Chapter 32: Nothing but love
The previous day, after Georgiana and Richard left, Darcy felt lonely and depressed.
Everything about Netherfield reminded him of the days he has spent in her company. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the pleasant memories the library brought him.
I can never forget her. I can never live a life without her. I need to see her. She needs to know what I feel for her. If she rejects me, I may be devastated, but it would kill me if I do not try.
He made up his mind to meet Elizabeth and talk to her. But in the afternoon, he received an express from his uncle, regarding Wickham. Darcy did not want to put the entire responsibility of Wickham's affairs on Richard. He decided to ride to town and get back the next day to meet Elizabeth.
Things had gone as planned and he returned to Hertfordshire the next day. His mind was filled with thoughts about what he would say to Elizabeth. Little did he know that she was waiting in Netherfield.
When he approached Netherfield, he saw her in the fields.
It cannot be her.
As he neared her, he stopped his horse in surprise.
"Elizabeth."
He saw her startle. She looked shocked. He noticed tears in her eyes. Darcy could not understand what was wrong. Before he could say anything, he saw her turn and run towards the woods.
Darcy dismounted his horse and ran after her. "Elizabeth! Stop!"
She heard him. But she could not stop.
She could not face him. She had strong feelings towards him, and she did not know if she could have a rational conversation with him.
But Elizabeth was not as strong as before. By the time she was in the woods, Darcy caught up to her.
He caught her arm and swung her around.
"Elizabeth! Stop! What is the matter?"
She could not stop herself from falling into his arms. Darcy pulled her close to him without a second thought.
She sobbed uncontrollably. Darcy comforted her.
"Elizabeth! What is wrong? What happened?"
"I thought you left. I thought you would never return."
He held her chin and looked at her with adoration.
"Do you think I would leave without meeting you? I can never leave you, Elizabeth. I love you. I have loved you since the moment I saw you walk into the fields of Netherfield that morning. I should have expressed myself before, but I knew you hated me. I wanted to show you that I could be a better man."
"You love me?"
"Yes! You have captured my heart in a way words cannot describe. I love you."
"It was not a dream. You have said this before. I remember now. You said this to me in the carriage. All this while I thought it was just a dream."
"You heard me? I thought you were unconscious."
"I have had recurring dreams of your words, and I did not realise that it had happened for real."
"Elizabeth, do you… do you have feelings for me?"
"I had no idea before I was kidnapped. But being alone in that room, my first worry was not meeting you again. I did not know why my mind and heart thought about you first. I realised how ignorant I had been of my feelings."
"You are too generous to trifle with me. Please tell me, do you love me?"
"I do. I love you, Mr Darcy." Darcy pulled her closer to him.
They did not know how long they stayed there. Each basking in the happiness and love they both yearned. Darcy felt complete. He kissed her forehead and smiled.
"You do not know what you do to me, Elizabeth. What did I do to deserve you?"
"You always seem to give yourself less credit than you deserve. The respect you showed for my words made me realise that I was too quick to judge your character."
"Were you angry when heard about my intentions from your father?"
"I was not angry. I was worried that you had offered to save my reputation."
"I am sorry. It was not my intention. I should have spoken to you before I said anything. I later realised that my intentions could be misunderstood."
"I have misunderstood you so many times. Yesterday Colonel Fitzwilliam told me that you planned to stay at Netherfield. I wanted to come and speak to you. But I did not find you in the house and Miss Bingley told me that you had left to town. I believed the worst and thought you would never come back."
"How could I leave? How could I leave when my heart is with you? I had to go on an urgent business and returned as soon as it got settled. I intended to speak to you today, and I was surprised to see you here. Why did you run?"
"I do not know. I did not want to face you when I was not in control of my emotions."
"So, you thought you could run away from me? I will never let go of you Elizabeth, no matter what." He wiped her tear-streaked cheeks. Elizabeth blushed at the intimacy.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, as he touched the scar on her forehead.
"I am all right. If I have been feeling unwell, it was all in my mind. I cannot express how happy I am now."
"Elizabeth, I do not want to procrastinate anything between us. Will you marry me? I love you dearly."
Elizabeth was shocked and happy to hear his words.
"Yes! Yes! I agree. I love you too Mr Darcy."
"Fitzwilliam."
"Oh!"
"Won't you call me by my Christian name?"
"Can I call you "William"?"
Darcy smiled. "Of course, you can."
"It may take some time for me to address you that way. It that all right William?"
Darcy laughed. "Take your time, Lizzy."
They talked for some time. They cleared their misunderstandings. Darcy felt Elizabeth shiver.
"It is getting cold, my dear. We better get to the house. Your sister must be worried about you."
Elizabeth looked rooted to her spot.
"What is it?" Darcy asked.
"Don't you realise? This is the same spot where we had our first argument."
Darcy looked around, and he clearly remembered the cove.
He pulled her close to him and kissed her fervently.
Both of them had never imagined that the same place they argued weeks ago would bring them together for life. And it was all due to one mutual feeling they had. It was nothing but true love.
To my readers:
Thank you for sticking with my story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. The story will continue for some more chapters. Stay safe.
