Netherfield
Dressed in Darcy’s greatcoat, hat, and gloves, Elizabeth dashed down the stairs to retrieve Bart. Unfortunately, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst met her in the hall. “Oh, Mr Darcy, my sister and I are in desperate need of your advice. We are certain Charles will be in town much longer than he supposes and are considering returning to Grosvenor.”
Under no circumstances would Elizabeth allow these two women to drag her into their schemes or dissuade her from her resolve to see Darcy. “I have an important errand that cannot wait. We shall discuss this further upon my return,” she said in a commanding tone. Before they could argue to the contrary, she hastened through the vestibule and out the door. Jimmy and Bart awaited her at the front entrance, and she quickly mounted and set off for Longbourn.
Despite Elizabeth’s calm exterior, dread consumed her. After Miss Bingley’s and Mrs Hurst’s numerous hints about returning to town, there could be no doubt of their intention to leave Netherfield with all due haste. Time was running out, and without a new plan, Elizabeth would have no choice but to go with them. Netherfield had been her safe haven while she impersonated Darcy, but if she were forced to leave, London would surely lead to her downfall. The consequences of being separated from Darcy were too terrible to imagine, and she desperately hoped he would know how to proceed.
When she reached Meryton Road, she observed Mrs Morgan sitting alone on a bench in the village square. Recalling her previous encounter with the elderly woman and her perplexing warning, she dismounted and tied Bart’s reins to a post.
Mrs Morgan sadly shook her head. “You have yet to be true to yourself,” she said with despairing eyes.
Elizabeth sat beside the sweet lady she had known her entire life. “What do you mean, Mrs Morgan?”
“You are at a crossroads, my child, and must make a choice,” she said in a solemn tone.
Why must she always resort to clichés? “Can you not speak plainly?” Elizabeth inquired.
Mrs Morgan pressed a hand to her chest. “What is in your heart? Surely, you cannot find your way until you find your truth.”
“What is my truth?” Elizabeth said, now more confused than ever.
“You must search inside yourself for the answer.” Leaning on her walking stick, Mrs Morgan rose, hobbled towards the butcher shop, and disappeared inside.
Puzzled by this exchange, Elizabeth wondered what the old widow had meant. Was she the ancient prattler she had always suspected, or was she an insightful sage, spreading bits of wisdom to everyone who crossed her path?
What is my truth? What choice must I make? Closing her eyes, Darcy’s image appeared strong, confident, and undeniably handsome, just as she had seen him in the looking glass these past ten days. If she was being honest, he had not been far from her mind since she had gone to Netherfield a fortnight ago.
Truthfully, she had admired Darcy from the onset of their acquaintance, but the misunderstandings between them seemed impossible to overcome. However, by switching places with him, she gained new insight into his character, and her perception of him had improved. Not only did she admire him, but she also relied on him and enjoyed their brief time together. She treasured those stolen minutes with him in the pine copse. She had thought of nothing else during the four days they had been separated. To lose him would be unfathomable.
She gasped upon opening her eyes. She knew without question that Fitzwilliam Darcy was in her heart; however, believing that propriety prevented her from revealing her affections, she had kept those feelings to herself. Not once had she allowed any hint of her regard to escape.
How could she return to the life she knew before the switch or pass her days idly by while he went off to marry someone else? She could never find a man more suited to her than Darcy. Could the fates be so unkind as to lead her to this man and then take him away? How would she bear the sorrow if he disappeared from her life forever? The prospect left a hollow feeling in her chest. Did this empty ache prove that he belonged in her heart?
She untied Bart and mounted. “Let us find our truth, my fine fellow,” she said, then headed towards the lane. Upon her arrival at Longbourn, she handed Bart’s reins to Martin, who spoke in soothing tones to the stallion as they walked to the stables. She boldly strode to her own front door and impatiently waited for Mr Hill to answer the bell.
When the door opened, she pressed a coin into her beloved butler’s hand. “Please tell Miss Elizabeth that I must speak with her immediately. I shall await her in the sun parlour,” she said, then strode off without waiting for his reply. No fire burned in the grate, but the chilly room would have to do. To prevent her hands from betraying her jitters, she clasped them behind her back while she waited.
When Darcy entered the parlour, he exhaled as though in relief. “Thank God you are here. I would have come to you, but I could not get away,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her tightly. “I never wish to be parted from you again.”
“Nor I,” she said, breathing in his lavender-scented hair. “I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
Reaching up on his toes, he pressed his lips to hers. Her heart pounded as she clung to him, hungry for more. When his tongue met hers and led her in a sultry dance, the familiar stirring returned, which she did not find altogether objectionable.
“My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, I love you,” he murmured, kissing her more fervently.
If Elizabeth had opened her eyes, she might have seen the open window, the flash of light, and rush of smoke swirling around her and Darcy, and the glowing fire in the grate. However, with their lips colliding and tongues dancing, she was lost to all reason. The intoxicating sensation of his strong arms wrapped around her, and his body pressed against hers was everything her hopeful heart craved.
Pausing to take a breath, she briefly peeked at him, and instead of gazing into her own face, she saw Darcy’s handsome mien. He lifted her off her feet and fervently kissed her like a man possessed.
~ ~ ~
Locked in a passionate embrace with lovely Elizabeth, Darcy cared only for the thrilling sensation of her soft body pressed against his. While holding her closer, he explored her sensuous mouth, unable to get enough of the woman he loved. Now that his manhood had been fully restored, he silently vowed to never deny her again.
“Unhand my daughter this instant.” Mr Bennet stood in the doorway, his face red and eyes flaring with fire, while Mr Collins hovered behind him with an air of righteous indignation. “I will speak with you in my study, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet said in a commanding voice.
Having finally found his heart’s desire, Darcy refused to release her. Clinging to her hands, he dropped to one knee. “Miss Elizabeth, will you do me the honour of accepting my hand?”
Elizabeth burst into joyous tears. “Yes, Mr Darcy, yes.” After gratefully kissing her hands, he rose, ready to do everything necessary to secure her father’s consent.
Still scowling, Mr Bennet stood aside. “Lizzy, go upstairs to your mother this instant.” He waited for Elizabeth to step into the hall, then gestured for Darcy to precede him.
Collins followed them into the study. “I must protest in the strongest possible terms, Mr Bennet. My proposal must take precedence,” he said in a disgruntled tone.
“How so? Miss Elizabeth rejected your offer,” Darcy said, even though he had refused on Elizabeth’s behalf.
“No,” Collins firmly retorted. “She was merely being a female. I can still persuade her to accept me.”
This humble parson has an uncommonly high opinion of his appeal, Darcy thought. “No one shall marry Miss Elizabeth but me,” he said decisively.
Collins narrowed his eyes. “Lady Catherine shall most certainly forbid it. You are pledged to Miss de Bourgh.”
Darcy clenched his jaw at this flagrant falsehood. “You are mistaken. Despite my aunt’s delusions, she has no control over my personal affairs.”
Collins gasped as though affronted. “This is beyond all bounds,” he said, then stalked off.
Mr Bennet closed the door and fixed a hardened glare on Darcy. “Is it true that you have no prior commitment to Miss de Bourgh?”
“My aunt has long desired the match, but I am under no obligation to marry my cousin.”
Although Mr Bennet’s ire seemed to have receded, his pointed glare reflected his lingering disfavour. “Shall I assume that your opinion of my daughter’s beauty has changed since you first came to the neighbourhood?”
The gentleman deserved a complete explanation—or at least an abridged version. “I have since come to realise the folly of that opinion and now regard Miss Elizabeth as one of the most handsome women of my acquaintance. Beyond her appearance, she outshines every woman I know and is the only one I wish to spend my life with.”
“Indeed, everyone is aware of Lizzy’s stellar character, and I am delighted you have finally come to your senses,” he said without a trace of levity. “But perhaps you might explain your reason for taking liberties with my daughter before offering your hand.”
Since Darcy had indeed abandoned all reason while kissing Elizabeth, he had no justifiable answer to this grievance. “I beg your pardon for neglecting propriety; however, I was caught up with such powerful emotions, I was helpless to prevent it.”
Mr Bennet nodded thoughtfully. “I trust you will endeavour to restrain these overwhelming forces from taking further liberties with her until after the wedding.”
Properly chastised, Darcy assured the gentleman that he would be on his best behaviour.
***
After Darcy had gone off with her father, Elizabeth murmured a short prayer of thanks for finally being restored to her own form. She had not lost Fitzwilliam as she had feared, and they would be together forever. She raced up the stairs and found her mother lying on her bed, fanning her face.
“Look what you have done to me, you wicked child. I have such pains in my side and spasms all over me. I shall have no rest tonight, of that I am certain.”
Elizabeth had not seen her mother since last night at supper and could not imagine what Darcy had done to cause such distress. “I am betrothed to Mr Darcy, Mama,” she said, attempting to alleviate her pain.
Mrs Bennet moaned and pressed a trembling hand to her forehead. “How can you trifle with your poor mama?”
Elizabeth sat on the bed. “Mr Darcy proposed, I accepted, and he is now in Papa’s study.”
Mama’s hands went still. “Mr Darcy? Here? With your papa?”
“Yes, Mama,” she said, then took the fan from her mother’s hand and continued fanning her face.
Mrs Bennet draped her arm over her eyes. “I shall not believe you. No one would wish to marry such a disagreeable man.”
“No, Mama, Mr Darcy is the best man I know,” she said, hoping to disabuse her mother of that notion.
She blinked, stared, then bolted upright. “Can it be true? You and Mr Darcy are engaged to be married?”
Elizabeth nodded in earnest. “Papa caught us kissing and thought Mr Darcy had compromised me, but I assure you he did not kiss me against my will. In all honesty, I kissed him first,” she said, which was not entirely untrue since Darcy had kissed her when he was Lizzy. “I wanted to kiss him, more than anything in the world.”
Mrs Bennet groaned in disapproval. “Have you no care for your sisters, Lizzy? How shall I persuade Mr Collins to marry one of them now?”
Elizabeth doubted any of her sisters would wish to marry Mr Collins but suspected her mother needed more convincing. “Tell me, Mama, if you had to decide between kissing Mr Collins or Mr Darcy, which one would you choose?” she said in a teasing tone.
Mrs Bennet’s shoulders relaxed. “I see your point, my dear. Mr Darcy is a fine figure of a man.”
“He has turned my world upside down.”
“Well, then, you have chosen wisely and shall be a grand lady with jewels and carriages, and such pin money,” Mama said, throwing her arms around Elizabeth. “Gracious heavens and all the stars above. Mr Collins is nothing compared to Darcy. Ten thousand a year and likely more, a country estate, a house in town. I am all aflutter.”
Elizabeth wondered if the dreaded heir had proposed, and Darcy had refused him on her behalf, causing her mother’s distress. She hoped to steal a moment alone with Darcy and discuss the morning’s events.
Betsy appeared to summon Elizabeth to the study, and they all descended the stairs together. Elizabeth found her father pacing the floor. “My dear girl, what can you mean by accepting such a disagreeable fellow?” he said with a troubled mien. “You must know that I would have supported you against your mama’s complaints, as I have done with Mr Collins.”
This confirmed her suspicions that Darcy had refused Collins for her. “I do know, Papa, but I could want nothing more than to marry Mr Darcy.”
“He is rich, to be sure, but I know you can never be happy unless you really esteem your husband.”
“I love Mr Darcy, Papa. He is not the least disagreeable.”
“How is this possible? I have not heard you say one word in his favour since he came to the neighbourhood.”
Elizabeth now wished she had never voiced any complaints against Darcy. “No, but only because I was unsure of his affections. I know I did not used to like him, but I have recently seen a whole new side of him and now consider him the best, most honourable of men.”
His expression remained grim. “I can see you are determined to have him, so I shall not dispute you. However, despite his apparent devotion to you, I am convinced he does not deserve you.”
“I shall not say that he is without fault, Papa, but neither am I. Yet, despite our imperfections, I believe we shall get on splendidly together.”
“I sincerely hope you will, Lizzy, and shall say no more except to express my sincere gratitude for putting Mr Collins all out of countenance,” he said with a teasing smirk. He kissed her forehead, and as she left the study, she heard him chuckle to himself.
***
Darcy paced alone in the hall as he waited for Elizabeth to emerge from the study. Did Mr Bennet hope to dissuade her from marrying him? He had shown little enthusiasm for the match, but surely, he did not mean to oppose them, did he?
Although Darcy had regained his original identity, he was not the same man he once was. Now free of his former prejudices, he had a better understanding of those outside his sphere. His eyes had been opened, now awake to a side of life he had never known and assumed was beneath him. What’s more, he finally realised that he no longer wished to marry an heiress or a peer’s daughter or advance his standing in the world through marriage. He wanted the love of a good woman; Elizabeth was his destiny.
When she appeared wearing a jubilant smile, he knew they had prevailed. Pulling her into the sun parlour, he tenderly kissed her hands. “Nothing shall ever separate us again,” he said, relieved to be near her. “I am in disgrace with your father who believes I have compromised you.”
“He questioned my choice, but I assured him that I have completely reversed my former complaints against you and willingly accepted you.”
“We have much to discuss, but I suspect you long to see Jane.” She eagerly agreed. “Come, let us find her,” he said, then escorted her into the drawing-room, where they found Mrs Bennet with her daughters and Charlotte Lucas. Elizabeth embraced her elder sister, whispered into her ear, and hugged her younger sisters and closest friend.
Darcy approached Mrs Bennet, who glowed with pleasure. “My dear Mrs Bennet, your husband has given me his consent to marry your excellent daughter, but I cannot be content unless you also grant yours.”
She twittered with delight, seeming to have forgotten her ire for his refusal of Collins’s offer this past hour. “You may marry my Lizzy with my warmest blessings, Mr Darcy.”
Although the lady had expressed quite the opposite opinion of him last night at supper, he bowed in deference to her. “Thank you, madam. I feared I had poisoned you against me with my comments at the assembly. You must now know, I never meant it and beg your forgiveness.”
She withdrew her fan and unfurled it. “Of course, Mr Darcy,” she said as her curls fluttered around her face. “Anyone can see that my Lizzy is a rare beauty.”
“Indeed, she is, inside and out,” he said, sitting beside Elizabeth.
Collins entered the parlour with a sour expression, and Mrs Bennet cheerfully gestured to an empty chair. “Mr Collins, come and sit beside Mary,” she said in a lilting voice. “You know that my middle daughter is a highly accomplished and deeply devout young woman, perfectly suited to a man in your profession.”
Suppressing the urge to laugh, Darcy clenched his jaw. Apparently, Mrs Bennet still harboured hopes of securing the heir for one of her daughters.
Mary blushed brightly at this suggestion, while Mr Collins scowled. “I shall not be fooled again, madam. First you said your eldest daughter’s affections had already been secured, and recommended your second daughter. Yet, when I offered for her, she rejected me and within minutes accepted another man. Now you offer a third daughter, even though Miss Bennet is still not betrothed. I have been maliciously deceived and usurped.”
Mrs Bennet stammered but did not attempt to refute these claims. Although Jane’s face flushed with pink at this disgruntled speech, Darcy could not regret that the insipid heir had been thwarted. He stared into the fire as it crackled and sparked in the hearth, and the clock ticked on the mantle, daring not to meet Elizabeth’s eye for fear of laughing aloud.
Finally, Charlotte broke the awkward silence. “Perhaps you might do with a change of scene, Mr Collins,” she said. “Would you care to dine at Lucas Lodge this evening?”
“Thank you, Miss Lucas. I shall be pleased to dine with your family. If you will excuse me, I have correspondence to attend to,” Collins said, then turned on his heel and left the room.
Mrs Bennet released a beleaguered sigh. “I suppose it is for the best if you take charge of Mr Collins’s entertainment this evening, Charlotte. He may be angry now, but after a night of reflection, he shall see reason,” she said, then turned her attention to Darcy. “You will stay for supper, will you not, Mr Darcy?”
Grateful for the invitation, Darcy bowed his head. “With the greatest pleasure, Mrs Bennet.” He planned to spend every possible moment with Elizabeth.