An Invisible Thread Page 3

  “Yes, I do understand. I have never felt this way before. Obviously, I have never been kissed before and I certainly never imagined enjoying a kiss that much.” Darcy smiled at her words. “You know, Fitzy, I might not mind another kiss. A woman needs to be sure she has made the correct decision,” Elizabeth said playfully.

  “Fitzy, huh, well, I’ll just have to put an end to that name right now!”

  “Fitzy, Fitzy, Fitzy…” As Elizabeth continued to tease him, Darcy began placing small kisses all around her face, her eyes, her forehead, her cheeks and finally her lips. He kissed her soundly while caressing her back and sides. When he looked at her, his eyes were full of passion and adoration.

  “That settles it, no more Fitzy! Are we in agreement?” Elizabeth looked up into his eyes. Her heart was still beating out of control after that last kiss. She found she could not speak and merely nodded her head in agreement.

  “Now, I believe it is time for me to go and speak to your father.”

  Chapter 4

  “Oh dear, my father! I fear that discussion might not go well.”

  “Elizabeth, what is it? Why are you concerned about what your father’s reaction will be to our joyous news? Surely he will be happy to have one of his daughters so happily and advantageously settled.”

  “You may think so but you do not know my father. First, I know this is not right, but I am his favorite. We share a love of books, history, politics and almost every other intellectual pursuit. He is solely responsible for whatever education I have. I am his chess partner and we share a love of lively debate. He will not want to lose me and to a place so far away.”

  “But he must realize that he is going to lose all his daughters to marriage at some point.”

  “Yes, of course, that is true, but there is something else, William.” Darcy's heart soared at hearing Elizabeth calling him William for the first time. Elizabeth hesitated before saying, “My father does not like you.”

  “Why ever not? Your father does not know me. And you said that he was grateful for the information I imparted regarding Wickham.”

  “He was very appreciative to receive that information but my father is very protective of me. He still feels that your disdainful remarks at the Meryton Assembly demonstrated your true character.”

  “My remarks? I do not understand.”

  Using her best imitation of Darcy’s voice, Elizabeth said, ‘She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.’ Elizabeth blushed and looked at the ground. Darcy stopped walking and once again ran his hand through his hair. He began to walk again with Elizabeth on his arm.

  “You heard those words? Words which are so far from my true feelings. Since our first meeting I have thought of you as the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance. Also, Bingley would not hear of me remaining at Netherfield Park the night of the Assembly. I had arrived late that afternoon and I had just left Georgiana in London. This was shortly after Ramsgate and I wanted nothing more than to stay in London with Georgiana and help her recover from her ordeal with Wickham. Georgiana heard of Bingley’s invitation to Netherfield Park and insisted that I have the chance to get away. Georgiana assured me she would be fine with Mrs. Annesley but I was very wary about leaving her. Those are the reasons why I was in such poor spirits that night.”

  “I understand. I believe you should explain yourself to my father in precisely the same way. Of course, you would have to name Miss Darcy as the object of Wickham’s most vile deception.”

  “I will do as you suggest. I am sure I can trust your father to keep Georgiana's name out of any future discussions of Wickham's treachery. I have trusted your discretion since I wrote you the details of Wickham’s past in my letter at Rosings.”

  “I have not shared the information about Miss Darcy with anyone since my return.”

  “You mean Georgiana, she is soon to be your sister.”

  “Yes, William, I mean Georgiana. It is one of the many things I must come to terms with now that we are to be married. I shall have a new sister. I am looking forward to meeting her and I hope she likes me.”

  Again Darcy stopped walking. “My darling, is all this too much, too fast? I am a selfish being, it is how I was raised and I am used to thinking only of myself. If you need more than a few weeks then that is how it must be. You must realize that I am so eager to marry you for two reasons. One is because I am passionately in love with you and cannot wait to make you completely mine. Two, the quicker we are married, the sooner I can assure Georgiana that she will never be taken from me or, I should say, us, and the better we will all feel. There is a great deal of urgency in stifling Uncle Hugh and Aunt Catherine's plans. And, my sister will not like you, Elizabeth. She will love you as I do.”

  “Sir, I understand both of your motivations.” She said this with a little giggle in her voice. A sound that made Darcy place his left hand over the hand already on his arm. He squeezed her hand slightly and Elizabeth pressed her hand a little tighter on his arm. “This has all happened so quickly and it will be a shock to my family and our friends when they hear our news. They all heard what you said about me at the Assembly and were not pleased. I fear they do not have a very high opinion of you, sir. They do not know the truth about that evening as I do.”

  “In the weeks before our wedding, I will do everything in my power to improve their opinion of me. Darcy paused and then asked, “Elizabeth, will you still be calling me ‘sir’ on our wedding night?“

  She said with a little laugh in her voice, “I hope not, but our relationship is so new that it will take some time to get used to calling you anything but Mr. Darcy or sir. And endearing yourself to my family and friends is a very worthy endeavor.” Hearing the joy in his future wife’s voice, Darcy could not stop himself and he placed a light kiss on her lips. A small groan escaped from her throat but Darcy knew that self-restraint was of the utmost importance. It was only going to be a few weeks until Elizabeth was his wife. They started walking toward Longbourn again. Darcy was quiet as he tried to think of what to say to Mr. Bennett to convince him to grant his consent and blessing to their marriage.

  As they neared Longbourn, Elizabeth asked, “Would you like me to accompany you when you speak to my father?”

  Darcy thought about that idea for a moment before saying, “I think I should speak to Mr. Bennett alone, although I would ask that you stay close by. I may be in dire need of your support.”

  “You do have my support, William. Always.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth and thought he saw his own love reflected in her eyes.

  “Your love and support are the only things in my life that matter to me, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth looked up at Darcy and rather than saying anything, she simply smiled at him in a caring way. His response was a dazzling smile that produced those two dimples again.

  “William, may I make a suggestion to you?” Darcy nodded his acquiescence.

  “Smile more!” She said and ran ahead to get to the front door before him.

  With his long legs he quickly caught up to her, grasping her hand and bringing it to his lips for another kiss before they entered Longbourn.

  When they entered the house Elizabeth said, “Mrs. Hill, please inform my father that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is here to see him.”

  “Of course, Miss Elizabeth,” said Longbourn’s long time housekeeper.

  A few moments later Mrs. Hill returned and said, “Mr. Bennett will see you now, Mr. Darcy.” Darcy left Elizabeth’s side and as he walked toward the door Mrs. Hill had indicated, he glanced back at Elizabeth. “All will be well, dearest. All will be well.”

  After Darcy entered her father’s study, Elizabeth began pacing back and forth in front of the door. She could hear their voices but could not make out anything they were saying. She heard her father’s raised voice a few times but Darcy’s voice remained at the same calm level. After what seemed like hours but was, in reality, only several minutes, her father opened the door and asked her to come ins
ide. When she entered, she went to Darcy’s side and took his hand in hers, a movement her father noticed immediately.

  “Well, my Lizzy, it seems that this young man thinks it’s a good idea for you to marry him. How do you feel about his plan?”

  “I agree with Mr. Darcy, Papa. Although it will grieve me to leave my family, I am eager to become his wife.”

  Darcy looked down at the woman by his side and for the first time in his life, he was filled with a sense of being whole. By her comments, Elizabeth had expressed her desire to become his wife without any encouragement from him. Could Elizabeth have strong feelings for him? Could she be in love with him already? Maybe, just a little? Her obvious affection, evidenced by holding his hand, was a good start. Darcy was so happy. They turned to see Mr. Bennet and they could tell there was much more he wished to say.

  “I dare say your Mr. Darcy is committed to the idea of marrying you, Lizzy. He described you as a woman of outstanding beauty, kindness and intellect. However, I remember quite clearly that Mr. Darcy did not speak about your beauty in very complimentary terms when he attended the Meryton Assembly last fall. In fact, he spoke very disparagengly about you and in front of most of our neighbors and friends.” Mr. Bennet’s displeasure regarding Mr. Darcy’s behavior at the Assembly was reflected in his voice.

  “William, please explain to my father the details of that night. You must make him understand your true feelings and why you acted the way you did at the Assembly.”

  Darcy told Mr. Bennet everything. He spoke of his long history with Wickham as well as the details of Georgiana’s near elopement. He described his sister’s despondency following her return from Ramsgate. Darcy explained his reluctance to attend the Assembly the night of his arrival in Hertfordshire. He also spoke of his continuing love for Elizabeth and told Mr. Bennet of his first proposal and subsequent rejection in Kent. He did not tell him of the demands being placed on him by his aunt and uncle for fear that Mr. Bennet would doubt the sincerity of his renewed interest in his daughter. He spelled out his involvement in separating his friend Bingley from Jane, and his actions to rectify that situation.

  “Well, Mr. Darcy, I am beginning to think your feelings for my daughter are sincere.”

  “I assure you, sir, my feelings are all that a man should have for his future bride and more. That is with your permission and, we hope, blessing.”

  “I believe you have sufficiently answered all my objections and I am happy to grant you my permission and my blessing. Life at Longbourn will not be the same without you, my dearest Lizzy.”

  With his words, Elizabeth rushed to her father who warmly embraced her and placed a kiss on her head. “Thank you, Papa. I know we will be very happy. And I understand Pemberley has a library that could keep you occupied for years.”

  “Then you must be sure to invite your Papa to visit you soon! Now I suppose we must inform your Mama and sisters. The noise that will ensue after this announcement will most likely drive your poor Papa and your future husband to retreat back here to my study.”

  “Mr. Bennet, thank you for the hand of your wonderful daughter. I am sure we will be very happy and we look forward to welcoming you to Pemberley soon, but not too soon. I think I would like to have my new wife to myself for some time as we begin our marriage.”

  “Yes, yes, of course, I understand your feelings. Now shall we spread the joyous news?”

  As Mr. Bennet led the happy group out of the study and across the hall to the sitting room, Elizabeth looked up at Darcy and quietly asked, “Did you mention the timing of the wedding to my father?”

  “I did not have a chance to tell him before he asked you to join us. I am sure the subject will come up in the next few minutes. Mrs. Bennet is sure to want us to set a date as soon as possible and I am more than willing to oblige her.”

  Darcy was looking into Elizabeth’s eyes with such happiness, all she could do was look up at him and smile. She said, “I am certain you are correct,” and then she let a small giggle escape.

  Mr. Bennet led the group into the sitting room. Elizabeth walked in behind her father. The rest of the family was situated in various seats around the room. They could not see the person walking in behind Elizabeth since he was standing in the shadows.

  “Well, my dear family, it seems we are to have some excitement in our small community, a most outstanding betrothal.”

  “Oh, Mr. Bennet, how you do vex me with your riddles!” Her mother was already fluttering her handkerchief in front of her face.

  “This morning I have given my permission and blessing and our own dear Lizzy is engaged to be married.”

  “Mr. Bennet, my fragile nerves cannot tolerate such a joke. Lizzy has already rejected the best offer of marriage she could ever hope for. She will never be the mistress of Longbourn and we shall all be cast out into the snow when you leave this earth.”

  “Lizzy,” said Mr. Bennet, “please introduce your future husband to our family. Or should I say re-introduce?”

  Elizabeth stepped forward and Darcy followed her into the light of the sitting room. A gasp was heard from all the room’s female occupants, save Mary, who Elizabeth was afraid would suddenly start quoting from Fordyce’s sermons.

  “Mr. Darcy! This cannot be! Mr. Darcy of ten thousand a year! Oh Lizzy, what gowns, what jewels, what carriages you shall have. Oh, Mr. Darcy, you are most welcome, sir, most welcome indeed!” Elizabeth was hoping the floor would open up and swallow her. She was so embarrassed by the crassness of her mother’s words.

  “Mrs. Bennet, it is a pleasure to see you once again.” Darcy walked toward his future mother in-law, took her hand and bowed deeply before her.

  “La, la, Mr. Darcy,” said Lydia. “Lizzy does not like him. He is so proud and disagreeable and he told everyone at the Assembly that Lizzy was not pretty enough for him to dance with. She just likes all his money.”

  “Lydia, dear child, I am sure Mr. Darcy did not mean those words since he has now, for whatever reason, picked our Lizzy to be his wife.”

  Elizabeth was distressed by her youngest sister’s and mother’s uncensored comments but when she looked at Darcy, he seemed unfazed by their inappropriate words.

  “Tell me, Mr. Darcy, how many rooms does your home, Pemberley is it, have? My sister Phillips and Lady Lucas will be very interested to know.”

  Elizabeth could not stand for this verbal barrage on her betrothed to go on any longer. “Mama, I do not care how many rooms Pemberley has. That is not why I am marrying Mr. Darcy. I must ask you to stop all of your improper questions about Mr. Darcy’s wealth.”

  “Very well, Lizzy, I am sure we will learn all there is to know in the coming months of your betrothal,” said Mrs. Bennett with smug satisfaction.

  Darcy and Elizabeth immediately looked at each other and neither knew who should broach the subject of their accelerated wedding plans. Darcy spoke first. “Mrs. Bennet, if you can arrange it, Elizabeth and I wish to be married by special license in a fortnight. My younger sister, Georgiana, is in need of our permanent presence in London. The sooner we can be with her, the better for all of us.”

  “A fortnight! I never heard of such a thing. How am I to plan a wedding in such a short time? What about the wedding breakfast, Lizzy’s wedding dress and her trousseau? Really Mr. Darcy I think you are asking for the impossible.”

  “Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth and I do not wish for an elaborate wedding. As for her trousseau, all of it can be purchased when we go to Town to rejoin my sister after the wedding. All of the finest modistes in London will be at Elizabeth’s disposal. I can assure you, as Mrs. Darcy, your daughter will want for nothing.” As he said this, he walked back to Elizabeth’s side, took her hand in his and gently placed a kiss on it. Elizabeth looked up at Darcy with what seemed to him as admiration.

  “Well, I suppose if that is how it must be, I can try to organize an adequate wedding breakfast. I hope we can find a wedding dress in Meryton that will be sufficient. The bride of Mr. Dar
cy of Pemberley must wear something very special on her wedding day,” said a resigned Mrs. Bennet.

  “Thank you, madam, for your kind consideration of our wishes. Now, if you will all excuse me, I must discuss the marriage settlement with Mr. Bennet.”

  Darcy exited the room behind Mr. Bennet. They entered the study and closed the door. As soon as the door to the study was heard closing, the sitting room erupted in a sudden outburst of questions, comments, giggles and suggestions for the wedding. All of which were expressed at the same time and at a loud volume.

  “Lizzy, however did you capture Mr. Darcy? I thought he might like Lydia with her beauty and spirit or even Kitty. What about my Jane? We should bring Jane back to Hertfordshire and maybe Mr. Darcy might prefer her.”

  Mrs. Bennet had no idea how hurtful her words were to Elizabeth although she had heard them many times before. “Mama, Mr. Darcy and I are engaged. He is an honorable gentleman and he is not going to throw me over for any of my sisters or anyone else. And as for Jane, I have been told that Mr. Bingley is back at Netherfield Park because he wishes to renew his addresses to Jane. And I believe he will soon be on his way back to London to call on Jane at the Gardiner’s.”

  “Thank goodness for that! I hope this time Mr. Bingley will be smart enough not to leave Jane’s side until he asks her to marry him.”

  Shortly thereafter, Darcy and Mr. Bennet returned to the sitting room. Darcy said, “Pray excuse me. I must get back to Netherfield Park and speak to Charles Bingley about a very important matter.” He bowed to the women and exited the sitting room.

  Elizabeth said, “I will show Mr. Darcy out.”

  Darcy had waited for Elizabeth in the entry hall and pulled her out the front door. He quickly took her into his arms and began to kiss her. Elizabeth did not respond to his kisses as she had earlier that morning.