Darcy's Passions (41 page)

“That is simple, Elizabeth. My brother often spoke of you.”

“Really? What could he have said about me? Something devious, I am sure.”

“Fitzwilliam never mentioned a woman in his letters before. He related many of your conversations at Netherfield. I could not believe anyone spoke so to him. It peaked my interest. When I thought he was most distracted, I would ask about you.”

“My manners were abhorrent. His stories must have portrayed me as less than civilized.”

Darcy nearly laughed, but he stifled it wanting to hear more.

“Oh, no, Elizabeth. Fitzwilliam always said wonderful things about you. I wanted to meet you, and I hoped we could be friends.” At this Elizabeth reached out and took Georgiana's hand in hers. “I was upset Mr. Bingley quit Netherfield. I wanted to come here and make your acquaintance; Fitzwilliam said he wanted that too.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand knowingly.

Then hesitatingly, Elizabeth changed the subject. “Georgiana, now you survived an evening with my family and their references to Mr. Wickham, may we revisit our conversation from the previous day?”

“What do you mean, Elizabeth?”

“With Mr. Wickham, did you believe yourself to feel
regard, affection,
or
love?
” Elizabeth was holding her gaze and looking at Georgiana seriously.

“I am not sure I understand, Elizabeth. I felt all three, of course.” The turn of this conversation made Darcy uncomfortable, but he tried to trust Elizabeth's instincts.

“I am not an expert on love, Georgiana, but you are mistaken. If you held Mr. Wickham in regard, you would have felt foolish at your loss, but the romance would have been gone within six months. If you felt affection for him, you would again be foolish, but a year would resolve your loss. If I am correct, you felt one of these emotions rather than love.Am I not correct?”

“Elizabeth, I can see one of these definitions fitting my situation, but then what is
love?
”

“
Real love,
Georgiana, changes your life; your own needs no longer exist. If rejected, you
never
forget the person; as Fitzwilliam did, you might try to run away—you try to find solace some place else, but it cannot be.You might even choose another with whom to spend your life, but there is no love for it died and was replaced with regard or affection. I could not think of loving anyone but your brother; can you say the same thing about Mr.Wickham?”

“I cannot, Elizabeth. I feel nothing for the man. I only feel my own shame at being taken in by him.”

“Then may we move on? You are not the person you were then.The Darcys must learn to not be so hard on themselves.Your brother is learning that lesson; can you not also?”

“Elizabeth, you make things so logical and so simple. I am happy to be able to share my life with you. Maybe if you were here before, I would not have made such a fool of myself.”

“Georgiana, we all make fools of ourselves.Your brother and I are perfect examples, but what you have now is someone to whom to talk when you have questions. I may not always have the answers, but we will find our way together, and I will always be there to support you.”

Darcy could not believe how easily the two of them talked together; at last, Georgiana had a female to whom to turn for advice. He started to step into the room, but held for just a moment when Elizabeth stammered one last question.

“Do you believe Lady Catherine will ever forgive your brother for not choosing Anne? Family is so important to me; I hate being the cause of a family rift.”

“My aunt is stubborn, but she forgets Fitzwilliam is the head of the Darcy family now. Those Lady Catherine is able to influence will be easily forgotten.”

“But will Edward's marriage to Anne create other problems for your brother?”

“If Fitzwilliam married Anne, our aunt could stay at Rosings because Fitzwilliam is rich enough not to need Anne's fortune. When Edward marries Anne, Rosings becomes theirs, and my aunt will become Dowager de Bourgh and be relegated to a small country manor. She has more problems than your marrying my brother.”

“I cannot help but feel I destroyed your family, Georgiana.”

“That is nonsense, Elizabeth. My brother loves you.”

Darcy could hear no more; he stepped into the room. “My sister is correct, Madame, you have bewitched me body and soul.” He stopped only a few steps within the doorway. Both ladies jumped to their feet as if caught misbehaving; Darcy and Elizabeth locked eyes. She blushed deeply.

“You, Sir,” she began haltingly,“should not be eavesdropping.”

His eyes flashed with humor.“How else may I know when the two women I cherish most are conspiring against me?”

Elizabeth raised her chin as if to challenge him, but her bottom lip quivered telling him her words about women always conspiring against men had nothing to do with what she was really thinking.

“You do not intend on rejecting me again do you, Elizabeth? I am afraid my heart could not take it another time,” he taunted her.

Tears filled her eyes as she said,“My loving you can hurt you; I do not want you to ever regret loving me.”

The changes in her brother enchanted Georgiana. He openly professed his love for Elizabeth, not caring what others thought or saw. “Elizabeth, I will not give you up again. If necessary, I will carry you off and make you my wife over all your objections.You would not make me do something so uncharacteristic, would you?”

She knew he teased, but she rushed into his arms, burying her tears into his chest. Soothing her head, he said, “Shush, Elizabeth, we will have no more tears over Lady Catherine's disapproval. Do you not think I suffered enough at your hand?” As he said this, he brought her palm to his lips and kissed it gently. “Georgiana,” he diverted his eyes to his sister briefly, “why do you not go to your room and retrieve the gift you brought for Elizabeth?” Georgiana curtsied and left quickly.

Elizabeth raised her chin, drinking in Darcy's face with her eyes. “These hands, Sir,” she said at last,“will never give you pain again.” As she said this, she stroked his chin line and moved in closer.

He dropped his arms down to her waistline, pulling Elizabeth even nearer. Darcy's gaze encompassed her features and settled upon her lips.The familiar lavender wafted over him. “Madame, in a few moments, I may forget I am a gentleman and you are a gentleman's daughter.”

Elizabeth's giggle was nearly a purr, silently revealing her undying love.“Ungentlemanly like behavior,” she teased,“will have to wait a few more days, but I would not object to a kiss to seal our promise to each other.”

His breath was ragged with anticipation; Darcy kissed her long and hard.“You see, my Dear, our love will go down in history,” he whispered.

“Will it now?” she whispered back, her lips only inches from his.

“Great loves are always remembered. We will be Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth.”

“Ooh, that is way too long. It does not roll easily off the tongue—Darcy and Elizabeth has more lilt to it.” She nibbled on his lower lip.

“So, it is agreed; our love will be of what makes great legend.” He turned his head burying it in her hair. “We will be as Romeo and Juliet or Othello and Desdemona.”

She turned her head back toward his face. “I hope we do not have to die for our love. May we not be more like Petruchio and Katherine or Benedick and Beatrice?”

Darcy laughed softly. Even in the middle of an embrace, she would challenge him. Life with Elizabeth Bennet would be anything but boring. “So, the lady prefers comedy to tragedy, does she not?” He kissed her lightly, brushing his lips over hers.

“Our relationship has been a comedy of errors at times.” She returned his kiss, as her fingers caressed the hair along the back of his neck. Her nearness captured Darcy; he bowed his head to hers once more and kissed her warmly.

Georgiana watched this scene from the doorway not wishing to disturb them.
This is the type of love I want. It should be obvious to the world when a woman is in love. It should not be hidden.Thank God my brother kept me from making that mistake. How could I be deceived into thinking what Mr.Wickham offered me was love? What Fitzwilliam has with Elizabeth is real love.
She cleared her voice to announce her presence; the lovers ceased the kiss, but they did not jump apart as one might expect upon being found in such an intimate embrace. They parted naturally, not ashamed of the affection they shared.

“Elizabeth,” Georgiana began,“my brother wanted you to have something special for the wedding.” She presented Elizabeth with a golden box tied with a ribbon.

“Fitzwilliam,” she beamed at him, “you should not have given me anything else; the lace for my wedding attire was enough.”

“This was my mother's wish,” he said. “She left this in my father's care; when he died, he gave it to me; it was to be a gift for my wife.”

“My brother asked me to take it to London; we agreed it needed to be reset for you. I hope you like the design; I chose it myself; I thought it was
simple sophistication
.” Georgiana looked on with anticipation.“Open it.”

Brother and sister crowded around as Elizabeth, hands shaking, removed the ribbon and cracked open the lid of the box. The emeralds and diamonds necklace sparkled out at her. “Fitzwilliam, I cannot accept something so expensive.”

“Have you not heard, my love,” he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek,“I am worth ten thousand pounds per year?”

She laughed but was beyond words. “Turn around, Elizabeth, and let us try it on.” Georgiana giggled, “There—see in the mirror—what do you think?”

“It is not often I am at a loss for words. Georgiana, the design is exquisite! I do not know what else to say.” Elizabeth hugged her soon-to-be sister excitedly.

“What about me?” Darcy chuckled.

“You, Sir, I will pay later,” Elizabeth teased. “I love you, Fitzwilliam,” she hugged his neck tightly.

He turned her back toward the mirror catching her eyes with his in the reflection. Suddenly, it dawned on Elizabeth; Fitzwilliam Darcy made no moves spontaneously.The necklace was a token of his love for her, but it also symbolized to the world:This is my wife! You will respect her as you respect me!

Elizabeth hugged both of them again, whirling both around in her enthusiasm. Georgiana turned to her brother. “Elizabeth and I were going to take a stroll over the grounds.Would you care to join us, Fitzwilliam? We will learn to be a family; how say you, Brother?”

His laughter was contagious. “Georgiana, you have no idea how often I pictured such a future for us; Elizabeth will complement both of us nicely.”They turned in unison toward Elizabeth as if on cue. Her joy written across her face told them all they should remember this moment; it was a promise of things to come.

Walking the paths of Netherfield together, Darcy's heart pounded in his ears; he never thought such happiness could exist. Elizabeth and Georgiana bubbled enthusiastically at his side. “Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth began hesitatingly, “Georgiana and I have been talking about our home.”

He interrupted her by saying,“Pity is the man who is at the will of two beautiful ladies.”

Both females felt the blush of his jovial remark. “Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth paused,“I wish to speak to you of a matter of some importance.”

Darcy's amused look faded as he too stopped and faced her head-on. “Then speak your mind, Elizabeth. I am inclined to give you what you request.”

“I am sure you will want to share in what I ask, Sir. Once we return from our wedding holiday, I would like for Georgiana to return to Pemberley with us. There is no reason for your sister to stay in London.”

“Elizabeth,” Georgiana stammered, “I am so inclined, but you and my brother need your privacy.”

“Nonsense, Georgiana,” Elizabeth took her hands.“Pemberley's vastness can easily afford your brother and I all the privacy we desire. Yet, your presence can give me the confidence I need to become its mistress. I need you there with me; your brother needs you there.We cannot celebrate the Festive Season at Pemberley if you are in London.”

“We have not been at Pemberley,” Georgiana explained, “during the Festive Season since the passing of our father, Elizabeth.”

Darcy watched in stunned disbelief; both women turned toward him with beseeching eyes. “Georgiana,” he began slowly,“it seems my marriage to Elizabeth is a new beginning for Pemberley, and we have grieved for its losses long enough.Would you prefer to be at Pemberley?”

“Oh, yes, Brother,” she was all smiles.“Pemberley bedecked for the festivities is the most beautiful of houses. May we return to Pemberley as a family—you, Elizabeth, and I?”

“It is settled.The Darcys will celebrate together at Pemberley.” The ladies so happily hugged him repeatedly.

Georgiana gasped, “Fitzwilliam, may I tell Mrs. Reynolds this year we reopen Pemberley to its greatness?”

“Certainly, my Dearest,” he said as he pulled Elizabeth close to his side.“Your soon-to-be sister and I will be distracted elsewhere. You may let the household and ground staffs know the Darcys will be at home together.”

Georgiana hugged first Elizabeth and then her brother one more time. Her excitement showed as she nearly skipped along the path. Elizabeth's eyes misted with tears as she took in Darcy's countenance, and the piercing darkness of his eyes mirrored his sister's elation.

Fitzwilliam Darcy tossed and turned through most of the night; one would expect him to finally rest; after all, his wedding day had arrived; in a few fleeting hours, Elizabeth Bennet would be his forever. Lying diagonally and wrapped haphazardly in the bedclothes, Darcy replayed all the details of the day he began planning over a year ago. How often he doubted this day would ever come; Elizabeth won his heart, but he was a different man then. He knew not himself, nor did he really know Elizabeth; it began as merely physical attraction, but she was more to him now. Elizabeth was his other half; there could be no life without her for Darcy.