An Invisible Thread Page 2

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy and said, “Mr. Bingley is a grown man and he should have known his own mind and his own heart and he should have made his own decisions in this matter. Whatever your interference or anyone else’s, the ultimate determination to court Jane or not was his alone to make.”

  “I have encouraged Bingley to return to court your sister and she is not here for Bingley to pursue. If you would be so kind as to furnish me with your relatives’ direction, I will happily pass it on to Charles.”

  “I thank you, sir. She is staying at twenty-three Gracechurch Street in Cheapside. I cannot say for certain, but I feel my sister would be happy to see Mr. Bingley again. My only hope is that if he does attempt to see Jane, his attentions to her will be more steadfast.”

  “I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.”

  An awkward silence now existed between them. Each of them was afraid to speak first. Darcy finally said, “Miss Elizabeth, you are too kind to trifle with me. I understand meeting me here this morning was unexpected. By renewing my proposal to you, I have given you much to think about. Pray tell me if you think I have any chance of hoping that you will make me the happiest man in England.”

  Elizabeth thought carefully before she spoke again, “Yes, Mr. Darcy, I will consider your offer. You understand this is not a decision I can make after so short a period of reflection.”

  Darcy moved toward Elizabeth. “There is something else you must take into consideration. If you are to accept my hand in marriage, I had hoped that we could have a brief courtship and be married by special license in a fortnight. My incentive for this schedule of events is to squelch any further ulterior plans my Aunt Catherine and Uncle Hugh are hatching. I hope you understand the urgency of my situation.”

  Elizabeth thought about what she had just heard. “Am I to understand that you mean to marry me in a matter of days? We have just renewed our acquaintance after months of not seeing each other. Now, I have another question for you, Mr. Darcy. If your relatives had not been threatening to take Miss Darcy from you, would I have ever seen you again? You can understand why I might find your romantic intentions and words of love to be highly suspect.” Elizabeth looked up at Darcy with a raised eyebrow and there was cynicism in her voice and she was most eager to hear his response to her question.

  Darcy slowly ran his hand through his hair again. This morning’s conversation was not going at all the way he had hoped. He knew Elizabeth was too honest to pretend she loved him. He never expected her to jump into his arms when she spotted him leaning against a tree this morning. He knew he had to lay his heart out to her so she could understand his intentions more clearly.

  “Pray believe me when I tell you that you have never left my side since our meetings at Rosings. There has not been one moment since the Netherfield Ball that I have not wanted you with me. Although my question today may seem sudden to you, the truth is that I have been impatiently looking for an opportunity to renew our acquaintance. My recent observations of Bingley and the daily missives I am receiving from both my Aunt Catherine and Lord Matlock have all brought me to this point. I am here, renewing my proposal to you, perhaps sooner than I thought, but I beseech you, please believe that I am in love with you.”

  Elizabeth sighed and said, “Very well, Mr. Darcy, I will most definitely think about all we have discussed this morning. I know you are looking for a quick resolution to our relationship and I invite you to meet me here tomorrow at the same time. I believe I will be in a better position to give you my decision then.”

  “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Your kindness is more than I deserve. I am very eager to hear your answer. I’m sure I will not be able to concentrate on anything else for the remainder of the day or sleep tonight. I look forward to seeing you on the morrow.”

  “Mr. Darcy, has Miss Bingley accompanied her brother to Netherfield Park?”

  “I am absolutely delighted to report that Miss Bingley remains in Town.”

  Elizabeth let a small laugh escape. “I am very happy about that as well. I will see you here in the morning. Good day to you, Mr. Darcy.”

  Elizabeth curtsied and began to turn toward Longbourn. Before she could take a step, Darcy walked forward, took her right hand and bowed over it before placing a slow kiss on her glove. He looked up and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Tomorrow” he said and strode away toward Netherfield. As Elizabeth watched him walk away, she could not understand why her heart was beating so quickly. Why did she feel a warmth overcoming her which she had never felt before?

  Chapter 3

  Elizabeth could certainly understand Mr. Darcy’s comments about being distracted and spending a night where sleep was impossible. As she was walking back to Longbourn, Elizabeth realized she had no idea how she could decide what she should do. She had no one with whom she could discuss Darcy’s proposal. Elizabeth may have been able to talk to Jane about it but she was away in London. With Darcy’s timetable there was no time for letters. Her younger sisters were without the logical thinking processes that could help her with this life changing decision. When her mother heard the word ‘proposal’, she would have started planning a wedding without a second thought. With five unmarried daughters, Mrs. Bennet was afraid for their futures in light of Longbourn’s entail. Her only goal in life was to marry off all five of them as quickly as possible. And if a man worth ten thousand a year were to become her son in-law, all the better.

  Elizabeth knew she could not speak to her father about her dilemma either. Her father’s opinion of Darcy improved when she returned from Kent and she informed him of Wickham’s true nature. Elizabeth convinced her father that Wickham was not to be trusted on any level. Mr. Bennett believed the information his daughter imparted and did not ask about the source. Elizabeth had mentioned she had had several conversations with Mr. Darcy while visiting Charlotte Collins and that led Mr. Bennet to surmise that Darcy had conveyed the pertinent information. Mr. Bennet judged Darcy to be a proud, arrogant, and officious man who once demeaned his favorite daughter’s beauty in public. If Darcy was the source of the information which might serve to protect his daughters from harm, his opinion of Darcy had risen only somewhat in his eyes.

  After returning from her walk, Elizabeth was unable to concentrate on anything other than her thoughts. Her mind was spinning with all the things she and Darcy had talked about that morning. She was pretending to do some needlework when she heard her mother shout, “Lizzy, what is wrong with you, child? I have been calling your name for five minutes.”

  “Sorry, Mama, I must have been woolgathering.”

  “I should say so. Pay attention when someone is speaking to you.”

  “Yes, Mama, how can I help you?”

  Mrs. Bennet began fanning herself with her lace handkerchief and finally said, “It has been so long now that I have forgotten what you were needed for. I will let you know as soon as I remember.”

  Elizabeth was awake all night. First, she thought of all the reasons she could never marry Mr. Darcy. Then, she thought about all the reasons she would be foolish to walk away from such an intelligent, powerful, and to be honest with herself, very handsome man. Then there was that kiss on her hand. ‘Would I have responded the way I did without having some romantic feelings for Mr. Darcy?’

  By the time the sun began to rise, Elizabeth knew she would have to come to a decision quickly. She would be meeting Mr. Darcy on Oakham Mount soon and he would most certainly be expecting an answer. As she prepared herself for the day, she took a few extra minutes selecting her dress and she paid special attention to pinning her hair in a flattering style. As she slipped out the kitchen door, the Bennets’ cook, Mrs. Stone, handed her two freshly baked rolls in a napkin and a small bottle of milk which Elizabeth placed in her pockets. Mrs. Stone knew how long Miss Elizabeth's ramblings could last. She did not want her dear girl to become too hungry during her daily constitutional. “Thank you, Mrs. Stone. I will see you later this morning.”

  “You are ver
y welcome, Miss Elizabeth. You watch where you walk this morning.”

  “Worry not, Mrs. Stone. I know exactly where I am going today.”

  As expected, when she climbed Oakham Mount she saw that Mr. Darcy was already there. He was anxiously pacing back and forth while running his hand through his hair. When he looked up and saw her coming toward him, a huge smile spread across his face producing two dimples she had never seen before. ‘He should smile more,’ Elizabeth thought to herself as she neared the reason for her sleepless night.

  “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. You are looking particularly beautiful this morning. I was afraid you might not come.”

  “Good morning, sir. Why would you think I would not come? I invited you to meet me here this morning.”

  “Of course, you are correct. I am nearly senseless from lack of sleep and anxiety.”

  “I, too, had no sleep last night.” Elizabeth did not know exactly how she should begin their conversation. She finally said, “ Mr. Darcy, although I am honored by your proposal, I still wonder why you sought me out?” Darcy’s worst fears seemed to be unfolding. When Elizabeth said she was ‘honored by his proposal but,’ he felt that her refusal would be forthcoming. Elizabeth continued, “You could have easily chosen any one of the many beautiful, accomplished, well connected and well dowered women of the ton. I am quite sure that any one of them would be more than happy to whatever terms of courtship and marriage you suggest in order for them to become Mrs. Darcy.”

  “I could have sought out another woman, Miss Elizabeth. There is only one important element missing from your suggestion.” Darcy was temporarily relieved that Elizabeth had not yet rejected him.

  “I am all ears, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Allow me to explain this to you as clearly as I can. I have met, danced with, taken tea with and been inspected from head to toe by more of the so called ‘accomplished’ women of the ton than I care to remember. There was one significant problem with all of them. They were not you. I never desired any of them. Not one of them ever challenged anything I said, they were all too busy agreeing with me. Not one of the women of London’s highest circles would ever consider walking three miles over muddy roads to care for her most beloved sister. Every woman I have ever met fell far short of my vision of the ideal woman for me and that is you, my darling Elizabeth Bennett.

  “I see.”

  “I hope you do see the depth of my feelings for you.” Darcy hesitated and then asked, “Elizabeth, have you had enough time to consider my offer?”

  “I believe I have.” Elizabeth looked up to see Darcy’s eyes boring into her. “Mr. Darcy, I would be happy to become your wife.”

  Darcy rushed toward her, taking both of her hands in his. He raised one hand at a time to his lips and placed a slow kiss on each hand. “My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, you have made me the happiest of men.”

  Elizabeth smiled at her new fiancé and enjoyed the feeling of him holding her hands. He slowly let go of her hands and embraced her. Elizabeth was surprised by his movement but could not deny that she was enjoying the feeling of being in his arms, feeling his heart beat and inhaling his scent, a combination of leather and sandalwood, a fragrance she was thoroughly enjoying.

  “How can I thank you enough for accepting me? I know the terms of our betrothal were unexpected but I am happy you understand the necessity of the timing. Right now I feel like asking the vicar of Meryton to start ringing the church bells so everyone will know of our happiness”.

  “I think the vicar can wait a few minutes. I have a bit of food with me and I thought we could sit on that large rock and talk.”

  Darcy and Elizabeth sat close together on the large, flat boulder that was prominent on Oakham Mount. Elizabeth reached into her pockets and removed the napkin containing the warm rolls and the milk. They sat in companionable silence eating and drinking the milk. Finally Darcy said, “I believe this is one of the most enjoyable meals in my memory.” Darcy smiled at the woman beside him.

  “Mrs. Stone will be very glad to hear that you approve of her cooking.”

  They sat together, each lost in their own thoughts, while they were eating. After the rolls had been consumed, Elizabeth said, “all the times we were in each other’s company at Netherfield Park and Rosings, I thought you were always looking at me to find fault. You told me that you love me but how did it happen? When did it happen?”

  Darcy thought for a moment before he responded, “When I left Netherfield immediately after the Ball, I already knew that I was besotted with you. You may have thought that I was looking at you to find fault but the truth is that I could not keep my eyes off of you. At that time, I was still living my life according to my family’s expectations of me. I knew I must not see you again and I tried to put you out of my mind. Within a week of seeing you again at Rosings, I knew I was completely in love with you. I had never spoken with any woman on the variety of subjects that we discussed as we walked every day. I was so impressed with your intelligence and insightful observations. We seemed to enjoy the same music and poets and books. I started to imagine the two of us talking together on cold, winter nights at Pemberley. Just you and me, nestled together on a sofa in front of the fireplace. The only future I can imagine is with you beside me as my wife. As I told you yesterday, since I was in Kent, I have thought of little else but you and how to win your heart. Does that answer your questions?”

  Elizabeth nodded, “Yes, I believe I do understand your feelings.”

  Darcy said, “Elizabeth, I am so delighted with your decision to accept my proposal, but will you tell me honestly why you said yes?”

  Elizabeth thought for a moment before she began to speak. “I think there are several reasons. The most important reason is that I believe I have cared for you for a long time and did not realize it. When we first met at the Meryton Assembly, I knew that I desired your good opinion and was sorry not to have it. While you were at Netherfield Park and again in Kent, as I said, I thought you looked at me only in disapproval. I realize now that my perceptions of your feelings for me were entirely wrong. Perhaps that is why I reacted so violently to your first proposal. I am sure you remember that you proposed only after expressing how you struggled against your better instincts with the decision to ask for my hand. Then you told me at length how demeaning my family was to you. If you had only spoken of your feelings for me and left the rest unsaid, my answer may have been different. After repeatedly insulting me and my family, you knew that I could not let your insults remain unchallenged.”

  “You are telling me that if I had proposed to you at Hunsford in a more appropriate manner, you may have said yes? We might have already been betrothed or even married by now? I am truly and simply a fool, Elizabeth. I still have so much to learn.”

  “Let us think of the past only as it gives us pleasure. We must only think of the future, Mr. Darcy. Speaking of the future, there are other reasons I accepted you. When I could not sleep last night, I tried to imagine what my life would be like if I accepted your proposal. I realized my children would never have to concern themselves with an entail and ‘be cast out into the snow’ as my mother says. My children would also have the opportunity to receive a formal education, something that my sisters and I decidedly lack. And I have heard all about Pemberley’s library from Miss Bingley!” They both laughed at her last reason.

  “Oh yes, my love, our future and our brilliant children, a very happy life it will be. Elizabeth, you are the most intelligent woman I have ever met and you are self taught. Please do not believe that I think any less of you because of your lack of a formal education. Miss Bingley has had the best education money can buy and I doubt that she has ever read a book!”

  “Yes, of course, you are correct, but Mr. Darcy, you should know that you are marrying a woman prone to self-doubts.”

  “I hereby banish any and all self-doubts for the next fifty years. After that, you can doubt yourself as much as you like.” They both laughed again. “But I demand
we change one thing right now, I must insist!” Darcy said this forcefully but Elizabeth could tell there was humor in his voice.

  “My, my, Mr. Darcy, you are quite a tyrant! How can I help this change you demand?”

  “Yes, my little minx, I am a tyrant when I want something as badly as I want you. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth we will soon be husband and wife, will you not call me by my Christian name?”

  “Fitzwilliam, Fitzwilliam, hmmmm, that is a bit of a mouthful. Does anyone call you anything else, Fitzy, maybe?” They both began to laugh again.

  “You probably will not find it hard to believe that no one has ever called me Fitzy, but Georgiana calls me William or Will. Does one of those options appeal to you?”

  “Let me see, William or Will? William, yes, I think that will do quite well although I was hoping Fitzy might make the list!” As Elizabeth spoke, she stood and quickly walked away from the rock they had been sitting on. With several long strides Darcy caught up to her and took her into his strong arms.

  “How you tease and tempt me, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.” With those words he lowered his face to hers and they shared their first kiss. The kiss was sweet and gentle and when Elizabeth opened her eyes, Darcy's eyes were gazing into hers with a look she had never seen before. He pressed his lips into hers once again but this time there was no gentleness, only heat and urgency. When she felt his tongue nudge her lips apart, she willingly complied and she felt quite lost in the moment. Her hands were around his neck playing with his beautiful, dark curly hair. His hands had been holding her shoulders, then one hand slowly moved down her spine to press her against him. These feelings were entirely new to Elizabeth and she felt like she was on fire. After several minutes in this steamy embrace, Darcy slowly removed his lips and rested his forehead against hers while they both tried to catch their breath.

  “Elizabeth, can you understand why I desire a short courtship and wedding? You are too tempting! I believe I could be happy forever just holding you in my arms and inhaling your intoxicating rosewater scent. It will take all my years of practicing self control not to sweep you off your feet right now and head directly to Gretna Green!”