Mr. Darcy’s lips twitched. “I confess it was fear of the very thing that enforced my precipitate action.” He sat forward. “But despite all the problems — and I am so sorry for the distress it caused you — I cannot regret it. Because there is no other way I could possibly have met you, Miss Bennet.”
His voice had deepened, and she thought her heart might burst as she stared at him. What was going to happen next?
He glanced at her aunt. “Might your aunt permit us to take a turn in the gardens, do you think? I would wish for privacy.”
Elizabeth rose to her feet. “I am sure it will be in order, sir.” She turned to her aunt.
“Aunt Gardiner, Mr. Darcy and I are about to take a turn in the gardens.” She smiled, a little anxiously. “We will stay within sight of the window beside you.”
“Of course,” her aunt was folding the letter she had written and lifted her pen to write the direction.
32
Darcy descended the steps into the garden beside Elizabeth. He had become accustomed to taking her hand on his arm and missed her touch. But he could not yet presume upon her agreement.
He began as soon as they were set on the walk along the path, impatient to know whether his hopes could possibly come to a satisfactory conclusion. “Miss Bennet, as I said, I am discomposed at my actions during the last few weeks, but I cannot regret the consequence — my meeting with you.” He sighed. “I confess that had it not been for my family, I would not have returned to see you, having convinced myself that you would be better with the opportunity to forget the embarrassment I caused you.”
Her silent presence beside him was an inexpressible comfort to him, and he berated himself for not acting sooner.
“But my aunt, Lady Matlock, has convinced me that you have been as troubled as I was.” He glanced at her. “And I was very troubled. Immediately after my words of condemnation, I wished never to have uttered them, and my days were haunted by your memory, as were my nights.”
Elizabeth moved a little closer, and without ado, tucked her hand in his arm. “I do believe, Mr. Darcy, that we are still engaged, as I have not yet formally withdrawn.” The warmth of her touch was understanding and her care for him was apparent.
“No,” she said quietly. “I am not going to insist upon a continuation of our betrothal. It is just that I felt the need to reassure you of my wish to assist you as you overcome this difficulty. In time it will seem a small thing.”
He found himself holding the breath he had drawn in as she spoke. Might she agree to continue with the engagement? Might she continue the agreement she had made on first meeting him?
“Your words imply a promise, Miss Bennet, and I confess I am eager to hear from you whether there is any possibility that you would consider continuing the arrangement you agreed to.”
She smiled impishly. “I believe part of the problem was that we agreed — all unknowingly — to different arrangements, Mr. Darcy.”
He nodded heavily. “What I thought I agreed to was unreasonable, Miss Bennet. I can see that now. No, what I was asking was that you agreed to the engagement continuing, and proceeding to marriage — originally on the strength of a one hour meeting.” He knew his smile was twisted. “Having now discovered more of what I am really like, might you, despite all you have learned of me, do me the honour of consenting to be my wife?” He held his breath. After discovering him, she might not wish to continue. If she refused him, he did not know what he might do.
Her face became very serious, and his heart sank. “Mr. Darcy, I am very honoured at your trust in me. What I will do is agree to continue the engagement for the moment. But before we agree between the two of us to proceed to an actual marriage, I believe you need to know rather more about me, and about my background.”
“I care nothing for your background, Miss Bennet. Aunt Alice said to me that whatever level of society you were born to, you are a rare find — and I agree with her.” He lifted her hand to his lips. Then he smiled, her blush arousing emotions within that he had thought he might never experience.
“Your aunt compliments me. But, Mr. Darcy, I would task you with discovering my family first. I would be saddened, but not surprised, if you change your mind about proceeding to marriage.”
He brought her hand to his lips again, craving her touch. “But I am not going to marry your family …” his eyes met hers. “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you, Miss Bennet. I know I have been proud and dismissive. I very much wish my words unsaid.”
He drew her to the bench seat under the tree. “But I have something else to tell you.” He wondered how to say it. “I have been these last two days in Hertfordshire …”
She sat up straighter. “But …”
He shook his head. “I would not willingly have gone without your knowledge and consent, but I heard that Lady Catherine had found where your family lived and had gone to make trouble for you. So I hurried down there to attempt to remove the possibility of her causing embarrassment to your family.”
He had her complete attention and he could see the mortification in her eyes. He moved even closer, ignoring propriety.
“Elizabeth, please do not be embarrassed. I know that you are often embarrassed by the behaviour of your mother and younger sisters, your father has told me that.”
“You have spoken to my father?” Her eyes were fixed on his face.
“Please do not be distressed, Elizabeth.” He shook his head. “I discovered that your mother’s behaviour is nothing, nothing, compared to the behaviour of my aunt, Lady Catherine. Your mother might embarrass you, but she is neither wicked nor bitter.” He was pleased to see the return of a little amusement to her eyes. He squeezed her fingers. “People at all levels of society have embarrassing relatives, Elizabeth. I am not as discomposed by yours as I confess I might have been a few months ago. And I will not let your background dissuade me from attempting to win your hand in marriage.”
She smiled very slightly. “What happened at home? Did Lady Catherine …?”
He raised his hand and used a fingertip to lift her face to his. “I ejected her from Longbourn, and have forbidden her to interfere in your life or mine again.”
He was surprised when she laughed. “And have you seen Lady Matlock after you returned from Hertfordshire?”
He shook his head. “No, I came here directly upon my return. Is there a problem?”
She seemed to be trying to contain her mirth. “ I think Lady Catherine did not believe you were serious. She called here yesterday morning to attempt to — persuade me — to discontinue our engagement.”
He stared at her in consternation, all he was going to say was in tatters.
“What transpired?” he asked quietly, resolving to sever all ties with his aunt as soon as possible.
“I would not give her the satisfaction of telling had what had happened, sir. If she thought the engagement was continuing, then you have more time to devise an alternative plan to avoid an unwanted engagement with your cousin.”
“I wish I could have seen it, Miss Bennet. I am certain I would be most impressed.” He dropped his gaze, trying to keep his bounding heart in good regulation. “Might we then discover who else knows about the arrangement now, and how many about the difficulties thereafter?”
She shook her head. “I do not know. It is only my aunt and uncle. And Jane believes us to be still engaged, and is the only other person to know of the original arrangement.” Her voice was quiet. “Did you tell my family?”
He shook his head. “I did not.” Perhaps all was not lost, after all.
He lifted his head gazed at her. “I want to ask you about what you said regarding Cousin Anne, but that is for later. I ask you again, Elizabeth. Will you consent to become my wife? I will do all in my power to make you happy.”
Her eyes were luminous as she looked up at him, and his heart quickened within him.
“I will, Mr. Darcy.”
“William. Please
call me William.”
She laughed. “William.”
He brought her hand to his heart. “You cannot know how much I have hoped to hear those words, and my despair that even your generous heart and spirit might not be able to forgive me.”
He drew her to her feet. “Let us continue our turn about the gardens, and there is something else I wish to ask you.”
Her eyebrows rose, but she didn’t demur. He was happy to see there was a flush of happiness on her cheeks and a slight smile curved her lips. His heart turned over, how he wanted to trace those lips with his finger, draw her closer to him. He stifled a groan. How soon might they wed? He could hardly wait.
She was looking up at him, slightly puzzled. “What was it you wished to speak to me about, William?”
His senses were fogged with her nearness, he couldn’t remember what it was. No matter, there was time enough now. But he could ask the thought filling his mind.
“How soon, Elizabeth? How soon until you will be willing to become my bride?”
She laughed. “I think it was something else that was on your mind, William.” She touched his arm and looked archly up at him. “Do not mind my sense of humour, please. I was trying to lighten the atmosphere a little.” She took a deep breath. “I will marry you as soon as you say. I will just have to add that I doubt my mother will be satisfied with any wedding clothes that can be made in fewer than two weeks.”
He chuckled. “I will send a team of seamstresses down to Longbourn with everything they need. They can make wedding clothes for your mother and all your sisters in a few days. I also asked your father whether he is free soon to come to London and call upon my lawyer. The settlement can be arranged very quickly, as can the special licence.” His heart pounded. “I will ask you again, Elizabeth. How soon will you marry me?”
“Then — as soon as those things are done, sir.” Her lips curved and he knew he had a lifetime to discover her liveliness and wit.
He would endure a wedding breakfast at Longbourn. He would endure anything with Elizabeth by his side.
His finger traced the back of her hand. “Dine with me tonight at Darcy House. I would like your aunt and uncle to come with you. Georgiana and Richard will complete the party.”
33
Elizabeth looked round her chamber at Longbourn. She had stayed here for two nights now, and this was the morning of her wedding. Her wedding to Mr. Darcy — William.
She stared at her reflection in the glass, a stranger, almost. Her maid was assisting Jane and they were threading tiny flowers through her hair. Her satin gown gleamed in the sunlight lancing in through her window. The noise and bustle of Longbourn could be heard outside the room, but in her own chamber, the atmosphere was serene.
“Oh, Lizzy, you look so beautiful,” Jane sighed. “You and Mr. Darcy make a wonderful couple. My only sorrow is that you will be living so far away.”
Elizabeth looked up at her. “Well, I expect that we will need to be many months of the year in London. From there, it is not too far.” She allowed herself a secret smile. “And, given that Mr. Lawrence’s family have an estate in Yorkshire, William has suggested that, if at any time you desire it, he could find a valuable living there, where you will not be so far away from Pemberley.” She caught at her sister’s hand. “And if that ever happened, then I am sure I will be much more often at Pemberley than in London.”
She watched as Jane sat on the bed, her eyes alight with hope. “Could it be, I wonder? Peter is often saying that he wishes he could be nearer home now his father is getting older.” Elizabeth smiled as she watched her sister, she knew what she would say next.
“Oh, but perhaps I should stay here. After all, Mama and Papa are getting older, too.”
“Oh, Jane! They have three other daughters, you will not always need to be the one closest to them.” She looked at her sister. “After all, I will have need of you, too.”
“Lizzy! Jane!” Mama’s voice shrieked up the stairs. “The coach will be here in a few moments. You must hurry!”
Jane hurried to the door. “We’re coming down in a moment, Mama!”
Elizabeth took a final look in the glass. “Thank you, Emily, that’s lovely.” She dismissed her maid with a nod and rose to her feet. Taking a final look round her chamber, she silently said goodbye to her old life.
Then she followed Jane from the room and down the stairs. Mama and her sisters clustered around her, exclaiming at her gown and bonnet. Each of them was so excited at their own finery, though, that they were soon hurrying out to the Longbourn coach, anxious to show themselves off to the townspeople at the church.
Elizabeth was so glad William had taken the entirety of the inn at Meryton. His whole party were staying there.
With Elizabeth’s encouragement, Anne de Bourgh had travelled with Lady Matlock for the event, despite her own mother’s absence, a circumstance Elizabeth attributed entirely to the fact that Richard would sit beside her once his groomsman duties were discharged. Their wedding would be the next within the family, and Lord Matlock had given the couple a small lodge on their country estate, at Matlock, in Derbyshire.
Elizabeth had been delighted to persuade the Colonel, during a quiet moment at that dinner at Darcy House, that there must be some agreement he could come to with his cousin Anne, which would enable him to declare for her.
Now they would spend half their time in Derbyshire, and half at Rosings Park, with her mother, so the Colonel could begin to learn to manage the estate when he and Anne inherited. It was the best solution that could be devised.
But she could not think about them for long, not today. Time seemed to be slowing, because she could not wait to see William again, and then never be parted from him.
“Lizzy, you look beautiful.” Papa gazed at her with loving, but moist, eyes. He would miss her most of all, she knew that. She leaned forward and kissed him.
“William has already invited you to come and stay, I know that. And you will enjoy his libraries. I am told that the one at Pemberley is many times the size of the Darcy House one, and that is extremely extensive.”
“I know, and I know you have found a great love in the gentleman who will be your husband, Lizzy.” Papa shook his head. “I still don’t understand how you came to meet, but that you did, I am profoundly thankful.”
“Papa!” Elizabeth kissed him. “I think the coachman is waiting for us. I would not like to keep William waiting.”
She was glad none of the family here knew about the letter Jane had written, the one that started this whole occasion — and Jane would keep their secret, of that she was assured.
William had had his chaise decorated with flowers and ribbons, and they drove slowly the short distance to the church. Jane was with her, her dusky rose gown complimenting her complexion, and Papa, proud in his Sunday suit. Elizabeth was utterly content.
Then it was time. She stood beside William, the church full of warmth and support behind them as they faced the clergyman.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here …”
Elizabeth drank in everything as much as she could, but she was conscious only of the man beside her, his gaze never leaving her face, except when he took her hand and placed the ring on her finger.
His gaze blazed as he spoke. “With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, …”
Her legs weakened, and she thought she might fall. He leaned forward.
“Are you well?” his anxious whisper heartened her, and she nodded, determined not to spoil an instant of their day.
As the vicar placed their right hands together, William grasped her hand in his, warm and comforting.
She watched as the clergyman took the end of his stole and bound it symbolically around their hands. His sonorous voice rang out in the church. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
Elizabeth had a sudden thought of Lady Catherine’s attempts to part them, and had to bite her tongue to prevent any unseemly sound
escaping her. William’s hand tightened round hers and she knew he’d had the same thought.
Then they were walking down the aisle, her hand on his arm, his warm, reassuring presence beside her, the first day of a lifetime together. They stopped at the first pew, and she allowed her mother to kiss her, then leaned to the other side and greeted Georgiana.
Towards the back of the church, she greeted Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, before they left the church.
As she stood on the steps outside, she gazed out at the sunlit landscape. She had never been happier. There was just the wedding breakfast, and then they would be on their way to London, to spend the first night of their married life at Darcy House.
Then — Pemberley. She could hardly wait to see the great house and estate her aunt had told her about.
William squeezed her hand, and she looked round, realising the rest of the congregation was crowded around them. “Are you well, Elizabeth?” His eyes were warm and loving, and she sighed.
“Very well, William. Thank you.”
He chuckled. “Later I shall ask you what you are thanking me for, but now — my coach awaits.”
34
At last, the interminable wedding breakfast was over. He hoped he’d pleased Elizabeth by bearing her relations with fortitude, although he acknowledged to himself the great assistance afforded him by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.
And now, they were sitting at the great dining table at Darcy House. He was home, he was married, and Elizabeth would be beside him for ever.
He smiled slightly. “So, Elizabeth, why did you say thank you on the steps of the church?”
Her eyes looked distant. “I’m afraid I don’t remember why. Not at that moment. I am just so happy you have forgiven my mistakes and we’ve been able to build something wonderful from a time that could have damaged us both.”
As they were dining alone, she was not at the opposite end of the table, as she would be on formal occasions, but beside him. He reached out and covered her hand with his. “There was nothing to forgive, Elizabeth. It was my pride, and ill-judged words; my foolish thought of an arrangement that was the only cause of our disagreement at the ball.”
Impatiently, Darcy Page 12
