Page 166 of Obligation and Redemption
“Very well, Brother, and you must call me Jane.”
Bingley and Jane soon departed for town.
Darcy had offered his home for the following three days before the couple would catch a boat to the continent.
The Darcys would stay on at Netherfield until that time, giving the newly married couple time to become better acquainted without his sisters around.
Unfortunately for Darcy and Elizabeth that meant that they, in turn, would have the tiresome pleasure of Bingley’s sisters’ company without the benefit of Bingley’s presence, but each would take it in stride.
It had been quite scandalous upon their arrival when Darcy requested his former room for both him and his wife.
“But Mr. Darcy, we have a room for your wife just across the hall from you. I am certain that you both will be much more comfortable that way, for I recently realised that your former room has not the space for two,” Miss Bingley had said.
“And where is Georgiana to stay?” asked he.
“Just two doors down from your own chamber.”
“I see. If it is acceptable to you and to Georgiana, put her in the room across from me and my wife.”
“But there is only one dressing room, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley as she had continued to attempt to change his mind. “And the bed is too small.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingley, for your kind attentions, but we are happy to share accommodations, especially in light of the bed, are we not, my love?” he said turning to his wife who was trying not to let out a giggle.
Elizabeth had developed a real fondness and appreciation for her husband’s dry and subtle humour.
The look on Miss Bingley’s face almost caused her to lose her countenance while her husband appeared as serious as he ever had been.
Elizabeth had come to realise that Darcy had a knack for holding in his true feelings when it served his purposes; however, now she could read him and all of his previously indistinguishable nuances as she had her father.
How like my papa this man is! But as with Mr. Collins was with her papa, the novelty of Miss Bingley as a source of entertainment had soon worn off.
While at the wedding breakfast, Miss Bingley stood off to the side with her sister, Louisa, and her husband, Mr. Hurst. She found plenty to talk about as she attempted to disparage Mrs. Bennet’s choices, but even her sister could not agree this time.
Everything about the day had gone smoothly and without blemish.
Louisa had even found Mr. Darcy’s impromptu sharing of vows romantic and touching.
If only her own husband adored her has Mr. Darcy had so obviously adored his wife, she would be more than pleased.
Louisa saw Caroline’s words for what they were – the green monster of envy.
The Gardiners were also at the wedding, delighted to witness the nuptials, and renewal of the same, respectively, of their favourite nieces.
They had been at Longbourn since two days prior, spending as much time as was possible with the Darcys.
Mrs. Gardiner was able to share some stories with Georgiana about her parents from times past. “I once held you in my arms, Miss Darcy, when my father came to visit Pemberley. I begged him to take me to see the new baby. I was but fourteen. I remember that you were so small in my arms.” Then reaching over to her and touching the young woman’s arm she said, “Your mother was so proud of you; I can still remember. She loved you so.” This brought Georgiana both joy and pain as she considered a life without a mother, but was pleased that she now had a sister in her life and a whole new family to love.
During the visit, Georgiana had come to respect the wise and comforting words of Darcy’s former infatuation, the older woman from his youth , as they recalled yet again the stories that had already been shared with Darcy, but without Elizabeth’s or Georgiana’s presence.
The Gardiners were to leave in the morning with a promise to have dinner at Darcy House the following week.
The wedding and subsequent breakfast were splendid successes.
The day ran long as the Darcys remained at Longbourn until most all of the guests had departed.
The Fitzwilliams left for London shortly after the colonel had gone, happy that their obligation had been fulfilled with as little trouble as possible.
They had spoken politely to Elizabeth and her family hoping to appease Darcy and his justified entreaty for restitution for their son’s abhorrent actions.
Lady Victoria, who was soon to be known as Vickie to Elizabeth, took time during the festivities, before their departure, to become better acquainted with her new cousin.
Her brother, the colonel, had high regard for Elizabeth, which was enough to open her heart towards the younger woman.
She found a most agreeable companion who would one day, with time, become the closest of friends.
As Elizabeth and the colonel shared a liveliness of spirit, his sister, who also shared that same trait, could not help but love her.
That night Elizabeth slept soundly in her husband’s arms as she dreamt of the events of the day. She had never been more hopeful of her life as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
ELIZABETH HAD CONTINUED her morning walks with her husband by her side.
Miss Bingley, who had now finished her tenure as mistress of her brother’s home, sniggered behind Elizabeth’s back, wondering if Mrs. Darcy would ever become a true lady.
Mr. Darcy seemed to have been roped into her wild ways, or perhaps attempted to limit her uncivilised excursions by keeping watch.
Had Miss Bingley known Darcy’s true pleasure derived from a morning walk with the woman he loved, she might have felt more jealousy than disdain, but she would remain in preferred ignorance.
Early, on the morning following the wedding, shortly after dawn, the couple found themselves near the setting of their infamous meeting.
“William, do you recognise this place?”
He looked around, the woods seeming as similar here as anywhere, but then understanding dawned on his face. “Is this where I practically ran you over?”
She laughed, “I am glad you now see the truth for what it is. Yes, this is the place. I was walking, or perhaps running, this way, and you came galloping up the path from over there,” she said while pointing down the way.
You fell off your horse right over there,” she said as she walked in that direction.
“Your horse dragged you a good distance into the woods that way. I will show you where you were finally released.”
Darcy followed her past the bramble and mature oaks until she stopped.
He stood behind her and so could not see her expression as she looked onto the spot where his foot had found its freedom.
Her hand reached up and covered her face as she began to cry.
He had become used to the emotional outbursts that accompanied the state of being with child, but he could not account whatsoever for her current spontaneous display.
“Lizzy, are you well?” he asked gently, walking up and touching her shoulder with his right hand.
She turned halfway towards him, which allowed him to see her tears.
Rather than ask again, he just took her in his embrace and soothed her while she cried.
“Don’t you see?”
“No, my love, I do not. What has you so distraught this morning?”
She pulled back wiping her eyes and pointed to a large oak that had fallen to the ground.
The sight was no different than another along their walk.
Elizabeth’s father had mentioned that during that awful storm some trees had found their demise, which had yet to be removed.
“It was over there that you lay, where that tree is now. If I had done what I had originally desired, if I had left you there while I sought help, you would have surely perished. But something inside of me demanded that I get you to safety. For months I cursed my decision to move you to the cabin, and now I understand. If I had left you there you would have died!” Speaking her thoughts aloud brought on an even greater display of affectivity.
“Are you certain? Maybe this tree fell at a later time.”
“No, I remember clearly my papa saying that a few trees had fallen around the area and that we were fortunate not to have been hurt during the storm.”
“Well, my sweet wife, you did get me to safety, and I am fine. Please, no more tears,” he said as he rubbed her back.
“I know you think me to be emotional like so many other women who cry over silly things, but I can assure you that I am not. Since January, I find that my sentiments have no boundaries! But, the thought of something happening to you overwhelms me.”
Her husband continued to comfort her as she let her feelings play out, until he asked, “Where is the cabin? I would see it if we can.”
Elizabeth pulled away and smiled, saying, “You wish to distract me, and I cannot oppose the idea. I believe it is in this direction.” Elizabeth reached over and took his hand as they worked their way through the woods.
The distance was greater than Darcy could have thought.
There were small hills, ditches and brush along the pathway. Indeed, it was not a pathway at all.
“Elizabeth, is this the way you took me?”
“Mostly, although I had to bypass some of the steeper hills. There it is,” she finished, pointing ahead.
Darcy looked back from whence they came, then forward again. “You jest.”
“I do not, sir.”
“You expect me to believe that you dragged a man of my size, over rough terrain, that distance? Elizabeth, I know you are an active woman and likely more capable than most, but I cannot believe that you were able to accomplish that feat.”
“Do you still think I had an accomplice, Husband? Perhaps Mr. Wickham helped me?”
“No, of course not, but you must be mistaken.”
“I am not. I remember the journey quite clearly. You were in and out of consciousness, the rain was coming down, and I nearly missed the sight of the cabin. Water filled those ditches over there,” she said as she motioned towards the trenches, now dry.
“The lightning was what frightened me most, for I had heard of people being struck down. Halfway here, I began to wish I had gone for aid instead. Thank God I did not.”
“Perhaps that is our answer.”
“What do you mean?”
“You do believe in divine intervention, do you not?”
“I do, but I thought that a man of your intellectual prowess might discount such an idea.”
“At one time, you would likely be right, but I have come to see that there are many things in our lives that cannot be explained by chance alone, that forces outside of our control might be at work, deciding for our good. I now see that a keen intellect and spiritual awareness are not mutually exclusive. I told you about my time in London, back in January.” He blushed.
“I know this might sound odd, but I suspect someone was taking care of me, despite my continued will to the contrary. I believe that I was somehow changed for the better. My eyes were in a way opened to my weaknesses that I had not seen before. That even though you were not concerned about my eternal whereabouts, someone else was.” Then Darcy reached for her hands and said, “Elizabeth, think about it.
Here we stand as husband and wife, overcoming all odds, even our own wills, to get to this point.
There can be no other explanation but Providence.
Certainly, I could never have conceived of such an enigmatic journey.
“And when I consider how I have afflicted you in so many ways, and yet you forgive me – I am overwhelmed. What did I do to deserve such grace? ”
Elizabeth laughed. “Grace is not something you can earn, William. As I had been pardoned, I chose to pardon you, despite your many faults,” she said, her eyes sparkling, either from emotion or amusement.
“You are a remarkable woman, Elizabeth Darcy; your generosity overwhelms me. I have many times wondered why you did not leave me in the storm to fend for myself. I certainly gave you no reason to help me.”
“True, but you were so very rich.” This caused Darcy to laugh outright at the absurdity. Then he looked upon her radiant features, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
“I thank God everyday for the accident that brought us together. And although the road has been hard-won, the blessings that you have brought to my life far outweigh any strife.” Darcy leaned down and kissed her on her forehead as she contentedly leaned into his gentle and loving embrace.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”
John 10:10b