Darcy's Voyage: A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas (9 page)

Darcy’s attention was directed toward the papers. “You sign here.” He gently nudged the pen into her hand while she studied the paper. She looked up at him one last time before signing “Elizabeth Julianne Bennet” and “Hertfordshire” for residence. She slowly pushed the papers toward Darcy.

“Now what?”

Darcy signed his name. “Now we go to the captain.”

“You mean we are to do this at once?” A sense of panic began to rise up within her.

Darcy nodded. “Tonight, Miss Bennet, for the first time on this ship, you will get a good night’s sleep.”

He stood up, came around, and picked her up again. “Shall we go to our wedding?” A reassuring smile swept across his face but quickly disappeared as he looked at the concern on Elizabeth’s.

As he picked her up, he was even more aware of how weak she was, and suddenly wondered if she would look back on this with regret when her mind was free from the effects of the fever. Would she harbour resentment against him for pressing her for a decision when she was feeling so poorly?

When he picked her up and began to carry her, her heart pounded even more fiercely. She was not sure whether the warmth she felt was a result of fever or being held so securely by him. But she knew it was
not
the fever, but the feel of his arms around her that prevented any rational thought or objection to this course of action to penetrate her mind.

***

The captain was still in his room when Darcy arrived carrying Elizabeth. He was surprised, yet not, to see him return so promptly. He had always known Darcy to be a man to accomplish quickly what he set his mind to do. Usually it was based on sound reason and judgment. He believed his reasoning on this particular occasion was based on something other than rational thinking. Perhaps it was emotion, but that was something which he rarely saw in Darcy, who prided himself on always remaining in control. Although Darcy was trying to appear level-headed, there was something else that was prompting this decision, and Wendell could not quite place what it was.

Could it be love?
He could not determine it one way or another, but for some reason, he chose not to fight Darcy about his determination to pursue this course of action. Perhaps it was his own fondness for Miss Bennet and the fact that he saw something between the two of them that neither of them had yet realized was there.

“Darcy, come in. Good day, Miss Bennet. I understand you have not been feeling well and that you turned your ankle today.”

“Yes, Captain, but it is nothing. It shall be back to normal in no time,” she replied weakly.

The captain motioned for them to sit down. Darcy placed Elizabeth in the chair and he stood behind her.

“Miss Bennet, I understand that Mr. Darcy has made a rather peculiar request in this offer of marriage to you.”

“Yes, sir. I realize it must appear odd, but I think we are both of like minds that it will benefit us to pursue this course of action.”

Darcy raised his eyebrows as he heard Elizabeth’s words, which now sounded very much in favour of proceeding with the marriage. Elizabeth, herself, was surprised at how easily they flowed out of her mouth.

“Hmmm,” murmured the captain. “I would wish you to take under advisement to consider all the ramifications of such a marriage before I proceed.”

“I have, sir,” Elizabeth said softly.

“As have I, Captain,” added Darcy quickly.

“Well, then. Let us proceed.” The captain rang a bell and his first mate entered. “Webber, here, shall be witness. Normally I have the bride and groom stand, but in your case, Miss Bennet, seeing as how you are quite unwell, I shall allow you to remain seated.”

The captain looked up at Darcy and raised his eyebrows, as if giving him one last chance to change his mind.

“You may proceed, Captain.”

“Do you have any kind of a ring?”

Darcy suddenly frowned, not having thought of it.

Elizabeth lifted up her hand. “I have this ring I usually wear on my other hand. We can use it.”

She took it off her one finger and handed it to Darcy, who looked down and saw a small ruby stone set in a gold band. He held it in his hand until it was time to place it on her wedding ring finger.

The ceremony was simple. The vows were spoken with little attempt to disguise the fact that they were going to be nullified once Darcy returned to England. When they were pronounced husband and wife, Darcy simply reached for Elizabeth’s hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

“Congratulations. You are now married.” The lack of enthusiasm in the captain’s voice was recognized by all in the room, and Elizabeth swallowed hard as she contemplated what this would now mean.

The captain excused the first mate, and the three were left with feelings of awkwardness. “What do we do now?” asked Elizabeth.

The captain looked at the two of them. “If this were a
real
marriage, you would not have to ask me that question. As it is, we must get word out before rumours begin circulating, especially if you return to his room now. I suggest we make an announcement to those in the dining area later this afternoon.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Darcy shook his hand but felt a twinge of guilt that he had pressured the captain into doing something that had gone against his conscience because Darcy owned this ship. He was not proud of the fact and hoped Elizabeth would not find out.

“What about my things?” asked Elizabeth weakly.

“I could send someone to collect them,” Darcy offered.

“I should like to retrieve them myself, if you do not mind. I should like to tell Mrs. Rawlings and her daughters myself… about our… our… marriage.”

“I shall take you down after you have had some rest and a good meal.”

“Very good. I have done all that I needed to do,” the captain said austerely. “I shall see you both later.”

Darcy picked Elizabeth up and walked out the door. Elizabeth hoped that no one would see her being carried to his room, and she was grateful when they were able to make it there and inside without encountering anyone. It helped that Darcy’s room and the captain’s were up toward the front of the ship away from most of the other rooms. She felt awkward this time, being carried into his room and hearing the reverberating sound as the door closed behind them.

He set her down on the bench again, inquiring how she was feeling.

“Tired. I think I should like to sleep, if I may.”

Darcy nodded. “I have done some thinking about the arrangements in here. I will hang up a sheet across your bed so you can have some privacy and separation from my side of the room at night. Of course we will remove it during the day so if anyone notices it, they will not become suspicious as to why it is there.”

“That is very considerate of you, sir.”

“It is nothing, Miss Benn…”

Darcy stopped and looked at Elizabeth. “I cannot call you Miss Bennet now, can I?”

Elizabeth looked down; neither of them had contemplated this.

“What would you have me call you: Mrs. Darcy or Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth flinched slightly as she pondered what each would mean. Mrs. Darcy sounded so official, so legal, and so wifely. Yet Elizabeth sounded so intimate, so familiar. Her hand was nervously drawn to the small necklace she wore around her neck as she pondered an answer. She fingered it momentarily and finally answered, “Elizabeth, please.”

“Very well, Elizabeth.” He walked over and easily picked her up, carrying her over to her bed and placing her upon it. Exhausted from fatigue and illness, Elizabeth practically fell across the bed, laying her head upon the pillow and bringing her legs up on the thick, soft bed.

For a few moments Darcy let his eyes rest upon her pleasant, reclining figure before sternly admonishing himself about what that kind of indulgence might lead to. Without allowing his eyes to linger any longer, he reached for the coverlet and pulled it up over her. He suddenly realized how difficult this arrangement might end up being for him.

“I shall leave you to rest now.” His words were spoken most reluctantly.

As she heard him walk slowly toward the door and open it, she opened her eyes and quietly asked, “And what shall you have me call you?”

Darcy stopped in his movement and turned back to her. “My given name is Fitzwilliam, but I should prefer that you call me William.”

Elizabeth nodded as he turned to leave.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” He looked back at her, shook his head, and walked out. She closed her eyes, plumping up the pillow underneath her head, and fell into a deep sleep that she had not had the pleasure of having for almost a week now.

When Darcy returned somewhat later, he was not surprised to find Elizabeth in a sound sleep. Not wanting to disturb her, fully aware that she needed as much rest as she could get, he quietly laid out the tea and an assorted array of foods that he had secured from the captain’s private supply. At times like this, there was an advantage to being the ship’s owner, and he did not have to twist the captain’s arm too severely to get what he desired.

He turned toward her and stood silently observing her, intrigued by the calm demeanour that had spread over her face in sleep, captivated by the few long, dark tresses that had escaped from her pinned-up hair, but greatly disturbed about the pallor that was taking hold of her features. He fought the temptation to reach over and gently run his fingers through her hair or stroke her cheek, compelling himself to turn away instead. He could not allow himself the liberty to dwell on things that could not be.

Sitting down on the bench at the table in his room, he absently picked up the book he had been reading. He opened it to the page he was on, but found his attention reverting back to the sleeping form in the bed on the other side of the room. He had always found time to read, enjoyed reading, and looked for any excuse to read, but at the moment he was easily finding a justification
not
to read.

He finally gave up and closed the book, setting his mind to trying to recall more about the carriage ride two years ago and the young lady who shared it with him. While he was fairly certain it was her, he tried to think of other things he remembered about her from that day.

Vigorously rubbing his chin, as though that would help facilitate his memory, he did vividly recall that he had been impressed with her knowledge of the books she had read and they had shared a lively discussion about many of them. He remembered afterwards crediting her as being an accomplished woman who sought the improvement of her mind by extensive reading. She had been willing to express a difference of opinion and even argue with him about some aspects of literature and his opinion of them. That was certainly descriptive of the lady asleep in his room.

He furrowed his brow as he tried to recall any part of the conversation they shared. What else could there have been that would enlighten him as to whether or not it was her? He recollected that she had dark, sparkling, fine eyes, as did Elizabeth. She had sprained her ankle falling from a tree that she had climbed… she had to walk home injured… she loved walking! Yes, that would be true of Elizabeth.

Suddenly he remembered a vague discussion they had about horses. She had told him that she preferred walking to riding a horse and sometimes even to riding in a carriage. Darcy smiled. That should be easy enough to discover without raising suspicion. He would wait for the right opportunity and then work it into his conversation. If he found that to be true of Elizabeth, he would be certain it was her!

Darcy stood up and walked over to the small port window. He looked out at the vast sea that surrounded them and realized that it had been days since his thoughts had turned to Georgiana and the sole reason for his coming on this voyage. He had boarded this ship with her retrieval being first and foremost on his mind, and having to cross the ocean to fetch her was something that had originally caused him great consternation.

He had come aboard with a very poor disposition, to the point of being irritated with his fellow passengers even before becoming acquainted with them. He felt anger toward Mrs. Annesley and his cousin Fitzwilliam for their persistent and persuasive arguments to allow Georgiana to go to America in the first place. He had not looked forward one bit to the crossing and had it settled in his mind from the first that he would not enjoy the voyage at all.

Added to all this was that upon boarding the ship, he still reeled from the recent blow of Georgiana’s close call with that deceitful, scheming George Wickham. These past few months had been taxing on his ability to handle the things life dropped in his lap, had affected his decision-making ability, and altered the way he had begun to look at life.

Certainly he had boarded the ship angry at the very people with whom he was having to make this journey. He cringed with shame as he recalled the comment he made to the captain that first day, and he still wondered whether Elizabeth had overheard him.

He turned to look at her. Somehow she had made him forget all his anger, frustrations, and even some of his resentment.

He left the window and looked around the small room that they now shared. Once her health improved and she could think more clearly, would she feel comfortable spending the rest of the trip in the confines of this cabin with him? Would she continue to trust him or would she harbour suspicions that he had ulterior motives in proposing this arrangement? Would she have second thoughts and regret her decision?

Darcy let out the breath he had been holding. It would be too late for second thoughts. The captain had married them, and they were now husband and wife—at least until he had the marriage annulled back in England. It may have been something he had done with very little rational thought behind it, but he believed he had done it with her best interest in mind.

Knowing he would be unable to simply sit still and wait for her to awaken, he began to pace nervously around the room, going to the window and looking out, walking the short distance over to Elizabeth, and then back to the window.

Darcy’s movements eventually awakened Elizabeth. She opened her eyes, aroused from the deepest sleep she had enjoyed in close to a week, and took a moment to get her bearings. Darcy was standing with his back toward her, as he stood at the window, and she was able to watch him for a few moments before he turned and saw that she had wakened.

“Good afternoon, Elizabeth. Did you sleep well?”

Feeling a little self-conscious lying in the bed, she struggled against her weakness to pull herself up. “Yes, Mr. Darcy, thank you.”

Darcy ignored her persistence to acknowledge him formally.

“I brought you some tea and something to eat, as well. I think it would be best for you to eat something first before we go to the dining room. It would be wise not to spend too much time with anyone until we know that you are improved. Try to eat and drink a little, and then we will go up and join the captain for the announcement.”

The announcement.
He spoke those words devoid of any emotion. She could certainly comprehend his feeling, or
lack
of feeling about this whole arrangement. But at the moment, although she greatly enjoyed the welcomed sleep, she was hard-pressed to know exactly what
her
feelings were regarding this marriage. She still felt the assault against her body from illness and lack of sleep, and she could barely conjure up a reasonable sentence, let alone discern her thoughts at the moment.

Elizabeth brought her feet around to the floor, quite convinced that she looked as poorly as she felt. But she had slept soundly, and for that she was grateful.

Darcy walked over to her. “Here, let me help you over to the table.”

As he reached out his hand to her, her initial response was that she could do it herself, but due to her ankle’s continued tenderness and her unsteadiness upon sitting up, she accepted his offer. He pulled her up and slipped his arm underneath hers, supporting her body as she used one foot to propel herself along. Surprisingly, she felt a strength from him that seemed to boost her energy even more.

He set her down at the table and she looked down at the plate of food in front of her. Instead of the normal fare of dried, hard, unpalatable food, she found a very pleasing array of some fresh fruit and chicken.

“This looks delicious.” Her appreciation was apparent, but subdued. “Is this what everyone is having this evening?” She dabbed a little at the food, unwilling to pass it up, but suffering from an untimely lack of appetite.

“Not exactly. This is something special from the captain’s cupboard. He had some fruit that was still good, however very little, and there is a pen of chickens onboard that he gets eggs and an occasional chicken meal from.”

Elizabeth looked up at him curiously, wondering what he had to pay the captain for him to turn over some of this delectable fare.

“Thank you.” As Elizabeth took some small bites, she wondered how often he himself had been privy to these kinds of meals all along.

“If you would like, I shall leave you to finish eating and then you can tidy yourself up before going to the dining area. Is there anything I can get for you before I leave?”

“No. Unfortunately all my things are still in steerage.”

“Help yourself to anything of mine that you require.” He pointed to a dresser full of items. “The captain will join us to make the announcement in the dining area. We shall linger but a short time to allow you to speak briefly with your acquaintances. We shall then retrieve your things from steerage. You must not exert yourself.”

Elizabeth merely nodded in weak acquiescence. She had a difficult time fully comprehending all that Darcy had just said, but knew that he was resolutely laying things out the way he expected them to be. She realized if she had a morsel more of strength and even a remote ability to think more attentively, she would have been inclined to challenge these dictates he was giving.

Darcy left the room and the first thing Elizabeth did was to take her unused napkin and hide the remaining morsels of food into it, slipping the napkin into the pocket of her dress. She would take it down to her friends in steerage.

She hobbled over to the dresser, propelling herself along with her arms braced on the tabletop and dresser top, putting as little pressure on her injured foot as she was able. She sat down in front of the mirror and for a few moments silently looked at her reflection. Elizabeth weakly picked up a brush and combed out her hair, pulling the dark, thick locks back on top of her head. She reflected back on how uncomplicated and unemotional their conversation had been. He talked as if he were discussing with her the details of a business arrangement. She sighed as she looked at her weakened, pale reflection in the mirror. Perhaps he was.

When she had finished, she called out and Darcy stepped back into the room. He looked over at the empty plate on the table, wondering how she could have eaten it all so quickly, but said nothing. “Are you ready to go to the dining room?”

“We might as well get it over with,” Elizabeth replied, suddenly feeling very uneasy. She wondered what the reaction would be from those with whom she had formed acquaintances.

Darcy’s jaw tightened at her response, speculating whether now, after having had a good sleep, she regretted what they had done.

He walked over to her and his arms easily scooped her up. She made every attempt to view being held in his arms as strictly a necessity born out of her clumsy stumble earlier in the day. She had begun to feel an unanticipated warmth and appreciation toward him, however, that in her condition, she could not dwell on.

They proceeded to the dining room, which was already crowded with people. As Darcy walked in carrying Elizabeth, a sudden quietness fell over the room, followed immediately by whispering and rising speculations.

The captain quickly walked up to join them and raised his arms to silence everyone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement I wish to make. Today, as captain of this ship, it was my privilege and honour to unite Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet in holy matrimony. I am honoured to present Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.”

A very audible buzzing was heard as people came around to bestow upon them surprised, but sincere, best wishes. Darcy accepted their words of congratulations with a simple nod of the head and “thank you.” He watched as Elizabeth received their attentions warmly, and she graciously offered back words of encouragement herself, despite her weak and fragile state.

Not everyone was inclined to approach; some from simply a lack of introduction to either of them. A certain handful of ladies sat rather stupefied that this singularly common woman had somehow snatched the one man onboard they deemed most eligible and desirable. They thought it was incomprehensible!

Darcy carried Elizabeth to a table and set her down, whispering to her as firmly as he could that they would only remain for a few minutes because of her health. They accepted continued words of congratulations from their well-wishers and soon were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, who had made Darcy’s acquaintance earlier, but not Elizabeth’s.

Mr. and Mrs. Jennings expressed their congratulations to the newly married couple.

Mrs. Jennings looked at the two and asked, “What a surprise this is! How long have the two of you known each other?”

Darcy replied, “We met only upon coming onboard the ship.”

“So the two of you just met? You did not know each other before?” Mr. Jennings asked incredulously.

“That is correct,” Darcy replied.

He could tell by Jennings’s look that this did not bode well with him. Knowing his tendency to speak his mind without giving thought to what he said or how he said it, Darcy was quite surprised when he simply raised an eyebrow in a manner indicative of inner speculation and silently nodded.

The Jenningses soon left, and after spending what Darcy considered a reasonable amount of time allowing Elizabeth the chance to visit, but not so much time that she would become too wearied, he offered up an apology that they must leave and reached down to lift her up again.

“Come, Elizabeth. Let us go down and get your things.”

He carried Elizabeth quickly down to steerage, very much aware that she was becoming weaker and weaker. He took the three flights of stairs easily and agilely. Bringing her in, and per her direction, he brought her over to where Mrs. Rawlings and her girls were. He set her down and she sat toward the foot of the woman’s bed. She was glad to see that Pauline and Penelope had improved and Mrs. Rawlings seemed a little bit more on her way to recovery. Darcy had agreed to step out until she had broken the news to her.