Chapter 10 #2
Darcy grinned. “Yes, although there are some details I need your help to fill in, especially regarding Elizabeth’s dowry.
You mentioned twenty thousand pounds, but I was unsure of the exact figure.
There are also other details related to the legacy from my grandfather I will need, but I thought we could probably add it later since I will not actually inherit until I am wed. ”
“And how soon will that be?” Gardiner asked.
“Elizabeth suggested we marry in a fortnight,” Darcy replied. “She is also of the mind to keep the news from her parents until it is done. I know you said the same, but I am still amazed a family of five girls would not be pleased to see a daughter well settled.”
“But you see, if Jane knew about you, both your attractive person and now the estate, she would think she was entitled to your attention, not Lizzy,” Gardiner said, laughing lightly at his companion’s obvious embarrassment at his words.
“It was taken for granted Jane would marry well and ‘save the family’ while Lizzy was told she would never marry since she could not attract or keep a man’s attention.
I know Lizzy has said some of this to you, and while I know it is nonsensical, it is what both of them have been told their entire lives. ”
When Darcy realised the rest of the party had been delayed, he knew he had been granted an opportunity to speak to Elizabeth privately.
Hurrying them to the box, he escorted her inside, moving in a way that made it difficult for others to see them.
Taking her hand in his, he quickly sought confirmation of her meaning in wearing the necklace.
“Dearest, do you recall what we spoke of when I gave you the necklace?” he asked.
She turned her beaming smile at him. “I do,” she replied.
“Then, Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Please end my suffering and consent to be my wife,” he whispered.
“I know we have not known each other long, but when I met you, my heart spoke, telling me you were the one I was meant to be with for the rest of my life. In this last fortnight, I have spent more time daydreaming than ever before, and I have been jealous of the time you have spent with anyone other than me. Ridiculous, I know, but I wanted all your time and attention. I know your aunt and uncle have been generous with the time we have been granted, but I wanted more. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth.”
Her breath catching, she responded, hesitantly at first but growing in confidence the longer she spoke.
“Yes, Fitzwilliam, I would be honoured to become your wife. I have discovered I quite love you and desire to spend all my time with you. I have hated every moment we have not been together, and I confess I was rather agitated since I could not see you before this evening. I have missed you terribly.”
He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.
“You torment me, woman,” he breathed into her ear.
“You could not have worn that necklace any of the afternoons I have visited you at your uncle’s house?
Or the night we had dinner at Darcy House?
At either of those locations, I could have sneaked away to steal a kiss, but here, half of London would see us if I did so. ”
She laughed merrily. “If I promise to marry you in a fortnight, will that soothe your frustrations, Fitzwilliam?” she inquired.
He sighed and ran his hand down his face.
“I believe it will do much to help, but all it does is lessen the length of time I will be in this state. I am not even escorting you home, as Mother insisted I escort her, and I will have to accompany her to Darcy House when the performance is over. At least we can hold hands during the performance. Might I speak to your uncle when he arrives?”
“Please do. I apologise it took me a bit longer to determine my feelings. Had I accepted you when you began to discuss marriage …”
He interrupted her. “You needed time to sort out your feelings, and I cannot fault you for that. I prefer you to be certain when we wed and not have any lingering concerns.”
“You are a very good man, Fitzwilliam,” she replied, caressing his cheek. “I look forward to spending my life with you.”
The two stepped apart when the curtain to the box opened, and Lady Anne and the Gardiners entered. Immediately, Fitzwilliam approached her uncle. The ladies went directly to Elizabeth.
“Well?” her aunt asked. “Are we to offer our congratulations?”
“We are engaged,” Elizabeth replied and was immediately pulled into her aunt’s embrace.
“Congratulations, dear,” Lady Anne said as she hugged her soon-to-be daughter next. “I welcome you to our family and am thrilled to gain another wonderful daughter. The Darcy women will outnumber the men in our family for a time, or at least until you give me a grandson.”
Elizabeth coloured at this thought. “Please, Lady Anne, might we marry before you speak of grandchildren?”
“Elizabeth,” Lady Anne began, taking a new level of familiarity for granted, “would you mind calling me Mother as my children do? For you are my daughter now, and although you are not yet wed, I intend to go ahead and adopt you as my own.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Elizabeth said hesitantly. Darcy approached just then and grinned widely at hearing the woman he loved referring to his mother in such intimate terms.
“Elizabeth has shared our news?” he inquired of the ladies.
“It was fairly obvious, but yes, she did. Congratulations, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “We will begin making plans tomorrow; will you join us for dinner?”
Lady Anne interjected, “Perhaps you ladies will join me for tea in the morning. We can then begin shopping for Elizabeth’s trousseau.”
Elizabeth protested. “Have we not shopped enough yet, Mother? We have commissioned many dresses already; surely I do not need more.”
“You still need more items, particularly a wedding dress,” Mrs. Gardiner answered.
Elizabeth was saved from having to hear any more about plans for shopping by the bell signalling it was time to be seated.
Once again, Darcy arranged the seats so he and Elizabeth could hold hands surreptitiously.
It was slightly more difficult since the lights were not completely extinguished, but they hid their hands within her skirts, and the others merely smiled at the couple and turned a blind eye to the impropriety.
It was an enjoyable evening. When the performance ended, Lady Anne invited the Gardiners and Elizabeth to Darcy House for a late dinner.
Darcy was pleased by this and managed to steal Elizabeth away from her chaperones for a moment to steal a kiss.
They returned from this interlude slightly breathless and a little dreamy, and their relatives were amused at how often they both lost track of the conversation afterwards.