| |
WHEN CAPTAIN FITZWILLIAM's airship returned, it cast a massive shadow on Pemberley's sprawling garden. Elisander and Matthew were outside, pacing in circles, holding tense breaths and hoping for their brother's return. Mrs. Bennet might have been with them, but when she learned of her son's disappearance, she insisted, “it will all work out for the best” and went back to reading her newspaper.
The airship touched ground, and seconds later, their youngest brother skipped down the gangplank. Elisander assumed by his exuberance that he had good news to share. However, he did not care to hear from Lachlan until a proper tongue lashing was given.
“Lachlan!” Elisander's disapproving tone warned of an impending lecture. “Lachlan, how dare you! Do you have any idea how much you've made us worry? Have you no regard for the damage you might have done to your reputation... or to ours?”
“Spare me, Elisander. Disappointment in our actions has already been thoroughly expressed by Captain Fitzwilliam. If you continue to scold me, you will only be repeating what has already been said! Instead, let me focus on the positive outcome of this ordeal.” When Lachlan glanced over his shoulder and saw Georgiana heading toward him, a smile exploded across his youthful face. “Miss Fitzwilliam and I are to be married.”
“Married?” Matthew gasped. “So... I am to lose you already?”
“You will not lose me, Matthew. Our brotherly bond is too strong to be altered by distance!” Lachlan promised him. “I beg you to be happy for me, for my heart has never felt lighter! Georgiana is my joy, and if you spend a moment with us, I am sure you will realize we are meant to be together.”
Matthew responded with a snort. He was so selfishly attached to his younger brother, he could not bring himself to congratulate him. However, Elisander said, “If you are happy, Lachlan, I am happy as well. Georgiana is a lovely girl, I'm sure, and I look forward to getting to know her.”
As soon as Captain Fitzwilliam appeared on the gangplank, Elisander colored to such a shade, he could no longer hide her effect on him. The blushing Bennet greeted her with a cordial smile and a grateful nod.
“I look forward to getting to know you as well,” Georgiana echoed Elisander's sentiment. “I look forward to getting to know all of Lachlan's brothers. He has nothing but great things to say about all of you.”
“Father will be happy...” Matthew quietly grumbled. “With two sons about to be married, his face will be flooded with joyful tears.”
“Two sons married, three to go,” Lachlan pointed out as he wandered away with Georgiana and Matthew. Their voices receded, but Elisander could still hear his brother's next remark. “I never expected to be one of the first... and I'll be the luckiest by far...”
Elisander's head shook as he listened to Lachlan's fading words. His eyes found Darcy, who held his gaze most intently. Captain Fitzwilliam deserved nothing but gratitude, but his low courage had stilled his tongue.
So it was Darcy who spoke next. “I apologize on my sister's behalf, Mr. Bennet. I always believed Georgiana was a sensible girl, but her actions proved otherwise. A young man's reputation is fragile, and I expected her to know that. With any luck, an expedited marriage will satisfy any wagging tongues... if, in fact, any tongues wag at all. I caught up to Wickham as quickly as I could. Not many will know of Georgiana and Lachlan's intentions.”
When he found the courage to speak, Elisander said, “I don't expect the damage will be too great. And you mustn't apologize! I am only disappointed in Lachlan's thoughtlessness, so let me thank you, on behalf of my family, for your efforts to rectify his mistake. You have spared us many mortifications, I am sure.”
“If you will thank me,” she replied, “let it be for yourself alone. While I have great respect for your family, my hasty actions were solely inspired by you. When I rushed off after your brother, only you were on my mind, Elisander Bennet.”
Elisander was too embarrassed to respond to such a sentiment, so he suggested a turn around the garden instead. It was hardly an appropriate time to gawk at flowers, but his racing heart required a momentary distraction.
As they turned along a cobbled path, Darcy breathlessly studied his features. With his chestnut hair and full, moist lips, how did she ever think he was anything less than a breathtaking sight to behold? Not handsome enough to tempt me. Her old opinion stuck in her mind. It was baffling to think she had ever uttered such words and believed them.
“Mr. Bennet...” she started, “Elisander?”
Elisander paused to admire a patch of motley daffodils. It was easier to watch their sway than to meet the lady's gaze. His voice crackled as he uttered a single word. “Yes?”
“After everything I have said and done to offend you, you are far too generous to waste your time with me,” Darcy began, “If your feelings are still what they were at Rosings, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged. My heart wants no other husband. I will only mention this once and never again. Tell me you do not feel as I do, and you will silence me on the subject forever.”
Elisander, despite his awkwardness, forced himself to speak, though not as eloquently as he might have hoped. “Your silence on the subject is hardly what I desire, my lady. My feelings have undergone such an unimaginable change, I barely recognize my own heart anymore.”
Had he been able to glance in Darcy's direction, he would have been treated to a rare sight. Delight transformed every inch of the captain's usually stoic face.
“So... does this mean you now accept my proposal?” Darcy asked, and when she did not hear a response straightaway, a whimper slipped from her throat. “I beg you not to leave me in suspense, Elisander. Another second of silence might be the death of me!”
“I accept,” Elisander said, ending her misery. “I accept your proposal, Darcy. Nothing in this world would make me happier than to be your husband.”
They walked on, without knowing in what direction, and both of them blushing. When Darcy reached for his hand, Elisander's face was swallowed in scarlet.
“When I recall everything I have said to you, it shames me,” Darcy confessed. “In fact, nothing shames me more. I was unfair to you and your family. I made inexcusable remarks about your low birth while failing to recognize the high regard in which I held you. Can you forgive me for being so close-minded and crass?”
Elisander lightly squeezed her hand. “If I did not forgive you, Captain, I would not have accepted your proposal.”
“Good.” A relieved sigh poured from her lips. “You challenge me to be better, Elisander. I believed I was a woman of good principles, but I allowed myself to be driven by pride and conceit. I've been selfish and overbearing. From eight to eight and twenty, my character did not change. If not for you, I might have been this way forever.”
“I hope you do not change too much.” When Elisander finally forced himself to glance in her direction, his smile was mischievous. “A part of me likes the way you are. You were a challenge. You were a difficult woman to impress, and now that I know that I have impressed you... how can I not be proud of such an accomplishment?”
“Ah, so now you will be the prideful one?” Darcy teased him.
“If you were mine, Captain, I would have every right to be the proudest man in the world.” Elisander slid closer to her, closing what little gap was still between them. When he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, she felt a shiver in her spine. “Will you let me kiss you?”
Darcy lost the battle against her smile. He had defeated her utterly. As Elisander's thumb brushed her cheekbone, her lips were conquered by an unstoppable grin. “Should it not be the lady who asks for a kiss?”
“It doesn't have to be.” As he whispered the words, Elisander brought his mouth even closer to Darcy's. His breaths were heavy as he waited for approval.
At long last, Darcy gave him a tiny nod. Her fingers tightened around his, anticipating his lips.
When Elisander finally kissed her, her heart prickled with such bliss, an eternity at his side was painfully insufficient.