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CAUGHT!

T he church bells woke Elizabeth. At first, she had thought that she had dreamt that Darcy had stayed in her bed, she gloried in feeling his arms still around her. She shuffled closer and tried to return to her world of slumber. Sleep had fled from her. She was now wide awake. Wide awake and in Darcy’s arms. It had not been a dream! He should have been gone by now. She heard her mother’s shrieks as the family slowly rose for church.

Elizabeth tried to wake Darcy. “You are not supposed to be here,” she hissed. “You need to hide.”

Darcy held Elizabeth closer, deliberately nuzzling her neck. Elizabeth gave a low moan as she gave in to his affection. Their moment together was short-lived, as her mother flung open her door. The sight and sound of Elizabeth in a close embrace with Darcy was too much for the matriarch.

“MR BENNET!” Mrs Bennet screamed before fainting on the floor.

In seconds, Mr Bennet and the rest of the Bennet sisters were in Elizabeth’s room. Jane and Mary were frantically trying to revive their mother while Mr Bennet furiously demanded an explanation from Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s room had become the scene of perfect chaos. Mrs Bennet slowly came round and some kind of order was restored. Darcy slowly explained how he and Fitzwilliam had switched places during the dinner party and how he had accidentally missed the carriage as his cousin and friend had returned to Netherfield. Mr Bennet crossed his arms as he listened to the reasoned and dispassionate way Darcy explained the situation. “Young man, you have abused our hospitality and deceived us and our friends. Your behaviour has not convinced me that you are ruled by anything more than your lust. However, it is my youngest daughter’s wedding day and we are late for church this morning. We do not have time to deal with this situation today. However, the two of you had better consider yourselves engaged from this moment, and a wedding is to be arranged as soon as possible.”

“I understand, sir.” Darcy hung his head. He knew that his actions had been wrong.

The bells of the church sounded again. “Oh Lord, everyone in the hallway in five minutes,” Mrs Bennet ordered, “or as soon as practically possible.”

It was clear, that Mrs Bennet would not allow the errant couple to stay at home. Elizabeth and Darcy sighed. Neither of them would have gotten dressed so quickly in their lives.

“Mr Darcy, there is no time for you to shave this morning. I will, however, make my shaving equipment at your disposal after church.” Mr Bennet crossed his arms and savagely instructed the couple, “I expect you both to return here immediately after church.”

Elizabeth sniggered at Darcy’s predicament. As soon as the room was clear, the two of them sprang out of bed. Sarah was quietly waiting to aid Elizabeth into her corset and her Sunday clothes. Darcy marvelled at how easily they fell into a rhythm that meant they could both wash their faces and make themselves presentable and in record time they were ready. Before they left her room, Darcy pulled Elizabeth into his arms. “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. I am sorry for putting you in this situation.” He pulled her face up so she was looking into his eyes, before kissing her deeply. “The next time we share a bed, it will be our wedding night. I promise.”

Elizabeth reached up and cupped his face. The rough stubble of his beard that had grown during the night felt odd under her hand, but she revelled in the way it felt. It was time for them to leave for the church. Today their official engagement period had begun. Today was the beginning of the rest of their lives.