Chapter 11

11

E lizabeth reached for Fitzwilliam’s hand under the dining table. Entwining their fingers, she leaned toward him.

“Your sister is lovely, and your cousin is an interesting man.”

His look of pleasure with her observation rendered him even more handsome than usual.

“Both of those comments are true. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner will always be welcome to join us here or in Town,” he replied.

“Thank you very much. As you are aware, they mean the world to me.”

The colonel abruptly cleared his throat, capturing everyone’s attention. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Georgiana, you might be under the impression that Darcy’s affections were recently engaged. However, I tell you that this is not the case.”

“Richard,” Darcy warned, although his cheerful expression countered his words.

“I was unaware of what happened in Hertfordshire until after his accident in Kent. During his fevered days and nights, he spoke of Miss Elizabeth often. In his dreams, he called for her. Through his darkest days, when we feared for his life, she was the beacon that kept him alive. Therefore, I honor you, Elizabeth Bennet, soon-to-be Mrs. Darcy. I am proud that soon you shall be my cousin by marriage and my partner in crime to torment and tease Darcy forever more.”

“Accepted, Colonel.”

Georgiana spoke next. “Welcome to the family, Miss Bennet.”

This time, Darcy addressed the group. “Thank you, Georgiana. And Richard, you should fear the secrets I could share. That is all I will say to you right now.” Elizabeth enjoyed seeing the two men together. Neither acted superior to the other. Instead, their relationship was built on familial love and respect. “However, you have the cart before the horse because I have yet to propose to Elizabeth. This means that she has not yet responded. Because the process needs to be done in private, I will not officially ask to marry her in my dining room. Instead, I will choose the time and the place. What I would accept are some recommendations, if you please?”

A moment of silence was broken when everyone began speaking at once.

Her uncle said, “I almost died from a heart attack trying to reach the top of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. Please do not make me try again. Possibly somewhere close would be in order?”

Aunt Gardiner agreed. “Neither should you descend into Poole’s Cavern. Feeling closed in between the stalactites, I could not breathe. Lizzy was enamored of the gardens at Matlock and Chatsworth. We saw a lovely area next to the house as we were arriving that is particularly beautiful.”

Darcy’s cousin volunteered his opinion. “If you ask me, the most romantic place you could propose is in Pemberley’s kitchen. You could have Cook set out a row of fruit tarts between you, then offer to share them for the rest of your life.” He patted his stomach. “I would marry a woman who appreciated a good pastry.”

After the laughter quieted, Miss Darcy said, “I would hope that the man I fell in love with would propose to me by the fountain in the center of the rose garden. Mama designed the planting, and Papa liked to take me there during the summer months. He would sit on the bench with me and tell me about their courtship and the early years of their marriage. I always think of love when I picture the garden in my mind, especially when I am not at Pemberley.”

“I did not know this, Poppet. I am very glad that you shared this with us. I will not only remember Mother and Father at the fountain, but I will also think of you.”

Miss Darcy blushed.

The warmth of Darcy’s gaze when he looked at his sister lit Elizabeth’s heart. When he turned his eyes on her, his heat melted any reservations she had left over from their early acquaintance. He burned for her as she did for him.

The hour was late. Pemberley was finally quiet.

Darcy sipped the cognac he brought from London. Stretching out his leg, he rubbed at the flesh around his knee. He should not have volunteered to give Elizabeth and the Gardiners a private tour of the family areas of the house. He was suffering for his lack of modesty. Mrs. Reynolds was ready to take his place, but he wanted to show Elizabeth the best that Pemberley had to offer.

What a day it had been. Despite the sunlight breaking over a glorious Derbyshire summer morning, Darcy’s attitude was dismal. Then, a miracle happened. Elizabeth arrived, bringing with her happiness and joy.

Rubbing his hand over his mouth, he worried that events moved too quickly throughout the day and that she was overwhelmed. He loved her with his whole heart. Could she possibly love him in return?Or could she be fearful of asking him to wait? To court her properly instead of being rushed by the pressure of his family and hers to accept him prematurely?

“Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth walked confidently into the room. “Why are you not sleeping?”

“I could ask the same of you.”

“You could, of course.”

He struggled to stand.

“No, stay, please. I shall sit next to you if you do not mind.”

He continued to rise, using one of his canes and the arm of the chair. “I do mind. If I sit for too long, my leg gets stiff and too painful to move. If I am to stroll in the rose garden like Georgiana suggested, then I need strength and flexibility to be mobile.”

When she stood in front of him, he placed one hand on her shoulder. Resting the cane against the chair, he put his free hand on the other side.

“My cousin interrupted us earlier.”

“He did.” She looked up at him expectantly. “You asked me if, during all the months since Kent, ever I thought of you. As you know, yes, I did. Constantly.”

He gently brushed the side of her neck with his thumb. “Do you have anything you would like to ask of me?”

“I do. I was wondering how Mrs. Reynolds knew about me and why she was in a hurry to bring me to you.”

He eased. This was a question he had no difficulty answering.

“As Richard mentioned during dinner, I dreamt of you. If you could imagine my aunt Catherine’s reaction when she heard me repeat your name while recovering at Rosings, then you would know why you heard nothing of my illness. You see, she feared that my attachment to you would prevent me from offering marriage to my cousin, Anne. Therefore, she paid out large sums to guarantee that no one, not even her ridiculous clergyman, who was married to your friend, Mrs. Collins, would know the true state of my affairs. During the second week of my fever, she coerced her quack of a doctor to give me too much laudanum, enough to render me insensible. Richard happened to overhear her plans to bring in an unethical clergyman to marry me to her daughter while unconscious. Before an hour passed, he had carried me to my coach so we could leave for London. I owe Richard everything.”

“As do I.”

“By the time we arrived at Darcy House, my fever worsened. My housekeeper there, Mrs. Davis, wisely removed the servants from the family wing so that no one heard me pleading for you. Unbeknownst to me, she wrote to Mrs. Reynolds, asking what could be done to find this Elizabeth. Since your given name is not particularly uncommon, Pemberley’s housekeeper had no idea to whom I referred. It was not until later that Mrs. Davis asked Richard. From then on, they both were on the lookout for one Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Reynolds probably hired an express rider to send a note to Mrs. Davis that you had finally been found.”

“I am deeply saddened that you suffered so much, Fitzwilliam. At the same time, it is a lovely tale that I shall never forget.”

“Elizabeth, I apologize for the scene with Miss Bingley today. My error was ignoring her complaints against you in Hertfordshire. As a gentleman, I should have spoken up for you. Bingley did, you know.”

Her shoulders tensed. “Why did you refrain, if I might ask?”

He sighed. “The truth is that I already felt the danger of you. Had I suddenly started defending you, she would have known. I did slip and confess that I thought you had fine eyes and a beautiful face. The teasing after was relentless.”

“I see. So…you like my eyes?” Her lashes fluttered.

“I think I pretty much like everything about you, my dear lady.”

The rosy hue of her cheeks served to brighten his favorite features. “I thank you, sir.” Rubbing her hand up and down his forearm, she asked, “To be fair, do you have any questions for me?”

“I do.” He took a moment to formulate his words. “Do you think you could love a man who may never be able to dance or ride or climb Mam Tor or Kinder Scout?”

“I do.” Her hands moved in the other direction until they were atop his shoulders. When her fingers brushed the back of his neck, he feared his knees would no longer hold him.

“Do you love me now?”

“Yes, I do. Most assuredly.” Tipping her head to the side, she asked without hesitating, “Do you?”

“Unequivocally, yes. My darling, I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words. Whether it was at Netherfield Park or Rosings, I do not know. It has been far too long since I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I would have no other as my wife. I love you.”

Every ounce of affection was poured into their kiss. She made him feel alive, capable of amazing feats. She warmed him and soothed him from his head to his toes.

When the need to breathe separated them, he said, “Although you already own my heart, I will not offer you my hand tonight, Elizabeth. The hour is late, and my drawing room is not the setting I want you to remember when we are old and gray. Thus, be prepared for tomorrow, my lady.”

She sighed against his lips. “I will.” Stepping back, her arms fell to her side. “Goodnight, Fitzwilliam.”

The hardest thing he had ever done was to let her go. “Rest well, my love.”

Elizabeth unfolded the note that Mrs. Reynolds delivered early in the morning.

My darling,

Meet me in the rose garden by the fountain.

FD

Hurrying to ready herself, Elizabeth could not believe how broad her grin was when she glanced in the mirror. She looked ridiculous!

The housekeeper guided her through narrow passageways until they reached a door. “The path to the rose garden is just beyond. When you get to the border, face the sun and walk until you see the master. He will be waiting for you.”

Trying to slow her steps was impossible. Within minutes, she saw him standing in front of a statue of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

The pain on his face vanished at the sight of her. No matter what happened on this day, Elizabeth needed to remember that putting weight on his leg was misery to him.

“Come with me.” Extending his hand, she eagerly joined her palm to his.

His steps were slow. She was awed that he had walked so far for her.

They were almost to the far border when he stopped. There, the ground had been freshly turned. On the edge of the garden was a basket filled with cut blooms. The fragrance wafted up to her. The roses were glorious. Next to the basket was a lone plant with wispy roots at the bottom.

“This shall be our rose, Elizabeth, our portion of Pemberley that belongs solely to us. We will nurture our love here so that it grows stronger and heartier than the tall oaks in the forest.”

He was so sweet. And so handsome. And manly. And romantic!

“What is the rose called?”

“I did not think to ask. But what he told me was that this particular flower has thrived in Derbyshire for centuries. This will be our future, Elizabeth, our heritage rose.”

Carefully leaning down, he pulled a bud from the basket. Standing erect to hand it to her, he moved far too quickly. First, he swayed, then his arms flailed. Grabbing him around the middle, she threw her weight back, throwing them both off balance. They landed hard on the soft earth.

“Elizabeth! Are you…?”

She laughed from her position under him, his weight uncomfortable but not unpleasant. “My dear man, will we ever be able to remain on our feet when we are around each other? Or will we continue to fall?”

Poking his elbows into the dirt, he framed her face with both large hands. “I have fallen for you, Elizabeth. I love you dearly. Marry me, Elizabeth?”

Never could she have imagined a more romantic proposal. There was only one answer. “Since I truly fell for you those many months ago, I can only say, yes, I would love to marry you.”