Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
It was not until early the following morning, just after sunrise and before Elizabeth would be required at Longbourn to soothe her mother’s nerves and distract her elder sister in the hours before the wedding, that she and Darcy had the chance to meet and discuss all that had occurred.
A pledge of mutual affection, a promise of more...of a happy future.
Like her, Darcy confessed he had scarcely slept and wished only to escape Netherfield, where Bingley’s sisters were fussing over their trunks and badgering the poor man over his plans for the estate.
If he had to hear Miss Bingley say ‘dear Jane will be in need of my advice on fabrics and decorating’ one more time, he said, he was certain he would go mad.
Discovering that Darcy was of like mind, desperate to escape his own confinement, was sweetly satisfying, and Elizabeth rewarded him with a laugh.
But he was the dutiful Mr Darcy, and maintained solemnity long enough to enquire as to the state of affairs at Longbourn.
“How is Miss Lydia? Is she well?”
“She is as she ever is, demanding Kitty give her the best blue ribbons for her bonnet and spilling Jane’s rose-water onto her gown.”
“And you?”
“I am happy.” Elizabeth spun in a circle, unable to express in words the joy she felt in Darcy’s company. He caught her hand and pulled it to his lips.
“I am glad.”
He was gazing at her with a fervent but unreadable expression.
Elizabeth felt they were on a precipice, that the understanding they had reached was a promise, and whatever was said next would seal their connexion.
Almost desperate to tell him her feelings, she lay her hand on his sleeve, but then, nervous, she laughed and told him more about the tumults, large and small, currently in play at Longbourn.
His manner was easy, and if he was disappointed by the turn in conversation, he did not show it as he smiled.
Abruptly, she sobered and stepped back to look at him.
“You do not have the quizzing glass with you,” she said carefully. “I hope you have locked it away from prying eyes.”
“I have,” Darcy assured her. “It is packed within its case and locked in my travelling desk in my chambers. It is safe.”
“If you wish to wear it again for reading maps and ledgers, I thought perhaps one of the finest ribbons in the country might be of use.” She pulled a length of silver ribbon from her pocket and pressed it into his hand; her own shook only a little.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered.
In the next moment, he was closer to her than ever before, so close that she could feel the heat of him, feel his breath on her cheeks. Her heart pounded as he gazed down at her.
“Elizabeth, you know—you must know—how I love you,” he murmured.
“And I love you,” she replied in a voice she hardly recognised as her own.
His dark eyes lit up in happiness, searching hers as his hand caressed her cheek and he bent to kiss her.
His lips, gentle but firm, compelled Elizabeth to lift her hands to his chest and return the kiss.
Darcy responded quickly to her inartful embrace, his lips parting, pressing more deeply.
Her eyes were closed, but the world exploded into dazzling colours and light.
When they broke apart, breathless and gasping, Elizabeth wondered whether she looked as he did—flushed and feverish, with overbright eyes.
“Forgive me, Elizabeth. I have not yet secured your father’s blessing, but you will marry me?”
She touched his jaw and pulled him back to her. “Only if you kiss me like that again.”
Reunited a few hours later at the breakfast, the pair laughed at the happiness displayed by the new Mr and Mrs Bingley.
“Our affections are equally obvious,” Darcy observed. “No one, not even your father, will need spectacles or a quizzing glass to see the truth of our feelings.”
“And accept them as well, I hope.”
“No one who makes your acquaintance can be anything but charmed by you,” Darcy responded, lifting her chin gently until he could see her eyes. “I thought I needed to confirm the feelings of my heart—to confirm your goodness and the rightness of my love. I was a fool.”
“No,” she protested, laughing. “Such feelings are new to both of us. I sought confirmation of you through others’ eyes—”
“While I nearly looked for yours with a piece of decorated glass.” He exhaled heavily, clearly disgusted with himself.
“Now, now. You never used it on me.” Elizabeth leant closer, not near enough to draw curious eyes, to examine the quizzing glass dangling on its handsome silver ribbon. “It is a pretty, bespoke thing which you wear in an excellent manner.”
“I did not want any of my new friends to feel singular in their fashion. None can outdo mine, joining as it does silver and gold.” He smiled in a manner she realised had always been intended only for her.
“Besides, a ceremony uniting two people deeply and unquestionably in love seemed the right time for me to wear it in company, one last time.”
Elizabeth lifted the object in question. The ruby embedded in the bottom of its gold handle was the largest of the gems, but it was the smaller onyx and diamonds at the base of the lens that truly caught her eye. “Did you never suppose these stones were catching the light and creating the glow?”
“Of course. But even in the dim light of my study, after putting out a candle, it was evident the light was cast from the person, not from a lamp or sconce.”
“Will you have need of it again?”
“It has served me excessively well for some five years,” he said wryly before turning more serious, “but now that I shall have you to help me ease my way in society and understand others, I believe it can be locked away for good.”
He did not need to see her warm smile to know he had touched her with his sentiments. Her glow brightened.
And then she laughed. “At least until your sister is beset with suitors.”
Darcy took her hand and smiled.