Elizabeth continued to stare at Darcy’s chest, her cheeks flaming red. He lifted her chin until their eyes met and he smiled timidly. She gave him a shy smile before correcting her bonnet and turning toward the others.
As they approached, Charles declared the mount a “bonny spot” and demanded they picnic there in the spring. Elizabeth and Darcy agreed, but were otherwise uncharacteristically quiet. When the winds turned colder they all acquiesced to return to Longbourn.
Again, Elizabeth and Darcy out stripped the others. They walked quietly in their now normal habit with his hand resting upon hers, but she avoided looking at him. He could tell she was deep in thought and decided to take advantage of the privacy.
“Elizabeth, what are you thinking?”
Her step faltered at his use of her Christian name, and she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “You kissed me, sir,” she said softly though no one was about to hear.
“I did.”
“Why?”
Darcy’s chuckle rumbled in his chest, “Because I find each day it grows more difficult to resist you.”
She stopped walking and they faced each other, patiently waiting for the other to speak. Darcy debated what to say, but did not find the road an appropriate setting for the important question he wished to ask her.
Elizabeth was the first to open her mouth, but hesitated. Looking up and down the road for any onlookers, she pulled him toward a copse of trees. When she was certain they were out of sight, she turned just as he caught her up in his arms and pushed away her bonnet. This time, he kissed her deeply and much longer until her knees grew weak and her arms moved about his neck with a will of their own.
When he pulled away and brushed a kiss against her cheek, she whispered, “Mr. Darcy …”
“Fitzwilliam,” he said as his kisses moved toward her ear.
She could feel the heat rising from her bosom and her voice became softer still, “Fitzwilliam …”
He smiled as he kissed her temple. “Yes, my dear?”
She pulled back so she could look into his eyes. “Sir, I do not …”
Darcy leaned forward, capturing her lips with his again. He had never so wantonly abandoned propriety in his life, but he had no desire to stop. He liked the feel of her in his arms. It was as though she was meant to be there all along. He continued to hold her as their lips reluctantly separated and his eyes met hers.
“Marry me, Lizzy.”
“I beg your pardon,” she said in a breathless, dreamy voice.
“I had meant to wait until my sister arrived so you could become acquainted, but I realize it does not matter.”
Elizabeth began to stiffen at his words. She pulled further from him, attempting to loosen his hold. “And what if she does not accept me? We already know your aunt will not approve. What of your other relations? What will they think of my connections? My position in society? Mr. Darcy, you have not thought this through.”
He tightened his grip, drawing her closer. “Elizabeth, I have thought of nothing else. If we are forced to remain at Pemberley for the rest of our lives, I would not care. I am certain Georgie will love you. I have found myself happier in these past few days than I have been in years. I count the minutes every morning before I can be with you and I spend the rest of the day thinking of what we will do on the morrow. Please, Elizabeth, accept my hand in marriage.”
She hesitated and a wicked gleam entered his eyes. “You realize, of course, that I have compromised you again. Mr. Bingley was witness to it. And, I must add, you were a willing victim this time.”
Elizabeth blushed as he gave her a devilish grin. “Mr. Darcy, I am not certain I approve of this side of you,” she attempted to reprimand him.
“You seem to have awakened this side of me, my darling.” His eyes shown as he looked at her expectantly.
Elizabeth realized she, too, had been happier these days. He had listened to her, debated with her, and even flirted. He was a knowledgeable man and did not appear threatened by her sometimes impertinent manner. Even now, he watched her so closely with those dark, intense eyes causing her heart to race. He truly was a handsome man; sought after by all the best families of the ton.
She realized he was sacrificing so much to save her family’s name and her reputation, yet he did not appear to care. She was beginning to understand that he was simply a good man. Her heart swelled as she thought of a life by his side; a continuation of these last few days, these last few moments. A nervous laugh broke from her lips, and she accepted him.
His eyes flashed as he clasped her to his chest so tightly she could barely breathe. She could feel his light kisses in her hair as he stroked her back but she pulled away before he could kiss her again.
“I believe it would be best if we returned to Longbourn,” she said softly though her hands lingered on his shoulders.
“Of course,” he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I must speak to your father.”
After adjusting their appearances, they made their way out of the woods, looking about to see if anyone had seen them emerge. They were uncertain if Jane and Bingley had passed by while they were otherwise engaged and decided to quicken their pace toward her home. They spoke easily as they walked, their fingers intertwined upon his arm. She attempted to voice her concerns again regarding his family’s acceptance, but he refused to listen.
“I am my own man, Elizabeth. I have been since my father passed when I was two and twenty. I daresay my family has been near accepting I would not marry. They feared Georgianna would have to produce an heir for Pemberley.” He smiled down at her as he squeezed her hand. “I fully expect them to accept you with open arms.” He rethought his statement. “Well, all but Aunt Catherine.” He winked and chuckled softly.
Elizabeth giggled, still surprised by his playfulness. Their eyes met and held as he wished they were back in the wooded area. Only the sound of a carriage approaching stopped him from pulling her into his arms. He glanced ahead then took a quick second look, his smile growing as the carriage approached. When it was close enough, he called out to the driver and they came to a stop.
The door opened and a roughly handsome man stepped out. “Darcy! I barely recognized you. You are positively beaming!”
Darcy clasped hands with him and looked inside the carriage. “Hello, darling. I was not expecting you until tomorrow.”
Elizabeth could hear a soft voice respond, “We made good time and did not wish to stay in another inn tonight.”
Pulling Elizabeth forward, Darcy introduced her to his cousin, his sister, and her companion before calling for a footman.
“Follow this road to Longbourn, a manor house just a short distance away. Tell them Miss Elizabeth and I are accompanying my family to Netherfield and I shall return her later this evening. You may ride my horse back.”
The footman started off down the road as Darcy assisted Elizabeth into the carriage where she settled on the bench by his sister. He and his cousin sat facing the ladies and the equipage pulled away.
An awkward silence filled the compartment. Georgiana stared at her lap while Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned as he glanced back and forth between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth looked expectantly at Darcy whose eyes darted nervously between her and his sister.
Realizing he was not going to speak, she smiled and turned to the young girl sitting next to her. “I am so happy to meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard so much about you.”
Georgiana lifted her eyes to her brother. “Really? I have not heard anything about you.”
A look of shock crossed Elizabeth’s face as she turned to Darcy, “Did you not tell her?”
He blushed, “I wished to explain in person.”
“Then what did you say?” she asked nervously.
“His letter was very intriguing.” Colonel Fitzwilliam chimed in, and then recited it as he had committed it to memory.
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped and she grabbed Georgiana’s hand. “Oh, you poor dear, whatever migh
t you have thought after receiving such a letter?”
The colonel chuckled as he turned toward Darcy. “She thought you had proposed to Miss Bingley.”
Darcy’s jaw dropped, “Georgie?”
Elizabeth glared at him as she slipped a protective arm about Georgiana’s shoulders. “After telling me how she disliked Miss Bingley, you sent her a letter which led her to believe that lady would be her sister?”
“Elizabeth, I did not …”
“Mr. Darcy, I believe you have said quite enough.” She turned to the young, bewildered girl beside her. “I am quickly learning that as intelligent as your brother appears, he has much to learn about communicating with others.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam guffawed and Darcy glared him into silence.
The carriage rolled up the drive to Netherfield where they saw Caroline Bingley coming out to greet them. Darcy climbed out of the carriage first and she stepped toward him.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, I thought you were still at Longbourn. Has Charles returned with you? Oh!” She stopped suddenly as Darcy handed Elizabeth out of the carriage. “Miss Eliza!” she said, obviously feigning delight.
“We saw my carriage on the road and decided to accompany my guests the rest of the way.” Darcy placed Elizabeth’s hand upon his arm possessively.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had exited the carriage as they spoke and assisted his cousin and her companion. Miss Bingley regained her composure and linked arms with the young girl. “Miss Darcy, you must be exhausted after your trip. I shall show you to your room.”
Elizabeth gripped Darcy’s arm tightly causing him to turn to her. She looked pointedly toward his sister and Miss Bingley. Realizing her meaning, he quickly halted their progress.
“Miss Bingley, I shall show my family to their rooms.” Elizabeth gave him a pleased nod as he took his sister’s arm. “Perhaps Miss Elizabeth could accompany you to the drawing room?”
She frowned as he quickly turned away to hide his grin. Pasting a smile upon her face, Elizabeth turned to address her hostess. “Miss Bingley, it has been so long since I have been at Netherfield. You must show me the improvements you have made. I am certain you have brought some of the latest styles from London.”
Darcy fought the urge to laugh aloud at her impersonation of their emphatic hostess as he led his family away.
Caroline was clearly torn between ingratiating herself with Georgiana and showing off to Elizabeth; but as the Darcy party was already on their way up the stairs, she led her guest to the drawing room.
***********
Darcy escorted Georgiana to her room and instructed her to join Colonel Fitzwilliam and himself down the hall once she was refreshed. He then led the colonel to his room so he could explain what had occurred prior to their arrival. Unbeknownst to the gentlemen, the door had not latched properly and was standing slightly ajar as they spoke.
With the aid of her maid, Georgiana finished her ablutions quickly and made her way down the hall to her cousin’s room. She raised her hand and was about to knock, when she heard her brother’s voice. “So you see if it were not for Georgie’s indiscretion at Ramsgate, I would not have compromised Elizabeth.”
Georgiana pulled her hand back as if burned and covered her mouth. Shaking her head, she turned, and rushed down the stairs and out into the garden, tears flooding her eyes. Would her error in judgment never stop haunting them?
************
Elizabeth glanced out the window overlooking the gardens as Miss Bingley droned on about the superior London society. A motion caught her eye and she turned to see an obviously upset Miss Darcy run down a path. “Oh!”
“Yes, Miss Eliza?”
“Pardon me, Miss Bingley, but …” she searched for some excuse to leave the room so she could follow the distraught young girl. “May I use your retiring room?”
Miss Bingley wrinkled her nose, “Of course.” She rang for the maid to show her guest the way.
As they stepped out of the drawing room, Elizabeth assured the girl she could find her way back. Once she was certain she was alone, she slipped into the garden in search of Miss Darcy.
The gentlemen were coming down the stairs in search of Georgiana just as Elizabeth stepped outside. Exchanging a glance, they decided to follow her. They found their loved one sobbing on a bench just out of sight of the house and Elizabeth approaching her quietly. Darcy stepped toward them, but Richard put out a hand to stop him and shook his head. They found a concealed spot by the shrubbery within hearing distance and waited.
“Miss Darcy, are you well?” Elizabeth spoke quietly so as not to startle the young girl as she reached the bench.
Georgiana gasped and attempted to dry her eyes as Elizabeth sat down beside her. “Forgive me, Miss Bennet, I ….” her voice broke as her tears began to flow again.
“Hush now,” Elizabeth placed a comforting arm about her shoulders. “Something has obviously upset you. Shall I call for your brother?”
If possible, the trembling girl looked more stricken as she shook her head, unable to speak.
“Oh, no! What has he done now?”
Georgiana turned a shocked gaze at the unusual woman sitting beside her.
“Did he tell you what happened?” Elizabeth asked and was baffled when Georgiana shook her head again. “Forgive me, but I do not understand. Why are you so upset?”
Taking a deep breath, Georgiana said softly, “I heard him tell our cousin it is my fault you were compromised.”
Richard shot him an exasperated look as Darcy rolled his eyes.
Elizabeth laughed lightly, “Well that is simply ridiculous. Oh, I see that I should not have left him alone in this.” She squeezed Georgiana’s shoulders and told her about the night of the assembly.
“He insulted you?” Georgiana looked at her incredulously when she had finished.
“He did not mean to do so … Your brother was upset because he was afraid you would not return to your former self.”
“So that is why he said it was because of my actions?” She looked as if she were about to cry again.
Upon hearing Georgiana’s question, Darcy quickly stepped out from behind the shrubs and walked toward them. “And I must thank you.”
The ladies startled as he approached.
“I fear I might have missed what was before me otherwise.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and smiled at her before turning his gaze to his sister. “Georgie, I have been struggling to find a way to tell you what has occurred, but I see allowing Elizabeth to do it was the best course.”
Elizabeth shook her head, trying to hide her smile. “Am I to spend the rest of my life correcting your foibles, sir?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed as he joined the others. “It will take a load off my back, Miss Bennet, and free me to protect our lands without concern of my cousin tripping over his tongue.” He slapped his cousin on the back.
Ignoring their teasing, Darcy addressed his sister. “Elizabeth agreed to marry me only this morning and I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with her father. We cannot announce it until he has granted his permission, but I wanted you to know.”
Georgiana nodded and hesitantly hugged Elizabeth. Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed over her hand, grinning like a fool at his cousin’s good fortune.
************
Jane and Charles returned to Longbourn expecting to find Darcy and Elizabeth already there, but Mrs. Bennet explained the other couple had not returned.
“Mr. Darcy sent a footman to say they had gone on to Netherfield with his family. Full livery and very elegant,” she exclaimed. “The footman has been waiting for you, Mr. Bingley, so he may continue on to Netherfield.”
“Well, then, I must not keep him further.” Charles bowed to the ladies, taking an extra moment over Jane’s hand. “I beg my leave of you so I might return home to properly greet my newly arrived guests.”
The colour rose in Jane’s cheeks, “Of course, Mr. Bingley, it would be impolite of us to keep you longer.”
/>
Their gaze locked until the younger sisters’ giggles brought them back to reality. Mr. Bingley chuckled softly, bowed again, and took his leave.
It was not until the horses were heard riding away, that Mrs. Bennet began to fret as Mr. Bingley had not mentioned when he would return. “Every day he makes some comment on when we shall see him again. He did not do so today. Oh, what if he is too taken with Mr. Darcy’s family and forgets about us? Whatever shall we do if he does not return? Mr. Darcy has not proposed to Lizzy and now he will take Mr. Bingley away. Oh, my poor nerves! Why will Mr. Bennet not force that obstinate man to marry her?” She collapsed against the back of her chair.
Jane handed her mother a handkerchief and patted her arm reassuringly. “Mama, do not fret so. Just this morning Mr. Bingley accepted your invitation to dine with us in two days’ time. I am certain he is a man of his word and will return. And Lizzy has gone with Mr. Darcy and his family. Surely that is a good sign.”
“Oh, Jane, of course,” Mrs. Bennet sat up clutching her daughter’s hand. “And did you not see how Mr. Bingley was so taken by you he nearly did not leave? I tell you, Jane, you shall be the Mistress of Netherfield. Oh, to see you so well wed and so near! And you will then be able to throw your younger sisters in the way of other rich men.” Her mind spun wildly with the possibilities. Standing up suddenly, she called out, “Come girls, we must review your wardrobes. I fear they are sadly lacking.”
Kitty and Lydia jumped up enthusiastically and hurried up the stairs with their mother while Jane and Mary exchanged a wearied glance before following more sedately. Father will not be pleased, Jane thought as she glanced toward his study door. She would have to ask Elizabeth to speak to him when she returned.
***********
Charles entered the drawing room at Netherfield to find Caroline with a forced smile upon her face. His eldest sister, Louisa Hurst, sat by her side staring in amazement while her husband, Gerald Hurst, appeared unusually awake and alert. He soon realized the source of their dismay when he saw Darcy and his family laughing and talking freely with Miss Elizabeth as if the Bingley family was not in the room.
The Ball At Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Alternative Novella by Bronwen Chisholm Page 5
