To the credit of Mr. Bennet, he gave no indication of her surprised outburst, and continued on as if her disruption had been planned. "Ah Lizzy, there you are. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley have come into the country once more."
"Ah, yes, I see that Papa." Lizzy stammered. She swallowed nervously. "I believe Mr. Bingley is in the dining hall."
Mr. Bennet smiled. "Indeed. I presume you mother and sisters are anxiously awaiting?"
Lizzy could merely nod in response, completely mortified that she had nearly revealed her frustration to the very man that had caused it. Mr. Darcy was well aware of Elizabeth's temperament, but in light of recent events, it was best to prevent him from witnessing another of such events.
"Very good." Mr. Bennet said. "A few more moments of peace will do us all good."
Not a moment after his words, a high-pitched array of shrieks fluttered through the open door. So sudden was the outburst, that Lizzy found herself caught off-guard. She spun around quickly, prepared to face what dangers were appearing, only to remember the cause for such behavior. Lizzy sighed heavily, feeling her cheeks blush with embarrassment.
Mr. Bennet chuckled behind her. "Well I suppose the moment has past. I best make my appearance and congratulate the pair." He rose from his chair and made his way through his study. Mr. Bennet gave Lizzy a gentle pat on her shoulder before turning to Mr. Darcy. "You are both welcome to remain within the safety of my study, should you choose. Goodness only knows what my wife will find herself in within the hour."
Mr. Darcy gave a slight bow of his head. "Thank you for the offer, sir. Unfortunately, I am unable to remain much longer. I'm afraid I must be off very soon. However, I offer my congratulations. Bingley is a fine fellow."
"That he is." Mr. Bennet nodded. "And we thank you as well, Mr. Darcy." With that, Mr. Bennet quit the room.
With her father's departure, Lizzy became all too aware of Mr. Darcy's presence behind her. Oddly enough, every recollection she'd had of her time in Rosings, the revelation of Mr. Darcy's aid, and his sudden presence, all thoughts of what she wished to inquire had fled her mind.
"Miss Elizabeth." came Mr. Darcy's voice, tearing Elizabeth from her tumultuous thoughts. She turned to him and found him closer than he had been upon her entrance. He stood but two arm spans from her. "I am glad to see you in such good health. When I spoke with the garrison physician, he was most concerned with your wounds."
Lizzy was slightly surprised by Mr. Darcy admission that he had inquired after her care, yet it did not seem so unlike him. She had found he was more than what he made himself out to be. Yet she could not determine if he was revealing such information to keep her in the dark of his involvement to prevent a marriage between them, or for her own protection. "I thank you, sir. I am far from fully healed, but I am told I have healed from the worst of it."
"I am glad to hear it." said Mr. Darcy. He shifted his stance, as if uncertain whether his presence was appropriate. Elizabeth found it odd. There was but one time she had seen him in such a state, but with the undead roaming Pemberly grounds, she had not been able to observe his nature then. "Perhaps, when you have healed fully, you might find use for this." From behind his back, Mr. Darcy revealed Elizabeth's sword.
Elizabeth could not lift her eyes from her sword, long thought missing since the destruction of Hingham Bridge weeks ago. She drew her hands up to its sheath, taking its weight into her hands. Though she could not wield it as the warrior she was, the very weight felt wonderous. She tore her eyes from her returned blade. "Thank, Mr. Darcy. I had believed it was lost to me."
"A soldier discovered it prior to my departure. I thought to ensure it was not damaged before returning it to you. I apologize for the delay in its return." stated Darcy. He neither wanted, nor needed her gratitude. Not when he had used Bingley to come to Longbourn.
A small laugh escaped Elizabeth's lips. "You find the weapon of a warrior, yet you apologize for its delayed return after ensuring it was still a capable weapon?"
Mr. Darcy gave a weak smile. "If you will excuse my abruptness, Miss Bennet. I must depart."
"Shall I see you out, sir?"
"No." answered Mr. Darcy with startling quickness. It was not lost on Darcy at his response and seemed to attempt to make up for it. "I have delayed your presence in your families' celebration. It would be unseemly to delay it further. I shall see myself out."
Elizabeth nodded slowly. "As you wish, Mr. Darcy."
"Good day, Miss Bennet." said Darcy, bowing deeply, but quickly. As Elizabeth bowed in response, Darcy all but fled the room, leaving her in thoughts more tumultuous than she previously had.
Elizabeth stood within the safety of her father's study, listening to the fleeting steps of Mr. Darcy and the shrieking of her sisters. Her eyes fell to her sword, still held within her weakened grasp. Was she ever to understand such a man? One whom rescued her from death not once, but twice? Yet remained secret for some reason or another. And still to bring himself into her presence to return her weapon. So many actions contradicted one another. One gave her, whilst the other dashed them to pieces. Lizzy let her hands pull at the hilt of her sword. Without using all her strength, the sword emerged much slower than what Lizzy could once do. The clean steel emerged into the light, yet there was a disturbance in the sword.
Lizzy frowned. It took but a moment to realize that her blade had been wrapped in parchment. She laid her sword upon her father's desk and began removing the sword further. She could not understand what had possessed Mr. Darcy to wrap her weapon as such. Yet as she continued to remove her sword, Lizzy realized that the parchment was nothing for than a sealed envelope. A letter. Lizzy took hold of the envelope and broke its seal. She lowered herself into her father's chair and read the letter.
Miss Elizabeth,
I know I risk much in corresponding with you, and should it be discovered, we will both pay for my indiscretion. I can only pray that this correspondence will remain private, for there is much that I must write. Much I must tell you.
I hope that this letter finds you well. Upon our last meeting, your health was feared by your family, and mine as well. I know not of what you may recall during your illness. My sister, Georgiana, spent much of her days at your bedside. At her request to your sister, they wrote to my, alerting me to your dire condition. To this day, I know not to what end they had hoped my presence would make. But arrive I did. For days I remained by your side, under the eye of your father and Georgiana to help you.
Perhaps you might question my motives for such an act. To remain within the presence of an unmarried young woman. In truth, I thought nothing of my reputation, nor for your own. My concern was for that of your health. It was not until I was certain of your recovery, that I began to see to your reputation. My first act was to remove myself from your presence. Should you have known of my role in your care, I have no doubt you would have agreed to the demands of propriety. But I would not force you to act as such, and thus concealed myself and the knowledge of my presence from you. There are but few whom were intimately aware of by presence in tending you. Please be comforted in knowing that they shall not speak a word of it, for they love you too greatly to damage you in such a way.
As for myself, I did act as a man fearful of losing the woman he loves. Though you have made your feelings known, my affections toward you have not lessened. If anything, they have grown stronger, for I have glimpsed, twice now, how death has made motion to claim you from this world. And though you care not for me, I will do all in my power to ensure that death shall not claim you. Many nights have I spent haunted by the very memories of Hingham Bridge, but I am comforted to know that you are well.
I end this correspondence, Mis Elizabeth, with my best wishes for your continued recovery.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth was not certain when she had begun to cry silently whilst reading Darcy's letter, yet by the closing, her cheeks were moist with continuing tears. He had saved her. Again. This man, whom she had foolishly believed to be a proud, unjust cad upon their initial meeting, had risked everything to safe her. His good name, his standing in society, his very life-all for her- because he still loved her.
A more sobering thought struck Elizabeth; he believed her former feelings still in existence. He believed she did not love him in return. And he was departing with said thoughts. With the determination as she carried through her training, Elizabeth set forth to inform Mr. Darcy.
With all the force and swiftness her body was capable of delivering, Elizabeth exited her father's study. She journeyed through the hall, carefully avoiding the celebratory of her family. There would be time to offer the well awaited couple her congratulations. However, Elizabeth had her own task at hand to attend presently.
Muscles contracted and pulled beneath her healing skin, delaying her progress. It did nothing but encourage Elizabeth to proceed. She descended the stairs to the family training hall, allowing her body to travel by handrail. A most unladylike action, but well worth the criticism upon a dire situation. Each pillar bearing the homes weight acted as a prospect to propel Elizabeth close to the inner door. She knew nothing of the pain coursing through her leg, shutting it out until her task was complete.
Her bodies weight was thrown against the inner door, forcing it open. Her eyes fell to the stairs that ascended to the open outer door, to the stables. With her hands upon each banister, Elizabeth launched herself up the stairs. The pain in her hand soon joined to discarded pain of her leg as she ascended to stairs. Elizabeth's mind was set on a single point. Nothing else matter.
Elizabeth touched the top step and emerged from the darkened stairs. The crisp spring air overtook the humid cellar air. Her eyes took but a moment to adjust to the brightness of the sun and find Mr. Hill beside a mounted Mr. Darcy. Both men had already been alerted to her presence.
"Miss Bennet, is something wrong." Asked Mr. Hill.
Elizabeth shook her head, "No, Mr. Hill. I merely have important matters to speak with Mr. Darcy."
Mr. Hill appeared uncertain at the young woman's appearance. His master's daughter was hardly in any condition to be out of doors with such wounds still mending. To inform his master would leave them unchaperoned. Yet her purpose presented the same dilemma. Mr. Hill bowed to the young mistress and stepped aside.
Elizabeth's attention shifted to the gentleman in front of her. "Mr. Darcy, I know this is most improper, but I have important matters to discuss with you."
Astonished by her bold, yet characteristic behavior. "Certainly Miss Elizabeth." He immediately dismounted and awaited as Miss Elizabeth drew nearer. They were less than a swords span, yet more than an arms span from one another.
As Mr. Darcy stood before her, words now failed Elizabeth. Her plan was to reach Mr. Darcy before he departed yet she had not anticipated her words when she reached him. She took a moment to allow her leg and hand a rest from her hasty course. Elizabeth allowed her training to fill her mind, gathering her breathing under control. Her careless and impulsive appearance began regal and serene. "Sir, I received your missive," this provoked a visual expression shift from Mr. Darcy. "And I cannot permit myself to allow your departure without the chance to respond."
At her words Mr. Darcy gaze grew intense. His silence unnerved Elizabeth, but she persisted. "Mr. Darcy-"
"Miss Elizabeth, forgive my interruption, I know you are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me forever." He spoke.
His words stunned Elizabeth, but not so as to be unaware of his meaning. She held her words as well as his gaze, allowing the silence to provide her answer. The silence was not lost on Mr. Darcy, nor did it dampen his hopes.
"What you said to me on Hingham Bridge-"
Elizabeth's silence was quick the break. "You heard me?"
Darcy gave a swift nod. "I did. That gave me hope, but I lacked the courage to confront you in person."
"Do you find yourself lacking courage now, Mr. Darcy?" asked Elizabeth.
"No. On the contrary, quite the opposite Miss Elizabeth." Said Darcy. There distance became a daggers length apart from one another. "You are the love of my life, Elizabeth Bennet. So I ask you now, half in anguish, half in hope, will you do me the great, great honor of taking me for your husband?"
Joy blossomed within Elizabeth, contradicting her warrior training. Yet her training did nothing to prevent Elizabeth from smiling in response. "Yes."
I did it! It's finished! Thank you to all who've been patiently waiting for this ending. I'm sorry if it wasn't what you expected, I simply wanted to get this finished. Thanks for all your love and reviews.
