Page 96 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
Darcy rang for the servant, his anger mixed with sadness and disappointment. While James turned to leave, furious and red faced, he almost knocked Elizabeth down in the hall. He apologised and kissed her hand, and she said, smiling and holding his arm:
“Mr Darcy, have you come to establish a schedule with William to learn the business of your estates as we discussed? I hope you will start soon and we shall see each other often.”
James Darcy stared at her, frozen, his redness slowly turning white.
“No… We had some business to discuss of a different nature. Good evening, Mrs Darcy.”
Elizabeth glanced after him—guessing the reason for his unexpected visit—then stepped to her husband who was staring out the window. She touched his arm, and he turned with a bitter smile then embraced her and kissed her hair.
“He will never change,” Darcy said.
“I am sorry to see you so pained.” She rested her head on his chest while her hands encircled his waist. For a long moment, there was nothing but silent tenderness and mutual comfort. Then he withdrew and caressed her forehead, his face somewhat lighter.
“I believe the Gardiners are here. I think I heard a carriage.”
***
The joy of receiving her relatives in her new home was overwhelming to Elizabeth. Tearfully, she noticed her uncle and aunt’s shyness in walking along the main hall.
She kissed them lovingly, and Darcy invited the guests into the drawing room. However, Elizabeth declared she wished to speak a few minutes alone with her aunt, and without further explanation, she took Mrs Gardiner’s arm and showed her to her apartment.
Inside Elizabeth’s suite, Mrs Gardiner remained still with an expression of wonder on her face. “Oh, Lizzy, I cannot believe you stay in Mrs Darcy’s rooms. That you are Mrs Darcy.”
“I cannot believe it myself, yet, dear Aunt. Here, take a seat wherever you want.”
Mrs Gardiner chose a small chair as she was afraid to disturb anything. “Aunt, I am so happy you are finally here! I have so many things to tell you!”
“Lizzy dearest, red roses in the middle of winter?” Mrs Gardiner’s astonishment grew beyond words, and Elizabeth laughed, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“Yes! William brought them to me yesterday morning! And last week, I received another bouquet with pink and cream roses.” She touched the petals and enjoyed the soft scent.
“You seem so happy, Lizzy—both you and Mr Darcy. And you look different from when I saw you before.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flamed. “We are different, Aunt—just like the roses.”
“What do you mean? Oh, Lizzy, what beautiful furniture—such exquisite taste! Forgive me, dearest, I became distracted. What were you saying? What do you mean different ?”
Elizabeth gathered her courage for a confession while the redness on her face matched the roses.
“Aunt, I have so many things to tell you, but one is the most extraordinary! I just learnt two nights ago myself. Do you remember ten years ago in Brighton when I nearly drowned with Lucky? It was William, Aunt! He was the one who saved me! He was there with his cousin, visiting Lady Anne! Could such a coincidence be possible?”
“I cannot believe it! How can this be? What a strange thing! But how did you find out? Lizzy, I really cannot believe it! Is it true?” Mrs Gardiner was beyond astonishment.
“On our way to London after the wedding, I tried to make conversation, and I told William that I met Lady Anne and Georgiana ten years ago. And then, as a joke, I mentioned the accident. His reaction made me wonder even then, but he did not say anything. Only when we last returned from Longbourn did he confess. He said he avoided telling me before so as not to influence my opinion of him. He said he wanted me to know him as he is now, to grow fond of him without being impressed by the past.”
“That is truly incredible, Lizzy. Just wait until your uncle finds out. He spent years searching for that young man, only to find ourselves in his own house tonight. How can this be?”
“I asked myself the same thing. At first, I was a little upset with William, but then I understood his reason. I think it was best that he waited before telling me because now I am certain of my feelings for him, and I know his true worthiness as he is now.”
“What a story! So many coincidences, my dear! I am relieved that you seem so serene, so happy. When I remember the day when he proposed to you less than a month ago…”
“I had no tender feelings for him at that time. In truth, I barely knew him. It was so difficult to be alone in London and to adjust to everything. We fought a few times—very badly indeed. I do not even want to remember it. Those first two weeks passed as a year, but I have come to see him in such a different way. I have to thank you for insisting on my marrying him.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled. “So, am I to understand that all goes well now? Do you enjoy your husband’s company? In every particular? Even when you are alone ?”
Elizabeth felt her face burning with shame, and she averted her eyes. “Oh, Aunt, it is… I remember when you told Jane and me that the marriage bed is not something to fear…”
“I remember too. I hope you will not prove me wrong. Was your husband patient with you? Sometimes young men may show a certain eagerness.”
“He was very patient and caring. I enjoy his company so much—all the time. We spoke of his business, and he shared his problems with me. And when we are alone, the things that happen… I know I should be ashamed of such feelings, but I am not. Is that wrong?”
“So I have no reason to worry that you do not enjoy your husband’s attentions.” The lady laughed and, observing Elizabeth’s agitation, caressed her hand.
“You must not be ashamed of what you feel when you are with your husband. If he is pleased and you are pleased with what happens between you, nothing else matters.”
“It is true—when I am with him, nothing else matters. I must be losing my mind. Two weeks ago I was certain I hated him, and I despaired at marrying him, and now…”
“He seems to be a smart man who knew how to win you, I believe.”
“It started so gradually that I cannot remember the moment I started to become attached to him. I think it is because he always seems more preoccupied with my happiness than with his own—in everything, even when we… You know what I mean…”
“I do know, my dear. If you ask me, I think your feelings were not as opposed to him as you believed, even at the beginning of your marriage. And by the time you returned to Longbourn, you both seemed quite affectionate with each other.”
“Yes, I believe we were, although we had just had an enormous fight. But all is well now.”
“Lizzy, you must consider yourself a very fortunate woman. If I understand your words correctly, Mr Darcy is not only a worthy gentleman, but also a generous husband.”
“Yes, he is,” Elizabeth answered, disconcerted by the sudden change of subject. “The settlement he offered me was beyond what I could hope for, and the jewels—”
“My dear, I am not talking of that sort of generosity but of the care and attention he gives you in private. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Oh, I see… Yes… You are right—my husband is a generous man, and I am very fortunate.” Elizabeth’s face, neck and shoulders were covered in a rosy hue.
“Now should we not return to the others? I do not wish to appear impolite to our hosts.”
“Of course, how silly of me. I thank you so much, dear Aunt! Your advice is always so useful. There is nobody with whom I can talk as I do with you.”
“Talk to your husband now, Lizzy. It seems you can safely do so. Let him know what and how deeply you feel. I dare say he will be very pleased to hear it.”
“I will—and I already have. We have learnt to be very open with each other. I am truly a fortunate woman.”
“I am so glad for you! Oh, I forgot to ask you: Was I correct when I said a handsome husband made everything easier to bear?”
“Indeed you were,” Elizabeth said, laughing through the embarrassment that never left her while she showed her aunt back to the drawing room.
They were met by their husbands, who were caught in pleasant conversation and the enjoyment of fine brandy.
With no little emotion, Mrs Gardiner approached the master of the house.
“Mr Darcy, I have just discovered something that has troubled our peace for years, and I cannot keep the secret any longer. It seems we owe you not only for the present felicity of our niece but also for her life. Edward, let me introduce to you the man you have sought for so long.”
Darcy attempted to stay the words of gratitude. “Mrs Gardiner, it is not—”
“Madeline, what are you speaking of?” Mr Gardiner inquired, embarrassed by his wife’s behaviour. Elizabeth stepped closer and took hold of Darcy’s arm.
“Uncle, William is the young man who saved my life ten years ago! I know he loathes having his merits acknowledged, but he has no choice. He must accept the fact that he is my hero.”
The astonishment that followed that revelation struck Mr Gardiner so forcefully that he needed to sit, staring in silence, and then asked rather impolitely to have his glass refilled.
Only then did he find the strength to shake Darcy’s hand.
Nothing could prevent his expressions of gratitude for what Darcy felt was quite a long time .
Darcy’s embarrassment made him silent. He felt slightly displeased with Elizabeth’s confessing to her relatives something that he considered unworthy of such praise.
But her eyes sparkling with tears of emotion, her hands gripping his arm, and her tender smiles eliminated his discomfort. And he had no choice but to accept becoming what he had so much wished without even knowing what he had done to deserve the title: her hero!