“Miss Elizabeth, might I ask what you thought of the engraving of Pemberley?”
“If the artist’s rendering was faithful, it is a home without equal.”
He smiled gently, as he pulled the watch from his pocket to look at it. “It is, and indeed it has no equal. Pemberley is a part of me.”
Lizzy looked out into the night sky at the stars and drummed her fingers across the bannister. “There is something about a man who respects his obligations, no matter the obstacles that lay in his path. You are the best of men, Mr. Darcy. Once again, I am relieved of the happy outcome this evening. I do not wish to imagine what would have become of your dear sister or estate if that woman had succeeded.”
“I cannot agree more.” The air became thick with emotion as they gazed out over the gardens lit by torches and the moonlight. Lizzy worried he might hear her heartbeat when he said, “Would you care to hear the story of my watch?”
“If you would like to tell me,” she whispered. She felt dizzy trying to control her whirling sentiments.
“It is true this watch is my favorite possession. I love it more than any gift I have ever received.”
She smiled wanly. “I understand.”
“How so?”
“Well, sir, it is obvious you love your home.”
“Yes.”
“And you must also love the giver exceedingly, and they you.”
“True.”
They fell into silence again.
Lizzy blurted out the next words unexpectedly. “You are truly fortunate. Not everyone is as blessed to achieve such a love match and have one’s partner understands them so precisely.”
Mr. Darcy sputtered. “Excuse me?”
“Your betrothed. Miss de Bourgh. The watch proves you and she are equals in all things.”
Mr. Darcy shook his head. The chill air made his breath come out in puffs. “I do not understand. I am fond of my cousin, yes. We are friends from childhood but I am uncertain how my watch proves a love match.” He rubbed his thumb across the engraving of the estate.
“I beg your forgiveness. I did not mean to overstep myself.” She turned to go back inside before Mr. Darcy reached out to her.
“Miss Elizabeth, please stay. I want to understand your meaning.”
She felt flustered. Her cheeks were beginning to burn from embarrassment as she faced him.How could I have presumed such a conversation with him?“It is nothing, Mr. Darcy. Just a misunderstanding on my part. I meant no offense.”
“And none is taken,” he said, gently guiding her to a bench but they did not sit. “I only wish to know…”
She looked up at his dark eyes and slowly reached for the watch in his hand, unintentionally resting her fingers on his and sending a shiver down her spine. “The inscription, sir,” she whispered. “Only someone with the deepest love could convey so much emotion in so few words.” With that she popped open the watch and read the inscription aloud, her voice catching on the words. “‘To my beloved Darcy upon our engagement. I am forever yours, Anne.’ Those are words of intimacy. Tenderness.” Her fingers traced the script before sliding down the chain and returning the keepsake to him. “I am grateful that such a friend has found true happiness.”
He moved toward her and breathed out her name. “Miss Elizabeth. It is true that I loved the person who inscribed this watch, and they me.”
Lizzy felt her heart squeeze and sputter while she turned away to hide the tears welling up.
“But, I am not the first Darcy to own this watch and I pray I am not the last. You see, my mother, LadyAnneFitzwilliam gifted this to my father,GeorgeDarcy, upon their engagement, and it became mine upon his death. I am not the Darcy in the inscription and my cousin is my mother’s namesake.”
“Oh,” was all her lips could form. Through unshed tears, she looked up at him. “This watch was not a gift from your intended?”
“No, it was my father’s.”
“Oh,” she said again, uncertain where to look. A weight she did not know she carried lifted from her heart.It is not from Anne, she almost exalted at the thought, and bit her lip to keep her joy within. She heard voices approach, and after a glancing look at him, turned back out to the garden and wiped her eyes.
“Darcy, Miss Elizabeth. There you are. Jane and I were looking for you. Shall we move into supper?”
