Hello dear readers! Surprise! I could not resist writing yet another chapter to this little story of mine. The characters were calling me to continue on, so I had to listen. Therefore, this story is not yet complete, but rather is now a work in progress. There is more to come. When the need to write is upon you, you must simply heed the call! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Chapter 3
Elizabeth was looking out her bedroom window, wondering where William could be. She had arrived at Longbourn a fortnight ago and had been on pins and needles ever since. Her sister Jane had come home from London not long after her and she so badly wanted to speak to her of William, but dared not as she did not yet know what the outcome of Jane's situation with Mr. Bingley might be. Elizabeth had spent many a morning staring out across the fields visible from her window lost in her thoughts. It was in this attitude that her attention was suddenly captured by the sight of two men on horseback riding in the direction of Longbourn. Could that be them, she wondered excitedly? It looked to her as if it very well could be!
Elizabeth, not one to normally get so excited by the prospect of company, jumped up and ran to her vanity to check her complexion. Pinching her cheeks to rouge them naturally, she then looked at her attire. It was a serviceable dress, though rather plain. However, it would have to do, especially as she could now hear the sound of horses nearing. She took a deep breath, left her room and ran downstairs to the sitting room where her mother and sisters were at the moment.
Not long after entering the room, their callers were announced. Elizabeth's heart was pounding. Any moment now she would see William and she grabbed hold of the back of the settee in order to keep herself from running to him once he entered the room. Mrs. Bennet was flustered by the announcement, as she did not realize Mr. Bingley had returned to Hertfordshire. Yet, she had no time to contemplate the matter, as both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy both entered the room.
Beside her, Elizabeth could hear a small gasp escape Jane's mouth. Of course, Jane had not been expecting to see Mr. Bingley here in her mother's sitting room when she was unable to see him at all during her visit to London. Jane blushed prettily and after taking a quick look at him, she quickly looked back down at her hands which were holding a book of poetry she had been reading.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, lifted her face and zeroed in on her beloved William. Mr. Darcy had also sought his love's face upon entering. Thankfully, all the Bennet ladies, except Elizabeth, were busy looking at Mr. Bingley, so they managed to miss the scorching look of longing Mr. Darcy sent in Lizzy's direction. Darcy flexed his hands by his side. His hands wanted to hold his beloved. But, he managed to control himself as Mrs. Bennet spoke with Bingley.
"Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennett said, "you are most welcome, sir." Then, as an afterthought she continued, "as are you Mr. Darcy."
Darcy broke his gaze from Elizabeth, looking at her mother instead and chimed in quickly, "Thank you, madam".
"Yes, thank you Mrs. Bennet. It is so very good to be back," said Bingley. "My business in town is done, and I am most happy to have returned, though I have left my sisters back in town."
"Oh," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, "in that case, please do join us for dinner tonight, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, of course. Do remember that I promised you a dinner, at least three courses. I have not forgot, you see. And, as your sisters are away, I would so hate for you to eat alone on the day you have returned."
"Thank you, Mrs. Bennet," said Bingley happily.
"Yes, thank you kindly, Mrs. Bennet." chimed Darcy.
"I believe Darcy and I would greatly enjoy that," continued Bingley.
"It is a fine day out, Mrs. Bennet, perhaps you ladies would care to enjoy a stroll with us outdoors," asked Darcy.
Mrs. Bennet was a little flustered. She wasn't quite used to Mr. Darcy speaking so much with her. But, as soon as he mentioned that, she made the most of it. "Perhaps Jane and Lizzy might enjoy a walk about the lane with you both, kind sirs. My other girls and I were soon on our way to visit my sister in town." Though this was the first they had heard of this excursion, Mrs. Bennet's daughters faces gave nothing away.
Mrs. Bennet's goal, of course, was to give Mr. Bingley time with Jane. Lizzy would just have to occupy Mr. Darcy in order to allow her sister time to remind Mr. Bingley of what he had left behind when he had gone to London.
"Of course," Mr. Bingley said, "It would be our pleasure." Jane shyly placed her hand on Mr. Bingley's arm as he led her out of the room. Then, Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth and as she placed her hand upon him, the nervous energy he had been feeling since he had been away from his love ceased. It was a relief to have her by his side once more and they walked out of the room together.
The two couples walked at different paces. Soon enough, they reached the edge of the woods. Jane and Bingley walked slowly, speaking quietly to one another. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's pace, however, was a bit faster. As they entered into the woods further on, Darcy placed his hand on top of Elizabeth's. He looked behind him to see if they could be seen by Bingley or Jane, but they had outpaced them and were deep enough in the woods to be all alone. Darcy then entwined his fingers with hers and pulled her behind a big tree.
"My darling, how I have missed you," Darcy whispered, as he touched his forehead to hers.
"I cannot believe you are finally here," she said in relief. "I have waited for you anxiously. You cannot leave me again William. I cannot bear it." she admonished. Then she lifted on her tiptoes and softly kissed him on his lips.
She was kissing him and he was so happy and grateful for the reminder of her love for him. There were nights while he was away that he had had nightmares in which he thought he had dreamt up his atrocious proposal, their ensuing arguments and finally her acceptance of him; and of course, every precious illicit moment they had shared afterward that had heated his blood and body in the most delicious way.
Darcy needed more and opened her mouth with his, delving into her sweet mouth with abandon.
'God, yes!' Elizabeth thought, as his tongue slid sinuously with hers. They both got so lost in their kiss, that they were both feeling a bit lightheaded and out of breath when their kiss finally ended. Their eyes were a little unfocused, dazed as they were by each other.
The atmosphere around them always felt so charged, that it was difficult to break apart from each other. And, Darcy certainly didn't want to stop when every intimacy with his love felt so good.
But, eventually, Darcy spoke. "I obtained the special license, my love. I will speak to your father as soon as we return to Longbourn to ask for your hand in marriage."
Elizabeth could only smile shyly. She blushed with pleasure at hearing this and took his hand once more and tugged him away from the tree and back towards the lane. "Come home with me now then, William," she said playfully. "Come posthaste! There is not a moment to lose!"
Darcy grinned. He still wasn't used to Elizabeth being playful with him. He felt so good knowing she was comfortable around him enough to be so playful and free with him. The only other person who had ever been that at ease with him before was his sister.
As they cleared the trees and entered into the lane once more, they ran into Jane and Mr. Bingley whom they caught in an embrace.
Stepping away from each other quickly, Jane turned to Lizzy in a deep blush and said, "Oh Lizzy, I am so happy! Mr. Bingley has just proposed to me and I accepted!"
Elizabeth beamed with happiness for her sister as she hugged her. "Well, my dear sister," Elizabeth said aloud, "If I promise to be as happy as can be for you, will you promise the same for me? For, Mr. Darcy and I are also engaged to be married!"
Jane was startled by the news. She whispered into Lizzy's ear, "but I thought you didn't like him."
"Too true," Elizabeth whispered back with a smile. "I don't like him. But, I do I love him."
Jane looked into Elizabeth's eyes as she said that. Jane could see Lizzy was serious. And, as only a true sister could, she communicated with her eyes that Lizzy had some explaining to do later on.
Jane turned to Mr. Darcy and congratulated him once Bingley was done clapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Bingley was just as surprised as Jane by the turn of events. But, he did not have much time to contemplate that as Elizabeth spoke with him and said, "I always wanted a brother, Mr. Bingley. I believe you will make an excellent one! Congratulations, sir! You have captured the heart of the loveliest of the Bennet sisters!"
Bingley smiled at Elizabeth, thanking her and congratulating her on her own engagement.
"Shall we go back and see if Bingley and I might get an audience with your father, Miss Elizabeth?" asked Darcy aloud.
Bingley seemed eager to do this as well and once more gave his arm to Jane to escort her back home. Darcy followed suit and followed behind the other pair with Elizabeth on his arm.
Leaning down and whispering into Elizabeth's ear in a low, deep voice, Darcy said quite earnestly, "I believe you are quite mistaken, my dear. It is I who have captured the loveliest of all the Bennet sisters."
Darcy enjoyed the lovely rosy color that graced her cheeks at his compliment.
Once back at Longbourn, the gentlemen left their lovely brides-to-be back at the sitting room while they sought out Mr. Bennet.
Meanwhile, Lizzy and Jane were deep in conversation with one another.
"Lizzy", said Jane, "You must tell me everything! How came you to love a man you seemed to hate only a month ago?"
"Jane," began Elizabeth, "I was so wrong about him. I never truly hated him. I was more hurt by his comment at the assembly than I allowed myself to believe. My hurt feelings clouded my vision more than I had realized, but I saw him again while I was visiting Charlotte. He was visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. We were much thrown together while there and before I left, he proposed."
Jane questioned her sister, "But, why did you not tell me earlier? You have been back now a fortnight and you have said nothing."
Elizabeth wondered if she should tell Jane all, but then realized that she could not conceal anything from her sister. She had always been her confidant, and Lizzy was not about to stop that now.
"I was worried what you might think of him. He made a mistake and told Mr. Bingly that he did not believe you cared for him while they were here in Hertfordshire; that it was more our mother hoping for the match between you both. But, when I told him otherwise, he vowed to speak to Mr. Bingly regarding his mistaken assumption."
"Oh," Jane said quietly. Then, after a moment of quiet reflection, she said "I suppose Charlotte was right after all."
"What do you mean, Jane?" asked Elizabeth.
"Do you not remember what she told you at the assembly? You told me later that night that Charlotte had said that I perhaps I should show more interest than I might even feel to secure him, for he would not know of my naturally reserved disposition. Mr. Darcy did not realize I had feelings for Mr. Bingley. I do not hold him at fault for that."
Lizzy was relieved. She would not want her sister upset with the man she loved. She hugged her then tightly and said, "Oh, Jane! I am so happy for you and Mr. Bingley! I could not imagine a happier couple!"
"Except for you and Mr. Darcy, dear sister!" said Jane with a smile.
They both giggled as they hugged in their happiness. It was in this manner that both Darcy and Bingley found them both as they entered the room.
"Your father is asking for you both," said Darcy.
Lizzy and Jane stood and went to their father.
Upon entering their father's study, Mr. Bennet asked them to close the door.
Mr. Bennet stood and walked to Jane and hugged her. "Congratulations Jane," he said. "You shall be a very happy woman and I am most pleased for you!" Mr. Bennet knew that Jane fancied Mr. Bingly and thought their similar, easy going dispositions would make for a good and happy match.
Then, letting Jane go, he turned to Elizabeth and said, "Lizzy, are you out of your senses? Why would you accept Mr. Darcy? I thought you hated the man?" Mr. Bennet looked on his Lizzy with a questioning gaze, but then clarified, "I have given him my consent, of course. He is not the type of man one would so easily say no to, but let me caution you my dear to reconsider. I would not like to see you unhappily married. Though you may have more fine carriages than Jane, will that make you happy?"
Jane looked at Elizabeth as well.
"Is your main concern my indifference to him, father?" asked Lizzy.
"Yes. We all know him to be a proud, disagreeable person, though, this would be nothing if you truly liked him," he stated.
"I don't like him, but I do love him so very much, papa," Lizzy said simply.
Mr. Bennet was taken aback.
Lizzy continued, "I was wrong about him, papa. He is not a proud, disagreeable man. I was completely wrong about him. Though his manner may come across as proud and disagreeable, I have come to understand that he is actually just reserved and shy. And, as I have come to know him better, I have seen that he and I are so similar. We are both so stubborn, and have been fools regarding one another. But, father, I have come to love him so very much just as he has come to love me."
Mr. Bennet was touched by his favorite daughter's words. It seemed she truly was in love and he was grateful for that blessing. He hugged Lizzy then.
"I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, with anyone less worthy. You will be a very happy woman indeed," he said softly and with much emotion.
Both women then went in search of their fiancés once their father had finished with them. Entering the sitting room, they each reunited with their own beloveds.
Darcy took Elizabeth's hands in his and spoke quietly with her.
"I am so relieved your father has given his permission for us to marry soon, my sweet. Bingley and I have just finished speaking and we wondered if you and your sister might be open to a double-wedding? That way, we can all get married as soon as may be? Your father agreed that we could both marry within a month. The reason it took me longer than I thought it would to arrive in Hertfordshire was because Bingley also made arrangements to get a special license to marry. He had never stopped thinking about your sister and when I confessed my mistake, though he was upset with me at first, he then wanted to get back here as quickly as possible to Jane and hoped she would accept him."
Elizabeth forgot that they were not alone in the room and immediately threw her arms around William saying, "A double-wedding in a month's time would be perfect!"
Darcy, looked over at Bingley and saw that Miss Bennet was also hugging him in happiness over the prospect of the double-wedding.
Elizabeth looked up mischievously at William and then struck just a small touch of fear in her next words to him: "So, I think it will be most fitting if you announce our happy news to my mother at dinner tonight, William." But seeing William's eyes open in slight concern, Elizabeth decided to calm his fears a bit. "While I have no doubt that her raptures will be effusive once Jane announces their happy news, I daresay my mother might just be struck dumb when you announce ours." Elizabeth's eyes twinkled in merriment and Darcy couldn't wait until they were alone once more to kiss his little minx!