Chapter 20
Elizabeth had started the previous day with torment, and she had ended it with torment too, but of an utterly different kind.
The recollection of the fortunate encounter that had changed her life — their lives — was too fresh, too vivid, and her senses too stirred to allow rest, and Mr Darcy’s words resounded in her mind countless times.
Restless the entire night, she slept poorly and was relieved when the morning came.
Jane was still soundly asleep, and Elizabeth decided that nothing would make her feel better than another early morning walk. She carefully prepared herself, checking her reflection in the mirror, and left the house in a state of agitation that could not be soothed.
She walked away from the house to the spot that had now become so meaningful to her.
Although she had enjoyed morning walks since she was a child, Elizabeth could not remember one that had given her more pleasure.
She admitted that she was nervous but delighted at the prospect of meeting Mr Darcy, as unlikely as it seemed.
There had been no agreement, not even a hint of such an encounter, and she knew he was preparing for his return to London; yet she hoped.
She was still somehow concerned that he might change his mind, and after all the uproar her mother had created, a broken engagement would have been truly hurtful to her reputation.
Furthermore, it would have been hurtful to her; with her feelings still torn, still uncertain, she discovered new sentiments every other moment, as had never happened to her before.
As soon as she passed through the gates, Elizabeth saw Mr Darcy sitting on a stump, his horse tied under the trees, waiting.
He stood up and approached her. His countenance did not appear quite comfortable, but a smile brightened his face, and she noticed that smiling suited him very well and made him look even more handsome. She felt she was blushing.
“Mr Darcy…”
“Miss Bennet…I was hoping you would come…”
“So was I,” she confessed.
“I am glad to hear that…and I am glad to see you more at ease than yesterday…”
“I feel more at ease, sir.”
“I am glad to hear that…I am sorry, I keep repeating myself. It seems I have lost the ability to carry on a decent conversation.”
She smiled, amused. “It is fortunate that I have never considered the ability to converse as your main quality.”
“I trust this is something I might learn from my future wife,” he said, and she smiled, this time her cheeks burning.
“I am not sure you need it, sir. I think that, in essentials, you know everything you need to,” she said teasingly. “I hope to learn from you, as I lack the knowledge and skills needed to fulfil the responsibilities attached to the position of your wife,” she ended in earnest.
“Miss Bennet…Elizabeth…in essentials, you are everything I wish you to be, and you have everything you need to fulfil any responsibilities. The knowledge you lack, you will easily acquire,” he replied with apparent seriousness. Saying her name made his face colour as much as hers.
“Thank you. You trust me more than I trust myself, Mr Darcy. May I know your name?”
“Yes, of course…how silly of me. My name is Fitzwilliam. I was named after my mother.”
“Fitzwilliam…is a long, strong name. Just like you.”
“And dull…just like me.”
She laughed openly, and his smile broadened.
“I am sure that is not true. But you seem to be begging for compliments, Mr D— Fitzwilliam. It must be a bad habit caused by Miss Bingley’s constant flattery. Speaking of Miss Bingley, may I ask how she took the news?”
“As badly as I expected. Fortunately, I did not witness it. Bingley informed his sisters, and I have not seen them since. And your family?”
“As well as I expected. Unfortunately, I did witness it,” she joked. “But I cannot blame them. Everybody who hears of our engagement will respond with surprise.”
“I imagine. Poor Bingley was stunned too. He blamed me for acting as hastily as I accused him of acting. But he was quite happy in the end. Mr Hurst also sends you congratulations and his best regards.”
“Mr Hurst? What a lovely surprise,” Elizabeth said.
“It was. Even the admiral was impressed by how different he is without his wife around.”
The discomfort between them was slowly ebbing away, and the conversation, teasing and pleasant, delighted them both.
“I also spoke to Wickham and his two accomplices yesterday. I believe our news affected them as much as I hoped.”
“I hope it did. And what now for Mr Wickham?”
“Wickham will leave Meryton tomorrow, too. He will stay at an inn in London until next week, when he is set to leave England. He will sign a settlement and will have a cabin purchased and the means to start a new life.”
“That is generous of you. What if he refuses?”
“If he does not accept this choice, he will spend a long time in debtors’ prison. My decision is made, and it will not be changed under any circumstances.”
“I would be pleased to never see him again, but I still hope he will attempt to improve his life. Though I doubt it.”
“I do, too. But this is the last time he will be my responsibility.”
“Strangely enough, Mama and Aunt Phillips guessed rather quickly who had spread the rumours, although their reasoning was utterly wrong.”
“Oh…so the rumours were already spread in Meryton?” he asked with a frown.
“Yes…since yesterday. Fortunately, my mother and aunt assumed we had an understanding some time ago, and so the gossip was simply malicious.”
“Which is true,” Darcy said. “I shall be happy to support your mother’s belief.”
“She will be happy with any approval from you. Shall I see you at dinner tonight?”
“Of course. Together with Bingley and the admiral. We all look forward to it.”
“Mama is preparing a grand feast and hopes to please you.”
“I would be pleased with some simple fare and good company,” he answered.
“But she would not,” she joked. “I must warn you that you might hear things that will astonish you, and not in a pleasant way. You still have time to break the engagement.”
“Break it? I intend to obtain a licence tomorrow so we can be married in a week or so…if you approve of it, of course. We can wait…”
“In truth, I would rather be done with all this turmoil. Considering we have already discussed the arrangements,” she said with slight embarrassment.
“I am happy that you approve of it. If there is something we have not arranged yet, it will be as you wish. That is a promise. I shall send your father the settlement the day after I arrive in London. You may add or change anything in it.”
“Thank you…I have no concerns in regard to the settlement. I do not even need to see it to know it will be fair.”
“Do you have any concerns in regard to something particular?”
“Yes. My main concern is how will your sister bear the news of you marrying a stranger? I know the rest of your family will oppose it, but your sister’s opinion matters the most to me.”
“You should not worry about Georgiana,” he said, with more warmth in his voice. “She will be surprised, but she will become fond of you immediately. She is sweet and kind, and I think she will be happy to have a sister. Besides, you are no stranger to her.”
“I am not?”
“No…I wrote to her about you when you stayed at Netherfield.”
“You did?” she asked, incredulous.
“Of course. Since I had already confessed my admiration for your fine eyes to Miss Bingley, how could I not have mentioned you to my sister?” He was smiling, and she felt the warmth of pleasure.
“You are becoming quite proficient at teasing, Mr…Fitzwilliam.”
“I have learnt from you, Elizabeth. And from your father and the admiral. Among so many witty people, I had no chance of remaining my old, tedious self.”
She laughed again, and he continued, “As for the rest of my family, my cousin Richard, the colonel, will approve of you immediately. He might envy me too. His brother, the viscount, will be surprised but will not express it. My uncle and aunt will be amazed, upset, disapproving, and will probably need time to accept my decision. I hope they will, since I am fond of them, but I do not need their acceptance. The admiral’s support will ease things with them. ”
“And Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”
“I can honestly say that I expect the most unreasonable response from her, and I doubt she will ever accept my marriage to anyone but her daughter. But you must not fear. I shall protect you from any unpleasantness.”
“I have no fear, Fitzwilliam. I am grateful for your protection and care, but I trust I shall be able to handle any disagreeable situation by myself.”
“Seeing your discussion with Bingley’s sister, I have no doubts,” he concluded, his smile increasing the warmth inside her.
“I shall leave tomorrow morning and will send you news. I shall ask my housekeeper, Mrs Clifford, to prepare the mistress’s suite.”
Her face was flushed again, but she held his gaze.
“I hope you do not worry about me not keeping my promise. We shall live in adjoining apartments, but you may lock your door and open it only when you want to.”
“I doubt I shall ever lock the door, sir. And I do not doubt your word.”
“Thank you. You will be free to change the apartment in any way you wish. Furniture, carpets, or anything else,” he continued, and she gently touched his arm.
“Please do not worry in that regard. I doubt I shall want to do that either. Now, I must return home. My mother will soon wake up and start the preparations anew.”
He brought her hands to his lips and placed a soft kiss on each.
“Do you still have scratches on your hands? I see your face is healed.”
“Just a few,” she replied, taking off her gloves.
He took off his own gloves and took her hands in his.
The feeling of his bare skin on hers was so powerful that she quivered, and her fingers trembled in his palm.
He touched the scratches with his thumbs, then placed more kisses on each.
The touch of his lips thrilled her, and the warmth grew unbearable inside her — so much that she felt dizzy.
Then he put her gloves back on, still holding her hands.
“I have spoken to the housekeeper of Netherfield — the puppies will remain there, as they are, with the rest of the dogs, for the next three months. Afterwards, you will decide what you wish to do with them.”
“I would like to keep them, since we share them…if you approve.”
Her timid smile met his. “Most heartily, Elizabeth.”
They separated moments later, Elizabeth’s heart pounding with joy. She returned home and spent the rest of the day in a dream. She obeyed her mothers’ requests until dinner time, when the guests arrived.
After two days of utter perturbation, Mrs Bennet’s rapture diminished in the presence of Mr Darcy, and she timidly welcomed and embraced her future son-in-law.
Emotions seemed to overwhelm her, as Mrs Bennet spent most of the time enjoying Mr Darcy’s compliments on the tasty dishes and his gratitude for all the trouble, while she stared at him in awe and adoration, disregarding Mr Bingley and the admiral almost entirely.
Elizabeth had no private conversation with her betrothed that evening, as he was mostly engaged in conversation with her father and the admiral, while Mr Bingley spoke mostly to Jane.
They only exchanged glances and smiles over the table, and she did not need more.
They had already discussed and agreed on the most important things, so she looked forward to her new life with confidence.
And with anticipation and eagerness, as she recollected the sensation of his lips touching her skin.
The next morning, the Netherfield party returned to London, taking with them the tranquillity of three ladies of Longbourn.