Chapter 33

I t almost felt strange to have transitioned to half mourning, but Elizabeth and her sisters understood it was what Jane wanted. She had allowed for up to a year, but her preference had been for a shorter period. All four sisters honoured their parents' decision to mourn for a year complete.

Elizabeth found herself missing Mr Darcy's company far more than she would have thought possible. The fact he had trusted the Bennets with the care of his most precious relation, spoke far louder than words of his feelings towards the family. Knowing he had been reluctant to leave, as had been true of the Colonel, even though the latter was to report for duty before the end of the month, had made Elizabeth feel good. At least she still had his monogrammed handkerchiefs, one of them was always in her pocket, which she was able to touch whenever she felt the need.

As much as she had convinced herself they were only friends, she had fallen in love with Mr Darcy. Elizabeth was certain he was exactly the man, actually the only man, who in disposition and talents would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would answer all her wishes. It was a union which would be to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind would be softened, his comfort in society improved. From his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she would receive a benefit of much greater importance. This was, of course, assuming he would offer for her in April or soon after .

She did not think herself so deficient of mind as to have misread all the signs which pointed to a deep attachment on his side. Regardless of her feelings, until he spoke it was all speculation.

Giana dropped the occasional hints about her brother's admiration for Lizzy, although she never said anything explicit, which could have been construed as improper.

Elizabeth was snapped out of her reverie when her father entered the drawing room, a black edged letter in his hand. She immediately began to pray that none of their loved ones had been taken from them. Elizabeth was not at all confident that she could survive another shock of that magnitude, just over three months since Janey's passing.

Bennet did not miss the look of terror on Lizzy's face. "Rest easy, this is not to announce the death of anyone to whom we are close," Bennet announced. He saw the expectant faces in the drawing room relax greatly. "It is in fact a man who none of us met in the whole of our lives. Mr William Collins, the former heir presumptive before the entail was ended, passed away." He looked at his two eldest daughters. "The business at Rosings Park is completed, and after a stop in London, those who are resident at Netherfield Park will return."

She of course did not wish anyone dead, but Elizabeth would have been dissembling had she said she was not relieved it was no one they knew.

"Wait, Papa, did you say all those who were residing at Netherfield Park are returning?" Mary clarified. "It was my understanding that due to his having to report to his regiment, Colonel Fitzwilliam would not come back with Mr Darcy."

"That is what we were all told, but according to this," Bennet held up the missive, "unless it is in error, the Colonel will accompany Mr Darcy."

Mary schooled her features as much as she was able. Her fervent hope was that what was scribed in the letter was not a mistake. The more time she was in the Colonel's company, the more her tender feelings for him developed, to the point she was on the cusp of falling in love with him. She did not know if he reciprocated her feelings. However, what other explanation was there for the fact he always sought her out whenever they were in company together?

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Although Major-General Atherton was not pleased to have one of his best officers resign, he did not begrudge Colonel Fitzwilliam his decision. As such he accepted the papers, albeit reluctantly, which had been filled out announcing the end of the Colonel's career in the army. Atherton had known Fitzwilliam since the latter was a second lieutenant and the former a captain. He did not use the knowledge of a promotion—to Brigadier-General to have been awarded to the Colonel—to entice Fitzwilliam to change his mind.

No one could ever accuse the Colonel of using his father's influence to gain promotions, or hide away in England and never risk his own life and limb. In his almost twelve years in the Dragoons, Fitzwilliam had seen more than enough combat, and for the most part, other than some minor wounds, had come through relatively intact.

With the signature of the commander of this particular regiment of the Royal Dragoons, it was done—he was a civilian once more. Selling his commission had been simple, as Major Hendricks had long since desired to become a colonel.

That evening Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam prepared a feast which featured every favourite of her younger son. She was so grateful he would never have to ride into battle again, and she could not but express her undying gratitude to Anne for succeeding where others in the family had failed.

The next morning, before they made their way back to Meryton, Fitzwilliam and Darcy called on Gardiner. "I need to get used to no longer seeing you in uniform Colon…Fitzwilliam," Gardiner stated after showing the cousins into his office.

"That goes for me as well," Fitzwilliam admitted. "If you want to address me by my former rank, it is acceptable because even when we retire, many use our former rank when speaking to one who used to be an officer."

"How may I be of service to you gentleman?" Gardiner enquired.

Fitzwilliam explained what had occurred which had precipitated his resignation from the army, and his change of fortune.

"With all of what you have saved over the years you were already wealthy, but this is much more." Gardiner cogitated for some moments. "If Miss de Bourgh was permitted to transfer the townhouse and fortune to you, why did her father's will disallow her to do so with the estate?"

"I had the same question," Fitzwilliam revealed. "It was the way Sir Lewis made sure Anne and the estate were protected from his wife's machinations. He was well aware Lady Catherine, who was in the past a very forceful character, had designs on the estate. She demanded it should belong to her after his passing, and knowing his wife's character, he was certain she would have used coercion, and worse, to force Anne into ceding the estate to herself. With the clauses he added to his will, he made sure his wife would not be able to satisfy her avaricious intent."

"What is it you would like from me, Fitzwilliam?" Gardiner wondered.

"If you will accept it, I want to move at least five and seventy percent of my wealth from the four percents and invest it with you. I may not need more, but I must think of the children I could be blessed with in the future," Fitzwilliam clarified .

"I am not taking on new investors, however, as you are one of my existing clients, that does not apply to you," Gardiner explained.

"That is good news. Before we depart London, I will go to the bank and leave instructions for the amount I indicated to be delivered to you. We are then for Hertfordshire. Is there anything you wish to send with us?" Fitzwilliam enquired.

"Nothing I know of, although my wife may have something. We have not heard from anyone at Longbourn since we departed. As far as you can tell, how are my nieces feeling about being home?" Gardiner queried.

"To my knowledge, they are adjusting very well," Darcy opined.

Gardiner thanked the men for the intelligence. He had the butler ask the mistress if she desired to send anything to their nieces. She responded she did not as she had posted a letter the previous day.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

When the cousins first called at Longbourn after their arrival back in the area, they first met with Bennet to explain the circumstances which had led to his late cousin's death. In that way, it was left up to Bennet how much or how little of the details he shared with his family.

On joining the ladies in the drawing room, after Giana welcomed her guardians back enthusiastically, Fitzwilliam and Darcy took seats next to their preferred lady.

Darcy decided Miss Bennet looked very well out of deep mourning attire. They were soon debating a book as if they had not been apart for about a sennight.

Upon sitting close to Miss Mary, Fitzwilliam did not miss her questioning look. "You thought I would be in London attending to my duties, did you not?" He verified. On seeing her nod her pretty head, Fitzwilliam gave her an abridged version of the events which led to his no longer being in the army.

"As long as you are sanguine with your choice, all will be well," Mary smiled.

Even had he still been a colonel in the army, Mary would not have been less pleased to see Richard Fitzwilliam arrive at Longbourn with Mr Darcy. That he had resigned from the army had been beyond pleasing to Mary, not because she would ever try to dictate his career choices to him had he still been an officer, but knowing he would not be going into battle again was a great relief.

"When will we meet Miss de Bourgh who enabled you to leave the army?" Mary enquired.

"Anne is with Mother until Father returns from Snowhaven." Richard realised Miss Mary knew not what that name was, so he explained. "Snowhaven is the name of the primary estate which comes with the Matlock earldom."

"And after that?" Mary asked.

"It depends greatly on the state of Anne's health…" Fitzwilliam gave a brief synopsis of Anne's indifferent health. "However, if she so desires, I will request Bingley extend an invitation to Anne to join us at his estate."

"My hope is we will meet her ere long," Mary claimed.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

20 April 1811

Darcy and Fitzwilliam departed Netherfield Park on their horses for the three mile ride to Longbourn. On this day, neither would chance riding across the fields to shorten the distance as they cared far too much about how they looked once they presented themselves to the ladies with whom they were irrevocably in love.

Parker had proposed to Miss Lucas towards the end of February past, and the two had married in mid-March. Darcy had stood up with Parker while Elizabeth had been Miss Lucas's maid of honour. Without the other knowing, each one had said the vows to the other in their thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, except for Diana Parker, none of the Parker family attended the wedding, although Parker had invited them knowing what their reaction would be. In so doing he proved himself a better person than his siblings. Other than a derisive letter from Mr Sydney Parker, no affirmative reply indicating their attendance at their brother's wedding was received. Parker opined it would be far more pleasant without any of them.

Miss Diana Parker had volunteered to seek employment for herself, something neither her brother nor new sister would countenance. She would remain at Lucas Lodge with her new sister's family, and then a month later she would return to the parsonage and live with them for as long as she desired. Since her brother's wedding, Miss Parker had entered a courtship with Aaron Goulding, the heir to Haye Park. Her newly married brother had written to Mr Darcy giving him permission to act in Arthur's stead if a request to marry her was made and she accepted.

Since their return from London over two months ago, any doubts either man had about the feelings of the woman he loved had been erased. All they had needed to do was to wait for the two eldest Bennet sisters' mourning period to end, which had occurred the previous day. Neither man wanted to declare himself on the very day the respective lady's mourning ended, so they waited one more day. Now it was their turn to begin the journey which they hoped would end in wedded bliss like the newly married Parkers were enjoying—if their letters were to be believed.

Elizabeth and Mary were in great anticipation as each had been asked for a private interview by the man she loved. Neither had denied the request. As Elizabeth had reached her majority in March past, she no longer needed her father's permission, however if William…Mr Darcy proposed to her as she hoped he would, she would have him seek Papa's permission and blessing.

She still missed Janey every day, but it was no longer a dull ache in her heart. As she had advised her family shortly after returning from Derbyshire, her thoughts of her late sister were the positive ones. A few days before her birthday, Elizabeth had made her way to the summit of Oakham Mount. She had been telling Jane all about her feelings for Mr Darcy. When she had asked if Jane approved, an unexpected gust of wind had blown into her face. Elizabeth had been sure it had been Janey expressing her approbation.

The day on which Elizabeth and her sisters had thrown off the muted colours of half mourning, their parents had begun their own period of half mourning. Thinking of her parents made Elizabeth smile. With all of the changes which had been made, one of the greatest was the genuine affection between them. In fact, that change had led to a most unexpected consequence. Her mother was increasing again! Evidently it was not an unheard of occurrence among ladies who had recently turned forty. Mama had felt the quickening at the beginning of the month.

All thoughts of Mama's and Papa's blessing evaporated when Messrs Fitzwilliam and Darcy were shown into the drawing room. The former approached Mary and led her to, appropriately, the parlour which contained the pianoforte.

Darcy approached the woman of his dreams. "Unless you have changed your mind, would you do me the great honour of joining me in the east parlour?" he requested.

Afraid she would be incoherent if she tried to reply, Elizabeth simply nodded her assent. As soon as he had closed the door most of the way, much to her joy, Mr Darcy dropped to one knee, and took one of her hands into each of his own. His piercing blue eyes looked up at her intently.

"Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, I kneel before you with a very important question, one I have been dreaming of asking you since I realised that my heart belonged to you alone. I will not waste your time asking for a courtship as we both know that whether we call it friendship or anything else, we have been courting for many months. My heart has become irrevocably yours. Elizabeth, the six months since your most beloved sister's passing have only deepened my love for you.

"To my unending joy, you had already completely captured my heart before that worst of days when your sister was taken from you and your family. There are so many reasons my heart settled on you as the partner of my future life, chief among them was the care and love you demonstrated for your ailing sister. You are the most selfless and compassionate woman I have ever known.

"That would have been enough, but added to that, your character is above reproach, you are good, kind, and worthy of the highest praise. You grow more beautiful each time I see you and your magnificent emerald-green eyes have long captivated me. I have no desire to be anywhere except by your side. You see before you a man who is without hope unless you consent to become my wife, for only you can complete me. My dearest, loveliest, beloved Elizabeth, I love you with every part of me. With every beat of my heart, with every breath that I take, I become more and more yours. I am yours mind, body, and soul. You are my soul mate, my heart, and my life. My dearest Elizabeth, will you marry me?"

Tears of happiness ran down Elizabeth's cheeks as she heard the words she had dreamed of hearing. Before she gave Mr Darcy…William… the answer they both craved, she lifted her eyes to the heavens. ‘ You see, Janey, I kept my word, I opened my heart to love .' Even though the window was securely shut, Elizabeth could swear she saw the curtains move as if being blown. She saw that as a prompt to make her reply and not keep William in suspense any longer.

"It may not be for as long as you have loved me, but I find I love you with the brightness of a thousand suns," Elizabeth began to reply. "So yes, William, over and over again, yes, I will marry you."

Hearing the answer he had dreamed of receiving, Darcy practically sprung up to stand in front of his fiancée, never relinquishing her hands. Even though no one had imposed a limit of time on them, Darcy did not want to take advantage and begin his entry into the family by overstepping.

Elizabeth's head was angled up and her eyes closed when she felt the pressure of his lips on hers. They were so much softer than she had imagined, and, many more times than she would admit, she had thought of what being kissed by William would be like. Rather than pull back, the kisses became more insistent, and each one deepened until she felt his tongue on her lips. Instinctively, she knew to part her lips. The reality was so much better than anything she had imagined.

By now she was gripping the lapels of his jacket for all she was worth as frissons of pleasure travelled throughout her body while her heartbeat and rate of breathing sped up considerably.

Like all good things, their interlude had to come to an end. Not ready to trust her legs, Elizabeth still gripped William's jacket. All too soon he took two steps back, and she discovered she was able to support herself. "I think I need to go to your father before I lose all control," Darcy stated, his breath still ragged from the flood of passion they had just shared.

Not ready to speak yet, Elizabeth nodded. When they exited the parlour, Mary and Richard were leaving the music parlour. Judging by the beatific smile on her sister's face, the stupid grin on the former Colonel's face, and the swollen lips both sported, the results of that interview had been as satisfactory as her own.

The cousins headed for the study and after hugging one another, the newly engaged sisters entered the drawing room.