Chapter 17 #2
"You had mine far longer," she whispered.
"You stole my heart when you first rescued me as a girl and never surrendered it.
I did not quite recognise my feelings for what they were back then, but I thought of you so often in the years we were apart.
I was worried you would find someone else to marry before my come out and I was stunned when you began to court me in earnest this spring. "
"Did you know my father approved of you as my wife?
It was not long before he died, and although you were only fourteen at the time, he told me I should consider you when it came time for me to marry.
He remembered how you visited the tenants at Pemberley with Mrs. Reynolds during that visit and how interested you were in reading and learning.
You were quite forceful in expressing your opinions and debated with me frequently.
It was at his recommendation that the Gardiners sent you to school; did you know that?
I remember laughing at my father when he said it, but after I saw you as a woman instead of the girl you had been, I was inordinately pleased to recall his words to me. "
Elizabeth chuckled. "Four years have certainly had their effect on you as well, Fitzwilliam. You have changed quite a bit yourself."
He shook his head, smiling fondly. "Are you concerned about marrying such an old man?"
Smiling lovingly at him, she shook her head and reached up to caress his face.
"You are hardly old, sir, at twenty-four, but you are far more serious than the twenty-year-old I first met.
I am thankful that I knew you before you became the Master of Pemberley since I sometimes think you would not have found it as easy to fall in love with me had we met now.
I know how much these last years have affected you. "
"It would have been far worse had I not had your friendship and that of the Gardiners.
Bingley has been a friend, but you and the Gardiners have done far more to help me feel comfortable in my new role.
You recognised that large groups of people made me uncomfortable and did not force me into company as he so frequently did.
Georgiana benefited from your friendship, and I was grateful for their advice in raising a much younger sister.
I would have been a very different man if I had not met you. "
Elizabeth leaned her head against his shoulder.
They had had this same conversation numerous times, but at this moment, it reassured her.
He wrapped an arm around her and drew her more tightly to him.
They remained in this attitude for some minutes.
Eventually, he let out a sigh and spoke again.
"We have drifted from the primary concern, my dear.
What do you say to getting married on Monday?
That way, when you return to Hertfordshire, it will be as my wife.
Your father will no longer be able to command you, but you will still honour his request to visit. "
Elizabeth thought for a moment as she firmed her resolve.
“My Uncle Gardiner is more of a father to me than Mr. Bennet ever was, and that is the relationship I choose to honour.
Yes, we will marry on Monday, but then I will allow you to decide if we should venture into Hertfordshire and for how long.
My father does not have the right to object to our marriage now and should not be permitted to interfere with it in any way. "
For a moment, Darcy also wondered if the Bennets had somehow learned of Elizabeth's pending nuptials and resolved to go to the Gardiners' church and his own as soon as possible.
It was unlikely, but he wanted to ensure Mr. Bennet had not sent a letter objecting to the match if he had somehow learnt of it.
Mr. Gardiner did have a written document giving him guardianship of Elizabeth and had provided for her for most of the last decade.
Her father's lack of involvement in her life should prevent him from interfering, but he wanted to be certain.
"What will your uncle say about this letter?" Darcy asked after they had been silent for several more minutes.
"I believe they will agree with your suggestion of moving the date forward.
This way, if I must face my father, I will do so with you at my side.
As my husband, you will have the right to speak for me, and my father cannot demand that you return me.
The settlement has been signed, and all the legalities have been arranged. "
Darcy nodded. "They have been generous in giving us so much time to talk privately. Should we call them in so we can share our plans?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "My uncle should arrive home soon. But for right now, William, we are quite alone. Kiss me," she whispered. "Remind me of your love."
He could not deny her request. He stood, pulling her along with him, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Hers immediately went around his neck, and her fingers toyed with his hair at his nape.
For several moments, they merely stared into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Elizabeth. I will always love you, and I will not allow anyone to separate us," he whispered, then lowered his lips to hers.
Lightning seemed to shoot through them both, and the kiss lasted several minutes.
They had never kissed like this before, and it felt …
wonderful. Finally, panting and breathless, they broke apart.
Darcy rested his forehead on Elizabeth's as he sought to catch his breath.
"I am glad we will not wait, my darling.
Monday, it seems, cannot come soon enough.
Come, let us find your relations before I embarrass myself or thoroughly ruin you. "
"Mmm," was all Elizabeth could manage. "Yes, Monday seems very far away."
He laughed lightly, dropping a kiss on her nose before separating from her more fully. "I … I need a moment, my darling. Can … will you go find out if your uncle is home and ask him to come here if he is? Slowly?"
Elizabeth's eyes dropped to his waist and slightly below.
Her cheeks coloured when she saw the distension in his breeches.
She and her aunt had discussed such things before, and Elizabeth knew in general terms what to expect from the marital bed.
On occasion, she had felt this … hardness …
against her belly when they kissed, but this was the first time she had seen evidence of it.
Instead of frightening her, it only made her look more forward to their wedding and all that would follow.
Darcy caught her gaze as she stood transfixed.
"Elizabeth," he groaned, "you must go. Staring at it like that, with that look in your eye, does not help it go away.
" He nearly laughed as he watched the flush, which had started to fade, begin to deepen at once.
He noted that it encompassed not only her cheeks but also her chest and décolletage.
That image did not help his condition in the least. "Go, Elizabeth," he commanded.
With a giggle, she flashed him an impertinent smile and hastily departed the room.