Chapter 19 #2
Tears rolled freely down her cheeks, and his thumbs wiped them gently.
His dark gaze and his hoarse voice showed so much tenderness that her senses melted in it.
He was sitting, with his back against the pillows.
But she was free to move, so she slowly leaned towards him, and her hands cupped his handsome face.
He turned his head to place a lingering, warm kiss on each of her palms, then his fingers caressed her face.
They were now only inches away, and he still had more to say.
“After your letter dissipated my doubts, I wished to propose to you right away, but I was reluctant to offer you an engagement while still ill. I believed you deserved more. So I planned to wait a little longer, and I would have done so if not for my aunt’s irresponsible intervention.”
“I must be grateful to Lady Catherine then, for my present felicity,” she responded, then hesitantly, fighting her shyness, she closed her eyes and her lips touched his.
A chill shook them both while they gently tasted the first sip of love; but once discovered, their thirst only increased and for some long moments it defeated prudence and propriety.
When Elizabeth withdrew a little, only enough to breathe, their hands were still caressing each other’s faces.
“I still need to ask you, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth?”
“I believed my answer was already clear enough, my dear Mr Darcy. But if not, let me try again,” she teased him with a sweet smile that soon disappeared within another kiss.
∞∞∞
There was no happier mother than Mrs Bennet, nor a more content father than her husband and never had Longbourn borne so much unrestrained happiness.
The turn of events, as unbelievable as it was for all of them, changed their lives entirely in only a few hours. Perhaps as happy as Mrs Bennet was Miss Darcy, whose support for her brother’s marriage and affection for her future sister-in-law was immediately declared.
Mr Collins, who returned several hours after Lady Catherine’s departure, was met with the biggest disappointment, as Mrs Bennet informed him there were no rooms available at Longbourn to host him.
“But my dear Mrs Bennet, I imagined that I would always have a room available to me at Longbourn, considering I am part of the family. I need accommodation for the next few days and I expected to benefit from the guest room that I have previously occupied.”
“I am afraid that is not possible,” Mrs Bennet stated, unmoved. “Dr. Cooper is staying in that room. And, unless you are willing to share a bed with one of my daughters or with me, we have no other to offer you.”
“Mrs Bennet!” Mr Collins cried, appalled by such an outrageous statement.
“I would suggest trying at the Meryton Inn or at Lucas Lodge. I am sure your future father-in-law will be happy to host you, just as Mr Bennet is happy to host his future son-in-law–Mr Darcy, you know.”
Mr Collins choked and rocked back on his heels, staring doubtfully at Mrs Bennet. She smiled widely.
“Next time you see Lady Catherine, please convey to her our deepest gratitude. If not for her visit, Mr Darcy would not have proposed to Lizzy so soon. But as it is now, we are preparing for the wedding after the new year.”
Mr Collins left in a hurry, offended and hurt on his patroness’s behalf and did not return to Longbourn, nor did they see him during his stay in Meryton.
They only met again briefly at his wedding to Charlotte Lucas, when Mrs Bennet wished him all the felicity in marriage that he deserved. And she was being perfectly honest.
∞∞∞
Over the following weeks, Mr Darcy remained at Longbourn, gradually recovering. Dr. Cooper returned to London, leaving him under Mr Jones’s supervision. The Gardiners arrived and filled the remaining chambers at Longbourn, adding to the family’s enjoyment.
Mr Bingley’s sisters chose to remain in London for the winter, angry and disappointed with both their brother and Darcy’s marriages. To compensate for their absence, Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, came as soon as he was released from his regiment and he soon became everyone’s new favourite.
Wickham’s fate was sealed before Darcy even had time to reveal his true character.
He was caught attempting to run away with Colonel Forster’s wife and with a significant sum of money.
He was dismissed from the militia and sent to prison.
Mrs Bennet told everyone willing to listen to her that she had guessed his real character sooner than anyone since he was unable to drive a carriage properly or to set a fire.
Despite all the deceptions and betrayals, Darcy could not abandon his childhood companion entirely. He instructed his solicitor to keep track of Wickham’s fate and to search for a way to ensure a living for him abroad–perhaps a commission in India–upon his release from prison.
Christmas was a joyful time of miracles when Mr Darcy left his bed and joined his new family at the dinner table. And the second week of the new year was the moment when Mr and Mrs Bennet proudly gave their eldest daughters to the most worthy of men.
On a snowy, bright winter day, after the wedding breakfast, Mr and Mrs Bingley retired to Netherfield, while Mr and Mrs Darcy, in a large convoy of three impressive carriages, departed for their home in London together with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy, and the Gardiners.
Furthermore, Miss Darcy generously invited Mary, Kitty and Lydia to stay with her in London for a full month, an invitation readily and cheerfully accepted.
After almost two months of continuous excitement, torment and joy, Longbourn suddenly fell into a strange peace and silence, leaving Mr and Mrs Bennet with a profound gratification and a deep sadness.
“My dear Mr Bennet, did I tell you that I confronted Mr Darcy that night at the Meryton assembly when he offended Lizzy?”
“You did not, Mrs Bennet. Was it a good confrontation?”
“Not quite; I would say rather the contrary. But I am sure it contributed, if only a little bit, to our present felicity.”
“I would not dare to contradict you, Mrs Bennet. I do not always approve of your doings, but I have no objection when things turn out so well. However, you must admit that you almost forced Lizzy to marry Mr Collins.”
“I did; and I will never forgive myself for such a terrible error! I thank the Lord every day that Lizzy was such a stubborn and obstinate girl. And that Mr Darcy was searching for precisely that sort of a wife.”
∞∞∞
Elizabeth looked at her image in the mirror and blushed with contentment. The silky nightgown purchased by Mrs Gardiner as a wedding gift suited her nicely. The maid–her own maid, Sarah–was brushing her hair, nervous about serving the new Mrs Darcy. Almost as nervous as she was. Almost.
The house was so silent that Elizabeth could hear the fire burning. They had arrived in London late in the afternoon, and since then she had been drawn into a tumult of novelty that intimidated her more than she believed possible.
Georgiana, along with Mrs Annesley and the three Bennet girls, stopped at Miss Darcy’s townhouse. The Gardiners continued their journey to Gracechurch Street, and the colonel was left at the Matlock residence.
So she had entered her new home alone with her husband, eager, anxious, nervous but very happy. Then, as if in a whirlwind, she was introduced to the housekeeper, to her maid, to the rest of the staff, and to her apartment. And it was only the beginning.
Finally, after a brief dinner and a long warm bath, there she was, in her bedchamber, arranging herself for her wedding night. For him.
“Mrs Darcy?” Sarah whispered.
“Yes?” she startled and smiled.
“Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you. Everything is fine. Thank you.”
“You may ring for me anytime.”
“I am sure it will not be needed. Good night, Sarah.”
“Good night Mrs Darcy.”
The maid exited and Elizabeth was alone. The elegance of the room became overwhelming and she felt cold and lonely. She moved to the window and looked out at the street–lit but empty. She knew they were close to Hyde Park but she did not remember much else about their surroundings.
“You look stunning, Mrs Darcy. Truly stunning.”
Elizabeth allowed a moment to enjoy her new name on his lips and only then did she turn. Her husband was slowly moving towards her, his eyes exploring her figure, his lips twisted in a mysterious smile.
She put her hands around his neck and his arms encircled her waist. She lifted her eyes to him, their bodies brushing against each other.
“I am glad you approve of my appearance, Mr Darcy. I was worried that you might not find me handsome enough to tempt you,” she teased him, her eyes laughing at him.
“Mrs Darcy, I assure you that only my illness and the presence of your family prevented me from using our engagement time to show you how much you tempt me.”
“And now that we are alone? Do you feel healthy enough to show me, sir?”
“Surely you do not doubt my admiration for you,” he asked with a mocking concern.
“I most certainly do not. But I would be pleased to receive more proof of it nevertheless,” she jested.
With his eyes holding hers and his arms embracing her tightly, Darcy led his wife to the bed and they lay together against the pillows.
“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, my beloved wife,” he whispered.
Their lips met in a tender kiss that slowly became eager, keen, passionate, ardent. No more words were needed.