Chapter 26 #2
“There is…I only have one favour to ask, and I am shamelessly counting on your kindness, Mr Darcy. Would you allow Elizabeth to come and visit me from time to time? She is as dear to me as my own daughter, and I cannot imagine living without her.”
Darcy’s astonishment was now complete, and the sadness on the lady’s face broke his heart. He moved closer and took her hands in his.
“Lady Kendal, if you imagine that I would interfere between you and Elizabeth, you certainly do not know me well enough. And if you imagine that Elizabeth would accept anyone forbidding your relationship, or that she would ever abandon you, you certainly do not know her well enough.”
He respectfully kissed her hands and, with tears running down her cheeks, the lady leant forward and embraced him.
∞∞∞
When Elizabeth rang for the maid to help her prepare for the day, she first enquired after Lady Kendal. She was informed that her ladyship was in the library and would like to speak to her. In the light of day, she felt guilty for having confessed so much to Lady Kendal about Darcy.
Elizabeth felt relieved to have her secret out in the open, but she feared her ladyship’s reaction. Lady Kendal’s health was precarious, and Elizabeth wished to protect her from unnecessary anxiety. She knocked on the library door and entered without waiting for a response.
As she stepped in, she gasped. Lady Kendal was having a cup of tea with Darcy! He immediately rose and bowed.
Lady Kendal smiled at her. “Please come in, my dear. Would you like some coffee or tea? I had a strong coffee earlier as I barely slept last night. I paid an early visit to Mr Darcy, and he was kind enough to accompany me home.”
Elizabeth continued to stare, incredulous. “I was just telling him that I believe he has been away too long in the last year. His friends and family miss him and need him, so we hope he will stay around in the future. Would you not agree?”
“Lady Alveston, would you care to sit?” Darcy asked, appearing as anxious as she was.
“Yes. Thank you,” she said, and he gently took her arm and led her to a chair.
She sat, looking from one to another, while Lady Kendal continued. “I also told him how excellently you have managed our entire business and how useful his advice has been. I know you still read his notes and recommendations often, do you not?”
Again, there was no response, only a puzzled, tearful stare. Then, Elizabeth heard herself say, “I do agree…about Mr Darcy being away. But he should not stay only because his friends need him. He should do whatever his heart chooses.”
She lifted her eyes to meet his. There was no uncertainty in his dark gaze, only a tenderness that warmed her heart.
“For my own, I would never depart again,” Darcy said.
Suddenly, everything else around them disappeared. There were but two hearts, their feelings breaking the barriers to claim their rights.
And then Lady Kendal’s voice interrupted them. “Oh, well...I shall leave you to speak more about this as I am going to check on breakfast. Mr Darcy has been invited to join us.”
She exited without anyone responding. So captured were they by each other, that neither noticed the content smile on the lady’s face.
Alone in the large room, hidden from the curious eyes of the household staff—and with Lady Kendal’s approval—Elizabeth felt overwhelmed by emotions.
There were too many words she wanted to express, but she felt so much that she spoke none of them.
As certain as she was of their mutual love, she felt uneasy, carrying the weight of the past, fearful to hope for anything yet.
“So, she came to speak to you,” she finally whispered.
“Yes…very early this morning.” He smiled. “Imagine how surprised I was to learn Lady Kendal was at my door at such an hour. She said she finally understood why I had stayed away for so long and that it was enough.”
Elizabeth smiled. “So, she brought you here?”
“She pushed me and hastened me,” he admitted. “I would have come to call on you anyway. I would have found my way towards your heart and back into your life. But I am relieved she understood by herself.”
“I would have told her myself, if there was anything to be revealed.”
“I would have come to speak to you weeks ago if I did not fear I would be imposing my presence on you. Although Lady Kendal’s intentions are generous, all that matters to me are your wishes. I do not want to hurry you.”
“I rarely disagree with Lady Kendal, and this is surely not such a case. I am happy you are here…and that we may finally talk,” she dared to admit.
“As am I. Happier than I can say. You must know that I have thought only of your comfort, not mine.”
She nodded. He hesitated a moment, then moved forward and took her hands. Her fingers remained unmoving for a little while, then gently brushed over his. Slowly, his fingers entwined with hers, caressing each other.
“You told me not to wait for you, but I would have waited for you forever.”
“You were never far from my thoughts. I felt you with me all the time,” Elizabeth whispered.
“I was with you, every day, every moment. I thought only of you.”
“I know you did. And I thought only of you, even when I felt guilty for my thoughts.”
“I have so many things to tell you, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. How should I start?”
“However you wish. Words mean little now that you are here.”
Their hands were still entwined and each moved closer, until their nearness burned them.
She lifted her head, looking at him. Her eyes glimmered with tears and mirth.
Her lips were dry and she licked them, drawing his gaze upon them.
His eyes never abandoning hers, he took both her hands in his left palm.
His right hand rose to her face, caressing her softly.
“I missed you so,” he said hoarsely. “I cannot think of words…”
“No words are needed. I already know.”
“Last evening, at the theatre, I felt you did. When your fingers touched mine, I wished for nothing but to take you in my arms. My only concern was that, at times, I could still see the sadness in your eyes. So, I had to be careful and to wonder what you truly wished.”
“You are what I wished. For you to take me in your arms,” she confessed softly.
“I cannot imagine how I had the strength to allow you to leave my arms. You belong here, Elizabeth, near my heart,” he whispered, his thumb brushing over the corner of her mouth.
She turned her head, and her lips touched his palm. Closing her eyes, she rejoiced in the pleasure of the gentle touch.
“My heart broke when I left you, and pieces of it have remained with you all this time, Fitzwilliam. Near your heart. In your arms.”
“Elizabeth… May I call you Elizabeth? Only when we are alone, at least for now.”
“You may call me anything you wish,” she answered with a teasing smile.
“Then I shall call you ‘my love.’” He leant closer to her, and his mouth finally claimed hers. Tentative, tender, adoring. She sighed, and her lips parted for him, then moved shyly within the kiss that grew more passionate. Feelings long forbidden were freed.
She put her arms around his neck, and his embrace closed around her, pulling her against him so tightly that neither could breathe. But neither needed air. Only each other. For a lifetime.
It took a long while until they found the strength to separate from the embrace. Swollen lips, bright eyes, and the happiness blooming on their faces spoke of their reconciliation more eloquently than any statement—and they did not even consider concealing it.
When they remembered Lady Kendal was awaiting them, Darcy offered his arm and Elizabeth took it with confidence. Stepping out into the hall he leant down to kiss her brow. It was the first time they were free to show their love and to take the first steps together towards the future.