Chapter 14

Day 17

When Darcy awoke the next morning he heard the unmistakable sound of a crackling fire and quickly arose to find Elizabeth smiling up at him from over a jug of steaming water. A delightful smell filled the air, a familiar aroma that Darcy had almost forgotten.

"Good morning, Miss Bennet. Is that… tea?" Darcy asked, not quite believing it.

Laughing lightly Elizabeth answered, "I believe so. Although I've made tea many times before, it was never in these conditions and never with so little ingredients. I will only venture so far as to call it 'tea-like' and would caution you not to think more of it." Reaching behind her for the glass she gestured toward the water jug. "Would you help pour it please? There are some rags there to protect your hands."

"Of course."

Once he held the hot glass in his hand, Darcy was able to examine the pale colored water. "May I ask, what is in it?" the trepidation unmistakable in his voice.

"Well, there is mint aplenty on this island, I am sure you could not miss it. I also used the seeds and pits of a few types of fruit. Unfortunately that is all. There is no Rosehip or tea leaves that I can see. I thought perhaps if I could not make 'tea' I might make something that reminds us of it. We have very little here that reminds us of home."

"I cannot agree with you there, madam," Darcy replied with the corners of his mouth turned slightly upward as he brought the glass to his lips, his eyes focused on hers. Elizabeth tried to keep her anticipation veiled behind feigned shock at his words but when he brought the glass down she could not restrain herself.

"Well?"

"It is very good. Perhaps not very strong, but much better than plain water. I am very happy for the change, thank you for this. Have you had some?"

"Yes I have. I had to test it to make sure it was not poisonous."

"Ah! How very gallant of you! And what should you have done if it was?"

Her lips pressed in an impertinent smile, Elizabeth turned her head slightly to the side before answering, "Why, I would have surely died of course!"

"It would have been a pity, I think, to have to bury you. I am not fond of digging holes. I dug that trench there for your wall and I was quite fatigued after that. And of course, there would be that matter of me being all alone and missing you. All that pain and toil for the sake of tea, it is a wonder you took the risk." Darcy was sitting next to her now, watching her reaction and waiting patiently to change the subject

"I'm an Englishwoman. It is universally acknowledged that one's tea defines your character. Therefore I must endeavor to improve upon what I have begun this morning, no matter the risk to your state of sorrow. I will not be known for serving weak tea."

"May I say, Elizabeth, that the strength of your tea reflects nothing on your character, but your determination for its creation does. I cannot help but admire you for your efforts."

"Thank you sir… Fitzwilliam. Perhaps it will be better by afternoon tea."

"And what shall we have with it, scones and cakes?

"Oh no sir, a much lighter fare must be had in the afternoon. This evening, though, we will have tea served with slow-roasted crab, served warm, over a skillfully aged biscuit from our best stock, of course. We will also have expertly carved fruit grown on the premises, nothing but the freshest ingredients shall be eaten. And for dessert, more tea!"

"Sounds delightful! I cannot imagine getting through the day with thoughts of such a feast on my mind. We must put all our efforts into thinking of other things."

After such an exchange the awkward silence that followed was thick with questions and exclamations left unsaid. Elizabeth, deciding that although she had insecurities about the match she could not hide her emotions any longer, reached out she took the hand now free from holding the glass. It was still warm and she held it to her face.

"You have been good to not press me this morning. After all that has occurred it has been pleasant to not think or talk it about it, if even for a few moments. You truly are a gentleman."

"You must know that despite my feelings on the matter, I would never force you to do something that you were wholeheartedly against. But on the topic of marriage, I do not believe that you are."

"How is that so? I have made my sentiments on that matter known."

"You have, but not in entirety. You claim to love me, which produced an effect that words cannot describe, yet you will not end my agony and agree to be my wife. You can see where I have the trouble."

"Yes, but surely you can see that marriage would be impossible, need we discuss it again."

"Again and again, until we understand each other, or until we are married. I have an inclination that the latter is the more likely of the two."

Elizabeth sighed, partly out of exasperation and partly out of fear. She knew her argument appeared weak, weaker than her tea, and knew not how she would keep her resolve. She was beginning to wonder if she should.

"Very well. I, though I love you, cannot marry you. I will only bring disgrace to your family, which I know is something you abhor, and I refuse to bring you pain in that way."

"So you are determined to force it upon me in another way, wishing me to live my life without you. I have already had enough practice with that, and I failed miserably. I believe I quite excel at living with you, you must allow me to continue improving my proficiency."

"Fitzwilliam, please, do not jest. I must make you understand." Elizabeth released her hands from his and clasped them together at her lap, examining them intently. "When I imagine life with you I briefly envision our happiness, but it is immediately clouded by visions of family rifts accompanied by disapproving stares, lonely holidays and, most clearly, a disappointed husband. I do not wish that life for you, and certainly not for myself."

"And when did you become so sure that my family would react this way. You have little faith in my relations, and might I add, me."

"No, it is I that I have little faith in! How can I, a fallen woman in the eyes of many, be wife to a Darcy?"

"'Fallen woman?' Elizabeth, you kissed a man! As much as it pains me to think of it and with whom it occurred, it does not signify a total loss of virtue. If I can see that, why cannot you?"

Elizabeth stood, the soreness in her feet subsided but not completely healed, and hobbled to the entrance of the tent before turning back, "Because he did not merely kiss me! He… touched me in places I was not expecting and made me feel… impure. Then he promised me things he never intended to give me. He left me!"

Darcy quickly stood and rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her and bringing his hand back to her cheek. After a moment of looking into her eyes he softly brought his lips to hers and with all his strength tried to convey his love in the simplicity of a kiss. Afterwards, he rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "There. Does that make you feel impure?"

She lightly shook her head back and forth and he kissed her again, driving forth his point.

"I love you and I will never leave you, I can promise you that and can only hope that you will trust me. Can you trust me?"

Elizabeth hesitated, not out of uncertainty but because of the strength of her conviction. "Yes. Entirely. More than I trust myself I am afraid."

Darcy swallowed and took a step backwards, holding her at arms length. "Then, please, I beg of you, end my misery. Make me the happiest man on Sanguine Island. Marry me, be my wife. Escape with me from this wretched island to Pemberley and live with me there till the end of our days. I have faith in you, Elizabeth, and my family will see that and they will grow to love you too, Georgiana especially. Please, Elizabeth, you have already forced me to beg and I stand before you a vulnerable man…"

Elizabeth watched as he spoke in desperate tones, the haughty Mr. Darcy lowering himself to a beggar for her benefit, and suddenly she knew what she had to say, "Yes."

Darcy's expression cleared, he was momentarily stunned. "Yes? 'Yes, I will marry you' or 'Yes, you are a vulnerable man'?"

Elizabeth smiled, a smile Darcy was not sure he had seen since he last saw her in Hertfordshire. "Both, I believe. Well, at least the first part. The second has yet to be determined, though I have long since suspected it to be true."

Darcy reeled forward, crashing his body into hers and lifting her into the air, spinning her around twice fully and once partly before placing down on the ground and claiming her lips again. Elizabeth could not help but laugh at such a display.

"Laugh at me all you wish, Elizabeth, for I care not. You have made me the happiest of men."

"I am glad of it sir, although it was not my intention. My aim was more selfish I am afraid, for I wished to only make myself the happiest of women!"

"That, I can assure you madam, will be my life's ambition."

"And such a noble cause. You are all kindness, indeed."

"By your influence, no doubt!"

"By your own merit, I am sure."

"No, Elizabeth, it is only because you compel me to endeavor to be the best of men."

"There is no need for such efforts, Fitzwilliam, you are already."

He took her hand and kissed it gently, "You, my Elizabeth, are all sweetness." After several moments of delicious silence (1.) he felt the call of hunger and beckoned her towards the beach to watch him catch their breakfast. The walk to the shore took much longer than ever before, partially because of the soreness of Elizabeth's feet but mostly because of the countless pauses accompanied by sounds of laughter and words of love. Before they reached the shore he turned to her to again smile and perhaps claim a kiss but was met with an expression of alarm.

"Elizabeth what is it? Is it your feet? I am sorry, I should have carried you…"

"It is a ship."

1. I stole this phrase from Elizabeth Gaskell, from the end of N&S, ch. 27. I always felt like it had so many "delicious" meanings!

A/n – So sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, there have been a few unfortunate happenings in my life and although I was not busy per se, I was not feeling very inclined to think of happy things, therefore this story became neglected. When I did decide to turn my attention to it I realized that I have come to a crossroad. When I made the original outline for this story I wanted it to begin and end with the island, therefore I had no intentions of continuing it once they were rescued. After all the interest (still can't believe I have over 200 reviews!) I have since rethought my outline and decided to continue the story much longer than I ever originally thought. For those of you who are enjoying this story I am sure this is good news, but for the author it means a commitment I had not accounted for beyond this summer. Therefore, I must ask of you to be patient with me as I figure out exactly where this story is going. You have all been so kind thus far and as we head into uncharted territory I hope your interest does not wane. Thank you!