Her nerves fell away as she saw Darcy eagerly looking out towards her, in his handsome green coat. His face brightened once she became visible. A quick step brought her immediately to his side, and after their greetings they both fell silent. Despite their mutual happiness, the air felt tense between them. Each knew this morning would be different.
Both were silent until Elizabeth decided — if she were to speak of her feelings it might be easier, or at least a better story afterwards, to do so in a picturesque location. “There is a very pretty glen I just recalled, it is some thirty minutes’ walk from here, but much worth seeing.”
Darcy nodded, and kissed her hand as had become his habit, before taking her arm.
They made light conversation on the walk, but were more silent than not.
Elizabeth led them to a place where a stream ran through a coppiced wood, and next to a small waterfall the owner had placed a bridge, with a wooden bench right past it that had become stained with time. The woods had been cut to create a small clearing with a profusion of flowers.
The morning sun brightly lit the clearing, and sparrows flit to and fro looking for seeds. Elizabeth and Darcy sat on the bench in a soft green shade. Elizabeth was not sure whether she grabbed Darcy’s hand, or he grabbed hers. But as they sat close she drew in her breath, pushed away her hesitation, and began to speak. “Fitzwilliam —”
At the same instant Darcy said in a strained voice, “Elizabeth.”
They smiled at each other over the coincidence, and the humor of the moment relaxed Elizabeth’s nerves. Darcy nodded for Elizabeth to speak first, and she began, “Fitzwilliam,” enjoying the way his Christian name sounded on her lips. “Fitzwilliam,” she said it again with a smile, “I — I no longer feel anxious, I am comfortable with you, happy in your presence. I — you are the best man I know. I love it when you smile. I love — I love the shape of your nose, and the way you let your hair fall over your forehead.”
Darcy’s eyes on her were intent, and she saw his color rise, and the dark look in his eyes deepen as she continued, “When I fell asleep yesterday morning I felt safe and warm in your arms, I hope to do that again, and again — I want to fall asleep in your arms again. I — when I wake, I desire it to always be with you. I wish to start my morning walk with you, instead of towards you.” Elizabeth felt her eyes begin to tear with emotion, and Darcy placed the hand which was not squeezing hers against her cheek, and with his thumb slowly brushed her tears away. “Fitzwilliam, I love you. I love you; I want to marry you.” She felt suddenly shy and lowered her eyes, nestling her cheek closer into Darcy’s hand, “There’s nothing I so desperately wish as to marry you, and live with you.”
Darcy continued to brush her cheek, and pulled her face up so she looked at him again. Their faces were less than a foot apart. “Elizabeth, I love, love, love you.” Elizabeth felt his low voice vibrate in her middle. A smile broke through his impassioned gaze, “I can do nothing but accept your proposal.”
Elizabeth giggled through her tears, and bringing his head even closer, Darcy said, “Your laugh is the dearest sound in the world to me.”
“I believe you shall hear a great deal of it.”
“Why do you think I agreed to marry you?”
Elizabeth’s laugh cut off as she realized how close Darcy’s face had come to hers, and saw how he looked at her mouth. She felt nervous tingles all over, and half consciously licked her lips. She leaned her head forward to meet his kiss.
She had never felt so happy, safe, or pleased as when their lips met.
* * * * *
They spent some twenty happy minutes with their mouths against each other; when they slowly stopped and pushed their foreheads against each other Darcy felt an elated lightness in his stomach. He had never been so happy. Elizabeth’s rosy cheeks, bright eyes and delighted expression proved her happiness. They silently agreed to stand and return to Longbourn. Darcy’s stomach swooped, and his knees felt unsteady as he stood.
Elizabeth nestled herself against his side, and tightly held his arm as they began to stroll back towards Longbourn, along the shaded path through the woods. Darcy had a wide happy smile. Though he still dearly, dearly loved to hear Elizabeth laugh, Darcy thought he might enjoy kissing her even more.
She laughed, “That was a new experience.”
“Had you never been kissed before?”
“Never like that.”
Darcy felt himself puff up at this victory over Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth laughed. Darcy felt too happy for words, but several times a minute their eyes would meet, and Elizabeth would blush and widen her smile. Each time Darcy felt his happiness bloom again.
After a few minutes of silent communion Elizabeth began, “Come Fitzwilliam,” — he loved the sound of his name in her voice — “We must speak, and speak on a serious matter — did Georgiana order you to marry last night?”
Darcy laughed remembering the previous evening, “I daresay I have rarely been so embarrassed, as when my shy little sister began to speak on how she wished a sister, and how she thought Lydia would become her sister should I marry one of hers. And with Bingley the entire time laughing in the background.”
“Oh, I at least was alone when Lydia gave me her orders — which were somewhat more direct. She gave the impression she worried Georgiana would fail to perform her part creditably, and it might depend upon me.”
“Hardly. We must tell Lydia her sister performed her task with exceptional skill and forwardness. Now I must speak on a serious matter of my own. Did you intend all along to be the one to propose? For I had a quite pretty speech planned out and was not able to use it at all.”
Darcy loved how her clear skin flushed when she became embarrassed, and the direct way she always found to turn the tease around, “Oh! If it is that pretty, I must hear it. I am quite ready to let you make love to me for howsoever long you wish.”
“Nay, nay — I believe I shall save it for some special occasion, and in any case,” Darcy lowered his voice and leaned his head to Elizabeth’s, “now that I have kissed you, I must first add some lines to my description of your virtues.”
Elizabeth turned very red, and lowered her eyes. But then she looked directly back at him, bit her lip, and said in an alluring tone which Darcy felt in his stomach, “Then I shall expect it to be a very pretty speech indeed.”
Her expression was such that Darcy felt he had no choice but to kiss her again, and he did.
When they turned to walk again, breaking out of the woods and into the open sunlight Elizabeth spoke, “It is my turn to ask a question, when did you find you loved me?”
“I must say it began from our first conversation, however when Jane was sick at Netherfield I first realized how attached I had become. I decided, to my shame, your connections to trade were too far beneath my own for us to marry. I thought it best to tell you I had no serious intentions. But —”
“I believed as much,” Elizabeth interrupted, “Charlotte pointed out to me that a man likely feels a great deal if he cares enough to make it clear he does not feel enough to marry.”
“Yes, I believe I spoke more to convince myself to feel less, than to warn you. Though, in fact, I would wish you to forget all I said at that time, I cannot think of my attitude and behavior then with anything but abhorrence. I can see your next question in your eyes, I realized I had been a fool to think such considerations mattered when you smiled at me the day after Bingley proposed to Jane, and explained how you would have refused the arrogant proposal you imagined me giving.”
Elizabeth laughed again, “It fits my picture of your character completely that being told decidedly a woman might refuse you would convince you that you must marry her.”
“If you did not promise the refusal in such a charming manner it may not have worked as well, I believe your mischievous smile at that moment will stick in my mind forever, I daresay a week has not gone past since then when I did not bring it to mind.”
It appeared such a sta
tement deserved a kiss, or at least that Elizabeth believed it to.
A minute later they began to stroll towards Longbourn again, and Darcy asked, “It is my turn to learn: how did you come to be in love with me?”
“Why, I must confess my pleasure in your company has grown steadily since I discovered in our first conversation that you sometimes take opinions not your own for the sake of being contradictory. After that trait was established everything else combined to convince me no other man could be so suitable for a woman such as myself.”
“I will acknowledge few men could be as suitable as myself for you,” Darcy replied with a smile.
“Oh my! And your vanity had just begun to recede. I fear I will be forced to tease you dreadfully and constantly to fight its resurgence.”
“I fear it may be a hopeless case, it is impossible for a man attached to such an excellent woman as yourself to do other than think well of himself.”
Elizabeth’s laugh and pretty blush delighted Darcy, as she said “My goodness, I believe I may be the one who becomes vain if you continue to speak of me in that manner. We will make a fine couple, far too self-satisfied by our cleverness — as proven by finding such a fine companion — to be good company anywhere. Though, at least we shall always have each other to praise and flatter.”
Darcy laughed, and was joined by Elizabeth who added, “To continue my own story, after that night I believe from the first I wished I had accepted you, but I refused to allow myself to feel completely certain until you had returned, and I saw you again. I knew when you remembered my words from our first conversation, and then turned them against me.”
At the pleased look in Elizabeth’s eyes, and her upturned mouth, Darcy leaned over to kiss her again. They found as they looked away from each other they were in the view of an amused farmer who was bringing a cart laden with vegetables towards Meryton.
With a deep blush Elizabeth called out, “I must have your congratulations Mr. Smith.”
At that the farmer doffed his cap, “I am very happy for you Mrs. Elizabeth, you as well Mr. Darcy.” The farmer added in a hesitant voice, “will this change the —”
“No business today! None till Jane is married. But do not worry, the arrangement we made regarding your rents will not be changed; it was on Mr. Darcy’s advice I offered to modify the lease in that manner. In fact, Mr. Darcy and I think alike in all matters where it is not entertaining for us to think separately.”
The farmer appeared relieved by Elizabeth’s statement, and bowed his head again, “the best of happiness to you both!”
As they walked towards Longbourn again Darcy said, “It is a very serious matter for many people when a major land owner marries. I know all of the tenants and servants at Pemberley will be very pleased at how well I have chosen as they discover your merits.”
Elizabeth blushed prettily at the comment, Darcy chose to tease her further, “I had no idea my words at the ball had such an effect. Though, in fact, it does not surprise me. I always have seen you to be one who wishes to be so well spoken that her words are remembered and passed down among the hearers with the force of a proverb.”
As Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply Darcy silenced her with a kind pat on her hand “do not worry: as your husband it shall be my study to memorize your words and turns of phrases, and repeat them back to you at appropriate moments.”
Elizabeth laughed, “I certainly shall get a big head from your praise. Come, we are almost to Longbourn, you will need to talk to my uncle; he is my closest male relative, and will wish to be there when we speak about the settlement — though I heard enough of your conversation yesterday to know that with the bribe of Pemberley’s ponds in the back of his mind he will hardly be a fierce defender of my interests.”
“Which is why we will have Lydia there as well.”
Elizabeth turned to Darcy, “What?”
“When I asked, I believe it was the second evening we met — at Lucas Lodge — you said you intended to have Lydia there when your marriage settlement was negotiated. And just now you acknowledged the necessity of it since your uncle, though I would not have guessed such from his manner, is easily corruptible. I’m certain I shall not be able to corrupt Lydia.”
With a laugh Elizabeth shook her head, “Now, now my uncle is an excellent man. You merely have found his weakness.” Then she turned her eyes prettily on Darcy from under her bonnet and exclaimed in surprise, “oh! You are serious about Lydia.” Elizabeth giggled, “This shall certainly tickle her fancy.”
They now entered the familiar grounds around Longbourn, and before they walked to the entrance Darcy pulled Elizabeth off to the side. In an enclosed space behind a tall hedge Darcy kissed her again and the two kept themselves pleasurably engaged for some minutes.
Rather sooner than Darcy would’ve liked Elizabeth pushed him away and said, “I must let Jane share in my happiness.” Then with a quick step Elizabeth walked to the entrance and opened the door. Mrs. Hill was there to help Elizabeth and Darcy take off their outerwear, and tell them the entire family, along with Bingley and Georgiana, were gathered in the parlor. The housekeeper realized from their body language and smiles, and with her own wide smile said, “Oh!”
“Indeed, we do have a most special announcement to make,” laughed Elizabeth. A happy wide grin pulled at Darcy’s cheeks as the housekeeper shook both their hands, and said “I know you’ll both be very happy. I am very, very pleased to hear this news ma’am.”
It proved unnecessary for the happy couple to say anything, since the moment they entered the room Lydia and Georgiana stood and shrieked. Lydia’s shriek sounded like, “it worked.” Moments later both Elizabeth and Darcy were mobbed by their happy family who wished to hug and congratulate them.
Darcy loved seeing how Georgiana and Elizabeth happily embraced each other, and listened as Elizabeth laughed in reply to Georgiana’s question, “you and Lydia certainly shall be able to visit a great deal. You shall be sisters, after all.” Georgiana blushed brightly, but despite her embarrassment her countenance was very pleased.
Bingley heartily shook Darcy’s hand, “I am, very, very happy I shall be able to call you brother.”
“And I as well.”
Darcy watched Mrs. Bennet step up to Elizabeth, with some worry, Mrs. Bennet embraced her daughter and said, “I am so pleased — so happy. And — my dear Mr. Bennet would have been as well.”
Elizabeth said with a happy smile, “Yes, Papa would have been very pleased.”
When Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner came up to shake their hands, and embrace Elizabeth, Darcy said to Mr. Gardiner, “I will be very proud to call you uncle. You are Elizabeth’s closest male relative, and,” Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand again and squeezed it, “She respects you very much. Would you give me your blessing to marry your niece?”
“Most heartily.” Mr. Gardiner smiled, “We all trust Lizzy’s good sense, but everything I’ve heard or seen shows you are a man of very good character who I will be proud to call nephew.”
Darcy smiled at the man’s words, and thought how a few months earlier he would have never cared for the good opinion of a tradesman. Elizabeth really had made him a better man.
After they shook hands again, Elizabeth embraced her uncle. Darcy added, “Elizabeth thought you would wish to be there when we spoke on the settlement.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded, “I do not believe you would abuse Lizzy’s interests — or that she would allow you to — but, even when a woman is competent to manage the affair on her own, it is best to have an older party who is — unattached — present to make sure her interests are cared for.”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth, and caught her eye with a smile. She blushed rosily, knowing what he was about to say, “I agree completely. However, Elizabeth feared my ability to bribe you with access to my ponds meant she could not trust you to fiercely defend her interests.”
The older man’s eyes danced merrily and in his mischievous expression Darcy clearly saw the fa
mily resemblance, “Why Lizzy, I’m shocked you would think so little of my integrity. I would at least hold out for your aunt to be taken round Mr. Darcy’s park in a phaeton.”
Everyone laughed, and Darcy said, “That is a capital idea. I have just the cart for it, and a nice pair of ponies. We shall be certain to travel round when you are in Derbyshire this summer. However, Elizabeth clearly needs someone else present to look after her interests — Lydia, we can trust you not to accept bribes.”
Lydia’s eyes widened, “Mr. Darcy, Lizzy was joking about Uncle Gardiner.”
Darcy grinned widely, “I daresay she was. I, however, still wish your presence. Elizabeth needs someone who will not be charmed by my ponds to look out for her interests.”
Lydia brought her eyebrows together in thought, then nodded seriously, “I’m glad you suggested it, my uncle can be trusted, but a woman should be present. Most times Lizzy could handle her own affairs — but, she does love you, and love is a form of insanity.”
Lydia reddened as everyone except Georgiana laughed at her, “It is! It may be pleasant, but one hardly acts as they normally would once in love.”
“I could hardly deny that,” Darcy said, “but it still is better to be in love. Bingley, the scheme I have in mind involves you as well.”
Elizabeth had told him that, after Mr. Collins had died, she swore no one she cared for would ever again need to worry about money. Darcy was certain Elizabeth had put thought into how to guarantee her sisters’ interests in the marriage settlement. But he wanted to surprise and please her by offering an even better plan than hers.
The group went to Elizabeth’s study, and Darcy sat next to Elizabeth on the pretty white and pink embroidered sofa. Mr. Gardiner, Bingley, and Lydia all pulled up wood backed chairs with white seat cushions around the table in front of the sofa. Darcy spoke, “First, I wish to put up twenty thousand pounds to add to the sum Elizabeth and Bingley collected for Mary, Kitty and Lydia. That will bring their dowries to about thirteen thousand pounds each — while not a great fortune, it is a very respectable amount.”
Mr Darcy and Mr Collins's Widow Page 18
