A/N: Here is the second chapter. Without this line of typing, the chapter does not post correctly. Go figure!
Chapter 40: The First Kiss…es
Mr. Darcy woke up on the day of departure for Yorkshire feeling a little anxious. He could not name the source of the anxiety, and so could only attribute it to the jitters from being newly betrothed to his heart's desire. Perhaps it was because he did not wish to leave her behind with nary a word of farewell.
He went to the breakfast parlour to break his fast, being entirely certain that Elizabeth would be there to greet him, as by now, he had learned of her habit of not dawdling in the morning. He was therefore sorely disappointed that the only other person present in the room was Mr. Bennet, and his look of disappointment did not escape Mr. Bennet's keen eyes.
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. Do make yourself at home and have a good meal before spending the next three days on the road. My wife sets a good table for every meal and if I am not mistaken, she has ordered a basket of Longbourn's best cheeses, sausages, and such for you. Did you have a good night's rest, and are you all ready for your journey?" inquired Mr. Bennet.
"Good morning, Mr. Bennet. Thank you and Mrs. Bennet for your wonderful hospitality. Indeed, I am well-rested and ready, if not willing, to start my journey north. I fervently hope your rest had not been disturbed by what had happened yesterday. Please once again accept my heartfelt apologies for your being so grievously harmed by one associated with my family."
Just when he was going to ask for permission to have a few words in private with Elizabeth before departing, Mr. Bennet intercepted, "Ah, there is no need for any apologies. You should not be held responsible for a reprobate you had known well enough to have him watched. Without your foresight, the circumstances might have been more dire, even though my Lizzy was able to fend for herself most valiantly. Speaking of Lizzy, she is outside playing with, or as she calls it, training Buccaneer. You may prefer to go fetch her instead of my sending a footman." Mr. Bennet finished by giving Mr. Darcy a conspiring nod.
Mr. Darcy's colour rose a little, but replied with composure, "I would be pleased to carry out the office. I shall also be able to assess the weather for the journey better once outside."
"Indeed!" Mr. Bennet lifted the corner of his mouth and looked out of the large bay window at a crisp late autumn morning.
Mr. Darcy left the room with alacrity after a brief bow, and following the exuberant barking of the hound, found his love shortly thereafter. He stood a little distance away, watching Elizabeth throw a stick expertly. The hound jumped up in the air before chasing after it. He looked around for a somewhat hidden location from the windows of the house so that he would be able to say a private farewell with action as well as with words. At that moment, stealing a kiss before he left his love for several weeks seemed the most important mission in his life. He finally understood the anxiety he felt when he woke. He had not kissed his betrothed!
He spied a large tree some distance from the house that would do very well for his scheme. He walked up stealthily to within touching distance of Elizabeth and cleared his throat. Elizabeth turned around quickly and immediately coloured when she saw who it was, making Mr. Darcy hope that perhaps his love was thinking about a similar mission. He bowed and greeted her warmly, while she returned the greeting somewhat shyly. Just when he was stretching out his hand to hold hers, Buccaneer zoomed back, dropped the stick from his muzzle and barked excitedly.
Elizabeth stooped down and ruffled his coat, saying, "What a good boy you are!"
Mr. Darcy picked up the stick, and asked, "May I?"
Elizabeth smiled and said, "Of course you may! Buc would like that."
Mr. Darcy threw with all his might, and after sailing over the wilderness for a very long distance, the stick fell into some brushes. Elizabeth turned to him with wonder, with eyes round and lips rounder. Mr. Darcy reached out to grab her hand and pulled her toward the tree, saying, "Buc should be occupied for a little while."
Elizabeth was surprised by Mr. Darcy's action, but followed him willingly. Once they were on the far side of the tree, Mr. Darcy leaned against it and pulled Elizabeth closer. He said urgently, "I thought this moment would never come. I am going to kiss you now." Without waiting for a response, he pressed his lips upon Elizabeth's, who was a little shocked to react. Mr. Darcy stopped after a few seconds, and was apologetic about his rash action. However, Elizabeth stopped him and said:
"Was that a kiss? Do it again! I did not …" Mr. Darcy's lips were on hers again and this time they stayed longer and moved against Elizabeth's. He left off again after a slightly longer time to gauge Elizabeth's response, when she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips against his. Mr. Darcy thought that he could die then and go to heaven when the interfering Buc barked ferociously and jumped around Mr. Darcy's legs trying to separate him from Elizabeth. Elizabeth tore her lips from Mr. Darcy and told Buc in a stern voice to sit. Buc obeyed immediately but still eyed Mr. Darcy with his teeth bared from time to time.
Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy, her hands still against his chest and said sweetly, "You will have to practise throwing the stick while you are away."
Mr. Darcy pecked her lips one more time and said innocently, "Your family may want Buc to stay at Longbourn after we are married." Elizabeth frowned and Mr. Darcy immediately changed his tone and said, "I will practise diligently. These past few moments have given me much incentive to do so. Will you write to me through your father when I am away? I promise I will write frequently to your father."
Elizabeth answered, "I will miss your presence. Until we are engaged, I did not believe that I would be dependent on another for happiness. I have not comprehended yet what has happened overnight. I shall write and I shall be impatiently awaiting your return." Mr. Darcy could not help but kiss Elizabeth briefly one more time because he felt too happy for words. After staring at each other for seemingly a lifetime, Mr. Darcy was finally calmed and said:
"I am the happiest and the most fortunate of men to have you soon by my side the rest of our days."
When they entered the breakfast parlour, the whole family were gathered there even though Lydia was sleepily rubbing her eyes. Mr. Darcy was touched that his future family had done him the honour of wanting to see him off. They enjoyed a lovely and lively meal together, and Mr. Darcy left Longbourn with a full and yet light heart.
Mr. Darcy sat in the carriage all by himself with a smile on his face, and walked with a spring in his steps when they stopped to rest. As the last leg of the journey began, however, a little doubt crept into his mind about how his uncle would react to his having offered to a lady who came from a long line of landed gentry, but nonetheless unknown to his circles and with relations in trade. He shook his head as if to chase away negative thoughts and said to himself, "Elizabeth is superior to all the women I have met and her family, though unknown and untitled, is remarkable and outstanding in all ways that matter." His uncle would just have to accept her for his sake.