25. A Better Understanding #4
His hand was warm from the afternoon sun, and the tenderness of the gesture banished every lingering memory of their misunderstanding.
There had once been distance between them, created by pride, imperfect communication, and mistaken convictions.
Now there remained the gentleman she loved, regarding her with an affection so open that she wondered how she had ever doubted it.
Slowly, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was neither hurried nor uncertain.
It possessed the reverence of a promise rather than the excitement of novelty.
Elizabeth answered it without hesitation, one hand coming to rest lightly upon his sleeve as though to assure herself he was truly before her and not merely the object of another hopeful daydream.
After a few moments, he broke away.
Reluctantly, she thought, for he lingered a breath’s breadth from her before allowing the distance between them to widen enough for propriety to reassert itself.
“I should go to your father.”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened.
Trust Darcy to remember his duty before the happiness of the moment had fully concluded.
“In good time,” she protested.
She retained possession of one of his hands, preventing any immediate attempt at departure.
“I wish to kiss you again.”
A faint flush touched his face, and she delighted in discovering that even Fitzwilliam Darcy could occasionally be rendered speechless. The solemn, dignified gentleman whose composure had impressed half of Hertfordshire appeared, for an instant, somewhat boyish.
“I believe,” he said with mock gravity, “that you make a persuasive argument.”
Elizabeth laughed outright.
After their second kiss, Darcy leaned back.
“I begin to understand,” he murmured, “why gentlemen have occasionally delayed requesting a father’s permission.”
“You have not delayed very long.”
“No.”
His smile blossomed, warmer now than she had ever before witnessed.
“I do not think I could.”
“Wickham told me how he came to his senses. Wycombe was at first his friend. They thought it funny, how close their names were. Then, the blackguard—not George, the other fellow—thought it a great joke to have his debts attributed my old friend. George did not find that funny at all. He realized how his actions had wounded me and resolved to be better.”
Elizabeth listened without interruption. She had wondered whether the reconciliation between the two gentlemen rested solely upon the recent adventure or whether deeper causes had brought it about. The explanation satisfied her more than she had expected.
“So it was not one great event,” she said thoughtfully. “Many smaller ones, each persuading him to become the sort of man he wished he had been sooner.”
Darcy considered that before answering with a slight inclination of his head.
“I believe that is true. Reform seldom arrives in a single moment.”
“He has succeeded admirably, you must see that.”
“I do.”
Darcy spoke without reservation.
“There remains much of the charming, imprudent fellow I knew as a boy, but there is honor now where once there was merely good nature. I trust him in a manner I never expected to do again.”
Elizabeth’s heart warmed still further. There was generosity in such an admission, particularly from a gentleman who had every reason to remember past injuries.
“I do, now. If not for you, Elizabeth, I do not think I would ever have been able to admit fault.”
She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“You admitted it because you are an honorable man.”
“I admitted it because you required me to examine myself honestly.”
Elizabeth was pleased.
His willingness to speak so candidly of his own failings strengthened her esteem. Pride had once stood between them both. To see him acknowledge that truth without embarrassment filled her with satisfaction.
“It speaks well of you to be willing to overcome your pride and your belief in your superior understanding.”
A rueful smile crossed his face.
“I begin to suspect you will remind me of my ‘superior understanding’ whenever occasion requires.”
Elizabeth smirked. “I shall endeavor to exercise restraint.”
“I do not fully believe you.”
Her laughter answered him before words could.
“I shall never doubt you again, my love.” Darcy kissed her cheek.
The affectionate gesture proved more intimate than the kisses they had already shared. It carried with it an ease that belonged not merely to courtship but to the companionship they would soon enjoy as husband and wife.
“Oh, that will not do. I will most certainly be incorrect at some point. You must not allow my own pride to swell beyond recognition.”
“I shall attempt to distinguish between confidence and certainty,” he replied. “One appears rather more dangerous than the other.”
“And if I become insufferably certain?”
“I shall remind you of this conversation.”
She smiled.
“Then I must hope my memory fails me.”
He chuckled.
The sound washed over her, warming her from head to toe.
She thought she could happily spend the remainder of her life listening for that laugh. It suited him far better than solemn reserve.
“I should go to your father now. I wish for our engagement to be official.”
Though reluctant to relinquish him even for a short while, Elizabeth knew he was right. Mr. Bennet deserved the respect of being asked before congratulations overtook the household.
“Speaking of engagements, have you spoken with Mr. Bingley lately?” Elizabeth grinned.
The thought occurred so naturally that she wondered she had not mentioned it sooner. Jane’s happiness had occupied her mind as constantly as her own during the preceding weeks.
“It seems he and Jane are officially courting. Perhaps your proposal will encourage him to do the same.”
Darcy’s expression brightened.
“I sincerely hope so. No gentleman ever deserved success more than Bingley.”
“I fear I have been an abysmal guest. But Bingley seems to be managing without my aid. It will surely help his confidence.”
“You have been occupied with rather more pressing concerns,” Elizabeth reminded him.
“So everyone insists.”
“They are correct.”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“You must give him all the attention he requires. I expect you will remain at Netherfield until our marriage now?”
She looked at him expectantly.
There was comfort in speaking so naturally of their future together, as though the life awaiting them had already begun to take shape.
“Yes, I will. Georgiana is safely established with my aunt. Lady Matlock can be a tyrant if provoked, and she has been adequately inspired. As such, I imagine my uncle and cousins will be at our wedding. It is a shame…”
His smile faded a little.
“I regret that circumstances have deprived Georgiana of sharing fully in our happiness.”
Elizabeth’s heart softened.
“She will come in time,” she said. “When she has recovered, she shall always find a welcome at Pemberley.”
“Will your sister live with us upon our marriage?”
Darcy shook his head.
“Not for a time. I think she needs to be with my aunt, who will give her no quarter.”
“I suspect Lady Matlock possesses precisely the sort of affection Georgiana requires,” Elizabeth observed.
“Affection disguised as relentless discipline.”
She laughed.
“Perhaps the disguise is necessary.”
“I agree. How pleased I am that we are of an accord again!”
His eyes sparkled.
“I confess I greatly prefer agreeing with you to quarreling.”
“So do I.”
“Minx. I shall strive to always be so. Now, I shall return shortly. I must speak with your father.”
Darcy stood and kissed her on her forehead.
She watched him straighten his coat unconsciously before crossing the room with the composed dignity that seemed so natural to him. At the door he glanced back once. Their smiles met, needing no words to complete the exchange.
Elizabeth watched him depart.
The future was a pleasing prospect, indeed.