Page 77 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
A way from the crowd of cheerful wedding guests, Papa’s library was quiet, the books lining every wall helping to muffle sounds from the rest of the house.
Somehow she knew that William, like her, needed to remain quiet, the room already heavy with her father’s emotion. They waited together silently, as Papa walked to the bookshelf that was between the fireplace and his great oak desk. He reached up and took down a small, worn, wooden box.
William’s hand reached for hers; he must have heard her breath catch. It was her box, the small box of pennies saved from her childhood.
Papa smiled at her, his eyes moist. He gestured them to the chairs and then drew one up closer. “Yes, my little Lizzy, it’s your penny box.”
Elizabeth leaned towards him, her fingers covering her mouth, as he opened the lid, showing them a folded sheet of paper which he removed carefully.
William stayed silent beside her, and she could feel his love and support as her Papa unfolded the paper. Inside was a penny piece, just one.
She looked up at her Papa, who smiled wryly. “Your papa is a sentimental fool, Lizzy. This…” he held it out, resting on his palm “…is the very first penny you invested and began earning your four per cents on when you were four years old and determined to save and earn your way to independence.”
Elizabeth took the penny, and held it to her heart. “The same penny?”
“The very same one that you gave me. I substituted another for you to earn your four per cents on, and kept this one. I knew you were extraordinary even then, and I knew you would make more of that penny than I ever would.”
He smiled at her. “I have watched you with pride and wonder all these years, my daughter. You never forgot, never wavered, and never lost faith in your own abilities.” He chuckled and turned to William.
“Remember, if you want your ledgers tallied or checked, Elizabeth can scan the page in the blink of an eye, and she never fails to see any errors, or mistakes in the tally.” And then he turned back to Elizabeth.
“I believe this is your lucky penny. It will remind you of the rewards of patience and curiosity. Perhaps you will wish to keep it in the box as a talisman of the past and to move into your future together. You have wed a good man today, one who respects you and will not expect you to give up your talents. You do not need your papa any more to keep this for you.”
Elizabeth blinked furiously, but William had noticed.
He drew out his handkerchief, and dabbed away the tear that tracked down her cheek.
She smiled her thanks up at him, and attempted to steady her voice.
“I never thought you might have kept it, Papa. Thank you.” Her voice turned reminiscent.
“I remember. I remember how excited I was every day I received my penny. Then I would give it to you, and you showed me in my little ledger book how much you had added — in tiny fractions — to the pennies I had saved in just that week.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“And then I could take out a half-penny sometimes and buy birthday gifts for my sisters, and I learned to write poems or sayings on the card or embroider something on the ribbon to give it more value.”
Her father nodded. “And do you remember the day your uncle returned from India and you showed him the bag you had purchased, and began selling them at a profit to make more than the four per cents?”
William squeezed her hand around the penny. “How old were you then, Elizabeth?”
“I was ten. I could not have been the success I am without Papa and Uncle Gardiner. They have made my life something I could never have dreamed of. But I would still have done what I could.”
“ You have made your life, not it , Elizabeth. I am so proud you have agreed to allow me to be your husband, to permit me to be beside you in this extraordinary life of yours.” William’s voice held almost as much emotion as Elizabeth’s had, and she cherished that he understood her so well.
He turned to Papa. “Sir, you have given me the rarest gift; you raised a woman who can turn even a penny into untold treasure.”
She squeezed his hand in return. “Your mama planted an acorn at your birth to show you how high her hopes for you were, and Papa kept my first penny in belief of me. We are so fortunate to have had our parents’ love and support.”
“Might you do me the honour of sharing the story of the acorn, son?” Bennet’s gaze was soft as he looked at his new son-in-law.
“Of course.” William related the story to him as Elizabeth leaned against him, enchanted once more at the story. We must discover another gesture of such meaning for our children in the coming years.
Bennet smiled at the conclusion of the story. “I think your mother would be beaming with pride at the man you have become.”
“I wish she could have met Elizabeth, she would have loved her; the only person who is perfect for me.”
“I am sure she knows, William, and is glad that you are happy.”
Her father stood up. “Well, I am sure the guests are getting restless and wish to wave you off to your new life.” He nodded at them. “I will go and head them off for perhaps ten minutes. I am sure you wish for a time to be private.”
Then he left the room and closed the door behind him.
William immediately rose to his feet, and Elizabeth gasped.
“Dearest Elizabeth, what a beautiful day your family has given us. But I would be remiss if we could not take this opportunity your father has given us.” His smile was tender, as he drew her closer and cupped her face in his hands, tipping it closer.
“Your father gave you your penny… my mother planted her acorn. Between them, they have given us everything we need. Now, together, we can make the future.” His lips met hers, soft, warm and passionate, as her arms stole around him in the embrace she had never dreamed she would know.
She had her father’s blessing, her husband’s devotion, and, with this kiss, the promise of all that was to come in her new life with William beside her, all the years of their life together.
Darcy’s kiss lingered on her lips as the carriage rolled away, the guests all waving them off. The penny was safe in the box on her lap, the acorn was in his heart, and between them a life just beginning.