Chapter 9




"Lizzy, where have you been?" was the question which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she entered the room.

"We wandered through the garden but as Mr. Darcy expressed fatigue we sat on the bench under the big oak tree. I think we lost the track of time." She stated with a quick glance in Darcy's direction. If he heard her, he did not make it apparent to her or anyone else as the gentleman continued to converse with Mr. Bingley and her father, calm and unaltered as was his manner.

The rest of the evening passed quietly. The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed, the recently engaged ones were silent, only exchanging knowing glances every now and then, their understanding too recent to permit them to feel completely comfortable about it in front of the rest. 

When she retired that night, Elizabeth opened her heart to her sister Jane. As she had imagined, Miss Bennet was all astonishment about the news. 

"Engaged to Mr. Darcy? Lizzy! It is impossible!"

"No, Jane, 'tis not," smiled Elizabeth. "He still loves me and we are engaged."

"But Lizzy," Jane looked at her doubtingly, "are you sure of what you are doing? Are you not accepting him merely because of his accident? Perhaps you believe yourself to be in love when you are only pitying him for his misfortune."

"No, my dear sister, I love him."

"You have so fervently professed your dislike for him in the past that I cannot imagine you capable of reverting that sentiment in so little time."

"Oh, Jane, I was so wrong. But fortunately I was able to see his true nature. He is a most amiable man." 

"So that was the reason why you insisted in taking care of him. You were in love with him!" Jane laughed.

"I was, I am!" Elizabeth joined her sister in a mirthful duet.

"Pray tell me, Lizzy, when did this all happen? When did you fall in love with him?"

"I cannot tell precisely. Or perhaps I can." Elizabeth continued with her eyes glowing with mischief, "I think I fell in love with him when I saw the magnificent grounds of Pemberley!" Elizabeth finished with a laugh. 

"Lizzy!" gasped Jane. "Be serious!"

"Dearest Jane, what can I say? I only know that I am in love with him and that he loves me in return."

"I am happy for you, Lizzy, even if I should be angry for not telling me this sooner. You sly thing, you never said that your visit to Pemberley had been so rewarding!"

"It was, partially, but you already know what happened then. I thought Mr. Darcy despised me for Lydia's elopement and then, when he was brought to Longbourn in such terrible condition I thought best to keep my feelings to my self. There was nothing certain at the time Jane, so I saw no point in troubling you."

Jane assured her sister that no resentment had been created. All was acknowledged and half the night was spent in conversation.

---

 

"Mr. Darcy is calling again." said Mrs. Bennet after a peer out of the window. "It seems that the man has become attached to this house after his illness. Lizzy, I fear that you will have to take him to some hidden place again, I do not want him to be in Mr. Bingley's and Jane's way."

In any other moment, Elizabeth would have been hurt by her mother's vulgarity, though not this time for it provided some precious moments in the company of her fiancée. "Yes, mama."

Bingley went directly to Elizabeth and greeted her with such warmth and looked at her so expressively that he left her in no doubt of his good information. He then suggested aloud, "Mrs. Bennet, have you no more places where Lizzy may lose her way again today?"

"If Mr. Darcy is well enough for a long walk, I would advise him and Lizzy to walk to Oakham Mount this morning," said Mrs. Bennet. "The view is very pretty."

"You expressed that you were in need of exercise, Darcy, did you not?" Bingley asked his friend, who only nodded in agreement after a quick glance in Elizabeth's direction. 

Elizabeth silently consented. As she climbed the stairs for her bonnet and gloves, Mrs. Bennet followed her.

"I hope you will not mind entertaining Mr. Darcy for a while, Lizzy. For your sister's sake."

Elizabeth wanted to laugh at this. If only her mother knew how welcomed her plotting was. 

Once the eldest Miss Bennets were ready, they joined the gentlemen in the parlour.

"I guess from Mr. Bingley's suggestion that he is already informed of the news?" Elizabeth asked Darcy once they were at a prudent distance from the house.

Darcy smiled down at her. "He is and we owe this moment of privacy to his scheming mind."

"And my mother's." Elizabeth laughed. "She is oblivious to our understanding and thinks that she is doing Jane and Mr. Bingley a favour by putting us out of their way."

"I shall express my gratitude later, then, for bestowing on us the same favour."

"Are you sure you are well enough for such a long walk? Although it is not a difficult path, we have a mount to climb."

He covered her gloved hand with his and gave her an affectionate pat, "I discovered that exercise makes me feel much better. But, if for some reason I am in need of assistance, I know that there is a young lady that will always be willing to lend me a hand."

Elizabeth smiled as the offered hand was raised to his lips for a kiss. "I am at your service, sir."

Having reached a solitary path, Darcy looked around for undesirable observers. After confirming they were indeed on their own, he paused in his walk and turned to her. Holding both her hands in his, he spoke,

"Please, Elizabeth, no sir, not when we are alone. I would rather hear you say my name."

She smiled impertinently. "As you wish … sir."

To such affront Darcy responded by pulling her even closer, securing both her hands firmly against his chest. "Teasing woman, are you determined to torture me?"

"Pray tell me, sir, in which manner am I torturing you?" she said archly.

He lowered his head and spoke very close to her mouth. "Say it, Elizabeth."

Her heart began to race in such a way that she found it difficult to breathe. His lips had not touched hers yet hers were already tingling with anticipation. He brushed them once, a feathery touch that made her wonder if it had happened at all.

"Say it, please," he whispered.

"William …" 

Darcy was not one one whose words flowed with great eloquence but he certainly knew how to use his lips in other non-verbal amorous activities. He kissed her with such passion that she had to hold his lapels to keep herself from fainting. It was during that exchange that Elizabeth learned that tongues could be active participants in kisses and that tasting the depths of her fiancée's mouth could provoke tingling sensations in her body as well as in his. 

Breathless, they parted and they resumed their walk. It was then when they resolved that Darcy would request Mr. Bennet's consent in the course of the evening while Elizabeth reserved to herself the application for her mother's once the gentleman had left the house. Whether she would be against it or delighted by the circumstance, Elizabeth was most certain that the reaction to such understanding would be equally embarrassing. It wouldn't be wise to expose a man as reserved as her fiancée to the first raptures of her mother's joy or to the vehemence of her disapprobation.

---

 

"Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet was startled by the sudden appearance of the gentleman in his study, "What can I do for you?"

"If you are not busy, sir, there is an important matter I would like to discuss with you."

"Pray, sit down." The elder man waved him to come closer.

Even if it was painful in some degree for him, Darcy pulled out the chair and sat down without supporting himself on the desk in front of him. He was a proud man and he could not show any kind of weakness on an occasion such as this.

"Sir, in the first place, I wish to express once again my gratitude for your kindness during my convalescence. Your generosity has saved my life."

"We did what had to be done, Mr. Darcy; you have already thanked us. Your gratitude is appreciated."

Mr. Bennet then looked expectantly at the young gentleman, noticing that perhaps this was not the matter that had brought him to his study. Darcy shifted in his spot and continued under Mr. Bennet's intense scrutiny.

"The real motive of my addressing you hither, sir, is an entirely different one. I have come this way to ask your permission to marry your daughter, Miss Elizabeth." 

Darcy waited a moment for Mr. Bennet's answer and when he saw there was none, he proceeded to tell him about how advantageous his situation was and how well his daughter would be cared for. Once finished, he waited expectantly for Mr. Bennet's consent.

"That is not necessary." Mr. Bennet said.

"Necessary? I fear I am at a loss to your meaning, sir." 

Mr. Bennet sat back in his chair. "This rumour Mr. Collins has been circulating is completely ill founded, so there is no reason why you should marry my daughter. I already replied to his letter."

Darcy was all confusion. "I am sorry, sir, I do not know about what letter you are referring to. What rumour?"

The elder man was puzzled by such reply for he had imagined that Mr. Darcy was there because of that infamous gossiping. If Darcy wasn't aware of Mr. Collins' letter, he was not approaching him for of the reasons he suspected and, therefore, he indeed was feeling indebted to them. "Mr. Darcy, you are not obliged to us in any way. We did what any other Christian family would have done in a similar circumstance. I see no reason for you to marry one of my daughters only because we received you in this house when you were ill."

As Mr. Bennet spoke, Darcy understood the nature of the other man's mistake. "Sir, forgive me, but I fear that you are mistaken in your interpretation of the reasons that are moving me to elaborate on such a request."

Mr. Bennet only raised his eyebrow. 

Darcy's voice was all that is confident and heartfelt as he spoke. "No rumour nor obligation had brought me hither, sir. I am petitioning Miss Elizabeth's hand because I love her and I want to marry her."

"You love her," was Mr. Bennet's reply.

"Yes, sir." said Darcy, not sure that his meaning was understood. For him, it was pretty clear.

Mr. Bennet remained silent for a while, reflecting on that matter. Darcy had never shown any sign of partiality towards his daughter so perhaps his affection had developed during his confinement and the young man was mistaking love with gratitude.

"Mr. Darcy, I appreciate your sincerity though I believe that a few days in my daughter's society are not enough to produce true affection. Perhaps you are misunderstanding your feelings for her."

As much as he tried not to, Darcy was losing his patience with the man. He never thought he would need to give so many explanations to request Elizabeth's hand in marriage. But if he wanted this task to be a successful one, he would have to enlighten Mr. Bennet with more details.

"I will not extend myself on that matter, sir, for my point of view differs from yours substantially. But if this helps to put your mind at ease, then I shall tell you that my love for your daughter is not the result of a few days in her company or her solicitous care during my illness. I have been in love with her for a long time. Longer than you can imagine."

Mr. Bennet felt his temperature rising. "Are you saying that you have been courting my daughter while staying in this house? While she visited you in your bedchamber?"

Darcy was a man of honour and he did not like his conduct to be questioned. His tone was firm when he spoke. "No sir, I have not. I would never dishonour you or your daughter by violating the trust that you had deposited upon me when you allowed her to nurse me during my illness. I have too much respect for you and for her to do such thing. That is why I waited until I could leave the house to propose to her, something that happened only yesterday. Now sir, having exposed my feelings and my intentions, I would like to know if you give your consent to our marriage or not."

Slowly, Mr. Bennet removed his spectacles and left them on the desk. He was very impressed with the young man's determination and sincerity. "You wish to marry my daughter."

To that, Darcy replied with a blunt "yes." 

After a pause for reflection, Mr. Bennett spoke. "Mr. Darcy, you have convinced me that you truly care for my daughter. In any case, you are not the kind of suitor any intelligent father would reject but as my Lizzy has once expressed her ... dislike of you on previous occasions," Mr. Bennet noticed that Darcy did not look affected by this intelligence, "I would rather learn of her acceptance from her own lips. If she confirms this, my permission is granted."

Darcy smiled broadly. "Shall I go for her at this moment?"

Mr. Bennet only waved his hand in dismissal. Darcy stood, with uncommon easiness and went for Elizabeth.

---

 

With every minute that Darcy remained in her father's study, Elizabeth's distress grew bigger. She sat in complete misery until Mr. Darcy appeared again. He made a few turns about the room and then he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty. While pretending to admire her work, he said in a whisper, 

"Go to your father, he wants you in his room 

Just a glance at him was enough to see his smile. She was gone directly.

Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious. 

"Lizzy," said he, "what are you doing? Are you out of your senses? You have always disliked him!"

"Father, my feelings for him have changed. I care for him, he is a good man. I accepted him, please, do not refuse your consent!"

"My child, can you not see it? I know your disposition. You will not be able to achieve any happiness unless you truly esteem your husband. I am most certain that you are mistaken about your own feelings for him. Perhaps you developed some kind of affection for him during his convalescence but I am inclined to think that this sentiment is founded in the compassion you felt for him while he was ill. Pray, Lizzy, let me not have the grief of seeing you married to someone you cannot respect."

"No!" cried Elizabeth with tears in her eyes, "'tis not compassion nor pity, father. I love him!"

Mr. Bennet startled on hearing her reply. "Love him? You have always considered him proud and disagreeable, Lizzy, how can you say that you love him?"

"I was mistaken, Papa. I never saw Mr. Darcy's true nature before. He has no improper pride, he is perfectly amiable. Pray, do not pain me by speaking of him in such terms." 

"Lizzy," said her father, smiling for the first time, "Mr. Darcy has expressed himself with the same vehemence and passion that you just did, so I shall give credit to what you two said and believe that the affection that you two profess to the other is sincere. I already gave him my consent and I am now giving it to you. I only hope that you know what you are doing."

"I do father, I do." She replied in earnest. 

"Your Mr. Darcy is a determined man, Lizzy. I had a similar argument with him. When he first came to me I thought he was requesting your hand because he felt obliged to us and when I told him so, he became quite annoyed."

"Mr. Darcy has no reason to feel indebted to us, father. In any case, our generosity towards him is only a compensation for what he did for Lydia."

"Lydia?"

To complete the favourable impression, Elizabeth told her father what Mr. Darcy had voluntarily done for her youngest sister. He heard her with astonishment.

"Well, my dear," said he, "I have no more to say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy."

Mr. Bennet then walked to his daughter and kissed her forehead. "Go, my child, go to your young man. If you leave him alone in the company of your mother for too long, he might change his mind and run away from this house." Elizabeth smiled brightly. "And Lizzy," she stopped as she quitted the room, "If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure "

Elizabeth rushed to the sitting room where Darcy was still waiting for her. Their eyes met and she smiled at his enquiring gaze. He smiled too, briefly, and with a slight inclination of his head, he gestured her to meet him by the window.

Jane and Mr. Bingley were engaged in conversation on the other end of the room, Mrs. Bennet was entranced with her embroidery, Mary reading and Kitty drawing a sketch, so Elizabeth's move did not attract anyone's attention. Though, if she wanted to speak with him and not be heard, she would need some kind of distraction. Her mother yawned and, unintentionally, provided it.

"This place is so silent, Mary, why don't you play something for us?"

The girl, always desirous to display her talents in front of the guests, walked towards the piano and began to play the song she had been practicing for the past week. Now, with background music filling the air, Darcy felt more at ease to speak.

"It is very unusual to see lavender blooming at this time of the year."

Elizabeth looked at him with a raised eyebrow. She leaned closer to the glass to see better. There were no blooms on the lavender bush.

Darcy leaned closer to the window too and said in whisper. "You worried me; you stayed a long time in the study, is everything all right?"

"Yes, William, it is." She smiled up at him.

His expression brightened on hearing her say his name. "Good."

Had any of those present paid attention to the couple, their bright eyes and delighted expressions would have not passed unnoticed. They stood together for a while, until Mary's song ended and Mrs. Bennet rang for tea. Then they parted but not without exchanging smiles of understanding and only after a soft brush of Mr. Darcy's fingers on Elizabeth's hand. Her return to her seat was a very bashful and light-headed one.

---

Chapter 10



The announcement of Elizabeth's engagement produced a commotion of paramount proportions in the Bennet household therefore proving that Elizabeth's decision of doing it when Mr. Darcy was not present had been a very wise one. Her mother, on learning the news, entered in an unusual state of astonished muteness. Her shock was such that for at least ten minutes, she was unable to utter a word. But when she was able to comprehend the dimension of what had occurred, the intensity of her outburst exceeded Elizabeth's expectations. To the daughter's mortification, the mother enumerated the advantages that such a connection would bring and even thanked the Good Providence for allowing that terrible accident to happen so conveniently close to their home. Mary, who had never seen with good eyes her sister's presence in the sick room, made a short sermon about weakness and temptation and Kitty, sporting an irritating knowing smile, proclaimed that the only way that Mr. Darcy could possibly propose to Elizabeth was after being knocked on the head with his carriage. 

Either alone or in the company of his friend Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy became a frequent visitor at Longbourn once his condition as Elizabeth's betrothed was established. One of the things that Darcy liked best about visiting his beloved at her house was the amount of free, unchaperoned time that they were allowed. In this particularly grey and rainy day, when they could not escape to the gardens in search of solitude, the small sitting room provided the young lovers of some precious moments of secluded and undisturbed privacy. 

"I always wondered how it is that women can produce such fine and delicate needlework without constantly pricking themselves." said Darcy as he observed Elizabeth's fingers moving over her embroidery. 

"That is because our hands are smaller than men's."

He took her hand and compared its size against his, pressing their palms together. Her hand was so much smaller than his. He entwined his fingers with hers, their gazes met and he leaned down to steal a kiss from her lips when steps on the corridor made him pull away. In an instant, Elizabeth was back to her embroidery and Darcy was sitting like the perfect gentleman he was. They smiled knowingly at each other as the sounds faded.

"May I ask you a question?" Elizabeth enquired as her fingers moved deftly over her needlework.

"Pray, go ahead."

"Even though our understanding is very recent, we have known each other for a year. You professed being in love with me very early in our acquaintance so certainly your attachment is older than mine. Do you recall when this feeling blossomed? When did you fall in love with me?"

Darcy let out a soft chuckle. This was a question he had never expected to hear. "When? I cannot recall precisely. All I can say is that I was in the middle of it before I knew that I had begun."

She was not satisfied with his answer. "My beauty you had early withstood, as for my manners, I must confess that during the first days of our acquaintance there was not one time when I did not address you with other intention that giving you pain. Now, be sincere; was my impertinence what attracted you to me?"

There was a world of mischievousness in his smile. "Let us say that I was enchanted by the liveliness of your mind. Though, on more than one occasion, I was tempted to silence that impertinent mouth of yours with a kiss." 

She playfully slapped his forearm. "Mr. Darcy! That is so improper!"

By no means did that prevent him from continuing with his teasing. "Perhaps it is. Nonetheless, each and every attack of yours, fair or not, was enjoyed immensely."

"So, instead of annoying you my ill-bred manners only served to attract you?"

"Like a moth to the flame. Though you proved that you could be kind and generous, too. Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield? You bestowed on me the same courtesy, tending me so diligently during my convalescence. That made me realize that I was not at all wrong in my presumption that inside that quarrelsome exterior, resided a tender, generous soul." 

To that statement she laughed and it was music to Darcy's ears. "Sir, you can exaggerate my good qualities as much as you like and, as you seem to enjoy it so much, I will continue to tease you as often as may be."

"Your teasing, Miss Bennet," Darcy raised her hand to press her fingertips to his lips, "is always welcomed."

This time it was Mrs. Bennet's voice calling Hill that forced them to remain at a more appropriate distance. 

"William," said Elizabeth after a while. "What made you so silent when you first called? You were so shy of me. You seemed determined not to speak to me."

"That was not the case, believe me. Several times I thought of approaching you but you were so grave and silent that I was discouraged."

"I am sorry, I was so embarrassed." She looked away.

"So was I."

"That is why you decided to leave so soon after your arrival? You cannot imagine my despair when I heard Mr. Bingley say that you were gone to Town."

"I believed you to be indifferent towards me. So once I told Bingley about your sister's true feelings for him, I saw no reason to stay. I never imagined that I would be forced to stay in such a way."

She shuddered as the image of him lying on the road, covered with blood, returned to her mind. "Do you remember about the accident?"

"No, not much. My memories of those days are so confusing that I cannot say what is real and what is not. But I do remember seeing you when I first woke up." he chuckled softly, "I thought that I was dead and in heaven for I could not imagine you willingly staying in the same room with me."

"I liked to sit with you, just keeping you company. You always rested so peacefully when I was with you. But, what kept you from expressing your feelings at the time? Why didn't you tell me of your affection while you were still at Longbourn? I tried to show you how much I cared for you; that my feelings had changed. I was by your side as much as I could, did you not realize that?"

"I did discern that your feelings for me had improved though I was not sure if it was merely compassion or indeed true love. Just imagine my position, Elizabeth, confessing my love for you while in bed, in your house. That would not only have been improper and disrespectful, but would have placed me in a very uncomfortable position in case my feelings were not reciprocated." 

"Indeed," laughed Elizabeth, "Also, had my father suspected that there was some kind of attachment between us at that time, he would have forbidden me to visit you."

"That," he smiled broadly, "was something that I considered too when I decided to delay any disclosure until I was better. I could not risk not seeing you during my recovery. You are the reason why I am well, Elizabeth."

This time not even the peril of Mrs. Bennet's proximity prattling incessantly to Mary in the adjoining room prevented them from kissing. He put his arms around her, she around him and they became lost in the pleasure and desire they felt for each other.

Darcy ended the delightful exchange before being carried away. As much as he would have kept her in his arms all day, this was Longbourn's sitting room and the sounds of people moving about the different rooms alerted him that the family was already getting in motion for supper. He parted from her lips and put some distance between them, meeting Elizbeth's enamoured, smiling gaze while still savouring the sweet taste of that kiss in his mouth. Elizabeth picked up her embroidery and they both assumed a more proper position for their surroundings. 

"Oh, here you are, the two of you," said Mrs. Bennet from the door a moment later. "You were so quiet that I wondered if you were here at all. Supper is ready. Come on, Lizzy." The mother urged, "I am certain that Mr. Darcy is hungry."

The couple rose and headed towards the dining room, where they met Jane and Mr. Bingley and the youngest Bennet sisters. From the corridor, the proud mother of five of the finest girls of Meryton observed her progeny and their future husbands as they sat at the table. 

"Mr. Bennet," she leaned closer to her husband as he passed by her on the way to the dining room. "God has been very good to us, do you not think so? In less than two weeks, three of our daughters will be married."

"Indeed He has," The man replied without showing much interest on the matter.

Lowering her tone, she added. "Do you think it possible to reopen that hole on the road once again? Perhaps another carriage might suffer a broken wheel and produce a gentleman in our house. We still have two daughters to marry." 

Mr. Bennet laughed as he patted the hand that had just slid into the crook of his arm. "Madam, your matchmaking efforts are sometimes beyond belief."

The End

 

 

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