Only Mr. Darcy Will Do (26 page)

The colour drained from Lady Catherine’s face, and her body was wracked with tremors as she came to understand his words. Her voice cracked as she said, “You? You cannot marry Anne!”

“And why not? We care deeply for one another. We love each other!”

Lady Catherine shook her head violently. “No! This cannot be! You have nothing to offer her!”

“He loves me, Mother,” Anne’s voice, although weak, was firm. “And what is more important is that I love him.”

“I have never heard anything more absurd in my life! You have no idea of what you speak!”

As Lady Catherine continued her tirade, now aimed at Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy drew Elizabeth quietly out of the room. Miss Darcy followed, tucking her hand through Elizabeth’s arm.

In a hushed, fervent voice, she said as they walked out, “Pray, forgive me for not being here to welcome you when you arrived. This whole affair between my two cousins came about so suddenly.”

“Think nothing of it,” Elizabeth replied reassuringly, patting the back of Miss Darcy’s hand.

“I know how my aunt can be. I cannot imagine what she must have said to you.”

At that moment Mr. Darcy stopped and turned around. “Whatever she said, it will all be forgotten now. She has a greater concern that is going to occupy her thoughts for quite some time.”

“The Colonel marrying her daughter?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy nodded. “I am convinced she will come to see the good in it.” Darcy stopped at the door to a spacious room. “As your visit today was an invitation from Georgiana, I shall leave you two here and send for some refreshments.” With a slight shrug of his shoulders, he added, “Then I shall be off to ensure my cousin does not have to resort to some military manoeuvre to subdue our aunt.” With a wink at Georgiana, he added as he walked toward the door, “Please refrain from revealing to Miss Bennet too many of our family secrets.”

Once Mr. Darcy stepped from the room, Georgiana eagerly turned to Elizabeth and gave her a charming smile. They began talking at first about very general subjects. To Elizabeth’s discerning eye, it appeared as though Miss Darcy exhibited a bit less shyness than she had witnessed at Pemberley. She hoped that it was an indication the young lady felt at ease in her company.

The time passed quickly as they talked about their families. Elizabeth sensed that Georgiana felt a bond with her in that they had both lost their fathers. They shared with each other what they remembered most and how much they missed them.

At length, Elizabeth noticed that Darcy was standing in the doorway to the room, casually leaning against it. She quietly wondered just how long he had been there watching the two of them.

“All is well,” he said softly, giving no indication that he overheard anything. “They have returned to my aunt’s home to discuss that which both my cousins wish and that which my aunt will fight for several more days. She will eventually concede, and all will be well.”

Georgiana reached over and grasped Elizabeth’s hand. “I am so sorry you had to witness such a mêlée in our family. Would you care for a tour of the house?”

Elizabeth heartily agreed.

When they finished walking through the beautiful home, Miss Darcy made a suggestion. “The day is very pleasant. Would you enjoy taking a turn about the grounds behind the house?”

“I would love to,” Elizabeth softly answered.

They walked to the back of the house and stepped out. The grounds were lush, with a lawn that stretched out before them and trees that formed a barrier to the outside world. They walked toward a bench that was covered with a lattice canopy filled with wisteria blossoms. The scent was heavenly. Mr. Darcy gestured toward the bench, inviting Elizabeth to sit down.

Elizabeth took a seat, and when she looked up, she was startled to see Miss Darcy gone. Only Mr. Darcy stood next to her. His brown eyes were warm and his smile tender.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her mind began to spin as he sat down on the bench beside her.

In the relative seclusion of the bench, Mr. Darcy turned toward Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, I had hoped your visit here today would have been a pleasant one. I am deeply grieved over the behaviour of my aunt.”

“As I told your sister, it was not her fault; neither is it yours.”

He reached out and took Elizabeth’s hand, cradling it in his own. He lightly stroked the back of it with his fingers. “My sister truly enjoyed your company. You have been very kind to her.”

His gentle touch and close proximity produced such light-headedness in Elizabeth that it made it difficult to even think. Her heart pounded so strongly, she felt it up in her throat, making words difficult to express. “She is a wonderfully sweet young lady whose company I truly enjoy.”

“For that, I am most grateful.” He looked down at their hands. “It is apparent she feels equally toward you.”

“I could not be happier,” Elizabeth reassured him.

Mr. Darcy pressed his other hand upon hers. “As am I, but to own the truth, I do not wish to talk about my sister.” His eyes searched hers and grew warm.

“Miss Bennet…” he began. His voice was noticeably unsteady, but he turned and looked at her with a demeanour of hopefulness. “Elizabeth, there is much I would say to you today, but being a man of few words, any that come to mind seem inadequate.” He took both of her hands in his. “I have acknowledged to you that my feelings and wishes over the duration of the past year and a half have not diminished or changed, despite attempts over the course of the past year to talk myself out of them.” He paused briefly and then added, “Not because I felt they were wrong, but due to how things were left between us when we parted at Rosings.”

Elizabeth broke in, “I am so sorry for my words that day. If I had known what I know now…”

Darcy lifted one hand and pressed it briefly to her lips to silence her. “No. I needed to hear what you said to me. It pained me at the time, but as I reflected upon it, even that first night, I knew that you spoke the truth about both my behaviour in Hertfordshire and my actions regarding your sister.”

“I have often regretted how I spoke to you that day…”

A crooked smile appeared and he swallowed, taking in a deep breath. “I do not wish to speak about Rosings, either.” He pursed his lips and closed his eyes briefly. “Elizabeth,” he said as his eyes opened and gazed intently at hers. “My love and regard for you is so fervent that at times I can hardly bear it. I am convinced that life without you would be painfully empty and hopeless.”

He paused and studied her face. Very slowly he said, “I would be honoured if you would consent to become my wife.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “There is none other with whom I want to share the sunrises or explore the many paths at Pemberley. There is none other with whom I want to read Cowper’s poems and Shakespeare’s sonnets.” Taking her hand again in his, he asked, “Will you marry me, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth fought back the tears of joy that threatened. She bit her lip as she considered that he still wished to marry her. She thought for a moment before answering.

She whispered his name. “Fitzwilliam, you know my heart, but I cannot help but consider the truth of what your aunt said to me earlier. Marrying someone in my position… one who is merely a governess, could readily cause a great deal of gossip. Your standing in society…”

His face drained of all colour and she felt his hands tighten about hers. “Elizabeth, you must know that I do not care about any of those things. I…”

With her hands enclosed in his, she brought them up to her lips and kissed each one, bringing a halt to his words. “You may not care what it means to
you,
but there is your sister you must consider. She may have a more difficult time in society due to your marriage to one so beneath you.” She looked down briefly, and then looked up into his eyes. “Therefore, while I
do
agree to your offer and desire most heartily to become your wife, I ask that we not announce our engagement until after I have spent sufficient time living with my sister and Mr. Bingley in their home. Perhaps in a relatively short amount of time, I will become known as the esteemed Mrs. Bingley’s sister, rather than a mere governess, and consequently, more worthy of your hand.”

Darcy let out a sigh of relief, but the look of apprehension still remained. “There is truly no need for this.”

“Perhaps, but I must insist upon it all the same.”

Darcy eyed her curiously. “What do you consider to be a relatively
short
amount of time?” he asked. “A week? Two weeks?”

Elizabeth chuckled and tilted her head as she paused to consider her answer. “Hmmm. Since it is entirely out of our hands, we shall have to wait and see.”

Darcy drew nearer. “I have waited this long; I suppose I can wait a little longer. But I shall do everything in my power to introduce you to everyone I know as the finest young lady in my acquaintance. I am convinced that all London will soon be aware that a very fine, eligible woman has captured the notice… and the affections… of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley!”

Elizabeth’s heart beat rapidly as Darcy grasped her fingers and brought them close to his lips. As he spoke, his warm breath poured over them. “I regret that I will be occupied for the next several days with my cousins and their wedding. It is going to be a small ceremony in Rosings church, which I would be delighted for you to attend as my guest, but…”

Elizabeth drew in a breath to calm herself as she shook her head firmly. “The last person you need at their wedding is me. Your aunt will have enough to contend with without my presence.” She smiled and her eyes displayed a mischievous sparkle. “We would not want people to speculate about us. Heavens! What would people say if I came as your guest? We are not even engaged yet!”

Darcy appreciated her humour, but earnestly said, “In my heart, we
are
engaged. I am committed to you now as I ever will be.” He looked down at her slender fingers encased in his. “I shall care not a whit what anyone thinks! Let them speculate all they want!”

Elizabeth’s breath caught and she closed her eyes as she felt his lips touch her fingertips. When she opened them, she saw that he had drawn closer to her, his eyes level with hers. “I am an exceedingly fortunate man. It is not often that one is granted a second chance when one behaved so reprehensibly the first time.”

Elizabeth met his intense gaze. “And I am an exceedingly fortunate woman,” she replied, her voice trembling, “indeed, for very much the same reason.”

His eyes searched her face, and slowly he leaned in and kissed her forehead. Drawing back only slightly, he whispered, “Forgive me for this, Elizabeth…”

His lips touched hers before she could object or give her willing consent. Her eyes immediately closed again as his arms wrapped about her, pulling her even closer. Elizabeth’s heart beat thunderously and she was certain Darcy was just as aware of it as she was. In truth, their hearts beat as one, with the same fervour.

Very reluctantly and slowly he pulled slightly away.

“Elizabeth,” Darcy said, his voice raspy, “my staff is very discreet; however, I would not wish for your reputation to be compromised.” With a slightly raised brow and crooked smile, he added, “Although it would serve to expedite my wishes if one did raise an objection to my behaviour just now and insist we marry without delay.”

He removed his arms from about her and took her hand again. She wrapped her fingers tightly around his and looked up into his face. “Trust me when I say, Fitzwilliam, that I would marry you tomorrow if it were not for my concerns.” She looked down and shook her head slowly. “I think it is imperative that I wait until I am well settled with Mr. Bingley and my sister, if not for you, for your sister’s sake.”

“It is fortunate, then, that Bingley is talking with your sister this very day about moving the wedding to an earlier date. With the matter of his estate settled, he sees no reason to delay.”

Tilting her head toward him, Elizabeth smiled. “The more I come to know Mr. Bingley, the more I feel he is a very wise man.” A single raised brow revealed her suspicions that this had been Mr. Darcy’s idea. Darcy’s awkward glance down at the ground confirmed her thoughts.

She gave his hand a fervent squeeze. “Do you know how soon he hopes to marry?”

“As soon as the church is available. Perhaps two weeks. Three at the most.”

“Then we shall have much to do!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Another wedding!”

His voice now grave, he spoke softly. “I leave again on the morrow for Kent with Colonel Fitzwilliam. I shall miss you.”

“I shall miss you too.” She studied him pensively. “It is regrettable, is it not, that whilst I was at Pemberley, we were together almost every day and knew not how the other felt? Now that our feelings have finally been voiced, we have not spent even two consecutive days together. This is lamentable, indeed!”

Elizabeth reached up and stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. It took her by surprise how smooth his face was. As she studied his face, he clasped his hand over hers and brought it to his lips again, kissing it before he said, “We ought to return inside. I would not wish to set a poor example for my sister.”

“Heavens!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “How ill-mannered of me! How could I have neglected her as I did?”

Darcy rose and took her arm. “Shall we go in, then, and make the first of what will likely be many apologies to Georgiana?”

Elizabeth tucked her arm farther into his. “I think we must.”

***

It was apparent that Miss Darcy was well aware of her brother’s intentions, for when they told her of their engagement—along with the extenuating circumstances requiring it to be kept a secret—she feigned surprise and exhibited true delight.

Both Mr. Darcy and his sister accompanied Elizabeth back to the Gardiners’ later that day. Her aunt, uncle, Jane, and Bingley enjoyed the added company of the young lady. Elizabeth detected no awkwardness at all between her and Mr. Bingley, and he informed everyone with utter delight that he and Jane would now be marrying in only two weeks.

Knowing it would be safe with them, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth announced their engagement, along with the news that it was to be kept a secret until a later date. Everyone was delighted.

The two gentlemen and Miss Darcy took their leave close to midnight. As Elizabeth sat with her aunt and uncle and Jane in their small sitting room, they talked excitedly amongst themselves about two forthcoming weddings.

***

The next week passed with wedding plans made and finalized. The banns would be read for the following two weeks at their churches, and their wedding would take place the Saturday following.

Mr. Darcy and his sister spent a little over a week in Kent for their cousins’ wedding. Elizabeth was delighted to receive several letters, posted from Georgiana, but one hidden inside from her brother. Elizabeth came to understand that their aunt was becoming more inclined to accept her daughter’s marriage with each passing day, but occasionally bemoaned how unfortunate it was that the Colonel had not been the firstborn. Elizabeth laughed when she read Mr. Darcy’s words that if that had been the case, it was highly unlikely that he would have remained unwed for as long as he had. He assured her, however, that the Colonel did have a fond regard for Anne. Elizabeth pondered whether Lady Catherine would accept the marriage of her
other
nephew as readily.

As the day of Charles and Jane’s wedding approached, all their family and friends descended upon London for this celebration. Households were crowded, and there was a constant flurry of activity. Despite all this, Jane remained calm and serene.

The day of the wedding broke bright and warm. The excitement was palpable, very different than what was felt the day of the Wickhams’ wedding. Elizabeth and Jane spent a good amount of time up in their room readying themselves. Elizabeth did not think she had ever seen a bride more beautiful and told Jane that Mr. Bingley was a very fortunate man. Jane corrected her sister, saying that
she
was the one who was most fortunate.

As the time for the ceremony drew near, Elizabeth and Jane waited in a small room in the back of the church. Jane took Elizabeth’s hand in hers. “Oh, Lizzy! Do you truly know how happy I am?”

Elizabeth gave her a reassuring smile. “I certainly do.”

“And you know how happy I am for you and Mr. Darcy. While I look forward with great delight to your residing with us at Braedenthorn, I cannot wait until you marry and become Mistress of Pemberley!”

The mere thought of that flooded Elizabeth with a sense of eager anticipation. Before she could reply to Jane, their uncle poked his head into the room. “It is time, ladies. Are you ready?”

Elizabeth nodded and looked at Jane. “Are you ready, Jane? This is
your
wedding!”

“I am.”

Elizabeth preceded Jane down the aisle, keeping her eye on the gentleman who stood beside the groom. Mr. Darcy had never looked finer, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized that the next time she walked toward him down the aisle of a church, it would be as his bride. From the look on his face, he had also come to that realization.

***

After the wedding, Elizabeth remained in London with her aunt and uncle. They were often the guests of Mr. and Miss Darcy. He immediately began acquainting her with his circle of intimate friends. He made a point of introducing her as the
esteemed Miss Elizabeth Bennet, sister of Mrs. Charles Bingley of Braedenthorn, Derbyshire
. She was also introduced as the particular guest of Miss Darcy, which served to thwart any premature speculation about her and the Master of Pemberley.

The weeks she spent in Town were unlike any she had ever experienced. She watched with rapt delight a Shakespearean play performed onstage. Darcy enjoyed seeing her fascination as she enjoyed a ballet and an opera for the very first time. The music that filled her ears, both in voice and instrument, was far superior to anything she had ever heard in all her years in Hertfordshire.