Darcy's Passions (37 page)

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she smiled as Charles Bingley caught her hand in both of his.

Elizabeth then showed her sister the lace Darcy gave her. “Is that not the same lace you wanted in London?”

“It is one and the same. Is it not a pleasant surprise?” Elizabeth gifted Darcy with a seductive pout of her lips.

“I tried to talk Lizzy into buying the lace, but she refused. Mr. Darcy, how do you know my sister so well?” Jane Bennet showed her dismay.

“Elizabeth is my other half.”The explanation spoke for itself; he took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it tenderly.

 

At dinner that evening, Darcy received the pleasure of sitting next to Elizabeth; Mrs. Bennet added several special dishes to the meal in hopes of pleasing the gentleman.Although they were too
rich
for his taste, he complimented his future “mother” several times. Under the table when no one looked, Elizabeth rewarded him with a squeeze of his leg just above his knee.Although all too brief, the warmth of her hand on his leg burnt his flesh, and Darcy needed several slow, deep breaths to not betray his passion to the rest of the table. Elizabeth giggled softly knowing the effect she had on this man.

Jane Bennet finally opened the discussion of the wedding with her mother. “Mama, while you were in town today, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, Charles, and I made some decisions about our wedding.”

“Of course, dear, go on, Jane. Your father and I are most anxious to see our daughters portrayed in the best light on their special days.”

“
Day
,” Jane corrected. “Elizabeth and I chose a double wedding. We shall share our wedding day with friends who will then become brothers.”

“That is such a romantic idea,” Kitty sighed.

“Quiet girl,” Mrs. Bennet shushed her daughter with a wave of her hand while Kitty blushed from the needless censure. “Oh, my dears, how exciting this is! Think of it, Mr. Bennet; we will have both daughters married on the same day.They were always so close.”

Mr. Bennet looked at his two eldest daughters with a look of a heavy heart. “I will miss you, Jane. I will miss you, Lizzy. The house will seem empty without you.” Elizabeth reached out and squeezed her father's hand and then looked at Darcy for support. He stroked the back of her free hand with his fingertips and smiled at her; she returned him a weak smile, which said
I hate to hurt my father
.

Jane turned to Charles to take the lead on the next part of their shared news, realizing her mother would act out less if Mr. Bingley approached her. “Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Darcy and I decided to apply to the archbishop for a special license. None of us wish to have a large wedding; a few
select
family and friends will suffice for our tastes.”

“Oh, Mr. Bennet, did you hear—a special license? What an honor! Our daughters to be married under a special license! Mr. Darcy! Mr. Bingley! Jane! Lizzy! I am so happy—oh, Mr. Bennet!”

“I hear, Madam. I am sure the whole village has heard or will hear shortly.”

Darcy's more formal manner of speaking brought everyone back to the conversation at hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth and Miss Bennet chose a date: Monday—a fortnight.We hope this is acceptable; your daughters express a desire to celebrate the Festive Season in their new homes.”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet began,“but that leaves very little time for settlements and marriage articles.”

“This is true, Mr. Bennet, but Mr. Bingley and I are capable of handling all the legal matters in a short period if you will give us some time with you after dinner. Charles and I can meet with you
separately or the three of us may address common concerns together.”

“Naturally, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said reluctantly, knowing finalizing such plans would mean his two eldest daughters would soon be gone.

“But, Mr. Bennet,” his wife interrupted,“our daughters will be married by a special license! I did not know I could be so happy.”

Elizabeth added, “Mama, Jane and I only need a few new things for our wedding clothes.We should be able to manage with careful planning.”

“My only concern,” Bingley added, “is Jane will not have an opportunity to make all the changes she wishes to Netherfield before the wedding.”

“Charles, that is of little concern. The changes may be made after the wedding. We have time—all the time we need.” She sparkled with love.

“What of Pemberley, Elizabeth?” Kitty asked.

“I would not wish to change it at all.”

“What is it like?” Kitty continued. “Is it as beautiful as reported?”

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, interested in her description of his home. She stammered a bit at first, but her description reflected her vision of her future with Darcy. “Pemberley is perfection. It is a handsome, stone building backed by high woody hills. It sits on rising ground, and every detail of it reflects the natural beauty of the estate. I truly never saw such a place! The house reflects Fitzwilliam's heritage but also his taste; the interior is simple sophistication.” Darcy's smile could not be contained; Elizabeth saw Pemberley as he did; she did not speak of its wealth; she spoke of its natural beauty.

“Pemberley is magnificent,” Bingley added. “I hope some day Netherfield is a shadow of its splendor. Mr. Darcy's family left him a great legacy; Miss Elizabeth will be living in what is considered to be one of England's finest homes.”

Darcy acknowledged his friend's accolades.“Netherfield has the
potential for greatness, Charles. No place happens overnight.”Then he turned to Elizabeth,“Do you not wish to change something in your new home?”

“Fitzwilliam, I would not be so presumptuous! Georgiana and I may choose little things once we all are settled and have time to know what we want. Pemberley is perfect the way it is.” Darcy gave her that look with which she was now so familiar and which created a tumultuous state in both of them.

When the gentlemen left that evening, Jane and Elizabeth walked out with them. Bingley and Darcy completed the settlements with Mr. Bennet, and plans for the ladies' clothing needs were well underway. Jane and Bingley were to the side with their heads together when Elizabeth came forward and boldly wrapped her arms around Darcy's waist. He enveloped her in his arms, both uncharacteristically brazen for a newly engaged couple.

“Elizabeth Bennet, you take my breath away,” he whispered down to her.“It is difficult for me to conceive we are finally going to be together.”

“Fitzwilliam, I can think of nothing but being your wife, but please, Love, do not fret so about the past.Any arbitrary turning we might take along the way would bring us to some place else and to someone else. The journey we made brought us to this time and this place.This is where we were always meant to be.”

“Do you know to what I look forward?” Darcy had a mischievous smile.

“Pray tell.” Elizabeth was just as vexing.

“Being able to kiss you whenever I choose to do so.”With that said, he leaned down and claimed her mouth with his.

 

The next day, Darcy and Bingley made their way from Netherfield to Longbourn to spend their time with their betrotheds. Being rainy, taking a long, leisurely walk was out of the question. Both couples found residence in their respective parts of the drawing room. Darcy and Elizabeth chose a secluded alcove, affording them some privacy although the other Bennet family members and the
household servants were in and out of the room. A holding of hands was the most passionate act allowed with so many about.

“Have you written to Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked. “If not, I wanted to add my own lines to the letter; I do look forward, Fitzwilliam, to having Georgiana in my life. I really did not know what to expect, but she is so much more than I conceived her to be; she has your same fine mind and quick wit; you two are very much alike.”

Her references to his sister pleased Darcy; he wanted them to be close.“Georgiana would enjoy hearing the news from you. Should we write the letter together?”

“I will get the paper,” Elizabeth scrambled to the desk. There they sat together.

Looking over her shoulder, Darcy teased, “You are not anxious to marry me?”

“Why would I wish to marry such a dark figure as are you, Mr. Darcy?” Her eyes betrayed her joy as she traced the line of his jaw with her index finger.

“It could not be for my good looks or my wealth so it must be for the new pianoforte in my music room.You will be able finally to practice and become an example of an accomplished young lady.” Darcy saw her eyes flicker in anticipation of what she would say next.

Elizabeth laughed at his allowing himself some levity.“Speaking
of being
accomplished,
who is to tell Miss Bingley of our marriage?”

“Charles claimed that
pleasure.
”

“Having both Jane and I as part of Miss Bingley's
extended
family should vex her greatly.”

“I should offer an additional apology to you, Elizabeth. If I hid my fascination with you better, you would not have suffered so many rebukes at Caroline's hand.”

“It seems everyone knew of your love except me.”

“Why is that exactly, Elizabeth?” Darcy taunted.

“Because I was so busy finding fault with you, my dear Fitzwilliam, I never saw the core of the man you are. It never occurred to me until I was at Pemberley how many people's welfares depend on you. How could I have been so foolish?”

“Just now I did not wish to criticize you, Elizabeth. We both changed; you were right when you said anything arbitrarily changed in our relationship would not bring us here to each other.”

“It must be the rain which brings out my doom and gloom,” she sighed and then quickly brightened. “Speaking of
doom,
” she continued,“when shall you write to your aunt to tell her what has become of all her warnings about my arts and allurements? The shades of Pemberley are to be polluted after all.”

“It will take courage to face her wrath again, but it ought to be done, so if I may plead for another piece of paper, I will tell her of my joy and ask for her blessings.”

“It is too bad, my Love, that I, too, have a letter to write to an aunt or else I would sit close beside you and admire your meticulous handwriting as Miss Bingley used to do. However, Aunt Gardiner's letter explaining your part in Lydia's marriage hinted at what she perceived to be your fondness for me. I did not answer her directly because I could not believe she saw what I wished would happen. Now, I may happily give her the news and promise her a phaeton ride around the grounds of Pemberley.”

Darcy's letter to his aunt was short and very formal. He knew she would not welcome anything he said nor would Lady Catherine change her mind. Elizabeth's letter to her Aunt Gardiner, full of
mirth and happiness, fondly acknowledged the Gardiners' part in bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together.

 

Darcy dispatched a third letter to Edward.