Page 35 of Secrets Across the Sea

Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 17

Starting, Darcy met his cousin’s gaze, the chair beneath him creaking as he moved.

“Come,” Fitz whispered, Darcy’s eyes flitting to Elizabeth; her colour improved, her breathing easy, she almost appeared as she always had.

Wincing as every muscle in his body argued against the decision, Darcy stood, his cousin motioning toward the hall.

“Come, get something to eat. The physician wishes to examine you and before you ask, yes, he has seen her and she will be alright–you could sleep through a battle when you have a mind to.”

Alright? She would be alright.

Grinning, Darcy made his way awkwardly after his cousin, his limbs choosing to behave as those of a newborn calf, though he did not care. Elizabeth would be alright. She was alright. And she… Taking his cousin’s arm as they made their way toward the dining room, Darcy frowned as he forced Fitz to halt.

“Has she not wakened?” he asked worriedly.

Nodding, Fitz pulled Darcy along, “She has. Last night she and Mary talked, then again she woke up long enough to speak with the physician an hour ago; she is making excellent strides. If she continues as she is, he believes she will be well enough to return to Lady Charmane’s tomorrow.”

“That is good news. Hopefully when she is next awake I can speak with her.”

“And apologize?” Fitz teased as they entered the dining room.

“And apologize… as soon as I may.”

∞∞∞

Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 18

Pulling on his coat with a growl, Darcy readied himself for the short, cold drive ahead. A moment alone with Elizabeth. Was that too much to ask?

Eyes following Elizabeth as she was placed into a carriage with her sisters and Lady Charmane, he frowned.

If only everyone did not hover over Elizabeth so, he might have been able to apologize. Instead, he never even had the chance to speak with her. Lady Charmane had to be the worst offender, her tales of the escapades she and Mrs. Bennet had gotten into as children–though amusing and welcome any other time–had gone on for hours without end, Elizabeth ready for sleep by the time the Grand Lady saw fit to shut her mouth.

Fists curling, he took a steadying breath. A cousin of Elizabeth’s, distant true, but a cousin nonetheless. Elizabeth would not wish to forgive him for his last offense if he managed another.

He simply had to be patient. Hours, maybe days, but he would find an opportunity to speak to Elizabeth alone, apologize, and if all was forgiven, he would risk a kiss and settle their marriage plans forthwith; her uncle’s approval arrived or not!

∞∞∞

Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 20

Pacing in front of his window, Darcy paused to ascertain the time. Ten. Perhaps she would be downstairs? She had not been half an hour ago, but it certainly would not hurt to see for himself. Two days with Elizabeth being confined to her room might as well have been a lifetime.

“But no more,” he smiled as he made his way to the door.

She would be allowed downstairs today and, barring violence, he would find a way to be alone with her. Another day apart from Elizabeth would have him run mad.

Down the hall, stairs, and another hall, he walked briskly, his eyes roving every hall and room he passed in the hopes of finding Elizabeth, each place he looked devoid of her presence; only the drawing room and library remained.

Peering in the library, Darcy’s face fell at the absence of Elizabeth, the room empty save Lord Brayburn.

Returning to the hall before a conversation might be begun, Darcy’s chest pounded as he made his way to the drawing room. If she had not yet come down he would have to seek her out.

“I am pleased to see you are looking so well,” the voice of Mr. Thomson cooed from the drawing room, Darcy’s face fixing into a scowl.

“Thank you, Mr. Thomson,” Elizabeth answered, her tone laced with forced politeness.

“We were rather worried here, but thankfully none of our worries were realized.” Cackling, he added, “It seems we have found a use for Americans after all… rather similar to one which a dog might accomplish, but a use nonetheless.”

“Pardon?”

“Retrieving you… surely you have heard of dogs which are trained to pull those sleds. Well, Darcy did what they might do, though you could say he had to sniff you out first. Honestly, if your life were not at stake I would say it was a degradation for a woman of your standing to find herself in the arms of a man who is so…”

“Stop there, please, Mr. Thomson,” Elizabeth huffed. “I do not wish to forget that I am a lady; and one more word from you will sorely tempt me. Honestly, you are more pompous than any man I have ever known. You, who consider yourself a gentleman, insult the man who risked his life to save mine. A man who is himself a gentleman, and if I might add, one of greater worth than you, and no, I speak not of money, but of character. What a contrast to the man in front of me; you are as insipid as you are contemptible.”

“I have no qualms in leaving forthwith,” he growled. “Wealth and connections or not, a marriage to you would not be worth it!”

Elizabeth’s laughter following Mr. Thomson out, Darcy smirked as the fuming man stomped past him, nose raised high in the air.

Taking a deep breath, Darcy seized his opportunity and entered the drawing room, Elizabeth standing with her back to him as she stared out the window.

“Marriage to you is all I want,” he said softly as he made his way toward her, her shoulders starting at his voice before she turned to meet his gaze. “It has been all I have wanted almost from the moment I met you in the library… and in my fear of not being worthy of that love, I spoke things my heart told me were false. The truth is I love you. There are not words enough to express it. You deserve more than I can give, a man better than I; but if, as I hope, you still love me in return, might I seek to become that better man? To love you, and only you, all the days of my life?”

“A better man?” Elizabeth asked as she lessened the distance between them. “No one is perfect, but I do believe I have found the best of men… certainly, the best for me.” Hand reaching up to the base of his neck, her fingers played with his hair, his breath stilling at her touch. “I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she murmured. “And I would gladly have you love me a lifetime, if I might do the same?”

Nodding, he took in every aspect of her face, her features ingrained in his memory.

This. This was one sight he could never tire of. And to think, after they married he might enjoy seeing her every day.

“If only we did not have to keep all this a secret,” he moaned, his eyes wandering over her face, the brightness in her eyes bewitching.

Reaching into her pocket Elizabeth pulled out a letter, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. “This arrived only yesterday… my uncle has agreed to let us marry!”

“Marry? Truly?” he grinned.

“Yes, truly,” she answered, her eyes dancing as she inclined her head toward him, “Now then, are you going to kiss me? Or shall I hav…” Elizabeth’s words drowned out as he captured her lips with his; her wish his command.