Smiling, she stroked his face with her free hand, rubbing the scruff on his cheek with her thumb. “I am not wounded anymore,” she whispered. His free hand came up and clasped hers, his eyes closing. He turned his face and kissed her palm, causing Elizabeth’s heart to skip a beat. “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. I do not deserve you.”
He released both of her hands and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his lap. She tilted her head and leaned it against his shoulder. He kissed the side of her head and traced patterns up and down her arms. She grew warm and comfortable, closing her eyes and luxuriating in his caresses. He began to kiss her in earnest, beginning with the top of her head and moving down until he found her lips. The gentle plying of his lips became more intense, and Elizabeth soon lost herself in his affection.
Sometime later, they held each other, neither speaking. Elizabeth reflected on her husband’s tender care, pleased that she had the love of such a gentle, compassionate man.I am coming to love him,she told herself. Indeed, she was well on the way to being completely, irrevocably in love with her husband.Perhaps instead of leaning toward disgust and hate at any provocation, I should simply talk to him.She chuckled. What a novel concept!
The morning of June 19th dawned clear and bright. London was hot, and Elizabeth longed for the end of the month when they could escape to Pemberley. She came down to breakfast, eager to greet her husband, as memories of the night before caused her stomach to flutter.
“Good morning, my dear,” Mr. Darcy greeted her as she came in, standing and assisting her into her chair. “How did you sleep?”
She blushed. “Very well, thank you. And yourself?”
They made small talk with Georgiana as they ate, and Elizabeth nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt her husband’s foot press gently against hers. She glanced at him, and his lips turned up in a small smile. Thoroughly distracted, she missed Georgiana’s question and was forced to ask her sister-in-law to repeat it.
Hodgens entered the room amidst laughter, and Elizabeth stilled at the serious look on his face.
“Hodgens?” Darcy asked. “What is that?”
“An express has just arrived for Mrs. Darcy, sir.” He turned and offered her the letter on the salver. Elizabeth’s chest seized as she noted the black edging on the carefully folded missive. Hand trembling, she took the letter and noted Longbourn’s seal on the back.
“No,” she whispered. She quickly broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
Dear Lizzy,
I write at the behest of our mother, who is currently in her room and insensible due to her grief. Our father died during the night, and she is overwrought. Please come as soon as you are able.
Your sister,
Mary
Sobs came as she read, and the paper dropped from her hand to the table in front of her. Strong arms came around her, pulling her from her chair and into Darcy’s chest. Overcome, she collapsed, and he caught her before she hit the ground, scooping her into his arms as if she weighed nothing. She barely registered their journey to their chambers, where he took her to their shared sitting room, holding her on the settee as she cried. After what seemed hours, the tears slowed and then stopped, and she stilled, her cheek against her husband’s damp jacket.
“I knew he was ill, but I thought there would be more time,” she confessed.
“My father’s death was sudden, too.” His chest rumbled as he spoke, and he stroked her back lovingly. “One day he was hale and healthy, and the next he collapsed in his study, never to wake again. I remember it all too well.”
“Can we go?” Elizabeth asked.
“Of course. I shall have the carriage readied. We can be gone in an hour.”
She glanced at the clock. It was almost ten o’clock in the morning. They could be in Hertfordshire before dinner. She nodded, pulling away reluctantly.Jane will come,she thought as she directed Smith to pack her trunk. Darcy kissed her gently and promised to be ready to depart when she had completed her preparations.
Smith completed the work expeditiously, and the three Darcys were aboard the carriage and on the road to Longbourn before noon. When they arrived at four o’clock, only Mary waited to greet them. The middle Bennet sister had already donned black apparel, and the color made her look pale and almost gothic.
Elizabeth flew out of the carriage before it had rolled to a complete stop, wrapping Mary in a tight embrace. Stoic as she tried to be, Mary could not prevent her tears from falling. “Oh, Lizzy,” she cried. “Everything is changing. I cannot bear it!”
“I am here.” Elizabeth spoke with fervency. “I shall see you all taken care of.”
Darcy and Georgiana joined the sisters as they went inside. Kitty and Lydia came out of the parlor, both in black and both behaving soberly, much to Elizabeth’s surprise. Lydia seemed very young as she hugged her elder sister, trembling against her chest.
“I do not want to live with Mr. Collins, Lizzy,” Lydia murmured. Elizabeth made no reply, simply hugging her sister tighter.
“All will be well,” she promised. “Is Mama still in her room?” Elizabeth turned to Mary for her answer, and she nodded.
“Our mother does not wish to be disturbed. I have contacted the undertaker and made the arrangements. Papa has been laid out in the drawing room–Mrs. Hill is sitting with him”
“Have you sent an express to Jane?”
Mary nodded again. “She will not be here in time for the funeral, I am afraid. It will take her two days to come from Kent.”
