Chapter 31
“Are you sure you are well, ma’am?” Stephans said anxiously. “Mr Darcy said I was not to leave your side unless I was sure nothing was the matter.”
“Yes, Stephans, I am well,” Elizabeth replied.
She looked at her maid through the mirror and smiled.
Several days after the most terrifying events of her life, she was well and truly recovered.
Though she had thought she might never thaw when she was waiting for her husband to find her, even the first morning after her ordeal had seen her much improved.
A good night’s sleep tucked into several layers of blankets had done wonders for her.
Then, too, Elizabeth thought with a blush, Will had stayed by her bedside throughout the long night, keeping vigil.
“Very well, Mrs Darcy. I shall take this laundry downstairs, then return to help you dress.” Stephans curtsied, then left the room with the laundry over her arm.
Elizabeth slid her legs over the side of the bed and walked over to her writing desk. She opened her journal and began to write down all that had happened over the last few days.
∞∞∞
Things have finally settled down after the last few days of heartbreak.
After Wickham’s accident, the constables were called in from Lambton.
During the investigation, we told the authorities everything except the details of Wickham’s previous marriage.
Whatever happens, that must remain a secret for Georgiana’s sake.
To everybody’s relief, Lady Catherine will not suffer any legal consequences for her role in Wickham’s death.
After all, she was protecting Georgiana and me.
After collecting all the testimony, the constables thankfully agreed that it was an accident, and one provoked as much by Wickham himself as by Lady Catherine.
His own bad choices had created the perfect storm leading to his death. In the end, no charges were brought.
Thankfully, the revelations that led to that confrontation were kept entirely out of it.
No one must ever know that Georgiana’s marriage was not legitimate, or she would be ruined.
As for the previous Mrs Wickham, we can only hope that she has as clear a view of his character as we now have, and will not miss him too badly.
In a pecuniary sense, she will be better off than before.
Will sent her a letter containing an explanation of her husband’s death, if one missing more than a few salient facts, and enough money to start a new life.
Georgiana must find a new life for herself too, and under no less challenging circumstances.
She is so very young, and the pain of witnessing her husband’s death and being utterly disillusioned as to his character has been very great.
Wickham intended to get Georgiana away from Pemberley to maintain his leverage over her money, and he did not much care if I died in the woods if it was necessary to achieve his aims.
For better or for worse, Georgiana had already started to suspect he was not the man she had thought he was, even before discovering that their marriage was invalid and that Wickham would go so far as to kill for her fortune.
Losing her husband has still been difficult for her, as it would have been for anyone.
I have asked her to make Pemberley her home for as long as she wishes.
I am glad to say that she has accepted the offer.
If the Wickham’s visit was disastrous in some respects, it has at least reunited Will with a beloved sister, and introduced me to a very dear sister-in-law.
Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh have gone home to Rosings Park.
They departed yesterday, and the house is now quiet, with the investigation over.
I was a little sad to see them go, as I have grown quite fond of Lady Catherine, even with all her eccentricities.
However, I will be glad not to have to manage her for a little while.
Anne became very dear to me as well over the course of their visit, and I suspect her of hidden depths.
Perhaps in years to come I will invite her here to Pemberley so we might get to know each other better.
Colonel Fitzwilliam also departed yesterday, as he went to see Lady Catherine and Anne back to Rosings, and then will continue to his regiment.
He has been a great help to us and has become a close friend.
I am beyond grateful that he was here during the holidays, and especially after the accident that changed our lives forever.
Indeed, I will be most happy to have him here at Pemberley again as soon as his duties with the regiment allow.
I am hopeful that Pemberley will now be a more peaceful place. With everyone having left, save for dear Georgiana, I am looking forward to some much-needed time to get to know my husband…
∞∞∞
A knock sounded at the door. Putting her quill down, Elizabeth called out, inquiring who was there.
“It is me,” Mr Darcy said as he poked his head around the door. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, closing her journal and standing from the desk.
Mr Darcy closed the door behind him and moved to meet her in the centre of the room. Trying to suppress a blush, Elizabeth realised they were and truly alone. She clasped her hands in front of her, suddenly at a loss for anything to say.
“I hope I am not interrupting?” To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mr Darcy seemed to be as nervous as she was.
“No, not at all.” She motioned to the writing desk. “I was just writing a few things down. I thought it was important to remember things as accurately as possible.”
“Yes, a great deal has happened over the last few days.” He nodded, then motioned to the sitting area. “Might we sit down and talk for a moment?”
“Yes, please,” Elizabeth said readily. She led the way over to the settee. The hearth was ablaze with a cheery fire and had been tended with fervour since she had nearly frozen to death. The servants seemed to have made it a point of honour to see that she would never be cold again.
They sat down on the settee together, and for a moment, the sound of the fire crackling was the only thing that broke their silence.
Elizabeth had just got up the courage to speak what had been on her mind for the last three days, but there had always been others around to overhear.
What she had to say was for his ears only.
They began talking at once, only to both stumble to a halt and break out into laughter. “You first,” she urged.
“I have been thinking a lot the last few days, writing it all down,” Mr Darcy began. “I believe we are alike in that — that we must write things out to get them straight in our minds?”
“Yes, very much so,” Elizabeth agreed.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
“It has been difficult to put into words how I felt the day you went missing. I thought for a time that I had lost you, before you were ever really mine…” He stopped and looked her in the eye.
“I was so afraid I would never be able to see you again.”
“I had the same fear. And for good reason, for if you had not rescued me, I would have died in those woods.” Elizabeth’s mouth suddenly went dry.
How could she put into words all that was in her heart?
She had been trying for days to plan how she wanted to say it perfectly.
Now, she was not sure perfection mattered as much as getting the words out in the first place — a feat that was easier said than done.
Will took her hand and traced his fingers over her knuckles. The bruises and scratches from her ordeal had not yet fully healed, but they were no longer painful. At least, they were not painful when he was holding her hand like that, and looking into her eyes as if he wanted to hold her forever.
Elizabeth swallowed hard, but did not pull her hand away. Instead, she reached out, joining her other hand with his.
He cleared his throat and went on. “I was so afraid that I would never be able to tell you how I truly feel about you, Elizabeth. Lizzy.” He met her gaze.
“When we first met, I was struck by your courage and kindness. I did not realise that it was only a small glimpse of the depth of your character. Over the last few months as my wife, you have become precious to me. I cannot imagine what my life would be now, if you were not in it. Indeed, I do not want to imagine it. My future would be too bleak to bear.”
Elizabeth’s eyes welled with tears as he spoke. It was better than she could have hoped. Each word he spoke made it obvious that he cared deeply — might he even love her?
“It cannot have been easy for you, leaving your family so abruptly, and under conditions of terrible uncertainty. You have made this your home and settled in with such grace, such wit and wisdom.” He gave a short laugh and covered her hands with his.
Her heart skipped a beat, relishing the feeling of being protected and cherished.
“I cannot imagine a woman more suited to the task of being my wife.”
Elizabeth licked her lips in anticipation of his next words, the ones she had been longing to hear for many weeks. Hoping. Waiting.
He hesitated for only a moment, as if he were drinking in every detail of her face. “I love you, Lizzy. With all my heart, and all that I am.”
Giddy with joy, Elizabeth let out a short laugh. “I do not view being your wife as a task, Will,” she murmured.
He smiled. “What do you view it as?” He traced his thumb down her jawline. Elizabeth strengthened her resolve. If she were not careful, he would so overwhelm her with his tenderness that she would not be able to get the words out.
“It is a great honour to be your wife. I only hope that we can also be the best of friends. That is how I see you, as a very dear friend,” Elizabeth said.
She looked down, studying their intertwined hands.
He was so handsome, it was almost too much for her.
With a sigh, she admitted the rest. “I was afraid as well, when I was Wickham’s prisoner.
Afraid I would never have a chance to tell you how much I love you. ”
A dark cloud settled over his features. “I am sorry I did not protect you,” Will said hoarsely. “It was inexcusable. I would give anything to have made it otherwise.”
“You were not to blame,” Elizabeth said firmly. “If anything, I was too reckless. Worse still, I did not listen to you when you tried to warn me of Wickham’s true character, and for that I am truly sorry.”
He cupped her face. “No, Elizabeth. It was not your fault. As for the rest, I can say only that I will never let anything happen to you again. I promise you that.”
She covered his hand with hers, unable to do anything but beam up at him. “I wish only to be near you always, never separated again.”
“You have spoken the words in my own heart.”
Elizabeth’s lip quivered. She was so overcome with joy at being able to tell him how she felt about him she could burst. He lifted her chin, then slowly leaned his head toward hers.
Was this really happening? How many times had she dreamt of this very moment?
“Will…” she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed.
His lips touched hers with exquisite delicacy.
Elizabeth hardly knew what to do, too overwhelmed by all the sensations travelling through her all at once.
Warmth filled her, as she had never experienced before.
Her heart soared, and her mind was focused on this one sensation of being held by the man she loved.
He deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She touched his cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck. It was so painfully sweet, she never wanted it to end.
But nothing, however sweet, can last forever. When Darcy pulled away, he let out a breath and kissed her again for a moment. “I cannot tell you how long I have been wanting to do that, my Lizzy,” he breathed. “You are altogether perfect.”
Elizabeth laughed, feeling a little uneasy. Stephans had promised she would return after delivering the laundry downstairs. She cast a wary glance at the door. “I am far from perfect, Will.”
“That is not how I view you. I know no person can ever be truly perfect. However, you are perfect for me.” He traced his fingers down her jawline again.
She broke eye contact with him to look toward the door again.
He frowned, looked over his shoulder to follow her gaze. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.
“No, not wrong. It’s just that Stephans promised to come back and check on me. She has been glued to my side since the incident.”
“I am glad to hear it. I am the one who told her to keep a close eye on you.”
“I am fine,” Elizabeth said, rising from the settee.
“I was frightened beyond anything I have ever experienced in the woods.” She turned, and he stood to come to her.
She rested her hands on his chest as he pulled her close once more.
“Thinking of you and all I wanted to say to you was what kept me alive.”
Will kissed her again and again. She could hardly breathe, but never wanted it to end. When he finally ended the kiss, he touched his forehead to hers. “Come with me,” he whispered.
He offered her his hand, and she knew that when she accepted it, her life would never be the same. She would finally be his wife in more than just name.
For once and forever, and quite completely, she would truly be Mrs Darcy.