Chapter 14 #2
He should arrange for the announcement in the papers.
He knew his few but genuine friends would understand his choice and approve of it.
Also, many of his acquaintances in the ton would loathe his marriage — mostly those whose hopes of an alliance with him would thus be dashed — and most likely reject Elizabeth.
There would surely be a civil reception, and she would be treated properly as fitted her position as Mrs Darcy, albeit with cold politeness, and he would always be there to protect her.
Not that he doubted her abilities. But it would take time and patience and maybe some well-chosen allies before she was recognised as the worthy, exceptional, and accomplished woman she was and be treated with the genuine respect and admiration she deserved.
However, nothing could ruin Darcy’s present felicity, and the prospect of having Elizabeth with him, by his side, in the privacy of their home, their apartments, every day for the rest of his life, was the strongest inducement to defy any obstacles.
The journey back home was not easy for Elizabeth either.
As the carriage took her away from Darcy and Pemberley, she had the time to reflect on everything that had occurred — from the day she had arrived at Pemberley, fearing unreasonably that Darcy might throw her out of his home, to the moment she had enjoyed the first proof of his ardent love.
Being Darcy’s wife would be pure bliss, she knew that.
They would surely not always agree on everything, and they would certainly argue often, but she knew their nature and character would complete and complement each other.
And she knew he was the only man in the world perfectly suited to her — as she had already told him the night before she left, in a short, private, and not entirely proper interlude in the library.
However, being Mrs Darcy and the mistress of Pemberley meant countless responsibilities attached to that position, as well as hard work and much to learn so that she could accomplish everything that was expected of her.
As for her reception in society, Elizabeth knew it would not be easy.
All the women who had aspired to gain Darcy’s attention, as well as their families, would despise her and treat her with arrogance and cold politeness — at best. Also, Lady Catherine’s reaction when faced with the end of her own designs of uniting her daughter to her nephew would certainly be spectacular and fearsome.
But the recollections of Darcy’s warm embrace and the safety she felt in his arms, of his tender yet passionate kisses and caresses, of his intense stares whose meaning she understood now without a doubt, gave her strength to bear any opposition.
She was ready, eager, and thrilled to become Mrs Darcy — his wife.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth was keeping her eyes closed, the thrill of the last few days at Pemberley giving way to a satisfied exhaustion.
Suddenly, she felt all her senses awaken when she felt his presence, his nearness, his warmth, his scent surrounding her.
Dizzy and overwhelmed, she tried to pry her eyes open, only to meet his burning stare, dark pools of liquid passion and promises that did not need words.
She felt his hands cupping her face, his thumbs barely there, a gossamer touch along her cheeks, jaw, and chin, then finally tracing her lips, which parted in sweet torturous anticipation.
She was floating, insensible to everything but the feeling of his fingers on her skin and the expectation of his lips.
But the awaited touch did not come. His fingers still brushing her lips, she felt more than she heard his ardent whispers, his lips and hot breath tantalising the delicate skin behind her ear, tasting the sweetness of her neck while one of his hands moved slowly to her back, pressing her gently towards him.
She leant eagerly against him, rejoicing in the pleasure of his closeness and tender strength, whispering her own passionate pleas, until finally his lips claimed hers, crushing her moan in a long awaited kiss that made her burn all over and made every fibre of her body and soul vibrate with love and exhilaration.
“Lizzy? Lizzy my dear, are you well?” She heard a voice that startled her, and she glanced around, confused, still dizzy, her cheeks burning. She realised she was in the carriage that was taking her away from him, and had to bear her uncle and aunt’s enquiring looks.
“Did you have a bad dream? You look a bit flushed,” Mrs Gardiner insisted, and Elizabeth’s face burnt even more.
“No, no, I just… I am sorry I fell asleep, but it seems I was more tired than I thought,” she replied, trying to sound composed.
“I imagined as much, my dear,” Mr Gardiner interjected. “I was telling your aunt that I look forward to hearing what brother Bennet will have to say about your engagement,” he added as the carriage brought them closer and closer to Longbourn.
“I look forward to seeing the children — I hope they have not given poor Jane too much trouble,” Mrs Gardiner replied.
“Uncle, will you talk to Papa first? Or would you like me to do it?”
“I shall — of course, Lizzy. I would not lose such an opportunity for entertainment. I wonder if he will believe me, though.”
Mr Gardiner was in an exceedingly good disposition, despite the long and tedious journey of which Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth were already tired. They were all happy when the carriage stopped and the Gardiner children, as well as all the Bennet girls, burst out to greet them.
A few minutes of bustle followed, with cries of joy, questions, laughter, demands of gifts, and embraces, until everyone finally entered the house.
The only one who stayed calm and silent, with a reproachful and disinterested stare at the clamour, was Mr Bennet, who greeted Elizabeth and the Gardiners, then stepped aside from the din.
“My dear brother and sister, how happy I am to see you! And you too, Lizzy! You will never guess what extraordinary news I have! Mr Bingley returned to Netherfield two weeks ago! Without any notice, nothing, we just found out one day that he had opened the house, and then, in a blink of an eye, he was here!”
“Yes, we knew that, Sister,” Mr Gardiner answered, while Elizabeth held Jane’s arm affectionately. “We were at Pemberley with Mr Bingley, remember? We spoke to him there, and he informed us of his plan to return. He even asked Lizzy whether the neighbours would approve of it.”
“Did he?” Mrs Bennet cried. “And what did you tell him, Lizzy? Oh, never mind, it does not really matter since he is here! But wait! There is more! Earlier today, he proposed to Jane! They are engaged to be married! Dear Lord, bless me! I still cannot believe it. I completely lost hope when he left last winter. And now — here he is! How fortunate for Jane and for all of us! Is it not the happiest and most incredible news ever? Have you ever heard anything more astonishing?”
“I would not call it the most incredible or the most astonishing,” Mr Gardiner answered with a mischievous grin, while his wife and Elizabeth were already embracing and congratulating Jane.
“But it is very happy news. I wish you all the best, Jane, you deserve it. He is an excellent man, and you are as beautiful as you are sweet and kind! Perfect for each other.”
“And five thousand a year!” Mrs Bennet continued.
“Tomorrow morning, I am going to Meryton to tell my sister Phillips and call on Mrs Long and Lady Lucas! She is so annoying as she keeps talking about Charlotte and that tedious Mr Collins! Like anyone would care! And only a month ago she claimed Mr Bingley would never return to Netherfield! Wait until I tell her!”
“Oh, and Lizzy, you will be shocked to hear something else even more unbelievable!” Lydia cried.
“Your favourite Mr Wickham has left the regiment and disappeared! Denny and Chamberlayne and Pratt said he had many debts, but I’m sure they are only jealous because Mr Wickham was more handsome than them!
We were all dumbfounded when we found out! Are you not, Lizzy?”
“I am sorry to interrupt such universal amazement,” Mr Bennet finally interjected, “but you may continue it at dinner. I need a rest, so I am going to the library now. Would you join me, Brother?”
“Gladly. In fact, I was about to suggest it myself. Amazement is surely easier to bear over a glass of brandy,” Mr Gardiner replied with a grin and a meaningful glance at his wife and Elizabeth.
∞∞∞
The hubbub continued in the drawing room, with Mrs Bennet asking questions about the journey and allowing no time for answers, Lydia and Kitty complaining about Wickham’s disappearance, Mary unsuccessfully trying to intervene in the conversation, and the children relating countless details of their stay at Longbourn to their mother.
Eventually, Mr Gardiner returned and signalled to Elizabeth that she was wanted. She smiled but was not without some anxiety as she entered the library, looking at her father. He was sitting in his chair, in a befuddled state of mind, frowning with preoccupation.
“Papa?”
“Yes, Lizzy. Come, sit down, child. I must admit that, after the conversation with your uncle, I have discovered new meanings of the words astonishment and amazement. And unbelievable. And stupefaction. And stupor…”
Elizabeth leant towards him and kissed his cheeks.
“Papa, do not be so solemn and severe, it is really not the case, I promise you. It does sound unbelievable, but if you knew more details…”