Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader and co-author Sam. H.
Mid-December 1812
Elizabeth was placing the final items in her trunk as she prepared to leave London the following morning, returning to Longbourn. So much had happened since she arrived in London. Mary married, she had the pleasure of meeting Miss Georgiana Darcy, and the murder of Sir Frederick just a few blocks from the Gardiner home. Meeting her uncle, the Marquess of Hertford and her cousin Lord Yarmouth had been a shock, albeit a pleasant one. Then there were all the unforeseen social engagements in high society, not to mention, Mr. Darcy. She hugged her arms around her waist tightly. Who could have imagined a year ago, that Mr. Darcy might become so important to her, to her happiness!
She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. She and Georgiana Darcy met less than two months earlier, but they had become good friends. Mr. Darcy, the most handsome and intelligent gentleman she knew, was so much more. When she began spending so much time with the Darcys, she had guarded her heart, convinced a man of his social standing would never seriously think of her. The time spent with Georgiana and Mr. Darcy had been enjoyable and beyond her wildest dreams.
The day after the Thompson ball, Darcy called on his own and requested a walk with Elizabeth in the Gardiner's back garden. Mrs. Gardiner had agreed and kept watch over them from the window overlooking the garden. After putting on their outerwear, Darcy escorted her down the steps and they slowly began to walk.
"Miss, Bennet," Darcy coughed, "Miss Bennet."
"Mr. Darcy, are you well? Shall we go back inside for tea?"
"No!" Darcy's eyes widened of their own accord. "Forgive me, no, I am well." He stopped walking, turned to her and took hold of one of her hands. "Miss Bennet, I have greatly enjoyed getting to know you these past weeks. You are an estimable and lovely young woman and I… I would very much like to call on you, if you agree?"
Elizabeth was shocked into silence. Mr. Darcy wanted to call on her. On her! Oh, gracious. But she hurried to speak before her silence stretched out too long.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy, I should like that very much." Her smile was slight, but the sparkle in her eye was all Darcy needed to be reassured.
The following two weeks were full of outings to parks with Georgianna and Mr. Darcy when the weather permitted, calls from Mr. Darcy on his own to Gracechurch St. and several evening dinners as a guest of Lord Hertford and Darcy. Lady Matlock even invited her and Georgiana back for tea another afternoon. Her aunt's modiste had been very busy.
Mr. Darcy was an attentive friend. After all the time they spent together, talking and sharing ideas and the occasional confidence, specifically regarding the fear of failure after her father's death, she knew her heart was lost to him. He was a proud man, but once one got to know him, there was so much more of him to esteem.
Now, the Darcys were due to pick her up shortly for a visit to the British Museum. On one of their outings, Elizabeth had expressed her desire to see the Rosetta Stone before her return to Longbourn.
The Darcys arrived to fetch Elizabeth from the Gardiners' house and the trio journeyed to the museum, arriving around 2:00 p.m.
The grandeur of the building was evident in the ornate architecture and the sheer size of it. It was divided into multiple rooms, each one exhibiting a different collection of art and artefacts. Several people walked through the grand halls, some chatting away with their companions, while others were lost in thought, taking in the magnificence of the exhibits.
Knowing Elizabeth's fondness for Greek history and mythology, Darcy suggested they begin their tour with the rooms dedicated to the subject. The Greek collection was vast, and there were many antique vessels on display, some adorned with beautiful drawings that stood the test of time for over 2000 years.
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with curiosity and wonder as she gazed upon these priceless treasures. Darcy, on the other hand, was more interested in the little changes in Elizabeth's expression as she moved from exhibit to exhibit, admiring the pieces.
Elizabeth's eyes were drawn to a large vessel depicting a party scene with Dionysus dancing in the centre. "Look how pretty that piece is! It is the one I like the most in this room," she exclaimed, pointing to the vessel.
Both Georgiana and Darcy looked at the vessel carefully, and after a moment, Darcy responded. "Indeed, it is a very pretty piece, but I like that other one better," he said, pointing to another very large vessel that had Apollo in his chariot.
Georgiana took her time examining both vessels before stating her opinion. "I agree with Lizzy's choice," she said, referring to the Dionysus vessel.
"Well, Mr. Darcy. We are two against one," She raised one brow at him and smiled. "You should admit our choice of vessel is the prettiest." She said pointing to the Dionysus vessel.
Darcy smiled and bowed slightly, acknowledging Elizabeth's victory.
"I am glad we understand each other," she added and raised her head tilting her nose into the air, "The piece you like is the second prettiest in the room." She looked over her shoulder at Darcy's stunned expressions, and then all three of them burst into quiet laughter.
Darcy was enthralled. Elizabeth was a handsome woman, but when she was happy, her eyes shone like diamonds. In Darcy's opinion, she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
As they continued, admiring the collection of vessels and other treasures, the three of them engaged in conversation about Greek mythology. Their destination was the main room, where the Rosette Stone was on display.
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as she gazed upon the famous stone. Darcy noticed her tears, "Are you well, Miss Bennet?"
Elizabeth nodded and smiled. "Yes, Mr. Darcy, I am very well. I am excited to finally see the stone my father told me so much about. It is incredible to be standing in front of it." She moved closer to the famous stone and observed the hieroglyphics with great interest.
"In Cambridge there is a copy of this stone There is a group of specialists who are working to decipher the hieroglyphs, in order to better understand history."
Elizabeth smiled softly, "My father had a passion for ancient civilization, especially the histories of ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations. Since I was a child, he told me of the legends and showed me drawings of more famous emblematic places." She smiled wistfully, "I would love to visit Athens to see the Parthenon where so many brilliant minds met, travel to Rome and visit the coliseum where the brave Gladiator fought, and to Egypt to see the Pyramids. I also long to visit Alexandria, and see the location of the great library that housed many valuable manuscripts centuries ago."
"I also wish to go to all those places, Miss Bennet. I would add Florence to see the works of art by the great masters such as Michelangelo, Vasari and other painters and sculptors."
Elizabeth noticed Georgiana beside her, "Where would you wish to visit, Georgiana?"
Georgiana hesitated, then answered in a low voice, "I like all the places you chose, but if I had to choose one, I would choose to visit Salzburg and Vienna, where Mozart was born and lived for so many years."
Elizabeth smiled at her friend. Georgiana loved music and Mozart was her favourite composer; it was natural she wanted to visit those cities.
The three lost themselves in the exhibits, and before they knew it, it was 5:00 PM, and Elizabeth needed to return to the Gardiner home.
The Darcys stayed for half an hour at the Gardiners, enjoying a cup of tea, talking about their favourite exhibits in the museum and discussing their plans. Saying goodbye was difficult, but Elizabeth and Georgiana promised to write to each other frequently.
"I am going to miss you, Lizzy. I would like to meet your sisters, especially Kitty."
"I shall miss you too, Georgiana. But, if you wish, and if your brother permits, you may come and visit me at Longbourn for a few weeks." Elizabeth looked beseechingly at Mr. Darcy.
Georgiana's face lit up at the invitation. After thinking for a few moments, Darcy responded. "We may be able to stop at Longbourn on route when we return to Pemberley, Miss Bennet."
"That is wonderful. I shall hold you to it, Mr. Darcy."
"If you do not, I am sure Georgiana shall."
Elizabeth was finishing dressing when her aunt knocked on the door of her bedchamber. Mr. Darcy was downstairs and had requested a few minutes of her time. Surprised by his visit, as she was scheduled to leave in a few hours for Longbourn and they had said their farewells the evening prior.
Elizabeth examined her image in the mirror, oh, why had she worn her old, unflattering travel outfit? She removed a few curling strands around her face, reset the simple bun, and then went downstairs.
Seeing Elizabeth enter the parlour, Darcy overcome by nerves, was unable to find his voice for a few moments and just stared at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth noted his unease, and asked, "Mr. Darcy, are you well? Is aught well with Georgiana?"
"I had hoped you would stay for several more weeks in London, Miss Bennet." Darcy's comment was abrupt.
"I understand, but I wish to be at Longbourn with my family for Christmas. This will be the first one without my father. I am sure you understand my sentiments." They shared an expressive look.
Darcy paced to his right, then returned to stand close to Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet, Elizabeth. In the last few weeks, my feelings for you have grown more than I ever imagined." Darcy paused, searching for the right words to express his emotions, "When I left Hertfordshire, I believed I would never see you again, but bumping into you at Hatchards was a serendipitous blessing." He took her hands and looked adoringly into her eyes, "Meeting you, with all the riches of your fine qualities, has clarified what is truly important in a match. Elizabeth, I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life without you. Whether you desire it or not, my heart is yours and my happiness is at your mercy." He knelt before her, "My dear and most beloved Elizabeth. Would you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?"
As Darcy poured out his heart to her, Elizabeth blushed and her eyes widened in astonishment. She had hoped he felt the same but was too apprehensive about the state of his feelings and refused to consider his might be as strong as hers. To know now his love was as strong as hers, strong enough to propose. This dear, handsome, intelligent and honourable man.
"Yes!" Darcy's anxious expression melted away. Elizabeth blinked tears from her eyes and in a tremulous voice continued, "Yes, Mr. Darcy. The honour is mine."
As soon as the words left her lips, a joyous expression suffused his face, "You have made me the happiest man in the Kingdom." He stood up and brought her hands up to kiss each one.
He took a step closer and whispered, "My Elizabeth."
Looking at her lips, he leaned in slowly, to allow her time to object if she was not yet prepared to receive his kisses, but she closed her eyes in anticipation. His lips touched hers in a soft kiss, a little tentative at first. He let go of her hands to wrap his arms around her, applying more pressure with his lips, slowly kissing and tasting her velvety lips. Elizabeth's heart raced as she mimicked his movements, finding a ticklish sensation tightening in her lower abdomen as they kept kissing. When they finally pulled apart, both were a little breathless, but smiling with delight.
"I know you want to spend Christmas with your family at Longbourn," he said. "But would you consider returning to London to attend the theatre and Lady Matlock's twelve-night ball with me? It will be difficult to be parted from you and I shall miss you dearly."
Elizabeth tentatively agreed, "I will speak with the Gardiners and let you know if I can return. Otherwise, you and Georgiana will simply have to visit me at Longbourn."
End Part III