Chapter 36- Surprise
A week passed after Darcy departed from Pemberley. Elizabeth missed him and constantly yearned for his presence in the big house. On the other hand, Darcy spent sleepless nights unable to understand why he could not open up his heart to her.
I believe in her innocence, and I love her dearly. Why is it so difficult to own this to her? Is it my pride not allowing me to beg for forgiveness? Will it be too late if I did? He pondered.
He visited the Gardiner's and enjoyed playing with their children. They were very fond of Elizabeth and were eager to know when she would visit them. He left their residence with a sense of guilt. He knew Elizabeth had kept everyone in the dark about their marriage, and it pained him to think how much she had to lie to her dear ones because of him.
A couple of days later, Miss Bingley was shocked to see Darcy for dinner in their house.
"Oh! Mr Darcy! How wonderful it is to see you here. Charles, you never informed me about his arrival in town." She said with a frown to her brother.
"It has only been a week since he arrived." Mr Bingley said.
"Oh! Where is Mrs Darcy? Has she not accompanied you?" She asked Darcy bluntly.
"She is in Pemberley." Darcy replied nonchalantly.
"Why didn't she accompany you? Jane would have been happy to see her sister."
"Caroline, Darcy is here on some urgent business." Mr Bingley replied annoyed at the lack of decency on his sister's part.
"Darcy, I am very much interested in looking at the estates you have recommended in Derbyshire. We have to leave for Netherfield in a couple of days. Can we join you back to Pemberley when you leave?"
"That would be a good plan."
"Oh! Charles! It would be lovely to purchase an estate in Derbyshire. I so love the country." Miss Bingley claimed.
Darcy did not reply. He knew how much Miss Bingley hated the country.
"How long do you plan to stay here?" Mr Bingley asked him.
"Another two weeks or so."
Two weeks. I must plan something during his absence from Pemberley. I must send Wickham to Derbyshire. Her mind was working on a plan to abduct Elizabeth and put her to shame.
By the end of dinner, Darcy was vexed. Miss Bingley seemed to have nothing to say except flattery about Pemberley. Jane sensed that something was wrong and was worried for Elizabeth.
"Jane, do not be worried. We will travel back with Darcy and stay in Pemberley." Mr Bingley tried to cheer her. In the same house, Miss Bingley was relentlessly sketching her plan.
Wickham must do his work when Mr Darcy is in town. It is the best time. She paced her room the whole night. By morning she was ready with her plan. But she had no idea about the whereabouts of Wickham. They were to meet at the park that weekend. Until then, she did not know how to contact him. She hated to wait when the time was slipping by. Jane and Bingley left for Netherfield the next day, and she stayed back in town.
Darcy was unable to stay in the house or do anything productive. He took a walk in Hyde Park. The picture of finding Elizabeth there helping an old woman was fresh in his memory. He realised how much he admired her kind and compassionate heart. He had hoped leaving Pemberley would ease the torment in his heart. But it had the opposite effect. He realised that no matter what, he needed to be beside her.
Enough, I have had enough. I love her! Whatever is to become of our marriage, I must allow it to happen. If I have to prove myself worthy of her love and affection, I must be in Pemberley, not here. I must leave!
He made his decision and decided to leave for Pemberley the next day.
He had stopped in Netherfield on his way. The Bingley's were surprised to see him. Jane was happy that he was getting back to her sister.
He arrived at Pemberley in the middle of the night. He was tempted to find Elizabeth and talk to her. The door which connected her room always seemed to intimidate him. He slept, thinking about the prospect of seeing her in the morning. He wondered how she would react. His heart whispered that she would be happy to see him.
Elizabeth woke up earlier than usual that day. It was a special day for the Darcy family. Unaware of his presence in the house, she headed to the kitchen.
After one peek at the sleeping Emma, she headed to the breakfast parlour. When she opened the door, she froze. My eyes are playing tricks on me again, it cannot be.
Darcy anticipating her arrival any moment, stood up.
"Mr Darcy!". She exclaimed in surprise.
"Good morning, Elizabeth. I am sorry I did not write to you about my plans."
Elizabeth could not speak. He is here. He is back. What does this mean?
"I owe you another apology for leaving without discussing with you."
She paused. Both of them recollected their moment in the storage room, and she blushed deeply.
Darcy wanted to say a lot, but he was tongue-tied. Elizabeth broke the awkward silence.
"Happy birthday!" She said, with a smile.
Darcy was shocked. Every year he never remembered the day, until his sister wished him. Georgiana must have told her.
"Thank you!" He said returning her smile. Just then, Georgiana came rushing in. She ran to him and hugged him.
"Oh! Fitzwilliam, I thought we would miss you on your birthday this year, I am so glad you are here. Happy birthday." She kissed him and Elizabeth looked away. She felt embarrassed by her longing to have such a loving relationship with him.
Georgiana chattered away happily throughout breakfast. Elizabeth was silent. Darcy's eyes were constantly on his wife. He did not see her after breakfast. He played with Emma for a long time. He felt peaceful to be back home to his family. He tried to find Elizabeth and talk to her, but Mrs Reynolds informed him that she was busy overlooking preparations for supper that day.
That evening, Darcy was surprised by the elaborate feast prepared for him for his birthday. On the center of the table sat a scrumptious chocolate cake. Emma squealed in joy seeing the cake.
"Uncle Darcy, I want to eat the cake now. Please can you cut it? Libby, please give me some."
Darcy laughed at the excited child.
"This is wonderful. Elizabeth, thank you."
"You are welcome." She said, blushing slightly.
When Darcy tasted the cake, he was impressed by it. It was not the one he was used to tasting in Pemberley before. He felt something different and richer in flavour. I have tasted this cake before. He tried to recollect the shop in London, but he could not remember where he had tasted the same kind of cake.
After supper, Elizabeth took Emma to the nursery. Darcy thanked Georgiana for the embroidered kerchiefs she presented him.
He left for his study and called for Mrs Reynolds. The old housekeeper was happy that he was back in Pemberley. In the past weeks, she had witnessed the agony on the face of her mistress. She did not know how to help her.
"Did you call for me, sir?" She asked as she entered his study.
"Yes, Mrs Reynolds. Sorry to bother you at this hour. I did not receive any letters from the steward. I assume things have been smooth in the house as well during my absence."
"Oh! Yes sir. Mrs Darcy has been looking over everything. She has kept everything in order."
"That is wonderful. I knew Mrs Darcy planned the menu today. I must thank the cook as well. The cake was wonderful. Please convey my appreciation."
Mrs Reynolds smiled.
"I think you could do it yourself, sir."
Darcy looked at her, puzzled.
"Mr Darcy, the cake was baked by your wife."
"What? I thought she supervised the preparations."
"Oh! She did. But she wanted to make the cake for you. We were not aware of your arrival. And a week ago Mrs Darcy wanted to know how we usually celebrate your birthday. I do not remember us celebrating lavishly. She wanted to know what the traditions were when your mother was alive. I distinctly remember her sending out baskets to all the tenants on your birthday. I informed Mrs Darcy of this detail, and she wanted to revive the tradition. Since last week, we have been busy getting those baskets out to the tenants with fruits, jams, bread, and cake. Mrs Darcy helped in most of the preparations, despite us insisting her not to. She said she was used to doing these for the tenants in her father's estate."
Darcy stared at Mrs Reynolds.
"The recipe of the chocolate cake is hers, am I right?" He asked in a serious tone.
"Yes."
"Thank you, Mrs Reynolds. I will talk to you tomorrow. Good night!"
"Good night, sir."
Mrs Reynolds left with a smile.
Darcy sat down in shock. Everything made sense to him. She has done so much for my birthday. I don't even know the date of her birth. He was touched by the efforts she had taken for making his day meaningful, well aware that he would be absent from Pemberley that day.
He searched for the marriage papers frantically, hoping to find her date of birth in it. He could not find it in his study. He noticed a rolled sheet of paper in the corner of his desk, tied with a ribbon.
Another gift from Georgiana?
He opened it and was astounded to find a beautiful painting of Pemberley. Georgiana does not paint this well.
He admired the beautiful strokes and colors of the artwork depicting the estate true to its beauty.
He turned the paper and found her name.
Happy Birthday, Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth
He caressed her name with his fingers. She must feel something for me. She cannot do all this if she despises me thoroughly.
Her thoughtfulness warmed his heart. He ran upstairs to his room, opened his safe, and rummaged through the documents. He finally found the marriage settlement papers and saw her date of birth. Guilt tore him apart. It was dated July 7th.
It was the Wednesday the previous week when he had been in London. He knew that the probability of even Georgiana wishing her was very low. How horrible she must have felt on her birthday. Irrespective of everything, she has planned and made my day so special. He spotted a letter addressed to him among the other documents. He was sure he never kept any personal letters in that safe. He opened the letter and immediately identified the writing.
It was the letter Elizabeth had written to him to before the wedding. He read it once again. Every word made sense to him now. He was disgusted with his inability to understand her then. He had read it with hatred and prejudice then. Blinded by anger, he had brushed aside the words of an honest woman. He sat down and read the letter several times. Every word of hers struck true to her character. The character he had admired and fallen in love with after their marriage. Time flew as memories about meeting her before the compromise raced through his mind. He realised that she was the same person who walked away from him from the Oakham mount that morning, the same woman whom he had admired during her stay at Netherfield.
How stupid I was to make one incident change my opinion about her. I never gave her the benefit of doubt. I have always been selfish. Before the marriage, I thought I lost everything. After understanding her character, I thought I wanted her love and affection. I have always put myself first. I never for once thought about what she wanted in life. It is time to ask her that. It is time to relieve her from this misery.
He got up and walked to the door connecting to her room. He knocked on it and called her name. There was no response. He did not want to hesitate anymore. He opened the door and walked in. He expected to see her sleeping, but the bed was empty. Where is she?
Elizabeth had had a tiring day. The unexpected arrival of Darcy made her happy. She was eager to arrange something special for his birthday. After putting Emma to sleep, she had retired for the night. The thought of Darcy in the next room comforted her. She was not sure whether he noticed the painting she had left on his desk. She paced her room for a while and left for the library, unable to settle down to sleep. She chose some poetry and was engrossed in her reading. She did not realise that it was close to midnight and was shocked to see the library door open. Who could it be at this hour?
In the light of candles stood Darcy.
Instinctively, Elizabeth pulled her shawl closer around herself. The expression on Darcy's face scared her.
He looked ghastly.
He placed the candles on the table and walked closer to her.
He handed her the letter. She took it from him with confusion, and she realised what it was when she opened it.
"I do not understand." She said, perplexed at his behaviour.
"I read it now." He said without emotion.
"What? Are you reading it only now? You told me that opposite when I asked you in London."
"I did read it when you sent it to me in Netherfield. I did not believe you then because prejudice blinded me. But now I know the truth. I believe every word in that letter."
Elizabeth could not believe her ears. Oh! God! Is this moment even real? He must have found the person behind the compromise in London. He has finally found the fact he needed.
"Did you…Did you find out the truth when you were away?" She asked with hesitation.
"Yes, I know the truth." He replied, holding her gaze.
Elizabeth was overwhelmed beyond measure.
"What…Where did you find the truth about the compromise?"
"The truth has been in front of me all these days. The truth is in front of me now. It is you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth could not bear it any longer. Tears streamed down her face.
Darcy prepared himself for what was to come. He knew by the end of the conversation there was a good chance of losing her forever.