Chapter 17
Mr. Darcy Returns to Meryton
Five days later, Elizabeth espied Darcy coming up the trail toward where she sat on her rock.
“Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, turning to face the eastern horizon.
Elizabeth flushed when she felt his body beside her. Her breath hitched when he clasped her hand and brought it to his lips.
“I am happy to find you here this morning,” Darcy murmured, lowering their hands but not releasing hers. “I must thank you for your consideration of my sister…”
“You owe me no thanks, sir. I was honored by your sister’s trust when she unburdened herself to me, discussing with me, then Colonel Forster, what sort of wicked man Mr. Wickham was.
The colonel, the Bingleys, and my sisters would hear no evil levied at you or, by association, your sister, Mr. Darcy. ”
“I know no words that might express the depth of my appreciation.”
“Colonel Forster gave Mr. Wickham over to the Bow Street runners. Both you and Miss Darcy can rest assured that no one believed his attempts to besmirch your reputation.”
“I am indebted for your kindness to my sister in this matter,” Darcy said.
“There is no debt between us. I was honored by your sister’s trust in me. Your following Mr. Collins out of the shire was equally felt, I assure you, sir.”
“The friendships with you and your sisters have made all the difference to her. I am obliged,” Mr. Darcy said, his voice strained.
“You need not think of it as an obligation. I admit I cannot help but feel protective of Miss Darcy. All my sisters feel the same. Miss Darcy has a great complement of ready protectors.”
Elizabeth’s heart pounded as he said softly, “You have me mesmerized by the sun illuminating your face.”
She shuttered her eyes, and he brushed his lips to hers. When she pulled back, he frowned.
“I am grieved to have upset you.”
“You did not, sir.”
“Yet you frown.”
“Because you frowned.”
“I apologize, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I do not want your apology, Mr. Darcy. I must go.”
Turning to flee, Elizabeth stilled when his hand clutched her wrist. Turning back to him, he lifted her chin to meet his gaze.
“If you fear I have changed my mind? I have not. If you think it is impossible for me to fall in love with you, you would be wrong. Being away from you has taught me how desperate I am to be in your presence.” His thumb caressed her jaw.
“I have counted every minute that has passed since you left, though I did not know when you might return. But I am not so foolish as to think a man of your standing would marry a woman so below him in consequence.”
“Do you believe I bestow my kisses on every fair lady of my acquaintance? I am a gentleman, you are a gentleman’s daughter.
In truth, we are equal,” Mr. Darcy said, trailing his thumb along her cheek.
“I am a man who sees the value of a large, loving family. A man who sees the value in a woman of your compassion and the propensity to find amusement in every situation.”
“Even though I am not of your social sphere?” she asked.
“You are compassionate, warm, and loving. Any man would be fortunate to claim your hand. I hope to be that man, Elizabeth. I want to be your husband.”
“You cannot know you want to marry me in but a month’s acquaintance.”
“I could ask the same of you.”
Elizabeth chortled. With such an argument, he silenced any further protest she might have made with a kiss.
“Your beauty is captivating when you debate with me and beguiling when you agree with me.”
“You are singular to find my disagreeable nature captivating, sir.”
“I am a man who is falling in love with a woman, one he knows intends to marry for love and respect. I want to be the man who earns you, the man fortunate enough to claim the affections you will gift your husband without reservation. I want you to be the mother of our children. And I must insist on all our daughters having your eyes.”
“If we have sons, I insist they all have your dimples, Mr. Darcy.”
“William. Call me William.”
“William.”
“Do you think you might one day love me?” Darcy asked. At the barest touch of her hand to his, he laced their fingers together.
“I already do, though I tried to tell my heart it was not prudent to do so.”
“I will ever be grateful for your stubborn heart.”
“Can this be true?” Elizabeth worried her bottom lip under the intensity of his stare.
“Ana will be happy to have a sister in you and be able to claim your sisters as hers. In fact, she charged me with falling in love with a woman so she might have a sister, and whose sisters she could claim as friends. I never thought it would happen this soon, but I assure you, she will rejoice in our union. So I ask now, with such hope I have never known before, will you marry me?”
“Would you be disheartened if I request we continue our courtship so I might enjoy spending time with you and our families? That we declare our betrothal at the ball? You can give my mother allowance to speak of our courtship, and request that Father agree to our being betrothed that very day.”
“So long? I wish to shout it from this mountain to the whole world.”
“It’s only a se’nnight,” Elizabeth said. “But for seven days, we might savor the news quietly.”
“If you agree, I will request the banns be posted on the third Sunday from today.”
“Yes, William, I agree. The way you describe our future matches my hopes.”
“Yet, when I kissed you, you were disappointed.”
“As I thought I might ever have the one, I wished for…more.”
“I will make it my aim ever to fulfill your hopes, Elizabeth.”
This time, Elizabeth expected the heady dizziness that came with Darcy's kiss. She felt herself melt against him. When he tightened his arms about her, she pressed closer. The result was exulting, his kiss deepening all the more in its ardency.
Gripping the lapels of his jacket, Elizabeth reveled in his groan of approval, and she heard herself whimper a protest when he broke them apart. Though she had not felt out of her depth in their second kiss, she still struggled to regain command of her senses.
Resting his forehead against hers, he murmured, “I must return to Netherfield. I will come to Longbourn this afternoon with Bingley. His dislike of any separation from your sister rivals my own displeasure at being far from you. But there is some relief in knowing you are soon to be ever at my side.”
“I will inform my father of your intention to speak to him, or do you prefer I not?”
“It would be wise if you do not, so he does not taunt me about not kissing you until we are officially betrothed, Elizabeth.”
“What fun is there in that, William? Now, I must go, so when you arrive, you will not find me in a gown with a hem having been six inches deep in mud. And perhaps a touch of lip stain to remind my suitor I want his kisses even when they cannot be bestowed?”
“That is the formation of just such a plan to make this suitor insane. If I could, I would whisk you to Town and marry you by license. It is unfortunate, but I must be in London to attend Wickham’s court proceedings.”
“So soon?”
“Given the nature of his crimes, he is in the gravest of situations. I know with certainty that theft was involved. But there is also suspicion that he murdered a dowager countess, last seen with him. He pawned off at least two of her family heirlooms. I am to bear witness to his character. But if you agree, I will return with a special license. Do you object to the scheme?”
“I cannot think any would object to our marrying by license. How soon can I convince you to take my sisters and me to Town? Father is deep into his research on the entail, seeking anything that might preclude Mr. Collins from inheriting. I suspect Mary would prefer to stay home with our mother.”
“Then she will have to come when we throw a ball at Darcy House with the Bingleys. Your sister Mary can name the day.”
Georgiana Again Takes Up Her Needle
Two days later, the ladies of Longbourn, Lucas Lodge, and Netherfield Park sat in a circle, busy with their sewing.
“Miss Bingley, the dinner you held last night made for a very pleasant evening,” Miss Lucas said while threading her needle.
“I agree. It was delightful, Miss Bingley. And Mary, I must commend your performance at the pianoforte afterward. Colonel Forster and the officers certainly appreciated it,” Miss Bennet said, affection for her sister shining from her eyes.
“You played the piece beautifully,” Miss Bingley agreed, selecting a man’s shirt to collar.
“It is only because of Miss Darcy I have made such progress,” Miss Mary said, demure in her pleasure for the compliment.
“Oh, what nonsense. You were technically perfect, Miss Mary. I simply helped you adjust your approach. Small adjustments that took you no time to master. Watching everyone in attendance fall silent for your performance gave me great pleasure.” Georgiana said to her friend.
“I do not believe another dinner will have so many betrothal announcements,” Elizabeth said, casting a conspiratorial glance at others in the circle.
“Poor Charles. He had but three minutes to put together an announcement for Colonel Forster and me. We are both anxious to begin a life together. He has known too much loneliness, and I intend that he knows it no more,” Miss Bingley said, blushing at the repeat of the congratulations.
“I thought my brother would choke on his wine when you asked Colonel Forster if he wished to travel north and have a ceremony over the anvil,” Georgiana said, her eyes brightened by the humor the memory brought back to her.
“I should have allowed him to swallow first.”
“Do try to refrain from killing my soon-husband before the settlement papers are drawn up, Miss Bingley,” Miss Elizabeth admonished.
“You are the least mercenary woman I have ever encountered, Miss Elizabeth.” Miss Bingley rolled her eyes.
“I am quite certain I am mercenary. I believe I will have more carriages than Jane, and, oh, the pin money,” Miss Elizabeth said with great exaggeration, winking at Mrs. Bennet.
“Yes, quite the mercenary.” Miss Lydia rolled her eyes.
“Your betrothal was announced moments after Jane’s,” Miss Kitty tittered. “Before all could speak their words of congratulations to her and Mr. Bingley, Father added that Mr. Darcy and Lizzy are betrothed.”
“Jane, whatever possessed you to kiss Mr. Bingley during the first course?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“Someone, I will not name them, gave me the sage advice that he might not do more if I did not help him along. I had no wish to remain in a courtship for weeks, mayhap months,” Miss Bennet said, looking at Miss Lucas in particular.
“I am certain the one advising you did not mean you should shock all his guests at a dinner,” Miss Lucas said drolly.
“I thought your advice excellent, Miss Lucas,” Mrs. Hurst said without looking up from the small stockings she knitted.
“I asked him what he hoped his future might be. He said it was that I might one day love him and join my future to his. I confessed my love, but he did not comprehend the depth of my hopes, so I…helped him along, Mother.”
“You both will be very happy, and so solicitous your servants will cheat you,” Miss Bingley said with a touch of satire in her tone.
“I shall depend on you to ensure they do not, Miss Bingley, especially when you and the colonel come to stay,” Jane said, her playful tone melding into an earnest entreaty.
“It shall be as you ask, Miss Bennet. I daresay I can teach any nieces and nephews how to draw with equal lack of skill as does Miss Elizabeth. I will leave the instruction of playing instruments to those who are proficient.” Miss Bingley indicated Miss Mary and Georgiana.
“You play quite well,” Miss Lydia said.
“Thank you. I hope you will stay with me when Colonel Forster serves his post in Brighton. I enjoy your company, and you promised to finish going through my gowns, Miss Lydia. And, after all, we will be near sisters soon.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingley. If my parents are amenable to the scheme, I will join you.”
“My daughters will soon be spread all over the country.” Mrs. Bennet looked around the room.
“Miss Darcy requests Kitty join her in Town so that she might partake in her drawing lessons. Then they, Lydia and Maria, are to the seminary. Jane and Lizzy will be on their wedding trips. And now Lydia to Brighton before she is to attend schooling. What am I to do with myself?”
“I hope you might prepare me to become a mother,” Mrs. Hurst said gently. “I can think of none better qualified.”
“Oh, I will come to Netherfield whenever you have need. I am pleased to know I can be of use to someone while I wait in great anticipation for letters from my daughters,” Mrs. Bennet said
“I look forward to enjoying more days such as this. I charged my brother with taking a wife and granting me the comfort of a sister. I say he has quite outdone himself. But, then, he is the very best of brothers.” Georgiana sighed.
“Though I take some credit for there are times older brothers and sisters need a nudge in the right direction.”
So ends the second of these three vagaries.