Page 125 of A Life Diverted
The following day, there was a meeting in Bennets’ study among Mr. Bennet, Fanny, the Prince, and the new Duke.
“Yesterday highlighted a problem Lizzy will experience in society,” the Prince stated.
“I do not believe there will be another insane attack such as we witnessed last night; however, word that she is fabulously wealthy has been spread abroad.”
“You are concerned our girl will be the target of compromises by unscrupulous fortune hunters?” Fanny asked worriedly.
“As you requested this meeting, obviously you have a solution to propose, York,” the Duke surmised.
“Yes, I do. Because Lizzy needs royal sanction to marry, she has a level of protection other debutantes do not have. That being said, I do not believe any of us here would like to see her suffer even one more attempt to harm her in any way.” The other three nodded their agreement vigorously.
“None of us is blind, and we have all seen the mutual attraction, love, esteem, and respect between Lizzy and William,” the Prince stated.
“It is impossible not to recognise they are besotted with one another,” the Duke pointed out. “It is, after all, the reason I accepted elevation to the dukedom.”
“What are you suggesting?” Fanny asked, although she already had a good idea where the Prince was going.
“I think we should go to my parents and seek permission for William and Lizzy to marry. However, there is a critical step we must take before we do that,” the Prince pointed out.
“We need to consult them and give them a choice. Neither would appreciate us making a decision for them as momentous as this one—regardless of how in love they may be—and ignoring their thoughts on the subject.”
“I agree with York,” William’s father stated succinctly.
“As much as I would love Lizzy to remain with us for many more years, I recognise this is the only way, Thomas,” Fanny conceded. “We must put our own desires aside and do what is best for our girl.”
“Like you, I will find it difficult to let her go, but if Lizzy and William approve, this will be the most effective way of protecting her from being hunted by all of the fortune hunters waiting for her to come out into society and salivating over it. I wish there were another way, but to my chagrin, I do not see one,” Bennet accepted.
He rang for Nichols and instructed him to inform William and Lizzy they were required in the study.
A few minutes later, William and Elizabeth were bade enter and were told to sit. They had a good idea it was related to the insane woman’s aborted attack. It was not difficult to see the serious looks on the four who were present when they arrived.
“Lizzy and William, we asked you to join us here as we have been discussing potential issues that will affect you both after Lizzy comes out into society,” Bennet began.
The four explained the problems as they saw them, and the fact that Miss Bingley’s ineffectual attack had necessitated a discussion held prior to the two being called for.
“Lizzy,” Fanny said gently, “there is one way for you to be protected and remove you as an object for the circling vultures.”
“If I were already betrothed, or even better married,” Elizabeth stated perceptively.
“We did not want to make a decision about either of your futures without your input. If you both agree, then we will journey to London and request the King’s permission for his granddaughter to marry,” Lord Robert informed the two.
“It is your decision,” the Prince assured them.
“If you are not ready, or if one of you is not inclined to choose the other as their partner for life, we will devise other ways to protect you, Lizzy. We are not saying this is the only choice, just the one we believed you both would prefer, and the one that would be the most effective.”
“We will withdraw to allow you two to talk,” Fanny stated as she stood. “The door will be partially open.” Fanny led the other three out of the study.
Once they were alone, William and Elizabeth did not speak for a few minutes as they assimilated what they had been told. If they could have read each other’s mind, they would have seen their thoughts were similar.
Far from being opposed to moving forward, each one felt their heart’s desire was being fulfilled; however, although they knew they loved each other, they were not sure if the other was ready for the step they would have to take.
They both started to speak at the exact same moment. “You speak first, William,” Elizabeth stated.
“If you are sure, Lizzy,” William verified and received confirmation in the form of a nod from Elizabeth.
“For my part, I have no objection to moving forward now. It has been my heart’s desire for some years to have you as my partner in life.
I will admit, right after we discovered your true parentage and rank, I believed you were out of reach for me until my father set me to rights.
As you know, thanks to my father’s accepting the elevation, I am of an appropriate rank for the King to accept me as a suitor for his granddaughter, unless…
” William felt a chill throughout his being as he verbalised his greatest fear.
“Unless the King wants to marry you to some Prince of Europe to make an alliance, as he did with your birthfather.”
“Let me put that worry to rest first,” Elizabeth replied as she felt joy at his words about his desire to have her as his helpmeet.
“Father has assured me, as I have been removed from the line of succession, coupled with the King’s desire to make amends for forcing the divorce, my grandfather will not attempt to arrange a marriage of convenience for me. ”
“That is the best news I have heard for a long time, Lizzy,” William replied as he visibly relaxed.
“As to the first point you made, like you, being tied to you for the rest of my life is my absolute wish. I thought we would have to endure the season before we were allowed to begin a courtship, so I find that, like you, I have no objection whatsoever to beginning our road together now, William. You are the one I love, the only man I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.” Elizabeth beamed at him and William saw her love for him shining from her.
In but a moment, he was on his knee in front of her as she was still seated on her chair. “Elizabeth Priscilla Francine Bennet, Lizzy, as far as I am concerned, we have been courting for a few years now. From my perspective—unless you disagree—there is no need for a courtship.”
“In that we also agree, William,” Elizabeth returned as she felt fluttering in her belly as though butterflies were flapping their wings inside of her; at the same time her heart sped up in anticipation.
“To say I love you ardently is an understatement. You are my everything, Lizzy. You are my world, my heart, and my soulmate. There is none other in the known world I could imagine spending the rest of my life with. I not only love you, but my respect for you runs deeper than the deepest ocean. You will always challenge me and you have never agreed with me when I was wrong as so many fawning women do. In you I will have a partner, not a socialite interested in perception rather than reality. My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, will you grant me your hand in marriage?”
“Yes, William, absolutely yes. I want to marry you. I love you more than I have words to describe and I cannot wait for us to begin our married life together.” William thought he would float off the ground as he heard the words he most wanted to hear. He stood and pulled his betrothed up with him.
He gently drew her to himself and she came without any resistance or hesitation.
Elizabeth lifted her head and closed her eyes in anticipation as the distance between them closed.
As their lips met, her feelings caused a warmth to spread throughout her body such as she had never before felt.
Untutored though she was, Elizabeth responded eagerly, winding her arms around his neck, and pressing herself close to him.
For a brief moment, which felt like an eternity, their lips were connected as one of their mutual desires was accomplished.
Their first kiss had been long, but chaste.
Elizabeth was sure William could hear the beating of her heart; she could hear it beating loudly.
It sounded as though a host of drummers were beating a steady rhythm.
Even though they had been restrained, the effect was electric.
Elizabeth’s grip around his neck tightened and she pulled him even closer.
At the same time his hands snaked around her waist, pulling her so close that their bodies touched on all plains.
William did not need further invitation.
Their second kiss was deeper and released their pent-up passions.
All too soon, William pulled back slightly as they both took shuddering breaths.
They could not know it, but their hearts were almost beating in sync.
William did not miss her look of disappointment as he created a little distance between them, and his expression gentled when Elizabeth kept her hold around his neck.
“Lizzy, we must step back before someone enters. We do not have unlimited time, my love,” William rasped as he tried to bring his breathing and heartbeat back to normal.
As if to make his point, there was a knock on the door, causing Elizabeth to release him, reluctantly. After a slight pause, the door opened and the four adults returned.
“Given the joy I see radiating from you both, I assume you have reached an understanding?” Fanny asked as she looked from one to the other. Lizzy was not one to blush easily, but at this moment she was deep scarlet all the way down to her day dress.
“Bennet, Uncle Freddy, I—we—request your consent and blessing to marry. I proposed to Lizzy, and she accepted me,” William managed to relay in his dreamlike state.