Chapter 40 #2
The day eventually passed with Elizabeth slowly returning to her usual duties. The following day she expected her husband to return, and her eagerness increased with every hour.
Lady Matlock sent her a note, asking whether she was prepared for the party, insisting she should select ‘the most flattering and impressive gown and jewels’.
She even offered to call and help Elizabeth choose if she felt she needed a second opinion, but Elizabeth declined politely, mentioning she would ask for her new sister’s assistance.
Elizabeth had selected her finest gown, matching it with the set of jewels given to her by her husband on the night they had walked in the snow.
While the beauty of the setting and the cut of the stones took her breath away, and the deep colour of the rubies complemented her dark hair and pale complexion, she had not thought an occasion to wear them would arise in the near future.
She hoped he would approve, as his was the only opinion she cared for.
As much as she tried to conceal it, she was nervous about the ball. She would be under the close scrutiny of people eager to find fault with her. She cared little for their opinion, but she wished her husband to be proud of her. If only he would come home sooner!
On the day of Darcy’s expected return, Mr Bingley called around noon and stayed for about an hour.
Then the colonel — who had just returned to London — visited and asked after Darcy.
Elizabeth could offer no answer, and as the hours passed and night fell, her restlessness became overwhelming.
She had no appetite for dinner but joined Georgiana and Jane at the table, though her attention was elsewhere.
Afterwards, in the solitude of her chamber, she drew a chair to the window and sat looking out, startling at every carriage that rumbled past on the cobbled street. She reluctantly changed into her nightgown, then resumed her place at the window and continued her vigil.
Eventually, after midnight, tired and cold, she gave up and lay down, wrapping the bed-covers around herself.
What could have happened? Why was he not home?
He always kept his promises, so something terrible must have occurred.
It was a long journey, the weather was poor for travelling, and dangers lurked at every turn. Where was he?
She did not remember falling asleep, but she startled and jumped to her feet when she heard a sound from his room.
Barefoot, with no consideration for the cold floor and not stopping to look for her slippers, she ran through the adjoining door without knocking.
Then she stopped short, almost colliding with her husband, who was standing on the other side.
“You are here!” she whispered, her heart beating wildly, throwing herself into his arms.
“I am. I missed you so much!” he whispered, closing his arms around her. For a long moment, they held each other tightly, simply taking comfort in being reunited.
“I apologise — I know I look terrible, and I probably smell even worse. I have been on the road almost all the time, and I have hardly slept at all since I left.”
She raised her eyes to meet his.
“You look terribly handsome, I agree, though pale and exhausted. You need a good meal and a good bath. I shall ring for a servant immediately.”
“I need to hold you in my arms a moment longer, as I missed you so much,” he repeated. “I already asked my valet to bring hot water and something to eat.”
“When did you arrive? I kept watch at the window for hours, but I eventually fell asleep. I have not slept much since you left either,” she said with a smile.
He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
“Your feet must be frozen. Come, let me take you to your room before Marston returns.”
Before she had time to oppose him, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to her bed. Then he gently placed her on it and took each of her feet in his hands, rubbing them gently.
“I was right, they are as cold as ice! I hope you did not plan to catch a cold in order to escape my aunt’s party.”
Waves of pleasure made her shiver, and she closed her eyes in delight as his innocent touch warmed not just her feet but her entire body.
He wrapped the sheets and blankets around her and placed a tender yet hasty kiss upon her forehead.
“I shall bathe and shave,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
“Of course, and then you should rest. Tomorrow will be another difficult day.”
“You should rest too since you said you had slept poorly.”
“Fitzwilliam, may I ask…did you find what you were looking for?”
“Yes, everything is now resolved. I found quite a few important things — a pile of letters, some from my father, others from Georgiana, along with a few pieces of jewellery belonging to my family and some business papers signed by my father for the benefit of Wickham. Money already wasted, of course. I shall tell you everything tomorrow.”
“I just want to know that all is well and you do not have to leave again.”
“All is well,” he assured her, kissing her hands.
“Sir, I brought you a tray and your bath is…” his valet called from the other room, then mumbled an apology when he realised his master was in the mistress’s chamber.
“Please bring the tray here, so I may eat while I talk to Mrs Darcy,” Darcy called back. “Is my bath ready? Is that what you were about to say?”
“Not yet, sir.”
“Good. Then I have time to eat first.”
The man left, and the two of them were alone again, face to face, she sitting propped against the pillows, a blanket pulled up to her neck, he on the edge of the bed.
“You said you did not sleep well, but did you eat?” he teased her.
“Not much,” she admitted.
“Then we shall have the pleasure of sharing this late dinner,” he offered, and Elizabeth realised she was hungry indeed.
They ate in silence for a little while. She glanced at him; his appearance was more severe than usual due to the growing beard and the dark circles around his eyes.
“I understand your family left yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“And your mother? Was she completely recovered?”
“Very much so. I shall give you more details in the morning. I do not want to talk about her now — I am just happy you are home,” she said.
“So am I. Very happy to be with you…near you…” Their eyes locked, and they shared another moment of silence, then there was the sound of footsteps in the other room, and the servant announced Darcy’s bath was ready.
“Will you come to me later?” she whispered, blushing with embarrassment at her boldness and poor choice of words. “Just to sleep… I do not mean to…” she hurried to add.
“There is nothing I would like more. I shall return soon…just to sleep…and hold you close,” he said, smiling at her chatter, and she nodded.
She watched him leave, but this time her heart was full of joy and peace.
The turmoil and the anxiety were all gone.
With her eyes closed, she listened to the sounds from the other room and tried to guess and imagine what he was doing.
Taking his coat off, his waistcoat, then his shirt…
The rest of his clothes now… Then stepping naked into the bath…
The image of his unclothed body sinking into the hot water invaded her mind and made her shiver, though she was not cold any longer — quite the opposite; her feet still held the warmth of his touch.
She indulged herself for a little longer, continuing the game in her imagination until the sounds in the other room faded.
After a while — she did not know how long — Elizabeth rose and walked to the door, listening carefully.
There was no sound, so she opened it slowly; inside, it was dark, except for the glow of the fire.
She took a step forwards, and her eyes fell on the bed, where her husband was soundly asleep.
His chest was rising steadily; his face — freshly shaved — looked serene and peaceful.
She was tempted to climb into the bed beside him, just to feel his arms around her and to sleep together, as she had desired since he left. But that would mean disturbing his rest, waking him up, when he was in dire need of sleep. How could she be so selfish?
With a smile, she stepped back and closed the door carefully, then returned to her own bed.
Even though she was alone, she could feel his nearness; she imagined she could hear his even breathing and the beat of his heart, and she fell asleep again, this time deeply and restfully.
She would have plenty of opportunities to sleep in his arms from that day on — all the remaining days of their life together.