by Kara Louise
“Is it?” Elizabeth asked slyly. “Consider the fact that you could find no suitable lady in Town. The only reason for that is they all knew who you were and what you were worth. Their behaviour around you was altered beyond anything suitable for you.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “And you?”
She rolled out a long sigh and tightened her grasp about him. “Due to the fact that I initially found you quite objectionable, I was spared any character transformation.” A satisfied smile lit her face.
Darcy turned his eyes to her. “Your reasoning is flawed, my dear, for you did soon come to view me with strong regard.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, but that was after becoming acquainted with the real Fitzwilliam Darcy. I do not wish to grieve you, my love, but I fell in love with you, and not your fortune or your estate or your standing in society.”
Darcy feigned disappointment. “That is a heavy lot, indeed. I had hoped that at least one of those would have worked in my behalf.”
Laughing at his humour, she leant over and kissed his cheek. “Perhaps when I saw Pemberley I was quite moved to change my opinion of you.” She pursed her lips and cast a sly glance at him.
Darcy cupped Elizabeth’s face with his hand, bringing it toward him. “I had so wanted another opportunity to show you I took your criticism to heart and made an attempt to mend my ways.”
Elizabeth was prevented in responding to him as the carriage came to a stop and the door opened. They stepped out and walked up to a small cottage. An inn was located just at the end of the lane.
“This is where we shall spend our first few days, Elizabeth. I hope it will please you.”
“It looks delightful, Fitzwilliam.”
“Our staff will reside at the inn and we will either take our meals there or have them brought to us. They arrived earlier to prepare our room. Shall we go in?”
Elizabeth nodded just as Mr. Grant opened the door. Anna and two additional servants welcomed them. She gasped as she peered inside. Although small, it had a simple elegance. A meal was waiting, and a small table was set for just the two of them. Flowers and candles added to the ambiance.
Elizabeth looked around her and walked over to a window overlooking the lake. “Shall we be able to see the sunrise from here, do you think?” she asked.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Darcy joined her at the window and pointed to some hills on the far side of the lake. “It ought to rise just over that ridge.”
Elizabeth turned and clasped her hands in joy. “This is delightful! We shall have not an idle moment as we watch the sunrise, explore the paths, read Cowper’s poems and Shakespeare’s sonnets, play chess…” Elizabeth paused and looked up into his eyes with a teasing smile. She wrapped her arms about his neck and brought her lips to his ear. She whispered softly, “And more?”
Darcy’s breath caught and he placed his hands on either side of Elizabeth’s face, combing his fingers slightly into her hair. He looked deeply into her eyes, his own smouldering. “And much more,” he whispered as he slowly lowered his lips to meet hers. She rose up on her toes again to meet his lips, and the two remained captured in a fervent, passionate kiss. The servants discreetly turned their attention to small chores that in truth needed no tending.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy did not seem inclined to end the kiss, prompting Mr. Grant to usher the servants out the front door, quietly closing it behind them. Turning to the grinning servants, he said with a smile of his own, “I believe it would be prudent of us to adjourn to the inn and wait until we are summoned.” Assuming a manner of authority and tact, he added, “I trust it will be some time before our services will be required.”
Epilogue
One year later
Darcy stood atop the ridge behind Pemberley looking down toward Braedenthorn. He had climbed to the summit with the hope that he would see Elizabeth returning from a visit with her sister. The warmth of the late afternoon sun pressed against his back, and a slight breeze rustled his coattails. He took in a deep breath as he gazed at the view in silent wonder. How could he be so angry at a woman he loved so overpoweringly?
He paced back and forth, as if his fierce strides would bring her into view. She knew he did not want her making that long, strenuous walk in her condition! Not alone and especially not when she was carrying their child!
He gazed out at the valley below, his eyes taking in the verdant greens that would soon give way to the reds and browns of autumn. He watched the path that wound its way down the hill toward Braedenthorn. He did not see her.
He had just returned from three days in London and was disappointed that she had not been home to greet him. When inquiring of Mrs. Reynolds as to her whereabouts, she informed him that Mrs. Darcy was visiting her sister and would return in time for dinner. The look of apprehension on her face prompted him to press her for the particulars on her means of transportation.
“She has walked, Mr. Darcy,” she said nervously, knowing well his feelings on the matter. “But I am quite confident she is still able-bodied enough to do so.”
Concern for her safety and the welfare of their baby battled with the anger that rose as he realized that in his absence, she had gone against his bidding.
Darcy immediately left the house and climbed up the ridge himself, his anger and concern propelling him. He remained at the top and watched, hoping she would appear from around some curve in the path or out from behind a hedgerow. He chose not to walk down himself, for there was always the possibility that she may have taken the Bingleys’ carriage home and would miss her.
As he waited, pacing back and forth, he allowed his thoughts to drift to Elizabeth and the baby she would have by mid-spring. Joy flooded him at the thought that he would be a father, while at the same time he feared that walking the three miles to Braedenthorn would in some way harm her or their unborn child.
At length, he saw her coming from around a curve in the path. She was oblivious to him and seemed to take each stride effortlessly as if there was no alteration in her condition. Immediate relief swept through him, and he walked over to the bench and sat down.
Leaning back and crossing his arms, he waited—rather impatiently. Now that his concern for her welfare was satisfied, his ire again began to rise. His foot tapped on the ground mercilessly as he kept his eyes on the spot where she would come up from the path. It was but a few minutes before Elizabeth reached the top. He smiled, much as he always did, whenever he had the opportunity to watch her when she was oblivious of his scrutiny.
When she looked up and noticed him sitting there, she abruptly stopped. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened in comprehension at his presence. Just as quickly, however, she ran up to her husband and sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms about his neck.
“When did you arrive home, my dearest? I thought you were not to return until tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead.
“I returned a day early. Are you surprised?” he asked with playful sarcasm.
She reached up and combed her fingers through his hair. “I am surprised, but delighted!”
Darcy pulled her closer, enclosing her tightly within his arms. He pursed his lips as if pondering his next words, then asked, “Can I always expect you to defy my directives when I am away? Dare I ask how many times you have walked to Braedenthorn on your own?”
Elizabeth leaned her head against his shoulder. “My dear Fitzwilliam, this was truly the only time… save for the day two weeks ago when the weather was so pleasant. I can barely restrain myself when the sky is so blue and the air is so warm, for my condition shall soon keep me housebound!”
“Elizabeth!” Darcy exclaimed. “Braedenthorn is not a stroll; it is a three-mile hike! I will not allow it as long as you are carrying our child!” He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Besides, you should not be walking about without an escort. If something happened to you…”
Elizabeth cupped his face with her hands and turned it toward her. She leaned in with a sm
ile on her lips and a sparkle in her eyes and kissed him, rendering him silent. His arms tightened about her even more, and his hands pressed lightly against her back.
“Nothing has happened to me and nothing shall. It is a very easy walk, as you have declared many times yourself.”
“That was before…” Darcy looked down at her dress, which only had a barely discernable bulge. “What would have happened had you been too tired to return?”
Elizabeth laughed. “The Bingleys do have a very nice carriage that I am sure they would allow me to take. Although it is not as nice as yours…”
“Ours!” Darcy corrected her.
Elizabeth nodded her head and smiled. After a year of marriage she still had a difficult time believing all this was hers. “Ours.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I regret causing you concern. I had such a longing to see little Annabeth. She is now just beginning to smile.”
“From now on you take the carriage. Do you promise?” he asked, wanting reassurance.
Elizabeth breathed in deeply. “Yes, I promise.” She fingered the collar on her husband’s coat. “Tell me, how was your time in London?”
“All transpired well. Fortunately there were no surprises.” He leaned over and kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head. “You will not believe who I came upon while stopping in at my solicitor’s office.”
“Who?” Elizabeth asked.
“Mr. and Mrs. Willstone and Emily.”
Elizabeth pulled back in surprise to study her husband’s face. “And how were they?” she asked.
“They are all doing well. Emily is about to have a new brother or sister. She has grown considerably. I am told that Miss Matthews has a strong attachment to a young man from Bristol.”
“Truly? Was the meeting between you awkward? Did you sense any ill feelings?”
“I felt awkward at first, not knowing how they perceived me. I did apologize, however, for the misunderstanding and hoped they would understand.”
“And?”
Darcy grasped Elizabeth’s hand and brought it to his lips. “Mrs. Willstone was very gracious and attributed my actions to secure your regard as romantic in the least. They expressed a wish to dine with us when we come to Town for the season.”
“I should like that very much. I so look forward to seeing Emily again.”
“As she also wishes to see you.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Any other news?”
“Your aunt and uncle are well. Kitty is doing much better living with them and caring for the children. Since Mary wed Reverend Flourand and moved to Birmingham, Kitty found living with the Wickhams and your mother not especially palatable.”
A twinkle appeared in Elizabeth’s eyes, and she grasped Darcy’s coat sleeve, giving it a tug. “We must introduce her to someone.”
Darcy looked down with a sly grin. When he looked up, he said, “I already have.”
“You have? Who?” Elizabeth asked with eager, yet incredulous interest.
“Hamilton was with me when I stopped by to visit them. He was in port for a few weeks. He certainly had a captive audience in Kitty, who laughed at every one of his jokes and who was enthralled by his stories of being at sea.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “But certainly he cannot afford to marry someone like Kitty. She has nothing to contribute to the marriage.”
“I am not saying that they will, but Hamilton will do well in the navy, and he does have a fairly substantial inheritance. He merely likes people to think he is destitute.”
“He is a good man. I think they would be good for each other.” Elizabeth bit her lip as she pondered whether to ask her next question.
“Go ahead and ask,” Darcy said. “I know you want to know.”
“Has there been any news of Wickham’s whereabouts?” Elizabeth asked, fearful of the answer.
“None. Your aunt said that Lydia is convinced he will return shortly and she most likely will take him back.” Darcy paused, his face clouding over. “But if he returns and the creditors come looking for him, his steward will send him packing.”
Elizabeth let out a melancholy sigh and again rested her head against her husband’s shoulder. There was nothing she could do to stave off the heartache that Wickham might inflict on her family. She knew, however, she could trust the measures her husband had taken in providing for Lydia and her mother in the event of Wickham behaving as they strongly suspected he might.
“Oooh!” Elizabeth suddenly exclaimed, jolting up out of her serenity. She lifted her head and placed her hand across her waist. “Butterflies!”
Darcy shook his head, looking from her to the area around them. “I see no butterflies, Elizabeth.”
“No, I felt them! That is how Jane described the first indications of movement! It is as if there is a butterfly fluttering about inside!”
Darcy placed his hand in the same area. “You felt the baby? Can I feel it?”
“I do not think you will be able to now. In due time, though, the poking arms and kicking legs will be sufficiently strong for you to detect.” She giggled and said, “There it is again.”
Darcy let out a deep sigh of contentment. Still holding Elizabeth on his lap and keeping his hand firmly against her stomach, he leaned his head against hers. “Do you mind if we stay up here a little while longer?”
Elizabeth tilted her head up and kissed the tip of his chin. Very softly Elizabeth whispered, “I will stay here with you as long as you wish—forever, if that is your bidding.”
Darcy looked down at her, his eyes piercing through to her very soul. His fingers went up and gently stroked her face, and she leaned into them, keeping her eyes upon him. He loved her. He loved her eyes. They had transfixed him ever since the very first time he saw her. They still had the power to stir him. Very gently he pulled her face closer and claimed her lips with his. Their kiss deepened, evidence of the ever-growing love they each had for the other. Their embrace tightened as if to ensure nothing would ever come between them.
Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy would never take their love for granted. They were far too mindful of the fact that had either one not given the other a second chance, their lives would now be dramatically altered. Instead of the abiding love that filled them, they would be consumed with something else… something far more unbearable than regret.
The End
Acknowledgments
I wish to thank Mary Anne Hinz, who has been a great help to me in initially editing each one of my books. I appreciate her and thank her immensely. She does a great job!
I certainly must thank Jane Austen, to whom I owe all my inspiration, and who gave us her original story and all the wonderful characters that continue to touch the hearts of people today.
About the Author
Kara Louise grew up in the San Fernando Valley and moved to the Midwest in 1991, where she enjoys the relaxed pace of the country. She began writing about nine years ago, first with a story inspired by her genealogical research. But that took a backseat when she discovered the writings of Jane Austen, in particular, Pride and Prejudice. She has written six novels based on Pride and Prejudice, answering the “what happened next” and the “what ifs” in Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s story. She has one married son and lives with her husband on their ten acres just outside Wichita, Kansas.
Visit her website at www.karalouise.ahhhs.net.
