“Yes, in my story, I wanted to leave the choice to you—whether you still want to be my wife.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Elizabeth staring at him with wide eyes, genuinely astonished. “And if I had not come?”
“Then my family would have had to assist me with everything that needed to be done.”
“And would that not have been better, simpler?”
But the answer never came, as voices could now be heard from the stairs—the earl and the duke had arrived ready to make the arrangements for their wedding.
Chapter 17
Elizabeth took advantage of the moment the Earl of Matlock approached Darcy to observe the elderly man freely. He resembled his nephew in many ways, not only in physical appearance. When she was introduced to him, she had the impression that she was standing before theMr Darcywho had entered the Meryton assembly with the same imposing presence. He greeted her with equal arrogance, making it unmistakably clear that he disapproved of his nephew’s decision, if it was the one he suspected. However, as he turned towards Darcy, his entire demeanour changed to one of pain and concern, ready to yield even to that final caprice he so obviously disagreed with.
The evening before, when the earl had visited Darcy and heard of his intention to marry, should Miss Bennet still wish it, his tone had been gentle yet firm in attempting to dissuade him. He had even tried to feign a supportive stance towards the young lady, emphasising that the engagement, like any agreement,could be annulled due to the unfortunate circumstances without tarnishing her reputation. But Darcy was neither deceived by his tone nor his words. His uncle did not wish for a widow whose presence and circumstances would complicate matters further—a stranger who might threaten the inheritance that would follow.
Despite listening to him with due attention and respect, Darcy remained resolute, and when the earl found Miss Bennet in his nephew’s apartment, he understood that the marriage would indeed take place.
He sank despondently into the armchair where Elizabeth had previously sat, waiting for Darcy to initiate the conversation.
But Darcy watched the duke conversing casually with Elizabeth, the older gentleman looking at her with indulgence, perhaps even with pleasure, as he held Georgiana tightly in his arms like a grandfather she had always regarded with affection. While the earl could not totally conceal his displeasure, the duke seemed only to wish for Darcy’s happiness at that moment, entirely indifferent to future concerns.
After a few moments, they all took chairs by the bedside.
“Miss Bennet has accepted my marriage proposal this afternoon, which has nothing to do with what we discussed in Kent,” Darcy announced. Elizabeth appreciated the almost truthful version of events he presented.
“Still, Miss Bennet must know that, under such circumstances, no word once given carries any obligation,” said Lord Matlock.
The duke, seated beside him, gently placed a hand on his arm. “Let the young ones decide for themselves. They know best.”
Lord Matlock shook his head in disapproval but refrained from further comment, while Georgiana took Elizabeth’s hand in explicit support of the decision.
“Let us instead discuss how to resolve this matter efficiently,” the duke interjected in an attempt to soothe Lord Matlock, though they all already knew how a marriage could be arranged in such dire circumstances. At last, the earl reluctantly nodded his agreement.
“I have already requested an audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury,” the duke said. Noticing Elizabeth’s surprised expression, he smiled reassuringly and added, “I did not know what would be discussed today, but visiting an old friend is always a good idea. We were students at Emmanuel College in Cambridge almost at the same time. I am one or two years older,” he explained, looking at Elizabeth, the only one unfamiliar with the story.
“My dear ones, the archbishop, my dear friend Manners-Sutton, will grant you a special licence to marry immediately. I shall request that the marriage take place here. The only condition is that a member of Miss Bennet’s family be present—”
“I shall see to it, Your Grace,” Elizabeth said, addressing only the duke, who smiled at her.
“And the will?” asked the earl, who appeared unwilling to abandon his obstinate stance.
“I shall draft it today and sign it immediately after the ceremony. My solicitor will also be present at the wedding,” Darcy replied, his voice barely audible, a testament to his dreadful exhaustion. At that moment, both ladies glanced at him, and with a decisive gesture, Georgiana ushered her uncle and the duke from the room.
After rising to bid them farewell, Elizabeth seated herself in the chair nearest Darcy’s bedside and instinctively took his hand in hers without a word.
After a moment, Darcy withdrew his, and she understood, also without words, that physical closeness was too much for him. He gazed at her in desperation, a look she had not seeneven once since her arrival, and she vowed never to torment him in such a way again, for it was evident that keeping his distance from her caused him unbearable suffering.
To her surprise, the regret of not being able to touch him overwhelmed her equally. In a few days, this man would be her husband, but she would never truly know him as one. Her body revolted as though it already loved him.
“Are you not too tired?” she asked.
“I am exhausted, but we must accomplish everything we have planned.”
Elizabeth wished to leave, but he said, “Please, do not go. Let us sit for a few moments without speaking.”
The silence that fell enveloped them in a cloud of tranquillity. He regarded her for a long time and then closed his eyes, allowing her to gaze upon him freely.
She had never realised how handsome he was. His pallor and the stubble on his face lent him an air of mystery, rendering him almost unrecognisable—far from the man she had known or ever seen before. She had the impression that now she truly knew him; the past, as he had said, no longer existed. It was impossible not to admire him in every conceivable way: as a man for his extraordinary strength in putting the lives of those who mattered to him in order, and as a man in the physical sense. For even though he was weakened and confined to a bed, Elizabeth could feel the incredible power of his love for her—a love that had nothing to do with suffering or his ailing body.
