Good morning! I hope you like this chapter and that you do not feel too frustrated at its conclusion!
As a reminder: at some point I will start posting chapters of this story more rapidly, and the completed story will not stay up for long. Make sure you set your notifications so you find out when a new chapter is up!
And now, on to our story!
Darcy was sitting on a small cot on the far side of the bleak room, with his elbows on his knees and his face resting in his hands. There was no other furniture visible. He did not move when the door creaked open, though he must have heard the sound. Elizabeth took a hesitant step inside and waited until the door closed behind her. "Fitzwilliam?" she called, tentatively.
At first there was no reaction. She waited long, painful moments. Then Darcy lifted his head and turned his face slowly towards her. There was less light in this room than in the Gardiner's, and he strained to see her in the dimness. Elizabeth heard him whisper. "Elizabeth? Are you real or are you a dream?" Then he stood and faced her. "Elizabeth!"
Tears began to blur Elizabeth's vision. Darcy's expression was impossible to read, his face in shadow. She could barely see his eyes, let alone read what he was feeling. Why was he standing there staring? Why did he not move or speak? Was he angry with her?
Then Darcy took a half step towards her and held out his arms. "Elizabeth, my darling!"
In the next moment she flew across the room, erasing the distance between them. "Fitzwilliam!"
His arms went around her as she fell against him, and he pulled her close as she burst into tears, all the despair and distress she had felt for the past miserable weeks finally finding release. Darcy caressed her hair, her face, and her shoulders over and over again as she wept. "My darling! My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! My sweet! You do not know how I have longed to hold you again!"
"I am so sorry!" she said over and over again, until she felt his fingertips brushing her tears away. Instinctively she raised her face, her eyes seeking out his, dreading what she might see there. But instead of reproach or reproof she saw deep love, with no resentment or rebuke. She closed her eyes as his lips sought hers. He kissed her sweetly, lingeringly, and for a moment she was transported away from their rough surroundings, back to the theater and the night he kissed her for the first time. She kissed him back desperately.
When Darcy finally lifted his head they still clung to each other tightly, their foreheads pressing together. "I was so afraid," Elizabeth half gasped, "that you would never be able to forgive me!"
"And I thought you might never be able to trust me, not after discovering how much I had deceived you!"
"Deceived me! Do you mean about the Fleur?"
"I despised not being truthful with you, even for a good cause." He stepped back slightly, looking at her searchingly. "I have so much to share with you! But first, did you receive the note I left for you? I said that I loved you more than ever! And I meant it." He kissed her again.
"I feel the same for you!" Elizabeth responded, and they were lost in each other's embrace for long minutes.
When they finally separated, Darcy glanced at the door behind her before drawing her away from it and guiding her to sit beside him on the small, rude cot, the only piece of furniture in the bare room. "I wish I could welcome you to better accommodations," he said with a rueful smile.
"As if I care about your accommodations, when it is life and breath just to see you again!" Elizabeth clung to his hands. "Are you well? Has Wickham treated you ill?"
"I cannot complain of my treatment, at least not yet." He caressed her cheek. "Now that you are here, in fact, I cannot complain of anything!"
She was relieved that he had not been injured but he was still in profound danger. "We have to get you out of here! We must have another chance to make each other happy! I cannot allow Wickham to carry out his revenge on you, especially now that I know the man I really married!"
"There were so many times I wanted to tell you the real purpose of my business affairs, the trips that I would take without warning and with barely an explanation. It was not fair to you. But there was more than just my own safety at stake. I had to be careful."
"I understand that now. You nearly betrayed yourself several times. The wonder is that I did not realize it on my own! I cannot account for it."
"What finally gave it away? How did you put it all together?"
"The portrait in your office tells a story on its own, for those with eyes to see. And then I remembered all your sudden trips, and the clever way you got us out of Paris. But the most convincing piece of evidence was the Fleur de Lys on the back of the locket you gave me!"
"There was a very particular reason I gave you that locket. In fact, there was more than one reason, which I shall tell you soon. But first tell me everything I need to know. Have you seen the Gardiners? Are they well?"
"As well as can be expected. My uncle is still weak but he swears he can travel if you need him to."
"What about my cousin and Bingley?"
She glanced cautiously at the door. "They both came with me, and they are near at hand. But I do not understand. Hasn't Wickham tried to force information from you?"
Darcy shook his head. "Not yet. He was waiting for your arrival before trying to . . . persuade me to do what he wants. What conditions did he set to allow you to meet with me privately?"
Though they were alone in the room she could not help lowering her voice and speaking conspiratorially. "I am supposed to be begging you to tell him about the other members of the Fleur, who they are and where they can be found."
"Naturally."
"And if you do not then he will send my aunt and uncle and me to the guillotine along with you!"
Darcy nodded. "Just as I thought. Wickham is agreeably predictable, which will give us the advantage in dealing with him."
"What is your plan? Do you have a plan?"
He did not answer her directly, but said, "I see that you are wearing the locket I gave you. Would you mind taking it off?"
Elizabeth was surprised by his request but happy to comply. She reached behind her, undid the clasp, and handed the necklace to him. Darcy turned the locket over in his palm, running his thumb over the image of the fleur. "Have you opened it?"
"No." Now she was utterly mystified. "I did not realize it could be opened."
"There is a special catch on the side, which must be pressed down in just a certain way." Darcy took her hand and guided her fingers to the catch. He pressed his finger over hers to show her what was required. "Here it is."
She watched in wonder as the back panel, powered by some kind of hidden spring, swung open, revealing a small compartment. Even in the darkness of this improvised cell she could make out an ornate letter D intertwined with the familiar fleur de lys, in raised relief. "My father had this made for my mother so that she could conduct business in his name whenever he had to leave the country. I gave it to you for sentimental reasons. But I also gave it to you so that the colonel or Bingley could execute instructions to the members of the Fleur, in the event of my . . . . well, if I were unable to do so myself."
"They never told me!" Elizabeth could only shake her head. Would she never stop discovering new depths to this man?
Darcy closed the locket again and pressed it into her hand. "Now you must listen very carefully. The most dangerous part of the Fleur de Lys is still to come. Whether we all live or die will depend on your ability to carry out my directions in every particular. As long as you affix this seal, you can give instructions to the rest of the Fleur de Lys in my name. Do you understand?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I am ready!"
"Then listen carefully. We do not have much time."
Ten minutes later the door of the cell swung abruptly open and Wickham stepped inside the small room.
"Well, Darcy?" he asked. "I assume your wife has told you what will happen to her and her family if you do not cooperate with me."
Elizabeth and Darcy stayed seated on the cot, with Darcy's arms around his wife and Elizabeth's head buried in his chest. She was sobbing loudly. "Please, Fitzwilliam!"
"Hush, Elizabeth," Darcy soothed her. "There is no need for fear. I will do as you ask." Then, addressing Wickham, he said, pleadingly, "I surrender, Wickham. You have won. I will do whatever you wish. But do not hurt my wife!"
Wickham smiled with grim satisfaction. "Will you tell me everything you can about the other members of your little group?"
"It seems I have no choice. But you must promise, on your word as a gentleman, to let Elizabeth and her family go!"
"Elizabeth and her family will be safe as soon as I have what I want." Wickham's eyes narrowed as he added, "I promise you. On my word as a gentleman."
Darcy's shoulders slumped. He looked down at the ground, avoiding Wickham's eyes, as he said. "Tomorrow at noon, the whole group of the Fleur de Lys will have its monthly meeting in our regular location. Everyone will be there."
Wickham stepped forward eagerly. "Where do they meet? What is the direction?"
"The meeting place is in the woods outside the city. I can not tell you where it is, but I can take you to it."
"Very well, then. At noon tomorrow we will finish this. Soldiers! Remove this woman!"
One of Wickham's soldiers entered the cell, crossed to Elizabeth, and said, "Citizen, follow me!"
Elizabeth gave her husband a final embrace as she wiped her tears away. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I love you!" Then she bravely rose to her feet and followed the soldier. Wickham went out after them, and Darcy was left alone in the dark room.
What do you think will happen at this meeting in the woods? Come back soon to find out! In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your time with your loved ones! -Elaine Owen
