"Oh, there you are, Mr Darcy!" the seven-year old Isabelle Gardiner cried.
"We have been waiting for a looooong time," Emma who was two years her senior added.
"I was playing chess with your Uncle Bennet," explained Darcy, looking wistfully at Elizabeth. After gaining her father's consent and blessing, the gentleman expected that they could spend some time together and perhaps even share a few celebratory kisses.
"You promised we would play, remember?" Isabelle reminded him, her mouth forming an adorable pout.
"I did indeed." Darcy glanced at his radiant betrothed. His betrothed! His heart filled with warmth and joy at the thought that Elizabeth had agreed to marry him.
"While you were in the study, we have decided to play sardines," Emma announced.
Sardines? Oh dear! He would be no good at that considering his stature. Could we not just play with the pine cows we made? Or even dolls and toy soldiers? He then noticed that Elizabeth was now smirking, no doubt imagining how he would fare in the game.
"And have you determined who would be the first person to hide?" Elizabeth asked the children.
"We have chosen Mr Darcy. He is our guest after all so he should have that honour," replied James, the elder twin to Robert. Darcy thought he had seen a glint in the boy's eyes but perhaps he only imagined this. Knowing it would be futile to attempt to convince them to select a different activity, he accepted that he just had to comply with their choice. He had no intention to bring disappointment to Elizabeth's much-loved relations.
The rules of the game were quickly laid out. The players consisted of Darcy, Elizabeth, and the four Gardiner children. While Elizabeth tended to her young cousins, her sisters Jane, Kitty and Lydia helped their mother finish filling the boxes for the tenants whom they expected to arrive that afternoon. It was tradition for families to show charity by giving their old clothing and extra items to servants and tenants on St Stephen's Day, the day after Christmas. Mr Bingley was also doing the same at Netherfield.
"One… two… three…" Darcy felt more anxious as he heard the children counting. Where could I possibly hide?
Hastily slipping into Mr Bennet's study, he was met by a look of surprise from the older man.
"Pardon me, sir. I need to hide!" he spoke urgently. Turning around to view the room, he elected to go behind the curtains.
"That is no good. Your form is evident through the fabric," Mr Bennet chuckled.
"May I move the bookcase?" Darcy emerged from the drapes and eyed the mahogany furniture.
"Do not even think about it! Leave my books alone!"
With time running out, Darcy then ducked under the large desk for lack of other options.
"What do you think you are you doing?"
"Hiding. As I said, sir," Darcy whispered.
"You have only been engaged for minutes and you are already hiding from your betrothed. This does not bode well. Perhaps I should retract my consent," the other man teased.
"I am not hiding from Elizabeth--" Darcy paused as he heard the door opening.
"Is he here?" a child's voice called out.
Darcy froze and stared at Mr Bennet with pleading eyes.
"Do you mean Mr Darcy?" the man replied in a dry tone.
"Yes, uncle. Have you seen him?"
Darcy shook his head.
"I did," Mr Bennet confirmed. "This morning."
"Oh. I just thought… I thought I heard voices coming from here."
After Emma left, a similar conversation happened with Isabelle. On the third occasion, James discovered Darcy's hiding place as he spied more than one pair of footwear under the desk. Robert soon followed, and the ensuing squirming, jostling and grunting gave away their location to the others.
Being the last one to arrive at the packed scene, Elizabeth was judged as the next person to hide. She had suspected early on where Darcy could have been hiding, but she wanted her cousins to win over her.
"One… two… three…" The counting began and off Elizabeth went in her quest for an obscure hiding spot. It was a shame she could not head upstairs for it would not be appropriate for Darcy to do his exploration there.
She squeezed into a cramped spot and tried to conceal herself. It was a space the Bennet family used for storing, or sometimes carelessly disposing of, coats, shawls and other outdoor clothing and accessories. All she could do now was to remain as silent and as still as she could.
First she heard Isabella wondering out loud where to find her. Then this was followed by James, Emma and Robert in that order. At one point, James came to about a foot away from the edge of her skirts.
"Lizzy! Where are you? Oh, Mr Darcy, would you happen to know where Lizzy is?"
Sigh. I wonder what mother wants.
"I am afraid not, Mrs Bennet. We are playing sardines with the children, and no one has discovered her whereabouts yet," Darcy replied.
"You are playing sardines?! With the children? Oh. Well… never mind…" Mrs Bennet sounded confused.
"Could I be of service, madam?" Darcy politely offered his assistance.
"Oh. No. I thank you. Just… just continue with the game and… enjoy..." she said before disappearing into the parlour.
A muffled noise from the inside the closet was heard as Elizabeth tried to hold back a sneeze. A few seconds later, Darcy was standing shoulder to shoulder with her.
"A-a-a-a-achoo!"
"Shhhh…" Darcy put one his forefinger to his lips. Elizabeth stayed unmoving for only a short while before her shoulders started shaking. Not only did the great master of Pemberley hide under her papa's desk, now he was hiding under all these layers and other ladies' garments. The image he presented was simply absurd.
In one quick motion, he gently turned her face towards him and kissed her soundly on the lips. Mmm… enjoy, her mother had said.
The newly engaged couple were agreeably occupied for several minutes before said mother found them in such a tender embrace.
"Mr Darcy!" she gasped.
"I can explain, Mrs Bennet--"
"Explain? How can you explain this?"
"Elizabeth was hiding in the closet. I found her and joined her as per the rules of sardines. Oh, and I have proposed to Elizabeth, and she has accepted. Mr Bennet has granted his consent and blessing," Darcy's words came out in a rush.
"You are engaged! And no one thought to tell me!"
"All this happened only today," Darcy added, cautiously watching for his future mother-in-law's next reaction as she remained immobile apart from her heaving chest.
"Smelling salts, Elizabeth," Darcy pressed his betrothed's hand. Better be prepared, he thought.
"Oh! Here, Mr Darcy!"
"Gahhhh!" The man yelped after inhaling the pungent smell when Mrs Bennet thrusted her silver vinaigrette close to his nose.
"There, now you are revived. Mr Bennet gifted this to me for Christmas," the older lady smiled.
"Oh, we finally found you!" The children shouted as they ran towards Darcy and Elizabeth. They had decided to work together as none had any luck locating the pair.
"Listen, children, you need to let Mr Darcy rest as he is unwell. You might have exhausted the poor man with your games. Go and find your other cousins in the parlour in the meantime," Mrs Bennet instructed.
"Lizzy, why don't you accompany Mr Darcy to the music room? No one will disturb you there. Make sure you attend to him carefully. Perhaps you can read to him while he rests," Mrs Bennet suggested.
The lady of the house insisted that Darcy make himself comfortable on the settee. "We cannot have you collapsing, and so soon after your betrothal," she reasoned. Once she was satisfied that the gentleman was settled, she left to visit her neighbours, including Lady Lucas, Mrs Long, Mrs Golding and her sister Mrs Phillips, so that she may boast about her two eldest daughters being engaged to handsome and wealthy gentlemen.
"Why did you not object to mamma fussing over you? You were not really feeling faint, were you?" Elizabeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe I was. It was quite stifling in the closet," Darcy replied. "But I think I would recover faster if you read to me."
"Is that so? Very well, I do not wish you to fall ill."
Elizabeth read a selection of poems by Wordsworth but stopped when Darcy appeared to have dosed off. She admired his noble features and peaceful countenance, and lightly stroked his dark curls.
"Thank you, my love," Darcy spoke, to Elizabeth's surprise.
"I thought you have fallen asleep on me again," she remarked.
"I had my eyes closed to appreciate the sound of your voice better. It has definitely soothed my poor nerves," he answered, taking her hands in his then bestowed light kisses on them.
"Seeing as you are well-rested, shall we join the others in the parlour?" she smiled.
"Can I get a kiss before we do so? To invigorate my senses?"
His betrothed did not require further persuasion to accommodate his request. She wished to ensure his good health and well-being, of course. And when he sought another one, "just for good measure," she quite happily complied.
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Hi. I am glad you liked chapter 58. I was not too sure if the proposal scene was good enough for ODC, but I am happy it has met with your approval.
Special thanks to the reviewers:
Lisa, JohnnyFlynnFan, Guest, Colleen S, Levenez, midnitewanderer, Carolineonestop, Gigglesnco, Mystylight, A Hertfordshire Lady, RHALiz , Deanna27, Mimsy2021, MK543, PDS1, ArnettinCA, Jansfamily4, ChrisM0519, liysyl, Matelia-legwill, Maria Teresa C, Sew Cajun, KurukiXV, Motherof8, Eleoopy, srhittson, Firedreams2021, Delbert59, HPforever2018-3, LaurelLeafSinger, Shelby66, Mh, TiaMaria710, era-romance, Lady DragonRider 01, Kuwpp2, Water Flower 2009, Ireallyshouldbesleeping1
This chapter is not exactly the epilogue. I do have something imagined about what happens to Lady C, Wickham and Caroline. I just felt like I needed a break after 58 chapters. And work has been verrrry stressful since September, so I apologise for not updating this story earlier. I will come back and write a bit more when I get the chance (for anyone who is still interested).
I wrote this bonus chapter as a thank you for your support. 564,701 total views as of this posting! Other authors/stories probably get more, but for me, this is amazing! Thank you so much!
I hope you all had a happy Christmas, and I wish you all the best for the coming year. :-)