let us get all of you out of this storm and back to Darcy House.”
Although Mr. Gardiner had not participated in the actual fight, as soon as he saw William and the rest of the men charge up the plank from the loading dock, he alerted the Wharf police into action.
By the time William, Elizabeth and Anna were back on the dock, Wickham’s men had been apprehended and most of the plank cleared of debris.
“Gardiner, you go on ahead with Elizabeth and Anna. I will meet you at the carriage as soon as I find out what happened to my cousin and Wickham.” William quickly kissed Anna on the forehead saying, “I love you, little one. You were very brave today, my girl. Stay with Mama until I come back.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Then to Elizabeth he whispered, “I love you more than you can possibly imagine, Elizabeth Darcy.”
“I love you, too. I knew you would come for us. Go ahead, find the colonel. We shall be waiting.”
Running towards Dobson, William called out, “Where is my cousin?”
“The colonel and Wickham fell from the plank and it seems they were caught in the current. With the storm, the water along the dock is unpredictable. Two of our men who are good swimmers went after them.” He continued to scan the area.
“Wait, I think I see the colonel and our men a little further down. They are being pulled out of the water and onto the next landing.” Both men ran in that direction.
Richard staggered as he and the others hoisted an unconscious Wickham out of the water, his head bleeding profusely. After speaking briefly with the wharf police, Richard turned to William, asking, “Are Mrs. Darcy and Anna well?”
“Yes, and they are waiting for me in Gardiner’s carriage. I am glad to see you alive, Cousin. What happened?”
Still trying to catch his breath, Richard raggedly said, “Wickham hit his head on a piling or some other debris in the water when we fell from the plank. As you can see, he sustained a nasty gash. Blood was spouting everywhere and an undertow pulled us further down. It took all my strength to get him back to the dock.” He shrugged.
“For my part I could have let him drown, but….”
“I understand.” The two men briefly hugged. “Richard, I must get my family home. You take care and keep me informed.”
“No worries.” He patted William on the shoulder. Noticing the blood on his sleeve, he added, “Be sure you have someone look at your arm. It would not do to get an infection after all you have been through.”
“I know, I know. I shall have Benson take care of it after we return to the house.”
“Good!” He nodded to William and turned back towards the wharf police, who were ready to take Wickham and the others to the station.
The ride back to Darcy House was fairly sombre.
William sat with one arm around Elizabeth, holding her close, and with the other he held a sleepy Anna on his lap pressed into his chest. It felt so good to have them safe.
He informed Gardiner of what had taken place with Richard and Wickham, but other than that there was little conversation.
Once they arrived at Darcy House, William sent servants scurrying to prepare baths for his wife and daughter and asked Mr. Gardiner if he could wait for a few minutes in his study while he quickly changed into something dry.
The Study
Walking heavily to the liquor cabinet and pouring two glasses, William said, “Here we are again, Gardiner. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your help today.”
“I am glad I could be of use. We had a good team, and I could not be more thankful that we recovered Elizabeth and Anna.” They both drank from their glasses. “As frustrating as this entire situation has been, Wickham is no longer a threat; of that you can rest assured. The man is finished.”
“Yes, Wickham will pay for what he did to my family.” William shook his head.
“I have known him since he was a child. He had many opportunities to better himself. Both his father and my father would be aghast at the way he turned out.” He sighed.
“Enough said.” Stretching out his hand to Gardiner, he added, “Thank you again and give my best to your wife.”
“That I will. I sent word to Madeline of our success before we left the dock. She will be relieved to know that Lizzy and Anna are safe.” Glancing at William’s arm, Mr. Gardiner said, “Take care of your arm and get some rest. Elizabeth is a resilient woman, and with both of you by your daughter’s side, Anna will be fine.
” He gave William a fatherly hug. “All will be well, son.”
“That is my hope.”
Following Gardiner’s departure, William poured himself another drink and downed it as the reality of everything began to take its toll.
Moving slowly to his desk, he sat in the big chair and leaned over on his arms, dropping his head into his hands, and silently wept.
It had been such a struggle to protect his family: first Georgiana, then Elizabeth and Anna.
He nearly lost everything he held dear, and the reminder of that was suddenly overwhelming.
At length he began to regain his composure and prayerfully whispered, “Thank you, dear Lord; thank you for giving us the courage needed to save them, and for allowing them to remain in my life. I am humbled and shall be forever grateful.”
Wiping his eyes and rising, he pushed away from the desk. It was time to go upstairs and address his own issues. What was more, he needed to see Anna asleep in her room, and he needed to hold Elizabeth in his arms.
Anna’s Room
As it turned out, William’s arm did require a few stitches which his valet dutifully took care of. When finished, he quickly bathed and donned fresh clothes. As soon as he was able, William went directly to Anna’s room where he instinctively knew Elizabeth would be comforting their daughter.
On entering, he looked to the rocking chair where Elizabeth had fallen asleep holding Anna in her arms. The two of them were at peace, and it warmed his heart to see them thus.
Quietly moving to the rocker, he bent over and kissed Elizabeth on the forehead before removing Anna from her arms and placing her on the bed with her two dolls.
As he did so, Elizabeth began to stir, and after blinking a few times, looked up at him with a welcoming smile and outstretched arms. Lifting her to her feet, he pulled her into his embrace, kissing nearly every spot on her face before fervently claiming her mouth.
“I love you so much, Elizabeth, and I never want to be parted from you again.”
“Nor I from you, my husband. Let us ring for Hannah. She volunteered to spend the night here looking after our daughter and will happily do so until Mrs. Potter returns.”
“She will be perfect, my love,” he said, pulling the chord. “Hannah is very fond of Anna and is good with children.”
When Hannah came into the room, the Darcys thanked her and took their leave. As they entered the hallway William said, “Shall I take you to your room now, or would you like to talk a bit before going to bed?”
“William, I have no intention of sleeping in my room,” she said, stepping forward and pulling his hand towards his bedchamber. Then turning to him with her back against the door, she said, “This is where I belong, and this is where I intend to stay as long as you will have me.”
“Elizabeth.” His voice was husky with desire. Pushing the door open, he added, “It has been a long day and I would understand if….”
“Shush,” she said, smiling impishly and putting her fingers to his lips.
“I have dreamed of you, William, and I want to be your wife in every possible way. Aunt Gardiner says words cannot begin to describe the joy that passes between a married couple when they love each other as we do and join as one. She says it is something I shall always treasure. William, take me to your bed; I want that with you.”
“Oh, my dearest love.” He caressed her and kissed her lips with more passion than he had ever imagined. Picking her up and carrying her to his bed, he said, “I want what you want, my love. You are my heart, Elizabeth Darcy, my future, and there will never be another.”
Thus it was, after nearly a week of heartache, worry and strife, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy became one. William had never been happier, for his wife loved him as no other woman ever had. She was the answer to his prayers, and together they would build an extraordinary life.