CHAPTER 7 - FINAL - Elizabeth
When Elizabeth woke the next morning, she was sad to see the sun shining through the windows, trumpeting a beautiful winter's day. She felt wretched and wished for the weather to match her foul mood.
She realised it must already be late, as Jane was nowhere to be seen. Usually, the both of them rose early, but now it seemed she had slept longer than usual—and she knew why. She had lain awake most of the night again, her mind refusing to let go of the events of the previous day—as it still did.
With a groan, Elizabeth rolled over and sat up, unwilling to face the day. What could the day possibly hold!
Undoubtedly the topic of conversation would still be upon Mr. Darcy and the mysterious valentine. She loved her mother and sisters dearly, but their preoccupation with the lives of others was maddening at times. She got out of bed and dressed with dread for the day.
As she left the room and walked down the stairs, she heard her father call out to her from his study, "Lizzy, I wonder if you would join me in my room?"
Elizabeth turned to her father without surprise—they often shared discussion in the morning. But on this morning, Elizabeth was unsure what exactly her father wished to discuss.
Mr. Bennet walked to the door of his study and held it open for her while she entered. He closed it gently behind them as she took a seat, and settled into his own chair. He began to drink from his teacup, and Elizabeth waited patiently for her father to begin speaking. Taking several sips, he set his teacup back down and look at Elizabeth with great curiosity in his eye.
"Such a wonderful turn of events for dear Jane, isn't it?" He said, nonchalantly.
"Yes, indeed. I suspect the two of them shall be most pleased with the arrangement," Elizabeth replied uncertainly. This was familiar territory—she and Mr. Bennet had already discussed Jane and Mr. Bingley several times over the past few days. Whyever would he be bringing it up once more?
"And that business last night with Mr. Darcy. Quite shocking, wasn't it?" He took another sip from his teacup.
"Ah, yes, quite strange indeed," Elizabeth said, a slight panic beginning to rise within her. Did her father suspect?
Mr. Bennet looked at her over the rim of his teacup as if waiting for her to continue. When she did not, he gave a hearty sigh and put the cup aside. Folding his hands over his stomach, he looked at Elizabeth fondly.
"My dear girl, it is no secret that you are my favourite. While most of my household is devoid of intelligent conversation and wit, you have provided an oasis. And with Jane leaving the name of Bennet behind, it is not lost upon me that you shall soon follow her."
Elizabeth gripped her dress tightly in her hands. "Papa, what do you…"
He held up his hand, cutting her off.
"Whomever you choose, make sure they are worthy of you, my dear. Do not think that you need pursue wealth or station at the cost of your happiness and heart," Mr. Bennet looked sad and resigned. "Things fade and the happiness they once provided do not continue through the years."
Elizabeth felt a tear form in her eye; she knew he referred to his own household and marriage. The love she held for her mother and father did not blind her to the realities of their unhappiness.
Mr. Bennet leaned forward and took her hands in his, saying, "Lizzy, you need not do this."
With that simple sentence, she knew her father was aware of the author of Mr. Darcy's valentine. Her face burned, but she looked him in the eye, thinking carefully about what she wanted to say.
"Papa, you wish for me to have the same happiness that you assume Jane will enjoy. I assure you, that is what I seek as well. I could never be induced to matrimony for anything less than great love and respect." Tears began to flow down her face as she continued. "But I fear I have ruined it all."
Mr. Bennet took his daughter into his arms and held her as she cried. He allowed her to cry for a few minutes uninterrupted, but with a final squeeze he pushed her away and handed her a handkerchief. Elizabeth wiped her face and waited for him to say something.
"My dear, you have ruined nothing," he finally said. "If your actions cause ruination, then he was never deserving of you. Remember that." Elizabeth smiled and handed him back the handkerchief. "I suspect that we will soon see the final act of the drama that began last night. For myself, I believe I need time to adjust to a new reality in your heart and feelings. I fear I was very wrong about them. Very wrong, indeed."
"No, Papa, it was I who was in the wrong. I judged without knowing and passed my prejudices along to others." She shook her head sadly. "There have been very few times when I have erred in quite so bad a way."
Before Mr. Bennet could reply, Kitty and Lydia burst into the room.
"Lizzy! You'll never guess who is here!" Kitty said breathlessly.
"It's Mr. Darcy!" Lydia said on top of Kitty, leaving no room for Elizabeth to wonder or guess. "And he's asking for you!"
Mr. Bennet smiled and settled back into his chair.
"Go on," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he picked up the newspaper. Elizabeth gave him one last grateful look before she followed Kitty and Lydia from the room.
"He came with Mr. Bingley," Kitty said, updating Elizabeth of all she had missed.
"And he suggested walking towards Meryton!" Lydia said, talking over Kitty.
"And you know Mamma doesn't like walking so she's not coming, and neither is Mary, but Mr. Darcy asked for you to come!" Kitty informed, looking sourly at Lydia.
"He said he knew you were fond of walking and if you might want to join us!" Lydia said, ignoring Kitty's look and trying to outdo her sister.
Elizabeth was grateful for the chatter, taking advantage of the moments it gave to gather herself. Upon reaching the sitting room door, she took a deep breath before going in. Kitty and Lydia quickly left her to gather their cloaks and bonnets for the walk.
Pushing the door open, she immediately saw that Jane and Mr. Bingley were sitting together with their mother. Scanning the room, she allowed herself to eagerly seek out Mr. Darcy. He stood with his back to the door, staring into the fire with his hands behind his back. Upon hearing the door open, he turned and looked into her eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat as his eyes seemed to bore into hers. He was wearing a blue jacket that brought out the colour in his eyes. His dark hair curled slightly over his forehead and was not nearly as neat as Elizabeth had seen it before. His mouth gave a slight twitch of a smile when he saw her, but quickly settled into its semi-permanent neutrality.
Upon seeing him, Elizabeth decided to take her father's advice into her heart and soul: Mr. Darcy now knew her affections to have changed. If his were different, or if the events of the previous evening had changed them, then she would still hold her head high.
"Good morning, Mamma. Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said with a slight curtsey.
"Good morning, Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet fluttered. "Hurry now, get your cloak and gloves. Everyone is going for a walk this morning." She looked pointedly at Jane and Mr. Bingley, clearly meaning the walk was for their benefit and Elizabeth would be doing them a favour.
"Yes, good morning, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy bowed. "It would be a great pleasure for you to join us. I recall you enjoy taking in a walk, and it is quite a fine morning." His voice was strong, and Elizabeth could almost feel the deep baritone resonate within her.
"Of course, walking is one of my great pleasures. I shall be pleased to join you."
If Elizabeth's attention had not been solely focused upon Mr. Darcy, she would have noticed Jane and Mr. Bingley exchange an almost conspiratorial look. But all of her attention was focused on Mr. Darcy, and she missed what she—under normal circumstances—would have seen immediately. Thankfully, Mrs. Bennet was equally unaware of the look that had passed between the two, and continued to fuss over the newly engaged couple while ignoring Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
A quarter of an hour later, the small group departed up the drive of Longbourn, headed generally in the direction of Meryton. Lydia and Kitty giggled and skipped along ahead of the group, while Jane and Mr. Bingley fell behind, arm in arm as they walked and talked.
Soon, Elizabeth found herself walking together with Mr. Darcy, nearly alone.
Turning, as if to check to see how far Mr. Bingley and Jane lagged behind, Mr. Darcy said, "I believe that you and I have much to discuss."
"Yes, I believe we might," Elizabeth responded, willing her voice to remain calm although her nerves were trying to get the better of her.
"You are too kind to trifle with me," he said in a rush, as if eager to get his words out before he, too, lost his courage. "If I have misinterpreted your message, and your affections are unchanged since last year, tell me now. But you must know, Miss Bennet, that since then, mine are only changed in the depth of their intensity."
He stopped and turned to her, his eyes almost sparkling in the sunlight. Jane and Bingley were out of sight behind a slight rise, and Kitty and Lydia were far ahead, not paying any attention to them at all. Realising this, Elizabeth felt her heart begin to race.
Darcy took her hands into his, staring deeply into her eyes.
"Elizabeth," he said softly. "I loved you all those months ago, but the depth with which I love you now was an unknown possibility then. Please, tell me if I might hope for the same from you."
They were standing only inches apart. His eyes begged her to answer. Each puff of his breath broke over her face, and she gave him a dazzling smile in return.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy, what a fool I was. I refused to see your character then from the blindness of prejudice." His grip on her hands tightened. "But in the past months, you must know that I have seen you for who you really are: kind, generous, intelligent—not without pride, to be sure," she laughed. "But certainly, you have not the arrogance I had ascribed to you before. After all you have done for Jane, for my family, of course I share your affections."
Darcy released his grip on her hands, his expression suddenly becoming sad.
"I do not wish for you to love me on your family's behalf," he said quietly. "I understand if that is the only affection with which you can hold me in—my behaviour and preoccupation with society and station is reason enough for that. But if you love me, love me for your sake and no others."
Elizabeth reached out and gently touched his face, shocking herself at her boldness. At her touch, he closed his eyes and leaned his cheek into her hand.
"It is you I love," she said quietly. "My family has nothing to do with it, only you."
With his eyes still closed, a broad smile began to form on his face. Opening his eyes slowly, he too, reached out to stroke Elizabeth's face, pushing a loose strand of hair back underneath her bonnet.
"Then, my love, my dear Elizabeth," he said, raising her hands to his lips. "Will you put me out of my agony?" He kissed one hand. "Will you become my wife?" He kissed the other, and held his lips on her chilled skin.
Elizabeth laughed joyfully, for both the words and the feel of his lips on her frozen hands.
"Yes," she said simply. "Of course, I will."
At her words, Darcy looked almost transformed. Elizabeth had never seen the man smile as broadly as he did then, and if her smile matched his by even half, she knew she must be the happiest she had ever been.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jane and Mr. Bingley walk over the crest of the hill. Gently, she pulled her hands from Mr. Darcy's grip.
"I can't think of anyone I'd rather share this news with than dear Jane and Mr. Bingley," she said, watching them draw near.
"Nor I, my love," Mr. Darcy agreed.
Together, she and Mr. Darcy walked to meet the other couple and to share their news. Her face was all smiles, and as they walked, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel that she was very lucky. Should the rest of her life be half as wonderful as this day, she would continue to be very lucky indeed.
~THE END~
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the story.
I know many of you were looking forward to Lydia's punishment, but I wanted to concentrate more on the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in this story. Don't worry though, after her little stunt, she certainly didn't go without a punishment! It just took place off the pages of this story, sorry about that!
This is the very first story I've posted on , and my first Pride and Prejudice fanfiction, and I just want to thank you all for your support and for all the lovely comments! This is the end for now, but there will be more stories to come. Thank you again!
Love,
Anne-Marie Grace
