Page 54 of A Life Diverted
“I am sad that Longbourn will no longer be my home…” Elizabeth saw the protests forming.
“I know I can always consider it my home, but it will no longer be the only one I have ever known. I did feel an affinity to Willowmere. I suppose deep down beyond my memories I know that is the home of my birth. I am the most fortunate girl I know. How many can boast of two mothers, two fathers, a grandmama, and so much more family?”
“You know that if William declares himself, he will need to join Giana here at Longbourn, as he will not be allowed to sleep in the same house as you,” Beth pointed out with a smile.
“That will give me even more reason to call here,” Elizabeth teased.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“William, you will think me out of my senses, but I swear I just saw Wicky sauntering along the main street of the town in the uniform of the militia,” Richard stated as the coach they were in turned onto the road which would lead them to Longbourn.
Darcy pushed his face against the window on the side Richard indicated, but they had already made the turn, and he could no longer see what his cousin had. “Are you sure, Rich?”
“I would know that bastard from anywhere. Assuming I am correct, what could his reason be for being here? And why would he be in the militia? If it is him, we may need to speak to the commander of the regiment.” Richard paused.
“Even though it is not six months since he attempted to foist that Miss Younge on us, he could have joined as an officer to try and better himself. I suggest we send some men, ones he will not recognise, to keep an eye on him. One boot out of line and we will know how to act.”
“I agree,” Darcy said. “We will give him the benefit of the doubt, even after what he attempted with Giana, but we both know it will not be long before he is up to no good again. In the meanwhile, we need to warn everyone.”
“In principle, I agree; however, I suggest we wait until we have confirmation it is him. No sense in causing worry before we know there is a need,” Richard replied.
“Let us dispatch some men as soon as we arrive at Longbourn. If it is that snake in the grass, the sooner we know, the better,” Darcy suggested.
His cousin nodded his agreement. “Do you think it is too soon to declare myself for Ellie?” He asked as he changed the subject to one imminently more pleasurable.
“If you are unsure, speak to Wendell and Aunt Cilla first. You know them; if they think it is too soon to have Ellie officially courted after recovering her, they will tell you,” Richard advised.
He emphasised the word ‘officially’ as anyone with eyes could see that William had been unofficially courting Ellie for some weeks now. Even Richard, who was in the fog of the pleasure of his own regained love, had not missed that. From what he could see, Ellie was receptive to William as a suitor.
“That is good advice; I will do so,” Darcy stated.
For the rest of the short ride, Darcy was lost as he imagined the joy he would feel once he had permission to declare himself for Ellie, if, of course, she accepted his suit without delay.
The Darcy coach was behind the Matlocks’, carrying Richard’s parents, Aunt Catherine, the Wendell parents, Stephen Granger, and David.
Barney, to no one’s surprise, was calling at Lucas Lodge.
He had shared his intention to propose to Charlotte when he arrived at her home with those in residence at Netherfield Park.
No one who had seen the love between Charlotte and Barney doubted the outcome of Barney’s endeavour.
While the occupants of the leading conveyance entered Longbourn’s manor house, Richard and Darcy pulled Thompson to one side.
They told him who they believed they had seen.
The big man scowled on hearing the miscreant’s name.
The footman was given instructions to task three or four of their guards, whom Wickham would not know, to scout around Meryton once they had been given a good description of the man.
Once Thompson had his instructions, the cousins headed into the house.
First, Darcy greeted the Bennets before he quietly asked Aunt Cilla and Wendell if he may speak to them. They agreed, and the three went across the hall to a parlour.
“I know that Ellie was only restored to you quite recently. If you think me too selfish, tell me, and I will be silent on this subject until you give me permission to address her,” Darcy began. “However, if you agree, I would like to speak to Ellie about a shared future between us.”
“William, we would never stand in love’s way,” Cilla stated. “You do love Ellie, do you not?”
“Most ardently,” Darcy replied.
“In that case, we do not object to you addressing her,” Wendell allowed. “Unless you want to run afoul of Ellie, you need to ask Fanny and Bennet as well. And do not forget if you and our daughter reach an understanding that you will need permission and blessings from both sets of her parents.”
As he was far too pleased to be allowed to declare himself for the woman he loved, all Darcy could do was nod emphatically as he found that he had temporarily lost the power of speech.
“Then go speak to the Bennets, and if they agree, go to it,” Wendell encouraged.
A few of his long strides brought Darcy back into the drawing room.
Thankfully Aunt Fanny and Bennet were seated next to one another.
It was the work of moments to gain their permission for him to address Ellie.
He was told to use Bennet’s study for the interview. Soon enough, he stood before Ellie.
“Welcome William. I thought you had chosen not to join us,” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow in challenge.
“Ellie, if you agree, I would like to address you in private. Both sets of your parents have agreed that I may speak to you,” Darcy stated almost breathlessly. He still could not believe he was about to advance his suit with the incredible woman before him; that is, if she accepted him.
“Hmmm, let me cogitate on this,” Elizabeth teased as she placed one finger on her chin as if she were deep in thought. “Yes, William, I will be happy to hear what you have to say.”
“Teasing woman,” Darcy stated with a grin as he extended his hand to help Ellie stand.
By the time they reached the study, a maid was seated on a chair just outside the door. As instructed, Darcy left the door open a few inches.
They walked to the sofa where Elizabeth sat, and he remained standing.
“We have ten minutes,” Darcy informed her.
“Ellie, or should I say Elizabeth, I am sure my attention to you has not gone unnoticed. I have been falling in love with you since soon after that night at the assembly in September. Now my love and respect for you has blossomed and is as ardent as any has ever loved another before.”
Elizabeth thought about teasing William but decided this was not the time. “I have not missed your attentions, and they have been welcome.”
For an instant Darcy was struck dumb. He had hoped she returned his regard, and from what she had just said, it seemed she did.
“I believe that had you been a Bennet and not Ellie Wendell, we would have ended up at the same point’ although it may have been a longer road with more obstacles, but find one another, we would have.
I am certain that it was ordained that we should find each other, one way or another.
You, Elizabeth Elaine Wendell, are my soulmate, the one who completes me; you Ellie, are the yin to my yang. ”
“Like I have, I can see you have also read the works of Confucianism,” Elizabeth observed. “But you should know I feel the same. I too believe even had we not been family, we would have found our way one to the other.”
“I do not want to rush you and was worried that your Wendell parents would want you to remain at home with them for longer, but they are more interested in your happiness than any selfish desires they may have. Ellie, I love you with all that I am. If you need more time and would prefer an official courtship first, then I will wait as long as you need…” Darcy stopped speaking when Ellie stood and placed one of her delicate fingers on his lips.
“Silly man, I love you too. There is no need for a courtship, as it would be superfluous.”
The instant he heard her words, Darcy dropped to one knee before she sat again, and took her hands in his own much larger ones. “All that remains is for me to ask you if you will make me the happiest man in the world. Ellie, will you marry me? ”
“Yes, William, I would like nothing more than to be your wife. I will marry you and no other.”
As quickly as he fell onto one knee, Darcy was up again.
He gently pulled Ellie closer to himself.
As she tilted her head back and closed her eyes, he lowered his head until their lips met for the first time.
They both felt the frisson of pleasure which radiated out from their lips and suffused the whole of their bodies.
The first kiss was a very chaste brushing of the lips, but each subsequent one deepened.
Darcy wrapped his arms around the small of her back while Ellie’s arms snaked around his neck.
One of her hands found its way to his hair and caressed his curls.
Darcy was about to allow his tongue to touch her lips to see if, as he believed she would, she would allow it entry when the maid in the hallway cleared her throat, indicating their time was up.
When they stepped back, Elizabeth did not miss the rather prominent bulge in William’s trousers. Rather than tease him, she kept her eyes on his. “Do you require a minute or two while I collect the parents for us to speak to them?”
All Darcy could do was nod while he felt the tips of his ears burn. As soon as Ellie left the study, he thought of Caroline Bingley, causing a rapid deflation of his reaction to the kissing of his fiancée. How well that sounded! Barring any parental objections, he was engaged to Ellie.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth and both sets of her parents entered the study. Much to Darcy’s delight, none of the parents objected. Their betrothal was official.
The news was shared with those in the drawing room, and congratulations flowed freely. In the middle of it all, Barney and Charlotte arrived and announced their own engagement, which only made the celebration last longer.
The two newly engaged couples decided to defer discussions regarding a wedding date.