Note: Rating has changed to M, for mature themes. Other announcements are at the end of the chapter!
Chapter 21
Mrs. Bennet was exceedingly delighted, the Gardiners were extremely pleased, Mr. Hill was elated, Bingley was thrilled, and Georgiana was overjoyed.
Yet the happiest of them all were Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. They were beyond smiles; they were with laughter. Even when they were silent, they laughed with their eyes, his intense ones and her fine ones always meeting.
"Elizabeth Darcy," he whispered in her ear as their carriage escaped Mrs. Bennet's exultant, merry sobbing.
"Elizabeth Darcy," he repeated as they shut the door to their room at Netherfield.
Bingley had offered them the privacy of his home, and Mrs. Bennet had offered him a room at Longbourn for his generosity to the couple. How the atmosphere was three miles away was curious indeed, but Darcy was really more bewitched by the allure of his Elizabeth.
"My husband," stated his wife. His wife! Darcy could scarcely believe how complete he felt, when only a year ago his life was empty and mundane. He thought, as he gazed at Elizabeth, that love was more beautiful than he had ever expected.
He kissed her once, lightly, then could not help himself and kissed her again, ardently, and again, passionately. She was the sweetest taste, and he was addicted.
"How are you, my love?" asked he, cupping her face. He marvelled at the allurement of her eyes, half-closed in lust.
"Exceedingly pleased," she spoke, "and fulfilled."
She took a step forward, so that her figure pressed against his. Darcy became very warm.
"Well, almost fulfilled," whispered Elizabeth. She bit her lip, suddenly nervous.
"Shall we?" asked he, attempting to suppress his excitement lest Elizabeth wish to postpone their consummation.
He was not to be disappointed. His wife may have felt the pressure of the unknown, but she was eager. He matched her in spirit. He also believed that it was his duty to be confident. They might have experienced every first together, but he doubted that his Elizabeth, no matter how curious her mind was, had come across some of the books he had read or the conversations he had heard. She was very much a maiden, and he the man to lead her.
He guided her to their bed, where they sat, their anticipation high. His eyes never leaving her loveliness, he touched the fabric of her dress. Slowly, he caressed it until it dropped down her figure and her shoulder was bare. His breath hitched at the sight, and further became unsteady when his fingers grazed her naked skin. Elizabeth's eyes grew larger, rounder—and she nodded, giving him leave to continue.
When she was entirely bare to him, he truly believed himself to be in the presence of a goddess.
"You are divine, Elizabeth," spoke he. His eyes trailed up and down her pleasing form, his heart beating so loudly, so rapidly. How many times had he imagined this? Now she was before him, in her perfection, and he wanted nothing more than to stare at her uncovered forever. He studied her, wishing to imprint every detail of her in his mind, to be recalled on many times in the future. Everything about her attracted him. The slopes of her body, her smoothness, her shades—he found her entire being perfect. Even her oppositions to symmetry, of which there were very few, were perfectly to his liking. How could a figure so small and light levitate and support such full shapes? He was bewitched. He was completely in love with Elizabeth.
"Are you pleased?" she asked.
She was an impertinent thing. Darcy smiled and answered, "Of course. My belief that you are the most beautiful sight in the world is reaffirmed. Do you know how handsome you are? Do you know how much I love you?"
"I know you love me, as I love you," she said. "I never thought that I was not handsome. Though if I am truly too vain about my appearance, I hope that love makes you blind after all."
"Aphrodite would pale in comparison to your beauty." He reached for her, unable to resist touching her any longer. The meeting of their skins was instantly overwhelming. She was so soft, so lovely. Little bumps of excitement formed on her as his hands explored, and Darcy could not hold back the effect that had on him.
"What of you, sir?" asked Elizabeth, eyeing his clothing.
"What do you desire of me?"
"I imagine, Fitzwilliam, that you know precisely what I desire."
She wanted him bare, and Darcy obliged her. He had always been more confident than not in his appearance, but in hoping that Elizabeth found him good enough in her fine eyes, he was human to diffidence. No opinion but hers mattered, and he really did want her to find him attractive.
When she praised him, the pleasure and relief that overcame him was unlike any other response he ever felt to a compliment. He was sure that his entire body was blushing. Elizabeth did not seem to notice it too much, if he was indeed the colour of the ripest, reddest berry. Her utmost fascination was rather with the part of him most unknown to her. Such anatomy repeatedly drew her eyes. Her curiosity battled her bashfulness, though the former eventually prevailed. Her boldness was admired by Darcy, who by her touch was sure that he was in the finest of heavens. He was substantial, she was small, and some might have wondered, on sight alone, how they would manage.
They fit perfectly.
Darcy and Elizabeth were married, and life was delightful. Pemberley was quickly made to be their home, as well as Georgiana's, above all of their other properties.
There were times, however, when they were forced to be away. Business called Darcy to London. He hated the idea of parting from his Elizabeth, so he took her with him. It turned out that Georgiana could not be parted from Elizabeth either, so she and Mrs. Annesley accompanied them. Plans were then made for Bingley and Kitty to join their party during their brief stop in Hertfordshire.
"Mrs. Bennet did not even need to become my mother-in-law to make me weary of her nearness," Bingley whispered to Darcy when they embarked from Longbourn. He was not quiet enough. Elizabeth chastised him while he protested his innocence. Darcy observed them, greatly amused by their antics.
Of course Elizabeth came out of it victorious. Afterwards, she announced, "Let me bid farewell to the little ones one last time. Then we may leave."
"Your father will want you to see you as well, Mrs. Darcy," spoke Mr. Hill.
"Whenever I see Mr. Bennet, he is always asking about the news I hear of his favourite daughter from Darcy," said Bingley, smiling. "Do not be hasty with your goodbyes on my account. I am perfectly fine waiting."
Darcy seconded their patience, and the gentlemen watched as Elizabeth disappeared into the house.
"She is glowing," remarked Bingley. He turned to his friend. "This must be your doing."
It was true that there was a change in Elizabeth. Marriage had allowed her to truly bloom. If Darcy had known how much Hertfordshire had limited her, and how much Derbyshire would nourish her, he would have made his first proposal to her far sooner than he had. He supposed she still would have rejected him, but perhaps their reunion in Kent would have resulted in their reconciliation, instead of their despair. His aunt would have been furious to know that her property was the fruitful grounds of their betrothal.
As proud as Darcy was from Bingley's words, he also felt that Elizabeth deserved more credit for her own development. He smiled and said as much in reply before turning to address Mr. Hill.
"If Mr. Bennet ever finds the time to travel to Pemberley, you must come with him; and if Pemberley is too far of a distance, you must know that you are also always welcome at our home in London."
Of course, Bingley was there and could not be outdone in hospitality. He might have known Mr. Hill less, and he might not have had the connection of being his master's son-in-law, but he still asked him to make use of Netherfield Park. He even promised him a personal tour of any of his future properties.
When it was time to depart, Darcy thought that the extent of Elizabeth's sadness did not match that expected of the occasion. Her eyes were far too wet, which alone gave him all the cause to worry. So that they would be able to talk freely, he arranged for them to travel in a carriage separate from the others. After securing his wife's comfort with an abundance of cushions and rugs, he began his inquiries.
"Are you well, my love? Did the little ones not want their sister to leave them? Did your father say something to you?"
"Oh, no. You know that the little ones are not old enough to recognise me taking leave of them, though I admit to missing them greatly already. As for my father, he said nothing terrible, except perhaps his jest that Denny is his favourite son-in-law." A few tears escaped her eyes, and Darcy startled. Elizabeth had never been one to be offended by a harmless joke.
"My dear, I do not mind that your father likes me less." He wiped off her tears and kissed her gently. "Would you like a tart?"
"I—"
He saw it coming as she felt it. The carriage was immediately ordered to a halt and the door was flung open. He assisted Elizabeth to the side of the road where she expelled her breakfast behind a bush. There was not much in her, for she had not eaten much, but he was highly alarmed. As he stroked her back, he tried to recall if they had recently been in the presence of anyone ill, or if she had consumed anything strange. No one and nothing came to mind. Then he remembered that her mother rarely travelled in fear of sickness from motion. Though Elizabeth had told him that she never experienced such ailments, and indeed she had not in all of their journeys together, he desperately wished that it was the cause of her predicament. God forbid she was seriously ill.
"I am well," she proclaimed after washing out her mouth.
"Elizabeth," began Darcy.
She quickly assured, "I feel quite like myself now. Perhaps it was the fish last evening that incited my stomach. I am well enough to return to the carriage."
"My dear, you must rest, and a physician must be fetched."
"I am ready to continue travelling now and we ought to catch up to the other carriage. I promise that I will not protest you calling for a physician when we arrive in London."
Her fine eyes were becoming a bit of a problem, for he could hardly refuse them. Still, firmness was in his nature.
"You will allow yourself to rest in our bed when we are home. And if there is an apothecary available when we stop, you will allow me to bring him to you."
"Very well, Mr. Darcy."
Her archness! In the private moments of their marriage, she only called him Mr. Darcy to tease him. His reply was a kiss on her lips.
"Fitz—! I do not believe that you should be doing that right now! I must taste horrid."
"Nonsense. Your lips will always tempt me."
"What if I am ill. I would not want you to catch anything."
"Are you suggesting that we be hasty in finding a physician?"
Elizabeth said that she did not mean that at all. She walked determinedly to the carriage, persuaded him to enter it with her, and settled comfortably on his lap afterwards. Holding her firmly, but tenderly, Darcy was relieved to see that her spirit was returned. It gave him hope that her health was adequate. If there was any other comfort, it was that they were married and he could now attend to her. He had been terribly frightened during her last ailment, when they were not yet engaged and he could not see her for himself.
True to his word and intent, Darcy arranged the most for his wife's health. The air in London was worse than he would have liked, but staff was plentiful and experts in medicine near. Looking at how Elizabeth appeared, surrounded by what he thought was a sufficient amount of covers and pillows, Darcy was satisfied.
"Must it be like this?" asked Elizabeth, a little muffled.
"What do you mean?"
"You have swaddled me impressively."
"Surely you are not complaining."
"I am capable of it, I assure you, but whether I express my grievances will depend if you are kind enough to read to me."
"Of course, my love. What do you wish me to read?"
"Perhaps one of your favourites."
Darcy was pleased to provide the entertainment, and Elizabeth loved to hear his deep, soothing voice. He smiled when he saw her falling asleep.
"Why have you stopped?" she murmured.
He put down the book. "I did not know that you were still listening."
"I confess that the details might have escaped me, but I really was enjoying your voice most of all."
Darcy brushed her hair, softer than silk, so that he could better see her face. He was about to resume the story when a maid entered the room with a tray of tea and sweets. It was for Elizabeth, from Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, Bingley, and Kitty.
"I might have to be ill more often," joked Elizabeth.
"You need not resort to that. If you wish it, you will be served like this and more every day."
Elizabeth laughed. "I feel so loved, Fitzwilliam. By my family and friends, by the servants and neighbours, and especially by you. Even when I lie here, on the verge of being ill, I cannot imagine being any happier."
The pending illness aside, the sentiment was shared by Darcy. With Elizabeth as his wife, he was the happiest man in the world and could envision no felicity greater than what he had.
It turned out, an hour later when Elizabeth's health was examined, that there was a cause to be even happier.
The news of a forthcoming addition to the Darcy family brought out joyous tears in everyone. Mrs. Reynolds, who had longed for children at Pemberley for many years, was perhaps the most thrilled—or it might have been Georgiana, who had been working on many projects for her imminent nephews and nieces since she believed her brother to be in love with Elizabeth—or was it Bingley, who already proclaimed himself to be the godfather—but Mrs. Bennet, who upon being informed of her future grandchild wrote an exceedingly boastful letter about her sweetest, cleverest daughter fulfilling her duty, could not be left out of the competition of jubilation.
Yet even combined, their great happiness could not match the bliss experienced by Darcy and Elizabeth.
NEWS: Thank you, readers! This story is officially receiving its published paperback and e-book versions under the title His Offences Absolved by author F.D. Woods. Look out for it! The Unwelcome Letter and Inexplicable Hope is its first draft; it will remain on this site as it is unless 1) greater entities say so or 2) there is great demand for the e-book to be in Kindle Unlimited, in which the majority of the story here must be taken down. The published version, His Offences Absolved, has very minor changes and edits. It is complete! There are only three more chapters (one official chapter and 2 bonus chapters), and I will be uploading them here in due time.
Up Next: Love letters.