Chapter Twenty-Six #4
The colonel leaned back in his chair. “I know just the men … my companions from the tavern. Let us send them out on some horses to the neighboring farms. It is only ten in the morning. We have at least seven hours until dark, and many more before Wickham’s ghouls dance.”
Elizabeth asked, “What do we tell them? How will we explain what we know of Wickham’s plans?”
“I suggest we tell them the truth. Obviously, we must protect the locals from Wickham, who has a graveyard full of ardent imitators, most of them loved ones of the villagers.” Edward waited for them to comprehend his thoughts.
“Many times in battle, the army must first win the goodwill of the people they wish to aid. As a soldier, I have found the truth to be the most beneficial weapon in winning the war of wills. We openly declare you are a vampire expert, and you have come to free this village of the hold Wickham has over it. However, you recognize your challenge will infuriate your enemy, and you wish to warn them to protect themselves for tonight. Tomorrow night, you will lead a full assault.”
Darcy asserted, “You are absolutely mad! You wish me to announce my curse to the world!”
“Actually,” Elizabeth began tentatively, “I like Edward’s idea. His assumptions are correct. We must do more than eliminate Wickham.”
“Neither of you understand,” Darcy argued. “You saw only two of Wickham’s underlings. I fought an army of them, and for each one I vanquished, another took its place. We cannot possibly overcome the number under Wickham’s control.”
“I disagree.” The colonel leaned forward to speak directly to Darcy.
“Elizabeth knows more things about vampires than anyone else in this room. She knows a means to dispatch them. We can control how many we fight at one time, using the old military adage of divide and conquer. You must listen to your wife and to me. We have skills you do not, and despite all your powers, you will lose if you do this alone.”
Silence filled the room as Darcy assessed what his cousin had declared.
Obviously, Edward held a special fondness for Elizabeth, but the man had put that aside and would not act upon any blossoming feelings.
Instead, he wanted Darcy to accept Elizabeth’s love without question and to accept her as an equal.
What other choice did he possess? Following Edward’s lead, Darcy turned to his wife.
“Are you of the persuasion we can do this?”
“Edward speaks the truth, William. We possess the means by which to end this nightmare, but we require time to set a plan in place and to provide you time to heal. You cannot face Wickham in your weakened condition.”
Darcy took a close look at his wife. He had always known her to be an exceptional woman, highly perceptive and quite opinionated, but it took his cousin’s acceptance of Elizabeth for Darcy actually to see her as a partner, someone he not only must protect, but also someone he must trust. Deep in his soul, his heart leapt with joy.
Perhaps, hope was still alive, for Elizabeth offered him a selfless love.
He nodded his head in agreement. “Put everything into motion, Edward.” He spoke the words, but did not remove his eyes from Elizabeth’s countenance. She had changed somehow.
“I will find Gordy immediately.” Edward stood to take his leave. “You two require time to talk.” Then he was gone, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth to reconcile their differences.
Neither of them moved. “I have thought of little but you since you departed Pemberley.” Darcy’s breathing became shallow. “Tell me we still possess a chance.”
Elizabeth dropped her eyes. “It seemed so simple at the start.”
Darcy swallowed the emptiness filling his heart. “I understand. We will do what is necessary, and then I will make arrangements for your protection.”
Elizabeth was on her feet immediately, taking his face in her hands and forcing him to look upon her.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, someday you will permit me to finish a thought before you jump to a conclusion. I am saying I cannot be a passive female, waiting for my husband to instruct me on what to think or how to act. Do you truly believe you are so unworthy of a person’s love?
If so, I have an ordeal of my own after we finish this one, because I must convince you I love you beyond reason.
” She leaned in to kiss him. It was an act of tenderness—but also an act of incomplete submission.
Darcy pulled her onto his lap, but he never released the kiss.
Instead, he deepened it. Like a starving man, he took her mouth fully.
When she breathed out, Darcy breathed in—needing to fill his soul with her essence.
He hungered in a way he once would not have believed possible.
Darcy wished to ravage her, to possess her—to cherish Elizabeth and bind her to him forever in an all-encompassing love.
His lips rested above hers. “How have I lived without you?”
“You have not, and I have not. Only together are we whole.”