Chapter 14
Elizabeth Meets Mr. Darcy on Oakham Mount, Again
Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy awaiting her on the stump they often shared.
When she took Mr. Darcy’s hand, he held hers firm whilst she took the seat next to him.
Neither spoke for a time in favor of watching the sun brighten the horizon.
The comfort found in just being together was a gift they had come to expect.
After a few minutes, Elizabeth felt compelled to tell him what she had discussed with her mother and sisters.
“I told Mother the truth of our friendship. And your uncle disabused her of the notion that you were beholden to your cousin, sir. She professed to be happy that we are friends. You are quite safe from her machinations.”
“Last night, Ana asked me why I was oblivious to my being in love with you.”
Oh. Might he care for me, too? “I would request you not let anyone talk you into affections you do not feel.”
“I entered the assembly certain I would be hounded by matchmaking matrons, given the number of ladies—” He then began to stutter. “I did not mean, I mean, I was, I…”
“You were right to be concerned.” Elizabeth leaned, pressing her shoulder against his in a gentle nudge. “You looked quite serious when I joined you today, sir.”
“I have two pressing issues on my mind.”
By unspoken rule, when they were this close, they did not look directly into each other’s eyes. The proximity created too much intimacy…and always to a disconcerting effect. They had, however, allowed their hands to touch.
Elizabeth had, therefore, not expected him to turn his face to hers. When he again took her hand, she required some moments to recover her senses. Much of her tension eased when she read hope in his expression.
“You said two issues are pressing on your mind today? A man with your responsibilities would consider but two pressing issues a morning of leisure.”
“Under normal circumstances, I would agree. Of these issues, however, one is not of my singular province, and the other I cannot myself answer.”
“You take other people’s concerns on your shoulders this morning?
You are too good, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, squeezing his hand to emphasize her assurance.
“I will, with relative certainty, guess you hope I might think of solutions with you. If you intend to unburden yourself, I am willing to offer my opinion.”
“I am obliged, for I cannot decide without it. I have come to recognize from the first moment of our acquaintance that I listen to you as I have to few others. I also recognize you have no true need of me. When I leave, your life will continue as it has always been, though I am selfish enough to hope you will miss me when you sit here. I wish there were a place in Town where we had met so I could visit it and think of you.”
“I have often been to my uncle’s warehouses, which you claim to have cause to visit.”
“I do, but…. Yesterday, though I had yet to depart, I already missed you. It first occurred when my aunt and uncle discussed our leaving Hertfordshire. Then, I recognized I looked for you in every room, even when I knew you to be at Longbourn. I seek you in the gardens, hoping you might be around the next hedge. And every night, you…”
Elizabeth caught his blush before he looked away.
She understood well enough. She would not want to admit to any of the dreams she had of him, either awake or asleep.
Ones that caused her to anticipate and dread any hours spent alone.
She squeezed his hand, signaling her understanding of what had not been spoken.
“You may feel so now, sir, but we have been in the company of one another just above a month. Perhaps, for you, it is a fleeting fancy rather than a lasting…inclination.”
“I cannot believe it is true. I treasure even our moments of quietude, which is not at all the solitude I know in London or Pemberley. We discuss any subject that comes to mind, and you tell me your honest opinion without reference to my own. That is invaluable to me. I notice you suggest it might be fleeting for me, not both of us.”
Unable to look away from him, she said, “I very much value you. Your opinion and your company, Mr. Darcy.”
“I may, on occasion, rue hearing yours if you explain what I should have surmised on my own. You have helped me better consider decisions. I know I need you, Miss Elizabeth. I dread the thought I might leave Hertfordshire without you. At worst, without a promise that you will be by my side forever.”
“To what end? As your sister’s friend?”
“Miss Eliz—”
Elizabeth wondered at such a great man being at a loss for words because of her. It gave her reason to hope in a way she had never dared before.
“You have a profound effect on me, madam.”
“It was unconsciously done.”
“Do I have cause to hope? Might you one day come to love me?”
Her entire being filled with sweet joy. “Can you not tell? My fingers tingle only when they touch yours. Your clove and heather scent makes me feel as if I have imbibed too much wine. The comfort and safety in your presence make me long for…so much.” Would you just kiss me, William?
“You employed no arts or allurements to gain my attention, yet you have arrested me. These mornings when I know I will have your company, there is little I have anticipated as much. From the very start of our acquaintance, I have witnessed to your generosity of spirit, your love of family. I am not a jealous being by nature, but I find myself envious whenever your attention is fixed on another.”
“I am well aware you enjoy my teasing you.”
“It seems I am making a muddle of this.” Darcy stood with an unexpected abruptness and started to pace.
Elizabeth stood to join him, her anxiety increasing when she bore witness to his. If he needed to pace, she would join him. After they had made a few circles around the top of the mount, she asked, “What can I do to help you?”
Darcy took two steps, then turned to face her. “Relieve my suffering by saying you will marry me.”
Elizabeth could see Mr. Darcy was proud of having rendered her speechless. When he approached her, she stilled, watching the distance between them close within mere inches. “You want to marry me?”
“Yes. Moreover, I am certain you are the only woman whom I will ever want by my side. You have bewitched me, Elizabeth. I know you did not intend to cast the spell, but you have made me a man who cannot be happy without being near you,” Darcy murmured.
“What of your sister? What of your relations? What of—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “None merit discussion if you do not want to marry me.”
Elizabeth could no more resist kissing his finger than she could the need to draw her next breath.
“Only a foolish woman who would turn down a man of your standing, Mr. Darcy. As you are also the best and most handsome man of my acquaintance, it is impossible not to want to marry you. The thought of your leaving hurts because I gave you my heart. I am honored and relieved you are gifting me yours in turn. Yes, Mr. Darcy, I want to marry you.”
“It is William, Elizabeth. I ask you to call me William. Say you will marry me.”
When he lowered his forehead to hers, she pressed back, allowing the feeling of the connection to be shared.
“And I shall, Mr. Darcy. I would like to marry you. Very much.”
Elizabeth was relieved to see Mr. Darcy’s jubilation.
“This will not do. I must insist you are more taciturn than amused, sir, for you are far too handsome when you smile. If you do so when we are arguing, I will forget I am vexed with you.”
“You think me handsome?”
“You know you are a very handsome man, Mr. Darcy.”
“William.”
“Yes, William.”
“I know others have said it, but I had no notion of your thinking so. I hoped to demonstrate my conversational skills so you might find me tolerable, if not handsome enough to tempt you. Knowing you think me so handsome as to tempt you into forgetting your anger? I promise only to remember it should we ever have cross words between us.”
“I do think you very handsome, not that I should admit it a third time.”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy said in near veneration, capturing her face in his hands.
“The very night we met, I was arrested by your goodness. Entranced by your artless nature and enticed when you were near. I know not if it was because your relations spoke so often of you to Bingley and me, but I felt an immediate, if unaccountable, connection with you. After our first dance, but half an hour later, I did not want to let you leave my side. I beg you to have mercy and say you will marry me soon.”
“Yes, William, and I promise to let you leave my side only if you must.” Elizabeth turned her head, pressing a kiss to one of the palms.
“You have made me the happiest of men.”
His eyes filled with tears necessary to relieve his abundance of emotion, and hers had already dropped to her cheeks.
Darcy caressed them away with the pads of his thumbs.
The combination of vulnerability, welcome, and trust found in one another was their undoing.
Darcy kissed her with the passion they both had confessed to.
When he pulled back to apologize, she pulled him to her and kissed him until she was breathless.
“Have mercy, my love.” Darcy groaned, pulling her against him.
“Oh,” she whispered against his lips.
“Wanting you has been driving me to the edge of my control these last weeks.”
“I would apologize, but I cannot find it in me to repine.” Elizabeth took his hand, guiding him back to their rock.
“I will come to Longbourn at noon.”
“I anticipate there will be some excitement when we tell our news, and for good reason. My mother will have a daughter who is marrying a man worth ten thousand a year.”
“We are worth much more, my love.”
“You, as you are, are the man I always wished for. My greatest joy comes from your finding me.”
“One we share.”
“It bodes well that you already agree with my decisions without argument. But you mentioned a second topic warranted contemplation this morning?”
“My opinion will not be sought, but I cannot help worrying. I have always considered my cousin Anne a dear relation, and I fear how my aunt will treat her when she returns to Rosings Park.”
“Given what I have heard while at Netherfield Park, I understand your position.”
“I am more like Anne’s older brother since I am two years her senior. I must say, she often worries me.”
“Your caring for her makes every sense. You are blood family.”
“According to my uncle, Lady Catherine was furious when Anne chose to depart with him, given that she is of age. Any assertion on Anne's part to claim her inheritance and become the mistress of Rosings Park will cause strife. It is a position Lady Catherine guards with great zeal.”
“Anne will be mistress? Poor Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth said, pleased to see her humor drew a smile from her betrothed.
“Is it your hope to have someone who will assist Anne to stand against your aunt? One who will treat her with all deference of an elder and daughter of an earl, but who will not allow herself to be intimidated?”
“Precisely.”
“It is no wonder you struggled with how to tell her you believe she needs such assistance. Do consider your sister, having had the guidance of my dearest friend. I am certain Charlotte will aid Miss de Bourgh should matters arise which require it.”
“I rather suspect she might. I shall bring up my concerns and caution her. Lady Catherine loves nothing more than to cause disruption.”
“I must return, William. The sun is high enough in the sky to worry my mother.”
“Bingley and I will come to Longbourn, my love.” Darcy lowered the glove to expose Elizabeth’s wrist, pressing a kiss to it as he had done the first time they met in this exact spot.
She cupped his cheek and said, “Have a pleasant walk back to Netherfield Park.” They had just determined they would soon take all future paths together, and the thought buoyed her.