Hi everyone! This is a short chapter, but a lot happens in it. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter Twenty One

With the crowded conditions in the theater there was no opportunity for conversation after Elizabeth returned to her seat. She endured rather than enjoyed the rest of the recital, replaying the ugly encounter in her mind, and desperately wishing for the outing to be over. Despite the warm room she nearly shivered when she remembered the anger in Wickham's voice. She caught a concerned glance or two from her aunt, but she would have to wait for the ride back to the Gardiner home to tell her family what had happened.

Fortunately they did not see Wickham on their way out of the theater. On the ride home, at her uncle's prodding, she poured out the whole story while her aunt and Jane listened in troubled silence. At first Mr. Gardiner was ready to be stern with Elizabeth for speaking with Wickham alone, until Elizabeth explained how the encounter came about. Then he listened sympathetically. "He frightened me, uncle. I really think he means to harm Mr. Darcy if he can. He is dreadfully jealous." She gave an involuntary shudder.

Gardiner did not try to reassure her, as she half expected him to. Instead he frowned and said, "We must warn Darcy as soon as he is in contact with us again."

"Can't you send him a message, uncle? I do not understand how you and he can be in business together and yet you have no way of contacting him."

"Not when he and Bingley are on these unexpected trips, Lizzy." Her uncle's voice held a note of finality. "I cannot send him any kind of word or warning until he reaches out to us again. Now tell me, what exactly did Wickham want to know about Charlotte Lucas?"

"Hardly anything. I think perhaps he was trying to follow her." It was the only explanation she had been able to come up with.

"Did Charlotte say if her family was at the theater?" Mrs. Gardiner spoke for the first time. "Was the whole family present?"

"Indeed I do not know. I only saw Charlotte and we did not speak about her family. We had a brief conversation, where she thanked me for my friendship and asked me to give you and Jane her sincerest gratitude. Then she turned and left."

Mrs. Gardiner's brows furrowed together. "It sounds as though she was saying goodbye."

"That is what I thought as well, and perhaps that she felt she was in peril of some sort. But if that were the case why would she be at the theater?I know not what to think of it all. She had only just walked away when Wickham came upon me."

"Poor Charlotte!" Jane exclaimed. "How difficult to be in a position of waiting, wondering what will happen next, and never knowing when a blow might fall. Her situation has been so cheerless. I hope she finds relief soon."

Mr. Gardiner was looking out the window of the carriage. "Elizabeth, I have changed my mind about sending Darcy a message. You may tell him whatever you want, at your leisure."

Despite the gravity of the moment there was a teasing tone in her uncle's voice. She looked at his face, then followed his gaze out the window. The carriage had just rounded the final corner to return to the Gardiner home and there, in front of the home, stood the hired carriage that Darcy and Bingley generally engaged whenever they called. Elizabeth's heart gave a great leap, and she and Jane exchanged a look of suppressed excitement.

The carriage traveled the last little distance and rolled to a stop. Elizabeth followed the others up the steps and through the front door, her heart pounding. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did not go into the parlor, where callers were received, as they would normally do. Instead they turned and went into the study. Silently Elizabeth blessed them for their consideration, for they were plainly giving their nieces the gift of privacy with their suitors. She turned the other direction and followed Jane into the parlor.

As she entered the room she felt rather than saw a blur of movement. Bingley was on his feet in an instant, stepping towards Jane eagerly. Jane went to him without hesitation and they embraced, leaving Elizabeth standing by awkwardly. She studied the carpet and tugged at the gloves on her hands, trying to swallow her disappointment. There was no sign of Darcy. Why had he not arrived with his friend? Had he been kept away against his will, or had he changed his mind about-

But then she heard her name, spoken behind her, in the voice that had haunted her dreams every night since he left. "Elizabeth."

She spun around and there he was, with an unmistakable light in his eyes and the tender look she remembered so well. "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!" He held his arms out.

Afterwards she could not remember who moved first. She only knew that they came together, with Darcy's lips on hers and his arms surrounding her. He pulled her close so that her head was resting on his chest and murmured her name again and again. She blinked back tears of relief, knowing that he was safe and that her worries had been for nothing. She felt his heart pulse against her cheek, as she had once before, and let her arms go around his waist, wanting the sweet feeling of security and comfort to last as long as possible.

At long last Darcy pulled back so that he could look in her face. "Have you been well, my darling? I wanted to write to you, but it was impossible."

Elizabeth quickly glanced towards Jane and Bingley, but they were nowhere to be seen. She and Darcy were alone in the room. "I am well, but I was worried about you. So much has happened!"

"You were worried about me? How happy that makes me. But as you can see, I am alive and well. Never better, in fact, now that I am with you once again."

"You do not understand. We have just come from the theater, where Wickham made a threat against you. I was afraid he might try to hurt you!"

Darcy seemed unperturbed. "I suppose I should hear about this threat, but I would rather hear more about you- and me."

"Mr. Darcy, please be serious. Aren't you at all concerned about angering someone who is friends with Robespierre?"

"Wickham can wait. My only thought right now is you." Darcy's smile turned into something more sober. "I hope you understand now how much I love you, and how much I miss you when we are not together."

He kissed her again, making Elizabeth breathless. When she pulled away, she answered, teasingly, "I think I am beginning to understand it, sir."

Darcy caressed her cheek tenderly, his eyes never leaving her face. "There is no need to call me sir. Call me Fitzwilliam instead, please."

"Very well, Fitzwilliam. How else are you planning to convince me of your sincerity?"

He spoke without hesitation. "By telling you every morning of every day for the rest of our lives."

Elizabeth's heart caught in her throat, but she kept her tone light. "You presume too much."

"By expressing my feelings towards you on every possible occasion?"

"By saying that you will do so every morning. That would only be possible if we were married."

"I am hoping that we will be."

"But you have not even asked me for my hand."

"What would you say if I did?"

She gave him her best arch look. "I cannot judge ahead of time. You will have to ask in order to receive your answer."

Darcy swallowed hard, and for a moment his whole heart was revealed in his face- deep longing, and a breathless hope. Then he dropped to one knee, taking one of her hands in his. "My sweetest, dearest Elizabeth, will you share your life with me? Will you do me the great, great honor of becoming my wife?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Yes, Fitzwilliam, I will."

"You will allow me to take you to England, to be the mistress of my home, the mother of my children, and my best partner throughout all our lives?"

"I perfectly comprehend the idea of marriage, Fitzwilliam, and I am prepared to enter into all its joys and trials with you."

Darcy rose to his feet, his face alight with happiness. Slowly he took her face in both his hands and kissed her, a deep and lingering kiss she had not yet experienced. Then he pulled back to look at her intently.

"Think carefully, my darling. As you have seen there are times when my business affairs call me away unexpectedly, and I may not always be able to tell you before I go. Can you bear the uncertainty? Do you trust that I will always come home to you?"

"I believe I can bear such separations with equanimity, as long as you make up for your absence after you return!" Impulsively she rose on her toes and kissed him.

Darcy gave a great, ringing laugh. Without warning, he put his hands on her waist and spun her around before pulling her close again. "My darling Elizabeth, what a life we shall have together! I promise I shall always try to make you as happy as you have made me at this moment!"

So, they are finally together! Would anyone like to place bets on how long the peaceful interlude lasts? :-) Come back in three weeks to find out! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and that you will let me know what you think of it! Have a great weekend. -Elaine