Update ch 34

Elizabeth woke up feeling refreshed the next day. Because of the late night at the ball, she slowly rose from the bed, looking around as the late dawn glow of the sun's rays splashed over the gaudy furniture in her room. With only a few hours of sleep, she was surprised to feel so rested, but she supposed being engaged must have filled her with a calm. She had been worried about the rumors before, and had been thinking of Mr. Darcy, wondering if he held her in any affection. His actions put paid to that worry. She was engaged, and they would love each other as much as she had always wished to love her husband. Smiling, she readied for a walk in the gardens.

Mr. Darcy would not have left without their meeting, so Elizabeth quickly picked up the letters she had penned before retiring and hurried out to find him. As she had expected, he was sitting by the lilac bushes. "Is this to be our spot when we visit in future?" she asked instead of greeting him properly.

He turned his head quickly and smiled, rising from his seat on the bench to offer the warm seat to her. He then sat on the colder side and took her hand in his. "This is the place where I first got to really know your mind, and where you began to first think well of me. I shall always treasure this bench."

Elizabeth thought about his statement. "I suppose this really is our spot, then. This was the first place where I allowed you to explain yourself and I began to understand you. I saw your reasoning and did not attempt to explain it harshly, as I had been wont to do before. You have many good qualities that I can admire." She picked up their entwined hands and kissed his knuckles. He responded in kind.

"That is a relief to hear. Perhaps I shall swell with pride at your pronouncement."

Elizabeth laughed. "You are eaten up with pride, and I shall not spend my days encouraging you to think too highly of yourself." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her letters. "I suppose you shall be needing these. I finished my letter to Jane and even wrote one to my aunt for good measure. Jane will be happy to hear of my joy. My aunt will be pleased I shall be so well settled and to hear she will have a place to stay when she visits her friends in Lambton."

"Lambton?" He asked.

"My aunt is from Lambton. Her uncle was the blacksmith. She cared for his wife when their children were small."

Nodding, he pulled his arm around her shoulders, simply to ensure his betrothed did not catch cold. At least, that is what he planned to tell anyone who might pass by. His fingers slipped under her spencer to rub over her bare arm, and he was very pleased not to be wearing gloves. Elizabeth shivered and leaned against him, allowing him more access.

"The Gardiners would always be welcome. I will admit to having been very nervous, but I enjoyed meeting them, short though our acquaintance was." He paused to close his eyes and enjoy the feel of her against his side. Before he could lose himself in the sensation, he added, "They are far more genteel than many gentlemen I have met."

"Indeed." Elizabeth replied. "I hope you will get to know them better while you are in London. Their support will help my father accept you."

"Is it unlikely he will accept me?" He sounded incredulous. How would anyone of Mr. Bennet's means refuse a gentleman like Mr. Darcy?

Elizabeth laughed. "He has written three times to hurry my return. With Jane and I absent, he must rely on Mrs. Bennet, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia for company. He will not be pleased to part with me forever when he has longed for intelligent conversation for over a month."

"Is that all? Lack of intelligent conversation would make him refuse me?"

"He might say that a few times. Besides, He believes you think I am only tolerable. How could you really admire me if I am only tolerable?"

Mr. Darcy smirked as he looked away. "I already apologized to you for that remark. I was not myself. Would that you could look past that awful phrase."

Elizabeth laughed openly. "It spared me thinking well of you and agreeing with your every whim as I have seen done by… others. Because I wanted to be cross with you, I quarreled with you. That I was so different from other women seems to be what caught your attention. I suppose I must always quarrel with you to keep your attention."

"We did not quarrel at the ball, yet I was still irrevocably smitten with you." He took a deep breath as he pondered her assertions. "While that might be what drew me to you in the beginning, it was your kindness to your family, your ability to be polite to those who were openly rude to you, and your bewitching eyes which light up when you are feeling passionate about a debate or when you are kissing me which has enthralled me and secured my heart to yours. You ought not worry I will lose interest in you when we do not quarrel. I have no such fears." He pulled her closer so that she her side was flush against him. When she placed her head on his shoulder, he bent and placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I am not worried, but my father will be. For all appearances, you gave no indication that you cared for me, and I was quite vocal about how I disliked you. Perhaps I ought to return with you to smooth the way."

"As much as I should like to have your company, my aunt will not remain here unless you stay here too. Her presence in London would not assist my locating Anne."

Elizabeth welcomed the change in subject. "Where do you intend to search for her?"

Mr. Darcy pondered her question for a time. "It is possible she is in a hotel, but it is far more likely she is staying with my Aunt Matlock. They do not talk ever, but my aunt would give her a place to live, and she would enjoy planning the wedding. If she is not there, I suppose I must investigate the hotels. Anne does not have the ability to hide in anyplace that is not fashionable. She will need looking after, and I doubt Mr. Warden knows all that is required."

Elizabeth laughed. "They have been writing for some time. If he does not know, I am willing to guess that she has told him what is required for her upkeep. She knows what she wants, and she has had plenty of time to plan this."

"How do you know they have been writing for some time?" He asked.

"The housekeeper mentioned it when she collected the letters. I happened to overhear a private thought spoken aloud. She is hopeful that Anne will be treated well and expects her to be very happy."

Mr. Darcy sighed. "I suppose I shall have to speak with her before I leave."

"Are you in a hurry to leave?"

Mr. Darcy squeezed her slightly. "At the moment, I have no inclination of hurrying."

Elizabeth laughed. "I suppose I should take that as a compliment."

She would have said more, but they heard steps on the gravel behind them, so they broke apart before the intruder could catch them too close. Elizabeth looked up at the manor to find the blinking light in the window they had been to absorbed to notice. Sure enough, Lady Catherine came around from the opposite path. She must have seen them together and came out to intercept them.

"Here you are! You must be off! There is no time to lose!" Lady Catherine nearly poked her nephew in her hurry to get him moving. "Anne must be found and made to marry."

Mr. Darcy scowled at the interruption. "She will be found. There is no need to rush off before having broken my fast. I doubt the colonel has even risen." He said petulantly, offering his arm to Elizabeth before his aunt could get any other ideas.

"The breakfast room is already prepared. Off with you now!" Lady Catherine said as though she would poke Mr. Darcy with her umbrella if she had actually remembered to bring it. With Lady Catherine's presence, there was no need to dawdle. They walked swiftly into the breakfast parlor and took their seats. Mr. Darcy filled Elizabeth's plate before making his own and sitting beside her. They would have spoken of pleasant topics, but Lady Catherine began to explain her plan for the coming days, all of which included Elizabeth's education into the ton.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth looked at each other with laughter in their eyes as Lady Catherine made numerous suggestions. She was so lost in her element of offering advice that she did not even notice Elizabeth was only listening to laugh.

Holding their laughter was nearing towards impossible when Lady Catherine suggested hiring a governess to help Elizabeth's posture. Mr. Darcy sobered immediately and declared that to be an impossibility. "Miss Bennet has no need of a governess. Her comportment is impeccable. Perhaps a music master or dance master might be warranted should she wish to practice, though I already enjoy listening to her play and watching her dance. Aunt, I should remind you that your goal is to prepare her for the ball, not change who she is. Miss Bennet meets all the qualifications for my future wife, and she is not in need of improvement in any regard."

Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy stared at each other in a silent bid for dominance while Elizabeth stared at her future husband in awe. He had declared her perfect! She ought to be outraged at Lady Catherine's speech, but her betrothal was too new. She liked being adored.

The silence was broken by the colonel's entrance. Not having a clue as to what he interrupted, he strode in and welcomed everyone while filling his plate. When he took his seat, Lady Catherine let out a huff of annoyance and walked out of the room. He looked at the door in confusion, until he saw the look of triumph on Mr. Darcy's face. "Well done, cousin. You have triumphed over the dragon without even unsheathing your sword." He paused to take a few bites before declaring, "I suppose we are to leave after I finish eating."

Elizabeth blushed slightly, uncomfortable that there seemed to be a family rift caused by her betrothal. But she could not regret it, especially when Mr. Darcy turned to her with a look so full of affection. Forgetting her discomfort, she allowed him to take her hand under the table and apologize for his upcoming absence. "I would not leave you with her if we had any other choice. Hopefully, she will heed my warning and leave you be. At least Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas are here to keep you entertained."

Elizabeth laughed and squeezed his hand in return. "I thought I was here to entertain them in Mrs. Collins' hour of need."

The colonel entirely forgotten, Mr. Darcy replied, "That was when I was afraid you would leave. I have no such fears now, except I worry how taxing my aunt will be when I am gone and cannot check her behavior." He looked around as he thought about his next words. "I shall speak to the housekeeper and ensure that any letter you wish to send to me is delivered by courier. You may send an express should you feel it is warranted."

"If she locks me up in the dungeon, perhaps?" Elizabeth laughed at his seriousness.

The colonel laughed quietly to himself as he watched their exchange.

"If anyone were to have a dungeon, it would be Lady Catherine." Mr. Darcy stated blandly. "I suggest you not give your letters to Lady Catherine. She might be resigned to our match, but she will not take the time to advance our intimacy."

"As though that were necessary." The colonel interjected under his breath at the other side of the table.

Mr. Darcy turned to stare at his cousin, momentarily dropping Elizabeth's hand under the table. "Is there something you wish to say, Richard?"

"Only that I am at your disposal and ready to depart." He took a sip of his coffee before he turned to Elizabeth. "Welcome to the family, Miss Bennet. I look forward to seeing you best the lot of them. Lady Catherine is only practice if my mother decides she does not like you. Though I cannot see her disliking you, as she will be overjoyed to have a wedding to plan. I have no sisters, you see, and Darcy and I have a knack of avoiding marriage in general, or at least he did have a knack. Seems entirely too struck for my liking. My mother wanted daughters, and daughters by marriage are her only hope now. Your first test will likely be a shopping trip."

Elizabeth nodded in understanding. "The fates have a way of disobliging those who wish for sons or daughters. My mother will be furious if I fail to give birth to a son." She blushed as she turned to Mr. Darcy and thought about the requirements to make such a son. Mr. Darcy blushed with her as he smiled devilishly at similar thoughts.

The colonel coughed on his coffee. "I believe I have finished eating." he said abruptly, rising from his half-finished plate. "I will see you in the carriage, Fitz, as soon as you are ready. As much as I hate to agree with Lady Catherine, it would be best for us to be on our way."

The room was empty as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy still sat, staring at each other. After a moment of silence, Mr. Darcy leaned over and kissed her. When he lifted his head again, proud to have kept the kiss chaste and his hands to himself, he said, "It would appear that you and I are the only ones not eager for me to leave. Have you any more letters to write? As much as I despise the thought of leaving, I must be on my way in the next hour or two or Anne might be too tired to see me when I reach my aunt's."

"You are confident she will be with your family." Elizabeth stated calmly, not as certain as he.

"I do not intend to worry about where else she might be until I have reason to do so. This gives me ample time to think about how I shall speak to your father."

Elizabeth laughed at the thought. Mr. Darcy quirked his eyebrow as he observed her carefully and said, "You are amused by the prospect. Surely, your father would not reject my suit. I am likely…"

He could not finish because Elizabeth put her fingers over his lips. "For our future felicity, I suggest you not finish that sentence. You will not earn yourself any favors by making me seem hopeless. You have a very good notion of your worth, but that is not all my father shall look for in a prospective son-in-law."

Mr. Darcy nodded as he took her hand, kissed it, and placed it in his thigh. "What do you suggest I say?"

Elizabeth tilted her head in contemplation. "Tell him you adore me but without giving any details. A father would not wish to hear of the passion his daughter stirs in a suitor."

Mr. Darcy blushed but remained silent.

"And whatever you do, do not mention that my reputation was in shatters. My father is quite a good shot." She paused to consider her next words. "I hope you speak to him before Mr. Collins writes to Sir William or my father. If he hears of the compromise from Mr. Collins, he might not give you a chance to explain anything. Remember that I am his favorite daughter."

"And I plan to steal you away from him for my own selfish gain."

"Just so." She said as she returned her attention to her plate. After a few bites, she suggested he ought to eat something himself. "You have barely eaten a bite. If you are angry from hunger when you meet your cousin, you might not gain her cooperation."

"What cooperation? She already wishes to marry Mr. Warden. I simply must ride to ensure the marriage has taken place or will take place very shortly. I hope he does not require convincing." He finished the last of his tea and rose from his place at the table. Elizabeth was about to ask if he had already tired of her presence, but he pulled her to standing before she could utter a word. Pleased they were alone, thought not entirely certain they would remain alone, he pulled her close for a kiss. It started calmly enough, but when Elizabeth wrapped her hands around his waist, he lost control and deepened the kiss. Pulling her flush against him, he let himself enjoy her response.

A noise in the hall interrupted them. He pulled her away before anyone could enter the room. Resting his forehead on hers, they stood there until their breathing had returned to normal. He caressed her cheek slowly, whispering how much he loved her and would miss her. "This is the best farewell I could wish for. If you see me to the carriage, I must keep my hands to myself. When I see you again, we shall be able to begin the reading of the banns."

Elizabeth closed her eyes to enjoy her ministrations. "I look forward to hearing our names linked on Sunday services. My father will give you his permission. You have my letter to him and that will ensure your success, though he may tease you a bit."

"I shall endure his teasing, though I would prefer yours." He kissed her once more before he escorted her out of the room and down to the carriage. Lady Catherine and Colonel Fitzwilliam were already present.

Farewells were short, and the men were in the carriage quickly. Elizabeth watched them go for as long as she could. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine had other plans. "Come Miss Bennet. We must begin your training. You may not need a governess, but I am certain your education was lacking. Two weeks is not enough."

Elizabeth took a last look at the carriage which was too small for her to see Mr. Darcy's form in the window and followed her ladyship inside.