Hi everyone.
Thank you for reading this story. Special mention to these reviewers:
Colleen S, Guest, pemsnowy, JohnnyFlynnFan, Jansfamily4, Guest, Lisa, Arnettin CA, Guest, Levenez, A Hertfordshire Lady, Matelia-legwll, Deanna27, LC-elsie, ChrisM0519, KurukiXV, RHALiz, Maria Teresa C, TiaMaria710, Shelby66, PDS1, Motherof8, Guests, Ellie
My story view counter is playing up again. Reviews are currently not showing up on the site and on the app so I am sorry if I missed anyone. Hopefully these glitches will be fixed soon.
Thank you for the answers to my last question. I loved all your answers. Well, we can only imagine what could have happened if our "wishes" had come true…
Maria Teresa C and Matelia-Iegwll: Great insight into why Caro is associated with the colour orange.
LC-elsie: I did consider adding something about the Bath trip. Although I have been to Bath on multiple occasions, I am not confident about using it as a setting. I will have to research more about Bath in the Regency era.
As no one objected to Lizzy gifting Darcy with a kiss, then that scene stays ;-)
This chapter will be edited in a day or two, please pardon any errors.
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"What do you mean you do not know?"
"Those words generally mean the speaker has no idea."
"But are you not supposed to be planning this with Mr Bingley?"
"Supposedly. But it does not follow that I am."
"You exasperate me! And so early in the morning! Oh, you have no compassion for my poor nerves!"
"I have heard you say that the last twenty years. You may want to say it differently for the sake of novelty. Have you considered improving your vocabulary? I have plenty of books you can read."
"Oh, you are no help at all. Will you at least tell me the date of the trip?"
Elizabeth had been waiting outside of her father's study in the hope of retrieving a book but her parents were still engaged in a heated discussion. She was about to give up and head out for her morning walk when her father's next reply captured her attention.
"As I said, I do not know. I will ask Mr Darcy when --"
"Mr Darcy?! You mean Mr Bingley!"
There was a pause. Elizabeth could imagine her father sighing and shaking his head.
"Mr Darcy knows more than Mr Bingley. He was the one who proposed the idea. He thinks that Miss de Bourgh and Kitty might benefit from the healing waters of Bath, and that you and the girls might enjoy experiencing another society."
"Mr Darcy? Why did you not say so when you announced it? He must think us ungrateful."
"He does not want his involvement to be known. He does not want Lizzy to feel indebted to him for such a grand present, so make sure you tell no one. I have never known a man so noble."
"Indeed. He must really love our Lizzy. Oh, he might just become my favourite son!"
"Preposterous! How easily your loyalty is swayed! Poor Mr Collins!"
"Oh, I must tell Cook to make his favourite cakes every day--"
Elizabeth then slipped away for fear of being caught eavesdropping.
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No, Elizabeth could not keep it a secret. She had to thank Mr Darcy. And so she hurried out of Longbourn to meet him. Seeing his horse secured to a tree but no sign of the man, she proceeded to her secret place. Their secret place.
And there he was, waiting for her. He was sitting down, leaning against their tree, in the line of vision of the meadow with yet to blossom bluebells. One leg was outstretched while the other was bent at the knee, with an arm resting over it.
Her heart sighed to see this wonderful man. She crept up to his sleeping form, being careful not to wake him. When she had settled beside him, she admired his handsome features and affirmed, to herself, that she did love him. Slowly, she closed the gap between them and lay her head gently on his shoulder.
"Mmm… Elizabeth…" he mumbled.
She smiled then. Hearing his voice stirred strange, but pleasant, sensations within her.
"Yes, Mr Darcy?" she said softly.
Startled from his nap, Darcy quickly stood up and performed an awkward bow as soon as he realised Elizabeth was there.
"Do you always have to be so formal? Even after you had just woken up?" Elizabeth giggled while rising. She then curtsied, showing more grace and composure than her suitor.
"Ah… no. Have you been here long?" he asked, embarrassed to have dosed off and to have been caught in that state by Elizabeth.
"No, I have only just arrived. I apologise for disturbing you," she replied.
"No, no. I did not mean to fall asleep while waiting for you. I am sorry. I had little sleep last night… " Darcy admitted.
"Oh, are you not well, sir? Maybe you ought to return to Netherfield and get some rest," she spoke in a worried voice.
"No! I mean, I am well. I had been thinking. That was why I could not sleep," he stated.
Both of them stopped talking then as they tried to find the right words to say next.
"Mr Darcy…"
"Miss Elizabeth…" they spoke simultaneously.
"Please, go ahead," he allowed her to speak first.
"Mr Darcy, I overheard part of a conversation between my parents this morning. Papa told mamma that… you were the one who initiated the idea of going to Bath…" she started.
"I did not realise your father was so little to be trusted. I did not intend for you to know…"
"That was what he said too. He only revealed it because mamma had been pestering him for details about the trip, and he had none to offer," she explained.
He nodded and continued, "I hope you are not displeased that I withheld this information from you and the others."
"No, of course not! But… you must allow me to thank you. Thank you for your continued kindness and generosity towards my family. I understand you thought of your cousin and Kitty taking the waters, and for us to experience a different society," she replied.
"My plan is not as charitable as you think. I also wanted Anne to have company aside from Mrs Jenkinson. If I were to go with my sister and cousin to Bath and not invite your family, I would then be parted with you."
"You did not have to invite everyone, including the Gardiners. You have gifted us with so much and I do not know how to return the favour," she added.
"I do not expect you to. Besides, you have already given me something more valuable," he smiled at her affectionately. "Georgiana opened up to me last night. She said you had encouraged her to talk to me." He gathered her hands and kissed them. "Thank you, Miss Elizabeth."
"I am glad to know that. I hope that she would be able to forgive herself soon," Elizabeth said.
"I believe she will, especially if she has someone like you to guide her," he spoke earnestly. Still holding her hands, he drew nearer and continued, "Miss Elizabeth… last night… when you kissed me… was that… only because we were under the mistletoe? Or is it possible… that there may be another reason?"
She felt her face flush as he studied her expression.
"Some maintain the belief that if a lady was not kissed under the mistletoe, or refused to be kissed, by the time it was taken down, she would not marry in the following year. And there are others who would declare that she would not marry at all," she spoke in a deliberate manner. "Perhaps… I do not want to be consigned to such a fate," she said in a somewhat playful tone. "But sir… do you have any objection to a woman displaying her affection… to the man who has touched her heart?"
"No... none at all. That is... if the feeling is mutual, and both are free to love. Miss Elizabeth, does this mean… that you are ready?" he asked nervously.
"Yes… I am…" she whispered, her eyes remained locked with his.
Darcy could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He had spent hours thinking of the right words to say but nothing came to mind now. Throughout the night, he had reimagined and dreamt of her kiss, hoping it was a sign from her.
"Mr Darcy? Are you ill?" she again worried, knitting her brows.
"No," he said and gulped. "I- I thought I was ready for this…" he stammered, shaking his head. Noticing the confusion on her face and feeling her hands starting to pull away, he clasped them more tightly and confessed,
"I have rehearsed my lines many times over, but my memory fails me. I beg your pardon if I sound far from eloquent when I speak from my heart," he started and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Miss Elizabeth, you have captured my heart effortlessly, absolutely, irrevocably. I did not realise how incomplete my life was until I met you. Now I cannot imagine a future without you -- to hold my hand, to share my hopes and dreams, to challenge me to become a better man, to tease me… I cannot count the ways you make me happy. I only hope that you will grant me the honour of being the one to make you happy every single day for the rest of our lives. I cannot guarantee a union without its share of misunderstandings, but I hope that together, we will learn and grow. I am not a perfect man, but one thing I can assure you is that I love you, with my whole being. And I will do so, always."
He then got down on one knee, kissed her hands and did not let go. "Dearest, loveliest Miss Elizabeth, you will make me the happiest man if you accept my hand. Will you marry me?"
Thoroughly touched by his heartfelt speech, Elizabeth could only nod at first.
"You are perfect for me, Mr Darcy. Yes, I will marry you," she spoke with feeling, her eyes glistening and gazing down at him with adoration.
Darcy rose and stepped closer to her until their coats were touching. With trembling fingers, he gently stroked one side of her face. Instinctively, she leaned against his touch and closed her eyes.
"May I kiss you?" he asked in a hopeful voice.
She smiled. "Do you need to ask?" she softly replied.
Darcy gently tilted her face up, and tenderly pressed his mouth against her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks. Elizabeth relished every moment before she opened her eyes and looked at him, waiting and wishing for more.
"Oh, how I love you, Miss Elizabeth."
"I love you too, Mr Darcy." Her voice came out as little more than a whisper but her real affections were conveyed by her expressive eyes.
Warmth blossomed in their chests, and they drew even closer to each other, lips brushing together, tentatively. They inhaled each other's scent and savoured the softness and taste of each other's lips. Thus they were blissfully occupied in a loving embrace, unaware of the world around them.
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"May I call you by your given name?" Darcy asked his now betrothed, as they sat against their tree, her head resting on his shoulder and his arm around her waist.
"I certainly hope you do, for I would feel very offended if you called me by another woman's name," Elizabeth teased.
"You are the only one for me, Elizabeth," he pronounced her name reverently. "Will you call me Fitzwilliam?"
"Fitzwilliam… such a noble sounding name."
"I love hearing you say my name. Elizabeth, do I have to return you to Longbourn? Will your father mind so much if we elope?" he asked as he kissed her hair.
"Elope? You would never do anything so scandalous," she laughed.
"No, I would not do anything to risk your reputation, but maybe my uncle can help me procure a special licence," he replied. "When do you want to marry?"
"Fitzwilliam, we only just got engaged! I have not thought that far in advance."
He sighed. "I just find myself being impatient to start our life together, Elizabeth. Pray, forgive me for being selfish."
"You are the least selfish person that I know," she smiled. "When do you want our engagement to be announced?"
"As soon as your father grants his consent," he readily answered.
"And what of mamma? Who is going to break the news to her?" Elizabeth did not sound too keen about this thought.
"I will do it unless your father wants the honour. What better way for the whole of England to know that I have secured the hand of the most enchanting woman?" he replied.
"Oh, you think it is funny now. Wait until she bothers you about the wedding. Are you prepared to discuss ribbons, lace, bonnets, flowers, the menu for the wedding breakfast and more with her?" she questioned.
"I would be willing to humour her as long as we get married. Elizabeth… do you want to share the same wedding date as your sister and Mr Bingley?" he wondered.
"I would love to, Fitzwilliam. You know she is very dear to me. I shall ask Jane tonight."
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When Darcy called at Longbourn, he had a clear purpose in mind. He felt nervous but also quietly optimistic as he knocked on the door of Mr Bennet's study. Considering Elizabeth's father showed approval of their courtship, he hoped that this interview would only be a short one.
"Ah, Mr Darcy," Mr Bennet said as Darcy entered. "Is Lizzy not with you?"
"She is in the parlour, sir. I came to ask for your consent and blessing to marry Miss Elizabeth," Darcy directly made his purpose known. The sooner this conversation ended, the more time he would have left to spend with Elizabeth.
The older man gave him a blank stare and invited him to sit down. However, instead of responding to his request, Mr Bennet assembled the pieces of the chessboard in front of him.
"Sir, I came to ask for your consent and blessing to marry your daughter Elizabeth," he repeated.
"Oh, I heard you the first time," the other man casually said. "Now, how about a match? Black or white?"
"Your choice, sir," Darcy replied, quite confused. Do I have your consent, sir?"
Mr Bennet chose white and started the game, still ignoring the important question. Though he was not really interested in playing at that moment, Darcy had little choice but to stay until he gained what he was seeking.
"Sir, if you have any reservations or questions, I would --" Darcy offered but he was interrupted.
"Keep your eye on the game, Mr Darcy," his opponent reminded him.
Darcy did his best to stay calm despite his increasing frustration. It would not do him any good if he were to have a disagreement with Elizabeth's father now. In his mind, he thought it might be better if he did not spend time calculating his every move in the game so they could finally discuss his crucial application.
"Your turn," Mr Bennet prompted the inattentive Darcy. "Concentrate, young man. You know, I always thought that Oxford had the edge over Cambridge…" he taunted but kept a straight face.
Darcy's first instinct was to glare at the man opposite him, but he caught himself. Very well, if he wants to bring up the university rivalry… Darcy viewed the remaining chess pieces and decided he was not simply giving Mr Bennet an outright win. Spotting a way to put his challenger at a disadvantage, he used his black bishop to take the white queen. He then sat back and tried not to look smug. Noticing Mr Bennet take a deep breath, Darcy thought that perhaps he could still turn the game around.
"Did you really have to choose that move?" the older man asked in a dry tone.
"All part of the game, sir," Darcy replied with more confidence.
"Do you realise my bishop could take your pawn here and your king would be in check? You would then need to move your king. If you move it here, my bishop could take it, and if you move it here, I could move my knight here then… checkmate," Mr Bennet explained.
"You have set a trap," Darcy shook his head.
"All part of the game, as you would say. It helps to pay attention," Mr Bennet smirked.
"Shall we finish this then and you can claim your win?" Darcy said.
"Oh, no. Winning was not my objective," Mr Bennet replied. "I have learnt, perhaps a little too late, that in life, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination."
Darcy just watched as Mr Bennet arranged the chess pieces in the opening formation.
"Has Lizzy told you that she also used a bait during your chess match?" Mr Bennet grinned after seeing Darcy's reaction. "I hope you already know that Lizzy is intelligent, independent and strong-willed." He stopped and waited for Darcy to acknowledge this.
"I am very much aware, sir," Darcy replied.
"Regarding your application for her hand, I have but one concern," Mr Bennet gave him a serious look.
"Mr Bennet, rest assured that your daughter will be well provided for. I will ensure that she will not want for anything--"
"I am not questioning your ability to offer her a lavish lifestyle. I am grateful for your generosity to my family. What I want to know is— will she be allowed to be herself? Or will her natural enthusiasm, her liveliness of mind and spirit be curbed?" Mr Bennet questioned.
"Those traits you mentioned are some of the best things I admire about her. I would not dare to even attempt to change her. I love her for who she is, and I will endeavour to do anything and everything to make her happy," Darcy firmly declared.
Mr Bennet stared at him intently and nodded. "Very well, you have my consent and blessing. Please send Lizzy in."
After thanking Mr Bennet, Darcy opened the door to exit the study. He was surprised to see Elizabeth waiting by the entryway. After seeing the happy expression on Darcy's face, Elizabeth immediately rushed in to hug and thank her father.
"Your young man here has ranted and stormed about his love for you. I could not part with you with anyone less worthy, my dearest Lizzy," Mr Bennet said. "I hope your marriage will be a happy one."
They remained in the study for some more moments, sharing a few laughs and tears.
"Well then, with the imminent prospect of my two sensible daughters leaving Longbourn, I suppose the best thing for me to do is to teach the other two so they may relinquish their title of being the silliest girls in the country. Perhaps it is time for them to learn to play chess and be introduced to Shakespeare. I think I shall acquire a copy of that new book 'Sense and Sensibility' for them."
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So… originally, I had a different plan for the conclusion. I just very recently thought that it could be like the 2005 film where it ends with the 'Mr Bennet in his study' scene. I mean, not all stories end with a wedding and an epilogue detailing who married who and the names of their children and grandchildren…
I did intend to have a chapter for "between the engagement and the wedding", a chapter for the wedding, and a question mark for "after the wedding", but I thought maybe I do not need to go that far. I have not really planned those in detail so I could just let that plan go. Besides, at 58 chapters, this story is definitely waaaaay longer than I expected it to be, and I have other unfinished stories to continue.
I have a few random scenes in mind that do not really form a cohesive chapter. Not sure if they are worth expanding into full chapters, or if anyone wants to read more. I have no plans to resurrect the villains to provide further conflict. These unwritten scenes are just "slices of life" or snippets/peeks into their lives. I was thinking they could be something like those end-of-credit scenes or bonus/deleted scenes from films. Just short ones.
I will happily consider polite feedback.
But if it ends here, then I take this opportunity to thank you all for welcoming me into this community and supporting a new writer who has issues with grammar LOL. You have cheered me up and helped keep me sane especially during the COVID/lockdown/online teaching period.
Thank you very much and stay safe.