Chapter 1.16 #2
“Please sit down a moment, and let us talk about this.” On the sofa, he took her hands in one of his as the other arm came to rest around her shoulders.
“I understand that you want to be with your family, and the carriage is ready and waiting for you. But they will not be worried, and they are not expecting you. In fact, Mrs Gardiner insisted that I tell you there is no urgent necessity for your presence at Gracechurch Street.”
“And my father?”
“Mr Bennet, and also Mr Gardiner and Miss Lydia, I suspect, took a warm bath and a well-deserved sleep after our long, tumultuous night.”
She searched his face and then gently stroked his forehead and eyebrows. “You also deserve to sleep; you look very tired.”
“I am tired, but I am also so very happy at this moment that I could not possibly relax enough to sleep. These few minutes spent with you are all I need.” He closed his eyes, enjoying her gentle caress until she spoke again.
“Sir, I must go and speak, at least briefly, with Georgiana and apologise for the distress I caused her. My father will likely want us to depart for Longbourn as soon as possible, and I shall not have the opportunity to talk to her again soon.”
“If you do not mind, I would rather speak to Georgiana myself first. I want to tell her the news personally.”
“Do you think she will disapprove of our—”
“Our engagement? No, of course not.” He tenderly kissed her forehead. “I want to tell her about Mr Wickham.”
“But, are you sure it is wise to expose her to such horrible news so soon? Perhaps you could wait a few more days until she is completely recovered.”
He considered a few moments. “Yes, perhaps you are right. I shall decide while speaking to her. But I shall tell her our joyful news as soon as possible. She will be happy to have such a wonderful sister so quickly.”
“Thank you, sir,” whispered Elizabeth, squeezing his hand.
He cast a short, mischievous glance at her. “Elizabeth, is there any possible way to persuade you not to call me ‘sir’ or ‘Mr Darcy’ any longer?”
She lifted her head and stared at him as he fought with little success to hide a smile. She was still unaccustomed to this teasing man, so different from the aloof one she had known three months ago.
“No persuasion is needed, but how shall I address you, sir? I do not remember your revealing your first name to me when we were introduced, or any time later. But then again, at that time you found me not tolerable enough to tempt you even for a dance and certainly not worthy of such a personal disclosure.”
Even if her tone was light—and he could not doubt she was teasing him back—his reply was serious.
“I know I offended you, and I cannot apologise enough for that, Elizabeth. As I told you one day at Longbourn, I hope that in ten or fifteen years I can make amends for my outrageous behaviour at the beginning of our acquaintance.”
“Sir, I was only teasing you. I was indeed offended that night but not deeply, for I cared too little of your opinion then to seek your approval. Besides, it matters not since all is forgotten now, truly; however, I cannot promise I shall not tease you again on occasion about that subject.”
He kissed her hand once more. “You are too generous. I cannot forgive myself so easily. And I was indeed impolite about my name.”
“Your name is Fitzwilliam, and your family calls you William. I have known that for quite some time.”
“Really? And how did you come to know that? “
“I asked Jane to ask Mr Bingley.”
He laughed openly. “Of course—an easy answer. So dare I trust you will not call me Mr Darcy, at least when we speak in private?”
They were so close that they could feel each other’s heavy breath. She brushed her lips very briefly to his to seal her promise and then turned more serious.
“As much as I would like to stay, I must leave. I am anxious to speak to my father. Do you happen to know when he intends to return home?”
“All I can say is that you will not leave town for at least two or three days. A special licence must be secured for their marriage, and then your father and Mr Wickham will sign the settlement—most likely tomorrow or two days hence—then the announcements. If everything goes as planned, the wedding could take place in a week.”
“I see…I know I should be grateful that everything has concluded better than we could have imagined yesterday and in such a short time, but I am so concerned for my sister! He has a great number of debts as Papa said. How will he pay them? And how will they live after the wedding? Will they return to Hertfordshire? Will he be accepted back into the regiment after such a disgraceful escape? I do not think father will be able to support them both, and I do not think he would want to. And if not, what will happen to Lydia?”
She did not even try to hide her restlessness, for she knew he could understand and comfort her.
“Yes, I know you have many questions. No, he will not return to Hertfordshire. He—it is expected that he will be offered a commission in the regulars, most likely in the North. I think everything will turn out well indeed, and hopefully he will be wiser from now on as he has a family to support.”
She paused a few moments, staring at him. “William, what kind of commission was he offered so suddenly? And what happened to his debts? How could such a dreadful situation be resolved so easily?”
“Elizabeth, I would rather not speak about that subject any further, and I would ask you to indulge me in that. Fortunately, everything was settled, and nothing else is of any consequence.”
“It is for me. I know beyond any doubt that all this is your doing. You cannot deny it.”
“I have no wish to deny it. I promised I would not lie to you. But as I told your father this morning, I have no further explanation to offer regarding this matter.”
He caressed her hair, adding more gently, “My love, I did what was my responsibility to do. I shall not deny, however, that the wish of giving happiness to you added force to the other inducements that led me on, and I would have done much more to see you smile again. Did I not tell you so?”
“Yes, you did.” She gazed at him adoringly, and he felt his mouth become dry at the expression on her face.
“Elizabeth…I really think you should leave now if you indeed want to leave…”
She felt her cheeks, neck, and ears burn as the familiar cold shivers travelled wildly down her spine again. She could only nod in agreement. Reluctantly, they rose, and he instantly took hold of her hand, their fingers entwined in a tight clasp as they approached the door.
“Will you come to speak with Papa today?”
“Yes, of course. Moreover, I forgot to mention that Mr Gardiner invited Bingley, my cousin, and me to have dinner in Gracechurch Street tonight.”
“Indeed? I am so happy I shall see you again so soon…” Her own enthusiasm embarrassed her a little, and she blushed, adding politely, “It also would be a pleasure to resume my acquaintance with your cousin. I hope he will allow me to express my gratitude for his assistance. We cannot repay his kindness—”
“No, he will not allow you to express any kind of gratitude—I am certain of that. But I shall tell you that his assistance was indeed helpful. It is a good thing that we succeeded in finding them so soon. At least, we know Miss Lydia is safe now. Do not be distressed any more about what was done.”
“Thank you, William.”
They reached the door, but she stopped and looked at him uneasily.
“What if the servants see us leaving the library after more than an hour alone? I am mortified to imagine what they will think of me—and with good reason! I shall never be able to face them.”
“Do not worry about the servants. First, only Miles knows we are here, and I trust him implicitly. And even if others should find out, after obtaining your father’s consent, I intend to inform the staff so that, at your next visit, they will treat you as the mistress of the house.”
She blushed with great emotion and no less pleasure while he lowered his head and briefly touched her lips once more. “I shall miss you very much.”
“As I shall miss you. I hope you will not be late.”
“No indeed. In truth, I intend to come earlier so I can have the opportunity to speak to your father.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
They left silently, and indeed no servant was in the hall except Miles.
“Miles, please fetch Molly, and ask her to accompany Miss Bennet.”
They went out, and Darcy handed her into the carriage, making a proper farewell before returning in haste to the house.
∞∞∞
Darcy entered Georgiana’s room and found her reading more calmly than he would have expected. “Please forgive the delay, dearest.”
“No need to apologise. Did Elizabeth leave? Is she well?”
“She is very well, as am I.”
His countenance clearly expressed his happiness, and Georgiana could only smile in return.
“I am very happy that your delay was worthwhile.”
“It was indeed; in fact, I have some wonderful news to share.”
Georgiana’s reaction was even more enthusiastic than he anticipated, and she impulsively threw herself on her brother’s neck, kissing his cheeks—something she had not done in years—and thanking him for giving her the most wonderful sister.
She asked for more details, insisting upon knowing when Elizabeth would pay her another visit, and they chatted cheerfully for almost half an hour.
“My dear, unfortunately, I must tell you another thing, which will pain you. I am sorry to spoil your pleasure, but I think you must be informed.”
“What is it, brother? Tell me, I beg you.”
“The reason Elizabeth was in such torment is that her youngest sister, Lydia, who is only fifteen, eloped the day before from her parents’ home…with Wickham.”
A loud gasp escaped her, and she put a hand over her mouth to conceal the shock. Only her incredible blue eyes remained wide open. “But how…how was that possible?”