Page 110 of Bitterness of Spirit

He was so eager, enthusiastic, and joyful that she laughed and put her head on his shoulder. “How soon can it be? That decision might also decide the place. The only reason to wed in Hertfordshire would be my family’s presence.”

He caressed her hair. “I agree. I shall make the arrangements as you like. For me, tomorrow would not be too soon. But for that I must go to London and get a special license, which will take at least a week.”

She frowned and stared at him. “Travel back to London when you just returned? I cannot agree with that. What about a common license? We could marry in a fortnight, and you need not leave Pemberley again. That would give us time to write to my parents.”

“Very well…I would rather stay with you and enjoy a few weeks of betrothal than leave and waste more time on the road.”

He kissed her hands and gave her a mischievous smile. “Or we can hasten to Gretna Green and return married—no more waiting. I trust your parents would forgive me eventually. It might be worth the risk.”

She blushed and replied teasingly, “As tempting as that sounds, let us wait a little longer. What could be lovelier than to be engaged while you show me all there is to know about Pemberley?”

“It might be lovelier to be married while I show you all there is to know about Pemberley. But betrothal will do for now,” he accepted in mock frustration.

“And I must learn to ride properly during this time. I understand it is a required skill, and the colonel offered to teach Anne and me,” she joked.

“Nobody but me will teach you anything,” he responded with such seriousness that she quickly kissed his cheek.

Then she became earnest as she said, “Fitzwilliam, before making any announcement you should talk to Anne. I am not sure how she will take such news. I confess that, when I heard of her staying here, I thought you might have decided to marry her after all.”

“My love, your care is much appreciated, but there is no need for it, I assure you. Anne and I talked and clarified everything. Besides…”

“Yes…?”

“Richard proposed to her two weeks ago. But nobody knows except Georgiana and me. She wished to keep it secret until she decides how to tell Aunt Catherine.”

Elizabeth’s delight was as great as her relief. The last burden and shadow on her complete felicity vanished. She pressed her hands together prayerfully.

“That is so wonderful! So truly and completely wonderful! Only hours earlier I thought…I experienced such torment, such sadness and fear…and now… Forgive me; I am behaving foolishly.”

His lips gently wiped her tears while his hands held her beautiful face. His thumbs brushed over her lips, silencing and comforting her distress.

“All that is gone now, my beloved. Let us turn these into happy tears. I am to blame for everything you went through these past weeks, and my own turmoil does not diminish my guilt. I have a lifetime to remedy my mistakes, and I promise I shall.”

“If we are to share our lives, we must share the blame too,” she attempted to joke. “But you are right—all that is gone now.”

They embraced for some time without words—only feelings; and no burst of passion—only comfort and tenderness. Passion would come later.

It was almost dawn when Darcy finally left Elizabeth’s room with regret and longing.

Both were certain they would not be able to sleep at all, but both were wrong. After months of affliction, misery, and exhaustion, the moment they laid their heads down, sleep took them. And since their love was fulfilled and their dreams had become reality, they slept deeply, and neither dreamt of the other.

***

On the first day of her betrothal, Elizabeth woke when the sun was already shining brightly. A sense of panic enveloped her as she looked around for a sign that the previous night was real. By the bed, she saw her shoes, dirty and still wet. She spun around the room joyfully, rang the bell hurriedly, and then walked onto the balcony, admiring the landscape that would soon become her home.

It was half past seven, and she had slept only a few hours, but she was so rested she felt that she could fly.

It was her second day at Pemberley, and her soul almost burst from happiness. She was engaged to the only man in the world she wanted to spend her life with. Of all the beauty that surrounded her, she would be mistress in a few weeks. She knew her responsibilities would be tremendous and she would have much to learn to be worthy of her position, but there was time for that. At the moment, she allowed herself to rejoice in her overwhelming happiness.

She chose a gown for the day, and Janey soon appeared. “Good morning Miss Bennet. You slept well, I hope?”

“Yes, very well.” She blushed.

“We have excellent news: the master returned last night!” Janey continued while helping her dress.

“That is excellent news, indeed,” Elizabeth admitted as Janey began to arrange her hair. “Is anyone downstairs yet?”

“Only the master. He is already in the library.”