“That sounds like the most logical solution, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for your discretion. Let us take Elizabeth with us and return to Longbourn to tell Mrs. Bennet the happy news.”
The reappearance of Mr. Darcy sent the residents of Longbourn into a tizzy.When Darcy and Elizabeth repeated their parts of the story to the rest of her family, there were gasps of disbelief—first at Elizabeth’s foolishness for following the stranger and then at Darcy’s proposal.
When Mrs. Bennet protested the plan for an immediate marriage, Darcy interceded. “I must return to Derbyshire, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy explained, “and I will not be returning to Hertfordshire for a year or more. I came back today to plead with your daughter to accept me now. I would not want to wait a year in hopes she might retain any feelings for me at that time. Last night, I dreamed of Elizabeth at Pemberley for the upcoming festive season; today I felt compelled to make it so.”
“Of—of course, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet stammered. “But do you not wish a large wedding?”
“No, Mrs. Bennet, I am a very private man. I understand your reluctance to part with your daughter. However, you may take comfort in knowing that despite the urgency with which I make Miss Elizabeth my wife, your daughter will be the mistress of one of the largest estates in England. In addition, she will have a house
Mrs. Bennet drew in a deep breath, recognizing the advantage of Elizabeth’s marriage to Darcy. “The festive season is a problem; we have multiple commitments from which we may not be excused.” She thought of her other daughters and hoped Elizabeth’s engagement to Darcy might encourage matches for them. “Jane must travel with Elizabeth to London, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Bennet began to plan how she might advance the chances of her three younger daughters at the local celebrations. “We cannot have our dear Lizzy spoken poorly of.”
Darcy nodded his head in agreement. “Miss Bennet’s presence is most welcome.”
“Come, Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet stood suddenly. “Let us see to your packing.”
Darcy reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “If you would have no objections, Mrs. Bennet, I would like for Elizabeth to join me in the garden. Everything has been so hurried, I would appreciate a few moments to speak to my betrothed in private.”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy stood and offered Elizabeth his hand.“Would you care to join me in the garden, Elizabeth?”
“Very much, Fitzwilliam.” She smiled at his formality. She slid her hand into the crook of his arm as he led her away.
Once outside, the formality went by the wayside. “Elizabeth, do you realize what you have done?”
“I have committed myself to you, Fitzwilliam.Would you wish me to do otherwise?” Suddenly, his hesitation angered her. “Do you wish me to end this now?”
“It might be for the best—you might be safer from Wickham.”
“If this is such a poor idea—if I am such a poor choice—let us end it this moment, Mr. Darcy!” She tried to jerk her hand away from his, but Darcy caught it with a firmer hold.
“Elizabeth, please listen. You are a beautiful—exquisite—woman, and any man would thank his luckiest of stars to have you. You have looked into my soul and accepted a part of me that I have your choice—not mine. We could never consummate our marriage. I will not chance bringing a son into this world under these circumstances. My opinion in that matter has not altered. Are you willing to accept never knowing a child of your own?”
“We could adopt, Fitzwilliam,” she suggested innocently. “Truthfully, I do not know what I am willing to accept, but one thing I cannot accept is your walking out of my life.The only way any of this makes sense is if we are together. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone?”
“I do not wish to be without you,” he conceded. “I suppose adoption is a possibility, if it is what you wish.” Darcy wiped her tears away with his thumb. “Could you live such a life, Elizabeth, never knowing the passion of the wedding bed? I cannot share you with someone else; I care too much for you. I will not spread my seed elsewhere, nor can I tolerate your giving yourself to another.”
Elizabeth mentally sorted through these limited options.“I will be satisfied with what we have, Fitzwilliam. Having only part of you would be superior to knowing anyone else fully.”
Darcy stared at her; his lovely Elizabeth was so young—so sheltered. “You will want for nothing, Elizabeth. I promise you that.We can travel—see all the places you have only dreamed of. Anything you want, my love.”
“To be with you, Fitzwilliam—then I will be happy.”
He brought the back of her hand to his lips.“Then you will be myVixen forever and ever.”
Impulsively, Elizabeth took his hand in both of hers.“Keep this kiss”—she planted one on the inside of his palm—“to hold until we can share our lips again freely.”
“You are a tease!” He traced her mouth with his fingertips.
“Which you more than appreciate, Sir.”
He laughed—that deep rolling laugh he shared only with her. “You make me feel alive,Vixen.”
“Wickham said something similar.” She spoke the creature’s name with distaste.
Darcy’s attention was suddenly on alert; surely he had not heard her correctly! “Of what do you speak?” he demanded.
Elizabeth directed him towards the nearest bench. “Mr. Wickham claimed your powers have grown in intensity since we met. He said that was one of the reasons he needed to eliminate me.”
As was his habit, Darcy spoke bluntly.“I have not dwelt on such thoughts. I noted the exhilaration I felt in the beginning, when I taunted you into a response, and, it is true I now understand the depths of some of my powers, but, of late, I have thought of nothing but you.” His fingers massaged the back of her wrist.
“It is a factor we must consider in our quest to rid ourselves of Wickham.”
Darcy looked about for anyone lurking nearby before he said dryly,“I thought I killed him today.”
“I saw,” Elizabeth said solemnly.
Darcy began to whisper again, almost as if saying the words out loud violated what they most cherished.“I thought…I know this sounds impossible…I thought the silver of the sword would kill him.”
Elizabeth challenged him. “Who says that it did not?”
“He disappeared as he always does, so I likely did not kill Wickham. I tried to pierce his heart with the sword.” Darcy could not understand how he failed.
“Wickham has no heart; no wonder you missed it.”
Darcy snorted.“Maybe the sword was not real silver.”
“No heart or no silver—either way,Wickham still is a problem we will face together. First, we go to London and marry. My Aunt Gardiner will be quite surprised with this turn of events.”
“You understand you cannot tell her our secret, Elizabeth.”
“Do not worry. I will convince her we are marrying only for love.You will show me proper attentions in front of her?” Elizabeth asked coaxingly.
Darcy smiled. “It will be my pleasure, Sweetling.” He stood to help her to her feet.“Georgiana will be surprised when I bring you to London.”
“She knows nothing of us?” Elizabeth said uncertainly.
Darcy smiled down at her.“That is not totally true, Love. Georgiana knows there is someone. Mrs.Annesley, my sister’s companion, had a vision of Wickham’s deceit. Georgiana sent one of my men to find me at Netherfield. Luckily, we connected on the road. Her note described you and the manor house; that was when I rode to find you. Mrs. Annesley says you are my future. It seems the fine lady’s vision was accurate once again. First, she saved Georgiana and now you. She has been an invaluable asset to my household.”
Elizabeth shivered involuntarily, but she spoke cheerfully.“I am most eager to greet both your sister and her companion.”
“We will leave early tomorrow.”They started back to the house, settled in their understanding. Darcy damned the feeling of inadequacy he felt as a potential bridegroom. Elizabeth deserved better. Although he could never give her a “real” marriage, he vowed she would want for nothing else. He would cater to her least whim.
“Fitzwilliam,” she caught his arm before they entered her home, “once we are married, we must reconsider everything we think we know about Wickham—and about vampires. Some of your knowledge appears to be nothing more than folklore, inaccurate folklore.The jeweled crucifix affected him, but it did not stop him from taking me prisoner. The silver sword hurt him, but did not kill him. What we are doing provides some protection; yet it does not end the curse.We must pool our understanding and discover Wickham’s secret if we are ever to be free of this.”
Her large green—nearly black—eyes met his, and his breath caught in his throat. “I have always taken great pride in holding myself aloof and never requiring another’s assistance; now I find I am in your debt, Sweetling. Your suggestion makes sense. I met Wickham’s attacks, but I never launched my own assault. It seems I must act, rather than react.” He cupped his hand over hers. “I do not deserve you, but I will make you happy, Elizabeth.That is my vow to you on this day.”
CHAPTER 11
Mr. Bennet’s carriage pulled up in front of a serviceable town house in Cheapside. Darcy recognized Elizabeth’s trepidation. There had been no time to prepare her aunt and uncle for the announcement of their marriage, and with her sister’s company, they had experienced no privacy to discuss what they would tell her Aunt Gardiner.
As Darcy helped both ladies from the carriage, their aunt and several children scrambled out the door to meet them. Both Elizabeth and Jane affectionately hugged each of the children and showered their aunt with love.Then the woman saw that the gentleman with them was Mr. Darcy, and she stiffened immediately.
“Aunt Gardiner,” Jane began, “I am sure you recognize Mr. Darcy.” The woman presented a quick curtsy before allowing her gaze to settle on Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy, this is our aunt, Meredith Gardiner.”
Darcy bowed. “Mrs. Gardiner, I am pleased to have your acquaintance. Elizabeth speaks so fondly of you.”
“Elizabeth?” Mrs. Gardiner’s voice was tight.
Elizabeth caught her aunt’s arm to steer her towards the door, not wishing a scene on the street. “Yes, Aunt, I am Elizabeth to my dear Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy has seen me to London, for we are to marry the day after tomorrow.”
Mrs. Gardiner stopped dead in her steps.“You jest, Lizzy!”
Elizabeth turned to the woman again.“I do not,Aunt. Mr. Darcy and I will marry, and I would like for you to be happy for me.”
Mr. Gardiner joined them in the front foyer.“Who is getting married, dearest Elizabeth?” He offered Jane a quick kiss on the cheek.
Elizabeth left her aunt and walked to where Darcy stood, waiting for the next round of questioning. Possessively, she took his hand. “I am getting married, Uncle. This is my betrothed, Fitzwilliam
Mr. Gardiner stammered at first, but he quickly recovered.“Mr. Darcy, welcome, Sir. Please, let us all go into the parlor and hear this surprising story.”
Jane took her aunt’s hand, while Darcy led Elizabeth into the room. The young couple sat together on a settee. Mrs. Gardiner ordered tea, and when civilities were finished, an explanation seemed needed.
“Papa sent a letter explaining everything.” Jane produced the note for their uncle.
Mr. Gardiner put it into his pocket. “I will read my brother Bennet’s words later. What I would like right now is a few words from Lizzy and Mr. Darcy.”
“As Aunt Gardiner knows, Mr. Darcy came to Netherfield Park with Mr. Bingley, and our relationship began.We were cool to each other at first, but upon further acquaintance, grew exceedingly fond of one another.”
Mrs. Gardiner interrupted her. “Lizzy, are you in love with Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth blushed. Neither she nor Darcy spoke of love. “Yes, Aunt.” Elizabeth’s voice was barely audible. “I have fallen in love with Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy’s hand cupped hers where it lay between them. He lifted the back of it to his lips for a kiss.
“And you, Mr. Darcy?” her aunt inquired, astounded. “Do you love our Lizzy?”
“I would give my life for Elizabeth.” Elizabeth knew he desired her, but part of her hoped he would acknowledge some feelings for her beside the need to protect her.
Jane interceded, “Mr. Darcy actually saved Elizabeth’s life twice, Aunt.”
“Twice?” Mr. Gardiner demanded.
“I will explain more later.We have so much to do before the wedding, but suffice it to say, without Fitzwilliam, I would not be alive now.”
“It was romantic,” Jane volunteered. “Mr. Darcy left Netherfield, but he realized he did not want to lose Lizzy, so he returned for her. Luckily, he came just as an intruder tied her up and planned to hurt her. Mr. Darcy fought him off.”
Mr. Gardiner’s eyebrows shot up; Mrs. Gardiner fanned herself.
“That is the reason for our hurried marriage,” Elizabeth confided. “I was so happy to see Fitzwilliam that I foolishly threw myself into his arms. Unfortunately, Papa and some of our servants burst into the room and found us in a compromising position. Mr. Darcy felt it best that we marry quickly to protect my reputation.”
“But do you wish to marry Mr. Darcy?” her uncle asked.
“Yes, Uncle, I do. We would wait for a proper calling of the banns except for my impulsive behavior; but either way, Mr. Darcy is my chosen mate.”
“Then that is all that matters, Lizzy. Neither your aunt nor I wish to see you forced into marriage. How might we help you two with the upcoming wedding?” Mr. Gardiner said.
“Unfortunately, I must leave to make arrangements.” said Mr. Darcy.“When I returned for Elizabeth yesterday, my baggage continued on with a traveling companion, Mr. Bingley. So I must return home to make myself presentable.Then I must make a trip to the ecclesiastical courts to procure a special license.”
“Would you like to use my carriage, Mr. Darcy?” Darcy prepared to take his leave. “As we promised Mr. Bennet to send his carriage back to Longbourn as soon as possible, I would appreciate your kindness, Mr. Gardiner. Might I also ask for your assistance in securing the church? It would allow me to call upon my sister with the good news.”
“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Darcy. Let me have my man bring around the carriage.”
As he stood, Darcy reached out his hand to Elizabeth. “Would you see me out, my dear?”
“May I meet Georgiana this evening?” Elizabeth took his arm in preparation for his departure.
“I would relish that very thing if your aunt and uncle could see
“Would you and your sister care to join us for the evening meal, Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked reluctantly. Her expression was troubled.
“Aunt Gardiner, that is too much on such short notice. I would not intrude on your household staff for such an important occasion. If you are willing, I will meet Miss Darcy this evening. From all of Fitzwilliam’s reports, his sister is quite shy. Meeting her brother’s future wife and all the family might be too much for her at one time. Shall we dine together tomorrow instead?”
