Chapter 20
The next day, the Spanish coastline unfolded like a watercolor painting in the morning light. The dramatic cliffs and whitewashed villages dotting the shore seemed close enough to touch. Yet they remained safely distant, a perspective that Captain Morrison assured them was precisely calculated.
“In these waters, a wise sailor keeps the land in sight but never courts her too closely. She is a beautiful mistress, the Mediterranean coast, but she has sharp teeth hidden beneath her charms.”
Mr. Darcy moved closer to Elizabeth’s side, close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him despite the cool morning air. “What sort of dangers?” he asked, though his attention seemed more focused on her profile than on the captain’s reply.
“Shoals, primarily. And sudden squalls that can drive a vessel onto the rocks before you can say your prayers.” The captain gestured toward the crystalline water ahead of them.
“If we follow the old sailing routes―stay three to five miles offshore―then we have the best of both worlds. Navigation by sight, protection from the worst weather, and deep water beneath our keel.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply, savoring a breeze that carried scents of wild herbs from the hills.
Rosemary and thyme, she thought, mingled with the clean salt tang of open water.
The temperature was delightfully mild, warm enough to make her light shawl unnecessary but cool enough to keep her comfortable in the Mediterranean sun.
Their situation was perfect, and Captain Morrison inspired complete trust in his judgment.
When he returned to his duties, Elizabeth was alone at the rail with Mr. Darcy. The rest of their party was scattered about the deck, engaged in various activities. The moment felt charged with possibility, and she became acutely aware of how the morning light revealed his appeal.
“I am grateful for Captain Morrison’s expertise,” Mr. Darcy said. “The responsibility of keeping you safe on this journey weighs heavily upon me.”
Elizabeth turned to face him more fully, struck by his obvious concern. “Surely you cannot hold yourself accountable for every aspect of our adventure. We are all adults who chose this path willingly.”
“That is true, but that does not diminish my…my feelings of protectiveness where you are concerned.” He paused.
“Elizabeth, might I ask something of you? We have agreed to a courtship, to know one another better. In the spirit of that understanding, would you consider…that is, might you call me by my given name? Fitzwilliam…or William, as Georgiana frequently does?”
The intimacy implied by using his Christian name was significant, an unmistakable step toward the closer understanding they had agreed to pursue.
“I…yes, I believe I should like that very much. To avoid confusion, I shall call you William when your cousin is near. When he is not, I will refer to you as Fitzwilliam.” She tested the name on her tongue and found it sounded surprisingly natural.
“Though not in company, at least initially.”
“Of course,” he agreed quickly, the elation transparent in his smile. “And might I…that is, when we are in private, may I continue to call you Elizabeth? I have grown fond of your name on my lips.”
“Not Lizzy?”
“No. You are and always will be Elizabeth to me.”
“Then you may,” she replied, then added with a teasing smile, “Though I noticed you have been taking that liberty already.”
“I have been presumptuous. Should I beg for your forgiveness?”
“There is nothing to forgive. In all honesty, the way you say my name―with such feeling―well…I approve,” she admitted hesitantly.
They stood in contented silence as the coastline drifted past. Elizabeth studied his profile, noting details she had not observed before. The way his hair curled at his collar. The strong line of his jaw. How his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
She settled more comfortably against the rail. “Tell me, beyond the next clue, what drew you most to this adventure?”
Darcy grew thoughtful as he considered her question.
“Two reasons. I suppose I wanted to discover whether I am the sort of man who embraces discovery. My entire life has been ordered, predictable…even controlled. This expedition represents everything I typically avoid―uncertainty, risk, and dependence upon others’ expertise.
I confess that I would not have been as tempted to come had I not learned you would be part of the expedition.
I had not been able to forget you, and I feared for your safety on such a dangerous journey. ”
Shocked by his admission, Elizabeth became flustered and attempted to divert the conversation back to safer ground. “And what discoveries have you embraced so far?”
“That I enjoy your company far more than I ever enjoyed my own rigid certainty,” he replied.
“Seeing you navigate new experiences such as learning enough Portuguese to converse, befriending artists, and assisting your father to help Tommy to read has shown me possibilities I never imagined for myself.”
“You have been watching us teach Tommy?” Elizabeth asked with surprise. “When was that?”
“I have been watching more than that,” Darcy admitted.
He stepped closer. “Yesterday morning, in your courtyard, when the two of you sat in the shade of the trees, I saw you. The way you listen attentively when a poor ship’s boy struggles with the letters your father has introduced to him, your patience when he asks the same question repeatedly, and your delight when he succeeds.
You possess a gift for exposing the best in others, Elizabeth. ”
A flutter of pleasure at his observation filled her heart. “What do you think of my father’s project with Tommy? He has taken over most of the boy’s formal instruction.”
“Your father seems to have found unexpected joy in teaching. Have you noticed how animated he becomes when explaining grammar or helping Tommy sound out new words?” Darcy gestured to the other end of the deck, where her father was engaged in enthusiastic conversation with the ship’s boy.
“I suspect that the lad may be receiving a better education than many gentlemen’s sons. ”
“My father has always loved learning for its own sake. I think he finds Tommy’s eagerness refreshing after years of trying to interest my younger sisters in anything more substantial than ribbons and officers.”
“Speaking of your sisters―Mr. Bennet mentioned that they are being instructed at Miss Peabody’s school. Do you worry about them?”
Elizabeth took a moment to weigh his question before answering.
“I am unsure of what this school will teach Lydia. She does not bear restrictions well. At first, I worried about Kitty’s adjustment because she had never been separated from Lydia before.
However, prior to our leaving London, I received a letter from Jane saying that, in the short time away from their usual influences, both Kitty and Mary were exhibiting better parts of themselves, so that is a relief. ”
“Just as this journey is helping me discover better parts of myself,” Darcy said.
Their conversation was interrupted by a burst of laughter from Tommy, who was trying to teach her father how to tie nautical knots.
“I am pleased to see my father outside of Longbourn. Until this quest, I never realized how stifled he was at our estate. This is the first time in my memory that I have seen him show pure joy. It is a privilege to share this experience with him. Even if we do not find the lost library, I have gained a treasure.”
Darcy observed, “You are protective of him.”
“I am.” She looked out over the expanse of the sea. “For years, I have heard our neighbors criticize him. Previously, I agreed with the general opinion that my father was disinterested in his family and his estate.”
“And now?”
She peered up at him and found only concern rather than critique. “Now I see the fullness of his character, and I admire him greatly.”
“Yes, I do as well.” Darcy tilted his head toward her father, who had moved with Tommy to sit with a group of other sailors.
“It took courage for Mr. Bennet to accept Professor Drye’s invitation.
And it took modesty to bring you along. He recognized his limits, his need for assistance. Those are exceptional qualities.”
She smiled. “You are an interesting man, Fitzwilliam Darcy. If you had displayed your own humility and modesty back in Hertfordshire, I might have been chasing you.”
“Instead of the other way around.” He laughed.
“Yes.” Shyly, she looked away. “I have told you about my sisters. Please tell me about yours. All I know of her is Miss Bingley’s abundant praise and her sad history with Mr. Wickham. What is her brother’s perception of her character?”
The tension in his shoulders completely eased.
The breeze mussed his hair, and Elizabeth had never found him so attractive.
“Georgiana is a sweet girl who has a few close friends. I…well, I still see her as being only ten years old, the age she was when our father died. I fear I am overly protective of her—at least, that is what Richard’s mother says.
After Wickham, Georgiana retreated into herself, afraid to trust her own judgment.
Richard and I hovered over her too much, which probably hampered her recovery.
That is why my aunt insisted that I go to Bingley’s last autumn. ”
Elizabeth was pleased with his willingness to examine his own motivations so honestly. “Then I must ask what you intend to do differently when you see her again.”
“I will allow her more freedom to make her own choices, I hope.” He paused. “Foremost, I plan to seek your advice about how to support her without stifling her.”
His desire that she be available to offer such advice was palpable, sending a thrill through Elizabeth. She realized she was warming to the idea of a continuing connection between them. “I should be honored to help in any way I can.”
Her attention was caught by movement near the ship’s bow.
Elizabeth was both grateful for the distraction and frustrated by the interruption.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Prudence were engaged in serious conversation, their heads bent close, concentration evident in every line of them.
The colonel’s posture carried an ease in Prudence’s presence that Elizabeth had not noted previously.
“Richard appears to value Mrs. Bell’s insights highly,” Darcy said, following her gaze.
“For military purposes, naturally,” Elizabeth replied with unconcealed amusement.
“Naturally.” Darcy’s dry tone suggested he was no more convinced than she was. “My cousin has always been dedicated to his duties.”
“And Mrs. Bell has a wealth of knowledge she can share with him about Mediterranean politics and trade routes,” Elizabeth added diplomatically. “And shopping.”
“Quite knowledgeable.”
The colonel gestured animatedly as he explained matters of importance to Prudence, who listened attentively and responded with what appeared to be pertinent questions. The rapport they demonstrated suggested their discussion had moved beyond purely professional matters.
Elizabeth said, “This expedition may prove transformative for more than just ourselves.”
“I agree,” Darcy replied. “Though I confess my primary concern remains our own development.”
The word ‘our’ was not lost on Elizabeth. “And how do you assess our progress thus far?”
No longer distracted by his cousin, Darcy gave Elizabeth his full attention.
“I am more hopeful than I dared expect. You listen to my thoughts without immediate judgment. Your questions help me understand myself better. You challenge my assumptions without attacking my character.” He paused.
“You are helping me to discover who I might become rather than defending who I have been.”
Such candor deserved an equally honest reply.
“And I am learning who you truly are instead of the man I assumed you to be. Your humility about your past mistakes, your concern for Miss Darcy’s happiness, your willingness to question your own motives—these are not the qualities of the man I once thought you were. ”
A shout from Captain Morrison directed their attention to a change in the ship’s heading as they rounded a prominent cape.
The coastline here was particularly dramatic, and they were drawn to a magnificent view of towering cliffs topped with ancient watchtowers, the weathered stones golden in the afternoon light.
“We are making excellent time,” the captain called to them. “We should pass Cartagena within the next day or so and be well into French waters soon enough.”
The mention of French waters sent a slight chill through Elizabeth, reminding her of the broader context of their journey. “Do you think we shall encounter difficulties in French territorial waters?”
“Captain Morrison seems confident in his ability to navigate such challenges,” Darcy replied. “And Richard’s military contact at Gibraltar provided current information about any particular risks.”
“I had not fully considered how thoroughly this expedition places us in harm’s way. Not just from Mr. Wickham’s pursuit but from the larger conflicts surrounding us.”
“Are you having second thoughts about continuing?”
Elizabeth considered this and said, “Not at all. The dangers are real, but so are the opportunities to learn and see so much, and for learning who we might become under such extraordinary circumstances.”
As the sun climbed higher, painting the Mediterranean in shades of sapphire and gold, Elizabeth reflected on the astonishing changes she had experienced in such a short time.
Darcy was proving to be a man of unexpected depth and feeling, someone whose company she enjoyed.
He courted her with thoughtful attention and genuine respect.
She did not love him. Yet. She would accept nothing more than a courtship until she did.